The next few hours passed with the Fellowship running, both on foot and from the events that had taken place in the mines. Aragorn led the group onward until they came across a forest where the leaves were bright gold.

"Fascinating," The Doctor muttered as he picked up a leaf, looking at it curiously, wondering what made them gold.

"Stay close young Hobbits," Gimli warned quietly, placing a hand on Frodo's shoulder. "They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-Witch of terrible power."

"First a demon, now a sorceress. I shudder to think of what's next," River said dryly.

"Doctor."

The Doctor looked around wildly as he heard the voice, speaking to him. The others didn't seem to have heard it, and he couldn't see where it was coming from. But he knew he wasn't mad, in spite of his many jokes on the subject. Someone was speaking to him.

"Be wary of the ring. It corrupts even the purest of hearts."

"Doctor? Are you alright?" Amy asked as they noticed The Doctor seemed like he was looking for something.

"Fine. I'm fine Pond," The Doctor muttered, wondering if Gimli might be right about this 'sorceress'.

"They say all who look upon her fall under her spell and are never seen again. Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily," Gimli said confidently. "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox."

Barely had the words left his mouth when three arrows appeared in front of Gimli before the entire Fellowship found themselves surrounded, arrows pointed at him.

"You had to say it, didn't you?" Rory grumbled as he held his hands up.

Legolas drew an arrow but they all realized they were outnumbered and outgunned. Slowly, everyone followed Rory's lead and put their hands up in a surrendering position as an Elf with long blond hair walked forward.

"The Dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark," the Elf mocked and Gimli growled.

"Well, this is shaping up to be another fine mess we've gotten ourselves into Doctor," River said lightly and The Doctor looked over at her.

"So it would seem, Dr. Song," The Doctor agreed, wondering how they could get themselves out of this mess.

That night, the Fellowship found themselves standing on a platform, the Elf who had mocked Gimli, called Haldir, spoke with Legolas in a language none of them understood before turning and saying something to Aragorn, who nodded in respect.

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can all understand!" Gimli sneered.

Immediately, Haldir's demeanor changed, his eyes growing icy as he turned to Gimli with apathy.

"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days," Halidir said stiffly.

"And you know what this Dwarf says to that?" Gimli spat before saying something in Dwarvish.

The Doctor and his companions, while not understanding what had been said, understood that Gimli had just insulted Haldir by the rage that filled his eyes.

"That was not so courteous," Aragorn said lowly with a look at Gimli

"Now, let's everyone calm down," The Doctor said as he got between Gimli and Haldir. "I believe there are more important matters to be discussed than past wrongs."

"You would be right," Haldir said after a moment, sweeping his gaze over the Hobbits before his eyes landed on Frodo. "You bring great evil with you." Haldir said, his gaze seeming to pierce Frodo's very soul before turning to Aragorn. "You can go no further."

"Well that's gonna be a problem," Amy said sarcastically.

"Stay here," Aragorn told the others before following after Haldir.

"Nice one Gimli. Really," Rory said dryly as Gimli had the sense to look sheepish.

"I do not believe Gimli is the issue," River noted with a glance at Frodo, specifically the ring.

"The Ring," Frodo said with a sigh as he looked down at it.

"They do seem quiet afraid of it, perhaps with good reason," The Doctor noted, watching as Aragorn and Haldir argued, although they were too far away to make anything out.

Frodo then sat down, a few feet away from the others. The Doctor glanced over at him, seeing Frodo was avoiding everyone looking at him. Understanding and seeing the look on Frodo's face, The Doctor walked a few feet away, sitting down next to him. For a moment, it was silent between the pair.

"You cannot blame yourself Frodo. It was Gandalf's choice to make that sacrifice. He knew he wasn't going to make it out of there," The Doctor told him and Frodo looked over at him silently. "The thing about guilt Frodo is that it can weigh you down, making it almost impossible to move after a while. You carry such a heavy burden around neck. You don't need to carry Gandalf too."

Frodo didn't say anything but looked up at her with a thoughtful look on his face. The Doctor smiled, patting his shoulder before getting up and walking back to the others.

"What was that?" Amy asked curiously.

"Oh nothing you need to worry about Pond," The Doctor assured her just as Haldir and Aragorn returned to the group.

"You will follow me," Haldir commanded.

They walked through the rest of the night. The sun was coming up as they reached their destination: a hill overlooking an enormous collection of trees.

"Caras Galadhon. The heart of Elvendom on Middle-earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and Galadriel, Lady of Light," Haldir introduced proudly.

"That is…a lot of trees," Rory noted lamely.

"That's nothing. I once went to a planet that was just a tree," The Doctor said and Rory and Amy looked at him bewildered.

"That was a fun trip," River said and The Doctor looked at her sharply. "Spoilers."

By the time they reached the inside, night was starting to fall, the sun beginning to set. The Fellowship was climbing spiral staircases, looking around at the lights that seemed to start glowing in the dark.

"This is better than space," Amy muttered.

"While I have seen better, I must agree Pond, it is impressive," The Doctor said softly as they continued to climb the staircase.

They reached the top of the stairs, Haldir leading them over to an archway. After a moment, two people walked through, holding hands. The light that was around them made it hard for them to see but, after a few moments, they stepped into view, revealing themselves.

One was an Elf man with blond hair and blue eyes dressed in a robe, clearly Lord Celeborn. The Doctor and Rory were reminded of many kings they had met; Celeborn certainly carried himself like a king. But everyone's attention was on Galadriel.

Like Lord Celeborn, she had long blond hair and blue eyes and was wearing a plain yet elegant white dress. She was perhaps one of the most beautiful women that any of them had ever seen. But what drew their attention to her was the power that seemed to radiate from her entire being.

"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone," Celeborn said, his eyes sweeping over them. "Twelve there are here, yet one who set out from Rivendell is not among you. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar."

There was a moment of silence and Galadriel looked at Aragorn, his eyes telling her all she needed to know.

"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow," she said lowly and Celeborn looked at her startled as The Doctor realized it was her voice he had heard upon entering the forest.

"He was taken by both shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria," Legolas declared and Gimli looked down.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf's life. We do not yet know his full purpose," Galadriel said before looking at 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."

As Gimli mused on her words, surprised she would try to comfort him, Galadriel turned to Bormoir, who seemed to have an adverse effect under her gaze. He seemed to start sweating before averting his gaze. As The Doctor took note of this, Galadriel turned his gaze on him and he once more heard her voice in his head.

"I fear, Doctor, that many in Middle-Earth may soon need your counsel. Just as I fear we may all need the man who won the Time War."

The Doctor stared at her, stunned that she knew so much about him, almost missing as Celeborn began to speak again.

"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost," Celeborn said in dismay.

"Hope is never lost, as long as those who fight for life keeping fighting," The Doctor said firmly.

"The Doctor is right. Yet the quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail... ...to the ruin of all," Galadriel said, looking at Boromir, who once more started sweating before she turned her head to look at all of them. "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."

Once more on the short side, but a far better writer than me said that the Mirror deserves its own chapter, and he's right. So, until next chapter.