A sharp pain in the back of her shoulder made her come to her senses. She opened her eyes to find everything blurry, but she could make out Gandalf standing over her.

"Dear Vanmoriel, can you hear me?"

Slowly, she nods and the pain in her shoulder intensified tremendously. She began gasping for air, and could barely make out other peoples voices in the room rushing around speaking.

"What's happened Gandalf?" You heard Legolas ask.

"She has been shot with a poisoned arrow and it is now beginning to spread throughout her system."

"Will you be able to save her?" Mary asked.

"I have done my best. It is now beyond my control. Lady Galadriel is on her way."

Vanmoriel continued to gasp, and her vision became even more blurred.

"What's the matter with her eyes?" Frodo asked.

"Why are they glazin' over like that?" Sam asked in a paranoid tone.

"Do not worry Sam. Frodo, the four of you should go." Aragorn stated.

Her breath became even shorter, and the pain was so bad she felt broken. Like her shoulder had exploded in a mine.

"Where is the Lady?" Asked Aragorn once the hobbits were gone.

"She was in Rivendell. She will be here shortly." Gandalf explained.

Vanmoriel's breathing began to slow steadily as Legolas and Aragorn talked of the Orks in the forest.

"Do mann caraminik. Neth wonia rithobestal." (If they were this close to the Realm, they are less coward-like tan I thought.) Aragorn said.

"Tui nadaliyar nungu alosterra." (It is best to eliminate them before another incident happens.) Legolas replied.

"I am here." She heard The Lady's voice.

"She has been shot with a poisoned arrow. I have done everything I can to slow the poison down, but I cannot eliminate it completely." Gandalf explained.

Vanmoriel could just make out her hand lingering over her forehead. Then, Galdriel's voice was in her head, but it sounded as if she was speaking clearly to the entire room.

"Vanmoriel, my niece, I am going to eliminate this this substance from you. It will be painful, but you must not hold in any of the pain. Scream if you must, for if you do not unleash it, this poison will stay apart of you, clinging to your vains." Vanmoriel nodded. Galdariel's fingers cringed, and she felt as if someone had taken a dagger, and plunged it into her already wounded shoulder. She gasped and began to scream louder than she's ever scremed in her life. She could feel that this was making everyone in the room uncomfortable, but she refused to hold back. Terror, doubt, pain, and worry overwhelm her.

The Lady whispered something under her breath but Vanmoriel couldn't understand. Her shoulder was throbbing, and suddenly felt very warm. Almost as if she was rasting over a fire. She writhed as she felt the tips of the flames burn her shoulder, and began to scream even louder.

"Hold her!" Gandalf shouted.

She felt cool, firm hands that gently refrain her from moving. She tried to toss and turn out of the grip, but her strength was fading. The heat intensified for a few seconds more, and then she felt numb as she began to cool. Her breathing slowed, and she fell asleep, not remembering if the hands were off of her or not.

Vanmoriel's senses returned to her as Mary found Pippin outside of her door.

"I don't think she would appreciate you snoopin' outside her door Pip!" Merry said.

"It's not snoopin'. It is merely known as checkin' on the lovely lady to make sure she's alright." Pippin said matter of factly.

"Well, Aragorn, Gimili, and Legolas will be back soon with other soldiers. I don't think they'd like us checkin' in when they get back."

"Merry, have you seen her? She's the most beautiful elf I've seen."

"Now, what are you two doing outside of Lady Vanmoriel's?" She heard Arwen asked.

"Just checkin' in." They both said, startled.

"Oh, off to bed you two, it is late."

Their feet pattered down the staircase, while another set of feet makes their way onto the platform.

"Did you succeed?" Arwen asked.

"We slain most of them. Only a few escaped." Aragorn answered.

"I'm relieved you're safe." She said quietly as they began to walk away. It was now silent outside of her door.

Vanmoriel sat up and noticed the soreness of her shoulder. She didn't know how long she was asleep, but it felt like ages. She stood, grabbed a silky, light blue cloak, and made her way to the door. She decided a walk would do her some good, and she wanted to see Ancali. As she made her way down the winding staircase that descended through the giant trees, she took in some of the mystical beauty of Lothlorien. Everything was so peaceful here. Once she reached the ground, she put her cloak on over her white dress, and headed toward the stables. Ancali was relieved to see her, and she fed him two apples.

"Tomorrow, we shall ride." She promised him. He breathed and nuzzled her. She kissed just above his nose and headed toward a pond.

There she sat on a small white log. This place was secluded from the main part of the Realm by a thicket. She had discovered it when she was visiting as a child.

She felt his presence before he spoke. "How are you feeling?" Legolas asked.

"I am healing. My shoulder is just sore."

"We killed most of the orks that were hidden across the river." He said as he sat next to her.

"Then it should be safe to ride?" Vanmoriel asked him. He nodded. "Then I shall leave tomorrow."

"Do you really believe that is wise? He asked as he faced you.

"I find it wise not to stay in one place for too long. I've been traveling for so long, it's all I've done."

"Holareh?" (Why?)

"It is simpler this way. You do not to get attached." She whispered as she looked down.

"You should wait until you are fully healed." Legolas said.

"I do not know what I will do."

"You are very strong." He said.

"What?" She asked, surprised.

"You were not easy to refrain when I held you down." His lips barely formed a smile. She smiled at him, and his eyes lingered on hers for a moment. As they stared, they felt a strange presence that wasn't there before.

"I am glad that you have returned." She said quietly.

"As am I." Now he did smile a small smile. She smiled back and stood. "Will you not sleep my lady?" He asked as he too, stood.

"I am not in need of it." She said quietly.

His blue eyes peirced her own, and she felt his senses reaching out to her. "Why do you seem so lost? What do you feel?" He asked.

"I try not to feel."

"Holareh?"(Why?) He asked as he stepped toward her. "What is in your heart?"

"I am unaware. There once was light, but now darkness falls. Where once was love, it is no more. I feel numb. Ever since Haldir's passing. You can not say I did not try."

"Try?" He whispered.

"I tried to stop him from going to Helms Deep. He did not listen. I tried." A tear fell from her eyes.

Legolas slowly approached her, and placed his hand on her right cheek to wipe away the tear with his thumb. "Tonali ith herastobethas." (No one blames you.) He said as he caressed her cheek gently. "He passed with honor, and I am sure he was happy if he had you in his life."