Hey everyone! Finally got past that last chapter, I'm so happy. What do you think, too long or do you like it that length. Give me some feedback on what you think. Anyway, here is chapter 11. Hope you enjoy this. I have looked forward to this chapter – or maybe getting back to Lothlorien in general. Anyway enjoy! Oh the elvish and dwarfish translations are on the bottom of the page. P.S. the next chapter might be a little late because i have gotton a little behind in my typing. Two or three weeks ago, i was so obsessed with Lord of the Rings Online game. After that i'm like ok girl, you need to start typing again. So I typed out this chapter and then i got a lttle busy and couldn't get a good start on chapter 12, which will be long. No that i have time, I don't because the end of the quarter ends next friday and i am doing a big art project that would take me normally two weeks but i have to do it in one. Not only that, but Color Wars will start this next coming monday, and i don't have all the things i need yet. So ya see my predicament. Oh, then homecoming is next Saturday.
Disclaimer – I own nothing. Except my characters. That's it.
Chapter 11
As the light from the Balrog disappears down the dark mine, I can vaguely hear Frodo's screams and cries as Gandalf falls. I look on the other side of the bridge and see a group of Orcs forming as they begin to shoot at us. Arrows begin to fly after the fellowship as they flee the mines. My instinct tells me to run, but I seem frozen on the spot. Every sound seems to fall fade in my ears as time go by. I feel Aragorn pull my arm and I don't move at first. I am still unable to comprehend what took place right before my eyes. The sound of Boromir calling our names brings me back to my senses. I turn and start running after the group. I want to get out of the dreadful place, and never go or look back. I run out the door and for a second the sun blinds me and slows me down. I then walk outside and separate myself a bit from everyone. Tears begin to gather in my eyes and I don't wipe them away. One sides down my cheek as I close my eyes. It seems like days ago instead of mere minutes when we all fought in Balin's tomb. I finger my necklace around my neck in hope of some sort of comfort. My fingers brush against the cool white stone in the center of two silver leaves twisting and wrapping around each other; as if giving each other comfort. I wipe the tears away from my eyes and walk back to the fellowship.
"Legolas," Aragorn says suddenly, "Get them up." I look over to my left and see that Legolas had also been seeking. His eyes show puzzlement as he turns to the group. He begins to walk to Merry and Pippin and Boromir starts to protest.
"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Aragorn sheaths his sword and shouts back at Boromir.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs." He then turns and looks at me with a new-found strength and look in his eyes. He stares at me for a second before he says the very thing I have dreaded him saying. "We must reach the woods of Lothlorien." I bow my head and a sick feeling forms inside my stomach. 'The ring is going to my country after all' I think to myself sadly. Aragorn then orders us all to start moving and he pulls Sam to his feet. He then calls for Frodo, who stands alone on top of a small and Frodo turns around and faces Aragorn. A single tear falls down his face as stands silently, taking in everything that happened moments before.
Aragorn and I walk in front of the group, leading them to my homeland and our refuge for the moment. Aragorn asked me to help him with the directions as we all began to continue our journey, without Gandalf. I have shown him the shortcuts and passageways to get there faster. I quicker the ring got to Lothlorien, the faster it would get out, at least that is what I think. We walk for an hour before I come to a familiar landmark. I jog ahead and look down into the small river before me. Its icy water gurgles and flows across the land, snaking across the land like a small snake. I smile to myself, 'We are getting closer' I think to myself. I look up and sure enough, Lothlorien is visible to us. The beautiful green forest is framed against the sky, giving it a majestic look to it. Aragorn comes up behind me and looks beyond the mountains to see Lothlorien as well. He turns to me and smiles. He ushers the rest of the group to hurry up as he continue.
For a few more hours we track down the mountain. Everyone has minor problems maneuvering around the rocks and ledges. The sun is still high in the sky when we finally reach the bottom. I lead them a couple more miles until the woods are only a few hundred feet before us. We all then run across a field of grass and into the woods. I instantly feel at peace; the soft rustling of the leaves and the quietness of the forest always calms me when I am on edge. I breathe in the smell of the woods, and sigh as we stop for a second under a tall, lofty tree. The leaves fall silently to the ground, making it a carpet of green and gold leaves. Aragorn raises his arm in front of him, ushering me to walk in front. I smile as I lead them deeper into my home. Only the sound of foots steps is heard as the fellow walks behind me. I turn back and look at everyone; they all are looking up into the canopy of the trees. I grin as I see Legolas looking around with his mouth slightly open, obviously in awe. As we walk along, I see movement out of the corner of my eyes. I turn my head in that direction, but see nothing but the lush trees towering above. A couple of minutes later, the same thing occurs again. I smile to myself as I realize what is happening. I look back at the fellowship, but no alarm is on their faces, except for Frodo and Gimli, who had told the hobbits about the "elf witch".
Suddenly the fellowship is surrounded by the archers of Lorien; notched arrows ready to fire appear in front of their faces, stopping them dead in their tracks. Legolas even takes out his bow and fits an arrow to it in a second, as If threating the large number of elves before him. More elves appear and surround the fellowship, making the fellowship get out numbered quickly. Everyone has an arrow in front of their face, except for me. All the elves recognized me immediately and know that I am not a stranger and don't pose a threat. The fellowship looks alarmed and confused about why the elves don't surround me like they do to everyone else. I turn around and I see a familiar golden-haired elf make his way to the front of his group. I smile once more as he addresses Gimli with his serious and yet sarcastic tone.
"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark."
I follow Haldir into the outskirts of Lorien, where the platforms for the guards are. The trees are so close together, they block out much of the sunlight. So it always seems like it is night-time here and in the city of Lorien. We pass more guards and wardens as we walk to the main platform. Many of the elves stop what they are doing and watch this unusual group make their way through their forest. All of them recognize me, but throw questioning looking to the others, especially Gimli. We come to a great tree, where some guards are stationed. We walk up the flight of stairs and meet Haldir, who is now greeting everyone.
(1) "Mae govannen, Legolas Thraduilion," Haldir say courteously to the prince bowing his head slightly and placing his hand across his heart. Legolas returns the kindness.
(2) "Govannas via gwennen le, Haldir o Lorien." Haldir then turns to Aragorn and addresses him as well.
(3) "A, Aragorn in Dunedain istannen le amen." Aragorn nods his head and acknowledges Haldir. Gimli was begging to grow agitated that the only language being spoken now is elvish. He also had to be mad that Haldir is not addressing or even noticing him now. I know that Gimli did not like the earlier comment that Haldir said, so it only added fuel to the fire. Finally Gimli just cracks.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!" Haldir turns and looks down at him, suddenly turning cold.
"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days," he says looking at Gimli coldly, as if blaming him for the rift between the Dwarves and Elves. Gimli – still mad – replies instantly.
(4) "And you know what this Dwarf says to that! Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" Haldir gnashes his teeth and exhales through his nose, clearly mad at his comment. Aragorn grabs Gimli and scolds him for saying that. I don't know Dwarfish, but it had to be an insult according to Haldir and Aragorn's reactions. Haldir then sees Frodo in the back of the group. He takes a step forward and watches him for a moment. Haldir then speaks the words that I feared coming from his mouth.
"You bring great evil with you. You can go no further." He begins to walk away to the edge but I hurry and cut him off. I quickly begin to speak elvish so that the others could not hear and understand.
"We have come far from Rivendell, with a task from Lord Elrond. We can't complete it without stopping here. The least you can do is offer us some protection." I start to plea to him. I had hoped it would not come to this, for Haldir can be very stubborn sometimes. It's also hard to convince him also. I know from past experiences.
"From what," he whispers in elvish back, "The woods of Lothlorien cannot hide the power of the ring. You know this Kahlen."
"The road is dangerous and we need your support now! Without Gandalf, the fellowship is in confusion," I whisper back. The fellowship had now started sitting down, as if expecting this to be a long argument. Frodo looks at me and I try to give him an encouraging look, which is hard to do when you're arguing with Haldir. His eyes have an almost embarrassed look to them as he sets his eyes on me. Frodo turns his graze away and Haldir begins to walk away. I walk in front of him and stop him. There is no way I am going to let him turn us away, especially me.
"Please Haldir," I say softly, staring into his blue eyes. He looks at me for a minute and is silent. I can see the battle he is having in his eyes; he debates long and hard on what to do. He turnings away, looking anything but happy, and walks toward the fellowship.
"You will follow me."
– (1) Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.
– (2) Our fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lorien.
– (3)Oh, Aragorn of the Dunedain, you are known to us.
– (4)I spit on your grave
