Other Worlds Than These

[Midge]

Though Aerin could have stared at the intelligent beast speaking to her for a very long time, she quickly mastered herself while the badger - Nightshade, she'd called herself - seemed to be talking to herself.

Then she addressed Aerin with what could only be a look of joy on her face. "You wouldn't be Queen Susan, would you?"

"No." The look of confusion on Aerin's face would be something that set Magor laughing, were he here. But if he were here, he would also treat this seemingly lost... guest (for so it seemed to her) as if the world were his own and he the gracious host, she felt sure of it. Pondering this, she felt it the proper thing to do, so thus she did.

"No, I am not Queen Susan, nor have I heard of such a person. My name is Aerin and I am an Elf of Lothlorien. You will find Queen Arwen on the throne at Minas Tirith, though, if you are looking for a Queen.

"You say you are lost. Perhaps I can point you in the right direction, although I can honestly say I know of no other colonies of beasts which speak the languages of Men, Elves or Dwarves, save evil ones, and you do not seem to be evil."