I do not own Lord of the Rings or any songs by The Band Perry. I don't make any money off this story, but I wish I could. It's always nice to get paid for doing something that is tons of fun. If only I could be paid to go on rides at theme parks or to dress all in black and sneak around like a ninja.
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She tugged it tight and then dangled her legs over the edge of the opening between the roots in the ground. 'Here goes nothin' she grinned and turned to begin climbing down the rope.
When her feet touched down she spun in a slow circle to take in her surroundings. A single dim lamp was lit in the corner. The moon had set a while ago and the stars shone silver through his window onto the polished stone of the ground. Once she picked up the lantern she saw that the walls all around were comprised mostly of roots of the tree above. The roots whirled and spun around each other as they reached the ground below. Her eyes stopped on the floor and for a while she stared. It was amazingly beautiful. She could easily see why this was his room. She trailed about dangling her lantern close to its surface. The same dark stone that comprised most of the cavern system made up the floor. Veins of crystal white, pink, and blue whorled in the dark polished surface like clusters of nebulous galaxies. The sparkling colors made her feel as if she walked on a thin glass divider over the night sky. In the corner a door was fitted between roots parted in an arc. Her eyes settled on his bed. It was smaller than she expected, maybe queen sized, and sat framed by thick roots that formed living bedposts. The covers were soft and smooth under her fingers. It took several moments to tear herself away. Her overactive imagination saw him there stretched out above the covers... shirtless. 'Wow! Ok, moving on'
She wandered red faced around a curve in the wall and the room opened up to reveal another spacious room with a desk in the corner and a dark fireplace surrounded by comfortable looking furniture. She could feel air on her face and had a feeling that during the day light would stream into the room from many openings that were hidden in the night.
A soft whoosh had her spinning around to run back into his bedchamber. At first she thought she had imagined the sound. That is, until she saw the small pile on the ground. "Damn" she muttered eyeing the rope. She thought she tied it like he said. The elleth's eyes rose to her former exit. She jumped in surprise.
"Hi..."
The hazel eyes of her guard glinted at her from the opening.
"I see you were not joking earlier," he said.
"No I wasn't... say, you didn't just untie that rope so I can't get out did you?"
"Of course not," he smirked and pointed behind her. "You see that passage"
Nicole turned to look. "Yeah there's a fireplace and a desk."
"There is a door there also."
"Okaaay" drawled Nicole with an irritated tone. What was this elf leading up to?
"It leads to the common room shared by the royal family."
"Oh... you know you never told me your name." Nicole smiled becomingly. She'd try to charm her way out of this one if she could.
"You didn't ask." he deadpanned.
"Sorry about that." She responded. "Sometimes it takes me months to learn my friend's names. It's much easier if they are trouble makers or make me angry somehow." She held up her fist and shook it. "Then everyone is saying, 'That darn 'so-and-so' always causing trouble. Grrr" She fixed a wide eyed look up at him, "and I do consider you my friend."
"Is that so?" He said with an arched brow.
"Oh yes, definitely." She nodded emphatically. "You are so helpful and accommodating. I'd still be withering away in my room if not for you."
"Withering?" He smiled. "You have a flair for the dramatic I see. You will fit in well with the royal family. My name is Thandor."
"Pleased to have met you." She eyed him a moment and he watched her back. "You aren't going to throw down another rope are you?"
"I think this will be a valuable lesson, so that you listen to your elders next time."
Nicole narrowed her eyes. "If I get caught down here, you will be accused of being negligent in your duties."
"Maybe, but it will be worth it to hear what the king says when he finds you in his son's room."
"How do you know he will catch me." Nicole fisted her hands on her hips. "I can be incredibly sneaky when I want." She waved a hand. "besides is not as if Legolas is in here with me and we're canoodling." She held up a finger. "Since you won't help me escape, at least tell me where I can find some of Legolas old clothes."
"Can-oodle… Is that some type of food?" He shook his head "Clothes? What? Why?"
"I'm not going all the way to Minas Tirith in a dress. "I'll wear his pants."
The elf began laughing, "You... you are joking, right? His clothes won't fit you."
"I am not, doesn't he have something from his youth that's a bit smaller?"
"He might. You could check his closet there." He pointed to the door behind her. He appraised her quietly for a brief moment. "You are serious about this?"
Nicole raised an eyebrow. "I am down here aren't I? Do you really need to ask?"
"I am so glad you aren't some proper stuffy lady." He finished. Amusement written across all his features.
"Thanks I think, Thunder" she responded.
"Thandor" he corrected.
"I prefer Thunder" she said glibly, turning away to walk to the closet. "Now if you will excuse me I'm going to change into something more comfortable." She threw open the closet. Rows of tunics, mostly in shades of green and silver hung there. Some were plain, others contained embroidery so delicate and skillful she had trouble believing it wasn't done by a machine. She ran her hand over them breathing deep, but only a hint of his natural smell lingered on the garments. They must have laundered them regularly even in his absence to keep them fresh. 'There!' The sleeves of several of the shirts were a few inches shorter. Beneath them a few pairs of pants hung similarly of a smaller size. With a belt they could easily be tucked into some boots and no one would notice if she turned the cuffs up once to make them shorter. Very pleased with her find she looked over her shoulder, but Thandor was gone from view. Quickly she changed into the clothes. As predicted the tunic was a decent fit, slimmer through the middle than Legolas was now that he had broad shoulders with all those muscles… Hmm. In her distraction she nearly dropped the fine garment. "Eep!" Quickly she snatched it from the air and shook her head to clear it. It was tough to be stealthy when these thoughts kept plaguing her. She just knew she was going to act like a complete idiot when she saw him again.
She took one last look around. It occurred to her that he did not have many personal posessions lying about. She would think that in his long life he would have had ended up with quite a collection. Perhaps he didn't care much for trinkets and spent little time in here. She could imagine him spending countless hours out in the woods and at the range.
Finally dressed in her pilfered... er borrowed garb, she quickly collected the other set of his clothes that fit, along with her dress, and the dropped rope. She draped the items over her arm. Then she moved into the next room and stood before the door leading into the common area. She took a few breaths and went over her plan in her mind. Carefully, she leaned forward and pressed an ear against the smooth wood. She listened for several moments, but heard nothing. She cracked the door and looked around it.
The next room was very much like this one. The roots of the trees above ran through the walls as if the plants wanted elves to live in their roots and had created this room for the royal family. They probably did, she thought, though no doubt the elves had assisted in shaping the space. It was too perfect to be an accident of nature. There was another fireplace and more soft furniture. A table big enough for a small family sat beneath another skylight. She smiled, imagining them seated there laughing and talking. There were two doors. One was surely the king and queen's bedroom, the other was her way out.
Nicole crept forward towards the door on her left and listened with baited breath. All she heard was the ever present movement of air, like holding one's ear against an empty seashell. She moved to the other door and found it was the same. Indecision and frustration filled her. Which one was it? She bit her lip. 'Why can't they snore or something.' She closed her eyes. 'Think Nicole,' but she was coming up blank. Slowly she reached for the door handle. It opened soundlessly under her hesitant fingers. She cracked it just enough to peek into the darkness. She saw a wide open space and quickly pulled it shut again. Surely the exit would be a hallway. She slunk over to the other door. 'Second time's the charm.' She reached out and pulled it open. 'A hallway.' She grinned and took a step forward.
Something gripped her shoulder painfully tight and spun her around to shove her back against the wall. On reflex she swung a fist outwards in an arc. Her arm was snatched from the air and suddenly her face was hard against the wall. Nicole hissed in pain. Her arm was twisted at an uncomfortable angle behind her back.
"Hold still intruder and I might let you live," came a familiar cold voice. A sharp edge pricked the back of her neck. She couldn't contain her squeak of surprise. 'What the hell! does he sleep with a knife under his pillow?'
"Stop! It's me..." she said shakily.
Silence followed her words then she was spun around again and a light burned her eyes with its sudden appearance.
"Nicole?" came Areth's voice from behind Thranduil.
She squinted until her eyes became used to the light of the lantern held aloft. 'Busted' was her thought as the king and queen stared her down. Well the king was staring her down and the queen was eyeing her with confusion.
"Nicole what are you doing here... And what are you wearing?" they were in their night clothes. The queen in a knee length shift with a robe thrown over it and Thranduil. Her face flushed and she dropped her eyes. He had no shirt and loose drawstring pants.
"I uh... wanted to get... in some of Legolas'... pants and and... to borrow a shirtless, SHIRT!" She flushed brighter and waved her hands in front of her frantically. "That came out wrong. I didn't-"
"You wanted some clothes" Areth burst out laughing. "Why not ask?"
"Because," she mumbled, "It's my secret dream to be mauled by an angry monarch in his pajamas."
The king's face twisted halfway between amusement and anger. "What?"
Areth leaned closer, "Is that my sword?" She stepped around the king.
"Right!" the word sounded squeakier than she would've liked. "That's the other reason I came. I wanted to ask if I could borrow your sword." Nicole turned her eyes down. "It just felt better than the others. Thandor said you haven't used it in a century."
"Thandor. The elf who is supposed to be watching after you?"
"The redhead, yep."
Thranduil leaned back. He and Areth shared a glance.
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She'd gotten off lightly. After some more intimidating looks that made Nicole feel like she was 12 years old again, Areth said something vague about repercussions all while suppressing laughter. The elleth took her back to her room. She heard the queen and Thandor speaking quietly outside, but couldn't make out the words. Then she left and the disgruntled elf led her to the stables.
Nicole tucked her pack into the saddle bags, or whatever they were called, since elves didn't use saddles. She was supposed to have her own horse, but when she very clearly let them know she knew little about riding, they volunteered one of 'their best riders.' Turned out they meant Thandor. Nicole had warned him he'd get implicated, but he didn't listen. The silence was palpable for several hours into the trip
"How long will it take to get there?" Nicole glanced back at the guard.
"I would say almost 2 weeks" He kept his eyes forward. He'd looked kinda pissed when he arrived. Serves him right. She wasn't angry about the whole thing but it could have been much worse. Thranduil could have kept his bow and arrow under his pillow. Wait a minute did he say-
"Two weeks?" Nicole's heart clenched. She was certain that was too long. "Elves don't need much sleep, can we just ride longer and take really short breaks."
"Why the rush?" came Thalon's voice from the other side of the path. Nicole twisted around to look back. Patches of sunlight swam over his face as they continued to trot along.
"I need to get there before the battle breaks out, and hopefully before the place is surrounded by orcs."
"You do not wish to take on the forces of Mordor with us?" Echon leaned forward on his horse. "I am hurt."
"Perhaps she plans on stealing the enemy's garments to infiltrate their camp."
Nicole poked Thandor in the side. "Now you speak? We've been riding for hours. Stop being so grumpy. You could've thrown me a rope if you didn't want to be forced to go. Besides, aren't elves supposed to be adventurous? Where is your wandering spirit?"
"We are not all like the prince, many of us prefer the comfort of the familiar to strange new places." He fixed her with a look. "and why do you keep saying 'elves this elves that,' as if you are not one yourself?"
"That sounds boring, seeing the same things for thousands of years. You should thank me for causing you some trouble, or you wouldn't get to adventure with me."
She saw Echon look towards Thandor and smile.
"He's rolling his eyes isn't he?" said Nicole.
"You are avoiding my question." came Thandor's voice in front of her.
"No" Nicole shifted on the horse. "I am just not used to being around elves. Most of my life was spent with humans."
"Yes Legolas mentioned that." said Thalon
"It must have been difficult to see so much death," said Thandor.
"Yes it was... but you would be surprised. Many humans accept death gracefully. The elderly and those in pain often welcome the peace that comes with their end." Nicole looked down at Thandor's back in deep thought. "But many more cling to life as long as possible, simply because they are afraid of what comes next. "
"I do not understand." said Thandor. He opened his mouth to speak again but was interrupted by Echon.
"-What have they to fear? All good men go to Mandos' halls to live in peace with their ancestors."
Nicole twisted around to meet his eyes "They don't share your beliefs and knowledge of the Valar and the Undying lands. Many fear that they are not good enough to enter 'heaven,' what we know as Mandos' halls. They believe they will be sent to a place of perpetual torment, where they will burn for all eternity. Others see death as the absolute end and when they die, they simply cease to be... I don't know which is worse."
Silence followed her words.
At length Thandor spoke, "That is... I have difficulty imagining how it would feel." He looked over his shoulder at the elleth on the horse with him. "It would make one desperate and afraid" His auburn brows scrunched together. "Men have such fleeting lives as it is"
"Why could you not tell them of what comes next, to ease their pain" asked Thalon in a reasonable tone.
Nicole sighed, "I couldn't speak on the subject with any authority. It was just a far away story to me and I had no experiences to speak from. And at that point I wouldn't know what it was like over there anyway." She shrugged.
"At that point... What do you mean?" Echon raised an eyebrow.
'Shit!' Nicole fought for a straight face. "Oh… you know, when I was younger… and lived with my family."
"Younger… Than you are now?" Echon laughed. "Can't have been that long ago."
Nicole tried, but was unsuccessful at holding back a little nervous laugh that had all the other members of her party giving her strange looks. "Is it that obvious?" she finished quietly.
"Yes. You are a strange contradiction of wisdom and youthful impulsivity," said Thandor.
"Thanks… I think."
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They reached the end of the old forest road late in the afternoon and continued along the western border of the forest late into the night. Around midnight they stopped in a small copse of trees just outside the forest. Nicole was very concerned about spiders, but Thalon assured her that the big ones Mirkwood was infamous for didn't normally leave the main forest's eaves. They were deeper within, where it was darker and their webs were undisturbed by all but prey that became entangled.
It was interesting to watch the elves sleep. Supposedly, they could do it even while they walked around. It was more like they were daydreaming really. Nicole was feeling strangely wakeful, so she examined her companions. She saw Thalon here and there moving among the trees like a shadow. They didn't light a fire. There were too many orcs and other foul creatures about for that. Echon swiftly climbed a tree and reclined against the trunk like it was a comfortable chair. He sat there swinging his leg idly and copying bird whistles that sounded in the darkness.
Nicole ate a little of some of the fresh food they'd brought along. The fruits and vegetables were grown in the shelter of a caldera like structure in the heart of the mountain palace. It was like a natural greenhouse, pretty cool. Delicious too. Nicole bit into a fruit that reminded her a bit of a plum. She was pretty sure she'd found her new favorite. She could eat half a dozen peaches, nectarines, or plums in one sitting if they were ripe and juicy. Strangely, she was satisfied after just one. She looked down at their supplies and licked her lips. She wanted more though. Nicole stood and moved away from temptation, better to conserve when traveling. She walked among the horses and stroked their silky noses when they turned to snuffle her. She was getting used to the creatures. They were big, sure, but these ones had been gentle and she saw intelligence in their soft eyes.
Thandor sat among them. He was the one who seemed the closest to the creatures. He had personally looked over each horse and spoke gently to them when they stopped for the night. Their ears turned towards him whenever he spoke, even when others rode them. Now he sat in the small clearing leaning against a large boulder as they milled around him eating grass and leaves. His eyes were turned up to the leaves of the trees that fluttered in the small breeze. They looked far away to Nicole. He must be dreaming, she decided. Carefully she sat beside him and looked forward as well. How did they dream with eyes open? Maybe it was like meditating. Nicole settled herself more comfortably against the rock at her back and tried to slow her breathing and let her mind wander.
"What are you doing?"
"Jesus!" Nicole jumped and turned her head to Thandor, who was looking at her curiously. "I thought you were sleeping. "
"I was, until you sat next to me." He continued to watch her. "Thalon tells me you normally sleep with closed eyes like a mortal. Is that true?"
"Yes" Nicole tipped her head back to stare at the stars.
"What are you hiding from us?" he asked conversationally.
Her eyes shot to his face. "What do you mean."
"You became very nervous earlier after you said you had never seen the undying lands."
"I never said that" Nicole faced him fully.
"You said you knew not what it was like 'over there' when you lived with humans. You either meant the halls of Mandos or Valinor." He tilted his head. "None of us have been there. Why would you need to go there in order to know of it's existence?"
"I…" Nicole looked down. She was tired of hiding things from people. She could trust these elves. "I have been there, to Mando's halls." She glanced quickly up to see Thandor's eyes widening. "I don't remember it, but… I died once before, so I must have been there, if I was sent back here. He is the only one who can do that right."
Thandor stared for a few more moments before answering. "No, Eru can do this as well"
"Oh" Nicole looked down at her feet. She wiggled her toes inside her boots before speaking again. "Well whoever it was. I'm happy to have a family and friends again."
"You still haven't told me everything."
Nicole let out a sigh. "You are persistent. Legolas knows everything alright. I'm not some evil tyrant in disguise trying to overthrow the crown."
"but you are marrying my prince." He pointed a finger at her chest. "I need to know what is in here."
Nicole frowned. "Look, to be honest, I would rather not have to worry about everyone else's problems." She turned her head away. "If I could have chosen for myself I would have fallen for a simple warrior. Princesses have far more responsib- What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing, my lady." With that he turned his head back to look at the trees.
81818 March 9th
At Nicole's insistence they got going early, before the sun had risen. There was little time for chatter and the horses went for most of the day at a brisk trot. They stayed on the east side of the Anduin until about noon when there was an area shallow enough for crossing. It wasn't safe to travel through the brown lands whether in daylight or under darkness. At least the virtue of the Galadhrim could offer some protection on the western shore. Once their party reached the Celebrant late in the afternoon they had to venture west somewhat in order to find a crossing. As Haldir had stated on her last journey through this land, bridges made it easier for the enemy to travel and all such structures had long been destroyed. So now they were currently wading through water and Nicole was feeling a bit anxious. Generally when someone said 'wading' they meant you didn't go past your knees, at least that's what it meant in her book. The water was past the horses knees now and Nicole was getting a bit nervous. The current looked pretty strong to her. She was a decent swimmer, but definitely not an expert.
Water sloshed against her boot. "Hey... Thalon?" she called nervously. "Are we going to be getting wet?"
He gave her an amused look over his shoulder. "Fear not, my Lady. The water will only reach to just below the shoulders of our fine steeds. Your delicate feet will remain dry if you lift them but a few inches."
Nicole raised an eyebrow, her nervousness forgotten. 'Seriously, who talks like that.' she shook her head. It was rather silly to worry about getting wet. No one else seemed concerned, maybe she should chill.
They picked up speed on the other side of the river. There was a path that led along the Anduin. She wasn't sure if it was safe to follow it, but it certainly sped along their progress. For a while trees covered them, but all too soon the comforting presence of the forest was gone. When they finally stopped for the night Nicole could not see the river. There were some trees, but they were scattered among a rocky hilly landscape.
"We cross the Limlight in the morning," said Thalon quietly to thier group. "It is shallow and clean." They sat huddled in a small circle with tall rocks curving around them in a half circle. A low tree with wide spreading branches hovered over them, offering cover from unfriendly eyes. Nicole hadn't had the sensation of being watched yet, but she wasn't always the most observant. There could be bands of orcs left over from the fight at Helms Deep, some of them might even recognize her, which would be a very bad thing.
"Do you remember the time that he got away from you and made it to the Gûlduin." said Echon conversationally.
"Yes, as I recall, you were the one who orchestrated the entire thing," replied Thalon dryly.
"We planned it together" said Echon defensively. "We heard a rumor that the water could be used to give good dreams to whomever drank it."
"When we finally fished him out he had swallowed so much water he lost a year of memory."
Nicole,who had been listening in interest since the beginning of the conversation, was to curious to remain silent any longer. "What are you guys talking about?"
Thalon scowled, "When Echon and the little lord hatched a plan that nearly got the prince killed."
She sat straighter, "Do tell!"
Echon hesitated, looking at Thalon's stormy face nervously. "The Gûlduin is an enchanted river, that causes whomever drinks the water to fall into a deep sleep. When they wake-"
"-if they wake" interrupted Thandor.
Nicole glanced at the elf. She'd thought he was sleeping. Wrong again.
Echon glared briefly at the auburn haired elf, "-when they wake, they suffer from amnesia."
"Why did you and Legolas want the water?"
"..."
"Go on tell her."
"We thought we could use it to make our tutors oversleep, so we could skip out on lessons on occasion."
Nicole snorted and then laughed. "Really? I thought Legolas was the obedient type."
"No." said Thalon. "He has always been quiet, but not obedient. Too much of his father's stubbornness and his mother's love of fun."
Nicole crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Ok, I can see that. So how'd he get past you?"
Thalon jerked his thumb towards Echon. "This one hid my bow."
"You are way to attached to your weapons," commented Echon.
"And when I found it, they had coated the handle in honey and left it on an anthill."
Nicole placed a hand over her mouth to stifle more laughter. "The river isn't that close to the palace right? Legolas must be fast."
"We were actually out on a hunting trip. " said Echon. "Learning how to apply what we learned on the range."
"You must have been young. " Nicole smiled seeing thier mischievous faces and wide eyes in her mind. Were elflings just as adorable as human children? She'd bet money on it.
"They were just children" Thalon held out a hand about chest high. "In thier late 20's both of them"
"Awwww" Nicole cooed, "boys are so much fun at that age."
"Not when you are trying to get them to pay attention during a lesson." He shook his head, "so Legolas made it to the river and tried to fill his waterskin, but unfortunately his arm dipped into the water and he fell in."
"And then you saved him?" said Nicole hopefully.
"If I had just jumped in I would have drowned myself." Thalon smiled
"Oh yeah, forgot about that."
"I fished him out with a branch. Luckily the current wasn't too strong."
"How were they punished?"
"Legolas couldn't even remember doing it." Thalon looked smugly over at Echon, "but this one couldn't sit for a week, and both were confined to the palace for 15 years at least."
"Wow, that's harsh."
Thalon's eyebrows shot up. "You think?
Nicole sat back "15 years? That's a long time for an elfling."
"Precisely" Thalon nodded sagely. "Time to reflect on the seriousness of their actions."
Nicole nodded quietly. Her eyebrows scrunched together. "There is one thing I don't get. Why would you two go through so much trouble just to knock someone out. Aren't there drugs you can slip into someone's wine for that kind of thing? It would be much easier." 'Oh god that sounded bad. Like I rufie people for fun. Whatever, they don't know about that here anyway.' She shook her head.
Echon stared at her a moment, a strange look in his eyes. 'Saddness' she realized. She opened her mouth, not sure what she was going to say when he spoke.
"You are clever Lady Nicole." He stood and turned away from the group. Nicole glanced at the other two to see if they had any clue what was going on, but found them giving one another befuddled expressions before looking back at the normally boisterous ellon.
"We wanted someone to forget..." He looked back at Nicole. "I had a sister once, an older sister. She fell in love with a young soldier and they married." He sighed. "Her husband was bitten by a spider... He died. She was inconsolable. I thought... Legolas and I thought if she drank enough of the water, she could forget that she ever knew him... and she could be happy again."
"Oh Echon... I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked. Is your sister... did she..." Nicole's voice faded. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.
His voice drifted back over the group. "It has been many years since we sent her to sail. I don't know if she made it across the sea before fading." He moved away on silent feet and swiftly climbed a tree.
Nicole leaned closer to Thalon. "Would it have worked, if she drank the water?" she whispered as quietly as she could.
"Maybe, but the nature of a soul bond is such that she could feel something was missing. She certainly wouldn't have been happy." Thandor sighed. "Ahh the young are so hopeful. I thought they must have had a better reason for such reckless behavior. I understand now." He smiled sadly at Nicole. "Now you see why most elves are so sad. We have much to lose and even more time in which to lose it."
"How do you keep your spirits up?"
Thandor's smooth voice piped up at her side, "Many of us become lost in memory and lock ourselves away from the ever changing world outside our elven cities."
Nicole looked down at her hands, "I don't ever want to become like that. It sounds too much like giving up. With so much knowledge and time on our hands we have a duty to do good where it can be done."
Thandor leaned back and smiled. "I think you are the elleth for the job."
Nicole raised an eyebrow. "I meant metaphorically. I really have no clue how I'm going to make a difference."
"But you have the time to figure it out." he responded glibly
"hm" Nicole glanced at the two smirking elves thoughtfully. She sighed and looked up at Echon's form slumped against the trunk of the tree above them. She could start doing some good now with a little song therapy. Elves sang a lot of sad songs, but she only knew a few. She took a breath and let the notes drift from her tongue softly,
"If I die young, bury me in satin, lay me down on a bed of roses,
sink me in the river, at dawn.
Send me away with the words of a love song. uh oh uh oh"
She could see Echon tilt an ear towards her from above. She sang in English. The emotion in the song made it clear the melody was a tribute to his sister and her lost love.
At the end of the song she laid down and stared up at the canopy of the tree, allowing the motion of it's branches to lull her to sleep.
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A travel chapter. I had to do some minimal research for this one. I really don't know much about horses, other than they are pretty from really far away. ;) But then again, these are elvish horses, so that means they're smarter and faster.