Elleth of Light

Chapter Forty-Nine

Merenwen's POV

"Well I did not intend to send you back alone; I have a few words I wish to say to Thranduil…with your permission of course. I will speak through you…it will only be for a brief moment. You have ventured far beyond our woods." I have indeed. It had almost slipped my mind just how far I had traveled beyond the security of the trees I called home. I can almost remember the very touch of the aging bark of the trees I so fondly clung to in moments such as these.

I could not help but feel that pit within my stomach, that feeling humans call being homesick. If such a sickness existed, I would forever be claimed by it.

Lady Galadriel watched me, studying my every expression down to the very blink of my eyes. She had a way about her, this way of entering the mind of those before her and revealing thoughts that were never uttered. Distant travelers and even friends of old deem her gifts as sorcery. They would call her a witch or demon in disguise but those who know her best knew otherwise. I had once feared her ability to see down to the soul but now I found it to be comforting to know she cared enough to know me on a deeper level. Because so often, words are not enough to speak what needs to be said. She knew this to be true at this moment.

She was waiting for me to speak but my thoughts were still too many to simply chose one to say. What did she intend on saying to Thranduil? Could anything she say truly make a difference in his mind? He did not seem to be swayed by anything…or anyone. I also could not help but thinking of the words she spoke to me moments ago, if I was to become a Lady of Light that in fact mean that I would stand in her place? How could I do that if my place did in fact get to be by Legolas' side?

"It takes no special ability to see your thoughts for they are so clearly written upon your face."

"I've never been very elf like in that manner." I breathed.

"You speak of it as a flaw; it is a gift in my eyes. It allows all to see the wonders of your spirit and draw upon it. Now, I will ask that you no longer burden your mind with Thranduil and the moments that are to come. I will say what it is I have to say to him and leave you to take the situation in whatever direction you desire. I know the centuries he has spent upon this earth have brought bitterness to his heart but do not be so quick to deal him with hatred. He has endured many trials and in the end he has managed to do great things including…raising a son fitting for your heart to love." I had not given that mindset much thought but there was truth in her words. He did raise Legolas, for better or worse in his outlook towards me; he did raise a fine son who was far more than fitting for my heart to love. It was a privilege and a great honor to love such an ellon. I suppose there was something to be said about that.

"What of Lothlorien…what of our people? If you are to leave these shores…will I be looked upon to take your place? That…is such a responsibility…what of Legolas? Will i-" My words were cut short as her hand swiftly raised into the air signaling my rambles to a stop. A gesture I was all too familiar with.

"It is true, you will become a Lady of Light in due time, but the light within you is not bound to Lothlorien. It is a light that can chose to shine wherever you feel in your heart you belong. Do not let your heart be troubled; your home will endure even after I have gone. The spirit within those trees that held us so dearly will live on in the hearts of its people. You made your decision of where your heart belongs the moment you decided to love another. Take pride in that decision and know that your home will always be within you. The time of the elves is over. This much you know, I will only ask that you allow the light of our spirit linger on, until these mortals know what it is to love this middle earth." I could linger upon her words long after she spoke them, they carried the weight of such wisdom and yet if felt effortless to embrace them.

"Is there anything else?" She coyly asked. With a smile I merely shook my head as I felt my hand being guided to her own.

"Thank you…for everything…" I whispered. Suddenly my eyes began to grow heavy, I felt my body being directed back to the very moment I landed upon the floor from Thranduil's blow but I felt no pain. My eyes opened once more but I felt Galadriel within me. Her power was my power. The surge of energy I had but a taste of was now fully awakened in me as she allowed my body to stand. I walked with such ease; it was as if I were gliding towards a perplexed elven king.

Time must have stood still in the moments my consciousness left my body. I could tell by the expressions of those surrounding that they had little time to comprehend my fall and swift recovery. If they only knew…

"Mighty King Thranduil, supreme ruler of the realm of Mirkwood you stand in the presence of a light that you will not deny." Words spilled from my lips in a tone far deeper than my voice could carry. Galadriel's voice was enough to raise the brow of Thranduil still sifting through the reason I could be approaching him after the hilt of his blade crashed into my chest.

"I have traveled great distance to stand before you this day. You cannot hide from my will in the depths of your cavernous kingdom. My hand is upon this elleth and you will not touch her again. You know well my power and it would not be wise to test it. What's say you great King?"

"You know well my power as well Lady Galadriel and it is my will that commands this land…not yours. Your power is all but fading…I can sense it…you have no say in matters that do not involve you." Thranduil hissed.

"Even in a state of passing my power is unyielding. DO YOU INTED TO FIGHT ME? For I will end you…where…you…stand." I had almost forgotten how terrifying Galadriel could truly be. The malicious tone of her voice was enough to cause even my skin to crawl.

"LEAVE! ALL OF YOU! Allow my…guest and I some privacy!" The king demanded his people. His finger pointed instantly to the doors where his people soon flocked. The space grew empty in a matter of minutes. Even Anion and Legolas were forced from the space in the midst of scurrying elves and demanding guards until all that remained was Thranduil…and I.

Thranduil then began to pace before me, rubbing his temple, trying to conjure the words to speak. But minutes began to slowly creep by until I could feel Galadriel's presence weakening within me. The distance was great and even her power had limits…a realization Thranduil must have been counting on.

"I will not allow my rule to simply sail away on one of those ships and allowing my kingdom to crumble under the weight of the world to come and I will not see the rule of my people fall into the hands of this…this inexperienced…unrefined, outspoken…weak girl!"

"You were not so different than her in your early years if I am not mistaken. This world…no longer belongs to us. Your stubbornness and refusal to believe in anyone but yourself cannot continue to burden this land. I will not allow it." Galadriel demanded. I felt my body drawing closer to the king. Galadriel insisted we stand but a few inches from him. His face was still riddled with the remnants of blood beneath his nose. And his anger was still so eager to explode upon me but still, Galadriel remained before him until she did something…I did not expect. I watched my own hand raise to towards his face before the warmth of his cheek was in the palm of my hand. His eyes widened slightly from the gesture but surprising to us both…he did not turn away.

"You have fought for so long…you no longer know what it is to be at peace." She whispered.

"Do not think you can so easily convince me to leave my throne to your pupil." He snarled.

"I am not asking you to leave this land, nor your kingdom. The call of the sea will come to you when you are ready not a moment before. You are a wise man, your mind has not dulled in the centuries you have wandered this earth. In your heart you must know that not all unions of two people end in tragedy…and you must know that Merenwen poses no threat to you. End this…allow your heart to know peace." Galadriel's voice was beginning to fade. Her power was nearly spent but she lingered on, hoping to hear the words we both wanted to hear.

"I will never know peace, nor will I even accept it when presented to me. The torment of my past is what keeps me strong." He said coldly, as if

He had rehearsed those words before.

"No…my dear friend. It is what makes you weak." Galadriel strained as she gently caressed his cheek before tucking his loosened strands of hair behind his pointed ear. The touch caused him to shudder slightly before quickly regaining his upright composure.

"Why does she matter so much to you?" He muttered.

"Because that is her nature. I believe she already is starting to matter to you, is she not? She is so much like you, however young and inexperienced she may be in your eyes, I can see it in your eyes that part of you envies her courage to stand before you today. You respect her willingness to die for the chance to gain your approval. I will fight you if I must but I am old my friend, and I am eager to find rest. So I will ask that you offer this elleth a chance. I do believe you will find it will be the greatest decision you will have made." Galadriel's voice was barely audible, even to the keen hearing of elves. But her words were strong enough to stir a glisten of compassion in the eyes of the king that had once looked upon me with a blaze of hatred.

Suddenly Galadriel's presence vanished. Her power was unable to continue the conversation but her will had been done. The tension filled air slowly dissipated until I finally could draw breath freely. I still felt leery of the king's intent as I proceeded to take a few steps back, quickly retracting my hand from his skin.

"I never cared much for the Lady Galadriel…" He started. My heart sank instantly. No.

"I found her…eagerness to befriend such off-putting individuals…like yourself…to be very annoying. But I must admit, she knows how to persuade a man." He said with a smile. His knife abruptly found its way back into its sheath and he casually brushed his hand behind him before turning away from me with a single turn.

"Keep your companion silent when he is in my presence. Actually, perhaps its best that neither of you say a great deal to me…for the time being. We wouldn't want to push our luck now would we?"


Author's Note: Well I hope I didn't disappoint anyone for a less than action packed ending to the battle, but I thought this was suitable for the battle to end peacefully, I mean neither of them could really hurt the other without their character being affected negatively I thought. So it's a draw! Thank you to my loyal reviewers for your reviews last update, I will be responding to them all next update! It's getting late for me here and I'm exhausted so I wanted to post my update as I promised! Next update up soon! Thanks again!