Evelyn was bored. It was that sort of mind numbing boredom that makes one want to kick and scream on the ground like a toddler. A slightly vindictive grin tugged on her lips as she contemplated doing just that to see how the elves would react. Ever since the attempted interrogation, the elves of Imladris trended around her as if they were walking on glass. In a way, they were... while they may have taken the majority of her weapons, she did still have her poison dagger... and Nightshade.

Evelyn was also a bit paranoid. After her outburst with the Black Speech, she knew that Elrond must certainly be on edge and thus she was constantly worried that he might drug her food. She had taken to only accepting whole fruits and vegetables whilst refusing any of the pain killing potions that Glorfindel brought. Several times Elrond had entered her chambers and intreated her to drink the potions... what surprised Evelyn the most however was the fact that he did not force her to drink them.

There was a time... years ago in Mirkwood, when she went on a huger strike. One... maybe two years in... She decided that she had had enough and refused to eat. The stupid elvish guards took over a week before they realized that she was wasting away. In response, the guards on duty took to force feeding her lembas and water. The affair had left her with a significant number of bruises and a throat that was sore for days. After that she ate her food and avoided eye contact with the guards whenever they came to pick up her tray.

Before she could ponder such things further, Nightshade released a strange growl... it was someone new.

Glorfindel visited several times a day, brining Evelyn food and attempting to speak with her about all matter of nonsense. Thankfully, he gave up on inquiring her past ever since the interrogation. Unfortunately, he seemed to have the ability to talk endlessly with mind numbing chatter. During his long winded rants and constant questions probing useless information... why does he care what my favorite color is? he would often mention through offhanded remarks how Evelyn was indeed there in Gondolin or how he dreamed of her often. His visits had become so frequent that Nightshade's growl upon his approach was bordering friendly much to Evelyn's annoyance.

But this growl... no it was something different. Evelyn cocked her head to the side, much like a wolf, and listened to the footsteps that she soon heard. Footsteps... no elf makes noise whilst walking down hallways.

The knock on her door was also predictably more heavy handed than usual, and a strong and clear voice called to her.

"Hello, Raven correct?" a rather human sounding voice inquired from the other side of the door. Sufficiently curious as to the new visitor, Evelyn bade for him to enter.

In stepped a tall and broad shouldered man. He had grey eyes and damp hair that was dark and fell to his shoulders. He wore a dull, but finely woven tunic and around his waist was a belt and scabbard... but no sword. He stood upright, hesitant in his steps forward, but confident in his own skin. There was only one such man who could ever walk the halls of Imladris dressed in an elven tunic.

"Hello Aragorn," Evelyn said, voice flat.

"You know me," his reply held a question, but no surprise.

"Or do you prefer Estel whilst in this house?"

"Glorfindel spoke of how you asked about me," he stated plainly as he sat.

"So we are being blunt?"

"Why were you so concerned about my age?"

As he leaned forward in inquiry, Nightshade released a warning growl. He dutifully took notice and backed up slightly.

"There are certain things that I know in the world, and certain things that I do not wish to share, Strider."

"Point taken," he leaned back and pulled forth a tray bearing a large vat of stew, two bowls, and a loaf of crusty bread. "A peace offering then, care to share a meal?"

"I-"

"Yes, I understand that you are hesitant to take food from Lord Elrond as you fear that he intends to drug you. However you cannot heal and survive on fruit alone so I, as a man, would be affected by any drugs as easily as you. Thus, if we share a meal and eat the same food, you will know that it is not tainted."

Evelyn considered his words for several moments, mulling over any potential areas of deceit. Finding no obvious loopholes, she nodded and allowed for the man to pull over the table and set up the meal. She watched carefully as he spooned two rather large bowls of rich venison stew and offered Evelyn her choice. Picking a bowl at random, she accepted the hunk of bread and dipped into the warm and filling meal with relish. In truth, was beginning to feel the tuggings of hunger and the steaming stew seemed to settle a warmth in her chest.

Once they both finished their meals, Aragorn left without a word. From then on, three times a day Aragorn would visit Evelyn and they would share a meal together. Unlike Glorfindel's still frequent visits, these meals with Aragorn were usually passed in silence with the occasional word or story shared. There was something strangely comforting about being around another human, someone who lacked those pointed ears and perfectly formed faces... he was more real. Perhaps mostly however, glimpses of his face did not bring back nightmares of darkness.

"Why?" she finally blurted out one day as they shared a roast duck. Aragorn took a moment to wipe his mouth on a napkin before he looked at her with a gentle smile.

"You're getting stronger."

"I'm aware."

"You would've wasted away if you kept up your diet. And... I thought that you needed a friend."

Evelyn allowed for them to lapse into silence for a little while more, however it seemed that Aragorn took her question as an invitation to speak.

"I won't ask you why you fear elves so much..." Evelyn's head whipped up at his words. She always assumed that the elves believed her actions towards them were born of hatred... not fear. "However," he continued. "Would you allow me to ask why you saved Glorfindel and my brothers' patrol?"

Evelyn pondered the question for a little while... in truth she couldn't state an exact answer. She wanted to hate the elves, to curse their existence. But at the same time she couldn't quite manage it. The first time she save Glorfindel all those years ago... it was a matter of pure instinct, a recklessly brave and foolish act that apparently had consequences reaching further than she ever imagined. The second time... she couldn't quite say. He looked so brave, so strong, and so alone. Perhaps it was the loneliness which spurred her to stand beside him. Perhaps it was pity that overtook her fear of his features.

"I... I don't know," she answered honestly.

"I understand," his eyes scanned the room and fell upon the rosebush blooming by the window. "You have a beautiful plant there."

"Yes," a twinge of a smile crossed Evelyn's face. "Glorfindel brought it up and has been taking care of it... I'm surprised it survived."

"He's beloved of Yavanna."

"Pardon?"

"Yavanna, Giver of Fruits and among the Aratar and Valar. She blesses all living things and is said to have always been fond of the House of the Golden Flower... Glorfindel is the last of their lords."

"I can see why she would love him..."

Glorfindel had a spectacular idea. He was nearly bursting with excitement as he raced through the halls to Elrond's study. Raven was recovering nicely, and Elrond had previously stated that she should be ready to walk about at least a little bit. Glorfindel was absolutely determined to be her guide.

He knocked on the door, but being too impatient to wait for a response, promptly flung it open and was greeted by the sight of Elrond and Erestor. Both appeared to be mid conversation and as usual, Erestor had a rather peeved expression on his face.

"I think we shall go to the gardens!" Glorfindel declared with a broad grin.

"And how do you think she'll react to the other residents of Imladris?" Erestor's wry frown indicated that he had a rather good idea on what her reaction would be.

"I shall take her and Nightshade through your personal gardens..." he looked to Elrond with a wide, decently un wariror-like gaze. "If you would allow it."

"I'm not sure if that's safe-" Erestor, still unforgiving after her incident with the Black Speech cut in. "Who not of Morgoth's spawn knows the language... much less the prophesy?"

"You," Glorfindel placed rather bluntly.

"Counselors," Elrond's sharp tone interrupted both grown elves bickering like elflings. "I believe that is quite enough. Yes there is much that we do not know about the child, but she has not harmed a single elf though she had many opportunities to do so. I trust Glorfindel to handle any situation should it arise."

Erestor nodded his head in acquiescence, but before Glorfindel could thank Elrond, the Lord of Imladris turned and fixed him with a rather severe stare.

"But, should I find that you allowed her to exert herself to the point of hindering her recovery then I will not hesitate to ban you from visiting."

Glorfindel nodded once before racing out the doors like a band of wargs were at his heels. He was so quick to sprint down the hallway, that he missed the conversation still taking place back in Elrond's study.

"He is like an elfling with a hopeless crush..." Erestor mused.

"She represents much to him... he sees her as the savior of Gondolin... of his people."

"But what will she be to us?"

"Only Eru knows."

The Golden One came bouncing into the room so quickly, Nightshade barely had a chance to warn Nightwing, the name that she gave to her person, about his approach. Her growl for his entrance had become decently less aggressive than in the past... but she still did not fully trust him.

He still smelled like Pup-Slayers.

However, despite what Night-Wing might say, Nightshade knew that the person was fond of the Golden-One for whatever silly reason. It was due to this fondness that Nightshade saved him during that battle and tolerated him now... no matter how annoying his chatter got.

This time though, he had something actually interesting to say! Apparently the Healer-One agreed to allow Nightwing and Nightshade out to walk about the gardens. Nightwing immediately agreed with great enthusiasm as Nightshade stood and stretched out her muscles. It had been a long time since she was last able to fully use her body as she was loath to leave Nightwing alone in a building filled with Pup-Slayers. She also knew that despite what Nightwing though, she was going to end up carrying the person. There was no way that her fragile bones had managed to stitch themselves back together so quickly.

As soon as Nightshade slipped out of bed, she offered up her back to Nightwing, cajoling her to climb on. It amused Nightshade greatly to see the incredulous expression on the Golden-One upon seeing the pair together in such a manner. Nightshade knew that she was bigger than most of her kin and she knew that she could look terrifying with Nightwing atop her back.

The little trio took off, Nightwing mentioning to Nightshade how she could walk, but promptly quieted when Nightshade reminded her on the number of stairs that Pup-Slayers are so fond of building into their homes. As they walked, the Golden-One insisted on his usual chatter, blabbering away at nothing in particular.

Then, they reached the gardens.

The second they stepped outside the doors, Nightshade could feel a thrill of exhilaration rushing though her as she took in the senses of the outdoors. She could hear more Pup-Slayers training with swords and bows in the far distance, could smell the delicious scent of fresh roasted meat wafting from some open kitchen window, and could feel the cool breeze billowing through her fur.

She knew that Nighwing was also aware of the breeze and instantly felt a wave of longing from the person who missed her flight so much. Nightshade did the best that she could to comfort the girl, reminding her that once her wing healed, she would be back to the skys. Now, why Nightwing loved flying so much was beyond Nightshade. She much preferred to feel the tickling of grass beneath her feet, the rush of dirt being tossed back by every long stride she took.

Oh how she longed to race across the grounds at that moment, how she longed to give Nightwing the illusion of flight as they raced through the valley. But alas, Nightwing was still injured and Nightshade would not do anything to harm the girl. Plus, the Golden-One would certainly not be pleased and would likely give chase.

"Now follow me this way!" the Golden-One cried in excitement. "Lord Elrond's private gardens are some of most beautiful and secluded walkways in all of Imladris. The twins hardly ever frequent them anymore so really it's just-"

Nightshade purposely sped up, forcing the Golden-One to cease his chatter and take long strides to keep up with the pair. She could feel Nightwing grinning and chuckling above her as the girl knew what Nightshade was doing.

No sign of the Grumpy-One yet... so far so good.