Several horses trotted into the courtyard of Imlardis. Among those horses were Glorfindel, Legolas and Luna. All looked grim. A female voice, warm and full of laughter met their ears. “Legolas! Glorfindel! Luna! Your all back!” the owner of the voice came into view. It was Kerowyn. She ran to Luna and embraced her best friend. Luna didn’t return the embrace. Kerowyn pulled away, her face smudged with concern. “Luna…are you okay?” Luna looked at her friend, unshed tears in her eyes, and walked off.

Kerowyn was hurt. She turned to Glorfindel and Legolas for an explanation. “Ker….” Legolas started and his voice trailed off. Glorfindel took over.

“Wood Princess” he began, using his old nickname for her. “Let’s go talk over there.” He motioned for a bench and led her too it. Once they had sat down, he took her small hand in his big one. “Ker…we got to Mirkwood, and as promised delivered your message to your family. What we saw…Ker—your mother—she—she has faded” He looked at Kerowyn and hugged her. “I wish I did not have to tell you this.” Kerowyn remained still. Glorfindel frowned, and made a mental note to tell Elrond and Linwe about this as soon as possible. He stood up. With one last glance at the still as stone Kerowyn, he left her alone.

Time passed, whether it was seconds or hours, Kerowyn never knew. She didn’t register anything, not until Linwe and Elrond caught her attention. A vague part of her noticed they had worried expressions, and Lindir and her friends were standing behind them. “Ker?” Linwe’s soft voice penetrated into Kerowyn awareness. As if that were the final crack to her emotions, Kerowyn began to sob, deep aching sobs. Linwe gathered Kerowyn into her arms, and supported her, leading her to Kerowyn’s own room. Once there, she gave Kerowyn a drugged tea, and led her to the bed. Kerowyn fell asleep almost instantaneously.

Meanwhile, a mile away Luna was furiously walking. She didn’t notice when her ring slipped from the chain she kept it on. She stopped and looked at the sky and frowned. I need to get home…it’s too dark. When the sun is away, foul creatures come to play. She turned and walked home. It wasn’t long before she saw the lights blazing in the Last Homely House. She crossed the courtyard and walked up the steep path. Entering the doors she was met by a nearly frantic Sanariam. “Luna! Your back! Thank Valar…Lord Elrond was about ready to send people after you! Are you hungry? Do you need anything? Would you like me to draw you a bath? Tea? Luna?” Luna stopped for a moment as the room swayed around her. She took a deep breath, then another. Soon the swaying stopped. She turned and found Sanariam standing near her, looking worried. “Luna? Luna…are you well? I shall fetch Lord Elrond…he can help.”

“No! You don’t—“Luna’s protests were worth nothing Sanariam had already scurried off. Luna sighed and continued down the corridor. Within moments she was at her bedroom door, she opened the door and walked in. She sighed, everything was just as she left it, and quite inviting. She sat down in her favorite chair after changing into her favorite silver dressing robes. She heard movement next door, Kerowyn’s room. She sighed again, and looked into the dancing flames.

There was a knock at the door, and a slightly concerned Elrond walked in, Elrohir and Linwe following behind. Elrond walked right over to Luna. “Luna…Sanariam said you looked ill…are you well?” he asked.

“I am quite well, Lord Elrond…it was a moment…” She left off, not sure how to describe what was going on. Elrond, thankfully, did not push the issue.

“Try to rest, Luna.” he said, before leaving the room. Luna sighed and snuggled into her robe even more. Elrohir came and stood next to her. In one swift motion he was embracing her. She found herself breathing in the scent of leather, herbs, and some kind of spice. She melted in his embrace.

“Elrohir” she said. She had missed him, just as she knew he had missed her. He stepped back and sat down in another chair. She found herself telling the entire tale. “Ker’s mother was in the forest, picking leaves, and was attacked. The healers there tried everything, she faded. The worst part was telling Ker…and I didn’t even tell her…Glorfindel did. But coming back, and knowing that she is in the room next door, I don’t know. I can’t help her…she has to do it on her own. That is the hardest part.” Luna looked into the flames again.

“Luna…she understands. If I know Kerowyn…which I do, she will understand why you did not tell her, you are mourning as well. Sleep now, my moon-princess.” He walked over to her and kissed her head. She didn’t look up, and Elrohir resisted the urge to sigh. He looked at her one more time and slowly left the room.

Luna stood, fully intent on going to bed. But a moment of dizziness overcame her and she fell to the ground, unconscious.

Something did not feel right, and Kerowyn could not quite put her finger on what it was. She woke up in a daze. There were people moving around and someone put a cool hand on her forehead. “She is awake” someone’s voice said, Linwe, by the sound of it. “Ker? Are you okay? Will you open your eyes?” Linwe asked. Kerowyn opened her eyes fully and saw Linwe standing above her. Kerowyn remembered the news and started to cry. Linwe brought her over a cup of something; Kerowyn didn’t care what, and made her drink it. Within moments, Kerowyn was asleep again.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny. Kerowyn awoke fully to an empty room. She rose and dressed. She felt an extreme sadness, but a kind of peace as well. Almost as if Haledril were reaching down to her and telling her that everything would be okay. There was a knock at the door, and Lindir was standing there, uncertain on how to react toward Kerowyn. So she ran and hugged him, breathing in his familiar scent. Together, the two went down to breakfast.

Breakfast was a somewhat subdued affair. The twins were there, as well as Linwe, Sanariam, and Elrond. Now Kerowyn and Lindir had joined them. There was only Luna missing. Elrond glance around the table. “Has anyone talked to or seen Luna this morning? It’s not like her to miss a meal.” Legolas who had also joined them answered.

“Perhaps she is still tired from the long journey. It was a trying one, for her. For all of us.” Legolas sat down at his normal spot and poured himself a glass of juice. Taking a sip he remarked, “She probably does not want to face reality yet…it was driven home when she came face to face with Kerowyn yesterday…” he glanced at Kerowyn and smiled, a gentle smile, full of friendship and sympathy.

“Still…should one of us go check on her?” Elrond asked. Elrohir and Kerowyn shook their heads.

“She was very tired and emotionally drained last night Ada, let us leave her alone. She will come when she is ready.” Elrohir said, thoughtfully. Elrond nodded, though he looked a little worried about the decision. The group began to eat. Everyone seemed hesitant around Kerowyn, though none of them wanted to be. If Kerowyn noticed, then she did not say anything.

Breakfast over; everyone went their own separate ways. It was not until dinner that all came together again. Once again, Luna was not present. Elrond raised his eyebrows. “Did anyone see her today…at all?” he asked. Everyone shook their heads. Kerowyn stood.

“I will go fetch her…perhaps she lost track of time.” Kerowyn paused a moment. “I need to talk to her…tell her I understand.” Elrond nodded and Kerowyn left the table.

Walked up the stairs and walked past the various doors until she came across Luna’s. There was Glorfindel about to knock on her door. “Kerowyn!” he said, surprised.

“Glorfy…I was coming to get Luna for supper…” Kerowyn laughed. Glorfy laughed as well.

“I came to see why she missed archery today…she had mentioned she wanted to do some archery yesterday, so we planned to meet.” He explained. He knocked on the door. His face became a little more concerned when the door was not answered. He knocked once more, and decided if she did not answer, he would let her alone. She did not answer. “I guess she really wants to be alone today…” But that did not explain why she had not sent a servant down to let anyone know. Luna may be reclusive…but she was considerate. That decided it. “Luna…answer the door or I shall come in!” he demanded. Still no answer. Now Kerowyn was beginning to get worried. Glorfindel squared his shoulders and opened the door. What he saw surprised him, scared him, and worried him, all at once. There was Luna, on the floor, unconscious.

Kerowyn ran in. “Luna!” she screeched. She turned her friend over, and too her relief saw no injuries. But then why was Luna like this? Glorfindel and Kerowyn exchanged a look and Glorfindel ran to get Elrond and Linwe.

The group downstairs was almost finished with a part of the meal when Glorfindel ran in. “Linwe….Elrond….Luna….needs….” was all he had time to say before Elrond and Linwe were gone.

Upstairs, Kerowyn had been frantically searching for the life force ring Luna wore on the chain. But she could not find it. “Luna….where is your ring?!” She looked up when Linwe and Elrond came into the room. Linwe dropped to her knees next to Kerowyn and started looking for something…anything that could clue her into what was wrong with Luna. She looked up.

“There is nothing Lord Elrond…” Linwe said, now a little worried.

“Find her life-force ring...” Elrond said and turned to Glorfindel. “Tell me what is going on! Did she get hurt or anything yesterday or the days of your traveling?”

Glorfindel was about to answer, but a shrill “Lord Elrond” caught their attention. Linwe was looking defeated.

“Luna doesn’t have her ring! Even the chain she keeps it on is gone!” Linwe said. Elrond felt a sudden headache come on.

“Take her to the healing wings, we can hopefully use herbs to keep her soul here.”