I have just realized I keep forgetting to put disclaimers. I own nothing- will that work? *Cowers in front of lawyers brandishing copyright infringements. *

People filed silently out of the council chamber. My stride was purposeful; I had to prepare for my trip. My brother ran out after me, still trying to fathom why it was that I took the place I knew he would have filled.

"Sister! Gabrielin? Gabrielin, will you not listen to me?" I turned to look him straight in the face.

"No, Legolas, it is you who must listen to me." He opened his mouth to speak, but I held a hand up, and looked away; my eyes pained me.

"You would have gone on this quest, and you would have left me here for the mercies of a force so powerful I cannot withstand the breaking waves. I do not wish for love; heaven knows I find enough solace in the Golden Wood. But I cannot resist the pull of a heart. Let me go on this one last quest, Legolas, before I am forever harnessed to a house and home." I looked at him. "This is not how it should have been-but I have seen another path for one man should I take your stead." I turned, and returned to my room. I had things to pack, and plans to lay with Aragorn and Mithrandir.

Before we left, I remember biding my brother goodbye. He looked at me, hair pulled into utilitarian braids, wearing a tunic and leggings as he often wore.

"You look much as you did when we were children." I smiled. Those had been the days, when my arrows flew freely and my legs remembered running.

"Fear not for me brother. I know not if ever I should return from these journeys, but gears have been set in motion that cannot be reversed. But for one sacrifice, some good may come. I know not what, though. Namarie, brother of mine." The shadow of a tear made its nest in the corner of his eye.

Once outside of Rivendell, Aragorn spoke to me, his voice quiet and solemn. "So, Gabrielin, need I tell you this will be a hard road? There are orcs in plenty, and fell evils about." I looked at the son of Arathorn.

"Need I remind you, Dunadan, that I used to beat you up in the practice yards with a quarter staff if you insulted my womanhood? And you are one of the best, and still you find yourself on the ground after a spar with me." Gimli chuckled from behind me, Aragorn flushing a little at the memory. I smiled slightly, going on.

"I know hardship, and I know a long road. My life has been a long road...long and winding. You need not tell me this road is a hard one; my heart has already told me so." I looked at Frodo, beside Gandalf at the front of the line, his companion Samwise, shouldering a pack twice as big as he, and the two youngest hobbits, Merry and Peregrin, being shepherded along by Boromir.

"And for the Pheriannath, this road will be especially long."

Dundundun- and the next snippet shall be-the golden wood! See the small and easily avoidable button in the corner there? Click it and tell me what you think.