Disclaimer: See last chapter.
A/N: I'm thinking of ruling out the love triangle plot, cause it sounds pretty lame and I dislike slashy fics anyway. And when I meant Sam/Frodo/Casey, I didn't mean Sam loving Frodo in a gay, queer or homosexual way but in a best friend kinda way [aaaw].
And there are some feeble attempts of me trying to write Elvish, so if I write something completely wrong [like bucket or poodle instead] forgive me, I don't know how to construct sentences in Elvish. I just found a little glossary of Elvish words somewhere on the Internet, and just pieced them together.
But, on with the story…!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The image in the mirror reflected in Casey's eyes. Galadriel knew what she saw. It seemed almost like a video, replaying in the mirror.
It was Casey, walking across the road. A car hit her, and she fell. The image blurred, and then it revealed her body being lifted into an ambulance. Then another scene, a funeral – her funeral. Standing around a dark wooden coffin was her family and friends, all dressed in black.
Her little sister, Jamie, was crying and clutching onto a Barbie doll, also dressed in black. Her older brother, Riley, who had a supportive hand on his sister's shoulder, trying to look brave and composed, but failing miserably. Her friends standing huddled together, and frantically searching for tissues in their little handbags, trying not to cry or else their mascara would start running. And then her parents. Her mother's pale, sallow face and her father's grim face stared back at her.
Casey reached out her hand to touch her mother's sad face, as if to comfort her, but Galadriel cried out, "Do not touch the water."
Her hand withdrew, and Casey's eyes filled with tears and her vision blurred. She turned away from the mirror and placed a hand over her eyes.
"I don't want to see anymore," she whispered in a hoarse voice, choking with tears. Galadriel's face filled with pity. She moved over to Casey and placed a comforting hand on her shoulders.
"Why, why did I see that?"
"Because that is what your heart desires," Galadriel answered, "You wanted to know how your family were coping without you because you missed them so much." There was silence for a while, as Casey rubbed her bloodshot eyes.
"The mirror has not finished yet." Casey looked up.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Galadriel gestured to the mirror. Casey sighed and leaned over again.
The image clouded over. A face appeared, sad and miserable, covered in dirt and grease.
"Frodo," Casey murmured. Her heart went out to him. He looked so forlorn, so helpless. She observed the background. He seemed to be sheltering under a rock in a gray and barren landscape. Beside him was Sam, and another creature that did not look like a hobbit. Casey inspected this creature. It looked like a sort of alien to her, with huge eyes and grayish colored skin, and kept sniffing. Frodo closed his eyes to go to sleep.
The image clouded over. The mirror was prepared to reveal no more.
"Your journey with the Fellowship ends here," carried on Galadriel, "you shall remain in Lothlòrien and become an elf, and live here with me."
Casey remained quiet.
"What do you mean? I thought that I would just remain as Frodo's angel."
"You have already played your part in saving Frodo's life," Galadriel said. "The fate of the ringbearer no longer lies in your hands but in others. A new character will play a larger part in his life."
"Is that the alien freak thing?" Galadriel nodded.
"Why can't I go on to Mordor with the Fellowship?" asked Casey. As she mentioned Mordor, she felt a sudden chill.
Galadriel shook her head. "It is too dangerous for you. There are unknown dangers that the light of angels have not seen, evil powers lurk there. You will remain here." Her voice echoed.
Casey felt divided. Half of her wanted to stay in Lothlòrien. She hadn't liked journeying with the Fellowship very much, it was hard work and a little tedious. She could become an elf and live in Lothlòrien, away from all troubles. But the other half of her wanted to be with Frodo. What if he fell into some form of danger, and Casey was not there to protect him?
"You must go and rest now. The Fellowship will not be leaving so soon, so you can spend all your time with them." Galadriel smiled down at her kindly. Casey descended up the stairs and walked back to her bed, unaware that Galadriel was watching her thoughtfully.
The next morning arrived. Casey was still sleeping when the Fellowship woke and went to join the elves for breakfast. She was still sleeping when they returned, to ponder the route of their journey.
"Legolas, wake Casey up," commanded Aragorn, as he got out a map from his pack. The elf leapt nimbly over to Casey.
"Casey," he murmured, as he shook her gently. She didn't stir and remained still.
"Casey," he said, even louder, and shook her harder, starting to panic. The others looked up.
"What?" Casey said angrily, her eyes still closed. The elf breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's time to wake up," he said, lowering his voice. Casey merely grunted angrily and turned, so that she was lying facedown on the pillow. Legolas was pondering over the idea of taking her blanket away, when Galadriel came. He hurriedly stood up, and bowed.
"Estel, may I have some words with you?" Galadriel asked. Aragorn nodded, and stood. They wandered some feet away from the others before the elf spoke.
"What is it that you wish to discuss, my lady?" asked Aragorn. Galadriel remained silent for several moments before she replied.
"Casey. I do not want her to go on with the Fellowship. She must stay here with me, and become an elf."
Aragorn blinked.
"Wha - why?" he asked, slightly bewildered at the elf's demands.
"I am old, Estel. Soon my time will come when I shall leave these shores and depart for the Gray Havens. But who will look after the woods when I am gone? I cannot trust Arwen, for she is more likely to marry you and sacrifice her immortality."
Galadriel smiled at Aragorn, who blushed.
"I want Casey to be the Lady of the Woods. She will remain in Lothlòrien and tend to the elves."
Aragorn was quiet for a while.
"Is there another reason why you wish Casey to stay here?" asked Aragorn.
"You are wise, Estel. Yes, there is. I foresee great danger if she does go on. Such dangers I cannot describe on the journey to Mordor." Galadriel turned away from Aragorn and faced the trickling river.
Aragorn blinked again. Mordor seemed very far away from this idyllic place.
"I believe that Frodo would not want her to stay."
Galadriel turned to Aragorn.
"I know, Estel. I know."
Legolas looked up as Galadriel and Aragorn rejoined their company.
"Is Casey not yet awake?" Galadriel asked.
"She isn't," replied Legolas.
"Yes I am," came the muffled reply from Casey. Merry and Pippin were trying hard not to laugh. Her behavior reminded them of trying to wake up Sam a couple of hours earlier, who had insisted on getting his "beauty sleep".
"Come with me Casey," Galadriel said, and stretched out her hand. Casey turned over, and reluctantly stood up. She followed Galadriel.
"Where is she going?" asked Frodo, looking up from a map.
"I don't know," murmured Legolas looking after them, "But I want to." He suddenly to Frodo and seized his hand. "Come with me."
The elf and the puzzled hobbit followed behind.
Sam nudged Merry and Pippin.
"We aren't going to be left out of an adventure, are we?" he asked, as if daring them to contradict him. Pippin swallowed his bite of apple nervously.
"Maybe we should…" he started.
"Don't be so foolish Pip, of course we aren't! Let's go!" With that, Merry threw away the core of the apple he had just finished and grabbed Pippin's hand. The three hobbits hurried away, leaving the other three to squabble over their route.
Galadriel led Casey to a strange sort of architecture that resembled a gazebo, with the lofty trees surrounding it and shielding it from view. In the center, on top of a slim marble table, was an ornate silver jug, similar to the one that Legolas had carried earlier before. The hobbit and the elf hid behind some conveniently placed shrubbery, holding their breaths. If Galadriel knew of them, she gave no sign.
She picked up a crystal chalice and poured the liquid from the jug into the chalice. The liquid was of a light pink color, and smelled like sweetness and spring.
"What is it?" asked Casey curiously.
"Nen o edhel, water of the elves," Galadriel replied mysteriously. The last drop fell into the chalice with a delicate "ping!" and Galadriel set the jug back on the table. She held out the chalice to Casey.
"You want me to drink this?" Galadriel nodded, and Casey took the chalice.
"Why?" she asked. Galadriel smiled.
"You will become an elf after you drink this. Do not worry, you will not suffer any pain during the transformation. Most elves look like men anyway, so it will not be that great a change."
Casey looked up at the elf. She looked down reassuringly. Frodo and Legolas watched, as Casey raised the chalice to her lips hesitantly, and began to drink. When all the liquid was gone, her face remained the same. Frodo inspected her, to see if he could spot any change. There was none. She set the chalice down – a little too firmly, as it shattered. Frodo and Legolas jumped, and from the shrubbery on the other side of the gazebo, a squeak came, followed by someone going, "Ssshhh!"
Casey's eyes widened and she gasped for air. She gripped the table, forcing the shards of crystal into her fingers. Blood spurted out, and began to flow down the table. Casey clutched at her heart, and the blood came in contact with her dress and blossomed red.
Frodo started to panic. Hadn't Galadriel said that no pain would be felt? Maybe he should have stopped Casey. Why did she want to be turned into an elf anyway? Wasn't she happy just being his angel? Or maybe… he glanced sideways at Legolas, who was still staring intently at Casey.
Casey gasped for air. Presently her breathing slowed, and become regular. Casey swayed a little, uncertain. Before she fell to the ground, she looked at Galadriel imploringly. Galadriel made no movement to catch her, so Legolas leapt forward and caught her before she touched the ground. Frodo raced out behind him, a little slower than the elf. Only Galadriel remained still, her face looking as if it were made of stone.
Legolas set Casey gently down on the floor, and Frodo knelt down beside her fallen body. He laid her head onto his lap, and laid a quivering hand on her neck. He could feel no heart beat. He looked up at Legolas, and through their eyes he passed on the silent message. Legolas looked up at Galadriel.
"Noooo!" Sam, Merry and Pippin threw themselves out of the shrubbery on the other side of the gazebo. The three hobbits joined Frodo at Casey's side.
"What have you done?" Legolas moaned.
"She cannot go on with the Fellowship," said Galadriel, evading his question.
"Why not?" asked Frodo.
"It is too dangerous," she replied.
Casey remained motionless, her eyes large and emotionless and her lips parted in surprise. Merry closed her eyelids and bent his head down in respect. The hobbits did the same.
Legolas opened his mouth to speak again.
"Why have you killed her?"
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A/N: Bow down to the Queen of Suspense.
A/N: I'm thinking of ruling out the love triangle plot, cause it sounds pretty lame and I dislike slashy fics anyway. And when I meant Sam/Frodo/Casey, I didn't mean Sam loving Frodo in a gay, queer or homosexual way but in a best friend kinda way [aaaw].
And there are some feeble attempts of me trying to write Elvish, so if I write something completely wrong [like bucket or poodle instead] forgive me, I don't know how to construct sentences in Elvish. I just found a little glossary of Elvish words somewhere on the Internet, and just pieced them together.
But, on with the story…!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The image in the mirror reflected in Casey's eyes. Galadriel knew what she saw. It seemed almost like a video, replaying in the mirror.
It was Casey, walking across the road. A car hit her, and she fell. The image blurred, and then it revealed her body being lifted into an ambulance. Then another scene, a funeral – her funeral. Standing around a dark wooden coffin was her family and friends, all dressed in black.
Her little sister, Jamie, was crying and clutching onto a Barbie doll, also dressed in black. Her older brother, Riley, who had a supportive hand on his sister's shoulder, trying to look brave and composed, but failing miserably. Her friends standing huddled together, and frantically searching for tissues in their little handbags, trying not to cry or else their mascara would start running. And then her parents. Her mother's pale, sallow face and her father's grim face stared back at her.
Casey reached out her hand to touch her mother's sad face, as if to comfort her, but Galadriel cried out, "Do not touch the water."
Her hand withdrew, and Casey's eyes filled with tears and her vision blurred. She turned away from the mirror and placed a hand over her eyes.
"I don't want to see anymore," she whispered in a hoarse voice, choking with tears. Galadriel's face filled with pity. She moved over to Casey and placed a comforting hand on her shoulders.
"Why, why did I see that?"
"Because that is what your heart desires," Galadriel answered, "You wanted to know how your family were coping without you because you missed them so much." There was silence for a while, as Casey rubbed her bloodshot eyes.
"The mirror has not finished yet." Casey looked up.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Galadriel gestured to the mirror. Casey sighed and leaned over again.
The image clouded over. A face appeared, sad and miserable, covered in dirt and grease.
"Frodo," Casey murmured. Her heart went out to him. He looked so forlorn, so helpless. She observed the background. He seemed to be sheltering under a rock in a gray and barren landscape. Beside him was Sam, and another creature that did not look like a hobbit. Casey inspected this creature. It looked like a sort of alien to her, with huge eyes and grayish colored skin, and kept sniffing. Frodo closed his eyes to go to sleep.
The image clouded over. The mirror was prepared to reveal no more.
"Your journey with the Fellowship ends here," carried on Galadriel, "you shall remain in Lothlòrien and become an elf, and live here with me."
Casey remained quiet.
"What do you mean? I thought that I would just remain as Frodo's angel."
"You have already played your part in saving Frodo's life," Galadriel said. "The fate of the ringbearer no longer lies in your hands but in others. A new character will play a larger part in his life."
"Is that the alien freak thing?" Galadriel nodded.
"Why can't I go on to Mordor with the Fellowship?" asked Casey. As she mentioned Mordor, she felt a sudden chill.
Galadriel shook her head. "It is too dangerous for you. There are unknown dangers that the light of angels have not seen, evil powers lurk there. You will remain here." Her voice echoed.
Casey felt divided. Half of her wanted to stay in Lothlòrien. She hadn't liked journeying with the Fellowship very much, it was hard work and a little tedious. She could become an elf and live in Lothlòrien, away from all troubles. But the other half of her wanted to be with Frodo. What if he fell into some form of danger, and Casey was not there to protect him?
"You must go and rest now. The Fellowship will not be leaving so soon, so you can spend all your time with them." Galadriel smiled down at her kindly. Casey descended up the stairs and walked back to her bed, unaware that Galadriel was watching her thoughtfully.
The next morning arrived. Casey was still sleeping when the Fellowship woke and went to join the elves for breakfast. She was still sleeping when they returned, to ponder the route of their journey.
"Legolas, wake Casey up," commanded Aragorn, as he got out a map from his pack. The elf leapt nimbly over to Casey.
"Casey," he murmured, as he shook her gently. She didn't stir and remained still.
"Casey," he said, even louder, and shook her harder, starting to panic. The others looked up.
"What?" Casey said angrily, her eyes still closed. The elf breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's time to wake up," he said, lowering his voice. Casey merely grunted angrily and turned, so that she was lying facedown on the pillow. Legolas was pondering over the idea of taking her blanket away, when Galadriel came. He hurriedly stood up, and bowed.
"Estel, may I have some words with you?" Galadriel asked. Aragorn nodded, and stood. They wandered some feet away from the others before the elf spoke.
"What is it that you wish to discuss, my lady?" asked Aragorn. Galadriel remained silent for several moments before she replied.
"Casey. I do not want her to go on with the Fellowship. She must stay here with me, and become an elf."
Aragorn blinked.
"Wha - why?" he asked, slightly bewildered at the elf's demands.
"I am old, Estel. Soon my time will come when I shall leave these shores and depart for the Gray Havens. But who will look after the woods when I am gone? I cannot trust Arwen, for she is more likely to marry you and sacrifice her immortality."
Galadriel smiled at Aragorn, who blushed.
"I want Casey to be the Lady of the Woods. She will remain in Lothlòrien and tend to the elves."
Aragorn was quiet for a while.
"Is there another reason why you wish Casey to stay here?" asked Aragorn.
"You are wise, Estel. Yes, there is. I foresee great danger if she does go on. Such dangers I cannot describe on the journey to Mordor." Galadriel turned away from Aragorn and faced the trickling river.
Aragorn blinked again. Mordor seemed very far away from this idyllic place.
"I believe that Frodo would not want her to stay."
Galadriel turned to Aragorn.
"I know, Estel. I know."
Legolas looked up as Galadriel and Aragorn rejoined their company.
"Is Casey not yet awake?" Galadriel asked.
"She isn't," replied Legolas.
"Yes I am," came the muffled reply from Casey. Merry and Pippin were trying hard not to laugh. Her behavior reminded them of trying to wake up Sam a couple of hours earlier, who had insisted on getting his "beauty sleep".
"Come with me Casey," Galadriel said, and stretched out her hand. Casey turned over, and reluctantly stood up. She followed Galadriel.
"Where is she going?" asked Frodo, looking up from a map.
"I don't know," murmured Legolas looking after them, "But I want to." He suddenly to Frodo and seized his hand. "Come with me."
The elf and the puzzled hobbit followed behind.
Sam nudged Merry and Pippin.
"We aren't going to be left out of an adventure, are we?" he asked, as if daring them to contradict him. Pippin swallowed his bite of apple nervously.
"Maybe we should…" he started.
"Don't be so foolish Pip, of course we aren't! Let's go!" With that, Merry threw away the core of the apple he had just finished and grabbed Pippin's hand. The three hobbits hurried away, leaving the other three to squabble over their route.
Galadriel led Casey to a strange sort of architecture that resembled a gazebo, with the lofty trees surrounding it and shielding it from view. In the center, on top of a slim marble table, was an ornate silver jug, similar to the one that Legolas had carried earlier before. The hobbit and the elf hid behind some conveniently placed shrubbery, holding their breaths. If Galadriel knew of them, she gave no sign.
She picked up a crystal chalice and poured the liquid from the jug into the chalice. The liquid was of a light pink color, and smelled like sweetness and spring.
"What is it?" asked Casey curiously.
"Nen o edhel, water of the elves," Galadriel replied mysteriously. The last drop fell into the chalice with a delicate "ping!" and Galadriel set the jug back on the table. She held out the chalice to Casey.
"You want me to drink this?" Galadriel nodded, and Casey took the chalice.
"Why?" she asked. Galadriel smiled.
"You will become an elf after you drink this. Do not worry, you will not suffer any pain during the transformation. Most elves look like men anyway, so it will not be that great a change."
Casey looked up at the elf. She looked down reassuringly. Frodo and Legolas watched, as Casey raised the chalice to her lips hesitantly, and began to drink. When all the liquid was gone, her face remained the same. Frodo inspected her, to see if he could spot any change. There was none. She set the chalice down – a little too firmly, as it shattered. Frodo and Legolas jumped, and from the shrubbery on the other side of the gazebo, a squeak came, followed by someone going, "Ssshhh!"
Casey's eyes widened and she gasped for air. She gripped the table, forcing the shards of crystal into her fingers. Blood spurted out, and began to flow down the table. Casey clutched at her heart, and the blood came in contact with her dress and blossomed red.
Frodo started to panic. Hadn't Galadriel said that no pain would be felt? Maybe he should have stopped Casey. Why did she want to be turned into an elf anyway? Wasn't she happy just being his angel? Or maybe… he glanced sideways at Legolas, who was still staring intently at Casey.
Casey gasped for air. Presently her breathing slowed, and become regular. Casey swayed a little, uncertain. Before she fell to the ground, she looked at Galadriel imploringly. Galadriel made no movement to catch her, so Legolas leapt forward and caught her before she touched the ground. Frodo raced out behind him, a little slower than the elf. Only Galadriel remained still, her face looking as if it were made of stone.
Legolas set Casey gently down on the floor, and Frodo knelt down beside her fallen body. He laid her head onto his lap, and laid a quivering hand on her neck. He could feel no heart beat. He looked up at Legolas, and through their eyes he passed on the silent message. Legolas looked up at Galadriel.
"Noooo!" Sam, Merry and Pippin threw themselves out of the shrubbery on the other side of the gazebo. The three hobbits joined Frodo at Casey's side.
"What have you done?" Legolas moaned.
"She cannot go on with the Fellowship," said Galadriel, evading his question.
"Why not?" asked Frodo.
"It is too dangerous," she replied.
Casey remained motionless, her eyes large and emotionless and her lips parted in surprise. Merry closed her eyelids and bent his head down in respect. The hobbits did the same.
Legolas opened his mouth to speak again.
"Why have you killed her?"
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A/N: Bow down to the Queen of Suspense.