Yearning. A lusty restlessness that hadcaptured her soul and would not let go.

That was the feeling.

She had been stood in this assembly for hours. Ever since she had strode in behind Beriadan, keeping her gaze fixed ahead and away from the disappointed stares of the two golden haired Elves sitting in the centre of the room. The lilting bubble of voices cascaded over her and she toyed idly with the empty scabbard on her waist as she considered the possibility of escape. She let her gaze wander over the gathering of Elves, eventually falling on Beriadan. My Elf, she thought, casting her eyes over his slender frame, long fingers clasped firmly in his lap, his usual serious look on his face. His kind blue eyes raised then to meet hers and she smiled at him, wide and inviting. He blushed. She watched the way the colour played over his cheeks as he looked away and she wondered at his quick ability to be so irate with her in one moment and so fragile the next.

Suddenly a voice, louder than the others, interrupted her thoughts.

"It is not a question of IF but WHEN" Aradan, leader of the infantry who patrolled the Lothlorien borders had jumped to his feet, green eyes blazing.

"Every day my patrols come back having encountered more and more Orc battalions. Our forest is under threat. Our LIVES are at risk. A message comes from Rivendell telling of a council to discuss the fate of the world and still we stand here and debate whether to send an emissary? The question is not if we should but WHEN we should. We must act now, we do not have the luxury of time nor of unlimited forces." He turned then to the fair haired figure sitting enthroned to Santiel's right "My Lady, we must send someone. I beg of you" he then sat down, amidst nods of agreement from the other leaders seated near him. The room got louder as dissenting voices chimed in and heated debates started in all corners.

"Quiet!" The guard to Santiel's left ordered, as the couple rose from their thrones.

"We will consider all that has been spoken of here today. Your concerns and your fears do not go unnoticed. We have much to discuss and will come to you with a decision before sundown" spoke the calm and authoritive voice of their leader. Celeborn then took Galadriel by the arm and led her away to their private quarters.

Realising then that she had missed a slightly more important assembly than she had realised, Santiel sought out Aradan to provide the answers to her questions.

"But Aradan, how can there be a council of wise leaders if no one from Lothlorien attends?" Santiel shook her head and frowned in the direction of the Great Tree.

"Galadriel and Celeborn are reluctant to leave the forest at such a time of need, without them they know we are less strong, M'lady. And who else would they send to speak of our troubles? Our leaders are needed here, to keep the enemy at bay" Aradan trailed
off and looked at the mossy floor. Unsure of what he was suggesting.

Santiel stared at the Great Tree, watching the way its silver bark shone in the afternoon glow of the sun. Remembering its warmth when she would clamber over it as a child. Realisation hit her full force. I must go. I am the emissary. This is my time. Now I can see beyond the forest.

Turning from Aradan, she ran. Ran to the GreatTree, nimble and quick she ascended the steps to the flet above and arrived in front of her mother. It dawned on her that she didn't know how to say what she wanted to say.

"Santiel? My child. You appear to have a great deal to tell me" the calm, soothing voice of her mother put her instantly at ease.

Raising her hand to her breast in traditional salute, Santiel allowed the words to flow freely.

"For many years now I have hungered to know what lies beyond the borders of our lands. Although I have travelled some distances, never have I been permitted to truly embrace who I am. I wish to be useful, I wish to feel the wind in my hair and a charge in my soul. To hear the trees speak their different languages to me in other forests and to hear the birds tell me of morning in other lands. But more than that, I desire freedom. The chance to feel the cold air of the north and the dust of the south. Send me to Rivendell, I will deliver our messages. No one better than I knows the perils faced by our patrols. For although you dislike it, you know I patrol with them. I know also the reach of the enemy and the new threat from Isengard. Send me. Please." Breathless and flushed, Santiel closed her hazel eyes briefly in thanks, and awaited her mothers response.