Over the next two months of Calen's stay, she and Tatiana actually became best friends. Calen even got to know Tatiana's 'friend' Legolas enough to actually call him a friend. It didn't take her very long to get used to the elvin way of life, and she was somewhat saddened when Gandalf came to her one evening after dinner.
"I need you to be ready to leave by tomorrow night," he said.
"Tomorrow night? So soon..."
"We've been here for two and a half months, Calen," he reminded her.
"You're right," she sighed. "But I really do like it here."
"I know. You will return."
Still, Calen went to find Tatiana as soon as possible to tell her the news.
"But you just got here!" the elf exclaimed when Calen burst into her room.
"I know! I mean, I'm sort of excited..."
"But Calen, it's the Shire!" Tatiana practically screamed at her.
"So?" Calen had forgotten all about the conversation they'd had when they first met.
"Green tomatoes?" Tatiana sighed. "Remember?"
"Oh! Oh, no! I'd completely forgotten!" Calen cried, frantic.
"Typical," Tatiana muttered to hide her laughter.
"What's typical?" asked Legolas, coming into the room and closing the door.
"Calen's leaving tomorrow night," Tatiana said.
"And that's typical?"
"No... never mind."
Legolas made a sad face.
"Shame," he said.
"We'll come and visit to make sure you survive the Shire, how's that?" Tatiana promised.
"I cant wait!" cried Legolas. "It'll be a much-needed vacation-living among vicious knee biters and surrounding my bed with green tomatoes every night-let's go right now!"
"Very funny..." muttered Calen. "I'm going to go pack."
She left, and Legolas laughed.
"I'm wondering what she'll do when she gets to the Shire and realizes everything we've told her is a joke..."
In her room, Calen carelessly flung her clothes into a bag. The problem with elves was that you could never tell whether they were joking or serious. And for all Calen knew about the Shire and hobbits and similar things, Legolas and Tatiana may well be telling the truth...
Later, Gandalf knocked on her door. When she didn't answer, he slowly opened the door and went in. Calen lay sleeping on the bed, practically buried under the pillow to keep the moonlight off her face. Gandalf made sure she had packed, then quietly left.