Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR, or any of its characters. Galadrial: How dare you insinuate that I cannot really foretell the future! Me: Don't get your panties in a knot, Blondie. I said in the beginning that this story was not going to follow canon. Galadrial: Haldir was right...you are impossible! Me: Haldir, you said that?

Haldir: You're damn right, I did. Me: And here I didn't think you cared... Haldir: See? Impossible.

Chapter 4

The Farmer in the (Riven) Dell

Haldir crossed the Misty Mountains without incident. The whatzit was securely fastened to his traveling belt by a sturdy rope tied through its very convenient handle.

From the foothills he could see Rivendell, and he took a moment to wonder who the first to join his Fellowship would be.

"Glorfindel? Perhaps," he thought, "a sturdy enough Elf...capable, dependable, a good shot..."

"Elrohir or Elladan? Egads, no! I'd spend more time keeping them out of trouble than trying to find the One."

"Elrond, himself? Perhaps...he may have grown a bit soft over the years, though...he didn't even fight during the War. Rumor has it that Arwen had to practically break his arm to have Narsil re-forged and for him to bring it to Aragorn."

"I suppose I will find out soon enough," he thought as he stalwartly marched on toward the Elven city. He walked through the gates of Rivendell before the sun rose halfway through the sky. He paused again, as always overwhelmed by the beauty of Rivendell.

Word of his presence swept the city, and Elrond was waiting for him by the time he reached The Last Homely House.

"My Lord Elrond, the Lady of the Golden Wood, Galadrial and King Celeborn have sent me on a Quest. Behold, I bear the Great Ring Ceeunsae!" Haldir grandly announced, holding out the whatzit so that Elrond might see and be amazed.

"Haldir, old friend...it, um...it's very red," Elrond said, not seeing anything spectacular about the whatzit, and thinking that Haldir must have been hitting the pipeweed pretty hard coming down off the mountains.

Haldir smirked, and pulled the ring on the side of the whatzit.

"The cat says MEOW."

Elrond staggered backwards, his eyebrows shooting up nearly to his hairline. "What devilry is this?"

"Galadrial has scryed that this is the Great Ring Ceenunsae, and that I am its Bearer. She has seen that this ring carries a message to us in animal tongue, and has decreed that I bear the ring across Arda searching for the One who can translate the message for us. Further, she has fortold that I will be joined by three others in Fellowship on this Quest," Haldir explained, looking at Elrond, hoping he'd take the hint.

"Can I try it?" Elrond asked, reaching for the whatzit.

"No! The burden of the Ring is mine alone...but you may join me on my quest..." Haldir replied, holding the whatzit out of Elrond's reach.

"My Questing days are over, Haldir...I wait only to sail the Straight Road," Elrond replied, shaking his head sadly. He brightened and said, "You could take Elrohir and Elladan, though..."

"NO! Those two are more trouble than they're worth! I'd rather see if Glorfindel is willing to join me," Haldir exclaimed, shaking his head fiercely.

Elrond sighed, knowing Haldir spoke the truth. The twins were always getting into trouble. Sooner or later, he wouldn't be surprised if the Valar stepped in to teach them a lesson.

"You may find Glorfindel outside...I believe he was going to archery practice today, somewhere near the gardens."

"By your leave, Lord Elrond," Haldir bowed, and left Elrond, working his way out of The Last Homely House and outside into the gardens to look for Glorfindel.

"Mister Haldir! How good it is to see you again!" called a voice from within the garden walls.

Haldir peered over the wall into the rows of cabbage and carrots to see Sam kneeling among the plants.

"Samwise Gamgee? What be you doing in Rivendell? I had heard that you had settled down with a wife and parcel of Hobbitlings!" Haldir cried, smiling at the Hobbit.

"Aye...a wife that nags at me constantly and a brood that drives me to distraction with their bickering! I had to get away for a while for a little peace and quiet," Sam said, sitting back on his leathery, hairy heels. "What brings you to Rivendell, Mister Haldir?"

"I am on a Quest, Sam. I carry the Great Ring Ceeunsae, and have been bound to oath by Galadrial to bear the ring in search of the One who can interpret its message," Haldir replied, showing the whatzit to Sam. He once again pulled the ring.

"The dog says WOOF."

"Fantabulous!" cried Sam, his eyes wide and round. He looked thoughtful for a moment, then asked, "Where be ye bound after Rivendell, Mister Haldir?"

"I plan to head to Rohan next, then Gondor," Haldir replied, settling the whatzit once again on his hip.

"I will be more than honored to join you on your Quest, Mr. Haldir," Sam said, thinking that the further he got from the Shire, the less likely Rosie and the kids were to show up looking for him. "I have had much practice in tending to Ringbearers, you know."

Haldir thought a moment, trying to find some kind way to refuse Sam's offer...the Hobbit would surely only slow him down. He opened his mouth to speak, but Sam cut him off.

"It's won't do you any good to tell me no...I'm a very stubborn Hobbit. I'll just follow you anyway, so you might as well say 'yes,' Mister Haldir."

Sighing, Haldir knew it to be true. "Alright, Samwise Gamgee...you are the first to join my Fellowship of the Ceeunsae Ring! Pack your things, for we leave on the morrow!"