A Stranger In The Woods

Chapter 5: A Meeting in the Gardens

The sun was just beginning to set as they walked outside, casting a pinkish hue on the trees and surrounding buildings. Katie tried to pay close attention to what Lenwë was saying and showing her, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Legolas.

'Why did he seek me out, and why, why, why does he always have to look so damn good?' she wondered in frustration.

If Lenwë noticed her lack of attention, he was too polite to bring it up. He continued to lead her through the many gardens, and even introduced her to several elves they met along the way.

The light faded completely from the sky and Katie found herself growing tired. After yawning several times in Lenwë's face, he finally took the hint and began walking her back to her room.

They were just starting to circle back when Katie spied two elves walking towards them. She recognized them at once. Elrond and Arwen. They both possessed striking poise and grace. Arwen's beauty was something that all three of the movies had failed to capture.

'It's no wonder Aragorn fell in love with her', Katie thought with a small smile.

The elves drew closer and spoke a few words of greetings to Lenwë. Elrond turned to her and seemed to size her up in record time. "You must be Lady Bennett," he said with a warm smile. "I have heard much about you and your…strange claims."

Katie felt a prick of irritation at his tone. Why was it that nobody believed her? "You must be Lord Elrond," she countered with a polite nod. "And, I've told only the truth. I can see the future of the Fellowship."

Katie noticed the astounded look on his face and decided she needed to work on knowing when to hold her tongue.

"The fellowship?" Elrond questioned, sounding only mildly curious.

"You know the group you'll send to destroy the ring: Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf….oh, and Boromir." She added, nearly forgetting the man.

Both Elves looked surprised. Arwen spoke first.

"You know Aragorn?" she asked, her voice, Katie noticed, was even more ethereal than in the movies.

"I know he's yours," Katie spoke bluntly. Sometimes, she really had no control what came out of her mouth. Being in Middle Earth seemed to bring out that quality even more.

Arwen looked down, seemingly embarrassed. Katie thought she saw a blush coloring her cheeks.

"How do you know these things?" Elrond asked, ignorant to his daughter's distress.

Katie decided to tell him the same thing she told Legolas, and explained about the 'visions'. "Then Prince Legolas was meant to find you," Arwen spoke up, sounding more convinced then Katie felt.

"It seems unlikely that their meeting could be purely coincidental." Elrond conceded.

He turned to Lenwë. "If you could escort my daughter back to her chambers, I'd like to have a word with Lady Bennett alone." His tone left no room for question, and Lenwë and Arwen quickly said their goodbyes and left.

Elrond turned and gave her a stern look once the elves had left. "There is much we need to discuss."

"Great," Katie muttered under her breath. She had a feeling it was going to be a long night. She was right.

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The next morning the council of Elrond met. The group talked for long hours about what needed and must be done. They had decided that a group of nine men- a fellowship- would take the Ring to Mordor and destroy it.

Legolas looked around the group as it slowly thinned. He felt confident in his decision to go, knowing he would stop at nothing to see the Ring destroyed and peace restored to Middle Earth. The only thing he was unsure about where his traveling companions. Aragorn he could understand, the man had been a long time friend, and proved himself trustworthy time and time again. Frodo seemed to be destined to carry the ring, and Gandalf would lead the way.

The others he was not as sure about. All the hobbits seemed a little young, and the man Boromir he did not trust. The worst was the dwarf, Gimli. Legolas would have rather it been anyone else but the dwarf.

As he mulled this over in his mind, Elrond walked over and clamped him on the shoulder. "I am relieved that you will be traveling with the fellowship," he spoke softly. Legolas stood silently, knowing there was more the elf wanted to say.

"There is one thing that troubles me..." Elrond spoke at last. "The girl you found."

Legolas groaned inwardly. "What about her?"

"I had a long discussion with her last night, and I believe she is telling the truth." Elrond looked as if he were as shocked to speak the words as Legolas was to hear them. "I believe she can help us."

Legolas looked over at the elf he admired so much, hoping to see a glint of jest in his eyes. There was no glint. He was serious.

"I believe she can help us," Elrond said again, speaking more to himself than Legolas. "She will travel with the Fellowship."

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A/N:

Alright, review please. How did everyone like it? Just for those of you who care, I have decided that this story will follow the movie (as I said in my earlier chapters) and will follow the movies timeline. I know in the book there is a two-month gap between the council meeting and them taking off, but in the movies, there is little time. In fact, they make it seem that the group leaves right away. They act like they're in a huge hurry to get the ring out of Rivendell.

THEREFORE, in conclusion, I will follow the movie timeline, and the fellowship WILL leave Rivendell a.s.a.p. If anyone has a complaint about this, e-mail me.

My extra special special thanks to my brave beta The Hobbit Ivy for her excellent work.

Katie-sue