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Guest: Thanks for the review. Yes, it was so heartbreaking. Well, there will be a tribute in this chapter. Glad to hear it and yes she will.
Chapter 11- Lothlorien
The Fellowship and the heroes ran for at least half a day with Aragorn, Legolas, Angel and Faith in the lead due to them being the fastest runners. They eventually ended up in a large field of grass and then found themselves in a forest which had trees with bright, golden leaves.
"Stay close, young Hobbits!" Gimli hissed to the Hobbits as he beckoned them closer, "They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods."
He raised his ax and said, "An Elf-witch...of terrible power."
Willow turned to him with a confused look.
"All who look upon her...fall under her spell." Gimli continued as his eyes darted around, "And are never seen again."
"Umm, no, she is a kind-hearted and wise woman, I've met her, don't badmouth someone you haven't met", Willow said with a glare at Gimli, which made him shut up about that.
Tara had not said a word since they had left Moria, and no one could blame her, she had not only her grief but that of her friends too to deal with.
Willow had an arm around her while Dawn was rubbing her back, trying to control herself.
That was when Tara heard a voice in her head.
Tara Maclay, I sense everyone's grief in you. But do not keep it inside or it shall destroy you.
Tara knew who it was, and hearing Lady Galadriel's voice after so long felt like a boon, slightly calming her down now, but only slightly.
"Well, even if she was what I thought, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily." Gimli chuckled dryly, "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox."
That moment, three arrows appeared a few inches from his face, as if to mock him.
All of them realized they had arrows pointed at them by the Elves that surrounded them. Legolas pointed an arrow at the Elves but had more arrows pointed at him in turn.
"Ummm…we're friends, right?" Faith asked with raised hands, confused, as a tall, majestic Elf with long blonde hair stepped up.
"The Dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." The Elf said. Gimli growled but Willow put a hand on his shoulder to restrain him.
"Haldir of Lorien." Aragorn nodded at the Elf respectfully, "We come here for help. We need your protection."
"Aragorn, these woods are perilous." Gimli said, "We should go back."
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood." Haldir said firmly, "You cannot go back."
He then started leading them away.
"We're gonna see Lady Galadriel again", Angel muttered, hoping she'd have wise and kind words like last time.
Dawn was the only one of the visitors who'd never met her, so she could only hope Lady Galadriel was all that the other four had said she was. Because Dawn sorely needed someone like that.
Hours later, they were all on a leaf-shaped platform on the trees. Haldir said something formally to Legolas, who responded back in kind. The same thing happened with Aragorn too.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves!" Gimli snarled, "Speak words we can all understand!"
"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days." Haldir said as he turned to Gimli, his voice a little bitter.
"And you know what this Dwarf says to that?" Gimli spat out something in Dwarvish.
Aragorn shut his eyes in annoyance and gripping Gimli's shoulder, hissed, "That was not so courteous."
It was obvious Haldir had understood every word the Dwarf had said as he regarded him coldly.
"Gimli, please stop, don't derail this, and I've met the Lady, she is amazing", Angel told Gimli with a raised hand.
"Yeah, he's right, please don't make a scene", Willow added, as Gimli sighed and stopped again.
Haldir nodded at the two in appreciation and regarded all of them in turn. Except Tara, all returned his gaze, which finally fell on Frodo.
"You bring great evil with you." He said to Frodo and it seemed like his eyes were piercing into Frodo's soul. He turned back to Aragorn and said, "You can go no further."
Aragorn sighed and went after Haldir, talking to him in Sindarin as Faith muttered. "Come on, do something!"
"How are you holding up?" Angel inquired kindly.
"How are you holding up?" Faith asked back and Angel sighed sadly, both holding each other's hands for support.
Dawn noticed Frodo was simply sitting and no one was returning his gazes. So she sat down next to him and put a friendly hand on his shoulder, "Don't blame yourself."
Frodo didn't say a word and Dawn said to him, "You know, I lost my sister once, she sacrificed herself to save the world. I could have done it but she forcefully stopped me and did it herself. She is back now, but she was gone for a while."
Frodo simply listened as she told him. "Gandalf wouldn't have wanted any of us to help him, even if we could that is. He chose to fight the Balrog thing, and sacrificed himself for us all. Its not your fault. Don't carry this burden alone."
The Hobbit looked at her with grateful eyes as Dawn patted his head and got up with a smile while he nodded at her in appreciation.
Tara was still sitting quietly as Willow held her hand and rubbed her back. "Talk to me, baby. Please."
Tara didn't say a word and just rested her head on Willow's shoulder, Willow running her hands through Tara's hair, both of them feeling the grief from the losses of Gandalf and their Dwarf friends.
Haldir then came back and said, "You will come with me."
Next day, they all reached a high hill from which a large gathering of enormous trees could be seen.
"Caras Galadhon." Haldir smiled, "The heart of Elvendom on Middle-earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and Galadriel, Lady of Light."
They all trekked onwards into Caras Galadhon, their paths illuminated by glowing crystals. Spiraling, amazing staircases wound around the trees, leading to platforms and other things.
Soon, night fell and the wood was illuminated by blue and white light, creating an ethereal scene. The visitors at this point almost regretted their technologically advanced worlds as while the technology had helped them a lot, it had robbed them of such beauty.
They had thought Rivendell to be the closest thing to Heaven, but now it was Lothlorien easily, it was calm and serene and even otherworldly.
Their other friends had seen it before they had as well, which meant they too had experienced Middle-earth's ethereal beauty.
Haldir led them to a platform in front of a small flight of stairs and they stopped there to wait for something.
And then, two Elves descended the stairs, hand in hand. The light around them made it hard to discern their features but eventually, it faded and the two could be seen. They both appeared to be of almost equal height- 6 feet tall.
Lord Celeborn looked tall and regal, with blonde hair and a robe of silver and grey. But Lady Galadriel captured the attention of all who hadn't met before, and even those who had. She too had long blonde hair and clear blue eyes. She had a long white dress that reached her ankles and a golden circlet around her head.
In her own realm, she appeared even more majestic than she had in Rivendell or Dol Guldor.
"Thirteen there are here, yet fourteen there were set out from Rivendell." Celeborn observed and asked the Fellowship, "Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him."
Aragorn's eyes were all that Galadriel needed to find the answer to her question.
"He has fallen into Shadow." She said sorrowfully before turning 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."
Gimli looked up, shocked that the first words the Elf-Queen had spoken to him were those of comfort.
Her gaze then fell on Dawn.
I feel you have a part to play for the fate of Middle-earth, Dawn Summers. You are so young yet you have suffered a lot, child, but you are strong. Remember that.
Dawn simply acknowledged what she had said with a respectful nod while wiping some tears as the Lady's gaze fell on Angel.
I believe your destiny might be near, but like always, I know you shall do the right thing because it is what you always do. You are a good man Angel, because you do all of this without thinking of the reward. You shall lead too soon.
Angel locked eyes with her and like Dawn, nodded respectfully, knowing she had to be right again.
Galadriel looked at Willow next.
Your ultimate test might be near, Willow Rosenberg. Not just in power but in wisdom, you will know soon.
Willow seemed nervous and just gave her a slight nod with a whimper, mentally thanking her as she turned to Faith next.
You shall face some obstacles too Faith Lehane, but remember your strength and your goodness, and you shall pass it all.
Faith looked at Galadriel with an impassive expression, then sighed and gave a little nod.
Galadriel turned to Tara last.
I said it before and I say it again Tara Maclay, do not keep so much grief and sadness inside. You carry everyone's grief within you, but no one person must shoulder so much.
Tara responded mentally about how it was like her mom and Buffy all over again, and compounded due to her growing power.
I know my child. Mithrandir was dear to me too, and the grief is still too near. But I am more worried about a mind so young carrying it all. Let your lover, your daughter and your friends help you.
Tara still seemed unsure but gave a slight nod.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship?" Celeborn asked after what his consort had said registered, "Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
"Mithrandir's loss is indeed a grievous one." Galadriel agreed before turning to the visitors, "But we are fortunate that the unexpected companions of Thorin's Company and their other friends have returned to aid the Free Peoples."
She then spoke to the entire Fellowship, "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail... ...to the ruin of all."
Her gaze fell on Boromir, who seemed to sweat heavily.
"Yet hope remains while the Company is true." She then said to them all before gently advising them all, "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."
That night, all of them slept on a ground under a tent and some very large roots. Legolas's head tilted up as he listened to something the Elves were singing in their tongue and he could obviously understand.
"A lament for Gandalf." He said finally.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked quietly as he listened.
"I have not the heart to tell you." Legolas said as he turned around, "For me, the grief is still too near."
"It is for everyone." Angel said sadly.
Gimli had unpacked and was asleep by now while Aragorn was sharpening his sword next to him. Faith simply stood, having unpacked already.
Willow and Tara were just sitting together quietly, the latter getting the grief from the lament too as Willow rubbed her back while Dawn held her hand.
"I bet they don't mention his fireworks." Sam said, "There should be a verse about them."
With that, he stood up and burst into song about Gandalf's rockets, calling them the finest he'd seen and how they burst in stars of blue and green, with silver showers falling like rain of flowers after thunder.
Gimli gave a particularly loud snore and Aragorn whacked him in annoyance.
Sam sighed and sat down again, muttering, "That doesn't do them justice by a long shot."
"I found it touching and sincere." Faith smiled at him and he nodded in appreciation.
Tara got an idea after listening to Sam and the whole lament. They had done it for Gandalf, but something was needed for her dead Dwarf friends too, and she now knew how to let out her grief.
Taking a deep breath, she started singing. Her voice was beautiful, melodious and melancholic at the same time-
"Oh, hithui hend -o i orod plual ered below cheb- careful tir- -o nin brothers' souls a should i aiwenor n- filled with naur a osp cheb- tirith nia Durin's sons If hi was na meth in naur Then mín should all gar- burnt go- tir- i flames climb ar into i dú Calling ed- an i rope Stand bui a mín will tir- i flames narv- bo a bo i orod plual ered haer, heui a if mín should bel- tonight Then mín should all bel- go- orth- a heled -o miruvor an i vedui anand Calling ed- an i rope Prepare sui mín will tir- i flames narv- bo a bo i orod plual ered haer Desolation comes upon i aiwenor hi im see naur min i orod plual ered a im see naur Burning i trees a im see naur Hollowing souls a im see naur Blood in i chwest a im estel i cin remember nin Oh, should nin núr dant- Then surelui im'll ceri- i same Confined in orod plual ered halls mín got too close na i lach- Calling ed- an i rope gar- fast a mín will tir- i flames narv- bo a bo i orod plual ered haer Desolation comes upon i aiwenor hi im see naur min i orod plual ered a im see naur Burning i trees a im see naur Hollowing souls a im see naur Blood in i chwest a im estel i cin remember nin a if i dú na- burning im will tob- nin eyes an i dúr has returned a nin brothers gar- died a sui i aiwenor na- talt dad ha crashed into hi ereb town a with i gwathren upon i talv im hear nin núr screaming ed- hi im see naur min i mountains im see naur Burning i trees im see naur Hollowing souls im see naur Blood in i chwest im see naur Oh cin know im saw a othrond burning ed- (naur) a im see naur Feel i bras upon nin rív, yeah (naur) a im see naur (naur) a im see naur narv- bo a bo i orod plual ered haer."
By the end of it, all were in tears except Legolas but his face was an emotionless mask, inside he was moved as much as the rest.
Tara now had tears as Willow embraced her and kissed her forehead, letting Tara cry into her shoulder while Dawn held her from behind as the rest watched sadly, sitting or lying down now, moved and tired.
Aragorn walked over to Boromir, who was seated alone on a great tree root, looking downcast. "Take some rest. These borders are well-protected."
Aragorn sat next to Boromir.
"I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head." Boromir said softly, "She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me, "Even now there is hope left." But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope."
Aragorn listened and nodded at Boromir who continued, "My father is a noble man. But his rule is failing... ...and our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right, and I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored."
Aragorn tried to say something but Boromir asked him with a gleam in his eyes, "Have you ever seen it Aragorn? The White tower of Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver. Its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?"
Boromir turned to Aragorn who spoke. "I have seen the White City, long ago."
Boromir grasped Aragorn's shoulder and said. "One day, our paths will lead us there. And the tower guards shall take up the call: "The Lords of Gondor have returned!""
Aragorn simply pondered Boromir's words.
Angel's eyes suddenly flung open as he wondered what had awoken him. The others still lay asleep as Gimli continued to snore. Willow, Tara and Dawn were all cuddled up together like the family of three they were, as Faith's blanket come off a little, which Angel put back on her.
He then saw a pair of delicate, beautiful feet passing him and lifted himself up. The feet belonged to Lady Galadriel who walked between his slumbering companions. But unlike him, none of them woke up.
For some reason, he started walking after her cautiously, away from the Fellowship and the other visitors. She eventually led him to a clearing where water flowed into a depression in the rocks from a spring. A silver basin sat on a stand of stone in the middle.
Lady Galadriel picked up a stone pitcher and dipped it into the water of the depression. She then walked towards the basin and asked, "Will you look into the Mirror?"
"What will I see?" Angel asked her warily.
"Even the wisest cannot tell. For the mirror...shows many things." Galadriel said as she started pouring water from the pitcher into it, not taking her eye off Angel, "Things that were...things that are...
Angel's eyes lifted from the pitcher to her face as she finished pouring the water and slowly stepped back, "…..and some things...that have not yet come to pass."
"Right, past present or future." Angel realized before walking towards the Mirror and peering into it.
At first, there was nothing except his reflection but the water turned black with a series of ripples from the center and soon, the image changed.
His still heart jumped to his throat as he saw Darla turning him for the first time, followed by him murdering his own family as Angelus, then tormenting and turning Drusilla, and also tormenting Spike by having sex with Drusilla in front of him. That was followed by him murdering Holtz's family and murdering them all while turning his daughter.
Struggling to keep his calm, he watched as the image changed to his own eyes flashing as he had been ensouled, and then it showed him being forced to turn Lawson, followed by abandoning the Hyperion the first time, and finally drinking from the dying man.
Angel panted as the image changed and he was Angelus again and had murdered Jenny Calendar, and then he had been ensouled once more while Buffy kissed him and stabbed him to close Acathla's Dimension. He saw brief flashes of his own torture in that Dimension too and almost turned away.
But he kept looking, the next image being of him walking away from Buffy, and then the next of Doyle sacrificing his life which made his still heart jump to his throat.
That was followed by Darla's return and being turned by Drusilla, his fallen phase, turning into the Beast in Pylea.
The last few images were Darla staking herself, Cordelia getting with Groo due to him interrupting them, Holtz jumping into the portal with baby Connor, and then the corpses of Thorin, Fili, Kili and Tauriel, followed immediately by Balin's Tomb and Ori's skeleton, with the very last image being Gandalf's fall.
But what he saw next horrified him even more than the images he had just seen. For what he saw not things that were or things that are but things that were yet to pass.
The Shire filled with pristine fields and meadows was shown, and Hobbits were walking around, leading normal lives.
And then the next image was of the Shire burning as disgusting Orcs slaughtered the Hobbits. He saw dead bodies of the Fellowship- Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, even Merry and Pippin, and then Dawn, Tara, Willow, Faith and- Cordelia!
Angel wiped the sweat off his brow as the Hobbits were chained up and led away by the Orcs. Sam was among them as one of the Orcs whipped him hard. The entire place was in ruins. Then he saw black flying creatures that resembled dragons and on their backs were riders cloaked in black. They were Nine in number.
Angel realized these were the Nazgul as the image changed to a huge orange cat's eye wreathed in flame that seemed to be glaring right at him. The Eye of Sauron!
Unfortunately for him, this was not the end as then he saw Buffy, Wesley, Lorne, Fred, Gunn, Xander, Giles, Anya, Jonathan and Spike dead too.
Los Angeles was then shown, overrun by various Demons as the Senior Partners had finally taken over by using their resources, and Sunnydale was shown in ruins too.
The last image horrified him and made him numb- He stood amongst Sauron's army, a cruel smirk on his face. He was Angelus! And a teen boy who resembled him was by his side. Connor!
The Mirror then went black again as ripples formed in it and he saw his own reflection again.
He staggered back, gasping and sweating, finding the images to be worse than any of the nightmares he had from his previous experiences. Which said a lot about the images.
"I know what it is you saw." Galadriel spoke in a neutral tone as she had her neutral gaze fixed upon Angel, "For it is also in my mind."
"What were the images?" Angel exploded, still horrified by them.
"They were of events that can or will come to pass if you should fail." Galadriel said, still sounding neutral, though what she had seen of Angel's past had her astounded. How could one Man survive so much and still be sane? As Angelus, he had caused great pain and turmoil to his own friends and the world, he had been more twisted than even Orcs. But as Angel, he had been amongst the greatest heroes in his world, a Champion, possibly the most important hero in his world too considering the interest of both The Powers That Be and the Senior Partners in him. He had lost a lot too but still remained a good Man with his soul, having fallen only once but risen back up.
"The future?" Angel rasped, "Why? And why was it showing my past?"
"Sometimes the Mirror shows us what we do not want to see." Galadriel said, "It is a testament to your will that in spite of everything you have gone through and all the evil you have done without your soul, you stand here, ready to fight for what is right. You are a true warrior on the side of good, Angel. Not a monster. Angelus is a monster, you are not. There is a connection between you yes, but you two are very different. And he can never understand."
Angel couldn't help but smile in appreciation at what Lady Galadriel said about him, and he knew the 'he' referred to Angelus.
"I won't let that future come to pass." Angel said firmly and she smiled at his resolution. "I'm gonna remain Angel and do my part."
"Before he fell, Gandalf tasked you and Aragorn to lead the Fellowship." Lady Galadriel said, "Aragorn because he is born to be the Leader of Men. And he chose you because you know when to make the hard decisions, your team follows you not because you are their friend, but because they believe in your cause. I know you shall do the same here."
"I will follow your advice, Lady Galadriel." Angel said sincerely, sensing this audience was coming to an end.
"You shall depart Caras Galadhon soon." Lady Galadriel told him, "Many trials await you and the rest, Angel. Go back and rest now so that you have the strength to face them all."
Angel gave her a firm nod and bowed to her, then departed. He knew why Lady Galadriel had been so cryptic.
It was because her powers were balanced somehow in what she could exactly tell people. She had done this last time too when hinting about his reunion with his friends, and it had come true.
Nevertheless, he vowed to himself to not let any of the futures he saw come to pass, especially the bit with himself as Angelus and Connor in Sauron's army. He walked back to the pavilion and lay on the floor. This time sleep came to him. Perhaps because of Galadriel's assurances. And Angel slept soundly.
At the heart of Isengard was the Tower of Orthanc, 500 feet high, made of obsidian rock that was indestructible. At the pinnacle of the Tower were four rock piers honed to look like horns.
And inside the Tower was Saruman.
He might have joined Sauron, but he wanted the One Ring for himself, so he could challenge Sauron and become the ruler of Middle-earth himself, industrializing it with machines never seen before.
Even Hamilton and the Senior Partners were a means to an end.
To that end, he had created a new breed of Orcs that were better than the ones seen in Middle-earth so far in every way.
They were stronger, faster, could master the basic knowledge of weapons in a few hours and were more resistant to sunlight than the Orcs and Goblins. But the biggest advantage they provided Saruman was that they were all loyal to him till the end. The Uruk-hai they were called.
And right now, Saruman circled around the very first Uruk-hai that had been created. Lurtz was the name given to him. Within moments of his birth, he had strangled the first Orc he saw to death.
"Do you know how the Orcs first came into being?" Saruman asked Lurtz as he stood within inches of his face. The only response he got was a low growl so he circled Lurtz and continued, "They were Elves once. Taken by the Dark Powers...tortured and mutilated. A ruined and terrible form of life."
Looking at Lurtz, he then declared, "And now...perfected. My fighting Uruk-hai."
Testing the first Uruk's loyalty, Saruman asked, "Whom do you serve?"
"Saruman!" Lurtz hissed as the White Wizard smirked inwardly at the loyalty these Uruk-hai had for him. The Free-Peoples were going to be destroyed by them and ruled by him.
Saruman stood in front of a group of Uruk-hai, all of them giving him their full attention. Hamilton stood in a corner.
Lurtz stood right next to Saruman, clearly the leader of the Uruk-Hai. They all had a white hand imprinted on their foreheads and fitted with strong armor of steel. They wore visored helmets. In their hands were falchions and shields that had long metal spikes underneath resembling fangs.
Saruman gave his orders, "Hunt them down. Do not stop until they are found."
He exhorted them further, "You do not know pain. You do not know fear. You will taste Man-flesh!"
All of the Uruk-hai raised their weapons and roared in approval.
Saruman turned right to Lurtz and told him privately, "One of the halflings carries something of great value. There are also five strange people. One is a Man who is dead but lives, a Vampire. Another is a strong woman, a Slayer. A young girl, and two Witches, with red and golden hair each, while the other three are dark-haired. Bring them to me alive and unspoiled."
Lurtz snarled in disappointment, not wanting to suppress his killer instincts but Saruman gave another order that placated him, "Kill the others."
Later, Saruman watched from his balcony in the southern face of the Tower of Orthanc as the Uruk-hai ran out of the gatehouse, a roaring Lurtz in the front.
Hamilton walked next to Saruman and noted. "They are quite the creation."
"They will do what is asked of them", Saruman simply said.
"Still, I believe sending some of our Demons with them would be beneficial too", Hamilton pointed out as Saruman got an idea.
"I am sending some Mordor Orcs to reinforce them later, your Demons can join them", Saruman replied, though by 'reinforcing' he only meant lie in wait for the Uruk-Hai when they had finished their task, since the Mordor Orcs were loyal to Sauron and these Demons were loyal to the Senior Partners.
But his Uruk-Hai were loyal only to him, and he knew they could do it.
Finally done here. The song Tara sang was a slightly modified version of 'I See Fire' by Ed Sheeran since I think it would fit here as a sad tribute to Balin, Oin, Ori and the other dead Dwarves. But since FF's rules are BS, I translated the song to Elvish instead.
The lyrics of Sam's song are available on the AO3 version but not on the FF one.
I asked many to suggest someone to look into the Mirror, and all had more than one suggestion. However, Angel was common in every single person's suggestion, which means he got the majority, and I had him look into it.
Thank you to every single person for their suggestions though, all are appreciated.
And now Amon Hen for next chapter before we return to the Northern plotline in a bit.
Hope all enjoyed and see you all next time with another chapter.