I returned to my flet that evening, where Cellinneth had drawn a bath for me. I adamantly ignored her lecture about propriety and whatnot as she helped me undress, which was alarmingly difficult to do. After the still-lecturing nurse removed my bandages, I stepped into the hot water and sank into the heat, wincing. Still, it was a good kind of pain. Then I leisurely began washing off the Moria grime, accepting Cellinneth's continued assistance.

When I was clean, Cellinneth rebandaged everything and helped me into bed. I fell asleep almost immediately.

* * *

The elleth was walking toward a boat in the water, then paused and glanced behind her. A dark-haired Dwarf watched her go with sad eyes, which lit up at her hesitation. She glanced at a blonde ellon, waiting for her in the boat. Then she shook her head at him. She would stay. She would help the people of Laketown rebuild their homes in Dale.

The Dwarf smiled shyly as the elleth approached him. Then he handed her a small hatchet. Picking up a larger axe, he motioned for her to follow him into the evergreen woods. As they walked, he hesitantly reached up and took her hand.

Meanwhile, at the lake's edge, the blonde ellon sat alone in the boat, his oceanic blue eyes hardening to an icy gaze.

The scene shifted. The same elleth sat in a small room, her hair straight and lank, her face gaunt. In her lap sat a baby-a happy baby. But the elleth did not share the child's joy. The elleth stood and handed the baby to a Dwarf woman, then left, never to return.

The child began to cry.

Again, the scene changed. A short, brown-haired girl was walking down a road, holding hands with a blonde ellon with loving blue eyes. At her other side walked a red-bearded Dwarf. The ellon said something, and all three burst out laughing, each genuinely happy to be with the other two.

Then time froze.

The trio of friends began walking backward, their gestures and moving lips working in reverse. The elleth walked backward into the small room and took back her child, sat and replaced the baby in her lap. The elleth and Dwarf's hands parted, and the pair walked backward to the lake. Exchanged a few words, then the elleth backed up to the initial halfway point between the ellon and the Dwarf.

The reversed vision halted, then played forward again.

The elleth gazed sadly at the Dwarf, but turned away. Got in the boat with the ellon and didn't look back. Never got pregnant. Never gave birth to the child.

The scene returned to that of the blonde-haired ellon and red-bearded Dwarf. But the brown-haired woman was nowhere to be seen. And the two males were arguing bitterly, agreeing only not to speak at all.

A new scene came next. A battlefield, slick with blood and dotted with bodies. The red-bearded Dwarf lay on his back, an Elvish arrow protruding from his chest. Blood matted his beard around his mouth, and his eyes were locked open in an eternal stare. Nearby lay an ellon, his blonde hair fanning out, stained with the blood. His head lolled to the side, his throat sliced open and already bled out. His stunning blue eyes were open, and when a fly landed on one, he didn't blink.

Legolas...

* * *

I awoke with a sharp cry, tears streaming down my face. It was a dream. It was just a dream.

I sat up in bed and focused on evening my erratic breathing, and stemming the flow of tears. This wasn't a logical reaction, after all, I'd had nightmares before.

But never one that vivid.

It wasn't long before Cellinneth came in, carrying a new dress. "Good morning," she chirped. "Lady Galadriel has invited all the Fellowship to dine with her, and we mustn't keep her waiting!"

My blood ran cold. Lady Galadriel? Me eat with Lady Galadriel? Tremors ran through my body and my breath hitched. This wasn't happening. Mordor, this couldn't be happening!

"My lady?" Cellinneth called, concern written in her expression.

Get it together, Eda. Now. If Galadriel knew, she wouldn't invite you to breakfast. You're just another member of the Fellowship. Deep breath. Galadriel doesn't know.

"Yes," I responded, my voice a little shaky. "I'm alright. Just nervous."

"Well, that's understandable," Cellinneth replied, most of her concern disappeared. "But don't worry, the Lady is a very kind and noble elleth. She hears the very thoughts of our minds, and none can be hidden from her."

The blood drained from my face, and I swayed. Eru dammit, this was bad. Very, very bad.

"My lady," Cellinneth exclaimed, rushing over to me.

"I don't feel good," I moaned. And I wasn't lying. Mordor, it was the bloody truth.

"Let's get you dressed," Cellinneth said gently. "What you need now is a proper meal to strengthen you. Come along, now."

I nodded weakly and did as I was told. Cellinneth expertly dressed me and fixed my hair into a fancy Elvish updo I had no hopes of learning for myself. Finally, she took my elbow and led me outside.

I wasn't expecting Legolas to be waiting for us on the other side of the door. And, embarrassing as it was, I gave a short scream at his sudden appearance.

Cellinneth rubbed my arm, shooting a disapproving look Legolas's way. "My lord, you should be down at breakfast."

Legolas rolled his eyes and hobbled closer, leaning on a walking stick. "Eda, what's wrong?"

I shook my head vaguely. "I'm just not...I don't..."

Legolas turned to Cellinneth. "Thank you. I'll walk with her from here."

Cellinneth hesitated, then scurried away. Legolas's hand cupped my elbow, and we began to slowly descend the stairs winding around the mallorn tree trunk.

"Is it true that Galadriel can hear our thoughts?" I burst out at length.

A smirk tugged at Legolas's lips. "Yes. Though, I have never met the Lady in person before." He glanced at me. "Does this trouble you?"

"Yes," I admitted in a whisper.

Legolas turned to look at me again, the amusement long disappeared from his expression and replaced by concern. "Why do you fear?"

I dropped my gaze to my feet, watching the stairs slowly pass beneath me. "Legolas-" Eru, but his name was beautiful. Too beautiful to pass over my tongue. "My history is...shameful. Too dark for me to willingly reveal to her."

"Eda." His voice was reproving. "The Lady will not condemn you for your parents' actions."

"I know." I shook my head. "It isn't that. I-" I hesitated. Did I really want to tell Legolas how I'd spent the last thirty years?

Legolas's thumb stroked my arm just over my elbow. "You can tell me," he said gently.

I still avoided his gaze. "But if I do, she'll be twice as likely to hear about what I've done."

He gave a quiet chuckle. "I'm quite sure she's already heard your thoughts, Eda. It's said she can hear the thoughts of all within Lothlòrien-as well as a handful of other people all across Arda."

My steps faltered. Illùvatar, I was walking to my own execution!

Legolas's hand tightened on my arm, holding me upright and keeping me moving. "Please, Eda," he said quietly. "I would like to know."

I nodded mutely, but it was a few steps before I could force the words out. "After I fled Erebor, I spent the first few years begging and stealing. I noticed I had a knack for slipping things into my pockets without people noticing, so I started stealing for hire."

I glanced at Legolas to monitor his reaction. His brow was slightly furrowed, but in concern-not anger. So I continued.

"Then someone offered me a lot of money for an assassination." I swallowed hard and dodged Legolas's sudden glance. "I was paid half in advance, and told I'd be given the second half when the job was done."

"Who was it you were to assassinate?" Legolas asked quietly.

"Lady Galadriel," I whispered, swallowing hard. "So I came here. Everything was going according to plan...Celeborn was gone on business or something, Galadriel was asleep, and I climbed in through her window. But when it came right down to it...I couldn't kill her."

Legolas gave a relieved sigh. His hand moved to the nape of my neck and gently stroked the exposed skin. I felt my muscles relaxing, almost against my will, but I gave a soft exhale of my own. He didn't hate me. I closed my eyes, inexplicably grateful.

"What happened then?" he asked gently.

I opened my eyes again. "I fled," I responded. "Moved on to the next job stealing. I took another assassination job soon enough, and lots more after that, but..." I shrugged bashfully. "I never could bring myself to complete them."

By now, we'd reached the base of the mallorn tree, and we went onto the worn path winding between the other mallorn trees.

"I believe it's safe to say Lady Galadriel will not criticize you for the actions of your youth," he said.

"If you say so," I murmured, unconvinced.

Legolas gently patted my uninjured shoulder and gave a light chuckle. "Do not sound so resigned. You will be with me-and the rest of the Fellowship. We will protect you," he said, his tone teasing.

I grinned; this side of Legolas was both pleasant and encouraging. I would try to enjoy it, while I was still around. And, for everyone's sake, I hoped he wouldn't revert back when Galadriel had me executed.

The path led to a mallorn tree even larger and glowing brighter than any of the others. The staircase around its trunk was broad and elaborate, and Legolas moved to climb it.

"Wait," I said, hesitating. "Are you sure this is the way?"

He glanced back at me, a wry grin lifting his features. "Yes. Come on." So I followed him.

Climbing was quite a bit more exerting than descending, and both of us struggled. Yet, finally, we reached a large, open flet encompassing the tree's width and extending outward. It was here that a long table made of white wood had been set up. The Fellowship was gathered around, some sitting, some standing. At the head, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn stood side-by-side.

"Eda!" Pippin exclaimed, jumping up and started running over to me. I flinched, but grinned at the overjoyed look on his face.

Legolas reached out and caught the Hobbit before he could wrap me in a potentially very painful hug. "Careful," the ellon murmured. "She's injured."

Pippin's cheeks turned pink, and he said bashfully, "I'm sorry."

"Hush," I said to them both, moving forward to hug my friend. He gingerly wrapped his arms around me in return, but didn't squeeze. "I'm fine," I whispered to Pippin.

When we pulled apart, he looked up at me with big, moist eyes. "I thought you were dead," he said quietly.

"Nope," I replied, grinning. "You won't get rid of me that easy."

He grinned again and grabbed my hand. Tugging me to the table, he said, "You must try their sausages and tomatoes. Cooked just long enough!" He pulled me to two empty chairs between Merry and Boromir and promptly plopped down beside his friend.

Boromir stood and pulled out my chair for me. "I am glad you are well," he murmured, meeting my gaze for a split-second. His expression was not joyful, though. His brows were furrowed, and for the moment that he looked me in the eye, I saw deep angst in his soul.

"And I you," I replied in the same tone, seating myself. As Pippin loaded my plate, I longingly watched Legolas sit beside Aragorn on the other side of the table. Legolas met my gaze, understanding in his eyes. But he wasn't worried.

I took a deep breath, desperately hoping that I was wrong in my judgment of Lady Galadriel.