Chapter 11

We ran out into the sunlight and I fell to my knees. Balin was gone and now Gandalf was gone as well. Tears of rage fell from my eyes and I banged my fists on the ground. Gimli was arguing with Boromir and trying to go back. Legolas stood there sadly.

"Legolas….get them up." Aragorn ordered.

I looked up at him. He stared at the ground and I saw Legolas go to Merry and Pippin.

"Give them a moment for pities sake!" shouted Boromir.

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs!"

He was right.

"We must reach the woods of Lothlorien."

"What?"

I looked up. Lorien was the dwelling of elves, and elf witch also dwelled there. I did not want to go within a hundred or more leagues of those woods. Nor would I have my brother and Gimli go near them.

"Come Boromir, Legolas, Gimli! Get them up!"

I looked to my brother. He had a sort of haunted look in his eyes. I walked forward and put my hand on his shoulder.

"We must go." I said gently.

He nodded and stood. Aragorn shouted to Frodo, for he had begun to walk away. Tears were in his eyes and he came back. I looked at him and tried to comfort him, but in vain. We walked on in silence, Gandalf's death heavy on our hearts.

We reached the woods of Lothlorien and I cautiously entered them. I did not trust the elves, yes I considered the elf prince my friend, but that did not mean I wanted to be anywhere near the other elves.

"Be cautious hobbits! They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods! An elf witch. Of terrible power."

At that moment I heard a voice in my head. A woman's voice.

The daughter of Thorin Oakenshield.

I looked around and drew my sword.

"Silanna?"

"Did you hear her?" I asked my brother.

"Who sister?"

I have long waited to meet you and your brother. The heirs of Durin, the children of a dwarf and a woman of the Dúnedain.

"All who look upon her fall under her spell. And are never seen again!"

I looked at Gimli. He smirked.

"Well here is one dwarf she will not ensnare so easily! I have the eyes of a hawk and ears of a fox! Oh!"

Arrows were pointed at us. I drew my sword and kept my brother close to me.

"A dwarf breaths so loud we could have shot him in the dark."

The elf the voice belonged to stepped forward. I did not like him. He seemed to think he was above all others. He led us deeper into the woods and then to the top of a tree. There we stood upon a mallorn leaf. The elf was called Haldir. The March warden of Lorien. He looked first to Legolas.

"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion."

"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien."

He walked to Aragorn next.

"A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen."

"Haldir."

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the elves. Speak words we can all understand!" Gimli snarled in frustration.

He looked at Gimli. I stepped closer to him.

"We have not had dealings with dwarves since the dark days."

My eyes narrowed.

"And what of a half-dwarf!?"

He looked at me surprised.

"Another one of the Dúnedain." he said.

I smirked.

"There is more then your eyes see March warden."

"And do you know what this dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!"

I held back my laughter. Aragorn turned and grasped Gimli's shoulder.

"That was not so courteous."

Haldir looked at me and then brother. I stepped in front of Eruantien.

"Your love of the dwarves is strange."

I did not speak.

"Who are you?"

"Princess Silanna of Erebor. Daughter of Thorin King Under the Mountain." I said proudly.

His eyes widened and he looked to Aragorn. He nodded, confirming my title.

"And what of the dwarf behind her?"

Eruantien pushed passed me and stared up at Haldir.

"Prince Eruantien of Erebor. Son of Thorin King Under the Mountain."

"It would appear we are in the presence of royalty." Haldir said.

Some of the elves behind him chuckled. I glared at him and stepped forward, but Legolas reached over and grabbed my wrist. I looked at him. He gave me a warning look and slowly shook his head. I looked at Haldir and stepped back. He now looked upon Frodo.

"You bring great evil with you."

He looked back to Aragorn.

"You can go no further, but the Lady of Light wishes to speak with the heirs of Durin."

Eruantien and I were taken by the elves, despite my struggle to get away.

"Take your hands of my brother!" I snapped.

The elves did not seem to understand what I said.

"~Let us go!~" I snapped.

They seemed surprised that I spoke in the elven tongue, but they did not let us go. I finally gave up and followed them willingly. I could not wait to tell my father of this.

*Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.

*Our Fellowship is in your debt, Haldir of Lothlorien.

*Ah Aragorn of the Dunedain. YOu are known to us.

*I spit upon your grave!