It had taken a one and a half day hike to finally get inside the glorious eleven city of Lothlorien and by then my wound had healed enough that I could walk on my own with barely even a limp. Haldir led us up a flight of stairs that curled around the trunk of a great Malor tree and we came to a stop in front of two golden thrones of which sat to familiar elves. The golden hair of Galadriel fell down in waves as she stood and made her way towards us; her wise and all-knowing eyes raking themselves from person to person. When they reached my amber eyes, I let out a purr.
Mother! I greeted her inside my head, knowing she could hear me.
Her eyes widened in surprise at my call but she recovered and smiled gently. Laila, is that you? My little flower has grown and bloomed so much. But who has placed this horrid curse on you?
I was silent as both of us listened to the ongoing conversation, waiting for a pause. When Galadriel spoke of Gandalf's fall into shadow, she walked over and bent down to my eye level.
"I am sorry for your loss. You were closer with him more than me; no matter how much I regret to admit it." My mother's eyes shown with remorse and grief as she petted my head.
The eyes of her husband, Lord Celeborn, along with the rest of the company – whose name I learned was The Fellowship – and Haldir fell upon us "Do you know that creature, m'lady?" Haldir questioned, staring at me coldly.
My mother stood up, looking at her husband with a meaningful look, and then turned to face everyone.
"Yes, Haldir, this is actually Lanomarila. She has been cursed into this form by a wizard and wishes to be restored to her natural self." My mother coolly explained, using my elven name instead of the common tongued version of my name.
Haldir's eyes widened and he bent his head down at me in shame, "Lady Lanomarila? I humbly apologize, if I had only known –"
I interrupted him by getting up and walking towards him. Then with a hard smack of my large paw, I made his knees buckle. My mother chuckled, knowing my intent. "She forgives you and repays you the favor of being shot at."
The entire company burst into laughter, excluding Boromir of course, at my actions. But all too quickly the mood passed, replacing it with an awkward silence.
"Go now and rest. Let the weariness of your travels fade." Lady Galadriel advised, also offering them lodge in the same sentence.
Everyone nodded and thanked her, Haldir leading them to their quarters. I sat in place, watching my friends leave, waiting to talk to my birth mother in private. Merry looked back at me when he noticed I wasn't following and it seemed like he understood what my intentions were.
"We'll be waiting." Merry told me as he walked back down the grand stairs of the Malor tree. With everyone gone now, she turned and smiled gently. "I am glad to see you once again, though unfortunately not as yourself. How did this happen?"
Saruman cursed me when I found him plotting with the dark Lord Sauron. I began retelling my tale from when I was cursed to the downfall of Gandalf. Mother, tell me, what is this quest my friends seem to be leading?
Galadriel looked at me in surprise, "You do not know? They travel to Mordor to destroy the Ring of Power. Frodo is the bearer of this horrid ring."
Oh. That would explain so much. I knew little about the ring itself, but from the stories my father had told me when I was older, I knew that the will of Sauron was possessed in that tiny object. That ring was pure evil and many fell prey to its influence. The creature Golem was one such example. What Frodo carried was a horrid burden that decided the fate if this world. If he fell, we were all doomed. Those who came along to help him were brave and valiant. My thoughts instantly went to the Prince Elf who was part of the company. But before I got too far into my fantasy, Galadriel spoke.
"So what will you do now? Continue traveling with the company or stay in Lothlorien with your people? Lanomarila, I know the hobbits are your dear friends and you have also grown a liking to the northern elf prince but I wish to see you safe and alive."
I scowled at her for speaking of my infatuation but let it pass; allowing my mind to focus on the question she provided. I honestly had no clue what I was going to do. I required more time to ponder my situation.
My mother nodded, petting the length of my back. "Rest little one; return to your friends. Wipe these weary troubles from your mind and body. I will search for a way to break the curse for you."
I purred in appreciation and licked her cheek in an attempted kiss. Forcing my tired body up, I slinked down the stairs to my friends' sleeping quarters. When I finally made my entrance, Merry and Pippin shot up and pulled me into a hug. Taken by surprise, I stumbled back and fell onto my haunches.
"We're sorry about what happened to you, Lanomarila!" They both cried in unison.
Everyone else also gathered around us, Gimli and Aragorn chuckling underneath their breath. I licked the two cousins in reassurance and they groaned in protest and quickly wiped away my saliva. Frodo started towards us and I looked up at him in wonder for he had a deep thinking and solemn look on his face. When he spoke, I was taken by surprise.
"Do you think it was Laila who cursed her?"
Silence immediately took over; no one dared to utter a word as they watched the three hobbits.
"Laila wouldn't do anything like that! She's good! She wouldn't ever join Saruman." Pippin protested and I instantly felt gratified that my friend would stand up for me no matter what the others said. But Merry shocked me by what he said.
"Shut up Pip! Don't talk about her like she's still our friend! She joined with Saruman; she's a traitor! He was her mentor, so why wouldn't she?! Our friendship meant nothing to her!" He yelled.
The hurt and anger boiled inside of me and instantly I let out a threatening growl and leapt at Merry; grabbing onto his hand with my razor sharp teeth. Merry cried out in shock and pain but quickly tried to pull away but I held on tightly in blind anger. Boromir quickly ran forward to aid Merry; raising his sword to strike me down. However, with elven reflexes, Legolas halted Boromir's attack and glared at him. "What do you think you're doing? She is our ally and a friend of the queen."
Boromir turned on his comrade, teeth bared in rage. "She's attacking the hobbits! You're just going to stand there and let her hurt them!?"
Hearing Boromir's word, I quickly released Merry from my grasp. Not knowing what else I could do, I ran from them; someone calling my name as I fled. Guilt and hurt crashed inside of me. How could they? My best friends thought I was with the enemy. The people who know me best, they think I'm out to kill them. My heart clenched in pain at the thought of them doubting me. With the loss of my friends, I saw no reason to stay in Lothlorien.