Chapter 9: Traveling on the River... Watching Eyes

*Her new outfit with the elven cloak*

The Fellowship stood by the Anduin River, the water glistening beautifully as it ran over the pebbles in a swift flow. There were three boats sitting on the river side awaiting for the Fellowship as the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood greeted them "Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks held shield you from unfriendly eyes." Celeborn stated as elves fastened cloaks around the Fellowship; pinned with a beautiful crafted brooch of an elven ivy leaf adorned with silver trimmings. For them it represented the Fellowship itself.

Galadriel stepped forward in all her grace "With this Fellowship, stands a great hope in the bonds between the First and Second born of Iluvatar, hobbits and the Naugrim." She addressed them as her voice was smooth and serene. Asteria smiled at her mother's words as she continued "You walk with the fate of all Middle Earth resting upon your shoulders. Do not stray from your path: fly with the blessings of the Lord and Lady of Light behind you."

She stepped forward to Legolas first "My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." As Legolas took the bow he admired the craftsmanship in awe as Galadriel spoke to him "You have another gift which I do not need to remind needs protecting. She truly loves you. Take care of her for me please." His eyes widened at Galadriel and nods at her; holding the bow close to him.

She walked to Merry and Pippin, presenting them with two daggers and their sheaths. Merry unsheathed his in excitement it caught the light as the intricate designs swirled around the rich mahogany blade. It was a beautiful masterpiece "These are daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service of war." She glanced at Pippin with a warm expression as she could see his reluctance "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage." Asteria watched by her father as she smiled at the two. She won't admit it but Merry and Pippin are her favorites when it comes to hobbits. She watched her mother approach Sam handing him a beautiful grey rope "For you, Samwise Gamgee; Elven rope, made of Hithlain." He accepted it admiring it "Thank you my Lady" He looked at the daggers that Merry and Pippin had "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" He asked hopefully as he smiled at Galadriel and gave her a nod as she smiled at him as she made her way to Gimli.

Asteria smiled as she watched Gimli divert his gaze downward in almost a shy way. Galadriel looked at him for a moment with her deep blue eyes and golden hair that sparkled in the sunlight "And what gift would a dwarf ask of an elf?" He looked down a bit before replying in small voice as he looked up "Nothing...." He looked as if he was thinking for a moment before he spoke again "Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth." Asteria's heart felt warm from seeing this, she always knew of the turmoil between dwarves and elves; but for Gimli after getting to know him, he warmed up to Asteria which in turn thawed his heart a bit. Galadriel laughed at his comment as Gimli began to turn away as he stopped "Actually, there was one thing- ah, umm" Gimli started to stutter "That's quite impossible. Stupid to ask"

Galadriel couldn't help but smile as she looked at Asteria giving her a smile in return. The lady of the Light turned her gaze back to Gimli "Master Dwarf, there is nothing you could ask that I will not try to provide" she said softly giving him a soft and warm smile. Gimli started to turn red as she bent down and he whispered in her ear causing her to smile even more as she stood back up nodding and walked away for a moment. Legolas looked at Asteria in confusion and she just gave him a shrug and a smile. Galadriel came back with a small wooden box; handing it to him as Gimli took the box gently from her as if the package was precious itself.

Galadriel made her way to Aragorn as she reached to his neck touching the Evenstar pendant "I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear. For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will diminish." Aragorn looked at her in sorrow. Asteria looked down sadly, she and Legolas could understand what they were saying; Aragorn's love for Arwen show no boundaries but it broke his heart that she was dying. Aragorn spoke up "I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor." Galadriel shook her head lightly ""That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn... to rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness... with all that is left of your kin." There was silence for a moment as she looked at the pendant and smiled. "Farewell. There is much you have yet to do.. We shall meet again Elessar." She said as she placed a hand on Aragorn's cheek.

She walked to Frodo as she handed him a small vial that sparkled beautifully; Asteria knew what it was. Their most beloved star; The light of Eärendil. "Farewell Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star." She bent down kissing him on the forehead getting as a mother would kiss her child goodbye "May it be a light for you, in dark places, when all other lights go out." He gave her a smile as he admired the vial.

Galadriel then made her way to her daughter; taking her hands in hers "There is nothing I can give you my daughter. You carry hope and love with you everywhere you go." She said as she placed her hand on the Asteria's necklace she gave her "You will go through trials that may sway your hope. Do not fear my love. You are not alone and never will be. If you need me, call for me. I will be with you." She moved her hands to Asteria's cheeks as she kissed her forehead; Asteria welcomed it, she would miss her mother and she did not know when she would see her again. "Farewell Mother, Father.." She said softly looking at them both as she walked away making her way to the fellowship at the boats. Aragorn had Sam and Frodo with him, Boromir had Merry and Pippin, and Asteria was with Legolas and Gimli with her sitting in the middle of the two.

The Fellowship sails out onto the river and leaves Lorien behind. Asteria looked behind seeing her mother standing in the forest beneath the green trees as the sunlight peaked through illuminating her; she held her hand up in a goodbye that will etch itself on Asteria's heart for the journey. "Do not give up hope my daughter. You have love in more ways than one. Be accepting. Do not be afraid to ask for help" her words sunk in her mind as she turned facing forward.

Legolas knew that leaving Lorien would be hard on Asteria as he leaned forward kissing her cheek "Do not worry my love. You will see your home again. I promise you" She couldn't help to smile at Legolas's attempt to make her feel better. It worked. She was broken out of her thoughts when Gimli started talking "I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Alas, henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me." Asteria smiled as Legolas spoke up "What was it?" Gimli sighed happily as he moved to respond "I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three." Asteria and Legolas smiled at the dwarf. The three created a deep bond between each other because of their races. They decided to not let past discretion interfere with now.

"What did your mother give you?" Legolas asked Asteria as she turned slightly looking at him as he still rowed; giving him a small smile "Nothing that I already have." She placed a hand on her necklace "She said I carry hope and love everywhere I go. To...not be afraid." She said softly. Legolas looked at her in confuse as he leaned forward "You have no reason to be afraid. You have the fellowship. You have me my love." He said softly as she smiled at his words "I know Legolas.. I will be alright. We must have hope in our journey." She said with a smile as she gazed at the waters.

The sun went misty as the days grew old, until it glittered in a pale sky like a beautiful pearl from the ocean. It faded into the West, and dusk came early, followed by a dark starry sky which Asteria welcomed. Pipping would ask about the stars since she was the Lady of Starlight and she was too happy to oblige. Far into the dark quiet hours, they traveled along the river, guiding their boats under the overhanging shadows of the western woods. Asteria looked around as she sensed something was near.

Some days later, they reached the Brown Lands as they continued on down the river, the feeling of insecurity grew on all the company. For the whole day, they hastened their travel down the river as Legolas and Asteria could sense they were being watched by something in the forest. Asteria kept her bow notched looking around as Legolas continued to paddle keeping his own eyes keen on the trees as he placed a hand on Asteria's hip gently before returning it to paddle as if telling her it would be alright.

The next two days dragged on as if it was uneventful. They were drawing closer to the grey-hill country of the Emyn Muil, the southern march of Wilderland. After Aragorn and Asteria saw a bird flying high in the sky, he decided to travel only in the cover of night so they are not seen and rest during the day. One particular morning, Aragorn decided to have the Fellowship rest on one of the banks they were near for a little while so they may eat and relax. As the darkness of Mordor started to spread as they drew closer; he could Asteria was getting tired almost as if the darkness was making her that way. He would try and speak with her but she would brush it off. He had Legolas speak with her.

Asteria stood by the boats watching the waters; in deep thought, she can feel the dread from Mordor and from Saruman himself. Her heart ached that he abandoned them for Sauron. He was her mentor and her idol growing up. She prayed to the Valar for strength as if she needed it. Legolas came up quietly behind her, she knew he was behind her, even for an elf she could sense him "Shouldn't you be patrolling the other side Legolas?" She said as she kept her eyes trained across the bank. Legolas couldn't help but smile at her "Aragorn is, I wish to speak with you Asteria" he said bluntly as he walked to stand next to her as he continued "What is plaguing your heart my love? What do you sense?" he asked looking at her with his ocean blue eyes that always shook her very soul.

She looked at him with a hint of sadness "I am dreading day after day of what we face. You can feel the darkness of Mordor drawing near, for you it doesn't sway you much but for me, darkness is my weakness. I am so afraid...I-I" She was cut off by Legolas pulling her close and kissing her. Her eyes widened but accepted his tenderness as he placed a hand on her cheek keeping the kiss true. After a few moments, they pulled away as he placed his forehead on hers; his eyes trained on hers as he smiled at her "Asteria, I've never met anyone like you before. You are everything to me. Do you have to always be so stubborn? Let me help you." He said calmly as he caressed her cheeks in his hands. Asteria just stared into his eyes, those fierce blue eyes that managed to steal her heart; her own beautiful brown eyes flickered a blue tint as she cried a little "I am afraid of what tomorrow brings. I feel this coming dread in my heart that something will happen and I won't be able to stop it." She said as her voice was filled with sadness.

Legolas held her close as he placed a hand on the back of her head; stroking it gently "Do not fear Asteria. Whatever comes, we as a fellowship will stop it. And you my love will have nothing to fear. I promise you." He said softly as she welcomed the warmth he gave her. "Whatever comes...Thank you Legolas" she said softly. The two just stayed by the bank together; keeping an eye out as they basked in each other's company. Legolas knew she was tired and had he sit by a tree to rest her eyes as he kept watch. Little did they know, Aragorn was off to the side watching them. He was worried about her; she's been his friend for a long time like Legolas, it bothered him that something troubled her. But it warmed his heart to see Legolas break that tension she had. His thoughts traveled to Arwen, did she leave on a ship or is she still waiting? His heart ached as he watched the two, not for their happiness but for his own sadness.

He walked to back where the fellowship was camped leaving the two elves alone as they sat under the tree together, one sleeping and the other keeping a faithful eyes out as he stayed by his love.

2500 words

*It's been a while im sorry!*