I woke to the swaying of the tree. I thought I was still drunk, but I soon realized it was actually the wind. I rubbed my eyes and looked around the room. The late afternoon sun was sifting through the leaves of my ceiling.

Legolas was gone, but lying in the chair where he'd been sitting was a single white flower. I'd never seen a flower like it; it had six perfect, velvety petals and a bright sunny yellow center. It reminded me of an antique rose, but the long fleshy stem had no leaves or thorns.

I got up slowly, expecting to be hung over, but I wasn't. "Wonderful stuff, Elven alcohol," I muttered and stood. There was a lovely tray of fruit and little sandwiches on the table next to a pot of tea and a teacup. I sat and pulled my pack closer. I fished out my little book and a piece of the spider silk toilet paper and pressed the flower between the pages.

I ate and drank and as I was finishing my second cup of tea there was a light knock on my door. "Enter," I called.

The young Elf stepped into my room and I leaned over and took my healer's pouch out of my pack.

"Mae govannen," he said cheerfully.

"Good afternoon," I replied. "Come and sit in front of me and I'll take those stitches out."

He sat cross-legged on the floor in front of me and I carefully parted his hair. I took out a small pair of scissors and a pair of tweezers and set them on the table beside me. The cut was nearly completely healed and I was glad that it would be hidden by his hair. Pulling the stitches out this late would leave little dots on either side of the scar.

I cut each stitch and pulled them out with the tweezers. I knew it had to sting, but the Elf remained perfectly still. "There, all done," I said as I pulled out the last one and set the tweezers back on the table.

The Elf touched the back of his head and spoke, "Le hannon, híril nín. That is much better. They itched."

"I'm sure they did. I thought mine were going to drive me crazy before Lord Elrond finally removed them. I didn't heal quite as fast as you have."

"I have never been to Rivendell. Is it beautiful?"

"All places where Elves dwell are beautiful. Though it is not as ancient as Lothlórien."

"Did you see the Lady Arwen? I miss the days when her beauty graced our city."

"I met her. She keeps to herself; I think she misses Lórien."

"She kept her own counsel here as well. Her days were joyful when she walked with Estel [S. hope. Aragorn's Elvish name], but she was quiet when he was gone."

"I know the feeling. Tell me, what do Elves generally think about unions between Elves and mortals?"

"To my knowledge there have been few and oft they end in tragedy. All have had strange fates."

"'Strange fates'?"

"I say strange because the Valar directly intervened. In most cases the Elven partner accepted the fate of her mortal spouse and her fëa was forever sundered from those of her kin. Only once has the mortal half of a union been accepted amongst the Eldar; Idril and Tuor sailed into the West together, though his fate there is unknown to me."

"Has there never been an instance where an Elf male has fallen in love with a mortal woman?"

"Yes, Aegnor and Andreth. Aegnor chose not to unite with Andreth, but lived his life in loneliness without her. His life was ended even before hers; his sorrow was short-lived."

"So I guess inter-species marriage is discouraged?"

"No, not at all. It is generally accepted among the Eldar when a mortal captures the heart of an Elf that it is the will of the Valar and it is blessed. Some foresee a time when the two races shall become one. Those who do not go into the West will eventually meld with the race of Men and the blood of the Eldar in Middle Earth will diminish in that way."

"Thank you. You have set my heart at ease, mellon nín."

He stood and looked down at me, "My lady. I am happy to have been of service. If there is anything you desire, I shall see it done."

I stood. "There is only one thing; if after Legolas and his party leave the Wood, there are patrols that set out, I wish to go with them. I don't want to sit here and do nothing."

"I will make your desire known to my Captain; perhaps you will be with us. I would very much desire to see you fight again."

"I'd like that."

He bowed and left the talan and I quickly cleaned myself and brushed my hair and climbed down to the ground.

I found the Hobbits, Boromir and Gimli finishing up a late lunch in the tent.

"Lassie! Good to see you again! I wondered when you would find your way back down to us."

I grinned and curtsied as the group stood to greet me. "I simply couldn't wait to see you again. You are all looking well."

"Elaura!" exclaimed Pippin, "Strider and Gimli said you were here. What were the Beornings like? Did you get to see them hunt?"

There were many questions like this from Merry and Pippin both and I sat and attempted to field them all. "I didn't get to see them hunt, but I did see a few bears following me down the river. Beorn the third was a very gracious host."

"What was the avalanche like? Were you frozen?" Merry asked excitedly.

"I'm here aren't I? I have all the fingers and toes I left Rivendell with too. I was very lucky."

"Lads, let her catch her breath. You will drown her with your questions," Boromir said and grinned. "Though I must hear the tale of your battle. Master Gimli reported that you took twelve orcs."

"'Twelve'," mused Sam quietly. Frodo sat silently watching the conversation. He looked relaxed, but not entirely content.

"True but if I recall correctly, two of them were already down. I merely put them out of our misery. Filthy things."

Sam noticed my ungloved hand. "Milady, your hand. It's differn't."

I held it out to him and all four of the Hobbits leaned forward to look. "Yes, the Lady has magic even the healers of Rivendell can't match." I turned my hand slowly so that they could see the blackness was gone.

"Elven magic; I'll never get used to it and that's a fact," said Sam.

"Better than Gandalf's fireworks, huh Merry?" said Pippin and I saw Frodo's face fall.

I leaned toward him, took his tiny hand in mine, and said gently, "Frodo, Gandalf hasn't left us. He's still here, and more powerful than ever. Don't grieve for him."

"Aw, I'm sorry Frodo," said Pippin.

"It's okay, Pip. It wouldn't be right if we forgot him and never talked about him," Frodo said and smiled. Then to me, "Do you really think he's still with us?"

"I know it, Frodo. Can't you feel it? Can't you feel his presence? Haven't you seen him in your dreams?"

Frodo tilted his head and his big brown eyes met mine, "I've dreamt about him several times, but I thought they were just dreams."

"Never dismiss your dreams, Frodo. Sometimes our loved ones talk to us there because when we are awake we are too distracted to hear them."

A real smile came to his face then and Frodo sat back. "I like that. I like that very much. Thank you my lady, you have eased my mind."

Sam sat back too; he had watched Frodo's face during our dialogue deeply concerned.

"Someone else eased my mind today, it's nice that I could pass it along," I said with a smile.

We chatted and ate happily. Boromir and Gimli wanted a full recount of the battle and patrols and Frodo was especially interested in the creature that was throwing rocks.

"Did it escape?" he asked.

"It did that time. Lord Celeborn has sent a party to track and capture it, but I don't think they'll be successful."

"Something the Elves can't catch? It must be pretty wily. Do you think it's dangerous?" asked Merry.

"I would imagine it's very dangerous, Merry," I replied, "But I wouldn't be surprised if it had a place in everything that's going on now."

"Gandalf thought so," said Frodo.

"He'd know, Mister Frodo, but I'm not going to go looking for it. The farther it is from me, the better," Sam said with an air of finality.

"My lady," Boromir began and stood, "I have something I would like to entrust to you. Would you walk with me?"

"Of course, my lord." I stood and followed him to the door of the tent. "I'll be back later; Gimli, I'd like to continue our lessons while you're here if you have the time."

"I've nothing but time, Lass. I would enjoy a bit of sparring. Keeps the mind sharp!"

"That it does," I replied and left.

After we'd walked down the paths toward the gate a while, Boromir stopped and turned to me, "My lady. I have written the letters we spoke about in Rivendell. I wish to entrust them to your care. Would you deliver them in the event I do not make it home to Minas Tirith?"

"I'm honored that you've chosen me to carry them. I'll make sure they're delivered if anything happens to you, though I truly hope I won't have to. I'll give them back to you the next time we meet, my lord."

"Thank you, my lady. I look forward to their return," he grinned and took the letters out of his tunic and handed them to me.

I swallowed hard as I accepted them and it took all my strength to keep a smile on my face and hold back the tears. I flipped though them, folded parchments sealed with wax. They were addressed simply in Boromir's flowing script: "To my brother, Faramir; To my father, Denethor, Steward of Gondor; To Elwen." There were a few others, but I nearly lost the battle with my heart when I came to Elwen's letter.

"I should take these back to my talan, my lord. They are too precious to carry around, I'd be afraid I'd lose them."

"As you wish, my lady." He bowed as I turned to leave, but then he caught my arm, "You know something of my fate, do you not? You attempt to hide it, but I can see it in your eyes."

"My lord, I don't know what you mean," I lied. I'm a very bad liar and I kept my eyes down.

"The women of Gondor are often blessed with the gift of foresight, they call it intuition. I know the Lady Galadriel has seen something fell in my future. Will you not tell me of it? Do I not deserve to know?"

I closed my eyes and sighed and then I looked up at him. "My lord, I know only that you are an honorable man and you will fall honorably in battle. I can't tell you when or where. Your kin will be proud of you and you will go to your ancestors with your head held high."

"Cannot or will not?"

"Does it matter, my lord? Would knowing the time and place make a difference? Take comfort in the fact that as I have seen it, you will pass into the Halls of Mandos and be welcomed with praise. If you were to try and change it, your fate would almost certainly be shrouded in darkness and evil."

"Then I shall gain strength from your counsel and I will press you no more. Thank you for your honesty, my lady."

I smiled at him as he released my arm. "You are a good man, Lord Boromir. Brave and loyal and true. Elwen is a lucky woman."

"I will be the lucky one if she accepts my proposal. If your assessment of me is true, then I have a chance to honor her in the manner with which she deserves."

I curtsied and took my leave of him. I held my tears until I reached the ladder and cried my eyes out until long after I had placed his letters safely in my pack. I was still kneeling by my bed with my face buried in the down mattress when I felt a cool breeze flow through the room. I recognized it and lifted my tear stained face to greet Galadriel.

"My Lady," I said and nodded.

"I heard you calling for me; it is a difficult thing knowing the fate of others, is it not?"

"Yes," I replied choking back the last of my tears. "How can you stand it?"

"I learned long ago that the consequences of attempting to change what I saw were dire. Never did my efforts result in happiness. Once I accepted that I could only comfort and counsel, I was able to use my gift the way it was intended. You have already had to handle questions and I have seen that you have done it well."

"You are always watching me, aren't you? Were you there last night? I know I did things that I can't do."

"Yes, I was with you, but your accomplishments were your own. I merely helped you quiet your mind and focus. To answer the question you have in your heart, your skills will always be with you. I will be with you also and you will tread the paths of the Golden Wood, even after you depart. No one who has ever been in Laurelindórnan ever truly leaves."

"That's comforting, my lady." I stood and smoothed my dress.

Galadriel stepped closer and pushed a stray lock of hair behind my right ear. "You miss your Lady mother. She has always been your strength when you have found yourself far from home."

"Yes," I replied and nodded. "You'd think by the time I got this old I wouldn't need my nana anymore, but it's just not so. You remind me of her, she was always able to say the right thing at the right time to make me feel better."

"I am honored that you think of me in such terms. I still speak often with my lady mother Ëarwen. She is in Valinor, but she comes to me in my reverie and gives me counsel."

"Women of any race never stop needing their mothers, do they?"

"I have yet to meet one that had, child. If only males would heed their mothers as well. I should have enjoyed meeting your Lady mother."

"I'm beginning to believe anything is possible, my lady."

"There is no limit to the possibilities under the stars. I hear your melda; he has questions of his own. I will send him to you, if you desire."

"I would like that very much, AFTER he has sought your counsel. I'm sure he has a lot to discuss with you."

"Of that I am certain. Gimli is waiting for you," she said with a wry smile, "Be careful not to damage him, he will not be expecting your newfound abilities."

"Thanks for the warning, my lady. Thank you for everything."

She bowed and left, her silky smooth movements made her appear as if she floated rather than walked.

I quickly changed and donned my weapons. My clothes had been cleaned and no longer smelled of sweat and orc. They were stained and stretched in all the right places and fit me better than ever. I put on my glove and hook and descended to the ground level. Gimli was inside the tent with the Hobbits. Boromir had returned from his walk.

"I see you have wasted no time, Lassie. Where shall we go?" Gimli asked and donned his own axe.

"Can we watch?" Pippin jumped up and asked excitedly.

"Of course, you may all come if you wish. I know of a place down by the western wall that would be ideal, Gimli."

Frodo and Sam opted to stay behind, but Pippin, Merry, and Boromir followed us down to the open space I remembered from my wanderings. Boromir had his sword and I silently hoped I would get the chance to spar with him, too.

"Aye, this is a good spot, Lass. Take up your stance and show me what you remember."

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, listening to the song of the city. I withdrew my axe and held it left-handed. I matched Gimli blow for blow and as we sparred he took the pace faster and faster. It was the best training we'd ever had.

We took a breather and I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, the low branches of the mellyrn were filling with Elves, some faces I recognized and some I didn't. Arminas was there as well as the young Elf.

Gimli tried a surprise attack and I blocked it, pushing him back. I rolled to my right and switched my axe to right-handed. I regained my feet and spun and stopped my axe just before it struck the back of his head. I heard the Hobbits gasp.

Gimli stood stark still and turned slowly around to see the blade of my axe level with his eyes. He swallowed and grinned, "Lassie, I am very glad you are on our side. You have learned much since last we sparred."

I lowered my axe to the ground and rested my hands on the handle, laughing. "You taught me everything I know, Gimli. I've just learned to clear my head and move a little faster."

"A little faster? You move like an Elf, my lady," Boromir interjected.

"Not likely, I just don't move like an old lady anymore, my lord. Care for a little swordplay while Gimli catches his breath?"

Boromir inclined his head as I replaced my axe in the harness at my back and drew my sword. He drew his and took his stance.

I let my body relax and turned my neck to stretch it, then took up a good solid stance. This would be my first match with a man; Glorfindel had always taken it very slow with me.

Boromir waited for me to make the first move and he countered easily. The dance commenced and we countered and blocked one another for some time. Eventually I lunged too far and lost my balance, as he turned to take the advantage, I ducked and rolled away from him. I heard murmuring in the trees.

I rose to my feet with my sword in my right hand and my knife in my left. I blocked his next blow with the knife and sparks flew where the blades met. I ducked again and rolled to my left as his sword twisted the knife from my hand. I switched the sword to my left hand and caught his blade with my sheathed hook. I twisted hard and wrenched it out of his hand. I brought my sword up to his throat to loud cheering from the trees and the Hobbits clapping.

Boromir bowed low, laughing as he spoke, "I yield."

I was glad he was laughing. I don't suppose it's everyday that a captain of Gondor is bested by a woman. Pippin ran forward with my knife, "That was amazing, Elaura! Can you teach me how to do that?"

"Which part, Pip?" I asked him.

"All of it!"

"I could teach you, but you'll have to give up a couple of fingers to do it right."

He hid his hands behind his back, "Um, right then. Nevermind," he said and backed away. Boromir, Gimli, and Merry were laughing heartily.

"You fight like my brother, my lady," Boromir said through his laughter. "He always has another knife hidden somewhere.

"Rangers are like that," it was Aragorn's voice. I turned and he and Legolas were walking toward us grinning broadly.

I bent over to catch my breath and looked up at the trees. Arminas waved and I waved back. Then I waved at the young Elf and he smiled. The Elves apparently felt the show was over and they began to disperse.

"I could use a drink!" I said with a laugh.

"You may look like a woman and move like an Elf, Lass, but you still sound like a Dwarf! Let us go and find some ale!" Gimli replied happily.

"I'm all for that," said Merry. "I'm parched just from watching."

"Me too!" exclaimed Pippin.

I sheathed my sword and replaced my knife. I was looking at the deep cut Boromir's blade had made in my hook's sheath as Legolas and Aragorn came up to me. It hadn't cut all the way through.

Legolas was looking me over for injuries as Aragorn spoke quietly, "You did well, my lady. Boromir and Gimli are the best warriors of their people."

"I wouldn't have lasted much longer, my lord. I'm exhausted. I'm afraid I would fall from weariness in a long battle."

"You might believe so, but when the battle is joined the body is capable of going much farther and longer than one would think possible."

"I hope you're right, there are long days ahead."

"Legolas tells me you will not join us when we leave Lothlórien?"

We began to walk behind the others back to the hill. "No, my lord, I can't. To quote a good friend of mine, 'I'm wasted on cross-country.' I could never keep up with you."

They both looked at me puzzled. "Will you stay in Lórien?" Aragorn asked when it was apparent I wasn't going to explain.

"I'm beginning to feel my future lies in Rohan. I don't know why."

Aragorn looked at me warily and Legolas drew his lips into a thin line, "That way would take you very close to Isengard. I know you are aware of the peril to our quest if you were to fall to Saruman; he would take your knowledge from you whether you will or no. This would not be a wise path for you to choose."

I expected Aragorn to be more concerned with the quest than my own well-being, but I could tell Legolas was worried about me. "My path has not been mine to choose since I came to these lands, my lord."

"Nor anyone else's apparently," Legolas whispered almost to himself.

"The Valar choose my path and I am willing to let them. You are fools if you don't believe They are guiding your feet as well, gentle friends," I stated in a manner that would brook no argument.

"Ah, if only I could borrow some of your faith, dear lady," Aragorn said.

"Lady Arwen has enough faith for the both of you, my lord. If only you believed in yourself as much as she does."

"I believe in her, it is enough," Aragorn replied.

"Come along! If there is any ale to be had in this Wood, the Hobbits will have drunk it all by the time you three get there!" Gimli called from farther up the hill. I left Legolas and Aragorn and ran to catch up with him.

"She is so childlike; it astounds me when she becomes serious Estel," I heard Legolas' voice as I hurried to where Gimli was waiting for me.

I barely heard Aragorn's reply, "I wonder if Lady Galadriel was like Elaura when she was young, mellon nín?"

The sun set as we walked up the hill to the tent. When Gimli and I got there, the Hobbits were all at the table with mugs of ale in their hands.

"Isn't it grand?!" exclaimed Pippin gesturing to a keg sitting on the edge of the table. "All you have to do here is think of something you want and there it is!" he shook his head and took a long pull from his mug.

"If that's true, I'm surprised this tent isn't overflowing with mushrooms, Pip," I replied and took off my harness and belt, stacking them in a near corner.

"Now that would be somethin', milady," Sam said grinning.

I filled my mug, sat between Merry and Pippin and we toasted to one another's health. Boromir sat with his chair tilted back and his long legs stretched out in front of him.

Soon, Aragorn and Legolas entered the tent and took seats at the long table. I was pleased to see that the company was comfortable with one another and all were drinking, even Frodo.

The tent was large and the long rectangular table took up the middle. There were cots of three sizes erected along the outer edges. I could tell which belonged to whom by what was on and around them. I spotted Sam's cot, it was messy and surrounded with pots and pans. Frodo's was neat as a pin and Sting was lying on the grass underneath it. Pippin's and Merry's were side by side and there were suspicious crumbs on the unmade beds.

Gimli's cot was a little longer than the Hobbits' but shorter than the other three, he had laid his axe across it. One of the long ones had an old pack next to it, another had a bow, and quiver underneath and under the last was the Horn of Gondor.

As the others talked and made their plans I remembered that night in the kitchen in Rivendell. I wished I could fill the table with food again. Just as Pippin had said however, all I had to do was think it and two Elves appeared with trays of food. They placed the trays carefully on the table, bowed and left the tent.

The Hobbits dug in laughing, there were mushrooms carved in the shape of flowers. In fact, most of the food took the shape of some sort of plant, except for the meat, which was sliced thinly and flavored lightly with lemongrass.

After most of the food was eaten and everyone was feeling warm and fuzzy, the Hobbits began to sing merrily:

Ho! Ho! Ho! to the bottle I go
To heal my heart and drown my woe.
Rain may fall and wind may blow,
And many miles be still to go,
But under a tall tree I will lie,
And let the clouds go sailing by.

They sang it many times. Gimli got a little tired of it after the fifth time through and he broke in, "It is long since I heard your voice in the field, my lady. Would you grace us with a tune to halt this noise?"

I'd realized I was never going to escape requests for song, so I relented easily, "Alright. But I won't be the only one; you have to sing next, Gimli."

"As you wish!"

I stood and drank deeply of the light ale in my mug and began:

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me.

Que Será, Será,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Será, Será
What will be, will be.

When I was young, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.

Que Será, Será,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Será, Será
What will be, will be.

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.

Que Será, Será,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Será, Será
What will be, will be.

The Hobbits applauded and Boromir and Aragorn exchanged knowing glances. Legolas grinned and nodded as he took a drink from his mug. "Your turn, Gimli!" I said and sat.

Gimli stood and cleared his throat, "Be sure I mean no offense, Lass, by my singing or my song. Come sit by me while I sing, with your permission, Master Elf."

Legolas nodded and grinned and I took my mug and sat next to Gimli.

He sang in a jolly baritone with that thick brogue I had come to love:

Kind friends and companions, come join me in rhyme
Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again

Here's a health to the company and one to my Lass
Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass
Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again

Here's a health to the dear Lass that I love so well
Her style and her beauty, sure none can excel
There's a smile upon her countenance as she sits on my knee
Sure there's no one in this wide world as happy as we

Our ship lies at harbor, she's ready to dock
I hope she's safe landed without any shock
If ever we should meet again by land or by sea
I will always remember your kindness to me.

The Hobbits laughed and cheered when Gimli finished his song. Aragorn and Boromir laughed too. The only one who was not laughing was Legolas. Oh no! Don't tell me Mister Perfect has no sense of humor!

Legolas stood and stepped over to Gimli and me; a hush fell over the tent. I looked up at him, he wasn't even smiling.

"Master Dwarf," he began solemnly as Gimli stood. He paused and Gimli took a sidelong glance at his axe. I heard Aragorn shift in his seat, but my eyes were locked on Legolas' stern face. "That was an excellent song!" Legolas said and grinned, "I should like to hear it again, if you would." He bowed low to Gimli and Gimli grinned and returned the bow. I relaxed and the entire company let out a sigh of relief.

Gimli sang his song again and the Hobbits joined in, a mug was passed around and we all drank from it.

When Gimli was finished, the Hobbits called for another song. This time it was Boromir's turn. "Alas, I have not the gift of song as Master Gimli has, but I will recite a poem I learned as a young boy."

Boromir stood and in a raspy tenor chanted softly:

Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd,
As home his footsteps he hath turn'd
From wandering on a foreign strand!
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no Minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonour'd, and unsung.

I watched each member of the company as Boromir sang. I saw in the Hobbits' faces memories of Buckland, Tuckborough, and the Shire. In Gimli's face was reflected the Lonely Mountain and in Legolas' the trees of Mirkwood. Boromir himself had an image of the Citadel of Minas Tirith burning behind his closed lids. Aragorn however, held all the lands of Gondor and Arnor in his mind. His heart soared from Dale to the Grey Havens and south to the mouths of the Anduin and then east again to the Grey Wood of North Ithilien. His mind lingered over the many places he'd called home during his long lifetime.

I didn't even wonder how I knew what was going through their minds; I just felt it.

As Boromir brought his poem to a close, they all raised their mugs in a toast to 'home'. I raised my mug and thought of the many places I had lived, but I drank silently to Legolas and finally understood the Bible verse I'd recited so many times at weddings:

Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me. ŧ

Boromir sat after the toast and looked at Aragorn, "It is your turn, my friend."

Aragorn smiled and almost looked as if he was going to beg out, but then he stood. Without introduction, he began gravely:

Sing hey! for the bath at close of day
That washes the weary mud away!
A loon is he that will not sing:
O! Water Hot is a noble thing!

O! Sweet is the sound of falling rain.
and the brook that leaps from hill to plain;
but better than rain or rippling streams
is Water Hot that smokes and steams.

O! Water cold we may pour at need
down a thirsty throat and be glad indeed;
but better is Beer, if drink we lack,
and Water Hot poured down the back.

O! Water is fair that leaps on high
in a fountain white beneath the sky;
but never did fountain sound so sweet
as splashing Hot Water with my feet!

I don't know what I was expecting but it certainly wasn't that. Legolas nearly spit out the drink he had in his mouth and there were whoops of laughter from the Hobbits.

Pippin yelled above the din, "Hey! That's MY song! Where did you learn it, Strider?"

Aragorn grinned, "Why from Bilbo of course. I do believe it is his song, Peregrin."

"He's got you there, Pip!" said Merry.

Frodo and Sam giggled merrily and Gimli was guffawing openly.

Legolas tried to pass his turn to the Hobbits and they would have gladly obliged him, but Gimli insisted, "I'll hear no more of that Hobbit song, Master Elf. We've all sung, now you must take your turn."

"Very well, Master Dwarf. I will take my turn, but I will steal one from your own people, if you will correct me if I misspeak a line."

"Certainly, you have my word."

Legolas stood and sang in a sweet and steady alto:

The wind was on the withered heath,
but in the forest stirred no leaf:
there shadows lay by night and day,
and dark things silent crept beneath.
The wind came down from mountains cold,
and like a tide it roared and rolled;
the branches groaned, the forest moaned,
and leaves were laid upon the mould.
The wind went on from West to East;
all movement in the forest ceased,
but shrill and harsh across the marsh
its whistling voices were released.
The grasses hissed, their tassels bent,
the reeds were rattling - on it went
o'er shaken pool under the heavens cool
where racing clouds were torn and rent.
It passed the Lonely Mountain bare
and swept above the dragon's lair:
there black and dark lay boulders stark
and flying smoke was in the air.
It left the world and took its flight
over the wide seas of the night,
The moon set sail upon the gale,
and stars were fanned to leaping light.

When Legolas finished, Gimli spoke, "Master Elf, I am impressed. You sang it perfectly, though I have never heard a Dwarven song sung by an Elf."

"Thank you, Master Dwarf," Legolas said and bowed. "It is my desire that our songs be shared when the mistrust between our peoples has finally been overcome."

I smiled to myself.

There was much more singing and drinking that night and in the light of the mid-morning sun I found that I and my companions had passed out, every last one of us. I had no idea who fell asleep first, but I was pleased that I was the first to wake.

I looked around the room; Boromir was the only one who had made it back to his cot, though he was laid across it on his stomach and there was a spilled mug on the ground next to his right hand. Aragorn was leaned back in his chair with a smile on his face and his hands in his lap, his head bowed to his chest.

Gimli had done as I had; his forehead was planted on the table top and his hands were laying flat on the table around his head. I felt my forehead and found a flattened spot right in the middle. Pippin and Merry were curled on a long bench with the crowns of their heads touching.

Frodo was sitting in a chair and had a blanket over him; Sam was lying flat on his back on the ground at Frodo's feet.

The only surprise was Legolas. I'd never expected to see him in such a state of disarray. He was sitting in a chair with his legs in front of him and his head leaning back. His eyes and his mouth were half open and his right arm was across his body, his hand between his legs. His left hand was dangling limply over the arm of the chair, still holding his empty mug. His tunic was gone and his silver-grey shirt was open, my gold cross sparkled against his pale skin.

I rubbed my eyes and wished with all my might for a cup of hot coffee.

End of Chapter 35.

Chapter End Notes:

* "A Drinking Song" J.R.R. Tolkien The Fellowship of the Ring
**"Que Será, Será (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" music by Jay Livingston and lyrics by Ray Evans.
***"Here's Health to the Company" words and music Traditional
**** "My Native Land" by Sir Walter Scott.
ŧ Ruth - Chapter 1:16-17
ŧŧ "The Bath Song" J.R.R. Tolkien The Fellowship of the Rings
ŧŧŧ "Dwarven Song of Wind" J.R.R. Tolkien