For those who started this journey with me the first time, I really just added Faramir to the picture. Have fun!

It was night when she awoke. The bed felt wonderful around her aching body. She lay there for a moment studying and memorizing her room. There was a balcony with gossamer curtains softly flowing, pushed inward by the light breeze that came through. Clothes and a pitcher had been placed on a large chest at the end of the bed. A plate of food, a bottle, cup, napkin, knife and fork were all placed on a round table with a chair in the center of the room. She attacked the food ravenously. It had been at least a day since she had last eaten, even with the celebrations the night before.

She finished the food and went to the chest. She felt the pitcher and found that it was lukewarm. That means that it couldn't have been there long. Looking around the room again she found a long curtain and pulled it back. Behind it were a tub and a couple towels. She took up the pitcher and the clothes and went behind the curtain to bathe. Getting the grunge and dirt off felt wonderful to her for it had been on so long that it felt like it had become a part of her. After she had dried herself and braided her long blond hair, she pulled on the new clothes, which felt like silk against her skin, but was not.

The moon shone brightly and she went to the balcony to meet it. Resting her crossed arms on the stone railing she peered out across the vast expanse of the magnificent city and beyond to the high snow covered mountains. They looked so much like the ones from her home. She realized then that she was becoming homesick with each passing day. She found this ironic for she was in no hurry to return to the tragedies of her life.

The door opened and Eowyn came into the room. "How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"Beautiful isn't it."

"Very."

"Lord Aragorn wishes to see you now, if you are up to it."

"I am ready. Thank you for all of this."

"You are welcome. Follow me please."

She led Ilara back to the throne room and then past to the courtyard where three figures were seated around a white tree. Aragorn, Gandalf, Faramir, and Legolas sat talking in hushed voices that came to an abrupt halt as the women drew near. Eowyn gave Ilara a small squeeze on her shoulder before heading back inside, leaving the five alone.

"Please sit", said Gandalf motioning a vacant spot next to Legolas. She placed herself within the circle. For a time they sat in silence, each seemingly intrigued by their shoes. I hate these long silences, she thought. And then a moment later the silence was broken.

"We have been discussing the dilemma and have come to some conclusions" Gandalf began. "You told us that Sauron came from your world along with some of his creatures and we found, if they came from your world and have wreaked so much havoc, then what is to stop the creatures bent on conquest from coming again to our world once they have taken control of yours, and war beginning again."

The men exchanged glances of uncertainty. She knew what was going through their minds and was thankful that Gandalf had come right out and said it. The only thing now was their final answer on the matter. That was what they all seemed to dread.

"You are sure that when we come back that we will return the instant that we vanished and no time will have passed" Faramir asked. His eyes were so intense that they seemed to drill holes into hers. She remembered the first time she had tried to get through and suppressed a shudder. If they succeeded in this then the council would have enough power to send them back as if nothing ever happened. On the other hand, if they failed then the council would be destroyed, they would most certainly be destroyed, and the sickness of her lands would undoubtedly spread and infect their world in any case along with others.

"Yes" she decided, "It will be as if no time had passed."

"Then the four of us will volunteer to go with you on this mission" Aragorn said, standing. Gandalf, Faramir, and Legolas stood with him, determination on their faces. "Is there anything that we need to take?"

"All you really need are your weapons, some change of clothes, maybe some horses but if you would like to bring something else you are welcome to do so. Also, since I am only getting four warriors I will have to go somewhere else and find three more. That means that you will have to come with me wherever I go."

"And what place would that be?" asked Legolas.

Ilara thought for a moment. She had been able to find some places she could go, but she had hoped to find all seven here for it was the closest to her home and would make passing through the barrier much easier, expending less magic. But seeing as this would not be the case, she would have to bring them with her to find the final three. A thought struck her and she looked up from the ground that she had been staring at and her face was not so bleak.

"We shall go to the realm of Arthur. It is past your time, though not by much. He and his knights are fighting Woads and, they don't know it yet, but the Saxons soon after. I don't know if I could convince any to come but it is worth a try. They are the next closest to our realms and I cannot use up much of my magic or there may not be enough to get us all to my world."

"When do we leave?" asked Gandalf.

"Whenever you are ready. I have brought very little with me and do not need much time, so it all depends on you. We will need to leave the city for the transporting. It will be less conspicuous that way."

"We shall depart before dawn. How far do we need to go?" said Aragorn.

"To the middle of the plains at least."

"That will be fine. Now, we must prepare ourselves."

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