Raen woke by the sound of cracking logs and there she lay weak and hurt on a blanket of leaves near the fire under the shadow of a great tree. She couldn't have guessed the time for the boughs where thick and she could not take glimpse of the sky or the moon, but her pants have dried and her hair was mussed dry, proof that she had been lying there for long. Quick, she sat and took her bo after realizing her upper clothes and boots had gone, all that wrapped her chest was a gray strip of cloth and there she remembered her wound. Down her right shoulder the arrow pierced deep yet of why she could feel less pain, Raen did not understand. The River carried her far South.
At length she sat quietly looking around to see who had saved her, and there was no shadows save those of the trees. And when she was to stand came a sudden rustle from the bushes. Raen stood wielding her bo, heart pounding her hands trembled.
'Who's there?'
The wind past by from the tree-tops showering her with green leaves, the trees hissed and sighed but there was no one. 'Come out the dark, whoever you are,' and her heart grew more restless. She waited and waited until...
Out of the bush leaped a black Hound Galu the Hound of Lorien, she sprung in fear and thrust her bo side to side with all her might. 'Stay away. Scram! Stay away...dog. This stick is enchanted, this will hurt. Sho!' she cried as if it would do less to amuse the Hound, instead the dog stepped closer staring like it was trying to push her back near the fire. She swung her bo aiming to hit the hound but it caught her stick by its mouth and she could not pull it off its fangs. 'Bad dog! Give me back my stick!' She tugged the stick again and again but she could not even cause the dog to move. At last the Hound released the stick and Raen was thrown back and she fell to a nearby bush.
Dismayed she gathered herself up, leaning on her bo as she scratched her lower back. 'What are you? Did you save me from the river? Huh! I couldn't believe a dog rescued me,' she murmured. 'Here's a tale unheard of, a hound rescued a woman from drowning, drag her into the woods and stole her clothes and her boots. Well, you didn't chew them out, did you?' She stared at the Hound raising her brows as if expecting a word to come out of it.
'Law,' a voice said.
And Raen flinched in amazement. 'Did you just...talk?' The Hound dropped his head low and circled her.
'Will that frighten you?'
'No! I mean -- yes!'
'Dogs don't talk.'
Raen stepped back wielding her stick to the Hound, bewildered. 'Then what are you?' Before she could say some more something moved from the tree-trunk, a tall figure cloaked in gray, his long tresses had the same color as hers - dark as raven, and though there was little light to reveal his face Raen noticed his piercing gray eyes. Age could not be guessed by looking at his face yet if it was measured by wisdom on his brows Raen knew he was old. She trembled, holding her bo tightly she swung to keep him away. 'Don't come near me Elf! I'm warning you!' That moment she wished she had a sword or a knife the least, now she holds little faith on an unbreakable stick upon seeing two long knives by his side. He carried a bow and a quiver of green shafted arrows.
The Hound stood in between gazing at her as if wondering why she acted so strange towards her saviour.
At length the Elf stared at her with his heart melting, thinking of how he should tell her of his name.
'Don't you ever have any thoughts! Just tell me where you hid my clothes and my boots then I'll be on my way.'
'Is that what you think of Elves? I think you should say thank you.'
'Thank you?' she asked.
'You're welcome.' The Elf cast a slow smile. 'Put on your clothes, if your wound hurts no more, it's hanging over there.' And he pointed to the nearest tree behind her.
Raen stepped back and turned then she saw her leather vest and her clothes hanging on a peg, below lay her boots. She darted to the tree to don her clothes as the Elf cast his eyes away. 'I don't know why you saved me back in the river Elf, or should I believe you intend nothing but to help a helpless woman. Obviously you have seen more than you should and I daren't think you laid a --
'If I am to take what I want I could have done it while you are asleep. Why would I be here if I intend to do you harm? If you think I am a threat then you are free to leave.'
'I am!'
'Make for North if you would look for him. He was taken by the guards back to the Townlands but you should find him in the citadel.'
'Were you following us? You know Beren?'
'I know you and the men you are with.'
Raen was puzzled. 'I have never befriended an Elf before, how did you ---
'Memories,' the Elf said but he did not explain some more. At length they stood silent as if recalling a day they could have crossed each others' path, and Raen could not remember seeing his face before. The Elf finally withdrew and the Hound reared him, without a word he turned his back and sauntered away.
'Wait!' Raen made haste to follow him. 'I'm sorry I forgot my manners, I was never taught to remember them you see. It would be very good of you if you could take me to the citadel. I do not know the way and I could not suffer any delays.'
The Elf halted to look at her but did not speak his mind, instead he cast a stare that means he needed more convincing.
'Beren is like a brother to me, I need to help him out of there. It was all my fault. I could have listened to him and took the outwall.'
'You blame yourself too much!'
'And I can't forgive myself if something happened to him.'
The Elf reckoned she won't be very happy to know how many lives she had taken, for though she lost her memories her heart did not change - she was still the selfless Safirah he have heard from Mithrandir. Yet he could not leave her be, not that he had to, but out of love and responsibility. 'Does he mean that much to you?'
Raen nods. 'I cannot leave him behind. Beren saved my life many times, it's time to return the favor.' The Elf kept his thoughts as he turned his back again. The Hound followed him. 'Should I take that as a yes? My name is Raen, and you are ---
'Galdohir.'
'Galdohir, where did you come from? You clothed yourself differently to the Southern Elves.' And the three made for North hurrying out the pathless forest.
'Wearing gray and green does not mean I am different from the Elves of Ithilien, but you are right. I am not with them. My people had left for Valinor many years ago.' And they walked side by side as if they have known each other for a long time. Raen couldn't have noticed, not that she was not keen, that all the fear she had for him had been carried away by the cool Spring wind and they walked a great distance talking about the Elves of Lothlorien. Galdohir was a Silvan from the North, as his tales implied, deprived of freedom to be with the love of his life he chose to betray his King and was banished from Lasgalen, and fate led him to the land of the golden trees.
'Why did you stay?' Raen asked after a while. That hour was very late, or should it be too early, for the morning was about to dawn, cool breeze was brushing their faces as they stood atop the rolling hills of Emyn Arnen. At the distance they could see the white city and its great keel like a giant ship bound to a mountain. There the Hound sat next to Raen while his master measured the hour through gazing at the skies.
With a sorrowful voice Galdohir gave her a sideway look and said, 'I had to find my jewel. It is too dear to me I would stay and endure this mortal land to find it. Of all things I have desired it is the only treasure I couldn't live without seeing, for this heart of mine is deathless and forever I shall live not in peace.'
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A/N
Sorry if this chapter is short. Beren's chapter is next, what do you think would happen to him?