Chapter 4:

"Lady Galadriel has given me instructions to have you given the clothing of my people. She knew that if you were to travel into the lands past the safety of Lorien, you might be seen by unfriendly eyes if wear the clothing of your world," Haldir explained to the girls and they were each handed a bundle of clothes and a pair of boots.

"God, I hope it's one size fits all!" Carla spoke with a grin, "Cause if they give us all the same size, I'm screwed!"

"We know," Niori smirked, "It must really suck to be a shrimp like you, Carla!"

"HEY!"

"Well," Erin laughed, "It's better than being a giant, Niori!"

Niori stuck out her tongue and then started to laugh along with the rest of her friends. Haldir shook his head, "I will never understand the manner of you all, and it is probably best if I try not to".

"Believe me, my friend," Legolas laughed, "It is impossible to understand the females of their world, and even harder to understand these four! Believe me, I gave up trying a long time ago..."

"Oh shut up, Elf-boy!" Carla cried, throwing one of her boots at him.

Legolas caught it and then threw it back at Carla. "All of you just go and get changed! Aragorn wishes to leave soon, and you're the only reason we're still here!" he said.

The girls all took their new clothing and went behind a huge curtain. Minutes later, the first of the girls came out from behind the curtain, Erin. Her tunic was a bit loose, providing the necessary room when she started to swell with her child.

After her, Carla came out, smirking. She wore almost a look like of what Legolas wore, except hers was more gray in color. "This look was so made for me!" she announced, proudly.

After her, Jane came out. She had her tunic draped over her arm and she was wearing the silverish-whitish shirt that went under the tunic.

Finally, the last of the girls, Niori, strode out from behind the curtain. She wore the exact same as Carla, but Niori's had more pure silver and dark green look going. "How do I look?" she asked, as she did a little twirl to show off.

"Like a human wearing elvish clothing," Haldir replied, dryly.

"Oh, you know I look sexy!" Niori snapped at him.

From beside Haldir, Legolas choked when Niori said that and started to cough uncontrollably. "Are you alright?" Niori asked, stepping forward.

"Fine...." Legolas said, between coughs.

"Ok," Jane said, "Breath!"

"Don't mind him," Carla smirked, "He's just choking because he thought the exact same thing Niori said".

Legolas, through his coughs, glared at Carla. "Now that you are ready," Haldir threw a sideways glance at Legolas (who had stopped coughing, but was still glaring at Carla), "Let us leave. I'm sure the lady will wish to speak to you".

Erin stood beside Frodo in the line the fellowship had made. Galadriel stood before them. Her white clothes seemed to glow in the light of the late morning. She stopped in front of Erin. "I am aware of the child you carry," Galadriel said.

Erin nodded as Frodo took her hand. Galadriel smiled, "This is for your child," she said, holding out a dark green one-piece outfit and a hat.

The hat had a green feather sticking out of it and the outfit had a green leaf sewed into it. Under the leaf in bold white letters the word "Lorien" was sewn. "Thank you, this is wonderful," Erin said, warmly.

"It is made from our warmest material and will keep the baby warm at all costs," Galadriel said, "And for you..."

She held out a silver necklace with a silver pendant which was a tree on it. Erin's eyes widened with amazement. "It's beautiful," Erin said, as she put it around her neck.

Galadriel moved to Frodo. "Farewell, Frodo Baggins," she started, "I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places when all other lights go out".

As Galadriel walked away, Erin examined the sword she was given earlier. It was called "Meleth", which was the Sindarin word for Love. It was a light elven blade, similar to Sting, with elvish writing across its blade.

Now, Erin and Frodo walked with the rest of the fellowship where they would get boats.

"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadriel," Galadriel spoke," Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."

Legolas knelt forward and accepted the beautifully carved bow.

"To you, Niori of the next world, I also present a bow hand-made by my people." Galadriel held forward the bow, and Niori took it.

"I have an elven bow," Niori muttered in disbelief," thank-you."

"These are the daggers of the knolnery," Galadriel turned to Merry and Pippin,"They have already seen service in war."

Merry and Pippin unsheathed their daggers, and bowed in thanks to the lady.

"For you, young Jane of the next world, I give to you an elven-wrough sword." Galadriel said, smiling at the girl. "T-Thank-you,"Jane whispered in wonder, as the lady passed her the gleaming weapon.

"And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of Niethien."

"Thank-you m'lady," Sam stuttered," Have you run out of those nice, shiny, daggers?"

Smiling at the hobbit, Galadriel turned to Gimli," And what gift would a dwarf ask of the elves?" "Nothing,"Gimli answered,"to look upon the lady Galdriel one last time. For she is more fair than-"

"WILL YOU GET ON WITH IT," Carla interrupted loudly

. Everyone turned to glare at her, and the girl shut her mouth promptly.

"Uh..."Gimli shot Carla a dirty look," for-for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath us." Gimli paused uncomfortably," But, um...actually, there is one thing....I would like a strand of hair from the lady's golden head."

Nodding at this request, the lady gingerly pulled not one, but three strands of golden hair from her head, and gave them to the dwarf, who seemed stunned.

Walking from Gimli, Galadriel stood in front of Carla," For you, Carla, I present an elven bow as well, hand-made by my people."

"Yes!" Carla exclaimed, as the bow was given to her," thank you!"

"I have given you five boats," Haldir said, pointing to them, "They should be all that is necessary".

It took awhile, but finally it was sorted out who would go in which boat.

Legolas lifted up two packs and put them into a boat. He opened one. "Lembas," he said, with a smile as he took a piece out, "Elvish Waybread".

Merry and Pippin listened from a nearby boat. Legolas ate a small bite, "One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man," he said, and walked away.

Merry and Pippin nodded and Merry looked at Pippin. "How many did you eat?" he asked.

"Four," Pippin revealed, with a giant burp.

Everyone settled into the boats. Gimli and Carla in one, Aragorn and Jane in another, Boromir, Merry, and Pippin in one, Legolas and Niori in one, and Erin, Frodo, and Sam in the last. The boats set out as Galadriel waved them goodbye from the shore.