AUTHOR'S NOTE: And herreee is the next chapter woot woot! I have read the Lord of the Ring series by Tolkien and I can vouch to all people who have, that Legolas' age is not mentioned. I have done some research and found that movie people had said that he is 2,931... which that very number is the year Aragorn was born... coincidence? (O~o) Perhaps... but I'm using that age for Legolas. Anyway! Let's see what happens between Legolas and Medlinya ;)

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~Chapter Four~

The Darkness of Moria

The next morning, the Fellowship all burdened with their own carry-ons began to climb the long steep path out of the split valley of Rivendell. Medlinya, like the last journey, stayed near the end beside Sam guiding Bill the pony once again.

In front, leading the Fellowhship was Gandalf with Frodo close behind. Legolas followed after, every so often stealing glances back to Medlinya, who noticed every time but pretended not to by talking to Sam. Gimli walking behind Legolas noticed the Elf's frequent peeking back, that the Dwarf started to try to find what the Elf was looking at. Merry and Pippin followed after the Dwarf oblivious, only admiring the land and talking to Gwiliweth beside them. Gwiliweth had picked her 'favorite' hobbit, so she lingered near him to protect him. Aragorn walked beside Sam and Medlinya, listening to their conversations with a smile. Grinning ahead every time Legolas sneaks a peek of Medlinya. Behind the three was Boromir defending the back of the strand of the Fellowship.

As the day stretched on to mid-day, the Fellowship had been trekking through a land of deep valleys and rushing waters, just south of Rivendell. The Misty Mountains scraping the sky on their left. Gandalf turns to the company behind him, "We must hold to this course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east, to Mordor."

Marching on, Medlinya kept seeing the glancing looks of Legolas. Curious, she looked to Aragorn on the other side of Bill and back forward. 'Are you noticing the glances Legolas has been giving the entire march so far?'

Aragorn grinned widely, 'I have been and it's a pleasant sight for him to do so.'

'Why?'

'No good reason. I've known him for a long time, the best archer Middle Earth has ever seen. A strong warrior. It's a relief to see such a man also get worried at times', Aragorn admitted, being somewhat honest. He wasn't the person the tell Medlinya, everything he had learned last night and years ago. Legolas needed to do such a thing, for she was his Faedon, not Aragorn's.

'I guess it could... Is there something bothering him? Something following us? Or someone?' Medlinya asked, secretly hoping it wasn't any of them and that Legolas had been gazing back for her.

'No. He would warn us if he sensed something strange. He hardly ever keeps such things to himself', Aragorn clarified seriously.

She nodded over to Aragorn and flickered her eyes forward, staring at Legolas's back. She debated whether she bother him with her yearning for answers for his millions of glances. 'Is there something wrong, Legolas?'

Medlinya watched as the cerulean eyes of the Elf glance back with a hint of surprise in his face, before turning around, 'No there is nothing wrong, Lady Medlinya. Just surprised that you used your mind to speak.'

'Sure, a second ago. The entire trip you have been glancing back, why?' Medlinya pointed out.

Silence between the two Elves settled. Legolas' eyes widen, embarrassed that the she-elf had noticed and muttered a curse in Elvish for how sharp the she-elf was. The blonde Elf couldn't help but not look at her, curious if there was just as much loveliness underneath like her lovely, silky lavender cloak on the outside. 'I'm intrigued about your mysterious ways. My Lady, why do you hide under a cloak besides for your identity?'

Medlinya pondered over the question. Why did she? Most of the Company knew who she is, so there was no real good reason for her to wear the cloak. 'I guess I feel safer underneath my cloak. I had been living underneath a canopy of tree-cover away from other beings for 2,870 years. I reckon it makes me feel at home. Though I always wore it. I guess it's my way to keep myself from seeing eyes judging me again.'

Legolas concentrated to every word, soaking the sad tone lingering on the she-elf's delicate voice. 'I understand. I felt those eyes as well, My Lady.'

Anger filled her, 'You can not possibly grasp the concept of what I went through.You- you could not imagine those eyes!' Medlinya retaliated harshly.

The Elf suddenly suffered sorrow for upsetting the she-elf, 'Lady Medlinya, I did not mean to distress you. Aragorn left one aspect of who I am out.' Legolas felt the she-elf listening, waiting for him to continue, 'I am Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood.'

Medlinya's heart stopped. Mirkwood. A place she tried to forget with every being. A rush of memories punctured through her overwhelmed mind. Abandonment. Fear. Unwanted. That's what made up her childhood. The recollection of her past played out as a movie,

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2,870 years ago...

A dark, forest surrounds the family of three. A father, a mother, and a child cautiously trekked through the gloomy wood. Mirkwood was known to be crawling with giant spiders, so enormous that could swallow a whole man in one gulp. The moss grew all over ground and hung off the twisting branches above. Fog hovered just above the Father's head of chestnut brown hair. Protectively, he held the hilt of his sword with his wielding hand, while his free arm cradled the waist of his beloved wife. His forest green eyes captured the sapphire blue ones of his platinum blonde wife, nodding solemnly. The child the size of a ten year old, a young, beautiful elf-ling, held her mother's hand tightly with her tiny hand. Wind circulating around the child, sometimes a boulder would appear from the ground when the child stomped, water spraying up towards the parents when the child waved up at them, and fire would flicker in the child's hand burning her mother's hand.

The innocent child would always reach for her mother's hand that pulled away, looking up at her mom with her big sapphire eyes that she inherited from her. Not being able to resist those eyes, her mother would lend her hand for her small child's small hands to hold.

It was a few hours until the family reached the Palace of the Wood Elves. The parents knelled before the Elf-King Thranduil, Legolas' father, as he sat in throne made up with the Great Branch of the tree swirling down to the ground. On either side of the Great Hall, the Council of high ranked Elves of Mirkwood look on. A wonder of a sight for the thirty year old elf-ling to see many faces at one time.

The King glanced down to the family, curiously with his harsh blue eyes, "What brings you to my Palace with your family, friend of my friend?"

The father gazed up forest green meeting cold blue, "My daughter, My Lord."

King Thranduil's eyebrow rose at the answer, "Your daughter?" The King shot a quick glance to the small blue eyed girl, who looked back with childish innocence. "What has your daughter, so small, have to do with your travels through the dangerous forest?" Thranduil question courtly.

The father peered over to his wife, who was staring happily at her daughter. Whirling his attention back to the King quietly pausing, waiting for an answer. "This is why." The father announced.

Grabbing his wife's arm, she peered over to her husband than back to her child, "Sweetheart, show King Thranduil your tricks." The mother cooed to her little girl.

The loyal little elf-ling excitedly nodded and stepped a little closer to the throne. Exhilatrated that someone actually wished to see her tricks and not be scolded, the little girl began to play. Wind whipped around the girl as she twirled, when she felt she wanted to stomp the earth releasing a boulder from the ground, water sprayed the Council members over looking, and finally fire lit in the girl's hand simultaneously.

King Thranduil was baffled at the sight of such a gift of such a small girl. Eyeballing the Court around him, even the most bravest warriors Mirkwood had ever seen were frightened. The father seeing these faces, immediately stopped the child by grabbing her arm, fiercely staring down at her.

The Court went into an uproar, many speaking of the danger the child will bring. Their thunderous voices echoed throughout the Grand Hall. The whole Court silenced as King Thranduil rose his big hand for order, "What would I do with a child with powers such as those? Why travel here to put on a show?" his booming voice questioned abrasively

The father took a step forward, "I can not handle such a child no longer! An evil disgrace to be born into my family!"

Thranduil's face hardened, "And you think I will destroy this child myself?! Such insolence to echo in my Great Hall. I would never destroy a child, no matter the threat they cause. If you want to be rid her than do it yourself." The King declared as he rose from his great throne, "You and your family are banished from my Palace. There is no tree in Mirkwood that would make space for a parent looking to commit prolicide in my Kingdom. Rid of yourselves!" The eyes of all the council eyed the girl, pitiless, not caring if the girl dropped dead right there. The child hid her face in her father's leg, terrified of those eyes on her.

The father glared and dragged his daughter out of the Palace by her arms while his wife sadly followed into the forest again. Halfway through the forest, the father still dragging his confused daughter. The family stops to rest at a clearing, the father sits on an overgrown root. The mother sat beside her husband, hesitantly. She looked towards her daughter, full of love. The little girl with her big blue eyes full of tears stared, seeing her father, angry. The elf-ling, scared that her dad was mad at her, cautiously approached him, " Ada, I'm sorry. Please don't be mad." her little voice cried. [Daddy].

His green eyes flickered up into the sad eyes of his child, the same color of eyes of his wife he loved. The mother got up and went to get supplies that the clearing of the forest provided. Father and daughter stare at each other, quietly. A rustle sounded behind them, the elf-ling glimpsed back, seeing a flash of shiny object fly by. The father unsheathed his sword, staring his unsuspecting daughter, murderously.

The little girl flicked her head towards her mom behind, "Medlinya!!!!" Her mom's beautiful face etched with horror as she screamed her daughter's name. That was the thing the elf-ling saw before darkness took her, until the child woke up in the same clearing. Medlinya's eyes scoured all around for her parents, "Ada! Nana!" the girl called, hoping they were there. [Daddy!, Mommy!] The only response she got was her echo.

The silence of the dawn had brightened the sky above, no matter that it was dawn the forest was still all around pitch black. The frightened girl suddenly felt pain on the back of her head, her little hand tenderly touch her head. Feeling something wet and warm, she inspected her hand to see red, her blood. The pain intensified causing a shriek of pain from the little child. Big fat tears rolled down her cheeks, scared the little girl scrambled to her feet. Running, unable to see from her crying, her tiny feet caught something and dropped onto the cold, mossy ground below. Her eyes slowly gaze back to see what tripped her, when her eyes grew large.

"Nana!" the girl cried in relief. The little Medlinya wheeled herself around to her mother and hugged her with her tiny arms. Nestling her head into the chest of her mother, she smiled.

A gruff cough erupted from the mother, startling the child. Pulling back and looking at her mother's face, sapphire blue met sapphire blue. A smile spread on the mother's face. "Medlinya..." she whispered. Her smooth hand cupped her daughter's cheek softly. "You're alive. Thank Eru." her mother praised the Father of All.

So happy to have her mother here with her, she kissed her Nana's cheek. "Nana, let's go home." Medlinya pleaded as she got to her feet, holding her mother's hand.

Her mother's smile faded to a forlorn frown, "Medlinya, I can't bring you home. I'm too tired."

Medlinya gazed down to her mother, confused than smiled. "Then Ada can bring us home!"

Nana's face turned heartbroken as tears welled up in her dimer sapphire eyes, "Ada, left us behind."

"Why, Nana? I tried to be a good girl. I-I-I can't stop my tricks, I try Nana, I do." Medlinya cried as her tears stream down her already tear-streaked cheeks.

"Shh.. I know you try. I know... shh..." her mother comforted, softly catching the tears rolling down her little daughter's tears and wiping them away. A cough erupted from her mother, startling the tears away.

A loud growl echoed throughout the forest, sounded real close. "Nana!" Medlinya cried to her mother. The weak woman knew the sound, spiders approaching. The sapphire eyed mother quickly glanced around the forest floor for any hiding spot that her daughter could be safe. Her keen eyes spotted a small hollow under one of the trees behind her daughter. The entrance is barely big enough for Medllinya to squeeze through. The spiders are ruthless, the woman knew that her daughter needed to be able to protect herself. Remembering her swords equipped to her sides, she gaze up to her daughter staring down. "Medlinya grab my swords, quickly." the woman instructed.

Nodding her head, the child alarmingly pulled the swords from their sheathe from her mother's hips.

"Good. Now Medlinya, listen to me. Do you see that hole in the tree behind you?" the mother asked, losing her strength. The daughter whipped her head back and saw the hole.

"Yes Nana."

"Go in that hole and stay there. Medlinya, no matter what. Stay in there and don't say a word. If anything tries to get the hole with you, use the swords. Promise me this" her mother informed seriously. The little girl turned to her mother.

"I promise... But what about you, Nana?" the child asked confused. The growls thundered again closer than before and the pattering of legs followed after.

"I'll be fine, my love. Go!" her mother plead strongly.

The girl followed her mother's orders and ran to the hole. Medlinya shoved the swords inside the hole before she crawled inside. Once inside, she heard her mother's voice weak yell from outside, "Amin mela lle, Medlinya." [I love you, Medlinya]

"Amin mela lle inye, Nana!" the little girl called back. [I love you too, Mommy]

The little Medlinya patted the ground for her swords. Once she found them, she set them beside her as she sat with her dirty knees to her chest. The growls grew louder and louder till the growl-makers were right outside. A pounding noise of spider feet echoed throughout her little hole. Her head buried into her chest, knowing what is actually happening outside, silently crying.

Abandoned by her father... almost killed by him, Abandoned by her mother as she dies being mauled by spiders,.... Fear of being alone in the dark hole with spiders outside. Fear over those merciless eyes from the other Elves.. Unwanted from the world...

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Medlinya staring off, as her memory ended. Her swords at her sides were her mother's, since that day she used no other weapon. Besides a bow and arrow for hunting animals.

Unbeknownst to Medlinya, Legolas had seen everything she remembered. Now sitting beside the she-elf, watching her sadly. His eyes threatened to release tears. He was proud of his father for not getting himself involved with a father wanting his daughter dead. But he was angry that his father didn't try to save the innocent life of a loving mother and spare a lifetime of pain for Medlinya. Aragorn stared over to the pair, deeply concern from the miserable look on his oldest Elf friend beside his newest Elf friend.

Legolas gingerly wrapped an arm around the she-elf, snapping Medlinya back into the present. Her hidden eyes gazed up to see the worried, sad look on the Elf who was way ahead of her but suddenly right beside her. 'You saw it, didn't you?' her soft voice almost inaudible.

The Elf merely nodded, before squeezing the shoulder delicately. 'Lady Medlinya, I apologize to the bottom of my heart for bringing back such memories, causing you pain.' His voice responded full of regret and sadness. He looked forward unable to look at the Lady he held. He hated to be the reason for the hurt the person he cared for greater than any other before.

The she-elf studied the Elf holding her with one arm. Knowing Legolas knew how had happened to her, Medlinya felt a weight she had been carrying since her mother died lift off her shoulders. The she-elf softly smiled up at him, 'Don't be Legolas... I'm glad you did. I'm relieved someone knows.'

Legolas glanced down surprised, seeing a soft smile. The only part of her face, she could see. Relief coursed through his veins, than returned a smile. His eyes caught sight of the worried Aragorn. Legolas mouthed over, 'Everything is fine.'

The Ranger did not seem to accept that, knowing that everything was not fine. Something really bad that Medlinya had been saying to Legolas through their minds was very serious and emotional.

Medlinya took a good scan around to the Fellowship, everyone had stopped at a rocky hill with big boulders scattered around and she was sitting on a good sized boulder away from everyone near a fire Sam was poking at. 'Legolas, what happened when I blacked out?'

'The second you were taken by your memories, I knew you needed rest. I came to your side telling Gandalf to find a decent camp for the night. Unconsciously you were still walking along, so I had led you by the shoulders at your pace to this boulder. Aragorn has been staring at over here ever since. We were all very worried about you.'

'Even Boromir?' She asked in disbelief, with a hidden raised eyebrow.

Legolas chuckled, 'Even Boromir.'

Medlinya stared at the blonde Elf, finding a new sense of gratitude. 'Diola lle, Legolas. You have a good heart. May no darkness from Sauron steal that light away.' [Thank you, Legolas]

The Elf bowed his head respectfully, than stood to his light feet. Lending out a hand to Medlinya. With a smile at him, the she-elf set her small hand in Legolas' big one and helped her to her feet. Releasing her hand, he sets a gentle hand to her back and leads her to the fire with the rest of the Company.

The dusk was approaching fast. All the company laid out their light Elf-made sleeping bags closely together to keep warm. The men of the Company insisted that they would be on watch, but Gwiliweth fought her way with her constant waving of the dagger. Medlinya had offered but Legolas and Aragorn gave her a stern look, refusing to let her stay up. First watch was Gimli and Boromir until the moon was a one third across the sky, second watch was Aragorn and Gwiliweth til the moon was two thirds across, and lastly Gandalf and Legolas till the sun rises.

Quietly Medlinya slid into her sleeping bag, laying between Sam on her left and Gwiliweth to her right. Her eyes found Legolas slipping into his own about four sleeping bags down. Gwiliweth, Pippin, and Merry wedging a space between the two Elves. Closing her tired eyes, her hands jerked the cloak over her face more. Listening the silence and the quiet voices of Boromir and Gimli as they tried to past the time by talking to each other, Medlinya fell asleep.

Her dream was filled with memories with her beautiful mother smiling and laughing. Her sapphire eyes, so beautiful that it was hard to believe that she inherited those same eyes. Twirling with her in a grassy meadow with white lilies as far as they can see. Only, in all of her dreams, she was a child. This dream, the very first one when Medlinya was her full grown age. Her mother smiled proudly at her grown daughter, as her mouth began to open to speak. Her sweet dream ends abruptly, with a light shake.

Fluttering her eyes open, the morning sun hiding behind Misty Mountains to the east, barely lighting the valley and rocky hill. Medlinya peeked up to see a smiling Legolas, with a hand on her shoulder. "I'm up." she replied groggily, hearing her tired voice triggered the Elf 's smile to brighten.

"Good, because the hobbits are going to eat all of the breakfast." The blonde haired Elf mentioned.

Her eyes widened and quickly sat up in her sleeping bag with her hood doing it's job by keeping her face hidden. In a flash, the she-elf glided out of her sleeping bag onto her feet. Her eyes seeing what Legolas had said happening before her eyes. Merry and Pippin were shoving the food into their mouths as fast as they could as the others watch in shock, "Merry, Pippin if there is scarcely anything left I'll personally toast you like a pot roast." Medlinya threatened.

The two hobbits glance up at her, eyes bulging out of their eye sockets. "T-t-take it, My Lady." Pippin stuttered, handing over his bowl of what smelled like rabbit stew.

Smirking, the she-elf shook her head. "It's fine, Pippin. I'm not that hungry."

The two hobbits watch the cloaked elf, pouting at her. "Then why did you nearly killed us with fright?"

"I'm not a big fan of rabbit stew." Medlinya simply answered as she turned back to her sleeping bag. Carefully she rolled the bed up and tied it off on Bill, beside her.

A soft thrumming reached the ears of the she-elf. Her sapphire blue eyes inspected the field below to see a buck cautiously stomping into the clearing. "Everyone be still." Medlinya quietly ordered crouching down. Setting her hands on the ground, the ground quivered slightly. Emerging from the earth, two terra firma made bows and two arrows. Gesturing to the red head, Gwiliweth grabbed her bow and arrow. All attention of the company stared at the two she-elves with great interest.

Medlinya surveyed the distance from her to the buck, the she-elf counted the points of the buck's antlers and smiled at the number. A seven pointer. Clutching the earth-made arrow with her right hand, holding her bow with her left. Slowly she stalked down the hill, occasionally hiding behind a boulder, Gwiliweth hid behind a boulder of her own. Once Medlinya found her way to the clearing, only ten yards away from the buck. She assumes her shooting stance being perpendicular to the buck, yards away. Pointing the bow downward as she nocked the arrow in safely into her bow. Placing her index finger above the arrow on the string and her middle and ring finger below. Raising her bow onward towards the unsuspecting buck. Her inner elbow, parallel with the ground and her bow completely vertical. Drawing back her string to her cheek, the anchor point. A breath escaped from her lips. Her eyes eyed the chest of the buck, pointing her weapon. Releasing the string with a thwang. THWISH. The sound of the arrow being released. She remained still maintaining her stance, watching her arrow pierce through the air, with a woosh. THUNK. The arrow impacted with the chest of the buck, immediately the deer collapsed to the earth. Her job done, the earth bow crumbled in her hands returning to the earth.

In triumph, the she-elf approached the buck with a smirk. Looking towards the camp than to a ever watchful red head peeking from a boulder, "Gwiliweth!" Medlinya called after.

With a shriek of exhilaration, Gwiliweth sprung out from behind the large rock, "My favorite part!" the red headed she-elf yelled, as she began to sprint towards the dead buck. Bounding over stones in her path like an antelope, grinning widely.

"Enjoy Gwili." Medlinya expressed as she gestured to the buck. Gwiliweth began her handy-work at gutting the deer. The cloaked she-elf, never really enjoying the sight nor smell gracefully strolled her way back to camp.

Once she reached camp, she was met with silence. Boromir stared at Medlinya than to the red head in the meadow gutting the deer, effortlessly. An echo of Gwiliweth's laughter made the she-elf smile. "Is she mad?" The Man of Gondor asked hearing the distant laugh.

Chuckling Medlinya shook her head, "She full-heartily loves using her daggers. She lives by them, like her own religion." the cloaked elf answered. "Although she does have a twisted interest in gutting an animal, very much of a tomboy." Medlinya flicked her head over to the red head in the distance. "Her signature on anything, animal or enemies, had been gutting them. So if we run into some unfriendly guests, be prepared to cover your nose." she added informing the group.

By now it was dawn, Gwiliweth had finished gutting and dressing the buck. She informed the group that the meat could easily feed them for three weeks. Cooking the meat into jerky, Gwiliweth, Frodo, and Sam were sitting beside the warmth of the campfire. Gandalf and Gimli were sitting on a boulder, watching Aragorn and Boromi teaching Pippin and Merry sword tuition. Legolas was carefully scanning the land around them, while Medlinya sat on a boulder close by to him watching the practice with a smile.

"Get away from the blade, Pippin... on your toes" Boromir instructed. Pippin followed the pointer, "Good, very good... I want you to react, not think."

"Should not be too hard..." Sam commented on the side.

"Move your feet." Boromir coached.

Pippin followed the instructions, he began to spark a small challenge for his coach as his thrust of the sword were reactions. Merry watched on, proudly. "Quite good, Pippin."

The hobbit smiled, continuing to deliver blows to Boromir, who caught them every time. "Thanks."

Medlinya gazed over to Gandalf watching on and Gimli smoking from his pipe. "If anyone were to ask for my opinion, which I note they have not, I would say we are taking the long way round. Gandalf, we can pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome." Gimli exhorted with a strong Dwarvish accent.

Gandalf's thoughts of disapproval of the idea was written across his face, "No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice."

Hearing the a loud clash, Medlinya whipped her head back to the practice taking place. Boromir thrusts his sword, catching Pippin on the hand. In response Pippin threw down his sword, kicks Boromir in the shin, and lunges at the Man, tackling him to the ground. The stern man she had first met in the Council Chamber surprised the she-elf by laughing as he played along with Pippin. Immediately she knew that the Man would make a great father one day.

By this point, everyone was laughing besides the Elf behind her. Concerned she gazed back to see him staring at a distant black patch in the sky, seeming to be moving. Medlinya joined his side, "Mani naa ta?" she whispered staring at the object carefully.

"What is that?" Sam asking the same question Medlinya had asked seconds earlier.

Gimli without taking a look at the dark patch, "Nothing... it's just a wisp of a cloud."

Boromir at this point was getting to his feet, studying the mysterious black wisp. "It's moving fast... against the wind." his voice filled with worry.

Sapphire eyes gazed to Legolas, his eyes being sharper than her own. His eyes widened in recognition, "Crebain from Dunland!" he hollered.

"Hide!" Aragorn ordered urgently.

Boromir pivoted towards the three hobbits, "Merry... Pippin... Sam... take cover!"

Legolas' hand grabbed the she-elf's, as the two sprinted for a bush. The Fellowship all around them scrambled for what little cover the camp provided, it was chaotic as hearts rung out of fear in their ears. Ducking underneath the bush, the two elves peered up watching the skies above, neither one of them realizing their hands were still connected tightly.

A platoon of large pitch black crows flying low overhead at a significantly great speed, wheeling and circling above. As their great black shadow elapsed over the Fellowship, a single strident croak is heard when the crows wheel away, back towards the south. Gandalf staggered to his feet, staring after the crows worried, "Spies of Saruman... The passage south is being watched."

The Fellowship emerged from their hiding spots, joining Gandalf. The old wizard glances over to Aragorn, than turned to the others as he gestured towards a high mountain pass. "We must take the pass of Caradhras!"

Medlinya studied the pass, raising her hand to lower her hood but to find her hand was attached to Legolas' hand. The two Elves glanced to each other and quietly let go. Medlinya bowed her head respectfully before she followed after Gandalf.

As the Fellowship ascending up the snowy mountainside, they slowly assumed their usual places when traveling with Medlinya near the back with Sam, Bill the Pony, Aragorn, and Boromir. Unlike yesterday, Legolas did not glance back. Well, not as often as he had done before. Beneath her feather-weight feet the snow blanketed the mountain like a fleece. Underneath the snow is loose shale rock. The pace of the Fellowship was very slow, so careful not to trip. Frodo catching a very loose shale, slips backwards tumbling down to Aragorn and stops. His immediate action was not to see if he was hurt, no it was patted around his neck for the Ring.

The Ring gleamed in the sunlight on the white snow as Boromir picked it up by the chain, the Ring dangling in front of his eyes. His stature seemed to grow as the Ring, as if he was absorbing it's power. Aragorn vigilantly approached Boromir, everyone stopped their traveling watching this play out. Not even noticing Aragorn, the mesmerized Man remained motionless. Only watching the Ring, captivated by it. Medlinya's hand set itself on Sam's shoulder.

"Boromir?" Aragorn attentively called out.

His eyes never leaving the Ring, "It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing... such a little thing." his voice whispered as his eyes embracing the sight of the Ring.

"Boromir... give the Ring to Frodo," Aragorn quietly directed as his hand moved to his sword hilt.

Medlinya glances up at Legolas, her mouth gaped. The Elf did not notice the she-elf looking to him, as he stiffly watched the Man get so easily lured by the Ring. Suddenly hearing a low, strange hum. Her eyes transfixed on Boromir as an eerie blissful smile lit up the Man's face. The hum swelled into a deafening roar, when the Man of Gondor snapped out of his trance and hands the Ring back to Frodo.

"As you wish, I care not." Boromir replied smiling at Frodo, ruffling his hair. As if nothing had happened, the Man turned and began to travel.

Seeing this Aragorn unhands his sword still watching the back of Boromir. Medlinya walked to the Ranger's side, heedful of the scene that she just saw. 'I fear, Boromir is so easily in the control by the darkness of the Ring, Aragorn. No good will come of it.'

The Ranger peeked over to the worried cloaked figure at his side and nodded. 'I will keep an watchful eye on him, go ahead with Legolas.' Nodding, Medlinya easily jogged over the deep snow that others had been falling into, meeting up with Legolas who also moves easily above the snow. At his side, the two Elves scout a little ways ahead of the Fellowship.

As hours passed, the Fellowship found themselves struggling through a blinding blizzard up close to the Pass of Caradhras. The once clear blue sky was now a dark grey clusters of clouds spitting snow down on the companionship. The snow was deeper than ever, Boromir and Aragorn had the hobbit's on their hips, the hobbits no longer could trudge through such deep snow. Leading them was Legolas followed by Medlinya close behind. The Elf she was following suddenly pauses.

"There is a fell voice in the air." Legolas noted urgently. Medlinya's ears pricked up hearing a voice as well.

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf hollered above the noisy winds of the snowstorm. A roaring rumble of thunder above them, rock and shale plummet off the mountain.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain. Gandalf! We must turn back!" Aragorn shouted to the old wizard, worried for the safety of the Fellowship.

The wizard, not willing to give up gazed around to Aragorn with a stern face, "No!" Turning towards the voice, Gandalf rose his staff, he chants into the air, "Losto Caradras, sedho, hodo, nuitho I ruith!" [Sleep Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath]

Gandalf's repelling spell was too weak compared to Saruman, the White Wizard. The bewitching voice of Sarumon strengthened, reverberated through the Fellowship like thunder. Lightning cracks erupted on the mountainside above them. Medlinya looks up in horror as a raging avalanche thunders down towards the Fellowship. The cloaked elf saw a shock-stiff Merry and rushes to him. The she-elf desperately grabbed the body of the frightened hobbit and threw him towards the cliff face as snow crashes onto the narrow ledge. Easily the snow engulfed the she-elf delivering her into the darkness.

Legolas pulled Gandalf to safety to the cliff face. Aragorn shields Frodo and Sam as snow piles around them. Within moments, the pass is blocked and majority of the Fellowship were enveloped in snow. Boromir and Aragorn frantically dug for the hobbits, who were immediately pulled out, shivering and fearful. Legolas feverishly to find where Medlinya was, "Lady Medlinya?!" Legolas screamed, trying to be heard over the wind. His blue eyes frantically scoured the area around for her.

Suddenly a fist punched through the surface of the snow, when the cloaked she-elf's head and shoulders broke to the surface gasping. Setting her head on top of the snow, letting her lungs have their moment to embrace the air. Her eyes scanned around to the Fellowship, she saw all of them besides two faces. Climbing herself out, she whipped her head around the area. "Gwiliweth?! Pippin?!"

'Gwiliweth?!' Medlinya spoke through her mind.

"He-re." a soft voice breathed. Medlinya gazed around towards the now blocked Pass of Caradhras to see Pippin digging at the snow. The head of Gwiliweth sticking out from under the snow pile.

Unsheathing her sword, Medlinya stood to her feet towards the blockage. "Stand back, Pippin!" she ordered fiercely. Pippin scurried out of the way as Medlinya rose her sword to the blockage. Her sword begun to shimmer like gold. Slowly the injured red head elf emerged from the snow pile, writhing in pain. Once she was free of the weight of the snow, Medlinya's sword dimmed. Gwiliweth laid on the snow, fighting to breathe.

Pippin ran to Gwiliweth's side as Medlinya joined the hobbit, kneeling down with her back against the blockage. "She saved my life." Pippin mumbled in shock to the injured elf. The sad eyes of the hobbit gazed at the cloaked elf, "Will she be okay?"

Medlinya smiled at the hobbit, "Watch." she simply replied.

Closing her eyes, she heard the men of the Fellowship trying to figure out another way a little ways ahead of her and the whipping wind howled into her ears. Her hands hovered over the crushed body of her dearest friend. Pippin watched the cloaked elf do this wondering what on Middle Earth she was doing to save his hero. Her hands began to flicker with a white light, Pippin's eyes grew large and peered over to the rest. Gandalf noticed the hobbit staring bewilderingly and saw a blinding light over Gwiliweth. All eyes turn in astonishment. Lowering her light engulfed hands, the light shone brighter and brighter. Once Medlinya's hands laid on the broken chest of her friend, the light smothered the frail body of Gwiliweth. Concentrating on fixing her friend, all her focus was the light mending bone, muscle, skin, and flesh.

Medlinya's breathing increased into a huffing, noticing how injured the elf was. Almost healed completely, besides a mere scrape on the red head's cheek, Medlinya let the healing light slowly dim from her hands. The Fellowship stared, now being able to see the cloaked elf now that there was no light.

Gwiliweth fluttered her eyes open and slowly sat up. Turning her head to Medlinya, she threw her arms around the cloaked elf, squeezing her tightly. "Diola lle, Medlinya. I do not know what I could repay you with." Gwiliweth whispered.

"Nothing. I do not need anything. You alive will always be all I want, friend." Medlinya softly replied returning a hug.

The she-elves released each other. Gwiliweth turned towards the shivering hobbit looking up at her with eyes full of gratitude. It was Pippin's turn to clutch onto Gwiliweth, chuckling she hugged the little hobbit back.

Medlinya rose to her feet and headed over to the rest of the Fellowship. Gwiliweth followed behind the cloaked elf with a shivering Pippin in her arms. When the three made their way over, Gwili gazed around. "Where are we going now?" Gwiliweth asked

Gandalf seriously gazed over to the three, "The Mines of Moria."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The night covered the land as the Fellowship walked along the far shore of a dark lake, directly below great looming cliffs.

"The walls of Moria!" Gimli gasped in awe.

Footing was treacherous on the narrow strip of green and greasy stones. Medlinya traveled behind the fast and agile Legolas who was having no problem crossing towards the entrance of Moria. Medlinya on the other hand was taking her time, every now and then muttering to herself how such a showoff he was. Every mutter was heard by the grinning Elf who suddenly stopped and gazed back at the mumbling she-elf. Too focus on her footing, her head bumped into the Elf.

She looked up to see Legolas smiling down upon her. "Done being a show off, already?" Medlinya remarked, causing the Elf in front of her to grin.

"Khila amin, Aier." he responded, lending his hand out. Medlinya huffed at the nickname then smirked up at him. Placing her hand in his, Legolas helped the cloaked she-elf navigate around the greasy rocks.[Follow me, Short One]

Gandalf saw the two Elves ahead of all the Fellowship and began to smile to himself. It was a hope of light in such dark, troubling times.

Aragorn had been smiling as well. Legolas and him had been friends for many years, never once did the Elf ever talk about settling down nor a woman in that matter. Ever since Medlinya strolled into the Council, Legolas' mind set had changed. For not being an official couple, Legolas and Medlinya show great care for each other. From the moment they met, in Aragorn's eyes, they were a pair.

Leading the Fellowship, they all finally made it to a smooth rock wall between two trees. They all watch as Gandalf grazed his fingers along the faint lines, like slender veins of luminous silver running through the stone. "Itidin... It mirrors only starlight and moonlight."

A large moon rose over the mountains. The lines grew broader and clearer, forming a glowing arch of interlacing ancient letters and symbols.

Gandalf smiled at the tracing, "It reads, "The door of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter." Using his staff to point the words out as he translated them.

"What do you suppose that means?" Merry questioned.

"It's quite simple. If you are a friend, speak the password and the doors will open." The wizard spoke confidently, facing the door. Raising his arms he chants,"Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!"

The cliff towers into the night, the wind blows cold, Frodo shivers... but the door does not budge.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deep into the night, Gandalf continued to mumble spells to open the door. Sam packs his pots and pans at his feet, watching sadly as Aragorn unsaddle Bill the pony.

The Ranger strokes the nose of the pony, "Mines are no place for a pony, even one so brave as Bill."

"Bye, Bill." Sam murmured miserably.

"Go on Bill, go on." Aragorn whispered softly to the pony. Aragorn glanced down to the hobbit with a gentle smile. "Don't worry, Sam... he knows his way home." The Ranger slapped Bill on the rump making the pony trotted away from the two. Sam watches Bill disappear into the darkness.

"Goodbye, Bill." Sam uttered a farewell.

Medlinya stood at the edge of the lake, studying it. Something felt off as if eyes were watching the Fellowship in the water. Legolas was at her side with the same ominous expression. 'I don't like that lake', she commented

The Prince of Mirkwood peered at the she-elf than back at the lake. 'I do not either, My Lady.'

The she-elf smiled up at Legolas, 'Medlinya.'

Legolas glanced down to see a smile on the cloaked elf, he stared confused.

'Please just call me Medlinya,' she clarified. 'Not that 'My Lady' is not appropriate. Although I prefer being called by my name.'

The blonde Elf smiled warmly down at her, with a bow of his head. Before he could respond Frodo's voice echoed, "Speak, friend, and enter. What's the Elvish for friend?"

"Mellon." Gandalf answered.

The rock face silently divides in the middle and two great doors swing outwards, revealing a blackness deeper than the night outside. As the Fellowship enter the blackness, something in the water stirs. Medlinya saw this behind her and shuffled closer to Legolas, who was too consumed of Moria's interior.

The Fellowship paced into the darkness of Moria watchfully. A musty cavern, with winding steps leading deeper into the mountain. "So, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves; roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone. This, my friend, is the home of my cousin, Balin... and they call this a Mine." Gimli snorted with a proud smile. "A mine!"

Medlinya gazed back to the lake, timidly. Ripples grew on their own, she glanced back at group to speak of her concerns when Gandalf lights his staff. The glow lit the chamber, the Fellowship shrunk back in horror. The floor of the cavern was littered with Dwarven skeletons, clearly the dead of some old battle... the rusting armor and shields peppered with arrows and axes.

"This is no mine... it's a tomb!" Boromir responded grimly to the sight.

Gimli, the poor Dwarf, scanned the scene with a great sadness and terror. "No... ... No... No!" The Dwarf bellowed.

Legolas pulls a crude arrow out of a skeleton. "Goblins!" he spat, dropping the arrow to the ground. His arm reached back for his bow, clutching it protectively over his fellow members. Following his actions, they all draw their weapons and back away, towards the entrance.

"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here." Boromir declared.

Instantaneously, Frodo is pulled to the ground. A long serpentine tentacle wrapped around Frodo's ankle, dragging him towards the lake. Gwiliweth, wanting to fight, stayed back with Gandalf for her healed wounds still ached. Medlinya clenched the hilts of her swords, fiercely. Bolting after Frodo with Aragorn and Boromir, the she-elf eyeballed the monster of the lake. Aragorn amputated the tentacle holding Frodo, and tugged the hobbit to safety. Boromir hacked at the other thrashing limbs. Medlinya's swords shone brightly as she smirked, joining in with the fun.

Before her eyes, twenty more tentacles sprung out from the lake. The dark water boils as the hideous beast lashes out at the Fellowship. Unrelenting from it's first victim, the creature grabs Frodo and pulls him into the lake. Suddenly the tentacle held Frodo in the air, as the battle for the safety of Frodo rages on. Soaking, Aragorn slashed at the tentacle imprisoning Frodo. Once amputated off, Frodo is dropped into Boromir's arms.

"Into the mines!" Gandalf ordered.

"Legolas!" Boromir hollered, holding the hobbit tightly to his chest.

The blonde Elf released an arrow into the creature's head, gaining a few vital seconds for Aragorn and Boromir and Medlinya as they race out of the water with Frodo. In the spur of the moment, Legolas seized Medlinya's arm and guided her to safety into the Mines. The Fellowship hurriedly retreated into the Moria Chamber as many coiling arms seizing the large doors. With a shattering echo, the creature rips the doors away, creating a rock slide that crashes down the cliff face. Within seconds, tons of rock seal the doorway leaving the Fellowship into the pitch dark.

A faint light rises from Gandalf's staff. Gwiliweth turns to Medlinya, "Do you think you can move the rock?"

Legolas lets go of her arm as the cloaked elf turned to the blocked entrance. She sheathed her swords as she approached the rock blocking their exit. Setting a hand against the rock, she closed her eyes.

The rock was different from any other rock she had ever encountered, a sense of weird magic preventing her powers from moving it. Her thoughts remembered Gandalf, unable to gain excess into the mines by muttering magic spells. Her eyes fluttered open, with a sigh. Turning to her companions she bore a frown, "Magic will not budge these rocks from where they lay. I can not move them." her voice carried a sense of confidence lost.

All eyes turn their attention to Gandalf. The light from his staff, threw a creepy glow across the old wizard's face. "We now have but one choice... we must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard... there are older and fouler things than the Orcs in the deep places of the world."

(End of Chapter Four)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AUTHOR'S NOTE: That was a monster to write, This chapter is the longest so far... but I sense a longer one... 0.0 my hands are cramping up... It hurts so good! xD..... Anyways What'd think of Medlinya's past? I had to type with a tissue box at my side writing that. Took me two hours just to go through that one section of the chapter...