Hedregon immediately decided that he must go, but then thought of Rathien. His first thought was for her to join him, but he had not told his brothers about her. He felt that a girlfriend who was an Elf should be kept a secret; Elves were not thought of highly in Minas Tirith.

"Rathien," he started,

"Aye?"

"I have been summoned back to my home. I want you to come with me, but . . ." Hedregon hesitated. He knew Rathien would not like this, ". . . as a human."

"A human?!"

"Well, yes. You could disguise yourself, and I could do what I need to there and we would be back here most quickly."

"Hedregon that is folly. I really do not care if people dislike me for being an Elf."

Hedregon sighed, "Very well. Shall we ask Galadriel?"

"No."

"I would feel better if at least I told her where we were going."

"Well thought, just go alone."

"Lise, you haven't spoken to your mother in a year."

"Your teatime conversations with her make up for my absent ones."

"Lise . . ."

"Please hurry; I'll miss you!" So Hedregon left to speak to Galadriel alone, as usual. She and Celeborn were in their thrones this afternoon.

"My Lady, I come to you seeking agreement on a matter."

"What is it, Hedregon?" The Lady Galadriel answered.

"I received this letter from my youngest brother this afternoon, and he wishes me to return to Minas Tirith for a spell."

"Hedregon," Galadriel laughed, "you know that you are free to leave any time you please."

"I was hoping that Lisiael might join me."

Celeborn gave Hedregon a look that told him it was hopeless, but Galadriel smiled and nodded her head.

"She may?"

"Certainly, if she is with you. Please keep her out of trouble."

Hedregon thanked the Lady profusely and ran to tell Rathien the news. Rathien didn't seem to think that it mattered either way, but Hedregon was reassured to have the permission of Galadriel.

They left the next day, by way of the same boat Hedregon had come in. Secretly in his eyes it was a comfort object, reminding him of the care his brothers had given him and his old home. Since traveling downstream was much quicker, they reached the place Hedregon had sailed away from in two days.

He offered her his hand as she stepped out of the boat and she graciously accepted it, both of them knowing she could get out of the boat perfectly fine on her own. It was the simplicity of enchantment that kept them gazing into each other's eyes as if their minds would shut down if their eyes ever closed.

Faramir met them. Hedregon was ecstatic to see his youngest brother again; he didn't ever want to let go as they embraced.

"I would like you to meet Lisiael," he introduced, "Rathien, this is my youngest brother, Faramir."

Faramir had never met an Elf in his life, and Rathien was so beautiful that he nearly toppled backwards. Of course she really was not, but as Faramir's first Elf-sighting, Rathien glowed. "Lady," seemed to be all he could choke out as he kissed her hand.

"The resemblance between you and your brother is amazing," Rathien whispered to Hedregon as she allowed her hand to be kissed by Faramir. Faramir quickly regained himself.

"This way," he explained.

The tunnel he had created was wondrous indeed. It consisted of a trap door hidden under leaves and an underground passageway which led directly into the tunnel.

Rathien untrustingly pulled out one of her knives. She had gotten three new ones from more battles she had snuck off to, and Hedregon had nearly paid her to take his sword away. Her quiver and bow she had swiped out of the Galadrim artillery store.

The tunnel led the three up a flight of stairs and into a warm, sheltered building.

"This is my home," Hedregon told Rathien as she looked around in disgust.

The walls were stone and high, the floor was hard and there was barely any light. Hedregon had to admit that it was not very welcoming, but he had missed it so much that he got nostalgia from simply being there.

This was the dining hall in which he had spent so much sacred time wasting away with each attempt to sit up straight and to eat properly. "Be a role model to your brothers," Denethor had told him, and he hadn't particularly cared either way.

"Is Denethor awake?" Hedregon asked Faramir.

"It is unlikely."

"Very well. I will thank him in the morning. So where are you hiding me? Where can Lisiael go?"

Faramir sighed. "I haven't worked out where you will stay yet, so for now you will have to lay low in Boromir's room." He turned to Lisiael, "Lisiael, is it? Here, Ellie will show you to your room."

A young woman led Lisiael away. Hedregon gawked at Faramir.

"No, no, do not worry," Faramir reassured his brother, "She will not say anything. She doesn't speak to any of the other servants. I'm not sure why."

"I'll trust you on that, but what of me? Boromir will be furious with us if he wakes up to find me in his chambers!"

"It's alright. Just sleep on a mattress we prepared behind the table. He has call before dawn, so he'll never see you. Until we can break this to him slowly."

"Thank you, brother," Hedregon said as he embraced Faramir, "Until the morrow." He made his way to Boromir's room, and fell asleep promptly.