Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to LOTR, I only wish I did.

Rating: PG. I will change the rating when necessary.

A/N: Constructive criticism is welcome and appreciated. This is told in the first person, from Freda's point of view. Many details of events and time lines are from The Encyclopedia of Arda online. Translations come from two online sites – Arwen Undomiel and Grey Company. (for some reason, is not allowing me to type out the addresses, but it's cool) I do not own them either, I only use them for flavor.

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From the First

Chapter 4: Ithilien

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It was nearly two weeks before we heard anything regarding the battle in Gondor or Lady Eowyn. Some had started to lose hope, fearing the worst. Then a rider came with news of a victory – and the loss of our King. I remember my parents mourning as I went to tell them that I was being sent with the other attendants to Minas Tirith to be with Lady Eowyn as she healed from wounds suffered during the battle. Eothain would be going as well, to continue his duties serving Lord Eomer, who would eventually be crowned King. Mama tearfully hugged me and Papa, always the stronger, embraced me and told me to be good. Then they presented us with new cloaks that were lined with fur, to keep us warm.

The next few years went by quickly. There was so much to learn and do, especially when Lady Eowyn and Lord Faramir were wed and we moved to Ithilien. My studies continued. I learned to read and write, and sent letters home to my family often. I missed them very much, though Ithilien was growing on me.

I made the journey home to Rohan only a few times, including the time we returned to Edoras from Minas Tirith after the war. We remained in Rohan until the burial of King Theoden, then returned to Gondor for the marriage of Lady Eowyn to Lord Faramir. He became Prince of Ithilien and we then moved to the lands given to him by King Elessar, where construction of a new city began. It was to be called Dol Elessa, in honor of the King. We returned home two years later when King Eomer wed Lothíriel, daughter of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth. The third visit came after the birth of Elboron, son of Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn.

During these years I was made a Lady in Waiting after reaching the proper age. I also furthered my learning of Elvish, as it was traditionally the language of the Court of Gondor. My joy at discovering this did not go unnoticed. I was allowed extra tutelage and quickly became one of the most fluent speakers of the language in Ithilien.

The days flew by. Eldoron was growing at what seemed an astounding rate, and had decided from almost the time he could walk that I was his favorite playmate. I did not mind, as the days I spent chasing after him were usually spent out doors in the fields near the streams that ran into the great river.

On one such day, I was sitting beneath a tree while Eldoron played along the rocky bank of one such stream. I had found a love for art in drawing and painting, and often caught myself sketching images of a certain elf with my charcoal. I peeked up from my book. Eldoron was standing on a small outcropping of rocks, peering down into the pool below.

"Eldoron, your mother will have my head if you fall in to that water and I bring you home soaked through." I warned lightly.

"You worry too much, Freda." The five-year-old called back.

I shook my head and went back to sketching. A few seconds later I heard a scrabble of rocks and small splashes. I was on my feet in an instant. Eldoron was pulling himself up from his knees, still dry by the look of it.

"That's it! Down, now, please." I held out my hand to him.

"But I didn't fall in." He protested.

"You may be the son of the Prince, but you are in my charge for the day. Now, please, come down."

"No."

I sighed and stepped up onto the rocks, "Eldoron, you know I don't often force you to do things you don't want to do, but I can not be moved on this. Come, give me your hand."

"No!" He moved a step away.

"Be careful!"

No sooner had the words left my lips than I slipped myself, my cry of surprise swallowed by the water. It was just deep enough that I went under, scraping my palms against the small rocks at the bottom. I came up sputtering and managed to find my footing.

"Freda! Are you alright?" The child's frightened voice called. It sounded like he had come down from the rocks and gone to the gradual slope of the bank.

"Yes, I think so." I called back, beginning to push the hair from my eyes as I started toward the water's edge.

"You ought to be more careful." Though it had been years, I recognized the amused tone and voice before my vision was cleared and I saw Legolas standing shin-deep in the water with his hand extended out toward me.

I don't know which had me more flustered, the fact that I had not heard his approach or the warmth in his smile. Grinning back, I placed my hand in his and allowed him to help me out of the water. "Diole lle." I glanced around. Gimli was still astride the horse they'd ridden, chuckling. I gave him a rueful smile and returned my gaze to the elf. "Nae saian luume'. Im gelir ceni ad lín."

He smiled softly. "And I you." His gaze flicked over me. "Are you hurt at all?"

"Just my pride and a few scratches, I think." I examined my hands. He took hold of them lightly before I could lower them and examined them for himself. Self-conscious, I held as still as possible as he scanned the small wounds and tried not to stare at the ivory perfection of his hands against my own. "Eldoron?" I looked around for my charge, who was staring wide-eyed at the elf and dwarf. I stepped back and beckoned him forward. "Allow me to introduce you, my lords, to Eldoron, son of Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn. Eldoron, these are Gimli, son of Gloin, and Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm."

Eldoron bowed to them with more dignity than a five-year-old should have. "Are they the same that you tell stories of?"

I felt myself flush, embarrassed, as the two looked to me curiously. "The very same."

"Will you come to Dol Elessa, my lords?" The young prince asked.

"I'm sure that you would be most welcome to stay as long as you like." I added, hopeful that they would accept.

A brief look was exchanged, and Gimli nodded. "Thank you, young Lord Eldoron."

"Shall we help collect your belongings and horse?" Legolas offered.

"I think I can manage." I smiled. Then I turned and let a low whistle start in my throat, letting it swell to a trilling pitch as I began to walk to the place I'd left my book and charcoals.

An answering whinny sounded and I turned my head to see my horse, Fione, cantering from the fields some distance away. Just behind her was Rána, Eldoron's mare. With a brief smile in the elf's direction, I picked up my things and put them back into the satchel I had brought them in, slinging the bag across my back. Fione slowed to a trot and then a walk as she closed the distance, curious about the newcomers. As I stood, a gentle nudge told me that she was with me. I gave her a soft pat on the cheek and went to help Eldoron to mount Rána.

Gathering the dripping hem of my dress in my right hand, I placed my left foot into the stirrup and swung my other leg over the saddle. The yards of material pooled around me and down Fione's sides as I sat.

"Shall we, my lords?"

Fione shifted and sent me an annoyed look over her shoulder. I knew she was not happy to have the extra weight and wetness of my gown on her back. I gave her another soft pat and then we were off, riding for the newly built city.

"You're lucky we came along when we did, lass." Gimli's eyes crinkled as he looked down at me. "Though I dare say it has been a long while since I've seen our friend here move so quickly."

Legolas gave him a good-natured glare. "Yes, well, you have managed to stay out of trouble lately." He said with a smirk.

"Ha! If I recall, it was I who came to your aid last while we were exploring the northern caves of the Hithaeglir!"

The elf looked mildly annoyed. "And who was it that alerted the goblins there to our presence?"

They could have bickered all day. I shook my head and laughed. "It's nice to see that some things don't change."

"Eldoron is Lord Faramir's son, you said?" Legolas asked.

"He is." I gazed fondly at the boy. "With his mother's sense of spirit."

"Why are there no guards with you?"

I looked over at the elf as he and Gimli rode beside me. "There is little need for such precautions. Lord Faramir has eliminated the goblin presence in this area." I said confidently.

Gimli frowned. "I did not think Lord Faramir a man to be so careless."

"I'm sure that his Highness would not entrust me to care for his son alone if he did not think me capable." I replied.

"Surely not." Legolas added as we approached the gates.

The guards gave us curious looks as we passed. I nodded to them and they relaxed a bit. Dismounting before the main hall, we gave the horses to the groomsmen and went inside.

"My Goodness! What happened to you?" Lady Eowyn grinned at me. It was one of the things that endeared her to me; she rarely scolded for minor infractions.

"Freda showed me why I shouldn't climb on the rocks by the river!" Eldoron announced.

There was a round of laughter and I flushed, embarrassed.

"Perhaps next time, instead of demonstrating the consequences, you might simply explain it." Lord Faramir chuckled.

"I tried, my lord."

"It was a good thing Legolas and Gimli came when they did!" Eldoron chirped. "I hope it's alright that I invited them to stay." He looked pleadingly to his parents.

"Of course." Lord Faramir smiled. "Welcome, my lords, to Dol Elessa. Please, stay as long as you like."

"Thank you, Lord Faramir." Legolas gave a short bow of his head in acknowledgement.

"Freda, why don't you show our friends to the guest rooms?" Lady Eowyn suggested. "You may stop at your own and change your clothes. Tomorrow, if there are no objections, we shall have a feast in your honor." She finished by looking to them.

"Yes, my lady." I curtsied. "This way my lords."

After leaving the two to themselves, I went to my own room and pulled a dry gown from the chest at the foot of my bed. Eldoron would be spending the remainder of the afternoon with Aleric, the scholar who served as his instructor. I dressed myself in a new shift and the gown, wondering how long Legolas and Gimli would choose to stay in Dol Elessa. Twisting my still damp hair up into a knot, I secured it with a few combs and left my room.

The sun was already nearing the horizon when I found Lady Eowyn in one of the smaller gardens near the royal quarters, embroidering with the other ladies in waiting. I curtsied and came forward when she beckoned, sitting on a bench nearby. I leaned back against the tree and listened with closed eyes to the idle chatter of the others as they worked their stitches. Embroidery was not my favorite pastime.

"Freda?"

I opened my eyes and found Lady Eowyn watching me. "My apologies, my lady." I sat up straighter, trying to clear my fuzzy head. I didn't think I had dozed off, but I must have.

"I was asking if all of your tasks were done for today."

"Yes, my lady." I nodded.

"Alright. I would like for you to see that our guests are comfortable. If they do not require anything, you may have the rest of the evening to do as you wish. Tomorrow, and until they leave, you will accompany them and see that they are content during their stay."

"What of my other duties?" I asked.

Lady Eowyn smiled. "I'm sure we'll manage."

"Thank you, my lady." I was happy to have this assignment. I rose and bowed, then took my leave to return to the guest quarters.

Upon reaching the door, I raised my hand and knocked softly. Inside, the hum of conversation halted. The door opened and I found myself looking up into Legolas' gray eyes. I bobbed a small curtsy. "I'm sorry to interrupt. Lady Eowyn has sent me to see that you have everything that you require."

The elf stepped away from the door, offering me passage into the room. "I believe everything is in order."

I entered, staying near to the door so as not to intrude too much. Gimli nodded from his seat at the small table by the window.

"Are either of you hungry? I could have something brought from the kitchens." I saw the dwarf's eyes light up a bit and smiled. "What would you like?"

He waived his hand in an air of non-committal. "I'm sure whatever is readily available will do, lass."

I nodded and turned to Legolas. "Ar' ten' lle?"

"Baw, diola lle."

For a moment I nearly forgot myself as I looked into his eyes. Then, blinking, I looked away and made to leave again.

"Ask them to bring some ale up as well." Gimli called from the corner.

"Of course." I bowed and left them, wondering what had come over me to cause me to feel so strange all of a sudden.

10) Nae saian luume' - It has been too long

11) Im gelir ceni ad lín - I am glad to see you

12) Ar' ten' lle? – And for you?

13) Baw - No