Ellawyn woke the following morning at dawn. Rolling to her back she relished the warm rays of sun that warmed her face as she opened her eyes. The first sensation she was met with was a dull ache in her head. Groaning, she thrashed under the duvet to free herself, rising and stalking towards the small entrance to her bathing chambers. The room she was given was nice. It was strange to have a private room for herself. The space was open, allowing for the sun and breeze to dance across the room through the curtains. She glanced around to appreciate the morning sun highlighting the shades of gold and lavender that decorated and accented the room. Coming to a stop in front of the silver basin, she ducked her head to see her reflection. Even in the curved basin, she studied her distorted image, nearly a quarter of her face donning an ugly bruise. A small gasp left her lips as she raised her hand to her eye. It was half-shut, the tender flesh below it stained a deep purple. Dragging her hand down to her jaw, she raced the blue and green mess of a bruise that continued down the side of her face.

Elly broke her stare from the basin, resolving that nothing could be done for her appearance and headed to the wardrobe that stood tall and proud across from her bed. Pulling the brass handles wide, she surveyed its contents. Pretty gowns of endless colors hung from the wooden rod at the top, but her eyes searched for something else. Her travel tunic and leggings had been taken away to be cleaned, as they were coated thickly in mud and black blood from the skirmish she had found herself in the day before. Ellawyn was completely dissatisfied by the lack of practical clothing in the wardrobe, fidgeting with the neckline of the nightgown she wore. A knock at the door startled her from her scheming to find something sensible to wear and she scrambled to the door. Opening it just a crack and peeking her head around it, she found an unexpected visitor waiting patiently on the other side of the door.

"Gandalf!" Her surprise and glee at his visit was evident in her voice and the grey wizard grins back at her. His warm blue eyes darkened as he noticed the state of her face, a large, warm hand coming to touch the dark skin on her cheekbone. He withdrew at her nearly unnoticeable flinch and met her eyes once more, a smile once again returning to his lips as he spoke.

"Well are you going to invite an old friend inside? Or must he remain standing in the hallway?" She chuckled at this, widening the door and stepping to the side to allow him entrance. Her cheeks warmed as he passed her, suddenly very aware of her indecency despite knowing that the old wizard had told her bedtime stories since she was but an elfling. Closing the door she followed Gandalf inside, following his lead as he took a seat at one of the two small chairs by her fireplace.

"Elrond's sons informed me of your little adventure yesterday. How do you feel?" His deep, familiar voice sent waves of peace through her. She offered him a grin.

"I am well, do not worry. You should see how the Orc fares," she teased with a wicked grin. Elrohir had been the one to kill it, but she figured that he did not need to know that. Gandalf's hand reached up, removing his tall blue hat from his shaggy head, placing it onto his lap. In his silence her face grew grim, another thought that had been plaguing her mind resurfacing.

"When Radagast sent me to Mirkwood he said he was off to meet with you. He was supposed to be in Rivendell before me…" She trailed off, the wise wizard reading the question in her eyes.

"He is just fine Ellawyn, he found me along with my company near the Valley. This is why I have sought you." He glanced at her kindly, a reassuring smile gracing his lips as he continued, "he wished for me to inform you of a change of plans, he has returned to watch over the Greenwood for any more news of movement in DolGuldur. He is safe, for now." Elly nodded carefully, not missing his choice of words. For now. Remembering her purpose again, she rose to her feet. Padding across the room to the corner that she'd stashed her weapons and bags in, his eyes followed her across the room. Snatching up her satchel she turned on her heel and marched back to Gandlf stopping behind his shoulder where he sat. Hesitantly she pulled the wrapped blade from its spot and held it in front of them, offering it to him.

"It is my understanding that the White Counsel must see this." A heavy sigh from the wizard as she dropped the bag on the bed before once again taking a seat across from him. Quickly he stashed in within his tattered grey robes, grimacing as he did so as if it physically pained him to have it so close.

"Have you enjoyed your stay in Imladris?" She greatly welcomed his change of subject, her mind exhausted from her unending pondering of the implications of such darkness. She nodded emphatically, "indeed. It is a beautiful home." She paused fighting herself internally about whether or not to ask the all-knowing wizard the questions that had been torturing her since her arrival. The questions that she had quizzed Elrohir on and he claimed he could not answer.

"Many of the elves here look like me." She stated as a fact, earning a wary look from the rugged man across from her. He got the sense immediately that he knew what she wanted to know, and by the look of his face, began to realize that the wizard might actually have the answers. Nodding slowly he added a thoughtful 'mmm'. When he did not add anything else, her chest fluttered in ire.

"You know something." She did not phrase it as a question, "why will you not share your knowledge Gandalf? Long I have suspected that both of you wizards have known more than you let on about my past, about my heritage. Long have I endured your riddles! Convincing myself that you and Radagast knew best and if you would not reveal my identity to me, then there must be a good reason for it." She sucked in a breath, ignoring his hardened eyes and the hand that he held up to stop her ranting. She was angry now. She did not know why her arrival at the elven home had encouraged her desire for answers, all that she knew was that she had grown sick of not knowing.

"I am over 400 years old for Eru's sake Gandalf! Do I not deserve to know who I am? I am not an elfling anymore!"

"You know not what you speak, child." He replied firmly, but did not raise his voice. The authority and warning in his tone made her shrink slightly in her seat, feeling just that, a child. With her eyes cast to her lap, she heard Gandalf sigh. She felt like a chastised elfling who had spoken out of turn.

"My apologies, for my blatant disrespect," she mumbled, still fighting down her rage.

"No Ellawyn, you are right." Her eyes snapped to him at this, darting across his face.

"I cannot give you the answers you seek for it is not my place. Speak with Lord Elrond, he knows more than even I." Rising to his feet, the old wizard nodded to her before heading for the door. As his hand rested on the handle he turned to study the left side of her battered face once more, "and if you insist on finding trouble for yourself, have the sons of Elrond train you during your visit. The orcs of Dol Guldur are only becoming stronger and more plentiful. You can no longer rely on the strength of Beorn or the magic of Radagast." He warned with one last exasperated look in her direction, a small smile pulled at his mouth. She nodded sheepishly before asking, "surely they are too busy to be bothered with training an elleth in swordsmanship?" Gandalf laughed at this, a twinkle in his eye as he offered her another one of his riddles.

"For you, I think not," and he left her alone once more.