A/N: Thank you to all who have reviewed so far. There was a problem uploading Chapter 4 and I lost the whole end of the chapter. I have re-posted the chapter now with the ending attached. Please re-read if you want to "see" why Linnah ran from the Prince's chambers. Thanks!

And now without further adieu...

"Where have you been, Linnah? There is little time left until the evening meal and my hair is not done," said Lady Elessa. She was seated in front of her vanity mirror, brushing her long flowing blond hair and had noticed Linnah enter the room in its reflection.

"What is it with royalty and their hair today?" thought Linnah to herself. Aloud she said, "I am sorry for my tardiness, Mistress. I was detained elsewhere."

The sound in Linnah's voice made Lady Elessa turn to face her. "Detained? Where and by whom?"

Linnah looked at her feet, wondering what to say and instead said simply, "The prince's chambers, my Lady."

Lady Elessa stood and walked over to Linnah. She gently put a hand under Linnah's chin and raised her head. Seeing the distraught look in Linnah's eyes was enough to make the Lady forget about her hair momentarily.

"Linnah, is everything alright? What did the prince need of you?"

"Please, Mistress, it was nothing," said Linnah quietly. Then quickly added, "I am just sorry that I am late and fear your disappointment and anger."

Elessa chose to accept this answer...for now. "Do not worry Linnah. I am sure that if the prince needed you for something, it was important enough for you to be late. The other Ladies who know you, recommended you highly. Lady Cari herself said that you were a rare gift. I am sure, had you a penchant for tardiness, they would not speak thusly," said the Lady kindly.

Linnah curtsied, very relieved. "Thank you Lady Elessa, you are most kind."

The Lady smiled and motioned towards the vanity table. "Now about my hair," said the Lady laughing, a delicate and melodious sound. Linnah smiled back trying to put the prior events out of her head. She followed the Lady to the mirrored table and took up the Lady's brush. Once Elessa was seated, Linnah began to carefully brush and braid her hair.

The Lady was quiet with her own thoughts. Mainly, she wondered about this handmaiden. There was definitely something different about her, beyond the obvious physical differences, though she couldn't put her finger on it. Elessa also worried about what the prince could have done to cause such a reaction in Linnah. She had known the prince for more than two hundred years now. In the beginning, it was he, not Orlindel, she thought she might marry. But the prince was far too interested in himself and his training, then her. There was a time when they were more intimately acquainted, but that was long, long ago and Elessa had locked her feelings away, hidden from all. Even her husband had no clue as to her true feelings towards Legolas.

Neither spoke, until... "Linnah?"

"Yes Mistress?" asked Linnah, finishing one braid and moving on to a second.

"How old are you?"

"118 years old My Lady."

"And may I ask how long have you been a servant?"

"There is no other way known to me," answered Linnah simply.

"I see. But tell me, did you choose this life or was it chosen for you?"

Linnah was unsure how to answer. She never actually thought about it, until now. One always wants to believe they alone have control over their own life. She was happy most of the time, so it never really occurred to her that she could be missing something. The only thing she ever cared to question was where she came from originally. But even that was just a passing fancy and not really a pressing issue for her. Thinking a moment longer, she realized that if anyone, it was the king who had chosen for her. By giving her to Meena to raise and not taking a hand in raising her himself, a royal, he had sealed her fate to live her life as a servant.

Not wanting to speak badly of the king, she answered, "My Lady, even if we make certain choices to ensure our direction in life, the Valar have their own plans for us. We must persevere to please them by living honestly and justly. If it is in their plan for us, we will achieve greatness...whatever type of greatness that is." Linnah continued to concentrate on braiding the Lady's hair.

Lady Elessa was taken aback by Linnah's answer. She was completely impressed with her wisdom and now understood what the other Ladies were talking about. Lady Cari was right, Linnah was a rare gift. It left her momentarily speechless. She decided then that she would make Linnah her permanent personal attendant. No other would attend her and she would not share Linnah with any other Lady in the castle.

Linnah took the many braids she had now created and twisted them together, making one beautiful curling braid down the Lady's back. She then took jeweled clips and placed them in various locations throughout the Lady's hair. Lady Elessa was very pleased with the result.

"There," said Linnah, "I think that does it, my Lady."

Elessa stood up tall and proud. The dress she was wearing shimmered bluish-green, complimenting the Lady's blue eyes. It had a low scooped neckline dotted with small jewels and sleeves that belled at the ends and hung down far past her hands. Linnah curtsied slightly to the lady and said, "You look lovely, my Lady. That dress is the most beautiful I have beheld and you wear it well."

Elessa smiled down at Linnah and placed her hands on Linnah's shoulders, as she righted herself. "Thank you Linnah, I am very impressed with you as well. Linnah, I want you to know that I am going to speak with Gillel tonight. I will be requesting that you be my personal attendant at all times, if that is all right with you."

"I am honored at the invitation my Lady, but what of Lady Cari or the others?"

"I am sure they will be able to find suitable replacements for you," smiled Lady Elessa. "I will not take no for an answer."

"Of course, My Lady. I will be happy to serve you," said Linnah, curtsying politely, her calm face masking her excitement. She couldn't believe it. Her dream of being a personal Lady's attendant had finally been realized.

At that moment a great ringing sounded in the halls, suggesting that there was only ten minutes left until the evening feast. "It is time to go. Linnah, please be back here after the meal. I wish to speak with you further," said Elessa preparing to leave her chambers.

Linnah curtsied. "Yes of course, Mistress."

Linnah watched the Lady depart. She sighed deeply and started to straighten up the vanity table, putting away the hair brush and unused clips. She sat down on the Lady's stool and suddenly started to cry as an outpouring of emotion took hold of her. Her feelings this evening had run the gambit. First shock and confusion, then arousal and anger in the Prince's chambers, then feelings of relief, understanding, loss and finally happiness. She had never had such an emotional day in all her 118 years. She gave herself a few moments to regain her composure and then stood up and pushed the stool in under the table.

She decided that first she would take a few moments outside in the fresh air and then after, she would go to the kitchen. Though she was not officially required to be there, she wished to help out her dear Meena and to be in the warmth of the familiar surroundings. She needed to be with her friends, Adriel and Selihl, Gillel's son. Hopefully they could help her sort all of these feelings out.

Linnah brushed the drying tears from her cheeks and looked into the Lady's mirror. Satisfied with her appearance, she quietly left the Lady's chambers.