Disclaimer: I do not own a single thing in Arda
The rangers embarked on their journey as the sun rose, travelling with their horses. Varilerin pulled her hood up as they made their way to the deeper and farther woods in Imladris. They were not many, but skilful enough to eliminate a pack of Orcs if necessary. Their senses were cautious, particularly hers for she feared the incident hundreds of years ago would repeat itself. She cautiously clutched her bow and readied her other hand to grab one of her dual short swords, gifts from Elladan and Elrohir during her coming of age, in case they would be facing enemies out of nowhere.
Ruindoldir was the one leading the company, for he was familiar with the lands and mountains outside Imladris. Ellain followed, being second in command and the most experienced. Varilerin followed behind them, because of her gift she had understood over the years. She had discovered that her gift was not a mere vision, but warnings whenever evil would endanger her and those around her. It caused her to sense evil before it came, a double-edged sword for her. Her gift somehow made evil gathering around her and, though she had managed to stop them in most occasions, endanger those she swore to protect. It caused her to wonder whether it was the right choice to escort Arwen, though she knew that Elladan and Elrohir would force her if she resisted.
After two days of travelling in speed, they finally moved to the foot of the Misty Mountains. Varilerin gazed at the magnificent peaks of the mountains, never before seeing them.
"Have you seen dwarves before, Varilerin?" Ruindoldir asked her out of curiosity as they encircled the base of a mountain. Varilerin raised her brow, wondering what motives Ruindoldir had behind such simple questions. Dwarves and Elves were known to be rivals, if softly said, and tend to quarrel whenever they meet. She had heard a lot of them, how their brashness managed to anger her kin anytime, but she had never seen one directly.
"No, I am afraid not," Varilerin answered coldly. "Though I am curious to meet one."
"Oh, you will wish you haven't meet them when you do," Ruindoldir snorted, scanning the higher grounds as if someone was watching them. "They are nasty beings indeed. I cannot stand them."
"They must be better than you expect, mustn't they?" Varilerin retorted, regarding Ruindoldir's opinion as something rather absurd.
"Wait until you see one…. Though I suppose we won't meet one in this journey," Ruindoldir added. The night fell once more and the rangers rested near an empty cave under the mountain. Although her friends had told her to rest, she couldn't even close her eyes. Her gaze was constantly directed to the shadows lying around them, possible hiding places for hateful creatures that wished to kill them quietly. She didn't fear them, not a single bit of their existence, but she feared for the fate of the others. The images of the event many years ago were still engraved in her mind, something that she was sure would never be forgotten.
"You should really sleep, Varilerin," Ellain suggested to her. "I'll take the watch."
"No, I can handle myself," Varilerin told her sincerely. Ellain sighed and sat next to her, playing with the dagger she was holding as if it was a fork.
"You know, Varilerin, I am always fascinated of how your parents gave you your name," Ellain whispered. "Queen of protection… It suits you really well."
"Does it?" Varilerin asked back, wondering herself. "All I bring to those close to me is danger, evil. It is not suitable, not in a million years."
"You shouldn't say such things. In this dark world, evil and danger are prominent in the lands. I doubt that we can pass a single day without a threat," Ellain assured her. "Remember, Varilerin, the ones that cause suffering are not us, but the shadows lying beyond. We are merely suffering from them, but not forever. I believe there is an ending in all sufferings."
"An ending of all suffering?" Varilerin wondered. "Well, that is a good dream."
"A good truth, really," Ellain said lastly, before they were out of words to speak. They gazed the stars above, hoping an ending to whatever sufferings the Shadow was giving them now.
The sun rose quickly, as quick as they had been resting, and the rangers began marching towards Lorien once more. The road beyond was unusually undisturbed and peaceful, a thing they thanked the Valar because of the rarity of peace in recent days. They finally escaped the mountain range and entered the wooden parts of the land.
"Lothlorien is near," Ruindoldir told the other rangers as they moved deeper into the forest. The Golden forests of Lorien was, like Imladris', beautiful, but with certain golden touches that improved the forests' magnificence. The Elves who had never been inside the forest marvelled over its beauty as they moved past shrubs and tall trees. Varilerin stopped admiring when her eyes caught movement among the tree branches.
"There are figures in the trees," she told Ellain as she tightened the string of her bow with an arrow. Ellain chuckled at her information, lowering Varilerin's bow to the ground.
"They are Haldir's and his brothers' men," Ellain informed Varilerin. "They are here to greet us."
Soon enough, blonde Elves started to fall from the canopies. Their grey cloaks fluttered as they landed on the ground elegantly, creating only a vague sound of leaves tearing. Ruindoldir and Ellain moved forward, greeting the rangers in the manner of their kind, and were returned generously by all of their hosts.
"Welcome, rangers of Rivendell," one of them greeted as he pulled down his cloak, revealing a fair face of an ellon. "My name is Haldir, for those of you who haven't known me. These are my brother, Rumil and Orophin," Haldir said as he moved his hand to introduce two other Elves beside him. They too, revealed their faces, which were really similar to Haldir's.
"Well, I think we are honourable guests, having the three loyal brothers greeting us at once!" Ellain remarked.
"You haven't changed at all, Ellain," Orophin said with a chuckle. "We are doing this as told by Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. We fear that you might have encountered trouble in your way here. Things are not quite peaceful in the mountains."
"Fortunately, our journey remained undisturbed," Ruindoldir informed them.
"Good then. We also don't want to see you battered and wounded," said Haldir as he observed them one by one. His eyes stopped on Varilerin, slightly widening and curious, but he didn't speak further. "Come, you need rest, for tomorrow you should depart once more."
"They have come," were all the words that convinced Arwen that the Elves from Rivendell had arrived. Elladan and Elrohir would be the ones escorting her, quite pleasant for her because she had not seen them for a long time. She skipped to the gate, where she assumed her kin would be arriving. She met Orophin halfway, directing several Elves with instructions to escort the visitors.
"Orophin. Are my brothers safe?" she asked the ellon hastily. Orophin turned to look at her, his face seemingly confused of her question. Varilerin's smile slowly faded when she observed his unusual reaction. "Orophin, where are my brothers?" she asked in increasing worry.
"Your brothers are not among the rangers, My Lady," Orophin informed her. "There are only Ellain and Ruindoldir, along with several other Elves unknown to me."
"Oh," Arwen muttered when she heard his new information. "Where are they then?"
"Heading here soon," said Orophin as he looked towards the gate. Arwen followed his gaze, seeing the familiar faces of Ellain and Ruindoldir. They seemed unharmed to her, not noticing her observing from behind the trees. The other Elves followed them in an orderly manner. She sighed, knowing that it would be some time before she could see her brothers once more.
Then she saw another familiar face and silver eyes. She was tall like the other Elves and equally graceful, though her face hinted the blood of Men flowing through her veins. Her hair was dark like the night and quite long, reaching the back of her body, tied and braided simply yet elegantly. Her figure was lean and strong, emphasized by the bow she carried and the swords sheathed on her back.
"Varilerin?" she gasped when she finally recognized who the elleth was. Varilerin instantly turned to see Arwen, who finally emerged from behind the trees. Both of them were hesitant of whatever they were seeing, believing it to be an illusion.
"Lady Arwen?" Varilerin muttered as she approached Arwen. She couldn't believe what she was seeing, for beneath the glittering trees Arwen seemed unrecognizable. The glee elleth she once knew was not as beautiful and graceful as the one she was seeing. "You are Lady Arwen Undomiel?"
"Yes, I am," Arwen answered with a smile as she embraced her long forgotten friend into her arms. Varilerin flinched when she did the gesture, but managed to receive it with a small smile. "I have missed you for so many years."
"So do I, My Lady," Varilerin added as she released her embrace and observed Arwen. "It is true that the grace of Undomiel is flourishing under the trees of Lothlorien."
Arwen blushed as a result of her friend's praise. "And you as well, Varilerin. Have you noticed it?"
"No, not really," Varilerin answered innocently. Arwen chuckled when she heard her friend's plain remark. "Though Master Glorfindel told me that I have changed much since he last saw me."
"In a beautiful way, yes, though I see that your attitude has not changed much."
"Some things don't ever change, My Lady," Varilerin told her.
"Except for the fact that you have become one of Rivendell's strongest," Arwen added when she saw Ellain and Ruindoldir eyeing their reunion. Varilerin narrowed her eyes and glanced sharply at her two friends, who, she suspected, had sent messages in secret to Arwen regarding her duties.
"Yes, they told me about your achievements. Elladan and Elrohir are to blame as well of course." Arwen smirked, satisfied that her friend was annoyed by Ellain and Ruindoldir's secret quests.
"I see. They deserve some taste of my strength soon then," Varilerin muttered bitterly as she threatened her friends through her mere gaze. Ellain and Ruindoldir chuckled from the distance and then disappeared with the other rangers.
"Now, don't let your heart be heated by such small things. Come, you must rest after such a long journey," Arwen said as she grabbed Varilerin's hands and pulled her from her spot. Varilerin was overwhelmed by Arwen's surprisingly great strength and stuttered as she struggled to follow her pace. However, she didn't plead Arwen to slow her pace, and enjoyed every second Arwen drag her across the woods, towards what seemingly the heart of Lorien.
Arwen stopped abruptly when they saw the heart of the forest finally revealed to them. "Caras Galadhon, the home of my grandfather and grandmother," Arwen told her as she pulled Varilerin forth. Varilerin admired the golden woodland with wide eyes, never have seen such city covered in forests before. Arwen smiled when she saw Varilerin's reactions and loosened her grip from Varilerin's hands.
"It is beautiful, My Lady," Varilerin told her.
"Yes. I have lived so long here and yet it still wonders me-" Arwen paused suddenly as she remembered something important. "Speaking of my grandmother…. She wishes to see you."
"Lady Galadriel wants to see me?" Varilerin wondered. Elrond had told her that he had also sought the help of Galadriel for her family identity, something that proved to be in vain over time. Varilerin had also forgotten the importance of knowing her family over the years, satisfied with the background of her family alone. The name of the great elleth seemed to echo in her mind and cast an unknown fear to her heart.
"Well, she doesn't want to see you directly. She talks about you many times," Arwen continued. "But hopefully you will be seeing each other tonight, before we embark tomorrow, for she has so many questions for you."
"I see," Varilerin muttered.
"Come!" Arwen said again. Varilerin nodded and tailed Arwen deeper into the forest, which seemed to be frightening unlike before. When she entered deeper into the city, she was finally reunited with Ellain and Ruindoldir, who seemed pleased when they saw her friend's annoyed expression when she saw them.
"I should really shoot both of you right now, if we are not guests in Lothlorien," Varilerin threatened them. Ellain brushed her threat like the air and patted Varilerin's back.
"Haldir and his brothers told us that we will be meeting Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn before we rest," Ruindoldir informed her. "They want to know what we meet in our journey."
"Which is, nothing," Varilerin said with no interest. She had heard the abilities or magic Galadriel wielded that allowed her to look into the minds of strangers and she was sure that the lady would had known what had happened in the instant they entered the forest. Might be a mere propriety, Varilerin thought as they finally entered the heart of the city. Unlike the other parts of the city, it was lit brightly with white light, and the trees seemed to be non-existent with the presence of the elegantly carved buildings. Varilerin felt her feet getting heavier as they lined in front of a descending staircase. Two figures emerged from the building above, both fair and beautiful. One was a blonde ellon with wisdom carved on his face, whilst the other was a beautiful elleth whose golden wavy hair almost touched the ground. Their faces were cladded with light, as if they were mighty spirits descending to Arda.
"Welcome, rangers of Rivendell," the male, who by the time Varilerin presumed as Celeborn, greeted. "It is an honour to host you as the protectors of our granddaughter."
"Please make yourself at home," Galadriel said as she looked into each of their eyes. She stopped on Varilerin, who was bracing for any telepathic words from the lady. "We have prepared food and beddings for you. Now, rest well," Galadriel said without uttering words in Varilerin's mind, much to her surprise, though she knew that the lady had something in mind about her.
The rangers bowed to their hosts and followed the three brothers to a clearing with beds. They were given clothes to change with their dirty ones, and gracious amount of food. They were left soon by the Elves of Lothlorien, which was a good thing because Varilerin was uncomfortable with the constant glances Haldir and his brothers stole from her. She could understand their anxiety of her presence of course, for she seemed to more likely kill someone in a blink than the other Elves of Rivendell. It was after all, the few things that made her comfortable.
The night soon grew older and the rangers began taking their rest. Not long it was only Ellain, Ruindoldir, and Varilerin with their eyes awake.
"Why are you not sleeping?" Ellain asked the other two as she cleaned her already clean knife with a fabric. They didn't seem to be entertained by her poorly asked question.
"And why are you not sleeping?" Ruindoldir retorted, he himself playing with the string of his bow like a musical instrument. Varilerin snorted as she cut some herb stalks she had been collecting throughout the journey.
"Well, I am as you can see, cleaning my precious weapon," Ellain answered surely. "And what are you doing Varilerin?"
"Preparing some herbs," Varilerin said without looking at them. "Lord Elrond has always advised me to bring some…. In case something happens."
"And I am composing a tune with my bowstring, if you want to know," Ruindoldir said, igniting a small laughter from Ellain.
"I bet it will be a melodious tune," Ellain remarked as she wiped her knife lastly with a swift slide. Varilerin smirked as she watched Ellain sheathing back her weapon to its elegant scabbard.
"You both should really be partners in marriage," Varilerin teased them.
"No, not in a million years. She is more like a bothersome sister to me," Ruindoldir explained.
"Oh yes, annoying brother," Ellain defended. "Come on then, dear brother, we must sleep, or tomorrow I am afraid I must carry you down to Rivendell!"
"Fine then. You should sleep as well, Varilerin," Ruindoldir told her as he slumped to his bunk. Varilerin merely nodded in understanding, though in her heart she intended not to sleep. Ellain glanced at her suspiciously one last time, before she herself disappeared beneath the blankets. With them asleep the forest became utterly quiet and tranquil, just like Varilerin preferred. She put her knife back to its scabbard, having finished with her duty, and rose from her bunk, intending to find some walk in the woods. Having difficulties in sleeping had never left her ever since she could remember. Letting one's guard down was one of the many things that defied her principle, and endanger her life in many ways, even though Lothlorien was undeniably safe enough.
She was about to leave the clearing when her eyes suddenly caught a woman cladded in white gliding among the trees. She flinched and stopped, observing the woman carefully. Her figure was ethereal, like a ghost walking in the night, yet somehow not of the evil kind.
"Who are you?" she whispered, not daring to approach the figure. The woman didn't answer and instead turned her head to indicate her to follow.
Lady Galadriel? Varilerin thought, somehow knowing that the woman was her.
Follow me child.
Varilerin swallowed a suspicion before she followed the woman cautiously. The woman didn't speak as she brought her deeper and to the lower floors of the enchanting forest. Varilerin remained careful, her hand ready with her knife if she happened to mean any harm to her. She could not be less cautious, for the days were dark, and any fair beings could be foul.
She stopped when she saw where the woman was bringing her to: a clearing with a small waterfall and a strange basin standing in the middle of it. She looked down to the woman, who unveiled the fabric hiding her face, revealing the face of Lady Galadriel.
"My Lady," Varilerin said as she bowed, realizing that indeed she was correct.
"I can understand that you suspect my intentions, but I can assure you that I mean no harm," Lady Galadriel said softly.
"Forgive me," Varilerin apologized, not moving from her position. "And what importance do I have to follow you here?"
"I have long wanted to look upon your eyes directly, to understand you from afar, but it seemed I have to patient. Now, however, the time has come," Galadriel answered. She smiled and then moved to the small fountain, carrying a small jug and collected some water from it. She then turned to the wondering Varilerin, her face decorated with an unbeatable smile that made Varilerin anxious.
"Will you look into the mirror?" Galadriel said as she poured the water into the strange basin.
Varilerin narrowed her eyes as she slowly and cautiously descended the roots of the large trees. "What can I see there?"
Galadriel smiled. "Things that were, things that are, and things that are yet to come. None can know what it will show, only when one sees into it."
Galadriel gestured Varilerin to look into the waters, and she obliged her instructions. Varilerin stepped closer and faced the mirror, glinting under the moonlight and undisturbed. She stared at it, still distrustful with what it could show her.
And will it show my heritage? She thought as she leaned closer. Or will it show my future?
The mirror stared back at her, beginning to ripple and showing her an image. It seemed unclear at first, only splotches of colour, but soon Varilerin could discern an image from it.
An elleth above a pool of blood.
Varilerin felt her body stopped moving and her heart stopped beating. She froze and she immediately pulled back from the mirror, leaping away from it. Her eyes blinked widely and she panted. She looked at Lady Galadriel, who seemed surprised with her reaction.
"Why are you afraid to look into the mirror, child?" Galadriel asked her.
"Didn't you see or search my mind?" Varilerin asked her, rather not sure with her abilities.
"I cannot read your thoughts like the others, though I know that fear has taken grip of you," Galadriel explained calmly. Varilerin stared at the ground, unable to look into such knowing eyes with ease. "You have the gift to see danger, and yet you fear a simple mirror that can even only show you the past? Your heritage?"
"My gift is a double edged sword, My Lady," Varilerin told her. "If one is able to know danger, then danger will surround her. A simple mirror can be a double edged sword as well."
Varilerin stopped, searching for the words to be uttered. "I have suffered much with my gift, in many ways you may not imagine…. If this mirror shows me the future I have been seeing, then I shall not see it. I fear it so."
"And what if it can show you your past, or present? There are infinite possibilities that you cannot imagine, My Child."
"Then my heart is not prepared, not yet," she answered. "If with a simple glimpse I am unable to continue, then my time has not come."
Galadriel smiled kindly when she heard her thoughtful answer and nodded in understanding. "You are wise, Child, wiser than many of your age. However, you must know this: one day you shall see into this mirror, whatever the circumstances, and you shall discover what's hidden within your soul."
"Then I shall wait until that time comes," Varilerin replied surely. She would wait then, wait until her destiny would be revealed to her, for she was patient, more patient than many.
But even the truest patience could be broken.
A/N: Another long chapter (if measured in my level of writing ;3) because I include some additional elements that are not within the original ones I wrote. Additional note, I must apologize because I have just realized that the page breaks I used in Word (###) does not appear in this website, which may have caused confusion for all of you. Since it is already added I hope it is clearer lol. Btw, thank you so much for the favorites guys ^_^
Annddd, thank you again for reading this chapter! I hope you like it and please rate and review :3
