The Prospector had returned. Not only was there smoke billowing merrily from the chimney, but from where Fairlain stood at the top of the hill she could see the piles of supplies that had been lain up against his house. She started down the lane. Duramarth of Gondor had been kind to her and it would be good to give him greetings. She rounded the lane and caught sight of the man himself, standing at his gate. With him stood the hunter Cynraede. Suddenly Fairlain's feet refused to go any further. Her legs seemed drained of their strength. Her hands clenched in frustration and anger at herself. There was no reason for this, she thought. She studied the tall hunter from a distance. He stood straight, yet there was something in his stance that told her that his hurt was far from completely healed. His hair and beard had been neatly trimmed and he must have bathed as well. Even as she stood rooted there a wry smile tugged at one corner of her mouth. People never took into account that she had a keener sense of smell than most. She had never seen him as he tracked her through the lonelands and the trollshaws, yet she had been aware of the unique odor that dogged her steps. Suddenly she turned and headed the other direction, walking quickly towards the manor that was set back quietly in the hillside.
"Hiril nin?" Fairlain peered around the doorway. The Iaurmenel Alkawen stood quietly gazing into the flames of the fire. Without turning, she said in a gentle voice
"Mai omentaina, Faerlhain." Since the huntress' return from Lothlorien they had spoken elvish to each other. She turned from the dancing flames and continued,"You wish something. What is it, child?"
"I wish to ...I need to return to the Golden Wood, milady."
The golden haired elf looked into the young woman's eyes and studied their depths for what seemed a very long time. She sighed. "Yes I can see that you do. Yet there are things happening in this place that may require every skilled hand the Order can provide." She fell silent, as if weighing her thoughts.
"You may go, Faerlhain, with my blessing. I will ask nothing of you, yet in the Golden Wood the Lady of that place may ask much."
"Thank you, milady....thank you." Relief echoed in Fairlain's voice. She added, "Please, do not let him follow..." She bowed her head and took her leave.
As night fell upon Arrowhaven, Fairlain rode Daysey out of the gates and headed east.
