<b>The aroma of food filled the air of the dining hall, reminding Allassiel that she hadn't had anything to eat for a couple of days. She smiled up as Thorgan pulled the chair out for her, before turning her attention to the feast laid out in front of them. It didn't take her long to fill her plate with fresh bread, cheese, and plump berries. <br/>
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Between bites of food, the group made small talk; Allassiel asking questions about the different areas and towns, and Thorgan and Flagdon regaling her with stories of their homes and people. Although she still struggled with the tongue of men, she was able to understand more - thanks to Thorgan's lessons of the past few days – and only occasionally became confused. By the time she was finished her plate, they had already started in on seconds, so she sat back and watched them, listening as they spoke about where they should go next and what obstacles they would face along the way. <br/>
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Pegawen wasn't asleep. She wasn't awake either, but somewhere between the two. The past days had been long and hard, but her time as a healer had prepared her for it. It hadn't prepared her for almost losing Allassiel, however, or the growing loneliness she felt being so long away from the golden mallorn trees. She almost imagined she could smell the woods, feel the warmth of the sun, hear the call of birds, as she pictured the glade that her home rested on. <br/>
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And, despite the fact that she knew her home would fade with the passing of Galadriel – had already started - she still missed it. What she'd seen of these new lands had been interesting at first, even nice. But none of them had come close to the joy she felt in her little home in the flets of Lorien. <br/>
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She was aware of Lotharn sitting next to her, his hand warming her fingers as she rested and imagined her home. She wondered if he, too, missed his home? And how did Imladris fare without the influence of Hir Elrond's magic? It was something she'd have to ask him …</b><br/><br/><b>Later.</b>