AUTHOR'S NOTE I think that "sorry for the delay" is just going to be a permanent fixture in my authors notes from now on, lol.

DISCLAIMER I don't own the characters that Tolkien made up. That's anyone who appears in the movies or books, folks.

December 21, Year 3019 of the Third Age

A soft tap on the door of the chamber that Legolas and I were staying in caught my attention. Slowly, I walked from Aara's bassinette to the door. I was surprised, to say the least, to see the Queen of Gondor in the hall.

"Good evening, Raélowen," she said kindly.

I bowed, wincing a little. "Good evening your Highness."

"May I come in?" Arwen asked. "There is something I wanted to discuss with you."

"Of course, my Lady." I led her to two chairs near Aara so that I could tend to her if need be. "Would you like anything?"

"No, please sit down. You are still weak."

Gratefully, I sat down facing her. "Thank you, my Lady."

Arwen smiled warmly. "I must say, this morning came as a shock," she remarked.

I cast an eye to where Aara was sleeping. "I know. It was a shock for us as well." I added in a whisper, "And not a welcome one."

Arwen gazed at me sadly. "The birth of a child should always be welcome. Do not despair over things you cannot control."

I did not know what to say to her. What she said was true, but I could not see it that way. The Evenstar, for all her grace, beauty, and wisdom, could not understand what I felt.

"I know that you cannot understand what has befallen your child," she said. "And neither do I. But there is one who will. One who I believe you can confide in."

I just looked at her. "Who could possibly understand?"

"The mother of my mother. She who cared for you and taught you about all things." The Queen stood up. "Your child is bound to live in Gondor, as decreed by the King, but I give you permission to take her and journey to the land of Lothlórien. Seek Lady Galadriel and she will answer your questions."

Galadriel, of course! I could not believe that I had not thought to seek her out at once. "Thank you, your Highness. I will leave as soon as I am able."

Arwen smiled. "I am glad. Now rest, for childbirth strains even the bodies of Elfkind."

I laughed ruefully. "Yes it does." I bowed my head. "Thank you."

Arwen opened the door. "You are welcome, Raélowen." Smiling once more, she softly closed the door. I stood to check on Aara once more, then gratefully fell asleep.

It took the better part of a year for me to recover enough to make the long journey to Lórien. Aara was then almost a year old and able to make the trip with me. As I packed for the journey, Legolas came to speak with me.

"Darling, there is something I must tell you."

I looked up from packing. "What is it?"

He bid me to sit next to him on our bed. "I cannot travel with you to Lórien," he said. Seeing my near protest, he put a finger to my lips and continued. "At least not right away. I have spoken with the King and he has agreed that together, you and I shall found a colony in Ithilien – a haven for those elves who do not yet wish to leave for the Sea." He closed his eyes a moment, his face betraying his deep longing for the Sea. It passed after a moment and he spoke again. "I must seek my father's permission for this and so I must travel to my home in Eryn Lasgalen. Once my business there is finished, I will join you in your fair land."

I nodded sadly. "Will you be long?"

"I do not know. My father may not like the idea of the Crown Prince of his Kingdom leaving to found his own colony, especially one in the realm of Men."

"Mmm." I nodded thoughtfully. "I cannot imagine that to be to his liking."

Legolas laughed. "I would rather seek your Lady Galadriel's council than explain this to my father."

I smiled. "When are you to leave?"

Legolas looked taken aback. "I will ride with you, my dear. After you and Aara are safe within Lórien's borders, I will continue north until I reach the Old Forest Road. That will take me across the Anduin and into my homeland."

Relief erased all of the tension I hadn't realized was there. "I am glad you are joining me."

He smiled and pulled me into a kiss. "Finish packing, Meldanya. We leave Minas Tirith tomorrow morning." He paused beside Aara's bassinette and said softly, "We are going on a long journey, elen nîn!" He swiftly leaned in to kiss her forehead, then left.

A deep sense of peace flooded over me when I was under the mallorns of Lórien again. I had not realized how much I missed my homeland until I returned. Legolas left me at the forest's borders, confident that Aara and I would be protected in the elven land.

Aara stared wide-eyed at the golden leaves that papered the ground and swirled through the air. It was early January and winter in Lothlórien.

Suddenly, a blond Elf dropped down on the path before me. Nelin backed up a little, but seemed to sense no danger from the guard. "You are entering the realm of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel," the Elf stated. "Show you are a friend."

I cradled Aara to my chest and dismounted. I was about to declare myself a former citizen, but the guard spoke first. "Raélowen? Is that you?"

I looked curiously at him. "Orophin?" I asked.

"Mae govannen, Rae!" Orophin grinned. He was a brother to Haldir and I had known him my entire life. "I would greet you with a hug," he continued. "But I see that you are not alone."

"This is Aara," I said. He smiled down at her and laughed as she reached for his long hair. "She is the daughter of Legolas Thranduilion. He is my husband."

"A worthy lineage," Orophin remarked.

"Yes. We must speak later Orophin. But please, I must see Lady Galadriel as soon as possible."

"Of course. Follow me."

I led Nelin along the path behind Orophin. The trees thinned and soon the canopy spread out high above us. The Elves' musical voices wafted gently down from the high trees in the dappled sunlight. I stood for a moment, enjoying the feeling of being at peace.

Orophin silently came up beside me. "Welcome back, Rae."

Meldanya – My beloved (Quenya)

Elen nîn – My star (Sindarin)

Mae govannen – welcome or well met (Sindarin)