~'Twas noontide of summer, and mid-time of night; and stars in their orbits shone pale, thro' the light of the brighter cold moon. 'Mid planets her slaves, herself in the Heavens, her beam on the waves. I gazed awhile on her cold smile; too cold – too cold for me. There pass'd, as a shroud, a fleecy cloud, and I turned away to thee. Proud Evening Star, in thy glory afar, and dearer thy beam shall be; for joy to my heart is the proud part thou bearest in Heaven at night, and more I admire thy distant fire than that colder lowly light.~

As Rosa laid awake in the soft bed, she thought of her conversation with Lord Elrond and all the things he told her. If she really was half elf, then who was her mother? Surely someone here had to know her. Then her mind wandered over her dream of her mother and wondered if it were just a mere dream or something more. After that she spent several long minutes convinced that she was just crazy and that none of this was really happening. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow in my apartment and none of this will have ever happened. Feeling far too restless to sleep Rosa stood, pulling the cover away and standing, while trying to make sure she didn't trip over the nightgown she was wearing. Rosa was never one for sleeping in such fancy clothing but when she had tried to climb in bed in the dress she was wearing Vala nearly had a fit. She insisted upon helping Rosa take it off and then helped her into a white nightgown, Rosa had refused to wear all the fancy undergarments and when Vala tried to argue that someone might see her in just the gown and it would not be proper, Rosa had laughed asking who would see her since she would be alone in a room.

Rosa walked out onto the balcony attached to her room and saw the garden below her, she had a strong urge to go down to it but remembered how she got lost on her way back last time and decided against it, And Vala wouldn't be too happy if I were out and about wearing only this when I promised no one would see me, Rosa laughed remembering how long it took her to get Vala to agree to it.

Rosa sighed, looking up into the sky. The stars seemed to shine brighter than they had ever before, Rosa wondered if they were the same stars. She rested her hands against the railing and just watching the sky, not noticing the wandering eyes that had noticed her from below.

Boromir was below her lying among the trees, looking up at the stars, as she did. His hair splayed out in the grass, he was lying on his back, shirtless, with no shoes. He had been having trouble falling asleep and was feeling anxious about the council meeting that would be held soon, so he had left his room without so much as a thought to dressing appropriately. As he lay there his eyes began to wander, first to the architecture, certain parts reminded him of the pearly white towers of Gondor. When his eyes shifted right he saw a woman standing on the balcony, at first he believed it to be an elf, but just before he turned his eyes away he noticed that it was the woman he had met in the garden...Rosa.

She seemed pleasant enough but she looked unlike any woman he had seen before, human or otherwise, this made him distrustful. What is she doing here? He pondered over all the plausible reasons that a human woman would be in Rivendell and it just didn't make sense to him. Could she be here for the council? Then he almost laughed at himself, what need would the council have for a strange woman? His mind then shifted to the worst possibilities of her being a spy.

Rosa began humming to herself, then whispering the words to Johnathan's favorite poem. She could feel the tears brimming in her eyes, and she sunk to her feet. Her hands gripping the edge of the balcony as she let herself cry. The tears came in waves, shaking through her and leaving her raw, tired. Rosa shifted to her knees, resting her forehead against the smooth stone. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I miss you."

Boromir sat in stunned silence, knowing he had just witnessed a deeply private moment. He knew he should leave but his feet wouldn't seem to move so he continued watching her. The moonlight shone down on her and he could see the silhouette of her figure through the dress, the longer he looked the harder it was for him to tear his eyes away. The relaxation that he had found in the garden quickly vanished and when she stood to return to the room, he was finally able to tear himself away from the sight of her. He decided it was best that he return to his room, lest she find out that he had seen her.

The garden seemed to come to life at night, almost as if the plants glowed in the darkness. Rosa listened to the quiet sounds of nature, the sound of the rushing water in the distance, bird's wing fluttering as they moved from tree to tree, the sound of leaves in the wind. As the wind blew, it swept the length of Rosa's dress around her feet. It grew stronger, blowing through the thin material. She shivered unconsciously and made her way back into the room and collapsed on the bed. When Rosa rolled onto her side, the call of sleep claimed her.

Rosa groaned when she woke, between the blankets and the gown she had essentially been turned into a human burrito. She was in the process of wiggling herself free when she fell onto the floor, at that moment Vala walked into the room and Rosa sighed. She didn't bother trying to explain what had happened instead she resigned herself to the laughter she knew would follow and said, "Help...please."

Surprisingly enough Vala did not laugh, however, her smile was solidly in place as she helped Rosa untangle herself and stand. Rosa remained silent while Vala helped her into her clothing and brushed her hair, before sweeping it into a side braid. Vala was about to leave when Rosa stopped her, "Vala.."

"Yes?"

"Will you teach me to speak elvish?" she asked, while holding her hands in front of her, glancing up at Vala through her lashes.

Vala smiled brightly, "Yes, of course."

XXX

After the debacle with the blankets and her first lesson with Vala, Rosa was feeling very hungry. She made her way down the halls and was very proud of herself when she made it to the great hall without getting lost, she had a horrible sense of direction. She found familiar faces and joined them where they sat, already eating. When Rosa saw the twins make their way over to her she became slightly nervous, there was something about them that made her think that they were always up to something. Elrohir and Elladan smiled sweetly at her before sitting on either side of her. The asked simple questions at first; did you sleep well, are you enjoying the food. Rosa, though she didn't want to answer their questions, didn't want to be rude so she answered them and tried to keep her irritation from showing, after all she was staying in their home.

"So Lady Rosa, where are you from?" Elrohir asked. Rosa wasn't sure if telling the truth was the best idea, so she decided to go with a short, vague answer.

"Oh, no where specific," she smiled innocently at them.

"Where are your parents then? Gondor?" Elladan asked. "Rohan?" Elrohir asked.

Rosa's smile slipped away, "Neither." she said bluntly, standing and walking away. Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a confused look and shrugged to one another. They were about to follow when Legolas's hands clamped down on their shoulders, keeping them from standing. Legolas had watched everything transpire and he knew the look on her face when they'd asked about her parents. The pain of loss.

"Uuma soora." (Don't follow.) With that Legolas turned and watched Rosa walk away.

XXX

~18 Years Ago~

Little Rosa ran home as fast as she could, when she burst through the door she yelled, "Look, Daddy! Look, Daddy!" She was clutching the folder with her certificate for the Honor Roll in her arms when she saw her father on the floor. "Daddy! DAD!" she screamed, when he wasn't moving she ran to the phone.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"My dad, he's on the floor...he's not moving...Help me." she said, through the tears that were pouring down her face.

"Can you tell me your address?"

"Its 4-1-1 South Cedar Drive. Please hurry!"

Rosa was laying on the ground next to her father hugging him to her when the sound of the Ambulance alarms could be heard. She cried harder when she felt someone's hands on her arms, gently pulling her away from her father.

Rosa stood outside the hospital room and looked up at her uncle, "Will he be alright?"

"I don't know, little one," was all he said, "I don't know."

~One year earlier~

"But its my birthday, Daddy, can we go, Please? Can we go see Mommy?" Rosa father knelt down in front of her, he gave her a sad smile. "Yes, bambina (baby girl), we can go see your mother." She grabbed his hand and he looked down to see her tiny delicate fingers in his large, warm palm. On the way there Rosa spotted a flower store, "Daddy, can we buy her some flowers?"

With the flowers in tow Rosa hopped out of the vehicle and grabbed her father's hand, "Come on, daddy, she's waiting." He gave her another small smile and they walked down the pathway until Rosa saw her.

~Meldamiriel D'Ambrosio~

She placed the flowers in the empty vase by the tombstone.

"Here you go mommy, they're your favorite."

Rosa's father stood back, watching his baby girl with tears in his eyes.

"I miss you mommy." she said, hugging the headstone.

XXX

So lost in thoughts of the past Rosa had stopped paying attention to which direction she was going. It was not long before Rosa found herself in an unfamiliar area. She turned a corner and walked down a stairway, there she found herself in a warm open room, with tables and herbs hanging from racks. Is this a kitchen? An elf approached her, "Lle quena i'lambe tel' Eldalie?" Rosa stared blankly until she recognized the words from her lesson with Vala, he was asking her if she spoke elvish, Rosa tried to think of the elvish word for a little.

"Ai." she said, hoping it was correct.

"Mankoi naa lle sinome? Lle rangwa amin?" (Why are you here? Do you understand me?) he asked. Shit, she blinked. She had basically exhausted her knowledge of the language right there.

"Amin wanwa." (I'm lost.) Rosa hoped she had said it correctly, when she had told Vala about getting lost earlier she had added that phrase to the lesson. Rosa looked around and saw a sick boy lying in a cot on the far side of the room, quickly her eyes darted around the room and she realized it wasn't a kitchen. This is like a hospital...a medieval hospital. Almost at once she wanted to stay and learn of their methods for healing, but when she turned back to the elves in front of her one was trying to lead her out, "Wait, I want to stay." The elf said something that she didn't recognize and ushered her forward. Rosa sighed...damn.

They brought her back the great hall and begrudgingly, she shuffled over to Aragorn, feeling defeated. Seeing that room had reminded her of what she used to do and she was feeling particularly useless. She sat next to him "So, how's your day going?" When he remained silent, Rosa turned and looked at Aragorn, he was distracted and seemed deeply troubled. Instead of bothering him she elected to sneak off before he noticed her. When she turned away she found herself face to face with Gandalf.

"May I get you alone for a few moments?"

Feeling cheeky she said, "Well you'll have to buy me dinner first." She laughed at her own joke and Gandalf looked vaguely amused. He smiled slightly, "I have a few questions for you."

"Onward then." she smiled and he lead her away from the crowded room.

After her conversation with Gandalf Rosa felt a little better about everything. She had told him that she was not from this world and that she knew of what was to come, she hadn't exactly told him that it was a book and movies in her world, she figured it was best to not go too much into depth about the differences between their worlds. Gandalf seemed surprisingly calm after everything she told him.

"It is probably for the best," Gandalf said, "that you keep this secret from others." She also told Gandalf about what Elrond had told her. Gandalf surmised that it had something to do with how she got to this world, and that she may have been born in another world, but she was most certainly part of this one.

Rosa found her way out to the garden and sat in the silence trying to think of the events of to come. She remembered the council and figured it would probably take place soon, her hand came up to her face and she face palmed, I'm such and idiot...that's why there are so many different races here, men, elves, dwarves, they're here for the council meeting...thingy. Rosa rose to her feet, determined. She was going to be apart of the super important secretive council meeting, even if it means I have to hide in a bush!

XXX

Elrond stood before the council members, "Strangers from distant lands ... friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite...or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate...this one doom..." Elrond stood, his gaze meeting those of all the men sitting in the circle.

"Bring forth the ring, Frodo." Frodo stood and walked towards the center of the group and placed the ring on the stone plinth before returning to his seat.

"So it is true," Boromir said, shocked. "In a dream, I saw the eastern sky grow dark. But in the West a pale light lingered. A voice was crying: 'Your doom is near at hand.'" Boromir approached the ring, "Isidur's bane is found." As Boromir reached for the ring, Gandalf and Elrond exchanged concerned looks. Boromir's fingers hovered above the ring, Elrond lept up, "Boromir!"

Suddenly the sound of black speech filled the air, the sky darkened as thunder crackled, "Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,

ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul." (One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and in darkness bind them.)

"Sauron's ring! The ring of power," Legolas said in disbelief.

Gimli's face took on a grim look, "The doom of man."

"Never before has a voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris." Elrond said, disapprovingly.

Gandalf spoke, his voice raspy from the force of the words and the language, "I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West!" Gandalf turned towards Boromir, "The ring is altogether evil!" He gave Boromir a final scathing glance and resumed his seat.

"It is a gift," Boromir said, "a gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, held the forces of Mordor at bay...by the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy...let us use it against him!"

"You cannot wield it. None of us can. The one ring answers to Sauron alone...it has no other master." Boromir turned and looked at Strider, coldly. "And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" Aragorn said nothing, and Boromir turned away, dismissively.

Legolas stood, "This is no mere Ranger, he is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." Frodo looked at Strider, as if asking him if it were true. Boromir turned sharply, "Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?"

Legolas stood defiantly, "Heir to the throne of Gondor."

"Havo dad, Legolas." (Sit down, Legolas.)

"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." Well that's real mature...

"Aragorn is right...we cannot use it," Gandalf interjected.

"You have only one choice," Elrond's gaze fell towards Boromir before he looked to the others at the council, "the ring must be destroyed."

Gimli stood, "Then what are we waiting for?" Gimli rushed forward and swung his axe down upon the ring. With a deafening crack, the axe shattered, causing Gimli to fall backwards. He stared at the ring in disbelief. Rosa watched Frodo slump in his seat and became worried, she didn't like just sitting there watching this.

This is an all time low for you, the little voice said. I, Rosa sighed, am hiding in a bush.

~Three Hours Earlier~

"No, Rosa." Aragorn said, sternly.

"But whyyyy?" she whined, "Am I not cool enough for your super secret guy club?" Aragorn had no idea what her words meant but he could tell by her tone that she was mocking him.

"I don't know how you came to learn of this meeting but the answer is still no. You cannot come with me."

Rosa smiled, "I am ninja," she said karate chopping the air, "only but a shadow in the night," Well that and I already knew about it, Rosa tried hard to keep from laughing. Aragorn looked thoroughly amused, albeit a little confused, but amused nonetheless. She could tell him didn't believe her and she had gotten no further in convincing him into letting her go.

"Seriously, I can help." Aragorn turned away chuckling, "Yes," he said flippantly over his shoulder, "By staying here."

Rosa let out an exasperated sigh, "Men!" She had already spoken to Gandalf, to no avail. No one seemed to want to go against Elrond.

The next hour she spent trying to convince Boromir to take her with her, though he seemed to have even less of an opinion of her than Aragorn.

"NO. Now leave me be!" Boromir practically yelled at her.

"Okay, okay..." Rosa turned and saw Legolas watching her, she instinctively took a step back. He had probably heard everything she had just said to Boromir so she didn't even bother trying to convince him. Plan B then...

Rosa made her way to the great hall where she found the hobbits, all except Frodo. Together they made their plan and then Rosa set off to find a place to hide, before the meeting started. The only place close enough for her to be able to see and not be seen was a bush, Rosa sighed.

~Present~

"The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, Son of Glóin, by any craft that we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom...only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor, and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."

In stunned silence, the council sat with downcast eyes, as if a great dread had descended upon them.

Boromir spoke up in a quiet voice, " One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep and the Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust...the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly."

Legolas turned to Boromir, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has sad? The ring must be destroyed."

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?" Gimli accused.

"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes make what is his?"

Gimli lept to his feet, "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" Chaos erupted and Rosa knew that the time for her to remain hidden was quickly coming to an end. Rosa watched stunned, the angry faces, shaking fists, the accusatory fingers.

"Never trust an elf!" Gimli shouted.

"Do you not understand that while we bicker amongst ourselves, Sauron's power grows?! None can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!"

The intensity of the argument steadily increased. Rosa watched, both astonished to see it really happening, and horrified to see the hatred that these people had for each other. She glanced back at Frodo, determination seemed to dawn on his face. She stood from her hiding spot and walked over to Frodo, placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her and she nodded in approval and gave him her sweetest smile. "It'll be all right, Frodo," she whispered to him.

"I will take it! I will take it!" Frodo yelled. The argument died down and Gandalf closed his eyes, as he heard Frodo's statement. The members of the council slowly turned towards Frodo, astonished. "I will take the ring to Mordor. Though...I do not know the way."

Gandalf walked to Frodo, he gave Rosa a raised eyebrow but said nothing, "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."

Aragorn rose from his seat, "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will." He approached Frodo and knelt before him, "You have my sword."

"And you have my bow." Legolas said, joining them.

Gimli stood, "And my axe," he looked grimly at Legolas as he joined the group.

Boromir walked over to them, "You carry the fate of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."

"Heh!" Sam jumped up, "Mister Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!"

Elrond looked at him, amused, "No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council," His eyes turned from Sam and rested on Rosa, "and you are not."

Merry and Pippin emerged from behind the pillars, "Wait! We're coming too!"

Merry turned towards Lord Elrond, "You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!"

Pippin nodded, "Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest… thing."

"Well that rules you out, Pip."

"Ten companions," Elrond said, looking pointedly at Rosa, who had yet to say anything, she smiled sweetly at him. "So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"

Rosa for the win! Rosa looked up at Gandalf who said nothing, but smiled. She turned to her left and Legolas stood there, stone faced, as per usual. Gimli seemed to not care either way and Aragorn had seen her fight, and though she lacked experience, she showed promise, so he was not opposed to the idea of her coming. Boromir however, seemed to be trying to incinerate Rosa with his eyes, he did not trust her, especially after knowing that she had been spying on the meeting.

"Great! Where are we going?" Pippin asked.