Filius' POV

We all got out of the mine safely after Gandalf's death. Aragorn decided we'd go to Lothlorien and had us leave straight away. As we only had until nightfall before the orcs would be on our tail. So I got Frodo and Gimli to their feet. We all followed Aragorn, I guess he is now our leader. Which I am fine with, he has more experience then me.

(Time skip)

We jogged across a grassy field, halting under the leaves of a forest of tall trees. I take deep breaths as I survey our surroundings. "Stay close, young Hobbits and Prince Filius! They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-witch, of terrible power. All who look upon her, fall under her spell" Gimli tells us.

"It's just Filius, Gimli" I remind him. "I'm sure we'll be fine, Aragorn wouldn't have brought us here if he thought we'd be in danger" I state. Just then I sense we're being watched and look around wary.

"Fear not Filius. Here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Gimli states. An arrow, notched, appears before his face. I see we're all surrounded. Arrows pointed at our heads. I stand in front of Frodo, axe in hand and I see Legolas has his bow ready also.

A tall, golden-haired Elf appears. "The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark" he states. Gimli glares at him.

"We come in peace" Aragorn tells him. "Is there somewhere we can talk?" he asks. The elf nods his head and we all lower our weapons. The elves lead us to a platform in the tree tops.

"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion" the elf says in Elvish. I think he was saying hello to Legolas. Who greets him in elvish also and called him Haldir. At least I now know his name. Haldir then greets Aragorn, also in elvish.

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!" Gimli demands.

"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days" Haldir states.

"And you know what this Dwarf says to that?" Gimli asks him. Then spits something in dwarfish. I don't know what he said, but I could tell by his tone he wasn't being polite.

"That was not so courteous" Aragorn scolds Gimli.

"Please forgive Gimli, we just came from Moria where he learned of our kin passing" I tell Haldir. "I am Filius of the Shire, son of Fili from the house of Durin" I state.

"I heard that the house of Durin survived, welcome Lord Filius" Haldir says respectfully.

"Please call me Filius, I still have much to learn about my people before I can earn the right to lead them" I tell him. "Is there a place where we can sleep?" I ask him. He looks at us all and settles his gaze on Frodo.

"You bring great evil with you" he states. "You can go no farther" he tells us. He walks away and Aragorn follows to argue with him.

"Don't take it personally Frodo, it's just the ring" I tell him. "I'm sure Aragorn will convince him to let us go further" I state.

"It's not that" he says.

"You're thinking of Gandalf" I say as I place a hand on his shoulder. He nods his head. Boromir joins us.

"Gandalf's death was not in vain nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo, don't carry the weight of the dead" Boromir tells him. Just then Haldir rejoins us with Aragorn.

"You will follow me" Haldir tells us. He takes us into the heart of Lothlorien. Where Lady Galadirel and Lord Celeborn, the rulers of Lothlorien live. We traveled through the night and got there by the morning. I couldn't believe how big the forest was.

Once we arrived, we were taken to meet Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. Who were waiting for us. "The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf?" Lord Celeborn asks us.

We all remain silent, not sure how to tell him of Gandalf's passing. "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow" Lady Galadriel says. Legolas steps forward and kneels before her.

"He was taken by both Shadow and Flame: a Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria" Legolas tells her. I give him a pointed look as Gimli bows his head in sorrow.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose" Galadriel tells us. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin" she tells him. "For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief" she states.

"Thank you for your wise word Lady Galadriel" I say grateful. "Can you tell us what happens now? With Gandalf gone, is hope lost?" I ask her.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the company is true" she explains smiling at Sam and I. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace" she tells us.

We are escorted somewhere safe to sleep on the ground. We hear the elves sing a lament to Gandalf. I don't know what words they sang, but it sounded beautiful and full of meaning. Frodo went to see Lady Galadriel. So I decide to hang out with Gimli.

"So we've traveled together for a while, what do you think of me so far?" I ask him. "Be honest" I tell him.

"You are a very good warrior and aren't afraid to ask for help. You'd lay your life down for those you care about. Yes, you have much to learn about dwarves. But I think you'll be a fine king one day" he tells me.

"I am still not sure about that" I admit. "I've lived in the Shire all my life as it's protector and I knew I was not full Hobbit. But still I don't know where I belong yet and well there's someone I care about back in the Shire" I tell him.

"Ah, a lass?" he asks me.

"A girl, yes. She is so kind and beautiful. Smart" I tell him. "I couldn't ask her to leave the Shire, she loves it there and is a teacher" I state. "I left her a letter admitting my feelings when I left the Shire with the other four" I add.

"She got a name?" he asks.

"Gwen" I tell him. "What about you? Do you have lass at home?" I ask him and he chuckles.

"Me? No, but who knows maybe one day I will once the ring is destroyed" he states.

"We should get some rest, it's been a long day" I tell him. He agrees. I go join Sam and the other two. Frodo isn't back yet. But I am sure it won't be long. I remove my boots and lay down looking up at the canopy above. Drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

A/N

Picture above of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn.