These Lovely Scars (Lord of the Rings Fanfic)

Boat-Tipping and Other Misdemeanors

The fellowship roars to life in the morning, and I have no other choice but to get up despite how much I want to sleep. My eyelashes are crusted with a thin layer of salt from my unstoppable flow of tears last night. Hastily, I brush it away.

I guess I'm not moving quickly enough for Aragorn. Catching my sleepy self off guard, he picks me up and holds me tightly so that's cannot squirm. "Hey, stop it!" I whine. "Put me down, would you?"

His look tells me that he has no intention of listening to me. He has his own plans. "Hey, Legolas. I think Adrianne needs help waking up." Aragorn smirks.

"No." I say.

Of course, he's not willing to listen to me. Aragorn tosses me in the air, and I am caught by Legolas, who stands a few feet away. He tosses me right back. I can't believe it - they're literally playing "catch" with me. After a more than enough passes, Legolas finally gives into my complaining and sets me down. "Thanks," I mutter sarcastically, stumbling around dizzily. He catches me. "You could've decided to set me down a little earlier, don't you think?"

"Just making sure you were awake," he says with a wink. I unsuccessfully hold my frown.

• ⧫ • ⧫ •

Lady Galadriel arranged three boats for us to travel down the river in. We stand in her debt for all she has done for the fellowship, but I can't say that I'm all too excited about the boats. My fear of water hasn't gotten any better...

We all stand at the edge of the river that leads out of Lorien. Lady Galadriel presents everyone with a parting gift. I wrap my red cloak around me, shivering in the brisk wind. A light fog rests on the ground, and a chilly front seems to be coming in.

When at last Galadriel comes to me, half the members of the fellowship are beginning to climb into the boats. As she bends down to whisper something into my ear, I feel the soft brush of her golden hair tickle my cheek. "Your powers will come, my Velika, and so will your strength. But do not let the darkness take hold of you. Your powers might be overwhelming and strong at first, but I know that you know how to use them." She gives me a sideways glance.

"I'm not so sure about that..." I say. "I don't even know what you mean by 'powers'. I don't have any, I'm just...Adrianne."

"Everyone is something," she smiles. "Do not doubt yourself, Velika. You may just surprise yourself one day with what you can do." Then, she pulls something out of the folds of her dress. It's a little, silver key with a black cord thought it. It's so familiar...it's mine. I know it, or at least I must have seen it somewhere before.

"Is that..." I stare, trying to form the words.

"It belonged to you in your other life. It was very...precious to you, for one reason in particular."

"What reason would that be?"

She gives me an almost playful smile. "So many questions. I think it would be best for you to find out your own."

She loops the cord around my neck and ties it in the back. The little key hangs perfectly at my collarbone like an old friend. I feel like a part of me has been restored with the key hanging at my neck. "Thank you," I say.

"The power is inside of you - release it." Those are her final words. With one last conspiratorial look, she turns away and slips into the green foliage by the riverbank.

I step into the narrow boat with Legolas and Gimli. It sways and tips to the side a bit, giving me half a heart attack. Carefully, I proceed to sit down without tipping the entire craft over. I guess my fear for the water is evident, because Legolas asks, "Having fun yet, Mela?"