Farothwen was aware of a presence at the door. A lady was there, smiling serenely, her long blonde hair shimmering in the morning sun. She seemed queenly, an Elf of very high distinction, and she was also very beautiful.

'Am I interrupting?' she asked politely.

Glorohtar stood up. 'Of course not, my lady.' He knew who she was.

'Good morning, Farothwen,' she said, smiling. 'My name is Celebrían, I am Elrond's wife.' She carried clean linen bandages and a bowl of hot water and some herbs.

'Good morning, my lady,' Farothwen replied.

Celebrían placed her slender hand on Farothwen's forehead. 'Your fever is starting to fade, that's very good. There's some colour in your face and some sparkle in your eyes, finally. You are healing very quickly, quicker than both Elrond and I expected.'

'Is that good, my lady?' Farothwen asked.

Celebrían laughed gaily. 'Of course it is, my dear. Now, Glorohtar, if you will excuse us please, I must change Farothwen's bandages.'

'Of course, my lady.' Glorohtar gently kissed Farothwen and left the room.

Celebrían started on Farothwen's hand first, gently unwrapping the bandage. The flesh beneath was red and black, very swollen and tender. Celebrían did not touch it, but she crushed some herbs into the hot water and dipped a bandage into it. Farothwen looked on.

'Are you in any pain, Farothwen?'

'Some,' she replied.

Celebrían handed over some leaves. 'Chew on these. The taste leaves a lot to be desired, but they are very good at stopping pain.'

Farothwen apprehensively put the leaves in her mouth. Lady Celebrían was right, the taste was horrid. But almost immediately, the pain started to lessen.

Celebrían gently wrapped the wet bandage around Farothwen's hand. 'Lady, how long will that take to heal?'

Celebrían shook her head. 'I do not know, my dear. Months, I'm guessing. There will be a lot of scarring.'

'Will I be able to use it?'

'Once it is fully healed, I don't see why not.'

Farothwen smiled slightly. 'That's good.'

Celebrían smiled. 'Why, do you live up to your name?'

Farothwen chuckled. 'No, huntress in training.'

Farothwen lay on her stomach so Celebrían could clean up the wounds on her back. Some of them had re-opened. Celebrían shook her head as she cleaned up the blood as gently as she could, but not without causing Farothwen some pain.

'My poor child... I don't know how you lived through this. How such brutal injuries could be inflicted on one as young and innocent as you.'

'To be honest, Lady, I don't know how I survived either.'

Celebrían soaked the bandages in the water and herbs and carefully re-bandaged Farothwen's back. She smiled.

'At least you survived, that's the main thing. Don't worry, my child, you'll be well enough to leave soon.'

'But, um, my lady...' Farothwen stuttered in her apprehension. 'I don't have a home. I was driven out of Mirkwood and mine and Glorohtar's lives will be at risk if we return.'

Celebrían nodded. 'I understand. I will talk with my husband and we'll see if we can come to a solution. In the meantime, don't worry about anything and just get well.' Celebrían kissed her brow and left.