"That is an interesting question. I will answer it when I feel the time is right." The tree looked at Sam with a smile that showed large, green-tinted teeth. "But who are you? That is the present question." "My name is Sam. I'm a hobbit. You know a Halfling? One of the Little People?" "Yes, from the Shire, correct? Hoom hum yes. I was there once, when I was a young Entmaiden." "Pardon me, once more, but what's an Entmaiden?" "Hoom hum yes. Well an Entmaiden is a female Ent, destined to become an Entwife." Sam looked a little confused, so she continued. "We once lived with the Ents, however we realized that there love was for the trees, while ours was for gardens and flowers. We left the Ents and crossed the Great Anduin many years ago. We made many gardens there and lived peacefully until Sauron's servants wrecked the land and destroyed all our hard work. We fled to this place, right outside the borders of Lothlorien. Here we have dwelt, all that is left of the Entwives. I do not know what happened to the Ents. Many times I have wanted to cross the Anduin and find one whom I loved. His name was Fangorn, Treebeard some called him. How I would love to see him again. But that is not possible, at least not now, for the spies and servants of the Dark Lord patrol the banks of the Great River and none can pass unseen." "That is very sad indeed, er, what was your name?" "My name is Fimbrethil." "Yes, well that is all very sad and I hope one day you will be reunited. Look! Mr. Frodo is awake!" "Good morning, Sam!" Frodo exclaimed cheerfully. After a full night's sleep he was refreshed and happy. "Thanks very much for what you did last night. I can't say I saw the entire rescue, I'm afraid I must have gone unconscious at some point. But thanks all the same, if it weren't for you we'd be dead!" "You are very welcome. It has been a long time since I had any company around here. It's so dreary that it's quite nice to have visitors." Presently the rest of the fellowship woke up. Meliara walked over to where Fimbrethil was standing and greeted her as an old friend. "It's great to see you again! How has everything been?" Noticing the fellowship's confused expressions, she explained. "Once I went wandering though the forest alone when I was very small. Fimbrethil saved me and we've been good friends ever since. I try to visit her every so often, and that's one of the reasons I was so anxious to come with you." There were nods and murmurings of 'that's very nice' and 'how wonderful' and then there was silence. Fimbrethil was the first to break the uncomfortable silence. "You need to be on your way very soon. Lothlorien is not far and I have packed you supplies and Ent draughts, fashioned in the style that Ents made them long ago." She looked sad at this, but perked up when Sam asked her if they had planted any gardens here. "Yes, yes. Are you a gardener, Sam? Wonderful! You will certainly enjoy our trip to the edge of the Golden Wood." Sam did enjoy it very much. In fact, it was almost as nice as staying in Rivendell with the elves. There were trees, young and old, lining the path. Small flowers of every color crept out from beneath them. Sam could practically feel everything growing as if it were walking beside him. He felt like he was in paradise. They reached the edge of the forest and Fimbrethil stopped. "This is where I leave you. I am sorry to see you go so soon, and I hope that you will come back and visit me. In the meantime, I wish you good luck. Farewell." "I too must go." Meliara had told them she would leave before they reacher Lorien. They all knew it, but none of them wanted her to leave. "Really, I must. I have business to attend to back in the city. I truly am sorry to leave you. Like Fimbrethil, I wish you the best of luck. May the fellowship succeed in all they do. Farewell!" She turned and walked slowly away. She whistled high and long, and from the shadows, a white horse galloped out to meet her. She mounted and, like her mother, became one with the horse. They sped off into the dark woods. "On to Lothlorien!" Aragorn cried, and they started off to find to Golden Wood. Even after two good encounters with elves, Gimli would still not trust them. The rest of the fellowship was in high spirits, for even though their two new friends had left them, their memories still remained.