The tension of the day relieved, the next morning Legolas and I spend time together when Gandalf and Sam came to sit with Frodo. We go down to the training yards where I spend some time with the bow, pleased that I hit the target more often than not, but still needing some work on my aim. Afterwards I sit while Legolas spars with some of the other Elves in the yard, sometimes taking on multiple opponents at once. I can't contain the awe I feel as I watch the grace of the Elves in their dance of death, so much like their dances of feasting. The blades sing and feet leap to and fro, a shout of merriment is occasionally heard.

"Sahalie," Elrohir beckons over the noise, touching my elbow to gain my attention. I turn my head but can't take my eyes off the scene in front of me.

"Yes?"

"He's awake." My eyes swing to him now. He pulls my arm gently and we run. I spare a glance back to Legolas, but his focus in wrapped up in his sparring and I wouldn't want his concentration to slip and land him in the infirmary if I were to call to him. "I'll come back to get him later. Fear not."

When we reach the infirmary wing, I can hear Sam nearly shouting: "We were that worried, weren't we Mister Gandalf?"

"By the skills of Lord Elrond, you're beginning to mend," Gandalf adds. Elrond enters through the wide door as Elrohir and I round the final corner.

"Welcome to Rivendell, Frodo Baggins." I stop walking a few feet short of the door, surprised by my own uncertainty. Elrohir nudges me forward with an encouraging look. I take a deep breath and step past the threshold. "Sahalie, thank you for coming." Frodo looks to me with a crystal gaze.

"It is good to see you awake."

"It is good to be awake." I feel self-conscious for a few moments.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, moving to stand beside Lord Elrond.

"Sore, and hungry."

"I'll bring you some food," Sam shouts, running for the door.

"Bland food to start, if you will, Master Gamgee," Lord Elrond calls after him.

"Yes, sir," he acknowledges before continuing on his way.

"Now, if you would, your wound should be checked. Sahalie?"

"Yes, sir." I move forward to assist Frodo in sitting up all the way on his own and carefully removing his arm from his tunic while the Elf Lord washes his hands and collects the necessary supplies. "Are you alright?" I ask.

"Quite, as can be expected, I suppose. Forgive me, but you seem familiar to me. How is that possible?"

"Sahalie sat with you most nights since you arrived, my dear hobbit," Gandalf offers before I can utter a word.

"Really?" he asks, pinning me with his gaze.

"Yes."

"Why?" I stop my movements and stare at the pillow. The question shouldn't have caught me off guard or been unexpected, but I find myself without an answer.

"Because it was the right thing to do," I reply, though I'm not sure if it's the whole answer. I look up at Elrond when his hands start to gently unwind the bandage until the healing wound is finally revealed. He returns my stare and gives me an approving look before addressing Frodo.

"You may feel some tenderness over the coming weeks. Apart from that, you are healing remarkably well. There has been no sign of infection or residual darkness. As long as you maintain the proper care, I see no reason for you to remain in bed. If you feel ill or have any questions, Sahalie and myself are more than capable of answering and assisting you." I aid Lord Elrond in the cleaning and treating of the wound as he talks, keeping a careful eye trained on Frodo, searching for any sign of discomfort and finding very little, none to cause alarm over.

"That smells wonderful," Frodo comments when I carefully apply the salve.

"It's a blend of various flowering herbs. I quite like the smell as well. It's comforting," I tell him.

"I brought you a tray, Mister Frodo. I thought water and tea might be best to drink. Is that alright?" Sam announces from behind me.

"Those are fine choices, Master Gamgee," Elrond replies, looking over the tray. I finish helping Frodo back into his tunic and prop him up with pillows, then wash my hands in the basin. "We shall leave you to your meal. I request that you stay in bed for the remainder of the morning and we shall see how you fare after a bit of food and some rest. I shall check on you this afternoon."

"Thank you, Lord Elrond. And Lady Sahalie." Frodo bows his head, a universal sign of respect. I return the gesture and walk out.

Walking down the corridor, I find myself at a loss. For the first time since coming here, I feel homesick. Not for the life I left behind, but for the people I've lost. I miss the care and attention freely given to me by my parents whenever I was sick. I wander down to the clearing. I brush my fingertips against the leaves as I pass under them.

'Hello, little one,' she greets me.

"Hello." I settle down in between her roots. "He's awake. Frodo."

'You must be relieved.'

"Yes," I reply, staring beyond the beauty of the Valley.

'You are sad?' she asks, brushing against my consciousness.

"Yes," I whisper.

'What weighs on you, little one?' I'm wrapped in a warm embrace I can nearly feel upon my skin.

"I miss my family," I continue in a whisper, rediscovering my long-buried feelings. "Since arriving here, I never felt alone. I felt at peace for the first time in years, but seeing the love Frodo is surrounded by, the number of people he has to care for him, I want that. That's not something I've had for a very long time. You have one too many heartbreaks and you shut yourself off from the possibility, so that's partly my own fault, but I don't want to be alone anymore." At some point, I couldn't get the words out anymore and so was speaking through whatever connection allows me to hear my tree friend. Tears roll down my cheeks and I curl into the tree, hiding my tears from any who might chance a look.

'It may be little comfort to you now, little one, but you are loved by those you have met here. You bring them hope, and light, though you may not see it.' I sit quietly still, until at last my tears dry on my cheeks.

"Thank you."

'I will always be here to comfort you, little one.'

"I think I have a name for you now. Would you like to hear it?"

'I would love to.' I feel something akin to what I imagine a smile to feel like, as you can hear the sound of someone's voice change when they're smiling.

"Gaia. It means 'earth' but in my world, there were the Greeks. They had a goddess named Gaia who was a great mother over the earth."

'What a beautiful name. Thank you.'