*** Paths alike ***

After the girl's chorus, they had a very boring trip indeed. Demi's legs ached from being cramped up amongst luggage and her back hurt from not being supported properly. Her head fell into her hands and she looked ahead and the river. It was so strong now that there was little need for paddling.

On either sides of the river were rocky walls, grey and lifeless. Even when there were trees, it brings little mirth or hope. Nobody dared to speak. Demi had a funny feeling in her stomach. She felt something fell near the fellowship, as though they were being followed. It was now dark and no light was given save by the moon. Demi swivelled around and looked past Legolas. Behind their boat was what looked like a dead log floating down the stream. Demi dismissed it as noting and turned back.

***

A few days passed and Demi's uneasiness did not shift. She felt herself constantly looking over her shoulder.

"Next time I even think about being loud, I'm going to silence it!" she said to herself. "I'll only bring unfriendly eyes and I fear I may have done that already." Demi sat huddled up, her head upon her knees.

Legolas spoke little. His head was always directed towards the heavens. When he did speak to her, it was to check to see if she was all right. She was fine, ever since she slept off her spell, but Demi could not handle this boredom any longer. She took out her spell book and began reading, hoping to memorise something.

***

The fifth day came and after being woken up in the early hours by Aragorn, the fellowship was informed that Gollum had picked up their trail. Demi then let out a surprised gasp and pulled Aragorn aside.

"I have to tell you something that I should have days ago. I have ever since our second day been feeling as though something was not quite right, and that something was on our trail. I guess in a sense I was right." Demi said, looking into Aragorn's eyes. He had a serious look on his face and he was deep in thought, then at last he spoke.

"Indeed, you were right. If you still or at any time have such an instinct, warn me at once." He said.

"Then it's now or never." Demi mumbled under her breath. 'Aragorn, its time I told you." she said in a hushed voice. "There is something going to happen to Boromir, I can feel it." She said, without the heart to tell the ranger the truth.

"What will happen?" he asked.

"I'm not sure, just that he will need us soon, days from now, maybe sooner." Demi lied; she knew exactly what was going to happen. He would die.

"Well than we must keep a close watch on him at all times." He said. "Come now, we had best set out. Oh and don't worry…" he said, "I won't tell anyone."

"Thanks." Demi said as they returned to the group.

Demi got back into the boat she shared with Legolas and gave a sidelong glance at Boromir, who took no notice of her. She felt guilty for being so mean to him, but knew it was futile to try and change him now. What hope was in that?

Legolas paddled hard that day, and even allowed Demi to join him in brief lengths, for he would not have her tire out. He was much like an older brother to her. They passed many landscapes swiftly but Aragorn changed his plan. They would now travel by darkness and rest by daylight. Demi was too creped out to sleep at night anyway so the idea was well accepted by her.

***

The eighth night came and they boarded their small boats. It would be their last night journey in the river, as soon they would have to decide what path to take. Demi dreaded this. She knew soon that if she could not save it, a life would be lost. By accident they came close to Sarn Gebir and had to quickly pull themselves to the bank. Though Legolas was strong, it proved hard for him, so Demi picked up her ore and helped with all her might. The water was shallow indeed and the rapids before them were violent. Demi hoped they would not have to pass down the rapids, as she had heard that no man had ever lived to come out the other side of them. She shuddered but kept paddling. But Demi realised it wasn't the thought of possessed water that did it.

Around them, black arrows whizzed past them. Legolas pulled Demi down amongst the luggage. Many arrows stuck themselves into the boat and plunged into the water.

"yrch!" Legolas said. Demi nodded, but even with their night sight, the orcs could not see the boats as they blended in with the water. They picked up their paddles again and stroke hard against the water, moving towards the western shore. Demi's instincts were on red alert. The necklace she wore was glowing blue under her nose and was warm against her skin. She hid it beneath her tunic so not to give her position away.

Slowly the boats moved to the shore and rested themselves against it. Legolas sprung from his boat, took out his bow and an arrow and aimed it everywhere, but the orcs were gone.

"Elbereth Gilthoniel!" he said under his breath. But that was not the end of the terror that night. Just as he lowered his bow a dark shape floated swiftly across the sky. Demi felt her heart go cold and fear ran through her blood. She looked up.

 A great winged creature, most like a dragon only with a long frail neck and bat wings flew in the darkness. Legolas again took up his bow and set an arrow loose. With precision, it hit the winged creature and it fell from sight into the forest below on the eastern bank.

The company stayed the night out on the bank with no fire. They hid themselves together between the boats. They had no idea what Legolas had indeed hit, yet only that it was an enemy. They discussed their stay in Lórien and how slow time seemed to pass there. Their voices then fell silent as they awaited dawn.

Day light came and they were ready to leave. They had to carry the boats past the rapids so the could continue. Boromir as usual, agued his point.

"Why pass the rapids when a straight pass of Emyn Muil lies before us? Then we can strike either south or west and cross into Gondor." He said.

"Only if we make for Minas Tirith would we do that." Aragorn said, trying to stay calm. "We have not yet decided where to go. That course in any case would be more dangerous. Let us just follow the river further. At least that path cannot be missed."

Boromir argued with Aragorn for some time and all were tired of the bickering. Rhia decided to step into the decision.

"Boromir, shut up! You don't lead us and may Elendil help us when you do. We follow Aragorn's choice and if you don't like it, you are more than happy to get going!" she said, which shut him up immediately. He glared at Rhia then mumbled under his breath saying something about men of Gondor not betraying friends and that Rhia was an insult to Arnor and Gondor. She snapped at that and lunged at him, knocking him over and she started punching him in the chest. He tried to push her but to no avail, she was too strong. In the end, Boromir came out with a fat lip, bloody nose and a severely bruised ego. Demi didn't hold back laughing at the end result and gave Rhia a high five.

Aragorn and Legolas then went to explore and find a safe path for them around the rapids down to the safer water. A few hours later they returned then Aragorn and Boromir, and Legolas and Gimli carried two boats each down the path whilst the others carried the luggage. It wasn't easy going for the hobbits that seemed to be laden with too many bags. Demi carried as many as she could and still it didn't seem enough.  Her back was bowed under the weight, as step by step, she walked on, with somewhat grace. She was half elven after all.

Their journey was luckily mad only once. They came to a portage-way, which ran into a little pool of water. Before them was a solid wall of stone, which made it clear, they would have to get in the boats again. They stayed there throughout the night, even Boromir agreed to it. A small amount of rain fell upon them that night and the girls hitched up one of the boats in a little cubby house thing on its side, so that one of its sides loomed over them, protecting them from the rain. Merry and Pippin in the end scrambled under there too. But that was the worse of the night.

In the morning, the rain hung around and there was no escape from it in the boats upon the water. Worst of all, Aragorn blatantly refused Demi of casting a spell.

"A little rain never hurt anybody." He said, but it was not just mere rain, rather a down poor. They had skin covers to stop most of the rain flooding the boats, but gave no comfort to the weary travellers.

After an hour, the clouds drifted away, taking with it the rain and before them, two towering statues stood, their left hands out stretched. The company passed between them and Aragorn called out "Behold the Argonath, the pillars of the kings! Long have I desired to look upon Anárion and Isildur, and here they are before my eyes."

Rhia looked upon them with a sort of proud awe as did Boromir also. Demi had to admit, they were pretty cool, but nothing compared to the elves. 'Oh my gosh, now I'm comparing things like the elves!' she though. She had to admit, she was becoming most like them of late.

By noon, the fellowship had made it to Tol Brandir. From here, the sound of Rauros falling in the distance could easily be heard. They came ashore and rested, for now they had to decide what had long been put off, what path they might take. Though Minas Tirith sounded good as a place to rest, Demi agreed with Aragorn that the ring bearer had no place there, and was far from safe. Even under the shadow, it was best if the took to Emyn Muil, but they all had to decide on it. It was now on the tenth day, was the decision to be made.

***

Author's note: Yes a shorter chapter, but I wanted to save the best for next. If you want the address for the elvish, it's in the reviews under my pen name. The explanation is in there and forget my rambling on.

Dulaithlossword: Yes, there is a lil something Happening there, but I'm not saying they will live happily eva after, then again, I haven't decided. I work things out as I write and I don't plan ahead. Thank you, your words are a great comfort, no matter the circumstances. I guess I'm a lil bit, I don't know but I don't have that much confidence in my works. Not long now and you'll know bout Boromir. I'm not saying anything! Thank you very much again. I owe you one.

The last Evenstar: No, I mean Melendil. He is Elendil's Grandson. He and his two sons, Isildur and Anárion sailed to Middle earth together. Isildur had no children so his nephew took the throne. So Melendil is more closely related. I hope that helps a bit.

Elessar Evenstar: Thank you very much. You are too kind. The site is in the reviews of OL under my pen name. You'll find it there and the explanation why I can't post it with my story. Yes, I am one of the few authors who write about the books. Maybe its because the movies show more expressions and stuff and the books may be confusing. I don't really know. I love the books and the movies, but the books explain more.

Levanna: No you're cool! School sux. Well, at least I think so. I'm run down with homework at the moment and it's only like my third day back! How suckfull. I have been totally waiting for moon. I'm glad you updated. Thank you! I am learning from the masters and the best reviewers in the world! Ahh, I'm on cloud ten. (Until at least I realise the legal studies homework I have due on Monday.) Don't mind me.

Lady Siri: No it's cool. Its just I like heard from no one forever (ok so it was a few chapters and I had one or two reviews, I know, its sad and I shouldn't be so selfish) but I just love knowing what you guys think of it. Thank you very much for reading.

The stern mystic: I'm sorry you feel that way. Maybe I'll catch you round ff.net. I hope you have luck with that story you're trying to write.