I broke a 100 reviews!!!! I did a little dance and yelled and everything,
thank you all so much for all your reviews and support. It's what keeps me
going!!!! Want to thank:
Aurumlupi: Fighting is hard to write, happy you liked it though. I'm still pondering over what Galadriel will say to her, but I'll come up with something while writing I'm sure.
Quiet One: Sorry if I write to much!! Hope you catch up to this part soon and see what happens and see me thanking you, cause three reviews is just the coolest thing!
Ithilwen: You liked by battle scenes!!!! *does happy dance* Hope you'll like this chapter as well!
LanierShazar: Is this update soon enough???
Nyssa Ravenswift: I love your kind of constructive criticism, it was really sweet! And to let you know, you won't have to unleash your wrath or your glares on anyone. That's what amazes me, over a 100 reviews and still no flames, not that I am complaining, but I just thought that this fic sucked. I'm rambling so I'll stop now. . .
Sugar-is-sweet: I'm glad you like my fic though I never get tired of hearing it. I hope this chapter will be to your liking as well.
Punkpunk: I had my doubts about last chapter but you convinced me otherwise by your review. You really think it had enough details???? Poor you for being without internet for six days, I really feel for you cause I go mad if it is down for just 1 day.
Alex:) : Uhm, maybe you haven't found the button that leads to the next chapters but I'm already at chapter 18, hope you find the button soon so you can read the rest of my fic and my thanking you for your review.
Arwen-evenstar: I try to keep my chapters as soon and long as possible, I'm so glad you like it.
Blackstardust: Sledding is fun! Hope you like water as well. . .
DISCLAIMER: Rita is mine, the characters from the books belong to Tolkien. . . this is getting very annoying.
They walked until they reached a wild river. Rita just stared at it *How are we ever gonna cross THAT*. That seemed to be the thought on everybody's mind and they all just looked at Haldir, waiting for him to come with a solution.
He came with a solution all right, they just weren't happy with it. The tall elf whistled and suddenly a rope was thrown from the other side. Haldir tied it around a tree and looked expectantly at them. It was Aragorn who voiced what everyone was thinking.
"Haldir of Lothlorien, though I have no doubt that you and your kin could cross this bridge, we are mortals and will not be able to cross as we do not have the balance of elves."
The others, bar Legolas and Rita, muttered their agreement. Legolas knew he could cross and Rita was too fascinated by the river to notice anything around her.
Water always had a calming affect on her, but this river was something else. The wild rapids and fast current seemed to state the state of her mind; confused and unstoppable.
While Haldir was considering what to do, Rita felt herself pulled to the bridge, to the swirling of the water. Even though she knew she shouldn't, she started to climb on top of the rope arms wide to keep her balance.
She looked down and her heart lightened when she saw the water. *Water is everlasting* she thought *It never goes away and will always be here.* She started to walk forwards, to the other side of the bank.
Walking on the tight rope was a hard task, but one she found she could handle. It reminded her a lot of her life; unstable and wavering. She knew how to hold her own in her life so why shouldn't she be able to hold her own on this rope?
Boromir was the first who noticed her on the rope and he stopped Haldir in the middle of his explanation of how he would call for a second rope to enable all to cross.
"That foolish girl, what does she think she is doing, she's going to get herself killed!"
All eyes focused on Rita who already was half across. Her arms were spread and moving to both left as right in order to keep her balance. Pippin cried out when it seemed like she was going to fall and the elves on the other side of the river were also closely following her progress.
Rita was in her element. She had no other thoughts than walking on the rope and the water below her, it was comforting to be able to forget about everything else. She wavered once and vaguely heard a cry but continued.
She had a huge smile on her face as she reached the end of the rope: she had made it. Rita jumped of and crouched next to the river, she dipped her hands in the cool water and felt rejoiced by the feeling of it in her hands.
*Water is pretty. It's so light and blue and sometimes even blinding when the sun shines on it.* She continued to play with the water and didn't notice that the rest of the Fellowship and Haldir crossed the river as well.
She noticed that when she was rudely grabbed from the river and felt herself be shaken by a very angry Boromir.
"Are you crazy" he shouted "What were you thinking crossing the river without the support of another rope. Even Aragorn said he couldn't do it so why did you have to do it? What did you try to prove?" While he was yelling at her he was still shaking her.
Rita just gaped at him, she had never seen him this angry but she knew in her heart that he was not dangerously angry; the kind where he would hit her. He was angry because she had scared him.
Realization hit her as she looked from the river to Boromir and then to her other companions. They all had worried expressions on their faces and she suddenly understood the danger she had put herself in.
"I. . . I didn't know, I just. . . I needed to cross and . . . I'm sorry if I worried you." she stammered, not being able to voice her emotions and reasons for crossing.
Boromir's features softened and he released his hold on her just to pull her in a hug. "Just don't do that again you hear, you scared us all to death."
Then Pippin rushed to her and hugged her legs as if there would be no tomorrow. "I was so worried, I thought you would fall."
Rita couldn't help but laugh. "I seem to worry you a lot these days Pip, I seem to worry all of you." she glanced at the others who were still gaping at her. She tried to get free from the firm holds of both the man as the hobbit. "Uhm guys, can you let go now, I'm fine really."
She was immediately released and she saw that Boromir and Pippin laughed a bit embarrassed. She walked over to the others who just shook their heads at her antics.
Haldir spoke to them all. "This is a place where few mortals have been allowed to enter. It is also the place where the dwarf will have to be blindfolded.
Rita blinked, she hadn't heard that before. Why only Gimli, that hardly seemed fair. She soon remembered the tension between the elves and the dwarves and sighed.
Gimli, as expected, protested with great passion. "I have not agreed to such a thing. I have offered my help to this quest and Elrond himself has allowed me to go. I will not be blindfolded like some sort of criminal."
"Then you shall not enter these woods" was the cool reply of Haldir.
Rita zoned out while Aragorn was convincing Gimli to stop protesting and trying to make Haldir see that the dwarf could not be left behind. She was awoken from her daze when she heard Aragorn's words.
"Then we all shall walk blindfolded."
She could hear Legolas starting to protest that he was a kinsman here and would do no such thing and heard Aragorn soothing him, telling him it was the only way.
Her heart was beating fast as she considered walking through the darkness once again, normally she didn't fear the dark but it was to soon after the adventures of Moria. She felt herself starting to shake and used all her willpower to stop her teeth from clattering again. She would die before she would let the others see her panic once more.
Legolas had resigned to their fate and was blindfolded along with the others. Rita saw Haldir come towards her, piece of cloth in his hand.
He must have seen the fear in her eyes, for he whispered calming words. "I will not let you fall Rita, just hold on to my arm." Then he put the fold around her eyes.
She tried to smile at him but managed to grimace only. She held on to his arm as he started to walk at a fast pace. "The Lady will be waiting for your arrival." He explained to them all.
Rita took deep breaths during to walk. Both for calming her nerves as for breathing in the wonderful scent that was hanging in the forest. It was an old smell, strong and powerful.
She had never known that her senses could be heightened like this. She could smell the forest around her and she could hear the footsteps of the others. Once she even thought she could hear the elvish steps of Legolas but soon scolded herself; elves made no noise with walking, Elladan had told her that a long time ago.
Haldir was a good guide, she noted. He steered her away from any holes that presumably were on the ground and not once did he let her fall.
They had been walking for hours when they suddenly halted and Haldir released her arm. She stood very still, not knowing what to do without anyone to help her. She could hear a very soft conversation in Elvish, but failed to understand what was said.
"I must apologize for your inconvenience" Haldir said "I have just had word that you are expected and are allowed to walk unfolded." He walked towards Gimli. "Allow me to undo your fold first Master Dwarf and lay your eyes on the beauty of Lothlorien for you are the first dwarf in centuries to look upon these woods."
Rita gasped at the sight when her cloth was removed from her eyes. Never before had she seen trees that were this beautiful, not even in Rivendell.
The trees were tall and broad and were a weird color of silvery. She noticed that she wasn't the only one gaping, all the others were looking around in awe as well.
They walked on, this time not blindfolded, and reached the mother of all trees for this tree was even bigger and stronger than the others.
Rita could see flets in the tree and saw numerous steps that led up, there were so many steps and she sighed inwardly as she realized that she had to climb them all.
After ten minutes of climbing her legs were starting to get tired and she noticed that the hobbits were panting as they walked on the, for them enormous, steps.
Finally they reached a giant hall and Haldir escorted them to the middle of it before he drifted to the side. The thing Rita saw then made her eyes grow large.
From another set of stairs a couple made their way down. Both elves were glowing in a light and Rita could only see the outline of their bodies for a second.
When the light died down a little she was amazed at what she saw. A man and a woman, probably the leaders of Lothlorien, stood there. The man looked like Elrond in a way, he looked very wise and old.
That wasn't what had astonished Rita however. It was the woman who had dazzled her. Never before had she seen anyone with such beauty, even Arwen was not this beautiful. The Lady was not only beautiful though, the wisdom in her eyes was evident to all who saw her.
"Welcome, travelers of the Fellowship" said the man. "Eight are here where nine left Rivendell. Tell me where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him."
All looked to the ground as they remembered what had happened to the great wizard. Galadriel solved the mystery for her husband as she whispered.
"He has fallen into shadow."
At her words cries broke out around them. Most elves knew Gandalf and severely mourned his loss. Galadriel started to speak to the fellowship, as she looked each in their eyes deeply.
"The future of the quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruins of us all. Yet hope remains while all the Company is true."
When Galadriel looked at Rita, the elf gasped. Her eyes looked troubled as she looked into the girl's mind. Celeborn turned to his wife, a hint of worry on his face. She just patted his hand as she focussed on Rita once again.
Meanwhile Rita was looking at the floor, ashamed for the fact that her memories had upset the Lady so, she also felt a bit angry. Her thoughts were her own and she hadn't even told Elladan about all she had been through and this elf just pierced through the shields she had built.
*I am sorry for making you uneasy Rita Saunders.* she heard in her mind. *You have seen many horrors for one your age and I wish to help you ease your troubles, will you not meet my eyes again*
"Get out of my head" Rita stated aloud.
Heads were turned towards her, as nobody had ever spoken is such a tone to the Lady of the Wood before.
*Why do fight against me so, I only wish to help you*
"Maybe I don't need your help, maybe what I need from you is that you get out of my head and stop searching my mind."
*You are ashamed for your memories young one, but you cannot deny that it is much to bear for one person on her own*
Fury took hold of Rita and she snapped her head up to look into the eyes of Galadriel. "They are MY memories, and no offence Lady Galadriel but if I wished to share my burdens with anyone that would be my choice and mine alone."
Galadriel looked into her eyes one more time and she smiled. "Very well Rita Saunders, I will comply. But do not fear to ever ask for my help."
Rita smiled as she bowed her head. "I'm sorry if I were a bit. . . snappish Milady, but you struck a nerve. I haven't even greeted you properly. Elen sila lumenn omentilmo." ( A start shall shine upon the hour of our meeting)
She could see Aragorn and Legolas smile at her words. They were a bit in contradiction with her behavior a few moments ago.
Galadriel seemed to understand that Rita wanted to start out clean and answered her in Sindarin as well. "Saesa omentien lle Rita Saunders" (Pleasure meeting you Rita Saunders)
Then the Lady addressed the entire Fellowship. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. For tonight you shall sleep in peace."
Haldir led them to an open space on the ground where sleeping arrangements had been made. The Fellowship sat down with a sigh and started to talk for a minute.
"Why did you snap at the Lady in such a matter Rita?" asked the ever- curious Pippin.
"Does it matter?"
"Yes it does Rita" said Aragorn and from the way he was looking she could see she wouldn't get away with dodging their questions. "What did the Lady see that astonished her so and made you so angry?"
"My past" Rita stated. "She saw things from my past and pitied me, I hate to be pitied. Then she wanted me to 'share' my burden with her, as if I had any choice!"
The others were silent for awhile before Aragorn broke that silence.
"The Lady sees the heart of all and can pierce ones thought with a single gaze. I must admit that it scared me as well the first time and I can understand why you were angered by this."
He was about to say more when a female elf walked into sight. "The Lady Galadriel has asked me to take you Lady Rita."
Questioning looks were pointed at the elf. She quickly finished her sentence. "Lady Galadriel believed you would enjoy a bath in order to clean yourself."
Rita smiled and grabbed her pack. "I guess this mind-reading thing isn't that bad at all. Lead the way. . . uhm, what's your name?"
"Marinwe, Milady."
"Rita, not Milady. The sound of Milady is just wrong to me. So Marinwe, lead the way to the bath." Rita turned to the rest of the fellowship before she left them.
She put her weapons on the ground and called out to them. "See you later guys."
The others just laughed at her retreating figure.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Marinwe had led her to a bathroom where a tub filled with hot water stood. Rita declined her offer to help her with bathing but agreed to give Marinwe her dirty clothes so they could be cleaned.
Rita handed all her clothing but a few clean ones and quickly stripped from her outfit before she slipped into the water. She thanked Marinwe many times before the elf left her alone.
The feeling of the hot water around her was pure bliss. Rita could feel all of the dirt she had collected in Moria peel away and grabbed the soap from her bag.
She started to rinse the dirt that kept sticking to her skin away and noticed a small bottle with some sort of fluid inside of it.
She opened it and was very pleased to find that there was some sort of shampoo in it. The shampoo smelled like the forest and flowers and Rita washed her hair three times. She then found a substance that could only be conditioner and treated her hair with that too.
*I have to remember to thank the lady for this* she thought *Nothing is better than a hot bath*
The water started to get cold and Rita forced herself to dry herself off. Then came the matter of clothing. She still had one pair of underwear, a bra, a pair of pants and two shirts. She decided to wear the shirt she had 'borrowed' from Elladan.
After getting dressed she opened the door of the bathroom and started to walk in the direction where the fellowship was residing, the now almost empty pack over her shoulder. She didn't notice the fact that she was being stared at, but noticed when Legolas was staring at her when she had found the fellowship.
"What?" she asked.
Legolas shook his head. "Where did you find that shirt Rita?" he inquired.
Aragorn joined the conversation as well, the others were asleep already. "Yes Rita. Where did you find it?"
Rita was confused. "Why, is it torn or something?"
"No Rita" explained Legolas. "We were just surprised that you are wearing a shirt that is for a male.
"Indeed" Aragorn added "and if I am not mistaken it looks like it is not the shirt of any male. I believe that it is the shirt of a certain male elf that lives in Rivendell."
"I knew I recognized it. Why Rita, what would Elladan say if he could see that you had stolen one of his shirts." Legolas joked.
"His favorite shirt." Jested Aragorn.
Rita could feel herself starting to blush and looked down. "It's a girl thing ok? I just needed something of his."
"He gave you a sword and a dagger." Stated Legolas.
"And the ring around your neck" added Aragorn again. The man and the elf were a great pair for interrogating and jesting, Rita found out.
Rita rolled her eyes. *Men can be so stupid sometimes* "Well I can't cling onto those things now can I? Besides it wasn't my idea to start with." She grinned evilly. "Arwen did?"
She laughed at Aragorn's dumbfounded look. "She did?"
"Yes she did. Haven't you noticed that one of your shirts is missing?" Rita saw that he had noticed and was starting to understand.
"Oh" the destined king of Gondor was actually speechless.
Legolas was grinning at his friend and walked off while shaking his head and muttering something about the mystery of women.
"Now if you are done questioning me Aragorn, I'm gonna sleep."
Aragorn was still staring ahead, his eyes a bit glassy as he was lost in memory and fingering the pendant around his neck once again. A movement that he unconsciously made very often.
Rita took that as her cue to leave him and she walked over to the others. Her bedroll was already unfolded for her. Boromir lay on her left and Pippin on her right. She sighed as she surrendered to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*
She was dreaming again, the same dream she had had before, the dream where Gandalf was falling and suddenly turned into Carol. The dream where she tried to save them but couldn't.
"NOOOOOOO" She awoke with a start, this time lucky that she wasn't in a tree she could fall out. She took ragged breaths as she fought to gain control of her emotions. Suddenly the strong arms of Boromir embraced her.
"It's all right Rita, you are safe now. I won't let anything happen to you, we are safe in the midst of Lothlorien. Don't be afraid."
Rita felt her heartbeat slow down and her breathing turned normal again as the Gondorian man soothed her.
She pulled away from him to see the entire Fellowship staring at her. She hated it that she was not able to hide her nightmares from them. They all looked so worried and she tried to ease their minds.
"I'm fine guys, really. It was just a nightmare."
"You seem to have a lot of those lately." Pointed Legolas out with a soft voice.
"I've had reason to have them lately." She answered him. Rita jumped up, feeling uneasy with them looking at her, and walked away.
"Where are you going?" yelled Boromir.
"I just need to clear my head, I'll be back in a while." She walked away from the company and their gazes and started to follow the sound of water in the distance.
*Water is exactly what I need right now, it will calm me and help me calm my nerves* she thought as she found the source of the sound. It was the same river that she had crossed. Even within the land it was wild and the currents fast.
She had been sitting there for a long time when she heard a scream. *Not again* she thought *I believed elves were good creatures and never hurt women, with the exception of Andor*
When she heard the scream again she jumped up. Rita could other voices yelling as well and what she found made her gasp.
A young elf had fallen in the river and was being swept under from time to time. He, for she thought it was a boy, was trying to fight against the current but was failing.
From the sides elves were running along with him, throwing ropes at him so that he could grab it and be pulled to safety.
The ropes either didn't reach the boy or the boy were too weak to grab hold of them. Fact remained that he was drowning.
Rita recognized Aragorn and Boromir as they too tried to save the boy, but all were failing. Rita made a decision right there and then.
She started to run and grabbed the end of one of the ropes that was about to be thrown and jumped in the water.
The current was very strong and Rita fought to catch the boy that was drifting past her. She grabbed the boy and bound the rope around his waist. She smiled when the men on the shore were starting to pull them up.
At the last moment she slipped away. Rita had only bound the rope around the boy and she was holding on as tight as she could. When she lost her grip she was swept away by the current.
The boy was pulled to safety and everybody gasped as they saw Rita getting pulled under. Boromir was running even faster now, wildly searching for her body.
"There!" he yelled as her head reappeared above the water.
Rita gasped for breath and felt herself being pulled under again. While under water she didn't fight against the currents, she let them throw her to every side and prayed she would be able to resurface soon.
As she was pushed upwards again she noticed a branch sticking into the water. With the last of her strength she grabbed it and climbed to safety.
Once she was on the ground, safe and sound, she collapsed and coughed while she was hitting her ears, trying to rid them of the water.
"RITA!" she heard and she saw Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and many others run to her. Aragorn kneeled beside her while he helped her up, gently patting her back to ease her coughing.
"Do you do that on purpose or what?" yelled Boromir. "Why did you do that you silly woman, you really are trying to get yourself killed aren't you?"
"Of course Boromir" wheezed Rita sarcastically "I only did it to get myself killed. I was trying to save that kid you moron and you know what I succeeded and that's all what matters."
Boromir opened his mouth to yell again but Aragorn intervened. "Enough Boromir, what she did may not have been very smart but it was successful."
Rita gloated, she did it right. Her gloating was interrupted as Aragorn turned to her. "And you, why must you place yourself in danger time and again. I am starting to wonder if you do have a deathwish."
She just rolled her eyes and tried to stand up. When she wavered Haldir, who appeared out of nowhere, caught her.
"Thanks again Haldir" she said "That's three times I owe you."
"You owe me nothing Rita as you saved the life of my nephew. For this I am forever in your debt."
Rita frowned, here was that forever in your debt thing again, she had had this discussion with Fioma many times before. To elves it was like this. When you save the life of one, that person owes them their life and their service.
"You owe me nothing Haldir cause I just did what anyone would have done." When she saw that he was going to protest she raised her hand to shush him. "And that is final you hear!"
Haldir could do nothing but nod. "At least join me and my brothers and their families for dinner this evening. I am sure they would like to meet the savior of young Salmir."
"I'd be happy to join you Haldir, what time will I have to be there, better question even. Where is there? Cause I'm really good at getting lost, I'm the master in doing that. I even managed to get lost in the gardens of Rivendell."
Laughter sounded around her when she said that and Rita played to be offended. "HEY! The gardens are big I tell you, and all the trees look alike."
"Enough joking" said Aragorn "Go and get changed before you get ill. We need you to be in healthy condition when we continue this journey."
"I've got one teensy weensy problem though."
"What may that be?"
"I have no other clothes cause Marinwe was nice enough to offer to clean them for me. So beside the clothes I'm wearing, I'm all out."
As soon as she Marinwe's name, the elf appeared. It made Rita think about a genie in a bottle. Rub the lamp once and poof the genie appears.
"I will be able to help you Lad. . " she fixed her error after the look she was given by Rita. "Uhm, Rita. I have some dresses that will fir you. if you would just follow me."
"You're priceless Marinwe" said Rita "What would I do without you?" Soon the two women left the sight of those who remained behind.
"She's going to be the death of me if she keeps scaring me like that." moaned Boromir.
Aragorn and Legolas agreed wholeheartedly with him. "She never thinks of the danger, she just acts and that could get her into major trouble one day."
Legolas tapped Aragorn on his shoulder and when the man looked at him in a confused way, Legolas pointed at Haldir who was still looking at Rita's retreating figure.
The future king thought fast. "Aye Legolas, you are right. We must protect her as much as we can though for Elladan will have my hide if anything were to happen to her."
Haldir looked up. "Elladan, you mean the son of Elrond?"
"Indeed" answered Aragorn "He loves her deeply and asked me to look out for her."
The other elf nodded after absorbing the information and with a quick goodbye he left to see to his nephew.
"He is interested by her." Stated Legolas.
Boromir gave his opinion on the matter as well. "Who wouldn't be for she is not ugly and has a brave spirit. There is an air around her that shouts out for affection, have you not noticed this?"
"I have seen it as I believe we all have seen it." said Aragorn. "There is something about her that begs for protection and love, yet that same air tries to fend those things off, for the pain in her eyes and the nightmare that haunts her is still fresh."
The three were silent after that, pondering about the mystery that listened to the name Rita Saunders.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Marinwe I can't thank you enough for letting me borrow this dress. I said it once and I'll say it again, what would I do without you?"
Rita was looking in the mirror as she said this. She was wearing a blue dress and though it was not very fancy, it suited her perfectly. The neckline was very proper and the sleeves reached just past her elbows. Her hair was loose and flowing and at that moment Marinwe was making two small braids in her hair as Arwen had done so many nights ago.
"You would be fine without me Rita" the kind elf stated. "I am just offering you normal things that others would have given you if not for me."
"But you did offer these things to me."
Marinwe finished the braids. "There all done, now all we have to do is find you some. . . aha these will do fine." She had found a pair of blue sandals to match the dress.
Rita smiled at her as she slipped them on her feet, it was a perfect match. "Thanks Marinwe, for the bath and all the other things. I think I'll go back to the others now ok? I'll bring back your stuff tomorrow I promise."
"And I promise your clothing will be cleaned and ready for you tomorrow. Now leave and be with your friends."
Rita hurried back to where the fellowship was staying and was just in time to catch Aragorn telling about her adventures to the hobbits and Gimli.
". . . and now she is getting some dry clothes."
"She's all right isn't she Aragorn?" Frodo asked. The hobbits were all looking up at him with anticipation of an affirmative answer.
Rita answered instead of him. "Of course she is all right. It was just a bit of water that's all."
All turned around to see her and Pippin clapped his hands. "You look great Rita, just like you did in Rivendell. And just now I was starting to get used to your trousers and shirts."
She laughed, Pippin always knew what to say to make her feel better. To her surprise it was Sam who asked the question that seemed to be on all of their minds.
"Lady Rita, if I may ask, why do you do that?"
"Do what Sam?" Rita was truly confused.
"Well, why do you place the life and welfare of others above your own? I mean first with Lady Fioma in Rivendell and now with that boy in the river. And don't you think we hobbits haven't noticed how you divided your ration between the four of us, leaving none for yourself."
"It's a long story Sam."
"We have enough time to hear it before Haldir comes to collect you." said Legolas.
Rita sighed, she knew this had been coming. She also knew she trusted these men, each and every one of them. The only thing she didn't know for sure was how they would react to her tale. She sat down and motioned for the others to do so as well. When they were all seated she began.
"My first memory of my life, the earliest of them all, is of my parents. Only they were nothing like your usual parents. They would fight constantly and my father would let his hands swing around all the time. He was intent on teaching me 'good behavior' and the proper way for a girl to act. Which was to stay silent and out of his way. God forbid if you crossed his rules."
"He would lock you in a closet" muttered Boromir and she looked up confused for a while before she remembered her nightmare in Moria.
"Among other things." She stated. "Then my mother was pregnant again, for a little while he stopped hitting her and I made sure I stayed out of his way in order not to anger him. The day my sister was born is still etched into my mind."
She took a deep breath before she continued. "A few weeks after her birth my mom left. She couldn't deal with an abusive husband and two kids at the same time. I was five at the time."
"She didn't even take you with her?" asked an astonished Merry.
Rita shook her head. "From that day on I took care of her, my little Carol. I would feed her, play with her and keep her safe from my father. I'll spare you the details of my life as it was but it was all for a good cause. Carol grew up to be a beautiful and smart girl she would have made something of her life."
"You must miss her now you are here." said Pippin with all his innocence. Eyes burning with compassion for her.
"She's dead Pippin. I was home late, or she was home early, and she was killed. My father had shoved her off the stairs when he was drunk and she had made too much noise to his liking. There was nothing I could do for her. I was her protector and I failed."
"It wasn't your fault Rita" said Aragorn.
She let out a dry laugh. "You sound like Elladan, he said the exact same thing. Rationally I know it wasn't my fault but emotionally. . . I keep wondering. What if I had been home sooner, what if my dad hadn't been drunk, what if. . ."
"You mustn't torture yourself with words like that." Boromir had put an arm around his shoulder. "What has been done cannot be undone, there is nothing you can do now to change the past."
There was a glimmer of pain and sorrow in his eyes and Rita wondered what had happened to him in his past.
She smiled at them all. "So there you have it, the sad story of my life. I should write a book called 'Poor little protector' maybe I'd make some money with it."
They all sat in silence. Boromir still had his arm around her shoulder and Aragorn sat on her other side holding her hand. Pippin had just crawled onto her lap like a little boy and held her while he wept for her and her life.
The others were just staring ahead, digesting her words. Sam broke the silence.
"So that's why you saved them, Lady Fioma and the boy I mean."
Rita was broken out of her reverie. "I guess Sam. I mean, I could stop them from getting hurt, I could save them in the way I wasn't able to save my sister."
"So you will continue to put yourself at risk?" asked Frodo in a soft voice.
"I have accepted my death Frodo, be it sooner or later." When she saw the startled looks around her she further explained herself.
"After I heard the tale of the ring and the last alliance from Glorfindel I accepted the fact that the quest was necessary. I also accepted the fact that I probably wouldn't live to see the end of it. I wasn't very skilled with a sword then and was ready to face death."
"Then why do you continue to put yourself in danger now?" asked Boromir. "For your skill with the sword is very good as you have held your own in battle."
"You must think of those you leave behind as well Rita" added Aragorn. "Elladan will not survive if you die, you must know that."
Rita nodded. "He told me that Aragorn, after I asked him to move on if I were to die. He refused to promise me that though and I vowed to do my best to come back."
"I ask again" said Boromir "Why?"
"Instinct I guess. I'm used to getting hurt and protecting others. I've been doing that for thirteen years now it's not something you just turn off."
"Then we will help you do that" was the gentle voice of Legolas.
Rita sighed. "I know you will Legolas but it isn't easy. I don't want you all to run around and protect me from all dangers as sweet as that sounds. We have a reason to be on this quest and that is way more important then keeping little old me out of trouble."
They stayed like that for about an hour until Rita stood up. "I'm gonna wash my face before Haldir comes."
As she walked away the others looked at each other. It was Pippin who broke the silence. "She told that like it was normal, no emotion in her voice whatsoever."
"She must have kept the worst details from us Pip" said Merry "She told us so didn't she?"
"We'll just have to keep her safe." Said Boromir and all agreed with him and they all wandered off, thinking about what they had just heard.
A/N: Long chapter, I'm gonna try to update soon. How do you like my Haldir twist? Do you think Rita was out of character by telling her story?? Let me know and review.
Aurumlupi: Fighting is hard to write, happy you liked it though. I'm still pondering over what Galadriel will say to her, but I'll come up with something while writing I'm sure.
Quiet One: Sorry if I write to much!! Hope you catch up to this part soon and see what happens and see me thanking you, cause three reviews is just the coolest thing!
Ithilwen: You liked by battle scenes!!!! *does happy dance* Hope you'll like this chapter as well!
LanierShazar: Is this update soon enough???
Nyssa Ravenswift: I love your kind of constructive criticism, it was really sweet! And to let you know, you won't have to unleash your wrath or your glares on anyone. That's what amazes me, over a 100 reviews and still no flames, not that I am complaining, but I just thought that this fic sucked. I'm rambling so I'll stop now. . .
Sugar-is-sweet: I'm glad you like my fic though I never get tired of hearing it. I hope this chapter will be to your liking as well.
Punkpunk: I had my doubts about last chapter but you convinced me otherwise by your review. You really think it had enough details???? Poor you for being without internet for six days, I really feel for you cause I go mad if it is down for just 1 day.
Alex:) : Uhm, maybe you haven't found the button that leads to the next chapters but I'm already at chapter 18, hope you find the button soon so you can read the rest of my fic and my thanking you for your review.
Arwen-evenstar: I try to keep my chapters as soon and long as possible, I'm so glad you like it.
Blackstardust: Sledding is fun! Hope you like water as well. . .
DISCLAIMER: Rita is mine, the characters from the books belong to Tolkien. . . this is getting very annoying.
They walked until they reached a wild river. Rita just stared at it *How are we ever gonna cross THAT*. That seemed to be the thought on everybody's mind and they all just looked at Haldir, waiting for him to come with a solution.
He came with a solution all right, they just weren't happy with it. The tall elf whistled and suddenly a rope was thrown from the other side. Haldir tied it around a tree and looked expectantly at them. It was Aragorn who voiced what everyone was thinking.
"Haldir of Lothlorien, though I have no doubt that you and your kin could cross this bridge, we are mortals and will not be able to cross as we do not have the balance of elves."
The others, bar Legolas and Rita, muttered their agreement. Legolas knew he could cross and Rita was too fascinated by the river to notice anything around her.
Water always had a calming affect on her, but this river was something else. The wild rapids and fast current seemed to state the state of her mind; confused and unstoppable.
While Haldir was considering what to do, Rita felt herself pulled to the bridge, to the swirling of the water. Even though she knew she shouldn't, she started to climb on top of the rope arms wide to keep her balance.
She looked down and her heart lightened when she saw the water. *Water is everlasting* she thought *It never goes away and will always be here.* She started to walk forwards, to the other side of the bank.
Walking on the tight rope was a hard task, but one she found she could handle. It reminded her a lot of her life; unstable and wavering. She knew how to hold her own in her life so why shouldn't she be able to hold her own on this rope?
Boromir was the first who noticed her on the rope and he stopped Haldir in the middle of his explanation of how he would call for a second rope to enable all to cross.
"That foolish girl, what does she think she is doing, she's going to get herself killed!"
All eyes focused on Rita who already was half across. Her arms were spread and moving to both left as right in order to keep her balance. Pippin cried out when it seemed like she was going to fall and the elves on the other side of the river were also closely following her progress.
Rita was in her element. She had no other thoughts than walking on the rope and the water below her, it was comforting to be able to forget about everything else. She wavered once and vaguely heard a cry but continued.
She had a huge smile on her face as she reached the end of the rope: she had made it. Rita jumped of and crouched next to the river, she dipped her hands in the cool water and felt rejoiced by the feeling of it in her hands.
*Water is pretty. It's so light and blue and sometimes even blinding when the sun shines on it.* She continued to play with the water and didn't notice that the rest of the Fellowship and Haldir crossed the river as well.
She noticed that when she was rudely grabbed from the river and felt herself be shaken by a very angry Boromir.
"Are you crazy" he shouted "What were you thinking crossing the river without the support of another rope. Even Aragorn said he couldn't do it so why did you have to do it? What did you try to prove?" While he was yelling at her he was still shaking her.
Rita just gaped at him, she had never seen him this angry but she knew in her heart that he was not dangerously angry; the kind where he would hit her. He was angry because she had scared him.
Realization hit her as she looked from the river to Boromir and then to her other companions. They all had worried expressions on their faces and she suddenly understood the danger she had put herself in.
"I. . . I didn't know, I just. . . I needed to cross and . . . I'm sorry if I worried you." she stammered, not being able to voice her emotions and reasons for crossing.
Boromir's features softened and he released his hold on her just to pull her in a hug. "Just don't do that again you hear, you scared us all to death."
Then Pippin rushed to her and hugged her legs as if there would be no tomorrow. "I was so worried, I thought you would fall."
Rita couldn't help but laugh. "I seem to worry you a lot these days Pip, I seem to worry all of you." she glanced at the others who were still gaping at her. She tried to get free from the firm holds of both the man as the hobbit. "Uhm guys, can you let go now, I'm fine really."
She was immediately released and she saw that Boromir and Pippin laughed a bit embarrassed. She walked over to the others who just shook their heads at her antics.
Haldir spoke to them all. "This is a place where few mortals have been allowed to enter. It is also the place where the dwarf will have to be blindfolded.
Rita blinked, she hadn't heard that before. Why only Gimli, that hardly seemed fair. She soon remembered the tension between the elves and the dwarves and sighed.
Gimli, as expected, protested with great passion. "I have not agreed to such a thing. I have offered my help to this quest and Elrond himself has allowed me to go. I will not be blindfolded like some sort of criminal."
"Then you shall not enter these woods" was the cool reply of Haldir.
Rita zoned out while Aragorn was convincing Gimli to stop protesting and trying to make Haldir see that the dwarf could not be left behind. She was awoken from her daze when she heard Aragorn's words.
"Then we all shall walk blindfolded."
She could hear Legolas starting to protest that he was a kinsman here and would do no such thing and heard Aragorn soothing him, telling him it was the only way.
Her heart was beating fast as she considered walking through the darkness once again, normally she didn't fear the dark but it was to soon after the adventures of Moria. She felt herself starting to shake and used all her willpower to stop her teeth from clattering again. She would die before she would let the others see her panic once more.
Legolas had resigned to their fate and was blindfolded along with the others. Rita saw Haldir come towards her, piece of cloth in his hand.
He must have seen the fear in her eyes, for he whispered calming words. "I will not let you fall Rita, just hold on to my arm." Then he put the fold around her eyes.
She tried to smile at him but managed to grimace only. She held on to his arm as he started to walk at a fast pace. "The Lady will be waiting for your arrival." He explained to them all.
Rita took deep breaths during to walk. Both for calming her nerves as for breathing in the wonderful scent that was hanging in the forest. It was an old smell, strong and powerful.
She had never known that her senses could be heightened like this. She could smell the forest around her and she could hear the footsteps of the others. Once she even thought she could hear the elvish steps of Legolas but soon scolded herself; elves made no noise with walking, Elladan had told her that a long time ago.
Haldir was a good guide, she noted. He steered her away from any holes that presumably were on the ground and not once did he let her fall.
They had been walking for hours when they suddenly halted and Haldir released her arm. She stood very still, not knowing what to do without anyone to help her. She could hear a very soft conversation in Elvish, but failed to understand what was said.
"I must apologize for your inconvenience" Haldir said "I have just had word that you are expected and are allowed to walk unfolded." He walked towards Gimli. "Allow me to undo your fold first Master Dwarf and lay your eyes on the beauty of Lothlorien for you are the first dwarf in centuries to look upon these woods."
Rita gasped at the sight when her cloth was removed from her eyes. Never before had she seen trees that were this beautiful, not even in Rivendell.
The trees were tall and broad and were a weird color of silvery. She noticed that she wasn't the only one gaping, all the others were looking around in awe as well.
They walked on, this time not blindfolded, and reached the mother of all trees for this tree was even bigger and stronger than the others.
Rita could see flets in the tree and saw numerous steps that led up, there were so many steps and she sighed inwardly as she realized that she had to climb them all.
After ten minutes of climbing her legs were starting to get tired and she noticed that the hobbits were panting as they walked on the, for them enormous, steps.
Finally they reached a giant hall and Haldir escorted them to the middle of it before he drifted to the side. The thing Rita saw then made her eyes grow large.
From another set of stairs a couple made their way down. Both elves were glowing in a light and Rita could only see the outline of their bodies for a second.
When the light died down a little she was amazed at what she saw. A man and a woman, probably the leaders of Lothlorien, stood there. The man looked like Elrond in a way, he looked very wise and old.
That wasn't what had astonished Rita however. It was the woman who had dazzled her. Never before had she seen anyone with such beauty, even Arwen was not this beautiful. The Lady was not only beautiful though, the wisdom in her eyes was evident to all who saw her.
"Welcome, travelers of the Fellowship" said the man. "Eight are here where nine left Rivendell. Tell me where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him."
All looked to the ground as they remembered what had happened to the great wizard. Galadriel solved the mystery for her husband as she whispered.
"He has fallen into shadow."
At her words cries broke out around them. Most elves knew Gandalf and severely mourned his loss. Galadriel started to speak to the fellowship, as she looked each in their eyes deeply.
"The future of the quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruins of us all. Yet hope remains while all the Company is true."
When Galadriel looked at Rita, the elf gasped. Her eyes looked troubled as she looked into the girl's mind. Celeborn turned to his wife, a hint of worry on his face. She just patted his hand as she focussed on Rita once again.
Meanwhile Rita was looking at the floor, ashamed for the fact that her memories had upset the Lady so, she also felt a bit angry. Her thoughts were her own and she hadn't even told Elladan about all she had been through and this elf just pierced through the shields she had built.
*I am sorry for making you uneasy Rita Saunders.* she heard in her mind. *You have seen many horrors for one your age and I wish to help you ease your troubles, will you not meet my eyes again*
"Get out of my head" Rita stated aloud.
Heads were turned towards her, as nobody had ever spoken is such a tone to the Lady of the Wood before.
*Why do fight against me so, I only wish to help you*
"Maybe I don't need your help, maybe what I need from you is that you get out of my head and stop searching my mind."
*You are ashamed for your memories young one, but you cannot deny that it is much to bear for one person on her own*
Fury took hold of Rita and she snapped her head up to look into the eyes of Galadriel. "They are MY memories, and no offence Lady Galadriel but if I wished to share my burdens with anyone that would be my choice and mine alone."
Galadriel looked into her eyes one more time and she smiled. "Very well Rita Saunders, I will comply. But do not fear to ever ask for my help."
Rita smiled as she bowed her head. "I'm sorry if I were a bit. . . snappish Milady, but you struck a nerve. I haven't even greeted you properly. Elen sila lumenn omentilmo." ( A start shall shine upon the hour of our meeting)
She could see Aragorn and Legolas smile at her words. They were a bit in contradiction with her behavior a few moments ago.
Galadriel seemed to understand that Rita wanted to start out clean and answered her in Sindarin as well. "Saesa omentien lle Rita Saunders" (Pleasure meeting you Rita Saunders)
Then the Lady addressed the entire Fellowship. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. For tonight you shall sleep in peace."
Haldir led them to an open space on the ground where sleeping arrangements had been made. The Fellowship sat down with a sigh and started to talk for a minute.
"Why did you snap at the Lady in such a matter Rita?" asked the ever- curious Pippin.
"Does it matter?"
"Yes it does Rita" said Aragorn and from the way he was looking she could see she wouldn't get away with dodging their questions. "What did the Lady see that astonished her so and made you so angry?"
"My past" Rita stated. "She saw things from my past and pitied me, I hate to be pitied. Then she wanted me to 'share' my burden with her, as if I had any choice!"
The others were silent for awhile before Aragorn broke that silence.
"The Lady sees the heart of all and can pierce ones thought with a single gaze. I must admit that it scared me as well the first time and I can understand why you were angered by this."
He was about to say more when a female elf walked into sight. "The Lady Galadriel has asked me to take you Lady Rita."
Questioning looks were pointed at the elf. She quickly finished her sentence. "Lady Galadriel believed you would enjoy a bath in order to clean yourself."
Rita smiled and grabbed her pack. "I guess this mind-reading thing isn't that bad at all. Lead the way. . . uhm, what's your name?"
"Marinwe, Milady."
"Rita, not Milady. The sound of Milady is just wrong to me. So Marinwe, lead the way to the bath." Rita turned to the rest of the fellowship before she left them.
She put her weapons on the ground and called out to them. "See you later guys."
The others just laughed at her retreating figure.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Marinwe had led her to a bathroom where a tub filled with hot water stood. Rita declined her offer to help her with bathing but agreed to give Marinwe her dirty clothes so they could be cleaned.
Rita handed all her clothing but a few clean ones and quickly stripped from her outfit before she slipped into the water. She thanked Marinwe many times before the elf left her alone.
The feeling of the hot water around her was pure bliss. Rita could feel all of the dirt she had collected in Moria peel away and grabbed the soap from her bag.
She started to rinse the dirt that kept sticking to her skin away and noticed a small bottle with some sort of fluid inside of it.
She opened it and was very pleased to find that there was some sort of shampoo in it. The shampoo smelled like the forest and flowers and Rita washed her hair three times. She then found a substance that could only be conditioner and treated her hair with that too.
*I have to remember to thank the lady for this* she thought *Nothing is better than a hot bath*
The water started to get cold and Rita forced herself to dry herself off. Then came the matter of clothing. She still had one pair of underwear, a bra, a pair of pants and two shirts. She decided to wear the shirt she had 'borrowed' from Elladan.
After getting dressed she opened the door of the bathroom and started to walk in the direction where the fellowship was residing, the now almost empty pack over her shoulder. She didn't notice the fact that she was being stared at, but noticed when Legolas was staring at her when she had found the fellowship.
"What?" she asked.
Legolas shook his head. "Where did you find that shirt Rita?" he inquired.
Aragorn joined the conversation as well, the others were asleep already. "Yes Rita. Where did you find it?"
Rita was confused. "Why, is it torn or something?"
"No Rita" explained Legolas. "We were just surprised that you are wearing a shirt that is for a male.
"Indeed" Aragorn added "and if I am not mistaken it looks like it is not the shirt of any male. I believe that it is the shirt of a certain male elf that lives in Rivendell."
"I knew I recognized it. Why Rita, what would Elladan say if he could see that you had stolen one of his shirts." Legolas joked.
"His favorite shirt." Jested Aragorn.
Rita could feel herself starting to blush and looked down. "It's a girl thing ok? I just needed something of his."
"He gave you a sword and a dagger." Stated Legolas.
"And the ring around your neck" added Aragorn again. The man and the elf were a great pair for interrogating and jesting, Rita found out.
Rita rolled her eyes. *Men can be so stupid sometimes* "Well I can't cling onto those things now can I? Besides it wasn't my idea to start with." She grinned evilly. "Arwen did?"
She laughed at Aragorn's dumbfounded look. "She did?"
"Yes she did. Haven't you noticed that one of your shirts is missing?" Rita saw that he had noticed and was starting to understand.
"Oh" the destined king of Gondor was actually speechless.
Legolas was grinning at his friend and walked off while shaking his head and muttering something about the mystery of women.
"Now if you are done questioning me Aragorn, I'm gonna sleep."
Aragorn was still staring ahead, his eyes a bit glassy as he was lost in memory and fingering the pendant around his neck once again. A movement that he unconsciously made very often.
Rita took that as her cue to leave him and she walked over to the others. Her bedroll was already unfolded for her. Boromir lay on her left and Pippin on her right. She sighed as she surrendered to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*
She was dreaming again, the same dream she had had before, the dream where Gandalf was falling and suddenly turned into Carol. The dream where she tried to save them but couldn't.
"NOOOOOOO" She awoke with a start, this time lucky that she wasn't in a tree she could fall out. She took ragged breaths as she fought to gain control of her emotions. Suddenly the strong arms of Boromir embraced her.
"It's all right Rita, you are safe now. I won't let anything happen to you, we are safe in the midst of Lothlorien. Don't be afraid."
Rita felt her heartbeat slow down and her breathing turned normal again as the Gondorian man soothed her.
She pulled away from him to see the entire Fellowship staring at her. She hated it that she was not able to hide her nightmares from them. They all looked so worried and she tried to ease their minds.
"I'm fine guys, really. It was just a nightmare."
"You seem to have a lot of those lately." Pointed Legolas out with a soft voice.
"I've had reason to have them lately." She answered him. Rita jumped up, feeling uneasy with them looking at her, and walked away.
"Where are you going?" yelled Boromir.
"I just need to clear my head, I'll be back in a while." She walked away from the company and their gazes and started to follow the sound of water in the distance.
*Water is exactly what I need right now, it will calm me and help me calm my nerves* she thought as she found the source of the sound. It was the same river that she had crossed. Even within the land it was wild and the currents fast.
She had been sitting there for a long time when she heard a scream. *Not again* she thought *I believed elves were good creatures and never hurt women, with the exception of Andor*
When she heard the scream again she jumped up. Rita could other voices yelling as well and what she found made her gasp.
A young elf had fallen in the river and was being swept under from time to time. He, for she thought it was a boy, was trying to fight against the current but was failing.
From the sides elves were running along with him, throwing ropes at him so that he could grab it and be pulled to safety.
The ropes either didn't reach the boy or the boy were too weak to grab hold of them. Fact remained that he was drowning.
Rita recognized Aragorn and Boromir as they too tried to save the boy, but all were failing. Rita made a decision right there and then.
She started to run and grabbed the end of one of the ropes that was about to be thrown and jumped in the water.
The current was very strong and Rita fought to catch the boy that was drifting past her. She grabbed the boy and bound the rope around his waist. She smiled when the men on the shore were starting to pull them up.
At the last moment she slipped away. Rita had only bound the rope around the boy and she was holding on as tight as she could. When she lost her grip she was swept away by the current.
The boy was pulled to safety and everybody gasped as they saw Rita getting pulled under. Boromir was running even faster now, wildly searching for her body.
"There!" he yelled as her head reappeared above the water.
Rita gasped for breath and felt herself being pulled under again. While under water she didn't fight against the currents, she let them throw her to every side and prayed she would be able to resurface soon.
As she was pushed upwards again she noticed a branch sticking into the water. With the last of her strength she grabbed it and climbed to safety.
Once she was on the ground, safe and sound, she collapsed and coughed while she was hitting her ears, trying to rid them of the water.
"RITA!" she heard and she saw Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and many others run to her. Aragorn kneeled beside her while he helped her up, gently patting her back to ease her coughing.
"Do you do that on purpose or what?" yelled Boromir. "Why did you do that you silly woman, you really are trying to get yourself killed aren't you?"
"Of course Boromir" wheezed Rita sarcastically "I only did it to get myself killed. I was trying to save that kid you moron and you know what I succeeded and that's all what matters."
Boromir opened his mouth to yell again but Aragorn intervened. "Enough Boromir, what she did may not have been very smart but it was successful."
Rita gloated, she did it right. Her gloating was interrupted as Aragorn turned to her. "And you, why must you place yourself in danger time and again. I am starting to wonder if you do have a deathwish."
She just rolled her eyes and tried to stand up. When she wavered Haldir, who appeared out of nowhere, caught her.
"Thanks again Haldir" she said "That's three times I owe you."
"You owe me nothing Rita as you saved the life of my nephew. For this I am forever in your debt."
Rita frowned, here was that forever in your debt thing again, she had had this discussion with Fioma many times before. To elves it was like this. When you save the life of one, that person owes them their life and their service.
"You owe me nothing Haldir cause I just did what anyone would have done." When she saw that he was going to protest she raised her hand to shush him. "And that is final you hear!"
Haldir could do nothing but nod. "At least join me and my brothers and their families for dinner this evening. I am sure they would like to meet the savior of young Salmir."
"I'd be happy to join you Haldir, what time will I have to be there, better question even. Where is there? Cause I'm really good at getting lost, I'm the master in doing that. I even managed to get lost in the gardens of Rivendell."
Laughter sounded around her when she said that and Rita played to be offended. "HEY! The gardens are big I tell you, and all the trees look alike."
"Enough joking" said Aragorn "Go and get changed before you get ill. We need you to be in healthy condition when we continue this journey."
"I've got one teensy weensy problem though."
"What may that be?"
"I have no other clothes cause Marinwe was nice enough to offer to clean them for me. So beside the clothes I'm wearing, I'm all out."
As soon as she Marinwe's name, the elf appeared. It made Rita think about a genie in a bottle. Rub the lamp once and poof the genie appears.
"I will be able to help you Lad. . " she fixed her error after the look she was given by Rita. "Uhm, Rita. I have some dresses that will fir you. if you would just follow me."
"You're priceless Marinwe" said Rita "What would I do without you?" Soon the two women left the sight of those who remained behind.
"She's going to be the death of me if she keeps scaring me like that." moaned Boromir.
Aragorn and Legolas agreed wholeheartedly with him. "She never thinks of the danger, she just acts and that could get her into major trouble one day."
Legolas tapped Aragorn on his shoulder and when the man looked at him in a confused way, Legolas pointed at Haldir who was still looking at Rita's retreating figure.
The future king thought fast. "Aye Legolas, you are right. We must protect her as much as we can though for Elladan will have my hide if anything were to happen to her."
Haldir looked up. "Elladan, you mean the son of Elrond?"
"Indeed" answered Aragorn "He loves her deeply and asked me to look out for her."
The other elf nodded after absorbing the information and with a quick goodbye he left to see to his nephew.
"He is interested by her." Stated Legolas.
Boromir gave his opinion on the matter as well. "Who wouldn't be for she is not ugly and has a brave spirit. There is an air around her that shouts out for affection, have you not noticed this?"
"I have seen it as I believe we all have seen it." said Aragorn. "There is something about her that begs for protection and love, yet that same air tries to fend those things off, for the pain in her eyes and the nightmare that haunts her is still fresh."
The three were silent after that, pondering about the mystery that listened to the name Rita Saunders.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Marinwe I can't thank you enough for letting me borrow this dress. I said it once and I'll say it again, what would I do without you?"
Rita was looking in the mirror as she said this. She was wearing a blue dress and though it was not very fancy, it suited her perfectly. The neckline was very proper and the sleeves reached just past her elbows. Her hair was loose and flowing and at that moment Marinwe was making two small braids in her hair as Arwen had done so many nights ago.
"You would be fine without me Rita" the kind elf stated. "I am just offering you normal things that others would have given you if not for me."
"But you did offer these things to me."
Marinwe finished the braids. "There all done, now all we have to do is find you some. . . aha these will do fine." She had found a pair of blue sandals to match the dress.
Rita smiled at her as she slipped them on her feet, it was a perfect match. "Thanks Marinwe, for the bath and all the other things. I think I'll go back to the others now ok? I'll bring back your stuff tomorrow I promise."
"And I promise your clothing will be cleaned and ready for you tomorrow. Now leave and be with your friends."
Rita hurried back to where the fellowship was staying and was just in time to catch Aragorn telling about her adventures to the hobbits and Gimli.
". . . and now she is getting some dry clothes."
"She's all right isn't she Aragorn?" Frodo asked. The hobbits were all looking up at him with anticipation of an affirmative answer.
Rita answered instead of him. "Of course she is all right. It was just a bit of water that's all."
All turned around to see her and Pippin clapped his hands. "You look great Rita, just like you did in Rivendell. And just now I was starting to get used to your trousers and shirts."
She laughed, Pippin always knew what to say to make her feel better. To her surprise it was Sam who asked the question that seemed to be on all of their minds.
"Lady Rita, if I may ask, why do you do that?"
"Do what Sam?" Rita was truly confused.
"Well, why do you place the life and welfare of others above your own? I mean first with Lady Fioma in Rivendell and now with that boy in the river. And don't you think we hobbits haven't noticed how you divided your ration between the four of us, leaving none for yourself."
"It's a long story Sam."
"We have enough time to hear it before Haldir comes to collect you." said Legolas.
Rita sighed, she knew this had been coming. She also knew she trusted these men, each and every one of them. The only thing she didn't know for sure was how they would react to her tale. She sat down and motioned for the others to do so as well. When they were all seated she began.
"My first memory of my life, the earliest of them all, is of my parents. Only they were nothing like your usual parents. They would fight constantly and my father would let his hands swing around all the time. He was intent on teaching me 'good behavior' and the proper way for a girl to act. Which was to stay silent and out of his way. God forbid if you crossed his rules."
"He would lock you in a closet" muttered Boromir and she looked up confused for a while before she remembered her nightmare in Moria.
"Among other things." She stated. "Then my mother was pregnant again, for a little while he stopped hitting her and I made sure I stayed out of his way in order not to anger him. The day my sister was born is still etched into my mind."
She took a deep breath before she continued. "A few weeks after her birth my mom left. She couldn't deal with an abusive husband and two kids at the same time. I was five at the time."
"She didn't even take you with her?" asked an astonished Merry.
Rita shook her head. "From that day on I took care of her, my little Carol. I would feed her, play with her and keep her safe from my father. I'll spare you the details of my life as it was but it was all for a good cause. Carol grew up to be a beautiful and smart girl she would have made something of her life."
"You must miss her now you are here." said Pippin with all his innocence. Eyes burning with compassion for her.
"She's dead Pippin. I was home late, or she was home early, and she was killed. My father had shoved her off the stairs when he was drunk and she had made too much noise to his liking. There was nothing I could do for her. I was her protector and I failed."
"It wasn't your fault Rita" said Aragorn.
She let out a dry laugh. "You sound like Elladan, he said the exact same thing. Rationally I know it wasn't my fault but emotionally. . . I keep wondering. What if I had been home sooner, what if my dad hadn't been drunk, what if. . ."
"You mustn't torture yourself with words like that." Boromir had put an arm around his shoulder. "What has been done cannot be undone, there is nothing you can do now to change the past."
There was a glimmer of pain and sorrow in his eyes and Rita wondered what had happened to him in his past.
She smiled at them all. "So there you have it, the sad story of my life. I should write a book called 'Poor little protector' maybe I'd make some money with it."
They all sat in silence. Boromir still had his arm around her shoulder and Aragorn sat on her other side holding her hand. Pippin had just crawled onto her lap like a little boy and held her while he wept for her and her life.
The others were just staring ahead, digesting her words. Sam broke the silence.
"So that's why you saved them, Lady Fioma and the boy I mean."
Rita was broken out of her reverie. "I guess Sam. I mean, I could stop them from getting hurt, I could save them in the way I wasn't able to save my sister."
"So you will continue to put yourself at risk?" asked Frodo in a soft voice.
"I have accepted my death Frodo, be it sooner or later." When she saw the startled looks around her she further explained herself.
"After I heard the tale of the ring and the last alliance from Glorfindel I accepted the fact that the quest was necessary. I also accepted the fact that I probably wouldn't live to see the end of it. I wasn't very skilled with a sword then and was ready to face death."
"Then why do you continue to put yourself in danger now?" asked Boromir. "For your skill with the sword is very good as you have held your own in battle."
"You must think of those you leave behind as well Rita" added Aragorn. "Elladan will not survive if you die, you must know that."
Rita nodded. "He told me that Aragorn, after I asked him to move on if I were to die. He refused to promise me that though and I vowed to do my best to come back."
"I ask again" said Boromir "Why?"
"Instinct I guess. I'm used to getting hurt and protecting others. I've been doing that for thirteen years now it's not something you just turn off."
"Then we will help you do that" was the gentle voice of Legolas.
Rita sighed. "I know you will Legolas but it isn't easy. I don't want you all to run around and protect me from all dangers as sweet as that sounds. We have a reason to be on this quest and that is way more important then keeping little old me out of trouble."
They stayed like that for about an hour until Rita stood up. "I'm gonna wash my face before Haldir comes."
As she walked away the others looked at each other. It was Pippin who broke the silence. "She told that like it was normal, no emotion in her voice whatsoever."
"She must have kept the worst details from us Pip" said Merry "She told us so didn't she?"
"We'll just have to keep her safe." Said Boromir and all agreed with him and they all wandered off, thinking about what they had just heard.
A/N: Long chapter, I'm gonna try to update soon. How do you like my Haldir twist? Do you think Rita was out of character by telling her story?? Let me know and review.