"This had not been what you've been expecting, has it not?"
Alex only tilted his head to glare at Galadriel out of the corner of his eye. The Lady seemed completely at ease as she sidled up to stand next to him. He briefly wondered what picture they would make- her wreathed in white robes and glowing in the dark like a star and him clad in a dark grimy-looking coat.

"You knew they would react that way", he grumbled.

"I saw in their minds the trust they have in you. I know how devoted they are to you, just as much as you are to them." She smiled gently, "Which is why I asked of you to reveal yourself to them on your own. To make you see how much you can trust them."

Alex frowned, lips tugged downwards. Look, no matter what, you're still my brother.

Aragorn, we're keeping this one.

"I know I can trust them", he eventually explained, "But my very first memories were of men shooting at me for things I had no control over. And this is what I expect- what I keep expecting." He snorted, and it wasn't happy. "I know they would never hurt me. I know they can't hurt me. And still I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."

Galadriel only inclined her head, studying him for a long moment.
"It is hard", she eventually declared, "To see past previous experience and see the world in a new light, unsullied by memories and old hatred. Even the most wise of the Elves are not immune to it."

There was something like regret in her voice. And Alex remembered that she was ancient. She'd probably seen- and done- a lot of things she would feel guilty over at a later point. "Our regrets, our mistakes, our victories- they all define who we are", she continued with a firm glance in his direction, "And our past is not something to be ashamed of, no matter what it looks like. We have to honor our memories and learn from them to live with ourselves in the present and the future."

A startled laughter ripped from his throat. "Easy for you to say. Your kind has been created by literal Gods as their masterpiece. I was created out of greed and utter contempt for human life." He wasn't sure what Mercer ever thought when he worked on Blacklight, but he sure as Hell didn't think of Dana when he did so.
He glared at Galadriel, baring his teeth to give weight to his next words, "Much like Sauron did with the Plague."

The Lady, despite everything, only nodded slowly. "It is true. We are right to fear your very nature. Yet when I look at you, I see you. Not the creature you were made to be. Not the monster the Men of your world want to believe you are. No. I see the man who put aside his own desires to help his companions. Who faced without fear an enemy so terrible even the most powerful were scared of it, simply because you wished to protect them", She smiled at him, "I see a man who was given the power to corrupt, but who turned it against those that bring Evil. I see a man who does not need to hide from the greatest of Men that are gladly sung of in songs."

Then her voice dropped and she continued with a more subdued tone. "I also see a man who, because he has strength, will easily fall into a trap, for those with Power will gravitate towards using it for Noble means- and turn into a threat greater than the one they fought." Her eyes were hard. "Tell me, Blacklight, tell me what had been your most hidden desire within yourself. The one you are not aware of most of the time, but the one that is there, the one that would allow you peace if you used your abilities."

It was...

It was something he'd thought about often. Blackwatch, Redlight- those had only ever been the symptoms of a system governed by greed and corruption. Yet he had the ability to change all of it. Connect all beings so they would act as one.

A remnant of Mother, he realized with revulsion, that offered the easiest way out. A way that promised actual success, but that was exactly what he'd been fighting against.

Because that would mean taking the people's free will, and free will was the single most valuable good a person had.
Alex snarled to himself and shook his body, unwilling to continue thinking about what seemed to be natural for a Runner.

Galadriel watched him. "I see what you are thinking", she commented after a while, "And I wish to congratulate you for your foresight. You know that your powers can only breed despair. But as long as you only use small amounts of it- the amounts you've been using until now- as long you continue showing the same restraint, you will be capable of controlling the corruption you carry- like small doses of poison strengthen the body instead of destroying it."

She tilted her head like a bird. "But there are other ways. More hidden, less apparent. Yet so much more efficient. I believe you have already encountered a chance for a companionship that would benefit you without putting anybody else at risk."

Alex frowned at her, not exactly understanding. There were no companions other than Ragland and Dana- powerless humans themselves-, then there was only him and Blackwatch. And Blackwatch wanted nothing more than to have him on a slab, open him up and see how he worked-

That had been Blackwatch under McMullen and Randall. Both of whom were dead, and Alex was aware of a dozen of possible of Randall's successors- all of whom were less bull-headed than the General.

And...maybe there was a chance there? After all, Blackwatch had been founded to stop Biological threats and Alex was perfectly suited for not only sniffing out such weapons, but also whoever had activated them.

More even, he'd already worked with Blackwatch to stop Redlight when Cross had seen a potential ally in the Runner and not the lethal weapon he was supposed to see. The results spoke for themselves, too: Redlight had been stopped, Mother had been defeated, and Manhattan hadn't been nuked (hopefully).

His brows came down as he turned towards the Lady. "Let me get this clear- you are asking whether I would work together with my enemy?"

"You have seen them as your enemy, because that was all you knew. Yet you have to ask yourself: Are they still enemies after you cut off the false head? Are they still enemies if you know what they were feeling?"

What was he supposed to know? Most of Blackwatch was made of criminals, assholes, and psychopaths. Monsters in human shape. But hadn't he targeted those assholes first? Everybody that remained were still jackasses, but that hardly meant landing on Blacklight's menu. He thought of the Wisemen- and as dangerous as they've been, they were also human. People.
And people were afraid of things they didn't understand.
In their eyes, Alex was the single most terrifying being they ever encountered. Capable of being anybody he chose, without any way to tell them apart right up until he revealed himself and went to town on them. Not to mention the potential danger of ending up infected through any of the millions of Infected roaming the city, or to be torn apart by the Hunters, or swallowed whole by the Hydras- Manhattan was Hell to humans.

No wonder they'd been so afraid they shot at anything that moved the wrong way. It didn't excuse the glee some of them showed when shooting at potentially infected civilians, but it did put some things into perspective. Anybody remaining was just...

Was just a scared human facing a nightmare.
Scared humans who'd been betrayed by their own leader since Randall would have willingly sacrificed all of his men to save his own sorry ass, neither had he told his men anything about the true reasons for their battle with Mother. To Randall, the main goal had been to re-capture Greene- and Alex himself- so they would be able to figure out what went wrong to correct it in their next batch of viral goop.

But Randall was dead, and Cross was still there. Cross, who the men worshiped and paid more attention to than any of their other Commanders. Cross who worked together with Alex and got things done fast and with so little casualties, it had given Blackwatch a massive morale boost.

If Blackwatch knew where he was at any point of the day, then they wouldn't be as afraid of him. Then...
Then Blackwatch wouldn't hunt him down. Wouldn't use Dana for bait, because he'd be under their control.

It was ideal. It was the best solution.

And it made his stomach turn.

Because Alex Mercer did not bend knee to anyone.

He told her as much, and much to his surprise, Galadriel nodded. "I agree with you that men who'd been your enemies don't have the right to see you kneel. They never would. If you ever seek them out, it will be on your terms, and they will have to listen. For I am certain you have power over them in ways they fear more than death."

...He had access to their inner systems. He knew where the bodies were buried. He could make them comply, could make them listen- with just the right incentives. Because the public was a far worse enemy than even Blacklight.

Dana would enjoy helping him.

"Tell me about her", Galadriel suddenly requested, "The woman you think of so often. The one that has captured your heart so."

Alex furrowed his brows- she couldn't be speaking about Karen, could she? But Karen is the only woman who ever 'captured his heart'-

Oh.

He glanced at the Lady. "Dana?" He demanded to know. Because Dana was the only person he kept thinking of.

Galadriel arched one eyebrow, "I believe this was the name you repeat. Am I wrong to assume that she has your heart?"

"Dana-", Alex corrected her, "Dana has my everything. Because she is my everything." He eyed the Elf woman. "She is my sister." He paused, then added quickly, "Well, she's the sister of the body I'm occupying-"

"She is your sister", Galadriel claimed with a firm voice, "Whether by blood or not is not important. You have been together ever since you woke, haven't you?"

He thought of how she recoiled when she realized what he was doing, of how she had been visibly fighting with herself once he returned from Ragland. And then Look Alex. No matter what, you're still my brother.

And it made his chest a little less tight. "Dana is my sister. And I would do anything for her if she asks." Including burning the World down. He locked gazes with the Lady. "I love her more than I do anything else. But she was hurt when I was torn away from my home and ended up here. And I need to return. I don't want her to be alone when she is surrounded by men who would use her to bait me."

"Yet your heart also desires to help those of Middle-Earth who are in need of help", Galadriel simply pointed out. "A noble trait."

Alex furrowed his brows at the sudden change of topics, "It's only the right thing to do", he said slowly, "Besides, I can't just jump dimensions and get back home at the snap of my fingers." He would have left long ago otherwise. It wasn't like the Fellowship needed him- sure, he made things a lot easier, but then again they would have managed without him. Aragorn was a good leader, and he knew how to employ the strengths of the team to the best effect.

"It is true, you are incapable of changing what the Spirits decided", Galadriel pointed out, and Alex felt taken aback for a moment.

"Spirits?"

"The Valar. Those molded by Eru Ilúvatar to create and govern the World."

Alex turned that information around in his head while watching her. Gandalf had once regarded him with stories- no, history lessons that began with the creation of Middle-Earth. And Middle-Earth had been created by actual Gods- not like Earth which began as a glowing ball of molten rock in the middle of Space and slowly grew to be infested by life, with some of these lifeforms making up stories about beings so powerful they must have made the world (and then these stories kind of grew out of control and caused more problems down the line).
Galadriel turned her attention towards the night sky. "They called for you, you know."

His eyes narrowed. "They?" They 'called' him? He turned and glared at her. "Do you mean that Gods pulled me over here?"

She shook her head, "They didn't 'pull' you from anywhere. They merely called for someone to hear. You were the answer."

"Answer? For what?"

"This I do not know with certainty. Though I can guess- You see, the Valar have fought Sauron's master in the past and only cast him down after ages of battle. Exhausted, they could no longer focus on Sauron and all they could do was retreat to a land he could not reach- leaving his fate at the hands of the Free Folks of Middle-Earth. Yet after thousands of years, his power has not been broken for he is too powerful. Even when he had been destroyed, he was never gone." Her gaze was distant, brows pulled together. "And now, with his Ring resurfaced and his power returning to him, the Valar realized that they would need all the allies they could get- including those not of Arda."

Alex furrowed his brows. "Why me then?"

"An astute question", Galadriel replied, "One I do not have an answer, or even the hint of one to." She hummed to herself, turning to him. "Tell me, did something happen before you woke in Middle-Earth?"

The giant dome of light rising from the pitch-black water beneath the full moon, swallowing up everything within reach. The fire and the pain biting, tearing into his body, reducing his flesh to nothing.

He grimaced and shook himself. "I ran", he said, "With a weapon so dangerous, it would have erased my city off the map. I took so it wouldn't destroy anyone and anything I ever knew, and I dropped it once it was far away enough, tried to escape- but..." He sighed, his shoulders slumped, "I remember the light tearing me apart." It hadn't hurt after the initial blast- the nuclear explosion having been way too powerful and hot to actually feel anything. A normal human would have been evaporated immediately though, so he figured he'd been kind of lucky-

Immediately, he stiffened. "Fuck", he muttered, then turned to Galadriel, "I've actually died, haven't I? That's why I'm here."

The Lady watched him for a long moment, her eyes moving slowly over his body as if she could see things that he could not, "I do not believe so. For the Valar would never toy with what belongs to Death as it is the darkest of all arts, and forbidden among their kind and all Free People of Middle-Earth." She hummed, "Besides, didn't you claim you were incapable of dying?"

"Under normal circumstances, yes. I mean burning me, shooting me, decapitating me won't work- didn't work in the past, but what had happened was like a second sun, and it destroyed everything it touched." He'd gotten lucky- he'd only caught the tail end of the shock wave and he'd been inside the chopper that acted as a shield, but he'd still been too close to escape unscathed.

Galadriel lifted her hand to cut him off from any further rambling, "And still you wagered your very existence on the maybe chance of saving everybody. And maybe this was what had been the answer that was sought- to find someone who was willing to undo the Evil that had been brewing for so long and who already had experience in such task. Someone who had no prior knowledge of the ailing of Middle-Earth, who would see the answer that none of us see for we are too tangled in the net already."
Her eyes roamed his form slowly, like she was seeing through his surface to see what was beneath it. "Maybe they saw how similar you and Sauron are- both of you are capable of changing your shape to allure Man and Elves- yet he used his powers to further his own nefarious schemes, while you utilized it to protect yourself from Men who wished to harm you- and your sister. And where his heart is Dark, yours is selfless that does not shy away from its own harm if it meant to protect what you love."
She waved her hand towards him, and towards the East. "The two of you could not be any more different. And maybe that is what the Valar saw. And they saw that you were lacking trust, that all you experienced was pain. And perhaps they believed they could offer you a chance- a chance to see that, once there are no previous altercations with Man, your powers can be used to help instead of destroy. Something you'd experience without being unsullied by the previous hatred and fear. And-", her smile grew wider, "And maybe to give you a chance to redeem yourself."

Alex snorted, startled by her revelation, "Redeem myself? That ship's long since sailed, collided with an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the ocean."

Her expression hardened quickly. "Baring any truly evil beings, nobody is beyond redemption- no matter what you believe. It is true that you have done many terrible things- but most of the men you hunted have done so themselves. At the same time, doing horrid deeds are sometimes the only way out." She shook her head as her smile returned and she gently placed a hand on Alex's shoulder, "Remember this, Blacklight- you have been terrified and misguided and lashed out, yet you sacrificed yourself much like you did within Khazad-Dûm for the sake of the people you care for. And this tells me that you are not beyond redemption. You have never been."

She turned and left him standing there, staring at the spot she'd been at before.

Then he slowly angled his head to glare at the darkened skies above. "Gods, huh?" His lips twitched downwards.
On one claw, he was glad to have finally found someone who knew just how he arrived here, and the answer was Divine Intervention. On the other he was deeply upset that they whisked him away from Dana for something they should have had control over. Because they were Gods. They created the entire world.
So why was it so hard to erase a single troublemaker from existence?

He scowled into the moon's direction, then spun on his heel and marched off.

"We shall not demand Lothlórien's hospitality any longer than necessary", Gandalf pointed out to the group, "For I fear the story of how the Ring had been found has already spread too far. We need to hurry before Sauron will close even the smallest hole in the walls surrounding Mordor. And-", he grimaced briefly, "I'd like to enter the Black Lands without having to wade waist-deep through Orc carcasses."

Gimli scoffed. "I, for one, would enjoy walking the direct path. Watch how Sauron flounders about as all his armies fall against us." He waved his hand dismissively then, "But I am aware that easy battles would render us weak, and fools to rely on the strength of others- even if they are our allies."

"So we all agree to head out as soon as we are capable of?", Aragorn's gaze went to each of the members of the Fellowship one by one.
In return, each of them gazed back at him with determination in their eyes and a grim nod.

Except for Gandalf.

Aragorn could see the doubts on his face, and he turned towards him. "You believe there is another way?"

"For the Ring and the one who bears it, no", the Wizard replied with a shake of his head, "For me, however, I believe so."

"...Explain." From the corner of his eyes Aragorn could see the others stopping their conversations to pay attention to their exchange.

Gandalf furrowed his brows. "It is not something I am certain of- it is more of a notion, a foggy idea. And perhaps it is foolishness, yet it had been gnawing at me ever since we walked away from Moria."
His hand moved to indicate the North when he continued, "Dol Guldur is calling to me."

Silence ticked by for several moments as his words sank in.

Then Boromir's face paled. "The fortress of the Necromancer", he whispered.

Merry and Pippin stared at the wizard. "Calling?" Pippin asked, "What do you mean with 'Calling'?"

Merry was a little faster on the uptake, only a little faster than Sam and Frodo, who both turned as white as a sheet of paper. "Do you...are you saying you want to leave us?" He questioned, eyes wide.

"I am still uncertain, Meriadoc", Gandalf replied with a sigh, "I have given you my word I would accompany you to Mordor, to see the Ring unmade, yet at the same time I feel I must leave this to you." He furrowed his brows, stretched his hands and clenched his fingers briefly. "I feel like- like I'm no longer supposed to be with you. Like my fate had been changed. And now, now I hear Dol Guldur calling to me."

"But why?" Legolas's brows furrowed, "Why the Fortress of the Necromancer?"

"Because it is the place I once nearly lost my life", the Wizard supplied, "It is taunting me with my fears now, for I am one of the few ones who can dispel the darkness within."

"...Darkness?" The was Frodo asking, brows furrowed.

"Dol Guldur was where Sauron hid after Isildur destroyed his body. Where he gathered his strength and forces over thousands of years. As a result, his dark powers seeped out of the fortress and tainted the Greenwoods, turning them into the Mirkwoods that are crawling with shadows and evil things against which Legolas's people fight." He said those last words with a glance towards the Elf, who just nodded mutely.

"Then just don't go there", Sam burst out, "If it is Sauron's power that is still there then they would disappear as soon as Sauron's done for, won't they? And we need you with us."

"Yeah", Pippin and Merry threw in, "And what about Saruman? We can't fight a wizard, either!"

Gandalf inclined his head, nodding. "Those are important points, my friends. If we hurry, then Sauron's forces will collapse before he can ready them."

"But you still have your worries", Frodo muttered, eyes wide and afraid, "Because whether the forces are ready or not does not mean there are no dark creatures already armed and willing to destroy anything."

The attention slid towards the Ring-Bearer. "Frodo?"

The Hobbit swallowed and put his back straight. "I think Dol Guldur is exactly where you should go, Gandalf." The Fellowship turned to look at him in confusion. The Hobbit grimaced and gestured towards Gandalf. "If you believe it is where you need to be, who am I to argue?"

"I swore to accompany you to destroy the Ring", the Wizard reminded him, "And I intend to do so."

"But this is just as important", Frodo argued, "Who knows what kind of dark things Sauron has still hidden outside of Mordor? They cannot be permitted to remain roaming the free lands. And- who says that Sauron himself won't go there just because it had been his once, and then what?" His expression became more determined the longer he spoke. "He could be hunting us before we know he is no longer in Mordor, and he is the only one who can break the enchantments of the Lady Galadriel. If he does, his armies would slaughter everyone here. And I don't want this."

The Fellowship glanced at each other in stunned surprise, which made the Hobbit fidget. "And- And I really rather have you at my side until Mordor, but you said you are one of the few who truly knows what is happening at Dol Guldur, and how to stop it."

Gandalf's eyebrows wandered upwards. "You wish that I leave you, leave the Fellowship, break my promise to you, to scout Sauron's old fortress?"

"I think it is more important to stop whatever is going on there", the Hobbit confirmed. "And make sure Sauron doesn't relocate there and strike at our backs, or at Lothlórien." He paused, furrowing his brows when a thought came to him. "Putting it like that", he pointed out, "It won't be a breaking of your promise either- you'll still help us reach Mordor, only that you aren't with us."

The Wizard was eying the younger with those calm eyes, then bowed his head. "There is great wisdom in your words, more wisdom that even I could see. Yet I need you to be certain- if I leave the Fellowship for Dol Guldur, I will leave you. For weeks. Maybe months."

Frodo nodded, and smiled weakly. "And I have the utmost trust that you'll return at the most crucial point." He nodded towards Aragorn. "Strider is a great Leader himself, and he will see us end this just as much, that much I trust as well."

"Those are mighty words", Boromir piped up, brows furrowed. He glanced at Gandalf, "Are you certain you can take the whole of the Fortress on your own?"

"Oh no, I won't be able to do this", the wizard replied with a jerk of his head, "I won't be able to destroy all of his dark forces, nor will I be able to assault the fortress on my own. I know, however, of hidden pathways that will aid me. And I am positive I know where to strike to disrupt his influence on it, give the Elves of Thranduil and Celeborn a chance to break the curse."

"Or just draw his attention", a new voice pointed out. They jumped and whirled on Alex, who seemed entirely nonplussed that his sudden presence startled the Fellowship. They hadn't expected him to be close after the previous night's revelations.
He cocked his head as he continued, oblivious to their fears, "And maybe you should be doing exactly that."

Gandalf himself seemed to be the only one who hadn't jumped at his appearance, simply frowned into the other man's direction. "And why, pray tell, should I want the Dark Lord to know where I am?"

Alex shrugged. "Because if he focuses on you, he won't be looking for his Ring too hard."

It was like a shroud had been lifted, and Aragorn gasped. A gasp that was echoed by Frodo too. "Of course", the Ranger whispered, "And if he mobilizes his armies to protect his outpost, it would leave us with only Saruman to be wary of. Allow us to slip the net they are attempting to draw around us."
Then his face fell, and he shook his head. "But is is a foolish endeavor", he declared, "Dol Guldur will be your tomb if you venture there."

"Maybe it will. Maybe it won't", the Wizard replied with a thoughtful expression. "At any rate, it is something that needs to be tried. For if we do not try, we have already lost." He fell silent for a moment to close his eyes and inhale deeply. When he spoke again, his voice was much more steady. "It is sometimes necessary to split one's forces in order to defeat an enemy. Strike from several sides, distract him and secure victory."

"Shock and Awe", Alex supplied. He shifted his foot and cleared his throat. "I could come with you. Act as a shield, a buffer between you and whatever forces that lurk there."

Gandalf furrowed his brows and eyed the wraith closely. "It would make things easier- if there are armies to be fought within the fortress. Yet if there are the Nazgûl there, or beings similar to them- can you defeat them with claw and blade?"

"I don't think so."

"These are enemies only wizards can fight. I shall call upon my brother if I truly need an ally, and your place is with the Ring. With the one who bears it. You swore this."

Alex watched him with his eerie focus for a long moment until he tipped his chin down. "And I will make sure he reaches Mordor."

The day that Gandalf left the Fellowship dawned pale and sunny. A good sign, Legolas claimed.
The Wizard's departure was a large affair, and there were several dozens of Elves with Galadriel and Celeborn at their lead to see him off.

"This is not an easy farewell", Celeborn declared, "For you walk into open danger, my friend."

"I walk on my own free will, and if the fates are kind, we shall see each other again", Gandalf replied.

"Then let us hope they see your bravery", the Elf Lord commented, and clasped his hand on Gandalf's shoulder to squeeze once before he stepped back.

Galadriel approached him next, holding out a gray coat of shimmering material. "Strangers are not clad in the way of the Elves of Lothlórien", she pointed out, "You however are a friend and companion. I gift to you this cloak, may it hide you from the eyes of Evil, and those parting words: Go in peace, Gandalf the Gray, and know that your fate shall not end here. May we see each other at the edge of the Sea."

"I shall look forward to this day" The Wizard turned towards Aragorn. "Keep them safe, Aragorn. If not by blade, through heart."

"I will", the Ranger replied, and grabbed the older man in a tight hug. "Now go."

Gandalf turned towards the Hobbits. "Frodo-"

"Be careful out there", Frodo said, "I wish to see you again once the Ring has been destroyed."

The Wizard smiled, "And so we shall. But yours is the more dangerous task. Promise me to stay safe."

"I will" The two shared a hug which was quickly joined by the other Hobbits. Boromir and Gimli had not much to say upon his departure, though their suspiciously misty eyes betrayed their true feelings. Legolas clapped Gandalf's shoulder too, reminding him that he would always find hospitality within his father's Halls if the path back to Lórien was blocked.

Alex was watching the farewell with hardly any interest- to the outside. His sharp eyes were watching closely however, and when Gandalf turned to him, he lifted his head to lock eyes with him. "Don't die", he said, and his words carried more meaning with them than they sounded like.

"I'll try my best", the older man replied. With a curt nod towards him, and a bow towards the others he turned and got into a small boat to cross the Great River. They kept watching even as he disappeared from sight, and a heavy weight settled into Aragorn's stomach.

Dol Guldur was close, closer than Mordor, yet the threat that originated from former seemed so much less important than latter. He hoped they'd done the right thing to send the Wizard away, because without him Saruman seemed a lot more powerful.

"Stop overthinking", Alex grumbled right next to him, startling the Ranger. Aragorn wasn't too proud to admit he jumped a little. "...What?"

The other glanced at him from beneath the shade of his hood. "You're thinking his fate is in your hands. You always martyr yourself- over things that are completely out of your control."

"Gandalf-"

"Decided to go for himself. You didn't force him to leave us, it was his decision. So it is not your problem."

Aragorn grit his teeth- he didn't wish to anger Alex, but his dismissive tone was getting to him. "Gandalf could very well die out there", he hissed, "And I could have prevented it!"

"And caused more problems for the Elves down the line", Alex pointed out calmly, which made Aragorn deflate almost immediately. Because- It was true. Dol Guldur was a major threat. So close to Lothlórien and just a few weeks worth of travel from Thranduil's Halls, with the latter being virtually defenseless against the dark powers of Sauron. If the Dark Lord decided to return to his old stronghold, he could easily wipe out both Elven Kingdoms as he was the only one capable of breaking Galadriel's enchantments.
If he did, his armies would slaughter every last Elf.

And Gandalf all but claimed he could prevent this.

Aragorn swallowed the remarks that sat on his tongue and glanced at the other, wishing that his calmness would also transfer to him. "Do you think he will succeed?"

Alex's brows furrowed slightly, and he was silent for quite a while. "There was a man, in Manhattan", he eventually began, and the Ranger felt like someone had pulled a rug from beneath his feet- yet he knew that Mercer would never try to change the topic of such an important conversation.

"His name is Cross", the other continued, "And he is a soldier. A captain, even. And- they told him to take me down." He spread his hands away from his body. "When I met him, and it became clear what his mission was, I was sure I could take him out without breaking a sweat. After all, at this point I've done more damage to Redlight and Blackwatch by myself than either could have done to the other." A grin split his features, showing off sharp glistening teeth. Still, he seemed somewhat amused. "He kicked my ass. Not physically, of course, no matter what he did, I just healed over. Which is why I became careless- and he had a weapon on him that completely wiped me out. Some sort of poison, which disrupted my powers big time."

He let his words linger for a moment, then turned to Aragorn. "But I should have known it'll end that way. It were his eyes- He'd been terrified of me, but he was also aware of his own skills and he knew what to do. Exactly what I've seen in Gandalf's eyes." He turned away with a huff. "So when he says he will go to this fortress and check things out, I don't question it and let him do whatever it is he's planned, because if people have that look in their eyes, they can do the most improbable things."

Boromir, Legolas, Merry, and Pippin had been vocal about waiting for Gandalf to return before they would continue their journey. Aragorn would have indulged them, as the wizard was the most wise of them, the one who knew the path to Mordor, yet Fate decreed that they left as quickly as possible. The Shadow in the East was growing every day, and they could no longer dawdle- not to mention he wished the Ring destroyed as quickly as possible. Frodo and Sam had agreed to his plan, while Gimli and Alex both declared that they would follow them either way.

Sam then had the idea of leaving a message for Gandalf, to explain where they would be going so he could try and catch up to them- a single man would probably be faster than an entire group. Especially if Celeborn gave him one of their Elvish-bred steeds. His suggestion was greeted with great enthusiasm, and backed by the Elven Lord and Lady themselves, so their preparations picked up pace.

It was decided that they would be taking boats along the Great River to the Argonath, from where they would follow the path East. It was a treacherous path, yet it was their only chance to enter Mordor without being detected.

"I'm not getting on this boat" Aragorn stopped his self-chosen duty of checking their packs and threw a glance over to Boromir, who was apparently in the process of trying to coax Alex closer to the Elvish boats that were moored to the shore of the river.

"Don't worry, they will carry you without capsizing", Boromir tried, "You won't fall into the water."

Alex glared at him, glowing eyes narrow. "It's not that", he growled, "Because as of now, I weigh more than all of you together. That ship will sink, and I will be in the water, and then nobody is going to be happy."

The Ranger winced, as did his fellow Man. Both were aware just how much the wraith loathed water, or being wet- they'd all heard the angry tirade he went on when it had rained for three days straight as they were moving along the flanks of the Misty Mountains.

"What do you suggest instead?" Aragorn questioned.

"I walk", Alex replied with a little bristle, "Along the river bank. Follow you when you paddle along the river."

Boromir hissed. "What about Saruman's Orcs? They would fall upon you-"

The man snorted. "Boromir. In case you've forgotten- I cleaned out Moria. And that includes taking down a Balrog. I doubt there is anything Saruman- or Sauron- can throw at me that would stop me."

"You're fighting a losing battle", Sam threw in, glancing up from his own pack- that included all of his pans and pots. Aragorn could respect this- good cooking utensils were valuable.

"Thank you, Sam", Alex replied.

"He'll out-stubborn even Gimli", the Hobbit added.

"Thank you", Alex hissed.

Sam grinned to himself. Merry and Pippin giggled, and turned their attention to the leaf-wrapped packages some of the Elves had given them. Legolas's expression lit up when he spotted one of them and quickly unwrapped it to show them the thin, wafer-like baked goods inside. "Lembas!" he declared happily, "Elvish way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man."

He took a bite and hummed, then put the Lembas away into his own pack while walking off. Merry turned to Pippin. How many did you eat?"

The other Hobbit belched. "Four."

Aragorn shook his head with a smile.

It took the Fellowship another few hours to finish preparing their packs and load them into the boats, as well as establish a seating order. Aragorn would accompany Frodo and Sam, Merry and Pippin would share with Boromir, and Legolas and Gimli took the last boat. Alex would follow them on foot, and join them once they would make camp for the night.

It was well into the early noon when their preparations were finally done, and the time of their departure approached. A group of Elves walked up to them, and the Lady Galadriel and her Husband, the Lord Celeborn, arrived from the river atop a fine boat shaped like a majestic swan.

In the moment they stepped onto the dock, the Elven handmaidens moved soundlessly towards them, each of them bearing gray material in their arms. As one, they stepped around them and draped the same type of cloaks around their shoulders that they had given to Gandalf days ago.

"Like I told Gandalf, these cloaks shall hide you from unfriendly eyes, and mark you as friends of Lothlórien."

Aragorn could see Alex straighten his shoulders, obviously ready to argue since he, by nature, would not need to hide when Galadriel added quickly, "They will also keep you warm in the night, and cool during the day. And will keep you dry in rain."

Alex seemed thoughtful and didn't argue.

"The way forth is treacherous", Galadriel continued, "Which is why Lothlórien will present to you these gifts, to always remind you of its Golden Halls should you find yourself in dark thoughts."

She straightened her back, locking gazes with Legolas. Unprompted, one of the Elves handed her a bow which she passed towards the Son of Thranduil. "My gift for you, Legolas", the Lady declared, "Is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of your woodland tribe."

Legolas didn't say anything, but his eyes were big and there was a smile on his face as he gently took the proffered weapon and held it close. Galadhrim bows- they were amongst the most powerful bows. Strung with Elven hair and fashioned from a compound of materials, resistance towards age and weather and sturdy enough to even serve as a baton if necessary.

Still with her gentle expression, the Lady turned towards Merry and Pippin, handing both daggers and belts made of silver. "These are the daggers of the Nolodorin", she explained, "They have already seen war. And belts for you to hitch them."

Merry's eyes were sparkling, Pippin seemed a little more hesitant. Galadriel leaned towards him. "Do not fear, young Peregrine Took. You will find your courage."

The youngest Hobbit blinked up at her in surprise.

She turned to Sam. "And for you, Samwise Gamgee: Elven rope, made of hithlain."

Sam took the rope and clenched it tightly, but his eyes were trailing the daggers of his fellow Hobbits. "Thank you, my lady, but have you run out of those nice shiny daggers?"

"A dagger is not what will serve you most", the Lady replied gently, "And Warfare is not your fate. You are destined for different things- and yes, I do have something else for you." She produced a small wooden box. "Earth from my gardens, with a seed of the mightiest of the Mallorn Trees. Take good care of it, and it shall guard your home for many years."

Sam took the box and tucked into his jacket pocket, with a stunned sort of awe on his face.

Gimli was next in line. His gaze was cast downwards, but he startled when the Lady asked him with mirth in her voice, "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of Elves?"

Gimli shuffled his feet, muttering under his breath for a moment until he picked up his voice. "Nothing", he declared, though he quickly backtracked and added, "Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth."

Surprised, the Lady chuckled slightly at the Dwarf, and Aragorn swore he began flushing red as he turned and was about to walk away. He hesitated however, and turned back, looking sheepish. "Actually, there was one thing-" He trailed off, shaking his head, "Ah, that's quite impossible. Stupid to ask."

"If your heart desires, then why should it be stupid?" Galadriel questioned, encouraging the Dwarf to finally speak out.

Gimli muttered something under his breath, too fast to understand, and the Lady merely arched one eyebrow. The Dwarf clenched his fists. "Onegoldenhairoffyourhead", he explained in a single exhale, and shivered and slowed down. "One golden hair, to always remind me off your radiant beauty."

There was a stunned silence for a long moment, until it was broken by the bell-like laughter of the Elf Lady. She was amused, but wasn't laughing at Gimli. Instead, she caught herself quickly and beamed at him. "If this is your wish, then it shall be so." Without much flourish, she reached up and plucked a string of hair to hand it over.

Gimli took it bewildered, unable to speak for a few breaths, then his spine shot straight. "I shall honor them always, and I will enshrine these into the finest crystal", he declared.

Galadriel was still smiling and didn't stop him when he scampered off to stand next to Legolas, clutching his prize to his chest. The Lady took a moment, and turned to the next in line.

"Boromir, Son of Denethor", she declared, "For you, I have this belt." It was golden, and seemed more sturdy than his Gondorian Harness. "And these parting words: There is so much good in you, and you will draw upon it at the time you will need it most. Never lose hope, but do not be swayed by Evil."

Boromir swallowed, and bowed his head. "I'll- I'll try."

Aragorn's spine straightened when the Lady turned towards him. "Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Heir of Isildur. The Weight of this Fellowship lays upon your shoulders, and I ask of you to carry it for however long it will take." She handed him a sword scabbard, that seemed a bit too large for his blade. "A scabbard, it will keep your sword in pristine condition. And it shall increase the power of the one you shall obtain when the time comes." Then she withdrew a small satchel and opened it. Inside was a silver eagle-shaped brooch with a green gemstone in its middle. His eyes widened when he recognized it. "The-", he began, swallowing hard.

"The Elessar", Galadriel agreed, "My granddaughter left it with me to pass to you. Keep it safe, and it shall give you strength. I have no greater gift to give than the one you already bear." Her expression was sorrowful as she spoke in her native tongue. "For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar shall diminish."

Aragorn felt the lump in his throat and his head dropped. "I would have her leave these shores and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor."

"You know she would never willingly leave you to protect her own life." She placed a hand on his chest, "This is her choice, and it is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn." To either rise from the darkness, or fall into it. Like Isildur had. "There is much you have yet left to do."

The Ranger was unable to form words around the lump in his throat, and just nodded.

Galadriel gave him a sorrowful smile, then turned to the last of the group. "Frodo Baggins. Yours is the hardest path. One that will only be accomplished through Courage and Will." She glanced briefly towards Sam and added, "And allies that won't leave you and protect you. Even from yourself if must be."
A slender phial was in her hand, and she passed it towards him. "Unto you I offer the Light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places, where all other light goes out."

She bend down to press a kiss on his forehead, and stepped back.

Then turned to the last of the Fellowship who stood a little asides. Alex's eyes widened when she approached him, seemingly surprised he was included in the group of people to get gifts. It tugged at Aragorn's heart a little, to see a man so distrustful and expecting to never obtain things he didn't have to take himself.

"We wouldn't forget about you, Blacklight", Galadriel said with a gentle smile. She pulled a sheathed dagger and held it out towards the Wraith. "Yours is a gift you handed us", she explained, "For you have slain the Balrog, yet its Darkness still lingered. We purified its remains, and forged it into this blade for you to use."

Alex furrowed his brows and tilted his head. "That is...nice I guess. But I can turn into knives, so-"

Galadriel didn't let him finish and pulled the blade free. The steel was black, and curved at the lower side while the upper side featured serrated teeth. It was larger than a normal dagger, albeit still smaller than a short sword.

It also immediately caught fire, and a cold feeling of dread crawled down Aragorn's spine.

"It still contains the powers of the Balrog", Galadriel pointed out, "Its darkness and its fire. It will serve you well as weapon against the Servants of Sauron."

Alex blinked. "The Nazgûl?"

"They fear you already, for you are neither alive nor dead. You are immune to the poison they spread, and you are able to circumvent the veil that surrounds them. With this blade, you can finally turn them into prey."

The man accepted the weapon, eying it. "Huh, well then." He glanced at the Lady. "Will it hurt Sauron too?"

"It is possible, for he is weak. But be warned, Blacklight, you are not supposed to rush things. You will face him once the time is right, and you will be instrumental in destroying his influence."

He tilted his head. "Thank you."

"It will need a name, too", the Lady commented simply, "All great blades have been given names, so their stories can be told." She smiled, "My blacksmiths suggested Morn-Galad."

Alex cocked an eyebrow. " 'Blacklight' would be a bit on the nose, I think." He hummed, then declared, "I think I'll call it Occam's Razor." He grinned at her confused expression and said, "It's a little inside joke." He didn't elaborate.

Galadriel nodded in agreement. "Then it shall be so."
She turned back to the Fellowship, voice rising. "Your departure is imminent. Move quickly, and you will reach the Argonath within nine days."

The group moved towards the boats and got seated, though Celeborn held Aragorn back. "You need to be vigilant, for every league you travel the dangers will mount." He gestured to the great river, "Mordor Orcs hold the eastern shore of the Anduin. You won't find safety on the western banks either as there are strange creatures bearing the mark of the White Hand. They are taller than Orcs, stronger build, and they do not fear the sun. Stay on the river, and you will have the chance to outrun them to the Falls of Rauros." He glanced at Alex. "Your companion will serve as shield for you as well."

"He promised to stay close to us, and he won't leave us to chase the enemy down", Aragorn assured him.

"Travel safe" Celeborn stepped back.

Aragorn pushed his boat off the shore and paddled into the middle of the Great River, with the other two boats following close by.

Behind them, the golden glow of Lothlórien faded bit by bit, until they could no longer see it.

This Chapter took me 6 months to finish.
Because I managed like...one sentence per day? If it was that much, anyhow.

At least it's only three more weeks and then I'm finished with learning. After that I will just take a breather- no more getting up at five in the morning only to return half past four in the evening, no more half-grown nervous breakdowns, no more co-workers shouting at me for things I don't know because- surprise surprise- I was never told.

Can't wait.