Disclaimer: Don't own LOTR only the OCs
Bluelibellule13: I'm glad you liked the last chapter! I can't wait to get to the more exciting stuff like helms deep, im hoping you love that too!
Lintered: I don't know, maybe! This story is kinda doing what it wants, I feel like I have no control.
Dragonrider125, Indiana9311, and Istrali abr ilumeo: Thanks guys! I hope you keep reading. As for Faramir, you'll have to see!
Missy had found a pair of silk pants in the room Galadriel had given her and then she found what seemed to be a bandeau so she wore it as one. The simple white gauzy material fit her exceptionally well and also left her stomach bare, which was good since Aragorn had put some kind of paste over her bruise. With this perfect acceptable, at least in her mind, outfit on she went to find a solitary place to do her daily yoga which she had been neglecting.
"Maybe I can find inner strength or whatever." She muttered to herself as she walked through Lorien, ignoring the stares of the elves who were indeed surprised to see a woman so scantily clad. Once she found a good spot she stretched and then began with the moves her instructors always had. Her mind was still racing, which was something that always happened. She had never really grasped the concept of inner silence, truth be told she only went to yoga because her friends did.
"Maybe if I meditate like in the movies." With that thought she sat down Indian style on the forest floor and rested her hands, palms up, on her knees. Her middle finger and thumb came together and she closed her eyes and began to hum softly. What if they leave me? I can't stay here with these elves, not after what Galadriel said. Aragorn wouldn't really leave me would he? He likes me right? He seemed really pissed when Legolas hit me. Legolas sucks. Aragorn is nice though. Yeah, I like him. I'm gonna stay with Aragorn. Oh shit, inner strength! She opened her eyes at that last thought. She was no good at meditation. She had decided one thing though, the Fellowship was not leaving with out her. ~ * ~
Frodo glanced over at Sam who was still sleeping, almost as though he were afraid he would not get another chance. This would be the last time he would feel safe ever again, he was far too aware of that.
"Frodo… I think it's time you gave me that story." His blue eyes looked up to see her standing there, hands on her hips. He gave a nod and scooted over so she could settle herself down beside him. She stayed silent as he told her of the ring and how it came to him. He told her of Sauron and what the Fellowship had been sent to do.
"What about Aerona? What do you know of her?" The hobbits looked confused and she sighed before pulling him close to her and hugging him tightly. Frodo blushed bright red as she had so much skin exposed that no matter where he put his hand he was touching it.
"Have you seen Aragorn? I need to talk to him." The hobbit gestured towards the left side of the clearing and she took off at a slow jog. When she found him she also found Boromir, the two were talking of Gondor and the White city.
"Hey guys." She said and they both stopped speaking and gave her the once over.
"So, Galadriel said she can't get me home. I'm coming with you guys. Now before you tell me it's too dangerous and all that stuff I should let you know I'm not taking no for an answer. I'll be ready when we leave at dawn. Tootles!" She was gone before either man could answer her.
"Well at least your life will never be dull." Boromir said as Aragorn took a bite of bread.
"What do you mean?"
"The girl. You protect her in a way that any man would one he loves." Aragorn shook his head but kept his eyes on the spot where she had been moments before.
"No my friend, I gave my heart away a long time ago. Artemis is young and beautiful but too naïve for my liking. Perhaps you would be better suited for the girl." Boromir laughed for the first time since she had entered Lorien. He was unsettled by the Lady of the Wood and had not been able to find peace there.
"She would be well suited for my brother, for he is quiet and she never stops speaking." They both grinned and then Aragorn sighed.
"She is very spirited but I am afraid I will have to put my foot down and force her to stay. I have given her too much freedom as it is." Aragorn stood and gestured back towards their sleeping quarters. They would need much rest for their upcoming journey. ~ * ~
She loved the elven dresses but she knew traveling in one would be a bitch so she needed an outfit. She had asked an elf for pants and a tunic but when they brought her clothes they brought an array of things; Leggings, skirts, pants, tops, vests, coats, boots, and dresses. Now she had to pick something. She was a fashion major, she knew quite a bit about clothes so this really shouldn't have been as hard as it was. Finally she knew what she had to do, and with another trip from the servant elf she had scissors and thread. She took a brown skirt and cut it so it went to a little above the knee, then she cut one of the tops and after a bit of sewing she had an off the shoulder peasant blouse.
"I'm brilliant!" She said to herself as she looked herself over. Brown boots with green leggings, brown skirt and her white top and a green vest that fit her very snug. At least she looked a little more cultured.
"I feel like a pirate." She muttered as strapped the elven throwing stars to her waist. Galadriel had told her she could keep the stars but for some reason the elf had taken the staff she had been using. She thought long about her hair before asking the annoyed servant elf if she knew how to do a crown braid. Once her hair was done she was ready, and the sun was rising. ~ * ~
Aragorn had a stern face, and she could see he was not going to back down.
"I don't want to be alone here." She said sadly looking into his blue eyes. His heart broke but he had to stay firm in his choice.
"You will not be alone Lady Artemis, the elves are a most gracious race. You are too young for this battle. They will protect you." She opened her mouth to argue when she heard a voice in her head. Do not be troubled Artemis. She glanced over at Galadriel who gestured for her to come towards her. Missy let her shoulders sag as she moved toward the elf.
"I have given a gift to the Fellowship, and one to you as well Artemis Cooper." She fastened a cloak around her shoulders and then grabbed a staff from behind her.
"This staff is made for one of our most ancient and beloved trees. It gave this branch willingly for one who did not wish to kill, only to defend." Missy took it in her hands, her mouth forming a tiny o at the texture and beauty. The wood was black but had silver streaks running up and down and at the ends of the staff a ruby had been embedded deep into the wood.
"During one of our attempts at peace with the dwarf nations they gifted us with mithril. The staff has been blessed in it; no sword will ever break it." Missy grinned but within moments she was frowning again.
"Aragorn said I can't go with them." Galadriel looked over to see Celeborn talking with Aragorn and the other members of the fellowship saying good bye or loading the last boat. She steered Missy down towards the river, talking to her in her mind as they walked. ~ * ~
The Fellowship rowed away, all of them searching the shore for the one person who had not said goodbye to them.
"She is really upset." Pippin said sadly as he watched Lorien drift further and further away.
"She will be safer in Lothlorien, and besides, the staff Galadriel gave her was one I have only seen once in my life. She must think very highly of the girl to give it to her so freely." Legolas said from the boat beside him.
"Let us hope she never has to use it." Aragorn said. They continued down the river for hours, hoping to get as far as they could before continuing on foot. Pippin began to complain of hunger and Gimli grabbed a bag so he could give the hobbit some lembas bread and shut him up. When the dwarf grabbed the bag and lifted it a black staff came rolling out across the floor of the boat. Legolas snatched it up and then called out to Aragorn.
"I think we have a stow away." Aragorn glanced back to see Legolas holding the staff and then looked over at Boromir's boat. Legolas glanced under his seat but only his bag was there. Boromir shook his head as well and Aragorn sighed before asking Frodo to hold the oar. The man moved towards the front of the boat and reached under the bench seat, he was not surprised when his fingers wrapped around a wrist. He pulled her out and she smiled sheepishly up at him.
"Oh hey, you found me." Missy grinned. He looked ready to kill and she was regretting her decision of placing her staff in another boat. Aragorn said nothing though, and moved back to his place and continued to paddle. Sam smiled at her brightly.
"I thought we would never see you again Miss Artemis." She ruffled his hair and then turned her back on Aragorn so she was facing forward.
"According to Galadriel there is someone who can get me home Sam, and I need inner strength to find her and not, you know, die… I sure as hell wasn't gonna find it sitting around Lorien." She looked over her shoulder and waited for Aragorn to make eye contact, once he did she smiled wickedly.
"Besides, the view from the river is way better."