Ballanor loved being Tom Bombadil and Goldberry’s guest. Tom’s house on the edge of the Old Forest was cheerful and cozy, and Ballanor didn’t want to leave. She knew that as soon as she could walk properly again, there were things she had to do.

“Now, don’t you be fretting, young Ballanor. It’s not the time for thinking about what must be done later. Now is the time for resting, and old Tom will make sure you do!” It was like he read her mind when he spoke.

Tom was watching Ballanor and he chuckled at her startled expression. He began to dance around the room and sang a rather silly song, and Ballanor smiled.

And Tom laughed heartily, for he knew that he had succeeded in getting Ballanor to stop being so serious, as elves often are. If the truth were told, Ballanor was more playful then most elves, but the news of war had darkened her thoughts of late. The hobbits had cheered her and now Tom and Goldberry were doing their part to make sure she was fit both in body and spirit for the challenges to come.

So Ballanor healed quickly from their kind care, and she feasted like a queen for there was always plenty of food. Later on she and Goldberry sang together into the night. And the lights twinkled merrily in the house of Tom Bombadil, for no evil could touch them here.

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