"The Princess, she has awakened." - A maiden

The darkness was so cold, heavy, and suffocating, Almárie could not see her way ahead. Scenes from her life before and after mortality flashed before her and she felt like a fly caught in tree sap, struggling helplessly before it inevitably hardened forever. Resigning herself to death, she prepared to separate from her lifeless body when she heard a faint voice calling her name. It told her not to give up hope that she was safe and would soon be free. But it was so far away she could not tell who spoke.

In desperation, Almárie called back, but no reply came. She slowly felt the heaviness lifting from her and floated blindly in the darkness, not knowing which way to turn until another voice called out. It was clearer, but more commanding. "Gracious Lady, you are safe now. Return to us. The time has come to complete the task appointed to you."

A shaft of light pierced the darkness, and Almárie gravitated towards it. She followed the shaft as if it were a pathway, but with each step, she became more aware of her physical body. The rush of her blood through her veins, the loud beating of her heart, and the waves of pain flowing through her limbs. Soft voices, singing or speaking soothing words, and a strong, gentle whisper met her cry of agony and fear. "Sweet sister, do not fear. I am with you."

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28th March/ Gwaeron 3019, Galadhrim Camp

Beads of sweat poured down Anberenien's face, and her breathing was fast and shallow. Her dull eyes, open but unseeing, darted about in her delirium. But the three Elf maidens attending her sang gentle songs healing, which calmed her again and she fell back into a deep sleep. All the while, Radagast held her hand and spoke softly to her.

"Do not fear, Sweet Sister, it is only the poison leaving you. The worst is over now." He placed another cooling cloth on her forehead and looked up at one of the Maidens, his expression hopeful. "She is returning to us, Lady Óliel. Slowly, but I feel her coming back."

Lady Óliel beamed. "Then perhaps it is time you took some rest. You have been with her all night and you have not fully recovered yourself. Now go to bed. We will summon you when she wakes."

Radagast let out a yawn and rubbed the angry red mark on his neck. "I suppose you are right, my lady. I am still weary from my sufferings." He kissed Anberenien's hand and patted it gently. "sleep well, Sweet Sister. So much has changed in the world and there is so much to look forward to." Another maiden helped him to stand, his muscles still aching with infirmity and arm-in-arm she led from Anberenien's room, back to his own. And assisted him in getting into bed. The Elves had taken good care of him. They had bathed him, washed and brushed his hair and given him clean clothes. Brown, of course. It was the cleanest he had been for many years.

He had also lost his shyness around them and conversed with them most readily. Now comfortably settled in his bed, he immediately drifted off, only to be woken a few hours later by a very excited male attendant. "My Lord, you must come outside and see. It is a miracle!" he exclaimed.

Radagast smiled wearily. Elves were often delighted by the simplest of things. The attendant helped him out of bed and gently led him outside the great pavilion. The Elves in the camp were all transfixed as they looked toward the eaves of Mirkwood. "Look, my Lord, our Lord and Lady must have been victorious! See the cleansed forest! A great wind blew eastward across the forest and the Dark Lord's taint was no more!"

Radagast's eyes widened, great tears of joy fell from his weary eyes as he beheld the sight. Mirkwood was no more. Instead, a lush green forest stood in its place. "Sauron's power is truly gone from the world," he whispered. And it was a most glorious sight. He thought about his animal friends, keen to return to them as soon as he was able. If only Almárie could see this. Then a gentle hand touched his shoulder and one of the maidens whispered in his ear.

"The Princess, she has awakened."

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Anberenien stared at the gleaming white cloth of the tent room, though it hurt her eyes. Dull Pain pulsed through her limbs. As if she had been exercising for too long, only much worse. She whimpered with every spasm, having no strength to cry out. But it was not until she heard a silvery Elven voice that she realised she was not alone. "My apologies, Híril Brethil Nin. We cannot give you anything for the pain till you are free of the poison. But a little of this will fortify you."

Having no strength to turn her head, Anberenien followed the direction of the voice with her eyes. A silver-haired Elven woman wearing white robes was standing at a nearby table mixing something in a bowl. She then sat on a chair beside Anberenien's bed with the bowl and spoon in her hand. "It is Lembas mixed with the waters of the Nimrodel."

She spooned a little of the mixture into Anberenien's mouth, filling it with a pleasant creamy taste. The Elven woman wiped Anberenien's face with a cloth and poured some water into her mouth. the cool, refreshing liquid slipped down her throat and it felt to Anberenien as if it flowed through even the smallest veins of her body. She tried to speak, but could barely muster a whisper. "Where...."

The Elven woman smiled. "I am Lady Óliel, Chief Handmaiden in the service of the Lady Galadriel. You are in the Battle Camp of Lord Celeborn. My Lord and Lady have gone with a great army to destroy Dol Guldur once and for all."

Anberenien's mind raced. The last thing she remembered was being locked in a tower at Dol Guldur, being prepared for her wedding to the Dark Lord. But what if none of this was real? What if this was just another of Sauron's tricks and she woke back up in Dol Guldur or worse, Barad Dur? Óliel seemed to understand her confusion.

"Híril Brethil Nin, Prince Calenamath and a company of Mirkwood Elves rescued you from the fortress. They met with an advance party Lord Celeborn sent to scout for the attack and rescued some prisoners, the Brown Wizard too."

Anberenien could hardly believe her ears. Calenamath and Radagast were alive, and the Elves had rescued her from Dol Guldur. That meant that at least some of the woodland realm had survived the Orc attack and remained free, or perhaps Nuta had lied. Dare she hope that Thranduil was alive and waiting for her? She had to know.

"Cal.....?"

"Prince Calenamath and his company have gone with Lord Celeborn to Dol Guldur. They have gone to represent King Thranduil in its destruction."

Thranduil was alive. A wave of relief overcame Anberenien, and her tears fell in torrents. Óliel appeared surprised by her reaction. "This is not a time for weeping, Híril Brethil Nin. The Dark Lord is no more, the King of Gondor is returning and all is well with the world."

Now everything fell into place. If Sauron was truly no more, something must have happened to his ring. And if the King of Gondor was returning, Aragorn and the Fellowship must have succeeded. Now it made sense why Óliel addressed her as princess. Óliel then summoned two other Elves called Tarthanith, who had dark brown hair and Lirinde with hair of chestnut. She instructed them to summon Radagast and to prepare a bath for the Princess.

Both Elven women smiled and gave Anberenien a half-bow before exiting back out through the white curtain. Shortly after, Radagast entered the tent room, beaming from ear to ear. Anberenien noticed the red rope mark on his neck. He rushed over to her like an excited child. "Oh, Sweet Sister you are awake at last. And at such a time, too. The forest is lush and green again."

Óliel vacated the chair and indicated for Radagast to sit. "You may speak with the princess until we have prepared her bath. Then you should eat. I'll have Lirinde prepare a meal for you."

Radagast thanked her and clasped Anberenien's hand. "You.....are..... alive, ... Nuta said," whispered Anberenien.

Radagast shook his head. "Save your strength, Sweet Sister, and I will tell you all I know." He then related to her of his rescue by the Galadhrim and some escaping prisoners who brought him back to the camp where Galadriel and her maidens had healed him. He rubbed the mark on his neck but reassured her he was recovering.

Anberenien managed a smile. Hope was returning to her heart after all the pain and grief she had endured. A short time later, Óliel returned with the other two maidens carrying a metal bath and buckets of hot water. Once they had finished setting up the bath, Lirinde ushered Radagast out of the room while Óliel and Tarthanith helped Anberenien into the bath. They had covered the bath in linen cloth so her skin would not touch the metal. It was much smaller than the hot pool in her chamber back in the Elven Halls, but the warm water eased her aching joints.

Tarthanith removed the soiled bedding and sheets from Anberenien's bed and replaced them, before laying out a white linen shift and bedrobe for her. Anberenien looked sadly at her thin, scarred body. Now that she knew Thranduil was still alive, would her form repulse him when they came together on their wedding night? She had kept her scars completely covered since she had recovered from her wounds. But from their union, she could never hide herself from him. A seed of apprehension now took hold of her.

"My Lord and Lady were most grieved to hear of your wounds. But I see they have healed well. Do they still cause you pain?" said Óliel.

"Not... Often," replied Anberenien. She stiffened again and gripped the bathtub, her muscles tensing as a wave of pain gripped her body. Óliel took her hand and told her to breathe slowly until the spasm eased. She and Tarthanith softly hummed their songs until the pain passed. After her bath, they dried Anberenien, dressed her and helped her back into the fresh clean bed.

"You should rest now, Híril Brethil Nin. You are not yet free of the poison," said Óliel. Anberenien wondered how long it would take to be free of the poppy syrup. All she could think about was returning to Thranduil and the woodland realm as soon as she was well enough. But before she could vocalise her thoughts, she drifted into a dreamless, peaceful sleep.

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30th March/ Gwaeron 3019, Galadhrim Camp

The sound of triumphant horns grew louder as they approached the camp, causing much excitement among the Elves. "The Lord and Lady are returning!" They cried joyfully as they gathered at the entrance of the encampment. Radagast watched them from the entrance of the great pavilion. He would see them soon enough.

A short time later, the Heralds emerged from the forest on horseback, blowing their horns. A great cheer went up across the whole encampment, and the Elves lined up to welcome the victorious host. Behind the Heralds came the great host led by Celeborn and Galadriel, and behind them Calenamath and his company of Elves from Mirkwood. They brought with them a single prisoner in bonds whom they led by a rope, the High Priestess Nuta. Behind them came the rest of the host along with prisoners they had rescued from the fortress.

A company of healers immediately left the camp to attend to the new arrivals and take them to the infirmary, where the other freed prisoners were recovering. The rest of the Elves cheered even louder and played merry tunes as their Lord and Lady entered the camp. They rode up to the Pavillion with Prince Calenamath, who seemed subdued despite the celebrations. Lord Celeborn then raised his hands, and the Elves fell silent.

"My good people! The threat of Dol Guldur is no more! My Lady has thrown down its very walls and with its destruction, the very forest is cleansed. Many Orcs we have slain and prisoners we have released." All of the Elves cheered at his words, but he silenced them again.

"But before we return to our forest, some Orcs escaped, so we will remain here to complete our work. But tonight we shall celebrate our victory with music and feasting!" At this, the Elves cheered even louder, happily dispersing in preparation for the night's merriment. Celeborn, Galadriel and Calenamath dismounted their horses.

The lady Galadriel smiled serenely as she took Radagast's hands. "It is good to see you, my dear Aiwendil. The forest is flourishing again. Your Sister, how does she fare?"

"She woke yesterday, shortly after the forest was renewed. She rested well last night, but is still very weak," replied Radagast.

Galadriel nodded. "It will take more than sleep to restore your sister. But for now, we will do what we can."

"Anberenien has awoken? When may I see her?" asked Calenamath.

"When I am satisfied with her progress," replied Galadriel. She gave him a polite smile before entering the tent.

Celeborn padded him on the shoulder. "Perhaps you should attend to your company and your prisoner. There is time enough to speak with Anberenien. We shall be here a few days yet before meeting with your brother. I shall write to inform him of our victory and arrange our summit." Then he, too, entered the pavilion, leaving Calenamath and Radagast alone.

"Congratulations on your success, King Thranduil will be most pleased," said Radagast.

Calenamath's face remained unmoved. "It is good to see you so recovered. I feared you would not survive."

Radagast rubbed his neck again. "And I have you and your companions to thank for that....... You have a prisoner, I see."

"I took her into custody myself. She and her companions had tried to barricade themselves in the tower where they had held Thorwen. I mean Anberenien. When we finally broke our way in, all the other priests had taken poison. Only she remained. She put up no fight when we searched her and put her in bonds. She has not spoken since we took her, but I still sense there is something more to her countenance." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "I will instruct the guards to watch her constantly and to keep her apart from the other prisoners. If you will excuse me," He bowed slightly, then went toward the billet tents. Radagast followed him with watchful eyes until he melded into the throng of the encampment.