As my second year knowing Faewyn progressed, I leaned more and more Elvish. In exchange, she loved to hear from me many of the modern slang words I knew. Soon, under the careful education of Faewyn, I was able to understand much and speak a few sentences.

On one such occasion, we were laying on the soft grass under my tree when Faewyn said, "Gia, do you wanna go scouting?"

"Nô," I agreed, speaking in Elvish. Faewyn laughed and sprang up. I followed, sheathing my knife, Almiraë. Faewyn had asked Calathir to forge it for me when I had come four times past on my thirteenth birthday. I treasured it. 

"Gia, tolo ar nin," Faewyn called insistently.

"I am coming," I assured her, making sure Almiraë was secure. I ran after her and we took off through the woods. I was able to recognize direction now more easily, and knew we were vaguely heading for the river. In our past scouting trips, we would always stop at the river, and go back, lest Tawariel worry. However, this time, I could tell it was different. I followed on, never slowing, until Faewyn stopped and motioned for me to come closer.

"Mi van me (Where are we)?" I asked, looking around and not seeing anything familliar. Running around in a forest sure had a way to get you lost.

Except if you were Faewyn, because she was utterly nonplussed by this, and answered "We are near the halls of the great Elvenking." I took a step back.

"Uh, no. No. Faewyn! What if someone sees me?" We had discussed that it may be better if nobody knew I was here, as a random mortal fugitive in the Greenwood might not be met with favor.

"Av-'osto (Do not fear)" she insisted innocently.

"Faewyn..." I began, but whichever argument I had begun already felt weak. "Alright," I finished. I did want to see other parts of Greenwood, and other elves. "Gwaem (Let's go)." She grinned.

"I knew you would want to." 

We set off through the trees, more slowly this time, and emerged onto a slightly visible path. As soon as we had walked but a few feet, Faewyn said she heard voices, and I strained to hear them too. I suppose elven hearing has its advantages.... Three elves emerged out of the trees, speaking quickly, but in a relaxed tone. I regarded them curiously. They were tall, agile, and were clothed in green. The two male elves had chestnut hair and looked similar, as if they may be brothers. The third was a blond-haired woman with a laughing gait and a long grey dress.

Faewyn whispered that they were brothers, Thalion and Landion. "The woman is Rossiel. My father is in the King's Guard with Thalion." I nodded, and we watched them pass. At the last minuite, Rossiel turned and saw us standing nearby.

"Mae g'ovannen (well met)," she smiled at us.

"Le sulion (I greet you)!" I replied in my best elvish. Faewyn nodded slightly in approval. One of the two brothers spoke.

"Gi sulion (I greet you), Faewyn," he said.

"A, Thalion," she replied, inclining her head slightly. "My Ada speaks highly of you."

"As he does of you," Thallion smiled.

"Novaer," added Rossiel. "We must go."

"Galu (good bye)," smiled Faewyn. They passed off the path and we continued on it, for a while in silence.

"You did well," laughed Faewyn. "I do not think they suspected you were not of our kin."

"Regardless, I was terrified," I admitted. I shakily straightened my hair. Faewyn had braided it earlier, and the dark brown waves now hung down my back interlaced with intricate braids. It conveniently also covered my ears, as to not betray my true nature. With a sudden start, I noticed the fringe of the day's light was fading.

Faewyn noticed too, and commented, "We have had an interesting adventure, have we not?"

"We have," I agreed. "Gwaem (Let's go). Shall we run?" I suggested.

"I always win," Faewyn pointed out.

"I don't mind," I laughed. Faewyn took off like an arrow.

"Hey!" I called, sprinting after her. She looked back, her grey eyes laughing. "Fae!" I whined, pushing myself to reach her. She slowed.

"Boe?" I panted, facing her.

"Yes, yes it was necessary," she said justifiably. I rolled my eyes and we continued on, this time walking.

"Hold on," I slowly said. "I don't believe I have seen this before."

"We have continued towards home on the path, unlike our way here, where we met up with it," Faewyn explained, unconcerned. I stood, thinking.

"Ah." I replied, relieved. Although I trusted the guidance of Faewyn, I enjoyed being able to recognize my surroundings. A deep pounding sounded through the ground. I looked up vigilantly.

"Faewyn," I said urgently. "Horses." 

I had grown to recognize the bass thrumming of hooves during all my days in the Greenwood. She leaped up, motioning for me to get off the path. I stumbled rather ungracefully off and stood in the shadow of a tree. 

A rapidly moving group of elves on horses cantered up the path, but unlike the previous elves I had seen, they were clad in armor, leaf-patterned breastplates and delicate chainmail. Their helms were bright, and they had at their sides long swords. I moved a little closer, to maybe catch a better glimpse. 

Suddenly, the company halted at the command of a fair-haired elf who rode at the head. He turned, and without a doubt, I knew it was the Elvenking. He was very tall, more noble than any elf I had ever met, and upon his brow rested a shining silver circlet. His robes were pale and golden, and his guards murmured respectfully in lowered voices. 

But why did they halt? 

At the moment, there was no room to wonder. I was decidedly the most afraid I had ever been in my entire life, for at that moment, the great king wheeled around on his mount and came towards the tree I had taken refuge under.