After repeating the routine from yesterday morning, Rowan set out to snoop around Rivendell and spy on the Council of Elrond. She searched for an area resembling the open pavilion used for the meeting in the movie, but couldn't find anything similar. That meant they were indoors somewhere—locked doors made it much harder to eavesdrop.

With irritation, she turned for the library she had seen, planning on reading up on Middle-earth and learn its maps. As she headed for the building, Merry and Pippin called out to her from a window in a house. She found those two hobbits inside; Sam had disappeared, and they assumed he tried to sneak into the closed Council.

The room had books and maps she could read, so she stayed. As she read, they played marbles or laughed and shared jokes and tales. The hobbits were hilarious: when one would start a story, the other would interrupt with corrections. They would argue about who was right, and each constantly reminded the other about a prank they had pulled on someone in the Shire.

Pippin eventually asked her about where she came from. Rowan had studied the maps enough to come up with a believable lie: she used to live in a small village in Gondor near Minas Tirith—she couldn't remember the name. Orcs attacked when she was young and burned the village. She and her mother moved south and met Aragorn in Archet. It had enough facts to where the hobbits didn't question her. Her lies worked, but now she had to remember them exactly when someone else asked.

Rowan had sat with the hobbits for hours when Frodo and Sam finally appeared. They briefly went over the discussions and it disappointed Pippin—especially—that Sam hadn't been thrown in shackles when caught eavesdropping.

Pippin threw his hands up. "Rewarded! Rewarded with going with Frodo on this quest instead of being punished!"

"I don't think that is a reward, Pippin," Frodo said. "We're going to Mordor."

"But what about us?" Merry asked. "We want to go on this adventure too! We've come this far!"

"You may yet; nothing is decided!" Gandalf suddenly said. They looked up to find the gray wizard poking his head in through the window.

"Nothing's decided? You were holed up for hours!" Merry said. "What were you doing?"

"One should be careful where they stick their nose, Meriadoc Brandybuck, but much informative talk. Informative to others, though, for I had already learned about them..." Gandalf's eyes lifted to her. "Ah, Rowan, there you are! I was sent to acquire you, my dearest lady. Will you accompany me to Lord Elrond's study?"

She left the four hobbits to meet Gandalf outside; with a kind smile, he offered her his arm. She thought it awfully sweet and gentlemanly to escort her to Elrond's study. He talked with her as they walked—he was like an old grandfather in the book with sass, sarcasm, and dry humor, but also someone who could seriously kick ass.

In Elrond's study, they found the elf-lord waiting beside Aragorn. Both inclined their head in greeting.

"Rowan, it pleases me to see your face again," Elrond said. "I do not enjoy the pleasure of visiting with such an innocent, young mortal woman. It is quite refreshing."

She smiled—he and Gandalf were such charmers. "What do you need me for?"

"I have convinced them you should join the Fellowship," Aragorn said.

Rowan stared at him, then looked at Elrond and Gandalf. "You think that's a good idea?"

The wizard patted her hand. "We do. I believe having someone who 'can see the future' will be an excellent asset. Knowing what is ahead can help us avoid it. And having a smart, skilled fighter—as Aragorn has informed us—will be a great addition."

Elrond stepped up. "I told you I would provide passage for you to Lothlórien, and the Fellowship may cross near its borders. No oath binds you to the Fellowship. Once you reach the Golden Wood, you may linger there if you wish or continue this quest. Whichever you choose, I advise you not to wander alone, for the Darkness resides in all corners of the world now."

She considered his suggestion—being with the Fellowship promised a grand adventure and if she went, perhaps she could change events and their outcomes...

"I wish to accompany the Fellowship, but I have no true weapons except this dagger that Aragorn gave me."

Lord Elrond raised his hand to stop her. "You will have your desired weapons provided. The sword which was broken will be reforged tonight, and your blades shall be created."

"Thank you," she said.

Rowan fought to restrain her excitement—she was the tenth member of the Fellowship. Playing an actual role meant she would finally be important. Since she knew what lay ahead, she wasn't in danger of being seriously hurt. Knowing how this quest would go, she could change events so the trials wouldn't be as vexing. Maybe she could save Boromir from his tragic death, too.

"Only we three know the truth of your origins; I do not deem it wise to inform the others," Elrond warned. "Be wary of how you predict the future as to not raise suspicion. Mind your words."

She promised she would.

***

Like Lord Elrond had said, the shards of Narsil were renewed into the legendary Andúril, and Rowan given the weapons she requested: a sword, two long knives, and a few throwing knives. All were of Elven make, so they were light, elegant, and beautiful—the blades would also glow blue when orcs or goblins approached, like Frodo's sword, Sting. She marveled at the lightness of the weapons—like she held nothing at all—and how fluid the blades cut through the air.

In the morning, she met the rest of the Fellowship in the central courtyard in her original costume. The hobbits were happy to have her with them, but Merry and Pippin admonished her for knowing they would go and didn't tell them. Rowan smiled, saying that she wanted to leave it as a surprise.

Gandalf introduced her to the three she hadn't met yet (Sean Bean, John Rhys-Davies, and Orlando Bloom) and why she was included because of her gift. Boromir and Gimli seemed impressed, but Legolas' eyes narrowed in doubt.

The Lord of Rivendell and his household came outside to wish them a safe journey. Just like in the book and the movie, their departure wasn't a big occasion with music and songs—a quiet farewell with them bearing all the hope in the world. The atmosphere among the group was somber, for the road ahead of them would be long. Since Rowan accompanied them now, she hoped to make it less dangerous.

Their journey away from Rivendell and into the vast wilds of Middle-earth passed mainly in silence since they feared spies. Meals were cold with lack of fire. Rowan stayed among the hobbits, but after a few days, Gimli or Boromir would either move back to talk with her as they walked or sit by her at night. Legolas never sought her out to learn about her like the other two—Elrond had said he would be suspicious until she proved herself.

Other than Aragorn, she preferred the company of the Gondorian. He put her at ease, and he made her laugh just as easily as Merry and Pippin. Maybe she was drawn to him because he died in the story—which she planned on stopping... Maybe it was something more. Regardless, she loved seeing Boromir's eyes brighten when she moved to his side.

Rowan guessed they had walked a week-and-a-half without running into any trouble. In the last three days, their path gradually turned from flatlands to loping hills strewn with boulders. The trees had grown sparse and not as dense, but vegetation existed in dry bushes. They had passed by many crumbling ruins overgrown with weeds and vines, and Aragorn and even Legolas would explain them.

Now they rested among a group of boulders. Mountains loomed behind them, covered in snow.

She sat perched on a flat-topped rock by Frodo and Sam, watching Merry and Pippin take sword lessons from Boromir, with Aragorn shouting out further instructions. She loved this part in the movie because it showed the Fellowship bonding and looking out for the younger, less-experienced hobbits. It was also funny when Boromir cuts Pippin, and he and Merry gang up to tackle the tall man.

Rowan vaguely registered the wizard and dwarf talking somewhere behind her. Boromir's sword nicked Pippin's hand, and he dropped his sword as he shook his hand in pain. Apologizing, the Gondorian tried to reach for him when the hobbit kicked him in the shin. He fell with a cry, and Pippin attacked him; Merry joined the fun.

She laughed with Frodo and Sam when the two hobbits tackled Boromir to the ground. He grew even more attractive as he laughed, combating their attempts at fighting him.

Aragorn got up and headed over to the clique of squirming bodies. "Alright, gentlemen, that's enough!" he said when he reached to pull them off the Gondorian.

With a shared look, Merry and Pippin turned to each grab a leg and pulled the Ranger's feet out from under him. He landed flat on his back with victorious yells from the two hobbits and more laughter from Rowan, Frodo, and Sam.

"'Tis nothing but a wisp of clouds," Gimli said.

Her smile fell as his words triggered a memory of the movie; she looked to the west—she forgot about the crows because of watching the fight. A black mass against the overcast sky—not solid—headed toward them. She jumped to her feet.

"Hide!" she yelled, just as Legolas called, "Crebains from Dunland!"

They scrambled for shelter, ducking behind brush piles, thorny bushes, or hiding in the hole of overlapping boulders.

It didn't take long before the annoying caws of multiple crows reached them. From the hole she hid in with Sam, Rowan saw the enlarged avians circle around their campsite for a while. Satisfied with their search, the birds melted back into their cluster and flew back toward the west.

Once she saw Gimli crawl out from behind his bush, Rowan and Sam emerged, too. She watched the crows growing fainter as they flew away. If she hadn't been distracted, she could've prevented them from being spotted. Guilt ate a hole in her stomach.

"Spies of Saruman. The road south is being watched," Gandalf said. Finding him looking at her, she dropped her eyes. He knew she could've prevented that.

"We must take the path of Caradhras." They all looked up at the snowy mountains high behind them.

Rowan inwardly cursed—she hated the snow.