Hello! Sorry about the long wait for the update. I was distracted. I really need to learn to focus more. Anyways here is...the next chapter. This one didn't take me that long to finish as I already knew what I wanted to do. All I had to do was write it. And to please those that have requested for it, this is not a short chapter. As always I do not and will never own the Lord of the Rings although I do wish I did. Enjoy!

Chapter 6

Decisions of the Girls' fate

Tie blinked her eyes open as a knock sounded through the room. She shifted in the bed, the silk sheets whispering softly as they moved with her. She turned to the door of the room she had been given in the House of Elrond. She really should answer it, but she had absolutely no desire to get out of bed. She turned over again and decided that if it were important they would either come back later or come in, and she could honestly care which they chose. She groaned softly as she heard the door open.

"Lady Tiernan?" The sound of her name was, unfortunately, something she could not ignore. Sighing she rolled onto her back and looked toward the door again. A tall dark-haired elf she didn't recognize stood in the doorway. "You're presence is requested in Lord Elrond's study in an hours time. If you would prepare yourself, someone will come to escort you," and he turned on his heel and left the room.

Tie sat up in bed, wondering if Cora had received the same summons. She rose from the mattress and dressed, preparing for the meeting. She could guess what the meeting was about. The council had met the day before to determine the fate of the Ring, so she supposed she was to be told whether she and her friend would be allowed to accompany the Fellowship or be forced to remain behind, not that either of them would abide by that decision if the latter was to come to pass.

She slid the elvish boots she had been given on to her feet. She was much more pleased with the clothes she had been given there in Rivendell than she had been with what Strider had found for them on short notice. She sat in the chair at the foot of the bed running a brush through her hair, half grinning at her indignant response to being accused of wearing her underclothes for all to see.

She had wandered out onto the balcony and was gazing at the falls, leaning against the railing with her arms folded under her weight, when there was another knock at the door. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she turned her head from the scenery before her.

"Come in," she called to the door and turned back to the falls, not wishing to leave the balcony just yet. She heard the door open and some one crossing the room, coming to stand just over her left shoulder. "It's beautiful here, isn't it?" She breathed a contented sigh, still looking at the falls.

"It is indeed, Tiernan, but we must go." Tie glanced over her shoulder to see Strider standing behind her, arms clasped behind his back. She sighed again and pushed away from the railing and followed him out into the hall. There Cora joined them and together they continued on to the study.

They entered the room to find the rest of the Fellowship and Lord Elrond gathered. They sat in chairs arranged in a half-circle facing towards the girls, the hobbits together on the left, and Gandalf and the others to the right with a vacant chair in the center. Lord Elrond stood by the vacant chair as he spoke with Gandalf. Strider crossed the room to the empty space and sat down. The girls remained where he had left them gazing around at the faces of the men looking at them.

"Do you know why you have been brought here?" Lord Elrond turned to face the girls; his conversation with Gandalf either finished or postponed until after the meeting. The girls nodded and waited for his decision. "Then I shall leave you now to discuss the matter, for this decision rests not with me but with these men," and with out another word, Lord Elrond left the study.

The girls exchanged puzzled glances before turning to face the Fellowship again. They had expected to have to convince Lord Elrond that they should be allowed to go along, and now that the decision was not his, they didn't know whether to think that better or worse. All eyes in the room were on them as they stood where they were, not wishing to speak unless they were asked.

"Yesterday afternoon," Strider's smooth clear voice filled the study as he spoke, "The Council of Elrond decided that the Ring of Power is to be taken to Mordor and destroyed. It was there that those assembled here agreed to take it. It was there also that Gandalf proposed that the two of you be allowed to aid us as well."

"Aragorn and the hobbits have already spoken in your favor," Legolas looked at the two in a calm, reflective manor. "And, as usual, Gandalf spoke in riddles of the reason for his proposition. The rest of us, however, need a little more convincing. Why would you wish to come on such a dangerous journey?" Cora, acting bolder than she felt under the other's intense gaze, spoke in response.

"We are as certain as the rest of the council that if the Ring is not destroyed, even if the war is won, it will only delay it again and again, until none can stand against Mordor. Sauron is no fool. He learns from his mistakes and he will not stop until all the world falls under his curtain of darkness.

"We don't wish to remain behind and wait for the end, unknowing, when there may be something we can do to help."

"Pretty words won't save you should something go foul on this journey." Boromir countered her words leaning forward, his chin on his fist. "Would you be able to defend yourselves and others, if that should happen?" Tie looked at him as she answered his quest.

"We may not be fighters but that isn't always what is important. It's heart. The strength of all people, men, elves, dwarves, and hobbits, come from their hearts. It is that strength in the end that will win out, not strength of arms."

The room went silent for a moment, the three undecided continuing to look at the girls. Then one by one they turned to Aragorn and nodded once, before turning back to Cora and Tie once more. After receiving the last nod, Aragorn rose from his chair and nodded himself.

"It's decided, then. The two of you are to accompany us to Mordor. Now allow me to introduce you to those you do not know." He introduced those to the right of the circle giving their names and then at the end those of the girls. Each man to be introduced nodded in response. "We will leave in two days time. Go now and prepare yourselves."

The members of the Fellowship stood and while the hobbits went to find food, the remaining 5 men split off into smaller groups. Cora was drawn into a conversation with the tall Boromir of Gondor, Tie was trapped listening to the voluble, opinionated dwarf Gimli, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gandalf stood apart talking amongst themselves.

Cora and Boromir left the study shortly after the hobbits, deep in a conversation that was neither important nor would be remembered. They wandered through the House of Elrond, gazing in awe at the tapestries and paintings that decorated the manor, then strayed out on to one of the balconies, sitting in the sun. It was edging slowly toward evening when Boromir grew anxious. He rose from the bench where he had been seated by Cora and went to the rail, his back to her.

"I find myself suddenly regretting my decision. I wish now I had said for you to stay."

"What? Why? Have I said something to make you think that I shouldn't?"

"No!" Boromir turned to face her. "No, if anything you have just shown that you are more capable than I had thought. It's just…" He turned away again, letting the sentence hang in the air.

"Just what?" Cora pressed the question softly. "Boromir, what is it?" She went to his side and looked at his face, his gaze away from her.

"It's just…I don't want to see you hurt." He looked over at her, his heart in his eyes with a kind of anxious worry.

"Boromir," Cora whispered. "There will be times when in your desire to protect others, you will only hurt them more. This is one of those times. I must go." Boromir reached up, slid his fingers along the side of her face, and looked into her eyes. There was an emotion in them he couldn't read, but he smiled at her anyway.

"As you wish," he whispered softly, reaching down to catch one of her hands in his own. "Come, it's getting late. I'll take you back to your room."

It was about the same time, Tie finally managed to take leave from Gimli. He was a nice enough fellow that seemed to wish nothing more than an ear. So long as he believed he was being heard he was actually very kind.

She crossed the study from where she and Gimli had sat to the door. So intent on having a look around, she nearly jumped out of her skin when a hand was laid on her shoulder. She turned, her heart somewhere in the region of her nose, to find that Legolas and Aragorn had approached her, leaving Gandalf with the never-ending tales of Gimli.

"You and your friend carry no weapons and that is not wise for where we go." It was Aragorn who spoke as he removed his hand from the girl's shoulder. "Legolas and I will help. Meet us in the armory first thing tomorrow morning." Tie nodded, content only that her heart had settled in to her chest again. "Good. Now all of us should rest. Legolas and I will take you back to your room if you wish."

"No," Tie said, not yet ready to return to her chamber, beautiful as it was. "I can find it, thank you." She left the study with the two men but quickly left them to explore the manor.

It was much later when she finally did turn toward her room. She was hungry, having not eaten all day. It wasn't that food hadn't been available; it just seemed to vanish before she had any, which she suspected had something to do with the voluble dwarf with whom she was speaking. Her hunger could wait till morning, though. She went to Cora's room and knocked on the door. It opened and Cora stuck her head out, an odd look on her face.

"Hey Tie," she said, her voice distant. "Come in." She stepped aside, letting Tie enter, and then closed the door again. Cora went back to the bed where she had been seated and settled down, legs crossed, a pillow in her lap. "What's up?" Tie was so caught in trying to determine what was causing her friend's odd tone of voice that she almost missed the question.

"Ah…Aragorn and Legolas want us to meet them in the armory tomorrow morning." Her gaze stayed on her friend as Cora continued to sit on the bed, plucking absently at the pillow.

"Okay," she said, not raising her eyes, keeping them focused on some point in her mind.

"I thought you liked him?" Tie asked, confused.

"What?" Cora looked up, finally being drawn out of her reverie.

"Have you heard a word I've said?" Cora gave her a puzzled expression, and Tie let out an exasperated sigh. "Just be up and dressed when I come to get you in the morning." Cora nodded, her eyes going to the bed beside her, losing their focus. "Are you okay?"

"What?" She looked back up.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Tie gave her a long hard look before deciding to let the matter drop, for the moment.

"All right." She turned and walked to the door. Before closing it behind her she looked back once more. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes," Cora said and Tie sighed as she left the room, wanting only to sleep. She could interrogate Cora in the morning. Her bed was calling and she had all intentions of answering.

Tie was woken early the next morning by an eager, rapid knocking at her door. She rolled over and looked out the balcony door she had left open last night. The sky had only just begun to lighten, the crest of the falls glittering with a mix of lingering starlight and morning sun.

The knock came again, more insistent. Tie climbed out of bed and threw a light robe over her. Surely Legolas and Aragorn hadn't come for them just yet? She opened the door to see a much changed Cora. Her friend stood before her, bright-eyed, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet.

"What? You're not dressed yet?" She looked at her friend in a confused manor. Tie ran her hand through her hair, fighting a yawn that pulled at the back of her throat.

"Cora, it's sunrise," Tie said, rubbing at her face. "I only just woke up."

"Really! God, I've been up for hours. I thought it was mid-morning by now." She walked into the Tie's room, lighting a few candles as she went. Tie looked after her, closing the door. What had gotten into her? Tie crossed the room, to tired to puzzle over Cora's strange behavior, and flopped down onto the bed, face first in the sheets. Cora sat down and shook Tie roughly.

"Come on! Get up!" Tie rolled over and looked up at her blearily.

"What has gotten into you? First you're all dreamy and distracted; now you're bouncing around like some rabid squirrel." She hesitated, remembering Cora and Boromir leaving the study together the day before. "What happened between you and Boromir after you left the meeting yesterday?" She asked, latching on to a sudden idea. Cora's expression went dreamy again and she lost a significant amount of her bounce. "Cora?"

"N…nothing," she said, coming back to herself.

"Cora, you liar! Tell me what happened!" Tie sat up, thoroughly awake. Cora grinned, blushing, and looked away.

"Cora if you don't tell me what happened, I'm going kill you!" Tie crossed her arms. Cora grinned and blushed again, casting around in her mind for something to change the subject to, knowing if she did, Tie would attack her. Finally crumbling under her friend's fierce glare, Cora finally told Tie what had transpired between her and Boromir. When Cora finished, the sun had nearly risen and Tie sank back down onto the bed.

"But I thought you liked Legolas?" She was happy for her friend but confused as to what had changed.

"I did, but I started talking to Boromir, and now…" Cora sighed, sinking down a little deeper into the mattress where she sat. Tie chuckled softly and shook her head.

"Well, I'll get dressed and we can head to the armory. Aragorn and Legolas are going to meet us there. I'll come and get you when I'm done." Cora left the room and Tie stood, slowly dressing herself. Her mind and body slowly slipped into gear. It might not have taken so long if she had eaten the day before or was going to eat shortly there after, but since it was morning already and she had no desire to be late, food would have to wait. She finished dressing and left with Cora for the armory.

Legolas and Aragorn arrived at the same time as the girls did. Holding the door, the men followed them into the room. It was a large room with walls covered in various weapons and armor. They quickly split up into pairs, Legolas with Cora and Aragorn with Tie, selecting weapons for the two girls. Cora was given a sword that reminded her vividly of the one that Arwen had carried, and a long bow. Tie was given a long sword that stood nearly to her hip, and a short bow. They girls also received a dagger for their belts and a second to keep in their boots.

They finished and were finally heading out for a late lunch, when Tie stopped grabbing the wall for support, her head swimming. Aragorn turned back to her to see what was the matter, and caught her as she slumped to the ground, her knees giving way under her. He cradled the girl in his arms calling her name softly.

"Tiernan? Are you all right?" Tie shook her head trying to clear it long enough to make it to the dinning hall so that she could finally eat after nearly a day and a half.

"I'll be fine," she said softly shaking her head again. "I just got dizzy. I haven't eaten in over a day. Aragorn looked at her puzzled, remembering the food that had been brought into the study the day before.

"I thought you ate yesterday? There was food brought for everyone."

"It was eaten for me," she said simply, pushing gently out of his arms and standing, a little wobbly, on her own. She smiled at everyone and stood resolutely on her feet. The others looked at her a little uncertainly. Then she rolled her eyes in irritation. "If we don't go I will pass out. Please." Understanding they turned again for the dinning hall, one of the men at her elbow the entire way there.

So what did you think? Did you like it? I really hope you did. I've been working really hard on this story and I really do love it. Anyways please review and tell me how I'm doing. And just to clarify a point don't be afriad to flame me so long as you tell me what I've done wrong. So until next chapter. Bye bye.