She woke to the warmth of a fire upon her face. On her left were the cornered remnants of old stonework and above an awning of light material that denied the rain. Fairlain sat up, blinking the sleep from her eyes. Her pack and weapons lay beside her but a cushion had been placed under her head and a light, warm blanket lain over her. It had been a good sleep, deep and dreamless, and the first true rest she had had for many days. There was a small, slight rustle of movement on the stone ledge above her head. Fairlain looked up and saw a small, grey bird nestled within a crack in the wall.
"You're here too, then?"
The little bird ruffled its feathers and bent a bright eye down at the girl. At that moment, a gentle cough sounded from the edge of the enclosure and neatly robed figure stood respectfully at a distance, waiting to be noticed. Fairlain recognized the elf, though she could not recall his name. He had been greatly concerned with the wolves that hunted in this place, though they seemed the least of the threats in this land.
"Suil...Good morning. I hope you have rested well. When you have risen and taken some food, the Woodlark asks that you would come and see her by the stables."
Fairlain glanced up at the little bird. The elf laughed.
"No...the hiril...the lady Gladaewen...asks that you would come to her."
Fairlain sat still, taking in the elf's words, then nodded and got to her feet. She folded the blanket neatly and laid it on top of the cushion that had pillowed her head. Following the elf to a cookfire, the smell of freshly baked bread and venison stew filled her nostrils. Fairlain was hungry and the savoury tastes were like finding paradise in a desert. When she had finished eating she walked towards the stables.
The rain had stopped, and for a brief moment the sun shone bright from behind the parting clouds. A figure stood by the edge of the outer walls, a little way from the horses that stood patiently in the stable. As Fairlain watched, the figure raised her hands to the heavens and began singing in a soft voice. The sun winked brightly on the moistened earth and over the horizon one could glimpse the faint outline of a rainbow. Fairlain stepped nearer. The elf woman finished her song and lowering her hands turned to face the young huntress. She smiled in greeting.
"Good morn to you, Faerlhain."
Mute with surprise, Fairlain hesitated a moment then bowed her head in acknowledgement. The elf was fair skinned, with honey coloured hair that fell below her shoulders and leaf-green eyes. She reminded Fairlain a little of Iaurmenel Alkawen, yet not so. Behind the clear green eyes it was as though winds were whipping and buffeting the treetops. Fairlain glanced away, waiting a moment before asking in a child's voice,
"What were you singing?"
The elf smiled a beautiful, joyous smile, then said in a soft whisper,
"I was saying 'Thank you', young one. I am Gladaewen of Lorien and I have been charged with seeing you safely to that which you seek."
Fairlain stood very still. She had not expected this, and questions clambered in her mind each wanting to have its own voice. The golden-haired elf looked at her kindly and motioned towards the fires of Thorenhad.
"Come. We need to speak together..."
And they passed into the shelter of Thorenhad as the sun hid itself behind the clouds once again.
