Author's Note:   Thanks everyone for reviewing.  I know the story isn't that great, but as soon as I finish with the Fellowship part of the story, I'm going back and fixing it.  Thanks again.  I've been getting some reviews about the name Aralasselantavanima.  I understand that that is a very Mary-Sueish name, but the point is that Legolas realizes that it's fake sounding and nicknames her Ara.  The name was a late night, giggle fest thing, sorry for making the story seem worse than it is.  Secondly, Katie's reaction in Legolas's bedroom is just how it is supposed to be.  I'm trying to make a statement about her personality being mild and submissive (at least at times). Thanks once again for reviewing and all the feedback I've been getting. Tootles!

Chapter 9

            "Stupid Dwarf, stop braiding your beard and let's get going so we can catch lunch!"  Ashley demanded, stomping her foot.

            "Dwarf women don not speak unless spoken to.  Go catch lunch by yourself!"  Gimli growled back.

            "I can't, you stupid dingbat!  Why did I have to get stuck with the one who's worse than the thickest football player ever," Ashley retorted.

            "Quiet down there!"  Legolas yelled from the tree branch.  "Ara was finally getting ready to speak again."

            There was silence for a minute while Katie glared at Legolas.

            "Uh-oh!"  Esther mumbled.  "That's Katie's 'you-are-so-in-trouble-I'm-not-happy-with-you' look, Legolas.  I'd watch out if I were you."

            "Come off it Morlanoume.  It seems to me like Katie couldn't hurt a fly."

            Jenny began to giggle, as did Chelli, Paige, and Michelle.  Aragorn and Esther turned around to find Legolas looking at them, and Katie getting ready to push him out of the tree.  She shoved hard, and Legolas landed on the ground with a thump.

            "Hey, Ara!  That wasn't very nice!"  Legolas yelled looking up at her.  He stopped.

            Jennifer ran over to him to make sure he was okay and immediately saw what Legolas was gaping at.

            "Nice legs, Katie!"  Jennifer yelled.  "You need to rearrange yourself!"

            Jennifer grabbed Legolas and pulled him away while Jenny and Pippin helped Katie rearrange her skirts.  Katie was balancing precariously on the branch when she let out a yell.

            "Jared!" she yelled, smiling a wide joyful smile.  The girls stopped what they were doing and noticed a dot in the distance.

            "That's not Jared, silly.  It's probably something dangerous," Esther called up.  "We need to hide!"

            "I have better eye sight than you do, Essie, and I know Jared.  That is Jared."  Katie announced.

            "Legolas…"  Aragorn began.

            "Yes, I know- see if it's safe," Legolas spoke.  Turning to Katie he said, "I'm just glad you're talking again, Ara.  I've…"

            "Legolas!  This is why girls were not supposed to come.  Elrond knew that everyone would lose sight of what we're going to face.  Silly elf!  Not even Arwen turned your head.  We thought you were going to be a confirmed old bachelor or that you were…"

            "It's a boy-man of about sixteen, I'd say," Legolas quickly interrupted.  "Medium height, brown hair, maybe blue eyes, looks very determined, riding a horse of Isengard.  He almost just fell off of it."

            "It's Jared," Katie stated firmly once again.

            "Who's Jared?"  Gimli asked in confusion.

            "Jared is a dear friend of ours," Katie answered.  Turning to the rest of the girls she asked, "Isn't he?"

            "Yes, he is," they confirmed.

            "How dear a friend?"  Legolas growled as Katie and Jenny ran to meet him.  Jared's smile grew wide from relief as he saw his two friends run out to meet him.  Legolas turned into a statue of nerves when Jared dismounted the horse, and Legolas began to grind his teeth for the first time ever when Katie and Jenny hugged Jared.  Grabbing his hands, Katie and Jenny mad their way to the group.  Chelli, Michelle, Paige, Jennifer, Ashley, and Esther ran over and hugged Jared too. All the guys looked around uncomfortably.

            "Jared, I thought you had made it home after Moria.  What happened?"  Esther asked.

            "Well, after they (he pointed to the fellowship) killed that troll, I fell asleep.  When I awoke, I found that I was at a tower castle thing with a bunch of those orc things.  They could see me and were deciding how they were going to kill me.  Therefore, when I noticed that the bond thing was not working, I ran off as quickly as possible.  I stole a horse, followed my instinct and here I am!"  Jared narrated.

            "Well, isn't that nice, but now we've wasted our opportunity for lunch," Gimli grumbled.

            "Gimli's right," Aragorn acknowledged.  "We must continue.  We must reach Lothlorien before nightfall.  Pack up, and let's get going."

            Jared turned to Katie and Esther.  "Please rid the horse.  I can't ride well at all," he pled.

            "I'm fine.  I don't need to ride," Katie replied smiling.  "I think maybe Michelle and Paige can ride instead."

            "Oh no!  We cannot ride.  I believe you are one of they only ones here able to ride.  Maybe someone can ride with you though," Michelle, pointed out.

            "Alright, I'll ride, but who should ride with me?"

            "It must be someone light, Ara," Aragorn advised.  "This horse has had a very difficult journey, and too much strain will hurt it.  Frodo is a good choice."

            "Yes, Frodo, how do you feel about a ride?"  Katie asked.

                        -It will help you bear your great burden!  - Katie thought, hoping that somehow it would reach him.

                        -Wow!  Did I just speak into your mind, Frodo?-

                        -Yes, yes you did, Ara-

                        -Wow, that is amazing!-

            Katie smiled brightly at Frodo who walked over to the horse.  Aragorn lifted him up.  Then they were off across the plain in as a group of strange companions.

                                    _______    ________________       ___________________

The trees around the borders of Lorien swayed knowingly as the fellowship and companions walked in.  Jenny and Chelli had been singing some absurd hobbit drinking song that Merry and Pippin had so graciously taught them, but as they neared the trees, silence set in.

            Katie felt Frodo's arms tighten about her waist.

                        -It is all right Frodo!  Do not worry.  We can protect you.-

                        -Thanks, Ara.  Are you enjoying your new telepathic abilities?-

                        -Yes, very much so!-

                        -Have you told anyone else?-

                        -No, not yet.  I'm trying to figure our if it's a side effect from the bond or

                                    an Elvish gift.-

                        -I think you should try Aragorn.  He'll know.-

                        -Thanks, Frodo.  I think I'll wait to tell him because he's got so much on

                                    his mind right now.-

            Katie looked down at Ashley who seemed to have taken a sudden liking to Gimli.  Katie supposed it had something to do with his axe wielding abilities.

            "Stay close young Hobbits!"  Gimli whispered, breaking the fragile silence.

            Ashley started to make a comment about not speaking but thought better of it.

            "They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods," Gimli revealed.  "An Elven-witch of terrible powers.  All who look upon her fall under her spell."

            "Does she read your mind and speak into it so you say whatever she wants you to?" Ashley asked in awe.

            Frodo began to smile.  He wondered if Gimli knew he was walking in the presence of an "elf-witch".

            "Is that what a sorceress is?  Someone who can mind-speak?  Sorceresses are bad, right?"  Katie whispered to herself.  Legolas heard her.

            "Calm down, Ara darling.  No elf would hurt you, and the Lady Galadriel is an elf.  I'm almost sure, in fact, that no living creature could hurt you," Legolas soothed so quietly that only Katie could hear.

                        -Ara!  - Frodo mind-called.

                        - Yes, Frodo?-

                        -She mind-called me.  She said, "Your coming to us is as the footsteps of

                                    doom!  You bring great evil here, Ring-bearer!"  -

                        -Don't mind her, Frodo.  I'm an "Elvin-witch" too!  I'll protect you-

            "Mr. Frodo," Sam asked noticing that Frodo looked pale and about ready to fall off the horse.

            "Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily," Gimli stated, going back to their first topic of conversation.  "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox."

            Suddenly there were arrows in front of their faces.  An elf appeared from the trees to take the bridle of Jared's horse.

            "Frodo!  I can't breathe!"  Katie gasped.  Frodo stopped holding onto her so tightly.

            Every male member of the fellowship grabbed the hand of their companion – if they could reach their companion.

            "The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark," An elf taunted from in front of Aragorn.

            "Don't you make fun of my dwarf!"  Ashley challenged snapping her fingers.  The bow came closer to Ashley's head.

            "We'll discuss this in the trees.  There's a party of orcs at your heals!  We will spend the night there, and make introductions.  Leave the horse.  Itasere, Olacirya, please grab the elf maiden and the hobbit.  Come."

                        ___________ ______________ _____________

            The group was taken to some platforms in the trees.  The girls eyed the edge nervously and Chelli scooted in closer to Merry.

            In Elvish if not already

            "Mae gonvannen, Legolas, son of Thranduil" Haldir welcomed.

            "Our fellowship stands in your debt," Legolas answered almost reverently.

            Haldir turned to Katie.  "Who is this?"

            "This is Aralasselantavanima.  We call her Ara.  She is my melamim."

            "You are welcome, my lady.  May your presence grace our glorious wood until it is needful for you to leave."

            "Thank you, Haldir," Katie responded blushing.

            Haldir turned to Aragorn.  "Ah, Aragorn of the Dunedain, you are known to us," Aragorn nodded, "but your companion is not."

            "You'll have to hear the story later, Haldir, but suffice to say all the girls and the young boy are innocents in a scheme of Sauron's to delays us."

            Haldir nodded.

End of Elvish

            "So much for the legendary courtesy of the elves!"  Gimli growled.  "Speak words we can all understand!"

            "We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days," Haldir answered sticking his nose into the air.

            "And you know what this Dwarf says to that?  ________"

            "Gimli, hush your mouth for once, dunderhead!"  Ashley admonished.

            Aragorn leaned over and grabbed Gimli's arm.  "That was not so courteous.  You need to learn to listen to Ashley."

            Haldir moved onto the hobbits, smiling at the girls and frowning at the boys.

            "You bring great evil with you!"  Haldir said staring at Frodo.

                        -Tell me about it.  Is this deja-vous, Ara?-

                        -Funny, Frodo.  You have an excellent sense of humor.  - Katie thought to Frodo.

            "You can go no further," Haldir ordered.