Hello to everyone!

Hope you've enjoyed and found interesting this story. Thanks to all of you for reading it. The only fact of knowing that there are readers help a lot even if I barely have the time of my own.

I'm sorry that in the last chapter didn't happen something soooo great but the respect that Lady Galadriel has for dragons. Something by the way very weird due the current situation in Middle-Earth but in this chapter it'll be known why she respects and even admires them, especially the black dragons.

Also in this chapter, Lenore, and her dragon will perform the song The Battle of Evermore for Lady Galadriel but don't think that she'll know and understand immediately the song.

I thought it was better because at the end of the story, it'll be known the reason of many things in Lenore's life, including that song besides while Lady Galadriel ponders about this song and tries to understand it, that'll give time to Legolas of thinking about what he's going to do about Lenore and his issue against dragons.

In this chapter, also Lenore will find out a couple of things that'll surprise her a lot as well as the nice behavior of Haldir (but don't think about anything romantic).

Maybe in these chapters won't be too much… "action" but in some way, thanks to that, the time of "peace" in Lothlórien will give them time to change many things almost all for good.

As always, I want to give special thanks to Celridel for her help.

Thanks to everyone who reads this story, I appreciate to all you guys. As always, your reviews are welcomed and so again… here we go:

Chapter 9: "The Queen of Light"

The Elves of Lothlorien led the Fellowship to a pavilion amidst the lawns of Lorien.

Lenore had been offered a different place to sleep, but she refused politely. If the rest could sleep in couches open to the sky, she could as well. She was part of the Company, and she would share the good thing and the bad things.

That night was starry, and from the trees above echoed a song, sad and sweet.

Lenore flipped over, resting her chin on the arm of the couch.

"What are they singing, Aragorn?" she asked.

The Ranger was sitting. "It is a lament for Gandalf." he answered quietly.

Lenore nodded and turned back over, staring at the sky. She could not understand anything, but the grief resounded in the words. She felt bad for Aragorn. He was knew what the Elves for singing.

Legolas might be sad for Gandalf too, but he wasn't among the group. Lenore scowled. He was cold, thought he didn't push her away.

She had decided a cold, but polite behavior as well, even though deep down it hurt her that he was so distant to her.

The next day, Lenore and her dragon went with Aragorn and Legolas to Caras Galathron, and sang the song The Battle of Evermore.

After they were done , Lenore put her arm around the dragon and waited.

Lord Celeborn was silent, his face impassive. Legolas was staring away, and Aragorn was studying the ground.

Galadriel was staring unseeingly, her chin on her hand.

There was a long silence, as they waited the answer of the Lord and Lady.

"Your song is strange indeed to me, young one." she began. "And talks not only of our war, but of our future."

"Which is, my Lady?" asked Legolas quietly.

"I do not know, Thrandullion." she replied.

Lenore looked at her dragon. If the wisest being on Middle Earth couldn't understand it, who could? The Valar, or if not them, Ilúvatar himself. This wasn't good at all.

"I only understand the first words." continued Lady Galadriel after a moment. " 'The Queen of Light took her bow.' You are speaking of me."

"Then what shall we do, my Lady?" asked Aragorn for a while.

"Wait. You shall wait. You need rest, and I must think. I hope to soon answer you, but you must give me a fortnight."

Aragorn looked to Lenore and then Legolas.

"As you wish, my Lady."


Lenore wasn't in a good mood at all.

They have arrived at this wonderful and mysterious place, Lothlórien, with the hope that Lady Galadriel, the wisest being in Middle-Earth, could understand her song and what had happened? She couldn't!

Lenore wasn't angry with Lady Galadriel. She was too kind and beautiful. She was a good Elf, unlike some other blonde Elf.

She was angry with herself. How was it she couldn't understand her own song? What if it was just a bunch of nonsense? That dream had been crazy after all.

No, she wasn't in a good mood at all.

Her dragon had decided to take a nap. He didn't seem to care. He hadn't met Lenore when she had written the song.

He felt sorry for Lenore, but couldn't help her much, so why not take a nap?

Lenore was pacing with her hands behind her back, so angry she didn't hear the footsteps of the Ranger.

"What is it, Lenore?" he asked softly.

She didn't answer.

"What is it, Lenore?" he repeated, but she still did not answer.

Aragorn stepped in front of her, grabbing her shoulders.

"What is it, Lenore?" he asked for a third time.

Lenore looked at the green grass. "Nothing." she answered abruptly.
"Don't lie to me. What is it?"

"I'm angry." she said after a while.

"Why?" asked Aragorn with a sigh.

"I'm angry at me." she replied.

"You? Why?"

"Because of that stupid song! I shouldn't have written it."

"Ah! You're angry because the Lady of the Light couldn't understand it?"

"No, I'm not angry with her. It's my fault not hers. If I can't understand it how can I expect someone else too."

"I'm sorry, but you're mistaken." he answered.

"How so?" she retorted.

"First of all, there was a purpose behind it. Someone sent it to you. Perhaps it was the Valar."

Lenore stomped away, mumbling.

"The Válar, the Válar! Who the Hell are they? And who do they think they are?! They treat us like puppets!"

"The Válar are angels, and…"

"I don't care who they are! That doesn't give them any right to use us! Who gave them the idea that the One Ring and his Master was any of our problem! It was a bloody awful idea, by the way! We have enough bad things in our place, so screw them!"

Aragorn sighed. He had never seen her so angry.

"Lenore." he asked, softly but firmly. "Lenore, listen to me."

Lenore scowled, turning to face him. "What?!"

"Lenore, I don't know if the Válar had anything to do with this. But there is no such thing as confidence. Everything has a purpose, and this was a specific purpose.
I don't know if lady Galadriel can find the meaning of your song, though I hope she will. But your dragon and you are here for a purpose."

"How do you know?" sulked Lenore.

"Well, let's see. Did you or your dragon know that there were dragons in another realm besides in yours?"

Lenore thought for a while.

"Nope, we didn't even know that there were other realms. "

"And the dragons that live here, are the same that you know?"

"Yes, until now all the types of dragons are the same."

"Now, if you didn't share the heart with a dragon, would you know the things that you've told us about them? Like recognizing them?"

"No, or maybe I would but it would be very difficult."

"For example, would you have known that the dragon in Caradhras was a very young Ice Dragoness?"

Lenore arched an eyebrow. "Not at all, I mean… about if it was an ice dragon of course, but I wouldn't know her gender or age."

"Then… would you have known what to do when we faced her?"

"Nope, the only thing that I would have to tell you would be to run."

"And about the earth dragons that you sensed much before Legolas could even see them….would you have been able to sense them?"

" Of course not! That's only a gift that someone gets when shares heart with a black or a white dragon. Why are you asking all this?"

"Because I want you to notice that without you and your dragon and the fact that both share the heart, many things had already destroyed the Fellowship."

Lenore smiled. "And about the song?" she asked

"The song? Who knows? But I'm sure that in its time we shall know its meaning."

Lenore smiled, nodding. "Alright. I hope you're right. But just so you know, I really can't fight."

"That can be easily fixed."

Lenore laughed.

"I'm sorry, but I am not good with weapons."

"It would be wise to learn it."

Lenore was going to answer when a voice behind them made them turned to look. It was Haldir .

"If I were you, my lady, I would take his advice. The son of Arathorn is skilled with all weapons."

"Umm… yeah, well… I think there are no swords here." said Lenore.

"That is untrue. We have many swords here, Elven blades that are lighter and easier to wield."

"Umm… well… I… I shall think about it." she said.

There was a silence.

"Is there something with I can help you, my friend?" asked Aragorn to the March Warden.

"Thank you but no. I came for Lenore. Lady Galadriel wishes to speak to her."

Lenore looked at Haldir.

"Oh… yeah… of course. Let's go." she said. Inwardly she thought . "Will she read my mind and know I'm angry?"

"Please come, lady Lenore." said Haldir politely.

Lenore went along, smiling at Aragorn. "Thanks."

Aragorn nodded. Haldir waited till she was a few steps ahead and told the Ranger softly.

"Convince her to learn swordplay, and perhaps the bow. She will need it."

"I can ensure nothing. She and her dragon are the personifications of stubbornness."

"I heard you, Ranger guy!" yelled Lenore.


Haldir walked side by side with her. Lenore felt rather awkward, but she tried to replicate Haldir's politeness.

"Life already gives you enemies for free, so adding more is stupid." she thought, turning to the Elf.

"So… Haldir, right?" she asked nervously.

The elf nodded.

"Why do you think I should learn sparring and all that stuff?"

"It is obvious."

"But I have my dragon, he and I fight very well together."

"I am sure. But you should not trust your dragon to do everything. You must fight as well."

Lenore didn't answer. He had a point.

"But I'm awful with weapons and all the stuff!" she complained finally.

"No one is born knowing how too. But you cannot have a finer master than Aragorn."

"Indeed. You should learn to use the bow too, and for that the son of Thranduil is the best."

"Thranduil? Who's Thranduil?" asked Lenore.

Haldir turned to her. "He is the Lord of Mirkwood" he answered

"Aha… Excuse my ignorance Haldir, but what's Mirkwood?"

"Mirkwood is an Elven forest-kingdom to the North."

"So… the son of King Thranduil is…?" asked Lenore.

"Is Prince Legolas. I thought you would know this by now."

"Umm… no, he never talks about stuff like this." she said.

"Well, Greenleaf rarely speaks about himself.

Lenore smiled. "Then seems that I'm surrounded by nobility."

"You are indeed, my Lady."

Lenore chuckled. "And yet, all of them called me my lady. Ironical."

"I don't think is ironical, my lady. When we call a woman my Lady it is a sign of respect."

"Aha… but in my realm is very rude to call to a woman my lady when she's not. It's like calling a woman Mrs. when she's not married."

"Then what do you wish me to call you?"

"By my name: Lenore. Not a big deal, don't you think?"

Haldir frowned. "Though to me it seems improper, I will respect your wishes."

"You're a very nice March Warden. Thanks a lot!" said Lenore cheerfully.

There was a silence.

"Being nobility, almost all of the Fellowship know how to wield a sword. If you are to hold a place among them, you must learn as well."

Lenore rolled her eyes but nevertheless she answered. "So do you think I should learn to spar with a sword, huh?"

"By all means, as well as a bow."

Lenore sighed. She would learn how to spar if that was indispensable, but a bow….that was an entirely different story.

"And who would teach me, IF I considered learning bow? You? Because if that's so, I would accept only to annoy you."

Haldir looked at her in surprise, but when he saw the playful gleam in her green eyes, he smiled.

"That would be interesting, but I cannot teach you. I have other duties. Your companion, Prince Legolas, would be the most equipped."

"Great! Especially since we get along so well!" she muttered.

Haldir looked at her, surprised. "You are not friends with the Prince?"

"Umm… well… umm… no….not exactly." she said, flushing as she steadied the stairs below her.

"May I inquire why?"

"Yeah… well… I mean… I think we're too different…..so you know…it's natural….and"

Haldir's face was inscrutable as he stared levelly at her.

"Why do you look me like that?" she asked, wriggling uncomfortably.

"It is only that I do not understand."

"Understand? Well, I mean it's not difficult to understand…..since, you know….."

Haldir nodded slowly. "Indeed. That seems strange, for he seemed to esteem you greatly."

Lenore smiled skeptically. "Oh really? Why do you say that?"

"Because he spoke very highly about you and your dragon."

Lenore arched an eyebrow. "Did he?"

"Indeed. He even gave his word to us, telling us that you were safe."

Lenore looked at him in disbelief. "Umm….really?"

"What I'm telling you is true. I thought there was a deep relationship between you. Perhaps you were an Elf-Friend, but it seems I was mistaken.

Lenore was confused. Why would the hater elf do such thing on behalf of her and her dragon… specifically on her behalf?

Sounded so incredible that both of them could be friends… and talking about friends, what was an elf-friend?

"Umm… excuse my ignorance but what's an elf-friend?" she asked after a moment.

"Is a title that, we give to a person who is very close to us. When one is an Elf-Friend, we protect them, help them, and that person is always welcomed among us."

"Ah! And… then you thought that I could be his elf-friend because he spoke on behalf of me and my dragon?"

"Indeed, I would have thought differently, but considering who Thrandullion is…."

"What do you mean?" asked Lenore, a little too eagerly.

Haldir looked at her for a moment.

"The way he spoke of you, one might have thought that he took an interest in you, a love interest perhaps. He risked his honor, something that he values more than his life, for you. He spoke on behalf of a woman who shared a heart and a soul with a black dragon."

Lenore stopped. Love interest?! Not a chance!

He was a hater, he was annoying and difficult. And yet….and yet…that sounded oddly pleasant…..to be called Legolas's love interest.

"If it had been any other Elf, I would have thought of it. But I doubt that of Legolas." added Haldir

"You mean that Legolas can't love?" she asked, feeling a pang in her heartstrings.

"I do not know, but Legolas is a strange Elf. He has never been in love before, and for his age, that is indeed strange, almost unheard of."

"And… how old is he?" asked Lenore

"I don't know for sure, but I believe two thousand years would not be far off the mark."

"What the… two thousand years?!" exclaimed Lenore.

"A little more perhaps.

Lenore started up the stairs again.

Two thousand years and never in love? That was really weird! Not that she was one to talk. She herself was twenty eight, and had never had a crush on anyone."

"So… Elves fall in love pretty young?" she asked.

"Yes indeed." said Haldir.

"Then you're…"

"Happily married." he answered with a smile.

Lenore smiled as well. The look on Haldir's face told her that he deeply loved the elleth whom his heart was set upon.

"Then it's very strange to not be married by this time?" asked Lenore.

"It is indeed, to all our race. But if the Valar have decided that Legolas will not marry, Legolas will not marry."

'Again those blasted Valar.' sighed Lenore internally.

"But I hope that you will be able to make friends with him."

"Aha….when cows fly" thought Lenore, but in that moment she deeply desired that cows might fly.

"Wait here. The Lady Galadriel will be here soon." said Haldir with a smile.


Lenore was pacing again with her hands behind her back.

Haldir had left and the Lady Galadriel had not yet come, so that gave her time to ponder.

Legolas… what a strange guy he was! Even for his own kindred!

Why would he have talked so… highly about her and her dragon?

But then, whenever things have started to change, he suddenly pushed away and avoided her in every possible way.

Who could understand this situation? Haldir had told her that if it was another Elf, he would have thought that she was this Elf's love interest. Very interesting if that was true.

But then another question… why had Legolas never fallen in love? Was he too busy in with his bow? Or because he was interested? Or because of a reason like hers?

"Man! That elf guy is more complicated than I thought, but he's still bloody annoying!" she exclaimed, stopping her pacing.

"Elf guy?" asked a sweet voice behind.

Lenore turned quickly.

"Oh! Your Majesty!" said Lenore, bowing hastily.

"Get up, young one." replied Galadriel. "And I am not your Majesty. That is a title only the Edain use."

"Umm… I'm sorry, I didn't know that." answered Lenore, blushing.

"Of whom was you talking?" asked the elleth.

"No one… I mean, it's not important." she answered, looking away, hoping Galadriel would not read her mind.

"It did not seem so, Lenore."

"Umm… I really don't want to talk about it." she answered quickly.

Galadriel smiled at her. "What does Legolas do then, that bothers you?" she said softly.

Lenore blushed furiously against her will, and it was noticed against her pale skin.

"So, tell me." the Lady said calmly.

"It's… it's… it's not too much, really." she stuttered

"Trying to hide your problems never help."

Lenore sighed.

She knew that the elleth was right. It was like trying to cover the Sun with a finger.

"Well… it's just that he and I don't get along. He's been a hater from the beginning. And now Haldir told me about who he spoke so highly about me and my dragon, and ummm…that.."

She paused.

"I mean, Aragorn and Gandalf had told me that there's a sad reason behind his problem with dragons, most of all black ones. Aragorn told me to give him a chance, but I'm not sure if I will. He's nasty and annoying and stuck-up."

Lady Galadriel remained silent, letting the woman rant on.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't say all that." said Lenore after a minute.

"There is no need to apologize. Your anger is understandable."

"Is it? I mean, I just have talked really bad about one of your kindred."

"Yes, but I understand you, but I believe he dearly wants to be a friend, but it might be your choice now. Do you want too?"

"Umm… well… not really bad….but it might be a nice thing." Lenore stammered.

Lady Galadriel looked at her and smiled at her serenely. "Come with me."

The Lady of Light led her through a garden. It was beautiful. All things bloomed where Galadriel walked. Flowers grew bright and the trees were tall and slender. Water cascaded out of marble fountains, shimmering in the moonlight.

"Will you look into the Mirror?" asked Galadriel. She motioned to a low stone pedestal, carved like a branching tree. Upon it sat a shallow basin of silver.

"Why? What will I see?" asked Lenore warily.

"Even the wisest cannot tell." said Galadriel, pouring water into a basin from a crystal pitcher. "The mirror shows many things. Things that were…..things that are…things that have not come to pass."

Lenore shook her head. "No thank you. It's for a reason we can't see the future.

Lady Galadriel smiled and there was silence.

Lenore fidgeted uncomfortably. "Your Majesty? Is there any chance you could give me an Elvish arrow? A really beautiful one?"

"For what purpose?" asked Galadriel softly.

"Well, up on Caradhras, with the Ice Dragoness, I took two of Legolas's arrows and lost one. So I want to give him another. So if I could ask that favor of you, Your Majesty?"

"You shall receive it when you leave." answered Galadriel. "But as I said, none of the Eldar call each other Majesty. As you wished not to be called My Lady, so do the same honor to me."

Lenore looked down. "I'm sorry. It's just that you're so majestic…and noble. But I'll try. What do you want me to call you? My Lady?"

"That will serve the purpose."

There was a silence as they moved on.

"May I ask you something, my Lady?" asked Lenore timidly.

"Why are you so shy. I summoned you so we could talk awhile."

Lenore nodded. "Why are you so friendly with my dragon?"

Galadriel sat down upon a stone bench, beckoning Lenore to sit by her side.

"Dragons are noble creatures."

Lenore frowned.

"I see your confusion. You wonder how it's possible that I think this of the very creature who is enemies with all the races of Middle-Earth. But they are. Long ago, I was saved by a black dragon?"

Lenore looked up into Galadriel's blue eyes. "How's that so? All the dragons we've seen are friends with the bad guys?"

"Indeed, they are now for an unknown reason." said Galadriel sadly. "But once they were not. This was long ago when I was still young and proud, Artanis of the Golden hair.

In that time, after we sailed-I was leader of the Noldor-to defeat a powerful enemy, of whom Sauron is only a servant. He was Morgoth. He wished to rule all, and if he could not, he would destroy it.

He made war on Men and Elves, and his servants were terrible. He could not create, he could only twist what was created, and twist and torment he did. There were Balrogs, and Orcs."

Galadriel's eyes fell. "Orcs. I once knew the creatures that they once were. They were Elves once, long ago, before Sauron tormented them into the beasts they are. And there were dragons, fierce and terrible and deadly.

Lenore paled. "That can't be possible." she murmured

"Why so?"

"Because such huge and powerful dragons were destroyed by the Vanyr after the great war against the child of eight heads. That kind of dragons was known as Draca un-gefóglíc."

Lady Galadriel looked at her.

"Well, that's what the Edda relates." said Lenore, while a soft blush appeared in her cheeks.

"I have never heard of such a war. But these dragons were Morgoth's handiwork, and other of their kind feared and hated them.

And they became distrustful of all who were not of their race and did not share a heart with them. They became violent to all, most of all the red dragons.

The knowledge of dragons was destroyed, lost and almost forgotten. And so they left, leaving the others races to their fate.

Those times were indeed dark and terrible. It was an ambush I got caught in. My guards were slaughtered, and I ran, and I would have died, had I not been saved by a dragon, a black dragoness."

Lenore looked at her in disbelief. Black dragons were by nature the most distrustful.

"We fled by night. The dragoness let me ride her. For almost all night she flew, and I was silent and feared. I was young and what was heard of dragons was not good. Before sunrise she put me down by a cave in a mountain. She pushed me in, and before I sat down I thanked her.

She guarded me, brought me water and an entire fruit tree. She said that taking the fruit one by one would be too slow and dangerous."

Lenore opened her mouth in astonishment. "Did she talk to you? Could you understand her?"

"No, she did not give me that gift. But dragons are wise, and can speak other languages. I tried to befriend her, and I tried the way I did to your dragons. We did not become close friends, but we appreciated each other deeply."

"And did she tell you her name?" asked Lenore eagerly.

"Yes, her name was AÉfen-Repsung"

Lenore smiled. "Nightfall, a beautiful name."

"Indeed. She told me that she had lost one daughter fighting Morgoth's allies, and I believe it is for that reason she treated me so.

But I was no replacement for the dragoness. AÉfen-Repsung waned vengeance for the death of her child, and if death was the price for herself, she cared not.

She always used to call me a daughter of the First Children, I believe is how they name to the other races, but her last word was my name: You're a good-hearted elleth, Galadriel.

She died saving my life from a Morgoth's dragon and taking her desired revenge."

Lenore looked to Lady Galadriel, she seemed for a moment lost in her memory. Surely something more had happened but Lenore wouldn't ask.

Lady Galadriel turned to her and looked her.

"That is why I know that dragons are not dangerous beasts, but noble creatures. They do not serve the Dark Lord willingly."

"We believe that too, my lady. My dragon and I noticed something in the neck of the Ice Dragoness in Caradhras. It don't know what it does. But if the dragons are bewitched, than Sauron's sorcery is greater than we thought."

"The Dark Lord of Mordor is very powerful. If your suspicions about this are true, then it is very important that you and your dragon find a way to break the spell."

"I don't think I can do that, we can't do that… I mean I don't know anything about sorcery or better said: I don't believe in it. That's why the One Ring seems crazy to me."

"Then why did you and your dragon joined to this quest, child? I know that you think that this is not your problem."

Lenore paled a bit.

"Man! Does she read minds?" she thought, and groaned. Galadriel probably knew that as well.

"Umm… you're right. It was all my dragon's fault." she said, slightly embarrassed

"Fault?"

"Yeah… well… he believes that the One Ring is very dangerous and that it has to be destroyed as soon as possible."

"But you think that the One Ring is not so… dangerous? Do you want to use it?"

"No, no, no. Jeez! I'm not mad like that Sauron guy who wants to rule everything here The One Ring is dangerous but…."

"Indeed. But what is your quest that is more important?"

Lenore thought for a moment.

"Return to my realm?" she said.

"You're asking me, young one?"

"No, is like I'm telling you something pretty obvious." sighed Lenore.

"And why do you want to return?"

"Well… I don't belong here neither does my dragon."

"Your friends broke down their prejudice." said Galadriel quietly.

"Not all… Legolas didn't and I believe that he never will." answered Lenore.

"He will, but in its time."

Lenore sighed. "That's what Gandalf told me. He said that the best and deepest friendships start like this."

"Then have hope, child. Mithrandir was very wise"

Lenore didn't answer. Hope? Patience? It was easy to say it when you're not the one who suffers the rude behavior of a hater.

"What else makes you want to return to your realm, young one?" asked Lady Galadriel

"Easy. I want to go home, to my house."

"And what else, young one?"

"Umm… well… I…" mumbled Lenore "I have a friend of the college…"

"And what else, young one?" asked again the Lady of the Light

"Well… I… well… umm…" mumbled Lenore again. "I don't remember right now but with that is more than enough, I mean at least we have a place where to live"

"Having a place where to live is not enough, child. A friend? You talk about your friend as someone who you care about, but not deeply.

Lenore didn't answer. Lady Galadriel was right. Her friend from the college had helped her a lot especially after that tragedy but he had never been like Aragorn.

And the other "friends" she had had? They had never shown such friendship like the rest of the Fellowship but Legolas.

Actually, it could be said that almost all of them were her new little family."

"Remember, child, a home is place of love. It is not simply a shelter." said Galadriel softly."