The next thing I knew, Gimli was going berserk, talking about a sorceress and such nonsense.
"Ungh!" I put my hand on my forehead, which was, in fact, in close proximity to Legolas' chest. Not that I minded much. "What happened? And please tell Gimli to shut up. He's giving me a head ache."
"Elevain! You're awake!" Legolas gently let me down so I could stand, and soon we were both surrounded by the hobbits.
"Hey! Come on. I can't breathe."
They had just enough time to disperse from around me before we were confronted by arrows coming from every angle. Legolas whipped out his bow and arrow, shifting it from one person to the next.
Haldir stepped forward. "The dwarf breaths so loud we could have shot him in the dark."
Gimli growled.
They circled us and drove us to the trees where we climbed to platforms at the top of the trees. It was difficult for me to climb, but I did it and was greeted by throbs of pain when I reached the top. It was much darker here. Haldir approached us again.
"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion." (Welcome, Legolas son of Thranduil.)
"Govannas vin gwennen le, Haldir o Lorien." (Our fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lorien.)
I couldn't believe I could understand them. But then I remembered that I was an elf, so I would be able to anyway.
Haldir turned to Aragorn. "A, Aragorn in Dunedain istannen le ammen." (Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.) Then he turned to me. "You, however, are not."
"Her name is Elevain. She came with us from Rivendell," Legolas said. Again, coming to my defense. I wished he wouldn't sometimes.
I nodded, rolling my eyes. "My name is Elevain." I still couldn't believe that Haldir would die. And I would see it happen. I don't care what Legolas said; I was going to fight at Helm's Deep. Period.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!"
"Hey, Gimli, zip it. You're giving me a head ache." I just about growled at him. My leg hurt, my head hurt and so did my throat.
"We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the Dark Days."
"And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" (I spit upon your grave!) I wanted to slap him.
Aragorn grabbed him. "That was not very courteous."
Haldir spoke again, first looking at Frodo and then at Aragorn. "You bring great evil here. You can go no further." He walked away and Aragorn followed him. They started arguing. Aragorn was very upset but Haldir was resisting. He spoke so only Aragorn could hear.
"I can answer for myself, Legolas. I'm not a mute." I guess I was a bit tweaked that he wouldn't let me answer for myself.
I went to sit by Frodo. He always brought me peace, though Pippin was my favorite. Legolas and Gimli constantly looked at him and it was making him uncomfortable.
"Frodo, are you alright?"
He looked very upset and uncomfortable. "I don't know who to trust. I feel a bit lost without Gandalf."
"You can trust yourself. I learned a long time ago that when you're in doubt, about anything at all, you can always trust yourself."
Frodo's blue eyes held a deep pain that only he would know. He probably felt that Gandalf was the only one he could trust. And he was probably right; although I knew he could trust me, what would happen if I went away too? Then again, why would he trust me? He had only known me a short while. I put my arm around him and kissed his head. "Everything will be alright. Don't worry," I said.
"But Elevain is poisoned! She needs help!"
I wished people would stop talking about me.
Boromir came over to us. "Gandalf's death was not in vain… nor would he have you give up hope." He paused for a moment. "You carry a heavy burden, Frodo… don't carry the weight of the dead." I glared at him.
Frodo wondered at this until Haldir came over to us. He didn't look very happy.
"You will follow me."
We stood up and gathered our things, then followed him down the tree and into the forest. Only this time, Haldir carried me. Legolas offered to carry me, but Haldir refused. Ugh. It felt weird with Haldir carrying me. His arms felt different, like they didn't fit. I would much rather have Legolas carry me, his arms were much more comfortable.
The woods turned to gold in the late afternoon sun when we reached the end of the hill.
As the day wore on, Haldir led us through the forest until we came to a different part. The trees here were larger. At the beginning of the stairs, I just about ordered him to put me down. I could walk, I wasn't that weak… yet. The staircase circled the tree trunk. As it got darker, Haldir left me behind and walked ahead of us. Soon we were walking through a staircase lit by sliver-blue lights. It was beautiful. My eyes stayed ahead of me, for a while. I felt a gaze on me and I dared a glance at legolas. My breath caught as my heart broke into a sprint.
His skin was literally glowing. It was almost unbearable. I wanted to be in his arms once again, to be reassured… but of what?
Then I tripped. How could I trip?
Legolas caught me before I reached the ground and helped me as I limped my way up the stairs. His arms were wrapped almost protectively around me, and soon we fell way behind the others. Not that I cared much.
My breathing was ragged from the effort it took to walk. I was going good for a while, only thinking about how I felt with Legolas, ignoring the pain in my leg, when I couldn't go on anymore. My knees buckled underneath me and I fell. "I'm sorry," I gasped. "I just… can't go any farther." I felt like crying. How could I be so weak? Out of everyone I knew and that knew me, I was always the strong one, the one that didn't stop, even if I had a really bad wound.
"It's alright," he said. "Don't worry. You don't have to. I've got you." Legolas picked me up and carried me in his arms again.
I relaxed into his hold on me and closed my eyes. Soon my breaths became even again.
I knew he was staring at me. I could feel his gaze on my face. I was just too tired to open my eyes. And then he kissed my forehead. At least, that's what I think he did. A shiver rippled through me. I didn't have enough strength to open my eyes until half a minute later, and that was still a chore. I opened them too late, though, because we were already with the rest of the fellowship.
When we reached the top, we were led to a short stairway under an arch that was also lit with silver blue lights. Haldir stepped to one side and we saw Celeborn and The Lady Galadriel hand in hand descending the stairs to greet us. Legolas set me down, but never let go of me, in case I collapsed again.
I stood in awe as I stared at Galadriel. She really was the fairest of all.
"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope in secrecy you had is now gone." Celeborn paused. "Nine there are yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him… I can no longer see him from afar."
Galadriel spoke now, her voice was like a soft whisper but so full of authority. "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow."
"He was taken by both shadow and flame: a Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria," Legolas said.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
She looked at me. I could hear her voice in my head, thus drowning out the words of Celeborn. I know where you are from, she said. If your feelings develop any further, you may not return.
What did that mean?
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. To night you will sleep in peace."
Haldir came to stand by me. "You will come with me. Sosha!" he called over his shoulder. "Come take these weary travelers to where they will spend the night." Once again I was lifted into his arms and carried. Only this time, he followed Galadriel into a secluded room. He set me onto a bed… couch… thing.
"Thank you Haldir. You may go."
Haldir bowed and left.
"You are the one they call Elevain?"
"Yes… your ladyship." Talk about awkward…
"You may call me Galadriel." Her voice was like the ringing of bells.
I nodded.
"Haldir tells me you were poisoned."
"I was."
"I will stop the poison from consuming you entirely. But for this situation, I need you to be asleep."
I stiffened. I would feel so much better if Legolas were here…what on earth am I thinking?!
Galadriel turned and walked over to me. "Do not worry. All will be well."
