Here is Chapter 8! I know im becoming very delayed with the chapters and I'm very sorry for that. Please enjoy this one. By the way, Aesuithiel is pronounced Eye-swee-thee-ell. Again, enjoy this chapter!

Ava kept her gaze to the floor even as Galadriel spoke in her mind. 'Gandalf was a great man. He knew what he was doing, but we all will miss him.' She said. Tears fell from Ava's eyes, her legs began going weak from her sorrow. "Haldir." Galadriel called for her most trusted guard. The blonde elf bowed coming to her presence. "My lady?" He asked looking to her. "Aesuithiel is injured. Please bring her to the healers." She said gently, looking to Ava, who looked up in shock.

Boromir looked to her curiously. "That's your name?" He whispered. She didn't get to answer when she began trembling. Haldir bowed to the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien and went up to Ava and led her away. She was confused on what injury Galadriel was talking about but it wasn't long until she realized her leg was throbbing. She began walking down the stairs with Haldir when suddenly she collapsed in his arms. "Aesuithiel! We are almost at the healers." He said in alarm running there now.

The nurses opened the door and led him in to one of the beds. "She's weary from blood loss." Haldir said before looking for the wound. On her left thigh, a deep cut on the inside bled profusely. Ava lay crying softly remembering the story Gandalf had told her of why he and her mother had chosen that name for her. To hear it again made her miss her father even more. She screamed in agony when Haldir began sewing her wound. Her fists clamped in the sheets, bitter tears falling from her closed eyes.

Haldir muttered in elvish soothingly but it did nothing to relieve the pain. "Ada!" Ava cried out in anguish, sobbing bitterly. Her voice gave out once again which made her silent screams come out as a breath. Haldir winced trying to hurry but doing it accurately. Ava finally passed out from the pain, sorrow, and blood loss.

Later that evening, Ava woke to the sound of soft singing that spread throughout the woods. Though she was still too weak to move or even open her eyes she felt the presence of someone sitting beside her, holding her hand. She hoped it was the steward of Gondor. Her heart grew heavy hearing the lament for her father. A warm hand wiped away the tear that slipped from her eye.

"Please stay with me, Aes-aeswee-…Ava." She heard Boromir's soft whisper near her ear before his lips pressed against her cheek gently. How she wished she could move right now. She couldn't even try before slipping unconscious again from a potion Haldir had given her.

It was a few days later when she woke up again, finding she was able to move this time. She inhaled and looked around. She was still in a room and found Haldir talking softly to Boromir. It wasn't long before Boromir looked her way and gasped going to her. "Ava." He said in complete relief, caressing her cheek which she leaned into. "You're awake." She smiled slightly nodding slowly.

"Welcome back Aesuithiel. You gave us a scare. He never left your side either." Haldir spoke up. Ava smiled looking to Boromir, kissing his palm grasping it gently. "You can go join the others today if you wish. Your leg is healed enough now." Haldir said before leaving the room.

"I'm glad you're awake. I was afraid I lost you." Boromir said softly. "I heard your scream and it hurt to know I couldn't do anything to help you." He said squeezing her hand gently. Ava smiled sadly looking apologetic, her throat feeling sore. "No need to apologize." Boromir said gently. Ava looked up in his eyes and saw a rim of thin tears in his eyes. She looked worried and sat up slightly resting a hand on his neck.

Boromir scanned her face a few times before leaning closer toward her. Ava swallowed before doing the same. Their lips met in a tender kiss. Ava inhaled softly at the feeling, having never been kissed before. His hand came up to her cheek, massaging her lips very gently. Ava smiled brightly against him returning the kiss, leaning up into him. Boromir smiled and pulled away after a moment. Ava took a breath and scanned his eyes.

'You like me.' Ava mouthed giving him a watery smile. Boromir smiled at her and laughed softly. "Yes. I do." He whispered stroking her cheek softly with his thumb. Ava sighed softly kissing his lips briefly before wrapping her arms around him. They hugged for a long time, not wanting to separate from each others embrace.

A nurse came in with Haldir who was looking grim. "Aesuithiel… Lady Galadriel has given me the news. She is unable to help you gain your voice back." He said softly. Ava pulled away from Boromir looking at him with fresh tears in her eyes. 'This is permanent?' she exclaimed silently. Tears rolled freely down her face as she flopped back down on her pillow.

"I am so sorry." Haldir replied bowing slightly. "Boromir, will you leave us for a moment?" He asked politely. Boromir was gently squeezing her hand in comfort and refused to leave until Ava looked at him for a moment. He sighed angrily but promised to return as soon as the elf allowed. Ava watched him leave sadly. It was then that Haldir sat down on the edge of the bed. "Ava? I know your life has been turned upside down after your fathers fall. And this news was hard to bear after so much hope. The Lady of Light is not prepared to give up. She promised Lord Elrond to help you speak again." Haldir said softly.

She merely stared at him, tears still flowing from here eyes. "You cannot fade, Ava. You are starting to show signs of doing so." Haldir said scanning her face. 'I'm not going to fade. I'm pale from the cut, from losing my father, and crying so much. Please, Haldir, leave me be.' Ava barely managed to say.

Haldir nodded and stood letting Boromir back in. "I advise you bring her back to the fellowship. The nurses will take her to bathe first though." He said before leaving the room. Ava remained on her side, curled up, unsuccessfully trying to clear her mind.

XxXxXxX

Boromir inhaled the scent coming off Ava as he carried her back to the fellowship. The nurses must have lathered her in Lavender lilies and rose pedals. She laid her head on his chest staring into the distance. The steady thrumming of his heart soothed her mind. It was when the hobbits voices came to her ears that caused her to blink from her endless gaze to look at them.

"Ava, are you ok?" Pippin asked among many others. She smiled at him and nodded. She loved his sweet questioning nature. He was so innocent-looking, even in Moria. The other hobbits expressed their worries and relief. She understood why Frodo merely smiled at her. Many of the questions were not ones she could easily answer and looked to Boromir for help, which he did as he made his way to Ava's bed he had made for her.

She was set down and she sat down the ground stretching her leg out with a wince. "Are you ok?" Boromir whispered so only she could hear. 'Yes I'm fine.' She was hungry and looked around the campsite. She gasped seeing a table full of food and drink. "Come! Come eat, Ava!" Merry and Pippin said cheerfully, holding their hands out to help her up. Ava chuckled and stood up taking their hands only to make them feel better. Boromir also helped her. She made her way to the table, walking for the first time in a week.

Legolas came into sight with Aragorn, who both smiled at her. "You've returned to us!" Legolas embraced her smiling brightly. Aragorn was next. They all spoke of their time in the great woods of Lothlorien. The hobbits had more to share than the others. Ava was grateful to be back with the group. She had missed everyone.

They all ate the food. She listened to everyone, though her mind was flooded with thoughts of what will happen now that her voice could not be restored. "Oh Ava, I was told to tell you that your horse is here." Aragorn spoke up gaining her attention. She looked to him quickly with a bright smile.

'Where?' Ava exclaimed, standing up quickly in her excitement. Aragorn smiled and told her the directions to the stables. She flashed another bright smile before darting off between the trees to their entrance. Many elves greeted her along the way. She nodded to them but kept running despite her leg throbbing from the sudden demand of the task.

When she reached the stables, she slid to a stop startling a few horses. They neighed in alarm and snorted, while some stamped their hoof. She scanned each horse, especially each black one carefully. An excited nicker sounded at the end of the stable. She quickly went to it smiling brightly. Shadow bobbed his head while she climbed over the rope and threw her arms around his soft neck. She laughed into his neck, kissing it several times before kissing his muzzle.

She touched his forehead, sniffling. 'Hello my friend. I'm so happy to see you.' She spoke. He whickered nuzzling her shoulder, blowing a soft breath on her cheek.

"What are you doing with him?" a voice from near-by. Ava gasped looking to the source. Lady Galadriel stood there smiling. Ava paled slightly looking at her, looking to her hand on Shadows forehead. 'I'm talking to him.' She mouthed looking at her.

"You speak to him through touch?" She asked in surprise. Ava nodded in confusion watching her. "I think I know a way for you to speak." She stated smiling brightly at her. "Come to my study first thing tomorrow morning. Haldir will get you." With that she left the stable to leave her to her horse.

Ava looked to Shadow feeling very confused. Shadow nickered nuzzling her neck gently. 'I've missed you.' He said quietly. 'And I you, my baby.' Ava smiled kissing his muzzle and hugging his face gently.

XxXxXxX

Ava was sound asleep, realizing that her pillow was very comfortable. Her mind was empty for once, feeling completely at peace. A gentle shake of her shoulder woke her up. She yawned and looked to see who did it. Haldir was knelt there, smiling at her. "It is time to meet Lady Galadriel." He whispered.

Ava nodded and gestured to getting dressed and to shoo in a polite way. Haldir laughed softly and left waiting for her. Ava settled back on her pillow before pausing. Her pillow was moving in a steady up and down movement. She also realized her arm was wrapped around something. She found Boromir sleeping deeply with an arm on her back with a smile on his lips.

Ava smiled brightly, hugging him for a moment before kissing his lips softly. She noticed he returned it though he was asleep. She smiled dreamily gazing at his face, brushing a lock of auburn hair out of his face.

Ava tore herself away from his warm embrace reluctantly and soon arrived at Lady Galadriel's study by the aid of Haldir. "You may go on in." He said opening the door for her. Ava bowed her head slightly and walked in, scoping the room. Galadriel was at her desk waiting for her. "Good morning Ava. I'm glad you came." She said gesturing for her to sit.

She did so, still curious about their meeting, letting it show on her face. "I know you are curious but I will get to that. Are you thirsty or hungry?" She asked politely. Ava shook her head slightly. "Alright then. You have a gift that you haven't trained properly. I noticed when you went to your stallion yesterday that you were speaking to his mind. I'm curious. Does he speak back to you?" She asked watching her. Ava nodded slowly. 'Only through touch, though my lady.' She replied.

Galadriel nodded. "I'm going to train you on how to enter a person's mind and speak to them without having to touch them." Galadriel spoke softly. Ava smiled brightly at her. "We will start right now." She continued.

For a few days, Galadriel taught her how to touch the magic in the back of her mind and entering a persons mind. Haldir willingly let them practice. Galadriel was the only one he could feel entering his mind. Ava was getting frustrated unable to touch her magic enough to do the task. "Shall we take a break?" Galadriel asked gently.

Ava looked up at her and looked to Haldir. She went up to him and touched his temple. "I don't think I can speak in other minds unless I am touching them." She said softly in his mind. Haldir gasped her hand smiling. "You'll get it. We have faith in you, Aesuithiel." He said gently. Ava sighed softly turning her gaze away.

"Ava, enter his mind again and lift your hand away focus on the connection and back away slowly." Galadriel instructed.

Ava practiced this for a couple of weeks until she was finally able to stay in Haldir's mind without touching him. She smiled brightly focusing on the magic for a while until it wasn't so difficult. Galadriel congratulated her and ended the session and sent her back to the fellowship.

Ava smiled and left eagerly running down to the fellowship. She stayed hidden from Boromir trying to extending her mind to his. She beamed when it worked, seeing his thoughts rush through her head. "Boromir of Gondor?" She asked in his mind.

"Hm?" He responded not looking away from his book.

"I need to speak to you privately." She said sternly though she was smiling. Boromir looked up from his book in confusion.

"Where are you?" He asked not seeing anyone in front of him.

"Look behind you."

He did and gasped seeing her. "That was you?" He asked excitedly. She chuckled nodding to him smiling brightly. "Oh that is truly wonderful! I'm so happy for you!" He said embracing her quickly. Ava laughed silently returning the embrace tightly.

Boromir pulled away only enough to kiss her lips. She hummed returned it fully resting her hands on his neck and cheek. Boromir broke it after a moment, scanning her face. "I can finally speak to you!" She said excitedly.

"Your father would be proud of you." He said softly hugging her close again. She smiled imagining her father smiling at her. "I know he would." She said embracing Boromir again.

~TBC~

I am so sorry for the very long delay of this chapter. I hope you like this chapter. I already have chapter 9 underway. It won't be long until I have that one up. Thank you for patiently waiting everyone!