The next couple of weeks her fever came and went, so she spent most of her days in bed, either sleeping or reading. Some of her better days she sat with the cane in her lap, exploring the power that pulsated through it. Logon was never far away and when he had some time over he taught her Sindarin. Fili and Kili came to check up on her as often as they could when they weren't busy with other obligations. She grew extremely fond of the three of them. Logon was like the older brother she never had, always caring for her, always patient when she got angry for not understanding what he showed her, when she was homesick he held her and let her tears flow freely and cheered her on when she learned new things about the cane, he was surprised when she slowly revealed her powers. Fili, she couldn't really put her finger on what he was only that she was afraid of losing him, he was like her best friend, they had kissed a few times since the first one but only when they were alone which was rare, they were often accompanied by Kili, Logan or some of the other elves. And Kili, sweet Kili, felt almost like a brother too, always joking around, telling her stories about anything he could think of and making her laugh. She was never totally alone, if not the brothers, Logon or some of the elves were there, little birds, squirrels and other mammals that lived in the realm were never far away. Feeling a bit like Snow White she smiled down at her most recent visitors, a couple of minks sat in her lap as she was leaning back on the pillows, struggling her way through yet another book written in Sindarin. The female looked up at her with their equivalent of a smile; Deidre looked down and scratched her on the head. Her connection with the animals were no longer a secret, everybody knew and nobody cared, to her it felt like when you have to sit still for a whole day and then get to go out and stretch your legs on a run; relieving and freeing, like she was finally able to breathe.

After spending almost two weeks in bed she began to feel better, and once the fever was totally gone, her ankle had healed completely so she could walk around without the cane, even though she never went far from it. Every morning she drew another mark on the first page of the book she had brought with her on her hiking trip; there were almost twenty five of them now. Her heart sank when she thought about her parents. By now they probably assumed her kidnapped or dead. The worst part was that no one here would understand her. She had started keeping a small journal on little pages of parchment the elves had given her, she wrote it like a letter to her parents even though she knew they would never see it.

This morning she sat, freshly bathed and dressed in a pair of tight black jeans that she had brought with her and a short sleeved, white t-shirt, by the desk, writing about the dreams she had the night before when the door opened and the brothers came in;
"Deidre? Are we disturbing you?"
"Not at all, please come in." She turned around on the chair and stared at the grinning couple.
"What?"
They looked at each other and then Kili couldn't hold it in any longer; "We are going home! Thorin has sent for us and Tauriel has told us that we are well enough to travel!"
Her heart sank but she tried not to show it so she gave them both a big grin; "That is amazing! I am so happy for you!" She stood up and hugged them both; 'Just be careful, you two are full enough as it is by scars. I will miss you terribly, both of you." She hugged them again and wiped away a stray tear that was threatening in the corner of her eye. Fili shoved his brother aside and turned her towards him;
"What my little brother isn't telling you is that we want you to come with us. We have spoken to both Tauriel and Logon and as long as we promise to stop as soon as you get tired, you are free to come with us!" His eyes were shining with pure joy and her heart made a double take in her chest;
"Really? But I thought you wanted to go by yourselves since you have been gone for so long?" She tried to repress the joyous feeling in her chest. Sure the elves had been really kind to her and helped her but she felt like the dwarfs was her friends.
"I don't want you to feel left behind, plus see it as an adventure! Maybe we run into someone you know on the way? And if you're really lucky, Bilbo will still be there, and you get to meet a hobbit!" He gave her a crocked grin.
Well, she hadn't been exactly honest with where she came from. And she was a sucker for adventures.
"Maybe we will." She bit her lip and then smiled at both him and Kili; "I will be delighted to follow you home! Although, I must admit to being a bit nervous."
"Why?" They said in unison and she smirked at them, flashing her dimples;
"What if they don't like me. I mean, I don't have a beard!" She giggled, at first they looked stunned and then they busted into laughter.
"Don't worry, no one will take you for a dwarf anyway, you are too tiny!" Kili mocked.
"Hey, watch it shorty!" She mocked back, being barley a few inches taller than the sturdy dwarfs; the door opened and the two elves were standing there, staring at the three giggling creatures.

After a short nod in her direction Legolas swept Fili and Kili with him and left her alone with Tauriel. The elf sat down on one of the chairs and Deidre placed herself on the stuffed chair she had been sitting in before. Tauriel gave her a soft look; "Logon will miss you little one, but it might be good for you to go with them, maybe you will find your way back to your relatives."
"Maybe. Tauriel?"
"Yes?"
She stood and gave the elf a warm hug, Tauriel hugged her back; "Thank you for everything Tauriel, really; without you and Logon I would have been so lost."
"Oh hush, it was a pleasure Deidre. Remember that you are always welcome back to us in case you need a home." Deidre got a soft kiss on the cheek and then the other woman stood up and bid her a good night.

That night they held a big party for the three of them; all the elves had grown fond of both the dwarfs and of her. The biggest surprise was when Logon got up from his place next to her to instead kneel in front of her chair; "Deidre, you are like a little sister to me, which is how I have come to see you since you came here; all scared, battered and bruised. I know that you have a family of your own somewhere but I want you to have a family here, with me. Will you let us adopt you? To be a proper family? That way you will always have a home, wherever you go and if anyone ever doubts you just send them to me and I will deal with them. Will you do me the honor?"
Everyone fell silent and her eyes filled with tears. Thoughts were running through her mind but then she thought back to everything that had happened to her and whom it was that had been there since the beginning;
"Yes. Yes Logon, Le uivelin muindor nín*." She whispered and fell around his neck, everyone cheered and after the ceremony, that bore very much resemblance to a wedding and where she was told that this was the first time in history where it had happened, they celebrated even more. People came with gifts and congratulations to both, welcoming her to their home. Even Thranduil showed up and with his short attendance gave them his blessing.

* I will always love you my brother