Disclaimer: I'd be a bad elf owner so I'll leave the owning to Tolkien and just randomly borrow an elf or two for my mischief:P

Thanks to my reviewers. Since you all seem to enjoy my flashbacks, I might be willing to add some more in the future, more than I had previously planned. Anywho! I love you guys and I can't wait to see what you think of this next bit!

Paths and Journeys Unfold

"A week has already passed, slave. You still seem to have this faint illusion that you will escape or be rescued. I must admit, it is rather comical though," the annoyingly familiar voice of Saruman stated from the opposite side of the large room. "It is good to have my floors polished for a little while. It will be rather disappointing when you are moved; but that is not for some time yet. Have you enjoyed your stay?" Upon receiving no answer, he whipped his staff out sending her flying across the room and watched her fall to the ground. "I asked you a question, I expect to be answered."

"Of course I haven't. I would appreciate it if you would just let me go, the end result would be much more profitable for yourself," Arianna spat out.

"That is where you are wrong, slave. I will rather enjoy the end result this way around. I will control Middle Earth and all of your kin will burn…even those who think they are safe in Valinor."

"But what of Sauron? He will not share his power."

"That is for me to know and you to mind your own business," he snarled before sending her into the wall again. "Back to work," he commanded and left the room, the doors slamming behind him.

"You will be sorry for that," she mumbled and rubbed the back of her head where a large bump was forming. Wincing, she removed her hand and begrudgingly looked at the floor. "I never wish to scrub another forsaken floor." She dipped the rag in her hand into the bucket of grubby water and reluctantly started to scrub the rest of the floor.

A thud was heard in the large clearing as four small hobbits wandered onto the practice field. "Merry, I think we took a wrong turn. This isn't the way to the kitchens," Pippin stated sadly.

"Obviously not, Pip," an irritated Merry answered. "Look it's Legolas."

Frodo whispered, "Should we leave him be? Gandalf said that he might be easily angered right now."

"There is no need to flee at the sight of me, young ones," Legolas said as he looked at them. "I will not bite. I honestly don't prefer the taste of hobbit."

"Merry, tell me he's joking," Pippin asked.

"Legolas is surely joking young hobbits," Aragorn said as he walked up to the group. "You were, weren't you Legolas?"

"Of course, it is a very rare occasion that my father will take prisoners," he stated with a smirk.

"You…cook your prisoners?" Pippin squeaked.

At this, Aragorn and Legolas broke into fits of laughter. A highly amused Gandalf strode onto the field. "Scaring hobbits again, are we?" he asked the ranger and elf.

"Where would you get such an idea?" Aragorn asked pretending to be clueless.

"Where indeed," Gandalf muttered.

"I'm hungry, Gandalf," Pippin stated as he walked up to the old wizard.

"When are you not hungry, Peregrin Took?"

Pippin seemed lost in thought while the others laughed. "Well, I might always be hungry. So when are we going to find the kitchens?"

"Follow me, silly hobbits," Aragorn mumbled the last bit.

"So Legolas how are you?" Gandalf asked as he strode over to the elf.

"As well as can be expected."

"Do not give up hope—"

"I still have hope, for I know she still lives. She is a far distance from here, but I can still feel her presence."

"How can you feel her presence? It was my understanding that elves needed to be bound or very powerful in order to feel one another's presence."

"Arianna asked Galadriel about this some time ago, not even the Lady knew of our connection or why it is as strong as it is. She assumes that it is because we are meant for each other and share a deep love, but she knows no other reasoning."

"Interesting, odd, but interesting. Are you two able to communicate to each other over long distances with this connection?"

"Normally, but if the distance is too far, we cannot. Lady Galadriel told Arianna that when we are bound, we will most likely be able to communicate over even further distances."

"Perhaps. Shall we join the others for one of our last meals here?"

With a nod Legolas asked, "Gandalf? Do you think I will find her?"

"What kind of nonsense are you thinking boy? Of course you will. You're far too stubborn to not find the girl. Are you sure you are not a dwarf?" At receiving a look of disgust from Legolas Gandalf continued, "The only beings as stubborn as you are dwarves. No wonder why your father finds you difficult."

Legolas grinned, "I am told that I am not nearly as stubborn as my father or a certain wizard who enters Mirkwood at a whim."

"Elflings!" Gandalf muttered earning him another grin from the elf.

Arianna sighed audibly as she placed the tray of food down.

"Watch yourself, slave. Your foul mood is not going to help your circumstances."

Holding in a growl she asked, "May I be allowed back to my cell?"

"Not just yet, sit," Saruman ordered. "We must speak of your future." She reluctantly sat in the appointed chair and waited for him to continue. "In two weeks time a small party will be arriving to take you to Minas Morgul." Arianna gasped. "I see you do not like that idea. Well that is just too bad. Once there, you will be…questioned on any possible information, then you will be assigned your duties, if your guards see fit to keep you alive."

"If? What do you mean?"

"The decision to keep you alive will be entirely up to your new master upon your arrival. If he decides that you are more trouble than you are worth, it is his choice to eliminate the problem." He smiled malevolently as he watched the fear creep into her eyes. "Now that you have a few things to dwell on, you may now go to your cell. For your insolence earlier you will receive no food. Leave my sight," he commanded as he started to eat.

"…may the Valar protect you on this quest," Elrond said to himself as he watched the Fellowship walk out of the gates.

The Fellowship started their long journey that morning. "Merry, are you hungry?"

"Pippin!" Gandalf and Aragorn scolded.

At the base of Caradras (sp?) the Fellowship rested before starting their journey up the mountain. They watched as Legolas suddenly froze in his steps. "Legolas?" Aragorn asked.

"Arianna?" Legolas whispered to himself as he felt he presence becoming slightly closer. 'She is still too far, but we are getting closer.' He stopped himself from taking off at a run to chase her down and gave an apologetic look to the others. Gandalf shared a knowing glance with Aragorn and continued up the mountain.

As they began to retreat down the mountain, Legolas couldn't help but feel sadness as the distance between Arianna and himself seemed to grow. 'Now we head for Moria where we will not see daylight for at least a week,' he thought bitterly.

Review? Please? With all the good stuff on top? So what'd ya guys think?