[Airerûthiel]

Bragolhirwen scolded herself for not talking to Elentari before now. They were old friends, and had seen such things that most would only know in their nightmares. She had to extend even the courtesy of a brief chat with her. But there was the problem of how to clear this with Laitalathion.

"Cousin," she said, "an old friend of mine has just arrived at the party. Her name is Elentari Greenleaf, and she is an elf-witch of Rivendell. We fought alongside each other against the great spider Shelob in the tower of Cirith Ungol. Will you come and be introduced to her? I am sure she will like you, and we do not have to talk about...what happened."

Laitalathion nodded. "Bragolhirwen, my cousin, if she is friend to you, then she is friend to me also," he said. The two of them walked over to the bar, eliciting whispers and envious glances from the other party guests. Bragolhirwen knew her cousin's red-gold hair made him stand out, and she could not help feeling proud of him and pleased to be with him. Although the deed he had done was terrible, what mattered was that he was the only family she had left in the world. Blood runs thicker than water, after all, she thought.

Elentari was sitting at the bar beside a female Elf who was snoring gently. She turned as the two half-Elves approached, and smiled kindly at them. "Forgive me for not speaking to you earlier, friend Elentari," said Bragolhirwen. "May I introduce my cousin Laitalathion, son of Théomer of Ithilien and Orowethwen of Mirkwood?"

"It is a pleasure to meet you, O Star-queen," said Laitalathion, his voice dripping with honey. He knew he had to make a good impression upon this Elf, or else the chance of unlocking his past might disappear for good. She smiled at him as he kissed her hand chivalrously, and he returned the expression.

"So what have you been doing since we parted?" asked Elentari as Laitalathion went to order another round of drinks. "I am curious to hear about your life since our battle against Shelob."

Bragolhirwen thought for a minute, and then she spoke. "Truth be told, I have spent most of my time wandering the wilds of Middle-earth, searching for yet another adventure. I have not come across such a quest yet, but there is hope yet that one day a good tale will knock on my door. I grew tired of the Shire and decided to head for Rohan. A messenger on the road to Edoras told me about the party."

"And what of this cousin of yours?" asked Elentari, her eyes twinkling. "What has he spent his years doing?"

"I have not seen him since he left my father's house in the borderlands," replied Bragolhirwen. "I was only a tiny child then, and so barely recognised him when we were reunited only hours ago. But apparently he journeyed to see the Elves in the western country, and then came back east to Gondor. The guards did not let him in because his father had been accused of treason against the Steward Denethor II. He rode back west, and I know nothing of his life since then.

"But enough about me! I would like to hear what you have been doing with your life since our journey to Cirith Ungol." Laitalathion returned with a tray of drinks, and Bragolhirwen lifted down two glasses, sliding Elentari's lemon drink along the bar. "So what have you been up to?" she asked, sipping her white wine spritzer and waiting for her friend's reply.