When Aragorn saw Legolas emerge he beckoned him to assist him with Sam and Frodo. After a moment Aragorn looked up. "So?"
Legolas inclined his head in question. Aragorn stared at him, almost frighteningly reminding Legolas of Elrond's expression of annoyance.

"Elladan is correct, you have spent too much time with your adar, you are becoming like him." Legolas's smile would draw one of acceptance from Aragorn before he continued. "If you really need to know, i learned that she is afraid of my father."

"You could have started off with the basic information, you know. I hardly expected a conversation over the rule of Thranduil. To think, i couldnt get even a nod from her."

"I also learned her name, but i am reluctant to share that with you." Legolas said only to further jest, and thus annoy, the man who would be king.

Aragorn sighed, having no choice but to bite. "And why would you be reluctant to share that with me, ai mellon-nin?"

"Well, it rather seems she does not want you to know her, does it not?"

The dry elven humor only made Aragorn roll his eyes, though it coaxed a snigger from the twins who were not so far away that they could not overhear. Aragorn had no opportunity to remark before Lómëmir was seen again, now arrayed in the silver gown.

She nodded toward Legolas and looked about at all the troops of men crowding the area. Legolas noted a gleam of hope radiating from her, though it seemed near desperate. He also saw as it quickly ebbed and she looked weary again. She walked slowly, almost as though burdened, until she came near Legolas. Her gaze fell on Aragorn.

Legolas rose and stood beside her, offering an introduction to the healer she had woken to. "My lady Lómëmir, this is my friend Aragorn. With him you may trust your own life."

"Hannon le, aratan," she said with a bow of her head.

"You are most welcome, my lady. Please, be seated with us."

She accepted his request. "I must apologize for not responding to you before, my lord. I meant no disrespect, but i feared for my safety in these darkened days."

Aragorn smiled slightly. "Caution is commendable, not reproachable. At least it is so in my eyes. I should say that i expected as much, and that was why i asked Legolas to speak with you. Though i must ask you what manner of caution it was that found you alone in Northern Ithilien, and in such an exhausted condition."

"Perhaps caution's voice is lessened by that of need," Lómëmir replied carefully.

"That is a matter that i understand well. From where has your need taken you, lady Lómëmir?" Aragorn asked, attempting to patiently find out as much about her as possible.

"Need has driven me forth from many homes, my lord. Most lately i have traveled from the edge of Mirkwood nearest Laketown."

"Mirkwood? Well, you and Legolas seem to have something in common then." Aragorn could scarcely repress a trace of a grin and his eyes glinted, but none who werent possessed of true elven senses could have noticed the small glitter in usually smiling eyes Legolas's eyes.

"And to where does this force call you, my lady?" Legolas asked.

"To Gondor to the city of Minas Tirith. If there is a city left standing."

"Minas Tirith stands, it will need some rebuilding, but i have had the promise of the dwarves that that work will be accomplished in such a way that the city will be better than before. What is your purpose there though? Few are the elves who find themselves in need of Gondor's aid."

"It is not Gondor's aid i seek. My need is one only i may know," the lady said sounding as though she felt the two might try to insist she tell them.

"Some needs are so. Others are not, like your wounds. I will not press the matter of your purpose, but i must know more about your wounds. Your leg especially. An orc arrow?" Aragorn said, sensing that it was time to change the subject.

She glanced down at the dressing just above her ankle and nodded. "I managed to flee them with only this wound. When did you find me, and where?"
"I found you here in this wood only this morning," Legolas answered.

"What of my pack? My weapon?"
"Gandalf brought a small traveling bag into my tent, he said nothing of a weapon though. What do you wield?"

"Anything that i can lift most times. I have learned the skill of the bow best though. I prefer to keep myself safe from a distance."

Legolas smiled, his reasons for mastering the bow and arrow being quite the same. Aragorn though was concerned. "How long have you been defending yourself?"
"For more years than you have seen, i have been alone."

It was then Legolas's turn to become alarmed. "You have no family?"
"No, i have no one. All i have had for many years is some small hope. For many years i dwelt in Imladris in the generous care of Lord Elrond, and there i knew safety and haven. But that was some time ago and i have known many lands since." Her eyes seemed to dim and Legolas rested his hand on hers in support. As he did so he felt a dull ache deep within and knew he was feeling what she felt. The look she gave him was one of gratitude, it had been a long time since she sensed someone was more than just not an enemy but a friend.

"Do not ever feel again that you are alone in this world," Legolas said with a certain degree of sternness.

Aragorn smiled. "More loyal friends you could not find than those gathered here. And i say to you, with Legolas you may trust your own life." His words purposely mirrored those of Legolas, and were directed to his brother-in-arms as much as to the lady.

Legolas returned the smile and clasped hands with Aragorn in solidarity.

"I may trust him with my life," came a cumbersome voice from behind them, "but never with my axe!"

Legolas only shook his head. "Lómëmir, i would like you to meet my friend Gimli. Gimli, this is the lady Lómëmir, most recently of Mirkwood."

Gimli gave a quick bow and Lómëmir inclined her head, though her look of perplexity was unmaskable. "It is a strange thing to see an elf, a man, and a dwarf keep camp together. But what concerns me most is the condition of those Halflings."

"We are all concerned for them, lady Lómëmir," Gimli said soberly.

"Mithrandir told me just this morning that he believes they are doing well. Their sleep can only help them," Legolas said optimistically.
Lómëmir looked up at Legolas. "Mithrandir the wizard? A maia is in your company too?"

Legolas nodded. Gimli stood up tall, or as tall as a dwarf can stand. "Have you not heard of the Fellowship of the Ring?"

"The One Ring?" Lómëmir questioned.

Only Legolas had picked up on the note of fright in her gentle voice. "It is destroyed, híril-nin, and the source of its evil with it, thanks to Frodo and Sam." Legolas could feel the tremendous release that was still in the very air. At some point each of them had come to no longer hope for a future but only to go down valiantly fighting. "Our quest is accomplished," he said almost more to himself, Aragorn, and Gimli, but also to Sam and Frodo.

"The Ring is gone?" she said with a relief that echoed the gladness of many through the ages. She looked around at the companies of men working on breaking camp. "Then that is why so many armies are assembled here? Men from even Rohan and Dol Amroth, Dúnedain from the north. Tell me, is captain Faramir among the number here?"

The three of the broken Fellowship looked somewhat confused that she knew of Faramir, or would be asking after him.

"Sadly, he is not, lady Lómëmir. He is still in the houses of healing in Minas Tirith," Aragorn answered her, attempting to keep the terseness out of his voice as he thought of the reason Faramir was in such a condition.

Lómëmir thought briefly on the situation. "Might it be possible for me to speak with him at some time?"
"As long as his health has improved you have my consent," Aragorn said, scarcely able to keep his curiosity at a decorous level. One thing that saddened him to see at a decorous level, however, was the two waking Hobbits, Merry and Pippin.

They made a slow approach toward the rest of the Fellowship, unsure whether they wanted news of their friend's conditions or not. Legolas smiled comfortingly to them. "You two may have slept past breakfast, i am regretful to inform you. However, i am not half sure you can not find something for... 'elevensies?'" Legolas said with a laughter that could only be called silvan.

Merry and Pippin exchanged glances, Pippin's conveying quite plainly that food was now firmly on his mind and wasnt going to leave easily.

Aragorn shook his head, unable to stifle his own chuckle. "There is no change yet, though Frodo's fever is easing up and Sam's sleep is quiet restful. Do not worry for them, they are quite possibly the strongest Hobbits since... well, since.... Go on and eat, you two. And be glad that i am permitting this delay in our march home."

Pippin's eyes showed a certain twinkle, hearkening back to the earliest days of their journey when a couple of negligible meals was all they saw as Strider urged them on quickly to the sanctuary of Imladris. The cousins went off again, Gimli deciding to join them, the three following their overactive appetites and chatting away nineteen to the dozen of everything that had happened since Isengard.

Legolas turned again to Lómëmir. "Forgive me for not introducing you to them. It would do little good for them to meet you on an empty stomach. They would remember you not unless you carry lembas or something else for them to eat. When we see them again though, i shall acquaint you."

Lómëmir nodded, her faint smile betraying her understanding about Hobbits and the food situation.

"Quel re, híril," came a steady, aged voice from behind.

Lómëmir immediately recognized that voice and stood, turning to greet her old friend. When she saw him though, her eyes grew wide. The last time they had met he was certainly not a white wizard! In fact, the only white wizard she had ever heard of was the treacherous Saruman. But Gandalf's warm smile and the sparkle in his eye was not something that any could forge, and Lómëmir's smile of recognition grew as they embraced.

"I apologize for not recognizing you immediately, my dear lady. As you can see, there have been some changes, and i had to search my ancient memory for the last time i met a flame-haired elf maiden."

"It was in Imladris, was it not?"
"Yes, just before the White Council, it was. When you were preparing to return to Mirkwood, against my counsel." Gandalf grinned teasingly.

Legolas gave him a vague look, sarcastically feigning hurt that Gandalf would ever advise someone to not go to Mirkwood. He remembered well the Watchful Peace, but never considered it all that peaceful. It was much like traveling with the Fellowship, and in fall when it was less easy to hide oneself in a tree, he jumped to his bow every time a leaf fell. Then his thoughts turned from Mirkwood's bygone days to wondering why Lómëmir would leave Imladris for the darkened forests. This lady only became more a mystery with each question answered.

It was Aragorn who then broke the air of mystery. "Legolas, come with me if you will. My athelas supply is running low and i would be most grateful for the aid of your precise and skillful wood-elven eyes in helping me replenish my reserve."

Legolas looked at him with the smile he held for those times when he knew Aragorn was up to something that he wasnt letting on. He was not, however, going to press the former ranger yet, but instead nodded and rose, offering a hand of assistance to his friend. He was also used to the fact that Aragorn was only this complimentary when he didnt want to outrightly ask for help in a matter that an elf might have an advantage in.

As the two friends walked off into the wood Legolas mused how different North Ithilien was since the Battle of the Camp, little over a thousand years before. He thought of the numerous battles that had raged over the land of Ithilien, but he saw the inherent beauty of the land. He knew that no matter how long it had served as a buffer zone between Gondor and Mordor, the land was not beyond the scope of elven healing.

Lómëmir and Gandalf remained in the encampment near to the Hobbits. Her grey eyes settled on Sam Gamgee with utter compassion. "I see in him a loyalty that nearly breaks my heart. He was not appointed Ringbearer, but he would not be separated from his dear friend who he knew would need his help before the end. His reward will be great, greater than such an humble one can imagine."

Gandalf nodded, agreeing with her exactly. She sat still looking at them for a moment before Gandalf noticed the traces of tears along her fair visage.

"Lómëmir? What troubles you?" he asked her careful.

She sat quiet for a while before responding to her aged friend. "Those years that you and the Ranger patrolled Mirkwood..." she trailed off and Gandalf read the pain within her.

"When you frequented Laketown? Those days were not so long ago."
"Yes, Mithrandir, those days."

"You have no need to hide anything from me, Lómëmir," said the wizard gently. "I knew then as well as i do know now. The radiance in you told me then as surely as the pain in you tells me now. Who is he?"

"It matters not, Gandalf. I fear him lost to this War of the Ring."

"Lómëmir," Gandalf started gravely, "i never knew you to give up so easily, and never before knowing the truth of fate. Am i correct in guessing that you were found in Northern Ithilien in an attempt to follow... what is his name, meldur?"

"You are, as always, correct. His name is Vaneldur."

"And why do you so keenly fear that Vaneldur is lost to battle?"

"He was among the Rangers of Ithilien last, in Captain Faramir's company."

"A mortal man?" Gandalf asked, really only partly surprised.

Lómëmir nodded silently. She rose, feeling a slight pain at her injured leg but ignoring it. She already felt defensive having told someone it was a mortal she so foolishly wandered into strange lands after.

Gandalf rose too and stood in front of her, looking deeply into her eyes before embracing her again. "He will be found, Lómëmir. You have my word."

A smile began to return to her face at the wizard's promise and compassionate presence. "Hannon le, Mithrandir."

"It is you i thank, híril-nin, for i am glad to see you again. You must take care of yourself though, for you are way-weary. Perhaps you should find something to eat. Find the Hobbits and you will find the food."

She smiled in full now and went off, leaving Gandalf to watch over Sam and Frodo himself, until he was joined by Elrond's twin sons.

---

adar - father

Hannon le, aratan - Thank you, noble lord

Quel re, híril - Good morning, lady