<b>It was in the year of Pegawen's birth that the whispered rumors of a great evil stirring in Dol Guldur began. No one knew at first, not for certain, what ill-wind came from the fortress. Nor were they certain of its strength.<br/>
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The White Council had its suspicions, though they were thwarted at every turn by the traitor Saruman. Unable to attack the fortress of the necromancer, they watched – and waited – until Gandalf the Grey was able to confirm the identity of the evil within.</b><br/><br/><b>Sauron had returned.</b><br/><br/><b>Faced with the proof, Saruman could no longer stand in the way of an assault on Dol Guldur and, in the year 2941, during the quest of Erebor, Sauron was driven from the fortress.</b><br/><br/><b>Ten years later he would openly declare himself and send on of his highest lieutenants to retake Dol Guldur.</b><br/><br/><b>Over the next 70 years Pegawen, using her knowledge of plants and cures, traveled all over Eriador giving what aid she could as healer in the fight against the darkness. After it was all over, after Ellesar and Arwen had ascended as rulers of the Reunited Kingdoms, she returned to her home and wondered - had it been enough?</b><br/><br/><b>Yet the past cannot be changed. And so Pegawen chose not to dwell on it overmuch.</b><br/><br/><b>When the time came, and the Hiril Galadriel bid her kin travel to Mithlond for departure to Valinor, Pegawen disappeared into the woods for several days and meditated. Valinor. The Blessed Realm. Had she not heard of it her entire life - heard the longing in other elves' voices as they spoke of it? Shouldn't she be just as excited to sail west, see what had only been described by those that had witnessed it firsthand?</b><br/><br/><b>But Lothlorien was her home, and she had no desire to leave it again. She sought an audience with the Hir and Hiril and, after making an impassioned plea, was granted leave to stay behind.</b><br/><br/><b>Over the next several years, she bid tearful farewells to those that went ahead and watched as they disappeared down the winding road for the last time. The woods, and the city, grew emptier as time passed, until only a few remained - including Hir Celeborn, who remained behind without his hiril.</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen was content with this for a time, spending her solitude tending the vineyards, or traveling to Caras Galadhon where she now had unfettered and uninterrupted access to the libraries.</b><br/><br/><b>As the years passed, however, Pegawen grew restless and longed to once more explore the lands of Eriador. Aware of the dangers of traveling alone, she gathered together a few like-minded elves including her cousin from Mirkwood - a brash swordmaiden named Allassiel - they began their journey away from the golden woods disguised as common merchants.</b><br/><br/><b>They went from place to place, avoiding human settlements wherever they could, concealing their elven heritage when entering towns became necessary. </b><br/><br/><b>In this way, they found themselves beyond the Sea of Rhun, far beyond anyplace they'd traveled. With curiosity in their hearts, and remembered tales of kin that had gone East in ages past, they continued their journey, finally coming upon a port town that appeared clean and well organized. After an uncomfortable, but brief, inspection they were allowed inside the town and advised upon where best to stay. Choosing the Eagles Rest – Pegawen was quite fond of the great eagle Landroval – she procured rooms for them.</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen half-listened to her companions as she changed out of her dusty travel gear and into her more comfortable linen robes, their discussion comparing the town to the great city bringing a grin to her usually solemn face. To her, there was simply no comparison. A final check in the mirror to assure her dark blonde, braided hair covered her ears, and she headed downstairs. It'd be nice, she thought, to have a meal that wasn't cooked over a campfire in the darkness. </b>