Women in the Fellowship

Elemmire

My eyes slowly flutter open and I realize my head is not cushioned by my pack, but by Frodos chest. He is awake, staring at me.

"How long were you awake for?" I whisper, slowly sitting up. He slowly sits up also, reaching out a hand to brush my cheek.

"A while, El" he answers. I blush. I was never going to get used to him calling me El was I? Eglaneth calls for the rest of the fellowship to awaken.

Eventually they do and we are led to boats. Frodo clutches my hand like there will be no tomorrow, although in all honesty, there might be no tomorrow so it makes sense. A boat-an elegant and bueatiful boat-comes sailing towards us and on it is Lady Galadriel.

We stand on the shore and are clad in silky elvish cloaks. They are green with silver-veined leaf-brooches.

Celeborn looks at us, "Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes."

I feel a tear slip down my cheek at these elves kindness. Of course, all elves are kind but its different when its another region. Several elves began to load the boats with supplies. Frodo helps me onto a boat, and Amaya and Eglaneth soon join me. We have a boat all to ourselves. Lady Galadriel quickly nods at us, and we stand up and join the rest of fellowship. Frodo takes my hand again, looking me in the eyes.

"I love you" he mutters.

"I love you too, Frodo" I whisper back.

Merry and Pippin rush to our side, and Legolas takes Amayas hand. When did they get together? Lady Galadriel approaches Legolas.

"Legolas, my gift for you, is a bow of the galathring, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin" she whispers. Legolas's breath makes steam in the morning air.

"Thank you, Lady" he whispers. She nods, continuing down the line to Amaya.

"And you Amaya, daughter of Háná and Rúmil, I give the necklace of my mother, Eärwen, may it give you her strength and wisdom"

The necklace was gold with black stones encrusted in it. She moved on so she was in front of me.

"Elemmire, daughter of Elrond and Celebrian, I give you this." she pressed a small circular object in my hand.

"I call it the mirror of Lorien, speak into it and it will give you the desired answer" she whispered. I sent her a grin.

"Your welcome, my child" she says in my head. I give her a slight nod, tuning out of the rest of the gift-giving. I only notice what Frodo recieves.

Frodo receives a star in a glass bottle-an unbreakable bottle nonetheless.

Frodo once again helps me onto the boat, while Legolas helps Amaya. Eglaneth jumps into the boat and we row away. I gently finger the dagger father had given me, stuffing the mirror Galadriel had given me into my pocket.

I look down at my hands, thinking. I only bother to look up when Amaya begins to speak.

"Why did you choose Rivendell?" she asks, curiosity evident in her bright eyes. Eglaneth looks away from the fading figure of Lady Galadriel and answers.

"I couldn't stand to be in Gondor, so I went to the home of my mother, who had sailed to the Grey Havens long ago, and waited for news of the ring"

Amaya looks at her in confusion.

"But why couldn't you stand being in Gondor?"

A pained expression crosses Eglaneth face and for a few minutes she doesnt answer.

"Someone I loved died, and after he did, I couldn't stand to stay" she finally says. Amaya frowns.

"Who was it?" she asks. Before Eglaneth can answer, I do.

"Isildur" I say. Amaya's eyes widen.

"Are you related to Aragorn?" she asks. Eglaneth sucks in a sharp breath. I lean forward, eager to hear the answer.

"No" she replies.

Amaya frowns.

" But you were in love with Isildur, something must have happened right?" she pesters. Eglaneth shakes her head.

"I died before anything could happen" she sighed.

"Oh, Im sorry. I didn't mean to drag up memories. If you would have gotten with child what would you have named it?" Amaya asks.

"Its alright. And I would name it Amelia if it would've been a girl, and Valandil if it would've been a boy" Egola answers. Amaya nods, a glint appearing in her eyes.

I look over at Frodo, imagining a child. A child with my eyes and his hair. Or my hair and his eyes. A perfect daydream.

We rest that night on a small island. Aragorn and Boromir argue which way we should go while I try to get Frodo to eat.

"I said no, El" he whispers.

"But I want to help you" I whisper.

"This is one thing you cant help me with, eat it yourself, my love"

I shake my head.

"Im not hungry" I say. He nods, laying down his head on his pack. I lay down next to him, falling asleep really quickly.

The boats continue on through a canyon. Boromir looks over at us before looking to Frodo. I felt a chill run down my spine and look towards the forest.

I notice Amaya and Legolas looking towards the forest also. I look towards Frodo.

"Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin" Aragorn crys. We all look towards the giant statue in front of us.

We sail towards a giant waterfall. Then we decide to make camp on the beach. Boromir looks troubled as we settle down, almost as if he is fighting something. I notice Frodo is looking at him with fear.

"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." Aragorn announces. Gimli looks towards him in anger.

"Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!" Gimli says in an angry tone.

"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf." Aragorn counters.

"Recover my...?! Phrrr..." Gimli says. Amaya steps forward.

"We should leave now" she says. Aragorn turns to her and Legolas wraps an arm around her.

"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness." he says.

"It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near... I can feel it." she says. Legolas and I look to the forest wearily.

"No dwarf need recover strength! Pay no heed to that, young Hobbit." Gimli says to Merry. Pippin returns with some wood before saying one sentence that sends all of us into fear.

"Wheres Frodo?"

I look around before my eyes lock with Boromirs shield laying on the ground against a tree. I curse at him in elvish, running into the forest.