A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying this. Everyone commented on the Galadriel scene and I just wanted to add that I "believe" that Jackson was trying to "imply" what Galadriel was doing in the movie when she is first speaking to the Fellowship. If you watch the movie again you can almost see her testing each one as she looks at them.

Lith – Honey, you can review as much as you like. I don't mind at all.

Moonbunny 77 – Yes, Galadriel wanted to test every one of them.

Jebb – Well, Thranduil has an "idea" of where his son went but he doesn't know for sure. Poor guy. (I'm afraid the naiad has corrupted him to an extent!)

Aenil – Ah! A new reader! Welcome. Thank you for your review. I'm very pleased that the story has made you feel better. What a compliment!

Mia – thanks!

Notes:

According to LOTR Appendix B, Sauron's armies attacked Lothlorien and Mirkwood the same day that the Rohirrim break the siege of Minas Tirith but this is not mentioned in the movies. I wanted to mention it because it shows just how perilous the times were – that even away from Mordor there were battles raging for the fate of Middle Earth. A bit of the book and movie here again.

For clarification, Curunir is Saruman and Mithrandir is Gandalf. Sorry if I confused anyone.

Annowe heard the soft knock on the door and laid her pouch aside to answer it. It was the same elf maiden who had brought her food earlier.

"The King would see you now," she smiled. "Please, follow me."

Annowe silently obeyed and followed the girl through the winding halls to the library.

"I will wait for you here," the elf said as she stationed herself outside the library door.

"Thank you," Annowe said.

As she entered the library, the herald drew in a breath to announce her. "Annowe, daughter of Ulmo, Mistress of –"Annowe laid a restraining hand on the heralds arm, cutting him off in mid-sentence.

"He knows who I am," she said with a smile.

"Indeed I do," Thranduil's deep resonant voice cut across the library as he turned to face his unexpected visitor.

She grinning, she hitched up her dress and scampered across the room to hug him tightly. "It is so good to see you," she said.

"Please, sit," he gestured to an ornately carved chair as he moved to sit in another chair opposite. "Herald, you may leave us," he said, dismissing his retainer.

Annowe sat down on the edge of the seat and squirmed uncomfortably. "How long have I been here?" She asked anxiously, neglecting all custom and decorum. She had to know how much time they had for her plan.

Thranduil drew his brows together in a scowl. "You do not remember? Nearly a week," he admitted. "You floated up in the boat we use to cross the river. Two of the guards found you and brought you inside. I sent word to Hollyberry that you were here and unhurt."

She was relieved that Holly had been informed of her whereabouts and wouldn't be too worried about her. That was some good news, anyway.

She did a mental date check and groaned, realizing that the troupe would be very close to Isengard if they were headed that way. She was too late to help them! Now her only option was to keep Curunir and Sauron from uniting.

"What is it?" Thranduil asked, sensing her anxiety.

She reasoned that the direct approach would be best. "Legolas sent word to you of a journey he was taking, yes? How much did he reveal to you?"

"Only that he would be going on a mission to the south and that he would be careful," Thranduil suddenly became suspicious.

She grunted with annoyance. Legs was learning her bad habits of lying by omission, it seemed. She would have to speak to him about this.

"He has gone south with The One Ring to see it destroyed in Mount Doom," she blurted out.

"The One Ring?" He repeated softly. "So the Gollum creature spoke true. It has been found, after all these years. And now the creature has escaped."

Then, to her, he asked, "And you say that Legolas travels with it? Anyone else?"

"A dwarf, four Periannath, one Ranger, one Maia, one man and your son," she answered.

He considered this for a moment. "Whatever would make him go forth on such a quest?" He wondered, eyeing the nervous naiad.

Annowe lowered her eyes guiltily. "I'm afraid I might have had something to do with that," she admitted.

Instead of chastising at her as she expected, he merely chuckled. "I doubt that. You know how he can be once he gets his mind set on something," he soothed.

"Yes, but I told him how terrible it was," she said. "I'm afraid he took it to heart."

Thranduil waved her excuse away dismissively. "He is a grown elf and must be held accountable for his own actions. You cannot take the blame for him this time, Annowe. As much as it is your habit to protect him," he said.

She bit her lip nervously and looked up at him through her lashes. It was sad how the elves seemed to know her so well. Was she that transparent?

The king cleared his throat and picked up the original thread of thought. "Have you come here to ask for help or merely to inform me of my son's pursuit?" He was not one to mince words. It was a welcome change from Elrond's subtlety.

She smiled at his directness. "Initially, I merely wanted to inform you of Legolas' quest. However, you should also be aware that Curunir has thrown his lot in with Sauron – for the time being at least. If they succeed in uniting against Middle Earth, it will not take long for them to come here."

The King was somber as he digested her information. "Yes, my advisors have informed me that there is much activity to the south at Dol Guldur and near Isengard but so far none of my spies have returned with more tangible information. Where did you hear of this?"

"Mithrandir," she answered. "He was held captive by Curunir and asked to join the Enemy before he escaped."

Thranduil's grey eyes narrowed and he studied the nymph. Certainly, there was no reason for her to tell such a tale but what of the wizard? Had he duped her in to believing that he had been held hostage? He was silent for several minutes, considering the implications of her information.

The soft voice of an elf signing in the hallway drifted across the silent room.

Finally, he spoke, more to him self than to her. "If this is true then the forces to the south will attack as soon as they feel they are strong enough."

She watched him and said nothing until he looked directly at her. Then she nodded her agreement.

He sighed and shifted in his seat. Annowe thought he suddenly looked very old and very tired.

"So, it has begun anew. The next war of the ring," Thranduil grimaced.

A horrible feeling of foreboding fell over Annowe. Yes, that is exactly what was happening. Memories of Darion leaving never to return came rushing back to her and she closed her eyes against the thoughts. This time she would not be sitting by waiting for her beloved to return. She would rather die in the fight than be left behind to pick up the pieces of a shattered life again.

Turning to her, he asked, "And what of you?"

Annowe slowly opened her eyes and recovered her senses. "I will inform my cousins of Curunir's treachery and head south to Isengard with as many of them as we can muster."

"For what purpose?" Thranduil questioned.

"Curunir must be prevented from uniting his army with Sauron's," she reasoned. "We may not be much but we might be able to be disruptive enough that it gives the Fellowship some time to complete their mission."

The king eyed her with a mixture of amazement and fear. A handful of nymphs against an army of yrch? She must be mad.

Annowe saw the look on his face and couldn't help but grin. "I don't plan on 'marching into battle'," she chided him gently. "But I just can't sit here and wait for the end. We can do something and every little bit helps. The dryads will be infuriated at Curunir's defection."

"Yes, every little bit helps," he repeated quietly and stood. Annowe realized he was ready to take his leave of her and rose also.

"Will I see you again before you leave for Isengard?" He asked.

She shook her head. "I would like to leave as soon as I am able. Unless you need me, of course." She gave him a slight bow.

He smiled. "No, you are needed elsewhere."

Annowe moved to leave but before she made it to the door, Thranduil stopped her with his words.

"Bring him home safely, Annowe. I love him very much," he said softly.

"I will, Your Majesty," she answered solemnly.

The Company prepared to leave Lothlorien on the morrow and Celeborn reminded them that if none wished to continue on the quest, they could remain in Lorien for a while longer. However, for those who would continue, they must steel their hearts when they left the fair land.

Legolas heard these words and a chill crept over him. Annowe had told him the same thing and he had failed before. Now he understood what was asked of him and resolved that he would not be caught unawares again. Slowly, he withdrew into himself to fortify his emotions against the perils of the journey ahead.

After a bit of discussion over what their course would be, they decided to take the Great River as far south as they were able. Celeborn offered elven boats to the company as Aragorn, Legolas, Boromir and Merry had some experience with the crafts. Sam, however, regarded boats much like he would a wild animal and was not pleased with the thought of traveling by water.

That evening, the company continued the discussion of where their course lay. Some wanted to continue on to Minas Tirith and rest there before braving the lands of the Enemy. Others wanted to face the Enemy immediately and meet the danger head on.

Aragorn remained silent through out the discussion, unsure what course to take. The leadership of the company had fallen to him after Gandalf's demise and although he was aware of Gandalf's original plan, he did not feel that it was the wisest course of action now.

Frodo was also torn between his desire to destroy The Ring and walking openly into Mordor. No one had a good answer for the dilemma and they all grew silent, lost in their own thoughts until they retired for the evening.

As the rest of the company slept, Aragorn and Legolas spoke in low voices about the choices before them. Neither choice seemed better than the other. If they continued on to Minas Tirith, there was the possibility that Sauron would bring his armies to bear against the city, costing many lives. If they took the eastern route to Mordor, it was highly likely they would be killed or captured in the process.

In the end, they decided to do nothing but wait and see what opportunities presented themselves on the way south. They would travel as far as Rauros if possible before deciding on their ultimate course.