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."