Well, here I am again with a new chapter. Sorry, for a delay, but I have some technical problems. Computers, viruses, you know. Hope you like this one. I just thought I owe Boromir an apology. Here, I tried hard.

Happy spring, everybody!

Enjoy!

Chapter 8 "Chances are"

By noon they reached a mighty mountain river with strong current and foamy banks. Earlier Gandalf assured everybody that there's a bridge and it wouldn't be too hard to cross it, but in reality, the bridge was completely destroyed, leaving only dilapidated skeleton. There seemed to be no other way rather than make a big detour.

"We'll camp here," said Gandalf still stunned by such a misfortune, "until I'll think…of something."

"Bloody orcs! Like they knew we will follow this way!" Boromir cursed.

"Maybe they did," Aragorn pronounced thoughtfully. He somehow had a bad feeling about camping here.

"Well, guess, it's time to make dinner," Sam offered without much enthusiasm. Those long walks fagged him and the other hobbits out. He also was worried about Frodo's well-being, as day by day he was getting more and more silent and distant. They both didn't speak much to the rest of the group, except Aragorn, even Merry and Pippin, since those made friends with a fair girl. So, grunting, Sam began to unpack the products. In his business, he didn't notice the above mentioned girl, striding towards him.

Aurelia was suffering from doing nothing. It seemed that everyone in their group had their own role. Even Marry and Pippin, as they brightened the traveler's mood after a long day. But she ate their food, slept at their camp and did nothing, and even if she didn't want to admit it, she felt pangs of conscience. And now she saw a brilliant opportunity given. Being a Princess, back in Audox, Aurelia lived in a palace like in a separate world. So it was natural, she knew it inside and out. From her infant years, one of her favorite places was the kitchen, where she, secretly from her father, could hear gossips of the cooks – her only connection to the real world. There she learned to cook, not masterfully, of coarse, but still bearable for travelers, especially under guidance of such a strict supervisor as Samwise Gamgee.

"Um…Sam…can I give you a hand with cooking?" Aurelia asked uncertainly. That hobbit had a special look that made her feel slightly guilty of something. Sam turned immediately, looking at the girl, before grunting,

"No, Lady Aurelia, I can manage myself well enough."

"But, Sam," Aurelia didn't give up, "Please! I don't know what to do! If I spend one more day, watching everyone but me doing something, I'll go mad. Pleeeaaase!" She begged him with her best puppy eyes. Poor stunned Sam had nothing else to do but to put up with a new-found helper.

While they were quiet busy cooking, others idled the time away. Gimli once again had a spare match with Legolas, Gandalf set near Frodo as they talked in a low voice, Aragorn was smoking a pipe, watching Merry and Pippin dueling.

Boromir decided to look around. Truth to be told, heavy thoughts wandering in his head. He walked along the bank of the river, water splashing at his feet, until he saw a lonely black figure sitting on a rock, throwing small stones into the water.

Della couldn't stay there, among them. She felt strangely helpless and confused something she didn't feel for what seemed like eternity. What was wrong with her? What had happened when she stepped into Middle Earth? She always was so controlled and calm, never letting her feelings to be seen. But what had happened today? Why, the hell, she lost control? Was it because of the memories, that kept haunting her, or as it because of him? Oh, dear me, what have I done? Is there any hope for me to complete what've started now? Would I have any courage and confidence to return home if I failed?

She felt the man coming close, but didn't move. Why, Della, he's the one, who has nothing to do with this entire story. He'd done nothing to deserve your ignorance. Moreover we have something in common. Pride, pride for who we are and where we are from.

"Having tedious time?" Boromir asked, standing beside her.

"It's beautiful in here," she stated quietly.

"Yes, this land is really beautiful. In all my campaigns I always lacked the time to just enjoy it." Della looked up at him. There was a strange sad look in his eyes for a moment, than he smiled.

"Me too…," she whispered.

"Wouldn't you mind if I join you?" He asked tactfully. Della merely nodded, turning her face back to the horizon. A silence came between them.

"You know, sometimes I wonder, what it's all for. All those trials, tries to change something. How could it be that one small thing holds the fates of many?...Strange, only in these little moments, real values could be understood. Don't you think so?" His voice was distant as he watched water flowing.

"Yes…more than you think…where I've come from…there…," she winced at the painful memory of her shadowed home, "there's no such beauty. Rivers, mountains, green grass. It's all unreal to me. And I wonder if all this traveling isn't just a game of my imagination."

"The purpose of all that leaves me doubting," Boromir drawled.

"The Purpose…," Delawien echoed. "The Purpose we should look up to. Whatever happens, the Purpose – that's what moves us even when we haven't got the strength or doubt," se spoke convincingly. Boromir looked at her surprised.

"I must say I've never met someone like you, so mysterious, so dangerous, so wise…"

"It's because you didn't go that far," she gave him a tiny smile. Boromir chuckled. Then,

"Have you ever been in Gondor?"

"No. I'm afraid, I didn't go that far too."

"It's a pity. Gondor is very beautiful. The mightiest town of men left. You should see it. My hometown," Boromir said proudly. "My father, Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, would be glad to welcome you as a guest of honor."

Della stood up, walked behind him, put her cold hands on his shoulders and whispered in his ear,

"Maybe…someday…," giving him a secretive smile, she walked to the rest of the Fellowship, leaving Boromir confused and wondering.

Well, that was small, but I'll update soon, promise! I wonder who of the two heroines you like more Aurelia or Delawien? Answer in your reviews, pleeeaaassse!