Fairlain could not help but smile back as she looked into the face of the lord of Imladris. Even on her first journey to Rivendell when she doubted both herself and her surroundings the kindness in his eyes and his gracious speech had put her at her ease and given her heart peace. When Fairlain had been brought before him, Lord Elrond's eyes had shown with recognition immediately.
"Welcome once again to my home," he said.
"Gûr nîn glassui!", she said bowing her head politely as she had learned in Lothlorien.
His smile widened, " Istog peded edhellen? Ni 'lassui...you speak well." His glance went to Nimrandir. "I have not met your companion."
Nimrandir bowed, "I am Nimrandir of Lorien, glade-walker of the Golden Wood."
"You are welcome in this place, Nimrandir of Lorien. Rest and refresh yourself while you are here. My house is yours."
"Thank you, my lord Elrond." He bowed once again.
Elrond looked at the pair that stood before him, the stains of a long and difficult journey still upon their faces and clothes. The glade-walker stood tall in spite of it, he noted...those of the Golden Wood possess the strength of the mallorn....but the maiden looked weary, more so even than when she had come before him with the Hiril Gladaewen. He motioned to one of the elves tending the many tomes that lined the shelves of his library and said, "Dorion, please show Hir Nimrandir to a guest chamber, his journey has been a long one. " The elf ceased what he was doing and motioned in the direction of the library door; both he and Nimrandir acknowledged Lord Elrond then walked out of the room.
"Faerlhain, please stay a moment longer."
"My lord?"
"I wished to ask of the young Dúnedain that traveled with you."
"Dúnedain, my lord...?"
Fairlain's eyes went wide with confusion. The man they had brought out of that place of horrors in Dunland had been one of the Dúnedain, but he was certainly no young man. Another of the shelf tenders who stood nearby looked over his shoulder and asked, "The one that smelt like a badger?"
Fairlain suddenly knew of whom they were speaking and grinned in spite of herself. She answered,
"My lord, he is in Breeland. He was hurt and we took him to one who knows the healing arts as you do. He was well the last I saw him."
Lord Elrond noted both her words and her expression. He nodded his head. "I am glad to hear this." After a pause he continued, "Faerlhain, would you do me a great kindness?"
"Of course, my lord."
"I confess that sometimes the peace of this place becomes too quiet for those who stay within its walls. The maidens especially, I fear. You are my honoured guest, and it would be of great joy to them to make much of you. Will you allow this, for my sake?"
Fairlain hesitated. For all that she was bold in battle, there was still much of the child who felt safer hidden from the world's eyes within her. She smiled and bowed her head graciously.
"Of course, my lord."
"Le hannon," he said and his kindly smiled beamed upon her once more.
