A/N: Greetings, my lovelies! It's been too long! Real life has been kicking my butt. Between the release of my book, planning for conventions with said book, preparing for a new baby, and trying to keep said baby in through pre-term labor for the last couple of weeks...it's been a little busy. You all have been neglected, and I apologize. I can't promise that it will get better, but I can promise you that I will try.

In the story, getting through Lothlorien, finally, will make things flow considerably better. I really had no plans for the last few chapters, and was totally flying by the seat of my pants. haha! I do, however, have big plans for the Breaking of the Fellowship and the events to follow. Can't wait to share them with you! This chapter is shorter than my normal, but it's here, right? Thank you all for being so patient with me!

Enjoy!

~#*ITS*#~

"Have you come to gaze into my mirror, Dai?" Galadriel's voice was shocking from the silence.

Frodo and Sam had just looked into the mirror and seen things both wonderful and terrible. Galadriel had been tested by the Ring, and now, the three of them stood in awkward silence. The Hobbits jumped when Galadriel suddenly broke it.

"No," Shadow's voice was barely more than a whisper as he stepped out of the darkness to where the Hobbits could see him clearly. "I am certain that mirror will tell me nothing I have not already guessed or seen. I came to be sure that its secrets weren't too much for my friends to bear."

"Shadow, you're back!" Frodo called excitedly.

"How was Starkaven?" Sam echoed Frodo's enthusiasm, but Shadow sensed a cloud of dread and fear lifted from the shoulders of the Hobbits.

Several days had passed since Shadow left Lothlorien. During those days, the Fellowship had taken time to relax and grieve the loss of Gandalf while preparing for the rest of their journey.

"Starkaven is beautiful, as always," Shadow chuckled. "And more importantly, they will stand with us in coming battles. We can talk about that later, though. Is everyone well?"

"Yes," Frodo answered softly. "This place has been a great help to us all, I believe."

"Good, good," Shadow's voice held a soft smile. "Now, I believe your Lord Celeborn wishes to speak with us, am I correct?"

"As usual," Galadriel spoke with amuzement as she glided past them, her dress kissing the blades of grass behind her as she went.

~#*ITS*#~

"They have all resolved to carry on with the quest," Galadriel met the eyes of each member of the Company.

Celeborn wished to discuss their departure, and it finally became realized that no one truly knew which road they should take. Boromir and much of the company wished to go first to Minas Tirith. Aragorn and some of the others were unsure, however with Gandalf's plan lost to darkness.

Since a decision was difficult to reach at this point, Celeborn offered them boats. This would give them a way to cross the Great River at any time, allowing them to continue to debate their course.

Galadriel, then, urged them to go and rest, forgetting the troubles of the road ahead for one more night. The debate continued, however, and the Fellowship returned to the place that had been prepared for them in order to further discuss their situation.

The opinion of the majority of the group was that they should stop over in Minas Tirith to rest and resupply before tackling the daunting task of entering Mordor. Upon being asked his opinion, Shadow replied only that this part of the journey was fluid in time and that he would follow whichever way Aragorn chose. Boromir insisted that it would be best to go to Minas Tirith and gather men to aid their entrance to the Black Lands. He spoke passionately that it would be foolish to go without help...foolish to throw away...lives. That's what he meant.

Sam didn't miss Shadow's uncomfortable shift in position when Boromir spoke thus. From the look on Frodo's face, something about the words had bothered him as well. Sam reached into the Force as Shadow had been teaching him to do. He probed it with his feeble skills. Sure enough, he found that for this instant, Boromir's aura had changed...grown darker...as though it wasn't completely his own. Sam raised his eyes to Shadow where the Jedi sat beside him. His friend's hood shook subtly as though saying, "Not right now." Sam wondered why Shadow didn't simply use their bond to speak to him as he normally would. He was sure there was a good reason, though, and didn't push the matter.

After Boromir's words, the debate fizzled and ended. This would be a discussion continued further down the river, it seemed.

~#*ITS*#~

The next morning, the Company was packed into three grey boats. Each boat was full of provisions and gifts from the Elves: rope, cloaks, and lembas bread for the journey. Before they had reached the edge of Lothlorien's lands, the Fellowship was met by Celeborn and Galadriel in a magnificent boat shaped like a swan.

During a parting meal with the noble Elves, Galadriel gave each of them gifts according to his needs and desires. To Aragorn, she gave a sheath for his sword, Anduril, and a beautiful brooch with a green stone in the center. Boromir recieved a golden belt, and the two younger Hobbits were given silver ones. Legolas's gift was a bow like the Galadhrim use. Sam was given soil from Galadriel's orchards. Shadow smiled when the Elven queen asked Gimli what he desired. After much coaxing, Gimli requested a strand of Galadriel's hair. When asked what he would do with such a gift, Gimli revealed that should he return to the smithies of his homeland, it would be encased in crystal to be an heirloom of his family for the rest of time. His request was honored, and Shadow had never laid eyes on a happier Dwarf than Gimli, son of Gloin on that day. Frodo's gift was a mysterious one. In a phial of crystal, Galadriel had captured the light of Eleandil. It was given to the Hobbit with this wish, "May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights have gone out."

"My dear Shadow," the Jedi started slightly when his name was called. Galadriel smiled softly. "I'm afraid I am quite unsure of what would make a suitable gift for one such as you."

Shadow lowered his hooded head.

"You have given me more than I need already, Lady," he swore solemnly.

"I cannot send you into darkness with nothing, my old friend," Galadriel looked as though she fought tears. Frodo thought it a strange yet beautiful sight for one as strong as the Elven queen.

"Then send me with a promise," Shadow looked up after thinking for a moment. "When the world is less dark, and our quest is over, come to Starkaven."

Galadriel's eyes widened. The company of Elves gasped and murmered. If Gimli's request had been bold, Shadow may as well have burst through Lothlorien's gates unannounced and cut those three strands of hair himself.

"Even if you do not stay forever, come," Shadow continued as though he didn't notice the unrest around him. "Do not stay here and diminish into blessed memory. Come and thrive with your kinfolk. The Lady Daiel would wish it to be so."

Galadriel was silent for a time, contemplating what Shadow had just said. Finally, she met his unseen eyes with her gaze and nodded.

"Alright," she said softly. "You may continue your quest with the knowledge that I have accepted your offer on behalf of Lady Daiel. When Sauron is defeated, the Galadhrim will travel westward."

Sam looked up at Shadow. A smile was set across his face.

"I thank you, my Lady," he said with a deep bow.

Then, with words of bittersweet parting, the Fellowship of the Ring began their journey down the Great River to the south...one step closer to Mordor.

~#*ITS*#~