*Disclaimer* I do not own LOTR

The next morning was very much like the last; Lauren got up, dressed and went into the hall to find Gandalf and Aragorn talking amongst themselves each picking on some breakfast food and listening while the other talked.

"Did I sleep in or do you both just happen to be morning people?"

Gandalf smiled and offered a roll to Lauren as she sat down and rubbed her eyes. Aragorn finished his juice and picked up his bow and arrows.

"We are just morning people. Come, take the roll and let us start practicing. You mentioned yesterday you wanted to learn how to shoot an arrow so that's what we'll work on today."

At the mention of bows and arrows, Lauren scoffed down the roll and was on her feet heading towards the shooting range that was next to the sparing field they were in yesterday. When she noticed that Aragorn was behind her she turned and began to walk backwards.

"Come Aragorn, those arrows won't shoot themselves!"

Aragorn shook his head ever so slightly as he followed the overzealous female to the shooting range. The practice went as Lauren thought it would, she was horrible as the bow but that's why she had Aragorn here. Her motivation to perfecting her skills also helped in the training.

The day progressed, and Lauren didn't even stop for a proper lunch. She just nibbled at the fruit that Aragorn brought from the kitchen. What she wouldn't give for a hamburger right now, but Aragorn told her yesterday that the Elves only ate meat on special occasions. Lauren hopped that when the Council was held that Elrond would provide meet. Surely, the Dwarves would want something hardy? What about Boromir and the men from Gondor, they didn't have a fruit diet. Lauren remembered Denethor stuffing himself as Faramir got himself riddled with arrows. Oh, if she ever met that slimy old man she was going to give him a piece of her mind!

Lauren shot the arrow from the bow and it missed the target by a long shot, before Aragorn could correct her Lauren drew another arrow and shot it. She did this a few times before Aragorn placed his hand on hers making her pause.

"What troubles you? You weren't missing before."

A heavy sigh left Lauren's lips as she let the arrow fall from her fingers and back into the quiver. She walked over to the bench and sat down before she looked up and Aragorn.

"I just remembered something I wish I hadn't. What I remembered won't happen for some time, but just the thought of it makes my stomach weak."

Aragorn took a seat next to Lauren and put his hand on her back in an attempt to comfort her.

"If you wish to talk about it to ease your mind then please speak, I will listen."

Lauren contemplated telling Aragorn, in the book he wasn't present when Faramir falls and Denethor goes insane so she figured it was safe to tell him. She turned her body to face him and took a deep breath before telling him what happens with Faramir and Denethor. Of course, Denethor came off as a slug in Lauren's rendition of what would happen but she couldn't help it. Faramir was a Ranger and should be treated with more respect that what his so-called father was giving him. After venting to Aragorn, she felt much better and sighed in relief.

"You have nothing to worry about though Lauren, if things are to happen as you've seen it then Pippin will get Gandalf and Faramir will be safe. Now how about some dinner, hmm, you've hardly eaten all day? All you've been concerned about it perfecting you shooting skills, which I might say have improved some."

Lauren laughed as she got up and followed Aragorn back into the halls of Elrond and into the dining room. There were a few other elves about and her presence didn't seem to faze them. Either they adapted well to change or they just didn't care.

"Considering my skills at shooting an arrow before you taught me were nonexistent, then yes I improved. Plus I have an awesome teacher to help me."

"I'm sure you already know this Lauren, but Legolas will be here shortly. He is a better marksman then I and I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping your perfect your shot. For now don't worry about such things, you are far too young to have these troubles on your mind."

Lauren gave Aragorn a friendly glare as she swallowed some bread smeared lightly with a jelly that tasted like strawberries. Was he trying to figure out how old she was, this was going to be interesting.

"Yes, but considering I know more than you on the events to come you might as well add five years, which would make me 27 this fall."

Aragorn tried to steel himself but his eyes gave him away. He was shocked at how young the girl before him was. She was just a child, all the elves around here have seen at least 500 summers and he had seen over 80 himself. She was way too young to be concerning herself in these matters, he would have to talk to Lord Elrond before he turn in for the night.

Now Lauren had seen that look before, more times than she'd want to admit. Yea, she looked young, but did that really matter?

"Don't you think about trying to stop me from continuing practicing, Old Man. Where I come from 27 is considered adult and we can do as we please. Heck at 27 you've practically gone through a little more than a quarter of your life. Oh what now? You're a Dúnedain, you live long. I'm not, therefore I won't live long. I plan on doing all I can with what time is given me. Just you wait and watch and see what I can do."

Lauren took a few pieces of fruit and put it on a small plate to take back to her room. There was an interesting book that she found, written in Common, which apparently was similar to English oddly enough, that she wanted to start reading.

"Old men should stay up so late, you'll be tired in the morning."

She smiled at Aragorn as she playfully nudged him in the shoulder. Inwardly Aragorn groaned, she knew how old he was and she was going to taunt him about it. The next few days should prove to be interesting.

"See you tomorrow, Lauren."

The tawny haired girl raised a hand as she walked out of the hall and Aragorn couldn't help but smile. That girl sure was different, then again, she was taking being in a strange world fairly well. However, now was not the time to think of such matters, he had to find Lord Elrond.

*Author's Note*

Thank you for reading! And thank you DiaxxxMonde, Archer117, Leofirefly, Music-Maniac-at-17, and Queen Baka for the reviews :)

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Up Next on SIME: Lauren will finally meet the members of the Fellowship, well she already knows them but you know what I mean!