DISCLAIMER AND NOTES: I own nothing of this save my own characters: Arquen, Amorith (Vanimë), Forfirith (Vanië), Olwen, and random Elves. In other words, if you recognize something, it belongs to Tolkien. Quenyan and Sindarin phrases from Also, many thanks to sage-serenity and SofiaB for the warm reviews; I hope this story lives up to your expectations! Forgive the title, I was unsure of something suitable. Any suggestions gladly welcome!

Into Thoughts

Forfirith smiled at her mother.

"Hantanyel, ammë. Likewise, you have been sorely missed." she said.

"Ányë hilya, Vanië; there is food prepared for you." Arquen said, handing the book to Olwen. "You must be hungry after your journey."

Forfirith smiled graciously at the handsome elf.

"I am hungry, but may not be able to eat after all this excitement. I wonder if I am dreaming; can this be real at all?" she told him. "At times, if one desires something direly, one will feel that he has received his wish."

Olwen chuckled appreciatively.

"Wise words, yendë. I assure you this is no dream. You are home at last, and I am standing beside you with Arquen behind me." she said to Forfirith.

Forfirith closed her eyes then opened them slowly. Then, to satisfy herself, she pinched her arm. Arquen and Olwen laughed softly at this.

"Laugh not at me!" Forfirith said to them, as a smile flickered across her face. "Long and hard have been the years since last I was here, and many a time I thought for sure I would not return. Dark was my heart in those days, like the darkness of Fangorn Forest. Lady I was of that dear place, where the Ents walked."

Olwen grew silent. Arquen's face softened at Forfirith's words.

"Come, Forfirith. Perhaps some food will help." he told her gently.

Forfirith nodded, and allowed herself to be led down the hall by Arquen. When she did not see Olwen, she stopped.

"Are you not joining us?" she asked.

"I will shortly." Olwen replied.

"Very well, then. Continue, please, Arquen."

The silver-haired Elf nodded, then resumed walking. Forfirith took in everything around her hungrily. Everything seemed perfect to her; nothing had fault. Many servants looked at her curiously as Arquen led her deeper into the mansion. She wondered if they knew about her, if her mother had told them about her at all. What did Arquen know?

Her thoughts were brought to a sudden halt as Arquen led her into a dining hall. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before in all of her life. The walls were made of clear glass, allowing observers to look outside as they pleased and see everything. The hall overlooked a vast green lawn, in the middle of which was a large lake. Magnificent snow-white swans floated gracefully across the water's smooth surface, their beaks gleaming like gold in the sun. Forfirith found herself standing by the wall, gazing out towards the lake, her breath caught in her throat at the beauty that lay before her very eyes. A few Elves were standing near the shore of the lake, their hands outstretched towards the swans. The Noldo could not help the smile that stole across her face.

"How beautiful…" she sighed.

Arquen came up beside her.

"It is. I myself have spent many a day standing in the very place you now occupy, admiring the swans. At times, I go down to the lake as well." he said.

Forfirith turned to look at him. They were close together now, inches separating them. His fair face had the light of the Two Trees in it, which seemed to dance in his clear gray eyes. His hair, she noted, was not silver, but rather pale blond, white almost. He appeared to her a very noble Elf, fit to be akin to Olwë.

"Is something amiss, Vanië?" he asked her kindly.

She flushed, realizing that she had been staring at him.

"Lá." she replied.

He smiled.

"Well, then, you should eat something now. Afterwards, you may go to the swans if that is your wish." he told her.

Forfirith's gray eyes lit up.

"Oh, may I?" she asked excitedly, feeling again like a young elfling.

"Of course, you need no one's permission. This is your home now; do what you please." he told her. "In fact, I will ask a servant to take some light food out to you."

"Le hannon!" she said, then realizing that she had just spoken Sindarin, corrected herself, "Forgive me, I have not spoken Quenyan for many a age; my tongue is used to Sindarin. I meant to say hantanyel."

Arquen nodded understandingly.

"I thought so. That language you speak of…Sindarin, it sounds not harsh on the tongue or ears. Perhaps you can teach me?" he said.

Forfirith beamed.

"That would be my pleasure." she told him.

Arquen then showed her the door, also made of clear glass, which led outside. He watched the Noldo as she made her way to the lake, her feet carrying her swiftly to the shore.

'How like her mother she is, yet she retains her own individuality.' he thought to himself.

"Where is Vanië?"

Arquen turned to the sound of Olwen's voice, and his heart fluttered. He said nothing as she came towards him, his eyes glittering at the sight of her beautiful form. When she was close, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. Olwen moaned softly in his arms, her hands on his chest.

"Melmenya." he said, when he broke their kiss.

She gazed up at him lovingly, fingering his hair.

"Your daughter is outside. As soon as she saw the swans she wanted to be with them. I sent a servant after her to bring her food." Arquen said. "Ah, there he goes now." he added, as a servant exited the hall.

Olwen smiled as she beheld her daughter outside with the swans.

"I cannot help it; my heart goes out to her." Arquen said softly.

Olwen smiled proudly.

"That gladdens me; you will be the father she never had." she told him. "I only wish that Vanimë were here, of the pair she is most dear to my heart. Vanimë is like her father in demeanor, while Vanië is like me."

Arquen patted her hands gently.

"Even if she does not come here, she will remain forever with you—in here." he told her, placing his hand over her heart. "Through your hearts, you will always be together."

Olwen nodded and sighed.

"But a mother's heart can only handle being asunder from her children for only so long. Yet, I will not be saddened, for Vanië said that Vanimë is well." she said.

Arquen smiled at her.

"That is wise, Olwen." he told her.

They remained together in the dining hall watching Forfirith with the swans for some time until she returned inside. Her eyes were alight with happiness.

"They are so delicate!" she said breathlessly, easing herself into a chair. "I managed to touch one, and they are so soft! Their feathers are smooth and silky!"

Olwen and Arquen smiled at her.

"They are indeed as you describe them. That is why they are beloved to us, the Teleri. It must not be forgotten that Ossë gifted us swans when we were still in Middle-earth, to pull our ships across the windless seas." Arquen said.

Forfirith nodded.

"I have not forgotten. It is quite strange to be hearing these tales here. They seem much more fitting to be told in Middle-earth, not here." she told them.

Noontime had come. Forfirith, being restless, took leave of her mother and Arquen. She wanted to walk the streets of Alqualondë on her own and immerse herself amongst the Teleri. Olwen and Arquen saw her out the door of their mansion.

"She will need time alone for herself to contemplate. Even though she is glad to be here at last, I can sense something else deep within her." Olwen said.

Arquen nodded somberly.

"I can only imagine what she must be feeling. Happiness, undoubtedly, but longing as well. She has lived in Middle-earth for most of her life now, and it will not be easy for her to forget all that came to pass. I know this well; I see it in the faces of the others. But for Vanië it will be more difficult; her departure from here was not pleasant, and the memories of old haunt her still." he said. "Only the Valar now, and time, can help her."

Olwen nodded and sighed.

As for Forfirith, she managed to find her way back to the port. The ship on which she had journeyed from the Grey Havens lay anchored in the bay, rocking gently in the water. She gazed at it for some time before she turned away.

"This is the last binding connection I have to Middle-earth," a voice said in Sindarin.

Forfirith turned and saw a he-elf standing behind her.

"Man eneth lín?" she asked him.

"Numbor i eneth nín." he replied. "And you are Lady Forfirith of Fangorn Forest?"

She nodded.

"How do you know?" she asked, curious.

"I saw you when you came to Imladris, and listened eagerly to your tales of Fangorn Forest. I dreamt of going there, but I never did." he replied.

She smiled.

"Your memory serves you well, Numbor. As the ship is your last binding connection to Middle-earth, so it is to me." she told him. "Though I have dreamt of returning here, I feel saddened somewhat at having left Middle-earth."

Numbor nodded.

"It is not easy to leave the place in which one has dwelled for many years." he affirmed.

"Memories are not easily forgotten, be they bitter or sweet."

"Indeed." Forfirith sighed.

She lingered for a few moments with Numbor before taking leave. Their conversation lingered on her mind, and suddenly she felt weary. Slowly she made her way back to the mansion and was greeted by her mother and Arquen.

"I need rest." she told them. "I am weary."

Olwen called for a maiden to lead her daughter to an empty room. As she turned, her gaze fell upon the book Forfirith had given her. Picking it up, she looked at Arquen.

"Let us read this. Perhaps I will find peace as well, for my heart burns with anguish." she told him. "I must find out why Vanimë did not return with Vanië."

"I am sure there is an explanation." Arquen said as he followed Olwen.

Once in the library, Olwen seated herself comfortably. Arquen joined her. She hesitated for a few moments, unsure if she dared to open the book. Who knew what she would learn? Sensing her uneasiness, Arquen patted her arm gently. Her courage returned, and with shaking hands, Olwen drew in a deep breath and opened the book.

TRANSLATIONS:

Hantanyel: I thank thee (Quenyan)

Ammë: mom/mother (Quenyan)

Ányë hilya: follow me (Quenyan)

Yendë: daughter (Quenyan)

Lá: no (Quenyan)

Le hannon: I thank you (Sindarin)

Melmenya: my love (Quenyan)

Man eneth lín: what is your name (Sindarin)

i eneth nín: my name is (Sindarin)