They were so beautiful and kind, these people. I wanted to let myself be free...to get to know them and let them know me. But I was afraid...afraid of all that I'd been running from...afraid that if I let myself love them that I would get hurt or something worse...that they would get hurt loving me.

We finished packing our bags and waved farewell to Dior as he set off for the Mines of Moria.  I shivered in the chill wind that had started blowing and felt my face flush slightly.  If it hadn't been for my running off, we could have been to the mines by now.  I shrugged.  Good had come of it, after all, I'd found Edroliel and helped her.

As we began walking, I made my way over to Ella.  She looked up at me briefly as I came up beside me and I caught side of her expression.  "Ella, is something wrong?"

She sighed, "No... not really."

"Ella," I pressed, "Something is wrong.  Please, you can talk to me about it."

Ella opened her moth to speak, then shut it again.  "I - I guess I will talk to you tonight."

I nodded and changed the topic of conversation as Legolas walked up beside us.  I saw Ella glance towards him and guessed why she had chosen to remain silent.  My heart ached for her.  Oh Ella, can't you tell that he loves you?  Why won't you talk to each other?

~ Rosriel

Ella:

I gathered my belongings, glad for something to keep my mind and hands occupied. We would move on, as planned.

"Can I help?"

I didn't look up; I'd recognize the voice anywhere. "You have your own things to pack," I muttered.

"I finished." Without waiting for an acceptance, Legolas began collecting my scattered items.

I hadn't explained my tears to him...he hadn't asked me to. But he had to be curious. I felt foolish now. Why hadn't I pulled away? Stop it, Ella. What's done is done. It cannot be changed. You've just got to move forward. Yes. Move forward. Literally, we would be. Figuratively, I needed to. If only I could convince my heart to, as well.

Where to Next?

The day after Miss Silmarien and all the rest joined back up with our Fellowship, we held a meeting to decide where we would be headin' to next.

"As leader of this company," Elenatintil spoke.  "I say that we follow our intention of tracing the footsteps of the original Fellowship and make the trip up to Redhorn Pass."

Vila raised her hand.  "But what about the feast in Moria, that the Dwarves are holding?  It's already been quite a while since Dior met up with us with the invitation."

Elenatintil turned to Dior.

"First of all," Dior glanced sidelong at Vila, "the invitation was for the royalty, the nobles of Rivendel, the Greenwood and Lothlorien, not annoying little elves like you."

I stiffed a chuckle as both Lira and Vila shot glares at Dior. 

"Though, of course, you are all invited," Dior continued.  "As for the matter of getting there, it was expected in advance that it would take some time to send out the invitations to the elves and allow them to travel to the Mines.  Also, as we are not all that far from the Mines, it would be perfectly fine if your company was to continue on their way before going to the mines."

Elenatintil nodded.  "Thank you, Dior."  She paused.  "Our company?  You will not be coming with us?"

Dior shook his head.  "I will travel on, and inform the others of your imminent arrival."

"Very well then."  Elenatintil looked around the group.  "Any more questions?  Objections?"

There were none and we prepared to break camp.

~  Samdo

Just so we know where we are...

Almost to the feet of the Redhorn. Camp during day of Jan. 11. Gandalf and Aragorn debate path. Wind turns NW. Black clouds form during afternoon. 284 miles. 34 mi last location.

~ Rosriel