~~* What if there was a 10th member of the fellowship? What if it was a girl? Half elf, half mortal man.. What would become of their fate? What would happen if she were to fall in love? How would some scenes be different? A collection of what if scenes involving a new character. Starting with Rivendell, and moving foreword. *~~

Part 1: Satin Petals

Gently, she touched the flower. Its petals soft agenst the tips of her milky white fingers. The drops of dew ran down the slim fingers and onto the tiny wrist, laced in white satin. She brought the white flower to her nose. The sweet smell encased her in a world of beauty. Her green eyes fluttered shut. The soft sounds of the night air, the warm gentle breezes that swept her long satin dress around her legs, all comforted her. She opened her eyes and leaned over a rail, looking at the whole of Rivendell. It was softly lighted, fireflies flitting in and out of the trees. One danced around her head, lighting up her blonde hair. She felt so clean, so warm, so safe, for the first time since they had left the Shire. Frodo had been asleep so long. She felt useless. Sam, Biblo and Gandalf had given task after another to keep her from sitting by his side. After the first night, she had given up. It was so strange to be here, among her people. Were they really her people? She was only half elf, having the facial features, height and ears of them, but her eyes were man’s. Could she really belong anywhere? Most of the elves had been friendly enough, letting her wonder by herself without hindrance. She was content to be with nature. It felt so good to feel a forest that was alive and unhurt, without the fear and pain that she had been facing. A tear fell from her face and splashed onto the white rail underneath her gloved hands. Her finger tips peeked out from holes in the fingertips of the gloves. The firefly flew around her face, then litted gently on her hand. She smiled raising the hand to her face, where she study the little creature. She closed her eyes and reached out with her mind and touched the firefly, it was happy and content, and a million other happy things. Warm thoughts flooded her mind. She was wrapped in her own reverie, which was broken by a hand on her sholder.

“I see you are still fascinated by this little one,” a strong voice whispered in her ear.

She turned to see him. His long blonde hair pulled behind his neck, his eyes studding her for a reaction. His strong hand had now found hers and engulfed it in warmth. She smiled, glad to she him.

“They only fascinate me because they are so happy. Something I have not felt from a forest in a long time,” she respond, leaning agents the rail.

“My Gwen, you have captured my eyes in a whole of two days and three nights. Ever since I saw you riding across the river with Frodo. When you defiantly looked toward the Riders and challenged them. ‘If you want him, come and claim him.’ You were not afraid. “

“Legolas, you were there?”

He smiled, elfishly,” I was watching from a tree. I wanted to help, I knew the ring bearer was coming, somehow I knew. When I saw you and what you did, I rushed back to tell Elrond to prepare.”

He put his arms on either side of her waist pulling her close,” How can you be so brave?”

“I guarded Frodo for years. Living in his house with him. I was to give my life for him. I had decided that many years ago, when Gandalf took me to meet him for the first time at Biblo’s famous party. He is my dearest friend, except for you of course, but I would glady give my life for him. I was scared ,though. It ran through me to leave him and flee for my life more then once. I too am tempted by the ring. Do not think me so great for I am not.”

Legolas let Gwen go,” He is awake, go see him for the council convenes once his strength has returned.”

Gwen smiled,” He is really awake, and well? I must see him.” With that she turned and ran toward the buildings her satin dress flowing behind her like white satin petals.

Legolas leaned on the rail as a firefly flitted around his head. “Do you think little one, that she will be the one to strengthen us all?”

Part 2: Beneath the Rocks

Gwen sat in the warmth of the sun. It shone brightly on the rocks. The others were milling around, relaxing and doing a dozen odd jobs. This might well be their last chance to just have fun. Aragon was teaching Merry and Pippin the fight. Frodo and Sam were content to watch and talk. Gandalf sat alone thinking and muttering to himself every now and then. She looked up at Legolas who was climbing on the nearest rocks. They had become so close, such quest can bring people together like that. She smiled at his boyish task of scaling the rock and closed her eyes. She laid down on the rock, letting the sun revive her tired body. A shadow crossed her body and Gwen opened her eyes. A bird, a lone one. She moved quickly to her feet, her eyes scanning the horizons around her.

“Spies! Take cover!,” her elven ears, heard Legolas shout, then jump from the rock he was climbing.

She heard them thousands of birds, his spies. She saw them coming in the distance so many, that is was like a blanket of darkness
agenst the sky. An Arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her down the under an outcropping. Gwen could hear the raged breathing of Legolas in her ear. Then the swaking, the screeching and it became dark, the birds clouded the sun. She turned and buried her face in his chest. His arms tightened around her waist pulling her closer.

“Its okay, My Gwen,” he said, as softly as a feather floating threw the wind.

She began to tremble. The birds must be looking everywhere, for they were not going away. Legolas took her face in his hand and made her look at him. Their eyes looked. His eyes told her soothing things as his hand around her waist drew slow circles on her back to comfort her. Then they heard, the flapping of wings, closer then before. The birds were right on top of them. Legolas pulled her closer, her forehead touching his. She closed her eyes as she felt the flutter of a wing agenst her leg. She opened her mouth about to whimper, but Legolas put his mouth to his just before she made a noise. The sound was lost agenst his lips. His arm pulled her closer as he continued to kiss her. Her free arm wrapped around him, holding on to him as if he were expected to just disappear. Then he pulled away, it was becoming quiet, the birds had given up. Legolas looked at Gwen, she was blushing looking back at him. He still held her tight to him, daring not the let her go until he was sure it was safe for her. Her hand reached up and touched his face, tracing his features. His eyes closed, her touch soothing. Her lips sought his out, finally finding them. Desperately she kissed him, leaving them both breathless and gasping for air. Legolas brushed a strand of her hair away from her face and moved to kiss her again, when they heard their names being called. Reluctantly, he let Gwen go and they crawled out of the hole together joining their bewildered companions in the sunlight.

Part 3: Comfort

She stood in horror watching the fiery monster run to the entrance to the bridge. Her heart stopped as she saw Gandalf stop, not
finishing the path to the otherside. Amid the howling and screeching wind that blew from the monster and the screams of Frodo, calling for Gandalf, she heard her voice, meagerly calling for her mentor, her friend, her surrogate father. She watched with tear streaked eyes as he raised his staff. The words he spoke were lost to her. The white light was blinding so she turned away, tears streaking her face. Legolas’s hand was gripping hers. Finally the light subsided and she turned back, relieved to see Gandalf, still standing on the bridge. She dropped Legolas’s hand and started to run to the bridge. Before she could near it, Legolas caught her by the waist. She struggled trying to get free, but she saw why he had caught her, the monster had knocked Gandalf off the bridge, he hung by his fingers. Frodo’s screams dominated the sounds that she heard. Aragon held him from running toward Gandalf. She saw him utter a few words to Frodo then he looked at her, then let go. Gwen found herself screaming his name louder then she had ever thought possible. Tears streamed, like a dam breaking, her body wracking with tremors. She found herself in Legolas’s arms being carried out into the open sunlight. The light stung her, ripping open her heart. Legolas went to his knees, gently bringing her closer to him. She pounded her fist agenst him.

“You should have let me go! I could have saved him!!,” Gwen beat harder agenst him. “I COULD HAVE SAVED HIM!!”

Legolas did not speak but just simply held her close. He stroked her hair, rubbed her back, and kissed her head, all in vain effort to calm her, help her, do anything to relieve the pain he saw in her eyes. Gwen looked up at him. It was raw pain that was reflected in her green depths. Tears entered his own eyes. What he would not give to relieve her, to take the pain for her. He held her rocking her back and forth, till the storm subsided and she was fast asleep in his arms, passed out from the emotion. Aragon had already made the command to move. Legolas stood up, Gwen still asleep in his arms. He followed Aragon, still stroking the girl in his arms.

Part 4: As Rain Returns to Heaven

The orcs were all around. Gwen ran, as fast as her legs and dress would allow. Her eyes searching out Frodo. The necklace around her neck beat agenst her chest but the pain was nothing. She could make out the howls of the orcs, some now dieing. *Please, Legolas, buy me enough time to find him.* She saw him, making for the boats. Gwen tripped, tumbling the rest of the way to the boats. She was caught by two strong arms, Legolas. He did not speak but kissed her gently as thought he knew her mind. Gwen could not tear her eyes away from his, this was it. This was the last time she was to feel his touch. Her heart ached anew. Quickly she fumbled with the chain around her neck. She placed the sliver trinket in his hand. Legolas looked at her, tears in his eyes. Are you sure, asked his eyes. Yes, she answered closing his hand around her necklace.

“As the rain returns to heaven, so will my heart return to yours,” Gwen whispered, tears flooding her eyes.

“My Gwen,” was all Legolas could say.

She hugged him, kissed his lips one last time, then turned and left his side. She ran to Frodo just as she had done at Rivendell, her dress flowing behind her as flower petals. Legolas lifter his bow and shot, hitting an orc about to jump her.

“You will not hurt her. Not until my dieing breath has left me.” He ran, ready to fight, to fight and give Gwen the time to escape with
Frodo.

Gwen sat in the boat watching the shore grow smaller. The ring on her finger, was cold, the air chilled it. The jewel in the shape of an arrow head. He must have slipped it on her without her knowing. A tears fell from her eyes and landed on her gloved hands.

Legolas watched as the boat disappeared. Heartbroken that he could not go after her. The necklace around his neck was cool on his chest. His heart ached, tears formed in his eyes, he never thought he would lose her. He took two arrows from his quiver and shot them into the air over the river. They sailed so far then dropped into the water together sending ripples into the farthest corners of the river.

Book II

Part 1: Jealous Fears

Frodo wrapped his cloak closer to his body. It was a very cold night and restlessness seemed to be his only friend at the moment. Sam was fiddling with his pack and Gwen was off exploring the surrounding area, deciding where they should move next. Frodo moved to where they had set sticks for a fire which Gwen now forbid them to burn. He bent over them quickly and when he came up a flame sprang to life.

“Master,” Sam said looking up. “Gwen said not to light a fire.”

“I don’t care what Gwen said. She may travel to Mount Doom herself and throw herself in for all I care at this moment.”

“Surely you do not mean that,” Sam asked, wide-eyed and now moving to sit by the fire.

“I do. Ever since the birds came she has not been them same. It is ‘Legolas, Legolas, Legolas.’ She has no time for the quest or
protecting me. Why did she come with us, she should have stayed with her precious Legolas,” Frodo stated, sitting next to the fire.

“Should I have not come, Master Frodo. It was never my intent to hinder your quest, but if I am such a heavy burden then I will find Arogorn and the others and help them on their quest, for sitting idly agenst this foe is not my ways,” Gwen said, softly coming into the fire’s warm glow.

Frodo looked down in shame. He could not bear to look at his friend. Instantly he knew he had hurt her deeply as well as insulted a man who had saved his life more times then he cared to count. “I was foolish to say that, I am sorry.”

Gwen sat by him, her thigh touching his,” This fire is very welcome. Thank you for lighting it.”

Frodo looked up at her, wonder in his eyes.

“I suppose I should have told you more, Frodo. I should have let you in on chanings of my heart but instead, I was selfish and foolish. I was selfish to think that my time was to be his only. I was blind to see the quest at hand and I neglected my duty to you and for that I give my deepest apology.”

Tears started to well in her eyes, it was becoming hard for her to even look at the fire. “For I do not believe I will ever seen him again.” Her hands fell to the bow at her side. “He give me this bow before we left Lorien. He said...

~~~
Legolas touched Gwen’s face gently,” I do not think we shall ever have time alone again. I was given this and now I pass it to you.” He lifted a bow from his pack and placed it in her hands. “As long as our love is true the bow will fire and its aim will be true, once the love is gone the magic will no longer belong to us” His hands covered hers on the bow. “When I am not there to protect you atleast I know my love will be.”

Tears sparkled on the edge of her eyes,” This is the best gift I have ever recieved. I will carry it close to my heart always.” She pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed him gently, thanking him with her actions.

~~~

Frodo looked at Gwen, tears were glimmering down her face. “I will never see him again. I knew that as soon as the boat left the shore. It has been days. I have felt nothing or seen anything. My hope is gone. He is gone.” She looked up at the stars,” I was told that every Elf had thier story in the sky. The one lone star by herself, fading as fast as my hope.” Gwen turned her face to look at Sam,” I will have first watch tonight both of you sleep for we are starting early tomorrow. “

Part 2:

Gwen picked at the fire with her stick. She was sure that they would be found, but somehow she did not have the heart
to put out the fire for the shivering hobbits. She pulled her cloak closer to her body. Tears formed in her eyes. Her heart
heavy in her chest,"I will never see him again."

"Gwen, please, just stop toturing yourself."

She looked up and saw Frodo sitting on the log she was resting on," Please, Gwen my heart cannot take you doing this.
You mean too much to me to let my eyes see you go on hurting, without hurting of my own."

Gwen looked up at Frodo, her eyes meeting his," Thank you."

Gwen layed her head on Frodo's sholder. His seat on the log above her gave him just the right heigth. He straoked her
hair through his fingers as he began to tell her the stories Bilbo had told him time and time again. The words soothed
Gwen. It had been a long time since they had spent time together. Long nights beside the fire at Bag End, talking,
laughing and singing were long gone. Gwen had found another man to share her thoughts with, but now, that was in
the past too. Frodo cup his hand under her chin and looked her in the eyes.

"Gwen, I wish I could see you happy again, for nothing gives me more joy,' he wishpered stroking her face.
"Thank you, Frodo."
He then leaned in and kissed her lips softly. Disreguarding the fact that her heart was days away with an elf. She kissed
back, almost automaticaly feeling as though she was walking in a dream. He pulled away from her and leaned his
forehead to hers.

He stroaked her face,"My Gwen, how I.."

Gwen jerked up," I'm sorry Frodo, I...." She ran... she left the fire and the confused hobbit far behind her. She ran deep
in the woods, never looking back. She stopped, her lungs burned, she sank to the ground, trying to catch her breath.

Her caught a black blur, then the lumbering and sreeching sounds of the orcs. She moved her hand to her back and
pulled out the bow and an arrow from the quiver. She aimed quickly and shot, it missed, just bearly. Her breath stopped.
It missed, the abow was never supposed to miss. What did this mean. Does he not love me any more. Her mind ran with
questions. She got another arrow and shot again, it missed even worse this time. Gwen was shaking, she could bearly
get the arrow in place. SHhe brought the bow up to her face to aim, and felt herself being lifted by two hariy arms. The
stench of orcs was all around her. A sharp pain entered her head and the world went black.