(Author: Krissy)

She sat, scared, shocked, and relieved. She felt guilty yet, she did not. Leila could bearly look into Legolas's eyes or look at Jairah. Was this her fault? Had she changed the fate of what was once the fellowship.  She put her face in her hands. What was she to do now? Tears fell from her eyes, splashing onto the hard packed blood stained dirt. Frustration, entered her, then regret. Leila wished that she had never come, that she had stayed in her own world far away from this one.

Boromir sat by her, "Leila, this is not your fault. You could have never known." He looked at her and noticed the tears on her face. "Do not cry." He wiped the tears from her eyes gently.

She did not move, she could not. She felt guilt that the one she loved was here and was well not dieing. She remebered Frodo's words, "Do not take what you have for granted." She saw the pain in his eyes as he talked of his lost love. She never wanted that pain, but more she never wanted to cause it to anyone else.

"Leila, please say something. Please, tell me you are ok," Boromir pleaded, cupping her face in his hands, making her look at him.

She was lost in his eyes, his touch and love she felt for him and she saw reflected in his depths. "Boromir." That was all she could muster to say. He let go of her face and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Leila could not help herself, she melted into his embrace and started to cry, She began to cry tears for Legolas for Jairah, for Frodo, for the one he lost and she cried for herself. Boromir held her close stroking her hair gently.

"Its okay, Leila. Its ok," that was the only thing that he could say to her.

At that moment Gimili ran up to them," Argorn has thought of a way to heal Jairah."

"We will be there in a few minutes, give us time," Boromir, replied never looking up at the drawf.

Gimili backed out of the clearing as quietly as he came. "As long as I have you, Leila I can face anything I have to. I now know why Frodo took the ring and was so determined to destroy it. He will do anything for Gwen, for the one he loves more then life and happiness. She knew it too, thats why she saved him. Leila we can do anything together. I love you and you love me. I can face any storm any pain, any trouble with you by my side and simply knowing that you love me."

Leila could bearly speak, "I love you too."

(Author: Lyn)

“I love you too,” Leila had said.

She was lost to this man whose arms surrounded her, the world could fall to ashes and it wouldn’t matter. They were together. Confused and anguished-but together. Troubled thoughts soon overcame Leila as she remembered the pressing matter at hand. She felt so selfish to be concerned with herself when anothers life was at stake-- at a fault of hers. The last of the tears trickled down her cheek and she reluctantly pulled herself from the warm embrace of Boromir.
“You are right Leila, we must go see what is to become of Jairah…”

They walked hastily towards the ring of trees surrounding the remaining fellowship. Leila gasped at the sight lain before their eyes. Jairah’s bleeding had stopped a lengthy amount of time ago, yet the scarlet grass was newly stained. Legolas was knelt beside the wounded elf, speaking softly to her, even as her eyes were half closed in pain. The poison was spreading up from her stomach . There were millions of tiny scratches lining her throat, causing her to caugh blood at random times, and her wan skin was sickly pale. At the sound of Leila’s gasp, Legolas turned from his crouched position and moved his eyes from the placid body of his love, to Leila’s shocked expression. His sapphire orbs bore into her soul, and she nearly broke under the intense stare. A stare of accusation…

“No…” she began. Didn’t they know it wasn’t her fault? She never asked to be thrown in the middle of a book, to be given the burden of deciding fates. Her eyes welled up yet again, she turned quickly to avoid awkward glances, as two heavy droplets splashed against her shoes. She pivoted and walked away through the dense wilderness, yet another moan from Jairah ringing through her ears, and the pleas of Boromir for her to come back. Yet he did not come after her. Leila felt more alone than ever, she was a danger to anyone and everyone, and she was more lost than all of them put together. She plodded wearily back to the river banks, and stepped in one of the elven  canoes. She picked up a slender oar, and with swift movements as though she  had been rowing for ages, set across the river.

Not more than a yard off the river bank, she heard a small voice from behind her.

“Excuse me, but where exactly are you taking me?”
She turned around bewildered, to find a small hobbit in the seat behind her,  twisting the golden ring off his finger. Leila opened her mouth to reply,  but was interrupted by a crash from the woods.

“Master Frodo, where are you going! I bid you wait for me!” came Sam Gamgee's  insistent cries.

(Author: Sabrin)

"Leila!" Boromir cried in desperation, watching as the golden-haired girl ran blindly through the trees.

Yet he did not follow. A nagging presence in his held him back from his love. A moan of pain filled the cold air, and all attention was turned to Jariah.

"Will she be alright?" Gimli asked, biting his lower lip in concern, "Will she…"

"She will not die Master Dwarf," Legolas snapped, losing his temper for the first time, "She would not have been in this situation if it weren't for Leila."

"Why do you say that?" Boromir raged, turning on the elf, "This was a random act of fate! It could have very well happened to you Legolas."

"Did you not know of your original fate?" Legolas retorted, his voice growing cold and flat, "You were supposed to die Boromir; perish at the hand of an urkai-hai. You should have fallen with three arrows, yet you didn't. Jairah paid that price so that you, man of Gondor, could keep breathing!"

Rage filled the peaceful blue eyes of the elf, and he glared accusingly at Boromir. Boromir's gaze did not waver, keeping the challenge in his eyes clear.

"Stop this quarreling at once!" Aragorn scolded, looking at the two, "Son of Thranduil, have you no common sense? And Boromir, what would Gondor say of this?"

"Lego…las…"

The thin voice of Jairah broke the conversation, and Legolas became oblivious to everything except his love.

"Do not talk my love," Legolas whispered soothingly, "I am here."

"The girl… Leila…" Jairah struggled, heeding not Legolas's plead, "Do not blame her…my love. This was my own…decision…"

Jairah moaned, blood seeping from reopened wounds and she settled into the comfort and strength of the elven prince. Legolas's shoulders hunched, his blonde hair draping around him like a veil.

"We must return her to Lothlorien, or she will face certain death," Aragorn grimaced, looking sorrowfully at the two elves, "The choice is yours Legolas, Jairah. Which path will you brave?

* * * * *

Night fell, casting her fingers through the trees of Emyn Muil. Leila watched silently as the two hobbits ate no fire lit in fear of spies. Frodo looked blankly at the ground, memories of Gwen fresh on his mind. Sam looked worriedly at his master, not knowing what to do. Leila looked in the direction of the river, Legolas's eyes still seeming to bore into her.

"Do you mean to come to Mordor Mistress Leila?" Sam finally asked, causing Leila and Frodo to look at the stout hobbit.

"I guess so," Leila said uncertainly, "I do not care much at the moment though."

"That, dear lady, is what will surely bring your death," a voice said from the shadows of a tree.

The three companions immediately sprang up, Frodo and Sam's hands flying to their belts.

"If I had wished to kill you I would have hours ago halfings," the voice drawled, hinted with amusement.

A figure clad in grey garb of a soldier stepped from the trees, their long face sporting an amused smile. It was an elf, easily recognizable with the blonde hair and white skin. A bow and quiver jutted from the elf's back, yet they held a thick wooden pole.

"Who are you?!" Sam demanded, stepping protectively in front of Frodo.

"I am no foe," the stranger smiled, "Yet I am no friend for I do not know you."

"You didn't answer the question," Leila pointed out, earning a sharp glare from the storm grey eyes of the elf, "You are an elf, right?"

"Yes," the elf smiled, "And no."

"You speak in riddles and avoid answers," Frodo observed thoughtfully, "Much like Gandalf, and Aragorn."

"Mithrandir?" the elf cocked their head in surprise, "You know of him?"

"He was a friend," Frodo said quietly.

"He was friend of my people," the elf nodded in agreement, "Pray tell me, where is he?"

Frodo turned his head away, tears bulging in his eyes. Sam looked at the ground in silence, leaving Leila to answer.

"He fell in the Mines of Moria," Leila said, not bearing to look into the eyes of the elf.

Th elf bowed their head in reverence, no emotion clear on their face, "He was a good man, kind at heart and strong at soul."

"Any friend of Gandalf's is a friend of mine," Frodo said slowly, looking at the elf, "Do you care to join us for a late supper?"

The elf smiled at the hobbit, "Your offer is kind, and I shall accept. You need not give up your supplies as I carry my own. My name is Siendar, son of Kular."

"I am Frodo, son of Drogo," Frodo nodded, "This is Sam and Leila."

Sam did not say anything, glancing suspiciously at the elf. Leila did not have the heart to say anything.

"You are troubled," Siendar observed, "Darkness hangs like clouds in the sky. One is carrying an evil burden, one is dark at heart, and one is worried about another."

Leila looked at the elf in surprise, "How did you know that?"

"Consider it an elven gift," Siendar shrugged, "My race is sensitive to darkness and evil. Your eyes give clues too."

Frodo smiled slightly, and offered the elf a stone to sit on.

"What did you mean you are an elf, yet you are not an elf?" Sam asked, sitting behind Frodo.

Siendar smiled, "My race are of elves, yet I am an outcast. I chose exhile over death."

"What do you mean?" Frodo frowned, tiring of the riddles.

"Long ago, when our race was just starting life, Mordor sent a spy to look in on our secret; the making of elvish blades. I do not know why he chose us, but I was the only one that recognized the spy. I tried to tell my queen, but she refused the notion that an elf would work for Mordor.

During a feast, the smiths brought out the first of the elvish blades and was asked to explain how they were made. The spy would have gotten our secret, if it weren't for my arrow.

I was given the choice of death or exile forever from a trial, for my people still did not believe the Mordor elf to be a spy. I chose exile, as I knew that I had done the right thing. They still don't believe me. Now I wander Middle-Earth, determined to take out Mordor one day, or watch that dark land fall."

Siendar scowled, remembering some past event. He shook the scowl off and looked at the trio, "Now were would you three be going?"

"To Mordor," Sam said, looking at Siendar, still not trusting him.

"Mordor?" Siendar asked, jumping up, "I am coming with you."

The three looked at the elf with strange look.

"Are you sure?" Leila asked, "It will be hard and long."

The elf only smiled, tracing his finger around a knife in his belt, "Believe me, it will be my pleasure."

(Author: Alasia)

    Leila stared off into the darkness, her heart screaming in pain and confusion. The Emyn Muil was black with dark and she somehow felt that it matched the feeling she had in her heart. A strange sense of foreboding had filled her not long after Siendar had appeared. What of Jairah? Would she live? Was it truly her selfishness that caused the female elf to become wounded? The answer to these questions would not come to her, she wasn't really sure if she wanted to know the answers.
"Your heart crys for someone and yet you run from him."
Her head snapped up and she watched as Siendar sat down next to her, "Aye. I do not know if what has happened is my fault or not... I changed the story. It's all my fault."
"Story? You make no sense Lady Leila," Siendar said.
She closed her eyes, "I cannot make sense of what I do not know. I can tell you though, that I am here by accident."
"Accident?"
"I don't belong in this world - Or in mine. I thought that I may have found a place where I could stay and love and be loved," she sighed, "But I have caused so much pain."
Siendar remained silent fro a moment, then spoke, "What has happened is not your fault Leila Morgan of Scotland. You were brought to this world for a reason, how do you know if it was to save your beloved or something more? Jairah made the decision to help you. She knew that if she did she would be changing the course fo fate, and she helped you anyway. She could have just let Boromir, son of Denethor die, but she sensed the love you have for him, for it radiates from your very soul, and he returns those feelings, but is torn between the mission and how his heart longs for you."
"How do you know this," she asked in surprise.
"Ah, I am not ordinary," Siendar said, "Do you know how to use a sword, daughter of another world?"
"Yes," she said, confused, "Boromir taught me how to use one. Why?"
Siendar held a shape up in the darkness and placed it in her hands. It was a sword, a long thin sword, slightly like a katana, only double edged, "What-"
"This sword os known as Hope in the common tounge. It is the only one of its kind and it will protect you well," the elf said.
"I don't understand," she said.
"Take your things and head for the Fangorn forest, track down the Ent called Treebeard. With him you will wait until you lover comes into Rohan, and then you will go to him," Seindar spoke, "Follow your heart Leila. Jairah will live, she is strong."
"I do not know the way."
The elf stood and handed her her pack, pulled her up and pushed her westward, "Go west until you exit the Emyn Muil, from there go west by north, do not stray your course. Follow the burnt path and it will lead you."
"Burnt path?"
"You will see," he answered and then pushed her in the right direction.

*****

    This really sucked. Or, that's how Leila felt about all of this. She had been wlking through the Emyn Muil for three days, and she was positive she had veered off course at lest four different times. What she wouldn't give for a compass. For all she could see there was no 'burnt path'. There was nothing but bits of green over jagged rocks. She sighed as she reached the top of a hill and sat down on one of the less-sharp rocks and placed her head in a hand. Why had she followed Siendar's advice? Was it because he was an elf? Was it because he had known so much? She really didn't know.
    She looked up at the clear blue sky for a moment before turning back to the west. Her only notion of it being west was because the sun was setting. She sighed once more and scanned the landscape, her eyes brushing over blackened land and moving on. Wait! Blackened land? The burnt path! She had found it! She stood and grabbed her pack before charging down the hill to the wide strech of destroyed earth. She stoped and looked around at the decimation of the little bits of grass around her. This was not a narturally created path. This was Orc made.

(author : Jennzah)

As Leila stood staring at the path, the rest of the Company, including Boromir, were on their way towards Helms Deep. Jairah had refused to let them abandon Pippin and Merry, saying that she would be able to endure long enough. Legolas had pleaded with her, saying that she should go back to Lothlorien and get healed. She argued, saying that they had come from Lothlorien by boat, and would not be able to get back there in time. Her eyes were ever on the mission, and this pained Legolas greatly, for she had chosen death, it seemed.

So far, the poison had only weakened her body, and kept her wounds from healing. She seemed in great pain, yet the warrior in her refused to quit. She walked on her own for the first day, after the wound had been bound up. Her skin was dark where the poison was running through her, and she still coughed blood from time to time, but she went ever onward. It was not till the second day that the poison hit her legs and she became unable to walk, that the Company stopped and Aragorn and Legolas debated over the fate of her again.

"My friend, you know she will die, if she does not recieve the cure for such a poison. the only oft known place for this cure is Lothlorien, which you are now several days from. If we go forwards, we have no hope of such a cure. She will die."

Legolas looked past Aragorn to where Jairah lay on the ground, watched over by Gimli. She had gone into some sort of temporary trancelike state, and she was mumbling to herself in Elvish.

"My heart is sorely pained," Legolas said. "I know that she will die. I cannot tell you what this feels like, only that it seems like all the hope in the world has been drowned out, that my heart will cease to beat if hers does. She refuses to go to Lothlorien, she knows that we will not make it."

"She has the heart and spirit of a true princess, Legolas. and a warrior at that. She fought bravely, she always has. It will sadden me to see her go."

They looked again at her, still muttering to herself in Elvish. Gimli looked at her, then at them. "What is she saying?" he asked.

Legolas furrowed his brow, he didn't think she was saying anything. But as he went back to her side, and took her hands in his, he listened to her speaking, and caught the word "Gandalf."

"She is speaking about Gandalf!" he said. "She must be having a fever dream." He stroked her hair, and the Company settled in for the night.

Sometime in the night, while Gimli was on watch, he looked up to the sky and saw something large flying overhead. They had hidden themselves fairly well, so he did not think that the flying thing, whether it just be a falcon or an instrument of the Dark Lord, could see them. He went to sleep as Aragorn took watch.

Jairah opened her eyes, and heard her name being called, from the thick of the forest. Surprisingly, she would herself out of Legolas' arms and got to her unsteady feet. Sleepily, magickally, she was being called into the trees. She left so silently that Aragorn did not hear her.

She was only half awake, the poison had started to take her mind. Soon she was floating over the ground, just the tips of her feet dragging. She could see light up ahead, bright, blinding light, and she was being pulled towards it. "Jairah...." it called again.

She reached the light and she could see nothing but whiteness. She heard a voice, speaking to her in the common tongue, a familiar voice...... and then she lost all conciousness.

  ******

When Legolas came to his senses, it was morning. Gimli had fallen asleep on watch, it seemed, but nothing foul seemed around. Except that when he looked next to him, Jairah was not there. He was on his feet in a second.

"Gimli! Aragorn! Boromir!" he called frantically. They each awoke in turn, and looked at the elf as he circled their camp area in a panic.

"Where is she? Did you see her leave? WHERE IS SHE?" Legolas turned round and looked at them.

Aragorn sat sadly on the ground. "She is gone..." he said quietly. "She passed into the shadow realm, and she left.." he made a small gesture, kissing his hand and moving it in front of his face.

Legolas could not speak, nor move. He closed his eyes and felt his heart shrink in his chest, but tears did not come. for some reason he did not believe that she was gone, he would not believe it. He could still hear her voice in his head, calling for him, during good times back at home. "Legolas....." she would call, and he would hear it in his mind. He could swear he heard it now.

And then he did hear it. Everyone heard it. "Legolas..!" she called, from somewhere in the forest. They heard the hoofbeats of a horse and all of a sudden, a lovely white horse burst into the camp area, with Jairah on its back. It skidded to a stop, and she leapt from its back in a flurry of blonde hair.

"My friends!" she said cheerily. "Good morning!" She stood next to the horse, and whispered to it in Elvish, and it took off back to the direction it came, very fast.

Nobody spoke for a few seconds. Then Legolas rushed forward and caught Jairah up in his arms.

"My love," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "I thought you had left me..." he embraced her tightly. She hugged him back and laughed merrily. He looked at her, tears coming into his eyes. She looked perfectly healthy, all the poison gone from her body. "But how?" he whispered.

She leaned into him, and looked at him square in the eyes. "A friend of ours. He knew what to do. He knew that i could not even die without you, Legolas. He knew that my life is to go on for much longer than this. And he saw to it that i was healed." She kissed Legolas softly for a few seconds then broke away from him to address the rest of the Company, who stood in silence, gaping at her.

"Don't look so shocked, my friends! For i have joyous news!" She walked around to each one in turn, kissing them on the cheek.

Her eyes twinkled. "Gandalf the Wizard has returned!" She announced, as she went back to Legolas, and smiled at him. "Come! He is in Helms Deep. We are to go there."

She took Legolas by the hand, and gave another look to the two men and the Dwarf, "Come, it is a long journey yet, without the lovely horse."

They all gathered up their things and followed her. Questions burned in their minds, and they longed for answers. And they would recieve them, once they reached Helms Deep.

(Author: Krissy)

Leila shivered, though it was not cold. Orc made. How was she ever to make it through this land alone. She touched the sword at her side, it gave her some assurance. She took a deep breath and walked forward, her eyes scaning everywhere, wanting to know what was coming before they knew she was there. She traveled for what seemed like hours down the endless path. Nothing moved, nothing stirred, not even the wind dared to make noise. Leila's heart pounded. She could feel something, there was something around.

She stopped, looked around. She held her breathe, scared. She had never been this scared before. All the other times, Boromir had been there to protect her, and now, well that was in the past. After a few more minutes of looking around, Leila felt safe enough to move. She started walk again, a bit faster pace this time, then she heard it, a rustle in the dying ground. She did not stop this she kept going, breaking into a run, trying tog et away from whatever it was. SHe ran untill her legs could carry her no farther.

Leila stopped, still scared but unable to run anymore. The next she knew, she was on the ground, a body was covering her. It reaked, it smelled of death and blood. Leila could bearly hold back the vile in her throat. Then she heard it, the low rumbling, the snarls, the groans, the moans, orcs. The body on top of her did not move, for the longest time, even after the orcs had gone. Finally the body moved and rolled off of Leila. She sat up coughing and trembling, scared, relieved and a million other things to. Leila looked up to see who her savoir was, it a was a woman. She no more then a foot taller then the hobbits. She looked elven, but human at the same time. She was thin, but dirty. Her hair, Leila would even guess the color because of all the dirt, but it was atleast waist length, but it had ben cut and torn in many places, leaving her with uneven strands. Her dress was green, stained with blood, dirt, and other things that she did not know. It was ripped and torn. The elf...human..held two swords, by her side.

"Thank... Thank you for saving me," Leila said, struggling to get up.

The woman turned to face her," Why are you here? No on takes this road, not a girl like you, not alone."

"I wasn't alone for the longest time I was with Boromir and..." Leila suddenly realized her mistake, could she trust this stranger. She covered her mouth with her hands.

The woman lept at her, pushed her to the ground and put the edge of her sword to Leila's neck. "Boromir you say. What have you to do with the fellowship. Where are they? Where is Boromir? Why have they strayed so far from their course?"

The cold steel pressed closer to her neck," I... they..split...Frodo..he.."

The woman pressed the sword even closer," What about Frodo, tell me know or so help me I will slit your throat. You do not throw the ringbearers name around." Her eyes narrowed, but you could she a deep caring for the one she spoke of, behind the clouds of anger.

"He went with Sam to Mount Doom. The fellowship split, but he is safe," the words could not come out fast enough.

The woman gave her one last look then stood up, putting her swords away, turning to look into the distance.

Leila studdied her, rubbing her neck," Gwen, he is lost without you. You must return to him."

The woman turned around," I can not return, for if I do then he will not detroy the ring, that is why I left him to begin with."

Leila stood up," So you are Gwen. Wait, you left, Frodo said you were captured."

"That is true and untrue all at once. I left, knowing he would not have the drive to destroy the ring on his own. I thought if he knew I had been captured or atleast thought it, he would destroy the ring. My faith in his love for me is great, greater then my faith in him was." A tear entered her eyes, rolling down her face, leaving a clean streak. "I was captured, not long after I left. I was taken to Isengard (sp?) and used to breed those monsters. Once they were done with me they dumped me into the woods, they thought I was too weak to do anything, but they were wrong. I found my way here, hoping to meet the fellowship and watch them from afar, guard, him from afar."

Leila put a hand on Gwen's sholder," I too left the one I loved behind, but I am going foreward to meet him. Why don't you go to meet Frodo, he could not have gotten very far."

"No I chose my path. Now it is set. I will see Frodo when everything is over with. My lack of faith in my love, has chosen my fate for me. Not if you insist on going down this path, you will need a guide, a friend, a protector, and I offer my two swords and my life to protect you. "

Leila smiled," I would be honnored if you would go with me. It will be nice to have a friend to walk with, going alone is such a terrible thing."

Gwen smiled," Back, yes it is a terrible thing."

(Author: Alasia)

As Leila and Gwen set off in search of Treebeard, the rest of the Fellowship was moving to Helm's Deep, where a battle waited to take place. Tension filled the air as the followed Jairah, none of them knowing what to expect. Jairah had explained about her healing, and then all had fallen silent, leaving each of them to thier own thoughts.

Jairah had told them that Merry and Pippin were safe, and they had no reason not to belive her, but it all seemed surreal somehow. Boromir walked mechanically in front of Aragorn, who could sense his distractedness. His thoughtd were not on what they were doing or where they were going, but on the one being that held his heart and soul in the palm of her hand.

Was Leila alright? Was she hurt? Was she lying in a ditch somewhere dying? His worries were normal, and he had begun to regret not going  after her. He did not no where she was, or the state of her well-being, and this upset him. Was she hurt that he did not go after her? So many questions filled his mind, and he could not answer them.'Leila,' he thought, 'Where are you? Do you know how much I miss you?'

*****

Leila's eyes filled with tears suddenly as she thought she heard Boromir's voice on the wind:

'Leila... Where are you? Do you know how much I miss you?'

It was almost as if he was thinking these words. She bowed her head silently, hoping the tears she cried would go unheeded by her new friend. Gwen walked in front of her, watching their surroundings closely.
"Boromir..." It was a whisper, barely audible above the wind, but Gwen heard it. She looked back at her friend and saw the tears she cried, and she came confused as to why Leila cried these tears. She dropped back to walk next to the strange woman, "Are you all right?"
Leila looked up, "Yes.. and no. I don't know... My heart cries, and yet I know where I must go."
"You wish to see someone?"
"Yes," Leila's voice was soft, "I miss him so much. I ran from them because I was scared. Legolas was looking at me like all of this was my fault, and I had begun to belive him, so I ran. Boromir called after me, but he didn't give chase, I know that he has a duty to the Fellowship... But it hurts."
Gwen wrapped an arm around the other woman's shoulders, "It will all turn out right in the end. I know it. We just have to be strong."
Leila smiled at her, "Thank you."

Gwen's answer died in her throat as something stepped into the path before them. It was... And Ent? She stared openly at it and Leila's jaw hung open. The Ent grinned - well, as much as an Ent can, "I have heard the forest say you seek me. I an Treebeard."
Leila's mouth opened and closed for a moment before she spoke, "I was sent to seek you out - Seindar said you could help me get back to the Fellowship..."
Treebeard laughed, "Siendar? As, yes, the elf always did love to help people. We Ents are headed to Helm's deep to drop off two of your Hobbit friends before we go to Isengard. You are welcome to join us."
"Thank you!!"

*****

The reuniting of Leila, Merry and Pippin was a happy one. The two Hobbits hugged her and she cried once more - only this time in happiness. THey walked together after reuniting with Gwen and the four talked, and caught up with the events that had passed since they had last seen each other. Gwen was filled in on the events of the Fellowship after her departure, and was sad to hear of Gandalf's fall, but she knew that Gandalf would appear, and she told them this, lifting their spirits even higher.

The days came and went with each sunset and sunrise and soon, the four friends stood looking out over Helm's Deep. Were their friends down there? Could they get there in time to help in any way whatsoever? They did not know this, but moved down the slope carefully, for the hope they harbored kept them going.

(Author : Jennzah)

the elves, the dwarf, and the two men made their way ever closer to Helms Deep. They stopped for the night, and Aragorn thought they would reach their destination by the next afternoon. They all sat round the fire, quietly. It had been too quiet since Jairah had told them that they must go to  Helms Deep. She was the only one, outside of Legolas, who was light of heart.

Aragorn looked at the girl-elf in amazement. Just  a day before she'd been on her deathbed, and now she was so full of life, it seemed that her skin glowed. But then again, he reminded himself, elves are made of different stuff than men are. He knew this well, for his own beloved was an Elf. He thought of Arwen, so far away in Rivendell, and fingered the necklace around his throat. He said a silent prayer in the hopes of evil dying out soon, that he might return to Rivendell and live happily.

Boromir sat next to him, his mind toiling over Leila. He could not quell the thoughts he'd had before, he worried for her safety. Was she on her way to Mordor? He hoped that something had turned her back, anything.

Gimli was sleeping. The elves had laughed at him, as he fell right asleep. His poor short legs had carried him far, and though he was stout and sturdy, he was still tired.

As for the elves, they sat whispering to eachother in their language, their gazes locked on eachother. Legolas wanted to know about Gandalf, about what he had done to heal Jairah. He felt in his debt.

"How did he know, Jairah? We all thought he'd fallen in Moria." He looked at her intently.

"There is more to Gandalf, it seems, than we knew." She replied, smiling. "He did indeed fall at Moria. But the Balrog did not get him. He is stronger. He is immortal. How happy Frodo will be when he finds this out."

Legolas reached out and played with a strand of Jairah's fair hair. "How did he know you were dying?"

"I do not know." She said, the smile fading from her face. "Gandalf is a very powerful wizard. When i heard his voice calling to me, i was half dead, i believe. The poison had begun to take my mind. It was not me who lifted myself up off the ground, nor was it me who walked to the blinding light that i saw. It was Gandalf, guiding me. I believe that he had been following us, magically, ever since we left Lothlorien."

"And how did he heal you? What did he do?" Legolas asked.

"That I could not tell you, my love. When i came to myself, Gandalf was standing over me, smiling. And i was as shocked as anything to see him. And he told me not to ask questions. He told me that Merry and Pippin were alright, and were on their way to Helm's Deep, guided by an Ent. I do not know how they escaped the grasp of Saruman's army. He said for me to take the horse, and ride as fast as i could back to where the Fellowship was. And hence, lead you to Helms Deep. He is waiting for us there, i suppose. From there, i could not tell you the plan. Gandalf will advise us."

She smiled at him again, and then they both were quiet. They could sense the fear and toil in the others.

Meanwhile, over on the other side of Helms Deep, Merry and Pippin had just finished telling Leila about the Orcs. She shuddered. But all was well, they were fine and they were on their way to see Gandalf.

She told them of Jairah, and how she was poisoned and dying when last she saw her, when she departed to go with Frodo and Sam over to Mordor.

"But the Elf Siendar, he said she would live, because she is strong. But i do not know what to think. If they could not find a cure for the poison, she must surely be dead by now." Leila dropped her head in defeat. Her feelings of missing Boromir were also coming into the light as well.

They were all silent for a moment, thinking of the warrior elf who'd fought so bravely, when Treebeard cut in.

"No use crying over the fallen unless you know if they've fallen or not! Keep heart, she may well be alive!"

So the hobbits, and Leila and Treebeard all took rest, waiting for the next day when they would reach Helm's Deep.