We sat on the flet, Legolas behind me with his arms wrapped around me, until the sun went down behind the mountains. The city below was lit with thousands of silver lamps that sparkled like stars. The song of the Galadhrim enveloped us.

Legolas showed no sign of wanting to leave, but I had to either get up and move around or lie down and stretch out. I opted for the latter and lay flat on my back, looking up at the stars. He laid down next to me on my right and held my hand. I fell asleep.

The moon was high in the sky when Legolas spoke. I heard his words in my dreams and woke gently, "Will you accompany us when we leave? Now that Mithrandir has passed beyond the veil we are no longer the Nine."

"No hún nín, my path lies elsewhere. I can't go with you. I suspect we'll meet again before it's all over though. I can't see the future, but I do believe we'll fight side-by-side some day."

"Will you stay in Lórien? The Lady seems to know somewhat of your destiny. Has she told you of it?"

"She hasn't told me anything yet. I'll probably stay for a short while after you leave, but not long I think."

"I was more at ease when I thought you were with my father, Meleth. It comforts me to know that you are competent in battle, but I do not like the idea that you may go forth alone."

"I've been alone more than once recently. I've come through okay so far, but I'm learning that the Valar will put me where I need to be, alone or not."

"So it seems. Even when we intend otherwise."

I had the feeling "we" referred to the males who wanted to keep me safe. So far though, their machinations had put me in more danger than I might have been in otherwise. "The Lady did tell me one thing, Legolas. She told me to let my heart lead me. I'm going to do that. I currently answer to no king or lord, save whoever's realm I happen to be in at the time, so I'll let my heart be my master for a while."

He laughed, "Your independence takes some getting used to, Meleth."

I grinned at the moon above me, "I imagine it does, your majesty."

He gave me a little nudge then, just to let me know he got the point.

I heard laughter from somewhere below and I realized that even though all mortals in the city were sleeping, the Galadhrim were not. "Legolas, someone here owes me a drink. Shall we go look for him?"

"Who is it, Meleth? A name would be helpful."

"Oh, damn. I traveled with him for days and never got his name!"

"Was he with you when you returned to the hall?"

"Yes, not the Captain, the one standing on the other side from me."

"I remember him. He seemed very interested in Gimli and myself."

"That's what he wanted to talk about over our drink. He was very impressed that I've won your heart and Gimli's friendship at the same time."

"I admit I thought it odd that you befriended him, though now I am beginning to understand him more."

"As it should be. Do you understand me better, too?"

"One thing at a time, Meleth."

I laughed and slid to the ladder, climbing down toward the sound of the laughter below.

Legolas followed me as I stepped gingerly onto a narrow walkway. He hopped past me and I nearly lost my balance. Showoff!

"Hey! Be careful! I'm not an Elf, you know."

"And I am grateful for it, meleth nín."

"That's an odd thing for you to say."

"If you were an elleth, you would not be you," he replied and grinned.

"Good answer. Is your father as sweet as you? If so, I'm sorry I didn't get to meet him."

"My father taught me everything I know, Elaura. I believe you will meet him and be able to decide for yourself."

"I wonder what it'll be like to be someone's subject? The upside, of course is that I'll be a princess."

We were getting close to the source of the laughter; it was a pub of sorts. A talan with many tables and chairs and quite a few Elves seated and standing.

A tall golden-haired Elf approached us, "Ah! There you are! I seem to remember you agreed to have a drink with me." It was my battle-buddy.

"That I did. May I introduce Legolas Thranduilion," I replied. Legolas bowed.

"Mae govannen," my friend said and bowed. "I am Arminas. You have quite a warrior on your hands, Legolas."

"So I understand. I have seen her train, but I have never seen Elaura in battle."

"It was quite a sight to behold, I assure you. Come, join me." Arminas led us to a table with a bottle and a glass. Two more glasses were brought by an elleth.

"Le hannon," I said to her and she smiled and nodded and walked away.

"Tell me, my lady," Arminas said as he filled our glasses from the bottle. "How is it that you have come to be a healer and a warrior?"

"Actually I was a warrior first, but not in the manner that I am now. Among my people I was a messenger of my army." I took a sip of the amber wine, it was full-bodied and sweet.

"Your people? Where are they?"

I was glad that he phrased it that way. It gave me an out without lying. "I am the only one of my people in Arda."

"You have my regrets, my lady."

"Thank you. How is it that you speak Westron so well, mellon nín? I was under the impression not many of the Galadhrim traveled outside the borders of Lórien," I said attempting to direct the conversation away from myself.

"I and my companion Gelmir were messengers of Círdan. I came here on an errand long ago and found I had no desire to leave."

"Yes, Gelmir is well known to my lord father's courts," Legolas said.

The two happily discussed their mutual friend and I sat quietly enjoying the wine.

Their discussion turned this way and that, politics, strategy, news of long lost friends and relatives. I feigned interest and nodded and smiled occasionally. I was remembering the evenings I spent with Gimli in the pub and began to wonder if Elves really knew how to have a good time.

I caught sight of another familiar face, it was the young Elf I'd treated in the talan after the battle. "Excuse me," I said and stood. I picked up my glass and stepped over to the Elf. I spoke to him in Sindarin, "How's your head? May I see it?"

He grinned when he recognized me. "Of course, my lady. I wondered how you fared after we parted." He sat in a chair and I stood behind him and parted his hair.

"I'm doing well. I didn't get another chance to fight; my companions got all the fun with their bows. I knew I should've tried archery."

"There is a certain satisfaction in letting loose an arrow and watching your foe fall, but I have thought about your words and find that perhaps your way is more honorable." He kept his head very still as I examined the stitches.

"As I said, it's no good to think too much about it, but how did you come to the conclusion that kicking, biting, scratching and such are more honorable than a quick kill with an arrow?"

"I believe it was the creature who hit me with the rock, in addition to your words. Truly, I have never been prey before. Never been the object of a surprise attack. I had not realized until that time that I had an unfair advantage of speed and stealth over my enemies."

"And intelligence from what I can see, though I think a slug is more intelligent than those orcs. But as they say, 'all's fair in love and war.'"

"Perhaps, but it is a very different feeling to be on level ground with an opponent. To look into his eyes as his light is extinguished."

"True. My people had long distance weapons, like catapults I suppose. The warriors who used them were apt to forget that their targets were real people, not just dots on a map. We used terms like 'target acquired' and 'target destroyed'. It dehumanized death. Even now I find myself making a distinction between orcs and other races, as if they aren't really deserving of life, so killing them is easier. I wonder if I will feel the same when I meet men on the battlefield."

"You will do as you must, my lady. We all will. May you always be swifter than your opponent." Just then, Legolas and Arminas came over.

"With such a blessing, I must remember not to tap the lady on the shoulder when she has a weapon in her hand," Arminas said with a grin. "Had she been but a little swifter, I would not be standing here now."

I looked up from my patient and laughed. "You people have really got to stop sneaking up on me, especially when I'm afraid. Haldir dropped right out of a tree in front of me; I thought I was going to have a heart attack." Then I spoke to the young Elf, "Those stitches can come out now. You may come to my room in the great tree tomorrow if you wish and I will remove them."

"Le hannon, híril nín," he stood and bowed to each of us and walked away.

"A healer and a warrior," Arminas mused. "Very handy. Will you stay with us until the way to King Thranduil's realm is safe, my lady?"

I looked at Legolas, "That remains to be seen, Arminas. I don't know what I'll do next. For the time being I shall have another glass of wine."

Legolas grinned and refilled my glass. "Be wary, Arminas, she drinks like a warrior as well," he said.

"Does she now? May I interest you in a wager, my lady?"

"Sure, I'm always up for a game of chance. What's the bet?"

"My bow against your throwing axes. We will both take two shots at a target. The one who hits both closest to the bull's eye wins."

"I see several things wrong with this bet. One is that I don't have my hatchets with me. Two is that I see no target. Three is that I have nothing to wager, I have no possessions that I would be willing to part with. Not to mention I imagine you have more skill with your bow than I could manage in a lifetime."

"To answer your concerns, I have sent for your weapons. There is a target behind you and the wager is for a song. Legolas has told me you have quite a repertoire from your homeland. Finally, I shall even the playing field by wearing a blindfold."

"Oh, now you're just showing off!"

"You did say you are always up for a game of chance, my lady."

"Well, I actually thought you were proposing a drinking game, but what the hell. I won't be called a liar."

"A drinking game? Perhaps after your song."

"You sound terribly confident, Arminas."

He just smiled in response and we sat to wait for my weapons and for the target to be set up. The tables and chairs were moved to the sides of the room and a target was hung on the wall on the far end. I sipped my wine hoping that I wouldn't make too big a fool of myself, either throwing or singing.

"Do not be nervous, Meleth; you have sung for my people," Legolas reassured me.

"Are you so certain I'll lose, hún nín? I hope you aren't thinking of paying me back for distracting you that day."

"I would never do such a thing. I will stand on the other side of the room, if you wish." There was a playful look on his face.

"I think I do wish, my dear. Not that I don't trust you . . ."

My weapons were brought in and set on the table. My glove and hook were there too. Everything looked as if it had been cleaned and sharpened. I took a long drink of the wine and stood and put on my glove, hook and belt. "May I take a few practice throws?"

"Certainly," Arminas replied confidently.

I threw twice with my right hand and twice with my left, stepping back a few paces between hands. I hit the bull's eye three times and just missed with my last throw.

"Are you ready, my lady?" Arminas asked as he was stringing his bow.

"Age before beauty, mellon nín," I replied with a smile.

Arminas stood and stepped to the doorway opposite the target. The young Elf came forward and tied the blindfold around his eyes. He nocked an arrow and let it fly, striking the target dead center. He grinned and nocked another one.

I expected it to split the first arrow, but it didn't. It did, however hit the target so close to the first that the shaft and fletching touched. I sighed and tried to think of a song.

Arminas took off the blindfold and smirked. I stepped to the doorway and tried to clear my mind. I slowed my breathing and heard Galadriel's voice separate from the ever-present strains of harmony that permeated the city. The dreamy haze found me again. I closed my eyes.

I was suddenly startled by the sound of laughter filling the room. I opened my eyes and felt for my hatchets, they were gone. Uh-oh. Did I throw with my eyes closed? I must have missed the target entirely. I looked at the target and there, dead center, splitting both of Arminas' arrows was my first hatchet. Lodged in its tapered handle was the blade of my second. I had no memory of throwing them.

I looked at Arminas and Legolas. They were standing next to one another; both of their mouths were hanging open. I decided to play it off as if I knew what had happened. I casually walked over to our table, sat and finished my glass of wine, silently thanking Galadriel in my mind.

My young friend came over to me laughing. "Excellent! Arminas has never lost that wager before! It is good to see him humbled."

"I hope he has a nice singing voice, I'm in the mood for a song."

"Alas, my lady, I have never heard it. He has used that bet to avoid singing as long as I have known him."

"Not this time," I said and looked up as Arminas approached. Legolas had gone over to the target to retrieve my hatchets. "About that song, Arminas?"

"Perhaps another drink first, my lady?" Arminas asked hopefully as he took his seat.

"As you wish." I grinned. I always had to be drunk as a lord before I would sing karaoke, so I understood perfectly.

Legolas returned and handed me the hatchets. I replaced them in the holsters and took off my belt, slinging it over the back of my seat. Arminas unstrung his bow and set it against the wall next to him.

"Well done, Meleth. Did Gimli teach you that?" Legolas asked as he sat.

"No, his nephew did. Excellent teachers, the Dwarves."

"Apparently," said the young Elf who was still standing nearby. I motioned for him to join us and after a brief glance at Arminas and a quick nod in reply, he took a chair from another table and sat with us.

"I've had the honor of training with the best instructors in Middle Earth. I learned the healing arts in Lord Elrond' s healing rooms, sword fighting from Lord Glorfindel, Elvish from Lord Erestor and of course the axe and hatchets from Gimli and his nephew. Had there been more hours in the day I might have taken up archery. I shared the training ground with the best archer of Mirkwood," I smiled and looked at Legolas. The tips of his ears turned pink.

Arminas looked then at my hook. I hadn't taken it off. "And who taught you how to use that?"

"This I learned on my own," I answered and removed the leather sleeve from the bright blade. "I was incredibly frustrated when I first lost my fingers, but Gimli made some devices to help me and I relearned everything with both hands. I think of it as a blessing, now."

"A curse to your enemies though," Arminas stated and turned my wrist so that the blade glinted in the light of the silver lamps.

"You could ask them, but I think they might have a little trouble answering . . . considering I severed their vocal chords," I said and slid the leather back over the blade. I must have had a dark look on my face because the males all sat back in their chairs simultaneously.

I grinned, "Relax, you look as though you've just seen a ghost."

"It was not what we saw, Meleth but what we heard in your voice. It was fell, you almost sounded as if you were looking forward to the experience again," Legolas paused, "As if you enjoyed it." Legolas' voice was steady but his eyes looked wary.

I sighed and wiped my brow with my left hand. "I'm not an Elf. You must all stop thinking of me in those terms. Mortals have evil inside them. Come to think of it, for all their purity and light, the Eldar are kinslayers. They can be evil as well. You hide it, you justify it, and you rationalize it. You even make yourselves believe it isn't there, but it is. If I don't hide it as well or if I'm not embarrassed by it, you're just going to have to learn to live with it. You especially, Legolas." I wasn't angry or even frustrated. I felt as if this was something I had to get across so that they would truly trust me.

"On the other hand, I know right from wrong. I know my evil inside. I know my demons. When you hide from them, they can sneak up on you and take over. When you confront them, you can use them to your advantage."

Legolas and the young Elf looked at me as if I was speaking a foreign language, but Arminas seemed to understand. "I have lived long and seen the folly of the Eldar first hand," he said. "You speak the truth, my lady. Though the truth is often difficult to hear and from one such as yourself, a mortal, it is an even greater surprise."

"I've learned a lot from your Lady, Arminas. She comes to me in my dreams and helps me understand."

"If the Lady is your patron and you are wise enough to listen to her counsel, you have the grace of the Valar indeed."

I took off my hook and glove and set them on the table. Legolas, who was sitting on my right, reached out and took my hand. I smiled at him. "Am I really that hard to understand?" I asked them all, but I was looking at Legolas.

"You once asked me about the paradox of the Eldar. Do you not see the paradox in yourself? I know you to be capable of so much love and compassion, but yet I also see the hate and the evil you harbor within. It is difficult to reconcile. I wish to remove it at the source, yet if I attempted such a thing you would change and I do not desire that."

"Someday there will be no room left in my heart for hate, in the mean time; I'll use it to the advantage of the good guys. I promise." Then to Arminas, "You have one more drink and then I want the song I won."

Arminas finished his glass in one swallow and refilled it. I did the same. Just as we finished each bottle, another was put in its place. The only one at the table who was not drinking heavily was the young Elf. I got the feeling he was like a private at a table with his commander so I didn't press him to keep up. Besides, I thought it was probably a good idea to have a designated walker when people are drinking in the tops of very tall trees.

Eventually, Arminas finished his glass and cleared his throat. When he stood all the Elves in the room were silent. "My lady, as I have lost the wager, I will honor your request."

He sang in Sindarin in a low, sweet tenor and it seemed the harmony of the entire city hushed for his song.

An Elven-maid there was of old,
A shining star by day:
Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,
Her shoes of silver-grey. A star was bound upon her brows,
A light was on her hair
As sun upon the golden boughs
In Lórien the fair. Her hair was long, her limbs were white,
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light
As leaf of linden-tree. Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool. Where now she wanders none can tell,
In sunlight or in shade;
For lost of yore was Nimrodel
And in the mountains strayed. The Elven-ship in haven grey
Beneath the mountain-lee
Awaited her for many a day
Beside the roaring sea. A wind by night in Northern lands
Arose, and loud it cried,
And drove the ship from Elven-strands
Across the streaming tide. When dawn came dim the land was lost,
The mountains sinking grey
Beyond the heaving waves that tossed
Their plumes of blinding spray. Amroth beheld the fading shore
Now low beyond the swell,
And cursed the faithless ship that bore
Him far from Nimrodel. Of old he was an Elven-king,
A lord of tree and glen,
When golden were the boughs in spring
In fair Lothlórien. From helm to sea they saw him leap,
As arrow from the string,
And dive into water deep,
As mew upon the wing. The wind was in his flowing hair,
The foam about him shone;
Afar they saw him strong and fair
Go riding like a swan. But from the West has come no word,
And on the Hither Shore
No tidings Elven-folk have heard
Of Amroth evermore.

I had let my head rest on the back of my chair and closed my eyes during Arminas' song. When he finished I opened my eyes and was surprised to find my vision blurred with tears. They slid down my cheeks when I lifted my head and I saw that there were tears in the eyes of all the Elves.

I knew from the words that his song had to be well known to all the Galadhrim, but his voice was so expressive no one who heard it would not have been moved. Arminas was crying as well and it dawned on me that he might have known the lovers personally.

The room was silent as the grave as Arminas returned to our table and refilled his glass. Before he took his seat, he addressed the room, "Who among you would like to hear a song from our guest's homeland?"

My jaw dropped as many cheers rang out among the recently solemn Elves. "Hey! That's not fair! I won the bet. How could I possibly follow that?"

"Sing something cheerful, my lady. I fear I have changed the joyful mood."

"I never could stand to hear people crying in a bar," I sighed and tried to think of something silly and happy. An old song from my childhood came to mind. I went over the verses in my head and finished my wine. "Okay, you asked for it."

I stood up and sat on the edge of the table, smiling at Legolas.

You Are My Sunshine
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away. The other nite, dear,
As I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms.
When I awoke, dear,
I was mistaken
And I hung my head and cried. You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away. I'll always love you
And make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me
To love another
You'll regret it all some day; You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away. You told me once, dear
You really loved me
And no one else could come between
But now you've left me
And love another
You have shattered all my dreams; You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away. Louisiana my Louisiana
the place where I was borne.
White fields of cotton,
green fields clover,
the best fishing,
and long tall corn; You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away. Crawfish gumbo and jambalaya
the biggest shrimp and sugar cane,
the finest oysters,
and sweet strawberries
from Toledo Bend to New Orleans; You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away.

I'd been teasing Legolas as I sang, I saw his ears change colors several times, but when I got to the part about Louisiana, I closed my eyes and tried to picture it. I'd always had a love/hate relationship with my home state. When I was young all I ever wanted to do was get out of there. Once I did leave, after I got married, I missed it more and more.

When I opened my eyes I could see in the Elves' faces that they had gotten the mental picture, even if they didn't understand what jambalaya was. "Well," I said, "You wanted a song from my homeland. That's about as much home as I could think of."

"It was lovely," the young Elf replied. "But do you not know a happier tune?"

"Oh, now that I've gotten started, you think I'll just keep singing?"

Legolas stood and handed me a full wine glass, "That was the idea, Meleth."

"Okay, one more, but that's it. I'm serious."

I thought of one that was low and sweet that my mother always sang when I just wouldn't stop asking her for one more song.

Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Catfish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry One of these mornings
You're gonna rise up singing
You're gonna spread your wings
And take to the sky But until that morning
There ain't nothing can harm you
With daddy and mamma standing by Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Catfish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry.

There was applause when I finished and I curtsied dramatically and went back to my seat. The three at the table were smiling broadly. "I don't see how I won the bet and still got roped into that."

"You seemed to be enjoying yourself, Meleth."

"It's the wine, my dear Legolas. I would enjoy myself at a funeral if I had enough to drink."

I yawned involuntarily and glanced out a near window, the sun was coming up. "Good grief! You've had me up all night. I'll sleep the day away at this rate."

"My apologies, my lady," Arminas laughed. "You must understand we are not accustomed to the company of mortals. It is easy to forget how much sleep you require."

"Oh, it's okay. I used to do this all the time in college. I'd go home straight from the bar and shower and go to class. Of course that was ten, fifteen years ago. I'm not as young as I used to be, but I don't guess you understand that either."

I took a deep breath and rubbed my eyes. The room seemed to breathe with me, the walls expanding and contracting. Interesting. I wonder if I'll be able to walk?

Legolas was back in mind-reading mode again and he grinned at me. "You seem to be a little disoriented Meleth, should I escort you back to your talan?"

"If you think that it's safe. You've been drinking heavily too. Arminas, do very many Elves fall out of the trees when they are drunk?"

"My lady, I have never heard of it. Not once. Has it ever happened in Mirkwood, Legolas?"

"No, the only Elf of Mirkwood to ever fall to the ground after drinking was actually thrown there . . . by his wife."

I couldn't help but laugh, "I suppose some things are cross-cultural. Don't worry hún nín, I've never been a violent drinker, I don't intend to start now. Especially not when I'm way up here."

"That is very reassuring, Meleth. However you are not an Elf, I believe we should both escort you to your room, to be safe."

Arminas said something to the young Elf and he collected my weapons. I snatched my hook from the table before he could pick it up. "I believe I'll need this, I can't hold on too well with just my finger and thumb."

The young Elf jumped at the speed with which I grabbed my hook. He picked up my glove and handed it to me. "Le hannon, mellon nín. Sorry if I startled you. Didn't know I could move that fast did you? Neither did I . . . this place is definitely doing something to me."

I attempted to put on my glove as I stood. I tried several times before I realized I had it backward and inside out. "Hmmm." I fought with it a little while longer and Legolas gently took my hand. He took off my signet ring and then turned the glove right side out. I giggled, "Well that was clever of me, wasn't it?"

I slipped the glove on correctly then with the concentration only a drunk can display, carefully put the hook on and buckled it.

"You are not yourself, Meleth," Legolas replied sweetly and put the signet ring back on my finger.

"Who am I, then? I am myself, I am simply myself drunk." I turned toward the door, "Shall we?"

Legolas and Arminas grinned at each other and took their places on either side of me. When we got to the door I looked down at the narrow branch that was the walkway. "Funny, this didn't look so small before."

Arminas stepped in front of me and Legolas walked behind. I kept my feet under me and somehow kept my balance until we got to a sharp bend that slanted down and to the left. I missed the turn with my right foot and slipped off the walkway. I turned as I fell and grabbed the branch with my right hand as it went past my face. The leather sleeve was gone and the bare blade of my hook held fast, embedded in the branch.

I looked up from where I was swinging freely, startled. Legolas and Arminas scrambled to pull me up. How did my leather sleeve get off? I didn't take it off. I could've hurt somebody if I'd reached for them.

They pulled me up and checked me over; I must've still had a puzzled look on my face because Legolas' eyes narrowed and he asked quickly, "Are you hurt, Elaura? What's wrong?"

I looked down at my left hand; the leather sleeve from my hook was in my palm. "How? When?" I squatted to look at where I had cut the tree, there was sap glistening on the wound. "Goheno nín, galadh [S. Forgive me, tree]," I whispered and traced the slit with my fingers.

Arminas bent over and said to me softly, "It will heal. Do not worry."

I slipped the leather sleeve back on my hook and looked up at Legolas and Arminas, who had stood up straight again. "Did either of you see me take this off my hook?"

"Yes Meleth, you removed it as you fell."

"That's not possible. I can't think let alone move that fast. I know it."

"Nevertheless my lady, you did," Arminas replied.

I stood up and took a deep breath, suddenly very sober. "Very well then. I hope whatever talents I've acquired here stay with me. I won't question it anymore, there's no point. Let's go."

Arminas led the way back to my talan without further incident. When we arrived he took his leave with a smile and a bow and Legolas followed me into my room. I took off my hook and glove and laid them on the table, my weapons were all back on the floor in a neat pile.

The warm fuzzy tipsy feeling returned to me and I took Legolas' hands and led him to the chair. He sat and I sat down in front of him and pulled my pack over. I took out my brush and handed it to him and he grinned and took it. I turned around.

He began to sing softly as he gently brushed my hair and I slipped into a waking dream. Legolas and I were riding on horseback beside a river. The horses were walking slowly and the sun was shining. He was laughing and the sunlight glinted on a gold band on his finger. I felt a rumble in my stomach and touched it with my bare right hand, it was large and round; I felt a bump against my palm.

I looked up to tell Legolas what I felt, but he wasn't there anymore. The scenery had changed. I was standing on a beach then, staring out into the surf. I heard a rumble in the sky and shaded my eyes; two jets flew over my head. When they passed I looked at my hands; my rings were gone and all my fingers were there. I looked down and I was in uniform; a wave washed up and covered my brown suede combat boots.

"Meleth? Why are you crying?"

I woke from the dream and was looking at the woven walls of my talan. I smiled to myself and answered him, "Nothing, my love. It was nothing. Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

He set the brush on the table, "Of course, Elaura."

I crawled to my bed and lay down. He was true to his word and stayed in the chair, singing softly until I was truly asleep.

End of Chapter 34.

Chapter End Notes:

* "Song of Nimrodel" J.R.R. Tolkien The Fellowship of the Ring
** "You Are My Sunshine" Lyrics by former Louisiana State Governor Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell; Copyright 1940 and 1977
*** "Summertime" lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin, 1935