Boy, am I stuck or what for writing...but then, I was sitting...and thinking...and then it occurred to me; what better way to practice for my English exams, then to write something? I know, this isn't an essay, but hey-teachers like imagination!
Then there's also the chance to put off a little more studying, ne? -_-;;

Also take note that there are some things I've changed in here...

-Chapter 7-

"NO!" she screamed while sitting upright in her bed, the sheets falling to the floor in a crumpled heap.

She was shaking, her mind racing and her breaths labored as she struggled to regain her senses. Her features were twisted in distress, and her long hair in disarray behind her. As her vision blurred with hot tears, she brought up her hands to cradle her face, her body trembled as sobs wracked her entire body.

"This cannot be" she murmured repeatedly "It cannot be true"

* * * * *

They remained for some days in Lothlórien, so far as they could tell or remember. All the while that they dwelt there, the sun shone clear, save for a gentle rain that fell at times, and passed away leaving things fresh and clean.

The company noticed the absence of Legolas, for after the first night he did not sleep with the other companions. He did though, return to eat and talk with the companions, sometimes accompanied by the human Eruwen. Whenever she came, she was more than happy to listen to any stories that they had to share, and in turn they asked any questions that she could answer about her life in the forests of Lothlórien. Indeed, they were intrigued by this woman raised amongst the elves.

Often, Legolas was away with her among the Galadhrim. There was also more than one occasion when they brought Gimli with them as they went abroad in the land, and the others wondered at this change.

Aside from Eruwen, they had little speech with the rest of the Elven-folk, for they had little or no knowledge of the Western tongue. Haldir had bidden them farewell and had gone back to the boundaries of the North, where a great watch was kept since the news of Moria that the company had brought.

All had grown so accustomed to their surroundings, their amazement of the forest's beauty never ceasing. But they knew, that soon they had to leave all this behind. The journey and the ever increasing evil was a constant thought on their minds. In fact, it was decided on the night after Frodo's and Sam's fateful meeting with Galadriel that they should leave the beautiful forests of Lothlórien to continue their journey east.

Eruwen's footsteps were silent as she led them back up to the great chamber of Celeborn. The front of her dark colored gown was gathered up in her hands, to lessen the chance of her tripping on the stone steps (which she was very well known to do), her hair was bound up in a high ponytail, and her eyes held a tinge of sadness on the upcoming meeting. She had been asked to bid them to speak with her lord and lady, and it was no secret that they were to leave the very next morning. It was with a heavy heart that she did this, for it was not very often that outsiders were allowed within the borders of the city. Friends, her very first non-elven friends now had to leave, and she held doubts within her heart that she would ever see them once again after they left.

As she walked up to the entrance, she stepped aside and bowed her head while motioning her hand for them to continue. They walked passed her, sparing a smile of thanks before they were greeted by the lord and lady. After an exchange of fair words from both parties, they began to speak of their upcoming departure. Eruwen listened wordlessly outside the chamber, for she did not belong in a conversation that did not concern her.

"They have all resolved to go forward" Galandriel's voice rang out from a sudden silence.

Eruwen sighed, picturing her lady looking each and every one of them carefully. Her piercing gaze was something that not many could stand up to. Her back touched the smooth wood of the outside chamber, and she allowed her thoughts to drift back to the last few days.

She had learned much during her time with them, she learned of the outside world and of the other creatures that existed outside the borders of the forest. She listened to each and everyone of them, her interests never wavering, and her wonder for the many adventures, big and small, that each had have.

Take the Shire for instance, the home of hobbits just like the ones inside the great hall right at the moment. Such a joyous place it sounded like, each of the residents living an easy life. A lifestyle which she could see, each one of them missed dearly.

Then there were the other humans. The first of her own kind that she had met in her life, each of the men having their own adventures in life. Minas Tirith, from Boromir's descriptions, sounded like a wonderful place. A city of men, of people just like her! She could not imagine it, and was unsure if the concept was all that wonderful. Many times she had heard of the follies of men (though she took no offence by the comments. It was all very understandable) and such troubles they caused sometimes. Then there was the well known Elessar, an elf friend that she had heard of many times during her life. What stories he had to share!

Perhaps, the greatest friendship formed from the last weeks, was the one with the dwarf. So misjudged his kind are! Not at all are they the barbarians that the others of the elven race have claimed them to be. They did sound slightly unruly to her, but aside from that they seemed perfectly fine.

Oh, how these stories caused a new and unknown longing within her heart! How much had she missed, spending all her years in the forests of Lothlórien! True, this place was her home, and she knew that if she was to ever leave it that she would miss it terribly. But to leave, and to travel just like they did...she couldn't help but wonder what that would be like.

The greatest thing she was thankful for through all the times spent with them, was that they did not question her anymore in regards with her knowledge of their journey through the mines of Moria. She did not wish to relive that moment again...the horror of seeing that monster-that Balrog- overtaking her dear friend was just too much of her.

She winced slightly as the memory of the other dream returned to her once again. She had not told anyone of the other dream. In fact, she had convinced herself that it had all been a dream, and the bruises on her wrists all a figment of her imagination. They had frightened her beyond belief, that was for sure, but the dreams had stopped after that night. Why concern herself or others over something so simple and implausible?

True, her dream of Mithrandir had come to pass...so she promised herself that if ever she were to have a dream involving someone that she knew, she would start to worry. But that had not yet happened, so she remained nonchalant.

"There are some among you who can handle boats: Legolas, whose folk know the swift Forest River; and Boromir..."

Ah yes, Legolas. How she have forgotten him? She had spent most of her time with him, of course, showing him the forests and the city. Considering the fact that their first real conversation started with her releasing her "water bubble" atop his head, she was surprised that he even accepted her offer to be his guide.

She was happy though, that he didn't deny her offer. He, like the rest of his party, had many stories to share with her, and-

"Good night my friends!"

Eruwen's train of thought was broken as she heard the sound of footsteps nearing the entrance of the great chamber. She straightened herself immediately and unconsciously smoothed out the front of her gown before she started walking away. She hadn't meant to linger after leading them here, but she had gotten so caught up in her own thoughts...

"Oh! Miss Eruwen, you're still here?"

She froze on the spot and barely stopped herself from sighing. What a fool she must look like right now.

She turned around, a nervous smile plastered onto her face "Ah yes, Master Samwise..."

"Sam will do, as I've told you before."

She gave a nervous laugh, fighting down the embarrassment and heat that threatened her cheeks.

"Er, right then. I was, ah...I just wanted to..." she nervously glanced around, not missing any of the confused looks she was receiving from all of them.

"I just wanted to wish you all a good night!" she all but squeaked, hastily bowing to them before turning back around. She rushed down the steps leading in the opposite direction that they were supposed to go in. Sure, this was the longest route to her own talan, but she had to try to save any dignity that she still retained.

They looked amongst each other with a questioning look in their eyes.

"Well, that was strange, don't you think?" said Pippin, voicing the thought that they all had. Merry shrugged, and they turned to return to their pavilion, all thoughts of the petite woman forgotten in an instant.

Well, for all of them except for one of their party.

-----------

She ran as quickly as she could down the cold stone steps, her slipper covered feet making little noise with each step. A breeze swept through the trees, blowing stray strands of hair into her eyes, and it was at that moment, unfortunately, that a very human like trait decided to plague our dear little Eruwen.

She tripped.

Big surprise there.

The hem of her gown decided to (and very inconveniently) get caught beneath one of her feet, and she gave a small startled cry as she fell forward. Both of her hands were held out in font of her in an attempt to soften her impact on the hard stone.

Her eyes were shut tight, everything moving too quickly for her human senses to resister something wrapping around her waist and pulling her backwards. In fact, she never realized that someone had saved her from imminent pain until she heard a soft grunt beside her ear as she landed on something soft...and very warm...

Something very much the opposite of stone.

Slowly she opened her eyes while looking to her side, almost dreading to see who had saved her. She could take any one of her "elven kindred" (for she had no other family) saving her. They were used to the spells of ineptness that she was known to suffer from, and she was used to their constant teasing. But a feeling within her body told her otherwise.

"Oh gods no" she muttered, covering her face with her hands. The embarrassment rising again within her body, stronger than it had been before. Why oh why did this have to happen to her?

"I've just saved you from falling down many flights of stairs, and that's all you have to say to me?"

She could feel the heat in her face rising, not knowing how to respond to her savior's question. It took a few moments to register that his arm was still around her waist, and a new thought suddenly occurred to her; if anyone to walk by right now, they would see her sitting on his-

She scrambled away suddenly, walking down a few steps before turning back to face him. Her face was red, she could feel it; "I-I thank you," she said in rushed Elvish, "And I'm sorry for-"

"There is nothing to be sorry for." Legolas interrupted, laughter dancing in his eyes.

"I, ah...wait, why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your companions?" she asked, immediately forgetting her pervious humiliation.

"Aye, I should. However..." he trailed off, looking at her carefully "...You do know that we are departing from these forests tomorrow, do you not?"

Eruwen sighed, her eyes meeting his " I do" she said softly "though my heart wishes otherwise. I will miss you all dearly, " her mouth curved upwards in a small smile "but at the same time I envy you all."

"Envy?"

She nodded "Though I do not know much of your purpose, nor of the dangers that await you, a part of me wishes that I could go with you. To experience a real adventure."

Legolas took a step down, bringing himself closer to her. Gently he placed a hand upon her shoulder "Trust me, this is one adventure that you will want to miss" he said quietly.

Nodding, she looked up at him and smiled "One day" she said "One day I will leave these forests, though I am unsure if I could bring myself to do so."

Legolas could feel his own face mirroring her expression.

"And then" she continued "And then one day, I hope that our paths will cross again." She took the hand that was on her shoulder in her own "Thank you, Legolas, of the Northern Mirkwood elves. I thank you for your friendship through these past few weeks, and I thank you for allowing me to be your guide through the forests of Lothlórien" She released his hand, her eyes alight with a sad-like happiness.

He was speechless from her touching speech "You're very welcome, and I return your thanks."

She smiled, curtsying gracefully "Let us say our farewells tomorrow. Good night, good elf." and with that she turned away from him "May your dreams remain untroubled this night."

"Good night" he responded in turn, watching her walk down the steps a few moments longer, before he too took his leave to rejoin his companions.

As he walked back the way that he had come, that same thought that nagged at his mind; He had met her somewhere before, he was sure of it. But she held no recollection of them ever meeting, so why wouldn't this feeling leave him? It was always there, every moment he was with her.

Her happy demeanor.

Her golden hair.

Her amazingly blue eyes.

It was all so familiar to him. So why couldn't he remember?

He shook his head; it was not good to obsess over things that did not make sense in the first place. It would only cause more confusion within the mind and heart.

With that, he pushed those thoughts out of his mind, and concentrated more on the upcoming journey.

-----------

A smile played across her features as she continued walking through the forests. The cool night time air cooling her senses, and for once the sadness that rested on her heart lifted for a brief while. She was happy, though she did not fully understand why.

Who knew a simple conversation could be such an uplifting experience?

A new notion entered her mind, as she suddenly remembered a task that she had to finish before the next morning. She made sure this time, to pick up the hem of her gown, before breaking out in a swift run towards her talan.

-----------

In the morning, they began to pack their slender goods, Elves that could speak their tongue came to them and brought them many gifts of food and other supplies for their journey.

Two hobbits, more specifically Sam and Frodo, watched as Gimli praised the lembas bread of the elves, when they were approached by their two other hobbit companions.

"Hey, I wonder where Galadriel is, or even Eruwen for that matter! I had hoped to see them once again, or at least say goodbye." Said Merry as all four of them looked around.

After their morning meal, the Company said their farewells to the lawn by the fountain. By that time, there was still no sign of the elf and human that they all wished to glance upon once more before leaving. Their hearts were heavy by this fact, and because they had to leave this fair place that had become like a home to them. Though, they could not count the days and nights that had passed there.

----------

Later that day, they were all each in a boat, the Company arranged in this way; Aragorn, Frodo and Sam in one boat; Boromir, Merry, and Pippen in another; and in a third were Legolas and Gimli, who had now become fast friends.

When all was ready, Aragorn lead them on a trial up the Silverlode. The current was swift and the current went forward slowly. They all looked back wistfully back to the shore, the sunlight glittering off the water a dazzling sight to behold. The air was very bright and still, and there was silence, except for the high distant song of the larks.

They turned a sharp bend in the river, and there sailing down the stream towards them was Celeborn and Galadriel, in a proud swan shaped boat of a great size. While the Lord sat in the boat, his Lady stood tall behind him; both clad fully in white. A circlet of golden flowers was in her hair, and in her hand she carried a harp, and she sang to them; sad and sweet was the sound of her voice in the cool clear air.

Aragorn stayed his boat as the swan-ship drew along-side. The Lady ended her song and greeted them.
"We have come to bid you our last farewell, and to speed you with blessings with our land."

"Though you have been our guests" said Celeborn, "You have not yet eaten with us, and we bid you, therefore, to a parting feast."

The swan passed on slowly to the shore, and they turned their boats to follow it. As they neared the shore, there they saw a feast laid out before them, and closest to the edge of the water stood Eruwen, dressed in dark grey and only half her hair bound up behind her head. She looked at them, a smile upon her face as she welcomed them to the last feast that they would ever had within the forests of Lothlórien.

There, upon the green grass the parting feast was held.

-----------

After they had eaten and drunk, Celeborn began to speak to them again of their journey. He instructed which direction to take for wherever they chose to go, and at length both Eruwen and Galadriel both stood. Eruwen went towards the other elf maidens as Galadriel took up a cup and filled it with white mead. She bid the each Company to drink from the cup of parting, and after all was done, they all stood silent for a moment.

"The shadow begins to fall between us" she said "but before you go, I have brought in my ship gifts which the Lord and Lady of Galadhrim," she paused, looking towards Eruwen, "as well as my daughter wish to offer you in memory of Lothlórien."

At those words, an elf maiden stepped up to each of the Company, offering each of them the clothes that they had brought. For each had provided a hood and a cloak, made according to his size, of the warm silken stuff that the Galadhrim wove.

"These are elvish robes" Eruwen spoke, watching each of them take theirs "They are fair garments, and the web is good for they were made in these lands."

She walked up to the nearest of the Company, which happened to be Merry. Bending down, she fastened a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver about the neck of his cloak. She repeated this process for each of them, slowly working her way while speaking "Leaf and branch, water and stone: they have the hue and beauty of all these things that under the twilight of Lórien that we love; for we put the thought of all we love into all that we make. Yet they are garments, not armor, they will not turn away any shaft or blade."

Eruwen paused as she came to Legolas in the middle of the group. Looking up at him, she forced a smile as she fastened the brooch around his neck "They are light to wear, and are warm enough or cool enough at need. You will find them a great aid in keeping you out of sight of unfriendly eyes, whether you walk among stones or trees. My lady, myself, and her maidens wove this stuff; and never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people! They should serve you well." As she pulled away after fastening the last brooch upon Boromir, he caught her hand in his. She looked up, surprised at his action;

"Thank you for your graciousness" he said as he lightly kissed the back of her hand.

Her eyes widened in surprise at his boldness, and a astonished murmur arose amongst the elf maidens as she pulled her hand away. A light blush touched her cheeks as she silently moved away, offering a small smile to him as her Lady stepped up; stopping all conversation.

-----------

After all had been said, after all gifts had been given, the Company took their places in the boats as before. Their eyes trailing on the Lady of Galadriel as they slowly passed her. Alongside her was Eruwen as she held up her hand in farewell, her expression the same as before. A cold wind rushed passed them all, gently blowing golden leaves around them all as a harp sounded once again from the shores of the forests.

Only this time it was not the Lady that sang; it was Eruwen, singing in the tongue of the elves:

Ai! Laurië lantar lassi súrinen,
Yéni únótimë ve rámar aldaron!
Yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier
Ini oromardi lisse-miruvóreva
Andúnë pella, Vardo Tellumar
Nu luini yassen tintilar I elent
Ómaryo airetári-lírinen

Sí man i yulma nin enquantuva?

Her voice was sad yet hauntingly beautiful as it echoed off the shores of the land, the currents slowly beginning to drown out her voice. With heavy hearts they left the land and the people that they had grown to love and knew would never see again. Yet, they knew that the memory of the golden forest would always stay fresh within their memories.

-----------

She watched the backs of the Company, their figures becoming smaller with each passing moment. Battling the sadness within her heart, the same question that she had thought of the day before arose once again in her mind:

Would she ever see them again?

* * * * *

She didn't know how long she stayed like that, rocking back and forth on her bed. Her mind barely registered the comforting hand on her back, nor the words that flowed from her Lady's mouth that tried to sooth her hysteria.

She saw it.

So much blood.

She heard it.

The yells of battle, the cries of pain.

She knew it.

And with all her heart she wished it wasn't true.

"The Fellowship has been broken!" she cried as she finally broke away from the maddening images in her mind. "He is dead. Boromir of Gondor is dead." Her body relaxed as she clung onto Galadriel, onto the only mother that she knew, whose own arms were wrapped around her, one hand running though her hair like she was a child.

She cried through the night until the early light of day; the tears refusing to stop, and her heart mourning for the loss of another brave soul.

-End Chapter 7-

So this chapter is done...finally...I should be studying for my *gag* exams...-_-'
This was bad, mostly because absolutely had no idea what to write. I was stuck for many...many hours...too many if you ask me.
I know that I skipped over the entire time that they were in Lothlórien, but if I had included that, then you would have been left waiting a lot longer. So just use your imagination, ok?
OK. Review if you'd like to see another chapter. If not, then don't review. Simple as that.
*country accent* Dem reviews are great motivation y'know!
Haha, I don't know why I just wrote that, but oh well!

Erika: You'll just have to keep on reading to find out! ^_^
empress blade: haha, when someone asks me a question like that, I suddenly feel very evil...^^;
Jewel:Ah, Thank You!
Celestial DreamBLaze:Wow, so many questions..un..able...to...answer...them...all! ahh! Haha, but then I'd spoil the entire fic for you if I answered all that questions, ne?
Silverray:haha, elf boy! elf boy! elf boy! HOT elf boy! As my friends would say...-_-; Oooh yeah, you're suggestion helped me out! I wouldn't have finished it without it! Now it's your turn to update! =þ
SpitefulHope: convoluted...woah, had strange English class flashback... You're the second person I've heard/seen use that word! ^^;
Dilkara: *blushes * Thank you!