The Three Elven boats drifted slowly through the steep rocky gorge in the pre-dawn light. Legolas was slowly paddling in the stern, while Tepig and Oshawott were asleep in Liv's lap.

"Are Tepig and Oshawott really that tired?" Legolas asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, all the excitement earlier tired them out," Liv replied softly, gently stroking Tepig's head.

"Can I ask you something?" Legolas inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Of course," Liv replied, turning her attention from her Pokémon to Legolas.

"Why did you hide the fact that you're a Pokémon trainer?" Legolas asked, his tone gentle.

Liv hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting over the tranquil water. "I wasn't sure if you guys would accept me if you knew," she admitted, feeling a slight pang of vulnerability.

"Fair point," Legolas replied, understanding dawning in his eyes. He paused for a moment, then continued, "I have heard of Pokémon from distant lands. Tell me, what is it like to train them?"

A small smile played at the corners of Liv's lips as she thought about her companions. "It's a unique experience," she began, her voice soft, "Each Pokémon has its own personality, its own strengths, and weaknesses. But the bond you form with them, it's something truly special."

Legolas nodded, intrigued. "It sounds like a journey in itself, much like the one we're on now."

Liv's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Exactly! Just like this journey. It's about growth, learning, and forging connections."

Legolas leaned in, his interest clearly piqued. "Would you tell me more about your Pokémon? I am eager to learn."

"Well, for starters, every trainer starts with a starter Pokémon regardless of the region," said Liv. "In the Kanto region, the starter Pokémon are Charmander, a fire type, Squirtle, a water type, and Bulbasaur, a grass type. In the Unova region, the starters are Tepig, a fire type, Oshawott, a water type, and Snivy, a grass type."

"So Tepig and Oshawott are from Unova?" asked Legolas.

"Exactly," Liv replied. "Tepig is my starter."

"Then how come you have both of them?" asked Legolas.

"Oh, my Oshawott is a wild Oshawott," replied Liv. "During my journey, I encountered Oshawott in the Unova region. He was alone and needed help. So, I decided to take him under my care. Since then, he's been my loyal companion, just like Tepig."

Legolas smiled, understanding dawning in his eyes. "That's truly remarkable. It speaks volumes of the bond you share with them."

Liv nodded, a warm feeling spreading through her. "Yes, it's a special connection. They're not just Pokémon; they're my friends, my partners in this journey."

"What other Pokémon do you have?" asked Legolas, eager to learn more.

"Well, you've already met Tepig and Oshawott. I also have Snivy, a grass type, Zebstrika, an electric type, Umbreon, a dark type, Sandile, a ground and dark type, and Tranquill, a normal and flying type," said Liv.

Legolas listened intently, absorbing the information. "Fascinating. They must all have incredible stories."

Liv nodded, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "Indeed, each one has a story, a journey, and together, we've shared many adventures."

"How many Pokémon is a trainer allowed to have with them?" asked Legolas.

"Usually, most trainers can have up to six Pokémon with them," Liv replied.

"And you have more than six?" asked Legolas.

"Yeah, I have extra Pokéballs from when I was traveling in the Kanto region," Liv replied, smiling. "It's always good to be prepared."

"Isn't that cheating?" asked Legolas.

"Not if you don't get caught," Liv replied, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Legolas chuckled. "Fair enough."

"I've been wondering, how long have you been a Pokémon trainer?" asked Legolas.

"About a year now. I started my journey in the Kanto region," Liv replied.

"So you're from the Kanto region?" asked Legolas.

"Oh god no, I'm from the Kalos region," Liv replied with a laugh.

"Do you have any Kalos region Pokémon?" asked Legolas.

"Only one, Absol, a dark type. He's incredibly powerful, which is why I don't use him in battle and also because he doesn't trust other humans yet other than me," Liv explained.

"What happened to him?" asked Legolas.

"I found him injured in my backyard one night and nursed him back to health. Turns out there was a bounty hunter trying to capture him and sell him," Liv replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Is that why he doesn't trust humans?" asked Legolas.

"Yeah," Liv replied, her tone tinged with sympathy. "But he's getting better."

"Which Pokémon is your strongest other than Absol?" asked Legolas.

Liv smiled thoughtfully. "Probably Zebstrika or Umbreon. They are my only Pokémon who are fully evolved; my other ones are either still in their pre-evolution form or in their second evolution form like Tranquill."

"Zebstrika and Umbreon are both fascinating Pokémon," Legolas said. "What are they like?"

"Zebstrika is fiercely loyal and agile, with incredible speed. It's like riding lightning," Liv explained. "You saw him fighting in the mines of Moria," Liv continued. "Umbreon, on the other hand, is calm and composed. It's a Pokémon that fights smart, and it's excellent at dealing with opponents."

"They sound like great companions," said Legolas.

"They truly are," Liv agreed.

"Tell me about your other Pokémon," asked Legolas.

"Well Sandile is very stealthy because he's a ground type. Snivy has a bit of an attitude but she is very strong. Tranquil is very swift when it comes to aerial battles," Liv explained.

"What are you two talking about this time?" asked Aragorn, who had been silently observing.

"Pokemon," Liv replied.

"Well just don't get distracted from the task at hand," said Aragorn.

"I'll make sure we don't," said Legolas.

Liv smiled at Legolas and then turned her gaze back to Aragorn. "We are not losing focus. You can trust us."

Aragorn nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I have no doubt about that."

The conversation lulled for a moment, and then Legolas spoke up again. "Liv, what's the most challenging experience you've had as a Pokémon trainer?"

Liv thought for a moment, her expression turning serious. "Definitely when I faced a powerful Gym Leader named Lenora in the Unova region. She was a Normal-type specialist, and her Watchog was incredibly tough to defeat. It was a battle that pushed me to my limits, but it taught me a lot about strategy and perseverance."

"That sounds intense," Legolas said.

Meanwhile with Aragorn, Frodo and Sam. "Frodo" said Aragorn. Frodo slowly looks up, his eyes widening with amazement. Two enormous rock statues, towering 300 foot pinnacles on either side of the river carved images of Gondorian kings of old. They loom over the boats with power. "The Argonath, long have a desired to look upon the kings of old" said Aragorn. 

The Fellowship stare in the stunned silence as the current takes them through the narrow gab between the statues feet. Craning up past the statues crumbling heads, to reveal a large lake only a mile down river. 

To be continued