I pull out of his embrace, to see his eyes awaiting an explanation.
"She let out all her anger and rage and feelings over this one event, 91 years ago into my head. The words were relentless, she'd been holding them in for all that time. I don't think anyone could've lasted much longer." I tell him. Legolas' brow furrows.
"I will not pretend to understand it, but the power shook the platform. Are you alright, melamin?" He questions.
"Yes. I let down my barrier, I must learn not to let my guard down. I was angry, and careless." I admit, looking away.
"…Melamin, you should not worry yourself, you did not harm any. I cannot think of any way that confrontation could've gone that would've ended well." Legolas reassures me.
"I know… it's just you know how I feel about using my powers at all… yet alone using it to harm. Haldir's face when I attacked him… I do not know whether I harmed him or not." I reply, shaking my head. "Do not worry, it is an old problem. A new one is that of your father. I wish I could have made a better impression upon him."
"His opinion of you will never matter to me. We should get some rest. We won't get much after leaving Lothlorien, and I believe Aragorn and Haldir are negotiating the details." Legolas says, bringing me into his arms, leading me to the bed and folding the covers over us.
I sleep soundly, protected by the comfortable familiar shield around me. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, I hear a rising shout, and words echo in my slumber.
"I will give you the one ring…"
"… I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this…" The lady Galadriel's voice resonates in silence. "In place of a dark lord… you would have a Queen! Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Treacherous as the sea! Stronger than the foundations of the earth! All shall love me and… despair…" A crack awakens me from my sleep, and I almost leap out of the covers, trying to find her voice.
"I pass the test… I will diminish, and go into the west… and remain Galadriel." Her voice returns to the soft flutter and I put my head in my hands in relief.
"Azthryth, what is the matter?" My ears twitch and I realise I must have awoken Legolas as well. I stand slowly, letting my breathing slow to its regular pulse.
"She had a moment. It is over now. Be at rest." I tell him quietly.
"You will not though." He answers, and moves to me, cupping my face. "Such a pure creature does not deserve such discomfort." I give him a small smile, and look up to him.
"There unfortunately is no such thing as a pure creature in this world, at least." I reply, hooking my arms around his neck.
"Really, do I not see one before me?" Legolas plays back, and lowers his lips to mine. My smile breaks through as we kiss and I curl into his arms.
"I take back my previous statement. For I most definitely see one." I whisper.
Early in the morning, Legolas and I arise from the quarters, and I find travelling clothes of a light grey-blue from the washing rooms of Caras Galadhon, and take them good-naturedly, needing a litter colour to travel in as we move to hotter, brighter weather. I bid Legolas goodbye as I begin to travel across Lothlorien. I reach the raging river nearly an hour before the Fellowship and the lady arrive, hiding through leaves as they start packing the boats.
"Lembas." Legolas exclaims, while packing one of the boats, speaking to Pipin and Merry. "Elvish Waybread. One small bite can fill the stomach of a grown man." He leaves and I squint to see Merry shuffle closer to Pipin.
"How many did you eat?" Merry asks.
"Four." Pipin replies bluntly, and I smile at their exchange.
The Fellowship line up along side the river bank, as they are clothed in the cloakes of Lothlorien.
"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Lord Celeborn says to them all. We are to be travelling by river, as we know we are being tracked by orcs who are able to travel fast in the sun. It is the only way we have a chance of outrunning them, but I worry.
The Lady Galadriel floats before them, and speaks softly.
"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." She says quietly to him, and he admires his gift. She moves on to Merry and Pipin.
"These are daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took, you will find your courage."
"And for you, Samwise Gamgee, elven rope, made of Hithlain." She says gently to Sam, and he looks to Merry and Pipin.
"Thank you my lady… have you ran out of those nice, shiny daggers?" She moves on after smiling to him.
"And what gift would a dwarf, ask of the elves?"
"Nothing," Gimli replies immediately, before looking up. " except to look upon the lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth." She laughs at his flattery, and he turns around embarrassed.
"Actually, there was one thing… no, no I couldn't, it's quite impossible… stupid to ask…" He grumbles naturally.
"I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear… (For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will diminish.)" She finishes her words to Aragorn in Sindarin.
"(I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor.)" Aragorn tells the Lady.
"That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn. To rise above the height of all you fathers since the days of Elendil…"
"Or fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin." She finishes, and he nods. She hesitates, then calls another elf over to her. "I have a request for you, for I know you will see her again soon." She says, handing a bundle of material and a leather pouch to Aragorn.
"(Give these to Azthryth. I know that her path may not cross with mine again, but she must have these. They are hers.)" Galadriel finishes off, and I narrow my eyes, but give up. "Namaarie (Farewell)"
"(There is much for you have yet to do… but we shall not meet again… Elessar)" She says to Aragorn.
"Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you, in dark places, when all other lights go out." As she finishes, the fellowship board their boats, Bormoir and Aragorn looking after two of the hobbits each, Legolas and Gimli taking the last boat where I will join.
As they push of the side, I leap from my tree, visible to all watching, and plunge into the river. I hear gasps as I drop, but once I am in the river, I open my eyes and use my powers to propel myself out. I land gracefully on the tip of the boat, the water from my clothes spiralling away from me, leaving me dry, looking upon Galadriel waving to the fellowship.
Our eyes lock, and I harden my glance slightly as the boats flow in the water, further and further away.
"I have taken my worst wound on this parting…" Gimli grumbles as I sit down in the boat behind him. "having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me."
"What was her gift?" Legolas asks, curios.
"I asked for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three." Gimli admits pensieve. I chuckle.
"Of all the gifts…" I mutter, sharing an amused look with Legolas. "Have you grown at least a little more tolerant of the Elvish race then?"
"Well… that's not the point!" Gimli remarks, before going silent of the matter, and I smirk knowingly.
We travel far on the river, passing magnificent sights of nature. Most of the journey enters through silence in awe of the landscapes, a relief for myself, not in want to talk of the events of Lothlorien. But, too soon as I expected, Legolas and I hear heavy footsteps, and the caws of crows. Roars easily identifiable as orcs pierce our hearing, and I look to Aragorn.
"We are closely followed." I say loudly enough for everyone to hear. I will increase the strength of the current. I cannot believe I did not think of it sooner. I tell Aragorn, and he nods to me as I swap places with Aragorn, and with one strong rush of my arms forward, the speed of our travel increases and calm yet strong waves push us towards our destination. I can feel the eyes of the fellowship on me, but I am not bothered by it.
Aragorn and Boromir have also stopped rowing, as the pace I now push ourselves at is now too fast for any rower. We stop ashore after their footsteps have left our hearing, as night falls. I take the items Galadriel gave Aragorn to give to me, and am bewildered as I pick up the fabric. It is the darkest blue-green, just like the colour of my eyes. As I pull it at different angle it disappears, blending into the background. I think I read about these… a water cloak. I then take the leather pouch, and open it carefully. I recognise it immediately, as the shape is engraved on the pendant of my circlet. The other Elfstone. It is shaped as a water droplet, with intricate silver and mithril detailing. The other half of the evenstar, dangling around Aragorn's neck. I attach it gently round my neck, and pull the cloak around me.
I sit on a rock, watching the still night with Boromir close by. I hear the familiar ripple I have been hearing since Moria, and Boromir's ears finally spike up.
"Gollum." Aragorn confirms for him. "He has tracked us since Moria. I had hoped we'd have lost him on the river, but he is too clever a waterman."
"Or too greedy of what was once his." I add, and Aragorn shares my look.
"And if he alerts our whereabouts to our enemy, it will make the crossing even more dangerous." Boromir says.
"Have some food Mr Frodo." Sam tells Frodo, trying to lighten the mood.
"No Sam."
"You haven't eaten anything all day. You're not sleeping neither, don't think I haven't noticed! Mr Frodo-" Sam rants on.
"I'm all right."
"But you're not. I'm here to help you. I promised Gandalf that I would." I can hear how sincere Sam is in his voice without the blink of an eye. There's a pause, but I don't bother looking.
"You can't help me Sam. Not this time. Get some sleep." Frodo says, and Sam walks off.
"So, not only are you royalty to men, but Elves as well… what a surprise." I hear Boromir's voice, and I stiffen. It feels like the whole camp has turned to look in query to me.
"And I'm guessing all the weird water magic was you?" Boromir adds, and I narrow my eyes at him.
"Yes." I reply bluntly. There's a silence.
"Aren't you going to tell us about it lass? Plus, I'm not completely useless, I got the feeling there was something going on between you and elf-prince!" Gimli exclaims, and I sigh.
"There isn't much to say. My mother gave birth to me, but I went with my father as soon as I was born. My mother knew she was going to die, but she didn't know how, so she sent me with him for safety. After Aragorn and I's father died we grew up in Rivendell. I then joined Aragorn with the rangers, and after I had matured a little more, I went searching for her. I found my Godmother's diary, and that gave me everything I needed about my mother." I explain briefly.
"And Legolas?" I am surprised by the voice who asked this, and I looked to him. "Even I do not know of how you met." Aragorn says, and I glare at him, but soon smirk.
"I am surprised, as I met him at the ranger's camp, just before I left to go travelling." I tell him and he raises his eyebrows. That long ago? He asks in my head.
"An unusual place. Aragorn." Boromir breaks the silence once again, and he singnals Aragorn to move away from the rest of the camp.
"Minas Tirith is the safer road." I hear Boromir's voice and look to Legolas, wary. "You know that. From there we can regroup. Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength."
"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us." Aragorn says with authority.
"You were quick enough to trust the elves. Have you so little faith in your own people?" Boromir challenges, and I listen further. "Yes there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honour to be found in men! But you will not see that!"
Aragorn turns away from Boromir, but Boromir pulls him back and I stand, ready to take action if needed.
"You are afraid!" Boromir tells him. "All your life, you have hidden in the shadows, scared of who you are, of what you are!"
"Enough." I say to Boromir, and he lets Aragorn out of his grip as I stare menacingly at him, my hand on my sword.
"I will not lead the ring within one hundred leagues of your city." Aragorn says, ending the conversation. I feel an arm around my shoulders, and let Legolas lead me away from the scene.
The next day we are back on the river. The mood is tense. Everyone heard Aragorn and Boromir's argument last night. We move through the rocky landscapes. Towering above us, and I can hear the falls nearing. I take in a breath as the Argonath comes into view, the beauty to behold of. I can hear Aragorn murmuring to Frodo.
"Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."
The statues of stone tower magnificent above us, and our eyes are wide with awe. We row through, the current pulling us enough, and the steam from the falls of Rauros smoke in the air. We slide the boats onto the riverbank, and the air is slightly somber.
"We cross the lake at nightfall." Aragorn states. "Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North."
"Oh, yes? Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil… an impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks, and after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see." Gimli describes the path, fully intent on making sure the hobbits can hear.
"That is our road." Aragorn says. "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf." I almost scoff at the gesture, and Legolas smirks next to me.
"Recover my-"
"We should leave now." Legolas whispers to Aragorn.
"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore, we must wait for nightfall." Aragorn says.
"(Orcs will patrol that shore through the night.)" I say in Sindarin, not wanting to worry the hobbits. "(We are being tracked Aragorn. They are nearing every second)"
"And it is not the eastern shore that worries me." Legolas adds. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind, and Azthryth's. Something draws near, I can feel it."
"Recover strength? Pay no heed to that, young hobbit." I hear Gimli say in the background.
"Where's Frodo?" I hear Merry's voice and look around in panic. I see Boromir's shield lying unhanded on the ground, and Aragorn and Legolas have the same thoughts.
"I hear light footsteps that way. Quite far, two pairs." Legolas says and I nod in agreement.
"Aragorn, go." I zoom in my sight as far as it goes. "Near the fallen head of a statue. Do not waste any time." As Aragorn runs off, I jump into the trees and tell Legolas to stay at the camp. I start leaping fast through the trees. There is no meaning to this that could be good.
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