A/N: Disclaimer: I do NOT own Lord of the Rings!

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The next morning after breakfast she was walking around alone with no specific destination in mind, she was still trying to think of a good excuse to miss the celebration that night. She had yet to come up with a strong enough one, and this point she was thinking about throwing in her pride and just claiming that she was having feminine problems and would be unable to dance. Males had a tendency to become extremely uncomfortable when faced with this particular problem and asked few questions. She knew it could work because she had used it once against her father to get out of training for the day, she remembered how he had started mumbling and blubbering with his face turning bright red before he had fled the room as if all of Mordor was on his tail. Later Patia had heard what excuse Anra had used to get out of training and given her a long lecture about it, but the young she-wolf had thought it was worth it, never before had she seen her father, the big almighty, tough alpha become so uncomfortable and lost for words so quickly.

Anra was remembering this moment with a fond smile on her face when three elf women approached her. "Can I help you?" Anra asked uncertainly.

"Are you lady Anra?" the one in front inquired.

"Umm, yes?"

"Good," replied the same elf curtly, "you are to come with us."

"Why?" Had she done something wrong? Was she in trouble? Anra swallowed nervously.

"Because," piped up one of the elves in back with a high pitched silly voice, "we must help you get ready for the celebration this evening!"

"Umm, I hate to break it to you guys, but I'm already ready."

The three elves regarded her clothes and hair with a look akin to horror, "No, we really do insisted," pestered the other young she-elf in back.

Anra felt her cheeks flare up in anger and embarrassment, "Well I'm sorry if—," she started, but was cut off by the older elf in front who had originally addressed her.

"We meant no offence m'Lady, just simply that the Lady Galadriel herself asked us to assist you, she even gave us the gown for you to wear." The older elf sensed the Nightstalker's hesitation, so she continued in a softer voice, "Think of it as a small thank you from the elves for participating in this dangerous quest."

Anra was still temped to say no, even if she did not have to worry about her clothing she still didn't wish to attend the event. Then she thought of Aragorn's warning about turning down the wishes of the Lady. So she took a deep breath then agreed.

The three elf women then immediately pull her off to a privet room, much like the one she had woken up in after her injuries were healed. Once there they had her get into a hot bath and they proceeded to scrub her raw. They quickly dried her off and forced her into a tight corset followed by a light green slip then the dress. They twisted and yanked at her hair until it was in the formation they wanted it and her eyes were watering. They gave her a pair of slippers to wear that matched her dress, and lastly they cleaned and filed her nails till they all had perfect white half-moons. The whole process took a surprisingly long time and she wasn't done until the sun had started to set and it was time for the ball.

Anra was now standing just outside the light from the celebrations watching the rest of the Fellowship nervously, uncertain to how they'd react to her gown; it was a far cry from what they had ever seen her in. They all also looked very handsome, the older males in fancy robes and the hobbits in adorable little vests, she wondered if their clothes had all been borrowed too.

She took a deep breath and walked up to them, standing on the end next to Pippin. The others turned to look at her, Aragorn with his mouth open as if to reprimand her for running late, but no sound came out. She felt herself turning red under the stares of her eight male companions, she shuffled her feet awkwardly.

Then Pippin, bless him, broke the incredibly horrible silence, "Excuse me fair-maiden, but have you seen our friend Anra? She looks a great deal like you except she's normally covered in dirt, hates dresses, and has crazy hair."

She gave a playful growl and swatted him on the back of the head while the others laughed good-naturedly.

Then Lord Celeborn started his welcoming speech, "Welcome my dear friends, we are gathered here tonight to celebrate and honor the ones here that are risking their lives today, to make ours better tomorrow. We are also here to remember their companion who did not make it this far, but instead gave up his life for the cause." Everyone was silent for several moments with their heads bowed in remembrance of Gandalf. "In tradition, the celebration shall be started by two of our guests of honor starting the dances."

At first these words had no significant meaning to Anra, but then she realized what he was implying. Obviously since she was the only female member of the Fellowship that meant she had to be one of the ones leading it, she glanced at the rest of her companions to see who was stepping forward, it was Aragorn.

He stepped up to her and bowed formally, taking this as a queue she curtsied back to him feeling all eyes on the two of them. He then took her arm and slowly led her out to the dance floor; it took all her will power not to bolt right then.

"Aragorn," she hissed softly to him.

"Yes?" he replied in a low voice.

"I—I don't know how to dance!" she squealed in a quit, frightened voice.

She had to give him credit for keeping his cool as he led her to the center of the room, "Just follow my lead," he said softly enough that none of the elves around them would be able to hear. "Give me your one hand, and put your other one on my shoulder." She did as she was told. She had to hold back a yelp of surprise when his hand settled on her hip and pulled her closer to him so that they were chest to chest. Though she knew he must have felt her stiffen because he gave her a small self-satisfied smirk, thinking her reaction to him amusing. She fought the urge to kick him in his shin.

The music started up and Aragorn began to lead her around the room using small graceful steps that she mimicked along with several dips and spins on the way. Other dancers joined then out on the floor, and she became use to the dances patterns, starting to relax in his arms. Though she did notice that her heartbeat refused to slow, she chalked it up to excitement and having nothing at all to do with who she was dancing with.

Speaking of whom, he looked down at her and gave her a tender smile saying, "You're doing great, and Pippin was right, you look beautiful." She felt her cheeks flush once more and he chuckled slightly at this.

'She does look beautiful,' Aragorn thought. She was wearing a long dark green gown with gold thread embroidery that made her vivid green eyes stand out and her hair look redder. Her hair was pulled up into an elegant twisted bun on the top of her head held together by sparkling pins, making her neck look long and grace full, and her cheek bones stand strongly. The dark color of her dress made her skin look pale, but not in a sickly way at all, but a lovely way that made her eyes look deep and mysterious.

Anra laid her head against his chest as they swept across the floor, feeling oddly at peace. 'I suppose dancing like this isn't too bad,' she thought, 'though our dances are more fun.' Her mind wandered momentarily to her packs wild celebration dances until she was brought back to the present by Aragorn giving her hip a light squeeze, signaling that the song was coming to an end.

Once the music ended the two of them broke apart, Aragorn took her hand brushing his lips against the back of her hand in the ghost of a kiss, his eyes never leaving hers. Anra ducked her head shyly, and then peeked up at him through her lashes tentatively. He gave her an affectionate smile and led her off the dance floor.

Now that she was off the dance floor Anra took the opportunity to look around the party area. The hobbits were crowded around a banquet table getting something to eat, Gimli was getting some wine, since they didn't have any mead or ale, and Legolas seemed to be quite popular with the elf maidens, dancing with one after another after another. She chuckled quietly to herself thinking, 'He is an elf prince, and I suppose he is also handsome, though not my type, too much hair.'

She walked over to the hobbits, getting herself something to munch on. Frodo turned and looked at her with bright eyes and said, "I did not know you could dance!"

She gave a rather unlady like snort and replied, "Neither did I, though I fear that Aragorn's toes most certainly could tell!"

The hobbits laughed, "Say, Pippin would you like to dance?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes. Anra was happy to see the hobbits smiling and laughing so freely, after what happened in the mines it had seemed like they may never be so light-spirited again.

"Sure!" the others laughed as she led him out onto the dance floor. The young hobbit stood on her feet and put his hands on her sides while she placed hers on his shoulders. The two of them twirled around and around the room, laughing their heads off at their silly dance.

Anra and Pippin had to slow down for a bit, and they were more of stumbling around the room than dancing because they were both so dizzy from spinning so much, when someone came over and tapped on Pippin's shoulder.

"Mind if I cut in for a bit?" Pippin nodded then wobbled off in the general direction of the other laughing hobbits, still stumbling around as if he were drunk.

They chuckled a little at the young hobbit's antics, then the man offered Anra his hand so they could begin to dance, it was Boromir. She took his outstretched hand and they two of them began to dance.

They danced the same style that she had with Aragorn earlier, but whereas Aragorn had held her tight to his chest, Boromir kept her at a slight distance so that they weren't really touching. Anra was glad for the small distance between them, but she was confused with why he was dancing with her at all. Sure since they had gotten to the elven forest he had been nicer to her, but she didn't think he really actually liked her still.

So since she could not think of why he was doing it she just asked him instead. "Boromir, why are you dancing with me? I didn't think you even liked me."

The Gondorian hesitated for a moment, though his steps did not falter, "I didn't," he started. "But then you saved my life when we were fighting in the mines even though I had never been anything but nasty and unfair towards you. It made me realize that I had judged you before I had even gotten to know you, that I had judged your kind before I even understood them, and for that I am truly sorry. I was hoping that you could somehow find a way in your heart to forgive me even though I don't deserve it and we can give our friendship a second chance."

Anra gaped at the steward's son; out of all the things she'd expected him to say that was not one of them. She pretended to have to think about it for a moment, taking her hand off her shoulder and tapping her chin. But she couldn't make him wait any longer, his eyes looked so sad and regretful, she threw her arms around him and pulled him into a hug that surprised them both. "Of course I forgive you!"

The two of them quickly pulled out of the hug and looked away for each other awkwardly, Boromir cleared his throat and stammered, "Umm, that's good, err I mean thank you," turning a little pink.

Anra had to bite back a smile at the red haired man's awkwardness. She took pity on him and, "Shall we continue?" she prompted holding out her hands so they could finish their dance together. He took them looking rather relieved and they started to dance again.

The Nightstalker was happy that Boromir wanted become friends, she had a feeling that they would get along every well once if they did put aside their differences, they had a lot in common.

When the song that they were dancing to came to a close and they walked over to where most of the Fellowship was lingering, Anra unconsciously scanned the room looking to see where Aragorn was. She felt a slight pinprick of worry when she did not find him among the crowds or on the dance floor, but then she felt somebody tap her on the shoulder while his comforting scent enveloped her.

She spun around to face him, her eyes widening when she realize how close he was standing to her. She tried to swallow but her mouth was too dry, he extended his hand to her and nodded his chin in the direction of the dance floor. Her feet were killing her but she placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her back out.

This dance was different from the other ones she had done so far that night, Aragorn placed both his hands around her waist and after glancing around to see what everyone else was doing, Anra clasped her hands behind his neck. This song had a slower rhythm with a more intimate feel to it. Aragorn held her close to his body, probably closer than two people who were just friends would, but she certainly was not complaining about it.

The she-wolf sighed contently and laid her head against his chest enjoying the steady beat of his heart, when he asked, "So what were you and Boromir looking so friendly about?"

"Jealous?" she teased playfully. "He was actually apologizing for being a jerk to me all this time and was wondering if I'd give him a chance at being friends."

"And I assume from the hug that you said yes?"

"Well then you'd be assuming correctly," Anra murmured, not raising her head from its resting place.

"Hmm, well that was very kind of you," he hummed softly.

"What can I say, I'm a nice person," she joked.

The song drew to a close, but instead of releasing the Nightstalker and heading back over to the rest of the Fellowship Aragorn gripped Anra's hand gently and lead her the other way into the forest out of the celebration area. She gazed around the forest, 'It really is beautiful here,' she thought. 'But it's too calm, too perfect.' Her thoughts turn to the forest she called home, full of undergrowth and each tree huge and nothing like the next one. While in this elven forest every tree was the exact same, all of them tall, slim and silver.

Aragorn snapped her out of her musing when he stopped walking and stepped in front of her. She blinked a couple of time then tipped her head back so she could look him in the eye, he still had not released her hand. His other hand gentle caressed her face while her green eyes slowly met his gentle grey ones.

Alarm bells started sound in her head as his hand cupped her face; his rough, callused hand was so gentle and warm, she felt like she could stay like that forever. But the alarm bells just would not shut up, 'Is this what you really want?' she thought. 'Yes!' she practically snarled at herself, but fear filled her at the thought of becoming romantically involved with him or really anyone outside of her pack. Though the cases were far and in between, every once in a while a Nightstalker would fall in love with and mate with someone that was not from their pack, Anra could only remember this happening once in her life time.

Truthfully Anra couldn't even remember how the wolf had met the girl but he had apparently continuously snuck out of their territory to the village where she lived to visit her but when the rest of the pack had found out it had not been pretty. He had been shunned and harassed about it by other wolves, even attacked once. It became so bad that he had ended up leaving the pack forever to go live with the girl because he could not take it anymore. Most of the wolves had seen it as a huge betrayal and claimed that he had abandoned the pack. Anra had been about eight years old at the time and it had scared her, the thought of the pack turning against her like that was terrifying.

She must have made a strange face at these thoughts because Aragorn asked her if she was okay. "Hmm? What, yeah I'm fine," she quickly answered.

He gave her a concerned look and said, "You know I would never do anything to hurt you right?"

"Yeah," she murmured quietly, and she knew it was the truth, he would never intentionally hurt her, but he did not know that how much trouble and pain that their relationship could inflict. He nodded and started to lean down towards her.

She turned her face and pulled away from him "I'm sorry, I can't," she mumbled. She turned and ran off into the surrounding forest not looking back to see his hurt face.

She swallowed as she stumbled through the dark not paying attention to where she was headed, just wanting to get away from everything so she could think. It's not that she didn't have feelings for him, it was quite the opposite actually; she did have feelings for him strong ones. And that was what was scaring her so bad, never before had she felt feelings this strong.

Anra looked around where she had ended up, it was a lovely garden. But there was something strange about it, there seemed to be whispers coming from the stone basin that stood in the center. She wondered if she was in some off limits area or something, there was some sort of magic about the place that she just could not place her finger on, it quieted her mind.

She glanced around the beautiful garden before she approached the stone basin in the center, following its whispers. Stepping up onto the slightly raised platform it was set up on Anra swallowed nervously and gazed down into the dark reflective waters that filled it.

Eron snarled at her in wolf form, his ears pressed flat to his head, eyes full of anger and hate. He crouched down then sprung at her, claws extended… Several of her pack members stared at her with looks of disgust and betrayal written clearly on their faces… Torn and bloodied bodies of wolves and people lay mixed together on an open died field. Steel grey skies extending in all different directions full of crows and ravens descending onto the bodies of the fallen, ready to feast… There was Legolas and Gimli their faces full of confusion and anger… Merry and Pippin both turning away from her, looking ashamed of her… Aragorn yelling and screaming at her, eyes full of loathing, arms waving around madly… Anra herself, sitting alone in a cold, dark room, shivering and hungry with blood running down her arms… Her standing above Aragorn watching him sleep peacefully in a bed, a small knife gripped tightly in her hand. She approached him, gently brushed some hair out of his face then she brought the dagger down plunging it into his heart…

Anra gasped, stumbling away from the basin and collapsing onto the ground, far from caring if she got dirt on her beautiful gown. She sat on the earth tears streaming down her cheeks; she reached up and ripped the sparkling pins from her hair, letting them scatter to the ground while her curls fell heavily down her back. Sobs torn from her chest and at the moment she couldn't care less about how weak she looked.

Those images, those pictures, they couldn't be true. This couldn't be what the future held, they were lies. They had to be.

She scrambled shakily to her feet and stumbled blindly out of the garden back into the silver forest. Anra was somehow able to locate the room that she had gotten ready in and she changed back into the clothes that she had been wearing earlier that day. As she yanked on her boots she looked at the green dress lying crumpled on the floor and she thought, 'How could I have been wearing that today? How was I so happy dancing with my friends and spending time with Aragorn when my future looks like this? Oh Valar, Aragorn, why we you so angry at me, what did I do?'

She raked her fingers through her hair, took a gulp of air and staggered roughly to her feet. She didn't know what to do; she couldn't go back to the Fellowship looking like this, especially after seeing those images. The she-wolf wiped her eyes as she exited the room thinking about what she could do. She knew that she had to go back to where they were staying because they'd go out looking for her if she didn't show up and she knew she couldn't let them do that because they need their sleep since they were heading out the next day.

'Okay, so I'll go back, but not like this, I don't want them asking any questions. I suppose I could just go back in my other form, then they won't expect me to say a thing.'

She took another deep breath to calm herself and then she shifted and started heading back to where they were staying. It's not that she wanted to keep things from them, but if that was her future that she had seen then she didn't know how it was any of their business knowing anyways. Plus she was afraid of what their reactions would be if she told them what the water had shown, she had no idea why everyone had been so very upset with her or where she had been in the second to last vision. Anra flat out refused to think about the last one.

When Anra trotted into the clearing where the Fellowship was staying everyone turned and looked at her with different expressions on their faces, they were mostly relieved, as if they had been afraid they she-wolf had been lost. She was careful not to look at Aragorn.

She lifted her chin high and walked across the clearing to where the hobbits were settled together. Laying down behind them in a fashion that allowed her encircle the four of them with her body so they were all snuggled against her side taking comfort from her soft pelt.

After settling her head down on top of her front paws she risked a quick glance up at Aragorn who was sitting across the clearing from her. The ranger was staring at her, he wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was, it was an outright stare. She quickly flicked her eyes away from his not wanting for him to see that she was watching him too. She hoped her wasn't too upset with her for running away from him, or worse, think she was a tease for leading him on then denying him once he started coming around.

The she-wolf shook her head, trying to clear it of those thoughts so that she could get the rest she would need for the following days travels. Eventually she was able to ignore the thoughts and images spinning through her head and drift off into the land of sleep.