The way to Rivendell from the Ford seemed indeterminately long. In reality it must have been only a fifteen- or thirty-minute walk, but it seemed to take so much longer. I suppose it was mainly because I was weak from the wound in my leg, or maybe it was the relief that our long journey was finally over, but I allowed a wave of exhaustion to wash over me and sagged forward in the saddle. A hand was laid lightly on my back. I looked over at Glorfindel, but he was staring forward, leading Asfaloth by his bridle. I looked to my left then and saw another Elf, this one a woman, smiling at me. I realized she had placed her hand on my back to keep me from falling off in my exhaustion. I gave her a weak smile in return and then closed my eyes.

I must have fallen asleep, for I woke up in a soft, warm bed. It was still dark outside; I sat up quickly, looking around for Frodo. Then I realized something was different. I pushed the covers off my body and pulled up the hem of the night-dress I was wearing. The jagged scars on either side of my leg were still there, but the black lines were gone, replaced by thin, white scars that were barely visible against the paleness of my skin. "You were lucky," said a voice. I pulled the night-dress back down and looked in the direction of the voice. The door was open and at the threshold stood a female Elf; she looked slightly familiar. "It was not a shard, as your Ranger friend suspected," she continued, entering the room and coming to sit on the bed. "It was merely a poisoned blade. There are some who would have died if they had gone as long as you did without treatment." There was a sad look on her face as she said the last sentence.

"Who treated me?" I asked, suddenly worried that Elrond had chosen to attend to me first and so Frodo's own healing would be hindered.

"I did." She must have seen my anxiety, for her voice took on a reassuring tone. "You fell asleep as you rode Asfaloth, and so I took you off and carried you the rest of the way. Lord Elrond met us as we walked and examined Frodo first, then told those carrying Frodo to take him to a room and begin caring for him. Then he came over to you at Aragorn's request and examined your leg. He determined it had been only a poisoned blade and told me to carry you to another room, close to Frodo's. Then I heard him order an Elf to find Erestor and send him to your room to heal you, but I stopped him and told him I could heal you myself, since I have spent many years learning from the lady Galadriel in all forms of magic. He assented, and so I brought you here.

"Erestor came anyway, to ensure that you were fine, but by then the poison was gone and you were sleeping well. He went back to Elrond's side to tell him you were alive and to assist with Frodo."

"Is Elrond still with Frodo?" I asked, interrupting her.

"Yes. Evening was falling when we reached Rivendell, and it is now in the early hours of the morning."

"I have to go see Frodo." I swung my legs off the bed and stood, swaying, as I fought through a dizzy spell.

"Slowly, Dawn," the Elf said, standing and moving around the bed to my side. "You have been tired for a long time, and you still aren't fully rested. You must dress first, in any case, before you can be in the presence of others."

I nodded and allowed her to help me into a dress that fell to my ankles. Though it was simple and unadorned, it was beautiful, and I was glad to be rid of the trousers for a while. As she combed my hair to braid it, I realized I didn't know her name. So I said, "I'd like to thank you for healing me and helping me with this, but I don't know your name."

There was a smile in her voice as she said, "It's Calenmiriel, and no thanks are necessary. I was glad to help."

"All the same, I thank you, Calenmiriel." She finished my hair and then led me from the room and to Frodo's. It was indeed close, only three doors down from mine, and I barely had time to register the rising sun before I was inside. A tall, dark-haired Elf that I assumed was Elrond stood at Frodo's bedside, holding his left hand in both of his, speaking a long string of words in Elvish. I looked down to Frodo, and was shocked to see that he appeared thin and gaunt. His face was drawn and emaciated, his brows were furrowed, he muttered in his sleep, and he was moving his head from side to side restlessly.

Then I felt eyes on me and looked over to the corner of the room. Wrapped in his gray robes, hat placed carefully on the windowsill, pipe in hand and smoke floating gently out the window, Gandalf stood there and met my gaze. I felt tears come to my eyes, and I quickly made my way along the edges of the room to him. When I finally made it to him, I could only stand and look up at him until he quietly said, "Well, Dawn Gamgee, you've made it to see the Elves." Then I gave in and hugged him around his waist.

"Oh Gandalf," I whispered, choking on the tears that flowed down my face now. "I'm so glad you're back."

His whole body shook as he chuckled, and he gently patted me on the back as he replied, "I'm glad to see you here safe and sound."

"But Frodo's not." I looked back to Frodo. He was still and silent now, but his face was still drawn and pale, and he looked near to death.

"This is not the place for talking," Gandalf said, pulling my arms off his waist. "Let us go outside and sit in the light of the rising sun." I nodded and followed him outside to a bench on a balcony that overlooked the valley. For a while we sat in silence, watching as the sun came up over the mountains and stained the leaves of the trees in brilliant reds and golds. Then Gandalf said, "Frodo is doing badly. I suspect the blade that wounded him left a shard inside the wound, but Lord Elrond has found nothing yet. I fear he will not survive this."

"He will," I said, forgetting for a moment I should be uncertain of the outcome, that I should not know how Frodo's story plays out. But when I looked at Gandalf and saw his raised eyebrow, I backpedalled. "I mean, he must. I don't know what I'd do if he died, not to mention Bella. She loves him so much." Tears filled my eyes again as I realized I hadn't even thought of my daughter in all the time that had passed between leaving Crickhollow and arriving at Rivendell. It felt like ages ago since we'd left Bella in the care of Frodo's cousin, and I realized there was a little ache in my heart for her. Then the dream I'd had while at the Prancing Pony, before being stabbed, returned and I gasped a little. Was the dream real? Was Bella okay?

"Yes," Gandalf said, interrupting my thoughts and forcing me to push the dream to the back of my mind for now. "Well, there is nothing either of us can do for him right now but hope. You are lucky, however, to have survived the poison of the Rider's blade for so long. There was an Elf lady once who was pierced by a poisoned orc arrow and even Lord Elrond's magic couldn't heal her."

"His wife, Celebrian," I said. "She had to sail over the sea to the Undying Lands to keep from dying."

"And yet you were wounded by something greater than mere orc poison and lived. How is that? How do you know about the lives of Elves that lived long ago?"

I sighed, knowing the time was come to explain to him who I was and where I was from. Then my stomach grumbled and I smiled slightly. "I'm hungry. Maybe we can find some food first? And we need to ask Aragorn and Glorfindel to join us, for I owe them an explanation as well." Gandalf nodded, and we made our way to the kitchens. After gathering the food, we took it to a small room with a table and chairs, and I sat down and began to eat while Gandalf sent someone to look for Aragorn and Glorfindel. Soon I was finished, and the man and Elf had arrived and had seated themselves at the table. I wiped my hands on the handkerchief Gandalf had given me, then looked around at the assembled faces and sighed. Where should I begin? Would they even believe me? Sensing my doubt, Aragorn said, "Maybe you should start with your name."

With a quick smile of thanks, I began. "My name really is Dawn, but it wasn't Gamgee and I wasn't a Hobbit before I came here. My last name was Ingle, and I was human, for there are no Elves, Hobbits, or other creatures like that where I'm from. I come from a world that is far more advanced than this one, though less beautiful. We have harnessed the energy of lightning, which we call electricity, to power things in our homes and our transportation. There are moving pictures, and music from the other side of the world that comes through a little box, and horseless carriages that can reach speeds greater than any horse ever could. In my birth-world, there are many books, all written by one man, that describe Middle Earth and certain events that have occurred in it. That's how I seem to know so much about this place and about things that I should have no knowledge of. I was a large admirer of the author and his books.

"In fact, I was beginning to read one of the books again the night I came here. This book was titled 'The Lord of the Rings'. It wasn't very late in my world, and even though I have read the books many times, I still find them captivating, but I fell asleep for some reason. To me it felt like a moment, just a quick nodding off. But when I woke up, I was in an unfamiliar room, and I was physically changed from human to hobbit. I found that the book I had been reading was changed to a journal, and inside the journal I found that I was apparently a part of the Gamgee family, Sam's older sister. A whole life was recorded for me in that journal, a life I hadn't lived but that I had memories of. I didn't know what happened, or who I should talk to about it, or when I would be going home, so I decided to move with what I had been given.

"After a while I almost forgot that I had never lived in Middle Earth. I fell in love with and married Frodo, and just when I was happiest, I remembered the story I was living. You see, Sam had moved away to Overhill before I arrived in Middle Earth, and I slowly, without realizing it, took his place in Frodo's life. In 'The Lord of the Rings', Sam was meant to be Frodo's closest companion and the one who went on his journey with him. But I came to realize that I had taken Sam's part. I had become part of the story, your story. I guess it's my story now too."

I stopped talking, thinking about the words I had just said. It's my story now too. What would happen when the story ended? Would I go back to - I hesitated to say my world, Middle Earth was more my world now than Earth had ever been - the world I was from, finding that I was only asleep for a single night? My thoughts were interrupted by Glorfindel's voice. "The light I see in you, then, is merely caused by your previous existence in another world?"

I shrugged. "I suppose so. I mean, you glow with an inner light as well, because you do not belong here in Middle Earth. You belong in Valinor with the other Eldar, and Valinor is where the Elves are from."

"And your knowledge comes from reading these books many times?" Gandalf asked. I nodded. "So you know the outcome of the events surrounding what Frodo carries and the fate of Middle Earth?"

I hesitated before nodding again. "I do, but when we were staying at the house of Tom Bombadil, Goldberry, his wife, approached me and we talked long of my coming here. She said I was sent here by the will of the Valar, and that events are already changing because of my presence in Middle Earth. So far the only changes I have seen are those I have personally brought about: Frodo's marriage, his child, Sam's job in Overhill and early marriage to Rosie Cotton. For a long time I was afraid of changing things lest they bring about worse things than what already would have occurred, but after talking to Goldberry I wasn't as afraid any more. But because I have changed things, the outcome may be different. I can make predictions of how events will resolve themselves, but I cannot say with absolute certainty that they will remain the same as they were in the books."

There was a moment of silence as the three men considered my tale. Glorfindel was the first to speak. "It is perhaps best if we keep this knowledge among those we trust."

"I agree," said Gandalf. "If the Enemy knew of you, Dawn, he would hunt you as he hunts the Ring, hoping to gain whatever knowledge you might have. It is your discretion, of course, but also know that there are many who would mistrust you, to say the least, if they knew you were not of this world. I do, of course, have permission to tell this to Lord Elrond when I have the chance? I doubt you will have very many chances for one-on-one time with him." I nodded. "Well then, that's settled."

"Thank you for trusting me with the truth, Dawn," Glorfindel said, rising. "But I must leave now. Lord Elrond has tasked me to watch the borders for signs of the Enemy, and for signs of friends returning with news." He made a short bow to me, which I returned as best I could while seated, then hurried from the room.

Gandalf, too, rose and said, "I'm going to bed. Until next I see you, Dawn." He nodded at me, and then Aragorn, and left the room.

I looked at Aragorn then. "You haven't said a word," I said, a little worried.

He looked up at me and caught my gaze. "I was just imagining being taken from a world I knew to one that is so different. You said you just 'moved' with what you were given, but I cannot imagine that. How were you not frightened or intimidated by the thought of living here?"

"I've read about this world more times than I can count. I know the maps of Middle Earth better than I know the maps of the country I used to live in. To me, there was nothing strange about Middle Earth. It was already home. It was definitely more beautiful and more amazing than the world I came from."

"But your family, your friends. You left them behind. Do you not miss them?"

I shook my head. "My mother died soon after I was born, and my father left me as soon as I was old enough to care for myself. I haven't spoken to him in years. I had no brothers or sisters, and my friends were limited to those few people I connected with while at college." I noticed the puzzled expression and hurried to explain. "College is a place where young people live and learn about certain things from different teachers to help prepare them for life away from their parents. I studied writing and art, basically, and though there were many students who studied the same things, I didn't really connect well with them. I was working to pay for college, and I wasn't very good at making friends anyway. There's no one from that world that I really miss."

"I am sorry for that. I think it would make it easier for you, knowing you may have to go back, if you had someone or something to look forward to." He rose. "But I believe it is a good thing you are here, with Frodo." He was about to leave when he stopped and asked, "May I tell Arwen what you have said?"

"Of course," I replied. "I know you trust her, and I know she can be trusted. I would not have you keep secrets from her." He smiled and I returned it; then he was gone. I stood and took back the dishes and utensils I had taken from the kitchens, then made my way back to Frodo's room. Elrond was now sitting on the side of the bed, hands hovering over Frodo's shoulder. I entered quietly and stood on the opposite side of the bed. The Elf looked up at me, and nodded in response to the unasked question in my eyes. I climbed carefully onto the bed and sat cross-legged, my dress draped across my knees. Then I held Frodo's hand and waited.

Two more nights passed, and then the third day arrived. I barely ever left Frodo's side, except to eat and deliver messages. Bilbo often joined me by Frodo's side, but we didn't have much time to catch up. I watched anxiously as Elrond grew more worried with each passing day, trying and failing to find the shard we were sure was embedded in Frodo's shoulder. I had just returned from dinner when the skilled healer let out a sudden cry and bent closer to Frodo's shoulder. I hurried to the side of the bed opposite Elrond. One of the Elf's hands was on Frodo's chest, the other grasping his shoulder, as Frodo writhed on the bed. "I have found the shard," Elrond said quickly. "But he needs to be still so I can remove it. Hold him down."

I climbed onto the bed and put a hand on Frodo's uninjured shoulder and one on his chest, allowing Elrond to put both his hands on the wounded shoulder. Elrond was speaking rapidly, his voice raised above the whisper it had once been. I watched as the black lines that radiated from the wound in his shoulder faded, and then suddenly the skin broke from underneath and a sliver of metal emerged. Gandalf, who was standing beside Elrond, reached over with a piece of cloth and picked up the shard, wrapping it tightly in the fabric. Frodo was still, now, and the color was returning to his skin. As I watched, his cheeks filled out again, and the pain left his face. Elrond muttered a few more words, closing the wound and then wrapping it in soft fabric. I let out a sigh and relaxed, sitting back on my heels.

Elrond examined the shard, then set it aside and said, "Now that the shard is out, he will recover. It is very likely, however, that his wound will never fully heal, and it may pain him from time to time. Also, he will need to rest for as long as possible. The wound has taxed him greatly and it will take many days before he is back to his old strength." I nodded. He spoke quietly to Erestor, who had been watching at the doorway, and the two left.

I took Frodo's left hand in my own. It was still cold, but not freezing like it had been before. A little rest would fix that. Rubbing his hand between my own, I watched his face, relieved. My actions hadn't changed anything. He had survived. I carefully put his arm beneath the covers and pulled the blanket up to his neck. Hair had fallen in his face while the shard was being removed; I brushed it aside gently and then let my hand linger, cupping his cheek.

Gandalf cleared his throat. I looked up at him and saw his smile; I couldn't help the smile that came to my own face. "I think you should let him sleep," the wizard said. "And you need sleep as well. You've been awake more often than not. Come." My smile became sheepish and I gave Frodo a kiss on his forehead before climbing down from the bed and following Gandalf out of the room. The stars were shining brightly and we paused for a moment at the railing of the balcony, looking out over the valley.

The sound of hooves appeared in the distance and grew louder. Then a horse and rider cantered through an archway below and slowed to a stop at the foot of the stairs that led to the buildings. An Elf came down the stairs as the rider dismounted; they talked briefly before heading for the stables. I watched the rider, racking my brain about who arrived at Rivendell the night before the feast. At last I recalled the single sentence in the appendices that said Boromir arrived at Rivendell on the night the shard was removed from Frodo's shoulder. So Boromir was here. Fantastic. Gandalf and I continued our short walk to my room, where I suddenly remembered the dream I'd had about Bella and said, "Gandalf, is there a way to send someone to Crickhollow to check on Bella?"

He looked at me quizzically and said, "There may be a way, but why do you worry? Was she not safe when you left?"

"I fear not." And I told him about the plan to keep her safe the night we got there and my dream. His eyebrows only drew closer together as I was speaking.

"This is indeed worrying. I will see what can be done about sending someone to check on your daughter."

"Thank you, Gandalf," I said, squeezing his hand.

"Now go to bed, and promise me you will not visit Frodo in the morning until you have had some breakfast."

I smiled ruefully. "I promise." He smiled back and walked away.

I readied myself for bed, then sat on the windowsill for some time, admiring the stars. After a while I went to my bed and laid down beneath the covers, but I found it difficult to sleep. My worries about Bella buzzed around my head, pulling me from sleep; eventually I dozed off to the sound of humming coming from the room next to mine.