Chapter Nine: Lothlorien

Haldir lead them through the woods, past other Elves, and into a fantastical city grown entirely from the trees. The entire time, Iliana held onto Boromir's hand tightly. He glanced at her, but she refused to meet his eye as they ascended the tree-stairs to meet with the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien.

Haldir stood by the entrance way to the throne room, watching as the other passed. It was only upon nearing him did Iliana release Boromir's hand. Haldir looked at her and whispered, "May I speak with you?"

She nodded, and Boromir continued, glancing back to see Haldir embrace Iliana intimately.

"Manen nalge?" he asked her.

She shook her head. "The journey's been hard," she answered in Elvish. "The mines…" She trailed off as tears swarmed her eyes. She blinked, and one escaped.

Haldir reached up and brushed it away. "Man anirach cerin an le? Aniral toled na gar nin?"

Iliana pulled back, her eyes sad. "I can't. things have…things have changed, Haldir."

He took a step back and his eyes turned hard. "You mean because of the Man?" he asked, his lyrical voice harsher than she's ever heard it. "You're choosing a Man?"

Iliana didn't answer, she just looked down.

Haldir took a moment to compose himself. "The Lady is waiting," he said, turning away.

Taking a deep breath, Iliana moved to stand by Aragorn, her head bowed as the Lord and Lady came down the stairs. They seemed to glow, casting their light on the remaining Fellowship. Both Aragorn and Iliana had their heads bowed in respect as Celeborn and Galadriel came to a stop.

Iliana heard the group gasp when they saw the ethereally lovely Galadriel, and she suppressed a smile.

"Nine there are here, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell," Celeborn said, his voice drifting like music. "Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him?"

Iliana's throat tightened as she saw Aragorn raise his head, his eyes finding Galadriel's.

"He has fallen into Shadow," she whispered. She looked at each of them. "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all."

Iliana raised her head, and Galadriel instantly met her gaze. "Welcome, Unclaimed Daughter of White. We have much to talk about." The voice echoed inside Iliana's mind. "I see your troubled heart, and I see that your destination ends in doom!"

Gasping, Iliana looked down, tears in her eyes. She didn't hear another word from Galadriel and dutifully followed the others to their lent quarters.

Iliana stood in the middle of a stream, the warm water coming to her wait as she unbraided her hair. She wore nothing but a chemise, and that was already soaked through. Once her hair was loose, she dove under the water, letting it wash away the dirt from the journey. Just being able to be clean made her feel better, until she resurfaced and heard the Elves singing. Her heart heavy, she joined in, her voice weaving with theirs.

"In gwidhe ristennin,

I fae narchannen

I Lach Anor ad ardhon gwannen

Mithrandir, Mithrandir! A Randir Vithren!

U-reniathach i amar galen

Ilfirin nairelma nauva i nauva

Ilfirin nairel ma ar ullume nucuvalme

Nauva i nauva melma noren sina nairelma"

Once she finished bathing, she climbed from the water and stripped the wet material over her head and let it fall against the massive tree trunk. She pulled on a silken robe, cinching it at the waist while she combed out her hair with her fingers.

"Your singing is beautiful," said a voice on the other side of the tree.

"Boromir!" she gasped as he came around to face her. She smiled weakly. "You always find me when I'm bathing."

He smiled back, the smile lasting only a moment. "At least I waited until you're fully dressed this time," he teased.

They sat down on the grass, the trunks and roots of the tree hiding them from the other's sight.

"So, what was the song?" Boromir asked.

Iliana lowered her gaze and softly began to sing.

"The bonds cut

The spirit broken

The Flame of Anor has left this World

Mithrandir, Mithrandir! O Pilgrim Gray!

No more you will wander the Orange world

Your journey has ended in dreams

Undying our regret, what should shall be

Undying our regret and yet we will cast all away

What should shall be, love for this land our regret"

When she stopped, both had tears in their eyes. Boromir looked at Iliana laying down on the grass, weeping. He gently brushed away her tears, and she turned her head, kissing his knuckles.

He leaned down, his body lining up against hers, and gently kissed her lips, his hand moving to her waist. She gripped his tunic and held him close, losing herself in this moment.

Iliana sat on her knees in front of Galadriel, her eyes wide as her hair swung into her face. "No, it…it's not possible," she gasped, looking up at Galadriel. "Tell me it's not true!"

Celeborn and Galadriel looked at her, their eyes sad. "It is true," Galadriel said. "You are our grandchild."

"How?" Iliana demanded. "Arwen doesn't have any sisters!"

"When our daughter, Celebrian, was captured, the Orcs took her to Saruman. He kept her a prisoner there until her twin sons, your brothers, rescued her. On the way to Rivendell, you were born, and left with a family who swore to look after you," Celeborn said, his voice drifting on the wind.

"Then…my father…" Iliana trailed off.

"That is correct," Galadriel said.

"Your father is Saruman the White," Celeborn told her.

It was too much for her. Iliana felt herself grow weak, and the room darkened as she fainted.

When she awoke, she was in the room she secretly shared with Boromir. His horn was on the chair next to the bed. A light blanket covered her, and she instantly felt sick as she sat up.

"I can't tell them," she thought to herself. "There's no way I can tell them!"

Author's Note:

"Manen nagle" means "How are you"

"Man anirach cerin an le? Aniral toled na gar nin?" means "What can I do for you? Do you want to come to my house?"

Happy Friday everyone! Sorry this chapter was so short.

Horvath70: I'm so pleased you are enjoying my story! Thank you for reading! Yes, this is a Boromir romance, however I cannot spoil anything that may or may not happen in the future. I hope you continue reading!

Next Friday will hold the new chapter. Happy weekend to everyone!