Not long after, the two of them came upon the borders of Fangorn forest.

"You're not going in there, are you?" asked Calen when they slowed the horses to a walk.

"No, of course not. But the trees provide good shade. You speak of it as if it were bad," he said.

"I've heard stories..." shrugged Calen.

"Ahhh."

They dismounted and picketed the horses, then Gandalf invited Calen to sit next to him in the looming shadow of the forest.

"Tell me what you know of your parents-of your past, Calen," he urged.

"Hardly anything," she said matter-of-factly. "I was told that my mother died when I was a baby and my father left her right after I was born," she made a face.

Gandalf looked as if he expected her to say more.

"I've had dreams, too," she added. "You're in them."

"Oh? Well, I suppose that doesn't surprise me. Is that all?"

Calen nodded. "Why?"

"What you were told is not the whole truth. Not nearly. It's time you knew the full story, Calen. I came to tell you."

"So you're not here for Eowyn, then. Good," she muttered.

"I'll start with your parents," he cleared his throat. "Your mother and father loved each other more than any other couple I know. Your father would never have willingly left your mother, Calen-know that. Let's see... your mother's name was Coralon. She was a Lady of Rohan like yourself, but when she was only two years older than you are now, she was kidnapped by a band of rogue Wild Men. She was kept as a prisoner for a year and a day, barely alive, until she was rescued by a group of elven guards on their way back to Lorien."

"Lorien," Calen breathed. "I've dreamed of that place."

"The leader's name was Dineagor," continued the wizard. "He loved your mother from the moment he saw her. He brought her to Lothlorien and nursed her back to health, and during their time together they grew inseparably close.

Dineagor was a member of Lord Celeborn's personal guard, and the most trusted soldier of his. When he asked if Coralon could remain in the elven city, Celeborn couldn't refuse. Your mother came to be like a daughter to him. When she had you, Celeborn became your godfather. Then, when you were only a few months old, Coralon became ill and died. Your father Dineagor had never dealt with such loss, and was deeply disturbed. When war came to the borders of Lothlorien, he was the first to go, hoping to free his mind of your mother's memory. He was killed in battle, and I suppose he was better off that way. The elves cared for you in Lothlorien until your seventh year. In that time, I was your teacher."

"Those are my dreams," Calen said softly.

"In time, we realized that it wasn't fair for you to live in Lorien-"

"Why not?!" said Calen loudly.

"Well, this is going to sound a bit unbelievable... You're older than you believe, Calen."

She stared.

"You inherited several things from your elven father. I know by now you've noticed that you can walk lightly and silently upon any surface..."

Calen nodded.

"...Well, you also inherited a longer lifespan. You are not immortal, but you are guaranteed to live at least thirty years past the typical lifespan of men; if you don't fall ill or get killed in battle that is."

"Oh, glory," whispered Calen.

"You say your birthday is October 27, in the year 2985. Well, in truth, you were born on October 27, 2963. You are 42 years old."

"No! It cant be true-it's not reasonable!" said Calen, confused. She certainly didn't act like she was 42...

"It does make sense, Calen, because that is the equivalent of being twenty normally. Don't ever tell anyone that you are older than what they think, Calen. It would make them wonder. If anyone asks, you're better off being just twenty."

"Fine," she said. "So why couldn't I live in Lorien? And why don't I remember any of this?"

"It would not have been fair for you to live among immortals. While they hardly changed, you would still grow older. We knew you wouldn't understand. Besides, we wanted you to live your life to the fullest, rather than be stuck with the never-changing life of an immortal.

So we brought you to your only living relative, your mother's brother and your uncle, in Edoras. He loved you dearly, it was obvious, so we were confident you would be well cared for."

"I was-I am, but why don't I remember any of this?"

Gandalf looked up at the sky in thought. "Part of the reason is that you were too young to remember the early parts of it anyway. Also, when you left, the Lady Galadriel gave you an elvish drink that would erase most of your memories. It was for your own good, your own safety; and that of the elves."

Calen nodded. "That makes sense, I suppose, but I wish it didn't have to have been like that. I've heard Lothlorien is wondrous."

"It is. Someday you may be able to return..."

"I probably should feel sad for my parents, shouldn't I?" she asked.

"Are you?" asked Gandalf.

"A little... but not enough to dwell on it. I mean, how can you feel sad over someone you never knew? I wish I had known them, though..."

"You did, if only for a little while. You look a lot like your mother, but your blue eyes come from your father. He was very brave. He saved Elrond's daughter, Tatiana, and her mother before your mother came along."

"An elven princess and her mother? Wow..." breathed Calen.

"He would have been proud of you. I hear you are quite skilled with a sword; and I have already seen your horsemanship," commented Gandalf.

Calen shrugged. "It gives me something to do," she explained. "I get bored here, sometimes."

"Ah, Gandalf muttered. He seemed to be thinking. "Well, your uncle was not too pleased when he learned you were not in your room; or anywhere nearby, for that matter. I didn't help matters when I insisted on going to find you, but I had to tell you these things somewhere private. King Theoden will be terribly worried."

"I think I should tell him. About all this, I mean. It's only fair..." Calen muttered.

"He already knows."

"What?"

"There are several other who know; Theoden is one of them. Of course we told him. We couldn't just leave you here without explaining why, Calen," Gandalf explained.

"Who else knows? How many people?"

"Well, let me remember... Me, Lady Galadriel, Celeborn, Theoden, and Elrond. Not many."

"So, basically, a bunch of important elves that I have never met or don't remember know more about me that I do," said Calen irritably.

"Basically," laughed Gandalf.