So another chapter he we go ;) I'm not going to ramble that much this time. Just a big big thank you to the reviewers, alerters and favorite (: Thanks for the support and I hope you like this chapter.

Oh and I edited the first chapter, you can have a look if you want to but it's really just the shape and some minor changes…

PS: sorry for the long wait again, but I had exciting real life stuff going on and I'm sorry but real life stuff is more important, I think you'll understand ;D

Enjoy ;)

Chapter 5:

The day had come for the ring-bearing party to leave the protection they had found under the golden leaves of Lórien to face the darkness that lurked outside. Sadness had fallen upon them for they had to leave this magical place although in their heart they wanted to keep wandering under the mallyrn until the dark days would have passed.

The slender figure of the woman named after a shining star at daytime stood in the background of the group of elves who were to bid the fellowship farewell. Her frame was swathed in a warriors clothing; the shadings resembling the outdoors for her to blend into her surroundings. It was made off smooth and yielding cloth which allowed the wearer to move freely. Her face was hidden from the view by one of Lothlóriens cloaks and her weapons were hidden beneath it as well. Elenya's appearance was a contrast to how she had been seen for the last weeks. After getting used to it she had started wearing dresses again which she had not done for a long time; her hair had been free from her usual braid to cascade over her shoulders. It grew not much longer than an elven warrior's hair though as it would have been too impractical to wear it in the fashion of the elleth' surrounding the Dúnadan. Before they were to climb the boats that would lead Frodo and his companions down the Anduin to carry on their way to destroy the one ring, Elenya spoke up surprisingly as she had done many times before startling those around her.

"Frodo Baggins" she began with her soothing alto voice "if you wish this is not farewell yet" the dark haired woman began to make her way towards the ring bearer through many astounded faces which she ignored; her eyes were solely fixed on what she had planned. "If you would have me I offer my services to you to complete my old friend's task in helping you bear your burden" she knelt before the small hobbit throwing her cloak back in one fluid motion showing her weapons.

Following was shocked silence. Frodo did not know how to react to the woman he had never really talked to unlike his cousins and Sam who had taken an instant liking to her and would not stop telling her story after story about the Shire. "I do not want another person to endanger themselves for me… but your help would be much appreciated" he added after seeing in her eyes that she would not let his answer count. She was ready to put herself into even more danger than she already was in to help a stranger; with that she earned his respect. Furthermore he knew that if Gandalf had considered her a friend, which he clearly did, the ring-bearer knew that he could trust the woman on eyelevel with him just now.

One of her crooked smiles ghosted over her face as she saw the acceptance in Frodo's eyes and she lifted herself up once more to look over her new traveling companions. They seemed to have different opinions on her joining. Merry and Pippin were thrilled; Sam too looked a little more at ease knowing her with them… She was a Dúnadan after all and Aragorn's sister; that had to count for something. Legolas' and Aragorn's faces were barely hiding worry for the woman that was almost a little sister to Legolas too, at the same time they knew that nothing they could say would keep her from doing what she felt was right. Besides, they had the feeling that she had to play a role in the coming war and it was not her purpose to stay in safety when her instinct was to fight. That left Gimli and Boromir… it was not really distinguishable what they thought of the woman joining, besides that they both were not comfortable with any woman joining their traveling company. The dwarf seemed to be more supportive of it though as he had come to appreciate the dry humor Aragorn's sister had showed at their collective evenings.

The fellowship with their new addition had taken off the shores of Lothlórien when they saw the Lady and Lord of the golden forest on a ship shaped as a swan drifting towards them. They invited them to step onto the land one more time before departing. While her foster mother had given gifts and wise words to almost every person who was to travel further on her thoughts had drifted off slightly. Elenya thought about the previous day; she had known that Galadriel had somehow sensed that the Dúnadan was not to stay here. The Lady of the Light had always been able to see the true nature of Elenya Lalaith; she saw the yearning for freedom and the urge to simply do instead of sitting back that was just beneath the surface of her skin.

Finally the elleth turned towards her human foster daughter: "That was a rather short visit again, Lalaith, do you not think?" her solemn face lightened up in amusement. She had already had time to adjust to the feeling of losing her company this soon again. "What do I have to give to you, child?" Galadriel asked after her face had grown serious again though her eyes remained soft glowing at the love she felt for the woman she had nurtured.

"Nothing, naneth, that you have not already given me" In the glow of the golden elleth her marred face showed the beauty that lay beneath the wounds that had disfigured the Dúnadan's face. "Then my shining day-star I shall give you one thing" her hand went to gently cup the dark-haired woman's cheek. "I am so proud of you, sell, our stars will guard your way to happiness that you will find if Ilúvatar wishes. Do not despair because of the grief you see it only makes you bitter; embrace the good you witness and feel. And finally: find your laugh again, Lalaith, the world is such an empty place without its sound" the elleth had spoken the last part in their language as it were her private words to her much loved foster daughter and those who understood had the decency to shut their ears for the length of it. "Namárië" she added, her voice only barely about a whisper.

"Namárië, naneth"

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They had passed a few more elves who had stepped to the shore at different places to bid their goodbyes, the one that had had a special meaning to the newest addition to the ring-bearing party was a short glimpse of Haldir, Orophin and their brother Rúmil who stood partly hidden in the shadows, their hands on their hearts in a silent Farewell to the woman they had seen grown up. After returning the gesture with a rare emotion crossing her face Elenya turned forward to see Gimli who she shared a boat with, as well as with Legolas, gazing into the distance.

"I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest." The dwarf, who had been terrified of the woods before, declared with deep feelings laced into his voice "Ah… henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me" His words elected a smile from those surrounding him his clear adoration of the Lady of Light and her realm. "What was her gift?" asked Legolas curiously. "I asked her for one hair from her golden head… She gave me three" their elven companion could not hide a smile at Gimlis face as he said those words. A hand fell upon the dwarfs shoulder; it belonged to the woman who knew the magic that surrounded her home as well and who knew what it meant to leave a place when you know you will never find something that was worthy to compare to it in your life.

Sorry still no Eomer in here but in the next chapter or the one after he will be ;) I hope you liked it!

Review ;)