The night before they were to leave Lothlórien, Glorfindel took Thoron aside for a private conversation.
"Thoron, Anomen is to remain in Lórien whilst we travel on to Greenwood."
"So I have been told."
"I do have some further instructions concerning this matter. If Anomen happens to stray from Lothlórien, do not let it trouble you."
Thoron's face revealed his confusion. "I do not understand."
"If Anomen happens to quietly rejoin the company, please do not draw my attention to that fact."
"He is to be allowed to disobey Elrond's orders?"
Glorfindel grimaced at hearing it stated in that fashion. "Yes. In this, Elrond is humoring Mithrandir, who insists that it may be needful for Anomen to journey on to Greenwood."
"I take it that Elrond does not approve."
"No. He is afraid that Anomen may remain behind in Greenwood when it comes time to return to Rivendell. He has grown very fond of Anomen." Glorfindel paused. "As have we all."
Troubled, Thoron lay awake for a time musing over Glorfindel's words. It was generally understood that Anomen was a refugee from Thranduil's kingdom. Why then would he wish to return to that realm? And was it safe for him to reenter Greenwood? Would something—or someone—compel him to remain if he did so?"
The next morning, Anomen was nowhere in sight, having said his goodbyes the night before. The company, minus one, set out. It took them a day to walk to the eastern borders of Lothlórien, where they camped for the night. In the morning, their horses restored to them, they began the crossing of the plain that stretched between the Misty Mountains and the forest of Greenwood.
As Glorfindel and Thoron were holding their discussion, Haldir was doing his best to entertain Anomen, who was to share his talan until the return of the Rivendell Elves. Haldir had been mortified the last time Anomen had been his guest, when the young Elf—really only an elfling then—had succeeded in escaping his hospitality. He was determined that Anomen would not duplicate his feat. And so Haldir hovered over Anomen, partly to fulfill his every need, partly to keep a sharp eye on him. When the younger elf indicated that he wanted to take a bath, Haldir escorted him to a bathing pool and settled himself down on the bank. Anomen would have none of that, however.
"Haldir, your pardon, but I am accustomed to bathing in privacy."
"Ah, I thought that, having been parted from your companions, you would be desirous of company."
"I thank you for your concern, but I believe I can forgo companionship for the space of time it will take me to wash my hair."
"Very well, but I do not want to walk all that way back to the talan and then have to return to collect you. I will sit on the far side of this mallorn tree. Will that suit you?"
Anomen sighed. It would have to do.
Haldir kept up a nonstop patter of conversation, to which Anomen was forced to reply. He knew very well that what Haldir was doing. As long as they engaged in this banter, Haldir would know that Anomen had not slipped off. Anomen didn't mind. It didn't matter that Haldir could hear him—just as long as he couldn't see him.
Grinning, Anomen unwrapped a mallorn leaf in which lay a number of wine-colored berries. He crushed them and began to rub their juice into his hair.
A short while later, Anomen emerged from the pool and pulled on his clothes.
"You can come out now, Haldir. I am finished."
Haldir emerged from behind the tree, and his mouth fell open in shock. Before him stood a young Elf with dark-brown, almost black, hair.
"What have you done!?"
"Oh, my hair. Yes, well, I guess I should have asked your advice. I saw some berries that looked like ones I have used in Rivendell to cleanse my hair. Ai! They were not the same berries at all, and it seems that I have accidentally dyed my hair."
"Anomen, I am so sorry. Perhaps the Lady Galadriel will know of some way to remove the dye."
Anomen waved off the suggestion. "I would not wish to trouble her over such a minor matter. The dye will fade eventually, and my hair will grow out. No, do not concern yourself over this." He quickly changed the subject. "I'm hungry. Have you anything to eat in that talan of yours. It looked rather bare."
"I do not prepare food in my talan. Come, let us join my brothers Rúmil and Orophin. We generally take turns preparing food in a shelter shared by our patrol.
As the two approached the shelter, they could hear the laughter and singing of several Elves. They stepped into the clearing and were hailed by Haldir's brothers.
"Mae Govannen, Haldir. You have missed the cooking, so you must do the cleaning."
Haldir groaned in mock dismay, and Anomen was delighted to see that he was not the only one who bore the burdens of the newly-fledged warrior.
"But," added Rúmil, "perhaps your friend will help you. I do not believe that we have met him."
The Elves looked at Haldir expectantly, waiting for him to introduce the newcomer.
"But you have met him," exclaimed Haldir. "This is Anomen."
"Nonsense," scolded Orophin. "Anomen has golden hair."
"He had an accident whilst bathing," laughed Haldir.
His two brothers peered closely at Anomen. Rúmil gasped, "Orophin, it is Anomen!" He chortled. "What are you trying to do, Anomen, pass yourself of as a native of Imladris!?"
Rúmil had hit too close to the mark, and Anomen turned aside the comment with a gibe. "Well, at least I won't be mistaken for a denizen of Lothlórien," he shot back. As he had hoped, his friendly taunt distracted Rúmil and his brothers, and the four of them were soon engaged in light-hearted scuffling, which only came to an end when an Elf entered the clearing and called for Haldir.
"Haldir, the Lady Galadriel requests your presence."
"Come, Anomen, let us get shut of these rascals!"
"My pardon, Haldir," the messenger added. "I should have mentioned that the Lady expressly stated that she wishes to see you alone."
Haldir turned to his brothers. "Rúmil, Orophin, would you entertain our guest in my absence?"
"Of course, Haldir," said Orophin.
Haldir hesitated. "Do you absolutely promise that you will not neglect him?"
Orophin and Rúmil looked at him indignantly. Protested Rúmil, "When have we ever failed to take good care of a visitor?"
"Yes," added Orophin archly, "We have never lost a guest."
Haldir scowled at his two brothers. "See that you don't do so now." He nodded farewell to Anomen and hastened from the clearing.
Anomen sat comfortably with the brothers for several minutes, listening to the repartee between them and other members of the patrol. Then a second messenger entered the shelter.
"Rúmil, Orophin, the Lord Celeborn requests your presence."
The two brothers groaned. Said Rúmil, "We must leave you, Anomen. Haldir is going to take great joy in accusing us of abandoning our charge. But," he added, his face brightening, "perhaps a member of the patrol will take you under his wing for the time being."
"Oh, no," said Anomen hastily. "I think I would like to return to Haldir's talan—to rest. I can find my way back on my own, I am sure, and if I do lose the way, I will ask someone."
"Very well," replied Rúmil. "If you are sure you don't mind being left on your own."
"Oh, no, I don't mind at all. I am very tired. The journey has been a long and wearying one."
The brothers nodded in understanding and departed from the clearing. Anomen set out strolling toward Haldir's talan, but when he was sure that they were well away, he broke into a run. Scrambling up the rope ladder, he quickly retrieved his weapons and packed his belongings. He did not know why, but he was determined to return to Greenwood for one final visit.