Nine representatives of five different races stood before the lady Galadriel and her lord Celeborn. Celeborn looked somewhat confused, Galadriel—of course—knew exactly what was going on, but she preferred to let Celeborn figure things out for himself.
"Nine there are here," Celeborn said and ran his eyes over the group once more, as if double-checking his count. "And nine departed from Rivendell, but Gandalf I do not see among you."
"He has fallen, into darkness," Galadriel said, nudging Celeborn along the path to discovery.
"I came from Rivendell too!" Bucky said raising one paw in the air. He wanted to get this meeting over with as soon as possible and Celeborn's deliberate pace was annoying him.
"Yet Elrond said nine of you set out," Celeborn repeated.
"Well then he lied."
"Elrond does not lie."
"Then he miscounted."
"Elrond would do no such thing."
"Well I'm here aren't I?"
"Elrond did not deem it important to speak of Bucky Katt," Galadriel said, having given Celeborn as much time to understand what was going on as she was willing. "No one knows anything of him, but he is undeniably part of the fellowship, whether he likes it or not, and so he will remain."
There was silence for a moment and then she continued.
"Your quest stands upon the edge of a knife, stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all."
Suddenly there was a voice in Bucky's head. 'You must learn when to speak and when not if you wish to survive Bucky Katt,' it reverberated around in his skull, giving him a very unpleasant feeling. 'Your words almost lost the fellowship their stay within the Golden Wood. 'You do not understand the importance of the quest set before you,' Galadriel continued. 'The lure of the Ring has little power over your mind, for you do not understand it's full capabilities.'
"Are calling me stupid?" Bucky demanded out loud.
Galadriel winced slightly, she was trying to set before these nine what lay ahead and what they must be prepared to do, and Bucky would spoil her rhythm if he were not quiet.
'No, your simplicity will be your greatest strength. You will do everything without thinking and therefore make all the right decisions.' She relinquished her hold on his mind and finished speaking to the rest of the fellowship. Boromir looked like a nervous wreck and Pippin was shifting uncomfortably.
Eventually the eight of them heaved a collective sigh of relief and Celeborn spoke once more.
"Here you may stay until your strength returns, go now and rest. There will be much time for other things later."
"Race you down!" Bucky cried and tore off down the spiraling staircases leading to the platform Galadriel and Celeborn had met them on.
"Wait!" Pippin cried and ran off after him, Merry a little ways behind.
Aragorn smiled after them, this place would do them good, he turned and nodded his thanks to Galadriel, but she already knew how she had changed their fate.

Bucky awoke late the next morning and there was no one in sight. He was extremely hungry and set off to find some food. He managed to avoid everyone he saw, ducking behind bushes or running in the other direction. He hadn't liked any of what he saw of these scary, tall people.
He'd been wandering for about half an hour when he fell off a set of steps and down into a clearing, a miniscule waterfall on one edge and a birdbath in the middle.
Bucky sat up rubbing the back of his head and glared around at his surroundings. There was no one there and the sound of falling water and chirping birds created a sense of peace that Bucky was totally oblivious too.
He stood and walked over to the stone basin the water was collecting in, scrambling up he knocked the silver pitcher off the rim and it fell to the grass. Bucky stared adamantly at the water hoping to see some fish. None were forthcoming so he jumped off and went over to the birdbath.
The water within was crystal clear and there was once again no sign of fish. He was about to leave when the water became pitch black. He stopped and stared, perplexed.
An image was resolving within but he couldn't make out what it was. He leaned closer squinting at it. It looked remotely like Satchel but he couldn't be sure . . .
Then he had a face full of water, he'd lost his balance. The water was extremely cold and he flopped backwards and off the rim of the birdbath, falling to the giving earth.
Before he could regain his senses he was dangling in front of Lady Galadriel. She glared at him.
"You have disturbed the water," she said.
"What?"
"The mirror of the Lady of Galadriel, you have disturbed it."
"So?"
"It is forbidden to touch the water."
"Why?"
"You will mar the magic."
"What magic?"
"The magic of the mirror."
Bucky stared at her, she was making no sense at all and Bucky didn't feel like asking questions till she made herself clear. "Can I go now?"
Galadriel glared at him. "Why are you on this quest?" she asked.
"What quest?"
Galadriel didn't demean herself to answer, and continued to glare at him.
"Oh, you mean the ring thing?"
Silence.
"Uh, Merry's fault really."
"Do not push your responsibilities on others, Bucky Katt."
"But it is his fault! He wouldn't let go of my paw so I was dragged along with him and Pippin when they volunteered."
"You mean you do not wish to be here?"
Bucky shook his head. "First of all your guys food sucks, second I haven't gotten a decent amount of sleep since . . . I dunno a long time, third we've got to walk everywhere, haven't you people ever heard of cars? Fourth—"
"Stop," Galadriel commanded. "You should have made your interests clear before you left Rivendell."
"I did! Aragorn wouldn't listen to me."
"You are committed now, you must see this quest to its completion."
"Fine. Can I go now?"
Galadriel dropped Bucky and looked at him curiously. "Your mind is an odd one, but you may yet serve some purpose."
Bucky rolled his eyes, and left the clearing tail held high.