Chapter 10

POV Change – Galadriel

I looked upon my husband and frowned. There was a dark power in our lands. Standing, we summoned the captain of our guard.

"My Lady?"

"Something is approaching us. Keep a watch. We need to know." He bowed and left.

Celeborn looked at me. "We cannot allow this evil to roost in our lands."

I shook my head. "No. It is dark. This power is dark, not evil. It is…strange. I have not foreseen this." I frowned. "I have not sensed such power in my lifetime. Not even he feels like this."

Celeborn frowned. "Maiar?"

I shook my head. "They are gone. No. It is mortal, but yet, it is not. It is blocked from me." I shook my head again. "I do not like not knowing. I must find out."

He nodded. "Perhaps we should contact the Council?"

I nodded distractedly. "Yes. Tell Elrond a dark presence has entered our realm. I do not know what it is."

My husband nodded and left. I turned by gaze to the river Anduin. 'Are you evil as well as dark, creature?'

POV Change – Percy

I winced and growled. "She knows." Annabeth frowned with worry. The Stolls had told us all about Galadriel.

"Percy, the others are exhausted. We've been pushing them harder than ever now."

"Yeah, don't you think they need an explanation?" I sighed when I heard Nico's voice.

He was crouching beside Hazel's sleeping form. I didn't turn and look. "About what in particular?" I really didn't need this right then.

"Your magic for one. And your mysterious affiliation with all things dark. I've heard the ghosts whispering and gossiping about you for some time now. Some say that you've been blessed by a mysterious god."

I turned and looked at him. "For such a secretive person, you sure do demand a lot of answers from others." I was using the voice that Triton coached me to have. The voice of a Prince. It was a defense mechanism now.

Nico blinked. I stood and hissed at him. "Do you think yourself so important that you deserve all the answers?!" My anger was bringing out my court training. Whenever I got too angry, I started speaking like Triton. Nico growled back at me, the sound reverberated deep in his throat. He never did like Triton.

I glared at him. "I'm tired of your little, pity parties and demands. You have thousands of secrets! You lied to me! When I needed a friend, you pretended you didn't know me!" I was shouting now. Annabeth touched my arm, but I shook her off. I was angry now.

Will's eyes widened, and he rushed to Nico's side to calm him down. It didn't work. The ground started emitting foggy mist. The air turned cold. I growled. The wind picked up and the water started to get choppy.

"You're the leader, Percy! Leaders aren't suppose to keep secrets from-"

"WHEN HAVE I EVER WANTED TO BE THE LEADER?!" I roared. My control flickered. The wind was nearing hurricane strength. "WHEN HAVE I EVER ASKED FOR EVERYTHING THAT WAS FORCED UPON ME?!"

Nico screamed at me. "IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU WANTED TO BE ONE OR NOT! YOU ARE ONE, AND YOU HAVE TO STEP UP TO THAT ROLE!"

I was suddenly up close and in his face. "And who made you my conscience?" I whispered. "What makes you think that I need you?" My voice was cold. My eyes were detached and harsh. I started laughing, mockingly. I couldn't control myself. The influence from Night was infecting me. The very influence that I was struggling to overcome. All of Ouranos' advice left my mind.

Nico's eyes widened. I stared at down at him. "A little boy who has a lot of power." I laughed lowly. Walking around him, I looked him up and down. "You know nothing about me. You know NOTHING!" Nico winced. I glared at him. "Do you honestly think that you deserve to know my secrets? When you've done nothing but lie, deceive, and betray me?! You ask me to trust you when you don't give me your trust!"

Nico lowered his gaze. I stared at him and then gasped. I fell to one knee. Annabeth was calling my name, but it sounded distant.

My mind was filled with the image of a pale, ghostly, beautiful woman. 'You have darkness shrouding your soul, Young One.' I turned slowly and stared at the woman. She was barefoot. Elf soldiers surrounded her. A tall man stood beside her.

Travis gasped something about Galadriel.

I didn't break eye contact with her.

'Your anger is black. Your power is much. Yet, there is a candle of light in your core. Who are you?'

I gasped and stepped back. "No." She was probing my mind. "No! STOP!" I roared. I didn't want her to accidently break my amnesia. She withdrew.

Annabeth was glaring at her. "Who are you?!"

"I am Galadriel, the Lady of these woods that you are in. Cease the storm, Young One." She was looking at me. I blinked and gaped. Storm clouds and strong winds were making it hard for everyone to stand, even the Elves.

I raised a hand and everything was quiet. She smiled. "Thank you." She walked closer to me. "You are not evil." Her eyes picked out Nico. "Neither are you." She looked to me. "And yet, you are the opposite of light. Why then do I feel a strong pull towards you?" Her gaze rested on me.

I sighed. "Because…" I stared at everyone. I didn't want them to know. "I have secrets, like everyone does." I glared at Nico. "Perhaps, I may speak with you alone, Lady?" She nodded, and we walked away. I kissed Annabeth on the cheek. "Keep everything organized, Wise Girl. Keep them stable and give me a cover story, if possible." She nodded. I turned away from the group.

"Speak now, Young One." She smiled sadly. "Perhaps, I shouldn't call you Young One. You have an old mind in a young body. A mystery that I am not sure I want to unravel."

I chuckled tiredly. We walked a long while without speaking. She led me to a clearing. It had a round white table. There were three other occupants of the table. I balked. "No."

She turned to me. "I am a member of the White Council. It is only fair for the other members to know what I know."

I laughed scornfully. "And if you don't know what they know?"

She blinked. "Then they have betrayed my trust." I chuckled dryly.

"For someone so old and powerful and wise, you sure are gullible."

Galadriel continued walking as if I hadn't just insulted her. "This is Lord Elrond, of the Last Homely House, Rivendell. This is Saruman, the White Wizard. This is Mithrandir, Gandalf, the Grey Wizard, a guest on our Council on the invitation of Lord Elrond and myself. I am Galadriel, Lady of Lothlórien."

I'm posting early because I'll be gone all day Thursday for Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Ink...