She Was So Normal

Author's note: I do not own LotR. Or anything else referenced. I do own the Golden Acorn though. That is my tavern! Mine! Just one more thing – There's a lot of random elf characters in this scene whom I named using an elven name generator, and I forgot to copy down what they mean… so sorry about that, if you're curious. You'll have to look it up on your own with an online Sindarin dictionary.

She had returned to her little guest house late in the afternoon after she began to feel a headache coming on. She had gotten so far as to get back to the house and get a cup of strong tea made before she fell asleep on the couch in front of the fire. By the time Haldir had returned, the tea was over brewed and cold and the fire had burned quite low. He threw on a couple smaller pieces of wood and cleared away the cold tea. He looked at the sleeping Renee and wondered if he should carry her to bed. She seemed rather content where she was, and in the end he just covered her with a thin blanket.

He went outside and breathed in the dusky air. He wondered how things fared at the northern border and wished he was there to help, but frankly, with how few of them spoke the common tongue, it was no wonder he was called to act as her escort. He wished his wife spoke her language. He was certain she would like this human woman. If nothing else, she would know how to put her at ease. Elwen could put anyone at ease. She always knew just the right thing to do or say to make everyone feel welcome. He tried, but he was out of his element. At least he had been able to see Elwen that afternoon and discuss things with her. She had given him some ideas on how to make her feel more welcome and at her ease, but he still wished she was the one doing these things and not him.

He heard her stir within and waited a moment so she could waken fully and collect her thoughts. He saw her sit up and rub and her forehead and decided to go in. "Good evening," he said. She only waved in return. "Are you unwell?"

"No, I'm fine. It's just a headache. You wouldn't happen to have aspirin, would you?" she asked, doubting very much he did.

"I'm afraid I do not know much about medicines. Would you like to go see the healer, or have me fetch him here for you?" He offered.

She thought it over for a moment. Her nap hadn't done anything to abate it after all, and her head felt like it was going to split. "Can you bring him here, please? I don't think I could bring myself to walk over." She wasn't sure if he could do anything, but her headache was too bad to do nothing.

"Yes, I shall bring him here immediately," Haldir answered. He headed out and found a runner and told him to fetch Aranor to the cottage immediately. He went back inside and sat down beside her. She was clearly in pain and discomfort. "Can I get you anything while we wait for Aranor?"

"Water, please," she said quietly, all the while keeping her head downcast and rubbing her forehead.

Quickly, he jumped up off the couch and fetched her a glass and set it down on the table before her. He then drew a pitcher for her and set it down before her as well. She sipped on it slowly, as if any movement of her face caused her pain. This was very distressing to watch. "Can I fetch you anything else?"

"No," she muttered.

Haldir sat down in the arm chair and kept watch on her. After a couple minutes, he saw Aranor walk up with a bag slung over his shoulder. Haldir let him in and took him to Renee. Aranor sat down beside her, placing his bag on the table.

"What is wrong, Renee?"

She slowly answered, "I have a terrible headache. I get them every so often."

"What do you usually do for it?" Aranor asked.

"I'll take medicine to help the pain," she answered.

"Where precisely does it hurt?" He asked.

She pointed to her brow just above her right eye and said, "It's the worst here and right here," she said pointing to a spot on the base of her skull.

He gently felt along her brow with his fingertips and then seemed to trace something of a line to the back of her head. "Does it hurt when I do this?" he asked, applying a little pressure to the sore spot on the back of her head.

"No, actually, that makes it feel better," she answered.

"How about this?" he asked, doing the same to her brow.

She winced and sucked in sharply between her clenched teeth.

"I want you to relax," Aranor said as he began rubbing the sore spot on the back of her neck again with one hand while he rummaged in his bag with the other. He pulled out something in a small little silver colored jar and removed the lid. Inside Renee could see some yellow waxy looking substance that gave off a surprisingly floral odor. He put a fair amount of this stuff on his fingers and began to work it onto her sore spot and then rubbed a thin layer more all over the nape of her neck. "I want you to lay down now with your back flat on the seat." He said as he stood up. She obliged and he crouched down behind her head. Haldir watched on with great curiosity. Aranor began to probe the sore spot on her brow again with his fingers, but this time he worked his way across to the other brow and then down the sides of her nose and little bit out across her cheek bones. After a minute his fingers returned to either side of her nose and said, "You shall feel some pressure for a moment," then pressed down briefly rather hard on her face on the one side of her nose. He gently felt the area again, seemed satisfied with his work, then handed her a handkerchief and asked, "How do you feel?"

"I-I'm not sure," she said.

"Let me help you sit up," Aranor said as he gently helped her get upright.

"My word… my headache is gone! What did you-" she stopped short as just then it felt like her nose was about to become a faucet. She felt like she was wiping her nose for at least five minutes and then she felt like it was over and said, "Wow! I don't know what you did, but that was astounding. My head has never felt so clear. Thank you!"

"You are welcome. Now, when was the last time you ate?" he asked.

"Lunch. What time is it anyway?" she replied.

"Past time for you to have had supper," he answered. "Come, you too Haldir. There is a lovely place near here-"

"The Golden Acorn!" Haldir interjected.

"The very place!" Aranor said. "They shall be open still and have the best wine and roasted pheasant as any place I know. It will do you good Renee, to get some fresh air this evening and something to eat."

"Sounds good to me. But I didn't realize elves had restaurants," Renee said. "I mean a bakery sure, but-"

"What is this word 'restaurant'?" Haldir asked.

"A place that serves food and drinks," she answered.

"Oh, well this is also an inn that is frequented by those who travel to Caras Galadhon on business from elsewhere in the realm."

Renee nodded. "Is it far?"

"No, no. Not terribly far. An easy walk from here," Aranor said. "But it is cool this evening and you may wish to wear something warm."

"Right," Renee said, and headed into her room. She came out in the cloak and hood to find Aranor and Haldir cloaked themselves and waiting for her, chatting away in elvish. She stood quietly in the entry way to the little hallway, listening. Elvish had such a pleasing sound to her ears – like water bubbling over rocks or leaves dancing in a breeze.

They noticed her standing there after a moment and Aranor said, "Come, come now! We must get you some supper!"

She smiled and headed towards the door.

They were but a little ways from the cottage when Haldir said, "You had a strange look on your face when you stood in the hallway. What were you thinking about?"

"Oh, nothing much really. Just how much I enjoy the sound of elvish," she answered.

"We could teach you," Haldir said.

"Certainly," Aranor added. "We can start right now, if you'd like."

"Why not," she said grinning.

"Let us start with greetings – suilad!" Aranor said.

"Suilad," she repeated. "And that means 'greetings'?"

"Yes," he answered.

"So then what does mae govannen mean?" she asked.

Haldir answered, "That means 'well met'. And is the more- friendly way of saying it."

"No, I think the word you want is familiar," Aranor said. "As you would greet a friend. If you are meeting someone you do not know or who is above you, then you would say mae lovannen."

"Ooh!" she said, making a connection, "So you have formal and informal word forms."

"That is it! Formal and informal," Aranor answered. "I see we have a scholar on our hands, Haldir," Aranor said to his companion.

"I did study languages in college, though I admit I struggled with it," she said.

"Do not feel badly, we have been practicing the common tongue longer than you have been alive and we have not mastered it yet. If you do not master elvish in a day, we shall all understand. We are just pleased you wish to learn," Haldir said. "Had I known you wished to learn it, I would have started teaching you words right away."

The rest of the way to the Golden Acorn they taught her phrases she might practice once they arrived. Once they did arrive, Renee found herself standing in a building that seemed to spiral right up the side of the tree, each floor resting on a great branch. There were only five or so wide steps that divided each level from the next, and the rooms were fairly open to each other, so standing on any given floor gave you an easy view into the one below and above yours. There was also a staircase on the outside wall of each level that lead up the guest rooms, or so she guessed. Each floor, though large, only had between five and eight tables that sat between four and six people set in a semi-circle near the trunk of the tree, and it seemed that it was quite a busy night as the air was full of the sound of elvish voices talking and somewhere past her view there were instruments playing and people singing.

They weren't inside for a minute before an elf in what Renee soon realized was a uniform, came up to them and asked something to which Aranor answered and she hadn't been able to catch a word of it. The elf gave a slight bow and lead them onto the fourth level, which was past the one that had the elves playing and singing. As they walked along, Renee realized she was getting stares and a flurry of conversation following her. Haldir, who was walking beside her, noticed she was turning a bit pink. He leaned his head towards her as they walked and said quietly, "Word of your coming has spread, and they are surprised to see you here."

"They're not upset are they?" she asked in reply.

"No, no! Merely surprised," he answered.

She briefly mulled it over as they were shown their table and seated. It probably wasn't every day they saw a human around here. As long as nobody was bothered, she decided she didn't mind being the topic of their dinner conversations. Her attention was pulled back to the present when she realized the elf that had shown them to their table was asking her a question. Immediately she looked at Haldir.

"He asked if you want cider, mead, or wine – iofog, enn, egor gwîn?"

"Oh, um – Aníron iofog," she said carefully. "That was cider, right?" she asked, looking at Haldir and Aranor.

"Yes," Haldir answered.

"Good work," Aranor said.

The elf taking their orders seemed rather pleased with her efforts, and gave her a warm smile and nod before asking the others what they wanted. Renee watched him walk away and then looked around the room. Darting back and forth were a handful of servers, all wearing the same tailored outfit of a soft, pale grey tunic that reached mid-thigh with sleeves that had several inch long cuffs with tiny gold acorn buttons so no extra fabric was able to get into anyone's food, and a sleeveless green outer vest or robe (she wasn't sure what to call it) that reached down past the knees and only buttoned closed with gold acorn buttons from about mid sternum to what she figured was about the top of the hip, allowing for easy bending, crouching, and lifting – which was something she had found herself doing quite a bit when she had worked in a restaurant that one summer. She was impressed to see that even the pants and shoes were identical and wondered briefly whether or not she thought they had to pay for those outfits themselves. Her reveries were broken by Aranor.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention," she answered. "What do I think about what?"

"Today they have venison stew, fish, and roast pheasant," Aranor repeated.

"Hmm, I have no idea. I do love a good venison stew, but I also love fish – and I've never had pheasant, but you seem to like it so much I think I ought to try it," she said.

"It is a difficult choice," Aranor conceded. "What if I get the pheasant, and you can have some of mine and get what you like?"

"I shall make it even easier for you," Haldir said. "I shall get whatever you do not and then you may have all three."

Her face broke into a grin. "Alright, sounds good!"

Their server returned a moment later with their drinks and then looked at Renee and very haltingly said, "What would you like, milady?"

Haldir leaned over and whispered what to say in her ear.

"Aníron lim, len hannon," she repeated to the server. He nodded and then carried on in elvish with Aranor and Haldir then hurried off to put in their order. After he left she turned to Haldir and Aranor and asked, "How is my pronunciation?"

"Very good," Haldir said.

"Indeed," Aranor said. "I am most impressed."

"Good," she said, with a satisfied grin. Just then a new song started that was a good deal more lively and several people got up and started dancing. Suddenly Renee understood why there were so few tables for so much floor space. The voice of the singer was carrying well through the room, and she noted a few elves were either singing quietly or humming along and she found she was following the tune fairly well. It seemed to be working up to a crescendo and the music cut out and everyone clapped clap, clap, clap-clap-clap! And the music resumed without missing a beat. It was obvious this was a well-known tune as half the people that clapped didn't even seem to be paying much attention. Even Aranor and Haldir had clapped while carrying on a conversation. She burst into laughter.

"What?" Haldir asked.

"I don't know!" she answered, smiling ear to ear. "This is just so much fun! And I love how everyone knew when to clap and half of everyone here wasn't even paying attention."

The elves grinned at each other. "It is a very old song," Haldir said. "We could all sing it in our sleep."

"What is the song about?" she asked, still listening to the song and tapping her foot.

"Hmm… I do not know if I can translate it," Haldir said.

Aranor thought for a moment than said, "I do not think I can render into this tongue very well, but it is about a blacksmith who is asked to make an unbeatable sword by a warrior, but the warrior does not realize the blacksmith does not know how to make swords and leaves before the smith can tell him. So the blacksmith works for a day and a night on the sword, making it very long and very heavy in the process. When the warrior returns, the smith tries to explain that he did his best, but the warrior is proud and impatient and demands the sword, so the smith takes the warrior into his shop and shows him the sword which is almost as tall as the warrior and very heavy. The smith demands payment and warrior is angry because the sword is too big and heavy and threatens the smith who in turn challenges the warrior to a duel and says if the warrior can defeat the blacksmith using the large sword, then he will give it to him for free. The smith drags the sword out into the street and sticks it into the ground. The warrior attacks and the blacksmith dances around the sword, causing the warrior to strike the sword and not him. The warrior grows tired and sore and breaks his old sword on the smith's giant one and realizes what a fool he was and pays the smith."

Just then the whole tavern clapped again in the same clap, clap, clap-clap-clap and Renee smiled even wider and asked, "So what part of the song are they at now?"

"This time it is the warrior striking the sword. Last time it was the blacksmith hammering on the sword," Aranor answered.

Their server came back just then and laid out bread, butter, and honey and a platter of cheeses then left only to return a moment later with their supper. Everything was laid out very neatly and an extra bowl was brought for Renee. The server and Aranor exchanged a few words and then he bowed and left. Renee looked at the beautiful fish on her plate. She figured it was a river trout, at least that's how it looked to her, and the smell wafting up from it- butter, parsley, dill, and a bouquet of other herbs – she could hardly wait to dig into it! Reflexively she reached for a fork but her hand landed on nothing, causing her to stop and take a closer look at the place settings. The fork and knife were laid across the top of the plate, cup to her right, napkin to her left. With a sigh of relief she picked up the fork and knife.

"Anything wrong?" Aranor asked.

She laughed rather shamefacedly, "No, I just had a moment of mild panic, is all. I wasn't paying attention when I reached for my fork and it wasn't where I thought it should be. For a split second I thought I would have to eat with my fingers and was trying to remember what the rules of etiquette are for eating with one's fingers. But I found it! No worries."

"There are some things we eat with our fingers, but this is not the fare for it," Aranor said. "But enough talk! You need to eat! You are still too thin and pale for my comfort."

Renee forced a frown and said, "You sound like my mother." Then broke out into a grin and cut into her fish and took a bite. It nearly melted in her mouth and somehow managed to taste even better than it smelled. A mild smoky flavor underscoring a perfect harmony of fish and herbs, carried along on the delicate flavor of melted butter danced across her taste buds and sent her into the foodie stratosphere. "Marvelous! Absolutely magnificent!" she said at last. "I don't think I have ever had such a delicious and perfectly done fish."

"We shall pass along your compliments to the cook," Haldir said. "Are you ready to try something else, or shall we leave you to your trout?"

She took another bite then said, "I don't know. If the venison stew and pheasant are as good as the fish – I might just die of happiness."

Haldir and Aranor laughed. "I for one shall not see our plans go to waste. Here," Haldir said as he spooned some of his stew into the extra bowl. "And may happiness spare you long enough for dessert."

They all three laughed. "Do not worry," Aranor said, "I have brought others back from the point of dying. Have some pheasant. It is particularly good this evening." Deftly he cut a piece off the breast and placed it on her plate.

Thanking them both, she grabbed her spoon and tried the stew first. "Oh wow. That is lovely. Not gamey at all. My word that's nice! And the broth!"

"I do not think we should tell Erynion all her praises. He shall be insufferable for weeks if we do." Haldir said to Aranor, who proceeded to chuckle.

"I agree whole heartedly!" Aranor replied.

Just then their server reappeared. "Are you in want of anything?"

"More to drink for all of us, please," Aranor answered.

"How does the lady like her supper?" he asked.

"Exceedingly! I am surprised her praises did not carry all the way to the kitchens," Aranor replied.

"I am glad to hear it."

"But whatever you do Nemirdir, do not tell Erynion!" Haldir interjected.

"Indeed not! I would not dream of it!" the server Nemirdir replied with the barest hint of an impish look on his face. "I would not say this if we were not such friends, but he has been insufferable all evening! A party was in here earlier and sang his praises to the tree tops and he's been acting like the high king of Noldorian kitchens since. I cannot say that he did not deserve the praises though. He has been masterful tonight." He half turned to leave then paused and added, "I shall tell him before I leave. Let Gladhrien deal with his singing all night."

Nemirdir walked away, as Aranor and Haldir burst into laughter, much to the bemusement of Renee. "I didn't realize the dessert menu was so funny?" she ventured the question as a comment.

"Indeed, we forgot to ask," Haldir said, laughter still ringing in his voice. "Nay, it was merely a jest between friends. Aranor and I are friends with Nemirdir who is attending us this evening. And we passed along your compliments."

Aranor quickly began sipping his wine before he had a chance to betray Haldir, who was stifling his merriment rather admirably. The last thing either of them wanted was for Renee to think they were having a joke at her expense. Nemirdir returned just then with a wine bottle and jug of cider and set them both down on the table and asked, "Are you contemplating having dessert this evening?"

"Oh yes, if Erynion is doing so well tonight I would not pass up his cakes for anything!" Aranor answered.

"I shall as well," Haldir chimed in. "Renee, do you think you shall want dessert?"

She eyed her almost empty plate and said, "Oh, I think I have room for a little something sweet."

There was a brief exchange between the elves then Aranor looked at Renee and said, "This evening they are serving cakes with a nut – what would you call it Haldir?" Haldir frowned and shook his head. "It is finely ground nuts made into a – I suppose you could call it a porridge?"

"Oh! Thick and sort of stiff, but still spreadable, right?" Renee said.

"Yes! What is the word for it?" Aranor asked.

"A paste, I think. Or maybe filling. Let's go with filling," Renee answered.

"Very well. It is a cake with a nut filling topped with dried fruits. There is also apple cake, fruit tart, and a–" he broke off into a brief discussion with Nemirdir which resulted in a fair amount of gesturing, which Renee hadn't really seen from the elves hitherto. Aranor turned back to her and said, "my apologies, I do not know very many terms for cooking. The last thing is a fruit pie but the top is made from the white part of eggs that is beaten until it foams and then it is heated briefly."

"Oh, that top part is called a meringue," she said. "I think I will try the apple cake. That sounds nice."

Aranor passed that along to Nemirdir who nodded and hurried off. For a few minutes they were quiet, nursing their drinks or having a few bites of bread or cheese while listening to the song that played. It was a soft and sweet tune that seemed to float upon the air and made ones thoughts drift to quiet and peaceful times. Renee's thoughts drifted in and out of memories and thought to say something to her dinner companions, but when she looked at them she saw a far-away look in their eyes and the kind of smile that speaks of the sort of good memories one keeps to oneself. She turned her gaze back towards the musicians she could just see on the lower level and smiled for her friends. Though she didn't have many memories like that of her own. The song ended on the sweetest note and Renee couldn't remember the last time she thought a song ended so perfectly. It didn't seem like an end at all, but more like the completion of a really good paragraph in a book. There is more before it and more after it, but in and of itself, it is a complete and satisfying thought. But more than that; far more personal but freely shared. Try though she might, Renee couldn't put into words what it was about that song.

"Do you know what that song is called?" Renee asked.

Haldir was still lost in his reverie and so Aranor answered quietly, "Benn a Bess. Or 'Husband and Wife'."

"Oh," she said quietly. "That makes sense. Are you married, Aranor?"

"Yes," he said with a smile. "Her name is Merilien."

"How long have you been married?" she asked.

He paused a moment to figure it out. "Two thousand four hundred and – twenty five years come spring."

"That's quite a long time," she said, trying to wrap her mind around the fact the elf in front of her was over two thousand and four hundred years old, but looked about her age.

"Perhaps to you," he said with a smile. "To put it in perhaps more human terms, I have been married two thirds of my life. So if I were 66 years old, I would have been married 44 years. Does that give you a little better perspective?"

"A little," she answered. That certainly gave her something to think about. "What about Haldir?" she asked.

Aranor gave his friend a gentle elbow to the ribs. "Our companion wishes to know if you are married."

He blinked and said, "My apologies, I was lost in my thoughts. Yes, I am married. Her name is Elwen."

"And how long have you two been married?" Renee asked.

"We were married as soon as we came of age, which was nearly three thousand years ago," he answered.

"That's sweet! You married your childhood sweet heart," Renee said. "I mean, you married the girl you loved since childhood."

He nodded. "I do not know how it is with men, but to do so is fairly common amongst the elves."

"I couldn't say how it is here, but back home it happens. Not all the time, but it happens," she replied.

Just then another lively tune started and many elves got up to dance. "Renee, would you like to join me?" Haldir said standing.

"Join you what? Dancing?" she asked.

"Of course," he answered.

"I have not done a lot of dancing back home, and I can promise you, I don't know any elvish dances," she replied.

"I shall teach you," he said.

"I don't know-" she started. Aranor looked at her and nodded his head towards the dancefloor. "Oh fine. But when I step on your feet and bump into everyone, you have to apologize for me."

Haldir laughed, "Very well, but I do not think you shall. Our reflexes are good enough, everyone should be able to avoid you."

She stood and headed towards the open floor. "Alright, what do I do?" she asked, looking around. This one looked somewhat like an English country dance, but without the need of everyone lining up. There were groups of twos and fours dancing together, and it seemed it was easily adaptable to any even numbered group of people, as long as there was room.

"Give me your hands," he said, facing her. "Now, hold your hands like this and do not keep too tight or loose a grip. Perfect, now –" he began giving her directions, which way to walk, how to turn, and so on. He found her a quick learner, but she did have some experience that she was finding very helpful along with his excellent leading. The song ended and everyone gave a round of applause. The musicians immediately began another lively tune. "Would you like to keep dancing?"

"Yes, I think I would," she said, smiling.

Haldir smiled. "Good! Now this one is a little different…" he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"May I have this dance?" Aranor asked.

"Be my guest," Haldir said, stepping aside and giving a bow. Aranor returned it and turned to Renee and gave a bow. Haldir leaned over and whispered in her ear, "You must curtsy in return." Then walked away.

Renee gave a curtsy then Aranor took her hands and they began. Aranor also proved to be a very good lead and gave her instructions as they went. This dance was a little more complicated and subtle in that it actually had a bit of footwork involved like funny little half steps to match syncopation and spins where he would spin her half way around and then back again. Every so often she would feel like he was carrying her through a couple measures but then she would catch up again and feel like she was actually dancing and not just walking through the song. The song ended and Aranor said, "Well done! A couple more songs and we may make a dancer out of you! Let us go back to our table. I saw our desserts served while we were dancing."

"That sounds good to me! And thank you," she said. "You know," she added as they sat down, "I cannot remember the last time I went dancing. It's been years!"

"That is a sorry thing to hear," Haldir said. "You are a fairly good dancer. Especially for dancing in a way you are not accustomed to."

"Well thank you, Haldir!" she said as she picked up her fork. In front of her was small individual cake as big around as a saucer with chunks of apple and pieces of walnut on the top drizzled with what appeared to be caramel. The cake was still a little warm as was the sauce. When she cut into it a curl of steam escaped and a thick, hot filling escaped that appeared to be finely chopped apple sauce. It proved to be chopped apples in melted butter and brown sugar.

"What do you think?" Aranor asked.

"This is good! This is very good! It's very rich and decadent!"

He smiled. "I am glad to hear it."

"So, not that I haven't enjoyed my evening, but won't your wives wonder where you are?" Renee asked.

"My wife is visiting her sister on the southern edge of Lothlórien," Aranor said. "And I do not expect her back for several months."

"Months?" Renee repeated, rather surprised.

"I think you are forgetting I am over three thousand years old," Aranor replied. "And though I do not wish to shock you, once we reach a certain point in our marriages, we begin to pursue our own interests and will often do things separately. It is of no worry to me that my wife wishes to be away and visiting her sister for several months, nor even if she did so for several years. We still love each other, and we shall dwell together again in time. What I think you are struggling to remember in your reckoning of things is that we simply have a lot of time to fill. The span of your days is less than a century. The span of mine is the life of Arda. Indeed, for as old as I may seem to you, I am not even old enough to grow a beard. I have a good seven thousand years before I could expect to do that."

She honestly didn't know which part of that surprised her most. She thoughtfully took another bite of the cake as she mulled it over then said, "I didn't know elves could grow beards."

"Most of us are not old enough," Haldir said.

"Cirdan the shipwright is rumored to have one," Aranor said. "I have heard that from some of our northern kindred when I met them in Imladris some years ago."

"He would be the only one old enough left in Arda, I suppose," Haldir commented.

"So what about your wife, Haldir?" Renee asked.

"I saw her today while you were visiting with Lothril and her companions. I have seen her more since I have been assigned to aid you than I would have if you had not come," he answered.

"Oh?"

"Indeed. I have been assigned to watching the border and we stay to watch for several weeks at a time. I was supposed to stay for another three weeks," he continued. "My house is not far from the cottage where you stay. But enough about us; what about yourself? Are you married? Betrothed?"

She took a sip of her cider then answered, "No, I am not married or betrothed."

"Anyone of interest?" Aranor asked.

She gave a sigh and shook her head. "No. Honestly, the last time I had anything resembling a date, er, anyone even a little interested, was eight years ago and we went to one dance and that was it."

They both looked a bit surprised and a little puzzled at this. "Why ever not?" Aranor asked.

She frowned, "I honestly don't know. I have had lots of guys, men I have been friends with over the years, but they never pursued me romantically."

"Did you pursue any of them?" Aranor asked.

"Well… no," she answered.

"I am not saying that you should have or not, but I do know that I would be unmarried still if my dear Merilien had waited for me to speak first. We had known each other since we were young and she knew that it was me she loved, but she waited for me to speak first. We were friends for nearly six hundred years before she finally gave up and told me she wished to marry me one day. We courted another three hundred years and might have married sooner, but war with Sauron was on the horizon and we did not wish to wed and be parted so soon, and it was understood that if war came upon us, I should go with the army to help heal the wounded, so we waited. As soon as he was defeated, however, I returned and we were betrothed and wed within a year and a day. But none of this would have come to pass if she had not spoken first," replied Aranor.

"But on the other hand," said Haldir, "There are times when one must simply wait for the right person. My father loved no one for many years until the day he met my mother and then they were betrothed within a year."

She considered what they said then asked, "How did you know, Haldir?"

He leaned back in his chair and swirled the wine in his cup a little as he thought about how to the answer. "I am not sure if my answer shall make much sense to you, but my – I do not know the word to use. Elwen and I knew before we had come of age that we were for each other. We spent our childhood together and decided before we were full grown that we would wed. As soon as we were of age we were betrothed then married and that is all. The sense of these things is, I think, stronger with elves than men. Some men seem to know instinctively whom they shall wed at first glance, but that does not seem to be the rule amongst men. It is amongst elves, but I think we know ourselves better by the time we are old enough to consider such things, and we are not so prone to –" he turned to Aranor and asked him something in elvish and a brief discussion ensued. Then Aranor spoke.

"We are not so bound by physical impulse. There is a rift it seems with mankind between that which their will desires and that which their flesh desires. Whether it be desire or age, it always seems like that which a man may desire or not desire to do is prohibited or driven by that which his flesh cannot do or wishes to do. Surely you have noticed this."

"Well," she began, trying to understand what he was driving at, "yes. Sometimes we want to do something but just can't and other times we're just driven by impulse that seems to have nothing to do with reason."

"Yes! You have worded it better than I, but I guess you may have experienced this? Either way, we have no such strife within ourselves. Therefore, I think when we make such choices as whom to love and marry, we are more certain and do not err as often because we are not divided so. Does that make sense?" Aranor said.

She thought it over a moment. "Yes, I suppose it does. You have given me a lot to think about."

Aranor and Haldir chuckled. "Indeed, I think we have. We have wandered into conversations best left to the wise and learned in lore, when we are but a humble soldier, a healer, and a – what do you do?" Haldir asked.

"I have a couple jobs. I teach my native language to people who do not speak it and I also help people decide how best to decorate their houses," she answered.

"So not a lore master," Haldir said with a smile. "We should leave such weighty matters behind and have another drink. Nemiridir!" He called, and the server promptly appeared at their table, "We need more wine, and bring some for the lady as well."

Nemirdir returned quickly with another bottle and a wine cup for Renee, which he poured for her. They talked and drank for a while more and about halfway through her wine Renee was reminded of her quick metabolism and set the cup down and said, "Now promise not to laugh, but my fingers feel tingly and I think if I drink any more I'll get a bit tipsy."

"After half a cup?" Haldir asked incredulously.

"I can't hold my liquor. I think the only reason I made it so far with the cider is because I was eating so much heavy food, but wine and dessert – I think it'll do me in if I keep drinking," she answered. "I once had a whole ounce of whisky in a very large cup of herbal tea with honey and I almost fell asleep from it before I could finish the cup."

Aranor leaned forward and studied her closely. "No wonder you got so thin. Here," he said, handing her the last of the bread and a wedge of cheese. "We shall depart and you should eat this on the way home."

They left and made her walk between them on the way home. All the way the elves sang and upon reaching the door of the cottage, Haldir went in first and tended the fire as Aranor prepared the kettle to make tea. It was fully night out now, the stars were shining bright above the trees and the little cottage was dark except for the fireplace and a pair of lanterns on the kitchen table.

"Before I send you to bed, I would have you drink some tea," Aranor said to Renee.

"As you wish," she replied. She wasn't sleepy yet anyway.

Haldir stoked the fire so it burned hot and bright and Aranor set on the kettle. In no time it was singing and the three of them were sharing a cup of tea and sitting quietly, making an occasional comment, their thoughts wandering where they would. After a while Haldir started singing and Renee began to feel drowsy and nodded off. Aranor carefully took her empty cup out of her hands and set it on the table then picked her up and carried her into her bedroom. He laid her down on the bed, took off her shoes, then covered her in her blankets and shut the door behind him as he left.

"If you wish to go home tonight Haldir, I shall stay. I have no pressing business elsewhere tonight or tomorrow and I know you and Elwen were contemplating having another elfling."

"We are, but we discussed it again this afternoon and agree we should wait to see how things go. With the Halfling here, we think it shall all be decided soon and then we shall see if we have another here beneath the mellyrn trees or perhaps in the Blessed Realm."

"So you would sail if things go ill?"

"I was born under the shadow of the first darkness and remember it well. I would not have another elfling spending what should be its first bright spring under a second shadow."

"Do you think the elven rings shall be able to heal the land of its hurts once the one is destroyed?"

Haldir shook his head. "No, but if the Halfling is successful, then I would have one more child be raised beneath the mellyrn ere we depart."

"I think you are right. And any elfling that is permitted to spend its first years beneath the mellyrn trees is most blessed. Regardless, do me one favor, friend," Aranor said.

"You know you have only to name it."

"Tell me ere you depart so I and my wife may sail with you. We are of the same mind as you, though we are satisfied with our two children so we shall have no more. We four have been friends for so long, I can think of no others I should want to first see our long home with than you and yours."

"Of course! And we shall be neighbors again!"

"Indeed!" Aranor said with a laugh. "We have been such long neighbors, I do not know if I could stand to have new ones."

A moment of silence fell between them then Haldir said, "It saddens me that Renee does not have someone waiting for her at home."

"It saddens me as well. What fools those men must be! She is fair and kind and a pleasure to be around. I wish my wife was not away, she would enjoy Renee's company. I would send for her, but she has not seen her sister in a long time."

"I have thought the same, but my wife does not speak the common tongue. I have thought about introducing them anyway and translating, but it is not easy work and such conversation is laborious."

"I had considered that as well, but perhaps helping you. Do you suppose if we could find someone well versed in ósanwe that it would not matter if they do not speak the same language?" Aranor asked.

Haldir considered this for a moment before answering, "I do not know. There are few who practice the art still, but even amongst those who do, I am not sure that any of them are good enough to be able to link two minds that are not skilled in it. I should think they would have to be as skilled as the Lady Galadriel."

"Do you suppose the lady Lothril could do it?" Aranor asked.

"Does she practice the art?" Haldir asked in reply.

"I suspect that she can. Her gaze reminds me greatly of the Lady Galadriel's, and I am very certain when I went to see her after she awoke, she and Prince Legolas were speaking thus. Have you seen her since she awoke?"

"Only from afar."

"Whatever happened to her, she awoke a new creature. I sense from her the same contained power I have felt from Mithrandir when he has visited, though she is still an elf maid. Whatever else may become of her, I think she shall prove mighty in deeds before it is done," Aranor said.

"And whatever else may happen, I believe she shall be the Princess of the Woodland realm ere long."

"You have sensed that also?" Aranor said with a grin.

"I think everyone has but themselves. At first I thought them perhaps betrothed already for as we went along, they seemed to me to be already attuned to each other, but then I asked her in Silvan how long they had been betrothed and when they were going to wed, but she replied she did not speak Silvan, only Sindarin and Legolas looked ill at ease at the query, so I apologized for the assumption in Sindarin and left it at that. Then as we rested in Cerith Amroth I heard two of the halflings talking and they were placing wagers on how long it would be until they finally declare their feelings and become betrothed. It seems they have not even come to an understanding yet."

"Nay, I think you are wrong. I think they have come to an understanding with each other, just not themselves. Once they settle that, they shall realize the arrangements they have been making with each other all along. I swear to you, Haldir, you have never seen an elf more devastated by a death than Legolas when he thought Lothril dead, and you have never seen such heights of joy upon her awakening. After you gave me the news and I went to see her, I should have thought the prince ready to take her that moment and fly away."

Haldir laughed quietly. "I believe it. But he seems to be a faithful and true friend and companion to the company, so if he does fly away with her, it shall be after they have trod the long road."

Aranor nodded. "I think you are right. He is a noble elf, like his grandfather, though more patient and I think more circumspect like his father. I think perhaps the prince is more wise than them both, for he seems to have learned from the mistakes of his forebears. If Thranduil ever quits his throne, I think Legolas would make for a good king."

"Perhaps." A strange look came into Haldir's eyes."It comes into my mind that he shall not sit upon the throne of Mirkwood, but he shall lead some of his people and seek to make more fair places in Middle-earth."

Aranor stared at his friend for a moment with a look akin to awe then shook his head slowly. "Haldir, your gift of foresight shows itself in the strangest ways. Why ever should you see his future?"

Haldir shrugged. "Why ever should I know it shall rain next Tuesday, and that your second child would be a son, and that rabbits would dig up your wife's carrots just before harvest last year?"

"Did I not tell you years ago to speak with the Lady and tell her of your gift? She might have helped you hone it and made you an advisor or something. You could be living high up in the trees in a great house with servants instead of next to me."

"You know I never wished that. I have too well enjoyed not being embroiled in the affairs of all elvendom. Besides, I think there are enough elves wiser than I who can see more useful things than I. I only ever see mundane things. If I ever see anything truly important, I shall make it known to the wise." Haldir fell silent. The moon was high now in the sky and the night was filled with the song of the wind in the mellyrn. "Well friend, I shall take you up on your offer and see my wife tonight. It has been many weeks since I have had the honor of sleeping beside her."

Aranor smiled and walked his friend to the door and bade him good night. With that he blew out the lanterns on the table and settled himself down quite comfortably on the couch and fell asleep.