Willow crept as quietly as she could up the stairs and ran quickly into the entrance hall. Made it. She thought. No one will have even noticed my absence at dinner. Smiling slightly. Willow walked over to a vase of flowers on the table and twirled one of the flowers round in her fingers.

"I suppose you are proud of yourself Willow?"

Willow dropped the flower; cursing lightly she turned around to face Gandalf.

"Why do you ask Mithrandir?"

"Sneaking off after the afternoon meal…"

"I did not sneak off I have every right to wander the gardens as any elf here!"

Gandalf held up his hand as a signal to be quiet.

"Not being seen for hours, missing the evening meal completely and then suddenly turning up in the entrance hall."

Willow crossed her arms across her chest. Gandalf's tone softened.

"Why, Willow? Do you mean to cause Lord Elrond worry beyond reason? Do you mean to hurt him every time you go missing? Why do you do it?"

She looked at Gandalf. "I don't know why I do it. Maybe it is because I feel like an outsider in this house yet I have been here for long enough. Or maybe it is the consist teasing that I do wish to be like other ladies all ladylike and proper?"

With that Willow turned and ran up the stairs. Gandalf closed his eyes and a few minutes later he heard a door slam shut. Poor Willow. He thought. She feels trapped in her own home. He shook his head. Almost her own home. He corrected himself.

Upstairs in her room, Willow stared out at the night sky. Tears falling down her cheeks as she gazed at the stars. She felt so alone here in Rivendell. Lord Elrond was like a father to her. Yet she kept causing him pain but running off. She knew it was wrong to do it, but what else could she do? She felt so trapped.

~*~*~

The next morning when Willow went down for the morning meal that was a hush about the table. There always was when Willow had gone missing the night before. One by one the elves slowly left the table, but Willow stayed there drinking some water and thinking.

"So you decided to return to us then?"

Willow looked up at Lord Elrond.

"Yes Sir. I am sorry for running off last night."

Elrond felt surprised Willow rarely apologised about anything.

"Well sorry isn't really going to help is it? Now?"

Willow shook her head.

"What to do with you Willow I don't…."

Elrond stopped mid-sentence. It was a trick of a light it must be. No. He looked again. Willow was crying. But that wasn't possible, was it? She never cried in front of anyone she was too proud by far. That was what everyone thought anyway. He had heard the rumours.

"Willow?" Elrond said gently. "Please stop crying. I'm not angry, I promise."

Willow sniffed and looked up at him. "Really?"

He nodded.

Willow stopped crying. "I am really sorry you know."

"I know child, I know. I have a little talk with Mithrandir earlier."

Willow looked slightly worried.

"He explained everything. Why didn't you talk to me Willow?"

"I don't know. I was scared I guess about your reaction."

Elrond smiled.

"Well you don't need to be. Anytime you need to talk to me just ask."

Willow nodded.

"Thank you."