SoG Ch 14

The Heart of Elvendom

Avadiel walked Sirdail into the woods. Getting over the mountain hadn't been as difficult as she imagined. The trick had been making it to the Woods unseen by the enemy. With the loss of her bow, she was fairly vulnerable. She could use a sword, and skillfully at that, but the advantages that came with the bow far outweighed her skill with the blade. She hoped one of her friends in the Golden Wood would be able to help her get a new bow.

Once fully under the cover of the trees, she got off the horse's back and allowed Sirdail to follow her freely. Avadiel's eyes shifted to the trees. She knew the guardians of Lothlorien were there- she could feel them watching her. But they recognized her as kin and knew she was no threat, so they would let her pass.

As she walked, she remembered the first time she visited the Golden Wood. She had been an elfling when her family had traveled with the family of Elrond. She remembered that she had been in awe of the massive mallorn trees. Even now, hundreds of years later, they were still as impressive to her as that first time.

'Avadiel'

The image and voice of Galadriel in her head startled her so much, she gasped and stopped walking.

'Long has it been since you walked this forest floor.'

"My Lady Galadriel," Avadiel whispered and lowered her head.

'I know why you have come.'

Avadiel did not respond. What could she say to the Lady of Light? Would Galadriel make her return to Imladris?

'Come to me Avadiel. Do not let yourself be seen by those who are guests in Lothlorien.'

Clearly Galadriel meant that she didn't want members of the Fellowship to see her. She cocked her head as she continued walking and pondered what it meant. Would the Lady allow her to continue her journey?

She made her way with Sirdail following freely, to Caras Galadhon, where she was pleased to see an old friend waiting for her at the gates.

"Orophin!" she waved to the ellon.

Orophin walked up to her, a smile gracing his features, and he grasped her arms.

"Avadiel, it's been too long my friend."

"That it has," she replied with a laugh. He released her, walked over to Sirdail and took the horse's reins.

"How have you been?" he asked as she walked beside him through the gates of the city.

Avadiel shrugged and Orophin lifted a brow.

"Staying out of trouble, at least?" he asked, amused.

Although it had been many centuries since Avadiel's previous visit to Lothlorien, Orophin clearly hadn't forgotten the trouble that followed Avadiel even then. And his name was Elladan. Avadiel smiled slightly and shook her head.

"A-ha!" Orophin cried with a chuckle, "I'll be sure to send word to Haldir to stay at the fences while you're here."

Avadiel giggled. "Orophin," she said, "that little incident was not my fault, as you well know. If it hadn't been for you, Rumil and Elladan, I never would have been blamed for Haldir's misfortune."

Orophin began to laugh harder, and Avadiel began to become irritated by his amusement. She didn't like being a part of the joke. She huffed and walked faster to stay ahead of his pace.

"Avadiel, wait!"

She stopped and crossed her arms at her chest and looked at him. The amusement still shone in his dark gray eyes.

"Have you ever told him the truth, Orophin?" she asked.

Orophin's expression instantly changed to one of guilt.

"Orophin! How could you not tell him?"

"I tried, Avadiel," he argued, "but you don't know my brother. He wouldn't listen."

Orophin grinned, "Besides, it was so worth it to see that egg on his face."

Avadiel couldn't resist the smile that fell on her lips as the image came unbidden to her mind. Orophin began to chuckle again, and in a few seconds, she was laughing beside him. Soon they were both laughing so hard, they were both crying, and Avadiel was bent over with her laughter.

"I'm glad it is so amusing," a voice interrupted their joviality. Orophin instantly stopped laughing as he recognized the voice. Avadiel straightened and turned with a grin still on her face, which vanished instantly when her eyes met those of the Orophin's eldest brother.

"I thought you had returned to the borders," Orophin inquired.

"The Lady had a different request of me," he stated, his eyes never leaving Avadiel's. "I'm to escort our visitor to the High Talan."

When had Haldir become so beautiful? Avadiel wondered. She blinked as she realized what thoughts had been running through her mind. She couldn't think of anything to say, and so she stood there staring dumbly.

After a moment, Orophin cleared his throat. Avadiel snapped out of her trace-like state and looked at her friend.

"I'll take care of your mare," he told her.

Her eyes flickered to Haldir, then back to Orophin. She said nothing, but she nodded and Orophin turned and headed in a different direction with Sirdail.

"My lady," Haldir said.

She turned back to him and saw that he had already turned and began walking away. She sighed and followed silently.

He led her down the paths under the trees and then up the stairs without a word. When they reached the top, he halted and gestured for her to continue. However, she had no intention of meeting with the Lady of Light until she had cleared up the misunderstanding between herself and the Marchwarden that had happened so long ago.

"I know you hate me," she started. He sneered at her and turned to began his descent down the stairs.

"It wasn't me!" she said to his back. He stopped and turned to stare at her.

"It wasn't my fault," she implored in a tone so soft it was almost a whisper.

His expression changed to one of disbelief, though he didn't come right out and call her a liar. He seemed to think about the incident, then he sneered at her again and turned and disappeared down the stairs.

Avadiel sighed again. Haldir might be beautiful, she thought, but it's too bad he's so much like Erestor. Avadiel wrinkled her nose at the thought.

"Avadiel," a voice called.

Avadiel turned and saw Galadriel waiting for her.

"My Lady," Avadiel said as she curtsied to the Lady of Light.

Galadriel walked over to her and embraced her. "Welcome back to Lorien."

"Thank you, My Lady."

Galadriel gestured with her hand, and they began walking.

"Tell me of your journey, Avadiel."

Galadriel led her to a room that reminded Avadiel of Elrond's library. She sat down after the Lady of Light and looked at her.

"What would you like to know?"

The ancient eyes held her gaze for several minutes and finally, Avadiel looked away. She felt quite naked in front of the Lady of Lothlorien. Galadriel spoke again.

"He knows you are following."

Avadiel looked back up. "Estel?"

Galadriel gave her a secretive smile, "I will not make you return to Imladris, nor will I keep you in Lothlorien. Your future is in your own hands."

Avadiel looked at the Lady of the Golden Wood in disbelief.

"But I caution you Avadiel," the older elleth warned. "This path is more dangerous than you know."

TBC