DISCLAIMER: Lord of the Rings belongs to Tolkien. I own no one in this story. The only exception is Avnean. She's mine.
A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers. You're wonderful! Criticism welcomed, in any form, with a reason of course. Hope you enjoy
The Tale of Avnean Twin of Legolas-Chap10-A Nightmare and Galadriel's Mirror-
"Legolas!" Avnean called, ducking her head under the table. "Legolas where you?" she frowned, sucking her chubby little fingers as she looked around curiously. Avnean was standing the dining hall of the Palace and Legolas and her were supposed to be playing hide and seek. He always hid under the big table, but for some reason he wasn't there, so where was he? Avnean pouted and tried to find him with her mind but didn't succeed in touching his thoughts.
Angry she dropped to a sitting position upon the floor and crossed her arms. "Cheater!" she accused. "No fair Legolas! You're cheating" As she stared angrily up at the chairs towering over her, the dream scene shimmered. Surprised Avnean cried out jumping to her feet.
"Legolas?" she called again as the scene solidified around her. Sensing something was different, she lowered her eyes to see that her hands were no longer chubby but full and slender. She was full-grown. Shivering slightly Avnean wrapped her arms around her shoulders and called out for her brother again. There was no answer, except for the trees of the dreamscape staring at her like accusing eyes. "Legolas?" her voice had dropped to scared whisper
"He's not going to answer you my dear," a voice responded from behind her. It was a voice of such malice that every word he spoke dripped like poison.
Avnean whirled around, frantically searching for the owner of the voice. "Who's there?" she called. "Come from hiding. I order you to."
"The Princess of Mirkwood ordering me?" the voice floated from behind her, Avnean spun around again, icy tendrils of dread creeping up her spine.
She had never felt a fear so commanding like this before. It hammered in her chest and pulled her mind into a snarl of nightmarish thoughts. The darkness pressed upon her, suffocating her slowly. "Legolas!" she screamed desperately, clutching the skirts of the dream gown until her knuckles were white. "Legolas I need you!" She tried to find him with her mind, but where his thoughts were always nestled, it was strangely hollow. He was gone, nothing left but an empty void. "Legolas," her voice rose in panic. "Where is he?"
"You're alone," the voice taunted, now facing her directly. "All alone. He's dead." Something flew from the staring trees and rolled to a halt at Avnean's feet.
Jumping away from the object, she looked down against her will. A scream thundered through her. A dismembered head lay at her feet. Legolas's dismembered head. The head had landed so that his blue eyes stared up at her. They were accusing and angry. His lips frozen in death, were formed so that they looked like he had been screaming. Blood still leaked from the jagged wound that had severed his neck from his body. Avnean screamed and tripped on the back of the dress. She hit the ground with a thud and scrambled back on fours trying to get away from her brother's accusing face. "What did you do?" she screamed, looking for the owner of the voice. "Legolas!"
"He's gone," the voice taunted, drifting nearer. "All gone. You're alone. All alone. By yourself. He's never coming back. You killed him," it hissed in her ear.
"No!" Avnean pulled away, her eyes wide with fright darted everywhere. She wanted to get away. From nowhere hands came and seized her shoulders, frightenened Avnean screamed and clawed trying to break free. The voice echoed in her head. "He's gone and you killed him."
"Avnean! Avnean! Avnean wake up!"
The world came together with a jarring snap. First the ceiling came into view, swirling like a whirlpool above her, and then slants of moonlight shining through some hidden window, smiling in serene silver. Lastly her brother's face floated into sight and though her mind was still hazy and she was sure he was worried.
"Avnean are you awake?" he demanded, his fingers still gripping her shoulders.
His voice echoed from a long way away. Avnean groped blindly for the comforting embrace of his words and the rope that would bring her back. Flailing fingers found the tiniest thread and refusing to let go, she let it pull her upward.
When the room came into real focus before Avnean's wide eyes it took her a belated moment to remember what had terrfied her. She was aware that she was lying on the cushioned floor of their guest room. She was aware of the tangled heap of blankets that twisted around her body and were coming close to strangling her. Then the memories of the dream slammed into the forefront of her mind and Avnean jerked upright. "Legolas," she screamed, fighting the blankets. "Legolas! Legolas where are you? Please don't leave me alone." When no answer met her screams, she cast her mind out and in her panic didn't notice that Legolas was there with her.
Hardly breathing through the fright that was racing through her, Avnean managed to struggle to her feet. She tipped precariously as everything blurred. Her terror-filled cries rang in the room as the taunting voice echoed through her mind. She didn't hear the door open and footsteps rush towards her.
"Avnean?" she heard the speaker and then arms enveloped her tightly. "Hush Avnean. I'm here. You're not alone. I'm here. Don't be scared. Hush. Don't be scared. Don't cry Avnean. I'm here, I'm here for you. You're not alone."
After a moment Avnean recognized her brother's voice and sobbing she wrapped her arms around him pulling him as close as she was able. She buried her head into his shoulder, trembling she felt his comforting warmth embrace her. "Legolas," she stuttered, hardly able to speak. "Legolas are you really there?"
"I'm here," he answered. "I'm here for you."
"Avnean," the voice came on the other side of the room. "What happened?"
Avnean shuddered in answer to Galadriel's question as Legolas gently guided her back to her bed. When she refused to let him go, he sat next to her.
"Legolas can you tell me what happened?" Galadriel turned her question to Legolas, seeing that Avnean was in no state to talk about anything.
"I don't know my lady," Legolas answered. He bent his head for a moment to soothe his sister again. "I don't know. I was sleeping peacefully and was startled awake by screams. Avnean…Avnean was shouting my name and tossing in bed. I couldn't do anything for a moment I was so paralyzed in her fear. When she fell out of bed I ran to her. I….I tried to awaken her but she wouldn't wake up. That's when I came and got you.."
Avnean gripped her brother refusing to let him go. She tried to forget the awful dream that she had just been forced to endure. Avnean didn't want to have to remember it. She barely registered that her nightgown was clinging to her body. She heard the Lady's footsteps come to the edge of her bed.
"Avnean look at me," she said gently.
Avnean obediently lifted her head and gazed into Galadriel's eyes. The Lady of Lorien actually seemed genuinely afraid for her.
Galadriel smiled encouragingly. "Avnean tell us what happened. There might be less of a weight upon your shoulders if you do."
"There…." Avnean couldn't get her words to form. Legolas rubbed her arms and sent her strength. Galadriel took her hand and nodded for her to continue. "I was a child, playing hide-and-seek with Legolas at home. I was finding so I went to where he was always hiding, under the big table but he wasn't there. I called his name but he didn't come and I couldn't find him with my mind so I sat down to pout. The scenery changed……I…..I was a grown woman and I was so alone. Legolas wasn't with me. I got frightened and called out his name and he didn't answer. Instead some voice said that I was alone. I called for Legolas again and demanded for him to tell me what he did." Avean paused and trembled. "He threw… He threw his….his head at me." She faltered to a stop and began crying again. Pulling her hands away from Galadriel's she curled up against her brother, holding him as close as she was able; her tears of fright falling like raindrops down her cheeks.
"Avnean," Galadriel's voice was soft. "A terrible dream. Come here child. Into my arms"
Avnean declined. She didn't want the Lady's embrace, she wanted Legolas's. She wanted to know that he was still there with her and that his head still attached to his shoulders. The lingering effects of the awful dream hadn't yet worn off and the images flashed before Avnean's mind, making her shudder.. In front of her she heard the rustling of a gown as Galadriel stood up.
"Avnean," her voice was still gentle. "We won't start what I have planned for a few days now. It might be easier for you to go through with it if you're more stable. Are you going to be alright?"
Avnean was sure that the Lady already knew her answer but for sake of clarity nodded her head. "I'm sorry my lady," she said. "I'm…"
"No," Galadriel shushed her. "Get some sleep and may your dreams be peaceful." Galadriel stood and left the room, her departure pronounced only by the sound of her dress rustling the floor against the foor. /May Irmo guard your dreams./
Avnean thanked Galadriel for the silent prayer. She felt somewhat calmed by the reassurance. Still shivering she drew away from her brother's comforting touch. Wiping the tears away from her eyes she looked up into his worried blue eyes. "Stop looking like that Legolas, you look like a stuck up adult," she attempted the humor weakly but it made Legolas's lips turn up in a smile. "Go to bed…I'll be fine. I'm just going to step outside for a little Lothlorien air. I won't go far."
"Are you sure?" Legolas asked, concerned. "Avnean if you want to be alone I…"
Avnean shook her head vigorously. "No," she said hurriedly. "Don't leave me. Just…just don't intrude on my thoughts."
Legolas agreed, still smiling gently. "All right," he said. He squeezed her hand. "Are you going to be okay?" He already knew her answer but he was checking up with her to make sure that she would be alright.
Avnean nodded and stood up, reluctantly untwining her hand from Legolas's firm grasp. Smiling, mostly to reassure herself that Legolas wouldn't die in the span of a few minutes, she grabbed a midnight blue robe and slid it over her slim frame. She was in no mood to change, despite the fact that her nightgown was clinging to here like a second skin. Legolas didn't comment. Still plastering the smile in place, Avnean left the room aware of Legolas's presence in her mind, it was enough, for now.
Avnean's restless mind refused to settle, even after she had descended from the heights of the great mallorn. Around her the green lawn spread like a belt about the massive tree of the Lord and Lady. Her heart still beating too fast and the memories to vivid for her to shake off she decided that a walk might do her some good she chose the nearest shadowed path and started off. The night had an eerie silence about it, the type of silence that seemed to house the dead. Don't you dare start that! She mentally chided herself, before quickly shielded that emotion from Legolas. He already had enough to worry about, she needn't add that to the plate.
The silent reviving walk continued for awhile and Avnean began feeling better. She was about to go back when something glimmering caught her attention. The path that she had been walking on ended in a clearing surrounded by a fortified hedge. Her curiosity catching the better of her, Avnean slipped toward the hedge. As she neared it she depicted a silver gate, on the other side of the gate worn steps headed down into a hollow. Female statues lined the steps at timed intervals and between their sheltered hands candle holders rested. The candles themselves were playing with the silvery beams of moonlight.
Is this the Mirror of Galadriel! Avnean asked herself, a shiver of mischievousness, coursed down her spine. She had heard rumors at home about the mirror of Galadriel. Of course they had all been flying rumors, but it did nothing to stop her curiousness. Avnean reached a hand out to the gate, almost afraid to touch it, as if by laying a hand on it, it would somehow strike her down. Her hand tightened around the silver gate. Nothing happened. What were you thinking? She laughed, becoming aware that Legolas was picking up on her sudden mood change. Quickly shielding herself and heard him curse furiously at the shield that was now stopping him. Inquisitiveness flowing through her like a river and after having coming this far, Avnean couldn't stop herself from pushing the gate open. It slid open on silent hinges, welcoming and bidding her to travel downward. Avnean obliged to the silent, pulling call, carefully shielding her trespassing from Legolas.
Down the steps, worn smooth by the passing of the long years and the traveling of feet, Avnean slowly descended, her feet whispering off the stone. She crept forwards cautiously afraid of being caught and berated for going somewhere she shouldn't. Her hands went out as if expecting a wall for her fingers to follow; there was only air and the brief brushings against the carven statues. When she neared the bottom of the steps Avnean shivered and dropped her hands to wrap her robe tightly around her frame.
The steps ended in a small green round bowl. The sides of the bowl curved elegantly down as if reaching for the sweet smelling grass. Directly in the middle of the basin stood a pedestal with a silver bowl nestled inside. On the far wall a stream, the same stream that came from the fountain on the grass lawn in Caras Galeton entered in a small gurgling pool. A silver pitcher sat next to its edge. As the water fell down it splashed quietly like a miniature waterfall.
Shivering, and realizing that if she were caught she would end up going home in disgrace, Avnean nearly turned back, curiosity slipping away from her like a cowardly friend. As she turned a different pride welled up inside her; she wasn't soft and scared of a few meaningless rules! The determination set before her Avnean lightly stepped across the grass to the pedestal for a closer look. She decided to end all rumors, once and for all.
"I knew I could not keep this place hidden from you for very long."
The soft, deep voice of wisdom behind Avnean made her jump. Blushing furiously she whirled around to see Galadriel standing next to the stairs, silent and as still as one of the statues. She might have been there the whole time. "My lady," she gasped. "I…"
"There is no harm young Avnean," Galadriel shook her head. She stepped forward, beyond Avnean towards the pool of water. "Have you come for a look in my Mirror?"
"I cannot say," Avnean replied shrugging nonchalantly. "I just wanted to see the Mirror with my own eyes."
"And has that helped?" Galadriel asked looked at her, the deep eyes glimmer with amusement. "Do you believe my Mirror is real now?"
"Now that I have seen it?" Avnean asked. "Yes." /I'm alright Legolas. Can you leave me alone for a few moments? I need a private moment./ Instantly she felt Legolas withdraw from her thoughts. It was not a complete block but he retreated to a place where he would not accidentally read her thoughts.
"Do you only believe in what you see Avnean?" Galadriel asked, twining her fingers around the handle of the pitcher. "If you only believe in seeing, the Mirror will not help you."
"I do not believe all that I see is true," Avnean replied, her eyebrows drawing down. "And I do not believe that all I hear is true."
At her words Galadriel laughed warmly. "Wise words coming from so young lips. But yet, so much more you have to learn."
Avnean pulled her shoulders up again and, crossed her arms. She stared at Galadriel's back. "You knew I was coming," she said after a moment. "I have heard that you see sometimes. Did you see me come here?"
"No," Galadriel answered. "I knew that you would find out. You are to curious not to."
"Is this fate you're talking about?" Avnean asked sharply, Galadriel's answer had nettled her.
"Not at all," Galadriel replied. She turned away and dipped the pitcher in the water. "Do you wish to see what the mirror can show?"
Avnean shook her head. "No," she said simply. "Knowing that it exists is enough for now. I have no desire to see my future. I am content and I feel that to see what is in store for me will be a burden on my shoulders."
Galadriel didn't say anything but released the captured water and set the pitcher back on the edge. She turned to Avnean and looked at her. Her deep eyes watched Avnean. "You know much," she said. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Avnean answered; glad to be rid of the touchy subject."
"That is well," Galadriel said her words seemed to have a cryptic meaning. "Well indeed. Perhaps we can start tomorrow after all?"
"A question," Avnean asked. "Why did you bring us here?"
"You will learn," Galadriel offered no more information. "The night is growing old Avnean let me escort you to your room."
Avnean looked at the Lady and shivered. She didn't like the way the conversation had ended up and was beginning to wonder if she should have looked into the mirror. Avnean shivered again and decided she definitely didn't want to know.