"I shall send one of my handmaidens in the morning to wake you for breakfast," Queen Arwen finished demurely.

"This is too much," I said rather haplessly. "You're too kind, my Queen. Thank you many times over for your generous hospitality."

"But of course," she assured me. "Most who stay here are elves and therefore don't need usual accommodations," she added. "It's a great pleasure to have you."

"And a greater pleasure indeed to be here," I finished, curtsying a little. She inclined her head and soundlessly closed the heavy wooden door.

I took a deep breath and sat on the edge of my bed. I reflected on the sheer enormity of everything—the bed was at least twice what I usually slept in, the walls soared up to an arch and a large bay window looked out on the city and the mountains beyond.

"My own view indeed," I said out loud, laughing a little. "And nobody can kidnap me up here." I opened the window to a stone balcony, which housed an earthen pot overflowing with the most fragrant flowers.

"Kidnapping?" said a voice behind me. "I would enjoy watching the attempt."

"You didn't knock," I observed, not turning around.

"I apologise," Legolas said.

"It is nighttime," I pointed out. "I very well could have been entirely undressed."

Legolas tilted his head slightly. Maybe I imagined it, but I think there might have been a sheer flush on his cheeks.

"But you weren't," he said wryly. "I knew you'd be outside."

"Fair guess," I said approvingly.

"It was a fair prediction," he corrected, stepping out to join me.

"What do you think, is it safe enough?" I teased. Legolas looked at me seriously.

"If not, I know every single manner of incapacitating an attacker with this flowerpot."

"Do we know," I said. "How interesting. I mean, I do have a bow with me, but I suppose that pales in comparison."

"A bow works as well," he assured me, laughing softly.

"What do you think happens if I die here, Legolas?" I asked, turning to face him.

"I cannot say for sure, but I dare say you would also die in your own world," he said. "But I will do my best to make sure that will not happen."

"Thank you for all of this," I sighed. "I have no idea how everything got so...complicated." 

"The will of the Valar will always come to pass," Legolas reminded me. "I have not done much."

"You have done much in my opinion, if that counts for something." I said, leaning into the stone railing.

"It counts for more than you think," he said, looking down at the faintly glimmering city below. "Far more than I would imagine."

I looked at him curiously, a pause filling the space between us.

"But we will have to set out rather soon, I'm afraid," Legolas continued, changing the subject entirely.  

"I wish that we could stay here indefinitely, existing as mere people in Gondor without any life decisions looming."

"You know we cannot, Gianna," Legolas sighed, the starlit sky reflected in his eyes. "As much as I would like to, there are circumstances which we cannot escape and people who must never know you are here."

"Legolas," I said gently. "Do not worry about me. I know how to defend myself and who to avoid."

"That is what I worry about," Legolas said, voice tinged with a tint of frustration. "If you take any risks, and you are hurt, or killed, or tortured, there is nobody else who can prevent the eventual spread of the Remnants, untied to promote the evil. There is no one else."

"But why?" I asked. "That's what I do not understand. There are plenty of elves and even men, dwarves, or hobbits who could do something like this. I'm an extra liability, an unnecessary carrier of this task."

"It must be you," Legolas said. "It could not be anyone else for one simple reason: as long as me, and Aragorn, and all who live here were in Middle-earth during any evil reign, and know firsthand what it is, all that knowledge can be used against us."

"It makes sense," I conceded. "But I will not stay here forever, Legolas, and if I fade, there is no guarantee I can return to fulfill the quest."

"There has to be a solution, or Irmo would not have chosen you," Legolas said. "We will have to be swift, and not for any reason will I willingly let you go. This is absolutely essential."

"I can't control it," I insisted. "I wouldn't purposely try and turn back from this, not after everything that's happened."

"Not for the task, although that does lie with you," the Prince said, glancing at me briefly. "For myself. I cannot picture doing this without you and that is not how it was ever written. Pray to the Valar that in their wills there is a way."

"I hope so, Legolas," I murmured. "I do hope so."

"What I hope is that you are satisfied with your balcony and won't wander off during the night, O Beacon of Gondor." he answered in a lilting tone.

"Don't start," I laughed, lightly shoving him. "I am not a sheep to stray from the pasture."

"Not a sheep indeed," he said lightly, stepping back and looking at me. "Ollo vae, Gianna. Abarad. (Sweet dreams, Gianna. Until tomorrow.)"

"N'i lû tôl," I replied. Until tomorrow, then. And just as silently as he came, he slipped out, leaving me thoroughly confused.

My mind was restless, more than any  monotonous activity could cure. My eyes faced the ceiling unblinkingly as I contemplated what had just happened. So it had to be me, with the impossible task. 

Oh, and it had to be Legolas who walked through the door. 

I buried my face in what was surely a down feather pillow and tried I stuff all the emotions I had brutally shoved in a box into a heavy duty metal cell. It failed, so I gave in.

Oh, Eru, if I ever have to suffer another event like that I would probably just die.There was no way I could deny it—every time I was near the Prince, it was like I was being hunted. Never, ever let your guard down. Don't ever let him know. And for god's sake, control your emotions.

I rolled over into uneasy dreams of deep blue eyes in the dark.

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

As promised, I was awoken by a gentle tap on the door.

"Echuio, híril vuin Gianna," called a musical voice from the other side.

"Please, do come in," I said. Expecting an elf, I was surprised when standing just in the threshold was a young hobbit girl. Never actually having met one, I took in her appearance. She was obviously quite short, with long golden curls unlike those of other hobbits I'd seen depicted, and was wearing a rose colored dress which barely brushed her large, hairy feet. Her green eyes smiled as she introduced herself.

"I am Elanor," she said, curtsying. "The Lady Arwen's handmaiden."

Elanor...

"Are you the same as the daughter of Samwise the Brave?" I asked in surprise.

"Indeed I am," she beamed. "My father is well known to the king and his companions."

"So tale tells," I affirmed, trying to fully process her whole family's backstory.

"Would you like a moment to change, my Lady?" she asked, probably looking at my disheveled state of being.

"I did not bring anything to change into," I admitted. "We packed light."

Elanor explained that in my absence,  Arwen had sent for a change of clothes for Faewyn, Maldor and I after learning of our arrival.

"Doesn't Legolas get any?" I asked curiously. Elanor laughed softly.

"Apparently the Prince stays here so often, he keeps some of his things here." 

I laughed with her at that.

A few minutes later, I stood staring at myself disapprovingly in a tall looking-glass.

"I'm not used to wearing dresses," I said sheepishly. The dress was beautiful, regardless. It was pale blue, with curling silver filigree embroidered on the sleeves. The waist was delicately tapered and similarly patterned on darker blue silk. But looking at my reflection, I felt awkward and exposed, unaccustomed to wearing such things.

"Don't worry, my Lady," Elanor said, noticing my annoyed expression. "It looks lovely on you whether you think so or not."

I finished getting ready and followed Elanor down a sweeping stairway I didn't recognize, and paused at another room.

"Lady Faewyn, are you ready to accompany us downstairs?" she called.

"I am," Faewyn said, appearing in the doorway. She was wearing a dress as well, although her silver one made her eyes brilliant and her raven black hair hung down her back flawlessly. I studied her for a moment, coming to the conclusion that elven beauty was not to be reckoned with.

"Good morning, Gia," she said brightly. "I see that you also are garbed in new raiment."

"It seems I am," I agreed. Putting aside my wistful thoughts of ageless beauty, I realized that this was the first real conversation we had had for two days. "It pleases me to see you, mellon nin," I added.

"And you as well," she said with a smile. "Would you like to take a stroll after breakfast so we may discuss what has transpired?"

"That sounds lovely," I assured her.

We has approached another grand room, this one with a long table in the center and large windows which opened up to a garden.

"Mae govannen, híril Arwen," Elanor said as she walked in.

"Good and fair morning to all of you," Arwen said pleasantly. "Please, do sit down."

As I did, I noticed the table was empty of other people.

"Where are the others?" I asked curiously.

Aragorn walked in and said, "I've sent Eldarion to get Legolas, but knowing them, they will be here after a while."

Arwen smiled fondly at him. "As for the time being, feel free to choose whatever you would like," she said, motioning to the heavily laden table.

"Thank you, my Queen," I said, as I analysed my choices. Maldor came in a few minutes later, bowing before sitting by Faewyn.

"Your kindness is very much appreciated," he said.

"Indeed, and the dresses are beautiful," I added.

"It was no trouble," Arwen insisted. "And they look wonderful on both of you."

As we were murmuring our thanks, the doors burst open and Eldarion and Legolas entered rather quickly, obviously playing a game of sorts.

"I win!" crowed Eldarion triumphantly.

"Because I let you win," Legolas reminded him, feigning sternness.

"No," the boy insisted. "You just stayed longer brushing your hair."

"My, what is this? The Prince of Greenwood, spending too much time brushing his hair?" Aragorn commented, looking at both of them interestedly.

"This is a set up," Legolas scowled. "I did no such thing." But as Eldarion passed by, he affectionately pushed him lightly and smiled.

After we had finished exchanging amused glances around the table, I decided on fresh apricots, berries, bread, and a cheese made of goat's milk that was delicious.

"Gianna," Aragorn began a few minutes into the meal. "How are your injuries faring?"

Truthfully, I had nearly forgotten all about them.

"I can hardly feel them any more," I admitted.

"How can it be; you sustained those injuries yesterday," Eldarion pointed out. "Only an elleth would heal so quickly."

"He's right," I realised. "It is strange that I should feel them all but gone."

"Not necessarily," Legolas quipped. "It's likely that at this point, you may indeed have the blessing of both Irmo and his spouse."

Spouse?

I sorted through all the Middle-earth history I had learned. So Manwë has Varda, Ulmo has nobody because he's sort of a lone wolf, Aulë has Yavanna, Nienna also has nobody, Tulkas...Tulkas has Nessa, and Irmo...Estë. That was her name, Estë, healer of hurts and weariness.

Oh, well, that was nice of her.

"Estë," I stated. "If this is the case, I am fortunate to heal much faster than normal."

"A great gift to be sure," Legolas affirmed.

"Gia and I were planning to go out for a stroll and visit the many interesting aspects of the White City, now that she's unconquerable," Faewyn announced as breakfast drew to a close."With permission of the King, of course."

"Of course, you may go as you wish," Aragorn said kindly.

"Maldor, would you like to come?" I added.

He looked to Legolas first. "By your leave, my Lord."

"And you should have it," Legolas told him.

"I am hoping to replenish my stores of herbs while here," he told us. "It would be my pleasure."

Faewyn and I stood to leave, but as I happened to glance at Legolas, a wry half-smile appeared on his face.

"What?" I asked.

He ignored me.

"Aragorn, we might discuss some of the pending matters," he said instead.

"We might indeed," Aragorn answered, "There may be more to find in the library. Excuse us."

Arwen inclined her head and Eldarion  hurried out, saying something about a sword.

Legolas hesitated slightly as he passed to highlight a quick safety lesson and a farewell, but as he brushed past me, he murmured, "That colour suits you well."

Oh, the dress.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.

Faewyn raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Later, my friend," I said weakly. She smirked, but relented, and we made our way to the front entrance.

"Which one of you has weapons?" Maldor asked, only a few paces after we had exited the room.

"I do," Faewyn and I said at the same time. Well, I had Almirae stuffed rather uncomfortably in my boot, but I could see no similar form of concealment on Faewyn.

"What do you have?" I asked, curious.

"I have my hunting-knife strapped to my leg," she informed me. "Dresses are so inconvenient."

"Ah, but they look flattering," Maldor remarked jovially.

"On women," Faewyn pointed out.

We all laughed as we arrived in the courtyard. The day was a beautiful summer hue, and swarms of dutiful bees carefully pollinated the White Tree, which stood pale and shining, laden with sweet-smelling blossoms. The sires of that seedling had suffered through so many ages, I was rather surprised the bees didn't need permits to go about their work.

"Now," Faewyn said, as we neared the gates. "By horse or by foot?"

Ah, but if only it were that which was the most complicated thing to ponder, all would have been much simpler.