It seemed as though the sun always shone in Lothlorien, and as Fairlain sat by the rock-sheltered pool she let her eyes rove dreamily over the reflections in the water. Even here, at the northern most point of Lothlorien's border the air kept its crystalline freshness. Behind her rose the tall Mallorn that housed the Talan of Haldir, trusted warden of the White Lady.
She had come here at Orophin's request, as it was his desire that his brother know of the skill and bravery she had shown in the raid upon the orcs just a few days past. Haldir had listened to the account, then turned to her and said
"We are fortunate that you have come among us...and I am doubly blessed that danger to these woods has been driven back and my brother is yet here to tell me of it. 'N'uir thiad gîn 'ell'. " And he bowed to her.
Fairlain bobbed an awkward curtsey in return, then excused herself and returned to her seat by the Nimrodel. She had never quite known what to do with authority, though with the White Lady and Iaurmenel Alkawen such things were beyond question. The brothers remained standing by the riverbank, falling into deep conversation regarding the fortification of Lothlorien's borders. Fairlain studied their reflections in the water, the sun glinting off the golden warrior's braid that Orophin wore. Absentmindedly, she traced across the reflection in the still water with her fingertip, sending ripples scurrying to the river's edges and making the mirrored images weave and dance. She blinked. Somehow the image had changed. She still saw the figure with a warbraid, but it was no longer Orophin. She breathed in sharply and not trusting her eyes, looked away and then back again. The ripples in the water stilled and she saw the image of the two brothers as she had before.
She was silent on the short trek back to Echad Andestel, and as she and Orophin approached the area of the camp where the horses were kept she caught sight of a white horse that gleamed like the light of the moon...Isilind, the Lady Gladaewen's steed. Orophin paused and acknowledging Fairlain with a nod of his head, turned and stepped the other direction. Fairlain kept walking towards the graceful creature and found the Woodlark standing by his side, dressed in riding garb.
"You are leaving then?" the young huntress asked.
Gladaewen smiled, "Yes, young one. For some time now the earth, the water, the air...they all have told me that a great Darkness is coming. It is my gift to call forth the light, so I must go to meet this thing and let my voice ring out. I have known this, yet there was a question that lingered in my heart." Her hand reached out to caress her horse's silken neck, coming to rest on the strong shoulders of the beast.
"It has been answered."
"Let me come with you!," cried Fairlain "I should leave too! I have seen..." She stopped and bit her lip. What she had been about to say sounded ridiculous. The grey elf turned to face her and placed her gloved hand gently under the girl's chin, raising her head so their eyes met.
"What have you have seen, child?"
Fairlain hesitated, then said "The one...the one who followed me. I saw him...in the water." She stopped. Her words sounded like a child's imaginings. She reddened and looked at Gladaewen helplessly.
"And do you think he is in danger?" asked the elf gravely.
"I ...I did not see any danger. But something is not right. I feel it here..." she pounded on her chest with her fist.
"Then perhaps it is time for you to leave us. But first you should make proper farewells, here...and to the White Lady." Gladaewen smiled, "It would not surprise me if she knew what was in your heart already, but there is time enough and she would wish to give her blessing."
The grey elf swung herself gracefully astride the white horse. She looked down at the young huntress and said,
"Take heart child, all things are possible. May Elbereth light your path and the One keep you ever in His care."
Leaning forward, Gladaewen whispered into the horse's ear and he started forward at a brisk trot, gaining speed at each stride and eventually breaking into a joyous gallop. Fairlain watched as the Woodlark flew from her sight.
