As they prepared their vessels to leave The Golden Wood, they thought about what
lay ahead. Rowan found himself making many mistakes that morning. Somehow he set
Legolas’s hair on fire, and they were quite busy trying to duck his head in the
water.

They succeeded, and a very wet Elf kept throwing occasional glares at Rowan.
They packed the boats and rowed off. The boats could hold only four people, so
the order was this; in the first boat were Aragorn, Anubis, Ryo, and Gimli.

In the second were Sekhmet, Boromir, and 2 hobbits, Merry and Pippin. In the
third were Kyra and Andrea with the other hobbits. The fourth contained Mia,
Sage, Legolas, and Cale. Last but not least were Rowan, Cye, and Kento.

After some time, they saw a figurehead with a swan’s head. It was the people of
Lorien, come to say farewell. “Even though you stayed, you have not yet eaten
with us. Come Aboard!” Said Lord Celebrion.

They boarded the ship, and ate their first and final feast with the Elves.
Galadriel bestowed them gifts. She gave Ryo a new set of Katanas with beautiful
hilts embroidered with flames. Sage was given a no-datchi that glowed different
colors if danger approached.

“It would also serve as a lantern.” She added. To Cye, she gave an amulet to
call on the forces of the water and heal wounds. Kento was given a box that held
seeds and dirt from LothLorien. To Anubis, she gave a red stone with gold
streaks.

Cale was given a small cauldron that would make the finest stews. Sekhmet was
given a green snake figurine, which he hugged lovingly. To Kyra, she gave her a
wardrobe and told her not to open it till the quest was over. To Rowan, she gave
a dark blue amulet streaked with gold and a phial that held Earendil’s light.

Dais was given a sewing kit with threads from LothLorien. “This…this is what
I’ve always wanted for Christmas or my birthday.” And started to cry. Andrea
snorted and smiled as they gave a set of jittes and armguards. Mia smiled when
they gave her a long spear called the Mythril Spear, which is not from
Middle-Earth, but an entirely different world altogether.

The Elves bid them Farewells and Good Luck as the 5 boats sped away down the
Anduien.

Chapter Forty-Nine: Approaching The Mountain

Days slowly turned to weeks and weeks to months as the Fellowship marched
eastwards. In Shire reckoning, it was still a very long time for autumn, but
Rowan reckoned that they would arrive at the gates of Mordor at the end of
summer.

They had just departed from Minas Tirith that morning and going in an eastwards
direction. Soon they chanced upon the Staircases of Minas Morgul, which was an
incredibly slow, but long climb to Mordor, that is, if you wanted a back door.

They took this route, and found themselves in the cave where the rotting carcass
of a giant spider lay rotting away. “Of all the routes there were, we had to
choose this one?!” Cye exclaimed, flicking away an annoying fly.

“You’re not the only one suffering, Cye.” Said Legolas’s muffled voice. They
were all wearing kerchiefs tied around their mouths and noses, due to the stink.
They reached the end of the cavern, and looked at the horizon, a dark peak
looming in the distance.

Chapter Fifty: Ambush!

At dawn they walked towards Mt. Doom. All of them expected this to be the end of
their journey. It was, in a way, for nine of the Fellowship (Gandalf stayed in
Fangorn and the other eight in Rohan). But for the Ronins…Fate had something
else in mind for them.

They all made their way up the volcano. Anubis nodded to Kyra, who stood back
and dove into the lava. After a few minutes, she gave the signal that she was
coming up when the lava froze.

She tried to blast it. No luck. “Get me out!” She screamed and just as they
were about to aid her, a ring of fire enveloped the rim and the exit. A
heartless, cruel laugh rang from the shadows. They were trapped!

Chapter Fifty-One: Yet Another Dark Secret

Everyone froze as they heard heavy footfalls come forward. From the shadows a
man stepped out. He looked to be 20, and had an air that demanded authority. His
hair was golden brown and spiked in all directions, like the manner of some
Japanese animated cartoons.

He wore a black shirt and pants with black boots and a white cloak that stood
out. He sported an earring in his right ear with a small diamond shape. But his
eyes were probably the scariest things alive.

Like his hair, they were golden brown, but they had an evil look in them. His
smile didn’t help much either. If anything, it only made him look twice as evil.
‘And maybe he is, too.’ Thought Rowan.

He stretched out his hand and a square of hardened lava rose several feet. He
made it hover in the air. “Greetings. I’m here to take something that I lost.”
No one answered. He continued; “I’m also here to slay the one who has stolen
it.”

He added with a hint of pleasure. “Let her go!” Cried Dais. Julien turned to
him. I take it you’re the one who lit up her passion. Very well, lets see how
this feels after I've killed you!”

He started to advance on him but Rowan got between them and said; “Its me you
want, not him.” Julien looked at him and laughed. “This…this is a joke…right?!”
he asked, doubling in laughter.

He noticed Rowan was still staring. “Fine, if its true, then you shall die in
pieces!” He swung his masamune at him, but Rowan ducked and shot an arrow that
pierced his arm. He cried and pulled it out, making no signs of how peculiar it
was.

He finally cornered him. As raised his sword in triumph and brought it down, its
course was halted with a sharp CLANG! that echoed through the mountain. He
looked down and scorned.

Anubis had dashed between them and planted his sickle against the sword.
“Anubis, is that you, or are you some hallucination that this boy created?”
“Julien, hurt this boy and I’ll personally see to it that you suffer a slow
death.”

Julien glared at him. “Still don’t trust me, do you? Very well, then. I’ll let
him live, but next time he won’t be so lucky. I got what I wanted anyways.” He
started to walk away, youjakai and rock following behind, when Anubis stopped
him short.

“Leave her here, Julien. I don’t trust you with safekeeping her.” “Fine, you can
have her back. You can kill her for all I care and roast her alive while you’re
at it. But remember, I will never forsake my claim on her!” And he disappeared
in a dark cloud.

The Ronins stared unmoving at the spot where the man stood a second ago. Their
minds confused, they set out to break the hardened lava block.