Five mornings later, Halanna helped Nimoë pull a pale blue gown, the shade of an early morning sky, over her head. They were in a colorful tent which had been erected, along with many others, along the eastern shores of the Anduin, nigh unto Cair Andros. By noon, if they rode without pausing for rest, they would reach the Field of Cormallen, where the victorious armies were encamped.

Word had reached the Houses of Healing quickly, requesting the two women to come, as soon it was safe for them to travel, to the celebrations at the Cormallen Fields. It seemed that the news of victory brought new life and strength to the Elf maid, and when the messenger had told her that he had seen Legolas with his own eyes, Nimoë had fairly floated. Her new buoyancy of spirit had hastened her healing and, within a day, she declared herself to be fit for travel.

Bluebell had been found wandering, lost and lonely, near the west bank of the Anduin, and he was brought back into the city. Such a gentle beast was deemed safe for Nimoë to ride and so, together with Halanna, once again astride Goliant, and in the company of almost a hundred other citizens of Minas Tirith, they rode out, crossed the Anduin, and began to make their way north through the verdant hills of Ithilien

Nimoë looked down at herself, and almost could not recognize what she saw. All through her long journey she had worn men's garb, and even in the Houses of Healing she had worn only the drab linen clothes of the healers. The soft silk which hung about her now felt as unfamiliar as snowfall to a fish. Gentle folds fell from her narrow waist, and the fullness of the skirt was enough that she would be able to ride with ease. At least as much ease as her still healing wound would permit.

Once Nimoë had been fully dressed, Halanna pulled her own gown over her head. When Ioreth had come to bring them clothes fitting for the celebration they would attend, Halanna had stubbornly refused the frilly concoctions which had been laid in front of her, saying, "I am not a noble Lady. It is not fitting for me to dress as one. Is there not something more simple?"

Finally, she had compromised on a heavy silk dress of a deep rust hue, bare of ornamentation, but for a jeweled belt, which hung low on her waist. Hooking the belt into place, Halanna smoothed her skirts with nervous hands. "Will that do?" she asked the Elf maid.

"You look radiant. Come, let me brush out your hair. There is no need today to keep it bound tight." Nimoë pulled her onto the cot in front of her and wielded a hairbrush with a vengeance. Halanna's hair was tempestuous, falling in unruly waves to her waist. The rust color of the dress made the red highlights in her sandy hair sparkle, and her freckled cheeks seemed to glow with health and happiness.

Once that was done, Halanna returned the favor, and soon Nimoë's pale hair was glistening, falling smooth and straight down her back and about her shoulders, almost as if it were a cloak of soft moonlight. Satisfied that they were ready to make the final leg of their journey, they went to find their horses.

Before mounting, they gripped each others' hands in a spontaneous demonstration of affection and hope. Halanna had finally worked up the nerve several days past to tell Nimoë of Eomer's declaration of service to her, and the Elf maid had rejoiced, thinking that her two dearest friends would make each other very happy.

Fragrant breezes blew, filled with the flowering, blooming scents native to Ithilien and, with beauty surrounding her and the knowledge that in a few scant hours she would be back with her love, Nimoë felt as if she were flying. The countryside moved past her in a hazy blur, and she gave her trust over to Bluebell to follow the rest of the company, for she could not have concentrated on anything as mundane as steering her horse.

At long last, the pavilions of the encampment came into view. The entirety of the field was a riot of color, looking as if a giant had chosen that place to plant his flower garden. The large company with which Nimoë rode broke their horses into a run in their eagerness to reach the victorious army.

Nimoë knew that, much as her heart longed to quickly cover the ground that separated her from Legolas, her wound would not hold up to the stress of a run, so she held back. With a grateful heart, she saw that Halanna was still beside her, unwilling to leave her friend to enter the encampment alone and forgotten.

#

The new group of arrivals from Minas Tirith swept into the camp like a bubbling tide. Legolas stood with Gimli, Pippin, Merry and Eomer, watching the riders intently. Messengers had been riding back and forth ahead of the entourage, and he knew that Nimoë was among them. Unconsciously, he ran his hands over his tunic, trying to brush out any wrinkle, wanting to look his very best, although why he should worry was beyond him. Nimoë loved him forever, whether he was wrinkled or not.

As the newcomers came near he saw with trepidation that his beloved was not among them. What had happened? She should be there. Had something happened to her? He broke away from his companions, followed quickly by Eomer. Mingling among the men and horses, they tried to get news from the riders. Every man they spoke with assured them that the two women had ridden with them, but could not explain where they had disappeared to.

Legolas was ready to find his horse and ride out to see what had become of her when a soft, mellifluous voice reached his ears, "Legolas."

He spun around and his heart stopped beating. Nimoë was seated high upon the back of a horse of noble bearing, but he did not even see the beast. He could not tear his eyes away from the stunningly entrancing vision in front of him. Through all the time he had spent in her company, nothing could have prepared him for the full power of her beauty.

The pale blue silk which clung to the skin of her torso was flecked through with sparkling stones, which reflected the sunlight, making her sparkle with luminous radiance. The grey of her eyes soaked in the glacier blue of the gown, transforming them from their usual serious hue to a more joyous demeanor, and the gentle flow of the dress managed to enhance her delicate femininity.

Breaking himself free of his paralysis he went to the horse's side and lifted his arms up to her. She bent down slowly and let herself fall into his waiting embrace. Once her feet were firmly upon the earth, he bent forward and claimed her lips with a reverent kiss. "You are well. I feared for you so."

She smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling, "As I did for you. But, Legolas, we will never need to fear again. We can face the coming ages together, with no taint of shadow over us."

The two Elves were oblivious to anything happening around them, but others were aware of what transpired, and were shocked when the King of Rohan approached the smaller woman, whose modest dress marked her as one of common birth, and knelt before her.

Halanna had already dismounted from Goliant and, when Eomer knelt before her, she laid her hand softly on his head, wrapping her fingers into his unruly blonde hair. He raised his face to look into her warm smile. With his strong fingers he grasped her free hand and pressed something small into her palm.

Slowly she lifted her hand and opened her fingers. There lay the dusty leather strap which she had given her King as a token. Emotions overwhelmed her and she closed her hand tightly around it.

"This I carried with me into the battle before the Black Gate. When all other hope faded into darkness, then I drew strength from it, knowing that if I failed, I would doom you to death. I could do nothing less than fight on," he declared, low and seriously.

Uncomfortable at the strange gazes which were glued upon her, she urged Eomer to rise. "My friend, I thank you for your kind words, but you must not show such preference for me in front of these men. You are King, and as such you will be expected to cultivate love with some woman of high station."

Eomer rose and turned to face those who stood staring, daring to make this dear woman feel inferior. His voice was powerful as he addressed them, "Is there a man among you who will challenge my right to pay court to this woman? Halanna has fought with as much valor as any among you, and is a healer of great skill. Although she is of common birth, she is the most uncommon mortal woman I have ever known. If any objects to her, I will gladly challenge him to combat for the honor of my lady!"

Throughout his declaration, Halanna was blushing furiously, and wanted nothing more than to run and hide from the prying eyes about her. When no one spoke to refute Eomer's right to pay court to her, he turned back and took her hand in his. "Does that answer your objections, Halanna? I will allow no impediment to the growth of our relationship. I see in you something pure and rare, and I treasure it, as I wish to treasure you. Until the end of my days."

Overwhelmed, Halanna fell into his arms, hiding her face in his broad chest. He held her against him fiercely, his eyes staring fire at any who looked to closely or too long, and he rocked her back and forth, eager to reassure her that he was true in his intentions. That he would not leave her.