Disclaimer: AU Story. My second large fic because it gave me so much
pleasure writing the last. I do not own any of the characters or places in
this story- both belong to the genius, Tolkien. I know; I torture the
characters but I will do my very best to save them. Hope you enjoy!
Silver Dreamer: I'm surprised at myself but I really like the idea of this story being suspenseful. It's different. Thank you! I hope that the next few chapters leave you feeling the same way.
Shirebound: Really? You worked around that one brilliantly! When Legolas had to return the message in Lost in Moria, I'm afraid I wasn't very, um, practical. Mum was not impressed anyhow. *grin* I'm so pleased that you liked that line. I like Merry- he gets the best stuff.
TrueFan: Nasssty hobbitses! We eats 'em for breakfast we doessss. Kill 'em! Kill 'em! *Ailsa knocks Gollum out of his tree* Yaaaaa! *splat* *Ailsa smiles*
Blue Jedi Hobbit 009: Well, there is certainly more and I hope you think that it is good stuff!
At last, it has arrived. The Mirror of Galadriel. Cool. Lil*bee and several others will be happy to hear that Legolas plays a part. AU all the way! I am sorry if it represents the movie too much but there were some things in the book that I could never compare. I hope I do this chapter justice as I know what a memorable part of LOTR it is.
~ Chapter Twenty ~
Evening came sleepily on the fifth day since the Fellowship had arrived in Caras Galadhon. The moon was white and clear. The clouds were all but gone and the rain had stopped at long last. The elves were singing again, as on the first night. Except this time their words were not sorrowful but wistful, speaking of the glory of the world restored and bestowing blessings on the company.
The Lady Galadriel walked slowly down from her high chair, the elves of her service breaking away and bowing low as she passed. She elegantly stepped down onto the floor and moved like silk out into the clearing beyond. The Fellowship, all eight of them now, were once again resting under the pavilions. A soft breeze flowed through the trees and their whisperings died away as the White Lady crossed the glade to a lower tier where the fountain bubbled out of the rocks and into a tranquil pool.
--
Frodo started awake, involuntarily kicking Sam. His gardener grumbled, rubbing at his eyes.
"Mister Frodo?" he said blearily.
"Sorry, Sam. I didn't mean to wake you. I- don't quite know what woke me."
"Gollum, d'you suppose?" Sam ventured, crawling to his master's side.
"No.. look!"
Frodo scrambled to his feet and began walking over to a figure, shining in the darkness. The Lady was holding a silver pitcher, brimming with cool water. She drifted towards the stone pedestal, in which was set a shallow bowl. The hobbits watched her in awe from the crest of the bank. Galadriel gazed up at them up at them with no hint of emotion on her timeless face.
"This is the Mirror of Galadriel. Will you look into its waters?"
Frodo and Sam exchanged worried glances. Frodo looked back then started making his way cautiously down. Galadriel watched him placidly, her cold eyes unblinking.
"What shall we see- and what shall we look for within it?" Frodo asked.
"I can command it to show many things. It can reveal your desires and your fears. It can show what has been and things that yet may be. The Mirror of Galadriel can even show the things of the present, all across this world. But even the wisest cannot tell what one may see. Do you wish to look?"
He did not reply. He was fingering the Ring unconsciously as he thought. Did he really wish to see what his future held? Did he really want to remember the past? If he looked, would he see Gandalf fall yet again?
Galadriel turned her eyes to Sam.
"And you? Will you look?"
Sam hesitated. He felt his loyalty towards Frodo and yet, he really wanted to see what was happening at home. To see his Gaffer and Rosie again. It was probably his last chance. He nodded to the Lady. She tipped the pitcher so that the water flowed in a silver arc. It made the sound of stars glimmering as it fell and the whispering of diamonds as it filled the basin. When the last drop had fallen, Sam stepped up to the pedestal and gazed hard into the water.
At first, all he saw was his own worried face staring back at him, but then seemed to change. The image blurred and a clear sky took its place, with the dark outline of tree branches before it. The tree melted into another form as the sky reeled back to become a cliff face. The white figure of Frodo was sleeping there, eyes closed and hands clasped over his breast. Then the vision faded. More trees. Familiar, old branches and worn trunks. They were swaying, as if caught in a gale, then one by one they crashed to the ground, sending up a hail of splinters. Sam felt his face go cold and his hands gripped the pedestal tight. It was the Shire. The Old Mill was gone, its sails lying like fallen birds upon the riverbanks. Black smoke clogged the roads and byways of the little houses. And Bagshot Row was gone. Wood lay scattered about the pathways and roots emerged from the torn away ground like animals, writhing and clawing at the air. Sam shook his head in fury.
"No! What have they done?" He turned to the Lady, his face red and tears shining in his eyes. "I have to go home! They dug up Bagshot Row and the Old Mill. There are things in the Shire that shouldn't be there. I've got to go home!"
"Would you leave your master now? You knew the danger to the Shire when you set out, Samwise. But only now when you see them do you wish to turn back. The things you saw may not yet have happened unless perhaps you would turn aside from your path to intervene."
Sam looked at the ground. He hadn't understood everything in that Mirror. He hadn't known what it meant. But there was one thing for certain.
"I'll go home by the long road with Mister Frodo or not at all. I set out for that reason and I'll stick to it," he said resolutely.
Frodo was moved by these words. He got to his feet and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I shall look," he told the Lady. She lowered her gaze. She knew in her heart what he would see.
Frodo cast his eyes to the water. For a while, only his reflection appeared, face pale as the stars burning overhead. Then the pool's image changed. It glittered a moment then enfolded to a different scene entirely. Bilbo pacing his room and staring restlessly from his window at a rain- tipped world. The rain became a torrent, blacker and stronger. Frodo felt as if he had been hurled from the window and out into that black sea. It raged and boiled, flinging up great ebony waves and engulfing the blood-red sun. The silhouette of ships appeared on the horizon briefly, their bright flags fluttering in the storm. Then they were gone; replaced by a fortress with seven towers. A banner bearing a white tree flew at the peak. And then the ships came again, black this time, shining in the starlight. So black that they filled the whole Mirror. At first, Frodo thought that this was the end and he made to withdraw when he saw that the blackness was no longer complete. A golden glow had appeared distantly. A pinprick of light that grew at terrible speed. An eye. The slitted pupil darting from one side to another, searching.. searching.. searching.. It was wreathed in flame that appeared to burn the water from beneath. Frodo felt his limbs becoming weak. He began to slip forward, towards that great void and into the grip of the Dark Lord. He was calling for him. His voice so loud that it seemed to ring inside his head tenfold, deafening any other sound. Then he felt tight hands drawing him back from the blazing water.
"Legolas," he said faintly, feeling life flow back into his body. He collapsed into the elf's arms, utterly exhausted. Sam was at his side in a moment. Frodo could see him speaking but still the echoing of the Lord had not died. Sam hugged his friend close, trying to rid the memories from his master's mind.
--
Legolas glared at the Lady.
"You had no right to show them this. Can you not see the damage done?"
"I gave them a choice," Galadriel said calmly, meeting his eyes.
"You called them here. They had little enough choice as it is. You had no right," he repeated. Legolas felt angry. Hadn't the hobbits passed through enough by now? Were they to be tried and tested all the way through this journey? They had never known true peace as of yet! There was no place for them. And now, after he had heard Sam speak of his own glimpse into the Mirror, it was doubtful they would even have a home to go to. The elf could sense another presence in his mind and he tried to push it away.
"They have seen enough. Why show them more horrors? Give them peace for one night at least!" he said angrily. "That is enough. Tomorrow we shall leave and hopefully find peace somewhere else."
"I seek not to dispel their harmony. Only to show them what lies ahead and behind. I understand these things, and doubtless that Frodo and Sam do not."
"Lady Galadriel!" Frodo shouted. He was holding something tightly in his fist. He held it up to view and it shone clear in the moonlight. A bright gold band. For a moment, the Lady flinched, her eyes fixed on the apparition before her.
"You would give me the One Ring? In place of a Dark Lord, you would have a queen.. All to love me and despair. A queen.. stronger than the foundations the earth."
Her voice had fallen to a low and dangerous tone. Legolas and Sam watched in terror as her hand approached the Ring. But then the fingers curled back and a shudder passed through Galadriel.
"And I came here to test your heart," she said to Frodo, the shadow of a smile on her face. "I pass the test. I will diminish and go into the West with my kindred. And I will remain Galadriel."
--
When Legolas had returned the hobbits to the pavilion, he came back briefly. The Lady was waiting for him.
"You will be a great protector in the times to come," Galadriel said to him, "Many depend on you now, Son of Tharanduil. I believe that you will achieve your task."
"Why did you show them the Mirror, Lady?" Legolas asked, keeping his distance. Galadriel smiled at him.
"Because they need to understand how much depends on -them-. Both Frodo and Samwise will play a great part in this story. Whether they succeed or not, I cannot say. I thought perhaps the Mirror would guide them."
"But you said that you as one who did not doubt their victory," the elf snapped, "Why are you so unsure now?"
"I am not unsure. I still believe that you will succeed. Lothlórien will fade out of all existence. The elven rings will no longer have any power. And our kind will leave for Valinor, never to return. Of this, I am certain. But were you not there when you heard Frodo say that he could no longer fight this? No longer go on? He is the one who is unsure. I believe that you could show him that life will go on and that the quest must be completed. I tried to show them both that all is not lost."
Legolas nodded. He once again felt calm in the Lady's presence. Bowing, he turned to leave when a voice came into his head.
"Legolas.. The Grey Pilgrim still wanders.."
He turned to ask what she meant but Galadriel had gone.
~
Well, my surprise has come and gone. Only a bit more to do. I hope that you liked this!
Silver Dreamer: I'm surprised at myself but I really like the idea of this story being suspenseful. It's different. Thank you! I hope that the next few chapters leave you feeling the same way.
Shirebound: Really? You worked around that one brilliantly! When Legolas had to return the message in Lost in Moria, I'm afraid I wasn't very, um, practical. Mum was not impressed anyhow. *grin* I'm so pleased that you liked that line. I like Merry- he gets the best stuff.
TrueFan: Nasssty hobbitses! We eats 'em for breakfast we doessss. Kill 'em! Kill 'em! *Ailsa knocks Gollum out of his tree* Yaaaaa! *splat* *Ailsa smiles*
Blue Jedi Hobbit 009: Well, there is certainly more and I hope you think that it is good stuff!
At last, it has arrived. The Mirror of Galadriel. Cool. Lil*bee and several others will be happy to hear that Legolas plays a part. AU all the way! I am sorry if it represents the movie too much but there were some things in the book that I could never compare. I hope I do this chapter justice as I know what a memorable part of LOTR it is.
~ Chapter Twenty ~
Evening came sleepily on the fifth day since the Fellowship had arrived in Caras Galadhon. The moon was white and clear. The clouds were all but gone and the rain had stopped at long last. The elves were singing again, as on the first night. Except this time their words were not sorrowful but wistful, speaking of the glory of the world restored and bestowing blessings on the company.
The Lady Galadriel walked slowly down from her high chair, the elves of her service breaking away and bowing low as she passed. She elegantly stepped down onto the floor and moved like silk out into the clearing beyond. The Fellowship, all eight of them now, were once again resting under the pavilions. A soft breeze flowed through the trees and their whisperings died away as the White Lady crossed the glade to a lower tier where the fountain bubbled out of the rocks and into a tranquil pool.
--
Frodo started awake, involuntarily kicking Sam. His gardener grumbled, rubbing at his eyes.
"Mister Frodo?" he said blearily.
"Sorry, Sam. I didn't mean to wake you. I- don't quite know what woke me."
"Gollum, d'you suppose?" Sam ventured, crawling to his master's side.
"No.. look!"
Frodo scrambled to his feet and began walking over to a figure, shining in the darkness. The Lady was holding a silver pitcher, brimming with cool water. She drifted towards the stone pedestal, in which was set a shallow bowl. The hobbits watched her in awe from the crest of the bank. Galadriel gazed up at them up at them with no hint of emotion on her timeless face.
"This is the Mirror of Galadriel. Will you look into its waters?"
Frodo and Sam exchanged worried glances. Frodo looked back then started making his way cautiously down. Galadriel watched him placidly, her cold eyes unblinking.
"What shall we see- and what shall we look for within it?" Frodo asked.
"I can command it to show many things. It can reveal your desires and your fears. It can show what has been and things that yet may be. The Mirror of Galadriel can even show the things of the present, all across this world. But even the wisest cannot tell what one may see. Do you wish to look?"
He did not reply. He was fingering the Ring unconsciously as he thought. Did he really wish to see what his future held? Did he really want to remember the past? If he looked, would he see Gandalf fall yet again?
Galadriel turned her eyes to Sam.
"And you? Will you look?"
Sam hesitated. He felt his loyalty towards Frodo and yet, he really wanted to see what was happening at home. To see his Gaffer and Rosie again. It was probably his last chance. He nodded to the Lady. She tipped the pitcher so that the water flowed in a silver arc. It made the sound of stars glimmering as it fell and the whispering of diamonds as it filled the basin. When the last drop had fallen, Sam stepped up to the pedestal and gazed hard into the water.
At first, all he saw was his own worried face staring back at him, but then seemed to change. The image blurred and a clear sky took its place, with the dark outline of tree branches before it. The tree melted into another form as the sky reeled back to become a cliff face. The white figure of Frodo was sleeping there, eyes closed and hands clasped over his breast. Then the vision faded. More trees. Familiar, old branches and worn trunks. They were swaying, as if caught in a gale, then one by one they crashed to the ground, sending up a hail of splinters. Sam felt his face go cold and his hands gripped the pedestal tight. It was the Shire. The Old Mill was gone, its sails lying like fallen birds upon the riverbanks. Black smoke clogged the roads and byways of the little houses. And Bagshot Row was gone. Wood lay scattered about the pathways and roots emerged from the torn away ground like animals, writhing and clawing at the air. Sam shook his head in fury.
"No! What have they done?" He turned to the Lady, his face red and tears shining in his eyes. "I have to go home! They dug up Bagshot Row and the Old Mill. There are things in the Shire that shouldn't be there. I've got to go home!"
"Would you leave your master now? You knew the danger to the Shire when you set out, Samwise. But only now when you see them do you wish to turn back. The things you saw may not yet have happened unless perhaps you would turn aside from your path to intervene."
Sam looked at the ground. He hadn't understood everything in that Mirror. He hadn't known what it meant. But there was one thing for certain.
"I'll go home by the long road with Mister Frodo or not at all. I set out for that reason and I'll stick to it," he said resolutely.
Frodo was moved by these words. He got to his feet and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I shall look," he told the Lady. She lowered her gaze. She knew in her heart what he would see.
Frodo cast his eyes to the water. For a while, only his reflection appeared, face pale as the stars burning overhead. Then the pool's image changed. It glittered a moment then enfolded to a different scene entirely. Bilbo pacing his room and staring restlessly from his window at a rain- tipped world. The rain became a torrent, blacker and stronger. Frodo felt as if he had been hurled from the window and out into that black sea. It raged and boiled, flinging up great ebony waves and engulfing the blood-red sun. The silhouette of ships appeared on the horizon briefly, their bright flags fluttering in the storm. Then they were gone; replaced by a fortress with seven towers. A banner bearing a white tree flew at the peak. And then the ships came again, black this time, shining in the starlight. So black that they filled the whole Mirror. At first, Frodo thought that this was the end and he made to withdraw when he saw that the blackness was no longer complete. A golden glow had appeared distantly. A pinprick of light that grew at terrible speed. An eye. The slitted pupil darting from one side to another, searching.. searching.. searching.. It was wreathed in flame that appeared to burn the water from beneath. Frodo felt his limbs becoming weak. He began to slip forward, towards that great void and into the grip of the Dark Lord. He was calling for him. His voice so loud that it seemed to ring inside his head tenfold, deafening any other sound. Then he felt tight hands drawing him back from the blazing water.
"Legolas," he said faintly, feeling life flow back into his body. He collapsed into the elf's arms, utterly exhausted. Sam was at his side in a moment. Frodo could see him speaking but still the echoing of the Lord had not died. Sam hugged his friend close, trying to rid the memories from his master's mind.
--
Legolas glared at the Lady.
"You had no right to show them this. Can you not see the damage done?"
"I gave them a choice," Galadriel said calmly, meeting his eyes.
"You called them here. They had little enough choice as it is. You had no right," he repeated. Legolas felt angry. Hadn't the hobbits passed through enough by now? Were they to be tried and tested all the way through this journey? They had never known true peace as of yet! There was no place for them. And now, after he had heard Sam speak of his own glimpse into the Mirror, it was doubtful they would even have a home to go to. The elf could sense another presence in his mind and he tried to push it away.
"They have seen enough. Why show them more horrors? Give them peace for one night at least!" he said angrily. "That is enough. Tomorrow we shall leave and hopefully find peace somewhere else."
"I seek not to dispel their harmony. Only to show them what lies ahead and behind. I understand these things, and doubtless that Frodo and Sam do not."
"Lady Galadriel!" Frodo shouted. He was holding something tightly in his fist. He held it up to view and it shone clear in the moonlight. A bright gold band. For a moment, the Lady flinched, her eyes fixed on the apparition before her.
"You would give me the One Ring? In place of a Dark Lord, you would have a queen.. All to love me and despair. A queen.. stronger than the foundations the earth."
Her voice had fallen to a low and dangerous tone. Legolas and Sam watched in terror as her hand approached the Ring. But then the fingers curled back and a shudder passed through Galadriel.
"And I came here to test your heart," she said to Frodo, the shadow of a smile on her face. "I pass the test. I will diminish and go into the West with my kindred. And I will remain Galadriel."
--
When Legolas had returned the hobbits to the pavilion, he came back briefly. The Lady was waiting for him.
"You will be a great protector in the times to come," Galadriel said to him, "Many depend on you now, Son of Tharanduil. I believe that you will achieve your task."
"Why did you show them the Mirror, Lady?" Legolas asked, keeping his distance. Galadriel smiled at him.
"Because they need to understand how much depends on -them-. Both Frodo and Samwise will play a great part in this story. Whether they succeed or not, I cannot say. I thought perhaps the Mirror would guide them."
"But you said that you as one who did not doubt their victory," the elf snapped, "Why are you so unsure now?"
"I am not unsure. I still believe that you will succeed. Lothlórien will fade out of all existence. The elven rings will no longer have any power. And our kind will leave for Valinor, never to return. Of this, I am certain. But were you not there when you heard Frodo say that he could no longer fight this? No longer go on? He is the one who is unsure. I believe that you could show him that life will go on and that the quest must be completed. I tried to show them both that all is not lost."
Legolas nodded. He once again felt calm in the Lady's presence. Bowing, he turned to leave when a voice came into his head.
"Legolas.. The Grey Pilgrim still wanders.."
He turned to ask what she meant but Galadriel had gone.
~
Well, my surprise has come and gone. Only a bit more to do. I hope that you liked this!