Luna held tight to the saddle, feeling horrible that she had caused so much trouble. Her mind wandered to Grima. What had he meant? Why had he picked her out when she could hardly even remember his name?

(no problem! Thanks for pulling me along!)

Sirel frowned as she rode. She hadn't heard the full story of Luna's encounter with Grima. It was worse than she had thought.

"So where were you?" she asked Markus.

Luna looked to Markus. Eowyn had said he was on an important mission, and she too was curious.

"I was sent to find her brother. We were then charged with finding an old friend. An old friend that could save King Theoden." He smiled brightly. He would tell them of Gandalf's return when they were in the safety of Lothlorien. He did not want to utter Gandalf's return out in the open. It could endanger King Theoden's recovery.

Soon they were crossing the border into the land of Lothlorien. He looked up at the golden Mallorn that surrounded them. He breathed a very heavy sigh of relief. "Home," he exhaled. He began to walk peacefully, reconciling himself with his homeland when a dozen arrows were pointed at him and his company. His eyes bulged slightly. Did they not know who he was? Off course they didn't, he had been gone for so long. "Gentlemen..." he raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "We mean no harm. I am from here. My name is Markus Gladomain."

"Markus?" A timid, female voice asked. A woman so fair she brought tears to the eyes of mortal men stepped forward. Her long blonde hair was tied back in a braid. She wore the armour of the Lothlorien guard. Her eyes were a light blue colour and they looked Markus up and down with wonder. "Is it really you?" She asked, stepping past the arrows.

"It is sister mine." Markus answered, smiling broadly. The arrows fell, along with the guards jaws. Markus had been assumed dead for many years now.

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Luna found hope in his statement. When they entered Lothlorien, she gasped as arrows were pointed to them. She watched what transpired, with her jaw dropping. Markus had a sister? She watched curiously as the reunion took place. As she watched, she could feel the guards eyes on her. She felt very self conscious in her torn, stained dress. What they must think of her..

Marylyn yelped with surprise, jumping into her brothers arms. "I can't believe it! I thought I would never see you again!" She began to cry with happiness. Her arms squeezed Markus, as though confirming that he was really there in her arms. Markus chuckled at her reaction. "Missed me, have you?" Marylyn stepped back giggling. "Well...Only a little!" She winked to him. Suddenly she was aware of two others watching their interaction. "Excuse me. I'm so sorry. You must think me so rude," she gushed, holding her hand out to Markus' companions. "I'm Marylyn Gladomain, head of the guard. It is a pleasure to meet you both." Her eyes were warm and welcoming as they looked upon Luna and Sirel.

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Luna dipped her head. "This is Siriel," she motioned to the other elf. She smiled shyly and ducked her head. "It is nice to meet you." she had totally forgotten to say her own name.

"Miss Sirel," Marylyn acknowledged her, bowing her head. "And you are?" She asked politely looking back to Luna.

"This is Luna, my saviour," Markus interjected smoothly. Marylyn's eyes widened as she regarded Luna. "Really?" she asked. "Then I owe you more than I can express for bringing my brother back to me. And you Sirel. Anything that either of you wish to have, consider it yours. I am eternally in your debts." Marylyn bowed low to them both. She turned to her brother. "Come, we must announce your arrival. Everyone will be dying to see you. Queen Galadriel will be happy to hear of your return," she slid her arm through Markus's and led the way into the forest, delving deeper into Galadriel's realm.

The guards remained at their posts, keeping a watchful eye on the horizon for any threat following. They were charged with keeping the borders well protected. They did a good job of it too.

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Luna swallowed at what he called her, and was about to object when Marylyn continued speaking. She nodded, feeling suddenly quite afraid. She had never met a queen, let alone an elvish queen. Her heart thudded as they entered Lothlorien, her eyes widening at the beauty of the place.

The trees grew taller and taller as they delved deeper. They came to the centre to the largest of all the trees and they began to ascend into the bows of the tree. They came to a platform it seemed to glow with some form of magic. "Wait here," she whispered to her company before she disappeared up another set of stairs.

Markus turned to Sirel and Luna. "What do you think?" He asked. He practically danced on his feet with excitement.

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"Absolutely beautiful," Luna sighed as she looked around, then slid off the horse, her eyes wandering all over the ethereal place. "Amazing.." she whispered in wonderment.

Marylyn cleared her throat at the top of the stairs. "I present to you Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel." Marylyn bowed to her rulers before gliding down the steps to join her company. Marylyn dropped down into a bow, lowering her head to her rulers. Markus followed suit, his hand upon his heart. He motioned to Luna and Sirel to do the same.

Lord Celeborn glided down the steps slowly with he wife Galadriel. They walked hand in hand. The two of them gazed down at the company before them. Celeborn wondered who they were and why they had come. They looked as though they had been travelling for some time. They were in need of some sleep and replenishment.

Galadriel surpassed most in beauty, knowledge and power. This eminated from her stance and body. She was thought of as the mightiest and fairest of all elves in Middle Earth. Upon her hand was a beautiful ring of power. She glanced from her hand to the company again. "Markus Gladomain, we are glad to have you back with us once more. I am sorry you suffered so much at the hands of that mortal. I am glad he has received punishment for his crimes." Her eyes fell to Luna. "Welcome Luna, dear moon-watcher," her eyes twinkled softly. "And welcome to you too Sirel. I hope I find you well." The Lord and Lady came to rest on the bottom step, they looked quizzically at the company.

Markus smiled softly as he raised his head. "I am glad to be on the good earth of our people. I have missed it terribly. You both are a sight for sore eyes." He stood along with his sister who had taken his hand in her own.

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Luna swallowed and dropped to her knee, and as Markus had done she placed her right hand over her heart. Her face was scarlet, but she started when Lady Galadriel called her moon-watcher. How had she known? She lifted her blue eyes to look at the King and Queen of Lothlorien. When Markus stood, so did she, but then remembered her appearance and turned scarlet once again. She should have accepted the dress from Rohan...she thought with regret.

Luna began to hear a voice in her head. "Do not be ashamed moon-watcher. I know of your ordeal. You have nothing to be ashamed of. And you need not worry you are protected here. I also have a collection of dresses that you may have." Galadriel simply smiled at her. She thought it best to speak to Luna this way, assuming she would not want attention drawn to her embarrassment.

Celeborn opened his arms in welcome. "Old friends and new I welcome you home. We shall have a feast tonight in honour of Luna's bravery and our beloved Markus' return. Go now and recuperate my loved ones."

Galadriel grinned excitedly as she turned with her husband and ascending the stairs.

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Sirel was smiling widely, her fingers tapping a rhythm on her leg. She hadn't known that Markus had a sister - she had not even known he had pived in Lorien. However, she was too happy to be shocked right now. Although she came to Lorien quite frequently, she found the place absolutely magnificent.
"You'll have to explain your whole story once we've settled in one of the flets," she said softly to Markus. "I had no idea that you had a sister, or that you came from Lorien." She rocked back and forth on her heels, eager to run amongst the branches of the golden trees, but restraining herself for now.

Luna's eyes grew round, and she returned the voice in her head with a silent thank you in her mind. She didn't understand things, but she might as well just accept them. She then started. A feast? Her eyes turned to Markus, and a slow smile came across her face. She then found herself whisked away in a flurry of activity. Before she knew it, she was wearing a long, silvery white gown of the elvish kind, and her hair was elegantly braided, also in elvish fashion. She had been bathed even. She slowly walked down the stairs from where she had been and looked around for Markus and Siriel.