[ElentariGreenleaf]

Elentari smiled. At last Bragolhirwen had realised her true worth. But now Elentari became nervous. She could see the gates of Mirkwood Palace drawing ever closer.

"Hreeza," said Elentari. "Do you think they'll accept me into Mirkwood this time?"

"I'm sure they will Elentari. You were the one who finished off Shelob. I will make sure King Thranduil knows of your courage and bravery."

"Thank you Hreeza." Although it was more than a month after the defeat of Shelob, Elentari could still feel the affects of using her power so much.

"Halt, who goes there?" shouted a guard.

"Wait, let them in," said a familiar voice. The gates opened and Min appeared from inside. "Lorin! Hreeza! You're back!"

~~~~~~~~

Elentari waited patiently outside King Thranduil's throne room. Hreeza was talking to him. The king respected the Sprite, though it took him a long time to believe a sprite could have corporeal form.

"Elentari," said Hreeza. "The king would like to speak with you." Hreeza led Elentari into the large, beautifully decorated throne room.

"So," said the king slowly. "You are the one who finally defeated Shelob. I remember your face, and Hreeza tells me that I have once before cast you out of Mirkwood. The title elf-witch does lead to people thinking you are evil, Elentari. But you have shown great courage and wisdom. You even gave a sprite corporeal form."

"Yes, your majesty. But I did that on behalf of the group. And I couldn't have defeated Shelob without Hreeza and Arawil."

"You are modest too. Elentari, without Arawil, there is no protection against spiders, for not all were killed by the Maia. Would you do Mirkwood the honour of taking up Arawil's role of spider slayer?"

Elentari, who had previously been looking at the floor, looked up at the king. His face was deadly serious. What could Elentari say but "Yes. I will do what Arawil can no longer do. It is my fault she is gone, so I owe it to you, to all of Mirkwood."

~~~~~~~~

Later that day Elentari met up with her companions. They were all enjoying the comforts of the palace, and Lorin and Min were getting on very well. Hreeza was trying to avoid all the elves that wanted a look at a corporeal wind sprite.

Elentari smiled at Bragolhirwen as the half-elf asked her what the king had said. "I am to live here, and be the spider slayer, as Arawil once was."