A/N: I hate this chapter. Nothing more to say. Oops, I was wrong: just one thing: thanks to all the reviewers because I finally have FIFTY reviews. yay. Keep it up! :) I hate this chapter anyways. :( You'll see why.

Disclaimer: Honestly, Lord of the Rings isn't mine. Isn't that obvious by now????

Home Sweet Home

Chapter Twenty ~ A Broke Down Kind of Day

For ten days they traveled by boat along the Anduin. During that time, three things happened.

(A) They discovered that Gollum was following them.

"We are not alone," Frodo whispered one night when they made camp on shore.

"No," confirmed Aragorn and kept a sharp eye on the lookout. "Gollum has been on our trail since we left Lothlorien. It is a strange thing that I once hunted him and now he comes after us freely." He smiled, evidently remembering some adventure and others before it. "Rest now, we must continue early tomorrow morning."

Nicole shivered when she saw a pair of eyes blinking from the weeds a way off. She turned her back on the two points of light and faced their small campfire. "Ugh. If he has to stalk us, can't he do it without being so obvious? Do you realize that we are being watched all the time? That's so creepy."

Nobody disagreed with her, but nobody openly concurred either. They were too tired to do much of anything except bed down and fall asleep. For Nicole, the process of going to sleep took longer because,

(B) Nicole had to learn how to conceal her Elfness.

Nicole was in better spirits at the end of the first day out of Lothlorien than at the beginning of that day. She had managed to get Pippin, Merry, Frodo, and Sam to sing, and even Boromir contributed a verse or two. Nicole herself didn't sing (because she got strange glances when she talked), but tried to encourage the others as much as possible. So her good mood was something that she didn't want to ruin. So much for that plan.

*Pull up your hood,* Legolas told her as the evening grew cold and dark.

Dammit, I was hoping that he wouldn't talk to me. Be nice, Nicole had to remind herself. *I don't want to, I'm not cold.* That will do, I guess, sighed Nicole mentally. It wasn't easy being nice.

*I will not reveal who you are, but it seems to be a pointless task if you choose to reveal yourself,* he hissed in her ear.

Nicole balled her fists and fought off the many insults she could throw at the prissy Elf Prince now. Instead she replied, as nicely as she could manage, *What is that supposed to mean?* She turned around in the boat so that she was facing the Elf. Dimly she was aware that he glowed faintly while the others were nearly invisible in the darkness.

He glared back at her. Apparently that glare is something you learn in Elf school, but they must've run out of time to teach me, Nicole huffed. *It means that unless you cover your face and hands, they will see that you are of my race before you have a chance to blatantly deny it again. That would be counter-productive to your goal. I will not remind you,* he finished then turned to the boat on their right side. Starboard side, maties, Nicole thought, an absent-minded pirateness taking a momentary hold of her unruly brain. "We should make camp," the Elf called to Aragorn and they began to steer the boats towards the western shore.

Nicole got the distinct impression that she had just been rudely dismissed. Earlier, she had put her pack in front of her and presently she dug through it, hoping that maybe Rahiolae had stuck a pair of gloves in one of the many pockets.

Gimli felt her scrambling behind him. "Is there something you're searching for, lass?"

"Yeah, I was hoping they'd be in here. Maybe I could borrow a pair from somebody. Sorry, I'll stop squirming around in a second. I have to find-- ha, got 'em!" Nicole whipped a pair of soft leather gloves out with a flourish. "Gloves!"

"Aye, there's still a chill in the air. We will make a fire at our camp and take some food to eat as well."

"Cool," Nicole mumbled. She was distracted by trying to pull on her gloves and pull up her hood at the same time. The girl had just realized that her skin was glowing noticeably and she wanted to get covered before anyone else saw her luminescence. But still, her stomach could not be denied. Food and fire sound unbelievably good right now. After eating normally (i.e., as often as wanted: breakfast, lunch, supper, and the occasional 3 am snack), Nicole now had to go back on travel rations (i.e., small breakfast, small supper). Maybe if I think about it as a diet, I won't feel so HUNGRY. Yeah. Sure. I'm starving myself on purpose, because I need to lose weight. Wait... that doesn't work, does it? Elves are perfect, they don't need to lose weight. Which probably means they don't get hungry either. I'm sure they get hungry sometimes. But it's probably because I haven't eaten since-- since-- sometime yesterday. Skipped breakfast and the picnic today. No wonder I'm hungry. Hm. Maybe there's a song about food... This promoted an outburst of song (very off key) from Nicole.

"I like chicken, I like liver, Meow Mix Meow Mix, please deliver!" Her efforts were not appreciated. She pouted. "Fine, we WON'T sing songs about cat food." Nicole puzzled over finding another food song for a minute, and then burst into song again. "My baloney has a first name, it's O-S-C-A-R! My baloney has a second name, it's M-A-Y-E-R! When people ask me why I like it I always SAAAAAAY..... It's 'cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A!!!! Ow!" Her second song hadn't gotten great reviews either, but by now they were getting on to the shore. As they disembarked, Legolas 'accidentally' shifted the boat as he got out, so that when Nicole was half-way out, the rim of the boat had dug into her ankle. Reminding herself again of Haldir's request, the she-Elf stayed silent. When the boats were properly hidden, Aragorn snagged Nicole's attention for a moment, to talk to her.

Which brings us to:

(C) Nicole stopped singing pointless songs.

"Hey Aragonite, what's up?" Nicole asked when he caught her attention.

Not unusual for people when they talked with Nicole, the ranger looked a little uncomfortable. "Perhaps it would be best if you-- refrained from singing," he suggested, basically saying 'shut up' in a really nice way.

Nicole raised an eyebrow. Two possibilities formed in her mind, and she immediately knew which one was true. I might as well check the honesty of this Dunadan while I'm at it. "That's a very interesting suggestion. Are you saying that because I might make too much noise and give away our position to possible predators? Or are you saying it because I'm annoying everybody practically to tears?" A corner of her mouth quirked upwards in a smile, but she was partly insulted by the request. My voice isn't THAT horrible.

Their leader shook his head with a rueful grin. "I see there is no escaping you, is there? Very well. Do you want the honest answer, or the polite answer?"

Nicole replied with mock shock. "Honesty, of course!"

At this point, Aragorn was having trouble looking at Nicole.

"Ah. I see," she said knowingly. She lowered her voice to a barely audible whisper. *I suppose not all Elves are gifted with beautiful voices.* She was glad to see that Aragorn took it as much as a joke as Nicole seemed to. But in truth, she wasn't very happy. Even if her choice of music had not been the best, and she wasn't particularly trying to sing well, Nicole had never been one to react well to any comments on her singing voice. But she obliged, and didn't sing again in the presence of the Company for a long time.

So for ten days, since the day out from Lorien to the day when they reached Rauros Falls, Nicole tried to be as un-annoying as possible. This wasn't much better than her usual behaviour, but at least she had stopped singing. Pippin was nearly heart-broken that Nicole hadn't switched to his boat on the second day, but she had assured him it was only because of the weight distribution and lack of room on the boats. His affection for her hadn't abated, though Nicole was getting used to it and thought of it as cute and bothersome. Nicole noted, with great sadness, that Boromir frequently glanced towards the boat of Aragorn, Sam, and Frodo. She knew what he was always thinking about, even when he talked about other things. Her own time was not spent in a complete waste. Knowing it was a selfish thing to do, but being unwilling to let the Ring control her brother just yet, Nicole started to form a plan, and vowed to stick to it.

And then came that last day, when Aragorn told them all about the Argonath as they steered the light and agile Lorien boats onto a rocky shore. Nicole had heard the faint heavy footfalls just as Legolas had, and both Elves turned simultaneously to Aragorn to tell him about the threat. "It is not safe here," they said in unison and followed it up by glaring at each other.

Legolas elaborated the statement by adding, "It is not the eastern shore that worries me." Aragorn nodded, and Nicole took this opportunity to slink away unnoticed.

A moment later, Merry made an observation. "Where's Frodo?" Sam jumped up, no doubt immediately cursing himself for leaving his friend's side. The leader of the Fellowship glanced around the camp, finding that Boromir's shield was left unattended beside the roots of a great tree.

Pippin glanced around hurriedly and also realized how inattentive he had been. "Where is Nicole?" he asked, pain lacing his voice, as well as guilt.

Nicole had scampered off into the forest, trailing about a minute or two behind Frodo and Boromir. She began twisting her hands in the fabric of her cloak nervously. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Leaning against a tree for support and comfort, she sighed heavily and waited for the opportune moment. I wish I could go back to being the old me. I used to be crazy, and happy, and completely insane. But now... her fist connected forcefully with the rough bark of the tree trunk. That stupid quest is ruining us all. We're serious and quiet. Each day we draw more into ourselves. How do we live like this? We need idiocy and normal laughter just as much as the next person. It's not fair. The girl sagged with defeat. There was no way this was going to work. It was hopeless. Here she was, beating herself up about all this stuff she had to deal with, when not two weeks ago in Lorien Galadriel, Celeborn and Haldir had reminded her of who she was, what she had chosen to do, and to have faith and hope in herself. Nicole couldn't discard their words so quickly: if she did, she'd never have the courage to show her face in Lorien again. At that moment, rustling leaves ahead and slightly to the right made her ears perk and head snap up. She took off at a sprint, hoping that she hadn't waited too long. Frodo was already climbing up the hill and she looked in that direction for a moment, trying to find the invisible hobbit. There was nothing for it now: the quest would be his alone. Wishing him a silent good luck, Nicole sped towards the noise.

Boromir was on his knees, shoulders slumped, spare bits of dirt and leaves clinging to his clothing and hair. Nicole drew a shuddery breath when she saw him looking so defeated. The infallible future Steward of Gondor. Gathering her wits (as few as they were), she approached him silently and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

He looked up at her with saddened eyes. "And what of me now? I have failed my self, the quest, my father, failed everyone..." his voice was rough with emotion and he turned away from her, shrugging off her hand.

Those words nearly brought tears to Nicole's eyes. How could he say such things? She moved in front of him, kneeling to be on eye-level with him. Knowing that right now, he could either listen to her or get really angry really fast, she tentatively tipped his chin so that he met here gaze. "Listen to me, my brother," she began as kindly as she could.

He stood and strode a few paces away. "Listen?" he snarled. "What do you know of my troubles? The people of your land are far removed from Middle-Earth. The darkness of Sauron will not reach you. I must act now, and I tried. I have failed in my responsibilities and will be shunned by my people. I will be known as the one who brought ruin to Gondor." Boromir's voice broke on the last sentence and he angrily kicked at the base of a tree.

As much as she tried, Nicole couldn't hold back any more. Biting her lip hard, she willed the tears to remain unshed. It didn't work. She stayed sitting amongst the leaves. "I may not know of the troubles of your lands, but I have seen the troubles of many others in Middle Earth," she said softly, wincing at how broken her voice came out. "I know the pain of responsibility, I know the pain of expectations and constrictions." Her voice deteriorated and she took a moment to steady herself. Boromir hadn't spoken yet but appeared to be attentive. "As for your failures... you have realized that you made a mistake. You see that you cannot be perfect, still you strive for it." She rose from her seat and finally came to him. Her hand shook as she lightly touched his bent shoulder. He did not turn around so she spoke to his back. "You have failed no one, Boromir of Gondor, brother," she whispered. Nicole could only hope that her words did not fall on deaf ears. She lowered her hand and drew away. His silence made her believe the worst.

A moment of silence followed. The girl gained some control over her tears and the man stood indifferent and silent. When he spoke, he meant it to be difficult to hear, but the Elf picked it up. "I would believe your words, but your voice betrays you. I can hear that you do not believe them, that you believe I have failed you," he barely whispered, still facing the tree.

Nicole choked and couldn't find the will to form words. Determined, desperate to make him understand, she forced him to turn around by grabbing his shoulders. The tears did not fall again, but staring into Boromir's grey eyes, now turbulent, gave her a bit of strength. Nicole tried to smile and softly moved a piece of his hair out of his eyes. "You will never fail me," she said slowly, each word difficult to pronounce. At last, she saw acceptance in his eyes and the slight straightening of his figure. He smiled back as she gripped his arm tightly in reassurance. The threat of the Uruk-hai was fast approaching and Nicole had just heard their loud and cumbersome footfalls very close by. "It would be an honour to fight beside you," she grinned, released his arm, and readied her bow.

The foul Uruk's charged through the forest, breaking anything in their way. Nicole fired shots as quickly as targets presented themselves. All of her training and technique had flown out of her mind and she moved on pure instincts. In a matter of seconds, the creatures were too close for archery. Stowing away her bow, the Elf unsheathed the two long knives at her hips. Whirling and slashing at every opportunity, Nicole found herself completely surrounded by opponents and being pushed back further into the woods, separated from Boromir and any aid. Her face remained impassive and her movements all fatal, but her eyes darted around her and she swallowed hard. There was no way she was going to get out of here, she was far outnumbered. The Uruk-hai were just playing with her. Panic filled her system and spurred her on, she was far from tired. They had cornered her and her strokes were yielding less damage. It was painfully obvious that they wanted only to wear her out.

One of her captors had grown tired of this useless slashing and pushed her roughly to the ground. The air was knocked out of her lungs as she fell to the dirt-covered forest floor. Her heart beat wildly: she had fallen, what hope could there be now? She was flipped carelessly onto her back and a heavy boot placed on her chest, crushing her lungs. Nicole struggled to draw breath and wondered how much longer an Elf could last without air when compared to a human. The Uruk-hai stepping on her leaned down and sneered at her, the stench coming off of him making Nicole want to gag.

He grinned and displayed horrid, black, uneven teeth. Speaking to his comrades in a harsh voice, he said, "This one's a female. What say we have some fun with her?" The gang cheered heartily and closed in on her.

Nicole couldn't get air into her system at all and was now faced with the very real and physical problem of twelve or thirteen Uruk-hai's about to use her for their pleasure in the worst possible way. It was a horrible way to die. In her hands she still held her knives. Moving her left hand so that the blade was at a better angle to her heart, she bitterly thought, It would be better to die by my own hand than like this.

Their black hands reached for her, eager to destroy her and defile her. The one who had spoken grabbed her neck so tightly that black spots swam in front of her vision. "Do you have a scream for us, Elf?" he snarled, pushing aside her hair and showing his friends her pointed ears. They cheered all the more loudly. Angry at her lack of response, the leader shook her hard and let her fall back to the ground. Her head was pounding and her ribcage nearly vibrating with the quick thrumming of her heart.

"You'll be screamin' before the end." He bent to rip off her coat but stopped midway and straightened again sharply. A sick gargling noise could be heard and Nicole could barely see the edge of an arrowhead sticking out of his chest.

The Uruk-hai had been shot down by an archer hidden in the trees and fell backwards, relieving the pressure on Nicole's abdomen. The rest of the gang was stunned and stared dumbly at their fallen leader. Knowing that she had precious little time, Nicole scrambled to her feet and shoved her knives back into their sheaths. The sudden restoration of oxygen to her body left her reeling and off balance. She tried to ignore it and jumped up to grab a tree branch and climb to safety. Her hands gripped the tree limb but her reaction had not been fast enough. One of the Uruk-hai strung his crossbow and fired. Nicole's grip slipped and she cried out in pain when the arrow sliced across her right shoulder.

Feeling her fingers shift dangerously, a final terrified thought flitted through her mind. So this is how I die... I trained so hard before leaving Lorien. I asked for it. Her body was ready to let go and just succumb to the inevitable but someone was not in accordance with that plan. Strong arms grabbed a hold of her and hauled her onto the thick branch. Nicole closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm down. She felt somebody quickly tying a bandage over her shoulder and looked up to see Legolas tending to her. Confusion showed on her face, she was too tired to mask her emotions. *What?* the question was half-formed before Legolas cut her off.

*Stay here and leave the fighting to Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli and I,* he commanded, finishing the bandage.

Nicole snapped back to attention, all pain gone now. Boromir... she was jumping from branch to branch within a second, leaving behind Legolas. Several trees away, she dropped to the ground and ran hard in the direction where her ears were telling her Boromir was. She slashed with her knives at all opponents that got in her way, seeing Boromir, Merry and Pippin close by. When she finally reached Boromir, all she could see of the hobbits was the tops of their heads as they were carried away, kicking and screaming, by the Uruk-hai. She longed to help them and Boromir, but knew she could not accomplish both.

Nicole dropped to her knees in front of the wounded Boromir. Two ugly arrows protruded from his chest. A third was meant for him, but Nicole had gotten in the way. Thankfully, it did not get embedded in her flesh, it grazed her left shin. Even this fresh injury did not bother her. The pain of seeing Boromir so badly injured hurt far more. The last of the Uruk-hai came to the two, crossbow ready with an arrow aimed at Boromir's heart. Nicole shifted her position so that she was kneeling and protecting Boromir, leaving herself facing the black arrow. For the third time in such a short span, her heart pounded wildly. Instead of getting second thoughts about what a stupid girl she had been to get herself here, she stayed exactly where she was because she knew it was the only place for her.

The Uruk growled in frustration, but was not bothered with killing two people instead of just one. It was simply an inconvenience. "Move."

The girl clenched her jaw in determination. "No," she replied stonily. His fingers tightened on the trigger of the bow. "Leave him be, foul creature!" she spat out furiously. Nicole didn't blink as the Uruk-hai aimed for her chest, or as he grinned terribly. She flinched as suddenly the creature was knocked down by a blur of dark brown and flashing steel. The young Elf inhaled sharply, realizing it was Aragorn and that the danger was temporarily removed.

A gasp behind her made her turn. Boromir was badly wounded: mortally wounded. Tears rapidly gathered in her eyes as she pulled Boromir into her lap, cradling his head. "I'm so sorry," she whispered around a lump in her throat. Not caring anymore about potential discovery, she tugged off her gloves and gently brushed his dirtied hair from his face. Her fingers trembled and she bent to kiss the top of his head. "I should have stayed by your side, Boromir, I'm sorry," she rasped. Her heart was breaking in two. So much for my brilliant plan. I was supposed to stay beside him all the time, and make sure he didn't get shot, and that he lived. But he's dying anyways, and I don't want him to go, because then who will I trust? Who will be my friend? Who will protect me? A shuddery breath put air in her lungs. Who will love me? By now, emotions were raging in her heart and she could hardly control herself. The tears streaming down her cheeks blurred her vision and didn't make her see her currently enhanced, Elven glow. Her fingers stayed entwined in his golden hair. "Don't leave me, brother. Take me with you. I don't want to be alone," her words were said with the desperate tone of a child pleading for comfort.

Through his pain, Boromir found the strength to comfort her. His fingers lightly touched her wet cheek. "Don't cry," he choked out with great difficulty. "Be as you were... be Nicole." The man smiled at her tenderly. As Aragorn leapt to them after his battle, the first thing he did was assess the injuries and tried to remove the arrows even though it was futile. Boromir pushed the ranger's hands away and they began speaking but Nicole was too far gone in her grief to hear anything being said. The best she could do was to hold Boromir and try to keep him calm in her arms. Her whole body was trembling when she finally felt Boromir become still and Aragorn bowed his head in respect. She couldn't bear it anymore. Aragorn spoke final words of blessing for the departed, and Legolas and Gimli arrived too late and greatly saddened. Nicole placed her dead brother's head on the ground with as much reverence as possible and then dashed off into the trees.

"We must make preparations for a proper burial," Aragorn yelled after her sadly in an attempt to bring her back. He turned to Legolas for advice.

"We may use a Lorien boat, and send him off into the Anduin so that he may be protected by the waters of his people," the Elf replied, then turned his gaze in the direction the girl had fled. He knew Aragorn didn't know what to do and wanted the Elf to go catch her because he doubted that anyone else could. Personally, the Elf Prince was ready to do anything but that, and thought that the girl would need some time to deal with the death. "It would be best to leave her in peace, Estel, for now," he told him.

Nicole didn't hear their words, she was too busy running through the ancient forest. Branches whipped her limbs and face, and despite her Elven qualities, she tripped over tree roots occasionally. Not particularly caring that the bandage on her shoulder had not only been soaked through, but also half-torn off, or that her shin was still bleeding from the black-feathered arrow, Nicole just ran, as far and as fast as her feet could get her away. When she grew tired of the ground, she bounded into a tree, whirled herself upwards on the branch and found that her legs were stable amongst the tree tops, more than on the ground. She jumped and swung herself from branch to branch, wearing herself out physically, but constantly heading in one direction. This tree, jump to that tree, reach for that branch, land over there, and then she was perched on a sturdy wooden offshoot from the main trunk of a large tree.

Before her spread the vast lake that emptied itself over Rauros Falls and continued along the Anduin heading south. Nearly on the other shore of this lake was a small boat being rowed by two small creatures. The hobbits. Frodo had gone off to Mordor, Sam followed him, and they went into danger to carry on the Quest. The She-Elf's heart wished them a silent good-luck, but she had not yet regained her voice. Away across the water went one part of the Fellowship.

Heading swiftly towards the plains of Rohan and the Westfold, and eventually to Isenguard, the troop of Uruk-hai ran with the heavy pounding of feet. In their possession were another two Halflings, the youngest of all, Merry and Pippin. Nicole surprised herself with the emotions she felt at that thought. Pippin would be alone, just him and Merry, and she had gotten attached to the two troublemakers (and her admirer). If anything happened to them, there was a very good chance that the girl would devise some plan to assassinate Saruman. Her hopes went with those two little creatures, to make it to safety somehow and not to lose their levity and good humour. Through woods and over grass ran another part of the Company.

Directly below her stood a Dwarf, a Man, and an Elf. These, at least, had not yet fallen apart. They sought to reunite those of the Fellowship that were still within reach. At the moment, they prepared something else, and as soon as their task was done they would follow the trail of the captured hobbits. Their current task was a sombre one.

On the rocky shore below the trees, in a boat from the land of Elves, laden with armour, sword, shield, and Horn of Gondor, lay Boromir. He was the first to be taken by the Ring, but also admitted that he was wrong. His redemption came to him when he fought for the protection of his companions. The Man of Gondor, the future Steward of Gondor, the brother of heart to Nicole, was dead. The waves of water softly lapped at the boat, which was still beached, as though welcoming the passenger and promising a voyage to home.

Bitterly, Nicole thought, This is the end. No more Fellowship. No more wonderful plan. No more strength in numbers. Somebody once said, divided they fall. For the sake of Middle Earth, I hope that person was wrong. Nicole could have readily given up on this quest and returned to Lorien, but remembering Boromir's words, she couldn't find the will to carry out that plan. Be as you were... Be Nicole... the words flitted through her mind. Crazy, wild, old Nicole would have followed the members of the Fellowship wherever they went, and not gotten discouraged by this battle. She missed old Nicole. With that, she made a promise. For Boromir, Nicole would stick with the Company and would try to return to her normal self. Softly letting out her breath, the tears finally stopped and her heart rate slowed.

Clear voices crept to her sensitive ears. The three companions who were by the boat were singing a lament to their fallen friend. When the last note died away, they still stood unmoving, hesitant to push the boat into open water. A fleeting idea danced through her thoughts, inspired by the song of the others. Memories came to her uninvited. Boromir was the first person to defend her when everyone thought she was a spy. He had always played along with whatever insane activity Nicole was doing, be it snowball fights or making a traveling singing group. He offered his help and comfort during the journey through Moria. And he had been good, in the end. It was better to remember his good qualities, and in fact, they far outweighed his bad qualities. In spite of the heartache, a small smile tugged at her lips. Thinking about all Boromir had been to her, and taking advantage of the silence of the others, she began. Without a moments thought, Nicole threw away her promise to Aragorn not to sing again. When the words came to her, her voice was pure and strong, a different voice entirely, and it might as well have been the first time Nicole had ever sung.

"Remember the good times, that we had.
Don't let them slip away from us when things got bad
Clearly I first saw you, smiling in the sun
I feel your warmth around me
I want to be the one

I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I'm so tired I can't sleep
standing on the edge of something much too deep.
Funny how we feel so much but cannot say the words.
We are screaming inside oh but we cant be heard

I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

So afraid to love you, more afraid to lose
Clinging to the past that doesn't let me choose.
Once there was a darkness, a deep and endless night.
You gave me everything you had oh you gave me light.

I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Weep not for the memories."

Nicole wiped the back of her hand against her cheek where a stray tear had gone. But she felt a lot better, her heart was lighter, and she thought that she would be able to continue now, and be able to find herself. Suddenly aware of her surroundings again, she saw that Boromir's funeral boat had been pushed off finally, and was on it's way over the Falls of Rauros. Turning her gaze back to the shore below her, Nicole noticed that she had an audience. The three males weren't openly staring up at the tree she was sitting in, but from stance it was apparent that they had been listening to her. She stretched her legs out in front of her and her arms above her head. Then she swung herself off the branch and landed silently behind Aragorn. He half-glanced behind his shoulder.

"We cannot abandon Merry and Pippin to torment or death," he said sternly. "Take only what you need. We travel light. Let's hunt some Orc."

The Dwarf, Elf and Man grinned at each other, already feeling the thrill of the chase. Nicole took a moment to grab her pack as Gimli secured his axe and Legolas picked up some spent arrows. Then, feeling her old spirit quickly returning to her, she made a proclamation. "Let's go, gang! We've gotta slice them, dice them, and stick those Uruk-hai in a stew!!!!"

Ignoring the usual stares, Nicole grinned madly and ran after Aragorn. It's good to be back...



A/N: I really don't like this chapter. *pouts* If you want to make me feel better, please leave a review. I don't care if it's good or bad. Hopefully the next chapter will see some NORMAL Nicole behaviour. That is... unless... you LIKED her this way? Please tell me! Happy New Year! ~MoI~

Disclaimer: I realize now that I should have added this at the top, but I'm too lazy. The song is "I Will Remember You" and it's by Sarah McLachlan.

Review! Criticism is appreciated!