Chapter 2

The healer emerged from the talan and motioned for Celeborn, 'It is beyond my skill to heal.  Her memory should be returning on it's own but it is the same as when she first arrived.'

'Thank you.  I will return to Caras Galadhon with her at first light.'

The she–elf emerged still in her human made dress, as there were none of elven make in the outpost.

'Come little one.  We will leave tomorrow and there is much to do.'

'I'm sorry I can't be more helpful, Lord Celeborn.  I just hope my dog is alright.'

In Caras Galdrahon

Celeborn took the she-elf directly to the study where Galadriel was waiting.  The she-elf released a gasp at the books in the room.

'You like books?  There are more in the library, if you'd like young one.' Galadriel said.  

The elf maid stared for a moment and attempted to curtsy and bowed her head.

'Thanks you, my lady.  I…'

Sush….little one…I know and you may rest easy. You have traveled farther than you ever fathomed and must get some rest.  There are fresh things for you and I'm sure a good bath will do you some good.

'Thank you….I…' she looked at Celeborn hesitant to be parted from the one friendly face she knew.

'I can lead you to your chambers and let you bathe and rest there, if you wish.'

She smiled at him and he offered his arm as Galadriel nodded.  Keep him for a bit, being married to him for the past millennia is, well, trying.  I'm still supposed to have a few days to myself without him pestering me.  Laughter rang from the elf maid's mouth as she shared an amused glace with Galadriel.  Celeborn rolled his eyes and said good-naturedly, 'This is the problem with a wife that can read minds.  Bad enough women naturally want to conspire against their husbands, but I can see you've already taken her side.  And I am not a pest.'  Galadriel smirked, seeing the paternal instincts in Celeborn awaken again.

About three hours later a knock sounded at the door waking the she-elf.  She opened it to see Celeborn dressed in his customary silver grey tunic and breeches.  He drew in a breath to see the maid:  the expressive brown eyes and brown hair with a reddish tint were certainly not normal elvish traits.

'You have visitors in the study.'

'Me?  Visitors?'

'Yes.  Some one I know you will recognize and one other I think you have seen before, but just don't remember right now. Galadriel thinks he might be of some assistance.

They headed for the study Celeborn quietly musing on the origins of this maid and her connection with the visitors, as she attempted to make sense of the feelings in her heart and head.  Something was coming back… she just wasn't sure what.

            Before she realized they were at the door of the study.  Celeborn opened the door for her and she had barely stepped in before a familiar woof was heard and a black ball of fur jumped on her.

'Phoenix!' she exclaimed 'What are you doing here?'  As she said this she looked around the room.  Celeborn had closed the door and stepped in to the side to avoid being hit by the dog's tail. 

'What manner of beast is that, may I ask?' Celeborn queried as he studied the aforementioned subject. 

'It would be a dog, old friend' a voice came from the chair by the fire.

Celeborn scowled in the direction, an action unnoticed by the maid who was too busy greeting her canine companion.  The dog she was reunited with reached her mid calf, and was covered in the body by a dense black coat.  This in itself was not unusual, but the terrier-like beard around the narrow snout, coupled with hair on the animal's head that stood upright gave quite an unusual picture. The creature is rather homely, don't you think.  He smiled at that, noticing the curved tail that was wagging furiously in its mistress' embrace.  White tipped toes attached to long legs for such a short frame propelled the dog upward close to the elf maid's face as she stood to thank the visitor who had returned her dog. 

'Well I gather that he knows you?' Celeborn said

'Her name is Phoenix, and she's a mix breed, but how did she get here?'

'She merely found me, and for that I am grateful,' an elderly man's figure stood and faced the three elves.

A flash of recognition passed the elf maid's eyes and she put a hand to her head as Phoenix whined at her side.  Ushering her to a chair, Celeborn stood behind her as the man stopped in front of her, looking into her eyes.

'Gandalf?' came the whisper from the she-elf's lips.

'I'm glad that you know me.  But do not trouble yourself with that now.'

'How is it that I know you, but I can't remember anything else.  It's all fuzzy.'

'Do you know your name child?'

She shook her head.

Gandalf turned to Galadriel and Celeborn, 'It is well Elrond is on his way.  There was more damage than I expected.  Your name is Ronyo.'

Ronyo, stared into the flame as she tried to remember.  The door opening broke the silence as a silver haired elf maid announced dinner.   Sharing a look with Galadriel and Gandalf, Celeborn said, 'Come let us get something to eat and you may remember something after dinner.'

            After Ronyo had been escorted to her room by Celeborn, the rulers of Lothlorien and the wizard sat down in the study.

'Phoenix is with her.  She knows she and Ronyo are safe here, but I can tell she's worried about her mistress.'

'I know,' Gandalf replied, 'As am I.  She's retained a passing knowledge of spoken Sindiran that I spelled her with, but it will wear off in time. '

'It's too late to hope that she won't notice, Gandalf,' Galadriel said, 'I checked her mind and she knows.  She's just not sure if it's some result of her amnesia, but she knows that this isn't normal for her. Ronyo is still quite intelligent though.'

'I know.  I hope she could stay here for a while in Lorien until her time comes.  We will need her.'

'Why Ronyo?' Celeborn questioned quietly

'Aye, husband, you've already grown attached.  No, don't even think about it.  I can see it in your eyes.  She'll regain her knowledge of time and recognize her calling.  She did in her last world, and she'll do it again here.  I just hope she will do it in time.  Just remember Cel, she's not an elf, not completely.'

TBC in Chapter 3.

A/N: the change in font reflects Galadriel's mind to mind speech.           Oh and I do own Phoenix.  She's my baby and would follow me anywhere. A funky looking mixed breed that I think is cute yep, that's my baby.