A/N: This is a couple days late, but it's still here. Yey!
By the way, I got a job at a bakery (and start tomorrow at 5:30 AM… gak!), and I also got accepted to the university I want to go to! TRINITY WESTERN, HERE I COME! WOOHOO! *pelts everyone with confetti*
I'm sorry if this chapter seems a bit off or choppy… I wrote over half of it when I was braindead late at night. Risa, however, seems to think that I should do more writing when I'm totally out of it. Hm…
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Chapter Twenty-Seven – Discussions I Cannot EscapeRiley shifted nervously from foot to foot while she waited for Galadriel to speak. Was she supposed to speak? The Lady was just staring at her calmly. Riley hesitantly raised her eyes to gaze back, shakily acknowledging the silence.
Slowly, the Lady of Light's mouth turned up at the corners and the intensity of her gaze softened. "Much is to be seen before a sound is made," she said quietly. "Looking me in the eye immediately would have been presumptuous on your part. Yet you hesitated. Why would one with such a presuming nature, such as yourself, do so?"
Riley blinked at first, unsure of how to respond. "My Lady…" she began slowly, "… Galadriel… you are one with great power. I was not… I did not now how to approach you."
The Lady smiled indulgently. "You, who have traveled between worlds, deign to call yourself unworthy. That shows wisdom."
"But I am far from wise," Riley pointed out.
"Yet, as even the wise cannot see all ends, are they who see all ends wise?"
Was she supposed to answer this?
The Lady smiled slowly and motioned to a low rock wall. What Riley saw there made her fingers itch, her mouth water, and her stomach growl. Breads and cheeses, spreads, fruit, and thin slices of meat decorated the shelf. A pitcher of wine stood just behind two sparkling goblets. Riley suddenly realized that she was leaning so far towards the makeshift table that she was on her toes.
"Come, eat," Galadriel said. "You must be hungry."
Riley forced herself to take small steps and act as calmly as possible. She and Galadriel seated themselves on either side of the picnic. Riley took miniscule portions of everything, for she knew that even if she was hungry, the portions allotted to the Fellowship as she grew near Moria had only been enough to keep them from starving. Their supplies had been dwindling.
"Has the Fellowship arrived, my Lady?" Riley asked as she took a cluster of grapes (which she planned to eat with her hands… not throw at Galadriel).
"No," the Lady answered. "There is much to be done once they do, and I wished to speak with you. Your friends shall arrive later this day."
Riley nodded and took a sip out of her goblet. "Oh!" she exclaimed, reaching into a pocket in her gown. "Lord Elrond sent this to you," she said, pulling out a battered, folded parchment. She winced at its condition as she handed it to Galadriel. "It's a bit worse for the wear, but I imagine it's still legible." With that, she went back to eating, though she kept an anxious eye on the Lady while she read.
When she had finished the letter, Galadriel folded it and set it next to her goblet. "It is well that he wrote to me, else I would not have known your name."
"I thought you had foreseen my coming," Riley said, confused.
Galadriel smiled again. "I did. I saw you coming, and I saw your eyes, but not much else."
Riley nodded, pretending to understand completely. "Arwen found the prophecy in a book in Rivendell. That was years ago."
A light sparked in the Lady's eyes. "And how is my granddaughter?" she asked.
Riley grinned. "In love," she gossiped. "Elrond doesn't approve, I think, but that hasn't stopped her. She was devastated when Aragorn left with the Fellowship. She knows there's danger, and I'm not allowed to tell her anything, so I think that makes it more difficult on her."
"Who has given you this restraint?" Galadriel asked, a frown creasing her brow.
Riley looked up from her plate. "What?"
"You said you are not allowed to reveal anything. Why?"
Now Riley was confused. What? "I… I-I," she stuttered. She paused and pursed her lips, frowning. "I… I would… change something," she said slowly.
"And who is to say that that is not why you have come to this world, Riley?" Galadriel said softly.
Riley blinked. "I can't change things."
Galadriel's thoughtful frown turned into a smile again. "Well. I ask that you keep the option open. In my opinion, you are here for something more subtle."
Riley waited anxiously for her to continue, and when she didn't, asked, "What would that be?"
Instead of answering her directly, Galadriel turned her gaze to a patch of flowers that wound their way along the arch, which Riley had come through previously. "Do you see those flowers?" the Lady asked. Riley nodded. "What purpose do you suppose they have?"
Second grade science came to mind, and Riley replied, "They give us air; they allow us to breathe."
"And yet there are thousands of plainer plants which do the same, are there not, Child?"
Riley pressed her lips together and studied the flowers. The petals were white at the tips, and only turned rosy once they reached the center of the flower – the heart. "They are beautiful," she murmured off-handedly.
"Therein lies the purpose." Galadriel stood and made her way to the arch. Reaching up, she plucked a flower from the vine and brought it down to meet her eyes. "Some would say that all a flower lives for is to bring us life; to, as you said, allow us to breathe. Perhaps if there were no flowers, we would cease to live."
"But that's not true," Riley said. "Without flowers, the world would be fine."
"And without your Traveling, Riley, your world would continue to go 'round," Galadriel said, smiling. That smile of hers was both comforting and irritating. It ensured you that she knew all, whether she was telling you or not. It made you want to trust her, but made you wonder why you should. It seemed the very fountain from which all her wisdom sprung. Oh, how Riley hated That Smile.
"I don't understand," Riley admitted impatiently, frowning at the Elf again.
The Smile twitched. "A flower's only claim on purpose is its beauty. Beauty is not necessary, but it is vital. Can you understand the difference?"
"From your voice, yes. Vital as in color, interest."
"And what is life without vitality? What is life without faith, without trust in the unseen?"
Riley nodded, but continued frowning. She agreed about all that stuff about beauty and all, but wasn't this supposed to be when she got her answer? This was supposed to be about her.
Galadriel seemed to sense this and the smile grew. "Perhaps I should let you think about this on your own, Riley."
I beg to differ, Riley exclaimed to herself in disbelief. I'm supposed to get answers, not more questions! And think of the poor readers! If anyone ever reads this story, they'll be annoyed beyond belief!
"The Fellowship will be arriving within the hour. I hope you will greet them with Lord Celeborn and myself."
Riley nodded dumbly.
Galadriel came back and stood before her. She leaned down, tucked the flower she was holding behind Riley's ear, and smiled. "It is no wonder that you have captured his heart," she said softly.
Riley's mind raced. "Boromir?" she asked. How did she know about that?
Galadriel gave her the same amused look that she would later give Sam when he asked for "one of those nice, shiny daggers," and then stood up straight again. "You will forgive me for assigning you the same guide, Riley. Fifi is what you would call 'higher up' in our system of hierarchy. She is more accustomed to being waited on than waiting on others. Unfortunately, the maidens that serve the house you are staying in were away for the morning. I hope you understand."
Riley had to snicker at the name. What had Fifi's mother been thinking? "People in my world usually name snotty dogs Fifi," she impulsively told Galadriel. She really hadn't meant to, but it was one of those things that just pops out of you…
… at the most improper times, it seemed, since Fifi was standing under the arch, giving Riley a very indignant look. Riley looked away and rubbed her arm uncomfortably. Even Galadriel looked at her sternly. Riley didn't get the impression that this would be a good time to mention the innumerable Galadriels, Frodos, and Legolases that she'd seen (all dogs as well). "Sorry," she whispered to herself.
The walk back to her rooms was one in which Riley wisely held her tongue. She instead began to honestly wonder where Haldir had got off to. To tell the truth, she didn't particularly care, but his simply up and disappearing made her curious. Was he somewhere torturing small children and fuzzy animals, or doing something boring like whittling? The thought of the graceful Elf sitting on a stool outside his house whittling nearly sent Riley into hysterics. It had been too long since she had been able to truly laugh….
Two Elf maidens were waiting for her when Fifi finally brought Riley to her room. Riley eyed them uncertainly, for they looked suspiciously like medieval make-up artists, and Riley had never felt very kindly towards the make-up artists that she had met.
Without a word, Fifi turned around and left. Riley gazed after her for a moment, blinking. Slowly, she turned back to the maidens and gave them a little half-smile. "Hi," she said. Yup, make-up artists they were. Riley skirted around the maidens, eyeing them warily, and went into her room. Halfway across the floor, she remembered to shut the door and turned around… and jumped. The maidens were standing directly behind her. She stepped back… and they stepped forward.
Why does this remind me of a horror movie? What are they going to do now, Riley thought to herself, reveal their master plan before eating me alive? The thought was amusing, but the Elves did not seem to understand the random chuckling. Instead, they exchanged a look and one broke away from the other and moved behind Riley, who watched her cautiously.
Before Riley knew it, they had maneuvered her into sitting on a cushioned stool while they hovered around her with hairbrushes and other odd-looking tools that Riley didn't recognize. The attack was swift and incapacitating. Riley's hair was brushed and combed thoroughly. It was pulled this way and that as the maidens decided (with words that Riley couldn't understand) what to do with it. At one point, Riley was chewing her dry lips when one of the maidens tapped her on the shoulder and handed her a small round box. She opened it to find the ugliest looking goop she had ever seen.
"Eh… Tweedle Dee?" she called. The maiden could obviously not understand her, but realized that she was being called nonetheless. "What do I do with this?" Riley asked, showing her the goop.
The Elf pointed to the goop and then to her own lips.
Riley blinked. "You mean it's ancient chapstick?" she asked incredulously.
The Elven maiden shrugged and went back to playing with Riley's hair. Riley examined the goop again and prayed that she had interpreted the Elf's motions correctly.
Not long afterward, Riley was led to a central landing high up in a monstrous tree. Galadriel awaited her.
"They are near at hand," the Lady informed her, a small smile playing at her lips. Her eyes drifted up to the thin silver circlet that the maidens had insisted Riley wear. "It suits you," she commented.
Riley reached up to touch the circlet. She had been annoyed when the maidens had not allowed her to remove it. Every time she did, they snatched it out of her hands, set it on her head again, and chattered at her in a language that she knew next to nothing about. The silver next to her hair made it look like a crown… it made her look like the royalty that she was not.
"Galadriel, hein teli," came a soft, rolling voice from behind Galadriel. A moment later, Lord Celeborn came out on the landing.
Riley offered a timid smile when his gaze turned to her. "Suilad," she murmured, recalling Legolas greeting everyone in Rivendell with that. It had to mean something pleasant, right?
Celeborn gave her a tight smile. "I am told there are fewer in your party than set out from Rivendell."
Riley was about to explain that when Galadriel cocked her head and said quietly, "Hein teli."
Loathe to break the silent mood, Riley whispered curiously, "What does that mean?"
Galadriel smiled. "They come."
Oh. Riley self-consciously rubbed her lips together. Thank God for Elvish lip balm.
Celeborn offered his arm to Galadriel and together they descended the steps to greet the Fellowship. Wait for a moment, Child, echoed in Riley's head.
So, she stayed just out of sight and forced herself to recall the bitter pain of losing Gandalf. By doing so, she brought back a strong sense of depression. She suddenly recalled that the friend she was most anxious to greet no longer saw her in a favorable light… as he, perhaps, never had. Yet it wasn't about her. It never should have been. Coming into a world you were not meant to be in may have been remarkable, but what of this war? Nothing that she had yet encountered had caused as much worry as it should have. For all Frodo knew, he was marching to his death! When had she become so focused on herself?
You may join us.
Riley shook her head and backed away. It had just hit her. Boromir. How far away was she from losing one of her best friends? Oh, Boromir! How long till she would watch a loved one die?
Come now, Riley.
Squaring her shoulders and relying on years of practice to hide her sudden panic, Riley mimicked an Elf's smooth movements and walked down the stairs behind Celeborn and Galadriel.
More than a few of the Fellowship stared at her in shock. Riley forced herself to take deep, slow breaths. Her mind was worriedly rambling. What? Why are they looking at me like that? What's the matter? Is there something wrong? What is it?
Several exclamations of "Riley!" rang in the silence. Riley looked fondly down at the little Hobbits. They were dirty and tired… so different from home. Her gaze drifted up to meet the eyes of Legolas; she immediately looked away, her insides squirming.
Another "Riley!" distracted her from the uncomfortable feeling of being watched. She looked up and grinned in relief at Boromir, who was hurrying towards her. Riley passed the two Elves on the stairs and wrapped her arms around the warrior's neck, allowing him to pick her up off her feet.
In the middle of a very serious moment, Riley's quirkiness chose to resurface. Geez, he smells, she thought, and grinned even more. Good ol' Boromir.
"Oh," Boromir laughed, setting her back on her feet, but unwilling to let go of her completely. "I am making you dirty." He examined her dress, eyes glinting at her happily.
It made Riley want to cry. If he had asked to be anything more than a friend at that moment, she would have laughed and said yes.
There was no time to that however. Go and join your company, Child, Galadriel's voice floated through her mind, and Riley guided Boromir back to the Fellowship.
Celeborn waited until all had focused on him again and then brought up a touchy subject. "Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him." Riley avoided looking at anyone.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow," Galadriel said, pain lacing her words.
Falling into shadow doesn't mean that he's dead, just remember that, Riley reminded herself.
"He was taken by both shadow and flame," Legolas said quietly. "A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
His gaze turned to you for a moment, Child. What does he speak of besides Mithrandir?
Riley shrugged slightly.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life," Galadriel reprimanded gently. "We do not yet know his full purpose." There was a small pause as she turned to Gimli. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril and in all lands love is now mingled with grief."
Celeborn spoke up again, "What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
"No, it's not," Riley said softly, willingly meeting Celeborn's eye.
"Yet the quest stands on the edge of a knife," Galadriel added. Riley ran a hand down Boromir's arm and gripped his hand tightly. "Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all." Boromir's hand twitched and, out of the corner of her eye, Riley saw him duck his head, trembling. She squeezed his hand even more tightly. "Yet hope remains while the Company is true." Riley smiled a bit at that – nice little Sam. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace."
One who has seen the Eye, right, Galadriel? Riley finished silently for her. Her mouth quirked into a small smile and she finally looked away from the two Elves on the stairs… to see Haldir!
He looked back at her at about the same moment, and while her smile was not carefree in the least, Riley still smiled at him with a look that assured him that she was going to get him again at some point.
Child. Riley turned back to look expectantly at Galadriel. Do not follow Frodo tonight. We shall have much time to speak together in days to come.
Does that mean I have to stay here when my friends leave? Riley thought back fiercely.
Galadriel simply smiled at her and turned to walk up the stairs.
"Riley." Boromir touched her shoulder. She turned her attention back to him to find that Haldir was just leaving to lead them to their camp. Riley smiled briefly at Boromir and began to follow.
Boromir walked beside her and took her hand in one of his own.
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