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Ch. 5: Talk by the LakeZilda did not go home, however. Pippin was staying the night with Merry so there was really no reason for her to hurry home. So instead, she made her way to the secluded side of a large lake and sat on the bank, skipping rocks and thinking. The lake was beautiful at night, with the full moon shining down on it, creating a rippling path across the water. When she was smaller, she used to imagine that if she could walk on that path, she would find a beautiful place full of laughter and sunshine and her father, her real father would be there. She didn't even know what he looked like, but she used to imagine that he was handsome with long, blonde hair, a kind face and gentle voice. She had also imagined that someday, he would come for her and take her away, where no one would laugh at her size and everyone would treat her like a princess. She had grown up a lot since then and had come to the conclusion that her father was not coming after her and if she ever wanted to see him, she would have to find him herself. Ever since she had reached this decision, she had been planning to leave the Shire, but something always stopped her. First, it was her stepfather being sick and eventually dying. Then, it had been taking care of her sick mother. After her mother had died, she had to take care of Pippin. She had finally decided, however, that when Pippin was old enough to take care of himself, she would leave and search for her father and nothing would stop her. That had been a 5 years ago and she was still waiting for Pip to get old enough. Sometimes it felt endless, but she realized she had plenty of time. She was half elf after all. She was constantly reminded of that. She sighed and touched the necklace that was always around her neck.
After a while, she heard someone walking through the woods towards her.
'Let them!' she thought angrily without even turning around. She threw another stone that skipped four times before it sank into the lake.
"You're getting quite good at that." Zilda turned around to see Gandalf standing at the edge of the woods. She didn't speak to him, only turned back to the lake. "I thought I'd find you here." He continued, walking over and standing beside her. Zilda still said nothing and tossed another rock skipping it five times. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to the ground beside her. She looked at the ground then shrugged as she picked up another rock and tossed it.
"I guess." She said indifferently, "You're a wizard, I suppose you can do whatever you want."
"Oh come, Zilda, don't talk like that." Gandalf said in a hurt tone as he sat down.
"Well, why shouldn't I?" she asked, in an irritated manner as she glared at him.
"An meln le ve er mela eroiel." *Because I love you like a granddaughter. * Gandalf replied softly. Zilda turned back to the lake for a moment then whispered.
"Nolen." *I know. * Gandalf smiled.
"You've been practicing your elvish!"
"Of course! How else do you expect me to survive when I go look for my father? Besides, when I do meet him I want to be able to impress him." Gandalf smiled at the girl's excited expression when she talked of meeting her father. Zilda turned back to the lake and tossed another rock. "So, what did you and Frodo talk about?" She asked, casually. Gandalf got very serious, very suddenly.
"It's… complicated. That's mainly why I came here. I must leave the Shire tonight."
"Tonight?!" Zilda exclaimed with dismay, "but I thought you were going to stay for a while and help me practice my elvish?"
"I know and I'm terribly sorry, but something rather urgent has come up that I must see to as quickly as possible. I hope you understand. I just couldn't leave with you still upset."
"I understand." Zilda said sadly, "I just wish you didn't have to run off all the time." Gandalf smiled sadly and stroked her hair.
"So do I, my dear, so do I. Maybe someday it will be different." Zilda nodded and stood up brushing the dirt off her pants. Gandalf stood as well and they walked to the edge of the woods together then stood facing one another.
"Well, if you see my father…" Zilda began.
"I will give him your love." Gandalf finished for her. Zilda smiled.
"Do you really ever see him, or do you just make it up to make me feel better."
"Zilda! I'm offended you would even think such a thing. Of course I see him." Gandalf replied in fake shock. Zilda became very grave.
"Does he still love me?" she whispered. Gandalf cupped his hand under her chin and forced her to look him in the eye.
"He once told me that you should never doubt his love for you for it is eternal and will last until the end of all time and space." He whispered. "He will always love you." Then, Gandalf kissed her forehead and released her. "Tire Frodo nin." *Watch over Frodo for me. *
"Imuva." *I will. * She replied. Gandalf smiled and turned to go back into the woods. In that split second, Zilda felt like he was going for a very long time and she added, "Be careful!" He turned back around and smiled at her. Suddenly, on impulse, she ran to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I worry for you." She whispered, a single tear slipping down her cheek.
"I know, I know. No tears now." Gandalf said comfortingly, "I'll be back before you know it." They parted and Zilda wiped her face as she giggled.
"You'd better go quickly or I'm likely to lose it and not let you go at all!" Gandalf smiled down at her and touched her cheek.
"Namarie, vana." *Farewell, Beautiful. *
"Namarie." She replied. Then, she watched as he walked into the woods and out of sight. She wiped the new tears off her face and went to pick up her new bow that she had left lying by the bank of the lake. Suddenly, she looked up into the sky and found Earendil, the brightest star and whispered.
"Please, please Earendil, protect and guide him." Then she turned and made her way down the path towards home.
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