A/N: A bit more of the book and movie here again.
It was just turning dark as she left Thranduil's halls and walked toward home. It was not so far and she needed time to think before meeting Deka and asking for her help. The air was cold and she clutched her woolen cloak more tightly against her body and hurried toward the gnarled willow at the side of the river.
She had not been home in nearly four phases of the moon. The eastern side of the forest had gone quiet in the depths of winter, the animals hibernating or migrated until the spring. There would be no long sleep or warm blue sea in the south for her this winter, however.
The ancient willow clung to the side of the river, its giant gnarled roots dug like fingers into the marshy earth nearby. A bunch of holly was stuck in one of the deep crevices and she smiled with relief. Hollyberry was still home.
She approached the slumbering willow and cautiously made her way though the frozen clumps of mud and twisted roots trying to avoid a very messy and cold fall. Gratefully, she flung herself at the door and scratched frantically.
"Who in Mordor?" She heard her sister's voice call in annoyance from somewhere deep in the willow.
She scratched again at the door, knowing that her shout would wake half the forest.
Shuffling feet and her sister's voice, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Holly!" Annowe nearly shouted with joy.
The bolts drew back and great willow door opened inward, toppling the hapless Annowe inside. She landed on the floor with a thud at Holly's feet.
"Mercy!" Cried Hollyberry as she just managed to avoid being knocked over by her younger sister.
Annowe jumped up and hugged her sister tightly, relief flooding her. Hollyberry pulled away for a moment to shut and bar the door behind them.
"How are you?" Her sister asked. "We've been worried sick about you. Then you turned up floating in a boat fast asleep. I just don't know what's gotten into you!"
Annowe did not answer, she just held her sister close for a long time so glad to be safe and home. Holly patted her gently, sensing her need to be comforted and did not ask another question.
"Holly, there is much to tell you but first I need something hot to eat," Annowe told her as she stepped back from her sister's embrace.
"Now, are you going to tell me where you've been and how you ended up floating in a boat on the Enchanted River?" Hollyberry demanded when she sat the bowl of steaming stew in front of her errant sister.
"It's a long story, Holly."
"It usually is with you, Annowe," her sister frowned and sat down across from her.
Annowe considered how much she should tell her sister for Holly's own safety. She ate in silence for a few moments under Holly's stern gaze and finally gave in.
"You remember how The One Ring was lost before and we thought it had been washed out to sea?" She sat her spoon down and eyed her sister carefully.
"Yes, what of it?"
"It has been found," Annowe said flatly.
Holly thought for several minutes. "That would explain the wolves and the other foul things that have been seen of late in the south," she murmured.
"Exactly," nodded Annowe. "The Ring has turned up and its current bearer has agreed to destroy the thing." Here she paused. Holly would not like this next part, not at all.
At her hesitation, her sister's brown eyes narrowed. "What is it that you are not telling me?"
Annowe sighed. "The Ring can only be destroyed in Mount Doom. Legolas and several others are heading south with The Ring."
"And?" Her sister pressed.
"And I plan to go to Isengard," Annowe finished abruptly. Hollyberry did not need to know that Isengard was now in the hands of an enemy as well. So much for scolding Legs about "lying by omission", she thought to herself.
"Legolas is going to Mount Doom? Is he mad?" Holly shook her head at the recklessness of youth and glared at her sister. "Does his father know?"
"He knows now," Annowe mumbled, avoiding her sister's withering gaze. The older nymph could make her feel like she was still only 200 years old.
Hollyberry grunted. "I suppose you don't plan on going to Isengard alone, either?"
Annowe merely looked guilty and returned to eating her stew.
"You know she's still upset with you about him," her sister reminded her. As if she needed reminding.
"I know," Annowe sighed.
The Fellowship left Lorien that morning for the unknown perils of the south. They had been outfitted by the elves with new garments and plenty of Lembas and water for the long trek ahead.
They would follow the Great River south to the falls and from there they must chose between Mordor and Minas Tirith. They had not discussed amongst themselves what their next course of action would be once they reached the falls. It seemed that they were taking the journey one step at a time.
Boromir was anxious to return to Minas Tirith and his family. The others were torn between the White City and the Gates of Mordor. Perhaps the Fellowship would split up to go their separate ways once they reached the falls. That would remain to be seen.
It would be more than perilous for all of them to try sneaking into Mordor. Some of them would perhaps accompany Frodo to Mordor while the others went with Boromir to Minas Tirith. Legolas was uncertain which way his path lie but was determined to do his part to destroy Sauron and The Ring.
The company, although quiet now, had been heartened in Lothlorien. The time they had spent in the care of Galadriel and the elves had given them new strength and traveling by the boats would considerably ease their burdens for a while as well as hastening their journey.
Galadriel and Celeborn had accompanied the Fellowship as far as the peninsula where the Silverlode met the Anduin. It was here that Galadriel gave her gifts to the Company and Celeborn outlined the course of the Great River. He advised the company on the perils that lie ahead for them from the falls to Fangorn Forest to the Marshes but as for the minions of the Dark Lord, he said nothing.
As the last glimpse of Lorien slipped away, Gimli lamented that leaving the beauty and joy of Lorien had tormented him more than even meeting the Dark Lord could.
"My friend, I share your sentiment," Legolas confided sadly. "It would seem that we are all doomed to find something precious in these days only to have it lost again."
"Aye," Gimli agreed with a heavy sigh of regret. "We never realize what we have until it is lost."
Legolas did not answer but his mind wandered to Annowe. They had only recently found their deeper affection and love for each other and now they may never be able to fulfill the potential of their relationship. Would there ever be a place for them? He stared down into the green waters of the Anduin looking for an answer but found none.