Hello to whom ever is reading this,

If you have read the first chapter (which I'm assuming you have) thank you for wanting more. I'll admit, not much happens in this chapter but, since it was part of the original version, I refuse to eliminate it.

Editing this chapter for a third time might seem a little confusing but, since I originally wrote the chapter, I've known it was one of the weakest so, I've made an effort to add some depth and eloquence. Hope you enjoy the change. (08/27/15)

Once again, let me know what you think. Anything I can improve writing wise or story wise? Let me know. Criticism is welcome as long as it is mostly constructive.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Only my own character(s) and plot twists.

Hope you enjoy.

The first golden rays of the morning hit my face as I turn to face the sun cracking through the hole in the warm clouds. I've been lying on the branch of the tree, leaning casually against the trunk for the better part of the night with only a few moments of actual rest. However, I feel alert and oddly at peace with the warmth of the sun lighting up the forest. A peaceful smile spreads across my face as I gaze downward at the group.

Strider and Legolas were the first to wake. I watch as they stretch their limbs and have a silent conversation as to how to go about the morning. The other man appears to have just awoken and soon, all of the members are up and about. I'm continually glanced at by various members of the group, probably assuming that I'm up to no good, so I shut my eyes and let the heat of the sun soak into my skin.

We continue down the road. Sticking towards the back of the group, Strider constantly pulls me ahead of him as he feels me slowly sinking my way to the very back. I can't help but grin at this. He appears to be very attentive. More so than the stories that float around Bree say. As for the rest of the group, I've spent my hours analyzing them. Deciding which out of the nine are least likely to cause me issues. So far, the halflings seem to be the most promising with the exception that they ask a lot of questions. The elf is quiet but curious. The dwarf would be okay if he carried less of a tough appearance. Gandalf is occupied pretty much at all times. Boromir seems to be an ass, although he does carry the stature of a honourable man. (I guess I'm just being biased.) As for Strider... Well... He's something different. At least knows that silence is wise, like all wise men. Smirking as I think this, I turn my attention back to the man in question. He stares carefully at me in response, as if he is trying to read my thoughts.

"What would you say your strengths are?" He asks, looking forward. The question catches me by surprise. It was deeper than what I had expected of a conversation. Why would he ask something like that?

"I'm assuming you're wondering why I would ask you that." I raise my eyebrows ever so slightly at his correct estimate. He smirks, catching my expression.

"A man who can see his strengths and weaknesses is a man who knows himself. Or, in your case a girl who knows herself." I ponder for a moment. Wondering if it would be wise to respond. A moment passes.

"You know, you don't say much." He continues. "Especially for a girl of your age."

I lower my head, letting my bangs and hood shadow my face. Hiding my suddenly overwhelming emotions. I whisper my response. "I know." We're silent for the rest of the day's journey.

Stopping again for the night, I repeat my routine by climbing up a tree similar the one of the night before, stretching out my legs and folding my arms as I watch them prepare for the night. The halflings (with an exception of Sam) have their bedrolls out and are seated on them while anxiously waiting for Sam to finish cooking supper. The others look more relaxed as they too wait for food. Light-hearted conversation makes its way into the air.

Pity mixed with slight guilt works it's way into my chest as I watch Sam hunch over the pot, lulling his way through making supper. I could tell he was tired from carrying supplies and stuff, mixed in with his restless slumber the night before and now he has to make supper. I watch as he slowly puts the ingredients into the pot and mixes it with the spoon. For a second, I thought he was going to spill all of the boiling water all over himself but he jolts himself awake. He then goes back into this tired fashion of cooking. This is almost too painful to watch. Before I can begin to process what I'm doing, I drop down from the tree. Everyone's eyes are on me as walk up to Sam and bend down on one knee in front of the cooking pot.

"I can take over." I mutter and I reach out to grab the spoon from his hands.

The startled Sam jumps back and starts waving the spoon around as if to guard the pot.

"It's my responsibility to make the food, I'm not about to risk you coming here and poisoning us all." He shouts.

"She's not going to poison it and you also need your rest. Even if she was going to poison it, we'll be watching her." Aragorn says calmly to Sam. He looks back at Aragorn and then reluctantly hands me the spoon.

"The ingredients are beside the pot." Sam then goes to sit beside Frodo.

I look at what Sam started to make. So far, all that's in the pot is water and sliced potatoes. It's a long ways from being stew but I've worked with worse. In fact, boiled potatoes is a fancy meal on its own in my world. I would normally just eat them raw and forget about the cooking. Digging through the pile of ingredients I find carrots, bread, and multiple spices and herbs. Starting with the carrots, I begin to slice them as I add other ingredients into the pot.

"Do you think it is wise to let her cook?" asks Legolas politely.

"Why wouldn't it be? Sam needed rest and Shadow volunteered." Aragorn replied simply.

"Can the lass even cook a proper meal? She might kill us all with it's nasty flavour!" Gimli says with a smile and starts chuckling.

I grin as I start to serve the orange coloured stew. Knowing who the groups guinea pigs are, I hand the first bowls to Merry and Pippin. Merry eagerly takes the bowl and the other members watch with surprised expressions as he downs all of its contents without stopping. His face is covered with the bright broth and a slice of the potato that hangs from his chin. He sits for a moment with an odd look on his face. I anxiously await his words as does the rest of the group.

"It's good then?" asks Pippin with a small worried expression.

"It's... Interesting. Never had it before and I don't know what to think of it. It got this sort of tangy thing going on. Edible." He concludes with a short nod. I watch as Pippin looks at the liquid in his bowl, spinning it around a little and then taking a sip. He swallows it with a loud gulp and then also finishes the rest his bowl in one go. I quickly pass out the rest of the stew, grab a slice of bread and a half filled bowl for myself before I make my way back to the base of the tree.

"And where do you think your going lass?" Gimli says in a teasing tone.

"Come down here and join us." Legolas finishes. I clench my teeth at the request. I don't want to talk. I don't want them to look at me. And I don't want to become attached. However, the way Legolas asks, it's... sincere.

Slowly and with much caution, I turn around and sit a few feet away from Aragorn. Immediately, the warmth of the fire spreads across my body. I tuck my knees in, wrapping my arms around them as I quietly my meal. After I finish, I watch the flames dance as I tuck my face into the neck of my tunic cloak, far enough that only my eyes show. Everyone but Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and I are asleep.

"Take off your hood, we all know what you look like." Gimli requests in a friendly tone. I remain unmoved.

"So, wehere do you come from? This food is delicious."I notice his change in topic. It diminishes the resent tension of my disobedience. Unlike Merry and Pippin though, Gimli seemed to genuinely enjoy my stew.

"I don't know." Lies.

"You do not know where you grew up?" Legolas confirms.

"Far away from here." Truth.

Aragorn's eyes narrow slightly. I assume he's noticed my blunt answers as he asks me the most simple of questions.

"What is your name?"

The only people who knew my real name were my father, mother and my brother. There is a silence.

"Tamber." Too many truths.

Right after I say this, I go back up onto the tree branch and wrap my cloak around me. I don't hear them talking anymore. Thankfully, my body doesn't give me the chance to think about what I have done and the risks I've taken. My eyes close and sleep consumes me instantly.

Legolas POV

"Tamber." Without wasting any time, she swiftly climbs up the tree and swings her cloak around her, blending in with the night sky.

I face my friends, awaiting their thoughts about our guest. Apparently Estel, and the dwarf were having similar thoughts as we all gazed at each other, waiting for someone to speak. I decide to say my thoughts first.

"Tamber." I notice how the name floats upon my voice as a petal in the wind. "Such a gentle name for so guarded a person."

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the second chapter.

Like I said, not much happens. Hope you keep reading though since things start to pick up.

If you preferred the original version of this chapter, let me know and I will send it to you via Private Messaging.

Thank you again for reading and I hope you continue into the third chapter.

~Nighthief