Attack! - Part 1

Soon strike a good path that goes southeast toward the mountain pass. Path is lined with stones. Full moon. 233 miles from start. 1 miles since last location

We all lept up at the sound of Legolas, Ella and Samdo's shouts.

"Orcs!" yelled Samdo, waving his blue sword. "It's orc's it is!"

"Where?" Elena shouted back.

Legolas ran up and pointed back over his shoulder. We turned to see at least a hundred orcs, maybe more, swarming over the next rise in the land. Elrohir began issuing commands.
"Everyone, back up to this rise here, find some place to brace your selves against, where you won't be easily reached. Climb trees if you need to. Those without bows and arrows stay close to those who do! Now move!"

We hurriedly began finding safe places amongst the trees and boulders. Elanor sat with me in a tall oak and we both watched nervously as the orcs came closer, their harsh noises filling the air.
"Stay close to me," I whispered, drawing an arrow from my sheath and preparing to fire on Elrohir's command. She nodded silently, gripping her small sword tightly.

"FIRE!"

I began firing my arows rapidly on the oncoming rabble, hitting a target each time. Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir, Elena, Ella, Aldarion and Anarion all had bows, as well as Vila. Samdo stayed crouched beside Aldarion, and I saw Lira with Anarion, and Raewyn with Elrohir and Dior with Legolas. I was relieved that we were all accounted for.

By now the orcs had come upon us and began attacking those on the ground and attempting to shoot the few of us in the trees. I kept firing down at the rabble, hoping and praying that this was it, and that more were not coming. I suddenly realized that Elanor and I were the only two left in a tree, and the rest were now on the ground fighting hand to hand.

"Should we get down?" Elanor touched my arm, looking worried about the jump down. I nodded. I was running out of arrows and if I used them all, then we would both be at risk at our elevated height.

"I'll go down first and make room for you to jump!" I lept down out of the branches without another word and pulled my sword. A large orc made a run at me and I killed him on my first stroke. Fighting furiously and getting further away from the tree then I had intended, I risked a glance back at Elanor. "Jump down!"

Suddenly my heart froze in my chest. Somewhere an orc had lighted a torch - probably from the remains of our campfire - and had just thrown it at the base of Elanor's tree! I cried out and tried to fight my way back through the orcs. Samdo had also seen her plight and was running towards her as well, roaring and chopping, till a sword hilt knocked him to the ground. "Jump!" I screamed.

Taking a large breath and screwing her eyes up tight, Elanor lept as far as she could into the air. I managed to catch her as she came down, just past the flames, and we thudded to the ground. My sword went flying out of my hand and we began rolling down the hillside. Trying futily to stop our descent, we crashed into a tree and everything went black.

Stupid Orcs, You Ruin EVERYTHING!

While everyone celebrated Elanor and Samdo's wonderful news, Legolas asked that I go for a walk with him. "I have...something important...I need to talk to you about."

I was reluctant. Well, that's an understatement. I dreaded the thought of what I knew must be coming.

We walked a little ways from the campsite. Far enough away that we would not be overheard, but close enough that we could still see everyone. Legolas turned to face me, taking my hands in his own.

"Ella..." he started. "Ellarian..."

My full name. This couldn't be good. I willed myself not to run away, though every part of me longed to do just that.

Legolas took a deep breath, released one of my hands, and gently brushed my now-curly hair away from my eyes.

I looked away. If I continued to gaze at those wonderful deep eyes of his, I knew I would be unable to control my emotions.

"Ella I--I have to tell you something."

"No, Legolas. Please," I whispered.

"You...don't want to hear it?" He looked hurt.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, backing away from him. "I'm sorry." It was all I could think to say.

He started to step forward, to close the gap I was forming between us, when both our thoughts and our eyes turned elsewhere. Orcs!

We raced back to the campsite, pulling out our swords as we ran.

Oh dear....

Reach Hollin Ridge. Large holly trees mark ridge. Day camp on Hollin Ridge. They plan to stay overnight, but after the crebain fly over, they leave at dusk. 232 miles from start. 12 miles since last location.


When I awoke today, I was a bit uneasy, so to speak, though I couldn't see rhyme nor reason why. I looked around some, but like I said, I couldn't see nothin'. So I just shrugged it off and went to join Elanor by the campfire where she was cooking breakfast.

She gave me a sweet little smile as I came up. "An' how are you this morning Samdo?"

"Oh just fine Elanor, and since I've seen you it's been finer!" She swatted at me playfully with her hand. "Hey now, I meant it!"

She laughed. "Here, take this knife and chop up these vegetables for the stew and then the morning will be finer yet!"

"Yes ma'am!" I nodded to her as I took the instructions and began to carry them out. I looked up slyly at her. "You've been getting in the habit of ordering me around, when we ain't even married!"

"Well, as I recal, you did propose!"

"Not properly."

"Well then?"

"My dearest Elanor Brandybuck of Buckland, would you do me the great honor of becoming my dearly beloved wife, just as soon as we can find a proper place to be married?"

Elanor smiled happily. "Samwise Meriadoc Peregrine Frodo Gandalf Took of Tukborough grandson of Peregrin Took I accept!" Applause broke out from the rest of the fellowship as I gave her a kiss and then there was laughter as she shooed me back to the vegetables.

Anarion rose to his feet. "Three cheers for our happy couple!"
"Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!" all exclaimed.

Laughing and blushing we both turned back to our chores. I shook my head with a smile, thinking about the first time I recalled having seen Elanor. I had only been about 3 or 4 years at the time, and she slightly younger. 'Twas at someone's birthday celebration, naturally. She'd been crying due to some hobbit knocking over her cup of cider and I went and helped her refill it. I laughed, she'd not let me out o' her sight after that.

I picked up my knife to start choping when I noticed that the blade wasn't as sharp as it ought to have been. I ran my finger along the edge and nodded ruefully. This wouldn't be safe to work with till it was sharpend. Settin' it down to sharpen after I had finished my job I took out Sting to use instead. My laughter at using such a famous blade to chop up vegtebles was cut short by a site that made my blood run cold. Sting had turned a pale, glowing blue, which as I knew all to well on account of the stories could only mean one thing. Orcs. Ohhhh dear....

~ Master Samdo Took

Sword lessons.

We have crossed several low mountain spurs, and are now on a low hill. While the rest are finishing their noon meal, I am surveying the countryside. In front of us I can see more hills rolling along. Beyond that is Hollin Ridge and further, past that, my elven eyes can see the Mountains of Moria.

"What are you looking at, my lady?"

I jumped, startled by the voice. "Aldarion, I did not hear you!"

He smiled. "Well, I am a Ranger." Behind us, Elladan snorted, almost derisively. I glanced swiftly at him, then back at Aldarion. Other then a slightly sour look on Elladan's face, I could tell nothing from either one's expression. 'What is going on there?' I wonder.

"You had asked me a question?" I say.

"I only asked what you were looking at."

I waved my arm out at the landscape. "This". I said simply. "Are not the mountains in the distance beautiful?"

He laughed, amused. "My lady, you forget that I am not an elf."

"Oh," I blushed and giggled. "Sorry."

"She does that all the time." Elena said as she walked past, rolling her eyes. "I am forever searching the skies for something, or scanning the landscape, before I remember she can see much farther than I can."

Aldarion smiled. "I can, however, see that apple on that tree, down at the bottom of the hill, and to the left." He looked at the bow and arrows on my back. "I recall you aiming those at me when we met. Do you have great skill with those?"

In answer, I fixed an arrow to my bow, drew it back, and fired, knocking the apple from the tree. "If you would like, I shall hit that one as well, over there." I pointed to a tree several yards further then the first."

"The one nearly hidden behind that large tree? Very well."

I fired my bow again, and was satisfied to see an apple fall to the ground. I glanced at Aldarion. "Could your mortal eyes see that?" I teased.

"I could and it was a good shot." He replied. "Indeed you are quite skilled."

We talked of weaponry and archery as we walked down the hill to retrieve my arrows, discussing the differences between Elven arrows and Gondorian ones.

"Can my lady wield a sword as well?" Aldarion queried after we had retried the arrows, and the apples.

"Could my lord please call me by my name?" I asked, almost shocked at my boldness.

"If my lady - if you would like it, then yes, Rosriel."

For some reason, my heart skipped when I heard him say my name. I was being foolish, I told my self. Many other men have said my name and no differently. I returned to his question.
"I am afraid my skill with the sword is not nearly as good as that with a bow." I said regretfully. "In Greenwood, the bow is the more common weapon."

"I could give you some pointers, if you would like," he offered.

"Now?"

"If you wish."

"Do you have an extra sword?"

"I do."

"Very well then." We took our positions and started out with some basic moves. Once I demonstrated what little I knew, Aldarion began teaching me some harder tricks. I did very well, and was secretly pleased with myself for catching on so quickly. Then Aldarion surprised my with a quick twist that nicked my hand slightly and sent my sword flying.

"Ow!" I exclaimed.

Aldarion's face was all concern. "Are you hurt?"

"No, no," I reassured him. "It is only a little scratch." I glanced at the sword. "You did catch me by surprise! How did you do it?"

He glanced up the hill. "It looks like they are getting ready to move on. Shall we end the lesson, and I explain it to you as we walk back?"

I nodded in agreement, and we both reached for my fallen sword at the same time. We managed to bump our heads together twice before I finally was able to grab the sword. I reached out to hand it to him and as he took it... our hands touched. I flushed slightly and glanced up at Aldarion's face. He smiled gently, "Shall we walk back up?"

I smiled back, "Yes. Thank you for the sword lessons."

He bowed. "Thank you... Rosriel".

Happy Birthday Bilbo and Frodo!

Today, as Elanor reminded me, was Bilbo and Frodo's birthday. I promptly reminded everyone else by hopping up on a rock and giving Bilbo's birthday speech, which I had memorized by readin' it so many times in the past.

"My dear people,
My dear Bagginses and Boffins, and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burowses, and Hornblowers, and Blogers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots!"

"Proudfeet!" Elanor yelled out.

"Proudfoots." I continued. "Also my good Sackville-Bagginses that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthda: I am eleventy-one today! I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am.
"I shall not keep you for long. I have called you all together for a Purpose. Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits. I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve!
Secondly, to celebrate my birthday. I should say: OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my heir and nephew, Frodo! He comes of age and into his inheritence today. Together we score one hundred and fourty-four. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use the expression.

"This is ridiculous", Legolas remarked, with a smile.

"It is also, if I may be allowed to refer to ancient history, the anniversary of my arrival by barrel at Esgaroth on the Long Lake; though the fact that it was my birthday slipped my memory on that occasion. I was only fifty-one then, and birthdays did not seem so important. The banquet was very splendind, however, though I had a bad cold at the time, I remember, and could only say "thag you very buch". I now repeat it more correctly" Thank you very much for coming to my little party".

"Oh dear, now he shall give a speech, or some silly song", that was Elena.

"Thirdly and finally, I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. I regret to announce that - though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you - this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!" With that I made a show of slipping on my gold ring and quickly darting behind a tree. I've practiced it, so that I almost did vanish like, and I did hear one or two who hadn't seen it afore cry out. But when I stepped back out again, of course no one owned up to it.

After that, we cooked up a fine birthday feast, then those of us who have instuments and can play them - meaning me, Anarion and Vila on fiddle and flute - played several hobbitish melodies, including "Flaming Red Hair", which is supposed to have been played at the Birthday Party.* The rest of them all danced and clapped, and we sang "The Road Goes Ever On and On", and "The Man in the Moon" in fine style.

That night, we magically saw fireworks, away off in the distence. We don't know where they could have come from, or who could have been settin' them off, since Gandalf is gone, but it was a pretty sight all the same and a nice ending to a great day. And it was a very nice feelin', knowin' that somewhere, someone else might have been a rememberin' Bilbo and Frodo's birthday too.

~ Samdo

If I may take the liberty of dropping out of character briefly...

I have a few things to say.

It seems to me that none of us have been walking much anymore (I know I haven't!), so I thought, why not have this be more of a "literary" kind of thing, versus a way to keep track of our exercise? If you still plan on exercising and walking, great! But this way, we won't feel compelled to write only when we've walked. Does that make sense?
I have updated the 'Path' on the side a little further then a month, to give us ideas for writing, based on where they are walking. And, quite frankly, I was quite tired of seeing those dates up there! *gasps with sudden realization* And we haven't even reached Hollin yet!!!!!!! NOOOO!!!!! An important plot point that I have been pointedly plotting can't take place until then. AGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

If this is indeed going to switch from us exercising to us writing... can I move the miles up a bit so we are closer? Like... 100 miles? Pleeeeeaaaassse? All it is during those 100 miles is: "Camp during the day." "Camp during the day.""Reach hilltop." "Camp during the day." "Warm and sunny." And, you guessed it... "camp during the day!" Pretty pretty please?

So if you have any questions, comments, thoughts or suggestions, feel free to share them.


*pouts* Great! I had a character post I was going to do, but now that we are still 146 miles away from there I can't do it!!!!!!!

I didn't say that!

I jumped up when Ella screamed. Dazed, I looked around, and saw Ella running off into the trees, while Legolas stood looking rather sheepish.
An elf looking sheepish. Never seen that before.
I walked up to him, and demanded, "Why was Ella screaming?Were you two argueing?"
"Er.....No," he said, looking around for some means of escape. He took a step to the side, and I followed, glaring at him. "Well? What was it?"
"Uh--why don't you go find her?" he suggested, looking around rather desperately.
Do I look that murderous? I wondered, but I took his suggestion, and ran off in the direction Ella had gone. After a bit, I saw her with Rosriel, walking in my direction.
I sprinted up to her.
"Ella, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Why did you scream? Was Legolas trying to kill you or something? But if he'd been trying to kill you, he would have looked guilty, not embarressed," I answered myself before she could even open her mouth.
"Uh--no, I'm not hurt, and Legolas wasn't trying to kill me," Ella answered, looking rather amused--and sheepish.
Another one?!
"Then what was it? I asked her frowning. But then I was quickly sidetracked before she could answer.
"Oh! You curled your hair!" I exclaimed, delighted.
I reached over, and started playing with her hair, twisting one curly lock around my finger. I looked back up at her happily. "I love curly hair! How did you get it so curly? I want my hair to look just like that! Or is it a secret?"
I realized that Ella's had her mouth open for a while now, and I paused so she could answer me.
"Uh, well, it's actually natural," she said, looking at the ground. She looked nervous.
"WHAT???!!!!!" I shrieked. Ella now looked like she was about to duck for cover.
"You had CURLY hair, and you didn't TELL me? And why did you keep it straight, anyway??!! I've ALWAYS wanted my hair to be curly!"
"Well, I used to get teased a lot about it, so then I found a way to straighten it, and I've kept it like that since then," she admitted.
"Legolas was the only one who knew, before you two," she added.
I frowned. "Oh. Is that what you were screaming about?"
"Well, Legolas tried to wake everyone up so they'd see my hair, withOUT my consent. He thought it would help me find out who my family is," she added.
I frowned. "Oh, that elf! Shall I dye his hair pink?" I offered kindly.
"No, but thank you for the offer," she replied, trying to keep a straight face. I sighed regretfully. "But it would be such a fitting punishment!" I said sadly.
I was still playing with her hair. I looked at her. "Do you mind this?" I asked her politely.
"Uh, I guess not, as long as you don't pull it," she said.
"Oh, I never pull anyone's hair except Vila's," I reassured her. She exchanged a look with Rosriel, and they both burst out laughing.
"What is funny?" I enquired, confused.
Niether explained. People are always laughing for no reason when I'm around, it seems. I wonder if they do it at any other time?
Vila came up just then. "Oh! Curly hair!" she exclaimed gleefully.
I glared at her. "No, Vila! She's my friend!"
"So?" she glared at me.
"So we're not going to kiddnap her just because she has curly hair, " I said firmly.
Ella blinked. "Um, kiddnap?" she said faintly.
I explained.
"Vila and I used to kiddnap people with curly hair, whenever they ventured into our traps.
Oh, we didn't hurt them, we only played with their hair for hours," I explained soothingly.
"And gave them AWEFUL hairdos!" Vila said, delightedly.
"Don't worry, we won't do that to you, and I'll make sure Vila doesn't kiddnap you in the middle of the night. She does do that, you know."
"That was always your job! What, are you going to blame everything on me now?" Vila exclaimed in indignation, glaring at me. Ella and Rosriel were both looking at something behind me, I realized, and Ella kicked my leg.
"Ow!" I said, and turned around, to find myself facing a very startled Anarion.
"You used to kiddnap people?" he said, rather shocked.
"Um.... I didn't say that!" I blurted, and fled.
Behind me, they all started laughing, Anarion included.
Oh well. At least he has a sense of humer... I consoled myself as I climbed up a tree to sulk.

~Lirasvelindo
92 miles

Dealings with Stubborn Elves

I woke up, startled, at Legolas's shout. Through my blurred eyes, I was Ella running off over the top of the rise. A few others jumped up as well, but most just groaned and rolled over.

"Legolas, what in the world is it?" Elena mumbled while rubbing her eyes. He stood there, glancing towards the way Ella was running and back, looking slightly unsure of himself.

"I - ah - just thought that I would wake everyone - er - up." He finally mumbled, looking for all the world like a child who had been caught at something.

"Well, couldn't you have done it a bit quieter?" Elena sounded almost irritated. "It is still early and I don't see the rush."

"No, of course. No rush. Go back to sleep." Legolas turned and began to walk quickly away. Wondering what on earth had happened, I followed him.

"Legolas, there was a reason you shouted to wake us up." I caught up to him and grabbed hold of his arm. "Why was Ella running away from camp?"

"Nothing, it was nothing." He tried to shrug me off. I held on tighter.

"No, it's not nothing." I insisted. He remained silent, and I felt my irritation with him growing. "Ella didn't just run off because she felt like it. You had something to do with this, what was it? What did you do?"

"She did not have to run away."

"But she did." I waited for him to answer. "Fine," I huffed. "I shall go find her and see if she is more willing to talk." I left my stubborn cousin standing there and stormed off over the rise. I looked around for Ella, wondering where she could have gone to, and hoping she had not run into trouble. Finally, I saw her, huddled up next to a rock.

"Ella!" I called, running up. She looked up, almost fearfully, then flushed and turned away. I dropped down beside her. "Ella, what is it? Why did you run away?" I saw with some concern that she had been crying. "What happened?"

"Just go away!" She cried, trying to push me away.

"Not until you tell me what is wrong."

"No."

"Yes."

"Well, just look at me!"

I looked her over. "What? You look the same as ever."

Ella turned to me almost fiercely. "What do you mean I look the same? Just look at my hair!"

I did, and my eyes grew wide. Her hair, normally straight, now had the loveliest curls I had ever seen. "Oh Ella," I breathed. "It's gorgeous! How in the world did you get it like that?"

She stared at me with disbelief. "You - what?"

"I think it is lovely! You should always have it like this! How do you do it?"

"It - uh - it's natural." She stammered. Seeming to gather courage, she went on. "When I was younger, in Rivendell, the other children made fun of me, so I discovered away to straighten it. I do it every morning so no one will know. Legolas is the only one here who knows my secret. He thinks it will help me to find my family, because he thinks it means that I am part Hobbit. This morning, he tried to show my hair to everyone, without my consent" she finished wryly.

I nearly flared up again. "Really! That elf. Sometimes I can hardly believe he is the even keeled elf from the Red Book of Westmarch. But your hair!" I ran my fingers through it. "It is so beautiful. And as for it meaning you are part hobbit..." I looked closer and shook my head. "I rather doubt it. Hobbit's curls are closer together and more springy, you know? But yours are loser, more gentle. No, if anything, I think you must have human blood."

Ella looked surprised. "Really? There are those of the race of men that have curled hair?"

"Rarely, but sometimes they do. I've known one or two of the Rohirrim who have curled hair, Aldarion says his mother had curled hair, and my great-great grandfather - who was human - is said to have curled hair as well."

She sat silently, thinking this new information over. "I suppose Legolas has told everyone," she said at last.

I shook my head. "No, actually." I laughed, "he rather awkwardly came up with -well - no excuse for waking everyone up so early. Would you like me to help you straighten your hair before we go back?"

Ella shook her head slowly. "No, I think I will leave it the way it is." She looked up at me. "I was afraid that I would be made fun of, but your reaction has given me reassurance." She hugged me.

I released her and ran my hand over her hair again. "Good, I was hoping you would. You know, the wash you used to straighten it must have changed the color slightly as well. It looks redder than it did before."

We got up and began to walk back to camp, conversing merrily.

"Can I give Legolas a tongue lashing for you?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Because, there is no need to now! My hair is the way it naturally is. Isn't that what you both wanted?"

'Yesss... but it's the fact that he tried to reveal it without your consent."

"I suppose he did... but no."

"Spoil sport."

"Too bad!"


~ Rosriel, 74 miles

Warning: Stubborn Elf (handle with care)

I am going to kill that elf. Or I would if he had succeeded in his little scheme. When I slipped away from the group this morning, I found Legolas waiting for me.

"Tell me everything you know about your past," he said.

"And good morning to you too," I said, kneeling down and beginning my morning routine.

He said nothing.

"Determined, this morning, I see."

"Do you want my help?"

"Yes. Sorry. We've been through this before...I know nothing."

"Remind me how much nothing you know."

"All right," I said. "Elrond told me I was brought to Rivendell by a woman he did not know. She asked that I be taken care of, but would tell him nothing about my past. In Elrond's mind that meant that my past was something I ought to be ashamed of. I don't believe that though. I have to trust that my family was or is good and noble. The woman who left me was not a relative. That's all I know."

"Well, that and the fact that you have--"

"Yes, that. If it means anything."

"Ella, maybe it does. Maybe...maybe someone along with us can help you! They come from all over. Perhaps they have heard something."

"And perhaps not. I'd rather not have my hopes dashed, Legolas. Not again."

"But if we don't ask, we'll never know."

I sighed.

Without warning, Legolas grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the others. "Everybody wake up!" he yelled.

I screamed and released myself from his grip. He wanted them to see me before my preparations were finished! He wanted me to reveal my secret! I couldn't let him. A part of me said that maybe he was right, and it would help, but a larger part reminded me of what had happened in the past, and I had no desire to return to that. I ran from him, crying.

My tears are beginning to dry now, but I'm not yet ready to return to camp. I have been humiliated. And I know not what they may have seen. They were sleepy, but some did open their eyes. Perhaps I was just a blur, as I am hoping, but perhaps not.

Seeing Double...

We trudge on cheerfully, much heartened by the laughter and fun from the previous day. I woke this morning thankfully early, on the small hill we had made our rest on.

I stretched and yawned, somewhat sore from yesterday's glorious water fight. And rubbed my eyes to make sure I was not dreaming.

Snow capped peaks were visible in the distance! My heart leaped at the thought of snow, and that we were making fine progress. Then my day - so new-begun - took a turn for the better.

"Aiya, (hail!) Wyn!"

Elladan or Elrohir (I could not tell), called out to me merrily, from a large craggy rock where he was perched - scouting the weather no doubt, with his keen elven eyes.

I halted in amazement, my hands stilling. Surely he did not just address me? I looked around and saw that no one else had risen. Even Legolas was still in his elvish dreams. The other twin was nowhere to be seen.

I turned back to the elf on the rock who was watching me curiously. I wondered if he realized this was the first he (or his brother) had spoken to me. After Lira and I were rescued, they had mainly spoken only to Elena, Legolas and the Rangers. I had grown used to my seemingly invisible presence before them.

They had not said much, even yesterday, but laughed a great deal, rather. He and his brother had splashed me joyfully during the water fight and they had even swung me into the water.

He was still watching me patiently. I smiled back at him friendly, and was shocked again as he half stepped off his perch and beckoned to me with a slim finger. Trying to swallow my heart, which suddenly seemed to have leapt in to my mouth, I made my way to his side without tripping which was astonishing in itself.

He smiled at me and patted the rock beside him. I sat obediently, a very happy bubble of sheer giggling-ish rising within me. I managed, heroically, to stifle it and put on a mature front.

"This is the first you have awoken early, to my knowledge," he observed with a smile.

I ducked my head apologetically, my cheeks warm. I was no morning bird, but rather a night owl. After a few days Rosriel had kindly offered to wake me. To my relief it had been easy; she needed only to shake me and I was conscious.

"Yes," I said. "I do love waking early, contrary to the Fellowship's belief; I simply have difficulty falling asleep."

He laughed at that.

"Where is your brother?" I asked curiously, hoping to hear a name, and thus, solve the puzzle.

"Somewhere gathering herbs for Elena," the elf replied.

Defeated, I opened my mouth. "Are you Elrohir or Elladan?"

The elf winked at me. "The former."

"Ah," I said, satisfied.

Elrohir drew his legs up thoughtfully and rested his chin on his folded arms. "Tell me about yourself," he said in a clear voice. "I know nothing of you, save your name."

"Alright," I stammered, surprised at his request. I slid off and sat on the ground, my back against the rock, feeling more comfortable.

"Um, I live between the Shire and Lotherien with my family," I began slowly, playing with the damp grass with my fingers. "I have many siblings, and even more cousins..."

I continued, undisturbed. I spoke more of my family and the woods where we played. He seemed interested and wanted to learn more.

"What do you do in the woods?"

"Sit in the trees," I confessed sheepishly.

My companion found that amusing and chuckled, pressing me for more.

"I usually read or sing. Sometimes, well - most of the time - I write in the book my father gave me." My eyes flickered to my pack where it lay and I thought of my newest entries of the Fellowship.

I felt Elrohir stir, but moved my eyes to the peaks. I was slowly feeling comfortable with nary a drop of my usual shyness. If I turned to look at him, I'd probably lose my courage altogether. I was nervous for I was not quite used to speaking alone with a male, much less an elf.

I told him of the little talan my siblings and I had made with our father in one of our trees. "We each have a little part, a shelf for each of us. I filled mine with my bow, books and little pots of herbs."

"You practice archery?" Elrohir sounded surprised.

"I am no Thranduilion," I rolled my eyes, "but I can shoot. Not very well admittedly, but I can."

He grinned.

"We are very fond of it. Our talan, I mean. 'Tis our own little home. Or elven hole if you will. I have a Hobbit hole as well, beneath the roots of the tree. I keep pots and pans there and cook a meal for us sometimes."

"Soup?" the elf interrupted merrily, with raised eyebrows.

"All the time," I said gravely, failing miserably to keep a grin from my face.

"Poor Dior," he laughed, his eyes following his train of thought to the snoring dwarf asleep by the fire.

I giggled. "Rose and Lira are being very stubborn, aren’t they?"

He rolled his eyes. "Such Elves."

Oh That Odious Dior

As we were drying ourselves by the fire, I sat down next to Dior. Some members of our group looked disgusted, some confused, but I ignored them. This feuding needed to stop.

"Hello, Ella," Dior said. "Wouldn't you rather sit beside your friends?"

I smiled. "You're my friend too, Dior."

"You do realize I'm a dwarf, right?"

I laughed.

"So...friends."

"Yes, Dior."

"So what do you want?"

I sighed. "Well..."

I explained how I wished he would get along with my other friends, and how perhaps now that the others had had their fun there were no hard feelings on that side. He didn't give me any real promises, but I have high hopes for a brighter future.

Legolas refused to let me walk again until my ankle was completely healed--which in his mind meant until I could walk without limping. Well, I'm able to walk without limping now. Don't tell, but my ankle isn't fully healed yet though. I couldn't stand another day in that embarrassing chair. I mean, it was sweet of Legolas and all, and I wouldn't have been able to continue our journey without it, but even so. It seemed like I was looking for sympathy, and I wasn't. So we left the chair by the side of the road, for anyone who may need or want such a contraption.

Water fight!

I am still wet as I sit down to write this. How much fun though! And the look on Dior's face! Let me start at the beginning...

These past few days we have been walking in a stream bed, which was very handy for getting all the water we needed for cooking, and took away any excuse the menfolk had for not washing! The idea however for splashing others with it did not occur though, until today.

I carried the pots and pans I had used for making breakfast down to the stream in order to wash them off.

"Rosriel," Lira called. "Would you like some help with that?"

"Why thank you Lira," I replied. "That would be nice!" I knelt down on the bank and began scrubbing yucca roots that Vila had picked up along the way for soap as Lira finished bringing down the bowls and cups. We were chatting cheerily when a shadow fell over us. I glanced up and stifled back a sigh. It was Dior. Despite what Ella had suggested about trying to make friends, it was still difficult for me to be charitable, even harder for Lira.

"What do you want?" she snapped.

Dior ignored her. "I came to thank you for the fine meal, Miss Rosriel." He bowed and I softened slightly.

"Le hannon," I replied, inclining my head. My good feelings quickly dissipated, however.

"You must have grown in courtesy and decency of cooking since you captured Thorin's company," Dior said in an antagonistic tone of voice.

My face flushed a faint shade of red and I felt my irritation growing again. Before I could make a reply though Lira threw a handful of water straight into the dwarfs face! I couldn't help but laughing at his shocked look and threw my own handful of water. He looked angry, but I could see his lips twitching as if trying not to laugh.

"Never splash a dwarf!" he boomed and threw water all over me before retreating beyond splashing range. Giggling, I attempted to throw water at him, but ended up soaking Lira instead. She shrieked and grabbed a pan full of water to throw on me. I ducked quickly, and much to Lira's dismay she drenched Anarion, who had come up to see what we were doing. He looked startled, then joined in with vengeance. Lira and I threw water at him as best we could through our laughter.

"Two against one is not fair!" Anarion protested. "Aldarion, come and help out your poor besieged brother!"

Aldarion looked up from where he was sharpening his knife. "If you are foolish enough to get involved in a water fight," he said calmly "especially with those two, then you shouldn't expect your older and wiser brother to save you."

Anarion looked so dismayed as he fended off out onslaught, that I felt slightly sorry for him and then did something I would not have otherwise decided to do. Motioning to Lira and Anarion to keep up the raucous, I silently filled a pot of water, crept up behind Aldarion and dumped it on his head. He lept up with a roar of surprise.

"So this is how elf princesses of Greenwood treat Rangers now is it?" He exclaimed. I shrieked as he chased me back down to the water, where I promptly slipped on a rock, falling face first into the cold stream and Aldarion joined in on Anarion's side.

Vila, Ella, Samdo and Elanor all joined in, and after a bit of splashing, so did everyone else - except for Elladan who had previously walked off to somewhere. In the midst of our splashing he returned and stood on the bank watching.

"Am I the only sane member of this fellowship left?" he called with a smile. In response, Elena took a cooking pan of water and threw it at him. Drenched, he joined in as well. Finally, we called a truce and staggered back to our campfire, where we are attempting to dry ourselves off. I admit I am a bit disappointed that our path now leaves the stream, but we must go on. I am sure there will be other streams along the way.
How thankful I am that our fellowship is not pressed by haste and danger, and that we have time for such fun and enjoyment.

~ Lady Rosriel, 70 miles

The Fourth Months Path

Due to Elena's preocupideness at the moment, I have taken it upon my self to write out the fourth month's path.
Well, I am afraid the fellowship has not done the walking for our third month, so that has now become the fourth month's path. We must make up the lost ground!

August 7th we will be at the 60 mile marker, where we will leave the stream bed that we have been following.

We should have walked 67 miles by August 14th. The paths will be few and winding, and we will camp during the day, as the Fellowship did.

We will reach the top of a small rise and angle southeast by August18th, the 70 mile marker.

By August 29th we should have walked 82 miles total and have reached the thorn thicket where the Fellowship camped during the day. As of yet, we have not decided whether or not to camp during the day there, but I think that it would be fun! I just hope that certain members do not push other certain members into the thorns!

I have taken the liberty to decide that we will continue at 7 miles a week, which has so far proved to be a pretty good pace. I hope that we may stick to this month's plan!

~ Lady Rosriel, 69 miles

Of Herbs and Roasted Potatoes

Goodness me, there has been sparks flying around here and no mistake! An' I don't mean just the love ones. It's the dwarf Dior and Lira, Lady Rosriel too. Something is going to explode there or I'm a hobbit! No wait... I AM a hobbit. I meant "or I am a dwarf"!

Besides that... it is getting pretty obvious that Elladan doesn't particularly care for Aldarion. Can't figure out why though. Elena has an idea, I expect, so I shall leave those to to her. Do not meddle in the ways of those taller then you," my granddad Pippin once quipped. "For they are tall and will over power you easily." But Dior isn't much taller, so I shall see if I can make some head ways there, because as I understand it, he is the one that started it all.


I suppose that I should start be winning his friendship first. That should be easy, I thought. The way to this dwarfs heart is certainly through his stomach! I had forgiven him from stealing my earlier pot of stew, because he admitted he was very hungry and the stew had smelled so heavenly. He also said that the stew tasted even better then it looked.

I heard footsteps approaching as I bent over my makeshift grilling iron, and glanced up. Lo and behold, it was Dior approaching. He looked ready to heat a cow, as usual.

"And what are you making there today young hobbit?" He asked, sniffing the air appreciatively.

"This," I nodded towards the oven. "Is called Savory Herb Roasted Potatoes. Invented my my grandpa Samwise Gamgee."

"Is it indeed?" the dwarfs eye brows went up. "That and the fact that his cooked by his magnificent grandson, "he bowed low, and I returned it," I have no doubt that it shall be excellent!"

I grinned and shook my head. How that dwarf could be so complimentary to me, and yet so antagonistic towards those elf maidens was beyond me. I soon, however had another admirer.

"What did you say that recipe was called again?" Legolas asked, walking up.

"Savory Herb Roasted Potoatoes."

"Is it really?" Legolas exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "The same kind Sam used to make?"

"The very same!"

Legolas grinned annd, grabbing a plate, sat down near the grilling iron. "I get it first!"

"You most certainly do not!" Dior protested. "I was here! I get it first!"

"You master dwarf, most certainly do not!"

Fearing that another rift between dwarves and elves occur, I said "Well, how about I serve you both at the same time? And..." I added. "What if I was to give you both the recipe?"

Both parties more then welcomed that suggestion, promising never to share the recipe with anyone ever. Grinning to myself, I wrote it down on scraps of paper.

Savory Herb Roasted Potatoes

SERVINGS: 4-6

METHOD: Grill (gas or charcoal)

TIME: Prep: 15 min. Grill: 25 min.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds red potatoes, cut into wedges (about 6 medium)
• 1-1/3 cups FRENCHES (r) original or Cheddar French fried Onions*
• 1/4 cup minced parsley
• 6 garlic cloves, halved
• 6 sprigs thyme or rosemary
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 ice cubes
• 1 large foil oven roasting bag*

Directions:

Toss first nine ingredients in a large bowl. Open foil bag; spoon potatoes into bag in an even layer. Seal bag with tight double folds. Place bag on baking sheet. Place bag on grill over medium-high heat. Cover grill and cook 25 minutes until potatoes are tender, turning bag over once. Return bag to baking sheet and carefully cut top of bag open. Sprinkle with additional French fried onions if desired.
Oven Method; Bake at 450° for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Yield: 4-6 servings.

* Of course Samdo didn't use one of these, but I am including it for the modern day chefs out there.

~ Master Samdo, 58 miles

A confrontation

I darted back to the camp to find Vila and impart my news to her, but instead, I tripped and fell face down on the ground, on--a tree root? I picked myself up, red-faced with embaressment, hoping Aldarion was nowhere near, and looked down at what I had thought was a tree root
"Oh! You!" I exclaimed furiously, the color on my face increasing, and not from embarrassment this time. My hands clenched into fists. "Is there a reason why you have your foot stuck out?" I said in a dangerously low vouce to the smirking dwarf.
He started to say something, but I cut him off. "So. First you assault and abduct me, then you trip me! I think Ellandan and Ellohir will like to have a little talk with you about this when I tell them!"
He finally got a word in. "I didn't trip you," he declared.
"No?" I said indignately, about to explode again.
He was smirking again. "You tripped over my foot," he stated.
I completely lost control. "OH!!! You are the RUDEST, most LYING, smelly DWARF I've ever met!!!!!!!"
"You've probably never met a dwarf before," he said, not looking affected by my words in the least.
"Oh, yes, I have," I said triumphantly. "I met Gimli, and he was very well-mannered, not in the least like you."
"I admire his patience if he could put up with such an ill-mannered elf as you," he snorted.
"Oh! Mîbo orch!" (Go kiss an orc!) I hissed furiously, spinning and stomping off.
He stroked his beard as he stared after me. "Now, I wonder what that meant?" he muttered to himself.

~Lirasvelindo
62 miles

The Story of My Sister...

Today is slightly overcast, which fits my mood -also overcast. I sighed again and almost without knowing it reached up and pulled my necklace from where it lay hidden under my dress. I played with it distractedly. For some reason my sister had been in my thoughts a lot lately. I thought about her often... but not as much as recently. Why? I mused.

Sighing again, I put my necklace away and continued walking on. I heard someone catching up behind me and turned to look who it was. Elena smiled as she came closer. "I thought I would walk with you, dear cousin!" She called out.

"To what do I owe the honor of your company?" I said with mock solemnity.

"You looked cloudy," Elena glanced sideways at me. "Thinking about Aldarion again?"

"No." I half snapped, a bit irritated. "Why do you think that I think about Aldarion every moment of the day?"

She raised her eyebrow, "Sorry, I did not know that you were touchy on that subject."

"I am not touchy!" I protested hotly. "It is just that you always seem to think that I can not think of anything but Aldarion and so you never ask my advice about anything anymore!"

Elena was silent. "I am sorry if I acted that way," she said at last. "I did not mean too."

I cooled off slightly. "I am sorry for losing my temper. I should not have."

"So what were you thinking about?"

I looked up at the cloudy sky which had tno began to drizzle slightly and pulled my dark green cloak tightly about me. "My sister." I said at last.

Elena looked puzzled. "I did not know you had a sister."

"I did, at one time. Maybe I still do. "

"What do you mean?"

"Well," I explained. "About a three hundred years before I was born, so not that much older..."

"Wait!" Elena intergected. "Three hundred years? What do you mean not that much older?"

I glanced at her in mock disbelife "I am an elf. I am imortal. How many years is a long time?"

Elena pretended to glare at me, "Oh please, surely three hundred years isn't a short amount of time even for an elf?"

I giggled, "No it isn't. Anyhow, about fifty years before I was born - I am serious this time - my sister was born. They called her Luthien Elsulien. My mother loved the story of Beren and Luthien, so she named us both after her, and then Elsulien, 'star wind'. They call her Gwanwen now, "I added sadly, "'Departed Maiden'. My father said she was very lovely for how young she was.

She nodded. "So what happened to her?"

I sighed. "Well, about a year after she was born, my mother and father decided to make a trip to Rivendell. They took her with. While crossing a pass in the mountains the party was waylayed by orcs." I looked out over the landscape. "Not very far from here, I believe. It was dark out, and the elf women who was carrying my sister must have been seperated from the main party during the attack. At any rate, they were able to fend off the orcs, though they had to make a run for it during the respite. The next morning, when they gathered the remains of their company," I paused sadly, "Niether the elf woman nor my sister were there."

I fingered my necklace again. "They searched the mountains many times, never finding a trace. My mother was heart broken, and she never spoke of my sister. I only heard of her by chance, overhearing someones comment and then I was able to pry the story from my father. He also told me," I showed my necklace to Elena, "That she had a necklace just like this one." I slipped it back to its hiding place. "But I doubt she would still have it, if she is indeed alive somewhere."

Elena put an arm around my shoulders. "I hope that indeed she is and that someday you will find each other."

I smiled at my cousin gratefully and at that moment the sun burst through the clouds. "Le hannon. Thank you"

~ Lady Rosriel 58.62 miles

A Possible Lead...

I woke up on the cranky side of the bed this morning.

"Do you always wake up this early?" I asked, disguising my pleasure at seeing Legolas with pseudo annoyance.

"Only when I have something worth getting up for," he answered.

"I don't think I want to know what you mean by that." I said.

"How is your ankle doing?"

"Good, actually. I think I can walk on it now. I would like to."

"No," he said. "I don't think you ought to try just yet. I mean...you may make it worse."

I sighed. "Stop treating me like a baby; it'll be fine."

He didn't look convinced, but didn't press the matter. "Ella...we're in good company here."

"I know," I said, wondering what his reason for bringing that up was. A sudden chill went down me as the thought of him confessing his love for a fellow traveler went through my mind.

"The best, one could even argue," he continued. "Or close to the best--you know I'll always say Gimli's company is top."

"Legolas," I said. Best to get this over with soon. "Do you have a point?"

He smiled. "Indeed I do. Hear me out. We are with good people here. No one will hurt you. I think it's time you let your secret out."

I was relieved that was all he wanted, but was still stubborn on this matter. "It isn't a matter of when the right time is, Legolas--because there never will be a 'right time.' My secret is not something I ever wish to be revealed. You know that."

"But Ella--look. Elinor has it too. As does Wyn."

"They're hobbits. I'm an elf. There's a tiny bit of a difference."

"But listen, Ella. Maybe you're a hobbit."

I stared at him. He looked serious, so I stifled my giggle. "There's a slight problem
with your theory. I look nothing like a hobbit. I look like an elf. Oh, maybe because I am an elf."

"What I mean is, you could be part hobbit. Ella, don't you see? I can't imagine why I didn't think of it before. This could be why finding your family has been so difficult--I've been looking in the wrong places!"

I brightened. "Really? You think this could help?"

Legolas smiled. "Definitely."

~Ella Ellessanderil, 61 miles

An Accidental Eavesdropping

I lay beside the fire, staring up at the stars, fingering the necklace I wore about my neck. I thought again about the sister I had never met. I wonder if she is alive, somewhere.

Sighing, I rolled over to go to sleep, when low voices cought my ear. It was Aldarion and Legolas. They were sitting on the other side of our campfire, and it seemed as if they were in the middle of a conversation. I must have been so wrapped in my thoughts that I did not hear them. Out of idelness, I listened.

"No", Aldarion laughed slightly. "I am not one to go around telling people I love them." He paused. "No, I have taken a vow, that I shall tell no maiden that I love her, unless I am ready to ask for her hand in marriage with my next breath."

"That is a good vow to take," Legolas replied thoughtfully. "But one that not many can keep."

"I have so far, and I intend to keep it."

There was silence for a good many minutes. I was about to fall alseep, when I cought my name.

"The Lady Rosriel, is you cousin, is she not, Legolas?"

"Yes, she is."

"Are you two particularily close?"

"Meaning do we confide in eachother?" Legolas asked. "Yes, we do frequently and we have since she was young." I had rolled over slightly and saw him glance at Aldarion. "Why do you ask?"

Aldarion's face was in the shadow, so I could not see his expression. "Do you know, I was just curious, prehaps wrongly so but, I was wondering..." he hesitated. "Does, is she - promised - to anyone?"

Legolas thought. "She has not plighted troth with any one." I could see him smile. "Nor had her heart been given to anyone when she left the Greenwood for Rivendell." He added casually, "Of course, that may have changed since she departed that fair place." He laughed. "Does that satisfy your questionings, Aldarion?"

Aldarion shifted almost uncomfortably. "Yes, thank you." He stood up, looking out at the dark landscape, then back at Legolas. I could see his face now, which was serious. "I did not want to make any mistakes."

Legolas stood up as well, and he said something that I could not hear.
"So I assume your heart is free as well?" He added louder.

"Why do you think I asked the questions I did?" returned Aldarion.

He walked away, and Legolas sat down near the fire. I turned on to my back. Why did I feel so breathless? Yes, I liked Aldarion, but I had never thought.... Why was I so completely elated? What was this feeling? I had never been in love before... was this it? I did not know.
Confused, I fell asleep.

~ Rosriel 52 miles

An Injury

Ever since I surprised the others (not to mention myself) by falling out of that tree, I've felt a dull pain coming from my right ankle, which is the ankle most of my weight fell on. Since I could still walk without limping, I decided to ignore it. Possibly that was not a good choice. This morning, as I was walking alongside Legolas and learning what all has happened in Mirkwood since last I visited, I felt a very sharp pain in my ankle and (rather ungracefully, I'm embarrassed to admit) I fell into Legolas' arms.

Out of the goodness of their hearts, the others have fashioned a chair for me. Legolas has taken it upon himself to push me around in it. I think he feels somewhat responsible for this, since it was, after all, his eyes that caused me to lose my balance. I of course would not mind this attention from my dear friend, if not for all the viscous looks I have been receiving from certain other young ladies on this journey.

Through my (unskilled, but satisfactory) evaluation of the ankle, I believe it is only sprained, and not broken. In only a few short weeks I should be walking again, which will be a great relief to me, and I have high hopes it will quell the anger of my fellow travelers.

(I thought I should give you all an explanation for why I will most likely be lagging behind you in the miles department in the coming weeks--for those who don't know, I actually did sprain my ankle this week)

~Ella Ellessanderil, 60 miles

Talk with Legolas

I sat alone, a little way from our camp, with a sad, pensive look on my face, though I was not feeling in the least sad or pensive. It was for Anarion’s benefit, I knew I looked very much like I wanted to be alone, and if Rosriel and Ella had any success with Legolas, I did not want him to find me with Anarion after promising to avoid him. I was feeling rather anxious, in reality; though both Ella and Rosriel had seemed confident in their ability to talk Legolas into believing me, I was not very much reassured. Legolas can be quite stubborn!
I was more impatient than anything else by the time Rosriel and Ella came.
“We’ve succeeded!” Rosriel exclaiming, smiling happily at me.
“Well, not quite, you still have to convince him of your honesty yourself, but he’s willing to listen!” Ella corrected.
I jumped up and flung my arms around both of them.
“Thank you so much! I will be indebted to you both for life!” I said, barely able to keep my voice down to a normal level.
“It was no trouble,” Ella assured me, and Rosriel added, “We would do the same for any friend.”
I smiled a little tearfully at them. “I’m so fortunate to have friends like you! I promise I’ll keep Vila from playing any pranks on you!”
“Er, thanks,” they said, looking a little amused.
Then Ella looked back towards the camp. “Legolas is looking for you so he can talk to you; we’d better go tell him where you are,” she said.
Rosriel nodded. “I wish you good luck with your talk,” she said.
“I won’t ruin your hard work,” I replied cheerfully, and they left to find Legolas.
I sat back down, feeling suddenly more than a little nervous. Now for the last test, and Anarion would be mine—well, if he wanted to be. But I would worry about that later.
Legolas came into sight, and sat down next to me. “Ella and Rosriel told me you were over here,” he began a little awkwardly. I decided not to make it too hard for him.
“They told me you wanted to talk to me?” I said, keeping my voice carefully subdued, though I felt like singing for joy.
He nodded. “They said that you were not behaving as irresponsibly towards that ranger as I had been afraid you had,” he began carefully, and I waited for him to go on.
He was watching me out of the corner or his eye. “Rosriel said that your behavior has been much more restrained than it has been in the past, and Ella told me you seemed to genuinely like talking with him, instead of merely flirting with him because you were bored, which I have frequently seen you do.”
He paused a moment, then said, “Lira, if you do actually like him instead of merely using him to alleviate your boredom, then I apologize for my words earlier. I did not mean to be harsh, but I must admit I was thinking of how you have acted in the past without allowing room for change. Tell me, Lira, how do you feel towards Anarion?”
I answered him, finally. “I like him,” I said slowly, looking at the ground. “He’s a good man, and he rescued me from that nasty dwarf, as I’m sure you heard.” Legolas’s lips twitched as he held back a smile. “Yes, I heard. You and Raewyn throwing a temper tantrum, and all.” I laughed, and he joined in. “Well, it did work,” I said, still laughing.
We talked a bit longer, with Legolas actually listening to what I said, and believing me, and then, finally, he told me, “I have no objection with your friendship with Anarion. Please make sure you do not lead him on, or give him false hopes. After all, you are an elf, and he is a man.”
“But he’s a ranger,” I protested.
“A ranger is still a man,” he said.
“Yes, I know that, but King Ellessar was a ranger, too, you remember.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Well, be careful, that was all I said.”

~Lirasvelindo
50 miles

In Defense of Lira

Legolas looked first at me, then back at Ella, and sat down with a sigh.
"Knowing the both of you as well as I do," he said wryly. "This will take a while, so excuse me if I sit down." He gestured. "Come, sit as well, then we can all talk comfortably."

Ella and I sat down in silence. We glanced at each other.
"Legolas," I started. "I talked to Lira, and she says that you have joined the Fellowship with the intention to watch her and keep her from flirting. Now wait!" I stopped Legolas from speaking, "I know Elena invited you, I heard her."

"But," Ella continued. "You did say that you intended to keep a watch and supervise her, as well as Vila, very closely."

"You cannot deny that they do not need it!" Legolas broke in. "Have you any idea how many hearts that girls has broken by her careless flirting?"

"Yes I do," I said. "In fact, I have watched her do it. And that is how I know, that this time it is different."

"Oh really?" Legolas raised an eyebrow.

"Yes really. You must account for the fact that women can see things in other women that men, no matter how observant, will never notice," Ella said seriously.

"How can you tell?"

"One way," I answered. "Is that her manner of flirting is more subdude. Yes she is still flirting, but not the way she used to. Lira is not nearly as outspoken, coy or careless as the other times."

"Also," Ella added. "She has talked to me several times about Anarion, before you joined us. She seemed to genuinly like him, as well as admire him. I have also seen her flirt once or twice before, and you could tell she did not care a bit for the poor mens hearts."

"I truely belive," I said, "that she is really serious this time."

Legolas was silent. He looked up, "Are you sure?"

"Look," Ella said. "Why don't you talk to Lira about it. As a friend. No protective fatherly type behavior. Realize that she has grown up."

He thought for a while. "I will do it," he sighed.

"Good." I smiled. "Ella, would you mind walking back to camp with me? We'll tell Lira that her dear friend Legolas wishes to have a heart to heart talk with her." She accepted, and we began walking, arm and arm towards the rest, talking about various things and getting to know eachother more.

I glanced at her. "Ella," I said, "I wish we had met sooner. I have missed out on a beautiful friend."

Lady Rosriel - 42.5 miles

Early Morning Meeting

As is my habit (for reasons I am choosing to keep secret), I was up before the rest today. I began my daily routine, hiding myself within the woods, but paused when I sensed an onlooker. To my relief, it was only Legolas. He had known my secret almost as long as Elrond had, so I didn't care that he was reminded of it today.

"You still do that, I see."

"Of course," I said, continuing my preparations.


"Ella, people will love and accept you the way you are!"

"They didn't."

"I did."

"I know, but...nobody else did."

"We were young then. The young always pick on those who are different."

"Speaking of picking on others..." I started.

"Why do I get the feeling you're going to turn this conversation off of you and onto me?"

"Um...because you know me well?" I offered. "But listen, Legolas...about Lira...and a certain ranger..."

"Yes, I would like to speak to you about that as well," Lady Rosriel said, stepping up to us. I was glad I had finished getting ready before she arrived.

~Ella Ellessanderil, 40.5 miles

Trouble

I smell trouble. And not from an enemy or that dwarf...but rather from the numerous romances bubbling up around the camp. Most of the girls are either being secretive (like Ella and Raewyn), coming to me for advice (like Rosriel and Elanor) or glaring at me (like Lira, for some unknown reason).

Needing a break from all this, I followed my cousin Aldarion out of the hollow to do some hunting on the moor. I love talking to the other maidens, but every now and then I find myself needed to mix with the level-headed males in our party. (I think perhaps my head for leadership and organization has something to do with this tendancy)

After hunting down three rabbits in relative silence and beginning to skin them, Aldarion turned to me and asked, "Rosriel is your cousin on your mother's side, correct?"

I looked at him in surprise. "Yes. She is the child of my mother's half-sister."

Aldarion was the son of my father's brother.

He nodded slowly. "You've known her all your life?"

"Yes, we have been firm and fast friends for as long as we've known each other."

"Would you say that she's...as worthy as she seems?"

"More so," I assured him.

He went back to his work. I watched him, curious. Rosriel, of course, had confided her own growing interest in the ranger to me, but I had not seen any sign that the interest was returned. Until now, of course. His expression remained closed to my interpretation, but I knew that the fact that he questioned me at all spoke volumes. In all my years of being his cousin I had never known him to express interest in any maiden.

Suddenly there was a shout from behind us. I turned and saw Elladan speeding over the heather with a furious expression on his face.

I stood up quickly. "What is it? Has something-"

He cut me off with a scowl. "What in the name of Mandos are you doing?!?"

Aldarion held up his half skinned rabbit. "Hunting."

"Without a word to any of us?"

"Elladan!" I said sharply. "I am the leader of the party. He only needed to report to me- which he did."

The Elf spun around on me. "It is you we've been worried about! You vanished without a word!"

"We?" I raised an eyebrow. "I remember quite clearly speaking to both Rosriel and Vila before leaving camp."

He paused. "Lady Elena- for your own safety-"

"For my own safety I was with Aldarion!"

"An untested ranger!"

"Untested!" Aldarion rose, his own anger rising. "Pray, explain yourself!"

Elladan crossed his arms. "What wars have you fought in- what orcs have you killed- what dragons have you tracked down in the hills?"

"Experiance is not everything!"

I broke in. "There are no wars, orcs or dragons on this moor, Elladan! Now help us with these rabbits or leave us to our task!"

He hesitated for a long moment, then whipped out his long hunting knife and set to work on the third rabbit. But the looks he shot Aldarion would have killed- if looks could do such.

Will You?

Would you imagine that! Legolas has joined our Fellowship! I can't say that I've ever been more pleased. He's been telling us stories about the first fellowship, and about my grandad's and Elanor's grandad Merry. And of Frodo. I wish now more then ever that I'd been able to meet him. Legolas says that I look very much like my gradfather Pippin, though I sound like grandpa Sam.

I sure do miss them both. Elanor, whom Legolas says reminds him very much of Merry, is still worried that her grandpa won't be alive when we get to Gondor. I've been trying to cheer her up by bringing her flowers now and then and doing small things for her. I really do enjoy her company, very much so.

We are spending the night in what Legolas says is the very same hollow the first Fellowship stayed in. Whilst Elanor and I were making dinner, we had a chance to talk together, somewhat by ourselves.

"What do you think of this place?" Elanor asked, looking around. "Imagine, the first fellowship stayed here!"

"Yep, though they weren't allowed a hot supper like we are," I added.

She laughed. "It is a very nice place, so pretty. I should like to stay here."

"All by your self?" I asked, dropping slices of potatoe in the stew.

She shook her head, "Of course not! I'd want friends to stay with me. But then," she added thought fully, peeling a carrot. "While I love seeing the world, I think that the only place I'd ever truly be happy is in the Shire."

I nodded silently, and for a while we chopped and peeled in silence. Then I asked, "So, since you want to live there, how do you think you'd like to spend your life, once we finish this and get back to the Shire?"


She looked up "Well," she said. "I guess I'd like to spend it raising a family, and living with the people I love, and who love me." She smiled. "And what about you Samdo? How do you want to spend the rest of your life?"

I took a breath, glancing up at her face. I set my knife down on a rock and shyly took her hand. "Well," I said. "I don't know much about the details of it, but" I paused, then went on. "I'd like to spend it with you."

She looked down, blushing, but before she could answer, Vila and the rest of the girls ran up and asked her to come pick flowers that were blooming nearby. She went with, but before she left, Elanor gave me a smile that made me happier then I'd been in a long time.



-- Master Samdo, 36 miles

Oh, no....

Legolas took me aside that evening, with a rather stern expression on his face that did not bode well. I watched him out of the corner of my eye, apprehensively, hoping he was not going to act fatherly and ruin my fun again. My father, who had been a good friend of Legolas, had died during the War of the Ring, which, for some reason, had made Legolas feel responsible for me. Which, in itself, wouldn’t have been so bad, since I liked Legolas, but when it came to messing up our—Vila, myself, and sometimes some our friends—plans, that was just too much!
And it seemed he was going to again.
“Lira, I noticed that you were flirting with that young ranger earlier,” he began, frowning at me, and my heart sank. So that was it. Well, no matter what he might say, I wasn’t going to stop this time. I liked Anarion.
“So?” I said, my voice sounding a bit more defiant than I had intended it to be.
Legolas’s frown deepened. “I knew letting you and your sister join this fellowship without proper supervision would cause trouble,” he said with a sigh, more to himself than me. “But your mother seemed to think that being maids of Queen Arwen had settled both of you down a bit, and given you a chance to mature. It seems she was mistaken, however.” He waited for me to say something, and I cast around hastily in my mind for something to distract him, but he went on before I could think of anything.
“It’s a good thing I’m here to keep an eye on you now.”
Oh, no.
“Will you be staying with us?” I asked, carefully making my voice sound bright and cheerful, as though I was happy to have him with us. He looked rather suspicious at my tone, though, as well he might. I was fuming inside.
“Elenatintil had kindly invited me to join her fellowship, and I gladly accepted her offer.”
Oh, no.
My feelings towards Elena at that moment were anything but glad or kind, but I tried to look pleased. He was not fooled, though, and returned to the original subject.
“I hope you will stay away from Anarion, Lira, or I shall have to have a talk with him,” he said, the stern look back on his face. "He is a good man, and I won't have you breaking his heart for fun."
I considered denying his accusation indignately, but decided it would have the opposite effect.
So instead, I agreed meekly, while contemplating my revenge.

If you give an elf a cookie - I mean hug

This morning, I woke up to the sound of voices. Sleepily, I glanced around, but it appeared that all of my companions were asleep. Bemused, I sat up and looked around. Sounds from behind alerted me and I turned to see Ella along with another, very tall, blond haired elf, who looked very familiar...

"Legolas!" I shrieked happily, waking the rest of the camp. I bounded over my sleepy friends and strangled my cousin in a delighted hug.

"Rosriel!" He laughed and returned my hug. "I hardly expected such a greeting, even from you. It has only been a month since I last saw you!"

I hugged him happily, laughing as well. "You should know by now, my dear cousin, that I am always happy to see you... especially when you are unexpected."



He made fake choking sounds. "Well, you will not have the pleasure of my company much longer if you continue your strangulation of my neck!"

Giggling, I released him. I happened to look over at Ella, and saw that she looked slightly jealous. What could she be jealous of? I wondered. I turned back to the fellowship, who was now awake and staring. I was puzzled to notice that Raewyn and Lira also look a bit upset and envious. What is wrong with them? I am only greeting a cousin who I happen to be very close to.

"Legolas!" Elladan stepped forward, breaking the silence. "It is a pleasure to meet you again."

"And you," returned my cousin, who had apparently not noticed the envious looks I was getting. Feeling a bit self conscious, I let go of his arm.

Elena stepped forward, smiling. "Glad to see you again! What brings you here?" Well, I thought At least someone is not unhappy.

By turn, each member of our Fellowship greeted Legolas. Raewyn and Lira offered a slightly cold greeting, I noticed. Samdo and Elanor - the only two who had not met Legolas before - seemed slightly in awe of him.
"You were with the first Fellowship, weren't you," Elanor said.
"What was it like?" Samdo asked at the same time.

Legolas smiled. "Yes I was, and if you would like to hear about it, I would be happy to tell you sometime."

As long as he was occupied, I was determined to get to the bottom of the jealousy I was noticing among my friends. "Come here," I whispered to the three, dragging them off a ways.

"What is this for?" Raewyn almost snapped.

"What are you jealous about?" I retorted. "Do not try to deny it, it is very obvious that you are."

"Well then," Ella spoke up, her face red, but I could see she was almost crying. "Why do you get a greeting like that?"

"Yes!" shot in Lira. "And why do you get to give him such a friendly greeting? I thought you liked Aldarion."

My face flamed. "For your information, Legolas is my cousin. He was around while I was a child and growing up, and we are very close. I am an only child, in case you did not know, and he has always been like an older brother to me. Why should I not greet him with a hug? What is wrong with that? How could you be angry with me for showing affection towards a family member?" By now, I was practically in tears, and turned to walk away. I felt myself whirled around and wrapped in a hug.

"I'm so sorry," sobbed Raewyn. "I didn't mean to get upset with you. I understand, oh, please forgive me for hurting your feelins, I didn't mean it..."

I hugged her back. "Oh course I forgive you!"
Lira and Ella, both crying as well, also gave me a hug, "Will you forgive us as also?"
"Of course!" I laughed through my tears. "You are my friends, are you not?"

Hugging and smiling, we walked back to camp.

~Lady Rosriel - 36 miles

Some Added Excitement

Lady Rosriel's news yesterday, mixed with my excitement, has kept my spirits high this day. Last night was incredibly eventful for me (and this morning was for the others). The past few evenings, when others were asleep, I have kept on alert, searching for the elusive eyes. I knew I hadn't imagined them, and something told me whoever it was was still with us, so I continued my search. At last (though it had only been a few nights, my spirit was already waning), my search was rewarded.

I held my sword at the ready. Samdo rolled over in his sleep and I froze. I didn’t want to worry the others—or arouse their suspicions—with my sneaking around. Looking up into the trees, I thought I saw some movement come from one of them. I inched closer. Bad idea.

Whatever it was had now been alerted to my presence. The movement stopped and I knew they had leapt to another tree. If I could just find which one…

“Stop following me,” a voice said. It was firm, but not malicious.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“You know who I am. Is this a friendly group, or are you being held against your will?”

The voice did sound familiar. Very familiar. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought it was… “Show yourself,” I said.

They complied.

“Legolas?!?”

Apparently, while I had been on my way to Mirkwood, he had been on his way to Rivendell, and both of us had been sidetracked. Even with his excellent vision, he couldn’t tell if I had been elf-napped or if I joined on my own, and was waiting for a chance to free me in case it had been the former.

I introduced him to the others this morning (those he had not already met), and he will be joining us for the rest of our journey.

~Ella Ellessanderil, 29 miles

News of Legolas...

I left Samdo with.. that dwarf... and stormed off in a huff. The nerve of him! I fumed. Accusing me of capturing the dwarves and mistreating them! He is so patronizing, sarcastic.... My thoughts were interrupted by overhearing Ella asking Raewyn about Legolas.

"I heard you were distantly related to Legolas," she said. "Have you seen him lately?"

"No, sorry," Raewyn replied. "It's been a terribly long time since we saw each other."

At that moment I joined them. "Excuse me, Ella," I said. "I happened to overhear you asking about Legolas."

She turned to me, eyes bright. "Yes, I was. Do you know him? Have you seen him? How is he?"

"Yes, I know him very well. " I smiled. "He is my cousin. We are both from the Greenwood. I saw him just before I left for Rivendell, and he was doing very well."

She smiled broadly, "That is good news. I am glad to hear it." She paused, "Now that you mention you're from Greenwood, I believe I have seen you before, though we were never introduced."

I thought for a moment. "I believe you are right," I said slowly. "Yes, I now that I think of it, I do remember seeing you briefly before." I looked at her. "Yes, you must be the elf maid Legolas has mentioned on occasion. He never mentioned your name, but you fit his description of you."

Ella blushed slightly, "Um...if you wouldn't mind saying...What has Legolas said about me?"

"Well, he described you as tall, elegant and very pretty." I couldn't help but smile as she blushed an even deeper red. So... I thought.

"Did he really say that?" She asked.

"Yes, he did. He also told me that he thought you were a very sweet girl and," I paused, "Well, I do not know if he told you, so I do not know if I should say this but..." I glanced at her. "He said, he was trying to help you find your family?"

Ella had been looking down at the ground, as if afraid and eager to hear what I might say, but glanced up when I finished. "Is he?" Her face glowed.

"Yes, that is what he said." I paused. "I hope it wasn't supposed to be a surprise."

"Well," she smiled happily. "If it was, I will be sure to act very surprised when he tells me." She skipped off happily. "Thank you!" She called over her shoulder. Smiling, I shook my head. Love is in the air...

~Lady Rosriel - 37 miles

Making Friends

I was so pleased the fellowship didn’t kick me out. As much as I would enjoy seeing Legolas again, I now have my heart set on continuing with this group on their journey…our journey. I had often wondered what things might have been like had I been allowed to accompany Frodo and the others, and now I shall get a taste of that.

I have never felt so…wanted…before. Though Elrond and others in Rivendell were always friendly, I always knew that to them I was an outsider. I didn’t belong there, but there was no place that I did belong. I’m beginning to feel that here, in this company, is where I am meant to be. It’s a good feeling.

There hasn’t been much chance for me to think about the eyes I saw, nor did I mention them to the others. I have not seen them since. I was spooked, but I believe it was more out of surprise than out of feeling threatened. There is something about the eyes that makes me think they do not belong to someone who means to harm us. Perhaps it is just another onlooker, as I was not long ago.

Tonight as the others are resting, I will try to find the creature. I am glad I brought my weapons along. If it is an unwelcome intruder, I will be rid of it, and if it is someone who would be welcomed, I will introduce him or her to the others.

I noticed one of my companions was only a couple steps’ distance from me, so I caught up to her.

“Miss Raewyn?” I said.

“Oh, Miss Ella, call me Wyn.”

“All right, Wyn. And you can call me Ella. I thought I overheard that you are a relation of Legolas…is that right? He is a good friend of mine, which is why I ask.”

~Ella Ellessanderil, 26 miles

Small Conversations

Well, it has been a few days since someone last wrote, so I’ll just mention briefly what happened after Miss Ella fell out of the tree.

Needless to say, we were all rather startled when she came crashing down on us un-expected. She jumped up right away, flushed, and apologizing for ‘dropping in’.

“Please forgive me for dropping in on you like this, I am so sorry, I was not spying upon you, well, I was, but not for any bad reasons I was just looking, to see what kind of people you were and then I fell.” Her eyes darted around a bit fearfully.

Elrohir stepped forward, and the elf maid’s eyes darted to him. “Ella? What are you doing here?” he asked. “I thought you were safe back in Rivendell.”

“Elrohir! Please do not be angry with me!” she begged. “Can I please come with you? Where are you going?”

Elrohir laughed. “Yes, you may come with, if it means you will stop climbing trees and falling out of them!”

So that is how we acquired our latest companion on this journey we’re all making. So, as I reckon it, there are now eight of us officially in the Fellowship: Lady Elena, Lady Rosriel, Miss Lira, Miss Vila, Elanor, Miss Ella, Miss Raewyn, and myself. Then we have five companions, Aldarion, Anarion, Elladan, Elrohir, and the dwarf Dior. Speaking of him…

As we walked along today, I recalled the soup pot and stew that had gone missing a ways back in the road. Meaning to ask our dwarf companion about it, I excused myself from Elanor’s company and strode as fast as my hobbit legs would carry me to catch up with him. He was up ahead, conversing with Lady Rosriel. When I got closer, I overheard their conversation.

“Ah! From Mirkwood are you?” I heard Dior say. “Yes, you would be one of the folk that held Thorin and company captive on their journey to the Lonely Mountain.”

She gasped. “What do you mean, ‘held them captive’?”

He laughed, sounding slightly sarcastic. “After they ‘molested’ your folk in the forest, you locked them up in a dungeon, little food and water.”

“I will have you know, dwarf,” Rosriel retorted, “that we treat our captives very civilly.”

“Ah! So you admit to captives!”

“I said captives in general! Not the dwarfs!”

“But they were captive.”

By this time, I had caught up and was walking even with them. I could see that Rosriel was getting a bit red in the face, which if you know her well enough is a sure sign she’s mad. Dior look mad as well, but when I looked closely, I could see a hint of a smile and a gleam in his eyes that told me sure enough that he was teasing her and trying to make her mad. Shaking my head, I continued listening.

“I was only 53 years old then! Hardly involved!” She exclaimed.

"53? Oh how young!" Dior said, somewhat mockingly. "I notice you say hardly. Not 'completely uninvolved."

Rosriel bristled visibly, and was on the point of replying, when I thought it was best to break in. "And so begins another friendship between an elf and a dwarf, one to rival even that of Legolas and Gimli." I commented. "Lady Rosriel, if you wouldn't mind, I had a question to ask your friend here. Why don't you walk with Aldarion? He looks lonely." She seemed only too happy to leave and did so immediately. I shook my head wearily at Dior. "You were aggravating her a purpose weren't you? I thought I heard somewheres that you came to offer friendship to the elves."

Ignoring the question, Dior laughed. "Playing the matchmaker are we? " I must have had a blank look on my face, so he asked, "There was something you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Yes I did." I replied, laying the former matter aside. "You see, there was a pot of stew I made a while back that went missing..."

--- Master Samdo, 27 miles

The end of the first month

I sit down to pen this with the realization that the first month of our fellowship has already passed. We've gained far more members than I first anticipated- and have done a fairly good job of staying on course in our walking.

The general concensus of the party seems to be that for the next month we will attempt to travel 8 miles a week instead of 7. The only people who disagree with this are the males (minus Samdo) who have all gone on dozens of hard journeys and feel that we should be moving much swifter than we are.

And any rate, despite much hinting and teasing from them, I have drawn up the schedule for the next month. For those of us who are slightly behind we must hurry to catch up!

On June 23rd we should be at the 37 mile mark and will camp in a small hollow where the Fellowship spent the night

On July 1st we will reach the crest of a hill where we will finally be able to see snow capped peaks to the east

On July 12th we will reach a small stream and follow it east

and on the following day we ought to have done 59 miles and will have compleated our second month on this journey.

Many cheers to you all! Let us continue on with steadfast hearts and cheerful song!

I decided to drop in...literally

From where I was, I could see there was merriment in the camp. I had the sudden urge to discover what it was about.

Stealthily, I crawled closer. When I was near enough to make out what was being said, I climbed into a tree. I could see my friends Elladan and Elrhoir but there were branches in my line of vision. I climbed down and ran to a tree that shaded the fellowship. I soon discovered I had not been the only one with this idea.

I gasped when I saw the two small eyes peering between the branches at me. I was so shocked to discover my company that I lost my grip and slipped downward...straight into the middle of the fellowship.

I groaned, both for my undesired entrance and for the pain that was starting in my back. I looked up and realized many pairs of eyes were staring down at me. I jumped to my feet, uttering an apology for my manner of introduction.

~Ella Ellessanderil, 24 miles

Conversations with a Ranger

I sat down next to Anarion, who was sitting next to the fire, ignoring Vila in a quite unsisterly fashion as I did so. “Thank you for rescuing me,” I said shyly, looking up at him through my eyelashes. He smiled at me. “It was my pleasure,” he assured me.After a brief pause, while I tried to think of something intelligent to say, to make up for acting so childish earlier, he said, “Have we met before? You look familiar.”I told him who I was, and he instantly burst out laughing. “I remember now,” he gasped out, while I stared, puzzled, at him. “We met, years ago. You found riding my horse quite exhilarating.” I remembered now, and my face turned bright red. Oh well, so much for acting dignified and intelligent.“I assure you, my skill with horses has improved since then,” I said quickly, still blushing. I could not imagine why I had not recognized him before, but it had been years. He was older now, and I realized he was quite handsome, something I had been to young to appreciate before. He had come to Minas Tirith for some reason, which I could not remember, and I had seen him from a distance riding his horse. It was the horse I had paid most attention to, not him, a striking bay stallion with a blaze running down its forehead, and beautiful, smooth gaits. From the instant I had seen the stallion, I had wanted to ride him, and all it took was Vila daring me to play an unspecified prank on the ranger for me to fulfill my wish. (She left it up to my imagination.) My plan was this. Vila, being the older, would follow him without him seeing, and if he showed any wish to check on his horse, she would show herself, and distract him. (By which, I knew she meant to flirt with him. Quite shocking! )In the meantime, I would steal his horse, and take it out for a ride.We carried out our plan, and at first, it seemed to be going perfectly. No one who saw me with the ranger’s horse thought I was doing something I should not have been—fortunately, no one who would have known what I was up to instantly saw me—and so the first part of my plan was successful.It was only when I had “escaped” safely with the horse, and tried to ride it at anything faster then a walk that I begin to have problems. For one thing, I knew very little about horses, and therefore, once I asked the horse to go faster, he broke into a wild gallop. That was, at first, exciting and exhilarating, but then, when I had no idea how to slow him down, my idea suddenly seemed not so good.Meanwhile, as Vila later told me, her part had so far been successful, until our mother saw her flirting with a ranger, and, shocked, dragged her away. Then the ranger remembered what he had been going to do, and found his horse gone, and some fool told him that a young elf-maiden had been lingering around the horse’s stall (I had been waiting for him to leave, actually, and petting the horse) and told him who I was. He went to see our mother, who, knowing me very well, told him where I most likely would have gone, and went to find Vila to see what part she had in this infamous deed. Vila, however, had most fortunately climbed out a window and gone to warn me, so she was not found. The ranger, however, had hurriedly followed my mother’s advice, and arrived just in time to witness his horse stopping dead in his tracks at the sigh of his master, and rearing. Quite stunned at the sudden sight of the ranger, who had arrived ahead of Vila, I lost my balance and fell off, to my embarrassment.And, to complete my humiliation, he laughed.Like he was doing right now. Vila looked quite annoyed. “I was about to tell you that I recognized him,” she told me crossly, glaring at me. I blushed harder, wishing I could sink straight into the ground, or fall into a well like Elena. Well, not a well, because then I would have to be rescued again. But if I sunk into the ground, would they try to rescue me? Most likely.Anarion, noticing my extreme embarrassment, checked his laughter.“If you wish to ride my horse again, please inform me first,” he said gravely, with a hint of laughter in his voice, and I laughed, rather relieved that he was not angry at me.“I will,” I answered, the color of my face subsiding to a more usual color.

Sorry! And other things

Dear People of the Fellowship! Sulliad!

It has been many days since I have written, and I am very sorry for it! Since last I told our tale several people have become a part of the fellowship. I feel I have missed telling so many things, thankfully the others have done a very good job of recording these past few very eventful days!

I am very happy to have new companions, especially Raewyn, who is part hobbit! How nice it will be to have another hobbit on the journey. Also, Elladan and Elrhoir, who have been following us from day one, but just now decided—after saving Elena, Raewyn and Lira, to join us. There is also Aldarion, who has been telling us tales these past days, how fun he is to have in camp, I think that Roseriel especially likes to have him around. Love is in the air!

Now for my excuse, these last few days I have been ill and tired. Most probably from staying up all night digging holes, but the looks on Rose's and Elena's faces was worth it all and more. That and the happiness in Samdo's eyes, the poor boy has been so sad these past days since the news of Pippin's death. I can only pray that my Grandfather will be alive when we arrive.

I will write more later but now I must fly, my soup is burning!

Elanor