A/N: OK, unfortunately this chapter is also very emotional, but it is also necessary. The end notes will explain why.

~The Parting Of Ways~

From two different worlds, these two souls belong
Yet they are bound by a friendship that will forever be strong
But now their paths must part and they must say goodbye
And the healer's journey continues beneath a cloudless sky
For just as the day disappears into the setting sun
She must say farewell to the Radiant One

The trio stayed with Beorn for a couple more weeks. They couldn't leave right away because Faen's injuries had left her pretty much immobile. Her wing still hadn't healed yet, and she could barely stand let alone walk after being slashed across the ankle by that orc blade. So, they had no other choice but to stay there until Faen was completely healed.

However, the longer they stayed, the more Edlyn realized that Faen's injuries were not healing fast enough.

As it turned out, the orc blade had done a lot more damage to her leg than the healer had previously thought. It had sliced deep into her calf muscles, making standing and walking not only near impossible, but downright painful for her. Edlyn knew that an injury like that would take several weeks to heal, not to mention the time it would take for her to regain the strength in her leg and learn to walk again. Plus, both her injuries were caused by orc weapons, so Edlyn wasn't sure how that factor affected the healing process. The Athelas that she used did help a bit, but not a whole lot. And Meraell assisted as much as he could. However, he was not as knowledgeable in the way of healing as most elves are since he had always been more of a warrior than anything.

"How long are you planning on staying?" Beorn asked them one day as Edlyn finished wrapping up Faen's leg for the hundredth time since they had been there.

"Until Faen is completely healed." She replied.

"I hope that won't take too long." He said.

"You're not kicking us out, are you, Beorn?" She asked with a look of mock hurt.

Beorn let out a laugh "Certainly not!" He said. "I quite enjoy your company. It's just that it's not wise for you to stay here too long."

Meraell, who had been standing quietly nearby watching them, looked at Beorn with a frown.

"What do you mean?" He asked. Both Edlyn and Faen looked at Beorn with the same expression (or for Faen, something like it).

"Autumn is coming to an end." Beorn told them. "Soon, it will be winter and the roads are not safe for travel once the first snows have fallen. Even if you choose to go through Mirkwood, which is what your friends did and the best way to catch up to them is for you to follow the same path they did, it's still not safe. And any path you take around the woods are even more treacherous. So, if you want to catch up to your friends and make it to the mountain before Durin's day and the first snows of winter, you are going to have to leave within the next couple days."

Edlyn was completely taken aback by all this. "But, Faen isn't suitable for travel yet, not even close. It will take several weeks for her leg and wing to heal properly, not to mention the time it will take for her to learn to walk again. She would never be able to make the journey, whether around or through the Woods. There has to be another way."

"Not unless you want to get stuck here until spring." Beorn said. "Because that's what will happen if you stay here too long."

"What about Radagast?" She asked. "You said you knew him. Can't we just get him to help us make Faen's healing go faster?"

Beorn shrugged "Radagast is absent. His animals tell me that he was called down South for some reason, but they wouldn't say why."

Edlyn let out a sigh. "So, what can we do?"

"I think there is only one thing that can be done, Edlyn." Meraell said.

She looked at him and he looked at her then at Faen. It didn't take long for everyone there to understand what he was implying. As much as the young healer hated to admit it, it was the only other real option they had.

"So, that's it?" Faen said, being the first to break the silence. "You're just going to leave me behind?"

"Faen, I don't want to and you know it." Edlyn said, her throat clenching at the thought.

"I'm not hurt that bad." Faen said. "I can still make it." She tried to stand but let out whine and sat back down.

"Easy there." Edlyn said. "Faen, you can barely stand let alone walk. You would never be able to make the journey. Besides, your family is probably worried sick about you by now. I think it is time for you to go home."

It hurt just to speak those words and everyone in the room could see it.

"I don't want to leave you, Edlyn." Faen said. "I promised you that I would help you find your friends."

"And you've kept that promise." Edlyn said. "I can take care of myself from here, don't worry."

"I don't feel right about sending you into that evil forest alone." Faen said.

"She won't be alone." Meraell said. "I'll be with her."

Edlyn walked over to him. "But Meraell, you need to go back to Rivendell. Lord Elrond needs you."

"I'm sure he can manage without me." Meraell said with a smirk. "He has other captains he can rely on. And I'm sure he knows where I am and understands my motives." He paused. "I've come too far to turn back now, Edlyn. You need me; you won't make it in Mirkwood on your own. I've already lost one person I cared about; I'm not going to lose another."

Edlyn lowered her eyes at that statement.

"He is right, little squirrel." Beorn said. "It would be wise to have him with you."

"What do you mean?" She ask.

"A darkness lies over that forest." Beorn replied. "An evil no one can see, only feel. The very air itself is rank with black magic. Even the strongest of men who enter there lose their way, and their minds. But he is an elf, so he is immune to the enchantments that lurk there. It is best that he go with you so that you don't get lost."

"And, as much as I hate to admit it, an eagle would never survive in those woods, not even with me there." Meraell said. "Eagles hate enclosed spaces. Faen was barely able to stay here without almost going mad; she would not make it in Mirkwood. She would fall victim to the spell just as easily as Edlyn would. And if an eagle completely loses its mind like that, it's chaos."

There was a long silence after that.

"If that's the case…" Faen said, breaking the silence again. "...then I guess this is the best thing to do." There was sadness in her voice.

"That settles it." Edlyn said. "We'll leave tomorrow." Those were the most painful words she had to say.

That night, the young healer slept next to Faen, letting her heartbeat lull her to sleep one last time.

The next day, right after lunch, Beorn escorted them to the border of his home, where he claimed was the place that he saw the company off as well. Faen even came along too, with a little help from Beorn and his cart and oxen. The sky was clear blue without a cloud to be seen and a light, cool breeze to go with it. Edlyn chose to wear the same clothes she arrived in; her usual blue tunic, belt, grey pants and boots. Beorn brought a couple of his horses as well as some supplies, mainly food, rations and clothing that he had packed for their journey.

"Let the horses guide you." Beorn said. "They know the way to the path your friends took. And whatever you do, don't stray from that path." He spoke that last part mainly to Edlyn.

Once everything was loaded onto the horses, Edlyn turned to Faen, who was sitting on the ground now, although she still had to look up at her.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye." She said. Those words left her throat feeling dry.

Faen nodded in response. "I knew this day would come eventually. But it has come far too soon." She paused. "I must tell you something, mouse. When I first met you, I saw you only as someone that I owed a debt to; a person that I would repay and never see again. Nor care to see again." Edlyn frowned slightly since this was news to her. "But after getting to know you and going through so much with you, I have come to see you as far, far more than that. I have come to see you as a true friend, and that is how it will always be."

The human smiled. "Well, the feeling is mutual, my friend."

Beorn and Meraell watched them both. "You should consider that an honor, little squirrel." Beorn said. "To win the friendship of one of the Great Eagles is a feat that so few humans have accomplished."

"Oh, believe me, Beorn." She said. "I am more than honored."

She looked at Faen and suddenly, she felt a deep, sinking hole inside her. The idea of parting with her was getting harder and harder as the moment drew nearer.

"Don't be sad, mouse." Faen said when she saw the pain in her eyes. "We will see each other again. This will not be our last meeting. Whether by the will of the Valar or my own stubbornness, we will see each other again."

"Most likely the latter, I'm assuming." Edlyn said.

"Yes, definitely the latter." Faen said. "But until then, you be sure to say hello to that handsome dwarf of yours for me, alright?" Neither of them noticed Meraell's face fall slightly at those words.

The healer laughed in response. "And you be sure to do the same with that handsome eagle of yours too." There was a pause.

"I have something I want to give you, mouse." Faen said.

Edlyn simply nodded and watched as Faen reached her head over and gently plucked one of the smaller feathers off of her wing with her beak. She then gave it to her. It was a decent size feather, probably the size of a dagger, and shimmering gold.

"I want you to have that as token of good luck, and a reminder of the unbreakable bond you and I have now." She said. "I wish you all the best in finding your friends, and your lover."

Well, that did it! That was all it took for Edlyn to lose it! Without a word, she threw her arms around Faen's neck and buried her face against her feathers, letting her warmth soak in to her very core. Tears started falling on their own accord, but she did nothing to stop them. Faen nuzzled her head against her as if she was returning the hug. Edlyn was sure that if Faen could cry, she would have. Very gently, Edlyn planted a kiss on her beak before resting her forehead against hers.

"I love you so much, you big, worthless ball of feathers." Edlyn said. "You know that, right?"

Faen nodded. "And I love you too, little mouse." There was another moment of silence as the two of them stood there savoring each other's presence for as long as they could. "Maybe next time we meet, I will give you a proper ride."

"I'd like that." Edlyn said with a smile.

"Come." Beorn said. "You must go now while you still have daylight on your side. I will keep you covered until you reach the forest."

Faen looked at Meraell. "You look after her, Mellon. Make sure she is safe."

"I will." Meraell said with a smile. He turned to Beorn. "Thank you for your hospitality, Beorn. It was much appreciated." Beorn smiled and bowed.

"And you take good care of Faen for me." Edlyn said "At least until her kin comes to pick her up."

"I have already sent the hummingbirds off to tell them." Beorn replied.

"And don't forget to follow my instructions for treating her wounds." The human said. Beorn nodded.

Edlyn very slowly made her way to her horse and both her and Meraell mounted at the same time. They turned and started trotting off in the direction that the horses led them in.

Suddenly, when they were some ways off, Edlyn stopped her horse and turned back, pausing to take time to gaze upon her friend one last time. Meraell did the same. Faen was still sitting and hadn't moved, just watching them ride off. Even though she was some distance away from her, Edlyn could still feel her grey eyes looking deeply into her own. It was a gaze that had become so familiar to her. In fact, everything about her was now familiar to her. It almost felt like she had known her forever, even though she had only known her for about a month. She knew that she would never be able to forget her, no matter what happened.

The two of them kept eye contact for a few more moments. Then, suddenly, with all her strength, Faen stood up and spread her wings out as far as she could, letting the sunlight touch her feathers, revealing that beautiful, golden glow that was the reason for which she was named. In the process, she let out a loud screech as her final farewell to Edlyn before sitting back down. Edlyn smiled and raised her hand as her final farewell to her. Meraell waved as well and Beorn waved back with a smile. Then, Edlyn and Meraell turned and galloped off towards Mirkwood, letting the horses guide them there. And every once in a while, they would look over and see a big black bear watching over them from a distance, keeping them safe.

The whole time, Edlyn prayed that the Valar would keep Faen safe and help her heal fast. But she knew deep in her heart that this would not be the last she would see her. Somehow, she knew that their paths would cross again.

Some day.

A/N: This chapter always makes me sad. I love Faen with all my heart and it was very painful for me to let her go. I didn't want to but I realized I couldn't keep her here beyond this point. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't find a way to make her fit into the rest of this Book. She wouldn't have fit into any of the Mirkwood scenes and especially not in Lake-town. So I had to let her go right here and now.

Thankfully, as we all know, the Great Eagles do show up during the Battle of the Five Armies, so obviously Faen will be there with them. She will come back for that and I already have an idea for her reappearance that will be epic! It will be a bit of a Deux Ex Machina but then again, people already think that's what the Eagles are so, what the heck!

Music:

The music that plays when Edlyn is saying goodbye to Faen is Wanderer by Black Dawn (posted on Youtube under blacksheep806).

The music that plays as Edlyn and Meraell are riding to Mirkwood is Undying Love by Two Steps from Hell (think scenic aerial shots!).

(songs belong to their respective owners)