Maith lay on a branch up in an oak, where she would not be disturbed. She needed to be alone, listening to the sighing of the wind, the rustling of grass, the whispering of trees. The ancient voices set her heart at peace.
But it was not soon before her thoughts strayed, and memories crept back. She did not allow tears, though her mouth trembled at the thought of Gandalf's death. He had been a dear friend and advisor at the same time, and she thought he would always be there…
Maith blinked. Someone was near. Some few, by the sound of it…Despite sadness still weighing on her heart, she jumped off and couldn't help but smile as Merry and Pippin staggered back in shock.
"We didn't know you were here!" Pippin exclaimed, stating the obvious.
"You didn't hear anything, right?" Merry added anxiously.
Maith frowned. No, she had been too immersed in her thoughts to hear what they were talking about.
"Yes, I did," she said sternly, hoping that she could trick an answer out through that.
To her surprise, the hobbits flushed quite red and exchanged a glance.
"We weren't serious," Merry said hurriedly.
"We didn't really think there was anything between you and Legolas…" Pippin added and, at the horrified expression on the elleth's face said, "although you are perfect for each other-and I would bet that he likes ya already!" thus making it worse.
Maith turned her head away so that they would not see the colour on her cheeks. "Go away, you too, before I change my mind," she exclaimed laughingly, and the hobbits scurried away, and could be heard laughing and scolding each other when they thought they were out of hearing distance.
As soon as they were gone, Maith slumped down on a stone bench. It was as if everywhere she went the thought of Legolas followed. She could not escape it. Maith rose and headed to her rooms, no longer in the mood for admiring the stars. The clouds were hiding them tonight anyway.
On her way she crossed Aragorn, presumably heading towards the archery fields. Maith muttered a greeting coolly and tried to go past him, but he stopped her.
"Legolas and I are having a contest, are you going to join us?"
Instinctively Maith wanted to refuse, but the look in the ranger's eyes changed her mind. The look was challenging her, and Maith suddenly remembered their previous conversation. She couldn't let him see that he had guessed right.
"Of course," she said sweetly, and let him lead her back to the archery fields.
The place was empty. Aragorn seemed lost, and suggested they sit down and wait. Maith tried hard to conceal a smile, listening to the sounds that humans could not hear, and learning that the elf was, in fact, right above them.
"I wonder what the matter is," she declared out loud.
She moved in front of Aragorn so that his back was facing the tree. At that moment Legolas leapt and landed, holding a sword to his neck.
"I win," he said.
"It's a conspiracy!" Aragorn declared, and threw his hands up in the air. "I should never trust elves." He then added in an undertone "them and the trees".
"Them and the trees," Maith mocked joyfully, her heart lifted.
Aragorn lunged at her, and she leapt backwards, so that she sat on a low branch behind her. Then she climbed swiftly upwards and out of reach. However, when the elleth glanced at the sky and saw the clouds now seemed heavy and dark she jumped down.
"It is going to rain," Legolas said before her.
"So much for a contest," Aragorn said, "let us head in."
The rest of the fellowships were loading their boats with supplies when Maith walked over. She was the last to get there. They had stayed for four days and she could not help but feel daunted at the task ahead.
Legolas was sifting through the packs. "Lembas," he exclaimed quietly, "Elvish Way-bread. One small bit is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man," he added, answering to the questioning looks of the hobbits. He handed it to Maith, and she took it without glancing up, missing the intentness in Legolas' eyes.
When Legolas was called over by Aragorn, Maith turned to the hobbits. "How many did you eat?" she demanded, noticing their guilty expressions.
"Four," Pippin responded nonchalantly, then burped.
With a sigh Maith took a bite of the Lembas and carefully packed it back up, shaking her head.
It was still morning when the Fellowship stood before Celeborn and Galadriel, who clad them each in an elegant white and green cloak, with silver leaf like clasps.
"Never before have we clad strangers in the grab of our own people," Celeborn said gravely, "and may these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes."
Then Lady Galadriel stepped forward to present each of them gifts. To Legolas she gave a beautiful bow that Maith quite envied.
"My gift for you, Legolas, is the bow of Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin," Galadriel had said.
Merry and Pippin received small daggers. "These are the daggers of Noldorin. They have already seen service in war," she explained.
Galadriel turned to Sam, "and for you, Samwise Gamgee-Elven rope, made of hithlain."
"Thank you, my lady," Sam said politely, but cast a sideways glance at Merry and Pippin, "have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?"
Galadriel just smiled merrily and went over to Gimli. "What gift would a dwarf ask of the Elves?"
"Nothing," Gimli shifted, "Except to look upon the Lady of Galadhrim one last time, for she is fairer than all the jewels beneath the earth." He added, looking up. Maith watched curiously as the dwarf turned but hesitated, and turned back.
"Actually, there is one small thing…ugh, quite impossible. Stupid to ask," he muttered.
Galadriel came to Aragorn, placing her hand on the pendant at his neck. Arwen's Evenstar, Maith recognized, feeling a pang for her sister in her heart.
"I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear," Galadriel said softly, "for her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will diminish…"
Maith closed her eyes against the thought.
"I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor." Aragorn responded firmly.
"The choice is yet before her," Lady Galadriel said, "you have your own choice to make, Aragorn. To rise above the height of all your fathers since Elendil, or to fall into darkness…with all that is left of your kin." Maith saw Aragorn flinch.
Galadriel smiled gently, "Namarie (farewell). There is much you have yet to do…we shall not meet again, Elessar."
Maith grew uncomfortable as Galadriel then looked at her. "You, too, already possess a great gift. You do not know it yet, but one day you will find it." Her gaze pierced her to the heart, as if giving her courage, "and that day may just be one of the happiest of your life."
She left the elleth to ponder her words and moved onto Frodo, though not before glancing thoughtfully in the direction of the elf now talking to Gimli.
"Farewell, Frodo Baggins," Galadriel looked at the hobbit fondly, "I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star." She held out a crystal vile, and the water within it shone gently but wondrously in the morning light. As Frodo took it, she kissed the hobbit on the forehead, "may it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out." It was hard not to shudder at the whispered words.