Renacida || Fili x MGIME OC ||

Alexa, Play Despacito

I was advised to begin gathering my things. For no reason whatsoever, of course.

Tiriel and Gallien, bless their hearts, gathered things for me when we'd inevitably set out again. Two changes of clothes and four pairs of underwear, not counting what I'd be wearing. Instead of thin exercise gear, I could now wear clothes suited for colder regions. Boots, warm but flexible leggings (that tied up on the sides, which I needed to get used to), wool socks, an undertunic, another thicker shirt, and a supple leather vest that was as soft as it was hardy. I rolled everything into the water-resistant pack Gallien had made for me. I also tucked away soap, a hairbrush, hair wash, a toothbrush and some sort of tooth powder to go with it, tweezers, lotion, a foldable compact mirror, a nail file, minor healing ointment, stitches and needles, and absorbent cloths for my "monthlies."

But I still had two-and-a-half years to go on my Nexplanon, which stopped my periods, thank fuck.

I also got a proper bedroll that strapped to the pack. Tiriel slipped extra lembas bread and water bladders in the pack since I had room left thanks to my practiced way of packing clothes into a small space. My new blades hung off each hip, and Dwalin's dagger was concealed in my boot.

"And this," she said, leaning in close like we'd be heard—even though it was just the three of us in my room, "is some special spice for cooking."

Tiriel unclasped the tiny wooden box. A savory aroma hit my nose. It looked to be a mixture of salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, basil, and another spice I couldn't discern. The scent alone was relaxing. "Use it if your companions suffer from poor mood."

"Thank you," I said, and I slipped the box into a side pocket of the pack. "Thank you all so much for everything. You've been so generous."

Tiriel and Gallien dipped their heads. "You are welcome," said Tiriel. "We've greatly enjoyed you and Mr. Baggins' presences here in Imladris. If—"

"When," Gallien corrected.

"When you return from your quest with the dwarves, please come visit. We cannot wait to hear the tales."

I hugged them tightly, then planted a kiss on each of their cheeks. Tiriel blushed, and Gallien grinned. Evening was fast upon us, and the two elves needed to leave so they wouldn't "see anything" amiss.

"Be careful." Gallien squeezed my shoulder. Fili's cloak, cleaned and mended, draped over it. "The world is growing ever more dangerous, Lady Valeria. Evil lurks in the shadows, waiting for you to stumble so it can extinguish your light."

"I will."

Tiriel and Gallien said something silent to one another before Gallien took out a small, wrapped item. She gently folded back the forest green cloth to reveal a delicate, silver chain necklace. A drop of light sat in the center. "For you," Gallien whispered, reverence apparent.

My lips parted. The sun had dipped below the valley, plunging us in bright twilight. "Did...did you make this for me?"

"Tis a gift from the Lady Galadriel," Tiriel replied, voice quieter than her counterpart's. "It contains light that will serve as some protection from the darkness that awaits."

Speechless, I let Gallien put the necklace over my head, and I hid it beneath my clothing.

"But," I finally managed to get out, "I—I haven't even met Galadriel—"

"She is the wisest among our kin," said Tiriel. "Her seer-power allows her to see what one might need."

Their somber expressions aged them the violet pallor. They didn't have to tell me what they thought. I was already putting things together.