Chapter 5: Plotting

--"Now the Eldar hold to each elf child a new fea is given, not akin to the fear of the parents" --

--J.R.R. Tolkien, Morgoth's Ring—

A/N Once again, I must thank my wise and wonderful beta, Nieriel Raina. Any errors are my own, and not hers.

Grace curled her self tighter into the cloak that was covering her. The group had left soon after her conversation with Gandalf and Legolas. They walked for hours it seemed. She was exhausted. She thought of herself as a fairly fit person, she hit the gym when she could and walked almost everywhere when it was possible. But fear and worry along with the unaccustomed hours of walking drained her energy. Still, she was unable to find sleep. The two hobbits called Merry and Pippin walked with her part of the time. They asked endless questions that she wasn't sure how to answer. What did she do, where did she live, was she courting anyone? She gave brief replies, she was a student, she lived with her Dad and two brothers, and no, she was not "courting" anyone. They were so friendly it was difficult not to warm to them. They obviously held each other dear, and yet their constant bantering spoke of a long and caring friendship. After a while the two hobbits noticed her reticence and had moved farther ahead.

Gandalf and Aragorn led the party, and then came Sam and Frodo. Gimli followed with Boromir, and Legolas brought up the rear. The two other hobbits bounced around talking to anyone they could engage in conversation. After they left, Boromir had moved to walk beside her. They journeyed in silence for awhile, until finally he spoke. "I know you are frightened, and to be sure, I do not blame you, but you are traveling with good and honorable folk."

"Tell me," she asked "how is it honorable to force someone to accompany you who does not wish to do so? How is it honorable to take someone from their family? My brothers and father love me very much; they will be out of their minds with worry. My father is not young; this could make him ill, or worse. Forgive me if I find no honor among any of you."

Legolas, having heard their conversation, moved up beside them. "Mithrandir explained to you what happened; I thought you understood we have no choice. We could not leave you behind."

"You really expect me to believe that fairy tale he spun for me. Time travel is impossible. It exists only in science fiction and fantasy. It is not real. If he needs to justify all of your actions, he would do better to come up with something more believable," Grace scoffed. "And why do you call him Mithrandir? He told me his name was Gandalf."

The elf looked evenly at her. "Mithrandir does not lie. He is an Istari sent by the Valar to aid Middle Earth in its fight against evil. I call him Mithrandir because that is what the elves call him, other peoples have their own names for him, Grace," he said, reaching for her hand, "it is best if you accept what has happened to you, for it cannot be changed. We all want to help you find a new life here among us. I do not want you to be afraid. I would offer you comfort for the loss of your family if I knew how to do so."

His hand was warm and comforting. He looked so kind, so believable. She would like to believe him. She thought he believed what he was saying to her. In fact, all of them seemed to believe what the wizard had told her. Perhaps, whatever mind control he used on her, worked with these people. She was tired and confused. He seemed so sincere, and yet she could not bring herself to trust him. Pulling her hand away, she stiffened her spine.

"The only way you can help me is by letting me go home." She walked quickly ahead of the elf and the man. Her stiff steps making it clear she did not want to be bothered.

Grace did not know what the wizard had done to her, but she did know that as soon as she got a chance, she would run. There may be nine of them, but they could not watch her every second. They had made no attempt to harm her, and at the moment, she did not feel threatened. Although, with people who lived in fantasy worlds that could change. What if they all decided she was part of this evil they kept talking about?! What if they decided a sacrifice would appease the evil and here she was all available. No matter how kind they acted, they were not in touch with reality, and that made them unpredictable and dangerous. She was surprised they had not restrained her.

After they stopped for the night, she had needed to find a place to relieve her bladder. When she had stepped towards the trees on the edge of the camp, Aragorn and Gimli had stopped her, but after they realized what she needed, the man pointed to a tree that was few yards away. Go no farther than that point, or I will come after you. I will be able to hear you if you do. And then he had patted her shoulder and smiled at her kindly. When they had settled down for the night she was sure they would tie her up or something.

Grace was finding it difficult to understand the motives of these people. Other than constraining her to traveling with them against her will, they treated her with kindness and respect. She thought of herself as a good judge or character, and in truth, if she had met any of the members of this group under different circumstances, she would have thought them a bit strange, but basically good and decent people. At dinner, they shared their rations gladly. A brief smile passed over her face as she remembered the small hobbit named Pippin telling her to eat the last sausage, he didn't need it. The look on his face gave contrary evidence to his words, and the happiness that flashed from his eyes when she said she was far to full to eat another bite was very amusing. Boromir offered her his cloak for warmth, insisting she take it when she hesitated.

What she had to do was remain docile, follow their orders, give no indication that she meant to run, and then she would wait for her chance. Surely it was simply a matter of finding a road of some sort and following it until it led to some sort of civilization. Even within the wilderness of the Appalachians, there would be some access roads, or ranger's stations. She would act as though she accepted her plight, and their ridiculous reasoning behind it. Eventually they would lessen their constant supervision of her. Looking around the camp; she could make out the four hobbits huddled together. The wizard was propped up against a rock dozing. Aragorn and Gimli were absent. They said they would take first watch, although she had no idea what they were watching for. Boromir was wrapped up on the other side of the fire, and the elf was standing with his arms around his bow looking at her. He had watched her off and on all day. At first it made her nervous wondering what he was planning, but she did not sense that he meant her any harm. It was more as if he was watching after her, which was absolutely crazy. She remembered the look in his eyes as he had promised to help her once he was finished with his task against this evil they all kept muttering about. For a fleeting moment she believed him, accepted his kindness as truth.

The wizard, now that was a whole other puzzle. She liked him, how strange was that? He seemed like a kind, wise, grandfatherly figure. Then she thought of other charismatic leaders who had held their followers in thrall. Imagines of buildings burning in Waco, bodies being carried out of a home in Hollywood Hills, all because people had followed such leaders and were willing to die for what they taught them to believe. Sighing and realizing she was getting nowhere with all of this thinking, she rolled over and tried to make herself sleep. If tomorrow was anything like today had been, she was going to need it. She wanted to keep her strength up so when she had an opportunity to get away she was strong enough to take it.

Legolas watched the woman toss and turn, until she finally fell into an uneasy sleep. Her words this afternoon had filled his heart with pain.

When he first heard the sound of her voice, it called to something within him. Seeing her through the shimmering veil of time, Legolas felt completeness in his soul, as though a piece that he did not even know had been missing was returned. When Aragorn spoke to him and told him what Mithrandir said, it tore at his heart. Then the crack in time closed, leaving her behind, and he felt as though the Valar had given him a gift. He did not realize how frightened she would be, how much sorrow would be hers because of the separation from her family. In the first rush of joy, he did think of the danger she was now in. She would be safer in her own time. If the Fellowship did not succeed, Sauron would cover Middle Earth with darkness; there would be no safety for her here.

He sighed as he thought of the way elves typically courted and wed. It was not unusual for souls to recognize each other, but then there would be a time of courtship, so that the two could come to understand and learn about each other. After a time, they would plight their troth, and then sometime after the first year they would bind themselves together, body and soul for all eternity.

He did not know if he and Grace would ever have the chance to follow this path. He was committed to the Fellowship, and Grace was unable to understand the truth of her circumstances. If the quest succeeded, if he survived, they would have all the time in the world. He would keep that thought, it made him even more determined to make sure the ringbearer was able to complete his mission.

He looked up as Mithrandir came to sit beside him. "She will come to understand, we must give her time. She is not human you know."

Legolas glanced at him and murmured, "I know. I sensed it when I held her. Do you plan on telling her?"

"I think, young Legolas, that is a revelation for another time. But I will tell you this: I believe she belongs here, that the portal between times was not an accident. Her spirit is elven, but it has been masked in a body that looks mortal, remaining in that other time would have brought her more pain in the end. There would have been no one there to help her understand why she was different. Once she accepts the truth of her situation, she will have much to learn. She must come to understand a whole new way of life. It will be difficult for her, and it will take time for her to adjust to what she is." Gandalf peered at the elf, "You truly believe that she is meant for you?"

Legolas answered "You know the way of the elves, the gift given to us by Iluvartar. We know when we have found the one intended for us; she will come to realize it eventually. We are elves...there is no rush, and I can be patient."

That is good, because I believe you will need to be."

A/N I thank all of you who have taken time to review, I appreciate them, save then and enjoy them, Reviews are much appreciated and I love hearing from all of you.