Chapter 4

Heather gaped at the old, wizened man in front of her. He simply stood there, hands clasped in front of him, as though waiting for her to overcome her shock and speak to him. Not able to find any words and still wondering if she should dial for the police, Heather waited for further explanation. Finally, the man sighed and took two steps closer to her.

"I see that you do not recognize me. I suppose I ought to have expected that." he said tiredly. Heather finally spoke,

"Tell me who you are, how you know Holly, and how you got in here." she demanded, taking two steps back, increasing the distance between herself and the strange intruder.

"My name is Gandalf, or Mithrandir, as you would know me. Believe it or not, we have already met, Lainiel." He took as seat casually on one of the stools beside the workstation in the middle of the shop. Heather bristled at his casual manner,

"I don't know who you are but my name's not Lainiel. I think you have the wrong person. I am going to have to ask you to leave," she threatened. This was beginning to feel like the worst day of her life. First Holly's disappearance and now this? How much was she expected to endure in one day?

The man, Mithrandir, nodded his head slowly at her, almost as though finally understanding something. He was deep in thought as he cleaned the bowl of his long wooden pipe, blowing bits of charred tobacco all over her pristine white floors. Heather ground her teeth. Enough was enough,

"Say something!" she shrieked. Mithrandir raised his bushy grey brows in surprise,

"My my, you were always the fiery one, I must say." he got up slowly and gestured for Heather to take the seat he had just vacated, "Very well. Please, sit. I shall endeavor to explain my appearance her."

"I'm fine where I am, thanks," Heather responded testily. She had very little desire to get any closer to this...tramp.

"As you wish. Well, Lainiel – and that is your true name, make no mistake about it – I am certain that you are more than curious as to the whereabouts of your sister, Holly."

"You know where she is?" Heather asked, slowly. Mithrandir nodded,

"She has travelled to Middle-Earth, Lainiel. She has returned to your homeland."

Holly followed Galadriel into a small anteroom. There, there were soft white sofas and cushions. Galadriel sat gingerly on one of the sofas and gestured for Holly and Haldir to take the seats across from her. Moments later, Celeborn followed, shutting a door behind him and taking a seat beside his wife.

Holly would have questioned the Lady had it not been for her utter inability to speak in that moment. If she had been skeptical at the existence of this place, of elves, of Lothlórien, the presence of Lady Galadriel squashed every notion of disbelief in her mind. She was not dreaming, this was real, she was real. There was no denying what she was seeing with her very eyes, and there was no need to pinch herself. Galadriel, undoubtedly having read Holly's mind, waited for the wave of shock to pass before speaking,

"You are welcome here, Holly. I am sure you are very confused and would like to know where you are. But first, I would like for you to know that you are welcome here. This is your home." the Lady began. Holly could only nod in understanding, "You and your sister are the daughters of two elves of Imladris. Imladris is the elven kingdom of Elrond Peredhil, a relation of mine."

"Your parents were making their final journey from Imladris to the Undying Lands when their ship was taken by Corsairs of Umbar. They departed from Edhellond, never to reach their destination. They were vastly outnumbered. Your parents and their companions were defeated by the Corsairs. You and your sister, who was but a babe, were hiding in the lower deck of the ship when you were discovered by your attackers." Mithrandir explained. Heather was frozen in place.

"You were saved, Ercassiel. You and your sister. You see, we are of the Eldar. We are blessed with immortal life by the Valar. As such, elflings – elven children – are prized among our people. During our long lives, elves mate only once and children are sometimes only born once in a millenia. It is for this reason that the Valar chose to save you and your sister. Young life is precious to the elves, and the Valar could not bear the loss of so innocent a life." Galadriel continued. Holly ran a shaky hand down her cheek and rested it under her chin. She and Heather had never known their true parents. They had been adopted at a young age, Holly at the age of one and Heather at the age of seven. Both were too young to remember much from before their adoption. Heather had always had some vague memories, but nothing specific.

"Why do you call me 'Lainiel'?" Heather asked. Mithrandir smiled slowly at her,

"That is your name, Heather. 'Lainiel' is 'Heather' in Sindarin. It is, in fact, amusing to me that your adoptive parents would have gotten the idea to name you that, but perhaps the Valar always suspected that you would return."

"Your parents never made it to the Undying Lands. Their loss was mourned across the elven kingdoms. We thought you and your sister lost, as well, until Mithrandir found you in your realm." Holly considered this information, trying to process everything at once.

"Who is Mithrandir?" she asked.

"Mithrandir is one of Maiar. He is one sent to Middle-Earth, this realm, by the Valar, the Gods. You would understand him better as a wizard, I believe." Galadriel explained, "Mithrandir may travel between realms. You see, while we received news that your parents and their companions had been slain, we had no news of you and your sister. It took Mithrandir the better part of a millenia to locate you." With that, Holly nearly choked on her own breath. Haldir looked to her in concern. He had been quiet this entire time, listening to the Lady intently, and wondering why he was allowed to be privy to this conversation.

"A millenia? A thousand years?" Holly breathed, eyes wide in disbelief.

"You and Holly are just under a thousand years old. You were born in the year 1884 of the Third Age. Holly was born in 1890. In Middle Earth it is currently year 2701 of the third age. That would make you precisely eight-hundred and seventeen years old, and Holly eight-hundred and eleven."

"Is this a joke?" spat Heather, staring Mithrandir down incredulously. He chuckled,

"No, Lainiel. It is not. I would not be upset if I were you. Why, I have been walking Middle-Earth for over two-thousand years. Before that I saw the shaping of Arda. I have lived longer than you could possibly comprehend."

Not knowing what or where Arda was and having a lot of trouble believing that she was over eight-hundred years old, Heather brought the conversation back to Holly, "Alright. So where is my sister? In Middle-Earth?"

"So what am I doing here now? I can't be eight-hundred, I'm only twenty-three. None of this makes sense," Holly sputtered. Galadriel looked at her with a mixture of amusement and pity,

"Time passes differently on Earth," she said, simply, "There you had lived twenty-three years. On Arda you are over eight-hundred. As to what you are doing here now, it is my belief that the Valar saw fit to return you to your true home."

"Then why isn't Heather here?" Holly asked.

Galadriel seemed to struggle with her response, and looked to Celeborn who inclined his head to her, "Truthfully, I do not know. It is possible that we will never know. It is difficult to understand that Valar and their ways."

"They're not going to snatch me up and dump me in Middle-Earth, too, are they?" Heather asked, both worried and upset. Mithrandir shook his head,

"While one can never fully comprehend the workings of the Valar, it is my belief that they wish for you to remain here. Perhaps there is something holding you to Earth?"

Heather thought that obvious. She saw images of her children and her husband in her mind. She could never leave them behind. They were her life, she was nothing without them now. Heather thought about Holly. Holly was happy on earth, yes, but something had always been missing for her. Holly was young and free- she had no family of her own besides Heather. For some reason it did not surprise Heather that the 'Valar' had chosen Holly to be the one who returned to Middle-Earth. Still, she worried for her sister and wondered at what she must be going through at this very moment.

"Do not fear for Ercassiel, child. She is safe. We must have faith in the workings of the Valar. Only they can see what the future holds for her." Mithrandir reassured her.

"Will I ever see my sister again?" Holly asked, looking up from her lap and into Galadriel's eyes. They were the palest grey, but deep and dark with knowledge and wisdom. Galadriel's eyes became soft and sad as she replied,

"I do not think so, Ercassiel." she replied, "I do not know of a way to return you to your realm."

Holly nodded in understanding, but cast her eyes down to the floor. She squeezed her eyelids shut, desperately trying to not cry in the present company. Haldir looked at Holly and back to Galadriel. His eyes questioned her. He did not know why he was here,

I will need you to help her, Marchwarden. I have placed her in your care. She will not know and understand our ways. It is my wish that Ercassiel has a friend in these difficult times.

Haldir could not help the thought that passed through his mind. While he revered and respected his liege Lady, he sometimes wished that she could not hear all of his thoughts. While he was not exactly annoyed at having to look after Holly, he could not help but feel that it was a great inconvenience to him.

Do not feel this way, Haldir. I promise, she shall not be a great burden on you. You may seek my aid when you need it.

Haldir nodded silently at Galadriel. The Lady looked back at Holly who was studiously ignoring both her and Haldir, trying not to make eye contact. She turned and hid her face from them, biting back tears. She breathed in sharply and turned back to them,

"I understand. May I be excused? I would like to be alone to process all of this." Holly asked quietly, looking at the lady with pleading eyes. She could not explain it but she did not want to cry in front of Haldir. Galadriel bowed her head,

"Of course, Ercassiel. I shall have dinner sent to your talan."

Take all the time you require. Lothlórien is safe and you are under my protection. I will be here to provide you council when you need it. Galadriel's voiced flitted in and out of her mind.

Holly stood and made her way to door of the anteroom. Galadriel, Celeborn and then Haldir followed suit. Galadriel and Celeborn stayed behind as Holly picked up the pace and stalked out of the enormous talan and made her way back down to the forest floor. Haldir caught up with her quickly after bidding his liege-lord and lady good evening.

He jogged lightly up to her. She was moving quickly. When he caught up to her, he put a light hand on her shoulder. She froze in her tracks and turned her head to look at him. He was struck by the profound sadness in her eyes. He could see the tears threatening to fall, clinging desperately to her eyelashes. Growing anxious, for he had never been experienced in his dealings with depressed females, he offered to guide her back to her talan. She muttered a quiet thank you and followed him, keeping up with his hurried pace.

Heather stared intently at Mithrandir. She scrutinized his face for any sign of lies, jokes, deceptions and jests. She could find none. He was deathly serious and she believed him. Somehow, despite the utter impossibility of his story, she believed every word. Mithrandir stared back, simply waiting for her to come to this realization.

"So I will never see Holly again." she stated. Mithrandir inclined his head, long grey hair falling in front of his weathered face,

"No, Lainiel. You shall not. She shall not return and you may not follow her."

"My place is here." she responded, with quiet conviction. She knew her place was here and while she had no desire to leave her family and despite Mithrandir's assertions that Holly would be fine, she feared for her sister. "I hope she's okay, Mithrandir."

Mithrandir smiled down at her, "She will be, child. Do not fear."

Heather nodded. She exhaled deeply and moved closer to the counter where Mithrandir was standing. He picked up his head and put it on his head, "It is time for me to return to Middle-Earth. Your husband approaches. You may explain this to him if you wish, I believe he will understand."

He walked toward the door and Heather sat down on the stool he had offered her what seemed now like hours ago. With his hand on the door handle, he turned back to look at Heather, "Perhaps you shall meet again in Halls of Mandos. There is still hope."

Puzzled, Heather did not respond. With that, Mithrandir was gone. She saw him walk down the road and disappear in the distance, like a mirage in the summer heat, like a wisp of fog dissipated by the warm sun.

A/N: We won't be seeing Heather again for some time, now. The majority of this story will be focused on Holly, with the occasional flashback and thought of Heather. Now that all is explained, let the fun begin :)