Part 8

Posted: September 2003
Author: Khylaren

*****

Erin's stomach grumbled for the pancakes she'd been dreaming about, but she forced herself to accept the apple and bowl of watery looking oatmeal with a smile, giving her thanks to Galan, before finding a suitable rock to perch on. She watched the Elves break the camp while she ate, and took advantage of the moment alone to think.

She was tired, wonderfully sore in quite a few places she didn't want to think about, and feeling rather sticky, if truth were told. The last bath she'd had was back in Rohan, and she felt a moment of acute embarrassment that she'd been intimate when less than perfectly clean. It wasn't like her at all.

Hell, nothing about what happened last night was like me, she thought, biting into her apple. She couldn't bring herself to regret it, though. The whole experience had been far too wonderful for her to feel anything but amazed and incredibly sated.

She did not spend too much time thinking about the reasons why things had progressed the way they had. To her, the answer seemed obvious enough: she was female, and she was more than willing. Though she hoped the fact that both Orophin and Rúmil seemed to enjoy her company had something to do with it, she harbored no illusions that they were either infatuated with her, or, worse yet, in love with her. And, as fond as she was becoming of them both, she was relieved to find no trace of either of those painful emotions within herself.

What had happened last night was purely physical, for the sole purpose of enjoyment and pleasure.

The thought was a little hard to accept, at first, for Erin had not been raised that way. She'd never taken a lover without first being in love with that person. Not counting last night's encounter, she'd only had four boyfriends she'd been serious enough about to sleep with. To have casually thrown all that aside in one night with not just one, but two lovers, was a little difficult to swallow without feeling a slight pang of guilt.

Yet, if she was to be completely honest with herself, she knew that if the opportunity arose, she would leap at the chance to do it again.

Does that make me the slut-woman from Planet Earth? she wondered, feeling an inane giggle bubble up from within her. She truly had to wonder, for she had difficulty placing another human woman from this world, say Éowyn, for instance, in the position she had found herself in last night. Or rather, positions. She laughed, nearly choking on the bite of apple she was eating.

No, she seriously doubted Éowyn would ever have put herself in the amazing and talented hands of the two brothers from Lothlórien. So, that brought her back to her original question: should she feel guilty or not? Honestly, she didn't know.

If the way that Haldir had acted towards her was any indication, she didn't think he felt her behavior scandalous or inappropriate; rather his attitude had been one of amused tolerance towards her. He was, however, obviously upset with his brothers, and she wondered why. Perhaps she could ask him, since he had told her he would be talking to her later.

The watery oatmeal wasn't too bad, she decided. It was warm, and filled the empty hole in her stomach. She finished her apple, and her eyes searched the group of Elves for Elrohir's familiar face.

She spotted the dark and handsome elf laughing with Melaphríl, and she rose to her feet, handing her empty bowl to Galan as she passed him, once again giving him her thanks. Melaphríl was saying something obviously humorous, if Elrohir's barely restrained grin was any indication, and she saw the twinkle of mischief in both sets of eyes that turned to watch her approach.

"Did you sleep well?" Melaphríl asked politely, and Elrohir made a funny, choked sound, studiously avoiding her questioning gaze.

"Well enough," Erin replied, returning her attention to Melaphríl, her cheeks flushing slightly as she recalled with great detail just exactly how she had slept; wonderfully sandwiched between two beautiful Elves. "And you?"

The fair-haired elf in front of her cleared his throat and seemed to find something interesting on the front of his tunic. "My night was not as restful as I could have hoped," he said finally, his voice sounding low and strained. His reply elicited another odd, choking noise from Elrohir, and she turned to look at the darker elf with a mixture of amusement and irritation.

"Something the matter, Elrohir?" she asked, looking up at him sharply.

The healer took a deep breath and met her eyes. His expression was overly bright. "Not at all, Erin." He gave Melaphríl a look that sent the other elf into a choking fit.

Erin crossed her arms, her amusement fading quickly into ire. "Why do I get the feeling you two are having a joke at my expense?" she snapped.

Melaphríl shook his head, and looked away. Elrohir struggled to look contrite and failed miserably.

"Our apologies, Erin. We are not laughing at you," he managed, his eyes widening in relief as he saw a familiar figure walking towards them. "Ah, Haldir," he said, grateful for the opportunity to change the subject. "How fare you this morning?"

"I am stiff and sore from lying down," the marchwarden answered easily, stopping next to Erin. "And I am looking forward to walking instead of being carried."

Elrohir nodded, his formerly light expression turning serious. "Just do not overexert yourself, Haldir. I know you think your strength is endless, but please try to remember that I will not appreciate it if you undo all my hard work."

Haldir grimaced. "Aye, I will try not to, Elrohir."

The healer shook his head, knowing his cautionary words had most likely fallen on deaf ears. "I will be most relieved to turn you over to the gentle hands of your Lady Galadriel," he said, his smile returning. "For you have been a most difficult patient."

"I am sorry to have tested your skills so grievously, Elrohir," Haldir returned with a brief grin. "But I am thankful for them, nonetheless."

Elrohir gave him an answering grin. "I will check on you later," he said, and with a brief nod of farewell to them both, followed a still mirthful Melaphríl towards the other side of the camp.

The Elves broke camp with efficiency that Erin admired, and in a matter of minutes, the grassy plain held no traces that they had camped there for the night. She saw Orophin and Rúmil approach them, Mírhrod following behind Orophin obediently. Both brothers gave her a warm smile, and she found herself blushing in return.

"You two will walk today at the front line," Haldir said when they reached them. "Erin will ride, and I will walk beside her."

"Aye, Haldir," Orophin replied, handing Erin her neatly rolled sleeping bag and her pack with a wink. "Just be ready to catch her if she falls."

Rúmil linked his hands and boosted her onto the back of the horse, his lips curving into a grin as he watched her clutch Mírhrod's mane in a death grip. "Our Erin is sadly no horsewoman, though," he dropped his voice for her ears alone as he pretended to pick a blade of grass from the bay's dark mane, "she rides well enough when motivated."

Erin's cheeks flamed and she resisted the urge to kick the smug elf who grinned at her. She adjusted the straps on her pack and refused to look at him.

"If you are quite finished with your teasing," Haldir said mildly, not having missed any part of the exchange, "I do believe you are expected elsewhere."

The brothers nodded and, with a wave of farewell to Erin, dashed away, their footsteps falling soundlessly over the grass.

Haldir looked up at the woman critically, his eyes noting the uneasy way she sat on Mírhrod's broad back. Shaking his head, he stepped closer to the horse, reaching for Erin's leg.

"Use your legs to grip his barrel, like this," he said, pushing her leg firmly against Mírhrod's side. "Sit up straighter, find your center of balance." He watched her struggle to obey his commands, his eyes glinting briefly in amusement. "If you keep your body over his withers - here," he pointed to where the horse's shoulders met at the base of his long neck. "You will find it easier to stay balanced."

Easy for you to say, Erin thought crossly, feeling the horse's prominent backbone press into her sore and tender backside. They hadn't even started yet, and her thighs already ached.

Satisfied with her positioning, Haldir moved away, touching Mírhrod's forelock briefly. "Khila amin, Mírhrod," he said, and the horse obediently fell in step behind him.

The other Elves fell into their positions before them and behind them, and in a matter of moments, the whole party was moving towards their destination once more. Erin bit her lip, concentrating on staying centered on the horse as Haldir had instructed her, and not finding the task all that easy.

"My brothers tell me you were a willing party to last night's activities," Haldir said without preamble, glancing up at the woman as he walked. "Is this true?"

Dying with embarrassment at his directness, Erin bristled, wishing suddenly that she were anywhere else but here.

"Is that really something you should be asking me?" she asked, trying to maintain a polite tone. It came out sounding exactly the opposite, and she saw him frown.

"It is obvious that my brothers have taken a liking to you, Erin," Haldir continued, well aware of her discomfort. "I am merely concerned that you will be hurt by their actions."

"I'm not in love with them, if that's what you're afraid of," Erin snapped, clenching her teeth as Mírhrod's withers bruised a particularly sensitive spot on her body. "In lust, maybe, but not love. I know better than that."

Haldir's eyebrow rose swiftly and he turned his head to regard her. "Do you?" he asked softly, not put off by her sudden temper.

Erin nodded and she looked at him out of the corner of her eye, relieved to see that his expression was not one of anger. "I like them; they're rascals, both of them." She shook her head, turning to look at him fully. "But I accept what happened last night for exactly what it was, and I don't expect anything more from it."

There was a moment of silence between them, and finally, Haldir nodded, turning to look forward once more. "I was concerned," he repeated, his voice breaking the silence. "Yet I am relieved by your words."

"Good," Erin replied shortly, shifting her weight on Mírhrod's back slightly and wincing. "Can we stop talking about it now?"

"If that is what you wish," he replied, giving her a swift glance. "I find your view of this matter is very unusual for a human."

Erin sighed. Obviously, he wasn't going to drop the subject completely. "Why do you say that?"

He gave her a very direct look, which made her fidget. "Most humans have difficulty separating matters of the heart from matters of the flesh. Often the two are confused."

She shook her head at him. "I'm not saying I couldn't fall in love with Orophin or Rúmil, or even both of them at the same time; I'm saying I'm not going to be that stupid, I've been down that path before," she added, her voice dropping slightly. "I'm not certain I'll ever be ready to do it again."

Haldir nodded, turning away once more to watch the progress of the Elves riding and walking in front of them, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

*****

The sun was beginning its descent into the west when they finally reached the borders of Lothlórien, and Erin leaned forward eagerly, peering ahead in the growing darkness for her first view of the legendary woods.

Rúmil had told her the trees were tall, but she'd had no idea, really, how tall they were. She thought of the immense evergreens of her world, the cedars, pines, and fir; some of them reaching upwards up 60 feet in height, with trunks so large that it would take three of her to reach all the way around them.

The trees of Lothlórien easily dwarfed them, their silvery trunks so large that she was reminded of the pictures of the giant Redwoods in California she had seen once, yet even the Redwoods seemed small in comparison. The great trees rose so high above that she could not see where they ended, their branches making great and spreading canopies of green and gold that completely covered the sky.

As they rode beneath the shelter of green, Erin could not help but look up. The grandness of them amazed her and left her in awe that such beauty could truly exist in any world.

Haldir saw her expression of child-like wonder and smiled. "They are called Mallorn," he said, understanding her silent appreciation all too well. Though he had lived here all his life, the great trees of his home never ceased to fill him with awe, for like all Elves, he felt a love for all things beautiful.

"They are amazing," her voice was hushed, for it seemed almost like being in a grand church, where you didn't speak too loudly or disrespectfully. "We have some pretty big trees where I come from, but nothing compared to this."

Haldir chuckled. He was looking forward to seeing her expression when they arrived at Caras Galadhon, the heart of Elvendom itself. The trees on the outer edge of the woods were small in comparison to the trees of the city.

Erin sighed, shifting uncomfortably. She was tired from riding, her thighs ached abominably, and her butt was completely numb from bouncing on Mírhrod's bony back. She was looking forward to stopping, and never having to ride again, if she could help it.

"Are you well?" Haldir asked, watching her squirm with barely hidden amusement.

"No," she answered with another sigh. "But I'll live. Are we there yet?"

He nodded. "We are almost there. We have less than a league before we reach Caras Galadhon."

Erin wondered exactly how far a league was in comparison to a mile, and how much longer that meant she had to ride. She couldn't, of course, ask him. He wouldn't have any idea what a mile was any more than she knew how long a league was.

"Do you wish to walk the remainder of the journey?" Haldir asked, seeing her grimace of discomfort as she shifted her weight again.

"If I can still walk," she groused. She leaned her weight back the way she had seen Orophin and Rúmil do when riding and to her surprise, Mírhrod stopped.

"Cool!" she exclaimed. "I actually made him do something. Now if I can get off of him without landing in the dirt, I'll be doing good."

Haldir laughed. "Should I help you?"

She gave him a worried glance. "Only if it won't aggravate your injuries. I don't want Elrohir blaming me if you hurt yourself."

He raised an eyebrow slightly. "I do believe I am well enough to assist you from your horse, lady," he said in such a wounded tone that she had to laugh. He reached up, gripping her lightly around her waist and lifted her from the horse.

With Haldir's help, she managed to slide from Mírhrod's back, groaning slightly as her legs hit the ground.

"Owie," she whimpered, taking a tentative step, surprised that her legs would support her. "If I ever get back to my world, I'm going to have a hard time explaining why I'm bowlegged." With movement, however, the pain in her legs eased somewhat, and she was able to keep pace with Haldir as they walked, Mírhrod following behind them.

The lights of the city glowed golden in the twilight of the forest, like hundreds of fireflies spiraling around the trunks of the great trees, lighting their way to the enormous branches above.

If Erin was awed by the sight of the trees at the boundaries of Lothlórien, she was speechless at the sight of Caras Galadhon, the great city of the Galadhrim.

"It is here that I must leave you, for the moment," Haldir told her quietly, "For I must make my report to the Lord and Lady. I am certain they will wish to meet you after you have rested and had the opportunity to refresh yourself." Her reaction to his city pleased him.

Dumbly, Erin nodded, her eyes rising upwards as she took in the sight of the elaborate staircase and buildings above them. They were built in such a way that they looked to be a natural part of the trees themselves. It was beyond beautiful, and she couldn't think of any other words to describe them. She realized that Haldir had asked her something, and snapped out of her daze.

"I'm sorry, Haldir, what did you ask me?"

He laughed softly. "I asked if you would like to visit the springs and bathe before you take your rest?"

Erin's eyes widened with anticipation at the idea of being clean once more. "That would be wonderful," she said honestly. "I would love that."

Haldir smiled at her reaction. "I will send one of my brothers for you to take you there. Do you require fresh clothing?"

Erin shook her head. "I still have the clothes that Éowyn sent. They are clean enough." She looked at him worriedly. "Do you think they will be all right to meet your Lord and Lady in? I don't have anything formal."

"Your clothing does not matter at this time, Erin," Haldir reassured her. "If there is a more formal reception later, then perhaps a gown could be procured for you."

She watched him stride gracefully away, moving through the group of Elves that were breaking up, each heading in different directions. Galan came shortly after he departed to lead Mírhrod away; joining several others who seemed to be in charge of taking care of the horses Theoden had leant them. She saw Elrohir deep in discussion with several Elves she didn't recognize, and she assumed that they were from Lothlórien, since they were dressed differently than the others. The new Elves, with the help from Elrohir and the other healers, took the remaining wounded who were not well enough to walk and carried them up a large winding staircase that encircled a nearby tree. She watched their progress as they climbed higher and higher, and did not hear Rúmil's stealthy approach.

"Erin."

She sputtered; aggravated that he'd startled her. "I wish you guys wouldn't do that to me every time." He grinned at her grumbling and offered her his hand

"Haldir said you wished a bath before you rest?" he inquired, his fingers entwining with hers as he tugged her along.

"Oh yes," she said, a smile lighting her face. "Please."

He chuckled, leading her beside him as they walked through the trees. "I could use one myself," he said, looking down at his dusty tunic with a grimace. "I fear I am quite filthy."

Erin snorted, looking him up and down. "Elves are the most pristine creatures I have ever seen. If you're filthy, then I must be well beyond it."

Rúmil laughed, giving her a sly wink. "Then perhaps we should get clean together."

Oh my, she thought, her heart speeding up at the thought, although she tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps his comment wasn't as suggestive as she was assuming it was. Right.

He ran his thumb slowly across her palm, and his eyes gleamed at her in the twilight as he raised her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss across the back of it. His tongue flickered out to tease the soft skin between her knuckles, and he gave a soft laugh at her sudden intake of breath.

Oh my.

*****

Haldir slowly climbed the last flight of stairs that led to where he knew Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel waited for him. His wound hurt him much less now, although it gave him an odd twinge of pain if he moved too suddenly or stretched, it was certainly bearable. He hoped that within the next few days, his healing would be complete enough for him to return to his duties as guardian of Lothlórien's northern border.

"We are gladdened to see you alive and well, Haldir," Celeborn's voice greeted him as he climbed the final steps to his Lord's private study.

Haldir bowed to the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim with respect, his hand touching his heart.

"It is a joy to see you both once again, My Lord, my Lady," Haldir replied, raising his head. "In truth I feared when I left that I would never return to see these fair woods again."

"Yet return to us you have," Galadriel said with a warm smile lighting her fair features. "And not alone, for I saw with you a strange woman. Who is she, Haldir? For my mirror gave me no answer when it showed me her presence here."

"Her name is Erin Smith," Haldir replied, not in the least bit surprised that Galadriel knew of Erin's presence already. "She is a traveler and, apparently, not from this world. Mithrandir believed she would be safer with us than continuing on with himself and Isildur's Heir, for their journey ahead will be fraught with peril." He gave them a brief smile. "She also saved my life, although it was coincidental."

Galadriel shook her head with a small and secret look. "Perhaps not coincidence, Haldir, but fate. Yet that is something we will speak of later."

"Tell me of the battle, Haldir, for I would hear from your lips what has come to pass," Celeborn said quietly, settling himself with grace and ease into his chair, his silver robes brushing softly against the wood.

Haldir spoke quietly, his expression withdrawn and pensive, as he gave the details Celeborn requested. Nine score of Elves he had led to the aide of Theoden, and nearly a third of them had fallen in the battle, their lights of their eyes forever darkened in death.

"Such loss grieves you deeply, Haldir," Galadriel said gently from her place beside her husband, her low voice full of compassion. "As does us all. Yet they have given their lives that others may live, for a purpose greater than any they have been given before."

The marchwarden dropped his head slightly at her words, closing his eyes.

"The battle for freedom has just begun," Celeborn added, his expression darkening. "And we cannot sit idly by while the men of this world fight against the evil that threatens us all."

Haldir looked up, nodding with grim resignation. "I will lead our people once more to the aide of Men, if that is what you wish."

Celeborn gave him a gentle smile. "That task will not fall to you alone, Haldir. Others will come, responding to the call that Lord Elrond has put forth. Those who have not left these shores will join in the battle to come." He took a deep breath, his smile becoming fierce. "And I will lead them."

*****

Erin leaned back against the rocks with a sigh she felt to her toes, her hands making idle ripples in the hot water. She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth seep into her bones, luxuriating in the feel of being clean once more.

Rúmil had led her, tugging her along playfully behind him, to a glade surrounded by large ferns and flowering bushes. In the center of the glade was a natural formation of rocks, encircling a deep pool of water. A constant stream of hot water splashed in a miniature waterfall over the rocks, spreading ripples across the clear pool. Lanterns had been lit and cast a soft glow, illuminating the glade and making it appear almost magical.

She had dipped her fingers tentatively into the water and had been pleasantly surprised at its temperature. There was no nauseating sulfur smell that was usually associated with hot springs, and she was amazed to see that although the water spilled continuously from some hidden source beneath the rocks, the pool did not overflow.

Without any of the teasing he had given her earlier, Rúmil helped her out of her clothes, ignoring her embarrassed protests, and pushed her gently into the water, laying her pack to rest beside one of the larger rocks at the edge of the pool. The water had slid over her skin with delicious warmth, and she quickly immersed herself completely, letting the water cover her head for a moment. When she had finally wiped the water from her eyes, Rúmil had already joined her in the pool, smiling down at her with amusement.

Wordlessly he had reached for her, pulling her to him briefly and claiming her mouth with a kiss that left her weak-kneed. She had reached up to steady herself, her hands sliding over his water-slicked shoulders and arms as he pressed his lean body against hers. Finally, he had released her, his fingers brushing lightly against her face.

"I will leave you to bathe," he said softly, his lips curving into a smile at her slightly dazed expression. "For you will never get clean if I continue to distract you this way."

She had pushed him away and he had laughed at her disgruntled expression, handing her a small vial of liquid soap.

"You think a bit too much of yourself, Rúmil," Erin had retorted, pouring the soap into her palm and working it into her hair, sinking lower in the water so that it covered her to her shoulders. "I think I can manage to keep my hands off you long enough to get clean."

Rúmil had cocked his head and his grin widened. "What a challenge you present me with, gwilwileth, " he laughed. "But that I am duty bound to see you clean and presentable for the Lady, I would very much like to test your strength of will in this."

She'd snorted, her mock-scowl dissolving into a grin. "Uh-huh. You could try." Her bravado, of course, was completely false. She knew all it would take was for him to kiss her again, and she'd be left a puddle of willing goo at his feet. She had turned her back to him and dunked her head beneath the water to wash the soap from her hair.

Now, finally clean from head to toes, she relaxed against the rocks, feeling the aches and pains that had plagued her since she first came to this world float away with the ripples in the water.

"If you are finished, Erin, you should get dressed," Rúmil said from his perch on a nearby rock where he had been watching her. "Haldir, no doubt, will be arriving to escort you to the Lady." He was already dressed, his long blonde hair braided neatly at the temples and holding the length of it away from his face.

With a sigh, Erin nodded, making her way to the edge of the pool reluctantly. A substantial length of absorbent cloth was left for her to use as a towel, and she wrapped it around her body, tucking the ends so it would stay in place. She gathered her hair in both hands and began to wring the water from it, glancing up at Rúmil.

"What does gwilwileth mean?" she asked, trying not to feel embarrassed as she reached for her clothes and began to dress, pulling the soft blue tunic that Éowyn had given her over her head. She slid the fabric over her skin, realizing belatedly that she had forgotten to put her bra on first, and shrugged mentally. She only had the one with her, and it was in dire need of a wash. For now, she could do without it.

"It means butterfly," Rúmil answered, resting his arms on his knees as he watched her dress.

Erin gave him a quick glance as she reached for the dark brown leggings, her fingers brushing briefly against the soft, cottony fabric. "Butterfly?" she replied, shaking her head. "I'm not a butterfly."

He chuckled. "Orophin named you thus, but I find it fitting, having been with you these past days." His gray-blue eyes were warm. "You have changed, Erin."

She struggled with the lacings on the waist of the leggings, wishing they had a more simple method of fastening. "I don't think I have," she replied, finally succeeding in pulling the laces tight and tying them. "I don't feel any different." At his direct look, she blushed. "Okay, besides that."

Rúmil laughed at her blush. "You do not see it yet, but you will."

Erin rolled her eyes, pulling her shoes on and lacing them quickly. "Elves," she said, giving him a short look. "So cryptic." She found her comb at the bottom of her pack and pulled it through her hair, sitting on the edge of a rock as she tried to work the tangles free.

Haldir found her this way, struggling and cursing her hair, and his eyes glinted in amusement.

"The Lord and Lady will meet with you now, if you are ready," he said, watching her pull the comb through a particularly nasty knot and wincing in sympathy. "It will be but a brief meeting, for they know you are tired from your journey."

Her hair had mostly dried by this point, and Erin worked the last tangle free with a sigh. "Tired, yes. But I've got a million questions for them," she said, tossing her comb into her pack. "Gandalf seemed to think your Lady might be able to help me."

Haldir nodded. "She may, for she is very wise. However, your questions can wait until tomorrow, for the hour grows late. They would greet you before you retire."

"All right," Erin agreed, reaching for her pack, only to have it taken from her by Rúmil.

"I will take this to the room where you will be staying," he told her, shouldering the pack easily.

"Room?" Her eyes widened in surprise and delight. "I get to sleep inside for a change?"

Haldir nodded, and Rúmil gave her a quick grin. "A room on one of the lower talans has been set aside for your use while you stay with us," Haldir said. "Come, they are waiting."

*****

Erin followed behind the tall and graceful elf, climbing the stairs that curved around the enormous tree. Her hand gripped the railing as she climbed higher and higher, and she found she had to stop looking down, for the height made her feel dizzy. Instead, she looked up, and marveled silently at the beauty that surrounded her.

Never before had she seen buildings such as these; their craftsmanship was beyond anything she'd ever seen in her world. Built in such a way that they seemed to be a natural part of the tree they were in, the homes of the Elves were made of graceful curves and arches, silvery white wood gleaming in the lights of the lanterns that hung everywhere. She could see that they were mostly open, lacking traditional roofs, yet the branches and leaves above them sheltered them from any weather. She wondered what it would be like to sleep inside a room that was open in such a way, and found herself looking forward to the experience.

Her legs began to ache from the climb, and she was relieved when they finally came to their destination; the steps ending in a long wooden pathway that branched off into several forks. Haldir took the right-most fork, and she followed him, staying well to the center of the path and avoiding looking over the edge. She wasn't afraid of heights, really, but walking this far up in a tree with no railings to protect her made her feel somewhat nervous.

Haldir stopped before a doorway and knocked firmly on the gleaming surface of the door. Erin did not hear anyone reply, but he pushed the door open confidently, and she followed him, her eyes widening in wonder at her surroundings.

The room was not overly large, but it was comfortable; intricately carved bookcases lined three out of four walls, and each held volume after volume of leather bound books. The floor was smooth and polished, inlaid with similar curving designs of a lighter grain of wood, and she followed the flowing pattern across the floor until her eyes rested finally on occupants of the room.

Celeborn and Galadriel saw the young woman before them grow pale and sway visibly.

"I know you," Erin managed; before she felt her knees give way.

*****

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