The Fellowship had spoken to the Lord and Lady about their quest. Galadriel's words said how they stood upon the edge of a knife and that with one false step, the quest would fail. They were to stay in Lorien for 3 days until other provisions could be made for them to leave.

While the others rested and talked with each other, Legolas and Anarrima sat together beneath the silver lights to catch up on old times. When Ana looked upon Legolas, she realized now that he wasn't just a prince any longer, he was a warrior and a hero. Everything about him seemed so different to her. His hair was longer but his eyes were the same old blue. They could make even the strongest woman weak at the knees. She noticed now he wore only his blue tunic as he sat down beside her.

"Been a long time, hasn't it?" Anarrima said as the sound of Gandalf's lament filled the air.

"Indeed it has," Legolas replied looking into her eyes. As he searched their depths he found something he had never before held in them; sadness. Lothlorien was a place of peace and rest. Sadness was very rare in that elven realm. "Ana, what is wrong?"

"What do you mean?" She asked and gave a weak smile. It was all she could do to keep from breaking down in front of him.

"You should know better by now, melda [beloved]," he spoke with a stern expression, "you cannot hide anything from me."

He was right, nothing could get past him. Her eyes fell to the ground as they welled with tears. Her lip quivered and she struggled to keep her voice from failing her. She had not seen Legolas in years, this should be a joyous day! But the scene of the Dark Lord and her father, promising her hand in marriage to Sauron to become his dark queen, flashed before her eyes. A single crystal tear fell lightly on her dress.

"Anarrima?" Legolas put his arms around her shoulders and pulled her in close, "will you not tell me what weighs on your mind?"

"My father... he ... he," she paused and took in a long, ragged breath to steady herself, "he.... has turned to the darkness of evil."

As she spoke those last words, Legolas recalled Ana's last day in Mirkwood, and her father. It was now so obvious to him. The dark clothing, the hate in his eyes, and the cold malice in his words. He came to take Ana home, home to... Mordor. Legolas' blood boiled as he thought back at that day, and the words that were said. Marriage? How could someone give their only daughter away to such pure evil?

"By my life I swear," Legolas hissed through clenched teeth, "I will never let him take you. I would walk through the very fires of Mordor to fight for you."

"No," she whispered against him, " do not fight for me, fight with me."

"I promise," Legolas whispered back and hugged her tight.

As she pulled back he noticed the chain that hung around her neck. "You still have that?" He asked changing the subject.

"Of course. Wherever I go, you'll always be near my heart, mellonin," she smiled back and wiped away her tears, "it also saved me from a certain encounter I had leaving Mirkwood."

"Encounter?" Legolas inquired, "of what?"

"Spider... very big spider." She shuddered just thinking about that night as Legolas chuckled; he knew how much she loathed spiders, especially Mirkwood spiders.

"So, what of your days as a Ranger?" He continued on and she told him all of her years in the wilds of Middle-earth.

"Aragorn!" Anarrima ran to where the Ranger stood with the hobbits and nearly knocked him to the ground with a hug. Aragorn gave a laugh as he hugged her back. He pulled away and examined her completely. "Now this is a strange sight."

"Well," she began and looked down at herself, "my tunic was being cleaned and sewed and they wouldn't give me anything else to wear."

"Ah," Aragorn smiled, "I see your leg has healed."

"Now Estel, you know better than anybody it's impossible to keep an elf down," she smiled back at Legolas.

"Ahem, Strider, aren't you forgetting something?" Pippin glared at Aragorn.

"Oh yes! Ana, this is Peregrin Took, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Frodo Baggins."

Anarrima came to her knees and gave her greetings to each of them, but when she came to Frodo she stopped. "Dear Frodo, I understand you carry a great burden with you. You are very lucky to have such friends to accompany you on such a perilous journey."

"Yes," Frodo replied, "they are very loyal."

"Do not let Gandalf's death discourage you," she whispered to him, "never give up on yourself. You are never alone."

Anarrima stood and smiled again. "You all must be hungry, follow me." She turned and walked away.

"I like her already," Pippin said and ran after her. Legolas just laughed to himself and followed the hobbits to the dining area.