Ed floated in and out of consciousness. The blood loss had weakened him. He was being carried by one of the others, but he couldn't place whom. His memories were blurred and some of the things he though he saw had to be impossible.

"You left us alone! You gave us nothing! You cared about no one!" Ed shouted at the photo. It was of him and his father, both similar in features and ambitions, but nothing more. "How could you do that, you bastard? I trusted you!" The photo went up in flames. Ed watched it crumble.

"Edward Elric, the Full Metal Alchemist. You carry a large burden on such young shoulders," whispered a voice. It was female, deep but caring, weary yet warming.

"Mother?"

Ed sat up straight, his lower back tightening at the motion. He fell back again with agony clouding his thoughts. "Where's Al… oh yeah." Tears welled up but Ed pushed them back with what little strength he could muster. While trying to gain his composure, the surroundings intrigued him.

The walls were a pale gray shade of white, almost pearl. Pale moonlight shone through a tree like window with no glass in the panes and curtains billowing but no breeze following. Outside, no real moon was seen in the sky either. These anomalies of nature confused him scientists mind. Also, the wind carried a strange tune. It was soft and sad as though in mourning. He remembered that Al was gone and felt the music fit for his own grief, seeing as he doubted that was whom it was for. The rest of the Fellowship was resting below in oversized tents after the long trek to this wooded area. Strange forest all right. I don't ever want to come in alone.

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…)

…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...)

…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.)

"You take long rests, Master Elric. Or rather, Full Metal?" asked the female voice. Ed started and turned the source. The elf was tall, holding her own with grace beyond what he knew. Her long blonde hair hung free down her back and shone with a urethral halo, as did her whole body. A milky color covered her and the eyes that she watched him with were blue the color of the far horizon on the sea and were lit with a knowing glow.

"How do know that? Who are you? What happened?" He slid away, still lying down. He became very worried and was unsure if he could defend against her.

"I am Galadriel, the Lady of Light. You are in Lorien, a safe-haven for you in your quest for home. You were injured in Moria, shot in the back by an Orc arrow. You will survive to see Resembol once more."

"How do you know-?"

"Do not fear, young one. You would not completely understand even though I may try to explain things to you. Just accept something's without reason or thought. I know many things about you Edward Elric, the Full Metal Alchemist. You lost your mother at the age of ten. When you attempted to resurrect her, you lost your brother, arm and leg in the process. On October 3 the next year, your house was burned to the ground and you were gone. The next year you became the first twelve year old to be certified by the military of your home."

Ed was silent. She could read his mind, his memories. That was how she knew his past. But the question was- is she so powerful that she can see the future?

"You wish to know more? I offer you a chance to come with me now."

Ed agreed without question. He would know soon enough. She gave him his pants and shirt. He wanted his gloves, boots and coat, but she told him he would not need them. Getting up, he stumbled slightly on his automail but quickly righted himself. The wound in his back stung but stayed closed. He sighed and followed her from the room.

The walked though gray, green and silver leaves that littered the mossy ground. It was hard packed dirt though no bugs or clumps were in sight. Ed heard his leg clank as he walked in step with the Lady.

"Where are you taking me?" he asked. She did not answer, but led him down a set of wide crumbling stone steps covered with moss and dirt. They led down into an empty basin type of formation that held a pedestal in the center with a rivulet of water running along the side. He stopped halfway down, but she continued swiftly. Reaching a stream at the edge of the steep edifice, Galadriel picked up a sterling silver pitcher and filled it with water. Slowly, she made her way to the pedestal and poured it into the dish. Then she turned to him.

"Will you look into the mirror?" Her voice was cold and unfeeling, as though she did not want to become attached.

"What will it show me? Will I see my brother again?"

"That is unbeknown to all, even myself. The mirror shows many things- things that were… things that are… and things that have not yet come to pass. And even then they may not happen."

"So even if I see Al it doesn't necessarily mean I'll see him."

"Yes."

Ed stepped up to the pedestal and looked down. The water had become placid and still, forming a type of glassy appearance over the top. When he stared into it, it shivered and began to show pictures. They were memories, all fresh in Ed's mind.

Across the glassed played his mother and brother. As a child, when he and Al would play throughout the countryside until dark. How she would call them in with a flashing light. The day they met Winry came next. Then her parent's deaths and the one of their mother. Ed's decision to conduct illegal alchemy, and losing his brother and mother both. Bringing Al back from nowhere and binding it to an inanimate object. Meeting the colonel for the first time at Central HQ, passing the alchemy exam, finding out Tucker was a bastard. It all ran together to the untimely demise of his younger brother.

In the next second, he saw his brother again. But it was in nothing he remembered. He was standing in the center of an activated alchemic array, his armor glowing bright- then disappearing into nothing, leaving behind a very scared and very much alive teenage boy. Ed felt tears spring to his eyes. Next came a casket, though whom it belonged to was lost on him. It must have been someone close for even Roy was crying silently. He pulled away from the scene slowly.

"What was that?"

"What you needed to see. Can you go on now, after seeing your brother again?"

"How do you…?" He stopped and just shrugged his sore shoulders. "I guess I can. I can try anyway."

"That is all one can ask of another, young Elric."

The next morning the Fellowship prepared to leave Lorien. Ed had been resting for a week before, and he insisted on going without any more delay.

"I shouldn't stop you from completing your mission. I'll be fine."

He stood by himself on the riverbank, watching Merry and Pippin load the boats, and themselves, with the Elven bread. Lembas, he had heard it called. Supposedly one piece was enough for about a week. He doubted it, but decided against saying anything.

The group was called back into the woods as the Lady gave them gifts. Ed felt that she knew they would need them later, but did not speak of his mind. He stood off to the side, not wanting any gift save the ability to go home.

The Lady was generous. Legolas was given a new bow and acted like a young child on Christmas morning. Merry and Pippin were given daggers, Sam a rope of some Elven material. Gimli's gift was unknown to Ed, but that didn't matter to him. Aragorn was alone with her earlier, so he was merely acknowledged and touched lightly on the chest. Ed stared at this, but turned quickly when Galadriel approached him.

"Alchemist Edward Elric, it is Elven tradition to equip travelers with what they may need later on. Yet you have denied a cloak to help hide you from enemies. Will you also deny a gift?"

"Lady, I have no need of a gift. My future is not here, but back home. With or without my family."

"You are wise for one so young. Yet I do not feel I should send you off empty handed… Do you have a weapon?"

"Yeah, my hand, among other things. You're sending Boromir and Aragorn off empty handed. Why worry about me?"

"You hold to your point well, young one. I wish you luck on your journey and hope you find what you are searching for." She held his shoulder for a moment longer then moved on. Ed felt guilt fill him, but he didn't know why. Al, help me find you. He needed his brother back. That was the only reason he was looking for the stone, really, was to help him.

They all slowly filled the boats the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel supplied. They were shaped like the leaves that covered the ground of the woods. The paddles were strong gray oak. Ed was in the boat with Legolas and Gimli. Merry and Pippin shared a boat with Boromir, Frodo and Sam with Aragorn. He sat still as the Elf rowed in silence. Gimli spoke up at one time, but Ed didn't really listen to what he said as he fingered the dagger at his side. They moved swiftly downriver, being carried by the current. The Fellowship passed out onto a larger branch of the Anduin beneath sheer cliffs.

"It is getting dark," called back Aragorn from the lead. "Search for a place to cast ashore." Legolas was first to spot a secure area of dry land. The Fellowship pulled on a small island and they set up camp.

Later on, Boromir watched the river from behind a large rock, silvery webs of lights reverberating from the water. He looked worriedly at a log floating in the river. Small hands clutched it, and the top of a head was barely visible over the log's edge, where eyes glint softly. Ed and Aragorn stepped away from the warmth of the fire to examine it closer.

"What is that?" asked Boromir softly.

"Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria. I had hoped to lose him on the river. But, apparently he is too clever a waterman," answered Aragorn.

"We need to be careful with him on our tail. He could mean our downfall," said Ed.

"He is right. If he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous," agreed Boromir.

Ed was about to say something, but a conversation from behind him caught his attention.

"No Sam."

"You haven't eaten anything all day. You're not sleeping either. Don't think I haven't noticed."

"I'm all right."

"But you're not! I'm here to help you. I promised Gandalf that I would."

A pause was next. "You can't help me, Sam… not this time. Get some sleep."

Ed turned to see Sam turn away from Frodo, leaving the dark haired Hobbit to wallow by the fireside. He looked up and spotted Ed watching him.

"What do you want?"

"You to stop being such an ass."

"Excuse me?"

Ed walked over. "Don't act like that. Sam was trying to help you and you just pushed him away. You may not like him any more, but friends don't just shove friends aside."

"It's bigger then that Ed. Don't talk to me like you know what I'm going to."

"If this has to do with Gandalf dying, get over it-"

"I just lost one of the only parent figures I've ever known. I watched him fall and heard his cries. You have no idea-." The Hobbit's face brightened. "You do. You do know what I'm going through. You can help me bring Gandalf back- you've done it before." His voice rose, as he grew hopeful, drawing attention from Merry, Pippin and the others.

"I have never been successful in bringing someone back to life. Al was… different. A special case, you could call it." Ed whispered. "Lower your voice. No one knows."

"But, why not?" He said louder then before. "Use your alchemy or whatever it's called! Bring Gandalf back!"

"I can't, equivalent exchange, Frodo. I bring him back, and I'd pay the price. And I have no reason to do that." The words haunted him the minute they were out of his mouth. He had said that before, but ended up helping those people. He remembered the people's faces- His memories were cut short by a punch across the face by Frodo. "What the fuck!"

Without a word, the Hobbit turned and walked over to his bedding and went to sleep. Ed was still watching him when Legolas came over to him.

"You are able to raise to dead? What a strange gift you hold."

"I can't bring back the dead. It's not allowed." With finality the alchemist stood up and walked to the river's edge. He was hidden by a rock and heard the two men fighting beside him.

"Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know it. From there we can regroup…strike out for Mordor from a place of strength," argued Boromir.

"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us." Aragorn was calm, but Boromir was on the brink of drawing his sword.

"You were quick enough to trust the Elves. Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that." Scuffling was heard and then Boromir burst out in anger. "You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows! Scared of who you are, of what you are." Silenced followed, drawing on the eerie night scene.

"I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city."

Boromir walked back to the camp, passing by Ed. "You shouldn't talk to him like that, you know." Boromir jerked around and stared at him. "If he's supposed to be your savior or whatever why treat him like a chicken? He's only reacting normally- fear. Like you don't suffer from that every once and a while?"

"Do not speak of what is lost on you, child."

Ed jerked around, throwing a dagger in front of the man's face. It landed in the rock, rocking as the man stared. He turned back. "Where did you get that? You were not carrying it before.'

"Nope, I made the dagger." He walked forward and pulled the tassel at the hilt. Then he resheathed it, watching Boromir. "You're not worth my time. I'm going to sleep."

The next morning, Ed awoke to the sun rising. He went to the river's edge to watch it. Across the way, Gollum was still watching their camp. They spotted each other, but made no move.

"Edward?"

He turned to see Aragorn coming up behind him. He sat down and they watched together in silence. Aragorn was first to break it.

"Edward, did you attack Boromir last night? He claims this, but I can hardly see this being true."

"I did attack burn, though not entirely like that. I threw my dagger in front of his face and it hit the rock. So really I was attacking the rock, and he just happened to be in front of it." He smiled and played with the knife in his hands. His gloves were off, showing one hand human and the other metal. Aragorn watched the hands as they moved the knife. Then he took the object and twirled it in his hands.

"I also heard you can raise the dead? This is an odd gift, for even the immortal Elves are not able to do this. How are you able?"

"I can't exactly raise the dead. It's just… a few years ago, I tried to do something like that. It ended in… metal. Lots and lots of metal. In both parties. Now I'm paying for it… in more ways then one." They lapsed into silence. Sounds of the camp waking went on behind them, but they both ignored it.

"This is a fine craftsmanship," said Aragorn. "Very detailed handle, and a fine blade- sharp. Who made it?"

"I did."

Aragorn nodded and stood. "We leave as soon as possible. Are you ready?" Ed nodded and held his knife in his right fist. Aragorn turned, took a few steps, but then turned back. "You know, I'm very sorry, but I believe we misplaced Alphonse's helmet. I have been unable to locate since we left Lothlorien."

"That's alright. I know where it is. But thanks for worrying."

The Fellowship's boats passed swiftly through a canyon. Boromir glanced at Aragorn's boat across the water. He seemed angry and Ed could only fathom why. The glance then moved to him and he turned away to watch the log following them.

"Frodo, the Argonath!" exclaimed Aragorn. "Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."

The Fellowship looked up in awe at the towering splendor of the Argonath. Two majestic statues, carved right out of the rock, proudly stand on each side of the Anduin. Two vast quarries lined the cliffs to either side, where once their stones may have been hewn for their building. Their left arms are held aloft, their palms facing outwards in gesture of warning. Solemn and stern are their faces, the silent wardens of a long vanished kingdom.

They're amazing. Skill that matches my own, not even done with alchemy, Ed thought as he stared.

The Fellowship sailed past the statues towards a great, roaring waterfall. On either side of the falls, the land rose in two hilltops crowned by distant ruins. In the center of the rushing water a pinnacle of rock raised sheer from the cascade. As they disembarked onto a gravel beach, Boromir looked troubled and appeared to be fighting a conflict within him, and Frodo glanced at him, looking perturbed. The Fellowship started to make camp. Ed saw the young Hobbit move away from the group and Boromir follow a few seconds later, mumbling something about gathering firewood. Ed moved to the edge of the wood, and strayed into the tree line. The others conversed behind him.

"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north," said Aragorn.

"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Gimli. "It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!"

"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."

"Recover my…! Phrrrrr…"

Ed continued his search, expanding further into the shadows of the trees.

"He followed Frodo for a reason. But what?" He pushed through the brush and clumped through the leaves coating the ground. "What could make him- Damn it! That fucking ring! I knew something was wrong. I shouldn't have let them go off alone! Where could they be?"

As though in answer to his thoughts, he heard Frodo's cries and the crunch of leaves and cracking of branches.

"No!"

"Give me… Give me the Ring!" roared Boromir.

Ed ran towards the noise and saw the duo wrestling, Frodo clutching the coveted object close to his heart. Suddenly, as though by magic, the Hobbit disappeared. Boromir froze, then fell back with a grunt. Leaves scattered and a single branch shook as the invisible Hobbit ran away.

Boromir looked around desperately. "I see your mind," he called out. His voice was demented and devilish, drawing on the pure lust for the Ring to speak. "You will take the Ring to Sauron! You will betray us! You'll go to your death and the death of us all! Curse you! Curse you! And all the halflings!" Boromir slipped and fell to the ground. Something made Boromir come to his senses, as when he next spoke it was breathless and choked with emotion. "Frodo...Frodo? What have I done?...please...Frodo! Frodo, I'm sorry! Frodo!"

As the man tried to crawl after the Hobbit, Ed came forward.

"Edward? What are you doing here? Did you not trust me?"

"Did I have reason to? Apparently you are untrustworthy, scaring Frodo half to death and making him run." Ed pushed the man down flat onto the ground with one foot. Boromir looked to be having a heart attack.

"What are you doing? How can you- your foot is so heavy. How can that be?"

"Metal." He clapped his hands and drew the blade from his forearm. "You have been weighted… you have been judged… you have been found guilty." He lifted the blade, letting it glint in the sun. "Prepare to die." He brought the metal down swiftly, slicing through the air with a whistle.