Ivy awoke at the break of dawn the next day, intending to go straight to Pippin's quarters and present him with a large platter of breakfast she had organized from the kitchens the night before. Surely, if anything, food would lure him from his room and he would at the very least listen to what she had to say.

Ivy had known for sometime that Pippin had a small crush on her. She had never confronted him about it, hoping he would grow out of it eventually, but now she saw that perhaps she should have said something earlier. This was not a very nice way to find out that your love did not return your feelings.

She sat up in her bed and stretched. Her room was large and airy, just as she liked it. She never told Frodo, but she secretly loved living in the open, instead of a hole in a hill. She loved the openness and brightness her room had. Ivy swung her legs over the side of the bed and quickly washed and dressed in a plain baby pink dress that Lady Arwen had lent her. She had left all her clothes in Hobbiton. Gandalf had said they could return there as soon as the ring was delivered to Rivendell. But now, a rumor was growing, that a company would be selected to take this ring to Mordor. Mordor! Of all places, Ivy shivered thinking of the place. She had never been there, but Bilbo's stories told her enough. Ivy was just slipping on her shoes, when there was a knock at the door.

"Ivy?" Frodo's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Just a moment" she called back to him, glancing around her room to make sure everything was in order.

She opened the door and stepped outside.

"Yes Frodo?"

"Gandalf tells me the council is to begin right away. We must make for the clearing"

"Very well" Ivy said closing the door, "Let's go"

Ivy and Frodo entered the clearing. The mood was nothing of yesterday. The moment they entered, all eyes swiveled towards her, as if expecting her to break down. Sure, the news had rocked her, but Ivy thought she was taking it rather well, considering.

This time Ivy and Frodo sat on the outer edge of the semi-circle, leaving a seat for Gandalf. Ivy saw that everyone was once again present. When her eyes flicked over to Legolas she saw that he was gazing at her. She blushed and looked away, just as Gandalf and Elrond entered once more. Gandalf took his seat next to Ivy and turned his attention to Elrond.

Elrond stood up and began to talk about the ring, and its history, How Isildur hand struck it from the hand of Sauron and been corrupted by its powers. It was not until Elrond started talking about destroying the ring that Ivy really became interested in what he was saying. Before that she had been caught up in the tall figure sitting next to her cloaked in grey, her father.

Her focus shifted fully on to Lord Elrond as he spoke of the detection of the ring. Suddenly the Dwarf she had heard called Gimli leapt to his feet charging forward and yelling

"What are we waiting for?" He brought his axe down on the ring with all of his might. The axe shattered into a million tiny pieces and Gimli was thrown backwards on to his behind. Gandalf noticed Frodo clutch his head as the ring was struck, but his attention was ripped from Frodo as Ivy slid off of her chair her eyes rolling back into her head.

Legolas stood quickly and made for Ivy. Gandalf put up his hand to stop him. Legolas hesitated and then pushed past Gandalf ignoring his questioning look. He knelt near Ivy's head and cradled in his lap pushing her hair out of her face. Gandalf looked at him questioningly, annoyed that his instruction had been ignored. He pushed the annoyance aside and took Ivy's hand in his old weather worn ones. He whispered soft words in a long forgotten language. Words that Ivy's mother had taught him many ages ago. Ivy's eyes fluttered open and she looked up into Legolas blue eyed face. He smiled and she felt her own mouth curve up into a smile. Legolas stroked the side of her face with his thumb gently and then the moment was broken as Gandalf spoke.

"Come child, the council can not be delayed any longer"

Gandalf helped Ivy back to her chair. The rest of the members of the council looked at Elrond expectantly. Legolas walked back to his chair and sat down. Concern still visibly present on his face.

Elrond looked stern.

"Now if we could continue…" he said, rising out of his seat.

"As I was saying yesterday…One of you must take this to Mordor"

There was some talk amongst the races gathered there. Ivy watched them all curiously. One of the elves who had accompanied Legolas suddenly stood up.

"I will take the ring!"

All eyes turned to face him.

Suddenly Gimli stood up.

"I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf!"

All the races began to quarrel, arguments breaking out over who would take it.

"I will take it" came a small voice only Ivy and Gandalf heard. Ivy glanced at Gandalf and she saw him close his eyes in frustration.

"I will take it…" Frodo said a little louder. Silence fell over the council.

"…Though I do not know the way"

Frodo stood alone in the centre of the council. Suddenly Gandalf spoke.

"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear"

Gandalf came to stand behind Frodo. Strider was the next to speak.

"By my life or death, I can protect you, I will" he said as he knelt in front of Frodo, "You have my sword"

Ivy suddenly decided what she would do.

"You and I have gone everywhere together for many years, and this will be no exception." Ivy said, and stood next to Strider.

"You have my bow" said Legolas.

"And my axe" said Gimli, no elf would show a dwarf up!

Lord Elrond named the companions the fellowship of the ring and they swore oaths of fealty and love to the ring bearer and each other. With that the council was over and the members began to go back to their chambers to hold private meetings of their own. Ivy slipped away from her friends and made her way down to the waters edge where she had spoken to Legolas just last night. It seemed an eternity ago. It was strange how she had endured so much time on this earth only to have a day feel like an age ago.

She slid off her slippers and stepped into the cool water, letting the sensation wash over her. She unlaced her fancy gown and threw it in a heap by her shoes. Standing only in her white cotton undergarments, she squatted down, and touched her finger tips to the water. Ivy relaxed her neck, her head resting on her shoulder as the ripples spread out in ever growing circles. The simple act relaxing her entire body. She heard a noise behind her and she stood up quickly, slipping on the slimy rocks and falling backwards. She landed on her bottom in a very clumsy heap and soaking wet. She started to get up, but the saw Legolas standing at the edge of the stream, a smile playing on his lips as if he was holding in laughter. She fell back down with a splash as a giggle ripped from her body. Legolas was not able to contain himself any longer and laugher burst from him.

"I shall not laugh any longer, Lady Ivy, but you do look a sight" Legolas said coming forward to help her out of the stream.

Legolas waded into the stream, and held out his hand to help her up. Ivy grasped his hand and he pulled her upright so they were standing so close to each other, Legolas could have kissed her.

Ivy carefully stepped back, suddenly aware that she was dripping wet and in white underwear. She wrapped her arms around her, not because she was cold but because she was so exposed. She glanced at Legolas and noticed he was staring at her, a look of sweet appreciation in his eyes.

"I should go and bathe…" Ivy said nervously, stepping out of the stream. She walked over gathered her things and quickly left, leaving the clearing, leaving Legolas staring after her.

Later, as Ivy soaked in her tub, she realized Legolas might have been offended and confused by the strange events by the water's edge. She got out of the tub with the thought of apologizing. Ivy dressed in a plain midnight blue dress, another that Lady Arwen had loaned to her. She made to leave her room, but hesitated at the door. What if he was angry?

Ivy brushed her anxiety aside. If they were going to be traveling together for the next few months, she needed to make it as comfortable as possible, which meant apologizing. Ivy gathered her dignity and opened her door, but she was not prepared for who was waiting for her outside.

"Pippin" Ivy said, closing the door behind her.

"Ivy, I want to apologize for yesterday. I was not thinking clearly"

"It is fine Pippin. I should have said something earlier… About Legolas and I"

Pippin looked down.

"Its fine Pippin", Ivy said, patting his head. "I'm sorry but I must leave you, I have business elsewhere"

"Yes, of course" said Pippin faintly, "I'll see you tomorrow when we leave then…"

Ivy satisfied that Pippin was taken take of, set off in the direction of Legolas' chambers. Pippin walked back to his room. Ivy was going to see Legolas he knew it. He walked into the room he was sharing with Merry, through himself on his bed and slid into a sad deep sleep.

Ivy hurried through the gardens toward Legolas' private quarters that were set aside from everyone else; not far from the clearing that was his favorite. She stopped at his front door and sighed, gaining courage. She reached up and rapped on the door lightly. She heard a few muffled noises coming from inside and the door opened. Legolas was slightly shocked to see Ivy standing in front of him. Her hair tied back in a simple but flattering braid.

"Ivy…..I did not expect to see you"

Ivy hesitated for a moment. He was standing in the doorway with no tunic wearing only his leggings.

"I…I…I'm sorry ill go……"

She turned to head back to her own room. How could she be so stupid! Of course he didn't expect her why would he? It was folly to come here in the first place.

"Ivy, that's not what I meant,"

He reached out and grabbed her arm stopping her from walking away. She spun around and was suddenly facing him, very close. Her breath caught in her throat. She put her hand on his chest and then looked at it small and white pale against the tanned brown of his bare skin. She lifted her gazed to his eyes.

"What are we doing Legolas?"

He looked into her eyes and she couldn't help but smile.

"I don't know, but I can't stop. Can you?"

Ivy shook her head. She couldn't. She didn't even want to try. She had never felt the things she felt when she was with him. Not in all the ages she had lived.

"Come inside, lets talk" Legolas led her inside and shut the door softly behind him.

Ivy walked inside the shady quarters and stood just inside the door. Legolas bustled about picking things off the floor and finding a shirt to cover him.

"Please… sit" Legolas said, gesturing to the bed.

Ivy sat gingerly on the bed, looking around her. The room was as airy, as was her own. He practically lived out in the open. The bed was massive, piled high with pillows and the sheets were the finest Hithlain, a fine material that was grey in colour and silky to the touch.

Ivy was engrossed in the plants outside the large windows that were now speaking in rapid voices, that she did not notice Legolas sit beside her. Ivy jumped when he placed his hand on her arm. The plants silenced suddenly. For the first time in Ivy's life she was completely alone in her head. She felt apprehension grip her and then settled as Legolas whispered her name. She turned and looked at him, suddenly glad that she was alone in her head, because the thoughts racing through it were enough to try and sort out without the whispers of the earth flowing through her.

Legolas touched the side of her face gently and leaned forward slightly. Touching his lips to hers, Ivy responded and shifted to face him. She parted her lips slightly under the coaxing of Legolas gentle tongue. The kiss deepened and became more passionate and Ivy felt her head spinning Legolas slide his hand down her arm and rested it on her hip pulling her closer. Ivy felt a tingling sensation spread through her stomach as he pulled her against him. She pulled away the whispers of the living earth rushing back into her; she was getting nervous of where this situation was leading. She stood up and moved over to the window looking out over the night.

Legolas came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. She sighed as the world was silenced once more.

"Legolas," she breathed.

"Hmmm?"

"I...I know this sounds awful,"

She turned to face him, and placed her hands on his chest.

"But I don't want the rest of the fellowship to know of what we have, What ever it is…."

Legolas nodded and Ivy tried to hold in a yawn but failed. Legolas smiled.

"Come, we have much to discuss" he said, taking her hand and leading her to the bed.

Ivy lay down facing Legolas her head resting on a large overstuffed pillow.

"What is this gift I have heard Gandalf speak of?"

"I do not fully understand it myself, it has something to do with my mother," Ivy said, her eyes drooping. She snuggled further down, making herself comfortable. The blankets smelled faintly of Legolas. Damp earth and morning rain. Her eyes drooped even lower and she yawned. She was barely listening to Legolas' talk. Legolas noticed that Ivy was falling asleep. He slid off her shoes and pulled the blankets up over her. Legolas then extinguished the candles and slid into the bed beside Ivy, his body curling around hers, his arms around her waist. He heard her sigh and relax against him, she drifted off to sleep immediately, the silence of the earth and the sound of new love blooming filling her head and heart.

Ivy stood next to Gandalf her arm draped casually over Frodo's shoulder from behind resting half on his chest pulling him back against her, in a protectively motherly gesture. Gandalf looked at the pair out of the corner of his eyes. He knew no harm would come to him while he remained under Ivy's watchful eye. Gandalf was not the only one watching them. Legolas cast a quick glace over the rest of the company to look at Ivy and Frodo, he held in a smile at the sight of the tall and elegant Ivy holding on to the rag tag hobbit. Ivy had dressed in a long light green tunic that nearly reached her knees to allow easy movement, over the top of dark brown leggings that ran into elvish boots given to her by Lady Arwen.

Elrond stood in front of them, Arwen taking her place dutifully beside him. Ivy felt the earth whispering the pain it felt at her pain at parting from Aragorn and Ivy sought out her gaze and offered her a weak smile. Arwen nodded and then rested her gaze back on Aragorn. Ivy could almost feel her heart breaking; pain was almost like a tangible

thing.

Ivy shook her thoughts as the company started to move out through the gates of Rivendell. She stayed near Frodo though not letting go of her grasp on him.

They headed out in an easterly direction, following each other in single file, Merry and Pippin bringing up the rear. They trudged along in silence until Merry began to complain of hunger.

"Merry," exclaimed Sam, "We've only been walking for half an hour"

"We've only just had breakfast!" called Ivy from the front of the line.

"Yes, but what about second breakfast?" called Pippin.

Gandalf stopped for a moment. Turning around to look at Pippin.

"Peregrine Took, stop your complaining we will not be stopping for at least several hours!"

Pippin went a distinct shade of red and Ivy felt her self suppressing a laugh despite herself. Ivy started to lag behind the group as she was trying to stop and give her time to as many of the living things she passed. Legolas slowed wanting to keep an eye on her, fearful of what might happen to her if she fell too far behind. The hours dragged by especially for Pippin who was now cold and more than a little hungry. After what seemed like an age to the tired little hobbit Gandalf stopped walking and sat down on a rock. The rest of the party gathered around him.

"We stop here to rest."

The hobbits threw down their packs and instantly started about preparing an evening meal. Ivy walked silently away from the group. She was drawn off the path and into the woods by the call of the living things that dwelt there. She stopped at the base of the largest tree she had ever seen, she sat on the soft ground at its base and touched its bark softly with the flat of her hand, her eyes fluttered closed. She felt his booming presence flood through her. He was an old tree and a wise tree. She spent a few moments acquainting herself with him. She opened her eyes as she felt something touch her leg. She smiled a young deer was nuzzling her leg. She reached out and touched him gingerly. She smiled as he rubbed against her lovingly; she heard his excited chatter of the woods he dwelt in and his pleasure at meeting her, the maiden of the earth. She smiled and then looked up sharply as she felt the young doe's instincts pick up movement in the near by trees.

Ivy reached out with her mind and was greeted warmly by the forest. She probed them gently with her mind seeking the source of the doe's discomfort. She felt herself smile even more as her mind was flooded with images of a tall blond elf watching her with concerned eyes. Ivy focused on Legolas' general location and held out her hand gesturing for him to come. Legolas hesitantly stepped in to the small clearing. He looked curiously at the doe that lay obediently at Ivy's feet as she lazily stroked her. Legolas moved closer and the doe could not resist, it instincts and it fled into the woods with a start. Ivy whispered goodbye in her mind and smiled as she received a flood of warmth and affection from the retreating doe in return.

"You followed me," Ivy stated a matter of factly. Legolas sat on the ground next to her.

"Don't be mad, I was concerned you wander to far from the safety of the group,"

Ivy smiled and moved closer to him resting her hand on his leg.

"Have no fear Legolas no harm would come to me in these woods. My friends are everywhere; can you not feel their eyes upon us?"

Legolas looked at her strangely. As an elf he had a heightened connection with the living earth especially trees, but Ivy's bond with all living beings far surpassed his own. It amazed him; he knew her mother had been someone special. He had supposed for a while she must have been an elf of old with a connection to the earth far deeper than his own. Now he wondered why Gandalf had been so elusive, when he had questioned him about Ivy's mother.

They heard footsteps near by and looked up to see Aragorn coming towards them.

"I wondered where you two had disappeared to" he said.

Ivy tried to hide the look of guilt that was etched on her face. She looked at Legolas and then at Aragorn.

"I should be getting back to camp. I fear that Ganda…..I mean my father and I have much to discuss,"

Legolas watched her retreating back until it disappeared in to the forest. He turned to Aragorn. Aragorn shook his head.

"Legolas, we have been friends for many years. This is not an easy subject but I think it is one that can not long be avoided,"

Legolas' shoulder slumped slightly.

"Estel, how did you know that Arwen was the one? That despite all else you would have her heart and no others?"

Aragorn eyes widen momentarily and then he masked his face in an expression of calm. He knew that something had begun between his friend and their new companion but he had not known that it was serious enough to have Legolas thinking such thoughts. Although, he should not have been surprised elves never did anything by halves. He knew Legolas would not waste his time with a woman, Istari…or whatever Ivy considered herself to be, if his intentions were not pure.

"I simply knew…" said Aragorn, coming to sit beside his friend, "How does one, know really?"

Legolas sighed.

"I think I am falling in love with her…" Legolas said, turning to face Aragorn.

Aragorn's face cracked a huge smile and he clapped Legolas on the shoulder.

"Come," he said, "Lets go back, I'm sure the hobbits have some food left"

Ivy sat on the rock next to her father.

"Ivy my dear" he said without looking at her, "What is it?"

Ivy sat in silence for a moment.

"What made you fall in love with my mother?" she asked after a moment.

Gandalf turned to peer closely at her.

"Why do you ask my child?"

Ivy sighed.

"Because…" she stammered, "No, never mind" she said, her face flushing.

"You are in love" Gandalf said.

Ivy looked up at him in amazement.

"Is it that obvious?" she asked, glancing up as Legolas and Aragorn came back into the clearing.

"My dear" Gandalf said, looking from Ivy to Legolas and back again, "It is as plain as the nose on your face. You are in love with Legolas. We all know where you were last night"

Ivy flushed.

"So much for keeping it quiet"

Ivy suddenly looked at her father.

"You know we didn't…..I mean…"

Gandalf raised his hand.

"I don't know if you're aware, my child but it is the physical expression of ones love for another is not to elves as it is to hobbits,"

Ivy looked at him a puzzled expression on her face, she was beginning to realize what a sheltered life she had lived in Hobbition.

"To elves, being intimate with another is sacred. They hold it more precious than anything else in this world,"

Ivy nodded and suddenly felt ashamed of the urges she had felt when in Legolas arms. Why had it felt so basic to her when to him it was such a large commitment?

Ivy moved closer to Gandalf and rested her head on his grey clad shoulder. Gandalf stiffened for a moment. He had not had much experience with young women, and Ivy's mother had once, many ages ago leant against him as she did now. After a moments hesitation he lifted his arm and draped it casually around her shoulders. He laid a single fatherly kiss on the crown of her head. After a few moments Ivy shifted away and moved to the fire to collect some food.

Aragorn and Legolas sat down by the fire. Ivy smiled up at Legolas from her place opposite him, where she was conversing with the now satisfied hobbits. Gandalf watch with interest as Ivy smiled at the young elf and he winked back. No one noticed Bormoir glowering in the shadows.

The hours grew late and the shadows long before they finally began to move off to sleep. Ivy waited until everyone had gone to bed, except Legolas, before she picked up her bed roll and moved away from the fire, under the branches of an old oak tree that was nearby. She had just settled under her blankets when she felt a presence nearby. She turned over to see Legolas placing his bed roll alongside hers..

"What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Going to bed of course, Aragorn is on first lookout." He said, busying himself with his blankets.

"No I mean over here"

"I thought you might like some company" he said, looking cautiously around at the others to make sure there were no eyes watching.

Ivy too glanced at them.

"It's fine. Gandalf told me that everyone knew where I was last night," Ivy said grinning sheepishly.

"He did?" Legolas said, looking surprised, "I thought you wanted to keep it a secret"

"I did, I mean I do, but everyone knows. I just don't think we should flaunt it"

Legolas lay down on his bed roll next to Ivy. Who reached out and touched his check gently. Legolas caught her hand and placed a kiss in the palm of her hand before letting go. Ivy smiled and snuggled into her bed roll. She drifted of into a restful sleep aware of the old oak tree watchful presence keeping her safe.