Amdireth rose slowly, feeling woozy and light-headed. She didn't know where she was, but around her it was pitch black. She blinked repeatedly, yet her eyes did not adjust.
Memories flashed through her mind as she tried to remember what had happened. When Hiranneth and Ahéawan had entered the cabin, she was on her way back to Hunvel when she had been attacked by the wraiths. One had hit her over the head with the hilt of his sword. Reaching behind her head, Amdireth felt the rough crust of dry blood in her pale hair. They must have captured her.
But where was she?

Hiranneth awoke. Her body felt very weak and malnourished. She tried to move, but realized she was bound to the wall. She twisted her hands back and forth, but the ropes cut into her hands. She hissed in pain.
All around her were dark corners and bodies of old, of bones, of decay. She breathed heavily through her mouth to try to escape the smell, but to no avail.
She heard the sound of Wraiths, busily talking under their breath. They were planning something, she knew, something awful!

Hiranneth allowed one tear to fall from her eyes. It hit the ground and reflected her image. She stared at it and frowned. She looked very tired and dirty.
Suddenly she felt the presence of another in the room. Her eyes raced back and forth to find it. But the darkness overcame her senses. She cried aloud. Then she heard a voice. It spoke very quietly at first, but it soon became comprehendible.
"I will let your bonds go...If you do one thing."
Hiranneth still could not see anyone. "Are you here in this room?"
"Yes," the voice said. "You know me."
Then Fly came out of the corner farthest away from her. He looked very sick. Hiranneth gasped. "It's all right," he said as he undid her ropes. "I was in another cell but I came to you."
Hiranneth asked, "Why do you stay here if you have the ability to go through walls?"
His face grew pained as he said, "My time is come. I will die here. But there is still hope for you."
Fly picked up Hiranneth in his hands and carried her through the outer walls, every time he did so growing weaker. Finally they came to the outside of the fortress. He laid her down and breathed heavily. "Go," he said.

Hiranneth took his hand. "No, I can't leave you here! You deserve so much more."

Fly's breathing slowed as he smiled at her, for the first time she had met him. "I am sorry Hiranneth. I have wronged you since the beginning, and I regret everything I have done to your family." He began to cry.

Hiranneth said, "It's all right...Really all is well. I forgive you." Fly smiled again, as though some burden was lifted from him, and breathed his last. Hiranneth bowed her head sadly and gently kissed his forhead. She looked to the sky and breathed deep. Within her was a new power. She then noticed that her sword was gone. I think I gave it to Leeum, she thought. Leaving behind the body of her rescuer, she ran, faster and farther than she had ever run. She felt a new strength rise within her. She would soon be reunited with her friends.

"She's alive! I know she is!" Kiran insisted. Leeum turned away from him sadly, not daring to hope.
It had been about a week since Kiran had taken the antidote, but the majority of his recovery had been in the past few days. More devastating to him was the news that Hiranneth had been captured. He had barely slept or eaten, being torn inside at not knowing she was safe. He was a mess and Leeum could not get him to see the sense that he was suffering.
"Even were she alive and well, we do not have the strength to lay siege on the Wraiths," the Elf said softly.
"We must. I cannot let her die!"
"I am sorry." Leeum turned and left the room.
Kiran fell back onto his bed, tears stinging his eyes, though he tried to fight them away. Hiranneth, I know you are there. I wish I could help you.

Hiranneth neared a part of the forest she recognized. There was a gnarled tree with three large branches, like seats made by nature. She climbed up into the tree to have a look around, suddenly she saw Kiran in her mind. He was crying and looked very unkempt. She gasped as reality came back to her. Over the treetops she could see a part of the city of Hunvel. She smiled and jumped down from the braches. She thought hard before she began running, Kiran, I'm coming!

After what seemed like hours, Hiranneth finally neared the city gates. She could hear the laments of the Elves, singing her name amongst tears. Hiranneth suddenly came to the conclusion that they thought she was dead. Her heart sank and she shed a tear. With much passion she ran to the gate and shook it. "I'm alive!" she yelled. "I'm here! Please let me in!"
The Elves behind the gate were silent for a moment, then she could hear familiar voices approaching.

As had become his habit, Kiran sat by the gate where the Elves were still singing their laments for Hiranneth's death. He wanted to scream at them, to go to any lengths to convince them that she wasn't dead, but instead he just sat and listened to their songs.
It was such a day now when Kiran heard her voice again. At first he thought he was dreaming, but the Elves stopped their song and a few rushed to the gate to draw it open. No sooner was it opened then Kiran ran through it and embraced Hiranneth. "I knew you were alive," he whispered in her ear. "I knew they could not keep you from me, Hiranneth. I love you."

Hiranneth melted into Kiran's arms. He felt warm and familiar to her. She couldn't help but start to cry. When he told her he loved her, she laughed happily and still held on to him. Then she whispered to him, "I love you too."
She saw others coming to view what was going on. She spotted Ahéawan and Leeum walking over together.
She looked at Kiran and said to him, "There are many things we must discuss, I fear there will be war soon."

"War?" Kiran asked, his smile fading a little. "I can face anything now that I am by your side once again, but I fear I will need a bit of training in the sword arts. Rejoice for your return, then, shall have to wait for later." He smiled once again and relinquished his hold of her. "I am so glad you are back though."

Hiranneth's smile also faded when Kiran spoke of war. "It is unavoidable, I fear." She seemed to think back slightly in her head about something. After he embraced her tightly again, she said without much emotion, "Fly is dead." But with that statement came a lone tear, slowly falling down her check. "He saved me. We must remember him."
The Elves nearby looked amazed and began to whisper. Then, like angels from above, they sang a song to him.
Son of Sauron
Hear our cry
Saved her you did
But had to die.
Lost in darkness you did see
But blessed know with peace
for eternity.
They continued to sing in this fashion as Kiran and Hiranneth made a slow, sad walk toward the buildings of Hunvel.

Ahéawan watched from a distance with silent tears welling in her eyes and a sad smile on her face. Leeum, standing beside her, wore the same expression as he started singing the Elven song. Ahéawan began to hum along with the Elves of Hunvel, closing her eyes and losing herself in the melody.

Hiranneth walked onto the landing on which Ahéawan and Leeum stood. She embraced Ahéawan for a long time. Once again she began to cry. "I need to talk to you all." She paused for a moment. "Where are Kiarton and Amdireth?" Hiranneth had thought they might be there also, but her eyes didn't catch the brilliant spark of red from Kiarton's hair or the lovely gaze of Amdireth.

Kiarton had found later that Amdireth had been poisoned, like Kiran. And as it turned out, it was from a cut, inflicted by the Wraiths that attacked her. The Wraiths coated their swords in poison, but luckily she had been revived, long after Kiran and Kiarton had been rescued. Kiarton was talking to her in the study when a murmur swept through the village. He had left, Amdireth following him, to find the source of the commotion. Kiarton froze when he saw Hiranneth. She was alive! Amdireth moved behind him, and Kiarton felt himself suddenly running toward his friends. "Hiranneth!"

Hiranneth embraced Kiarton as he ran into her arms. "It's wonderful to see you again!" she said, holding her friend tightly. She embraced Amdireth as well and they both wept onto each other's shoulders. "We must get going. Is there a place to rest a while and talk, perhaps a patio or library?"
An Elf maid came to her and bowed. "There is a patio that is very beautiful at my house. If you wish to talk there, you may, my lady."
Hiranneth thanked the Elf and followed her to the house. It was a beautiful Elven home constructed in the form of a tree. Hiranneth walked in and headed for the back patio. She sat down in a comfortable chair and relaxed a bit.
The Elf maid welcomed everyone else in and gave Hiranneth a beautiful Elven outfit to replace her dirty rags. It was made of earth tone colors and embroidered with fine gold. Hiranneth gasped and took it into her hands.
"If you'd like, my lady," said the maiden, "you may change into it. Your clothing looks tiring."
"Thank you, good maiden. I will." Hiranneth left the group to change and was gone for some time, then came back.
She laughed at the look on her friends' faces as she entered. Her new dress was a perfect fit and made her look older and more noble. Her hair was tied up in Elven braids and roses weaved into her brown locks. She sat down next to Kiran and smiled.

Kiran could not take his eyes off Hiranneth. She was more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen and the light of the Elves shone in her eyes.
More of the Elves were gathering on the patio, now singing joyous songs and talking merrily in their own language. Before long, large trays with every food imaginable were brought out and set before them, a feast to honor the return of Hiranneth.

Hiranneth laughed aloud when she saw the trays of food. Her eyes darted to and fro over the delectable foods that made her very hungry. But there was one food that caused her to go silent. There was a young Elf child, perhaps 13 in human years, standing before her with a hot bowl of beef stew. The girl looked around as if lost and wondering who would take her meal choice. Hiranneth looked at her for a while and thought of herself and of her mother.
She caught the girls attention and waved her over. The young Elf girl walked over to her, hands trembling.
"Dear child," said Hiranneth, "did you make this?"
The girl shook her head yes, and showed a small smile. Hiranneth held out her hands and took the bowl from her.
"I love beef stew," she said as she sipped it. "My mother would make it for me on special occasions. You are quite the cook! This is very good."
The girl smiled and said, "My mother said that beef stew wasn't the best thing for this celebration...Actually I'm confused about who this Hiranneth is. I was in Loríen when she came."
Hiranneth lowered the bowl to her lap and asked, "Who do you think Hiranneth is?"
The girl thought a moment and said, "My mother told she is a strong human who has conquered much. I believe she can help us against dark times." The girl looked into Hiranneth's eyes and stared for a moment.
She nodded and the girl became very red. Hiranneth stood up and embraced the young elf. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you for reminding me what life is really about."
The girl was called by her mother to return home and she hurried off, but not before kissing Hiranneth's cheek.

When they had all feasted to their heart's content, the plates and trays were cleared away. The most prominent Elves seated themselves near Hiranneth and her friends. A council was about to begin.