The Wanderer

Chapter Ten

 "Farren!" Tilda cheered when she saw me approaching her and Sigrid. I smiled warmly as the young girl ran up and threw her hands around me in a hug. "Have you come to stay?"

"For the time being, little one. Come, let us start on our journey." I took the girl's hand and led her to the front where her father was leading the townsfolk to Erebor. Sigrid walked on my other side, a basket of the goods she was able to collect in her hands, and Rieka padded along behind us.

"Did the elves leave?" Sigrid asked when she noticed I was the only one of my kin around.

"They have gone to investigate something of importance," I answered her.

"And you didn't go with them?" Tilda spoke up, slightly surprised.

"Well, of course not. They don't need me anymore, and I doubt they ever did. Besides, I would much rather spend time with you two."

Tilda beamed up at me, happy to have my company. Sigrid only smiled, but it seemed that there was something bothering her. I left the topic alone, choosing to address it later.

Our small group made our way to the front, where Bard and Bain were leading the entire town to Dale. Alfrid groveled along behind them, and when he spotted Rieka and I, he backed away even farther.

"Ah! Farren, it is good to see you among us!" Bard exclaimed as he saw us approach.

"I'm grateful you would have me, Bard."

The rest of our journey fell into silence, except from the occasional question from a curios Tilda.

"Have you been to Minas Tirith?"

"I have."

"Is it as sparkling white as they say?"

"Indeed. In the olden days, it nearly hurt to look at."

"What about the ancient forest in the south?"
"Fangorn? Yes, I've been there before."

"Did you meet the walking and talking trees of legend?"
"Indeed. They're lovely conversationalists, though they do take their time."

"Oh! I've heard of stories of an elven realm with such large, golden trees. Mother said the trees were the tallest in all the land and that the most radiant elven maiden resigned in that forest. Is it true?" The young girl had such wonder and amazement in her eyes, her imagination running wild with all the tales she had heard.

"It is quite true. I grew up in that forest, we call it Lothlórien. The trees grow as tall as the sky, and the leaves have never fallen from their branches. Great homes are built into the trees, and the roots of each tree span on for at least a mile." As I described my childhood home, happy memories came to mind from when I was child.

After Fae Thalas, the home of my ancestors, was destroyed, Galadriel and Celeborn took me into their home and raised me to who I am today. I was eternally grateful for their effort and love they have given me in the past.

"Have you met the elven maiden?" Tilda asked, breaking me from my daydream.

"Yes, I have. She and I know each other personally, and I would like to visit her again some time soon."

"Is she really as beautiful as the stories say?"

"No. She's even more beautiful. Her long, golden-silver hair flows down like a river, and her pale skin glows in the moonlight. Her grey eyes sparkle like the light of the stars, her beauty is unmatched by any in Middle Earth."

The other townsfolk had listened in on our conversation by now, and many of them were just as amazed as Tilda.

"You sound as though you miss her greatly," Bard spoke up, as he too had been listening to my stories.