A/N Sorry everyone for not updating in months. Actually, looking at it it's been almost a year. I really do apologize. I'm going to try and be better at updating. College has gotten really busy and I had a few reviews that just really put me out of writing. I love everyone's reviews, but honestly, if you don't like it don't read it. Constructive criticism is useful and wanted, but just blatantly rude reviews should just stay in your head. Got it? Thanks.

Now onto the next chapter. I'm a little rusty, so bear with me. :D

The few weeks leading up to our departure went fast, a whirlwind of activity. I remained mostly in my quarters, mentally preparing myself for the journey. Only at mealtimes did I leave my room. Occasionally there were visits from friends, but most stayed away. Elrond kept them so.

At last the morning of our departure dawned and we gathered in the courtyard, dressed in traveling clothes. We were to be gone quite some time and had our pony, Bill, laden with supplies. It wouldn't be enough to last the entire journey, but most of the others knew how to hunt and gather things so we wouldn't be in too much danger of running out of food. With all our goodbyes said, Frodo led us out of the gates and along the path. Gandalf was guiding him in the proper direction.

We were a rather silent group for a couple of hours. The hobbits looked barely awake and the rest of us were too caught up in our own thoughts. Gandalf only spoke once, telling us of his plan to get to Mordor. "We must hold this course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there our road turns east, to Mordor."

I nodded and sighed, fearing luck wouldn't be on our side though I didn't voice my worries to the group. We continued on for hours before finally stopping for lunch. Sam, our designated cook due to his love of the task, began to make some sort of porridge looking thing. It didn't look bad, but not entirely appealing. Still, he was known to make food that tasted good so it didn't necessarily have to look delicious. Boromir decided to take it upon himself to give Pippin and Merry lessons on the basics of swordfighting and Aragorn was watching on. I watched them for a few minutes, laughing at the spunk the hobbits possessed. My focus was shifted over to Gimli and Gandalf however as the dwarf began to speak. "If anyone were to ask for my opinion, which I note they have not, I would say we are taking the long way round. Gandalf, we can pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome."

Gandalf shook his head, grim. "No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Gimli moved away, grumbling, and I couldn't help the slight annoyance that came up in me. A nice feast and a lovely bed sounded nice. Though I was used to sleeping in the worst conditions and going days without food the weeks I had spent in Rivendell made me realize that I preferred not to deal with those things. My thoughts probably would have gone to a more selfish and annoyed place if it hadn't been for Sam's sudden question. "What is that?"

Legolas was staring off in the distance at something. A black cloud of some unknown thing. Gimli, still grumbling, just shrugged it off. "Nothing. It's just a wisp of cloud."

Boromir looked up from where he lay on the ground, having ended up there by hobbits tackling him. "It's moving too fast... against the wind." The whole fellowship was now staring at it.

"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas shouted and it finally registered in my eyes that was what the cloud was. Aragorn motioned for us to all hide quickly. We all scrambled for what little cover there was. I hid with Legolas, holding my breath. The crebain, which looked an awful lot like crows, flew overhead before flying back the way they came. No one moved until they were out of sight, however, for fear it was a trick and they'd return to spot us.

Gandalf shook his head, expression clearly worried. "Spies of Saruman. The passage south is being watched." He looked around at the group, locking eyes first with Aragorn and then me. "We must take the pass of Caradhras."

The rest of the Fellowship groaned. No one wanted to go up the mountain and into the cold, but it was necessary for us now. Sam finished up cooking our lunch and passed it out. We ate quietly, everyone lost in their own thoughts. Within the hour we were walking again, though in a slightly different direction. It was Gandalf's hope that we would make it to the base of the mountain and camp there before beginning our trek up the mountain the following day. The hobbits chatted on merrily between themselves, still very cheerful at the moment. Gimli was listening in, offering the occasional comment. Gandalf and Aragorn were speaking in elvish, but neither Legolas nor I was paying attention. Instead the elf decided to start up a conversation with me. "Lady Aradhel. We haven't been able to talk a lot but I have heard much about you from Aragorn and of course my father. I must say it's a pleasure to meet you."

I smiled and laughed at his statement. The elf had been a flurry of activity leading up to the time we left and beside a polite nod or the occasional hello we had not had much interaction. "I have heard much about you too, Prince Legolas. Though there is no need for formalities with me. Ara is just fine a name to call me. It is also a pleasure."

The elf flashed me a smile. "Ara it is then, but you must call me Legolas."

I nodded, happy to comply. Formalities was something I never cared for and most who knew me realized it. "Is there something you wished to talk about? Or are you merely wanting some company as we walk?"

He shrugged. "Merely wanting company, though I also wish to get to know you better. You seem a bit more guarded than the hobbits or Gimli and it is harder to gauge your opinions on things like I can theirs. Boromir is easy to read. Humans usually are. I know Gandalf and Aragorn well enough to read them." He paused, looking at me. "So perhaps I wish to learn about the female member of our Fellowship."

I smiled, another laugh escaping my lips. "I see. How about we play a game, for I too wish to learn about you. We shall take turns asking and answering questions."

He seemed to think it over for a moment before nodding. "Okay. I shall go first. How many members of the Fellowship do you know?"

I glanced around at the other members before answering. "All of them except you and Gimli. Though I knew his father. You?"

He sighed. "Two: Gandalf and Aragorn."

I raised an eyebrow. "Do you not leave Mirkwood a lot then? For I assumed you would have known Boromir from state affairs."

A clouded look appeared on his face for a moment before the elf's seemingly ever present smile returned to his face. "My father likes to keep our people to ourselves. We don't leave the forest much. Say, does that count as your question?"

I opened my mouth to reply that it certainly wasn't, but Gandalf decided to speak himself to the group. We had made it to the base of the mountain. "I think this place is a good place to camp for the night. It will be dark in an hour or so. Let's make camp while there is still light to do so."

With an apologetic glance to Legolas I moved away and began to set out the bedrolls and gather firewood. The other members of the Fellowship began to work on various tasks. We all chatted amiably with each other during dinner and afterwards as the sun set, but not long after it got dark we all decided to turn in. Tomorrow we would be taking on the mountain.