Disclaimer: not mine . . .(Only the plot and OC's)
Recap: The fellowship have been found by a very cranky Haldir. The girls left for Lothlorien, and the fellowship are not far behind them.
Chapter 14: Home Coming
Elmarta arrived in Lothlorien and felt at home for the first time in a long time. She went directly to her parents flet. "I will go with Theodwyn and Lothiriel," Khanwen said and left with the other girls to her flet.
"Elmarta, sell nin," (A/N: my daughter)Celeborn said as he stood up to embrace his daughter. "It does my heart well to see you."
"Ada!" Elmarta cried and hugged him tightly. "Nana" she said and turned to hug Galadriel.
"Elmarta, my child, I have been most anxious for the fellowship to arrive knowing they were bringing you as well," Galadriel said as she stroked Elmarta's hair. "They will be here shortly. I have commanded Haldir to bring them here, so I fear we do not have time to speak now." Elmarta nodded.
"We will have plenty of time to speak later," Celeborn said gently. "Go now and reacquaint yourself with your home as you get ready."
Elmarta left to her chambers. Someone had brought some water for her to wash with and laid out a fresh gown. Nice after journeying through mines, Elmarta thought.
She washed her hands and face and changed. Then she heard a knock on the door.
"Lady Elmarta, the fellowship has arrived in Lothlorien and are being taken to your parents now," Rumil called through the door.
"Thank you, Rumil," Elmarta called. She went to the Lord and Lady's flet.
"Dear, you look lovely," Celeborn said.
"Ada, we always look lovely," Elmarta teased.
"Even so, a father can be proud of his daughter, can he not?" Celeborn said with a grin. He turned to his wife and offered his arm, and the two of them walked down the steps to greet the fellowship.
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Frodo watched as the Lord and Lady descended the steps. Behind them he could see Elmarta walking. All three were enshrined in glowing light, like when Glorfindel found him after being attacked by the wringraiths. It was a shock, for it was the first time they had seen Elmarta as such.
Haldir, who had stepped aside when they arrived, stepped forward and offered his hand to Elmarta. She took it and stepped to the side while her parents talked to the fellowship. Khanwen, Theodwyn, and Lothiriel joined her.
Elmarta watched as her father greeted each member of the fellowship in his own tongue.
"Eight there are here, yet there should be nine before me. Where is Gandalf, for we have much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar," Celeborn said.
"Gandalf did not pass the borders of this land, for I would be able to sense his movements and mind," Galadriel said.
"Gandalf fell into shadow, a balrog of Morgoth, the most evil of all elf-banes," Legolas explained.
"This is a tragic loss. Some might consider Gandalf's deed to have been foolish," Celeborn said.
"Foolish would be a grave accusation for needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf," Galadriel said.
"What now shall become of this fellowship?" Celeborn asked.
"We shall not counsel by saying 'do this' or 'do that,' but in knowing what was and is, I can say that the fellowship stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all. . . . . Yet hope remains while all the company remains true," Galadriel spoke softly, and looked into each of their eyes.
Elmarta watched as her mother silently questioned each of them; she was happy to see that Aragorn and Legolas could endure her glance the longest, which was what was suppose to happen, but she could tell something was upsetting Legolas.
"That isn't suppose to happen," Khanwen whispered.
"What do you suppose she is telling him?" Theodwyn asked.
"Nothing good, at least, not what she told him in the book," Lothiriel said. "I hope this doesn't change anything."
"Go now and rest for you are worn with sorrow. You shall have refuge in our city until you are healed and refreshed," Celeborn said. "And, of course, you are welcome to stay for as long as necessary, Lady Lothiriel of Dol Amroth and Lady Theodwyn of the Mark." (A/N: Sorry if I got Lothiriel's city wrong! It was the only thing that popped in my head).
The fellowship bowed and were escorted to a pavilion that was prepared for them on the ground (much to the content of the hobbits). Boromir felt like someone had just dropped an anvil on his head. Theodwyn is the daughter of the mark, which could only mean one thing to him.
"Go speak to Haldir, Khanwen! Else he will return to the northern border angry and confused," Elmarta said.
Khanwen shook her head. "I must think of what to tell him before I speak with him. Telling him that I can not tell him what happened will only anger him further."
Theodwyn was watching after the fellowship. "I think Theodwyn would like to go and comfort a worried warrior," Lothiriel teased which made Theodwyn blush.
"Go on. We can talk later tonight," Elmarta said. Theodwyn went to find Boromir and Lothiriel went to the rest of the fellowship.
"I know you want to speak with your parents, so I shall go and see if I can find out what it was that Galadriel spoke to Legolas about," Khanwen said.
"Thanks, Khanwen, and then we shall both talk to Haldir," Elmarta offered. Khanwen nodded before going to find Legolas.
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"Ada, Nana," Elmarta said as she walked into her parents chambers.
"Elmarta, now, why did you not tell us before of Gandalf?" Her father asked.
"I'm sorry, ada," Elmarta said.
"I am sure that you were not meant to tell us is all," Galadriel said. "In fact, I am sure you are trying to determine what you can tell and what you shall keep hidden amongst yourselves."
Elmarta nodded. "I confess, it is more difficult to hide the truth from some than others. And it is a wild story to tell."
Galadriel nodded. "The story of your journey should be one that you share amongst those you trust. The knowledge you gained from it should only be shared amongst the four of you."
"Khanwen will be happy to know she can now give Haldir answers then," Elmarta said with a grin. "He seemed less than happy upon our arrival. Glorfindel told us he has become more reserved and difficult since our departure."
Celeborn laughed. "Indeed, and the guards have had to bear the brunt of it because he has taken his duties very seriously and has spent more time along the border than here in the city."
"Once the shock has worn over, he shall be more welcoming, my child," Galadriel said.
Elmarta spent the rest of the night catching up with her parents and finding out what has happened in the past seven years since she left.
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Khanwen, Theodwyn, and Lothiriel walked to the Pavilion looking for the fellowship.
"She held her gaze longest with you, Frodo," they heard Boromir say.
"Yes, but what she told me I shall keep to myself," Frodo declared.
"Well, I for one do not trust this Elf-queen," Boromir declared.
"Do not speak evil of the Lady Galadriel," Aragorn reprimanded. "There is no evil in this land save the evil that visitors bring."
"Not to mention you are speaking of Elmarta's mother," Theodwyn pointed out, alerting the fellowship to their presence.
Boromir, still disturbed over what Galadriel showed him, left the pavilion. Theodwyn went after him.
"What is it the elves are signing?" Gimli asked.
"A lament for Gandalf," Legolas said.
"They shall be singing laments to Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim, for days to come," Khanwen explained.
"What do they say?" Pippin asked.
"I do not have the heart to tell you, for me the grief is still to near," Legolas said softly and walked off to see more of the city.
Lothiriel gathered the hobbits around her (and sat close enough Gimli could hear) and told them what the songs they were singing said.
Khanwen walked after Legolas. "What troubles you?"
"It is just that now that we are resting and safe, the events of Kazad-dum are starting to sink in," Legolas explained. "Now the grief is starting to settle again."
"I can see the grief amongst all of you," Khanwen said.
"Surely you feel grieved over Gandalfs passing as well?" Legolas said.
"It is difficult to see someone fall into shadow like that," Khanwen said. "No matter what you know to be true, it is a difficult sight to see."
Legolas nodded accepting what she said.
"What did the Lady show you?" Khanwen asked.
Legolas just shook his head. "I shall not share that with anyone except for Elmarta. I am hoping now that she has seen her parents and had a chance to speak with them, she will share more with me about what happened to the four of you."
"I am hoping Haldir will let me explain," Khanwen said sadly.
"I am waiting for you to explain," Haldir said as he stepped out from behind a tree. "The last time I saw you, you and Elmarta along with two mortal girls I have never seen before were leaving on a quest without so much as telling me goodbye."
"I am sorry Haldir. I did not mean to hurt you. Secrecy was the most important part of the trip."
"Where did you go?"
"I . . . I am not sure I can tell you yet," Khanwen said.
Haldir just glowered at her.
"I have been dealing with this for months now, Haldir, and they will not part with any information. I've tried," Legolas said.
"Ada!" They heard Theodwyn call (A/N: Khanwen's earth name, not father :)). "Alena is calling for us."
Khanwen ran off with her. "Who is Ada and Alena?" Haldir asked Legolas.
Legolas just shrugged. "One of the many things they have yet to explain."
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"I wanted to discuss this so that we can finally release these burdens," Elmarta said.
"So you have talked to your mother then?" Lothiriel asked.
Elmarta nodded. "She believes that we can tell people we trust about our adventure, but as to the specifics of what we know we should not share."
"So, we can tell them we went to earth but not the ending of Tolkien's books," Khanwen clarified.
Elmarta nodded.
"Yay!" Theodwyn exclaimed. "I am sure then Haldir will be happy as well."
"You saw Haldir already?" Elmarta asked Khanwen who nodded.
"He wasn't pleased with half answers," Khanwen said.
Elmarta rolled her eyes. "That isn't surprising."
"The fellowship leaves in a month and I am assuming you are going with them, so let us enjoy this last month together while we can," Khanwen said.
Lothiriel looked thoughtful. "Are we staying here then until your parents go to Aragorn and Arwen's wedding?"
"That decision is up to you. I think you should not go to Rohan yet, Theodwyn, since Helm's Deep has not happen yet."
Theodwyn nodded. "I know that."
"Good, for in truth, I am not ready to meet Eomer yet," Lothiriel said.
Khanwen and Elmarta looked at Theodwyn. "Um, Lothiriel, you are not betrothed to Eomer. You are betrothed to my brother Theodred."
Lothiriel's jaw dropped open. "But I marry Eomer! How can this be?"
"Technically, my brother is the prince, the heir to my father. At least . . .at least until he dies," Theodwyn said sadly.
Lothiriel put her hand gently on Theodwyn's shoulder and said, "Do not give up on hope yet. All could turn out well."
"I do not see how," Theodwyn said sadly.
"Go and explore the city. You said yourself you did not get to see it before we left. Enjoy yourselves," Khanwen said gently.
The four girls got up and went their separate ways.
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my last update for awhile. i'm leaving for vacation tomorrow night and I wont be able to update for a week or so. Enjoy! And leave me feedback to look forward to!