Stepping out of the warmth of the stables the air seemed colder than it really was. It was snowing again. Fat flakes drifted down in peaceful silence, starting to cover the paths that were formed by errand runners, guards and other castle inhabitants. Erwyn stuck her tongue out catching a snowflake. Happiness welled up in her. As Xenograg had observed she had the energy of youth, a streak of impish mischief and the perchance of being a bit of a tomboy.

Erwyn lifted her arms out to her sides and twirled around and around. She closed her eyes enjoying the sensation. As she did so, she slammed into something solid. Opening her eyes and to her embarrassment it was Philippe. Feeling her cheeks burn, Erwyn backed away stammering her apologies.

"Please pardon me." She said nodding her head to him in a respectful manner.

"It is nothing." Philippe replied with a smile. He patted her shoulder and went on his way. The three girls watched him stride across the courtyard.

"He is very handsome." Amanda said with a sigh.

For a moment Erwyn didn't answer, watching Philippe disappear into one of the turrets. Erwyn had noticed he goes up to the wall on a regular basis to gaze out at the sea..."Don't you think so Erwyn?" Amanda persisted.

Erwyn looked at Amanda. "Oh yes." She replied and tried to think of what they could do next.

Erwyn, Amanda and Mystic pondered their next occupation. None were ready to go back inside yet, so they decided to walk around the castle grounds. Behind the castle lay the kitchen garden, a pile for dung from the stables, firewood, and a pond to haul water to the garden during a dry spell. Tracks of the servants and stable hands criss-crossing each other, and tracks of other creatures had been there. Rabbit and deer was the most obvious. Coming up from the forest to the garden in hopes to find something to graze.

Beyond the castle grounds lay a thick forest. Dark pines contrasted with the bare birch and elm, their branches covered with snow.

"Want to slide on the pond?" Erwyn asks.

"You think it's safe?" Says Amanda.

"Oh, it's been cold a long time, you see there are no tracks to the pond because they can't break the ice."

Reluctantly Amanda followed holding Mystic's hand. They stopped at the edge of the pond. Carefully Erwyn stepped on to the ice. She heard creaks in the ice as she ventured further, Erwyn looked at her friends.

"See!?" Erwyn called out. She walked a little quicker as she grows more confident. "It's.."

Erwyn didn't have a chance to finish her sentence. Under her feet the ice broke under her weight. Freezing, dark water swallowed her up, at once the tendrils of cold wrapping about her. With all her strength she had she kicked to the surface gasping for air. Erwyn tried to cling to the onto the ice only to have the ice break again. Once more Erwyn went under. Unclasping her cloak she allowed it to drift to the bottom of the pond. It was easier now to kick back to the surface.

It was so cold.

Strength waning Erwyn gives another effort. Breaking through, Erwyn felt panic starting to grip her. The water had its prisoner and was not going to release its prize. "Elbereth!" She heard herself cry out, vaguely aware of a hubbub at the shore. She had no more fight left. She went under without a struggle this time, water filling her mouth and into her lungs. Loosing consciousness she didn't feel the hand grab her gown and haul her out of the water.

After the dressmakers left, Tele pulled on her usual gown and soft boots. There was a pile of missives awaiting her in the study. Leaving her apartments she slowly walked to the study greeting the servants, guards and messengers as she went. Once inside the study her seneschal pointed out the pile of parchment awaiting her.

"Lady, when you are ready I will write the return missives."

"Aye, thank you."

Picking up the top missive she settled into an overstuffed chair near the fireplace. Deep in the concerns of Ravenswing, wild pounding on the door startled her. Tom the hobbit went to the door and opened it. Lucy stood there, very pale and shaken.

"What is it Lucy?" Tele asked in alarm, sitting up straight.

"Erwyn fell through the ice on the pond. Lord Philippe pulled her from the pond. He carried her in, both cold and wet to the bone." Tele didn't wait to listen further. Dropping the parchment onto the floor. she rushed to the door pushing past Lucy and the guards then broke into a run with Lucy trying to keep up with the long-legged queen. It was not an easy task.

"Make way!" A guard cried when he saw the queen rushing through the hallway.

Servants and guards flattened themselves against the wall so not to block Tele and Lucy. Once at the door she burst in without knocking. Tele saw that Erwyn was huddled in a tub of hot water being tended by Constance. Tele crossed the room in three strides.

"Erwyn."

Tele knelt next to the tub. Her long hands stroked the wet blonde hair back from Erwyn's face. Silently weeping as her hands ran up and down her daughter. Of all her gifts, she was grateful for the ability to heal. As her powers were channeled through her hands, a bright white filtered through her fingers. Erwyn relaxed and the shivering slowed.

During all of this Amanda and Mystic had returned from the pond. Both were pale and shaken. As they stood close by Tele could see Mystic was crying. Tele looked at them and gently asked. "Please tell me all." The girls shifted from foot to foot glancing back and forth at each other.

Amanda repeated the event of how Erwyn had gone out on the ice thinking it was thicker than it really was and fell through the ice. Fear shook Amanda's voice, Mystic could only shake, not of cold but of fear. Amanda continued and described how Philippe had slide across the ice on his stomach and pulled Erwyn out.

"You did well." Tele said, her musical voice now full of gentle comfort. "Fear not, Erwyn will recover and you will have many more afternoons to find mischief. However my dear girls, please go to your own room. I am certain your father will return soon."

Lucy helped Tele remove Erwyn from the tub and quickly wrapped a towel around her. Too weak to dress herself Lucy and Tele bundled Erwyn into a warm gown Erwyn still remained silent but as she warmed tears welled and traced down her cheeks. Tele murmured into her ear as she wrapped Erwyn in a blanket. "Shi-eir vaeli." (be at peace). Laying Erwyn on the rug in front the fire. At once Erwyn relaxed into a deep sleep.

"Where is Philippe" In our chambers?" Tele asked in a soft voice, worry clear on her face.

"Aye Lady." Constance responded.

Tele looked up at Lucy. "I must see to Philippe, then we will move Erwyn to my apartments. For the time, leave her close to the hearth."

Lucy, still obviously shaken from the ordeal could only nod. Tele once more traced her hand down Erwyn's face, stood, hurrying out the door she almost ran into Xenograg. They exchanged few words and she and continued to her chambers. The queen understood how very close she came to loosing her daughter. Gratefulness welled up inside her like a spring newly flowing, giving life to the fen and fern. The Valar spared Erwyn. The loss of Erwyn would have cut to the soul leaving it open and bleeding. Unable to bear her sorrow, she would have taken the grey ship back to Valinor.

Close to her heart, the knowledge Philippe risked his own life to rescue her only child filled her soul. If it were possible, the love she had for her husband deepened.

Opening the door she saw Philippe was already stripped of his wet clothes and was standing in front of the stoked fire waiting for the bath to be drawn. Tele ran to him and flung her arms around him.

"I love you, I love you." She murmured showering his faces with kisses.

Drifting in and out of consciousness she is vaguely aware of strong arms wrapped around her. Her eyes opened as Philippe knelt down in front of the fireplace then felt herself rocking back and forth.

"Je t"aime Mademoiselle Erwyn. You scared the life from me, I think so." His hand brushed her hair from her face and smiles.

"You are the adventurous lady of all time, no' I think I like that in you." He winked and kissed her forehead. Erwyn tries to smile in response. His arms are a comfort to her, she feels safe and protected. Of all her mother's loves none showed any affection for her. They never held her, treating her as if she was an after thought. Perhaps that was the reason her mother rejected them. Erwyn allowed her head lean back on Philippe's arm and closed her eyes again.

She is awakened as Philippe stands; Lucy and Constance lifted her from Philippe's arms and supported her. Philippe excuses himself but not without kissing Erwyn once more on the forehead then left her to the care of Lucy and Constance. Quickly Lucy stripped the wet clothes as Constance held her.

"Intae th' tub Erwyn." Constance instructs. Her voice at most times is strident and commanding. Now she spoke with gentleness and concern. The hot water is painful as she is lowered into the tub. Tears now well up and trace down her face. The shock of the accident was wearing off and slowly comes back to her. The door burst open and her mother strode to the tub.

"Erwyn."

Tele kneels next to the tub. Erwyn felt her mother's soft hands caress her face. Opening her eyes once more the princess notices her mother is silently weeping as her hands ran up and down her daughter. Where Tele's glowing hand rested a surge of calm filled Erwyn. Her mother before had never healed Erwyn for there was no need. Erwyn proved to be strong and healthy constitution that comes with the Noldor race.

Her mother gently speaks to her in the elvish tongue as she runs her hand over Erwyn again and again. Her mother and Lucy supports Erwyn as she steps from the tub. A towel is wrapped about her then brought in front of the fire. She feels her arms and legs being rubbed then dressed in a warm gown. Exhausted, Erwyn felt her legs wobble. Tele and Constance lowered Erwyn on the rug in front of the hearth, tucking a blanket around her. "Shi-eir vaeli? Tele whispered into her ear. At once Erwyn feels herself fall into a deep sleep.

"Just hold me," Philippe murmurs. As she pulls him closer, Tele feels the cold radiate as though he was made of ice. Her breath is caught in her throat. Philippe had risked his own body to save her daughter. Though Erwyn received the worse of the cold water, she young and as with the young sapling, if bent under a weight, it springs back as if it had never been harmed. Also she has the grace of the Eldar within her, granting her life. She will make a quick and through recovery. However, Philippe was mortal and even if he appeared to be in good health, the ordeal of his last three years had lessened his strength. At once she dismisses the servants.

"I will see to Lord Philippe myself."

Bowing their way out the door they closed it. With a tender hand she leads Philippe to the tub and gently removed the rest of his clothes. Running her hands slowly over Philippe's cold body, once more her hands glowed, white light filtering through her long slender fingers.

"Into the tub my love." Tele murmurs. Her slender frame belies her strength, holding him steady until he was safely settled. He trembles as the hot water shocks his body. Quickly Tele strips her own clothes and slips in behind Philippe. Her long white legs wrap around his hips and are crossed at the ankles near his knees. As she continues warming him body and soul, her lips trace the contours of his shoulders.

"Mela en" coiamin." Tele murmurs in his ear, scooping up water in her hand and allowing it to slowly dribble down his chest. "Aratoamin, heruamin ."

Slender fingers are tracing the sinews and muscles of his strong arms with feather touch. Each touch, movement is filled with the channeled grace of the Eldar. Her full strength was focused on Philippe. With deliberate butterfly like movements, she combed his long dark hair with her fingers. As she did so, a sudden flash of a memory stabbed her. She gave an involuntary gasp. It was if she were looking through Philippe's eyes, feeling pain, sickness, despair and terrible hunger.

The memory of Philippe's ordeal far to the south; where he lost his ship, his crew almost his life, flowed into her mind, slammed into her soul in a few seconds of time. Tears started in her eyes as she personally felt each memory; the fifth, terror and hopelessness. There in middle of his torment was herself. A memory held in a secret place that granted him sanity and strength to live through the hell that was created for him.

"A'maelamin." Her voice was steady though she felt her heart would break. Tele then wrapped her arms about his chest and laid her head on the back of his shoulders. Of course Philippe had told her of his ordeal, but she could not enter into his suffering. Tele now fully understood why he took her infidelity with such pain. She, who though missed Philippe, did not face the hardships he had. She could blame her infidelity on her madness when possessed by Etruu, but Philippe who came from a time and place where such madness was considered punishable by death, did not understand such things.

Tears running freely down her face, she felt deep gratefulness and her love for this pirate who gave all for her. More she felt shame for her lack of understanding. Instinct guided her through, tightening her arms about Philippe, closing her eyes and opening her soul to the Valar she cried out:

"Elbereth, Gilthonial; Ter-m?anw?, cuilë ar?eranna Philippe tenna!"

Slowly a light surrounded her and Philippe. Every inch of her being was focused on her love body and soul. Feeling him relax into her arms, Tele kisses his hair...if Philippe could see her, he would see the source of her beauty and grace. Her face radiated the power and life of the Eldar, her soul taking on a growth of an age.

Then as gradually as the light grew, it faded. Philippe was limp and Tele felt his breath ease in and out. Exhausted he had fallen asleep. Regretfully she released her arms, holding him firmly she speaks into his ear. "My love, come. It is time for bed."

Drowsily he lifted his head and without words they stood Tele supporting her husband. As they step out of the tub, Tele reaches for a towel then quickly rubs Philippe dry. Steering a drowsy Philippe to their bed Tele pulling down the blankets. Philippe drops onto the feather filled mattress and drops at once into a deep slumber. Tele drew the blankets to his chin and kisses his lips. Now drying herself off she pulls her gown back on. Checking once more on Philippe she stole from the room leaving the door open.

Entering Erwyn's room Lucy looks up from the book she is reading. Calm was back in her young face.

"How does Erwyn fare?" Tele whispers as she stoops next to her daughter.

Lucy smiles and whispers back, "She is sleeping quietly."

Lifting Erwyn blanket and all Tele heads for the door. Lucy hops up and runs to open the door then follows as Tele makes her way down the hall. After Tele carries Erwyn into her chambers, Lucy closes the door noiselessly as she leaves. Laying Erwyn onto the small pallet made for her in front of the fireplace.

Weariness was now stealing on the queen. Taking a book and a glass of wine she sets the glass on a small table and settles on the couch between both Erwyn and Philippe. Without even realizing it, she drops off into her own slumber, book open on her lap.