A/N: More Sindarin in this chapter :) As usual, translations at the bottom. Enjoy!


Chapter 28

Mel didn't return to her flet that day. She ran through the forest, running and running, letting the underbrush tear at her skin and her hair and her clothes, trying to run from the awful feeling she had in the pit of her stomach, in the back of her mind, the feeling that she had just made a horrible, terrible mistake.

She ran until she couldn't run anymore, and then she collapsed at the base of a mallorn tree, gasping for breath and letting the sounds of the trees fill her mind, trying to drown out the nagging, clawing doubt. She lost track of time and when she realized that the light was getting dimmer, she didn't care. None of it felt real. For the first time since she had come to Middle-Earth, she gave serious consideration to the possibility that this was all just a very elaborate dream and soon she would wake up in her own bed, in her own world, as if she had never left.

Terror gripped her at the thought, squeezing her chest and making it hard to breathe. What if everything she had gone through, all the pain and grief and fear, what if it all meant nothing? What if it didn't even exist? What if all the people that she now cared so much about were nothing but fictional characters and all of this was in her head? That couldn't be. It just couldn't be true. It had all felt so real before. But the possibility made her head swim. And if none of this was real, then no one was going to miss her. She curled up under her cloak, the cloak Elrohir had given her, and even though she had thought she had cried all her tears, she ended up crying herself to sleep.

Sunlight fluttering over her closed eyelids woke her in due time, but she didn't move. She felt like she couldn't move. If she moved the world would either shimmer and fade out of existence or she would have to face the cold reality of the choice she had made. Neither option appealed to her and so she stayed curled up against the base of the mallorn tree, squeezing her eyes shut tighter against the daylight and wishing for sleep to come to her again. She drifted in and out of dozing for an indeterminable amount of time, letting the forest fill her thoughts and force out anything else.

"Calenhiril?" a timid voice spoke up out of the gentle murmur of trees, "Calenhiril, the elves search the woods. They are calling for you."

She curled up tighter and huddled closer to the mallorn tree.

"I don't care."

The trees returned to gentle murmurs.

It felt like moments, but when the calls of the elves finally reached her and she opened her eyes, the light was fading into dusk.

"Mel! Mel, where are you?"

The voice was familiar, but she'd never heard that tone before, high and frightened.

"Mel! Mel, please come back!"

She shifted against the tree, but she was stiff and a moan escaped her lips.

"Mel? Mel is that you?"

The voices were getting closer and now she could hear a whisper of running feet. She had a moment of panic, a moment of resistance, and she tried to scramble up, to hide herself, but she was too sore to move that fast. An elf burst through the trees, the same unfamiliar elf that had been leading the fellowship.

"Den ichiren!" he called as he knelt beside her, "Lady Lindel, are you alright?"

"Thank the stars!" Eregwen cried as she flew out of the forest on light, quick feet, "Mel, are you hurt? What happened?"

She fell to her knees and put her hands on Mel, fluttering over arms and head and face frantically.

"Were you lost? I'm so sorry I lost you! I should have been paying more attention, gin iallon, goheno nin!"

As Eregwen carried on in a mix of elvish and Common speech, several other elves emerged from the trees, Lord Celeborn among them. Mel felt a stab of embarrassment. All this trouble because she had selfishly run away like a child. She reached out and took Eregwen's fluttering hands in hers, trying to calm her.

"I'm fine, really," she rasped, swallowing to relieve her dry throat, "You didn't need to do all this."

"Oh, Mel! When you didn't come back I was so anxious for you. I went to the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn started a search party and we've been searching and searching for you! I was sick with worry!" She pulled back suddenly and gave her a sharp look, "You are NEVER to do that again, do you hear? What if an animal had gotten you? Or you had wandered out of the forest? There are orcs out there!"

"Lady Healer, perhaps it would be better to continue this conversation in the city?" The soft commanding voice of Celeborn permeated the entire forest and cut through Eregwen's hysteria, "I'm sure the Lady Galadriel will be very pleased to know that Lindel has been found."

Eregwen took a deep breath and nodded, "Ben iest dhîn, brannon."

"Lady Lindel, can you stand?" asked the strange elf at her side.

Mel assessed her aches and pains, then shrugged.

"I think so. I'm a little stiff."

He smiled, but Eregwen's familiar commanding voice interrupted.

"Haldir, help the poor girl to her feet at least! She's been out in the forest all night and all day!"

The name startled Mel. She opened her mouth to say something, but she couldn't find any words. She had met so many fictional characters in the last couple of months, she hadn't thought one more would affect her. But she still felt that sense of awe and wonder as the Marchwarden of the Golden Wood stood and offered her his hand.

"May I, my lady?"

She took it and the warmth made everything real again. She was really here, all of this was really happening, and she was going to have to face it. The things she did affected everything. Haldir pulled her to her feet and she looked at the other elves with new eyes. The question was across her lips before she had time to think about it.

"Are your brothers here?"

Haldir's eyes widened with surprise, but one of the other elves laughed, a deep gentle rumble from the chest. He leaned over and said something in elvish to another elf, who laughed in turn, this laugh lighter and easier, like it got plenty of use. She looked at Haldir expectantly and was surprised to see that he was blushing. He snapped something in elvish and the laughter stopped, but everyone was smiling now.

"Lady Lindel, may I present my brothers, Rumil and Orophin. Please forgive Orophin's rude behavior, he has clearly forgotten all of our mother's guidance with regards to addressing a lady."

"What did he say?" she asked, "I was learning some Sindarin in Rivendell, but to be honest, I wasn't very good,. The pronunciation isn't what I expected at all."

"Ah, perhaps that is for the best!" Haldir said, visibly brightening and attempting to hurry her away without appearing as if he were hurrying her away, "My brothers have not had need to learn much of the Common Tongue, and truth be told I wouldn't want your ears to be filled with their nonsense."

There was more laughter and Mel glanced back at the brothers following along in their wake.

"But they can understand us?"

"Oh certainly, enough to understand the essence of our conversation at any rate. Not enough to properly communicate of course, but still…"

He was now talking about them as if they weren't there and there was a sharp comment from one of the brothers. It sounded like Orophin. Mel didn't need a lesson in elvish to know that he wasn't happy about the way Haldir was treating them.

She turned, making Haldir pull up short, and gave the brothers a friendly little bow.

"It's very nice to meet you both."

The two brothers smiled and returned her bow. The smaller of the two, Rumil took a step forward and took her free hand in his.

"We are very pleased to meet you." He said in halting Common, before dropping a kiss to the back of her hand.

Mel grinned so widely her cheeks hurt and looked up at Haldir, who was blushing furiously again.

"Sounds just fine to me." She said, primly.

Orophin laughed again, louder this time. He slung an arm over her shoulders, tugging her away from Haldir's grip (much to Haldir's dismay) and said something in elvish that she didn't understand, winking at Rumil, who said something that sounded like agreement, before they both looked back at their brother expectantly. Haldir was scowling and said something scathing in elvish, but that only seemed to make his brothers laugh more.

"Okay, is someone gonna clue me in?" she asked, glancing around at the rest of the search party, who were all watching what was happening with expressions of fond amusement, "What are they saying?"

"They find you charming and amusing," Lord Celeborn said, his eyes dancing, "And they are asking permission to keep you."

Mel looked up and Orophin was grinning down at her.

His eyes were gray.

Suddenly, she felt sick and her knees felt like jelly. She was slipping to the ground. Orophin's smile melted into concern and he caught her as she fell. She forced herself to tear her eyes from him and take deep breaths, her chest tight and her heart pounding frantically against her ribs.

"Mel? Mel what happened?"

Eregwen's voice had taken on that frantic edge again, and then, out of nowhere, a string of harsh elvish words tumbled out of her mouth. Mel was lifted into the air, feeling dizzy and light-headed, and she vaguely heard Eregwen switch back to Common again.

"Oh, Mel, I am such a fool! You've been out here alone, without food or water! Hurry, Orophin, we need to get her back to the city!"

Just the mention of food and water made Mel's mouth dry out like a bag of cotton balls and her stomach clench angrily. Her head was pounding and she couldn't concentrate on what was happening. Gray eyes swam in front of her, even when her own eyes were closed she couldn't escape them. She tried to think of something, anything else because when she saw those eyes they were the eyes of a dead man. He was already dead and she couldn't stop it. She wanted to cry, but no tears would come. There was just pain.

"Mel? Mel, please drink this."

Eregwen's trembling voice brought her back to the present. She opened her eyes. The healer held a small cup of water out to her. Mel took it with a shaking hand and sipped. The cool water instantly soothed her head and dry mouth. She finished the cup and became aware that she was back in the healing flet she had called home for the past month. And the elven search party was peering down around her. She sat up and felt a little dizzy, but forced herself to stay upright.

"Thank you for finding me. I'll be fine now." She whispered, her voice hoarse.

The group seemed to visibly relax. Lord Celeborn gave a slight bow.

"Then I will inform the Lady Galadriel of our success. Her mind will be at ease now that you are safely within the city walls, Lady Lindel."

"Thank you, Lord Celeborn." Mel answered as Eregwen handed her another cup of water.

The elf-lord bowed and swept away, several other members of the hunting party following after him.

The three brothers remained at her bedside.

"Once again I beg your forgiveness for my brother, Lady Lindel," Haldir murmured, "His childish ways are unacceptable."

"He didn't do anything wrong," Mel said, "It was me. I was just tired."

She steeled herself and looked up into Orophin's gray eyes again. It was easier than she had expected. She could see now that his eyes had more green to them than gray. The light must have been playing tricks on her. She felt very silly.

"I'm sorry you had to catch me." she said, trying to be funny and not doing so well.

Orophin smiled and waved a hand dismissively. Then he spoke for the first time in Common.

"You weigh nothing."

Those three words were said so confidently that Mel found it hard to believe that he couldn't speak more. Maybe he knew more of the Common tongue than his brother gave him credit for. Or maybe he was just that sure of himself.

Rumil laughed again. Mel was sure that she had guessed right about him. Rumil laughed a lot. Haldir stood and his brothers followed his example.

"We will leave you now in Lady Eregwen's capable hands."

"Novaer." She said tentatively, trying to remember Elrohir's exact pronunciation of the word.

The three brothers exchanged a look, and Haldir wore an expression that Mel knew all too well. She had worn it herself, when she knew her sisters were about to do something stupid. It was a warning. One that Orophin and Rumil expertly and obviously ignored. Orophin grinned and then spouted off something in Elvish. Rumil laughed and said something that sounded like agreement. Mel looked at Haldir and waited patiently.

The Marchwarden sighed and rolled his eyes skyward, clearly asking some higher power why he had been so cursed.

"They say that you were right. Your pronunciation is atrocious."

Mel's mouth dropped open and she smacked the arm of the nearest elf, who happened to be Rumil.

"Hey, it's not my fault! My lessons were rudely interrupted by all this questing stuff!"

Rumil rubbed his 'injured' arm and said something else. Haldir did not even resist translating.

"He says that lessons can be arranged if… wait, why are you volunteering me? This wasn't my idea!"

Rumil grinned and began chattering and gesturing enthusiastically. Before Haldir could respond or Orophin jump in, Eregwen's clear voice pierced the air, cleanly cutting them off.

"Gentlemen, another day perhaps?" She said, raising an eyebrow, "I believe I have a patient that needs seeing to. Don't you three have borders that you're supposed to be patrolling or some such nonsense?"

The three hunters promptly obeyed that familiar commanding tone, bowing and heading for the door. Orophin however, managed to turn and throw a wink at Mel over his shoulder before Haldir grabbed his arm and jerked him forcefully out the door, muttering incomprehensibly in a scalding tone. Eregwen sighed like a weary mother.

"Those three will never grow up not if they live for a thousand years."

"You know them." Mel said, surprised. It hadn't occurred to her that Eregwen might know the Marchwarden personally.

"I have treated them many times for wounds beyond counting. I have come to know them well, as I do all those in my care," Eregwen smoothed back Mel's hair, "As I feel I have come to know you. I am sorry for your hurt, Mel."

Before Mel could respond, the elf straightened and tugged at her tunic self-consciously.

"Rest now," she said, "I'll bring you some broth."

Mel settled back and tried not to think about anything. She did it surprisingly well. Her eyes drooped and she huddled down further under the covers. She wasn't tired, but sleep had become a welcome escape from a world she didn't want to face anymore. So she shut her eyes and let her mind float in and out of waking.


Mel jerked up suddenly from a half-doze, blinking in the dim light. Eregwen had come and gone, bringing hot broth and leaving with an empty bowl, the act of eating nothing but a distant, hazy memory. It was now fully dark outside, but Mel was awake, no trace of the comforting drowsiness that had kept her from thinking for the past twenty-four hours. Something had disturbed her. Something had spoken, she could feel it. It came again, a whisper in her mind.

"Lindel…"

Galadriel was calling her. Mel swung out of bed and padded softly out of the flet, scaling the rope ladder and walking absently between the mallorn trees, enjoying the sensation of the cool grass on her feet. She knew that she would end up where Galadriel wanted her eventually. She didn't have to know the way.

It was only a few minutes and Mel found her feet stepping lightly down a set of white stone steps, into a sunken alcove nearly hidden from sight. There was a hush around the place that even the trees seemed loath to break, and a familiar basin sat waiting before a small, tinkling fountain.

Galadriel stood gazing into the water that flowed continuously through the fountain, her long, golden hair moving about her in wisps that seemed to almost have minds of their own. Mel waited at the foot of the stairs, trying not to fidget. Galadriel knew she was there. She was simply choosing her words.

"Come closer, Lindel," The elf-queen said, without turning, "I want to show you something."

Mel did as she was told, taking slow, careful steps forward. Galadriel dipped a large silver pitcher into the fountain.

"You know about the mirror," It wasn't a question. Galadriel knew that Mel knew about the mirror, "Would you like to see what its waters hold for you?"

Mel swallowed.

"It only speaks half-truths," she said, her voice sounding much less confident than she had hoped, "The future isn't set in stone."

Galadriel turned and smiled at her, before she poured the water smoothly into the waiting basin.

"Then it does no harm to look."

Mel hesitated, but only for a moment. She wanted to look, more than anything. Even knowing that what she would see would probably make no sense, she wanted to see it, to try to understand. She was lost and she needed a push in the right direction, some indication of what she was supposed to do now.

She stepped up to the pedestal. Galadriel took a step back as Mel braced herself on the stone and leaned over the smooth, clear water.

For a moment, nothing happened. She saw her reflection on a background of stars. Then a ripple echoed over the surface of the water and it shimmered. But the picture it showed was vague and out of focus. First it looked like Lothlorien, then a rushing river, Rivendell, then Amon Hen, a bright wood, then a dark forest. The vision couldn't seem to settle on one place.

"What's happening?" Mel asked, her eyes never leaving the ever-changing water.

"That is what I see when I look into your future," Galadriel answered, "You are at a vast crossroads, Lindel. And you have yet to make your choice."

"But I did choose," Mel murmured, watching the picture flicker and tilt crazily, "I'm still here, aren't I? And they're gone."

"Your mind has made the choice, but your heart has not. They war with one another. That is why your future is so uncertain."

"So how do I choose?"

Mel finally lifted her eyes from the mirror. Galadriel smiled sadly.

"You must leave this place," She said, "The direction you go will seal your fate."

"But where will I go?"

"You already know the answer to that question."

Galadriel passed her hand over the basin and Mel looked down. Rivendell was glowing below her. Then the water shivered again, but this time it settled and remained steady. She could still see Rivendell in the distance, but now the sun had set and stars were beginning to glow against the violet sky. The scene shifted and two people trudged into the main courtyard of Imladris, one of them dressed in some really weird clothes. Mel's breath caught in her throat. That was her! That was her red sweater, her jeans, her favorite sneakers! She was watching a vision of her first night in Middle-Earth.

That night was a blur in her memory, but in the mirror it was all crystal clear. She watched herself stumble into the courtyard. Lindir met them at the gate, and he and Boromir spoke for a while, gesturing back and forth. Until Mel collapsed, passed out from shock and exhaustion.

And then… this part she didn't remember at all. Boromir caught her before she hit the ground, easily sweeping her up in his arms. She watched as she settled into his grip, and she felt a stab of pain in her chest. He had been different then. She had felt so… comfortable, safe with him. She had trusted him, explicitly, putting her life in his hands without even realizing it. He could have left her out in the woods. He could have done worse than that. But instead he had been kind, even when she was suspicious and scared and talking crazy. He had been… Boromir. And for one intense, impulsive moment, Mel wanted him back. More than anything in the world, she wanted Boromir, this Boromir, back.

The vision shifted. It was subtle, merely a darkening of the background at first glance, Rivendell fading slowly away, but Mel felt something more change, something deeper. They weren't in the past anymore. Boromir still held her in his arms, but he looked worn and tired now, more so than he had before. And Mel… Mel was ripped to pieces. Her clothes were dirty and torn, her hair was matted, and there was blood on what she could see of her face. She clung to Boromir, burrowing into his chest, and his grip tightened, his face grim.

It lasted for barely a moment before the picture started to shimmer out of existence, but Mel felt a knot of anxiety clench her stomach. Where were they? What had happened to them? She leaned forward trying to strain for some clue in the rapidly fading vision, and a strand of her hair drooped down and touched the surface of the water.

A hard shock jerked her back from the basin and Mel lost her balance, tumbling over into the grass. She lay still for a moment trying to catch her breath. Her body ached and her head was pounding. Slowly she reached up and touched the strand of hair and the end crumbled to charred dust in her hand. But the aches and pains started to fade almost as quickly as they had appeared and she managed to sit up, staring at Galadriel.

"What was that?" she asked, rubbing her neck, which was still sore.

But Galadriel's eyes were glazed over, staring into the now still and empty basin of water.

"Something new," the elf-queen murmured, "Something I did not see before."

Suddenly her eyes sharpened and she met Mel's gaze.

"I fear I have made a terrible mistake, Lindel."

Mel got up and brushed the grass off her dress, hoping there weren't going to be any stains.

"What do you mean a mistake? What did you see?"

Galadriel smiled, "I saw hope."

Mel crossed her arms and raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Hope? Really? Were we even looking at the same vision?"

Galadriel kept smiling, but she turned to pace in front of the fountain, her hands twisting together as she spoke, her eyes flicking back and forth somewhere in the distance.

"Of course, Lindel, of course we were. Perhaps see is not the appropriate word. Perhaps… felt? Yes, I felt hope. How could I have been so blind? What's done is done, we cannot change the feelings there. Can we change the outcomes? The events? Is there still time?"

Mel was lost, watching as Galadriel paced and muttered, almost as if she'd forgotten she was there. What was she even talking about?

"You, Lindel!" Galadriel interrupted as if Mel had spoken aloud, "What am I to do with you? You have made this all very complicated," But the elf-queen was still smiling and there was a hint of humor in her eyes, "However, I believe we can set it right. Of course much still depends on your choices."

"What are you saying?" Mel asked.

"Do you want to save him?"

Mel's heart stopped as Galadriel's words, words she hadn't dared to hope, to even think, kicked her in the chest. She couldn't make her mouth work. She couldn't move. She just stared at the elf for a long moment that felt a little bit like an eternity. And then, somewhere deep inside where she had not dared to go before, she felt a spark.

"I only kept you from the others because I thought there was no hope," Galadriel said, turning away to stare into the fountain, "I thought he was lost forever. If I had known, if I had seen…" She closed her eyes, "Forgive my blindness, Lindel. Let me make it right again."

"I can save him?"

Mel's jaw had finally loosened and the spark had built into a fire in her chest, burning steadily brighter, but she had to ask. She had to be sure.

Galadriel turned back to her, and then hesitantly reached out and took her hand, her blue eyes piercing.

"Only you can save him," she said, "But we have to move quickly. We might already be too late."

And just like that, the urgency snapped Mel completely out of her daze. Too late… She might already be…

"What do I need to do?"

Galadriel smiled and squeezed her hand.

"You'll need a way to catch up to the boats."

"You called, my lady?"

Mel whirled. Haldir had come up so quietly that she hadn't even heard him until he was right behind her.

"Yes, Haldir," Galadriel said, "It seems Lindel is in need of a horse. She's leaving us as soon as possible. Saddle the swiftest steed we possess."

Haldir bowed, "Will the lady require anything else?"

Galadriel waved a hand dismissively, "Only lembas for a few weeks and a skin for water. If all goes well she will follow the river and not want for much. But speed is of the essence. Have Eregwen gather Lindel's things with all haste. Go now."

"Yes, my lady," Haldir said, bowing and sprinting away.

"Come, Lindel."

Galadriel brushed past her and Mel followed without a second thought.

"A horse?" she asked, catching up with the elf-queen's long, purposeful strides.

"You have no experience on the water and it will do us no good if you drown on your way. I chose something you would be familiar with."

"But the hobbits hate water!" Mel exclaimed.

"The hobbits were not alone," She replied, a grin turning up the corners of her lips.

They hurried through the glowing city in the trees, then up a long winding flight of stairs to the top of a massive mallorn tree.

"I have a few things for you," Galadriel said, as they entered the main room of an enormous flet, "Wait here."

Galadriel swept away, but she was back so quickly Mel barely got to glance around. SHe held Mel's sword in her hands.

"I kept this for you. I never dreamed you might have need of it again so soon."

Mel reached out and took the familiar grip, everything Elladan had taught her flooding back like it was flowing up through her arm out of the sword itself. She unsheathed the blade and twirled it a few times. It was like she hadn't missed a day of her training. She replaced the sheath and buckled it around her waist. Before she could even whisper out a thank you, Galadriel handed her a pair of leather gloves.

"Your gift from the Galadrim," She said, as Mel took them and slipped them on, "They will never slip from your fingers and your grip will always be sure."

Mel flexed her fingers in the soft leather and gave Galadriel a curious look. They felt like normal gloves to her. Galadriel smiled and inclined her head a bit.

"Your future is unclear to me, Lindel," she said, "But I sense that you will have need of these soon."

Mel looked back down at the gloves and flexed her fingers one more time. They still felt pretty normal, but she trusted the elf-queen's judgment, for the most part.

"Thank you." She said.

Galadriel smiled, and then her eyes flicked up into the middle distance.

"Your horse is ready for you."

At that moment, Haldir stepped into the flet and bowed.

"The horse is prepared, Lady Galadriel," he said, "Eregwen stands ready with Lady Lindel's things."

Galadriel nodded, then to Mel's surprise, she put her slender arms around Mel and hugged her.

"Let love guide you, Lindel. Even if it is hard to see." She let her go and brushed a strand of hair fondly from her eyes, "Now, hurry. Time is your greatest enemy now."

Before Mel could even really comprehend what was happening she was flying down the stairs and following Haldir through the forest. His stride was no longer than Galadriel's, but his steps came more quickly and lightly, and Mel had to jog to keep up.

They entered an open pavilion under the trees and Mel was suddenly surrounded by the familiar smells of hay and leather and horse hair. She felt a tiny pang of nostalgia and homesickness, but she quickly shoved it aside. A light golden palomino was already saddled and waiting, Eregwen at her head. The horse snorted and shook her mane, pawing the ground with one dainty hoof.

"This is Laurea," Haldir said, "She is the fastest horse in Lothlorien and she knows the river well. You will be safe in her care."

Laurea nickered and bumped Haldir's chest. He rubbed the white blaze on her face lovingly.

"Don't worry about her tiring. When she's ready to stop, you'll know."

"Haldir," Mel whispered, an anxious knot forming in the pit of her stomach as she watched the mare nibble fondly at the elf's tunic, "Is… Is this is your horse?"

He nodded, stroking the delicate velvet nose gently.

"The Lady asked that you be given the best," he said, taking the reins and handing them over to Mel, "Laurea is the best."

Mel started shaking her head, taking a half step back, "No, this is crazy, I can't take your horse! What if something happens to her?"

Haldir laughed and took Mel's hands, firmly pressing the reins into her palm and closing her fingers over them.

"I assure you, Lindel, Laurea is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Besides, there is no other, not if you want to catch the boats on the river with nearly two days travel behind them."

"But…"

Haldir cut her off, "She is only on loan, Lady Lindel. As soon as you are returned to your companions I expect you to tell Laurea to come home. She will know the way. Now stop arguing, you know you haven't the time."

Mel snapped her mouth shut. He was right.

"Thank you," She said, gripping the reins tighter and holding them to her chest, "You don't even know me."

Haldir smiled, "I do not have to know you. I do the bidding of the Lady Galadriel. She would not send Laurea into danger unnecessarily." He ruffled the mare's pale forelock and stepped back, bowing, "Safe journey, Lindel."

He turned and left them without a backward glance. Mel allowed Laurea to sniff her gloved hand as she watched him stride out of sight. Finally, Eregwen cleared her throat, sounding mildly irritated. Mel turned toward the healer and saw she was holding out a bag.

"I brought you a change of clothes."

Mel snatched the bag and ducked into an empty stall to change. Eregwen kept talking.

"There's also a rope, a second change of clothes, enough lembas to last you a month at least, some bandages, and the best healing salve in my cabinets."

"Are you always so prepared?" Mel asked, only half-teasing. The clothes fit like they'd been tailor-made and the boots felt molded to her feet. She stepped out of the stall and saw Eregwen smiling slyly.

"My mother always taught me to be prepared for everything," She said, hands on her hips as she surveyed her handiwork.

Mel slung the small pack over her shoulder and grinned.

"So you always have clothes on hand that are going to fit everyone you come across perfectly?"

The elf shrugged, "It is easy to be prepared when you know for what you are preparing. I always knew you would leave us, Mel. You aren't destined to remain alone and unheeded. Your place is with the others."

Impulsively, Mel grabbed Eregwen and hugged her tight.

"Thank you," she whispered, "For everything. I don't know if I'll ever be able to pay you back."

Eregwen returned her embrace.

"The greatest gift you can give me is your happiness," she said, her voice slightly muffled, "Physical well-being is nothing without joy. Be happy, mellon-nîn, and I shall be well repaid."

Eregwen pulled away first, taking a step back and straightening her tunic, sniffing primly as she dabbed at her eyes, then shaking a hand toward the open air outside the pavilion.

"Now go. Dawn is coming and you mustn't waste any daylight."

Mel knew she was right. She took the reins and mounted Laurea who stood perfectly still and well-behaved. Then, as she looked out the door of the stable toward the misty morning, she remembered the dream of Yavanna. In the dream she had used a poem, something Mel was vaguely familiar with. How had it ended again?

"I shall be telling this with a sigh," she whispered, the words slipping off her lips from some half-forgotten memory of a life long gone, "Somewhere ages and ages hence; two roads diverged in a wood and I; I took the one less traveled by; and that has made all the difference."

She smiled and leaned forward to whisper in Laurea's ear, "Let's make all the difference, girl. I can't speak much elvish, but I think I know two words you'll understand. Noro lim, Laurea!"

The mare gave a piercing whinny and shot forward into the dawn's first light.


Elvish Translations:

(all translations are Sindarin, unless otherwise noted)

Den ichiren- I found her!

Gin iallon- I beg of you

Goheno nin- forgive me

Ben iest dhîn- As you wish

Brannon- lord

Novaer- Farewell