"She walked in moon dust, and stars were sprinkled in her hair."

We – or Aragorn who is carrying me – marches on, ahead of our company. The night is falling quickly but in the distance I can see the shimmer of a large forest. 'Hurry' Boromir beckons the Hobbits when they stumble across the forest floor.

I try to follow them with my eyes, see them, but my eyes close from time to time. I want to stay awake, but the poison is quicker than I thought. I look up, resting my heavy head against Aragorn's muscular chest. The golden leaves from the trees look like a roof, protecting all who walk beneath it. I hear in the distance Legolas mumble something but again my eyes close. I fight it, I can't give in!

'Eleniel! Hold on a little longer, please!' Aragorn pleads me. I mumble as an answer, not knowing how to speak properly anymore.

'Stay close, young Hobbits ... they say a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell' I hear Gimli say in a nervous tone. I look up to Aragorn's face, he is smiling and shaking his head. 'And are never seen again!' Adds Gimli. I chuckle a little, but even that hurts. It spreads across my shoulder onto my arm. My head feels so heavy..

'Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!' Gimli snorts. Suddenly Aragorn stops and holds me closer. I turn my head so I can see what is happening. A elf dressed as a captain steps forward. 'The Dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark.' He says with a small smile. He nods his head towards Legolas, who is standing next to Aragorn. 'Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion' (Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil) Legolas greets him in return. 'Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien' (Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien)

My neck is starting to hurt, so I turn my head back and let it rest against Aragorn's chest, burying my head into his tunic.

He smells nice.

'A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen' (Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us) Haldir greets Aragorn coldly. 'Haldir' Aragorn mutters. 'So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!' I hear Gimli speak up. 'We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days' Haldir replies stern at Gimli.

Oh you stupid..!

'And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!' (I spit on your grave!)

Gimli!

Aragorn moves and takes Gimli by the arm, still holding me with the other. I like this, him holding me close.

Wait, what..

'That was not so courteous' Aragorn hisses at Gimli. I hear footsteps moving towards us. 'You bring great evil with you' Is Haldir talking to Frodo?

I take a deep breath. Aragorn scent helps me stay awake. He smiles nice, like a man..

That the only word I have to describe it..

'You can go no further' Haldir suddenly sees, I feel his eyes on me and then I hear him walking away.

'Dartho!'(Wait!) Aragorn shouts towards Haldir. He holds me closer to his chest and starts to walk again.

'Boe ammen veriad lîn. Andelu i ven!' (We need your protection. The road is fell!) Aragorn pleads. I hear nothing what Haldir says. 'Merin le telim' (I wish we may come with you) Aragorn replies to him. This time Haldir answers so quietly than I think even Aragorn can't understand him. Henio, aníron boe ammen i dulu lîn!' (Please, understand, we need your support!) I hear Aragorn sigh. 'Eleniel harn' (Eleniel is hurt) He whispers. Within seconds I feel two hands on my head, I shiver from the sudden touch and Aragorn pulls me closer – if that is even possible – to his chest. Haldir sighs. 'Very well, you may follow me'

'Hold on Eleniel' Aragorn whispers in my ear, before I give in against the tiredness that makes by body heavy. My eyes close and I let the blackness consume me.

'Henig' (Child)

I open my eyes and notice I am still in Aragorn's arms. The Fellowship stands on a platform high in the trees. The Lord and Lady of Lothlórien are standing before us. Galadriel is before me, her eyes are looking with sadness at me. 'Long have I desired to speak with you, but not under these circumstances. I know you fate Henig' She says with a heavy voice. 'Everything is said. Tonight you will sleep in peace!' She smiles softly. 'The arrangements are made, go now and rest' She tells us. 'Aragorn, follow me' She orders him and walks away with Lord Celeborn behind her. I close my eyes again, feeling numb.

When I wake up again, I feel a soft mattress beneath me and a blanket wrapped around my body. 'Manen le?' (How are you?) His low voice asks me. I open my eyes fully and look straight into his stormy blue eyes. He looks worried. 'Im maer'(I feel fine) I reply, still feeling a little drowsy. Aragorn smiles relieved. 'Thank Elbereth' He places a wet cloth on my forehead. 'You are still hot from the fever. You slept the whole night and morning. But the fever has broken' He tells me happily. 'Estel, you didn't think that she would escape her fate?' Her voice echo's through the chamber. Galadriel walks over to the bed I am laying on. 'No, I am happy she is alive, but still-' Aragorn mutters. 'I know, but this is her task. This is why her parents send her here in the first place' She places a hand on his shoulder. 'You have to understand'

'I understand, but I do not accept it' he growls and storms out of the room. 'I have seen your future' Galadriel says and sits on the chair were Aragorn just sat. 'I saw just a glimpse of it and he is part of it'

'How?'

'You shall see' Galadriel answers mysterious. She replaces the cloth with a new one. 'Elei velui' (sweet dreams) And with that she walks out of the room. Not fighting the heaviness anymore, I let my eyes close again and fall in a dreamless sleep.

The next day I am awoken by a servant. She helps me get dressed in my dark blue tunic and black corset. 'Everything is washed' She smiles at me. I thank her and put by black tight pants and boots on. I swing my bow and quiver on my back. 'Wait Hiril vuin' She let me sit on the bed and starts braiding my long hair. Tight and clean. I feel reborn and ready fulfill my fate!

I put my belt on and put my sword in the sheath. I look around in the room. My backpack? 'Hiril Vuin' I turn around and the maiden holds in out for me. 'We have everything refilled, a new sack with water, lembas bread, healing leaves and bandage' I bow my head slightly. 'Thank you' She smiles at me. 'It was a honor'

I walk out of the room, towards the place they told me to go. The Silverlode shore, here we continue our journey.

When I arrive, the others are standing in a row next to each other. The Lord and Lady of Lothlórien are standing before them, dressing them elven cloaks. Galadriel approaches me and holds the cloak out. I blush and put my bow and quiver and backpack off my back. Galadriel smiles and she puts the cloak around my shoulders. The cloak is held together by a small sliver pin but she clasps a silver-veined elven leaf-brooch around it as well. She hugs me quickly and pushes me gently towards my friends. I stand next to Aragorn and Pippin when Celeborn addresses us. 'Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes' He gestures towards the boats, we have to go. Aragorn takes my hand and helps me in. He smiles at me and I can't help it, but again I blush.

Stupid.

Legolas puts a couple of packs in the boat. Merry and Pippin also climb in the boat I am sitting in. Legolas smirks at me and holds out a small piece of bread from the packs. 'Lembas. Elvish waybread' He explains to them and takes a bite. 'One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown Man' He chews on it and put the other piece back in the pack and walks away to help the others. 'How many did you eat?' I hear Merry whisper to Pippin.

'Four' Pippin replies. Merry nods at him, clearly not happy with this. My poor hobbits. Always hunger..

When the others are done, Boromir comes sit in our boat, while Legolas and Gimli share a boat. Aragorn is in the leading boat together with Sam and Frodo. Celeborn walks toward his boat and say something to the ranger, handing him a dagger. Aragorn takes it and replaces it with his other dagger. They nod to each other and Celeborn walks away. 'Did you hear what that was about Eleniel?' Boromir asks me in curiosity. I shake my head. 'No'

The boats drift past, Galadriel stands alone, watching us from the banks of the river. 'Eleniel, have faith, remember who you are Henig' She says in my head. I look at her until we sail around a corner and I can't see her or the elves anymore. We sail southwards for a whole day and when the night falls, we store our boats on the bank out of the water of the river. We made a fire and soon the hobbits and Gimli are fast asleep. I sit together with Boromir behind a rock, watching the calm river. At a sudden I see a hand rise from the water, catching a log. 'Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria' Aragorn states while he approaches us. 'I had hoped we would lose him on the river' He adds. Boromir and I look at Gollum, now hiding behind a rock in the water. 'But he's too clever a waterman' Aragorn continues. 'And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts, it will make the crossing even more dangerous' Boromir replies wearily. 'He wouldn't do that Boromir, Gollum wants only one thing' I answer him, still looking at the creature. 'Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know that. From there we can regroup. Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength' Boromir says as an answer. 'There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us' Aragorn replies coldly. 'You were quick enough to trust the Elves!' Boromir hisses, but Aragorn doesn't respond, he only listens impatiently. 'Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that' Boromir says desperately. Aragorn turns away but Boromir grabs his tunic and turns the ranger back to him. 'You are afraid!' Boromir rambles on, telling Aragorn he is scared. But Aragorn says nothing and only listens calmly at Boromir's ravings. At the end Aragorn simply adjust his tunic and turns around, leaving Boromir speechless. 'I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city' is all he says, he beckons me and walks away, me rushing after him. He leads me towards Legolas, who is keeping watch. 'Sleep Eleniel' he orders me and helps me on the ground. I want to tell him I don't need any help, that I feel fine. But the emotions in his eyes are holding me back.

He is fighting inside himself, not knowing what to do. To be a king or not?

The next day we wake when the sun rises. This time I sit with Aragorn and Frodo in a boat and Merry, Pippin and Boromir in another and Gimli, Sam and Legolas in another boat. Frodo sits next to me, still sleepy. I put my hand gently on the back of his head and guide is head towards my shoulder. 'Rest your head against my shoulder Frodo' He nods and yawns. Aragorn and I paddle through the water. 'Frodo, Eleniel' Aragorn quietly speaks up. Frodo an I look up to the thing Aragorn is looking at. My eyes grow wide with amazement.

Beautiful!

Two enormous rock statues stand on either side of the river, the images are carved into the stone and look like kings of old. 'The Argonath' Aragorn says again, looking at the statues. 'Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old ... my kin' He adds. We all look in stunned silence at the two statues when the current takes us through the narrow gap at the statues feet. We sail further on the river. Aragorn guides us towards the shore and when the boats hit the river ground, we step out into the water and walk to the river shore. 'We cross the lake at nightfall, hide the boats and continue on foot ... we approach Mordor from the North' Aragorn speaks up, pushing our boat on land. (gloomy)'Oh, yes, 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 ... a festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see' Gimli says gloomy. I chuckle a bit at his words but when I see Aragorn's look, I quickly turn around and start collecting wood. 'That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf' Aragorn replies at Gimli. He snorts loudly at Aragorn's words. 'Recover my...' He mutters and walks away, sitting next to Sam and Merry. I shake my head.

Dwarfs.

I see that Aragorn and Legolas have taken the boats out of the water and hidden somewhere under bushes. But Legolas turn around to Aragorn and begins to speak with him. Again I can't hear what he is saying.

I am an Elf or not?

Where is the very good hearing when you need it. But the Princeling knows I can understand the Elvish so he makes it also difficult for me. I shake my head and throw the wood I collected on a big pile, making a fire. Sam has slumped asleep and when I have the fire running, Merry comes out of the bushes, dumping a small pile of wood in the fire. He looks around, like he misses someone. 'Where's Frodo?'

I look up from the fire at his question and I see that Aragorn is looking around. He looks at something and my eyes follow his direction. Boromir's shield lies abandoned by his camp bed.

No, no! This is wrong!

'We have to find them!' I cry out and take my sword out of my sheath. I run into the forest, with Merry and Pippin on my heels. We run and after a couple of minutes I hear battle cries and swords clashing. I want to turn around, but Merry grabs my wrist and pulls me into a hollow tree, together with Pippin. A few Uruk-Hai run past us in seconds.

A miracle they didn't see us. I let my breath escape.

Again, I hear something. Rocks falling and leaf rustling. 'Frodo!' Merry whispers suddenly and I snap my head back to the right. Frodo is lying on his stomach before us on the forest ground.

'Hide here, quick!' I beckons the frightened Hobbit. 'Come on!' Pippin stammers. But Frodo looks at us with a sadness in his eyes, I can't explain. He slowly shakes his head. 'What's he doing?' Pippin mutters not understanding. But I look back at Frodo and he looks back at us. In the corners of my eye I see Merry nod, understanding. 'He's leaving' I say quietly and lay my hand on Pips shoulder. 'No!' Pip cries out and makes a move towards Frodo, but my firm grip and Merry's hold of his arm, are holding him back. Tears spring into my eyes. But we have to let him go. A cry rings out above us, we have been seen! 'Noro! Drego!' (Run! Flee!' I shout towards Frodo. 'Run, Frodo. Go on!' Merry yells at his friend and he starts waving his arms at the approaching orcs. 'Hey, hey you! Over here!' Frodo stands up and looks one last time at us. I smile at him. 'May Varda watch over you' I mouth towards him and then he runs away. Pippin and Merry wave like crazy at the orcs and I start doing the same. 'Over here!' I yell. We climb out of our hiding spot and run away, away from Frodo, leading the orcs towards another direction. 'It's working!' Pippin shouts happily. I roll my eyes. 'I know it's working! Run!' Merry yells back at him. We run until we are trapped, Uruk-Hai are surrounding us from every side. My sword drawn, I stand before my friends, ready to protect them. Suddenly Boromir charges up the hillside and blocks the stroke of the leading Uruk-Hai. When he does so, he also sounds his horn. Alarming the others we are here!

I block and dodge, I attack and kill. Many Uruk-Hai fall to our swords when we try to protect Merry and Pippin. 'Noro! Noro!' (Run! Run!' I order the Hobbits, but of course they don't understand me. 'Run! Run!' Boromir yells again at them when a thud is heard. I look at Boromir, a black arrow is sticking out of his chest but the Man from Gondor keeps fighting. But another thud is heard and again an Arrow is pierced in his chest. 'Boromir!' I yell in anger and confusion at him when he falls to his knees. I try to move towards him, but the Uruk-Hai are close towards Merry and Pippin. I cut heads of body's, falling before my feet. Anger fills me up and my sight becomes red with blood thirst. When I move my sword, the wind sweeps the Uruk-Hai away and the trees attack also some of the orcs. I fight with all I have but the things I did tired me, so I also fall to my knees. My eye sight blurry and I see Merry and Pippin being taken, scooped off their feet and carried away. 'Boromir! Eleniel!' They shout in fear at us. But my legs don't work anymore. They feel like jelly. My head snaps towards Boromir when I hear another heart-breaking thud. A black arrow is pierced right in his heart. I crawl on my hands and feet towards the wounded warrior.
With a mighty cry Aragorn charges at the Uruk-Hai who killed Boromir, killing him fast. He looks up in rage and races towards Boromir. 'They took the little ones' He gasps painfully. I let out a sob and take Boromir's hand in mine. Aragorn tries to staunch the flow of blood but it doesn't help. 'Frodo! Where is Frodo!?' Boromir asks in panic. 'I let Frodo go' Aragorn answers him calmly. Boromir looks gazes at Aragorn. 'Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the Ring from him'

'The Ring is beyond our reach now' Aragorn says quietly, looking at me. It's true, I can feel it. Boromir signs. 'Forgive me. I did not see ... I have failed you all' I squeeze his hand. 'No, Boromir. You fought bravely. You have kept your honor!' Aragorn says while he tries to bind Boromir's wounds. 'Leave it! It is over ... the world of Men will fall and all will come to darkness and my city to ruin' Boromir sobs. 'I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you ... I will not let the White City fall, nor your people fail!' Aragorn promises him. 'Our people ... our people...' Boromir whispers. Aragorn places Boromir's sword in his hand and the man of Gondor tightens his hand around the hilt. 'I would have followed you, my brother ... my captain, my king' Is the last thing Boromir says, before he closes his eyes. A loud sob escapes my mouth, while tears of sadness and grief roll across my cheeks. Aragorn bends forward and kisses Boromir's forehead. 'Be at peace, son of Gondor'

Gimli and Legolas appear behind us, looking in sadness at our fallen friend. Aragorn turns to them. 'They will look for his coming from the White Tower ... but he will not return'

While Aragorn looks at me, Gimli and Legolas lift Boromir off the ground and start walking back to the shore. 'What happened?' Aragorn whispers and takes my face between his hands. His stormy blue eyes look in wonder at me. 'I don't know' I whisper. 'I didn't think. It happened' Aragorn chuckles. 'Eleniel, you are the daughter of the mightiest Valar, the king and queen. And as a princess, you should have some powers'

He is right. But I never experienced this before. 'I understand, but I never have done something like this before, in three thousand years, I have never done this!' I wave at the sky and trees. Suddenly I am in his arms. He embraces me. 'Avaro naeth'(don't worry) He whispers and pulls back. 'I-' He holds my gaze a little too long. 'I mean, we are here for you' He helps me up and I nod. 'Hannon le' (Thank you' I say and squeeze his hand before I let go. I put my fallen sword back into the sheath and walk towards the shore. Two boats are left, one on the shore, the other half in the water. I walk towards his boat, Legolas and Gimli have laid him down with his arms across his chest. Aragorn puts the broken horn at his side. I kiss his forehead. 'Savo hîdh nen gurth Boromir' (Have peace in dead Boromir)I cry quietly and pull away. Legolas holds his arms out and I fall into them, hugging him. Aragorn pushes with Gimli the boat into the water and together we follow the boat until it disappears from our sight. We stand like this for a while. Legolas kisses the top of my head and lets me go, walking towards the last boat and start pushing it towards the water. 'If we are quick, we will catch Frodo and Sam before nightfall!' He exclaims. I look to Aragorn, he is looking towards the other side of the river, the road Sam and Frodo took. But he doesn't reply at Legolas. 'Aragorn?' I ask him. 'You mean not to follow them..' Legolas says and lets the boat go. 'Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands' Aragorn signs.

'Then it has all been in vain ... the Fellowship has failed' Gimli says in sadness. 'Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death, not while we have strength left!' Aragorn pulls a hunting knife out of his pack and straps it on. 'Leave all that can be spared behind!' He grins. Quickly I adjust my bow and quiver tight to my back and give the lembas bread and sack of water I had left in my pack to Legolas. He puts everything in one bag and puts the bag on his shoulders together with his bow and quiver. I look at Aragorn, happiness lighting his eyes up. 'We travel light. Let's hunt some Orc!' Aragorn states grimly.

Gurth an Glamhoth!(Death to the orcs!'

3960 words,  a new record it think!

How do you like it untill now?