Elanor stood at the door of her hobbit hole. She looked through the window to see her mother holding Primrose in her arms and trying to stop her crying and Sam in his armchair with his head in his hands.
There was a snap of a branch behind her and she turned hastily to see Frodo with a bag on his shoulders and a there fathers wooden staff.
"I was just about to come searching for you." He said.
"Clearly."
Elanor smiled. "Frodo I have found something out. It's not good news but it will definitely help us find out what's wrong with the Hobbits. In fact I think I already know what's causing it."
"You do? How can you be so sure?"
"Because I met with Éfao again. He told me so much, and his kin are in trouble to. Not the same way a us, but the thing that is causing there troubles, is causing ours."
"Do they know how to stop it?"
"Well I know Éfao doesn't. He says his kin don't know what to do about it, but they know what's causing it and we could use this knowledge to help them and the sick hobbits here."
Elanor looked nervously at the door. She reached her hand slowly towards the golden door knob but then pulled it away hesitating.
"Do you think father will be angry with me?"
"No. He is just ashamed of himself and the moment. I think he believes you are right. Just walk in there and explain everything you have found out. Don't talk about whatever is bothering you both at this moment. Now is not the time."
"When did you become so wise O' brother?" Elanor smiled.
"When did you become so brave and loyal my sister?" Frodo smiled back.
Elanor blushed.
She pulled herself together and entered.
Sam, Rosie and all her brothers and sisters stared up at her.
Sam had dark shadows under his eyes, and tear stains down his cheeks and Rosie looked scared.
Always so frightened.
"I have something to explain. I don't want to speak of what has happened between us now. It is not the time to dwell on such things when there are more important things to discuss such as the fate of The Shire."
Sam just nodded and took his glance away.
Elanor sat beside the fire and didn't say anything for a few moments but then she started to explain everything she had heard from Éfao. Everything from the tale of the eleven maiden who was the soul of the forest, to how Saruman cursed the tree and how she thought the water was infected and poisoned.
"So you think that the water we are drinking is infected with this…curse from Saruman?"
"Yes."
"But how can we be sure this Éfao is telling the truth?" Sam asked.
"Why would he not? Why would he make up that his kin are dying if they are not? He obviously seeks help from us and maybe he can help us. He already has by giving us this knowledge. We owe him at least a little bit of aid don't we?"
Sam looked at Rosie who still looked worried, and then nodded.
"We shall help them, I promise. We shall help them like we never did, and we will do all we can to protect them."
Elanor nodded and sighed with relief.
"What are we going to do then?" Frodo asked.
"We are going to seek them out tonight. You will take me to the woods, and we will bring peace with us. I will ask Aragorn and Elrond to come with us tonight. We will gather more information and do as much as we can to help each other through these hard times."
Elanor and Frodo both looked at each other and smiled with happiness as hope had risen in their hearts once more.