Chapter 10
I do not own LotR in any way.
A/N- Lirilla returns to Lorien.
The Fellowship quickly made their way to Lothlórien, well as quick as they could will Lirilla being injured.
When they reached the border, Lirilla collapsed.
Aragorn picked her up and carried her.
"Stay close, young Hobbits!" Gimli said, "They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch…of terrible power".
Lirilla smiled as she listened to Gimli talk about her mother.
"All who look upon her fall under her spell", Gimli said, "And are never seen again. Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox".
They were suddenly surrounded by the wardens of Lórien.
"The Dwarf breathes so loudly, we could have shot him in the dark", Haldir sneered.
"The Princess!" one of the wardens exclaimed.
They all lowered their bows and arrows and dropped to their knees.
"She's injured", Aragorn said.
Rúmil, one of Haldir's brothers, stepped forward and took Lirilla from Aragorn's arms.
Legolas started to step forward, but Aragorn grabbed him.
"She will be fine. She's with her own kin", he said.
Legolas' blood boiled.
They were touching Lirilla.
His Lirilla. His princess. He should be the one caring for her wounds.
The Fellowship was taken up onto one of the flets.
"Welcome again Legolas, son of Thranduil", Haldir spoke in elvish.
"Our Fellowship stands in your debt", Legolas said in elvish, trying to keep his anger under control.
"Aragorn of the Dunedian, you are known to us", Haldir said to Aragorn.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can all understand!" Gimli snapped.
"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days", Haldir spoke in Common Tongue.
"And do you know what this Dwarf says to that?" Gimli asked and then proceeded to say something in dwarvish.
Aragorn clapped him on the shoulder and said, "That was not so courteous".
Haldir turned to look at Frodo. "You bring great evil with you. You can go no further", Haldir said.
Aragorn walked over to Haldir and began having a very heated conversation in elvish.
Legolas paid no attention. Two of the wardens lead Lirilla over to Legolas. Legolas nodded to them in respect.
Lirilla wrapped her arms around his middle.
Legolas wrapped his arms around her and set his head on hers.
All the wardens looked on in amusement.
The Mirkwood prince was in love with their princess.
When Haldir and Aragorn finished their conversation, Haldir said, "You will follow me".
They were escorted by the guards to the edge of Caras Galadhon.
"Caras Galadhon. The heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light", Haldir spoke.
Lirilla rolled her eyes.
The way he said it made it sound like he was in love with her parents.
The hobbits looked at Lirilla like they couldn't believe that this was her home.
From there, Haldir lead them into Caras Galadhon.
"It's so beautiful", Sam said.
"To you", Lirilla spoke, "To me it's a cage. A beautiful cage".
As they neared closer to Lirilla's home, Haldir pulled her to the front of the group.
The Fellowship stood on the flet where Legolas had first met Lirilla.
Lirilla was not permitted to stand with the group, but off to the side with Haldir.
The Fellowship watched as her parents descended the stairs.
"The enemy knows you have entered here", her father spoke, "What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eight there are here, yet nine 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".
Lirilla smiled when she realized that Elrond had not told her parents. Her smile dropped when her mother looked at her.
"He has fallen into Shadow", Galadriel spoke.
"He was taken by both Shadow and flame", Legolas spoke like the prince he was, "A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria".
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose", Galadriel said, "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".
"What now becomes of this Fellowship?" Celeborn asked, "Without Gandalf, hope is lost".
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little of 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. Tonight, you will sleep in peace", Galadriel spoke.
A group of elves stepped forward to lead the Fellowship to their talan.
Legolas glanced over at Lirilla and could hear her heartbeat pick up. He walked over to her and took her in his arms.
She clutched onto his tunic.
Neither of them knew if this was going to be the last time they saw each other.
"Don't let go of me", Legolas whispered to her.
"Never", she whispered back.
Haldir stepped forward and pried the princess off the Mirkwood prince.
Legolas kissed her forehead and left with the Fellowship.
Lirilla looked up at her mother and father with tears in her eyes.
Silently begging them to not make her stay.