Disclaimer:

I own nothing, everything belongs to mister Tolkien, who has created the wonderful fantasy story 'The Lord of the Rings'.

Chapter 14: Missing…

The next morning Elanor woke up pretty early. And she woke up in a good mood, which was a change from the last few weeks. Cheerfully she jumped out of her bed and headed to the bath that had been made ready by one of the servants. Quickly she bathed and not long after that she opened the door that leaded to the corridor, ready for another day. She was looking forward to it, but dreading it as well.

As she stepped into the corridor Pippin' door opened as well revealing the Took. "Good morning, Uncle Pippin," Elanor said cheerfully. "Morning, lass!" Pippin said with a smile. "Did you sleep well?" Elanor asked which Pippin answered with a nod, "And I see you did as well." This made Elanor grin.

Breakfast was served in a room near the kitchen: Elanor had her duties to attend to in a moment and Pippin had council with the King. They received word while they were eating that the royal family was sorry that they could not have breakfast with them, but the two hobbits did not really mind. Elanor was asking Pippin lots of questions again and there was so much to talk about.

"But when did you arrive here?" Elanor asked before she popped some bread into her mouth. "Uh, A week ago," Pippin said, then he drank some water out of his goblet. "What?" Elanor said, quickly swallowing the bread, "Then why didn't I know this?" – "Because Strider wanted it to be a surprise," Pippin answered simply, yet Elanor could see in his eyes that there was more to the tale then Pippin told her. "And?" Elanor asked. "There is nothing more," Pippin, answered her.

"Sure," Elanor said, then while chatting about other things they finished breakfast, "Well I'll see you this evening," Pippin said as he turned left in the corridor. Elanor turned right and waved to him before she walked away, "Alright, good luck!" Now Elanor really was curious. What was going on?

That day she spend most of the time with Eldarion, who was just as secretive as Pippin had been. Normally she would help Arwen out with things, but this day the nurses had been given time off (Which they normally did not have) so now Elanor had the task of watching Eldarion. It is not that she does not like it, but normally she did other things. She was sitting in the prince room watching him playing with some wooden blocks. He was making a very big tower.

"Looks!" Eldarion said. Elanor had been staring into the fire that burned brightly in the fire place thinking about home. The hobbit lass turned around and looked to the prince who was dancing around a tower that was bigger then himself. "Good job, Eldarion!" just then the prince accidently bumped against it and the entire tower crumlbed back to being blocks. The corners of the prince mouth went downwards and tears came to his eyes.

Quickly Elanor got up and walked over to the boy, "Don't worry, dear, we can build it up again." – "I want to show to ada," the prince said, looking to his feet. Elanor wrapped an arm around the little boy, "That we will do, now will you help me with building a new one?" Soon the boy was smiling again. They both sat down and built a new, even higher tower.

And so the morning and afternoon went building towers and telling stories. For Eldarion loved to hear about hobbits. Which seemed strange to Elanor, he was a human boy after all. But still she enjoyed telling them and Eldarion was a good listener.

Later that afternoon Pippin came to visit them. Eldarion, who had seem Pippin in the week that he had spend in Minas Tirith secretly grinned to the hobbit and said, "Pip!" Elanor laughed and so did Pippin, "Good, you already know my name," the hobbit said before turning to Elanor, "I am here to relief you of your duty," Elanor grinned, "And to send you to your room, for there is a surprise there." The grin faded away on Elanor' face and was replaced by a look of curiousity.

"What surprise?" she asked eying Pippin. "Can't tell, for then it would not be a surprise anymore. Ow and you have to use it on the right occasion, alright?" Elanor turned to the door, "Sure, see you with dinner then." She stepped through the door and before she closed it Pippin said, "Oh and it's not my surprise but Arwen' surprise." – "Alright, Uncle Pippin," Elanor said laughing. Then she closed the door behind her and hurried over to her room.

Carefully she opened the door to her room and as she peeked in she noticed that there was nobody else inside. Hurrieldy she stepped in and leaned against the closed door behind her. Her mouth fell open when she saw what was lying on the bed.

It was the most beautiful dress that Elanor had ever seen. It had the same shape as any hobbit dress would have but this one was made out of silk. White silk and on the bodice there were lots of little beads that made a print of beautiful flowers. The beads were yellow and some flowers were also seen on the rest of the dress. A huge smile appeared on Elanor' face as she gently touched the fabric, it was so soft.

"Do you like it?" Elanor had not even notice the elven Queen stepping into her room, with a huge smile on her face she turned around, "I love it! It's so simple… and yet so beautiful!" Arwen' laughter sounded like silver bells and Elanor laughed along, "I really love it, my Queen," and she made a small bow. Arwen smiled to her, "Well, you have to put it on, dinner will start in an hour, I trust that I will see you there?"

Three years had pass, three years without seeing his eldest daughter. Samwise Gamgee, Mayor of the Shire for his fourth term, was standing in front of the window of his bedroom, staring outside. It was cold, but luckily the winter would soon turn into spring.

"Sam-dad?" Goldilocks, his sixth child walked into the bedroom, "Mum called, we can eat, you coming?" Sam turned around to his beautiful daughter, unlike Elanor, she had light brown hair that now reached her shoulders, "Yes dear, I will be there in a moment." Goldilocks smiled and walked out of the bedroom again. Sam sighed deeply and turned to the window. "Three years…" he muttered before turning around and walking to the kitchen himself.

Indeed three years it had been. Fastred of Greenholm said in his little room, staring out one of the windows. He had re-read the last letters that Elanor had send him over and over again. It had been hard for him not to think about her; Especially the last few months. Something had happened, and he did not know when or how, but he missed her terribly.

It was such a strange idea. He barely knew her. Well he did, but not like a real life person. He had met her of course. But just twice, that was it. He had got to know her through the letters that she had sent. It was a strange way of getting to know one another and he wasn't sure if he really knew her. " Oh stop your musing," he muttered to himself as he looked away from the window. "You don't even know if she likes you," he thought.

The boy, pardon me, young man had never felt so unsure of himself in his entire life. Well perhaps when his father had died, but that was a different feeling. He still was the man of the family and had to take care of things, but… now he felt as though he could not live without the young girl… woman, anymore.

Always after he had send a letter he would wait for the mailman to return. It took a month, sometimes even two! All this time he would focus on either the fields, or chopping wood, or something else that would keep his mind of the Mayor eldest daughter. That was going to be a problem too, he was a simple lad, with not much money. And Elanor… she was the Mayor' daughter! The daughter of one of the travellers and the most beautiful girl that Fastred had ever seen.

She had something elvish, something that Fastred could not quite grasp. And yet that was so stupid to think. Another sigh escaped his lips. This was going to be a hard task, waiting for her next letter.

Elanor gulped, this was it. This was the last evening that she would spend in Gondor. It had been 2 weeks since she had seen her uncle Pippin for the first time. 2 Weeks since she knew that she was going home. And now, before the feast that the King and Queen had prepared for her leaving, she did not want to go!

A single tear rolled over her cheek as she stared out of the window of her room. This was not the time for tears, it was a time to have fun! Determent she whipped away the tear before walking to the door. Just as she was about to open it, it opened right before her revealing Pippin. "Ready dear? You look beautiful!" her uncle added when he had properly seen her.

Elanor grinned and twirled around, "Arwen' gift! It's beautiful! Don't you think?" Pippin smiled and offered his arm to her, "A beautiful dress for a beautiful lady!" Elanor took his offered arm and blushed slightly. Together they walked to the Great Hall of Feast. "I'm nervous," Elanor whispered in Pippin' ear as they walked over the courtyard. "Don't be, just have fun!"

With that the doors opened to the same large hall were Elanor had seen Pippin two weeks ago. It was crowded, again, but this time Elanor looked to the other people assembled. The head of the houses of Healing was there, he and Elanor had spent much time together. He had taught her several things about healing.

Bergil was there, standing next to his father Beregrond. And other people that Elanor had met through her stay in Gondor. At the end of the room the King and Queen stood with Eldarion. But not alone. King Éomer, his wife Lothíriel and their son Elfwine. Lady Éowyn and Prince Faramir. Elanor was surprised to see Éowyn there as well. She was pregnant and would deliver in a month or so. Yet again tears appeared in her eyes, but she laughed and spoke.

"Hello friends!" her greeting was returned with cheers and the grin on Elanor' face only widened. "Let us eat before we listen to our dear friend!" It was Strider who had spoken, "I know for a fact that hobbits speak easier when their stomach is filled." Elanor laughed and together with Pippin she followed the royal party to the table that was set ready. It was a round table. Elanor had never seen it before and eyed Strider curiously, "What's this?"

"Everybody is equal, so I like this table," The King said simply, but a light twinkled in his eyes. Elanor grinned. Finally everybody was seated. Aragorn, Arwen, Eldarion, Éowyn, Faramir, Éomer, Lothíriel, Bergil and his father Beregond. Pippin and Elanor joined them and soon dinner started. The cooks sure must have had a big task on this one. There was more then enough food (even for Pippin who was known to eat very much). And beer, whine and other drinks flowed freely.

Finally everybody had eaten enough. As Aragorn rose the entire hall fell silent. Elanor, who was sitting next to him looked to her hands before she looked up to the King to listen to his words. "My dear friends, we've all been assembled here to say goodbye and to thank our dear friend, Elanor, who has been here with us now for three years. She has seen our son as one of the first people in whole Middle Earth. She has been here for a long time, and become a part of our family."

"She has shown us, once again, that the Shire is a beautiful place with beautiful people and that it should be kept that way. She has shown us again that one has to cherish what he has. She…" At this the King turned his gaze to Elanor, "Will be missed." Elanor smiled sadly and before she could even stand up Arwen had risen.

"Elanor, dearest of friends," Elanor turned her gaze to Arwen who smiled softly to her, "I can only repeat the words of my husband, you will be missed. You will be remembered like your father and his friends. As a hobbit who helped me through some difficult times. Who was there for me and my family. You will be missed, Mellonamin." Yet again Elanor wanted to stand up, but Faramir was first.

He smiled to her before turning to the crowd, "Elanor," he said, "Well, here we are again, saying goodbye to one we all grown to love. One, forgive me for repeating your words my King, my Queen, but Miss Gamgee will be missed. And I think I said all what I wanted to say with those simple words. You will be missed," the last words he had spoken to Elanor who by now had tears in her eyes. All these high people, speaking like that about her.

Éomer, Éowyn and Lothíriel spoke as well, but seeing that these words were almost the same, I don't see the use of repeating them. It all came down to one point: she would be missed. With tears in her eyes she stood and looked around in the big room. "I…" she said hesitantly, "I'm honored and glad to hear those words, but I'm sad as well," now that she was talking, it was going easier, she dared to look around now, to look into the eyes of people.

"When I came here the first time, I was wounded. I missed the Shire because of this. But the people here welcomed me to their families and soon I felt at home. I have another little brother, like I did not have enough already," the people laughed and Elanor smiled, "I have friends here, but I have my friends in the Shire as well, and througout the years I began to miss them, more." She looked to the circle of new friends that were looking to them.

"I'm glad that I'm going back to the Shire, but I'm afraid to leave as well. Afraid to leave my new friends behind. I've seen things here that are unknown to hobbits, except for Master Pippin here and the other three travellers, and I'm happy because of that." Her smiled faded away slightly and tears came to her eyes, "I want to thank you, from the smallest nod to the biggest hug, Thank you for everything. I'm going to miss you." With a nod and a faint smile she sat down again, her smile widened slightly when she heard the applause that was given to her.

Oh she was going to miss them.

Dear readers,

Finally my update. I'm sorry that it took so long. I'm planning to update more often.

I love reviews... -Begs-

Greetzsjes

Maikie