Chapter 9

The Fellowship walked through the forest, getting deeper and deeper into the woods. The hobbits gave nervous glances to the elves who walked on all sides of them. Watching them. Making sure that none of them made an all too hasty move out of line.

There was heavy tension in the air as the group made way to one of their outposts. Haldir mentioned that there would need to be a discussion before he takes them further into Lothlorien. He mentioned also that there would be more medicinal supplies for Samantha at their outpost.

Samantha was dead weight on Boromir's back. He had not heard her uttering a word in what felt like hours. The only thing to let him know she was alive was the combination of her body heat and the small quick breathes he could feel on his neck. He focused on that as he too gave weary glances to the elves. Before Legolas he had not had much dealing with them in the past. Merely stories.

The sun had finally set when the group reached the outpost. The moonlight illuminated the surroundings as it did every other night. But on this night, it felt almost eerie.

Haldir said a few quick words in Elvish and a few elves came forward, reaching for Samantha. Boromir gave a questioning look to Legolas and Aragorn. The two nodded and he untied her hands form in front of him. As gently as he could, he lowered her so the elves could take her to a bed not too far out of sight.

There was silence as the fellowship seemed to hold their breath as their friend was taken away. They hoped and prayed that she would be alright. Elves were skilled healers, they did their best to put faith in that fact.

Haldir turned and looked at the fellowship. He noticed how the elvish prince in front of him was transfixed by the woman being carried away. Small beads of sweat could be seen on his brow and the look in his eyes was unmistakable. Fear. Legolas did a good job of hiding it, but Haldir was experienced. Many battles with young warriors had made him accustomed to the look. He decided to bring the prince and the Fellowship out of their trance of worry.

"Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil."

Legolas broke eye contact with the doorway Samantha had been taken through. He looked at Haldir, "Our Fellowship stands in your debt."

Haldir continued through the Fellowship, "Aragorn of the Dunedain... you are known to us." He finished in a greeting.

Aragorn gave a small reply but was cut off by Gimli, "So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can all understand!" Gimli was fed up with not knowing what was being said. He needed to know what was going on. What if they were keeping something important from him and the others in the fellowship? They all deserved to know.

Haldir turned toward the dwarf, less than pleased with the rude outburst. "We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the dark days."

Not being one to take insult lightly, "And you know what this Dwarf says to that?" There was nothing but the sound of the wind as Gimli said very un-courteous things in his native tongue.

Aragorn groaned internally and put a firm hand on the dwarves shoulder, "That was not so courteous"

Haldir let the comments roll off of him as he eyed the last few members of the fellowship. The hobbits. Nothing of great importance. Hobbits were not known to be troublesome creatures. Let alone to be away from their shire for so long. He didn't have much of anything to say until his eyes landed on Frodo. A creeping chill ran up his spine and he knew, "You bring great evil with you." He gave a look to Aragorn, "You can go no further."

There was stunned silence as the other hobbits turned to Frodo. One look, and just like that?

Aragorn and Haldir had a long conversation. Legolas butted in once or twice as he was the only one who understood the elvish being spoken. Aragorn had to make Haldir understand that they had to make it through their forest. That they had to have refuge. That their journey was important and that Samantha may not survive without their help.

The rest of the Fellowship sat quietly amongst themselves. Listening to the wind and Aragorn and Haldir's continuous strings of elvish banter.

Gimli gave the two looks every now and then. He was still annoyed at not being able to understand, but he had to put his pride aside for now. Being angry and insulting would do them no good.

He found himself looking back to the room Samantha was currently sleeping in. An Elf had come to let them know that she was doing better, but her fever was dangerously high. They did the best with the supplies they had and they were expecting her fever to break before nightfall the next day. If it did not, they did not know what would happen.

His mind wandered to her angered rant. He had been shocked when she, a woman, pushed his ax aside without fear and accused him of being responsible for Gandalf's death. It struck a cord with him. He did not want to admit it but what she said had gotten to him. He had been pushing for Moria, and it was evident that Gandalf had not wanted to enter the Mines. For reasons they all now knew. He reasoned with himself that none of them could have known. That Moria was the only way after the pass in the mountains had failed. He prayed that they wouldn't have a second death to mourn over in the coming days.

Boromir looked at the hobbits in front of him. They all sat in complete silence. Unusual for them, but fitting with the circumstances. While Samantha was a worry for all of them, he knew Gandalf weighed heavy on their minds. Samantha wasn't gone, but Gandalf was. He was almost a father figure for them. He thought about if he lost his own father and felt great sympathy for them. But he also remembered deaths of friends and loved ones in battle. How it does you no good to linger on them.

"Gandalf's death was not in vain," he said to Frodo who sat just a few feet from him. "Nor would he want you to give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo. Don't carry the weight of the dead."

Before Frodo had time to respond to him or even really process what he had said, Haldir came to them. "You will follow me."

They all shared a glance with one another before gathering their things and continuing on. Samantha was placed on a stretcher and carried by two elves.

Haldir made the fellowship wear blindfolds before continuing. No outsiders need know of how to get into Lothlorien. Gimli gave protest, but after some persuasion from Aragorn he begrudgingly agreed. As they walked they could slowly begin to feel the air become warmer as the sun warmed the forest. The sun had risen. How long had they been walking? How long were they waiting at the outpost? Everything seemed to be moving so fast for them.

When upon a hill, Haldir allowed them to take off their blindfolds. They were close enough now, and a prideful part of him wanted the outsiders to see the glory of his home. He stood and stated, "Caras Galadhon. The heart of Elvendom on Earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of light."

The fellowship looked in wonder at the city. The trees towered over everything else in the forest. The hobbits couldn't believe that trees that big actually existed. It was a nice change of pace to see something new that didn't make them terrified for their own lives.

The group made their way into the city. The elves used the large trees as their homes. Long winding staircases snaked around the trees, guiding you further and further up. As the group ascended into the trees, the sunlight started to fade and instead of sunlight there was a gentile glow. The hobbits were in awe of the luminescent surroundings.

The two elves carrying Samantha departed into another direction and Haldir told them that she would be fine. They had to have counsel with his Lord and Lady first before they could be let to wander.

Haldir led them into what they assumed was a grand hall of sorts. There were intricate markings in the wood and vines grew elegantly. They stopped before a staircase and they all looked up at the bright light before them. The hobbits and Gimli now knew why she was called the Lady of Light. They stared in awe at her radiance, while Aragorn and Legolas gave a small bow of their head.

When the two reached the bottom of the stairs, Lord Celeborn stated, "The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone." He gave them all a pointed and very serious look. They had been fools. "Nine are here yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him." There was a moment of pause as he noticed Aragorn and a few other heads go down slightly. "I can no longer see him from afar."

It was then that Galadriel chose to speak. She met the eyes of the fellowship, "He did not cross the boarder of this land. He has fallen into Shadow."

Legolas found his voice, "He was taken by both Shadow and Flame. A Balrog of Morgoth." It pained him to think of what had happened the previous day. The wound was still so fresh, the memories far too vivid. His mind recalled Samantha's words and before he could compose his emotions he continues to tell the Elven lords before him, "For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."

Gimli felt as though someone had struck him with his own ax. His eyes fell to the ground. The burden of losing Gandalf becoming heavier. As well as the reminder of his own great loss. His family, his brothers, they were all gone. A great dwarven city now laid in ruins under the mountain. The loss was almost too much.

Galadirel chimed in, "Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose." She looked over the fellowship and her eyes landed on Gimli, "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin. For, the world has grown full of peril, and in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."

She turned her eyes now to Boromir. The man who had said nothing suddenly turned pale and turned his gaze from Galadriel. He did his best to muffle his cries. He did not need to see what she had shown him.

Legolas and Aragorn paid him no mind, aware that there must be some elven magic going on. The hobbits, were understandably taken aback and were not sure what had just happened. Boromir seemed to compose himself rather quickly, but the fact that it happened at all shocked them.

"What is to become of this Fellowship?" Celeborn continued, "Without Gandalf, hope is lost."

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all." She didn't need any magic to know they all understood the gravity of the situation. "Yet hope remains while the company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace."

She gave them all a warm smile, but Boromir could no longer look her in the face. His skin crawled and he felt ill. Shortly after that they were led to an area they could rest. As a few elves helped gather them suitable comforts they had been without, Legolas found himself looking up into the trees. Was Samantha alright? Surely if something had happened to her they would let them know right away. He trusted his elven brethren. He had to calm his anxiety for now. It was not the time to be running about. She had to rest.

There was a somber mood throughout the Fellowship. Grief still weighed heavy upon them, but they did their best to truly appreciate the warm blankets and delicious food the elves had prepared for them. They had not eaten in almost a day. Grief and sadness didn't stop them from eating their full. Who knows how long they would get to have these luxuries before they were back on the road.

"You think Samantha's alright?" Pippin asked out of the blue.

There was a moment of silence before Aragorn looked at the young hobbit. "They would let us know if her condition has changed. Have no fear about that."

"That wound looked almost as bad as yours did, Mister Frodo." Sam commented, thinking back to when the wraiths attacked them.

Frodo's hand went to the wound. He could still feel pain every now and then from it. He didn't know how long it would last. "I hope her wound is nothing like that."

"Do not fret, her wound will heal. Her and Frodo's wound are very different." Aragorn assured them.

Sam thought back to Frodo's convulsions and screams and how his eyes rolled back into his head. Samantha didn't do anything of the sort. "That's good."

Pippin perked up, "How about we go see her!"

"We can't, Pip. We were told she needs to rest." Merry lightly scolded his friend. They had asked earlier while getting settled in if they could see her and the elf told them she needed quiet and rest to recover.

Pippin got silent before a smirk crawled across his face, "Oh, well Legolas could come with us! He's an elf! And, I bet he wouldn't mind checking in on her." He finished coyly.

There was a bit of laughter around the fellowship as Legolas went still and just stared at the Hobbit with wide eyes. He couldn't be implying what he thought he was implying. When the laughter calmed down a bit he remarked, "Well of course, she was badly injured after all. Why would I not want to check up on her? But, I won't go against what the healer's advise."

Legolas turned and left to clear his head, but as he was leaving he could hear the hobbit remark on how Samantha wouldn't mind it if he checked up on her either. A small bit of heat rose into his cheeks. Was there something the hobbits could see and he couldn't? He was just thankful Boromir had sulked off somewhere long before this...

Elsewhere in Lothlorien, Samantha opened her eyes. The first thing she could comprehend was how worn down and tired she felt. She couldn't remember much and took a moment to stare at the unfamiliar ceiling. Or, canopy. 'Am I in a tree house?' The pretty leaves seemed to wave at her ever so slightly and she felt herself smile the tiniest bit. It was dim, but a pale blue light illuminated the area enough for her to see her surroundings. She had never seen anything like it before in her life. A room that seemed to be nestled right next to a tree. A long table was on the opposite end of the room and there were many things on it. Vials and books and herbs, it was a sort of private infirmary room perhaps?

A sudden realization dawned on her.

'Where are my friends? Where am I? I didn't go to another world, did I?!'

Her heart began to pound like a drum in her chest. "Oh, no."

She sat up and felt light headed while doing so. Pausing for a moment, she swung her legs over the bed... or rather part of tree with incredibly soft cushion. She felt her neck and a bandage was over the area.

"So, that's still a thing." she whispered to herself. 'I can do this.' She just had to get out unnoticed and either find the fellowship or find out where she had ended up now. A sigh of frustration left her, it hadn't even been that long since she started to accept her new existence.

She stood and made her way toward the flap of curtain that was the door. When she opened it and took a step out she couldn't believe her eyes. It was so beautiful. A hue of blue engulfed everything as spots of light helped to illuminate. The trees were so tall and large. 'Are these California redwoods or something?' These were the biggest trees she had ever seen.

When she looked down, she was less than pleased. Samantha had to be at least one hundred feet in the air. She gasped and fell back in shock, landing on her butt inside the room she had just exited. The sudden moment and hitting the floor made her body ache and she groaned. Her eyes were shut tight as she tried to regain her senses when she heard a voice, "That wasn't very ladylike, now was it?"

She pulled the flap away and had some help from the stranger in front of her who held out his hand for her to take. She looked up and saw a beautiful man standing before her. He reminded her of Legolas. It didn't take her long to realize why, he was an elf. She took the elves hand reluctantly and he helped her stand.

There was a moment of silence as he observed her, "Umm, thanks..." Samantha said rather awkwardly. "So, who are you and where am I? And where are my friends?" She assumed since she had not been killed yet that he was mostly friendly. 'Legolas and the other's should be around here somewhere, right?'

"You can call me, Haldir. I am surprised to see you awake. The healers expected you to slumber several more hours at least." He guided her back inside with a hand on her back, "Perhaps you are just as anxious to see your friends as they are to see you?"

Her demeanor instantly perked up, "Where are they? Can I see them?"

He held up a hand to hush her, "They are resting from your long journey, as should you. Let us see what the healer has to say before I take you there."

"I feel fine. I really want to see them, please? Haldir?" She said trying out the foreign name that felt familiar to her somehow.

He looked her up and down. He could see the wheels turning in his mind. It couldn't be that bad for her to go see them, right? Eventually he nodded. "Alright, I will take you. But first," he said turning to a table on the other end of the room, "Put this on." He held up an elven gown. It was beautiful and the intricate yet simple designs seemed so high fashion. It was simple but felt more fancy than it seemed. "You can just slip this over your tunic."

Samantha looked down and she realized she was not in her clothes she remembered wearing last. She was in a simple white tunic that was generally worn underneath your attire. A blush rose to her cheeks in embarrassment. Someone had to have undressed her. Her hair also felt cleaner now that she thought of it. Was she bathed? Oh Lord.

She was thankful that it was dim. The tunic didn't hide much. Then she remembered. Elves.

She took the gown and held it over her chest and nodded. "Would you wait outside? I'll have it on in a minute."

There was a glint of amusement in his eyes and he nodded. Placing the gown on the bed next to her and then leaving. Once he left she hurriedly put on the gown, making sure that it felt comfortable enough and once she was sure she wouldn't make a complete fool of herself she left the room.

This time she was prepared for the view and for the steep drop off. Haldir looked over to her and held out a hand to the side, "Shall we?" He turned and began walking away. Samantha quickly followed.

The excitement of seeing them kept the worn feeling at bay for now. She focused on that while they walked in silence. Haldir wasn't one to talk much. Though, most elves didn't. They were much more stoic that humans. Legolas was the same, but he showed her his emotions from time to time and she valued that. She felt a little privileged remembering the small moments they spent together. His walls seemed to come down a little while they talked. It was like he could really just let go with her, and she was happy that she could do that for him. It had to be so weird being stoic all the time.

Her mind wandered from Legolas, to Boromir, to Aragorn, the hobbits, and Gimli. Her heart raced in anxiety remembering Gimli. 'How could I say those things? It wasn't right. He didn't deserve it.'

She looked down in shame. She had to make it up to him. Her emotions had a bad habit of taking control at the worst possible moments. Acting harshly and without reason. As the feeling of shame and guilt hit her hard, she was pulled out of it by a familiar voice,

"Samantha!"

She looked up and smiled. At least she was back with them and could try to make things right.

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Edited: 5-10-2020
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