Chapter 2
She lifted her eyes from her reflection in the clear waters of the mirror. It was done, then. The child would come. Her child would come. The stars that had long foretold her arrival would now join in the dance of life, as Anna would bring hope again to what had been a hopeless and bleak time. They would be reunited and Anna would take her rightful place among her people. She smiled, tears fell from her eyes. To think she had been without her daughter for so long. Would she remember? Had the Valar left her any remnants of memory from her past life? Or would she have to be re-taught all that she had once known? No matter. She was returning and at last, there was hope for their suffering world. There was hope that maybe, they could come back and stop this terrible evil that was sweeping across the land.
She stepped away from the mirror and ascended the stone steps back to the quiet efficiency of the Elven society. She smiled at the young elleths as they passed her, gossiping amongst themselves. None of these elflings knew who she really was. They did not need to know. All would be revealed in due time. When the world was right again, when the evil was defeated; then she could take her place among her people, with her daughter by her side. But first the girl would have to find her way to Lothlórien. A tendril of doubt plagued her mind as she thought of her daughter. How would she find her way? Where would she find herself when she returned to the land of her ancestors? Would she survive the difficult journey?
Coming to a quick decision, she quickened her pace through the forest, her skirts rustling amongst the fallen leaves of the Mellon trees. Lothlórien was beautiful in the fall, but even lovelier in spring, when the trees were in bloom and the rare flowers could be seen. She hoped her daughter could someday see the glory of Lothlórien in its prime, but doubted it. The Age of the Elves was ending, and soon they would leave for the Undying Lands and leave the world to Men. And with the departure of the Elves, the Elven Lands would slowly deteriorate and would only be able to be found in the memories of visitors long since departed and in the records of those men who were elf friends.
She reached her destination and hurried up the winding staircase. She paused outside the door to collect her thoughts before knocking gently. A quiet enter was heard and she pushed open the door and stepped inside the room.
"Cousin," smiled Lady Galadriel. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"I am worried. How will Anna know to come here? How could she survive the journey?"
"I have spoken with Lord Elrond. He says Mithrandir is expecting her to arrive somewhere outside Rivendell. Estel is journeying to Rivendell with the Ring-bearer and will most likely find her on his road. I trust him to bring her safely to Elrond and Mithrandir. He will not know who she is, none of them will. But he will feel a strange familiarity because of the bond between your two families. He will protect her."
"Thank you. But, I am still concerned about one thing. When she arrives in our world, will she be of Elven kind or Man?"
"Not even I can predict how the Valar will present her to us. We will not know until we see her."