To Meet a Ring Bearer

** Speaking Elvish**

** Here, Himanoon, ** Ferin said softly to the girl who sat on his horse, before him. She took the handkerchief he offered and blew her nose noisily. ** Do not be sad, little one, soon we will take you to your father, who is great among elves, **

**I want my mother, ** Padima said softly and leaned into his silken robes. He petted her dirty black locks that fell straight to her shoulders.

**We know, Himanoon** He murmured and wrapped his arms about her small body. She was young, only 14, and if you got a chance to see her in the golden sun with her hair shining around her shoulders, you would not doubt her father. She turned her tearful green eyes to Ferin Cloudfist and carefully looked over his features.

There were three elvish brothers to whom Ferin belonged. He was second oldest, Tarrod Iceeyes was eldest, and youngest was Laivilya Diamondlaughter, who sat on his yellow mere beside Padima and Ferin.

Ferin was the tallest of the brothers. He reminded Paddy of a tall birch. He was silver all over, especially his flowing mane that spilled down his back and over his painted horse's back. His eyes were a warm violet, the color of twilight. He was gentle and caring, but that didn't mean he was soft. Ferin was not afraid of tough love.

Laivilya was the child, with his shorter stature and round face surrounded by puffy lemon white hair. His eyes were always twinkling and he had a habit of being mischievous. He was Paddy's playmate and best friend.

Tarrod was unmistakably the leader. He was tall and strong, with a lean build and a certain air around him that any one think twice. He had hair so silken white it sometimes looked blue and his eyes were the color of tinted ice. Tarrod also had the uncanny ability to heal.

Paddy knew the three as her family. They visited every couple months since she could remember, staying for weeks and filling her and her mother's life with joy and happiness.

When the orcs had come into the house, Padima knew there was something wrong, but her mother was every trusting. She invited the three in and let them dine with her and Padima. Padima hated the nasty gleam in their eyes, but ate her dinner and went to bed.

Paddy had awoken in the middle of the night by her mother's screams. She ran into the hall to see one of the orc, smash its fist into the side of Sanil's face as another searched their home, looking for something. The third, Paddy could not see, but didn't wait. She ran back to her room and clambered out the window where Jax and Max their hounds snarled and howled hearing their mistress's cries. Padima let them off their chain and they leapt through the window, attacking the orcs. That was all Padima remembered as something heavy smashed into her head. When she awoke she was in Tarrod's arms.

**Brother, was there not a settlement of hobbits nearby? ** Laivilya asked, breaking Paddy's thoughts. Ferin nodded. "Let me take Himanoon there and let her eat and get some fresh clothes. Tarrod may still be a while and that way when he's done we can be on our way,"

Ferin eyed his young brother, **Very well, but be careful, those orcs may still be near if Tarrod has not found them, **

Laivilya smiled as Paddy mounted behind him," We'll be fine," And nudged his horse forward and began to the village as Ferin hollered, ** And no mischief!!**

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"Have no fear, dear master, he'll turn up" Samwise told Frodo as they walked through the crowded streets. Frodo could barely take five steps without a 'tell Bilbo happy Birthday!' or 'where is the old badger? How old is he today?"

The slender hobbit lad tried to be polite, but every mention of his uncle made him jump. He had disappeared, without a note or a word.

"I wish I had your confidence, Sam, but I won't go back till I find my uncle," Frodo said and continued to scan the sea of curly hobbit heads.

Sam shook his head, "But dear Master, what if Mr. Bilbo is already back at Bag End waiting for you,"

Frodo paused for a moment, a lilly white hand running through his dark curls.

"Very well, Sam, I- wait a moment," Frodo straightened, standing on tiptoe as he looked over a group of hobbits at the Green Dragon.

"Wonder what's going on at the Dragon, look at the crowd!" Frodo murmured and Sam tugged on his master's sleeve.

"Maybe Mr. Bilbo is telling his stories!"

Without another word, Frodo grabbed Sam's arm and plowed through the crowd.

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**Not so fast, Himanoon, ** Liavilya snickered as the hungry girl wolfed down her food. Well, she hadn't anything to eat for nearly three days save a couple lembas. The hobbits try to pretend they weren't curious but their untouched plates and the noses pressed against the window said otherwise.

They had taken her to a tailor and bought her a simple brown and green riding dress with leather tights. Then they came to the small inn where she washed and now gulped down a plate of ham, potatoes, greens, and all drowned a golden gravy, at her elbow a glass of ale.

"Won't you have anything, sir?" The innkeeper asked, trying to sound polite but couldn't take his eyes off the pair.

"No, thank you," Said Liavilya in thick accent. He was worst at the common tongue. The InnKeeper nodded and looked to the door as the two new hobbits came in.

"Ah, Samwise! Master Baggins!" The InnKeeper smiled as the two came forward.

"Hullo, sir, have you seen my uncle?" The pale one asked. His eyes taking the scene of the elegant elf perched on the stool with the girl and nearly two empty plates as she finished her third.

"No, dear boy, can't say I have. Um, this Master- ummm, Liavua and -–h I'm no good at names!"

"Liavilya," The elf said shaking the boy's hand as the girl turned on her stool, wiping her mouth with a napkin. She spoke in a silvery language to which Frodo recognized a few words. The elf answered back and he released Frodo's hand. He gestured to the girl.

"Himanoon," He said and the girl held out her hand. Frodo took and would have kissed it if she didn't immediately start shaking his.

"Hello, Himanoon, I'm Frodo Baggins," She only smiled and then withdrew her hand.

The two then lightly dismounted their stools and left the Green Dragon Inn.

Frodo watched them leave, getting the strangest feeling this was not the last time he would see Himanoon.