A/N: Hey, you're in luck Celtic Cross! I was able to update today, and it's not even Friday! Feel special, you're going to get another chapter on Friday too! Wow... Okay, I liked A Bond Broken so I'll probably use that if we can't think of anything else after I give you a summary. :D Thanks so much for your help and reviews!


Chapter 16: Lothlorien

Valia walked beside Frodo as they entered the Golden Woods.

"Stay close, young hobbits!" Gimli hissed, pulling the hobbits near. "They say a great sorceress lives in these woods."

Welcome, Valia, Galadriel's voice entered her mind.

"An elf-witch of terrible power," Gimli said. "All who look upon her fall under her spell."

Frodo gasped, and Valia knew Galadriel had spoken to him as well. She had a way of startling the unsuspecting.

"And are never seen again," Gimli whispered.

Valia touched his shoulder as he raised a hand to his chest. "Are you all right?" she whispered.

"It hurts," he admitted, "but it can wait."

"Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily," Gimli muttered, though no one was listening. "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of the fox." Elves seemed to appear from nowhere, stopping the Fellowship by holding out loaded bows. "Oh…"

An elf stepped forward toward the Fellowship. "The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark."

"Haldir!" Valia cried, embracing the elf.

"Valia, what are you doing here, my young cousin? Lady Galadriel had sent you to Bree," Haldir said.

"Then you are behind many years. My mother has since died, and I have moved to Hobbiton," Valia replied. "But we can speak later. We're all tired. Is there somewhere we can rest?"

The Fellowship made camp near the Nimrodel, and Valia took Frodo aside to tend to his bruise. Frodo leaned against one of the mellorn trees as Valia filled a bowl with water from the river.

"You never mentioned you had a cousin," Frodo said.

"He's actually my second cousin on my grandfather's side," Valia replied. "Unbutton your shirt."

Frodo grudgingly obeyed. Valia turned then started to see the mithril shirt he had hidden.

"So, here is the secret to the mystery!" Valia said. "I will have to thank that old hobbit when I see him again."

The spear had hit hard enough to press the mithril past the leather and bruise Frodo's chest. Valia bathed it with the water, and Frodo could feel the tightness lessening.

"This is a rather nasty bruise," Valia said, setting her hand on it. This time, Frodo didn't flinch. "You should be fine in a few days."

Frodo said nothing but took her hand and lightly kissed it. She blushed and pulled her hand away so she could bind his side.

The next morning, the Fellowship reached Caras Galadhon, where Galadriel and Celeborn were waiting. The Fellowship was led up many steps to a flet pavilion. A light seemed to surround Lady Galadriel as she and Celeborn stepped down to greet the Fellowship.

"Nine there are here, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell," Celeborn said. "Tell me, where is Gandalf for I much desire to speak with him."

Galadriel looked to Aragorn who bowed his head in sorrow. "He has fallen into Shadow," she whispered. She turned back to the company as a whole. "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all." She looked to Boromir who shifted uncomfortably. "Yet hope remains while the Company is true." She looked to Sam then turned back to the company. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil." She turned to Valia. I fear you must remain here. It would be far too dangerous for you to continue. Valia didn't respond. "Tonight you will sleep in peace."

Once camp was set, Valia ran off in tears. How could she expect me to leave him? I can't! "I won't!" she cried aloud then cast herself upon the ground, sobbing.

"Valia?" she looked up as Frodo knelt beside her. "Valia, what is it?"

"Lady Galadriel…sh-she thinks it best I stay here," she whispered.

"No!" Frodo pulled her into the safety of his arms. "No, you can't leave me."

"I don't want to leave you." She clung to his jacket as she continued to cry.

"I won't leave here without you." He kissed her lightly.

A/N: I've changed this chapter a little, and I have to totally rewrite Chapter 17, but it'll be good! I promise. :D Okay, summary for TTT revised will come at the end of Chapter 19. :D I promise! I still kind of have to collect my thoughts as to what I could write as a summary for the story, but it'll be ready by Chapter 19!