Chapter 18
It was right after breakfast. The company was beginning to heal, as wounds both physically and mentally started to close. Ethrin had met Frodo and the Diamond, and found them very kind and thoughtful. When meeting Frodo, though, she remembered the quest of the ring, and once again felt a link to all of it. But Ethrin shrugged it off. She didn't want to think about it right now. All she wanted to do was enjoy Lothlórien while she had the time. Her spirits were lightened at this magical place, and she wanted to keep it that way.
Frodo lay in bed, watching the world around him. He remembered collapsing. He thought he had escaped depression and the hurts that had come with him through the ring. Proven wrong, he felt the depression and invisible wounds start surfacing, but he was able to push the thoughts away. He would stay strong, to keep Diamond's heart at rest. He had not collapsed like this in awhile, and Diamond had thought that he had escaped it. But then the depression and pain surfaced again. He felt restless, but then felt a hand resting on his forehead. Looking up, he saw the cloaked figure of the one that had been introduced to him as Lortil.
Ethrin closed her eyes as her hand rested on Frodo's forehead. Frodo's face was pale, and he was slowly shivering. Diamond was beside him, a look of worry on her face. Ethrin transferred energy to Frodo, her power, her soul, driving the evil that stirred in his heart and mind. Diamond took his hand also, and whispered words of encouragement. Color slowly came back to Frodo's cheeks. When he stopped shuddering, Ethrin walked away.
Ethrin walked on towards the waterfall she had found the day before. She wondered through the trees, admiring their beauty once again, still not believing that such wonder could exist. Legolas saw her and walked calmly to her side.
"You did a wonderful thing, healing Frodo. He could have been lost for a long time, and he could have felt excruciating pain. It was kind of you," he said, smiling down at Ethrin.
"Well, I had to find some way to prove to Aragorn that I'm not some thick-headed elf with no care at all for anybody," Ethrin replied, a smile playing at her lips.
"You are so selfish! So is that the only reason why you helped him?"
"Well, of course I like healing people. Better than seeing them suffer."
"So is that all you mysterious cloaked figures do? Heal people just so they could prove someone else wrong?"
"Are you Mirkwood elves so greedy when it comes to silver and gold? I remember from somewhere that your father, Thranduil, went with the men to fight the dwarves at the lonely mountain because he thought he deserved a share of the profits?" Ethrin smiled with mock expression. Legolas blushed, his face tinting red.
"You are so evil!" Legolas said, and kissed Ethrin lightly on the cheek. She laughed and to Legolas it was like music to his ears, a melody that he would never grow tired of.
"Thank you," Ethrin replied, grinning in the most evil expression she could. Legolas couldn't help the laughter that escaped. He had never been so carefree. Being an elf, and also the son of a king, he was expected to keep his opinions, thoughts, and emotions to himself. But now he was alone with the one being he could ever love with all his heart, so nothing mattered anymore.
Without warning Ethrin ran towards the direction of the waterfall. Legolas followed, chasing after her. But when he reached the waterfall, he couldn't see her there. He strolled slowly towards the water, and was just at the banks. He wondered to the very edge, and tried to peer through the mists, wondering if she were hiding somewhere behind the water droplets that glittered in the sun. Suddenly, he felt a shove and landed into the water. He came up sputtering, and found that the stream was very shallow. Covered from head to toe with water, he saw Ethrin laughing. Her hair blew in the wind slightly and her part was held in place by a hair garment. He went under, and Ethrin suddenly stopped laughing. She wondered to the water's edge and peered inside.
Suddenly, she saw a shadow and a hand grabbed hers and pulled her into the water. She was soaked from head to toe, and the cold water washed over her. But the cold didn't affect her; in fact, it seemed to sooth her. Ethrin dived under, looking around for Legolas. When she surfaced, a splash hit her. Ethrin looked up to see whom the culprit was, and saw that Legolas was already on the banks dashing water in her direction. Getting ready to splash, she suddenly saw Legolas stand up and leap into the water, spraying her with even more water. Ethrin slapped the water, sending rays of sparkling liquid onto Legolas as he desperately tried to get her back.
She spotted Diamond watching them from behind a tree, and stopped. Legolas didn't know what was happening, for his back was to her. Ethrin winked and saw Diamond wink back. Ethrin started splashing Legolas again. Legolas was starting to win the water fight when he felt a splash at his back. He turned around to see Diamond treading water, and then diving under.
"That's not fair," he shouted, but then was dunked under by an enthusiastic she-elf. When he was finally able to surface, he saw Ethrin sitting on the banks with Diamond next to her, watching him with humor in her eyes. Legolas climbed back out, clothes soaked totally through. He was dripping water, and his hair was all in tangles.
"You devil!" he called out to Ethrin.
"I've been fighting them so much I can't help adapting to their ways!" Ethrin shouted back. Then she turned to Diamond and asked, "How is Frodo?"
"He is much better, thanks to your strength and healing. I came to see what all the splashing was about. I was wandering in the woods when I heard you two," Diamond replied.
"I'm sorry if I bothered your stroll."
"It's about lunch time anyway. We'd better get back."
Ethrin nodded and waited while Legolas finally decided chance that this elf maiden wouldn't push him into the rippling liquid again. Then the three walked back to the heart of Lothlórien, letting the sun's rays dry up their wet clothes.
Night had fallen. Ethrin was with the rest of her companions, and had just woken from a soothing sleep. She felt rested, and her heart as calm as a summer breeze. Then a sudden feeling came over her, and she felt the presence of another not of the company. Ethrin turned around and saw Galadriel walking down to a basin in a clearing. Ethrin watched Galadriel and then tiptoed silently down the steps. Galadriel watched Ethrin approach. When she finally reached Galadriel, she stopped and watched as Galadriel got some water and poured it into the basin.
"The Mirror of Galadriel…" Ethrin muttered softly, head down. Then she looked into Galadriel's eyes. The eyes told her to look into the mirror. Ethrin carefully stepped up and peered into the mystical water.
Galadriel watched Ethrin as visions floated inside the water. Ethrin seemed calm, thought Galadriel sensed a tense feeling. She saw a flicker in her eyes, but then could not tell any more. Ethrin finally looked up, and Galadriel saw and knew what the cloaked figure had witnessed.
"You must leave tomorrow, at night. The demons are coming close," Galadriel finally said.
"Yes, I know," Ethrin replied. Then she turned and walked back up the steps. She could feel Galadriel's piercing look still at her back as she finally found her resting spot again. Ethrin was about to sleep when Diamond came up and sat down in front of her.
"You looked in the Mirror of Galadriel," Diamond stated. When Ethrin didn't answer, Diamond spoke again, "Frodo told me about the mirror. It shows things that were, things that are, and things that have not yet come to pass. What did you see?"
"Why do you ask?" Ethrin replied.
"The look on your face…never mind."
"What?"
"Why can't you just tell me?"
"It's so hard…you know nothing about me, so why do you care?"
"I just do. Just tell me, please?"
"Well…" Ethrin thought awhile. Diamond looked at Ethrin, searching her face. Finally, Ethrin decided that this hobbit should know the truth. "My name is not really Lortil. I was named Ethrin, and I was found by a human, who I came to know as my mother…" Ethrin said. And so she had Diamond conversed for the rest of the night.
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