Alarain was kept in bed for many days while her wounds healed, and each member of the fellowship visited her often. It was after one of these visits that she was sitting up in bed, laughing to herself as she thought of the story Merry and Pippin had told her.

She was bored just sitting there, and all she could think about when she was alone was Gandalf. The way his eyes looked at them, almost as if he knew what was going to happen. No! Don't think like that Alarain. He couldn't have known. And if he did, he would have done something to stop it. She sighed with misery.

Getting to her feet, her eyes darkened when she rose too fast. She steadied herself and took a few steps toward the piece of fabric hanging over the entrance. When she no longer felt dizzy, Alarain peeked out to see if anyone was watching. Her eyes scanned the clearing and, upon seeing not a soul, she crept outside. The muscles in her legs were sore, but as she stretched them, they relaxed.

Wandering out into the forest, she cast her eyes upwards and marveled at the enormous trees that surrounded the place. She reached out a hand and let it stroke the grey bark of one of the giants. It was smooth and cool under her palm and she smiled before continuing her exploring. As she drifted through the woods in her borrowed dress, Alarain breathed in the clean air and it seemed to clear her mind and calm her nerves.

"Do you never stay where you're told?" came a voice from the forest.

Alarain smiled at the ranger and turned around to see him step out from behind a silver tree. He raised his eyebrow at her.

She smiled. "Whatever do you mean?" she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes.

Walking until he was right in front of her, he spoke in a teasing tone. "You were also told to stay in your room at Rivendell, and you didn't. Now this?"

She giggled at his mockingly dangerous look.

"Ah lassie!" a rough dwarven voice came from behind her. "I see you're up. About time!" Gimli exclaimed, wandering to her side. She was surprised to see Legolas with him, but she smiled a greeting to them both.

"Yes, I've been held in that tent long enough." she said, sending a sidelong glance at Aragorn to see if he objected. He didn't say a word so she continued. "What has everyone else been up to?" she eyed the elf and dwarf. It was unusual for them to be seen together when it wasn't necessary, and she was suspicious.

"I've been showing Gimli here, the wonders of elven hospitality." Legolas grinned.

Gimli chortled. "It isn't half bad too! Though nowhere near as impressive as the hospitality of the dwarves." he bragged.

Legolas laughed at him and Alarain raised her eyebrows. "Well you haven't even tasted the wine yet." the elf shot back playfully.

"What are we waiting for then elf? Let's go find some wine!" the alcohol loving dwarf said, walking off with Legolas.

Her and Aragorn were silent. "That was odd..." she said slowly.

The ranger gave a little laugh. "They've been like this for some while. It must be the atmosphere here."

She nodded before strolling away. Aragorn followed behind at her shoulder and she felt his eyes on the back of her head.

Pausing, Alarain walked beside him so he could not longer watch her like that. "Where will we go when we are ready to leave?" she asked.

Aragorn looked torn. "About that..." He stopped and turned to her. "It's very safe here, and if you wish to stay, I won't stop you."

Realization came over her and she let out a groan. Crossing her arms, she glared at him. "Whether you like it or not, ranger, I'm coming." she said stubbornly.

He sighed, gaze wandering. "I was hoping you wouldn't say that." he looked at the ground.

Alarain was confused. "Why do you not want me to go so desperately?" she asked tentatively, taking a step back from him.

Gaze rising to her face, he saw the doubt hidden there. Alarain saw something that confused her in his eyes as he stepped closer. His hand came up and rested on her arm, keeping her from backing away further. "Alarain." he began carefully.

"Just tell me if you want me to stay here." she interrupted.

Aragorn stopped and stared at her. "I want you to stay here."

Her eyes widened for a moment before hurt clouded her features and she turned to leave.

"Wait." he said quickly, catching her hand. "I don't want you to stay here because I don't want you with us." She stopped, but didn't look at him. He stuttered, trying to find the right words. "I don't... I want you to be safe. Your safety won't be certain if you're with us."

She looked up at him, seeing the pleading look on his face, and answered. "The fate of Middle-earth is in danger. I won't be any more safe if I stay here and the quest fails."

He gazed at her before dropping his eyes. "You're right." Letting her hand go, he crossed his arms as she had done to him. "You are a stubborn woman." he grumbled, eyes not moving from hers.

Contrary to everyone's beliefs, she did not enjoy being called stubborn. "You're a stubborn heir." she shot back before quickly turning and striding away. He didn't follow this time, and she was partly glad. It didn't feel very good doing that to him, but he was bothering her with his protectiveness.

Muttering to herself, she passed by Boromir and he spoke. "What are you doing up?" His voice was accusing and worried.

Jumping, she waved her hand in a dismissive motion and ran away, leaving the poor man standing there awfully confused. She wasn't in the mood to deal with a protective Boromir as well.

Her dreams that night were unsettling. A low voice was laughing in a manner that made her heart twist in fear. It got louder and louder until she woke suddenly, shooting up into a sitting position. She felt a pain in her arm and rubbed it unthinkingly. Something stung her hand and she pulled it away. Looking down, she lifted her sleeve to see that the ugly mark had grown very white. She covered it in haste, as the sight of it made her feel something strange.

An image of her holding a sword to Frodo's throat flashed in her mind and she blinked it away quickly. Fear clutched at her heart and she didn't get to sleep again for some while. Only when dawn started to brake did she return to the world of dreams.

"Alarain... Alarain..."

Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she opened them to see Frodo's face hovering over her. She yelped and shot back from him, remembering the vision she had gotten the night before. He looked at her questioningly, and she shook her head. "Sorry." she apologized.

"No, I'm sorry." he smiled sheepishly. "I startled you."

"It's fine." she said, giving him a playful shove.

Grinning, he continued. "I heard you were up yesterday and wondered if you were feeling good enough for a walk. I'd love to show you around." he smiled.

Glad to see him in such a good mood after losing Gandalf, she complied. Eating a quick breakfast, she listened to him as he chattered on about this and that. The other hobbits and Brenir soon found them and joined the tour.

It was nice to watch the halflings so carefree for once. In fact, they talked so much that she hardly even had to use any energy to answer. Sam of course was not as chatty as the others, and worried for her, asking frequently if she needed to pause for a rest.

After spending the morning with them, Alarain eventually wandered off in search of some quiet. She passed a few elves here and there, and they nodded to her politely. The forest was beautiful in the afternoon. The sun that was shining through the leaves caused the light to appear a wonderful golden colour. Drifting away from the elven structures, the woman walked further into the woods. The moss was soft beneath her shoes and she smiled at the squishy feeling.

Wandering around the side of a tree, Alarain jumped back when she spotted Aragorn only a small distance away. She had not spoken with or even seen the ranger since her harsh words the day before.

Spying out at him from her hiding spot, she saw he was practicing his archery. He released an arrow, and it landed close to another in a dead stump. Leave it to Aragorn to not shoot the live trees, she thought, the edges of her lips twitching up. Aragorn wasn't a bad bowman, but if it had been Legolas, the arrow could have split the one that was already there straight down the middle.

A groan distracted her from her thoughts and she looked over to see him shaking his head when another arrow flew past the stump. He wasn't bad, but he usually wasn't this bad...

He paced heavily over to collect his arrows and crouched down, yanking them out with frustration. One was not coming loose and he pulled on it hard. It suddenly let go and cut his hand with the tip. He yelled in anger and threw it away before sinking to the ground, head in his hands.

Alarain stared in shock. He'd never lost it like that before! And now he did over pesky arrow? There must be something really bothering him if he gets frustrated over a small scratch.

He leaned back on the stump, hands still covering his face, and guilt struck at her heart when she realized she might have caused this with her inconsiderate burst.

Slowly emerging from her shelter, she walked quietly to his side. He was startled when she crouched down beside him, and watched her, obviously wondering what she would say. Alarain didn't say anything though, and just leaned her head on his shoulder. He looked down at his hands and they were silent. The only sound that could be heard as they sat there, was of the birds chirping away in the trees.

"I'm sorry." she whispered.

Aragorn didn't answer for a while. He then took her hand and gave it a little squeeze, showing he forgave her. She smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying the moment.

The two of them were deep in their own thoughts and didn't even know they were being watched. Their elf friend smiled to himself as he took in the scene. Unknown to them, they looked almost like a painting, sitting there together, hand in hand and bathed in sunlight as afternoon turned to evening.