The Fellowship were in small elven boats, rowing away from the Lothlórien Shore into the Silverlode River. Frodo and Sam were with Aragorn, Merry and Pippin were with Boromir, and Gimli and Liv were with Legolas. Elves silently watched them depart, their solemn gazes lingering on the departing boats.

Galadriel approached Frodo, presenting him with a small Crystal Phial. "Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star," said Galadriel, her voice soft yet imbued with ancient wisdom.

"Thank you, Lady Galadriel," Frodo replied, accepting the gift with reverence.

"May it be a light for you in dark places when all other lights go out," Galadriel said to Frodo.

As the boats drifted away, the sound of the water gently lapping against the hulls filled the air. Liv turned to Legolas, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Did you get any sleep last night, Legolas?"

"Not enough, because of Gimli," Legolas replied, shooting a playful glare at the dwarf and then, lightly, he hit Gimli on the head.

Liv tried to hide her laughter behind her hand. "Hey, what did you do that for?" asked Gimli, rubbing the spot where Legolas had struck him.

"For keeping us up all night," Legolas replied with a smirk.

Gimli grumbled but then chuckled, acknowledging the jest. "Well, you elves don't understand the importance of a good, hearty sleep. It's our dwarven way of preparing for the day!"

Liv grinned, "Well, next time, Gimli, try snoring a little quieter."

Legolas laughed, "Yes, we elves appreciate a good night's rest."

Merry and Pippin, overhearing the banter, couldn't help but join in. "I thought I heard a thunderstorm last night," Merry joked, giving Gimli a friendly pat on the back.

Pippin added with a grin, "I think Gimli was trying to communicate with the Ents!"

Liv chuckled, adding to the conversation, "He also woke Tepig up. He wasn't happy about that; he wanted to fry him."

Reaching for Tepig's pokeball, Liv called out, "Come on out, Tepig."

"Tepig," said the Pokémon, sitting in Liv's lap. When he saw Gimli, Tepig snorted at him.

"That little pig couldn't have fried me even if he could," said Gimli, crossing his arms over his chest confidently.

Liv smirked. "Tepig, come here," said Liv. Tepig obediently followed her orders. "Listen, Tepig, you're going to pretend to fry Gimli with Ember," Liv whispered in Tepig's ear.

Tepig nodded excitedly, his tiny tail wagging with anticipation.

"Alright, Tepig, fry Gimli using Ember," said Liv.

Gimli looked terrified. "Liv, Tepig isn't actually going to fry Gimli, is he?" asked Legolas, concerned.

Liv burst into laughter. "What's so funny?" asked Gimli, looking perplexed.

"Did you actually think Tepig was going to fry you?" asked Liv, her laughter increasing.

"Thank goodness! I actually thought Tepig was going to fry him," said Legolas, relieved.

"So, this was all just a practical joke?" asked Gimli, grinning despite his embarrassment.

Liv chuckled, "Yes, payback for keeping us up all night."

Gimli laughed, "Well played, Liv. Well played."

"Next time, Tepig will actually fry you. I'm not kidding," said Liv with a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Or maybe I'll ask Zebstrika to fry you instead, which will hurt," added Liv, teasingly."Which is why you don't mess with a Pokémon trainer," said Liv, laughing.

Gimli, realizing the joke had gone far enough, joined in the laughter. "I'll remember that, Liv, I'll remember that."

"Tepig," said the pokemon.

"What's wrong, Tepig?" asked Liv.

"Tepig, tepig," said the Pokémon, looking at Gimli with an indignant expression.

"Are you still mad at Gimli?" asked Liv. Tepig nodded.

Gimli chuckled, "Looks like I've got some apologizing to do."

"Tepig, Tepig," said the Pokémon.

"Liv, do you understand what Tepig is saying?" asked Legolas.

"Of course I do," Liv replied, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Tepig, what is it?"

"Tepig senses something," answered Liv, translating.

"Then what does he sense?" asked Legolas, intrigued.

"Oshawott. He likes to come out of his pokeball every now and then," Liv replied, translating Tepig's words.

Gimli raised an eyebrow. "An Oshawott?"

"Yes, it's another Pokémon of mine," Liv explained.

Legolas chuckled. "You seem to have quite the little team there, Liv."

Liv grinned proudly. "They're the best team. Aren't you, Tepig?"

"Tepig," agreed the Pokémon.

Gimli, amused, glanced at Tepig. "Well, I suppose I don't need to worry about being fried, then."

Liv laughed. "No frying today, Gimli. Just a peaceful journey down the river."

Just then, one of Liv's pokeballs opened, and Oshawott jumped out. "Oshawott, what are you doing?" asked Liv.

"Oshawott," said the Pokémon.

"Okay, fine. But if you cause any trouble, you're going back into your pokeball," Liv warned. Oshawott nodded and dove into the water.

"That Pokémon drives me crazy," said Liv.

Gimli chuckled, "He seems to have a mind of his own."

Legolas smiled, "At least he's having fun."

Liv chuckled. "You should see Oshawott in battle; he's pretty tough for a little Pokémon."

"Tepig," said Tepig, acknowledging his partner's words.

"You're strong too, Tepig," Liv reassured him.

"What are you three bickering about?" Aragorn asked from the next boat.

"Oh, nothing, just that Gimli is scared of my Tepig," Liv replied.

"Not true," said Gimli.

"She is right; you were scared that Tepig would fry you," said Legolas.

"Can we focus on our task?" asked Aragorn, trying not to laugh.

The boats passed into the great river Anduin. The three Elven boats carried the Fellowship steadily southward. Green trees slowly gave way to a brown and withered land.

As the journey continued, Legolas stood at the prow of their boat, his sharp eyes scanning the surrounding area. "The air is heavy with the taint of the enemy," he observed, a grave tone underlying his words.

Liv, who was tending to Tepig, glanced up. "Do you sense something, Legolas?"

"Yes," he replied, his gaze fixed on the river's edge. "A shadow lies over the water."

Gimli, overhearing, gripped his axe tighter. "What does it mean?"

"It means we must be cautious," Legolas responded, his keen senses on alert.

Liv turned to her Pokémon, her expression serious. "Tepig, stay close and be ready."

"Tepig," the Pokémon responded, understanding the seriousness in Liv's voice.

Suddenly, Oshawott surfaced, his eyes darting around as if he sensed something. "Oshawott, what do you see?" Liv inquired.

The Pokémon's ears twitched, then he looked at Liv with a worried expression.

"What is it, Oshawott?" Gimli asked, his hand moving toward the haft of his axe.

"He senses something," Liv translated, her gaze locking with Legolas'. "We need to be prepared."

Aragorn, having overheard, called out, "Ready your weapons, but do not be hasty. Let us proceed with caution."

As they drifted further down the river, the sense of unease grew. The land became more desolate, and the atmosphere heavy with an unseen presence.

The Uruk forces ran through the trees with deadly purpose. A flock of birds circled high above, black against the pale sky. Aragorn watched them with concern.

To be continued