A/N:
Okay, I'm happy now and I'm back from Europe. See, I'm updating before the 28th of July. I've been writing while I was on holiday. This was originally meant to contain one of the most dramatic parts in the story but I cut that part off. I'm saving it for the next chapter. The next chapter's the 10th chapter of this story! Yay! 10! Double digits! Thanks to all who have supported me so far! Oh, read the song, it makes sense.

-Eleniel Iluvtariel

Chapter 9- Child of the wilderness.

The spring air was crisp and light that evening and the sun was just sinking, giving way to the night. Somewhere, not far from the realm of the Lady Galadriel an elleth and a man were setting up camp. Silence surrounded them. They were surrounded by a grievous silence. The elleth was in her bedroll while the mortal tended to the boiling water.

"Estel" called the elleth, Aiyana. "Why has it not gone?" She asked in a weak voice. The mortal, Estel brought some of the boiling water to Aiyana.

"Hush, Aiyanan. You need rest." He said to her as she drank some of the warm liquid. "Elves do not fall ill, this you and I both know. But your case is different, please understand."

"How much longer do I have?" she questioned, handing her cup back to Estel. He became silent and looked to the sinking sun, sighing.

"The sun, like you Aiyana, has it's own eternal bloom. The sun rises each morning, bringing us light and hope. You have been the light for Ithilwen. The sun also sinks every evening, reminding us of sadness and dark. It only seems short but there is a long time between the sinking and the rising of the sun. Your time in middle earth is such; this is what your life had been, to me. Except that you will not return every morning as the sun does." Estel explained.

"Is it true, Estel that this happened when I was fading? Did this happen when I wanted to give up life, when I lost Nestarion?" she asked, now glassy-eyed. Oh what a lost love can do to the life on an elf.

"You were so fragile Aiayna, not only mentally but physically as well. This had always been with you though it did not have an effect then. It took it's started to affect you when you were weak. " Said Estel, glumly.

"You did not answer my first question, Estel."

"Aiyana, it is blood disease, an incurable one. It runs it's course through you and when your body cannot fight anymore, you don't."

"I am not afraid of dying, Estel. How much time do I have?" she persisted

"Not long, Aiayana. Lord Elrond last said that you had about six months." He answered gravely. "Three have passed."

"I know what I have to do with my remaining life."

----Back to Ithilwen, the real one…the one who's going to mirkwood.---

I rode on through the day and through the night. The thought of seeing my beloved made me feel like I was high in the clouds. 'We will meet again' he had said. Right he was; we were to meet soon. As far as location was concerned, I truthfully did not know where I was but the wood was denser and darker, somewhat like Legolas had described it when we were talking in the dining hall back in Lothlorien.

'I hope you are having a pleasant stay here, Prince Legolas.'

'Yes, I am, Lady Ithilwen. Lothlorien is beautiful and the air is lighter here than in Mirkwood. But the Mirkwood trees are more shady and darker in color.'

Oh, what I would do, just to hear his voice again.

The trees seemed to be singing…the music of so long ago was still clear in my mind; it was my birth mother's voice. Her voice in my head sang me to sleep every night after I had lost her. It was stronger just then because I was close to her grave. My father had asked my mother to marry him when they were riding to Mirkwood on one of their travels. My birth parents were buried where they were betrothed. The music grew stronger as I neared the grave; an invisible hand pulled me to it. The wind began to sing my mother's song…

Child of the wilderness
Born into emptiness
Learn to be lonely
Learn to find your way in darkness
Who will be there for you
Comfort and care for you
Learn to be lonely
Learn to be your one companion
Ever dreamed out in the world
There were arms to hold you?
You've always known
Your heart was on its own
So laugh in your loneliness
Child of the wilderness
Learn to be lonely
Learn how to love life that is lived alone
Learn to be lonely
Life can be lived
Life can be loved
Alone.

A lone tear slid down my face. "Naneth" I whispered, climbing off my mare and walking further until I came to a kind of tomb of white stone. Inside, there was a richly carved platform; I looked away from it, knowing what hay within. On the white walls inside the tomb were carved messages; messages from all the people that my parents had known. My message was there also, "This is the one word that I have always been afraid to say to you, Ada and Nana: Namarie." It was engraved on a white plaque that rested on a special place. Finally, I walked to the platform in the center.

I read the message engraved on it: "Here lie Lord Calanon and Lady Elanor, may she rest in peace." Odd, I never noticed that it only said, "May she rest in peace." Why not Ada? Why only Nana? "Why?" I asked aloud.

"You will know in time." Said my mother's voice.

"Please guide me, Nana, Ada," I said, weeping openly when I saw my mother's ghostly figure near me. "Too many years of just fighting back tears have gone by. I yearn for your guidance, for Ada's guidance."

"Hush Child! Learn to be your be your one companion. Learn how to love life that is lived alone." She sang.

"Why is Ada not here?" I asked. "I called for him also."

"Some secrets are best if not discovered." Said Nana, with a secretive smile.

"Nana! I do not like secrets. Tell me!" I protested.

"My dear child, the truth will reveal itself. It is for your own safety, my princess…my little princess. I see your appearance has changed according to the plan." She said, changing the topic.

"You know? How?"

"I have been watching." She smiled "Is it not a mother's work to watch over her child?"

"Nana?"

"Shhh. No more questions, child. Rest now. You have a very long day ahead tomorrow." She said and once again started singing me to sleep. I slept there, my head leaning on the white platform. A long night.

A/N:
What do you think? My two new fanfics will also be coming up soon. Look out for them. I haven't named them yet.

Shout outs:

PrincessofRain: Hi! Legolas isn't here yet. As I said, I've cut him off from this chapter and placed him in the next one. Look our for him then!

IwishChan: Yesss preciousss, Aragorn Rulz!

Lady Anck-su-namun More rain...oh yesss! wait for chapter 11!

Silverstreak Wolf: True, the lovebirds (Ithilwen and Legolas) are really meany to be! Luck them, they found love!

Pestiset: I'm not done with the crossover yet but I will have a PoTO fic coming up!

Krillball6: Hey, this is another short chapter. But I had only today to work on it. No, not all of today. Just two and a half hours.

Namarie all, until next time. Best wishes

-Eleniel Iluvtariel