A/N: Sorry about the delay.  I usually try to post on Friday evening, but I was having trouble connecting with FF. Net.  I was busy Saturday, nowhere near my computer, but here it is.  Also thank you to everyone who has reviewed.  It has been encouraging. Keep it up.

Shadowwolf

Chapter 3

Ronyo awoke in the plush bed, sunlight bringing out the red highlights in her hair.  Phoenix was curled up on the floor in a corner.  A knock at the door sent Phoenix to the door barking an alarm, and Ronyo sat up startled, until she regained her bearings.

'Just a minute.'  She rose and walked over to the door, opening it a crack.  Galadriel smiled and stepped in as the maid opened the door wider and shut it behind her.

'Here, I've found some things that may fit you.  Breakfast will be shortly and you should join us.'

'Thanks.  Shouldn't you be …'

'No, not at all.  You are our guest and also patient for the time being.  Please, wash up in the bath and I will help you to dress.'

            After breakfast with Galadriel, Celeborn, Gandalf and Phoenix in Celeborn's study, Ronyo was escorted to the healing rooms by the rulers of Lorein. 'This is Elrond Peredhil, Lord of Rivendell, Lore Master, and Master Healer.  He is skilled in head injuries such as yours.'

            Ronyo stared into the eyes of the dark haired, silver eyed Half-Elven Lord.  His eyes met hers in intense concentration as he attempted to place her in his mind.

'Well met, my Lady Ronyo,' he said breaking the silence.

'Well met Lord Elrond.'

            Elrond gestured for the maid to lie down on the couch.  As he reached into her mind with his healing powers, Gandalf came to stand by her left, behind Elrond.

'I am going to reach into your mind to see if we can determine the cause of your injury.' 

She felt his presence in her mind, gently probing different areas and then concentrating as he found what he was looking for and sent some healing energy into the bruised area.

'You've had a nasty knock on the head.  It will heal but not without help.  I cannot promise that you will remember everything.'

            Ronyo sat up and rubbed her head, nodding her acceptance.  Phoenix nudged her hand and placed two paws on her lap.  Rubbing the dog behind the ears, she whispered, 'Thank you Lord Elrond.  Please excuse me.'  She sat the dog on the floor and quickly walked out of the room.  Once the oak doors shut behind her, she began to run down the hall to her rooms, tears forming in her eyes. 'Oh Phoenix, they know,' she whispered, 'they know.'   The dog simply shook her head from side to side, realizing that her mistress was not quite ready to take the next step.

            Meanwhile in the healing halls, the elder elves were discussing Elrond's diagnosis.  The amnesia, as he said, had been caused by the knock on her head she had received when she hit the ground.  What he had not said was that an injury of that nature should not have resulted in such severe memory loss.  That degree of amnesia Elrond could not pin down, though he suspected that there was something he was missing.

'I'm afraid that it will be permanent.  She will never remember everything.  If not for your spell Gandalf, I'm not sure she would even be able to communicate with us,' Elrond sadly noted.  'She will need to start tutoring immediately if she is to retain what she knows now.

'I will take that responsibility Elrond,' Gandalf stated, 'or at least as much as my time will allow.'

'Galadriel and I can provide her with a home until then and anything else she needs.  I will go check on her.  It may have been a bit much.' 

Excusing himself, Celeborn went down the corridors to Ronyo's rooms.   He found her asleep on the bed, Phoenix keeping watch.  Pausing a few moments to contemplate her fate, Ronyo stirred and her eyes regained their clear and focused appearance and she looked at him.  'Perhaps you would like to see one of the gardens.  It is a beautiful day and the air will do you good.'

Ronyo wiped her eyes, nodding her consent, and rose to follow the silver haired lord into Lorien's gardens.

The next morning, Ronyo awoke, dressed and went straight to the library to see Gandalf.  Elrond and his escort had left at dawn to use as much of the daylight as possible to travel by.  It would be a tiring journey to Imladris.

'Good morning Ronyo,' Gandalf said as the dark haired elf maid walked into the room.

'Good morning.  May I ask you something?'  The wizard inclined his head in response and she continued, 'How did you know my name and why do you seem so familiar?'

'We will discuss that later, but first a good breakfast.'

            Ronyo sighed and rolled her eyes realizing that wizards never did anything in the normal fashion.  Once again she found herself pondering her name, trying to remember it.  She was glad the wizard know her name, at least some one did. 'Wizard, now where did that come from?' she asked her self realizing she had referred to Gandalf in that way twice. 'Wait my name means 'fox' in elvish.  How do I know elvish?'  She didn't have time to ponder that any further as a delicious variety of aromas met her nose.  Well maybe Gandalf was making sense; breakfast was definitely a good idea.

            After breakfast the wizard and the elf maid return to the library.  Gandalf answered her questions, albeit rather vaguely.  When she pressed for more he simply told her that she would know more it time and if she wished to know more, it would be best to start learning now.  With that, he took down a book of letters and explained that he had placed a spell on her to allow her to understand Sindiran, but it would be wearing off quickly.  If they worked hard, they would not have to start from the beginning, but things wouldn't be easy. 

Although she knew spoken Sindiran, Ronyo quickly discovered that she knew nothing of the written language.  Gandalf patiently taught her the letters and she copied and pronounced each of them repeatedly that morning.  It wasn't until two short 'woofs' were heard at the door that they realized that the morning was over.  Celeborn followed Phoenix in opening the door for them.  'She is quite the insistent little pup, isn't she?' 

'Quite,' Ronyo replied reaching down to scratch Phoenix's ears in greeting with her free hand.

'Lunch will be served shortly.  I had taken the liberty of having lunch brought up for you in my office.  There were some things I would like to discuss with Gandalf, and it would be beneficial you to be there too Ronyo.' 

            They headed to the Lord's study where some servants were setting three places at the table and a bowl on the floor near them for Phoenix. 

'Will Galadriel be joining us?'  The elf-maid questioned.

'No, she had some business to attend to.  A messenger had been sent from Mirkwood that required her immediate attention.' Celeborn answered, gesturing from them to sit.  Phoenix needed no such invitation and immediately helped herself to the bowl of meat making short work of it as the conversation continued.

            They remained in Celeborn's study for two hours until a servant announced that his presence was required in a meeting.  Before leaving he granted Ronyo the same freedom and access to the libraries of Lorien as Gandalf. 

'But why would I need such a vast resource such as that? ' she questioned the wizard as they returned to the library.  Phoenix had found a sunny spot in Celeborn's study for a nap and had not joined them.  'I can barely write my letters, let alone understand words.'

'Well, we will remedy some of that this afternoon.  You've done so well with your letters, I feel you could do with a few simple words.  And one day you may need that knowledge, more than even I,' the wizard answered cryptically.

TBC in Chapter 4 on Friday.