A/N: Thanks again for reviewing, if you have. Your taking the time to leave me one is very much appreciated!

I'm putting up this chapternow specially for Black Koala, who asked me about it in science! I am, however, flattered that more than one person has stuck around to read this!

Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Two Lonely Souls

The sun was setting by the time Mithra brought Theodred to the room once occupied by her dearest friend. Mathas' chambers were grand and spacious, the bedroom dominated by an enormous four-poster bed.

Mithra entered first, shielding her eyes from the bright light as she stood opposite the west-facing windows.

"Wow," Theodred said as he followed her in. "This is… nice. Not at all like Edoras," he added.

Mithra smiled proudly. "Naturally." She smoothed out the parchment-coloured bed linen, unfazed by the normal speed with which Elves were notified of and carried out necessary tasks of readying rooms. "Anything you need shall be brought to you, if it is not already here," she continued. She turned to face him, and found him grinning at her, his eyes sparkling seductively.

"It's a double," he said, nodding over her shoulder to the bed. "I'm unused to so much space."

"I thought you said you were a prince."

"I was, I mean… I am, but my people don't believe men need an extra pillow unless they have a woman to use it."

"Are you insinuating something, good sir?" Mithra asked. Theodred took a step towards her and she looked up into his eyes, only inches away from her own.

"Why, fair lady, I thought you were intelligent."

"Indeed. More so than you."

"Then surely you can plainly tell that I find you entrancing." Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed it gently, his eyes never leaving hers.

"And surely you can plainly tell that your tricks to seduce witless Rohirric maidens will not work on me." Mithra pulled her hand away, wishing she spoke the truth.

Theodred chuckled. "You are a hard one, aren't you?" he said. "What can I do to penetrate that cold, cruel heart of yours?"

"Obey my command, cater for my every whim, oh, and being showered with expensive gifts would be nice. Also, you must undertake a dangerous quest to prove yourself worthy. If you return, you must sweep me up in your arms, declare your undying love for me and kiss me dramatically. Then, and only then, you will be worthy of my attention."

The prince grinned. "I'm sure I could manage that," he said, "And I might as well get started now."

"Good." Mithra said. "It's strange, but all of a sudden I would love to hear thesong of Beren and Lúthien…" She smiled up at him in a mockingly sweet manner.

Theodred only smiled back at this, and slowly began to chant softly.

"The leaves were long, the grass was green,

The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,

And in the glade a light was seen

Of stars in shadows shimmering.

Tinúviel was dancing there

To music of a pipe unseen

And light of stars was in her hair,

And in her raiment glimmering."

Mithra could not help but stare at him in wonder as he launched into the second stanza. She had not expected him to even know of the poem, let alone be able to recite it. She sat down on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes; the familiar words of her favourite elven song had been sung many times from the very spot Theodred was occupying now by Mathas.

Theodred went on.

"Again she fled, but swift he came.

Tinúviel! Tinúviel!

He called her by her elvish name;

And there she halted listening.

One moment stood she, and a spell

His voice laid on her: Beren came,

And doom fell on Tinúviel

That in his arms lay glistening."

Suddenly, Theodred ended. Mithra glanced up at him in surprise. "Don't stop," she told him.

"It's all I know," he admitted.

"How do you know it?"

"Boromir and his brother Faramir taught me a small part of it when first I met them, but I cannot recall any more."

"It is a beautiful song," Mithra sighed.

"It is odd that it applies so much to our own current state of affairs."

Mithra glanced at him. "How do you mean?" she asked.

"Think about it. A mortal man is wandering in the elven woods when, through the trees, he sees an Elf maiden, the fairest being he ever laid eyes on. He calls her name, and yet she flees from his love." He grinned at her. "But how will things turn out in the end? In the poem, Beren won the heart of Lúthien."

Mithra held his gaze for a moment, though it seemed like an eternity. Desire was awoken within her by his seductive eyes, and she longed to follow in Lúthien's footsteps and throw herself into his arms right now. Instead, she got to her feet and swiftly changed the subject.

"You have travelled far," she said, "You need rest, no doubt. I will leave you now."

"So soon?"

"Fear not, my lord," she said mockingly, "There is plenty of time for you to woo me tomorrow."

And, with a last fleeting grin, she left.

Not far away, a healer named Rumanas was swiftly climbing a steep spiral staircase. He possessed the usual calmness, serenity and grace with which all Elves moved, but inside his head, a furious battle was raging.

Mithra was in danger: that much was certain as the sunrise. It was no weapon that threatened her, but a young man. Having once being an inhabitant of Imladris, Rumanas was all too aware of the risk that came in the form of young men. He was one of the few who knew of Arwen Evenstar's suffering, and of the difficult choice that lay ahead for her concerning her love for a man. Mithra was a friendly and entertaining Elf maiden; he did not want her to fall victim to the same fate.

Yet at the same time, Rumanas was happy for Mithra. After the loss of Mathas, she needed a companion. And besides, what were the chances of her returning the affections of a human prince?

After struggling to take the last few steps at a steady pace, Rumanas found himself on the platform of the Lord and Lady. Galadriel and her maidens were there, resplendent in white, but none so fair as the elven queen.

He bowed his head in reverence. "My lady, I much desire to speak with you on a matter of some importance."

Galadriel didn't have to say anything for her handmaidens to know their presence was unwanted. They rose silently and glided down the staircase, Mithra's friend Eleniel among them.

"You look troubled, friend," the lady began.

"That is true. I am concerned for Mithra."

Galadriel's face did not betray her feelings of mild surprise. "Why so?" she asked.

"I fear she may beatrisk ofdangerfrom the young man she was accompanying this afternoon." He paused, but the beautiful figure before him motioned for him to go on. "The danger of falling in love, my lady," Rumanas finished.

Galadriel did not frown as he had expected, but smiled warmly.

"What is there to fear?" she asked. "Mithra needs a companion, and I can think of no one better than Theodred."

"Lady, forgive me, but I must protest. You cannot surely sit back and let this happen, if it does? A man and an Elf? It is going against everything we live for, and only pain and suffering can come of such a pairing."

"You have never been in love, have you, Rumanas?"

"I confess I have not," the healer admitted.

"Then you cannot know what a wonderful feeling it truly is." The Lady was beaming at him. "True love can see past the pain. True love can teach a heart to endure the hardships, for the promise of even the briefest of sweet moments that will follow."

Rumanas still looked doubtful. "I must simply hope for Mithra's sake that the young man leaves soon. All I wish for is her happiness, I fear for her."

"Think not of them as a man and an elf," Galadriel said, "But as two lonely souls, finding comfort in one another."

A/N: And that is that. Please stick around: fluffy drabble is yet to follow. And please leave me a review!

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