Disclaimer: I will not receive anything in return for this work and I give all credit of Star Trek and Lord of the Rings to The Great Bird of the Galaxy and The Great Wizard of Middle Earth.

Author's Note: Sorry it's been a while since I've updated but I hope to get a couple chapters in before my little break this August for my wedding and honeymoon. I'd also like to thank Mystique for her kind words of support back in June. I just now saw her review on a certain mean and rude writer's story for being such a puerile dolt on his reviews of this story. You certainly made my day and got me laughing tonight.

Chapter Five: Discoveries

"I cannot believe you did that," Dr. Crusher said, astonished. "You know better than to experiment with telepathic humanoids without knowing the effects it can have on you."

"I did not expect that to happen, Beverly," Troi explained. "It was very… spur of the moment."

"It certainly sounds that way!" the doctor responded as she scanned one of the resting crash victims with her tricorder.

"It was so… different than anyone I've been with before," Troi contemplated aloud. "There is something to say about these elves here, Beverly."

"I'll take your word for it," Crusher answered with a small laugh as she went on to her next patient.

"The mental power and discipline these people have is amazing," Troi said with astonishment. "Those twins make quite the pair."

"You are hopeless," Crusher said shaking her head. "Now if we're done, I'm going to find Data. The injured are ready to be taken aboard the Enterprise. There's not enough room for all of us so we will have to make a few trips. I'm staying on the surface until our last few are ready to go and you can, too, if you would like."

"I'll stay here," Troi said as she started off toward a stairwell up into the trees. "I believe Data is with Will and the Ambassador up that way."

Crusher sighed and headed for the way Troi had pointed out.


"A mechanical man?" Galadriel said with some wonder though with a touch of apprehension. "Who could have thought of such a thing? If he were not of your people I certainly would have believed him a mechanization of the Dark Lord."

The Lady of the Wood stared at the open compartment in Data's chest in awe. Even though her people had warp capability and some computer technology, the fact that a sentient being could be made out of those same components was still strange and new.

"I wonder… could Man one day achieve such designs in our world?" Celeborn pondered as he too stared at Data then turned to Riker and Spock. "The Men of our world do not share the same advances as we have. We keep our ways secret from them as to not frighten or create controversy between our people. It is best to remain mysterious in such matters."

They were about to continue when Dr. Crusher entered the open parlor.

"Commander Riker, we're ready to start taking the injured to the Enterprise by shuttle," she informed them. "If Commander Data is able to assist in the transporting them by bringing a second shuttle after returning to the ship, we could get the injured aboard much more quickly."

"Good idea," Riker said. "I'll take the first few up with me and Data."

Dr. Crusher led the two men down to the healing area where the injured were kept and she went over the preparations with them. Soon enough they were gone with their first few patients to the Enterprise. Crusher had just settled on a nearby bench under one of the giant mallorn trees when she felt a presence watching her. She saw no one around her but got the strange instinct to look up.

Not far off above and to the right of her she caught her breath upon noticing a figure crouched on a branch, watching her. He was another elf dressed in dark browns and greens but had a strange likeness to the features of the Marchwarden who had led them to the elven city with his silvery hair and blue eyes. However, what had surprised her so much was that the elf's facial features had an uncanny resemblance to her long dead husband. Curiously he watched her but upon her discovery of him, he effortlessly dropped from the branches, landing a few feet from her. He approached her with a small smile across his face.

"I did not mean to spy on you, I was only interested in your work with the injured people," he said softly, his voice melodic that would go hand in hand with a great singing voice. "My name is Rúmil."

His body was not unlike Jack Crusher's either: lean in frame yet strong as well as tall. Crusher blushed instinctually at her thoughts about seeing her husband in the comely creature before her. She had done it many a time before but each person she thought reminded her of him was nothing like him once she drew closer. This time however they could have been the one and same person if not for the pointed ears and long hair.

"I am Dr. Crusher," she said with a hesitant smile, the blush still present on her cheeks.

He cocked his head to the side slightly at her response, "There was another name the other woman called you… Beverly, was it not?"

She felt a shudder run through her as he said her name. Rúmil sounded almost like Jack for a moment when he said her name. She realized though that he must have overheard her conversation with Troi. He certainly had been listening a long time, Crusher thought to herself.

"That is my given name, yes," she answered.

"It is very different than our names," he said then smiled wider. "I like the way it sounds though."

It was then that he moved closer and touched her hair lightly, letting his fingers trace along the strands. She held her breath as he came incredibly near to her unexpectedly while being unsure still of the illusion her mind kept playing that her husband was in this elf.

"Do many of your people have this color of hair?" he asked, looking down into her eyes. "It is considered rare among us to have this red tone."

"It is not common but not unusual," she nearly whispered but decided not to get into the discussion of what it means to dye one's hair. Plus, she was very distracted at the moment.

It was when she lowered her gaze and took a shuddery breath that he took notice of her uneasiness.

"Am I disturbing you?" he asked her cautiously but also concerned at her reactions.

"No, it is just…." she trailed off as she raised her eyes to look at him again. "You look like someone I know."

"Who might that be?" he asked curiously.

"My husband," she said quietly.

"We should meet," Rúmil suggested suddenly and gladly. "It is a strange thing to come upon one's twin even when he is from another world."

"That is not possible," Beverly said, stepping away and turning her back as she felt her uneasy emotions driving up within her again. "He died many years ago."

"I apologize," Rúmil said, drawing near to her again, placing comforting hands on her shoulders. "I did not mean to bring back difficult memories."

"It is all right," she said, turning to him and tracing his jaw line with her fingers. "I grieved for him long ago but it is strange to think see his face in another."

"I understand," he nodded. "I will go now to leave you to your work."

"Wait," Crusher said as he started to go and she grabbed his arm. "Could I ask a favor of you, Rúmil?"

"What may I do to help you?" he asked, a piqued eyebrow rising in curiosity.

"May I have one kiss? Just so I can remember once more how it was with my husband," she whispered.

Rúmil's eyes widened for a moment at the request but quickly softened.

"I would grant you that wish gladly and if you would permit me," he started then raised his hand to her face but did not touch her skin. "Some of my people have the ability to see things. I have a gift like this; though, not as strong as the Lady of the Wood. I can see that of what your husband had with you so that I may make you happier to feel you are in his presence again. I am only able to do this when my companion is willing and leaves the mind open."

Crusher wondered at his willingness to help her and then nodded slowly. Rúmil let his fingers grace her cheek as he sought in her mind what would help him fulfill her request. She was about to ask him if he was able to find what he needed when Rúmil stepped closer to her, his presence strong and inescapable.

Rúmil's fingers traced down her neck, finding a sensitive place at the nape of her neck that only Jack knew of. She took a sharp breath as his eyes drew hers up to his face. She found him leaning closer and she stayed still as he met her lips. A tumultuous wave of emotions invaded her mind as memories flooded into her mind at the strange yet familiar way Jack had once touched her. Rúmil lingered a moment, drawing upon her slowly so that she may savor this moment in her mind for the rest of her life.

They pulled apart after what seemed like forever, leaning their foreheads against each other.

"Beverly," he whispered chillingly almost exactly as Jack Crusher's voice.

"I miss you, Jack," she whispered.

He was about to speak when something caught his attention. Rúmil peeked around the tree they were standing behind then looked back at her.

"One of your people is nearby," he informed her. "He appears to be looking for you."

Crushed sighed softly at feeling the strange presence of her dead husband with her. Though, now she felt as if she had lost him all over again.

"Thank you," she told him.

"I am glad to be of service," he smiled understandingly.

Crusher hesitantly went around the tree, taking one last look at him before turning her back. She approached the small clearing and found Data standing around.

"Doctor, I came to get your approval to take the next group of passengers aboard the Enterprise," he said.

"You do not need to get my permission or check in with me, Data," Crusher informed him, her face still rather flushed from her encounter. "Just come find me when it is time for the rest of us to go."

"Yes, Doctor," the android replied then glanced at her slightly concerned. "Are you well?"

"Yes, why?" she asked.

"Your skin is very red and you appear to be breathing heavily," he stated his observations. "I do not believe the temperature to be uncommonly warm for humans so I must deduce that you may be ill yourself."

"That is kind of you, Data, but no I am fine," she said.

"As you wish, Doctor," Data said as he turned on his heel and headed back to the shuttle.