The elves of Imladris were generous in nature, as was evident by the bulging travel bag Meluieth had packed for Charlotte.

"It's mostly gowns from the Lady Celebrían until we reach Emyn Duir , and there we can make you more appropriate garments," Meluieth said before she waved off the guard, a tall ellon with an easy grin and a bow at his back, who had come to collect Charlotte's belongings. "Ellavorn will see that it's packed with the rest of the king's belongings. It might be better if we put them with Prince Legolas's; the king brought an extensive wardrobe, and yours is likely to get lost in it. Alas, too late."

Amroth had just deposited her in her room with the whirling elleth, and Charlotte was surprised to find nearly all of her meager belongings- all gifts from the elves, since the clothing she arrived in was torn and bloodied and irreparable -already packed neatly in an elaborate sack and handed to a guard to load for the journey. "How did you know I was coming along so quickly? I just told Legolas."

Meluieth laughed and tucked a pair of brown leggings into a smaller pack. "While you may not have decided, the king has been adamant that you would be joining us."

"Well, that's awfully presumptuous of him."

"He is the king," Meluieth shrugged, and kept rolling tunics and leggings into neat little barrels and stuffing them in the pack. "His orders are to be followed. It has been said that he decided you would join us that very night you arrived."

Charlotte remembered the night she'd fled from the council of elven leaders just after Thranduil had begrudgingly acceded to Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond's firm declaration that she belonged in the Greenwood. It seemed her rather emphatic "no" had been summarily dismissed, much to her increasing agitation.

"If he thinks he'll force me into obeying his every whim, he's mistaken."

"King Thranduil isn't like that at all. We love him, and we chose him after his father's death. He has been an excellent leader for our people, and has navigated our departure from Aman Lanc well."

Meluieth pulled the buckles on the front flap of the bag and passed it to Charlotte with a pair of knee-high forest green boots. "Switch your boots with these, they will suit you better on the ride with their heel, and there are fresh clothes on the bed as well. Then I will braid your hair for the journey."

The bed held another soft pair of brown leggings and a low-collared tunic that matched her boots. Meluieth continued to chatter as Charlotte switched out of her gown and into the first pair of pants she'd been able to wear since leaving Virginia.

"The Noldor would have you departing in your gown," the elleth rolled her eyes, "but we Silvan elves ride fast, and you would never keep pace if you had to ride like their noble ladies. It would take months to get you to the Greenwood dressed in such a way."

"How long will it take to get there?"

"If the weather is decent and there are no delays, we should reach Emyn Duir within a month." She didn't mention what those delays might be, but Charlotte hadn't forgotten the orcs who greeted her on the plains to the west of Imladris.

Agreeing to Legolas in the heat of the moment wasn't like her. She wasn't the type to jump without thinking, and yet, when he'd turned his sad little blue eyes on her, she'd instantly crumbled. Leaving Imladris would mean traveling farther from her point of entry in the world, and she worried that Lord Elrond could be wrong about her ability to go home. After all, she hadn't died like Lord Glorfindel, and she wasn't from Middle Earth.

And then there was the matter of King Thranduil. Could she even trust him? Her limited experience with him had led her to believe that he was haughty and cold, and his wife had detested him enough to sail to a different continent and abandon her only son.

Journeying for a month with a hoard of strangers described by Celebrían as "wild" seemed like a terrible idea. She subtly eyed Meluieth, who was humming as she stripped the blankets from the bed. The other elleth was at least a head shorter than Charlotte, with soft golden hair and delicate features. She reminded Charlotte of a hummingbird, full of energy and flitting about the room. "Wild" would be the last word she'd use to describe Meluieth.

Maybe Celebrían had meant it comparatively. Imladris was a hidden Eden of thundering waterfalls, fragrant gardens, and a sprawling stone mansion. Perhaps, the people of Emyn Duir lived more rustically. Like cabins in the woods and no bathrooms and loads of insects.

"Oh lord, the bugs," she moaned. "I'll get eaten alive."

Meluieth's vibrant laugh reminded her she wasn't alone. "You worry too much, mellon ."

"Who said I was worried?"

"Your forehead," she gently poked between Charlotte's brows, "and you will bloody your lip gnawing on it like that. Calm yourself. The journey is relatively safe, and you will find that most insects are not interested in consuming us."

Just as Meluieth's deft fingers had finished braiding Charlotte's hair, there was an eager knock on her chamber door. "Come in," Charlotte yelled out of habit. There was a musical giggle from the other side of the wood before it was shoved open, and Legolas flew into the room.

Celebrían glided in a more dignified manner behind him. "My apologies, Charlotte, Legolas knows not to burst into a lady's chamber, but he was worried when he did not see you with the other elves assembled in the valley."

"Oh, no!" Charlotte reached for her bag and flung it over her shoulders. "Am I late?"

"You are not late; Legolas is simply impatient," Celebrían said impishly.

"I had to make sure she didn't change her mind!" Legolas insisted. A small frown marred his face. He dropped his eyes to intently study the toe of his boot.

Celebrían and Charlotte exchanged a look, and the latter dropped to her knees in front of him and held out her hands for him to take. Once his little fingers were snuggled in hers, Charlotte met his blue eyes and said, "Whenever I make you a promise, I will keep it. I do not make them lightly, and I aim to only make promises I am committed to keeping."

Legolas blushed and opened his mouth to apologize, but Charlotte smiled warmly and squeezed his fingers. "You don't have to apologize. I told you so that you know for the future, and it's okay if you don't believe me right now because I promise you I am patient enough to prove it to you. Can you promise me something too?"

He nodded his head, his eyes focused and severe. It seemed that he wanted to be just as intentional in his promises.

"Do you promise to teach me how to curtsey, so I don't look like a silly elf anymore?"

Her plan worked, and Legolas grinned, his two dimples popping into place for the first time in hours, and his pain temporarily forgotten. "I promise! If you're going to be Adar's elf, you will have to know everything! Don't worry, though, I will help you to not be a silly elf." His frown briefly returned, and he added, "But can you stay a little silly? You are fun, and the other ellith are never silly and fun like you, except for Celebrían. She took me to see all the horses this morning! Adar is grumpy with your elk, though. He won't leave him alone."

"The elk came back?"

Celebrían's brow furrowed, her confusion evident. "Gwenestadren said this morning that your elk never left."

"I set him free yesterday," Charlotte said and ushered both of them into the corridor. Meluieth had vanished during Legolas's brief upset, likely to give the young prince privacy. "I watched him leave the stable and assumed he would go home. He's a wild animal, after all."

But sure enough, when they reached the valley floor, she could see the elk sauntering a few paces behind a visibly irritated King Thranduil. When the king spotted her, he swooped down on her with his new companion trailing behind him.

"If you're planning to keep your beast," he said, "you will need to train him. This is the second time he has stalked me without reprieve."

"He's not mine," she said automatically. He was a wild animal, for goodness sake. She didn't own him.

"You will find your elk disagrees," he huffed, spun on his heel, and fled into the crowd of elves and horses with his split-robe churning around his legs.

The elk attempted to follow him, and she stepped quickly into his path. "Woah, there. I think he may be right." She reached a hand up to gently rub the elk's neck. "Have you been bothering his majesty? Is that where you were yesterday when I set you free?"

He rumbled deep in his chest and stamped a hoof.

"Best not to bother him too much, or he'll leave you here."

She ignored the look the elk gave her that clearly said, "I'd like to see him try." He was surprisingly intelligent and expressive, and Charlotte found herself briefly imagining him as a heroic animal sidekick in one of those animated princess movies. She chuckled to herself. She was definitely not a princess, and he was a wild animal and not a sidekick. Besides, she hoped that her travels were calm enough that they wouldn't qualify as the type of adventures that required such a sidekick.

"May I pet him?" Legolas asked. Charlotte found him at his favorite spot by her hip, gazing reverently at the massive elk.

"I don't see why not," she said. "You'll have to ask him, but he seems committed to becoming domesticated."

The elk snorted and lifted his chin, and Charlotte laughed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. You are a wild and free elk, very majestic."

"Please, can I pet you?" Legolas asked, nearly bouncing in place.

The elk slowly inclined his head and took a deep whiff of Legolas, which made him giggle loudly, and then he settled in the grass so the excited elfling could run his tiny fingers through his hair.

Charlotte stepped back to admire the sight and wished she had a camera to capture the moment. She felt a prickling across her skin and looked to the crowd of elves and horses and saw Thranduil gazing at her from atop his own glossy horse. His eyes flickered to a giggling Legolas trying to evade the wet Elk nose snuffling through his blond hair, and the king gave her a small bow of his head. She caught the meaning well enough and let a gentle smile grace her face.

Celebrían laced her arm through Charlotte's and said, "I suddenly find myself eager to be on this journey with you, if only to watch it all unfold. Perhaps I will come to visit in a few months to see it with my eyes."

Charlotte glanced away from the king to study her new friend's mischievous expression, but Legolas jumped in before she could say anything. "You must come! I will ask Adar if you can! You can help me teach Charlotte how to be a good royal elf."

The delicate elleth laughed and pulled Charlotte closer, "It is decided then. I will discuss it with Elrond and Thranduil and arrange for a visit to the Greenwood in the spring if your Adar is obliging."

Legolas whooped, briefly attracting the attention of the other elves, and one familiar elf broke away from the crowd with a grin. Amroth had traded his flowing robes for a silver tunic and dark leggings. A cloak wound around his shoulders and the ends frolicked at his heels like dogs. Though his crown was still perched atop his silver hair, he was obviously dressed for travel; he would apparently be riding with them for part of the journey.

"Come now, young prince," he said as a greeting to Legolas. "It's time to say your farewells and depart."

"Are you coming with us too?" The elfling asked.

"My retinue will only ride with you for part of the journey," he said, though it was apparent by the dark look in his eyes and Celebrían's sudden stillness that there was more to it.

When he ushered Legolas away, Celebrían quickly explained, "Lord Glorfindel received word from the border patrols this morning. There have been increased orc sightings in the plains; large parties traveling on wargs, and we don't know where they are going or what they seek."

Charlotte felt her blood freeze. The scent of decay radiated through her memory. She could hear the orcs' guttural laughs as they chased her, cornered her. There were more of those things? She wasn't like the trained warriors loading their horses on the field before her. She would be completely unable to defend herself. Staying in Imladris began to tempt her again, but with one quick glance at Legolas bounding around Amroth's legs, her resolve strengthened.

Celebrían followed her gaze and said, "Amroth has decided to leave earlier than planned to join his party with Thranduil's. The Lórinand elves will travel with you through the High Pass in the mountains and as far the River Anduin before moving south along the river. With so many, you should be safe."

"I will also be a liability," Charlotte grumbled. "Like I said before, I don't exactly have any applicable skills here."

"You won't be the only lady traveling with the party. My mother, Galadriel, will return to Lórinand, and you will have the ladies of King Thranduil's retinue: Lothuial, Eithoril, and, of course, Meluieth."

Charlotte had nearly forgotten her brief unpleasant encounter with Eithoril. At some point, she would have to learn Elvish, simply so she could understand when people like Eithoril insulted her.

"I can teach you on our journey, should you wish it," came a pleasant voice within her mind. The sea of elves parted to reveal the Lady Galadriel. "It will be my gift to you, Annuiel."

The elleth softly clasped her daughter's fingers and said aloud, "Have you shared your gift with her, iell nin ?"

"Elrond will be bringing it shortly. He should be here soon."

"He is already here," a smooth voice said. Celebrían's eyes lit up, the faint glow of her skin grew, and she quickly embraced Lord Elrond. The lord softened under his wife's attention, his usually strict features melting away in the light of her affection. Behind him, Lindir, who was fondly smiling at the couple, carried a silk-wrapped bundle.

A soft sigh from her side caused her to look down. Legolas had rejoined them and was staring at Lord Elrond and Celebrían, his shoulders drooped, and the corners of his mouth turned down. Charlotte felt the pain radiating from him and started to feel the warmth spread across her collarbones. She smacked her hands over the necklace. The motion caused everyone to glance at her.

"Mosquito," she said lamely, before remembering Meluieth saying that insects didn't go after elves and flushing red.

Thankfully, Legolas distracted them all by pointing to the bundle in Lindir's arms and gleefully asking Lord Elrond, "Is that it?"

The lord nodded, taking the bundle from Lindir, and holding it out to Legolas, "Indeed, it is. Would you like to give it to her?"

The elfling bounded forward and gathered the bundle in his arms. The assembled elves chuckled at the sight of the little elf dwarfed by his package. "It's for you, Charlotte. Lord Elrond and I made it yesterday. Well, Gwenestadren helped too. But I did the stars!"

Charlotte dropped to her knees in the grass to accept the gift and gently unfolded the silk. Inside was a bridle with matching reins made from strips of dark leather and thick golden rings. She ran her fingers across the smooth surface, feeling the bumps and grooves where the interlocking elk antlers wove their way along the leather. Embraced within the center of each was a shining star. She felt her throat tighten. "It's beautiful," she said.

Legolas grinned and pointed to one of the wobbly looking stars on the reins. "See? I did this one, and this one, and this one…"

Charlotte laughed. "I love them all. Thank you."

The elfling glowed with the praise, his cheeks pink above his tell-tale dimples.

She turned to Celebrían and Lord Elrond and said, "I can't thank you enough for your kindness. I will treasure this."

"I regret that we could not fashion a saddle for your journey," the lord said. With Celebrían at his side, the couple was the picture of serenity. "Though you did well without one on your arrival."

"I nearly fell off twice, I think. I owe the credit to the elk, rather than any ability of my own." Charlotte gently wrapped the reins in the silk and handed them to a waiting Lindir with another effusive thanks. The ellon seemed amused by her, but bowed his head shortly and assured her he would have her elk prepared.

Everything moved rather quickly after that. Far too quickly for Charlotte, who continually doubted that she was making the right move. On the one hand, she had already determined nothing was waiting for her back home, and these people, these kind and welcoming elves, had wholeheartedly brought her into their lives with the hope that she would provide some sort of magical God-blessed protection. The thought of leaving them, and sweet Legolas, to fight it out on their own when there was even the slightest chance of her being helpful…

"Write to me." Celebrían squeezed Charlotte's fingers, looking up at the uncertain elleth mounted atop the giant elk. "I am sincere in my desire to be a friend to you, and will let no manner of distance deter me."

"I promise," she said, and then the party was off, picking their way up the winding mountain path and leaving behind the softly glowing newlyweds.

They spent hours picking their way up the winding stone path that clung to the mountainside, always with the House of Lord Elrond in view behind them. King Thranduil and Amroth led the party, with the ladies and Legolas sandwiched between guards behind them.

"There it is," Meluieth said, nodding her head over her shoulder to the picturesque house in the valley. "This is the last view of the Imladris. From here, it's through the High Pass and into the Wilderlands. Are you certain?"

Charlotte squeezed the reins tighter, clutching to Legolas's tiny stars, and studied the vibrant pink sunset bathing the lush valley. The elk rustled impatiently beneath her. The contingent of elves parted and flowed around them, unconcerned with the precipice Charlotte felt herself standing on.

She felt a hundred different replies bubble up inside her. Was she certain? No. She wasn't certain about anything. For the first time in a long time, she had a choice before her. In a way, she had chosen to care for her mother, but that singular choice had impacted all the ones that followed. This moment was purely, selfishly, her own. "Is it possible to be certain about the unknown?" she said instead, and with a gentle clumsy nudge at her elk, she stepped forward to meet the wilderness ahead.


Translations:

Iell nin- My daughter (best guess)

elleth - (singular) female elf

ellith - (plural) female elves