To Become a Ranger

Chapter 15

Lothlórien

They continued the journey, Aragorn running in front of them. Soon enough they had crossed the Dimrill Dale before entering the Woods of Lothlórien. Slowly, they walked under the huge trees.

"Stay close young hobbits! They say there's a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell..." whispered Gimli pulling Frodo closer to him. "And are never seen again."

Alyssa stopped when she heard Sam call out to Frodo who had stopped in his tracks. So he had felt it to; the probing in her mind and probably in all there minds. It was the Lady of the Wood Galadriel, good and highly respected friend of Lord Elrond's plus Arwens Grandmother.

"Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Stated Gimli proudly and a tad bit arrogantly.

Alyssa snorted quietly at that but didn't say anything when she felt the tip of an arrow notched and ready pressed into her throat.

"Oh." Was all Gimli said when an arrow appeared in front of him as well.

Other bows at the ready appear around the Fellowship. Legolas drew his own bow, pointing it at the owners of the other weapons. The Fellowship looks around, alarmed. A tall, golden-haired Elf appears from behind a tree and smirked at the fuming and disgruntled dwarf.

"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." He drawled fingering his own bow at his side, the tension and hatred between the two races making its self well known.

Gimli growled but at a warning look from Aragorn is silenced as they are led deeper into the forest until they came across a large platform up in on of the huge Malorn trees.

Alyssa winced as she helped Sam, who didn't like heights up the rope ladder that took them up to the platform. Her head ach was back and she was feeling overly hot and clammy. As soon as they got up she stumbled over to the trunk and sank down it resting the back of her head against the cool bark.

"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion. (Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.)" The golden-haired elf greeted Legolas.

"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien. (Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien)" Said Legolas bowing slightly in return.

Haldir glances at Aragorn. "A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen. (Ah, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.)"

"Haldir." Aragorn said in greeting bowing slightly.

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand." Grumbled Gimli loudly.

Alyssa shot him a dark look when his loud voice had disrupted her now large migraine.

"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days." Stated Haldir turning to the Dwarf.

"And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" Gimli said spitting out the last words.

"That was not so courteous." Said Aragorn harshly as if talking to a child.

Haldir glances at Frodo. "You bring great evil with you." looking at Aragorn. "You can go no further."

He turns and walks away. Sam and Pippin turn to look at Frodo giving him an unreadable look. He looks slightly uncomfortable.

"Boe ammen veriad lîn. Andelu i ven! (We need your protection. The road is fell!)" Aragorn argued quietly yet forcefully.

Haldir whispers back inaudibly.

"Merin le telim. (I wish we may come with you.)" Answered Aragorn

Haldir answers quietly, again so that only Aragorn can hear his words.

"Henio, aníron boe ammen i dulu lîn! (Please, understand, we need your support!)"

Legolas turned to look at Frodo, who looks uncomfortably away, and his eyes fall on Sam. Sam looks away, a hurt expression in his eyes. Merry and Pippin do likewise. Gimli glances at Frodo. Aragorn continued to argue loudly with Haldir. Frodo, looking at his friends, sees blame that does not truly exist anywhere but in his mind. He is alone, it seems.

"Andelu i ven. (The road is very dangerous)" Aragorn was now pleading.

Frodo appears downcast. But through all of his worried, his loneliness, a voice of reason speaks.

"Gandalf's death was not in vain...nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo...don't carry the weight of the dead." stated Boromir as if reading Frodo's thoughts.

Alyssa smiled at that, he was finally getting it, that the ring was not a burden you should want and that it could and would kill to get its own way. She quickly turned and coughed a deep and lung-wrenching cough. Alyssa winced when she could taste the flem on her lips.

Boromir quickly got up and walked briskly over to Alyssa before kneeling down in front of her. He then held up a finger and told her to follow it, which because of the vertigo and lightheadedness she was feeling failed miserably at.

"Aragorn!" Boromir quickly called out the sound of closely suppressed panic tightly controlled heard in his voice.

Aragorn cut of his pleading with Haldir and rushed over to Alyssa running a quick diagnosis of her. "She needs medical attention, and fast." He stated urgently.

Haldir looked like he was going to refuse until he caught the looks on all the companions faces and realized that one more loss would permanently break them. He sighed. "You and the girl follow me we will take the quickest road to the city. The rest will follow my brothers at a slower pace."

Aragorn nodded before turning to the rest specifically Gimli. "Please do as they say and don't argue, I leaving you Boromir in charge until I come back."

Boromir nodded and pressed his fist to his heart as acknowledgement.

Aragorn then turned and carefully picked up Alyssa who had already lost consciousness. "Lead on." He finally said to Haldir who immediately took off across wooden bridges and platforms on the quickest rout to the city healers and hopefully Galadriel herself.

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Almost an hour later Haldir closely followed by Aragorn carrying Alyssa arrived in Caras Galadhon ...the heart of Elvendom on earth.

"Follow me." stated Haldir as he led them up a great flight of stars to the healing flet or talon where the healers where waiting for they had been forewarned of their arrival.

As soon as they got to the top Alyssa was quickly taken from Aragorn's arms and dispersed onto a bed where four elves quickly and efficiently got to work in healing.

Haldir clasped Aragorn on the arm. "Now all we can do is wait."

Aragorn nodded and they turned and slowly descended the stairs.

"The Lady of the Wood will call for you when your friends show up to discuss your stay so don't stray too far." And at that Haldir left leaving Aragorn to do what he wanted.

Aragorn then turned and made his way to the wall to look out for his companions who should be arriving in the next hour or so.

---------

An hour and a half later just as the sun had set Aragorn finally caught sight of his companions stumbling through the woods with black blindfolds covering their eyes.

Aragorn raised an eyebrow at this and looked at Legolas who pointed to the Dwarf. Ah, that explained it, the elves didn't want the Dwarf to see the secrets of the woods so they told them that he had to where a blind fold. Unfortunately that didn't sit to well with Gimli and he refused to comply unless the Elf, namely Legolas too had to go blind folded. So basically Boromir opted that everyone had to where a blindfold and that was the end of it.

As soon as they had all gotten inside the walls of Lorien, Haldir walked briskly up to them.

"Your friend will be fine, she is asleep at the moment and will be for the next couple of days." He stated showing no emotion.

Every one blew out a sigh of relief and Frodo looked as if a huge burden had been lifted off his shoulders much to Aragorn's relief.

In the blue glow of a moonlit night, the Fellowship climbed a twisting stair about the trunk of a tree, past glimmering lights of silver and blue. Far above, the silhouetted shapes of the shadowy tree-branches loom. Passing numerous platforms, they came to a great palace in the trees, lit with silvery lights. A curving walkway lies before them, leading up a low stair to an archway. Three-pronged, golden leaves are scattered about. Slowly, they gather before the arch. Haldir stepped to the side giving them a clear view of the Elves under the arch. With a glow issuing forth from them, the Lord and Lady of the wood, descend to meet the Fellowship, hand in hand. The Fellowship stared in awe. Aragorn being the courteous one touches his head reverently in greeting.

The light dims, and before the Fellowship the Lord and Lady, Celeborn and Galadriel, halt. The Lady's eyes focus on Frodo, but Celeborn speaks.

"The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eight there are here, yet ten there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him...I can no longer see him from afar."

Aragorn looked up and caught the Lady's eyes who had been staring at him reading his racing thoughts.

"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land." She said sorrowfully. "He has fallen into shadow."

Aragorn nodded silently as Celeborn turned to his wife.

"He was taken by both Shadow and Flame: a Balrog of Morgoth." Legolas said hatfully the music in his voice dimmed. "For we went needlessly into the net of Moria almost losing another one of us."

Gimli bowed his head sadly for it was he who insisted that they go into the mines of Moria.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin." Said the Lady looking kindly upon Gimli who in turn looked up surprised.

"For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief." She continued.

Boromir turned his pained face to the Lady, blinking and swallowing hard. The Lady stared back, starlight glimmering in her eyes. Boromir looked away, weeping.

"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." Asked Celeborn.

A moment passed, while Aragorn raked his head for an answer.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." Stated Galadriel forcefully.

Boromir looks back up at her, unsure.

"Yet hope remains while the company is true."

Galadriel looks at Sam and smiles. Sam continues to gaze at her, unlike Boromir.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace." She said while looking at Frodo silently giving him welcome into her home.

Later, back on the ground, an area is provided for the Fellowship to rest in. The Hobbits are settling down to rest. In the trees, the Elves' singing can be heard, and one female voice rising above the others, who sing softly in the background.

A Olórin i yaresse… (Olórin who once was…)
Mentaner i Numeherui (Sent by the Lords of the West)
Tírien i Rómenóri… (To guard the Lands of the East…)

Melme nóren sina (Our love for this land)
núra ala (Is deeper than the deeps)
Eäro… (Of the sea…)

Legolas looked up and listened pensively to the sad song. "A lament for Gandalf." He stated.

"What do they say about him?" asked Merry while he sat up his bed.

"have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near." Said Legolas looking away his eyes shining in sorrow.

…Maiaron i Oiosaila, (Wisest of all Maiar,)
Manan elye etevanne (What drove you to leave)
Nórie i malanelye? (That which you loved?)

…Ilfirin nairelma (Yet we will cast all away)
ullume nucuvalme. (Rather that submit.)
Nauva i nauva... (What should be shall be...)

Sam crouched down to make his bed. "I bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about them." He said to Merry quietly, though Aragorn had heard him and had to commend his spirit.

After a moment, Sam stood up.

"The finest rockets ever seen,
They burst in stars of blue and green…"

Gimli snored loudly.

"Or after thunder...silver showers…"

Aragorn turns, annoyed, and swats the Dwarf's pillow, eliciting a grunt from Gimli

"Came falling like a...rain of flowers"

He squatted down again. "Oh, that doesn't do they justice by a long road." He muttered annoyed with himself.

Aragorn looked out from his resting place beside Gimli's bed. He then got up, moving past a small table with silver chalices glinting upon it. He walked over to Boromir, who was seated alone on a great tree root. A fountain gurgles, statues dance in solemn stone, and lights twinkle beyond, invitingly. The lament continues,

…Ú-reniathach (No more will you wander)
i amar galen (The green fields of this earth)
I reniad lín ne môr, nuithannen. (Your journey has ended in darkness)

"Take some rest. These borders are well protected." He said to the young steward.

"I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me, "Even now, there is hope left." But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope."

Aragorn sat down beside Boromir and let him talk.

"My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing. And now our…our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right and I— I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored." He sighed. "Have you ever seen it Aragorn? The White Tower of Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver. Its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?"

"I have seen the White City, long ago." Aragorn stated sadly recalling his mother.

"One day, our paths will lead us there. And the tower guard shall take up the call: "The Lords of Gondor have returned!"

Aragorn smiles slightly, then looks away, in deep thought.

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The Lady Galadriel descended the stares and stopped abruptly at the healing flet. She could feel it the, disruption that had caused all her scenes to go haywire for days was in this room. She had felt the foreign presence for the past several moths yet it had eluded her mirror quite well yet to come across it in her own city with out her noticing was amazing.

She walked silently and cautiously into the room. It was vacant except for a young human girl who was slumbering peacefully on the small cot at the back of the room.

"So it is you." She whispered to her self.

She then tried to get into the woman's mind with out contact yet found it was blocked by something didn't recognize.

Galadriel then moved forward and cautiously place a pale white hand on the patient's forehead and entered her mind.

It was like going through light speed before Galadriel found herself at the center of the girls mind with nothing surrounding her but a grey mist. She then felt someone approach her from behind and found a younger less battered version of the girl standing in front of her looking about as lost as she was.

"Well this is new." The girl said.

"Indeed." Galadriel stated raising her eyebrow at the child wondering if she even knew where she was.

"Ok, do you want to tell me where I am?" the girl asked.

Apparently not. "We are in your mind."

"Riiight." said the girl skeptically. She looked around herself. "Well I guess worse things could happen but its kind of disconcerting when your own science teacher is correct and that my brain is filled with nothing but fog."

The Lady Galadriel had a hard time in containing her smile. "Now may I ask who you are?"

The girl raised her eyebrow, "you mean you are in My mind and you don't even know My name? shesh what happened to common courteously, you do know it is rude to go poking around some ones brain with out even knowing them let alone introducing your self."

Galadriel smile and nodded her head. "I am Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien and you are?"

The girl's eyebrows shot up in recognization. "Alyssa Howald."

The lady bowed her head to the girl whose cheerful attitude vanished in a second.

"You entered my mind to find out why and how I got hear didn't you." It wasn't a question just an observation. "Well how bout I just show you since your already in my mind and I'll let you sort them out while I got back to sleep k." Alyssa then closed her eyes and pushed all the important memories of her stay here on middle earth into the lady's mind before kindly kicking her out and then going back to sleep leaving the lady breathing heavily and leaning for support on the cot as she sorted though the many memories the girl had just forced upon her, well not really forced as she had already wanted them, but gave to her extremely fast giving her a head ache that one would get if they had eaten an ice cream cone in one go.

The Lady then got up and slowly made her way down the winding stairs to the grown. She would think upon these memories later but for now she had to concentrate on a meeting with a certain hobbit to help him one his way.

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Alyssa woke up to sunshine blearing in her eyes and groaned. One of the healers came bustling over and pressed a cool hand to her forehead.

"Well you're finally up, and with no traces of the fever for once." The healer a kindly looking elf glanced at Alyssa parched lips and handed the girl a small chalice of water before helping her to sit up.

"How long have I been out?" asked Alyssa while squinting around trying to get her self-orientated.

"Almost a day in a half." Said the healer.

Alyssa looked up at the sun and guessed the time. "I guessing that its about mid morning so I bet there's not food in the food hall is there?"

"No but I sent someone down to get you something. Its cold but I'm guessing that its better then the scraps you've been eating." The Healer said as she brought over the tray.

"Now I want you to eat as much as you can with out being sick and then I'll give you your final check up ok?"

Alyssa just grinned before digging in. In the end she didn't eat much as she was used to eating a lot less then she had in a day let alone two.

She pushed the tray away and groaned. "Oh, I'm stuffed." The healer looked disapprovingly at the tray but didn't say anything, as she knew it would be useless.

"Now sit up and hang your legs over the side of the cot." Was all she said before starting the routine check up.

In the end Alyssa found that she would be back to perfect health in a few days and the only lasting damage from the infection would be two small scars on the base of her right hand and just under her ear plus the very large scar that looked like large tongues of fire liking her left arm up to her elbow which she conveniently covered up with her gauntlet that covered up most of the burn.

She then got dressed in only her dark leggings and a silk white shirt the healer had given to her. She then attached her belt and two daggers to her pants tucking the shirt partially in before putting on her boots. Alyssa then found her leather ribbon and tied her long hair into a ponytail at the base of her neck. Before heading out the door she threw on her beat up looking over coat and then thanking the healer for helping her back into health, the kind elf just smiled and shooed her off to go find her friend who where eagerly waiting for her to wake up.

She guessed she had a rather ragged look from all the looks she was getting from the passing elves as she descended the stairs especially with the black eye she had gotten in the fight, which she didn't remember to clearly.

When she had arrived at the small camp the fellowship set up she found it barren. She frowned at this but just dumped her stuff beside Aragorn's before heading out again in search of him.

Just as she was heading out she bumped into the Golden-haired elf that had been arguing with Aragorn, she vaguely remembered his name being Haldir but wasn't sure so she remained silent.

"Ah, Lady Alyssa, the healer had said you would be down here." He said in a musical voice that sounded just slightly arrogant.

Alyssa nodded. "I am in search of my companions would you mind directing me to them."

"Yes, Lord Aragorn has been waiting for you to wake up like a child is waiting for their birthday to come around."

Alyssa raised her eyebrow in amusement but said nothing.

"How are you feeling?" The March warden asked after a moment of silence trying to keep the small talk going.

"Fine. Weak but that is expected." She said just as they came into a small clearing where she found Boromir, Legolas and Gimli conversing. She looked over to her right and found Sam cooking meat over a small fire with the rest of the Hobbits chatting cheerily. Aragorn was nowhere in sight.

Pippin was the first one to notice her. "Alyssa!" He shouted joyfully. At that every one looked up and great smiles of joy bloomed on all of their faces. Three hobbits then came barreling at her and hugged and started chatting all at the same time.

"Alyssa you're up and going, that's great but couldn't you have stayed in bed a bit longer!" asked Pippin innocently.

"Great to see you Alyssa, but that's one of your sausages Pip." Stated Merry.

"Ms. Alyssa, it's a pleasure to see you again Miss, would you like a sausage, I'm sure we can spare you some." Said Sam.

Alyssa looked up and over to Frodo who looked like he wanted to talk to her but couldn't incase he might hurt her again. She nodded at him and offered him a small but sincere smile before turning back to Sam. "Thanks Sam but I just ate, maybe later." She then headed over to Haldir was talking to the other three.

Legolas nodded to her but said nothing and continued to talk to Haldir in Elvish. Gimli was the polar opposite.

"Ho, Lassy! I knew you would pull through!" He said uproariously clapping her hard on the back. "Thanks." she muttered. It was Boromir who she truly listened to. "There's a certain someone in the forest pouting." He patted her on the back. "It s good to see you Alyssa, you have given us some hope now."

She smiled and clasped him on the shoulder. "There has always been some hope Boromir. A fools hope maybe but hope none the less, you just have to look for it."

She nodded at them before entering the woods behind them in search of Aragorn.

Eventually the amount of time lost on her she came across a large waterfall she could hear music but could not understand the words for they where muffled buy the rushing water. Alyssa felt that if Aragorn could go anywhere in Lothlorien then this is where he would go.

"Aragorn." she called but no one answered.

She then decided to climb down the cliff to the pool at the bottom. The scenery was beautiful all lush and green yet there was no leaves on the trees since it was winter on Middle Earth. What she found funny was that it was fairly warm out like a warm autumns day back home with all the golden leaves of the old Malorns scattered about.

When she got to the bottom she found Aragorn sitting on a large boulder partially submerged in the water smoking his pipe.

She came up behind him and climbed onto the rock beside him. She didn't say anything to him but knew that he knew that she wanted him to make the move.

"Do you hear her voice?" He asked suddenly.

"I hear music, though I can not hear the words for they are muffled by the rushing water." She stated quietly gazing at the falls thoughtfully.

I will sing you a song of the maiden Nimrodel, who bore the same name as the stream beside which she lived long ago. It is a fair song in the elven tongue but I will sing it to you in the Westron speech as some in Rivendell now sing it." In a soft voice hardly heard above the water above them he began:

An Elven-maid there was of old,
A shining star by day:
Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,
Her shoes of silver-grey.

A star was bound upon her brows,
A light was on her hair
As sun upon the golden boughs
In Lórien the fair.

Her hair was long, her limbs were white,
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light
As leaf of linden-tree.

Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool.

Where now she wanders none can tell,
In sunlight or in shade;
For lost of yore was Nimrodel
And in the mountains strayed.

The elven-ship in haven grey
Beneath the mountain-lee
Awaited her for many a day
Beside the roaring sea.

A wind by night in Northern lands
Arose, and loud it cried,
And drove the ship from elven-strands
Across the streaming tide.

When dawn came dim the land was lost,
The mountains sinking grey
Beyond the heaving waves that tossed
Their plumes of blinding spray.

Amroth beheld the fading shore
Now low beyond the swell,
And cursed the faithless ship that bore
Him far from Nimrodel.

Of old he was an Elven-king,
A lord of tree and glen,
When golden were the boughs in spring
In fair Lothlórien.

From helm to sea they saw him leap,
As arrow from the string,
And dive into water deep,
As mew upon the wing.

The wind was in his flowing hair,
The foam about him shone;
Afar they saw him strong and fair
Go riding like a swan.

But from the West has come no word,
And on the Hither Shore
No tidings Elven-folk have heard
Of Amroth evermore.

The voice of Aragorn faltered and the song ceased. "I can not sing anymore," He said. "That is but apart, for I have forgotten much. It is long and sad and tells how sorrow came upon Lorien when the Dwarves awakened evil in the mountains."

"It is beautiful." Stated Alyssa who had tucked her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them.

"Do you have any songs that tell of your own people?" asked Aragorn curiously.

Alyssa snorted. "Nothing like that that I know of." She stated.

"I'm sure there's something." He urged.

"Well there is one that I know well enough but it's not for now. Maybe I'll sing it to you when the war is over." She said.

"What's it called?" he asked studying her closely.

"Now we are Free." she said before standing up and brushing off what little dirt had clung to her coat.

" Ah." Was all Aragorn said before he stood up too. He then got a wicked grin on his face making Alyssa cautiously back away from him.

"I know that look Estel, and I don't like it one bit."

"So." Was all he said before quickly picking her up and running up to the tip of the rock and holding her out over the edge.

"Don't you dare, Aragorn Elessar."

Aragorn just grinned and dropped her into the water only to be pulled in himself as she had gabbed his jacket, forcing his plan to backfire.

When they resurfaced Alyssa splashed him. "What was that for you idiot."

He splashed her back "For almost giving me a heat attack at the tender age of 80."

"Aw did I scware the poor old putty tat." Asked Alyssa in her best Tweedy bird voice.

"Why you." He lunged at her dunking her head under the water. When she resurfaced spluttering he took his jab at her. "Now who looks like the drowned rat."

And it was like that for the next five minutes each throwing insults at each other and splashing and all in all acting like a bunch of little kids.

"We should get a shore before anything is ruined." Stated Aragorn finally after fending off a rather big splash from Alyssa.

Alyssa sighed. "Fine." She whined but followed him out of the water. She stumbled a bit on the shore but Aragorn caught her and helped her the rest of the way out.

They stood there on the shore for a second staring at each other little half grins on their faces before Aragorn moved forward and kissed her tenderly.

Alyssa tried not to grin and kissed him back letting a small giggle out.

They both pulled back hurriedly when they heard someone trampling through the woods.

It was Boromir and he was breathing heavily. Alyssa scowled at him. "When I heard screaming I thought the worst."

Legolas and Haldir came running but at a much leisurely pace both grinning knowingly.

Both Alyssa and Aragorn blushed lightly. "He/she Started it." they both said at the same time.

Alyssa turned on Aragorn. "I started it?" she asked as if offended though her eyes gave her away as they where twinkling like mad.

"Why yes you did." Aragorn answered also grinning internally but keeping a strait face.

Alyssa lost the façade and stomped on his toe. "You're the one who threw me in the pool, you dimwit."

"Ah so that's why your wet." Stated Legolas, he then turned to Aragorn. "Though that does not explain you."

Aragorn pointed at Alyssa feeling like at little kid being reprimand… and totally loving it. "She dragged me in after her."

Legolas shook his head at her antics, it was nice to see Aragorn smiling again, which he hadn't seen since they had left Rivendell, but this was childish. Then he suddenly imagined what Lord Elrond had to put up with when he was a boy plus the twins who still hadn't grown up. Now that gave him a head ache.

"You two." Muttered Boromir under his breath as he watched the soaked couple climb up the short cliff.

"Well you to are just going to have to walk back to the camp wet for we didn't bring extra clothes and well we really don't want to see you two running around naked.

Alyssa pointed at her self. "Me. running around naked. Nooo." She said as if astonished form the suggestion. Aragorn snorted remembering the time she had made the twins run around naked after all their cloths which she had attached to their horses holding only a pillow to cover themselves. That was just after they had pulled a prank on the entire great hall so no one including their own father would give them any clothes.

Alyssa must have heard him snort cause she turned to him and said. "Hey that wasn't me, I just chose that prank at a really bad time for them."

"I don't even want to know." Stated Haldir as they marched back into the woods towards the city.

"Oh yeah." Said Boromir as he marched along off to the side a bit. "The Lady of the Wood Galadriel invited us to a dinner in our honor."

"That was nice of her." Stated Alyssa.

"That means you have to wear a dress Alyssa." Stated Aragorn in a sing song voice before walking briskly off grinning evilly.

"Aww, come on. Do I have too."

AN: Well there's chapter 16. Wow, I just broke my record in how may words I have ever written in a chapter, 5554, woot! Anyhoo, I threw in a little bit of romance and some humour just because I was in a good mood today so I hope you all enjoyed it!

Please Read and Review!

Tootles, Lyssa Snape

Thanks to all you guys who reviewed on the last three chapters!

(A couple days later) Well I'm off my happy high now (unfortunatly) and I just got this back from my beta reader and I re-read it and now I don't know how much I like it anymore. Give me some feed back please, cuz I am quite tempted to delete it and start a new. Anyhoo enjoy)