Chapter 15

Two weeks. That is how long it would take them to reach Rivendell on horseback, more or less. While Holly wasn't exactly pleased about that figure, she shuddered to think how much worse it would be on foot. She sat in Galadriel's anteroom, looking at a large map of Arda, and though her tengwar was not so terrible, she struggled to make out the names of so many unknown places. They were to follow the river Nimrodel through the Misty Mountains, exit the mountain pass in Hollin, then make their way north, on the banks of the Bruinen, to the gates of Imladris. If they made good time, the journey should take no more than a fortnight.

"Please tell me you ride," commented Haldir dryly, folding up the large map. Holly treated him with a smug smile, for once able to claim skill in something that would likely surprise him,

"Yes, yes I do. I rode horses back home throughout much of my childhood. The town I grew up in was famous for its equestrian activities." she said, getting up from her seat and smoothing her skirts. Galadriel shot her an encouraging smile,

"You are a lady of many skills, Ercassiel. I am sure Lord Elrond will be happy to make your acquaintance." she said, guiding Holly and Haldir to the door of her spacious talan. Her sentinels moved aside to allow them passage, "I shall have all of your provisions prepared. You need only bring your personal belongings. I think it best if you leave on the morrow, at dawn. Lord Celeborn will escort you as far as the western border of Lórien."

"It would be an honour." Haldir said solemnly, hand over his heart, bowing his head in Celeborn's direction. Celeborn looked to Holly and explained,

"It is our custom that our people never leave our borders unescorted. It reminds us that while we are under the protection of the Golden Wood, we never walk alone."

Holly smiled at him, touched by the sentiment of the tradition, "That's a lovely custom. I would be honoured to have you among our escort, my lord."

"And I am honoured to do it!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands together and walking toward the large open archway that led down to the forest floor, "We meet at dawn. Rest well, for you have a long journey ahead of you."

"Thank you, my lord, my lady." responded Haldir politely, and before Holly could finish saying goodbye to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn herself, he was walking briskly down the steps and into the forest. Holly gave the two rulers one last nervous smile and then jogged after him. She and Haldir had bickered enough times for her to know that he probably just needed another hour or two to brood, but she had grown a little impatient with his annoyance over this situation which was largely out of her control. However, instead of unleashing her irritation at him, she opted for a softer approach. Much like she was, he was quick to anger but equally quick to cool down.

"Hey! Haldir! Wait!" she exclaimed, lifting her skirts slightly so as not to trip on them. Haldir slowed, but did not stop walking, and turned his head ever so slightly toward her,

"Yes?" he asked, not coldly, but...distantly, she thought. Holly put a hand on his arm to stop him . This seemed to catch him off-guard – he stiffened suddenly and stopped walking. She looked up, her eyes barely meeting his for a split second, then drifting to the floor,

"Listen, I really didn't mean for you to get dragged into this. Really, if I had known...I would have protested...It's an inconvenience, I know...I—"

She was silenced by the soft weight of his hand on her shoulder. Haldir was momentarily touched by her attempt at apology. She was not looking at him, but down at the floor. One of her hands still clutched the fabric of her skirts, the other rested on the thin fabric of his tunic. He could feel the warmth of her touch on his forearm, he could see the slight flush of her cheeks as she stared endearingly at her own feet, voicing thoughts that obviously didn't come easily to her. He knew she had no desire to apologize to him, especially not for a second time, and he knew he'd been acting like a put-out child. He was put-out, of course, but it had little to do with his work and more to do with his own trepidation at travelling alone with her for so long.

"Holly, it is alright." he said with a sigh, "It is not your fault, I know this. Believe me, this is not the first time I have encountered the Lady's...machinations."

He smiled wryly at her, but she continued to examine the forest floor with great interest. Suddenly, Holly felt a soft touch on her chin and she lifted her eyes to meet his silvery-grey ones. She gave him a tentative smile, "She's quite clever, isn't she?"

Haldir could not help but laugh, "Only you would manage to refer to one of the Wise, bearer of the ring Nenya, the Lady of the Golden Wood, as 'quite clever'," he said, letting his hand drop from under her chin as he clutched his side. Realising the only slightly insulting nature of her comment, Holly clapped her hand over her mouth and turned positively crimson. This only caused Haldir to laugh harder, and he was now doubled over with shaking peals of laughter, "Ai, if you keep up with this caliber of commentary, this will be an entertaining two weeks, indeed." he said, catching his breath as he recovered from his mirth. Holly giggled,

"I shouldn't have said that." she said, shaking her head. She gave Haldir another moment to compose himself before looking down toward the centre of the city, "Alright, I should pack, we only have a few hours of daylight left."

Haldir nodded and continued to walk back to what was presumably his talan. Holly followed and they walked in silence for a few moments until the road split, one path taking them up toward the centre of Caras Galadhon, and to where Haldir's talan was, and the other, down toward the bathing pools, and closer to Holly's home.

"Would you tell Eruana that I will come see her tonight, if I may, after I am done packing?" she asked. She had hoped she would have enough time to bid her friend goodbye before leaving. They would be departing too early in the morning to see her then.

"Yes, I was going to stop and see my brothers before we depart, as well." he responded. Holly looked down toward the path to her talan,

"I will see you in the morning, then." she said, with an air of finality, as though she didn't want to allow him any room to back out of the agreement.

"Yes, in the morning, By the stables near the western gate." Haldir bowed his head at her and gave her one of his quick, fleeting smiles. Holly felt her skin prickle at the sight, and every hair on her body stand on end. Those smiles of his were endearing and rarely bestowed on anyone, she had noticed.

"By the stables." Holly affirmed, though it came out a bit shakier than she intended. With another small nod, Haldir turned and continued down the path, throwing his hand back behind him as a final gesture of goodbye. Though she knew he could not see her, she waved back.

Holly observed the entire contents of her closet on the floor of her talan and marveled at how she had accumulated so much crap during her she short months in Caras Galadhon. Still, among the enormous pile of clothes and books and rolls of parchment and boxes of herbs and potted plants and tangled balls of linen bandages, she could not find her cloak. As she stood there, scratching her head and ruffling her hair in very human-like frustration, she heard a soft knock on the door,

"Eruana!" she exclaimed happily at seeing the pretty blonde elleth at the door. Her friend embraced her warmly. As Eruana pulled back from the embrace, her expression went from pleased to confused,

"Holly, what have you done?" she asked, gesturing the wreckage before her. Holly huffed and yanked her friend into to room, shutting the door behind her.

"I can't find my cloak. I can't find it anywhere!" she exclaimed. "Everything else is packed – my tunics, my breeches, my healing kit, spare boots, my water skin, I even managed to stuff a dress into my pack!"

Eruana surveyed the room and began gingerly lifting pieces of clothing and shifting Holly's belongings on the floor with her foot. "Yes, I don't see it. Do not worry, I can lend you one. Your cloak was not warm enough for travel through the Misty Mountains, at any rate. You would have frozen."

"I thought elves do not feel freeze?" Holly answered, then corrected herself, "Feel cold, I mean."

"Nonsense, of course we feel cold. Not mild cold, but extreme cold, such as you will experience in the Mountains, you shall surely feel that." Eruana responded with a frown. "No, you will need a much warmer cloak. I will fetch it and bring it to you tomorrow morning. I believe Orophin and Rúmil intend to join your escort to the border. I think I shall accompany them, if Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn allow it."

Holly smiled fondly at her friend, her first friend she had made in Lothlórien, barring Haldir, of course, though she was not entirely sure she could accurately describe their relationship as friendship. But Eruana's friendship had never wavered, "Oh, Eruana, that's very kind of you."

She pulled Eruana into a tight embrace. She sighed into her friend's warm hug and squeezed her tightly to her chest, "Why can't you be the one coming with me?"

Eruana laughed her musical laugh that never ceased to fill Holly with joy, "Oh, I think it shall not be as bad as that. I have known Haldir for over a millenia, he will let no harm befall you, and you are getting along these days, no?"

Holly snorted, "Yeah, sure, you could say that."

Eruana only smiled at her knowingly, often forgetting how young Holly was. Perhaps with a few millenia under her own belt she would be better equipped to recognize her own feelings. Still, it was nothing a little time would not resolve, and they had that in spades. "And what of your true purpose in visiting Imladris?"

"Learning from Lord Elrond?" Holly asked with confusion, "Well, I wouldn't say I'm nervous about it, but-"

"No, not that-Learning of your parents!" Eruana said, clasping Holly's hands in her own and pulling her over to the bed. Holly let her head fall into her palms,

"How do you always manage to read my mind?" she asked her friend ruefully. Eruana smiled sympathetically,

"Because this would stress me also." she answered. Holly nodded slowly met Eruana's perceptive gaze with watery eyes, "Oh, no, do not cry, Holly. There is nothing to fear."

"I feels wrong, Eruana." she choked out, feeling her throat grow tight and the tears well up in her eyes, "It feels like betraying my parents, the ones who raised me." she continued with a hiccup. She made no effort to stop the tears that fell down her cheeks, unafraid of showing this vulnerability in front of Eruana. Eruana laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and squeezed,

"Come now, they would not blame you for wanting to know. You have resisted this for months, refusing Galadriel's offers to gaze into her mirror, to visit Imladris. Perhaps it is time you knew."

"Maybe. I suspect I have no choice, I will likely find out whether I intend to or not." Holly said with a liquidy laugh, coughing lightly and sniffling. "I just wish that Heather was here. I don't miss her as much as I thought. I know that sounds bad, but I have you, are you are like a sister to me- I just wish she was here, for once. I need her."

Eruana pressed her lips into a tight line and looked at her friend seriously, "I understand some of what you feel. My older sister sailed to Valinor some centuries ago. I miss her every day, but I, too, feel as though I have found a sister in you. Just promise me you will return to Lórien before too long!"

Holly squeezed Eruana's hand in her own, "Oh, I will miss you, my friend. I promise to return. I don't think I could stay away too long. Nestarion tells me that Imladris is set in a valley, with waterfalls and deep, shimmering pools. But few forests, and none that match the splendour of Lothlórien."

"There is nothing in Arda that matches the splendour of the Golden Wood. The mellyrn will mourn your leaving until your return, my friend. Still, you must go, you must learn, and you will return wiser and better for it." Eruana replied tearfully, realising for the first time that she would miss Holly sorely.

Holly pulled her sleeve over her hand and wiped the tears off her face. She smiled sadly at the red-eyed elleth seated on her bed, "Urgh, there is no time for this. I need to sleep. I am to meet Haldir at the stables at dawn."

"My, that does sound romantic." Eruana joked with a mischievous glint in her eye, lightening the mood. Holly bit her bottom lip to stop from laughing loudly.

"Yes, very romantic, until his criticizes my choice of travelling clothes, the utility of my hairstyle and tells me I am late even when I am early."

"I do love my brother-in-law, but I must say his manners could use some improvement." Eruana admitted with a laugh, "I will leave you for tonight. I shall bring you a suitable cloak tomorrow morning, consider it a parting gift."

"Thank you, Eruana. How I would struggle without you." Holly said, walking her friend to the door. The friends parted ways at the doorway and Holly returned to the disaster that was her talan, feeling very tired, not a little bit overwhelmed, but resolving to clean up the mess before retiring to what would be a uneasy, unrestful sleep.

As she made her way toward the stables the next morning, Holly admired every inch of the forest she could. The place that had once set anxiety in her heart, made her feel alienated and odd, now felt like home to her. As much as she was looking forward to seeing other parts of Middle-Earth, it felt strange to realise that she would miss her home. She would miss her friends, Eruana, Rúmil, Orophin, Ilwe, even the surly Nestarion. She suddenly wished that she had visited her favourite places before leaving – the hot springs, the dining hall, Celeborn's library, Galadriel's garden.

Don't be silly. You're going to see so many new things, meet so many new people. Maybe you'll even make new friends. You're going to learn to heal with your fëa, to touch the soul of another living being with your own, to mend the fibres of their being. Months ago you didn't even know what a fëa was, or that you had one, but it is such a beautiful thing, and you will spend your long, long life fixing damaged ones and bringing people back from the brink of fading- Helping people. What more could you want? What better purpose could you imagine?

Suddenly, Holly's parting with the Golden Wood felt more like a 'see you later' and less like a 'goodbye'. She knew she would be back, she felt it in her fëa. Nothing could keep her from the trees she called home, from the mellyrn that protected her and shielded her. That she would return, there was no doubt in her mind. She would go to Imladris, she would learn what she needed to learn to help her people, the people of Lothlórien. She would contribute and make her mark on the silver bark of the mallorn, eternal proof of her existence, an everlasting 'Holly was here' on the great, reaching trees of the forest.

As she walked through the boughs of the forest, she felt the force of the trees wash over her like a wave. Each branch, each root, seemed to stretch out to meet her path, pushing her gently toward the gates of the city. They knew she was leaving. The leaves on the trees shimmered and shook as though waving goodbye, bidding her farewell. Holly felt a deep hum of energy in her heart- in her fëa. The trees sang to her, their voices inaudible, but so very loud to her soul. She heard them in her mind and felt them in her chest. Holly stopped and placed her hand on the trunk of a great tree in front of her, needing to feel the physical connection between herself and the heart of the forest. She laid her palms on the grey bark of the tree and felt suddenly intertwined, as though part a web, to each tree and plant and blade of grass under Galadriel's protection. She could not tell if she was speaking aloud, but she spoke to them, bidding them all goodbye, promising that she would return to them, to their protective embrace.

Haldir watched her in silence, transfixed by the sight. He had seen her approach from down the path, and he had seen her stop dead in her tracks and run to the nearest tree. He watched her as she laid her hands on the tree and pressed her forehead to its bark in reverential admiration. He could see the quiet tears forming in her eyes, but he said nothing. To disturb this parting would be sacrilegious, and he could not bring himself to pull her away, though they had to depart. He recalled his first parting from the forest and how it had stung at him. He imagined it felt not unlike fading, in some small way.

Holly's fëa glowed and beamed, spilling light from her skin. Haldir was frozen in place, forced to watch on and do nothing as she exposed her beautiful soul to him and all others who would happen to walk by. He was spellbound by the unabashed display of feeling and felt his own fëa begin to stir. Still, none dared to upset the scene before them. Haldir waited patiently for Holly to disentangle herself from the forest, and cleared his expression of any residual emotion before greeting her,

"You are late." he said, jokingly. He made sure to speak with a smile, so she would know he was jesting. This was not the time for one of their ridiculous spats, he knew something of the deep emotion she was feeling, and it was not to be taken lightly.

Holly smiled sadly up at him and hastily wiped the tears from her face, "I know."

Haldir observed her for a moment as she tightened the straps of her pack on her back and adjusted the hair tie that held her braid together. She had pulled her long hair back from her face in a single, thick braid. She was dressed well for travel, he noted. "You are well prepared. Come, the horses are ready and our escort awaits us at the gates of the city. The western border is not far."

Holly followed him into the stables. There were horses' stalls lining both sides of the large building. This was the smaller stable, he told her. The majority of the horses were housed in a larger stable by the barracks, for use in training and for the wardens and sentinels. These horses were for travel, but these stables also housed the horses of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, as well as Haldir's own horse, Bruidal.

"I named him so because I found him and his mother on the banks of the Bruinen when he was only a foal. Bruidal is a wild horse, though I believe I have tamed him," Haldir explained, lovingly patting the great roan horse on his velvety nose. Bruidal did not take too kindly to being called tame, and snorted loudly, blowing hot air right into Haldir's face. Haldir let out a deep chuckle and patted Bruidal's cheek, "My apologies, mellon nin."

Holly looked up at Bruidal and let her hand rest just in front of his nose, allowing the horse to become accustomed to her scent. When she felt as though he would not mind, she stroked his soft neck, "Hello, Bruidal. It is nice to meet you."

Bruidal made no comment, but he did not pull away from her touch. Considering this a small victory, she looked back to Haldir, "And who will I be riding?"

Haldir walked over the to third box from the door of the stables and gestured to a smaller, but no less beautiful horse, "You will be riding Ithiell"

Ithiell was a beautiful dapple-grey. She was smaller in stature than Bruidal, but much more suitable for Holly's height. Ithiell's large dark eyes surveyed Holly cautiously. Holly bestowed a glowing smile on her, and immediately began to lavish the mare with affection, "Oh, you are a beautiful horse. Look at you! Oh, yes, Eru outdid himself when he made you, didn't he? Little moon-daughter,"

Haldir couldn't help but laugh quietly to himself as Holly completely lost herself in Ithiell. The little grey mare was a beauty, he had to admit. Ithiell certainly seemed to agree, as she had begun nuzzling Holly's neck, causing the elleth to giggle uncontrollably,

"Oh, stop it, meleth nin! That tickles!" she tittered, patting the horse on the neck and shooing her away. She looked back to Haldir clapping her hands together happily, "I love her!"

"Don't get too attached," he began seriously, though a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, betraying him, "She is one of my own horses, and I am not keen on parting with her just yet. Besides, let us see how well she tolerates you over the coming weeks."

Holly looked unaffected, "We'll see. Maybe she won't want you anymore!"

Haldir cocked his eyebrow, "Doubtful. Ithiell favours me above all others."

Holly looked back to Ithiell and stroked her nose lovingly, ignoring Haldir's challenging expression, "Yes, but she'd never met me before. Things change, and I can be completely irresistible when I want to be."

Haldir choked out a laugh, "True enough. I will endeavour to retain Ithiell's affections then, lest I lose her to a very worthy opponent."

He gave her a quick wink and for a moment, Holly forgot what they had been talking about. Ithiell seemed to become annoyed at Holly's temporary lapse in her attentive ministrations and huffed loudly. Holly was shaken from her thoughts by the sound, and mock-scowled at Haldir, "Don't be jealous, Haldir."

"I have no reason to be. Until you kiss her the way -"

"That's enough of that!" Holly blurted, afraid that someone would hear. She unlocked Ithiell's box and took her by the reigns that Haldir had taken the time to ready for them. She could practically feel Haldir's false sense of victory radiating off of him, but she was not in the mood to engage him at the moment. She looked over each of Ithiell's legs, checking for swelling or tender spots. Finding none, she gently led the horse out of the stall, Haldir and Bruidal in tow.

They were greeted at the western gates of the city by Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn, Rúmil, Orophin, Eruana, and surprisingly, Nestarion and Ilwe. Holly smiled largely and waved at them all happily as they approached. Celeborn, Rúmil, Orophin and Eruana were mounted on their own horses, clearly intending to accompany them the short way to the western border out of the wood. The others stood at the gates patiently, waiting to say goodbye. Lady Galadriel spoke first,

"I bid you not farewell, but tenn' enomentielva, until we meet again, in the language of Valinor. May your path be clear and straight, may your journeys be fruitful. I will look forward to your return, Haldir o Lórien, Ercassiel Elrandir." Galadriel approached the two elves and bestowed a kiss upon each of their foreheads. Holly bowed her head down and put her hand over her heart in the elven symbol of respect,

"Thank you, my lady. Thank you for all that you have done. I am happy to return to a home here, a home that you have given me."

"There will always be a home for you here, should you choose to make it so. I have named you Ercassiel Elrandir – Ercassiel Star-Wanderer. You came to us shrouded in mystery, as though from the heavens themselves. Now you are one of the Galadhrim, and I gift you an epessë, Elrandir. Thusly you shall be known, as one of the elves of the Golden Wood, as one who I under my protection. Whatever you discover in Imladris, know that you are of the Golden Wood, sent here by Eru Illuvatar." Galadriel spoke softly, resting her long, elegant hand on Holly's shoulder. Holly only nodded and smiled gratefully at the lady. She would miss Galadriel's kind, wise words. Galadriel turned to Haldir then, and spoke to him quietly. Holly did not hear what she said for she had approached Ilwe and Nestarion. She hugged the elleth tightly,

"Take care of our old master, will you?" she asked, jokingly. Ilwe nodded enthusiastically,

"I shall put him through his paces for you." she answered, returning Holly's embrace. Nestarion looked far less amused and regarded Holly seriously,

"You will pay attention to Lord Elrond – he is a far greater healer than I, you will do everything you can to learn as much as possible before your return." he said sternly, frowning in his customary way. Holly struggled not to roll her eyes and managed a solemn nod of her head,

"Yes, Nestarion. I promise I am taking this very seriously."

Nestarion's eyes softened for a moment, "Trust your fëa, Holly. You will learn to use it for the benefit of others, do not push yourself too hard, but trust in it. Whether or not you do, your fëa knows what to do."

Holly made to mount Ithiell then, and Haldir followed suit, mounting Bruidal in one fluid motion. Suddenly a hand shot out to steady her, and Holly looked over to see Nestarion beside Ithiell, holding her hand tightly, helping her onto the horse. Holly gave him an appreciative smile. Nestarion put his hand over his heart and gave her his best serious-master-healer look, save for the slight twinkle in his eye, "Return wise, my apprentice"

"I will." Holly responded in all-seriousness, though his expression did not go unnoticed. She turned to the others then, not quite ready to say the rest of her goodbyes, "To the border, then?"

"Yes, we ought to depart if we want to make it to the first camp site before nightfall." Haldir answered, tightening his grip on Bruidal's reigns and leading the group toward the gate. He allowed Celeborn to take his place at the front of the escort. Holly turned back to the elves that had stayed behind and gave them one last wave. She felt a light brush at her mind and heard soft words,

Namárië, Ercassiel Elrandir.

They reached the outskirts of the forest just over an hour later. The short journey had been jovial, with Rúmil and Orophin cracking jokes the entire way. Celeborn, to Holly's surprise, was not quite as serious as his wife, and even joined in on occasion. All in all, they were a merry party when they arrived at the border.

Glad that she had made her goodbyes to Eruana the night before, their parting now was happy and light-hearted. Eruana handed her a heavy package, wrapped in soft linen and tied with silver hithlain.

"The cloak I promised you. Promise me you will wear it and think of your sister in Lórien." she said, kissing Holly on the cheek. Holly smiled at her friend and took the parcel gratefully,

"Of course I will. Thank you again, my friend. I will write to you, if I can."

"You had better." Eruana responded in Common, giving Holly one last, tight hug. Just as Eruana released her, Holly found herself wrapped up in four very strong arms. Her face was squashed between two barrel-chested elves.

"Oh- my-urrrrfff-you guys, I- can't—breathe!" she sputtered out from between them. She felt the rumble of their laughed in their chests and she was finally released from their hold,

"Do not let Haldir walk all over you, little one." Orophin said, patting her amicably on the shoulder.

"Brother, I think you are better to warn Haldir. I think it is our Holly who makes the rules there." Rúmil answered for her. Holly only laughed, but she heard Haldir mutter under his breath,

"Not a chance, brother."

Rúmil laughed and clasped him brother by the forearm, "We shall see about that. I have already bet Orophin two flask of miruvor that you shall return a docile little puppy. A few weeks under Holly's thumb and you are sure to return tamed."

Haldir, surprisingly, did not respond. Despite their jokes at his expense, he embraced both his brothers warmly. Holly observed their interactions with interest – Haldir was both warm and chastising toward his brothers. Both fatherly and brotherly, but no less loving. She was sure he would miss them, and with that she could sympathize.

"This is where we leave you. Have a safe journey and send word upon your arrival in Imladris." Celeborn said, far less ceremoniously than his wife. Clearly only one of them had a flair for the dramatic, though Holly had already suspected this to be the case. Holly and Haldir bid the elf lord goodbye and slowly walked their horses away from the group,

"Well, farewell!" Holly called out to them with a smile and a wave. They waved back at her. Haldir waved, too, and then looked at Holly, with a strange expression on his face,

"You can hear the river Nimrodel from here. We follow it straight to the mountain pass, we should make it there by nightfall, if we keep a good pace."

Holly shifted her weight in the saddle and adjusted her bag, "Lead the way, Marchwarden."

Haldir shook his head and brought Bruidal to a trot. Holly turned to look back at her friends one last time, and shot them a final smile. Her eyes met Eruana's momentarily, and the elleth gave her one, last encouraging smile. Fortified by this gesture, she followed Haldir out of the forest and into the fields of long, golden grass beyond the treeline.

A/N: Ooof! OK! This was a bit of a long one, but all I have to say is...let the adventure begin! PLEASE let me know what you think so far. Thank you to everyone who reviews, follows, put my story on their alerts, it's all very, very encouraging! I accept constructive criticism, as well, so please, if you have any advice or critiques of any kind, please feel free to message me or review. I appreciate all feedback :) Needless to say, we're in for a few SUPER fun chapters. To be honest, I have most been looking forward to writing these, so I can't wait to share them with you. :)