Pouring over maps of the Lone Lands in the vaulted Library, Xanderian felt her.
It had been so long, the Elleth first dismissed the sensation, assuming it to be a trick of her weary mind. But then, she felt her again, more strongly, like a tune gaining strength and confidence as voices take it up.
She dropped the scroll she had been holding...pausing just long enough to gather Heartbreaker from the fireside, and ran up the stairs, through the lobby, and out onto the Scholars Stair. Dashing at top speed, she nimbly weaved around shoppers and artisans and vendors alike like a spinning, whirling wisp before casting herself from the top of the last flight toward the teaming thoroughfare below.
Landing and rolling between a mounted knight who had seen better days and an overloaded ox cart, she regained her feet and was off again, slipping through the crowd of Breelanders and travelers like a knife through butter until she pulled up abruptly to the stairs of the Prancing Pony.
She took the stairs three at a time and without breaking stride pushed the door open, nearly stumbling through it in her haste.
At the bar, a woman stood speaking in hushed tones with Barliman, sipping from what seemed to be the latest of several glasses of local wine. Her traveling garb had once been white, now a dusty tan. She wore a leather hood of dwarvish style that shadowed her bright blue eyes, but glimpses of short dark hair escaped. Across her back a great sword weighed her down, and around her feet were several saddlebags, overfull and untouched. From the state of her boots it was clear she had just left a road far longer then any she had walked of late.
Zanderian of Belfalas tried to find a voice...but failed. Until she nearly whispered ".....Fille?'
The woman at the bar stood rigid hearing the voice. Nearly dropping the wine glass on the counter, she turns around to see..."Could it be?"
As their eyes met, they both began to sob. Xanderian whispered through her tears, moving to Fillegedhiel of Gondor. "We have been awaiting you."
The dark haired woman pulled the Elleth into a tight embrace, who buried her face in her neck and wept openly while Barli tried to find somewhere else to look. "Xan, oh dear Xan!"
Fillegedhiel chuckled through the sobs and squeezed her as tight as humanly possible, "I have travelled so far, but this...this right here has been worth the wait. I have missed you dearly..."
Drawing back to look into her eyes again, Xanderian whispered, 'You are finally home again, my Fille, with those who love you. Not a day has passed since you left that you have not been longed for."
Fillegedhiel pulled away to keep from crying harder and held onto Xan's hands tightly, afraid to let go, "I have thought about you all every day..." she shook her head still in disbelief of whom was standing in front of her eyes. "Yes, you are real..." she smiled brightly.
Struggling to get herself under control, Xanderian kissed Fille's cheek and touched her face. "So much for you to tell me, so much for me to tell.
Fillegedhiel nodded, feeling as if she were floating. 'Yes, there is so much I have to tell you, so much I want to know...pray do tell though, where is Cyn?'
The Elleth laughed softly. "Out and about, the Shieldmaiden rarely slows down despite my begging her...she will join us soon enough."
Xan paused, looking around her...the stacked barrels beside her, tucked into the corner of Barliman's bar near the fire. In this exact place she first saw Fillegedhiel of Gondor so long ago, both orphans of the storm, afraid and unsure and broken. "But this is where we began, when it was just you and I in all the vicious world...and so here it begins again."
Fillegedhiel nodded eagerly, "Yes, just as old times." She turned to her glass of wine for a moment, almost wishing not to think about the bad times...her poor mother, her father's crimes, her fear and flight.
Xanderian tilted her head softly...and stroked her hair. "Be of good faith, my Fille...we are together, and you are safe.'
The girl grinned despite herself, hating that Xan could read her heart like a open book. She sighed in relief at her words however, "Yes, I am home, I am safe..." but the last word felt like a lie in the shadow of so much doubt. "I am so weary from my travels, do you want anything to drink?"
Xanderian smiled softly....as Nob stood behind her, shuddering in fear, holding up a teacup. She took the tea and the halfling fled as she continued speaking in soft tones. "Safe and without menace are not the same things. Our foes begin to emerge and array before us, this is true, still cloaked in secrets...but we are together again."
Fillegedhiel could barely suppress a howling laugh, poor nob - but she giggled, before picking up the rest of her wine. "Yes, there is truth in what you say... as long as we're together, we are stronger"
The Elleth leaned close, their forehead touching, her voice somber but strained with emotion. "I will burn the world, I will slay an army twice over, my Fille, to keep you safe...to protect you, to protect all of you. This last year, I have been tested..without you, without Cyndwin, alone again...I had fallen from the favor of sweet Elbereth and was cast into the unending shadow. My world was grief and blood alone...but now I see...in your eyes I see..I was not being punished...I was being further honed. Elbereth's wisdom be praised.
Fillegedhiel was caught her by surprise by the words. "Xan...", she grabbed her hand again, "I did not know you were in such darkness, I ... I thought Cyn was with you? I...am sorry I had left you so suddenly..." she felt tears in her eyes.
The Elleth looked away, silent tears running down her face. "Cyndwin...she was taken, how and why we still do not know and I could not protect her. I failed her Fille...I failed her! But after so many nights of horror she called to me and I found her...just as you called and I have found you...there must be meaning in this. There must be."
Fillegedhiel frowned in anger, "Taken? How could this be? I...I'm sorry I did not call sooner, I should have written to you, tis but the past now." she recoiled with a serious tone. "It will not happen again, now we are together again, we will stay together.'
Xan nodded softly..."Forever and always. I will not leave you." She pulled the girl back into her embrace. "Many whispers are rising in Bree...the Guard cannot be trusted. No doubt your arrival has already sent messengers riding. Know you of a name of Gondor...a man called Arongil?"
Fillegedhiel pulled away and downed the rest of her wine almost violently, "Guards. No. Never trust guards anymore." She pushed the glass away but failed to look Xan in the eye, "Arongil?..." she repeated silently, almost trance like. "Sorry Xan, I am weary from my travels... I may have heard of that name, though my mind is cloudy."
Xanderian nodded. "All will come in time, my Fille. Long ago, as I huddled in the Pony, wondering what the future would hold...you took my hand. I am forever in your debt for that moment. Once Cyndwin returns we will repair to Tol Lochul, our home now. Secure in the embrace of our Guardian Trees, Tuile and Endien. A room has been prepared for you. For all of us... for my urchin, Hawke as well, who you have yet to meet
Fillegedhiel looked confused, "Hawke, Urchin? Who is this Hawke you say?" she sounded protective.
The Elleth smiled. "Another lost child of Dol Amroth, and one who has grown most dear to me...he will journey with us when soon we depart. Soon we will travel to Rivendell"
Fillegedhiel blew out a long breath, "Rivendell? But we just arrived in Bree?"
Xan nodded. "I know you are weary my Fille, but I think it best to get both you and Hawke further from the prying eyes of the Bree Guard, and we have questions that need asking concerning Cyndwin and the blue gem she carries..it may have been part of her disappearance and I need to know more. Your craft may be of help in that, for the Gem has embedded itself in the hilt of her blade now"
"A blue gem you say?" Fillegedhiel bit her lip. "I will try my best, I've had a many studied during my time down in the mines. In accordance to leaving Bree however, I think you're right. There have been some...things...happening that I cannot quite explain as of yet."
Xanderian nodded...."I had gathered as much from your notes..and your return. But those will be tales for when you are rested. We depart as soon as you have gathered your strength. The sooner Cyndwin is safely in the valley of Imladris, the better. My brave Fille...having you with me fills me again with resolve"
Fillegedhiel held Xan's face in her hands, "I am so sorry for ever leaving your side."
The Elleth kissed her cheek again. "Hush my dark angel...you did what you needed to do...but now we start on a new path...reunited."
Fille smiled, the tension deep in the pit of her stomach beginning to calm. Dangers would wait for tomorrow. For now, they were indeed reunited, and nothing seemed as frightening anymore.
