Sadron, led Lac'Nala to a garden, where Galadriel stood silently. The young elf gestured towards Galadriel and backed slowly away.

"Ah Lac'Nala I trust your companions have found their accommodations and are resting comfortably. ...... It saddens me that Beldigir has been summoned to his home. I have sent an Elven Honor Guard to accompany him to the borders of his lands. ..... I have also granted The Drow Priestess Ssinjin liberty to travel about Lothlorien. But only when accompanied by a guard or yourself. This is not that I fear, that she will cause any trouble, but more so for her safety and the peace of mind of my people." Galadriel said softly "I trust your strength is returning to you as well."

Lac bowed and said "I thank you once again for your hospitality. ..... Yes my companions have found their accommodations quite to their liking. ..... I also thank you for providing an escort for Beldigir and the liberties you have afforded Ssinjin."

Galadriel looked upon Lac'Nala and said solemnly ...... "Go to Ssinjin now, you and she have much to discuss. Listen to her words Lac'Nala of Oron_D_Narr, the task that has been appointed to both of you, only together can be brought to fruition. ...... Do not let your heart be filled with sorrow ....... Hope is never lost my friend. ...... Now go Ssinjin awaits you."

Lac lo0oked at Galadriel with a touch of confusion on his face. "Thank you M'Lady." he bowed then turned and walked to Ssinjin's chambers, the guard came to attention as he stood beside the open door. Lac knocked softly on the door jam.

After a moment Jack gets off the bed. He stands there trying to get his bearings. The lady elf that had tended to his wounds earlier returns. "You need your rest, warrior. Please sit." Jack shakes his head and starts to head out. "Too many questions. I cannot rest until I know what is happening." He is hit with a wave of dizziness and leans on another bed. "Why is it this place seems so familiar but I have no memory of it?" He turns to look at the healer for an answer. "Because you have been here before. Whether you remember or not this is not your first visit to the elves. I know because I treated your injuries then too."

Jack finally sits down at her words. He is confused now. "I don't understand. How can this be?" The elven woman places a hand on his shoulder. "Do not worry about that just yet. Get some rest and eat something. We will talk later. Promise." She walks off and another elf comes with some food.

Jin lost herself in her thoughts and it wasn’t until Lac knocked a second time that she actually heard him at her door. Her back was to the door but there was no doubt she heard him that second time for her head lifted and her shoulders squared a bit more. It was also apparent that even before she turned around, Jin knew who was at her door.

Taking a deep breath, the Drowess turned to let her gaze meet Lac’s. Already she could feel her heart beat a little faster but she wasn’t sure if it was due to the anxiety she felt after Galadriel’s visit or if was indeed something more. While Galadriel had offered Jin some insight to this question, Jin was still uncertain. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before and she had never had to worry about it in the past.

But this wasn’t the past. This was the present and quite possibly the future. As much as she didn’t want to talk about it, Jin knew she HAD to. Either way, she would not abandon the Ranger or the others now. It was clear they were much stronger together than any of them were apart. That still didn’t make this task before her any easier to handle.

Realizing she had been standing there staring at the Ranger as he stood in her doorway waiting for her to invite him in, Jin blinked and walked towards the door. The silky folds of the dressing gown she wore swished softly with each step she took.

“Please. Come in Lac’Nala.”

As Lac walked in, Jin closed the door softly behind him to give them a bit of privacy. Walking over to the tray that had been delivered to her earlier, Jin poured two glasses of the wine then handed one to Lac before taking a sip of her own hoping the Ranger didn’t notice the slight trembling in her hand.

Jin noticed how Lac watched her every move and knew the Ranger was aware of something. It didn’t make this any easier on her. Of all the times for him to be so attentive, now was not the time she wished for it. Or did she? Another sip and she set her glass down on the small table near the wall then walked back over to stand before Lac, looking up into his gaze with her own steady one.

“Galadriel came to visit me. Her hospitality has been most gracious. I have never been welcomed as much as I have been by her. She has my eternal gratitude.”

Jin could tell by the look on Lac’s face he knew there was more to the story but he also knew it was rude to pry and ask questions.

“We discussed many things, Galadriel and I. She showed me that it is only together can we defeat the evil that has raised its head in these lands once more. Many races have come together in a united front to fight the darkness and I know now that we must not lose sight of that which we hold most dear.”

The Drowess took a deep breath and swallowed hard before she continued on.

“She also tried to help me with other things as well and even as I stand here, I find myself still unable to determine if what I question is one answer or another. But….the answer, either one, cannot be answered by just me alone. It must be answered by you as well.”

Jin took a small step closer to the Ranger and let her gaze slowly slide to his chest before she let her eyes drift to his once more.

“I have never experienced love for anyone but my Mother before, Lac’Nala. But…..I know that these feelings I have for you go beyond anything I have ever felt before in my life for another. No one has ever done for me the things you have done for me. Even under condition of a favor returned. And yet you did these things of your own free will. I know your heart is generous and giving. And it is through your gentle kindness and stern principal that I have been able to feel these new emotions I am experiencing. For that, I shall be forever your friend and ally.”

Again Jin’s eyes drifted to Lac’s chest and she grew silent for a moment. When her eyes drifted back to his, they were filled with tenderness. Her voice was soft and filled with emotion when she spoke this time.

“Tell me , Lac’Nala Oradreth. Is this what it feels like to love you? Or have I become infatuated with you and find myself reaching for something that can never be for you do not feel the same for me?”

Lac, . reached out and took Jin's hands in his. "Only you know what you feel in your heart. I am sure what I feel for you goes beyond infatuation and beyond friendship. I know that together we are more stonger than we are apart. What the future holds for us ........ Only the Gods, time and our destiny knows. .....I do know that we were meant to meet and out feet were meant to be placed on the same path." Lac brought her hands gentle to his lips and placed a kiss upon them. Then he looked into her eyes and continued ....."What I am sure of is that we must complete this task set before us, we must not loose sight of it and not just for us but for all of the races in these lands and the lands yet seen. Not just for The Elves, the races of man, dwarves and those of Tipereth's lands, but for the child Sardron and his generation and those peoples yet unborn.

When this task is over then we have another to complete, if you will but take it. That task will be more difficult for you than for me. That will be the task uniting our peoples and of ruling together as one voice. But before you accept that task there is something you must consider.

You are Elf kind and immortal I am only half Elf and although blessed as I am with long life, am mortal. One day the ravages of time shall claim my body."

Jin felt the heat of Lac’s fingers close around her own when he reached out to take her hands in his. As she listened to him talk she knew he was right. No one but her could say for certain what it was she felt for this Ranger. And now, there was no doubt left in her heart or mind what it was she felt.

The soft press of his lips to Jin’s slender fingers brought forth a soft gasp from her. Once more the Ranger’s gentle nature engulfed her and she felt her heart skip a beat before beating irregularly.

Knowing what he spoke of was true, Jin knew, even before he was done saying it, she would rather have what ever time she could have with him than none at all. Even if it meant she would continue on without him after he had departed this realm. Her fingers slowly uncurled from his hands as she cupped his face gently in her hands. Jin’s eyes never left Lac’s now as she stood before him, so close yet still so far away.

“Fate is a fickle mistress, Lac’Nala. To be brought together like this and discover there is much between us that is yet to be spoken and wanting to say it all, yet not having the time to do so. It is cruel and unkind. How ironic I would be the one to make such a claim.”

“There is no consideration for me. Should we survive this task and live a peaceful life after it is complete, I would never give up the chance to share my life with you. And should you pass on to the other realm, I would rather live with the memories we will make with each other than never know what it was like to live….and love….with you.”

“There is no task that will be too difficult for me to face should I face it with you by my side. I am Drow, yes, but my life, I now know, is not to live the Drow life, but to live my life with the man who has shown me cruelty and deceit is a fast path to sure death. It is only through patience and kindness….and love….that I can be the ruler my people need me to be. Now…and in the future. But I can only be that person with you. If you will have me.”

Tiphereth's room was secluded a from the rest of the Elfin dwelling. It was a separate building all together sitting upon the water, connected to the main house by an ornate white bridge across which lush green vines grew and covered the pillars of the circular structure. He stretched out his long muscular form on a sofa designed to accommodate the taller Elves and thus found it very comfortable. Lying their listening to the songs of birds and crickets, the Deithir allowed his mind to wander across the Golden Wood and see the happenings of his new companions. It was an ability he had always had, but one that he could not use intrusively. As his mind meandered through and around the beautiful structures of Lothlorien he saw only glimpses of the Elves and only if the hearts of his companions were content and receptive would he be able to see them.

In the room of Lac'Nala, he spied a glimpse of Brianna speaking with a red haired Dwarf then he drifted onward and found the quarters of the Drowess, Jin. His mind hovered for a moment and was allowed but for a brief moment to see her happy, and it warmed his heart. There was another form with her, one he could not properly see, but he knew it could be none other than the ranger. Tiphereth was pleased that the two wayward warriors had at last admitted their feelings to one another. Since their meeting the tension between the two had been obvious and as it is the nature of his kind to dwell upon the feelings exhibited by those of the material world he could hardly turn a blind eye to their story.

As if waking from a day dream, Tiphereth's consciousness returned to him and decided to take stroll through the Golden Wood, since his hosts had yet to return. He donned his purple half coat and strode across the water to explore the depths and the mysteries of the ancient forest.



"I am sorry to hear of your loss, lassie. I hope your Father died well and your Mother quickly." Offered Orthagren, in his gruff Dwaven manner. He finished off the last of his mead and belched.

"Well, I best be off to find me own quarters." Stated the Dwarf as he dropped to the floor off of the high chair and gathered his gear. "As much as Master Lac'Nala would be privileged were I to stay it is best I not offend our hosts and use the room they have provided."

Orthagren made his way out of the room. "Rest well, Lady Brianna, that is, if I don't see ye before night fall." Then he looked up at the dense tree tops. "I say!" he exclaimed, "if it doesn't appear to be dark already. A Dwarf cannot tell whether it be night or day in these woods!"

Lac, , looked into Jin's eyes and embraced the Drow Priestess as he had not embraced another being in a very long time.
After a few moments Lac eased his embrace and said "Let us walk, I have something I wish to show you here in Lothlorien." He then took her hand and they walked to the door. Lac nodded to the gaurd as they walked out and towards the gardens. The Elven guard snapped to attention and bowed his head respectfully as they passed.

As they walked along a pathway several Elves of both genders glanced at them. Some bowed their heads in respect while others watched warily as the Drow Priestess passed. Lac returned their respectful nods with some of his own and a few soft words of greetings and thanks. As the passed over a stone bridge a shimmering water fall was on one side and river passed under it tumbling over moss covered boulders. A soft white light filtered through the trees. Passing over the bridge, Lac guided them to a lone stone monument. Kneeling before it, Lac bowed his head placing his right hand to his heart and spoke in a tounge, Jin did not understand and so softly that Jin could not percieve his words. Lac then rose and said softly. "This monumet is in rememberance of my mother Gilraen, she now rests beside my father in the familt tomb in Oron_D_Naar. One day I too will lie beside them and my brother and if destiny and the Gods will it our Son will rule over Oron_D_Naar."

Jin was apprehensive about leaving the sanctuary of the apartment she had been given and when Lac took her hand to lead her outside, her hand gripped his just a little tighter. There was no lack of self confidence in her, but she was in a strange place where magic circulated all around her and she knew that magic could easily be used against her if she should do the wrong thing. While Jin had no intentions of doing anything but be respectful to her hosts, she still felt out of place among these beautiful, light skinned surface Elves.

As they walked among the locals and Jin received more than a few stares, she held her head regally and walked with the pride she felt at being both Drow and at Lac’s side. She would never be ashamed of her heritage. No. Instead she would show these surface cousins of hers she was the exception of her kind, not the rule.

That apprehension left, though, the moment they began to leave the more populated area of the woods behind and venture into a more secluded location. The beauty of the Golden Woods never ceased to amaze her and when Lac led her over the bridge near the water fall, she stopped to take in the beauty of the area. The cool air washed over her skin as the water cascaded down the side of the incline to travel under the bridge they occupied.

Finally forcing herself to move from this spot, she continued to walk along with Lac until they reached the statue. Knowing the statue was of some significance to the Ranger when he knelt before it and whispered strange words she didn’t understand. Jin bowed her head to say a silent prayer to her Goddess thanking her for her graciousness and hoping Lac would find the strength he needed to complete this task as well as herself.

When Lac stood back up to explain what the statue represented, Jin felt something stir within her. Like her, he had lost his Mother as well and knew the heartache it caused to know she was no longer with him. While Jin knew who her father was, she had no real relationship with him and could not relate to the loss of him but she knew what it was like to also lose her siblings. Now, more than ever, Jin realized how similar their lives really were.

But the last words Lac spoke took Jin completely by surprise and there was no hiding the fact as she blinked and her eyes grew wide turning her shocked expression upon his handsome face. Her mind was completely blank. The only thing she kept hearing echoing over and over in her head was the words OUR SON.

When at last she could recover slightly, the first thing the Drowess did was take in a deep draw of air. So shocked had she been that Jin forgot to breathe. After a few more deep breaths, she felt her knees grow weak and instinctively reached out to Lac for support. When she felt the Ranger’s arms steady her, Jin looked down at the statue then back up into Lac’s face.

“O-our….son?”

Another glance at the statue and Jin licked her suddenly parched lips and took another deep breath to try and calm her racing heart. Slowly turning her gaze back to Lac’s, Jin spoke with a near breathless voice as his words finally sunk in and hit her hard.

“Our….son. A life created by you and I. A perfect union between two people….between two worlds. A beautiful being to unite the world.”

Thoughts began to slowly take shape in the Drowess stunned mind once more.

“But……That would mean we would have to……and you have not once warmed my bed, Ranger. And even if you had, there are but two times within the seasons your seed will take hold and grow.”

Jin’s mind began to work once more and her eyes narrowed slightly.

“I tried to entice you many times before and you refused my invitations. I thought you…..did not wish to enjoy the pleasures we could give each other. Do not tease me now, Ranger. I fear I shall surely wilt and die if you do.”

"To tease or mislead you is not in my intention nore would it be my nature or capabilities." I assure you. "But before these things I have spoken of can come to pass. There is a task you and I must complete. I fear that the path of this task we walk is as the edge of a knife. Stray but a breath and we will fail. The consequences of our failure are too terrible to imagine."

Tiphereth glided through the woods, leaping like a deer over thickets or soaring as a silent owl over low branches. It felt good to run and take in the air of such a magical place. His powers had began to wane so quickly under the strain of this world, but in the Golden Wood he felt strength return to his limbs and his will had been renewed.

Flying into the air, Tiphereth found himself lightly falling to the pale stones of shallow stream that flowed beneath a picturesque bridge. As he landed lightly upon a broad flat stone amidst the sparkling water the Deither surveyed the beautiful scene and found at the center of the bridge, Jin and Lac'Nala.

He thought to quickly continue on his run and leap away, but he was as obvious as a snowflake on a pile of coal. As their eyes fell upon him, he sheepishly waved. Not sure whether to leave or stay he remained still as a child who had unwittingly stumbled into an adult moment.

Jin couldn’t help but chuckle softly at Lac’s words.

“Somehow I feel as though you do tease me just to see how far I will go to try and seduce you into my bed, Ranger. Worry not. While practicing patience in this matter is not something I am used to, I am learning you will no doubt make my waiting, wanting and yearning well worth it.”

Her smile faded as the weight of their task settled about her once more.

“To walk the edge of this knife is difficult indeed, but when we see each other teetering and about to fall all we need do is reach out and pull each other back up to restore the balance.”

As Jin spoke, she reached out and took Lac’s hand in hers, bringing it up between them and lacing the fingers together to symbolize what she meant as she took a small step closer to close the slight gap that existed between them. It was then her eyes caught movement from the far corner of her vision.

Taking a step back away from Lac and snapping her head to the direction she noticed the movement, she saw Tiphereth as he landed on the rock near where she and Lac stood. Seeing the look that crossed his face and the way he waved, Jin knew he had unwittingly stumbled upon their privacy and couldn’t help but chuckle at the way he looked at them. Casting her gaze to Lac, there was no doubt the meaning behind her words with the heated look she gave him. Grinning, she spoke softly to him.

“We shall discuss this another time, Ranger. When we are behind closed doors and able to talk….in depth about such things.”

Looking back to Tiphereth, she still held Lac’s hand and waved the Phaerie over to join herself and the Ranger.

“Join us, Tiphereth. Please.”

As Tiphereth flitted upon the air currents to join them, Jin smiled a genuine smile as she watched him more or less frolic.

“I take it you are regaining your strength. Or out having fun. Perhaps both. But I can see your eyes are glowing just a little brighter than the last time I looked upon them. It is good for us to rest here in this place.”