Author's Note: Sorry for the gap, I've been very busy with classes. Having to memorize a half a semester's worth of notes is NOT an easy task. Thanks for the reviews. I noticed a couple of errors in the last chapter. I can't correct them now because I actually have no time. No internet connection at home, no beta reader, and only enough time to write and upload this chapter. Hopefully I can get those errors fixed Monday.

I'll try to get back to regularly updating next week, when I'll have more free time. Also, I'm sorry if it seems like I'm picking on Orlando Bloom. It just fits with the fandom and the clichés.

Disclaimer: The creations of Tolkien are still his own.

Part II, Chapter 5: Orlando's True Name and the Prophetess Speaks

This trip was going better than Melody had planned. Much better. Not only did she not have to walk (Bana was such a wonderful horse), but for some strange reason, she didn't have to go to the bathroom anymore. All of her womanly worries magically disappeared.

'This is so cool!' Melody thought for the umpteenth time, 'I don't have to worry about cramps, or having to stop to go to the bathroom. I am definitely the chosen one!' Even Frodo required a bathroom break or two...or seventeen. She'd lost count at some point.

Of course, her good fortune would have been suspicious to the others, so she tried to be as normal as possible, making daily requests to go off and do her "female thing". No one seemed to mind, and since she was perfectly aware of Legolas's superb hearing, she decided that emptying her water pouch would rid her of any suspicion from the elf. If he wasn't aware, then odds were, no one else would be either.

The Fellowship had been away from Rivendell for some weeks, and they farther they went, the more nervous Melody became. Oh sure, it was nice to be surrounded by super hot guys (except for the old one and the short hairy one), but what was she going to do when she really got into trouble?

It was during her latest trip away from the group to fake her "female thing" that Melody really began to think over her situation.

"Let's see," she said aloud to herself, "I'm basically here for quick access to information, moral support...eye candy. Oh, they wouldn't put me in any danger. I'm way too important!" She sighed. "I wish my Orli was here. I miss him."

She looked upward, squinting at the bright sunlight. It was almost noon. It was also the first time she'd actually thought about her grandmother.

'I wonder what Grandma E is doing right about now? She probably doesn't even know I'm gone. I bet she's baking cookies or something. Mmmm. Chocolate chip cookies. I could use some of those right-'

"What are you doing?"

Startled, Melody dropped the water bottle into the small stream into which she'd been pouring its contents. The reflection of the water revealed a very curious onlooker, one Frodo Baggins.

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"You have returned to us?"

The question echoed into the nothingness that surrounded the young man. All was shadow and darkness. He loved the darkness.

"Yes," he replied, "I am home."

A window opened above him, on the second floor, casting a light on him. It revealed the tall stone pillars on both sides of him, and the broad stone stairs leading up to the window that had been opened.

The man didn't look up, choosing instead to remove his black gloves. He knew he was being examined.

"Did all go as planned?"

Another question, but the voice was that of a woman, aged, and it came from behind him.

"Yes. I delivered the girl." The young man hesitated, adding "I do not understand. Why the charade? Why not simply take what we need from her and get it over with?"

"You are young." There was a hand on his shoulder. "You are a creation of divine darkness, but you are still new to the world. It is something you seem to keep forgetting."

He turned, and was faced with a woman. He could not see her face, because of a veil that hid it. A black veil. Combined with her black gown and her wrinkled white skin, it was enough to give her the appearance of death personified.

"Nameless child," she continued, "It is not for you to question our...methods. It is only for you to do what you are told."

"And he has done so."

A shadow blocked the light, as another veiled figure appeared. It was man who had spoken first.

"He has helped to begin a process, one that will finally lead to what we've worked so hard for." The man paused. "But enough of that."

He extended his hand towards the young man. "Come, nameless son, tell me of your journey."

The nameless young man did not move right away.

"I...did gain a name." he said in a slightly pleased tone, "I was called Orlando."

"That was outside of these walls, "chastised the veiled old woman as she passed him, moving to join the man who waited patiently. "You have no name, because you are not yet worthy of the name you were created to bear."

Orlando was visibly upset by woman's stern words.

"I do not like being referred to as 'nameless'. And do not touch me. Ever. You are not worthy."

The woman was halfway towards the man waiting at the top of the stairs, but at Orlando's words, she froze.

She turned slowly, and was prepared to give the young man a lengthy verbal lashing, but a gesture caught her eye.

"Let him be," ordered the shadowy figure above them. "It has been a long journey for him, and he has finally come home. The last thing he needs is more of your pestering." In a lower tone, the man said, "And his words are true, Nadeth. You are not worthy of his flesh. Do not touch him."

Vindicated, Orlando finally began to climb the stone steps, ignoring the glare he could feel burning into the back of his head as he passed the woman.

Nadeth had accepted the elder's words as truth. Still, she did not like to be corrected.

"Yes, First Elder. I will never lay a hand on him again. But I stand by what I said. He hasn't proven himself worthy-"

"-of the name Sauron." Orlando finished boredly. He reached the First Elder and passed him, preferring to look outside and admire the birds than to look at either of them.

The old woman gasped in horror. "You dare speak his name before the time-"

"Please, Nadeth."

The words were spoken gently enough, but there was a steel behind those words that shut Nadeth's mouth.

The First Elder headed towards a door, signaling that Nadeth and Orlando should follow him.

"Come, the others are waiting."

Orlando turned and smiled smugly at Nadeth before following after the elder. Nadeth all but shook with rage.

'That egotistical little imp...' She sighed. What could she do? He was their vessel, their favored creation. She would be worshipping him herself very soon. But no, not today. Not at that moment. 'He is still an unworthy nameless little puppet. Not until he proves himself worthy of the glory that is Sauron will he be anything else to me.'

Satisfied with her own thoughts, the old woman followed the pair of them through the open doorway.

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"Fr-Frodo!" Melody stammered. "Why did you sneak up on me?"

"You were missed. Why were you pouring out water just now? It is not something that is easy to come by."

"Um...well..." 'Come on Melody, think!' At last it came to her.

"It was a blessing...the water...I was blessing the water. For good luck." Melody tried to look grim. "We are going to need it. I just had a vision."

"I thought you were just a historian..." Frodo asked cautiously.

"No! A prophetess is way more than that. I know...er, histories of your people, because of visions. It's why I was sent with you."

Frodo thought about it closely, and Melody was trying her hardest not to panic. Orlando hadn't said anything about questioning.

"I suppose that makes some sense."

Just when Melody thought the little hobbit would go away and leave her alone, he didn't. Instead, he asked another question.

"What was it about? Your vision?"

He glanced at the ring around his neck, and then back up into Melody's eyes, which were ever changing colors.

"Vision...my vision?"

"Yes."

"The vision I just had...that vision?"

"Yes."

Melody hesitated, but finally offered her fake vision up.

"I saw...doom. There is doom in our future."

"You refer to the mountain."

"What? No! Never mind."

Melody walked around the hobbit, back towards the camp. In a final attempt at appearing mystical, she added, "I shall reveal to you the secrets of my mind at a later time."

Frodo shook his head slowly as he followed behind her. Her attempt at mysteriousness had been lost on the hobbit.

Author's End Note: That will do it for me. Thanks for reading and see you Monday!

CMCB