<b>Their trip through the jungle was long but peaceful, despite the strange animals that populated the area. As Ellyah described one of the creatures – a sleen, he called it – Allasea stood back and studied the animal, Jax snuffling her hair even as he kept his eyes above. On his back, the lynxes stretched and kneaded, less interested in their surroundings than the lure of a nap. Finally, she shook her head and muttered something under her breath that had Allassiel laughing.</b><br/><br/>“<b>What'd she say, lassie?” Flagdon called back. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Only that Jax already eats too much and that one would eat even more.”</b><br/><br/><b>Flagdon furrowed his brow in confusion and Haldir snorted next to her, but Timberlane shook his head, his eyes crinkled with amusement. <br/>
<br/>
The group was feeling hot and tired by the time they reached the city that Ellyah called Kar Dur. An elegant testament to the people that had once lived there, Pegawen stared, wide-eyed. “I wonder if Caras Galadhon will stand like this in times far ahead. What will the humans who find it think? Will they even remember us?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>It will be up to them to decide what they recall of the elves. Perhaps we, too, shall become legend just as the people who built this city have. Hiril Galadhriel lamented the fact that all she built would fade with time, but it is the way it should be and we cannot mourn it.” Allassiel gave Pegawen's shoulder a quick squeeze before going to see what help she could give setting up the camp.</b><br/><br/><b>Once everything was set up, the group sat around the fire munching on rations that had been passed around. Allasea sat away from the rest with Haldir, tending her animals, while Allassiel and Pegawen sat with the hobbits. The men huddled together, discussing what would happen the next day. Now and then, Allassiel glanced over, tilting her head to listen to the details even as she listened to Pegawen's lilting voice as she told tales to distract Merry and Pippen from the strange sounds outside the walls of the tower.</b><br/><br/><b>As the fire died down and the mens' conversation faded into silence, others joined the group at the fire to listen in on Pegawen's tales. “How come you to know all these stories?” Flagdon asked her as he plopped down with a groan.</b><br/><br/>“<b>Reading, mostly. Elves keep detailed records of many things, though there are tales even we don't know. We know little of the shire, for one. Even Elrond said he knew not the lands of hobbits, and had left it to Gandalf and others to learn what they would of them.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Really?” Pippen asked, the hand moving to his mouth pausing.</b><br/><br/>“<b>We know lots of shire stories,” added Merry.</b><br/><br/><b>Pippen nodded. “Lots and lots. Like the time the town hall roof caved in on Mayor Whitfoot's dinner party.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Or how farmer Maggot's dogs chased Uncle Sam's sons all the way back to Bywater after they'd snuck into his mushroom tents.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Or ...”</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen held a hand up, laughing. “Boys, slow down. I think, if you would like, that it's time for you to tell us some stories.”</b>