I owe anyone who is reading this an apology. It has been years since I touched this fic, and while I would like to come back and finish it I doubt I ever will. But I didn't really want to come out and say 'sorry folks, this story has officially been abandoned', so I just left it dangling out in the ether. I apologize for that. It may be to late for anyone who actually read this story to see this, but I offer up my heartfelt thanks for your support and many wonderful reviews, all of you. I'm sorry we never finished our journey together. But, for anyone still around who would like to know how the story ends, here is the timeline I compiled two and a half years ago, detailing the events of BtS (the last chapter covers the events of March 2 and March 8), as well as a scene I wrote in advance, before I reached the chapter it belonged to.
Thank you! Cookies and gift baskets to you all!
Kathryn Angelle
October 24 Frodo wakes in Rivendell. Boromir arrives in Rivendell in the night.
October 25 Council of Elrond
October 30 Aria arrives in Rivendell, and Frodo slays her attacker.
December 6 The body of Aria's attacker is discovered, and Aria suffers an emotional break-down. Rhian, Erin, and Rosie arrive in Rivendell. Jonathan arrives at Henneth Annun. Bryan arrives outside Edoras, but falls and is knocked unconscious.
December 8 Gandalf calls a meeting in Rivendell to discuss Rhian, Erin, Rosie, and Aria
December 10 Bryan wakes in Meduseld in the care of the king's niece, Eowyn. He has no memory of his identity except his name.
December 12 Faramir has mercy on Jonathan and makes him a Ranger of Ithilien. He conceals Jonathan's presence from his father Denethor, who would have had him put to death.
December 18 Erin falls in love with Legolas of Mirkwood
December 20 Bryan is recovered but still without memory, and takes service in the guard of Theoden King. In Rivendell Aria learns of Frodo's Quest. Lianne, Rhian and Erin's aunt, arrives in Minas Tirith and is taken to the Houses of Healing.
December 23 Rhian is allowed to join the Company of the Ring.
December 25 The Company of the Rings leaves Rivendell. Aria and Erin, with the aid of Arwen, follow them in the night.
December 29 Aria and Erin join the Fellowship
January 9 Erin learns of Legolas' love for Aria
January 11-12 Snow on Caradhras
January 13 The Fellowship reaches the gate of Moria at nightfall. Gollum begins to trail the Ringbearer.
January 14 Night in Hall Twenty-one
January 15 The Bridge of Khazad-dum, and the fall of Gandalf. Rhian is wounded. The Company reaches the Nimrodel late at night.
Janurary 17 The Company comes to Caras Galadon at evening. Erin overhears a conversation between Legolas and Gimli.
January 18 Aria learns of Gandalf's fall and grieves.
February 14 The Mirror of Galadriel.
February 15 Galadriel questions Rhian, Erin, and Aria, learning of Aria's love for Frodo, Legolas' love for Aria, and Erin's love for Legolas.
February 16 Farewell to Lorien. Gollum in hiding on the west bank observes the departure.
February 23 The boats are attacked at night near Sarn Gebir. Legolas fells the steed of a Nazgul.
February 25 The Company pass the Argonath and camp at Parth Galen. Boromir urges Rhian to go with him to Minas Tirith. In Rohan Bryan is wounded at the First Battle of the Fords of Isen; Theodred son of Theoden is slain.
February 26 The Breaking of the Fellowship. Death of Boromir. Merry, Pippin, and Erin are captured by orcs. Frodo and Samwise enter the eastern Emyn Muil. Rhian and Aria follow slowly. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli set the funeral boat of Boromir afloat and set out in pursuit of the orcs at evening. Eomer of Rohan hears of the descent of the orc-band from the Emyn Muil.
February 27 Aragorn reaches the west-cliff at sunrise. Eomer against Theoden's orders sets out from the Eastfold about midnight to pursue the orcs. Bryan is left behind and charged with the welfare of the lady Eowyn.
February 28 Eomer overtakes the orcs just outside Fangorn Forest.
February 29 Merry and Pippin escape in to Fangorn Forest and meet Treebeard. The Rohirrim attack at sunrise and destroy the orcs. Erin is rescued by Eomer and sent with an escort to Edoras. Frodo and Sam descend from Emyn Muil and meet Gollum. Faramir see the funeral boat of Boromir.
February 30 Entmoot begins. Eomer returning to Edoras the long way meets Aragorn and gives him tidings of Erin. Rhian and Aria descend from Emyn Muil.
March 1 Frodo begins the passage of the Dead Marshes at dawn. Entmoot continues. Aragorn meets Gandalf the White. They set out for Edoras. Faramir leaves Minas Tirith on an errand to Ithilien. Rhian and Aria reach the Dead Marshes some hours after Frodo and set out to go around them. Erin reaches Edoras; her escort is attacked and she is taken prisoner by Wormtongue.
March 2 Frodo comes to the end of the Marshes. Erin wounds Wormtongue at dawn. Gandalf comes to Edoras and heals Theoden; Erin is freed, but collapses with a fever. The Rohirrim ride west against Saruman. Second Battle of Fords of Isen. Erkenbrand defeated. Entmoot ends in the afternoon. The Ents march on Isengard and reach it at night.
March 3 Theoden retreats to Helm's Deep. Battle of the Hornburg begins. Erin goes with Eowyn and the people of Rohan to Dunharrow. Ents complete the destruction of Isengard.
March 4 Theoden and Gandalf set out from Helm's Deep for Isengard. Frodo reaches the slag-mounds on the edge of the Desolation of the Morannon. Rhian and Aria leave the Dead Marshes.
March 5 Theoden reaches Isengard at noon. Parley with Saruman in Orthanc. Winged Nazgul passes over the Camp at Dol Baran. Gandalf sets out with Pippin for Minas Tirith. Frodo hides in sight of the Morannon, and leaves at dark.
March 6 Aragorn overtaken by the Dunedain in the early hours. Theoden sets out from the Hornburg for Harrowdale. Aragorn sets out later. Rhian and Aria enter the forests of Ithilien and find Frodo's trail.
March 7 Faramir takes Frodo prisoner. Rhian and Aria attacked by Southrons; Rhian is wounded. Jonathan with the Rangers of Ithilien comes to their aid and takes them to Faramir. Faramir takes Rhian, Aria, Frodo, and Sam to Henneth Annun. Aragorn comes to Dunharrow at nightfall. Legolas seeks to comfort Erin. Rhian is troubled by dreams of her sister and wakes during the night.
March 8 Aragorn takes the Paths of the Dead at daybreak; he reaches Erech at midnight. Legolas' parting from Erin is bitter; he promises to seek her after the battle. Frodo leaves Henneth Annun and Aria goes with him. Troubled by Rhian's dreams, Faramir leaves Henneth Annun in the evening, taking Jonathan and Rhian with him.
March 9 Gandalf reaches the North Gate of Minas Tirith before dawn and meets Faramir with Jonathan and Rhian. Rhian is given tidings of her sister, and rides with Jonathan and Hirgon to deliver the Red Arrow to Theoden; they leave as dawn breaks. Aragorn sets out from Erech and comes to Calembel. At dusk Frodo reaches the Morgul-road. Theoden comes to Dunharrow; Merry greets Erin. Darkness begins to flow out of Mordor. Rhian and Jonathan reach Rohan late in the night. Rhian, Erin, Jonathan, and Bryan are reunited.
March 10 The Dawnless Day. The Muster of Rohan: The Rohirrim ride from Harrowdale; Rhian, Jonathan, and Bryan go with them. Erin remains behind. Aragorn crosses Ringlo. An army from the Morannon takes Cair Andros and passes into Anorien. Frodo passes the Cross Roads, and sees the Morgul-host set forth.
March 11 Gollum visits Shelob, but seeing Frodo asleep nearly repents. Denethor sends Faramir to Osgiliath. Aragorn reaches Linhir and crosses into Lebennin. Eastern Rohan is invaded from the north. First assault on Lorien.
March 12 Gollum leads Frodo in to Shelob's lair. Faramir retreats to the Causeway Forts. Theoden camps under Minrimmon. Aragorn drives the enemy towards Pelargir. The Ents destroy the invaders of Rohan.
March 13 Frodo and Aria are captured by the Orcs of Cirith Ungol. The Pelennor is overrun. Faramir is wounded. Aragorn reaches Pelargir and captures the fleet. Theoden in Druadan Forest.
March 14 Samwise finds Frodo and Aria in the Tower. Minas Tirith is besieged. The Rohirrem led by the wild men come to the Grey Wood.
March 15 In the early hours the Witch King breaks the Gates of Minas Tirith. Denethor burns himself on a pyre. The horns of the Rohirrim are heard at cockcrow. Battle of the Pelennor. Theoden is slain. Eowyn, Merry, and Rhian are wounded. Jonathan finds Rhian and takes her to the Houses of Healing. Bryan follows them; Bryan, Jonathan, and Lianne are reunited in the Houses. Aragorn raises the standard of Arwen. Frodo, Sam, and Aria escape and begin their journey north along the Morgai. Battle under the trees in Mirkwood; Thranduil repels the forces of Dol Guldur. Second assault on Lorien.
March 16 Debate of the commanders. Frodo from the Morgai looks out over the camp to Mount Doom.
March 17 Battle of Dale. King Brand and King Dain Ironfoot fall. Many dwarves and Men take refuge in Erebor and are besieged. Shagrat brings Frodo's cloak, mail-shirt, and sword to Barad-dur.
March 18 The Host of the West marches from Minas Tirith. Jonathan rides with them, but promises Rhian he will return. Frodo comes in sight of the Isenmouthe: he is overtaken by Orcs on the road from Durthang to Udun.
March 19 The Host comes to Morgul-vale. Frodo and Samwise escape and begin their journey along the Barad-dur.
March 20 Eowyn rises from her sick bed and is taken to Faramir. Rhian and Merry are called to Faramir to tell him what they know of her.
March 21 Faramir calls Eowyn down from the walls and they walk together; Rhian witnesses their meeting and is glad.
March 22 The dreadful nightfall. Frodo, Aria and Sam leave the road and turn south Mount Doom. Third assault on Lorien.
March 23 The Host passes out of Ithilien. Aragorn dismisses the faint-hearted. Frodo and Sam cast away their arms and gear.
March 24 Frodo and Sam make their last journey to the feet of Mount Doom. The Host camps on the Desolation of the Morannon.
March 25 The Host is surrounded on the Slag-hills. Frodo and Sam reach the Sammath Naur. Aria wrests the Ring from Frodo and is believed to be perished in the fire. Frodo and Sam are rescued by Gandalf and the Eagles. Downfall of Barad-dur and passing of Sauron. Eowyn and Faramir stand together on the walls of Minas Tirith.
March 26 An Eagle brings the wounded Aria to Lorien, where she is tended by Galadriel.
March 30 Rhian, Lianne and Merry go with the wains to the Field of Cormallen. The Eagles bear tidings to Rohan, and Erin sets out for Cormallen from Dunharrow, escorted by Bardhelm the Young.
April 2 Rhian and Jonathan are reunited and plight their troth.
April 6 Faramir professes his love to Eowyn
April 7 Erin comes to Cormallen and is reunited with Rhian, Jonathan, Bryan, Lianne,
April 8 The Ringbearers are honoured on the Field of Cormallen.
May 1 Crowning of King Elessar. Elrond and Arwen set out from Rivendell, bringing Rosie (now seven years old) with them.
May 8 Eomer and Eowyn depart for Rohan with the sons of Elrond. Bryan and Lianne go with them (Bryan is still in the service of the Mark). Rhian, Jonathan, and Erin remain in Minas Tirith.
May 20 Elrond and Arwen come to Lorien with Rosie, where Elrond lends his aid to the healing of Aria.
May 27 The Escort of Arwen leaves Lorien, bringing Aria with them.
June 14 The sons of Elrond meet the Escort and bring Arwen to Edoras. Rosie is reunited with Bryan and Lianne.
June 16 The Escort of Arwen sets out from Edoras for Gondor; Bryan, Lianne, and Rosie travel with them.
June 25 King Elessar finds the sapling of the White Tree.
1 Lithe Arwen comes to the City.
Mid-Year's Day Wedding of Elessar and Arwen. Rhian, Erin, Jonathan, Bryan, Lianne, Rosie, and Aria are gathered to the Valar and given a choice. All choose to remain in Middle Earth. Aria and Frodo are reunited. Legolas finds Erin walking alone and pledges his love to her.
July 18 Eomer returns to Minas Tirith.
July 19 The funeral escort of King Theoden sets out. Rhian, Jonathan, Erin, Bryan, Lianne, and Rosie go with them.
August 7 The funeral escort comes to Edoras.
August 10 Funeral of King Theoden. Faramir and Eowyn plight their troth.
August 14 The guests take leave of King Eomer. Bryan, Lianne, and Rosie remain in Edoras and make their home there. Rhian, Jonathan, and Erin continue on, but Jonathan pledges to return to Ithilien and give his service to Faramir.
August 18 The Company comes to Helm's Deep.
August 22 The Company comes to Isengard; they take leave of the King of the West at sunset.
August 28 They overtake Saruman and Wormtongue; Erin forgives Wormtongue. Saruman is slain by Grima- Legolas shoots him. The Company sees to his burial.
September 6 They halt in sight of the Mountains of Moria.
September 13 Celeborn and Galadriel depart, the others set out for Rivendell.
September 21 The Company returns to Rivendell.
September 22 The one hundred and twenty-ninth birthday of Bilbo.
October 5 Gandalf and the Hobbits leave Rivendell.
October 6 They cross the Ford of Bruinen; Frodo feels the first return of pain, but Aria's presence comforts him.
October 28 They reach Bree at nightfall.
October 30 They leave Bree. The Travellers come to Bandywine Bridge in the dark.
AN: This was to be a pivotal scene, in which Legolas begins to realize just how dear Erin has come to be to him.
Erin stood in the sunlight, a pale, slender figure- so pale and so still that Legolas felt he hardly knew her.
The stained white gown that covered her moved in the same breeze that stirred her hair, long golden strands swirling unbound about her shoulders, brushing softly against her bruised cheek. Her eyes seemed less the brilliant blue of sky, and more the cold iciness of a frozen winter sea, staring silent and emotionless at the Lord of the Mark, where he stood before his hall.
"Is this true, Grima?" said Theoden.
The groveling figure muttered, searching for words, but Erin's voice cut through his whimperings like a knife- a white knife of ice.
"My lord," she said softly, "have you not noticed how your servant favors his left side?"
It was true. At her words Grima tried to straighten, but hunched again immediately with a wince. The king nodded to one of his guards, who grasped Wormtongue's arm and put a hand to his robe, finding the ragged, bloody bandage beneath. Grima hissed, like a snake.
"So," said Eomer, "you are worse scum than even I guessed-" His hand, like the hands of all other men there, had gone to his sword, and Legolas, who was swifter, had drawn already his white dagger and stepped between Erin and the groveling Wormtongue. But Gandalf lifted a staying hand.
"Nay, Eomer, you do not full understand the mind of Master Wormtongue. He is bold and cunning. Even now he plays a game with peril and wins a throw, but he did not count that one woman might foil his toss. Hours of my precious time he has wasted already. Down snake!" he said suddenly in a terrible voice, and Grima cringed and shrank back against the ground. Legolas looked to Erin, but she had not moved. "Down on your belly!" Gandalf commanded. "How long is it since Saruman bought you? What was the promised price? When all the men were dead, you were to pick your share of the treasure, and take the woman you desire? Too long have you watched her under your eyelids and haunted her steps!"
Eomer stepped forward now, his knuckles white on his sword. "This I knew already," he said. "For that reason I would have slain him before, forgetting the law of the hall. Would that I had-" and his eyes went to Erin as he made to draw his blade, but again Gandalf stayed his hand.
"Eowyn is safe, now," he said, "as is Erin."
...and you know how the scene goes from there. I shall, of course, need to rework a good bit of dialogue and make Gandalf less lenient toward Wormtongue, but that's the gist of it. Skip forward a bit to where Grima is gone (run off, or possibly dead, if I decide to kill him, which I might- more on that later); this has nothing to do with my continuity problem, but I thought you should very much like to see it;
Legolas at last moved to sheath his knife, and suddenly Erin seemed to crumple gently- like a length of fabric that is both dropped to the ground and caught in a breeze. He stepped forward to catch her, kneeling as he took her weight into his arms, and she lay still against his shoulder. Quickly he unclasped his cloak and draped it around her, covering the gown, stained with Grima's blood.
"She needs rest," Gandalf said gently, "and care. But in time she will be well- sooner, perhaps, than any of us would think possible." Legolas nodded, still looking down into Erin's still face, and stood carefully, lifting her against his chest like a child.