Avp: Second chapter right here, as ordered. Oh, we have also received a question about the toy maker! Well, he is living happily ever after. He will sadly not make any appearance in the book. But if you wish, we can invite him to the intros.

Ren: Why would I allow you mortals to invite him to my intros?!

Avp: … Because I have cookies?

Ren: *Screeches and tackles Avp.* Mine, meat sack!

Cub: Well… that plan worked out nicely.

Hyano: Uh… Heh… Well enjoy the show everyone!

CA Productions


Disclaimer: See first chapter.


Chapter 2 - Back to the Roots

By the time the sun rose completely above the horizon the White wizard, Hyano and the herder family were already trekking through the forest. Despite this being a completely new world, Hyano could not see many differences. The plants and animals they met looked almost the same as what they had in Middle-Earth, only that they were called differently. Mainly due to the native elves, who were the ones to name them. She swore she saw an oak tree and some fir trees on the way. She could also see poppies and daisies. This was almost like home... Like the Middle-Earth she knew before Man changed it. She could not help but smile at the familiar burrow of a chipmunk. This involuntarily led her thoughts to her old friend, Ship, stopping right at the wraith which was still held prisoner in its statue form. She sighed and looked down, watching as the fallen leaves passed her as she walked. Ren will not be happy. Not one bit. When he finds out what was planned for him and in what mess they got themselves into, he will probably try to kill her. Nothing new, really. He tried to do so in the past year or so... She was not worried about that. They have been through a lot before they reached another mutual trust not long ago and she would hate to ruin this. But it was either that... or they can kiss goodbye to any further plans. The younger wizard shook her head with an annoyed sigh. She really didn't want to think about that right now...

Now was not the time.

Gandalf -using the whispers and sounds of the older herders- led them through paths and clearings, following the signs as best as he could. According to everything he was right and indeed a youngling must be around, protected by one herder while there is another close by but he is not participating in the protection. Probably this is his territory, while the caring brother -to ensure the safety of the sapling- wanders around, changing locations. This of course made the wizard's task a little harder.

Well, until he came to a shallow hole in the ground with uneven edges, which led in a line towards the thicker part of the forests, accompanied by smaller, barely visible prints, which must be the young one. The White wizard stopped next to one set and bent down, tracing the edge of one print with his fingers. Despite him being a frequent visitor in these parts, Gandalf was still astonished by these enormous creatures. It was not easy to spot one when they did not wish to be seen.

"I think we are on the right track." He noted, smiling, looking back at his company and led them further but not before letting them examine the rather large print of the tree herder. They are huge compared to them and briefly he wondered how they will react.

Lilly grinned as she saw the big hole with the little prints right beside it.

"Mommy, look! There is a kid my age to play with!" She said excitedly, then continued to follow the prints, too excited to stop. Her brother wasn't far behind her but his eyes were looking everywhere as if waiting for someone to shoot at them. The mother was watching them closely with the father beside her, his eyes scanning around them as well. They did not know what to expect, so tried to prepare for anything. The White wizard warned them about the highly protective nature of their ancestors, so it was no wonder.

Hyano giggled lightly at the young girl's excitement, putting her hands in her pockets.

"Depending on the older herder's reaction she might be right." She said, though there was a high chance that the girl wouldn't be able to go anywhere close to the little herder. She never saw a tree herder that protected a little one with her own eyes but her mentor and Gandalf told her about it, the scrolls and books also wrote of it, so she had an idea.

Gandalf chuckled and nodded in agreement, knowing all too well just how protective the tree herders are of the saplings; however this also depended on the trust level of the approaching individual. While Gandalf and perhaps Hyano might be able to go close because of their kind but the family could be considered 'human', a danger despite them being descended from their kind.

"I am also not sure if she is aware of the size of a tree herder sapling. At this age they are rather tall, judging from the footprints." He added, humming, directing his gaze down towards the prints, trying to guess the age of the youngling from the size of the prints and the distance of the steps. Might be five years old... Maybe two times as tall as him but of course way thinner. Thin and tall also meant fragile, so its protector might not be happy about the visitors.

Reaching the thick part of the forest, the wizard gestured for everyone to stop and be silent, then stepped forward, his wise blue gaze surveying their environment. Tree herders knew how to hide, especially in such foliage. However, he already knew what to look for. He instantly spotted the young herder between two smaller but thicker trees, blending in while his protective big brother was standing right beside him, however from the leaves and the other trees all one could see were his legs, which looked exactly like two tree trunks. He waited a little before gesturing for the family to come closer, telling them to stay silent before reaching over for the little girl and crouched down, pointing at the tree-looking herder among the small trees.

"There..." He pointed, letting her follow the direction he gestured towards with her gaze.

It was lucky that Gandalf took hold of the child because otherwise she would have taken off running. Her naturally curious nature urged her to but the istar's hand kept her planted where she was. Instead, her eyes widened as she looked at the creature before her.

"Woooow. It's so big." She said cutely. She had been told plenty of stories about the herders and knew that they were supposed to be giants like the trees themselves. Some even larger. However, no child really understands until they see it for themselves. The sapling was huge. However, her mind still saw it as another child to play with. "Can I get any closer? Pleeeeeaaase!" She begged, putting on the best cute act she could.

Hyano snickered at this before noting the parents' worry. Her father stepped up, taking his daughter's hand. There was no way she was going any closer without him by her side.

The White wizard couldn't help but chuckle at her eagerness, clearly she showed no fear towards her ancestor's kind and while she might be descended from one of them, the much larger tree herder might not think so.

"I am not sure... Let me see how Hazelbark feels about it." He whispered and stroked her hair once before letting her go, trusting that the father will not let her go any closer, then stepped towards the sapling. Of course, his true goal was not the small one but the much bigger one standing just next to it. He wondered if they already found the young one big... what will they say about the grown one? He just shook his head and moved closer to the sapling, causing it to stir and suddenly turn its head towards the disturbance, moving and stepping back, unsure about the presence of the wizard but clearly he wasn't afraid. At least his protector did not tell him to hide. Hazelbark after all remembered Gandalf as his protector from five thousand years ago, so did not consider him a threat but that didn't mean he wasn't protective of his little brother. So, as soon as the wizard stepped too close the two tree-trunks moved and cracked as if a tree was falling as he stepped forward, revealing that there was a far taller being right there hiding.

Lilly pouted as she was asked to stay, her father keeping her close. Then her eyes got all the bigger and her jaw dropped as she saw the even bigger tree herder move. However, this only lasted a moment as her father tugged her quickly behind him, making her yelp lightly. He was being hit by a mix of instincts. One said this creature was not something to worry about while his other instincts wanted to get his family out of there. The large one could easily crush them without trying.

Hyano saw this and stepped up to the family, putting her hand on the father's shoulder.

"Calm down. Nothing bad will happen. I promise." She assured and he slowly relaxed, nodding. Hyano then sighed and shifted her green gaze towards Gandalf. She wondered if he could convince the tree herder to let the family spend some time with them.


"Hazelbark!" Came the enthusiastic greeting from Gandalf as he walked closer to the enormous creature but stopped at a respectable distance, knowing how far to stand to keep his company comfortable in his presence. Despite them knowing him, the little sapling was still vulnerable. It was an instinct to protect him and he was wise enough to not challenge that. "Good morning!"

"What does the White wizard do in these forests at this time of the year?" The large tree herder, known as Hazelbark, asked, stepping in front of his little brother. His eyes moved from the wizard to the crowd standing not far for just a moment to make sure they keep their distance before meeting Gandalf's gaze again. It was an unusual time for him to visit. Something told him that it had something to do with the people nearby. They were strange to look at, he never saw creatures like it but there was something... There was something about them that made them familiar. But what and how... He did not know that.

"Ah... I see you have noticed them." Gandalf quickly noted and pointed at Hazelbark with his staff lightly when he saw the glance of the tree herder and looked at the family above his shoulder, avoiding the question asked to him. He was right, he was not supposed to be in these forests but north, however with Hyano's arrival... his routine he built up in the past thousands of years changed. He did not wish to discuss every detail, though. Some things simply are better to be kept for themselves.

"They are... strange people. Not elves." The ent said, his voice full with the uncertainty that he felt when it came to them, completely forgetting about the unanswered question. Of course, he saw no other humanoid creature than elves, so anything that did not look like an elf was something strange and unusual. "But they smell familiar. What are they?"

"Oh nothing." The White wizard waved a hand nonchalantly, as if all this was not significant enough to be discussed, which only resulted in a greater curiosity from the ent, so it leaned slower to him a bit. Gandalf was aiming for that. He needed him to be as receptive to the idea as he can be. It might be not easy to convince him of the truth, especially with the differences between them. "They are just... your cousins."

"Cousins?" Hazelbark stood tall and blinked in confusion, glancing towards the family that stood farther off, then back at the wizard. "What is a cousin?" He asked, which earned him a look of disbelief on Gandalf's face.

The almost annoyed expression of the White wizard was replaced in a moment's notice by understanding and clarity. Of course, tree herders did not have an extended family. They did not know what a mother or a father was, neither did they know what a cousin or a son or daughter meant. They were brothers. All of them. Gandalf also knew that he might have not used the proper and correct name of their relation but he could not say 'nephews and nieces' because that would be only more words they would need to learn and he would need to teach. best was to just use cousin and be done with it.

"It means you are related." The ancient istar told him matter-of-factly but shook his head once the look on Hazelbark did not change. Well, they did not exactly look alike, after all. It WAS hard to believe. "You know I have told you about some of your brothers staying back to guard the forests after I left?" He tried, slightly unsure if the ent even remembered that. He was still a sapling himself when he spoke to him about it.

Hazelbark frowned at the mention of the tale that the wizard told him many years ago. The memory of it faded greatly but he could recall most of the important points of it, so nodded nonetheless, unsure how this tale would have anything to do with it... Unless...

"They are descended from the three changed ents." Gandalf concluded, watching Hazelbark carefully for any signs of him having understood. When he saw a sudden spark of clarity in those dark eyes of his, the White istar breathed a sigh of relief.

The enormous tree herder frowned at the revelation and shifted his gaze towards the family again. He observed them for a good minute or two and just stood there, making no move otherwise. He was mulling over all that was told him and judging the situation while he also took his time to make sense of it all.

"But where are their branches?" Hazelbark noted and lowered his gaze to the wizard standing near him, confused about the lack of body parts he could not find on them. "Where are their leaves?" He asked. Gandalf clearly implied that they are ents too but how could they be ents if they lacked everything they are supposed to have? "Now I know what was so familiar about them before... They do smell like ents. They... feel like ents."

"They have spent thousands of years in a world without magic. They adapted to the ruling species of that world." The White wizard clarified but he was certain Hazelbark will not be able to understand much of it, since he did not see humans. But this was not the main point he was trying to make. Instead he stepped a bit closer and addressed him in a more serious manner. "Now they are here to trace back their roots. They... are curious about where they come from. Or most importantly... What they truly are."


It took a while -mainly because tree herders at this age speak slowly- but eventually Gandalf returned to the group, leaning on his staff for support and smiled at the family.

"Alright. Hazelbark doesn't consider us as a threat and we may go closer and speak to them. But I ask everyone to not make sudden movements. He does feel you are... somehow related and feels his kind within you... but he is with a sapling, so he is instinctively protecting his little brother." He informed them before giving a smile to the little girl, knowing how eager she was to be around the other youngling. "Hyano, please keep an eye on them." He said and turned his gaze to her, his expressions going serious. "I will go and look for the third herder. He is here somewhere too and I don't want any sudden appearances." He added and turned around; slowly walking off into another path, while the sapling first watched him, then turned his gaze towards the newcomers, Hazelbark standing guard above him.


-an hour later-

Hyano watched the family who had yet to move but luckily the tree herders nearby seemed patient enough. Though, the little girl was eager, her father kept her where she was. The orange wizard smiled lightly and nodded for them to go, walking forward first so they could see it was safe.

The father was still wary but he followed, keeping the little one close to him, however she quickly was tugging him towards the sapling with a huge smile on her face. When she finally got close enough she waved at him.

"Hi! My name is Lilly. You are my cousin." She said happily, not fully understanding their relation but assumed that summed it up well.

The sapling just watched her in return curiously, feeling just a little at ease since his guardian recognized them as not a threat to them, so did not handle them as such either. He was a little surprised to see the little one come up to him like that and tell him how they are related. Of course, this relation was a mystery to the youngling. Tree herders were brothers. There were no parents, no cousins... Just brothers. So he didn't understand. But what he understood was the name, to which replied.

"I am Silentbranch." He said, introducing himself but otherwise didn't know what else to say. His voice was deep but he spoke fast and still in a smooth manner. He wasn't yet hardened by age. He never saw tree herders like them. They looked so... small. So young and different... while Lily was protected by her father, Hazelbark also observed the exchange closely, giving out small signs of his presence by brief movements, just to be sure. Otherwise he also was silent, choosing to rest for now.

Lilly giggled at the name. She then tugged out of her father's grip. He did not approve of this but as long as she was careful he would allow it... for now. She moved up to the taller herder, then held up her hands. Touch was a very important part of her kind's communication. It was how they still made themselves close to the trees around them.

"It is nice to meet you, Silentbranch. Want to be my friend?" She asked still being at that age where one simply asked to be friends with someone rather than eventually expecting that outcome.

Silentbranch had no idea what she wanted to do with her hands, just leaving them to touch the air, his hesitation making the little girl pout. This confused him but shrugged it off the moment she spoke. The youngling made a small groaning sound before speaking up.

"We can't be friends..." He started, watching her curiously. "... We are family." And of course family was a far stronger bond than friendship. All tree herders were a family and protected each other without question. This of course made the little girl smile and nod, liking that even better. "Although... it is hard to tell if you were once like me..." He pondered out loud, watching her, observing. Suddenly, the wind changed and the whispers suddenly got louder as well, the trees were communicating with each other, using the wind to get words quicker through the forest.

This of course didn't go unnoticed by the older herder, who soon turned towards the sapling.

"Now... what do they say?" He asked and waited for the answer. It was like teaching. The young herder already possessed the ability to understand the speech of the trees, so now his brother is testing this every once in a while.

"Someone else is coming. Like them." Silentbranch replied without hesitation, pointing at the family, causing Hazelbark to nod in satisfaction. Indeed, the trees were already whispering of a strange and small tree herder coming their way.

Lilly tilted her head when he was quizzed on what the trees were saying and blinked before looking up at him.

"That's my big sister, I think. You can understand the trees? Can you teach me?" She asked again, getting excited. She wanted to speak to the trees too. They said so much but she couldn't understand anything. What was the worst part is it felt like they understood her perfectly, especially with the way her speech currently was. It was like talking on a one way phone.

The youngling blinked, not saying anything at first before finally speaking up, his tone carrying his disbelief.

"What do you mean? We all can understand trees, even you." He pointed out, unsure what to think of her claim. Was she just joking... or was she really having trouble telling what the trees were talking about... "I can't teach you how to understand..." He shook his head, his branches swaying. "It is all there for everyone. There is no way to teach, the understanding becomes clearer the more you listen to them." He tried to explain, although he wasn't all that good in it, being so young still.

Lilly looked down, feeling ashamed now for even asking, considering how he said everyone can do it.

"The trees back home don't talk... My mommy says they haven't for a very long time... Before I came here I had never heard them make a sound at all... Now they talk a lot and I'm not sure who is saying what... Or what is being said." She admitted, putting her hands on her ears.

The little tree herder sighed as she spoke once more, finding interest in what she said and turned towards the little girl again.

"The trees don't speak there? But why not? They always speak, always tell tales and stories... They tell us what is happening in the forest and ask for our help if needed..." He said, not understanding the concept of not having the trees speak, he didn't know how a forest can be silent like that. So, listening to the sounds, he stayed silent and held up a hand towards one of the trees. "That tree is asking about you. It sees you. It wonders why you are so small and why you aren't replying."

Hyano watched the two 'children' closely while they talked but also moved towards the older of the tree herder brothers slowly, her green gaze focusing on its face carefully. He looked robust and old, clearly not someone who was born in the past few years.

"What generation are you?" The wizard inquired curiously. Part of her was curious if he was one of the firsts. If this is the outcome of those seeds she protected so much.

Soon enough the tall tree herder looked down when Hyano voiced her question and hummed at it, not knowing why it was so important. "I am from the first batch that grew here. First generation in Outer-Earth."

Hyano smiled at him.

"It hardly matters I guess but I am Hyano. Before your seed was brought here I helped to protect it until it could make its voyage across the water. I helped start the life of your eldest brother, Ironbark." She explained. She did not ask how the herder was doing... Part of her was afraid to find out.

Hazelbark listened to Hyano, watching her, finding this information interesting.

"In Middle-Earth? I heard about the magic problem there. I also heard the trees don't speak anymore... silence engulfs the forests... No more tree herder walks the woods..." He said with a sad tone, thinking this was one of the signs of a dying forest. A tree cannot move and flee if something happens to it... Without a tree herder protecting them, the forests will be cut out mercilessly. This was something he knew.

Hyano sighed softly.

"Problem suggests it was unintended. The lack of magic was meant to be... however I doubt anyone could have foretold what would come of it. Many trees have come and gone... Their lifespans aren't nearly as long and it is only made worse by the acts of man... The last sound I heard from a tree... was the cry of a small sapling... It had become polluted to the point there was no saving it anymore..." Hyano said, remembering it too well. She remembered putting the poor creature out of its misery... It had been horrible.

Hazelbark listened to what Hyano was saying. "That is truly sad... Unacceptable. But the White wizard said that it was necessary and magic is only but temporary in every world. Our big brothers had to die for this..." The tree herder trailed off but stopped and turned his eyes towards the direction where he heard some familiar noise coming. The ground was vibrating, shaking under their feet, although it was barely felt by the giant, it did scare the smaller human-like beings.

Hyano was also about to reply when she felt the movement. When she heard a yelp nearby she looked over swiftly and noticed the high-pitched shout came from Lilly. She yelped as the movement was enough to throw her off of her feet and onto her backside. Her father had to change his stance slightly to keep himself on his own feet before reaching out and scooping her up into his arms, instinctively wanting to keep her from getting crushed by whatever was coming. The orange wizard looked over curiously, assuming it was probably Gandalf with the tree herder he spoke of. She smiled when she saw not only them but the daughter and the elf she went off with the previous day.

"You always knew how to make a dramatic entrance, Gandalf." She teased.

The White wizard chuckled and patted the shoulder of the tree herder, making him look to the side before stopping, standing still so Gandalf and the two visitors could climb down before moving again to greet his younger brother and the sapling, of course speaking in the language of the trees.

"You know me too well, Hyano." He replied to her and walked towards the family, the elf accompanying him silently, glancing behind them to make sure Rosa was following behind.

Rosa was behind him alright though her eyes were on the tree herders so the moment the elf stopped she ran right into him. "Eek! Sorry!" she said still feeling distracted.

Fieven gasped as he was slightly pushed forward and turned around to see Rosa apologizing. His frown vanished rather suddenly and smiled, shaking his head.

"That is alright. No harm was done." He replied and looked around once more, his eyes also attracted to the larger beings, although he already saw some in his life. But no one can have enough of these peaceful giants. Well... peaceful until one starts harming the forest. Then they become stomping monsters of the Void. It was not unheard of tree herders attacking elves when they began hunting animals. They were so protective of the forests back then that they chased off anyone who looked suspicious. And for them everything that doesn't look like plants is suspicious...

Lilly saw her sister over her father's shoulder and smiled before pushing herself out of his arms and ran to her.

"Rosa! Rosa! Look! Look! See our big family?!" She shouted as she ran up, jumping into her older sister's arms.

Rosa caught her and finally cracked a smile, nodding.

"Yes... Big is a bit of an understatement." She said, then remembered the elf beside her. "Oh right. Fieven. This is my little sister, Lilly. Lilly. This is my friend, Fieven. He has been showing me around." She said with a smile.

Lilly looked towards the elf, then grinned at her sister before whispering in tree speech, which the ellon failed to catch.

"Is he your new boyfriend?" She asked, making the older of the two blush like mad before dropping her altogether. It would seem like a rough punishment to anyone else but the little one just laughed while getting up.

The elf didn't even need to guess who she was to her. They had the same features after all. He smiled at the little girl -now known to him as Lilly- but he didn't get to say anything as she was suddenly dropped almost carelessly and as if nothing happened she bolted back to her family with a laugh. He didn't understand that one, so raising an eyebrow he turned his gaze to Rosa, awaiting an explanation wordlessly.

Rosa blushed all the more when she noticed she was being looked at with curious eyes by the boy beside her.

"Don't worry about it." She said, trying to wave it off. "She was doing what little siblings do best... Trying to annoy me." She half grumbled, crossing her arms. She wondered if this world even knew what a boyfriend was. She smiled awkwardly, all along up until the ellon walked over to the White wizard to offer him some company.

"So, is Fieven going to take you to see more things?" Her mother asked all of a sudden, making the young girl jump in surprise.

Rosa fell silent at first and pondered about it a little before shrugging.

"Probably not. Fieven is probably going to be too busy. I just got lucky to catch him on his downtime." She replied, finally saying aloud what she had been thinking for a while.

After all these years of prejudice, bullying, illusion of friendship... she had trouble believing that someone might see her as a true friend and truly did something for her because they so wanted and not because they felt they had to.


In the mean time Gandalf joined the wizard and the parents of the herder children when the large tree herder also went on his way to pay a visit to his brother, whose protective gaze never left the smaller, weaker sibling.

"Well, I managed to snatch him too. They are the only tree herders in this region. The others are doing their tasks in other forests." The White wizard explained and stopped next to the younger wizard, reaching out to also pat her shoulder with a wide smile on his aged face. "And I also thought you might want to see an old friend..." He trailed off and nodded towards the still talking tree herder he brought along.

Hyano froze when he said this. Is that really? She turned to look at the tall older tree herder before stepping back from Gandalf. He did look familiar. The branches were thicker and larger in general, much older but she could tell they stood the way he was born with them, maybe a bit bent due to the elements and age. His form and the way he moved...

"Ironbark?" She said, a huge smile spreading on her face. Not only was he alive but he was doing well! Then a thought came to mind and she looked at Gandalf. "Do you think... he remembers me?" She asked, remembering the last they saw each other. He had been so sad to see her go but she had assured him that they would see each other again. That he had to go to protect his future brothers and the trees of the new world.

Gandalf only shrugged in return to her question, not knowing the answer. In order to make sure that Ironbark becomes a devoted protector of the forest he had to concentrate on his task, so the wizard did not mention Hyano to him at any time. The young herder did ask for the first few months but they all became scarcer as the time went by and soon never asked about her anymore. It was very well possible that he does not remember her fully; however a tree herder never truly forgets either. See how many tree herders in Middle-Earth still recognized him as their protector when they visited him in Isengard, from the beginning of that world and that time was more than five thousand years ago.

"Why don't you go and see?" The White asked the question and let her decide.

Hyano looked to him for a moment. It sounded so strange. Walking up to someone and asking, 'Hey do you remember me?' She looked back towards the large tree herder and thought for a moment before getting an idea. She stepped up slowly until she was sure they noticed she was there without invading their space. She then did something she hadn't in a very long time. She pulled out her whistle and started to play a lullaby. One she had played for Ironbark almost every night until he fell asleep. Especially on the nights where he was scared for one reason or another. Weather, sounds. He had been so young at that time.

The tree herders were of course busy speaking and because trees speak slowly it took them a while to explain anything to each other, so they did not truly notice her, only the youngest did turn his gaze towards her but didn't do anything, just wondered what she was doing there. As the unexpected music started, the herders at first didn't stop speaking, only after a few seconds did they notice it and turned their upper-bodies towards the sound, watching her as she made the music. Of course, it sounded nice but even the nicest music can be boring after a while... Well, if they don't mean anything.

But for Ironbark it did, so after Hazelbark and Silentbranch already looked away, the older herder still kept watching and listening, recognizing the lullaby. Tree herders indeed had a good memory from their times of a sapling but even the best memory can fade with time. While he didn't exactly remember everything, he knew this music and also... Hyano was familiar to him. His instincts never considering her a threat from the start.

When the wizard finished she looked up at the group. She wasn't sure what to expect but when she saw Ironbark was still watching her she smiled up at him.

"I told you I would come." She said, her eyes meeting his. He didn't have to remember everything but she was happy to see he at least remembered this much. Her little sapling was all grown up now. He hardly even looked like the same little one he started out as. But still somewhere in there he was still her little one.

Ironbark watched her, not moving from his position before turning fully and in only two steps he covered the distance between them. Of course, slowly. His size asked for a far more firm stance and balance to achieve moving. He was also a lot heavier, so needed the extra time to balance his thick and tall body.

"I know you." He finally spoke up as he stopped, leaning slightly forward to look down at her. "From before I came here. You made this music. You were my protector." He rumbled.

Hyano nodded.

"Yes. When you were smaller than that sapling there... I had to send you away... to this world. I couldn't come with you, sadly. I worried about what might happen to you in this new world. But it seems you have done well without me." She said with a smile. "It seems I picked a good name for you. You have grown up stronger than any iron I have ever seen." She said rather proudly.

"I remember little from that time." Ironbark admitted as he reached down, lowering his hand next to her, wanting to lift her closer to him so he can see her better. Because from this height it isn't so easy to see all the important little details. "But I remember that lullaby. I remember the Tower of Isengard and my brothers. I remembered the White wizard, your flute... the books you read. But most is too much fogged by time. It is all in the far past, now we care for the future."

Hyano stepped up onto his hand easily, understanding what he wanted.

"Do not feel bad. That is the way your kin are meant to be. I am just happy you remember me at all. I remember you so well. My memories of you and Gandalf... Those were what helped me to keep moving towards the future. In a way you helped me quite a bit without even being there." She said with a kind smile.

Ironbark -as soon as she climbed on- lifted his hand to see her much closer, now seeing more details, noting some familiarities like the orange color. He could remember that from the time he was a sapling.

"I am honored to have had such an impact on an istar for so long. Now, however, you need not to worry. This world is safe, full of flowing magic and trustworthy allies. You will soon also gain your own tasks. Either close to us... or far. But we will meet again." He explained to her as he turned his body back to the other tree herder as he spoke to him once more. Ironbark however -just like each member of his kin- could listen to more than one being at a time. This is why they are so effective in protecting a forest. They can listen to many trees at once.

Hyano has sat down as she felt the rush of him lifting her, not wanting to just fall over, then giggled as he spoke.

"It feels so strange having someone who was only knee high to me last I saw him talk to me like a wise old man now." She said honestly, then sighed before looking up at Ironbark. "I have already been informed of what the future may have for me. It will be... interesting to get into that kind of way of life again." She said, not sure it would be as easy as it sounded. Istari were natural wanderers. That much was true, however despite her traveling from time to time she had spent much of her life in one place in the past years. Mostly because in the old world wandering didn't work nearly as well. There were not as many places one could just put their head down to rest. Not as many forests or grass lands that were not owned by one person or another. One could rent a hotel or stay the night on a bench but such things only worked for a number of times before one either ran short on money or had the cops chasing one away for loitering.

"So, the magic-less Middle-Earth didn't enable you to be an istar." The old tree herder nodded in understanding, knowing how much traveling meant to her kind. "I am glad I was not there when all these horrible things happened to the trees and people. When everything changed... forcing you to change as well right with them." While he didn't remember most things from when he was a sapling, he somehow did know he didn't leave Middle-Earth all that happily, wanting to stay... Now if he looked at it... He was a foolish sapling, not yet feeling the decrease of magic. It was indeed for the best that he came along, as he could help the istar in protecting his little brothers.

Hyano smiled up at him.

"You have changed quite a bit yourself, though. It does not matter where we grow or how long we spend in a place, there is always some change that is required. I even see Gandalf has changed slightly with the world he has lived in. However, what makes change worth it is what we do with those changes... I may have changed slightly but that just has made me a stronger istar. Learning to live without magic is likely the most useful thing I will ever know." She said with a smile, then patted his hand like he was still a small sapling and she was patting his leaves again.

"You are right. Partly." The old tree herder added as he decided to take a walk, patrolling this territory while he was here, making sure everything was alright and safe for the sapling and for the trees. "Not all changes are good. Like what I heard from the White. Humans have changed for the worst once they were left alone. But who knows if this change is truly bad for Middle-Earth. After all, maybe this is their task given by the Valar. Maybe they are to destroy the life there in order to give a chance for the next world to bloom." He said, sharing his theory with her, trying to think of the most logical way why the gods would let a world they created be so much disgraced by a small and weak race like the humans.

This rang in Hyano's ear. Valar actually wanting to bring destruction? It was such a harsh concept but... it could very well be true... for more than just the humans. She shook off these thoughts, not wanting to deal with it right now. She then looked up at her friend.

"There was another thing working against the humans. A lack of balance... I see it here as well. While this world is living happily, theirs is suffering. One way or another the Valar will balance that out... Valar are very harsh in that way." She said with a sigh. As much as Hyano would love to see this world stay like this forever, the Valar would eventually decide this world was ready for reality and let it be hit by it. However, Hyano didn't feel it was ready. Not because it was too young but because it was too weak. Everyone here had been living such happy lives. They had no worries, no true pain that helped make creatures stronger.

"They are harsh indeed but all changes need their time." The old tree herder replied, now lifting her higher and setting her on his shoulder as he walked. "They know when the world is ready and will act to achieve it. But the world needs to be strong in order to survive, so for now it is supported fully by those who take part in creation. Later, they will pull back and let the world balance itself out. The Valar will not need to interfere there. The world is ready when it works on its own." He explained, of course hinting towards the fact that if the current protectors would let go of the support, it would fall apart still. Right now, the most energy is transferred to the forests so its flora and fauna so the complete food chain can fully develop and strengthen itself.

Hyano nodded in agreement. In the old world she may not have traveled but she still was a protector. What she protected just became a little smaller.

"What do you think of your kin? They were rather eager to come meet you and the others. Though, a little nervous. One of their main worries was that they might be rejected, since they aren't exactly tree herders as you are anymore." She questioned, deciding to change the subject.

"Ah yes... I saw them. And felt them." Ironbark started and walked past a particularly large and old tree, lifting a hand and touched its bark before continuing. "They are small and fragile but the trees recognize them as tree herders. We recognize them as tree herders, so I see no problem. However, they do need to take up their own duties and help us with the tasks to which they were originally born for." Of course, as with everything, the old Ent knew they will get their tasks through instinct or with the help of the Gods. He himself was surprised by their small size and fragile build but there was nothing he can do about it. They will have to survive as they are.

"I think they will do well with that. They were very active in the old world. The father was a protector and enforcer of the peace. He helped do what he could when it came to not only protecting the good but also enforcing laws that protected nature. The mother was a volunteer with a group that would handle events that destroyed nature. Cleaning up the mess and replanting and such. The children still need to find what they are good at but I think they will be fine. I can't wait to see how the magic in this world will change and shape them." She said with a smile.

"Then their tree herder instincts and spirit is still strong in them. They won't have a problem fitting in with their brothers." Ironbark answered, now referring to them as family, as it should be. No matter how they look and how they speak, they are still tree herders and all tree herders were brothers. Family. "We will help them at first, teach them like saplings but they will have to fend for themselves later and walk the forests like we do or find other ways they can help the trees with. Their saplings are also still very young and surely by instinct they will find their own path."

Hyano nodded.

"I am sure with the right hand guiding them they will do fine. They won't be traveling far from this area for a while so they will be under your care mostly. I will not be in this area for too long, I'm sure, so I will likely be leaving them in your care and the care of the nearby elves." She replied, thinking on the future of the family. No matter what happened she was sure that she would not be here to watch over them for very long.

"How do you know you won't be at this area? Were you given a task?" Ironbark asked as he stepped over a small spring, stopping only to check on the small saplings that grew at its shore. "You just arrived... Which means they give you enough time to prepare. As I said... the Gods know when you are ready."

Hyano looked up at him, then smiled.

"You are right in a way... but... in this case I already know I won't be here long. However, it is what I will be doing that is still up for debate." She replied, then noted the family came into her view from the small hill they were standing on. The sun was quite high on the sky, so perhaps it was time to return and join them once again. "Seems we will be discussing that very thing now. Do you mind putting me down by Gandalf...? We have much to talk about."

Ironbark nodded and turned around slowly, taking course back towards the way they came from.

"Alright. If you need to speak to me, you will find me in these forests." He said, informing her of this and started their journey back towards the White wizard.


While the adults conversed and were busy with plans and nostalgia, the child, Lilly, found trouble in dealing with her sudden boredom. Her father and mother were watching her but she could not expect them to play tag or hide and seek... She didn't really want to bother her brother with it and her sister was also busy playing an act in front of the elf. Everyone was doing something and yet here she was, waiting for something to do. But then a thought hit her and she giggled before running back to Silentbranch.

"Do you want to play?" She asked with a bright hopeful smile, looking up at him with her hands clasped behind her back.

Silentbranch in the meantime had been doing what his older brother told him. Staying silent and motionless but also watched the crowd that suddenly grew around him, however once Lilly accompanied him he just stared at the little girl, confused.

"Play? Play what?" He asked, unsure. What can a tree herder play? Mostly as long as they are somewhat fast as a sapling they simply stand still and rest to grow... or chase the fallen tree leaves in the wind, much to the dismay of their much bigger and slower brothers.

Lilly thought for a moment, crossing her arms and getting a very serious thinking face which just looked cute on her.

"Hmm... Oh! How about hide and seek?" She offered, thinking they were in a huge forest, so there had to be hiding spots all over the place.

Silentbranch just blinked, not exactly understanding the game she was talking about. He never played one such as that and never heard of it before.

"What is it?" He asked, unsure what to think of it but he was curious enough to ask. If it was a good game and he is able to play it even as a tree herder, then he will give it a try. He was rather bored after all. While older herders easily stood still for a day even, saplings were far more restless and he needed to move.

Lilly blinked, then grinned.

"It is as easy as it sounds. One of us hides and the other seeks. You're big but you look like a tree and the trees are a lot bigger than you so you should still be able to hide. One of us just closes their eyes and counts to ten, then tries to find the other. And no cheating. The trees aren't allowed to help." She explained, making sure to add the last part. "You can pick if you want to hide or seek first if you like, since you haven't played before." She offered, wanting to be polite.

Silentbranch hummed at what the girl suggested and thought it over. Indeed he was slower and bigger than her but the trees offer cover, opportunities to blend in and... well... If the trees help him or not... she can't really tell, now can she? In the end the sapling nodded with a smile, deciding to try this game.

"Alright. I try to hide and you seek?" He asked, first wanting to see if he even had a chance to hide. He knew the forest of course the best of the two of them, so should know many of the hiding places. Of course, the accepting of the offer for the game caused Hazelbark to sigh, already knowing he will have to watch the two, keep an eye on Silentbranch, and yet not give away his position. This will be hard, especially with his instincts to protect him and know him close.

Lilly nodded and covered her eyes with her hand.

"1...2...3..." She said starting to count. Her father was feeling the same as Hazelbark. He could track his daughter by her smell. However, he did not know this area very well or the creatures that lived in it and he did not want to run the risk of her getting hurt. But he would let her play as long as she stayed within a certain range. The moment she got too far away he would put an end to it.

The young sapling looked around quickly once the girl started to count, trying to find a place to hide suitable enough for him. Only waiting for a few seconds, the young tree herder moved to a bunch of trees a little ways away, which were just his height and simply stood among them, standing completely still, even swaying with them as a small wind brushed their branches. This was when he noticed his big brother, Hazelbranch was looking right at him. He will give him away! So raising a hand slightly, the sapling waved at his brother, trying to get him to look away. It seemed to work as the bigger herder just rolled his eyes but turned his gaze away reluctantly. This was harder than it looked.

"10! Ready or not here I come!" Lilly called before looking around. Her eyes quickly met her father and she gave him an annoyed look, realizing he might ruin the game too. "Shoo daddy! Shoo!" She yelled at him. The father raised a brow, then shook his head before walking over towards his wife but he was still tracking his daughter all the same. Lilly then started running about looking for the much bigger 'child'. Being a child she still looked in smaller hiding places, the logical part of her mind not fully developed enough to say he couldn't hide there. She looked under rocks, behind big trees and was starting to make her way towards the sapling. She pouted, thinking he might have left the area they were playing in and that was why she couldn't find him... but then she finally noticed a difference between him and the trees around him. This made her smile but she didn't say anything but instead snuck up quietly behind him before hugging his leg.

"Got'cha!" She yelled in victory.

Silentbranch was already in his little world, having been distracted from the game by the trees he was standing among. They started telling him some things they heard today and he more than eagerly wanted to hear it. But then he gasped when he felt the pressure on his leg as if something latched onto it so made a sound of surprise before lifting his leg, struggling to balance himself on just one. However, tree herders -even as such saplings- were not created to do this. They have a very bad sense of balance, thus need careful steps and all their weight to not fall over at each step. This is why they were slower the taller and bigger they got. And so, having lost the fight for staying up, the sapling yelped as he fell backwards, landing on his back with a thud. He couldn't help but instinctively sound a noise of distress, which made Hazelbark act and step towards them, leaning down to see if he was alright, becoming protective.

Lilly had not expected that at all. When he lifted his leg she giggled a little as if it was a ride. This probably would have been the best time for her to let go but before she knew what happened she went down and -like him- she let out a cry that caught her family's attention. Her father was by her side in seconds and picked her up. She was gritting her teeth, trying not to cry. As strong as their bodies were built, she was still young and taking the full weight of a young tree herder's leg on her arm had been enough to hurt her.

Her father took her arm in his hand noting it was already starting to bruise. "You are done." He said bluntly. The first words he said all day and Lilly started to sniffle.

"Aw but daddy. I'm fine. Really. I still want to play." She cried but he wasn't hearing it.

"I am alright! I am alright!" The little tree herder repeated as well, trying to calm his protector down so he won't start attacking the little girl, seeing he was staring at both father and child. No harm was done, he simply wasn't paying attention, which he knew was his fault. He fell a few times in his life already, so knew to expect a few broken branches but his arms and legs were all fine. However... getting up was another story... Knowing how to handle the situation, Hazelbark reached out and grasped the little tree herder before helping him stand, staying close.

Of course the sapling also got his own scolding from his big brother as he helped him stand but in the language of the trees so not many could understand. However, Hazelbark was less strict and while he wasn't happy with the 'accident', he cannot deny some games from Silentbranch. At least he can do these until he is this small because once he grows bigger, he will have to partake in protecting and won't have any time at all for small pleasures in life, like playing games. He himself could remember that one night when they kept Gandalf up even after sunset as he and five others of his brothers chased a rather large leaf across the forest. It was fun, so knew how much it meant to the younglings.

"I am sorry..." Came the words from the little one as he watched as the man started to bring the little girl away from him, probably very protective of her. The young herder of course wasn't happy about that and stayed there, hoping she can come back soon...

Lilly heard this and started to struggle in her father's arms until he finally let her down, letting her know she only had a little bit of time. Lilly quickly ran back as fast as she could, stopping short in order to give him a hug, not able to help but cringe a little as her arm started hurting.

"I will be back as soon as I can. I promise. I never break a promise. Especially not to family." She said, smiling up at him. "You did nothing wrong. Alright? Don't be sad. We just played too rough. It will just make me stronger later." She added, trying to make him smile if only a little before she had to leave.

The tree herder gave her a smile, feeling reassured and happy about what she said and moved his hand to put it on her shoulder as she hugged him.

"Alright. I will be waiting here. Or... somewhere close. I won't move an inch. I promise." He said, feeling he also needed to promise something. Of course even if she comes back she won't have an easy time finding him if he was taken away, so will not go anywhere until she came back and they could play again. He couldn't wait. "And you reminded me to pay attention. I will be more careful next time."

Lilly giggled and nodded.

"Alright. Next time I will hide and you seek. I bet you will never me." She challenged him with a grin before hugging him again, then she knew it was time to go. She sighed, then turned and ran back to her parents.

Her father looked down at her before picking her up. He was glad she made a friend, even though she got hurt. He would have to watch her closely. She was a little too rough for her own good. Though, she would quickly learn to handle herself in a better manner as they spent more time in the forest.

Gandalf of course saw the whole scene. He had been watching Hyano and Ironbark until they vanished out of sight before he turned his attention to the game of the younglings, remembering the fun he had with the saplings himself. Well, fun, if you call chasing after tree herder saplings in the middle of the night. At least it left a memory. His blue eyes shifted to Hazelbark for a moment, knowing he still remembered that night as well. He only averted his gaze from the sapling and his protector when the family started coming his way, wanting to return to the shack no doubt. He smiled and reached out an aged hand to get a closer look of the little girl's injury.

"Nothing is broken." He murmured, reassuring the family after a small silence, before letting go of her hand gently, caressing it softly, looking at her. "You will be fine very soon." He said and smiled, then turned towards the parents. "I take it you wish to return to the shack now, enough excitement for the day, eh?" He asked, smiling, knowing they were used to mostly uneventful days and this all is too much for the family. "However, I would like to stay a little longer, still have a rather long talk with Hyano before me... But I am sure Fieven wouldn't mind to show you to the shack." He continued and turned his head to look at the young elf, who just then met his gaze with a smile of his own, nodding in agreement.

The mother, Holly smiled at the boy and nodded.

"Thank you, my dear." She said, ready to follow him while the little girl smiled up at Gandalf.

"Alright. Hurry home soon. Mommy says staying out late is dangerous." Lilly said, making the father smile and roll his eyes. He was sure that Gandalf could take care of himself just fine. He nodded a goodbye to Gandalf, then turned to follow the boy, with his son and daughter not far behind.

While Gandalf chuckled and waved, waiting for Hyano, Fieven took lead and gestured for the family to follow him.

"The shack is this way. About a fifteen minutes walk." He informed the family before making sure they will follow and started their journey back to their new home as it seemed. He knew the direction to it as every elf. When they needed help with something serious they would always go there to ask whichever istar was there to aid them or explain something.

So, he led the family through a path he knew was the right one and walked silently, guessing they might be tired and needed some silence, peace on the way.


We hope you have enjoyed the chapter.

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