Note: Personally I'm a bigger fan of the books then the movie, but when I first saw the scene where Arwen comes and separates Frodo from the rest of the hobbits I couldn't help but wonder how they would all react to that. Hence the creation of this story. Hope you all enjoy it.

The kings foil dropped out of the hobbit's hand as he approached the camp where he had last left Frodo.

Well, if my eyes aren't deceiving me, that's an elf, and no mistake Sam whispered under his breath.

Merry and Pippin had stepped away from their self-appointed posts beside Frodo, in order to make room for the elf-maiden who was now leaning over the prone hobbit. Strider was talking rapidly to the new arrival in a language so rhythmically beautiful it could only be elvish. As he was doing so he applied something to Frodo's wounded shoulder. In response Frodo cried out in pain.

At this sound Sam's awe broke, and he called out, Aye, Mr. Frodo!.

Everything is going to be fine, Sam. We have help now, Strider said as he rose from the ground with Frodo in his arms. The comment stayed Sam's footfalls. Strider's voice had contained the first real hope he had heard from the ranger since that dreadful night at Weathertop.

Awestruck, Merry and Pippin came to Sam's side, as Strider and the elf walked by with Frodo. She came back with Strider while you were gone, Merry said, He seemed mighty pleased to see her.

Sam turned to the two cousins, Did she help Mr. Frodo? Is he well? Before they could answer the sound of hoof beats made Sam's face pale. *The wraiths! They're back for him!* Without a second thought he drew his blade out as he turned. But it was not the Black Riders, it was the sound of the elf galloping out of the camp site on her steed...with Frodo.

What are you doing! Sam yelled at Strider, The wraiths are still out there!

Strider didn't turn as he answered, Time is running out, she took him ahead. Hopefully she will be able to out run the wraiths. His voice seemed cracked with age.

You've betrayed us! Sam took one step towards Strider with his unsheathed sword before Merry and Pippin tackled him.

Sam, no!

What would your Gaffer say, with you biting off more than you can chew?

Get off! Sam cried, Can't you see what's happening?

Yes, you stupid Gamgee, said Pippin, He's saving Frodo!

Let him up, the ranger commanded as he finally turned to face the angry hobbit.

Sam gruffly got to his feet and lowered his sword, but he also did not resheath it. Who was she?

The daughter of Lord Elrond of Rivendell.

Why did you not take him?

There was a hint of a smile that played across Strider's face as he answered, She is the faster rider. Sam did not find the humor in that. The ranger, now in all seriousness, kneeled before Sam. Forgive me for not telling you that I was placing Frodo into another's care. Time is short, and the road to Rivendell is long, he grasped Sam's shoulder, She does not fear them.

Anxiety coated Pippin's voice, So, what do we do now?

The ranger rose from Sam's side, We sleep.

Merry peered over his shoulder, out into the darkness that surround the campsite, But the wraiths...

Are not after us, Strider finished. Silence hung over the group as the meaning of this sunk in. We shall rest here tonight then continue onto Rivendell. There we will be rejoined with Frodo.

, all eyes turned to Sam. He stood his ground and had his arms folded across his chest. We leave now.

You are more tired then you think, we all are. A few hours of rest will make no difference to our journey.

Sam stood, unconvinced.

No matter when we continue our march Frodo will still reach Rivendell before us. Besides, I doubt we will have to continue on foot much longer.

The hobbits raised their eyebrows at this comment, but Strider would say no more.
*****
Sam had eventually given in to Strider's will. Sam would have went on on his own, except he did not know the way, and Strider would not budge. So, he spent a restless night wondering where Frodo was and how close the wraiths were to finding him. May the Lady protect him, Sam whispered into the night.

Which Lady do you speak of Master Gamgee?

Strider sat on the edge of the campsite, lazily smoking a pipe. The scent of the burning leaf was comforting to Sam. It brought back memories of himself, as a child, climbing onto his Gaffer's lap as he blew smoke rings around the room.

It was just something my old Gaffer use to say, Sam felt uncomfortable under the ranger's unbreaking gaze, You know, it's just one of those things everyone says, but no one knows what they right mean. Like until the king comes back', it don't mean nothing, but people say will still say it, all the same.

Strider pondered this comment for a moment before nodding towards Sam, You should at least feign sleep, dawn is not far off. With that Strider turned his gaze towards the east and the slowly growing light.
*****