COPYRIGHTED STUFF:

Naeniver Bunce

Sakhar Kloubniki

Ceria

Flynn

Beone Andomedriel

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book: The Fellowship's Journey

Chapter: 2

Chapter name: A Refreshing Sight and a Scare

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Seeing everyone freezing, Frodo remembered something Elrond gave him. The others noticed him digging through his pack and saw him draw out a leathern flask.

"What is that," asked Naeniver.

"Elrond gave it to me at our parting. He told me to use it wisely but I would not know a better time to use it. It's Mirouver," responded Frodo.

"Mirouver! The cordial of Imladris," exclaimed Sakhar. "Only a mouthful each should do us plenty of good."

"Yes," said Frodo, "that is what Elrond has told me. He said it was very precious so we should use it sparingly."

The Mirouver was warmly welcomed by the fellowship, they all felt a new strength and vigor, yet its strength quickly faded.

"I'm sorry I've made everyone suffer so much," said Frodo. "My mind was clouded earlier but the Mirouver has fully awakened me now. We shall climb the rest of the mountain. Surely it can't be much farther to the other side. I dare not go back and know that I've made you all suffer for naught. I can hardly see the path we've left behind so let us continue."

"That is a wise decision," spoke Radagast. "I am glad to know we have a capable Ring Bearer." As the company continued the climb, it started snowing heavily again. But the group pressed on with hope of reaching the other side.

As the company trudged further and further up the mountain, the darker,colder and harder it became. Naeniver began to wonder if she will ever get home. Her stomach had started make noises long back down the dreary path. She looked at the others. Frodo slouched a bit. Radagast looked a bit tired, and Sakhar look a bit downcast. "Sakhar," Naeniver said, "do you think we'll ever get back home?"

Sakhar tilted her head in thought. "I don't know." She finally said.

Naeniver dug into her pack. "It ain't much," she began, "but it is better than nothing." She broke a muffin in half and handed it to Sakhar. "It's just a wheat muffin, and it's dry, and not nearly 'nuff, but I thought I'd return the favor." She laughed. It felt good to laugh. "By the end of this journey, we'll all have shared with each other." Sakhar smiled, and took a bite out of the muffin, even though she was not hungry.

Snow began to fall again, as it had quit for a bit, and the travelers grew weary. The fierce weather began to block their path, but the fellowship traversed on, continuing their laborious trek up Caradhras. The wind blew, the temperature dropped, yet the tall elf's heart was warm, for Sakhar thought dwelt upon her family, and those she loved. While thinking on this, a distant song came to her. 'All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.' Sakhar wanted to start to sing, but she was almost too cold to speak. The storm let up for a minute, and Sakhar gazed up the mountain. "May our spirits be brightened!" She cried, pointing to the glorious sight of what appeared to be the top of the mountain.

After much traveling, the group left Caradhras. They were relieved after finishing the journey over the mountain. The group was exhausted so Frodo gave them each another sip of Mirouver. The company rested for a little while and decided to head to Lothlorien, hoping to get some boats to travel down the Anduin river.

The company headed south after their rest toward Lothlorien when an strange conversation started.

"What do you think we'll do after the journey is over," asked Frodo.

"I'll probably go home, sit in a VERY warm bath, have the BIGGEST meal ever, invite my friends, you, Ragadast and Sakhar will be included..." Began Naeniver.

"I doubt that Halflings will let a wizard and an elf into the Shire." Radagast put in.

"Oh, well, I don't care, I'll sneak you in the back for a party for just us." Naeniver stuttered for words, but smiled as she thought up her idea.

"Oh, I think they will let us in. I've heard of ancient tales of elves and wizards going to the Shire." Sakhar said.

"I agree," Frodo said." What else will we do?"

"I do believe that after attending Naeniver's party if she does have one, that I shall join my family in our homeland and create songs and verses about our journey, and about how everyone was so brave and courageous defeating Caradhras. After I have lived a full life I will probably join the other elves on the ships to the Valinor." Sakhar lifted her eyes, and a sudden comfort came over her. Oh how glorious it will be to join her people again!

Several days later, as the fellowship came over the last bit of the Misty Mountains, a shadow to Sahkar's left leaped out at them. "Look out!" Frodo called. Naeniver screamed as she was knocked to the ground. Sahkar whipped out her bow, and got ready to fire.

"NO! Don't do that!"

"Wait, Sahkar," Naeniver called. "It's a dwarf. Who are you?"

"I'm sorry. I really am sorry. It's just, I saw the most peculiar looking creature over yonder." The dwarf pointed beyond the Fellowship, up the path they had just exited. "It was crouched down low like. My name is Ceria."

"Why did you jump at Naeniver?" Sakhar demanded.

"I'm sorry about that, too. I didn't see her. Please don't kill me." Ceria whimpered

"Well what else should we do then, Ceria?" Naeniver asked. "Take you with us?"

"Why not?" The company looked at Frodo. "Well?" He asked.

"I suppose so." Naeniver said. "What do you think, Sahkar? I'm for it. As is Frodo."

"I shan't think it'd hurt." She said.

"Very well, from now on, you, Ceria, shall be in the fellowship." Frodo said. Then they related their task about the One Ring.

Later, they discussed their options on where to go next. "We can go through Lothlorien, or around it. The unanimous vote chooses. I am withdrawing my vote, however, because i do not mind which path we take." Frodo said.

"I say through Lothlorien. It will give us protection from bad weather, orcs or wild beasts." Naeniver said.

"I think that going through Lothlorien would be wise. Not only is the elves hospitality open to other elves, but also to most creatures." Sakhar quickly glanced over to the dwarf to her right.

"It's unanimous. Through Lothlorien then." Frodo said.

They set off with heavy hearts and their quest on their minds. At dusk, the trees of Lothlorien shimmered in the twilight as they stepped into what could be their own deathstone. After what seemed like hours, they sat down to sleep. Sakhar was elected for the first watch of the night. As she sat there, she began to get drowsy. Suddenly, she heard a snap! Her head jolted up. 'Did I really hear something?' She asked herself. 'Did I just imagine it?' No it was there. Frodo stirred and sat up. "Did you hear something?" Sakhar asked.

"Why, yes I thought I did. Hurry, lets wake the others." He replied. As the others sat up, they where all aware of elves and two humans. One was a female, and one was a male. "Get up." the man said.

"And who are you?"Naeniver said.

"I am Flynn, and this is Beone Andomedriel of Rohan. Come. Galadriel awaits you." The man replied.

When they arrived at Galadriel's tree top, they met her. "Tonight, you shall sleep here. tomorrow, Beone and Flynn will accompany you along your task. They were sent by Elrond of Rivendell." Galadriel said.

The company huddled together. "I think she is telling the truth."Frodo said.

"I think they should join. I believe what Galadriel said. I've never known a elf to lie." Naeniver whispered.

"I think that they can join us also. They seem fine to me." Sahkar said.

"Okay." Frodo said,"They can join." The fellowship turned to the Lady Galadriel and the others. "Okay. You may come with us." Naeniver said.

Flynn and Beone turned. "Then come, let us all rest." Flynn said. "For tomorrow, we set off."

Later, the fellowship woke and followed Galadriel to the mirror of Galadriel. "Will you look?" She asked as she poured water into the mirror.

"What will we see?" Sahkar asked.

"Not even the wisest of the living can tell you. For the Mirror shows many things. Things that was, are, and will be." She replied. "Will you look?"

"I will." Frodo said. He stepped up to the mirror and look down. Nothing. Wait, thats the Shire, he thought. As the scenes flashed by, he felt himself being drawn down. Suddenly, he saw The Eye. Sauron. He fell back and looked at Galadriel, breathing hard.

"Will anyone else look?" Galadriel asked as Frodo stood up.

Wondering what kind of sight could have startled the Ring Bearer, Flynn cautiously walked up to the mirror and peered inside. At first he couldn't see anything but his own clear reflection. But then the mirror changed and he saw Frodo get struck by a man who's face was shadowed. The man's face became clear and Flynn saw that is was himself. Shocked by this, he started to back away but hesitated when the mirror changed and he saw a memory of his older brother first showing him how to wield a sword. This didn't last long when the mirror changed a third time and showed his brother being slain by a band of orcs. Filled with disbelief, Flynn stepped away. "What sort of evil trickery is this?" he asked.

"I will look." Naeniver said, slightly nervous. Galadriel nodded. Naeniver stepped up. The mirror started showing things in the past. Her 10 Birthday. Now she saw the fellowship being tied up by orcs. "AH!" She shouted. "NO!" Then the mirror went blank. Naeniver looked at Galadriel. Then backed away from the mirror like a scared child, though she was in her twenty-second year.

"I will look," the female elf said as she walked up to the mirror. Surely she couldn't lose anything by simply look into the future. Her elven appearance reflected then suddenly the background changed, yet her face still shown from the mirror. This time she saw her family, sitting around a large table, feasting, and singing songs of old. She saw her father starting to sing her favorite song, but wait, the scene changed and she saw the members of the fellowship suffering. The scene once again changed, to a dark night. Figures dressed in black apparel marched toward, was that Rivendell? Sakhar let out a light scream and fell back from the mirror.

Curiosity strikes again to Beone, when she sees the disturbances of her companions. She walks slowly to the mirror, and gazes into the mirror's reflexion. Nothing is seen, and she is about to turn away, when the image changes, to be an image of the shadowy form of the father she never knew, then it turns to be her older brother and her old mentor who taught her to wield a sword, and ride a horse, both whom she lost in an ambush of warg riders years back, finally the image slowly turns into her beloved king who she sees with shock and agony that he has been turned into a poisoned and sickly being that she has not known. Terrified, she stumbles back and mirror becomes a still pool. Breathing hard she looks around at the others, and is quiet.