Farothwen was still screaming when she awoke. Her breathing was fast and shallow as she tried to take in her surroundings. She was asleep on her stomach, tears on her pillow. The sound of Elf song was around, just like in the dream. The place was full of light and beauty, just like in the dream. There was an elder Elf sitting in the corner of her room, just like in the dream.

Farothwen was so overwhelmed with fright and helplessness she was still crying. The Elf walked over and sat on her bed, holding her in his arms gently.

'Shh, child, you are safe here, it was just a dream. Just a dream.'

When Farothwen had calmed down sufficiently, he drew back and Farothwen got a good look at him. 'Who are you?' she asked.

'I am Elrond. You are in my house, in Rivendell.'

'Rivendell? Who brought me here?'

'My son Elrohir found you in the Hithaeglir, near death. You made it here just in time. A few hours longer and we would have not spoken. But Farothwen, now is not the time for 'what ifs'. Now is just the time for you to get well and go home.'

Her brows furrowed. 'How do you know my name?'

Elrond smiled. 'My sons managed to recover one thing of yours - your rucksack.' Farothwen was bored one day so she wrote her name on her backpack, using her newly-learned Beleriandic characters.

A sudden fear seized Farothwen. 'You won't send me home, will you?'

'Is there a reason why I shouldn't? Have you no family?'

Farothwen hesitated. 'No, I have no family. I am not welcome back in Mirkwood.'

Elrond looked as if he were about to question her further, but he just smiled and nodded. 'I know your reasons for leaving. Mirkwood Elves do not take kindly to our kind.'

'Kind?'

'My dear child, I am called Elrond Half-Elven. Human blood runs in my line. In a distant way, you and I are related. But come, I am sure you are much too sick for idle chitchat such as this. Do you feel up to seeing one more visitor?'

Farothwen nodded. These Elves intrigued her - she didn't know there were dark-haired Elves even in existence.

'Elrohir!' Elrond called.

Elrohir slowly walked into the room. Farothwen recognised him as the Elf who healed her back in the dream. Elrohir smiled at her.

'Hello, Farothwen. It's good to see you finally awake. At least you look better than you did when we first met.'

Farothwen managed a slight smile. 'I'm sure I feel a lot better than I did when we first met. Elrohir - thank you for saving me. I'm sure without you I would have died.'

Elrohir smiled. 'Seeing you up and about again is all the thanks I need. I would tell you to go back to sleep, but I'm sure you've slept enough over the past week.'

'How long was I asleep?'

'Elrohir brought you here on a morning like this not six days ago,' Elrond replied.

'Six days?'

'Well, Farothwen, your injuries are quite extensive. Do your wounds hurt?'

She shook her head. 'No, my lord.'

Elrond smiled. 'Provided you keep on this path, you should be fully recovered in about two weeks or so. I don't know how your hand will be, but we'll see.'

Farothwen smiled weakly. 'At least they didn't rip out my throat.'

'Why do you say that?' asked Elrohir in surprise.

'Oh, sorry, I'm a minstrel.'

'Oh, right,' Elrohir replied. 'Well, I'm sure my brother is calling for me, so I will leave you to rest.' Elrohir gently kissed Farothwen's uninjured hand. 'Rest well, and I'll see you later.'

'Farewell, Elrohir,' Farothwen called after him. Elrond turned to her.

'Well, I shall take your leave as well. My son is right, you do need to rest. There is a small bell beside you, ring it if you need anything.'

Farothwen nodded. 'I thank you, Lord Elrond. For everything.'

He smiled. 'Trust me, dear one, it is no trouble.'

Elrond left the room silently and gracefully. Farothwen was already asleep.