▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐎𝐧𝐞 ━︎━︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐈𝐍 her room, readying herself for the long journey they would begin in the morning. She removed the crown atop her head, running her thumb over it before placing it down on her desk. "So, you've listened to me after all." Ellaria spun around to see Arwen standing in the doorway, a soft smile on her face. She entered the room further. "I will miss you whilst you are away, but I know this is what's best for you."

Ellaria gave her a small smile. "Thank you for pushing me in the right direction."

Arwen nodded in acknowledgement. "Father wishes to speak with you."

Ellaria nodded before following after her sister. Arwen led her through the door to the library and Ellaria frowned. "Why would father want to meet me here?" Arwen didn't answer. Instead, she pushed Ellaria into the room and swiftly turned and left, shutting the door behind her. Ellaria rose a brow and scoffed before moving further into the large library. "Father?" Her eyes landed on the balcony, the moonlight shining through the open area and illuminating the silhouette of a figure. Ellaria approached. "You needed to speak with me?"

The figure stepped into the moonlight, turning to face her. Legolas stood there, a small smile pulling to his lips. "Ellaria."

"You are not my father." Ellaria mumbled, glancing around. What was she looking for? An escape?

"I'd hope not." Legolas said with a slight chuckle.

Ellaria cleared her throat. "I'm sure my sister set this up, but I am also sure my father truly does wish to speak with me, and one shall not keep her father waiting."

As Ellaria went to turn away, Legolas stepped towards her, gently grasping her wrist. She paused, turning her head to look at him. "Will you not stay? If only for a moment?" Their eyes met and Ellaria instantly gave in. He dropped his hold. "You avoid me."

Ellaria scoffed. "I do not avoid you. If I were, you would know."

"Well, I know you, and I know when you're avoiding someone." Legolas answered, growing closer to her. "Have I done something to offend you?"

Ellaria shook her head, her voice coming out weaker than she'd anticipated. "No."

"Then what is it?"

Ellaria swallowed. "It has nothing to do with you, Legolas. I'm just. . ." She closed her eyes, a sigh leaving her lips. "I'm scared of this journey, Legolas. There are so many uncertainties."

In an instant, he understood. He placed his hand on her shoulder. "It will not be like the last."

Ellaria allowed a sad smile to cross her face as she looked at him. "You cannot know that. I cannot let anyone else die on my watch, Legolas. I won't be able to live with myself."

"This quest will not fail, Ella." Ellaria closed her eyes at the use of her nickname, loving the way it sounded when he said it. Her eyes opened again and he reached forwards, brushing a hair from her face and giving her a small smile. "It will not be the same as the last." Ellaria forced a nod, forcing herself to pull away from him and leaving to go in search of her father.

When she found him, he was standing on one of the many balcony's, his hands placed against the railing as he looked over Rivendell. Ellaria silently walked up to him, taking a stand at his side and looking at her home. "Are you sure I am ready for this, father?"

"I am." Elrond nodded. "But, if you do not think you're ready, you do not have to go."

Ellaria swallowed, looking down at her hands. "I've given my oath. I won't break it."

Elrond looked at her in understanding. "Be as safe as you can, Ellaria."

Ellaria managed a small smile. "I will." She chewed on the inside of her cheek before turning to him and wrapping her arms around him. Elrond looked down at her before hugging her back. He held her close, saying a silent prayer that this wouldn't be the last time they saw each other.

When the next morning arrived, Ellaria grabbed everything she would need before making her way outside where the other companions were standing. When she spotted Aragorn she couldn't help but smile and walk over to him. She hadn't had the chance to really speak to him since he had arrived. Aragorn smiled back at her as she gave him a hug which he quickly reciprocated. "How are you, my friend?" Aragorn asked.

Ellaria softly sighed. "Ask me that again when we aren't in imminent danger."

Elrond walked up to the Fellowship. "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the quest of Mount Doom. And you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you."

Gandalf adjusted his hand on his staff. "The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer."

Frodo turned and began walking. As the others followed him, Ellaria and Aragorn continued to stand there. Ellaria bowed to her father and sister before placing a hand on Aragorn's shoulder, leading them both out of Rivendell. They traveled far and without rest. "We must travel this course west of the Misty Mountain for 40 days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east to Mordor." Gandalf explained.

They came to a stop in order to make themselves food. Ellaria stood on top of a large rock, ignoring the practice Boromir was giving to the Hobbits. She looked over the edge, watching the lands for any sign of danger. Legolas walked towards her, coming to a stop at her side. He glanced at her, noticing her tense shoulders. "What is it?"

"It's already too easy." Ellaria mumbled. "We've crossed too many lands and haven't yet seen any sign of danger."

"Maybe luck is on our side." Legolas tried.

Ellaria glanced at him. "Luck has never been on our side." She paused to listen, in the distance to her left the winds were moving too harshly. She turned her head, grabbing Legolas's hand and pulling her with him as she crossed over to the other side of the rocky hill. "Do you see that?" She whispered.

Legolas followed her gaze, spotting the moving cloud of black coming towards them. But it wasn't a cloud. His eyes widened. "Crebain from Dunland!" He called out.

"Hide!" Aragorn shouted.

Ellaria jumped down from the rock, moving to the side and hiding between two rocks and curling herself there, remaining hidden until she saw them pass. Slowly, she stood, watching as the birds retreated. "Spies from Saruman." Gandalf told them. "The passage south is being watched." The all gathered together and Gandalf looked between them. "We must take the Pass of Caradhras."

Ellaria turned her head to look at the tall snowy mountain top. She knew it had been too easy. They began their trek up the snowy mountain and while the others struggled in the snow, Ellaria and Legolas moved freely on top of it. Ellaria turned her head when Fordo stumbled, rolling down the mountain only for Aragorn to stop him and catch him. He pulled the Hobbit up and Frodo quickly placed a hand on his necklace to find the Ring was missing. He looked forwards, spotting it in the distance only for Boromir to lift up from the ground.

Boromir held the Ring before him, staring intently at it. Aragorn called his name. Boromir continued to stare at 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."

"Boromir!" Aragorn shouted his name again. "Give the Ring to Frodo."

Boromir took a deep breath before approaching the Hobbit. "As you wish." Frodo was quick to snatch it from him. "I care not." He let out a chuckle, ruffling Frodo's hair.

"He will be the death of us all." Ellaria mumbled to Legolas in elvish.

Legolas glanced at her, his lip quirking in amusement. "The journey has only just begun and already you doubt?" They continued walking.

"Is my doubt wrongfully placed?" Ellaria challenged. Legolas said nothing and Ellaria hummed, knowing she had won.

The continued up the snowy mountain, the winds beginning to grow rough as snow started to fall. The light began to fade from them as a dark cloud formed overhead and Boromir and Aragorn were having to carry the Hobbits to keep them from being buried under the many feet of snow. Ellaria made her way to the front, passing over the snow with light feet. She stood there, eyes narrowing. Legolas came to her side. "Do you hear that?" He asked.

"A voice." Ellaria whispered. She listened closer. "A chant."

"There's a fell voice on the air." Legolas informed the rest of their company.

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf yelled. They all looked up as rocks began to fall from the top of the mountain, going right over top of their heads. The mountain shook violently and Ellaria clung to the wall. It felt all too familiar.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain!" Aragorn shouted. "Gandalf, we must turn back!"

"No!" Gandalf shook his head. He forced his body against the winds before he began chanting in his own language. Lightning struck the top of the mountain, sending a few rocks tumbling down on top of them and a pound of snow. The snow covered them. Ellaria pushed her head out from underneath the snow, shaking it free from her hair. Slowly the others appeared from the snow pile.

When they were all out Boromir raised his voice over the loud winds. "We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the West Road to my city!"

"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!" Aragorn argued.

"If we cannot pass over a mountain, let us go under it." Gimli suggested. "Let us go through the Mines of Moria."

Gandalf was quiet for a long moment. He then looked to Frodo. "Let the Ring-bearer decide."

Frodo's face fell. "We cannot stay here!" Boromir said, looking at Frodo. "This will be the death of the Hobbits!"

"Frodo?"

Frodo looked at Gandalf before coming to a decision. "We will go through the mines."

Gandalf nodded, though a dark look crossed his face. "So be it."