The indigenous Woodmen of Greenwood and those that live in villages on the borders of our home are relatively simple folk. They are not grand like the noble men of far off Gondor, or the proud horse lords' of Rohan. They remind me very much of my roots, the people who raised me; hard-working, tough, not unkind but not warm in nature either.

It is funny how my attitude towards my old family has greatly shifted, now that I have been gifted immortal eyes to see. Humans have so little time to make an impact, if they even make an impact at all, and truly their lives are spent just surviving. I look back now at the man and woman who raised me and think how fortunate was I, that blood kin would have the means to raise me so comfortably. Sometimes I wonder over them and imagine how I could thank them for their care. Having a family of my own now and a marriage, though uniquely different than any mortals, well, it helps me appreciate the complexity of love, and I am especially reminded of my fortune when I spend time with these mortals.

The winter is coming, and with it a lack of certainty from a poor harvest yield this year for these poor people. My home has many centuries of practice in agriculture, and to be truthful we elves are not too affected by the hunger pangs and the icy bite of winter as these more fragile beings. So, after an audience with some ambassadors from these tribes I was automatically moved to help.

Our harvest yield had been adequate, and with Thranduil's influence over trade further afield I felt we could spare some essential items for our neighbours. In exchange the chieftains and their sons pledged continued allegiance and friendship with the Woodland Realm, and were quite understanding of Thranduil's strict privacy policy - they would not use the Elven Road without permission and would continue to assist our guards in its protection. So, as a promise to myself and to my daughter, I overseen the movement of trade aid and for the past six weeks I have lived among the main settlements. Coming at last to the very same settlement where I saved Avi, all those years ago.

On this morning, nestled by a rough open fire in the centre of the village, I watch fondly as an ancient woman with snow white hair paints runes on my daughter's palms. The lady's skin is creased and worn like old leather, her filmed eyes sunken in to her crumbling bones, her smile nearly completely toothless and gummy, and her memory just as foggy. She can no longer walk, and her great-grandsons' carry her out to the village fire circle as often as her failing health can allow. Her voice is weak and coarse, but she still sings all her memories just as proud as any elf, and as she rubs my daughter's hands with her own twisted and hooked ones, she sings to her of the passing angel that saved her life.

Avi is an old women, very old, even in the eyes of her kin. Her youngest granddaughter sits with us, tending to her beloved Grandmother, who has become quite the matriarchal figure of her community. She tells me that the people say Avi has lived so many long and blessed years because she was touched by an elf maiden. I sit quietly and listen to the story, a mere myth and bedtime story to this young woman before me, yet I know the truth. I did help Avi, but I don't believe that I should carry all the praise, for that child was strong and she was never going to fade...she and I shared the same heart.

Sadly, Avi cannot see me and her memory is so muddled now that I am afraid her family would think her ramblings mad if she claimed I was that angelic creature. I brought Celairiel to meet her, and at first my daughter was confused and even frightened to see mortality so plainly in front of her, but her fear soon ebbed to wonder. She finds Avi fascinating, and was keen to tell her family that their Grandmother had a soul of the forest - a woman of the woods that sang with the chords of nature. Sadly I don't think the family quite got my daughter's excitement, they are after all people of the wood, but I understood her astonishment. What Celairiel was trying to convey, was that she felt a similarity in her spirit with mortal men, a strand of something she could affiliate with, and I am glad this little trip has opened her heart a little. She may not be mortal, and neither am I, but that does not mean that our hearts are not that far removed from theirs...we all sing the same soul-song.

From my comfortable position by the fire, sharing softened bread in sweetened milk as a breakfast with these women, I spy one of our guards moving towards us and with him the now reigning Chieftain of this village - I believe his name is Theoric. Giving my thanks to Avi and her granddaughter for their hospitality I rise and meet our host.

"My Queen," my guard bows and I smile stiffly, my eyes sliding over this chieftain, a stout character with a narrow eye. He has given me no reason to dislike him, I just feel uneasy with him, but then again I am uneasy with most leaders...politics tends to make me suspicious.

"A rabble of elven warriors have ringed my village," Theoric speaks up, a smile on his lips but an accusing look in his eyes. "Your guards tell me this is your escort. Does the great ElvenKing not trust me to care for his family as though they where my own blood?"

"My lord," I chuckle and extend my hands to wrap around his thick arm in an affectionate gesture, "do not be offended by my kin, or my husband, I think you will find that the truth of the matter is quite simple."

"And what is the truth of the matter?" He asks gruffly, his bushy grey speckled eyebrows furrowing, as I glance around him and allow my smile to stretch.

"The truth is, my good sir, that this host is no ordinary regiment, but my son's!" I tell him with a delighted laugh as I spy Legolas stride rather assuredly towards me, a half smile playing on his lips as his eyes sparkle with mischief.

I scamper to him and throw my arms around his neck, giving a little squeak when he wraps me up in a tight embrace and nearly lifts me off the ground entirely;

"What are you doing here?" I demand, as I struggle away from his embrace and take up a more respectable queenly pose.

"Ada felt it would do me good to assist you with our dwarfish guests, who I have been informed have been spotted not but a few leagues from our eaves of the wood," Legolas answers me in hushed tones, whilst I narrow my eyes in mild disbelief.

"Are you sure he just did not have a minor convulsion at the thought of me travelling so lightly armed?" I snipe, as I take his arm and lead him back towards our gracious host.

"Nana, if he was throwing a fit over your safety he would have sent me the moment you left," Legolas reminds me with a smirk and the tiniest hint of an exasperated sigh. "Adar has been very well behaved over your absence," my son continues to advise me in his best diplomatic voice, "he tries very hard to not bring you up at every meal time, and he just about manages to dress and manage Ferion all by himself...he even took to pruning the shrubs in your gardens...he was muttering something about you being upset if he let them get tatty while you were away!"

"Truly?" I ask, vainly holding back a snigger as I shake my head, "oh, that poor ellon...I must have him scared half to death? You must think I terrorise your Adar?"

"Of course not," Legolas titters and tilts his head thoughtfully to the side before tactfully adding, "but he is lost without you Nana, you should know that he is almost intolerable, following me around wanting company. Nana, he is already planning a feast day for when you return home, I warn you now, he was entertaining the royal tailors when I left. I believe you will have another grand gown and matching slippers as a welcome gift."

"Oh the old fool," I groan and scowl at the ground, but secretly I feel a little flutter of joy at his optimism. He isn't brooding in a dark corner over his failings, and he is enjoying his free time with his sons, that is exactly what I wanted for him. The feast and the dress I will forgive, well it is his nature to be a tad overbearing with such things.

"Truthfully Nana," Legolas continues, his gaze fixing on the Chieftain of this village, "I brought my battalion because I should like to remind these men that our friendship is something to be cherished...we do not make pleasant enemies."

"Legolas!" I warn, squeezing his elbow. "These people have shown your sister and I nothing but kindness and hospitality, there is no need for displays of power."

"Too many races run freely along the dangerous roads of our forest, races that know little honour, it is no bad thing to occasionally make a show of strength," Legolas explains in a whisper as we eventually stand with Theoric again, and by this stage Celairiel has cottoned on that her brother has come, and so there is much delighted ramblings and warm hugs between the pair.

"You have quite the lovely family your majesty," Theoric commends with what I take as a genuine smile. I nod in agreement, smiling fondly at the pair. "But still, why such the heavy military presence?"

"Oh my lord, it is not an offence towards you," I reply with a light laugh, flashing my children a warning look, "I have another errand to attend too, a political exchange elsewhere, the escort is necessary under those circumstances."

"Ah, I see," he gives an understanding nod, before pulling a thoughtful look, "is there some dangerous folk crossing these lands that we - as your friends - should know of?"

"Not at all," I answer dryly, for I will not be goaded into relinquishing details, it is none of his concern. "Just politics Theoric...not all relationships are as friendly as ours."

"Indeed!" he answers brightly, before folding into a deep bow; "Well your majesty, we have been honoured to have your presence, and the presence of your helpers here with us while we prepare for winter. The generosity of King Thranduil is gratefully received and not so easily forgotten."

"I should like to hope so," I reply with a pointed look, a smile still painted on my lips before I give a curtsey, meeting his gaze one last time. "I pray you and your people have a safe and forgiving winter, and I thank you for showing me and mine such kindness and hospitality in these short days...long may our friendship prosper."

"Long may it prosper!" Theoric affirms and claps his large hands gleefully, before ordering his men to help my guards load up the wagons. With one last farewell gesture I find my horse, and leave the human settlement with an uneasy spirit.

I feel like the friendship of these people is not as strong as it once was, I fear that other forces of influence may be at work, but I do not voice my concerns yet. I will discuss this with Thranduil on my return, perhaps I can convince him that intelligence from our elven neighbours may be of use here. The North is our domain, and it is my desire that it continues to remain so.

************************************

A/N:  Little short chapter guys but I am feeling a bit bleh today (lack of sleep me thinks) anyway I shall endeavour to bring you some more story soon. 

Media: Light of Life (Ibelin Reprise) - Kingdom of Heaven OST.  The song and the image is very much how  I picture Celairiel's connection to the world. Curious creature that she is.