Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. If you see any characters or any of that stuff that you don't recognize, it's mine. The rest belongs to Tolkien.

Chapter Twenty-Three

After what seemed like a couple of hours, Ali felt her being set down. When she felt the piece of clothe removed from her eyes, Ali looked around her in amazement. They were in a huge cave, hustling and bustling with people.

"This place is huge," Ali murmured to herself.

Sam glanced over at Ali. "You and me both. This isn't a place for us Small People."

"If these weren't bad times, I would've had a good look around," Frodo commented.

As the three talked softly to themselves, the man that they saw earlier come towards them and sat on a wooden crate in front of them.

"My men tell me you are Orc spies," he said.

"Spies! Now wait just a minute!" Sam explained.

"Well, if you're not spies, then who are you?" the man asked. "Speak!"

"My name is Alexandria Wimund. These two are hobbits from the Shire. This one here is Frodo Baggins and the other is Samwise Gamgee," Ali said.

The man turned towards Sam and Frodo. "You're her bodyguards?"

"I'm his gardener and her friend," Sam said haughtily. "And Mr. Frodo's Ali's friend, also."

"Ah," the man said. "And where's your skulking friend? That gangrel creature. He had an ill-favored look."

"There was no other. We set out from Rivendell with seven companions. One we lost in Moria. Two were my kin. A dwarf there was also. And an elf. And two men," Frodo said.

"I see," the man said. He turned to Ali. "It is unusual to see a woman. What are you doing here and what's your purpose?"

"The same reason they are here. I was part of this Fellowship, as well. To give council if they needed it and to keep up their morale," Ali replied, wondering where this was going.

"My brother came to me just a couple days ago, from a Fellowship that sounds similar to the one you three speak of. He said a woman was among them. Well, almost, she was only about sixteen. She wasn't very tall and about as tall as you are," the man said.

"Who was your brother?" Frodo asked.

"Boromir, son of Denethor of Gondor. And I am Faramir, his brother," Faramir said.

Sam, Frodo and Ali looked at each other in surprise.

"Boromir? He's here?" Sam asked. "Shouldn't he be with the others-?"

"No, he is not with the others. He was sent to find a young lady to see if she is all right. The others went to go in search of two others of your size," Faramir said

"Merry and Pippin," Ali muttered to herself.

Faramir looked at Ali. "So you know what I am talking about."

Ali looked up at Faramir. "Yes, I do."

"Then follow me, all three of you," Faramir said, getting up from the crate.

The three of them followed after Faramir. Ali's heart pounded. So Boromir took her advice and he was alive. But he was sent to see if she was all right? She had made her choice, and the whole Fellowship knew that. Something wasn't right, not right at all.

Soon they came into a small room and a man was sitting on a crate, his back leaning against the wall of the cave, his eyes half closed. His eyes snapped open and stood up when they walked in. It was indeed Boromir.

"Boromir!" Ali exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought my brother told you that. I was sent here to find you," Boromir said.

"But why?" Ali asked.

"Why, because Mordor isn't a place for a young lady such as yourself," said Boromir.

"It's no place for any person, yet Frodo and Sam are going," Ali exclaimed.

"But that is different. They are going for an important task that you know must be done. You were never meant to go to Mordor with Frodo and Sam," Boromir said sharply.

"Then that means I was never meant to go on the Fellowship in the first place! I wasn't even supposed to exist here! All I did was get knocked out by a tree in my own world and woke up finding myself in a place that I didn't recognize at all!" Ali cried out, feeling very angry.

Faramir looked at Boromir. "What is she talking about?"

"Nothing that concerns you, little brother," Boromir said to Faramir, and then turned back to Ali. "I am very sorry, Ali, but that's the way it is."

"Then what are you going to do, then?" Ali asked.

"I'm going to take you to Gondor, that's what I'm going to do. There you'll meet some people you did not expect to see again for a long time and after that, who knows where?" Boromir stated.

"This is absurd! I made my choice on which path to take and you know it, Boromir!" Ali shouted. She turned to Frodo and Sam. "You know what I'm talking about. Please, don't let them take me."

"She is right, Boromir. She made her choice, even with me pleading with her to go back, it didn't change her decision. This is what Fate has decided for her," Frodo said. "And all three of us are in this, together."

"I know, Frodo, but her task with you is over. She must come with me to Gondor," Boromir said sternly.

Faramir turned to Boromir. "If you are to go, then you must leave now. These are evil times."

Boromir nodded. "I am going to." He turned to Ali and picked her up.

Ali looked shocked. "Wait, wait! You can't do this! No, put me down! Frodo! Sam! Do something!"

Frodo and Sam started toward her, but Faramir grabbed them. They struggled, but couldn't get to Ali. Ali struggled against Boromir, but he kept on walking.

"Frodo! Sam!" she cried out. "I didn't mean for this to happen! Let go of me, Boromir!"

But it was no use. Soon they reached Boromir's horse and Ali was thrown up onto the horse. Soon Boromir clambered up onto the horse behind Ali. Soon they were riding away from the caves at full speed, toward Gondor.

Ali clung to the saddle horn, seething with anger. How could Boromir do this to her? It was her choice to go with Frodo and Sam, and now what would happen to them without her there? Ali was sure she didn't help much, but helped Frodo and Sam get through the long days that they endured. How she hated Boromir now! Now Ali knew everything for her failed. There wasn't anything for it now. But Ali couldn't give up, there was another way, but Ali didn't know what.

A/n: Short chapter again, but I wanted to leave a cliffhanger. I hope you all liked it. I'll try and get another chapter up later today, but not right now. Anyhow, glad you all like the story so far!

***gatecirp**** - Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked it so far. Hope you continue reading.

Melissa Ocean- Thanks for the review! Don't worry; I'm not that evil. Heh heh. I'm sorry the grammar gets on your nerves, but I DO use spell check on my stuff, I promise yeh. Anyhow, thanks again for the review!

Angelofdragons- Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like how it's coming along. I think I'm making it suspenseful enough, laughing out loud. I've got it all planned, so keep reading!

Kage Miko- Thanks for the review! Well, we have our days; laugh out loud. I hate it when the same thing happens to me, when I'm stuck and there's no way I can do anything about it, if you follow me. But anyhow, thanks again for the review!

Princess of the Dark- Thanks so much for the review! I like Ali; she's awesome. I thought Pip was mine, man! Just kidding. I didn't make her follow Merry and Pippin because as much as Treebeard's a cool character, I would hate to write that section, 'cause it was truly boring in it's own way. Keep reading, I'll still surprise ya! Thanks again!

Rabbit- Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like the story. Keep reading, I'm sure you'll continue to like it! Thanks again!

Lauren- Thanks for the review! Yes, who doesn't love her? I hope you continue to read the story! Thanks again!