Aragorn who sat off to the side with Aisling, both had been sharpening their swords, got to his feet and motioned for his daughter to follow him. They walked side by side, just happy to be together and be at peace for the first time in quite a while. They came across Boromir who sat upon one of the many tree roots of a tree nearby. "Take some rest" advised Aisling to her friend. He seemed on edge and nervous. "These borders are well protected" added Aragorn. Boromir glanced up at them for a moment before saying, "I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head." At those words the two rangers pivoted around to look at him. "she spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said, 'even now there is hope left' but I can't see it" Boromir was breathing heavily and it broke Aisling's heart to see him this way, giving up hope. She set herself down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's long since we've had any hope" the gondorion continued. Aragorn copied his daughters actions at sitting down next to Boromir.
"My father is a noble man" said Boromir, "but his reign is failing and now our people lose faith." Aisling shared a look with her father, both not sure what to say or how to say it. "He looks to me to make things right and I would do it, I would see the glory of Gondor restored!" Boromir continued, glancing at them every now and then.
"Have you ever seen it Aragorn? I know Aisling has, as she has visited me there several times," Boromir asked him, smiling sadly over at Aisling. Aragorn gave her a sturn look and she took this as her que to go. She got up and left returning to the clearing where the others were.
Kathryn was sitting with the hobbits, "did you ever think Áine could be a princess?" she asked them. They all shuck their heads, "she never seemed like the type." Then Kathryn remembered the ball in Rivendell, then she definately was like a princess. Her head fell onto Sam's shoulder, half asleep. It had been a very long day.
At that moment, the elleth in question appeared. Kathryn jumped to her feet, now wide awake, ran to her. Áine hugged her, "long time no see." Kathryn laughed and pushed her hard as she could, which was not that hard. She then smiled, poking Áine in the ribs, "try not to die again!" she scolded her. Áine smiled down at her in amuzement, "no promises" she replied holding her hands up in surrender. Kathryn then wandered back to annoy Merry and Pippin while Áine went to speak to Frodo. He sat alone, looking down at the ground no noticng her approach. She kneeled infront of him, her dress pooling around her. He slowly looked up and a look of grief covered his face. She leaned in a pressed a kiss to his head, he quickly wrapped his arms around her. She felt a wetness on her neck, he was crying. She placed her hand on his head and let him cry.
'Daughter, come to the mirror' came the voice of her mother in her head. She let go of Frodo, "I'll be back soon" she told him. She noticed Kathryn and Aisling also getting up. She only then noticed Aisling had re-entered the clearing. She walked over to the two of them. "Your mother has called us" explained Aisling, Áine nodded.
They all walked in silence until Aisling asked, "so you're a princess?" Áine knew this was coming and it was quite a long story that she didn't want to get into, "kind of." This answer confused them, "what do you mean, 'kind of'?" Áine sighed and then replied, "I'm the adopted daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel but my true parents were also a King and Queen but my people have all left Middle Earth for the Grey Havens, I have not seen them since I was very young." By the sadness in her voice, they knew not to ask any more questions on the subject. Kathryn then struck up another conversation hoping to ease the tension that now surrounded them. "Did you hear the lament for Gandalf? Legolas wouldn't tell us what it meant," said Kathryn. Áine gave a small laugh, "hear it? I was the one singing!" Kathryn's face lit up, "really?" Áine gave her an amused look, "but you already knew I could sing" she stated. Kathryn nodded in agreement, "yes. But this was different."
By then the three had reached the pool. No one was around, not even Galadriel. Aisling started to explore, while Kathryn wandered up to the pool. Áine followed her and soon did Aisling. The all took position around the mirror of water and almost in sync the three looked in. The reflections that met them were strange. Kathryn, was no longer a hobbit but a young human girl. Her hair was shorter and slightly darker. She was taller and looked younger maybe around 16.
Áine was no longer an elf and looked about the same age as Kathryn's reflection. Her hair was shorter and had no purple streaks. Her features weren't as elvish but they could still see them there slightly.
Aisling's was still human, her hair was just above her shoulders in a brown bob instead of blond. She also looked to be about 16.
Then the image changed and everything came back to them. They remembered Earth: school, friends, talents, skills, memories and most importantly their families. Aisling remembered her many cousins and aunts and uncles, her parents and her two older sisters and her older brother.
Kathryn remembered her Mom and her Dad, her step-mum and her older sister. She remembered her Grandparents, her cousins, her aunts and her uncles.
Áine remembered her older brother, which she had been very close. Her parents and her grandparents. She learned of her many Aunts and uncles from both sides of her family that she always found there be to many to remember and her cousins that were situated all over the world.
They remembered their lives.
They all fell back from the mirror, amazed at what they saw. Finding it hard to believe that it had all been real. Áine looked over at Kathryn, she was still a hobbit and she, herself, was still an elf, which caused her to sigh in relief. Suddenly a voice came from the darkness, "it was time for you to learn of your old and once selves." They looked up to see Galadriel smiling at them. Without another word Galadriel turned and left leaving them to their thoughts.
Suddenly a thought came to Aisling, "Guys do you remember the Lord of the Rings?" Áine nodded in response but Kathryn shuck her head, "nope, been a while since I last saw the movie or read the book." Áine shrugged, "anyway, go on." Aisling starts practically bouncing on the balls of her feet, "GANDALF!" The other two present looked at each other, wide grins on their faces. "YES!" They had been all dancing around the clearing for a few minutes when Áine said, "I can't believe we are in Lord of the Rings, its so awesome!" They all agreed on that. "I wonder if I could save Boromir?" muttered Aisling to herself but Kathryn and Áine both heard her. "You can try" said Kathryn. "Oh I bet I can get Legolas to do the 'their taking the hobbits to Isenguard' song" Áine laughed. This caused the three of them to burst out laughing, "that would be brilliant, if only we had a camera! Kat, you could get Sam to sing: 'Potatoes! boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew'" said Aisling. The other two joining in with her singing, ending with them all laughing uncontrolably. "I think we should head back now" advised Kathryn. They all nodded, "Frodo has to look into the mirror anyway" added Aisling before they set off.
They returned, still singing songs that they remembered from their past lives ( getting rather strange looks, might I add) to the clearing to see all trying to get to sleep, emvises on the word 'trying'. No one seemed to be able, not even Legolas, not that he really needed to sleep. Áine looked to Kathryn, "will you help me?" Kathryn raised her eyebrows, "with what?" Áine motioned around them, "If I die young" Kathryn caught on.
They both sat down together, while Aisling went to lay down next Aragorn, but Áine and Kathryn both pulled her down. An elf approached with a silvery-white elvish guitar. She handed to Aisling who looked at it in amazement. Her two friends smiled at her in amusement before nudging her out of her daze, so they could start the song. Kathryn nodded to Áine and the elleth counted them in.
"If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses,
sink me in the river at dawn
send me away with the words of a love song
Uh oh, uh oh
Lord, make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you, when she stands under me colours
Oh, and, live ain't always what you think ought to be, no
Ain't even gray, but she buries her baby.
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses,
sink me in the river at dawn
send me away with the words of a love song
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
And I'll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom,
I'm as green as the ring on my little cold finger
I've never known the lovin' of a man
but it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
Theres boy here in town, says he'll love me forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
So, put on your best, boys, and I'll wear pearls
What I never did is done
A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell 'em for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singing
Funny when your dead, how people start a listening.
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses,
sink me in the river at dawn
send me away with the words of a love song
The Ballad of a Dove (uh eww)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save 'em for a time that you're really gonna nead 'em
Oh, The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
So put on your best, boys
And I'll wear my pearls"
Áine and Kathryn finished singing to see the whole fellowship sitting around them, smiling. Áine grinned around at them all before saying, "now go to sleep" and they did.
That night all slept well, no one noticing the dissappearance of Frodo in the night, to the mirror. Áine spent the night in her chambers in the main palace with her parents. She heard a slight bit of movement from outside and by going to investigate found her mother returning, no doubt from the mirror with Frodo. Galadriel came towards her daughter and brought her into a tight embrace. "Sleep well, daughter" she whispered before placing a soft kiss on her forehead and returning to her own chambers. The next morning Áine called Kathryn and Aisling to her. They were washed and had a good time picking out clothes and doing each others hair. She fitted them and herself with new clothes.
Kathryn now wore a long orange dress, the skirt spliting to reveal a white under skirt. And had a golden chest with orange sleeves. She wore a necklace with a hummingbird around her neck along with her locket. Áine had plaited her hair to the side in a french braid. Kathryn also had her dagger at her waist.
Aisling's clothes was now all leather, how she liked it. She had flexable black leather pants with a brown leather, tigh length dress and knee high black boots. Her hair was in a french braid and a necklace of a bow and arrow was around her neck. She had her brown wooden bow and white quiver on her back along with her sword at her hip.
Áine was now wearing an elvish outfit. A short pink and white skirt with a short top to match, that showed her stomach and had a high coller that went up her neck. He had matching arm braces on her arms and wore knee high light brown boots. She wore a green cloak of Lothlorien and had the evenstar clear around her neck but she quickly hid it from view. She had a green and black quiver on her back filled with green arrows and had a green Lorien bow with leaves designed across it.he had a dagger attached to her belt. She had lost her sword when she had been almost killed by the troll in Moria. Her dark hair was also in a side braid.
Áine's father, Celeborn stepped forward with several other elves, each held a cloak made of green cloth. They were wrapped around the shoulders of each member of the fellowship and were held together by Lorien leaf brooch. The Lord of Lothlorien studied them all and said, "Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes."
The three left Áine's quarters and found the rest of the fellowship packing their things away into boats. Legolas picked up a small pack and took out a bit of Lambos bread. "Lambos!" he said happily, "elvish bread" he told Merry and Pippin who sat in the boat. "one small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man" he informed them while talking a small bite off it. He then walked off to continue helping the others. Merry sat up next to Pippin and asked, "how many did you eat?" "Four."
Áine's pov.
I smiled as my mother approached Legolas and beckoned me over with his gift. He saw me approaching and smile lit up his face, his eyes glittering with an emotion I couldn't register.
I handed it to him with a smile, our eyes never breaking away from each other as she said, "My gift to you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadriem, a bow worthy of our woodland kin." Legolas finally broke off our gaze to look at his gift, he looked at the bow in awe and moved his fingers along it as though it were glass. I smiled at his actions. My mother then stepped forwards and whispered something into his ear that only the two could hear. Legolas' eyes darted to me and the back to my mother. When she leaned back she smiled at him kindly. He returned it and nodded his head, "Hannon Le." At that moment my father also appeared next to us. He also seemed to wish to speak to Legolas, this time though when it seemed to be finished his eyes seemed to be wide with what appeared to be fear. He nodded rapidly in reply to whatever the ellon had said to him.
They then moved on but I hesitated a moment, "facing an orc, you sow no fear. Facing a troll, no fear. Facing a Balrog, yes you are scared, as are all." He was looking at me quizingly, waiting for me to finish. "But when faced with my father you are terrified" I said with a sly smile. His eyes darted in the direction of said elf before looking back to me and saying, "And I am not afraid to admit it." With a small laugh I continued on to where my parents were with Merry and Pippin.
She then gifted Merry and Pippin with daggers and gave Pippin some words of advice. I kissed each of them on the head which caused the two to blush.
Sam was given elven rope that would never wear or break and I could tell he was slightly confused in where it would come in handy. But it would, Sam was wise and I knew he cared for Kathryn and I knew he would keep her safe.
Kathryn was given a small bow that fit her size, "you will know how to use it, I'm sure?" my mother smiled down at her knowingly. A hobby Kathryn, Aisling and I had gotten very good at was archery. Kathryn had always had a good nack for it, so did I, Aisling was more into swords.
Gimli's request had been quite amusing. "And could the elves offer to a dwarf?" she asked him. He replied, "nothing, except to look upon the Lady of the Galadriem one last time for she is fairer than any of the jewels beneath the Earth." We both laughed happily at this. He then requested something that surprised me.
I watched as she spoke with Aragorn and Aisling. She placed her hand over Aragorn's heart. I knew she was speaking with them of Arwen. A sad smile came to my face as I thought of my friend. She was growing weak and I feared for her. Aisling was given a new bow, silver, one I had made myself with the help of my father and mother. It was laced with elvish magic.
My father had also given Aragorn a dagger. My parents then approached me. I bowed to them but I was pulled in by my father into an embrace. I knew the fellowship was watching our exchange. Adar took out two long thin swords in a sheath. He handed them to me and I unveiled them to see his twin blades. "But, father, these are yours!" I exclaimed in shock at the sight of them. "And now they are yours" he retaliated. He hugged me once more and kissed my head. He stepped away and I was then pulled into my mother who held me tightly. "Be safe, my daughter" She then pulled out a white wooden box. Opening it and handing the box to my father she pulled out a simple golden band. "Never forget who you are"she placed it onto my head and I heard several gasps from behind us as the crown changed from its simple form to a vine of white flowers that wond several times around my head. "Aranel ion airë"(princess of the sea)I smiled then went to join the others on the boat.
"Wait a moment" we all looked back. "Kathryn Boffin, give me your hand" asked my mother. I looked at her curiously as she took Kathryn's hand and slipped a silver bracelet onto her wrist. It was many flowers and jewels. "This will protect you on your journey and will always show you the way home."
She turned to me and placed her fingers on the evenstar, it lit up with a new light. "You are both now connected, if one falls the other shall know" she explained. She then went to Aisling and asked for her hand. Aisling did as asked and a large silver ring was slipped onto her finger. The ring coiled up her finger. "Now all three of you are connected, if one falls, the others will know." Then she stepped back and we pushed off into the water.
She had given Frodo the light of Elandiril. It was known as our brightest and most beloved star and I knew for certain it would come in helpful later for him. I couldn't remember all of 'Lord of the Rings', it seemed parts were being blocked from me on purpose but I could remember bits and pieces.
As we began our journey, Kathryn, Sam, Frodo and Aragorn in one boat. Gimli, Legolas and I in another and Boromir, Aisling, Merry and Pippin in the last. I watched as my mother gestured farewell. I blew a kiss in her direction and she smiled. Knowing we would meet again. Wether when the journey finally ended, among the Halls of Manos or when I sailed to Valinor.
Legolas was rowing our boat, I sat in front of him and leaned gently against him. I was content and by the smile on Legolas' face so was he. Gimli was in the boat with us and every now and then would glance over his shoulder with a sly smirk evident through his beard.
Gimli sat in front of me and said to us, "I have taken my worst wound at this parting as I looked my last on that" he sighed, "she was fairest, I will call nothing fairer less it be her gift to me."
Legolas looked down at me quizingly, I just nodded my hand in Gimli's direction and he asked, "what was her gift?" Gimli answered, "I asked for one hair from her golden head, she gave me three." We both smiled at the dwarf, it seemed my mother had been able to win over Gimli and change his thoughts on elves. I noticed Legolas' smile had widend, I beamed up at him. He leaned down and pressed his lips to my temple, lingering there a moment and whispered, "I'm glad you have returned to me." I looked up at him, a bit of surprise at his bold action in my eyes. But I just turned back and I leaned back a little more against him and rested my head on his shoulder.