*Dedicated to Tanya Plashkova and Irene Cooper.*

"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

I was panting, sweating, my throat was hoarse but I could not get the horror out of my mind. We had lost one. I refused to open my eyes so I jumped when I felt arms around me and then my eyes popped open. Uncle Elrond was sitting at the edge of my bed with a look of concern. I looked around and saw that the sky had begun to lighten. It was almost daybreak but the nightmare vision that had erupted from my soul dug deeper. His eyes would not leave mine. I knew then that this war just claimed our most powerful ally and someone close to my heart; Mithrandir.

"What is it my child? What frightens you so?" Uncle Elrond spoke then. Gulping, I uttered just one word;

"Mithrandir."

Then I leapt out of bed and started gathering my clothing into my travel satchel for I knew I had to make my way back to Lorien at once. Aunt Galadriel would need me as would the others who I felt in every inch of my gut would now for certain have to go through Lorien on their way to Mordor. Uncle Elrond watched me without saying a word. I ran into another room long enough to change into something I could ride in and not in my night clothing. With a quick hug and long look at my uncle--knowing full well I had no idea when I would return next--I ran to the stables and jumped on Sunset who had been always made ready for my hasty and unexpected departures, then he and I took off toward Lorien in the sun rise. I did not even get a chance to say goodbye to Arwen but my uncle assured me he would give her the message.

I rode hard and fast. Probably faster than I had ever thought I had ridden in my life. I just could not get that image out of my mind. We had lost him and to what? Some fire breathing servant of that vile Morgoth? Now what did we do? The horn blew as I was ushered into Lothlorien and got off of Sunset as my aunt and Celeborn were watching me from their platform. Haldir was unseen at this point. I raced toward her and knew then all hope was lost. I had been praying my vision was somehow wrong; but looking into her unwavering eyes, I knew it was not. I had to breathe and gain my bearings.

"They will come from the north tonight; you need to be calm my child." She said.

Only good piece of news was that I would see my beloved and that is when Haldir appeared.

"They are approaching the forest from the other side now; I shall go and meet them." He bowed to me then. I did not even have the wherewithal to acknowledge him.

I walked to my chamber and changed into a golden gown and took out what was meant to be given on this precious night to my betrothed out of the jewelry box. I also had to take some deep breaths to focus on what lay ahead. I closed my eyes and let a sense of peace wash over me.

It took a while as I did not realize that all was delayed due to the fact that Haldir was reluctant to let the One Ring pass into the inner sanctum of Lorien but with Aragorn's persuasion it was finally accomplished. Once all had passed through the outer forest and into the inner sanctum where we lived, I watched from a hidden location as the Fellowship of 9 now only of 8--that fact alone tugged at my heartstrings--explained what had happened with the Balrog in Moria and my beloved Mithrandir. Now I got a good look at this fellowship.

4 Hobbits; one of which, Frodo, was carrying the One Ring; two men Aragorn and Boromir (the latter of whom seemed twitchy to me and not in a good way; I immediately did not trust him. He would try to take the ring from Frodo; I could see it.) A Dwarf named Gimli son of Gloin whom I met nearly a century before fighting side by side with Thorin. And of course my beloved Legolas, the only elf in the company. I knew he could sense my presence but it was not my time to show myself yet.

As the company was given food and a place to rest before continuing on their journey, my aunt passed her test with the One Ring and let Frodo rest but he now knew that if he failed to destroy the ring, the world would fall especially his precious Shire. There was no going back now. His fate, for whatever outcome was sealed. As the forest gained its peace save for some elves singing a lament to Mithrandir's passing, Legolas emerged from his tent and was met by a smiling Haldir who beckoned him to follow.

A light appeared at the top of one of the trees that held a long stairway with guards on all sides. The others curiously also exited their tent and watched in awe as Legolas was brought forth toward the steps by Haldir who then looked up at the blinding light and nodded. Slowly, very slowly, my face and shape appeared within the light of Earendil. Finally the light faded enough to reveal my full body and face as the others looked on in awe. Aragorn quickly bent to one knee as he bowed. Not trying to offend the rest followed suit except for Legolas; his eyes never left mine as I smiled my most peaceful of smiles.

He looked at Haldir who nodded and Legolas ascended the stairs and put his hand out for me to take it which I did without hesitation. The others got up at that point still transfixed by the sight in front of them. As I descended onto the ground and was standing toe to toe with my beloved, he had forgotten all of the formal etiquette and threw his arms around me, lifting me off the ground, and twirling me in a circle until I laughed with tears in my eyes. When he sat me back down again, not caring about the audience that we had, he kissed me. Haldir, being accustomed to it just smiled with understanding.

Afterwards, we just held each other knowing we had to let go and I had to introduce myself to the slightly confused and yet awed crowd before me. As I looked first at Aragorn he smiled and nodded.

"It is an honor and pleasure to see you again, princess." I smiled at him then and nodded, and then I walked forward and introduced myself to the rest.

"I am Princess Hedraliel Anorithilian of Rivendell and Lothlorien. Legolas and I are betrothed to one another. I am pleased to meet the fellowship finally. You are all very strong and brave souls for the journey you are embarking on. I shall see you all again soon." I said cryptically smiling. Gimli was the first to speak:

"Betrothed to the elf? Oh ey laddie! You never mentioned you were to be wed to a beautiful Goddess." I laughed as Legolas and Aragorn smiled.

"Gimli son of Gloin; you are as brave and foolhardy as your father, whom I had the privilege of both meeting and fighting alongside of many moons ago." I said to him as he looked at me startled.

"You knew my father?" I nodded.

"The Battle of Five Armies, your father proved a formidable opponent against the orcs in order to protect his and your kin. In my eyes that deserves respect." I said wisely remembering that time nearly a century ago.

"I was but a youngin then." He said as I nodded. I thought he was still trying to piece it together in his head how we elves lived our immortal though not invincible lives.

As the introductions came and went, I stole Legolas away with me for a little one on one time and it was pretty obvious he was going to spend that night with me as well but before we got to that blissful time, there was something I absolutely had to give him and the only way that would happen was in private. So I asked him to follow me to the platform surrounded with light. When we got there, I turned around to him and took a necklace off my neck. He looked confused as I explained it to him.

"This is the Varyamir Anorithilian necklace of my family. A long time ago, you gave me your familial broach. This is slightly of different purpose. The stone on top is the Varyamir. It is a protection stone or crystal. It is to protect your soul from the darkest of the dark. The legend in my family is that once the greatest evil is vanquished, the stone turns black and must be ripped from the neck of the bearer of the stone and crushed to symbolize the end of this evil. In our time, this evil is Sauron. The Varyamir will protect your soul as you face him time and time again. And before you argue, yes I am aware I too shall be in this fight exposing my soul to him, but this is meant for the betrothed to bear. I have something similar elsewhere to bring with me upon my ultimate fight."

"I do not know what to say." He stammered out. I put the necklace around his neck and hid it completely beneath his clothing so it would be out of sight from the others at all times.

"You do not have to say anything. The sun and moon below it represent my family as you are and will be a part of it soon enough. I love you, Legolas Greenleaf." I said then and kissed him as he returned my kiss and then got down on bended knee to accept the precious gift I had just given him.

"I shall wear this with pride and honor of the angel who gave it to me. I love you with every ounce of my soul, Hedraliel Anorithilian. Someday, we will make it a fact to the rest of Middle-Earth and beyond."

We kissed then and as the sun started to set and the others had gone back to their respective sleeping locations while Legolas followed me into the bed chamber he used to spend time with me in, in between wars. I had not changed much in there except for the freshly cut flowers that the elven maidens made sure were always there when I would live there and the candles that I lit as I extended my hand forward and he came toward me. Tonight would be the last night in any sort of comfortable surroundings before he had to leave on his journey to hell and perhaps at the end of that, somehow we would find ourselves together and happy without any doom or gloom hanging like drops of dew around us.

Perhaps as we all hoped, prayed, and prepared to fight for, we were going to be amongst the sun, moon, and stars....playing happily.

But for now.....we just had tonight.