Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

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Lothlórien was more stunning and beautiful than I could have imagined it would be. With its canopy of trees and the lush greenery that came with it. I was traveling with the Fellowship of the Ring, with Frodo holding my hand and not letting go, as if he were trying to hold onto something or rather someone. Me, no doubt, but maybe something more. Maybe he was thinking about his mother, too, and even with my habits towards wanting to protect him, maybe some part of his mother came out from it.

Well, how I ended up with the Fellowship was a story all its own. I did attend the Council of Elrond, but I didn't really speak up until Frodo said something about it. "I want Aria to come with us," he said to Elrond.

"No woman has dared trekked across…" Elrond demanded, but I took over.

"I want to come!" I shouted. I calmed down a second later. "I've gotten used to camping and I think it's safe to say that… I want to come along. Give Frodo support. I've grown used to hobbit ways. I think I withstand the Ring."

Gandalf laughed. "And that is why you are a hobbit now, Miss Aria. I think this is right. Keep Frodo safe and secure, but also to help him remember what love feels like."

And that was how I ended up traveling with the Fellowship. Honestly, I didn't know if I could withstand the Ring's power. It wasn't easy, but somehow my hobbit senses kept me from growing mad, although I could see the look in Boromir's eyes. Well, being a hobbit had its advantages.

But Lothlórien was so beautiful and the trees were so tall. Here I was after all this time. Excitement grew inside me. I mean, I did miss my laptop from time to time, but that had grown less and less as the years passed. Three years already since I'd been here, since I arrived at Middle-earth. One advantage was that I was less haughty and that was a good thing. Now that I was in the forest of the high elves, it felt surreal but also good.

My attention returned to reality with the gentle touch of Frodo's hand. I looked into his eyes, wondering if… but no. It was better this way. Marriage was a big step. Was I truly ready for that task?

"Are you all right?" Frodo asked me, whispering in my ear. "We'll make it through this."

I turned my gaze to him. "How?"

He placed my hand on his heart, right next to the chain that held the Ring. "Because I love you. No ring is going to tear that apart, tear us apart. I need you."

"Oh Frodo," I said, resting my head on his chin.

"Come on, you two," Sam said, standing next to me and Frodo. "Let's go."

I looked at Sam in astonishment. "You don't trust me." Too late. Sam grabbed me and pulled me away from Frodo. Clearly, I angered him, but he didn't show it. "You know, I didn't ask to come here."

"I know, but…" Sam faced me, moving me a little into the forest and away from the group, "…let me tell you something."

"I'm listening," I said, nervous.

"We don't need to be distracted while we're on this journey." He admitted. "You are a distraction. Mr. Frodo doesn't need that. He needs to focus on the quest. You'll only be a burden."

"You wouldn't say this before Galadriel, and I haven't you say that to Arwen or Rosie," I admitted, too. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you are a distraction, to Mr. Frodo and to everyone else in the Fellowship," Sam said, moving away from me. "He'll see that. He has seen that. You'll be a burden, a hindrance. We don't need that."

Now I felt depressed. Didn't he realize… maybe he did a little the second I crept nearer to him and Frodo, for Frodo asked him, "What happened, Sam? What did you… discuss?"

I didn't bother looking at either of them. I just kept walking, hoping that there might be some resolution to this mess. It wasn't looking good from here on out. Even as I became a little acquainted with the elves and strayed away from Frodo and Sam, it didn't take long for me to notice Frodo slipping and studying the Ring a little more. He was distracted. I knew Sam's words wasn't going to help the situation. I wondered if something that I was doing was causing this to happen.

Soon enough, we left Lothlórien. I was in the same boat and Legolas and Gimli. It was peaceful, but I felt lonely. Lonelier than I should feel. I couldn't help eyes watching me. Even as we docked on various shores and I wanted to help carry the boats, the eight men wouldn't let me. Honestly, I knew I was a woman, but the least I could do was be of use to them. Still, I had to keep up with them, which wasn't easy. They were so much faster than me. I might as well resort to being one of the trees and just fall behind. It didn't help either that Sam watched Frodo like a hawk and kept his distance from me. Didn't he realize it was more damaging than helpful?

Still, sadness crept over me. An old sadness that hadn't abated. It was one of fear for losing Frodo and another boiling hatred for… no, I couldn't be mad at Sam. Why then was I mad at him? Old fears and things like that bubbling up inside myself, like a vacuum that would sweep up my thoughts and feelings. I had to make a decision: should I travel with Frodo to Mordor? That would mean that Sam would be there, but what choice did I have?

We neared Amon Hen at last. My insides were boiling. I chose then to stay on the beach, keep watch there. So far, all seemed calm, but hearing Aragorn and Legolas talking, watching Frodo leave the beach – how I longed to follow him – made me think that maybe I should get involved. But no, Frodo would return and I would be waiting for him.

My decision was set: I would come with him.

"Aria," Frodo reappeared minutes later. He was shocked to see me. "How did you… what?"

"I… I've been waiting here to tell you that I'm coming with you," I spoke up, standing up on the spot.

"No. You won't be safe, not now, not when…." His voice faded, as his hand reached for the Ring.

"Frodo, I know the risks. You said it yourself you wanted me to come along. Well, here I am, waiting to follow you, straight to the heart of Mordor," I said, hoping that would convince him to let me continue the quest with him. We weren't alone. Sam came tromping towards us.

"Mr. Frodo. Oh!" Sam stopped in his tracks, stunned to see me. "Oh no. Not this."

"Look, you're both good to me, but," Frodo spoke more calmly, "I have to finish this quest on my own."

"You won't last five miles without me," I said, determined for him to see reason. "Or Sam. Sam's been saving your life. I've been saving your heart. How can you go wrong there?"

Frodo stopped and thought for a brief moment. I thought he might do something drastic, but he didn't. He smiled, a smile that I hadn't seen in a long time. Maybe Galadriel's words hadn't pierced through his heart too much. And Sam… well, Sam I hoped would understand.

"Maybe you aren't a burden after all, Miss Aria," Sam said, curtly.

"Aww." I said, softly. "Is that compassion I hear?"

"All right, you can both come, but we must hurry, before the others see," Frodo said, grabbing one of the boats. I was happy, but I did hope that we would make it home safe and sound, knowing now that the Shire was my home and it would always be that way until the end of time.

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Thanks for reading. :)