Chapter 21

Gandalf sat in a chair opposite the corner that held Elizabeth's night stand. He watched her as she suffered through her difficult healing and thought about her.

She was 8 in human years and yet, she was so resilient to the evil of the Ring. She could hear the voices, feel the power surging through the small ring and still she hadn't fallen to it. Such innocence had saved her, but would it save her in the end? Would she, could she survive the final battle of Middle Earth? Or would she have to once again stay with the women and children?

She had survived the battle of Helm's Deep. If she hadn't been pushed off the ledge, she would have been perfectly healthy. She had fought well—and saved Haldir. Gandalf sighed. If only there was a way to keep Elizabeth safe and allow her to utilize her strengths at the same time. Why couldn't he think of a way to do that?

Elizabeth moaned in her sleep and furrowed her brow. Gandalf's face softened at her sound. She was so innocent and naïve, how could they use that to their advantage? How could Elizabeth save herself with nothing save battle talents and innocence? She was eight, for the Valar's sake, how could she emotionally handle battle?

And that strange mark on her forehead, what was it for? A crescent moon practically encompassing a star. What did it mean? Gandalf furrowed his brow and stared at the mark on Elizabeth's forehead. The Valar themselves had marked her, but for what purpose?

Elizabeth moaned.

"Mommy…" she murmured softly in her sleep. Gandalf was brought out of his thoughts and watched his little friend. He stood from his seat and walked to the end of the bed frame.

Gandalf walked around the bed frame and pulled a chair right next to the edge of Elizabeth's bed.

"Elizabeth," Gandalf whispered. Elizabeth moaned once more and shook her head slightly.

"Elizabeth," Gandalf whispered once more. Elizabeth's eyes opened weakly and her face took on a look of innocent depression.

"Gandalf…" she whispered hoarsely. She looked as if she were about to cry.

"Shh…" Gandalf calmed. "It is all right, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth shook her head slightly. "Why didn't you say goodbye?"

Gandalf's smile faded away as he watched tears well up in Elizabeth's eyes.

"I am sorry, Elizabeth if you thought I was abandoning you." Gandalf answered softly. "Time was short and I had to find reinforcements for the Rohan."

Gandalf reached over to the nightstand and poured some water from the pitcher into a small cup. He helped Elizabeth sit up and handed her the cup.

"Is that why we won?" Elizabeth asked, her voice not as hoarse anymore thanks to the water.

Gandalf nodded, his smile returning. "Yes, Elizabeth, that is why we won."

Haldir stood with his back to the Golden Hall of Rohan. He leaned against a wooden, square pole, looking out into the starry, night sky.

She had risked her life for his. And she had come so close to death. Haldir sighed. So many thoughts ran through his mind that he could barely organize them.

"Something on your mind?" a voice asked from behind Haldir. Haldir turned his head in a relaxed fashion and glanced at the person behind him. Haldir returned his gaze to the sky.

"Nothing more than what is on yours." Haldir answered. "You of all people should know whom it is I am thinking of, Legolas. We are all thinking about the same person."

Legolas sighed and joined Haldir in watching the stars. "It is strange that after all that has happened, our thoughts rest not with the One Ring and what is to come, but a child."

"The heart is a powerful thing." Haldir replied. "When it becomes attached to a certain person or thing, we find ourselves thinking about that person or thing more and more."

Legolas gave a weak smile and covered his head with his hood. Haldir was right. It was easy to become attached to Elizabeth. Those who did were thinking of her safety and health at that very moment.

"How is she?" Haldir asked softly, breaking the silence.

"She lives." Legolas answered simply. He remained silent for a moment. "She awoke about ten minutes ago. Gandalf is with her now."

Haldir turned his intense eyes on Legolas. "I suppose she does not want to see anyone save Mithrandir."

"Maybe." Legolas agreed, keeping his eyes on the stars. "I heard her through the door. She was quite emotional."

Haldir kept his eyes on the Prince of Mirkwood for a bit longer, than returned his gaze to the stars.

"Will you go to her?" Legolas asked softly.

"When she wants to see me, she will say it." Haldir answered softly. "I do not want to interrupt her healing."

"Ah," Legolas said with a slight smile on his lips. "The infamous "if she wants to see me, so be it" excuse. Suit yourself. She will not be allowed to leave her room for a day at most. Do you believe you can resist for that long? I know I cannot."

Haldir rolled his eyes. "When she wants to see me, she will say it, Legolas. Being able to resist seeing Elizabeth is not a talent I would flaunt."

Legolas gave a single laugh. "You are always so serious Haldir. Loosen up."

"I do loosen up. I tickled Elizabeth the other day and believe me, I was not acting like myself." Haldir answered. He turned to reenter the Golden Hall. "I think it is time I allowed myself to rest."

Legolas shook his head as he watched Haldir's retreating back. As much as Haldir hated to admit it, he had a soft side that only showed when Elizabeth was around.

Elizabeth let out a shrill scream from her place on the bed. Gandalf looked up from his position. She was having another Dream. He sighed. Why did Elizabeth always have these terrible 'Seeing Dreams'?

Gandalf went to Elizabeth's side and held her hand in his own. Despite the fact that the Dreams scared her, he wanted her to get the full effect of them so that perhaps she would learn something to give them an advantage against Sauron.

After a few moments, Elizabeth calmed down, occasionally flinching. Her breathing was back to normal. Time to wake her.

"Elizabeth," Gandalf whispered. "Elizabeth, wake up."

Elizabeth turned her head the other way and continued sleeping. Gandalf exhaled loudly. Elizabeth always did this to him when he wanted her to wake up. She enjoyed her sleep, that was for sure.

"Elizabeth," Gandalf whispered again. This time the small child opened her eyes. It took her a moment to realize that it was Gandalf calling her back to reality.

"Gandalf," Elizabeth whispered hoarsely. Her eyes were barely open; she looked weak.

"You had a Dream, my dear." Gandalf acknowledged. "Could you tell me what you saw?"

"Why didn't you say goodbye?" Elizabeth asked, ignoring Gandalf's question. Tears formed at her eyes and her already weak-looking eyes looked even weaker.

Gandalf didn't answer at first. One thing he knew, was that he'd already answered this question.How could Elizabeth not remember asking him before? Nevertheless, to keep her calm, he would answer.He just looked at Elizabeth with pity and sorrow in his eyes.

"There was not time enough for goodbyes." He answered slowly. "I had to find Eomer and his Rohirrim soldiers."

"Saying 'goodbye' only takes one second." Elizabeth said, pouting slightly.

"I promise I will always say goodbye before I leave you like that." Gandalf said. "But you must tell me what you saw."

Elizabeth looked into Gandalf's eyes quietly, not saying a word, nor making a sound.

"I saw Frodo. And Sam, too." Elizabeth began. "They were following Gollum."

Gandalf's worried expression became even more worried, if possible. Gollum. The strange, evil creature that was obsessed with the Ring. Something was wrong with that picture.

"What else did you see, Elizabeth? Tell me everything." He ordered softly.

"Frodo was awake. He was guarding the Ring. Sam was sleeping. Gollum came to them and told them it was time to go. The ground shook with Mordor's evil. Gollum is leading them to danger."

"Well of course, he is, Mordor is very dangerous." Gandalf said in an effort to ease Elizabeth's fears.

"The road Gollum is taking is to Mordor, but not the one you are thinking of. He is taking them to another danger, one that he hopes will destroy Frodo and Sam for him so he can take the Ring." Elizabeth said.

"Morgul Vale," Gandalf whispered. He looked straight into Elizabeth's eyes. "Are you sure this is what you saw?"

Elizabeth nodded silently. "What's Morgul Vale?"

"Nothing, child, rest now." Gandalf said. He moved to get up and leave.

"Gandalf, wait," Elizabeth pleaded softly. Gandalf turned around and looked at Elizabeth with a slight questioning look. "Tell them they can see me if they want to."

Gandalf watched Elizabeth for a moment before exiting the room. He smiled and nodded. Once outside, he remembered he needed to ask Elizabeth one more thing. He reentered the room.

"Elizabeth? One more thing." Gandalf said. Elizabeth looked up at him. It was her turn to have a questioning look. "Would you like to come with me to Isengard?"

Elizabeth smiled softly and nodded.

"Good."

That said, Gandalf exited Elizabeth's room. He walked into the main room of the Golden Hall and saw Legolas standing up staring at the ground. Haldir stood next to Legolas, his golden armor cleaned and shined. Gimli sat eating stew and the hobbits were no where to be seen. Aragorn was sharpening his knife with Eomer and several other soldiers.

Gandalf looked Haldir straight in the eye and told him with his eyes that he had something to say.

"She is ready to see anyone if you will see her." Gandalf announced.

Haldir immediately left his sword, daggers and helmet on the table next to Legolas and headed in the direction that Gandalf had come from. He was eager to see Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had her head turned away from Haldir when he entered her room. She turned her head towards the doorway and glanced at Haldir. She gave a weak smile and then returned her gaze in the opposite direction.

Haldir walked over to the side of her bed and pulled up a chair to sit on. He watched Elizabeth's features silently. The little girl with long blonde hair had wormed her way into his heart. Her hair was fixed in elvish fashion. The way Lord Elrond and Prince Legolas usually wore their hair. Haldir wore his hair in that fashion also, but his braid was not as intricate as Legolas' was.

"So he told you." Elizabeth murmured.

"Yes, he told us." Haldir replied. There was an awkward silence in the room. Haldir didn't really know what to say.

"I fell."

Haldir frowned and looked up from the feet he'd been staring at.

"I beg your pardon?" Haldir said.

"I fell. I failed. I could have died."

"That does not matter, Elizabeth. The point is, you survived." Haldir answered.

"You're not mad at me for messing up?" Elizabeth asked timidly.

Haldir drew Elizabeth into a warm, tight hug. "Of course not. I could never be angry with you over a simple mistake. I could scold you, but I would not be angry. Besides, you saved my life and for that, I owe you everything."

Elizabeth withdrew herself from the embrace and looked Haldir over. She had forgotten about that. She remembered the Uruk-hai stabbing Haldir in the side and then in the back. It had been terrible.

"You would have saved my life." Elizabeth answered simply. "Wouldn't you?"

"Anyone who wanted to kill you would have to get through me first." Haldir answered bravely.

"And no one can get through Haldir." Elizabeth said. "Unless they cheat. And cheating is not allowed."

"You could not be more correct." Haldir said. "Now I suppose you need your rest, but I will send some food in on one condition."

"What?"

"If anyone asks, Gimli sent the food." Haldir answered with a mischievous smile.

Elizabeth nodded vigorously and smiled. Haldir patted Elizabeth on the shoulder and stood to exit.

"Haldir?"

Haldir stopped and turned around. Elizabeth was looking at him as a sister would an older brother. He smiled. She was so strong in some ways but so weak in other ways. Her innocence had survived the battle of Helm's Deep.

"Are you coming with us to Isengar?" Elizabeth asked.

Haldir's smile widened. "Isengard, Elizabeth. And yes. I would not miss the downfall of Saruman for anything else in the world."

"What about me? Would you miss it for me?" Elizabeth asked.

"It would depend upon what the circumstances were. If you had been injured seriously, I would miss it. But if you were well enough, I would go with Gandalf." Haldir said. "Now enough talk about 'what if' situations. You must rest."

"When are we going?" Elizabeth asked.

"Soon." Haldir said, looking at the sky through a window. "It is getting dark. You must rest. It is a long journey to Isengard."

Elizabeth nodded slowly and lay her head back on her pillow. Falling asleep was easy. It was waiting for tomorrow to come that was the hard part. Before she knew it, she was sound asleep. Haldir had left the room long ago. A firm knock on her door caused Elizabeth's eyes to come wide open.

"I have some food for you, miss." A servant said.

"Ok." Elizabeth said. The servant was hesitant.

"Shall I bring it in?"

"Ya."

The servant entered hesitantly and Elizabeth saw it was a girl her age. Elizabeth smiled.

"Thanks. What's your name?"

"Ana, miss." The girl answered. "Now if you would excuse me, miss, I have my chores to attend to."

"But—"

"I apologize, miss, but I cannot stay." The girl said quickly. She practically ran out of the room. Elizabeth frowned.

"I only wanted to play," Elizabeth murmured even though no one was there to hear her. She looked out the window. It was still dark.

A sigh escaped Elizabeth's lips. Time for more sleep.

((Wow, I thought I was ahead in my writing. Turns out, I need to get ahead again. Thanks for the people who took time to review. I hope I can finish another chapter with this next week of vacation. Perhaps I can finish three chapters. Who knows? But I still have my other fic to work on. So maybe a chapter for each fic and than I'll see how much time I have left. Thanks and Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!))