{{This is basically a "get to know you" kind of chapter, so that the history of Neviâ and her relations to Galadriel are made known. Excitement continues in the following chapters, just gotta get the background stuff out the way, and all. I think it's fairly obvious what direction this fiction is taking; Elf meets Woman, Elf hates Woman, Elf Gets to Know Woman, Elf Fancies Woman.. and so on. ;) Just a show that not all Elves are entirely unwavering on the idea of being with humans. Critiques and ideas very warmly accepted.}}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the Elvish travellers and their woman-guest arrived at Caras Galadhon, city of the Galadhrim, the sun already began to drop from the sky. All of Lothlórien was musical with the drifting of leaves from branch to floor; with the quiet songs of the elf-maidens, who looked curiously upon the roughly clad newcomer and laughed softly amongst themselves.
Neviâ smiled unto them as she--now led only by Haldir--climbed the delicate, but sturdy staircases and paths that rose to the heart and seat of the Lady of the Wood. They stepped up to a wide, glowing flet that far outshined any other in the land. Neviâ braced herself and her eyes shone anxiously, and brightly. Haldir stood a few feet to the side of her, and soon the Lady Galadriel emerged standing tall with the Lord Celeborn at her side.
Neviâ bowed at their approach, but Galadriel quickly bid her stand.
"Elf-friend!" the Lady's voice sang in a greeting. "We are pleased that you have finally come."
And Celeborn uttered words to the servants at his side, who disappeared thereafter and returned shortly bearing seats with soft pillow-pads upon them. They gave one to Neviâ, who insisted she did not mean to bother them with such generosity. But her worries were quelled when Celeborn hastily dismissed them, and together they sat in something of a circle--Haldir himself seated at a distance, ever-watching and listening.
"So, my Lady and my Lord.. you were expecting me?" said Neviâ hesitantly, once they settled.
"Yes, Neviâ. You've come to tell us that your people wish us ill deeds," said Galadriel plainly, but her voice was soft and comforting.
"I have," Neviâ replied, seeming relieved. "I do not understand their animosity. Elves have done nothing to us, yet in the minds of my men they stand as some awful curse to the earth. And least of all, the Galadhrim, whose people have not been seen for ages! I do not know what I can do, but come to warn that they will attack these Woods if they can, though... I do not see that they would be successful. I am overcome with surprise that I myself have made it so far into your lands."
Galadriel smiled. "Nay, Neviâ. You need not worry."
"And if they attack, what will you do?"
The Lady seemed thoughtful for a while, her smile slowly fading. "We will drive them away. We will not harm them. They are a mislead and desperate peoples, but they are harmless."
Neviâ seemed troubled. "I do not doubt that these Woods are impossible to overrun. They are, for one, very well-guarded." She paused, as if reflecting on all that had happened to her since her arrival at the river. "But I feel it in my heart that the desperation of the Rundean--as my people are called--has gone awry. They will try to find and destroy all that they can of this place."
Celeborn spoke gently: "They may try, but they can not. These borders will not shudder at the touch of a few lost men."
Neviâ lowered her head. "My Lord. But I had to find you, die though I might trying. I am restless with the fear that something may yet go astray. It is piteous that I can not do more."
And so it seemed to Haldir, who had been listening with utmost care and interest, that the Lady and Lord indeed meant to soothe Neviâ. But why? Perhaps the Lady had forseen that something would certainly go astray. Perhaps Neviâ's people would be violent, and the Elves in their defense would be forced to rid of them. Now he could see both the Lady's and Neviâ's concerns, and he was strangely saddened.
"Neviâ! Do not despair. You will stay the night with us, if you will, and tomorrow we will send you along a path of safety back to your home," Galadriel said. "That is, if you wish to go that path. Most gracious we are that you have travelled far and alone from the kindness of your spirit to warn us."
"Thank you milady, but I wish not to return home."
"Where might you go?" asked Celeborn. A slight frown was in his brows.
"Of that I am not aware," replied Neviâ, with a small smile. "The earth has no limit. I suspect I shall find a new home before it is over."
"Ah. You are the vision of your mother," said Galadriel. "With no less the charm, and all of her strength."
"Of my mother!" responded Neviâ quickly. "Then the Lady knows more than I do."
"It is unfortunate that you could not know your mother, or your grandmother. Strong and willful, and beautiful they were," said Galadriel. "For they were also great friends of ours, and all Elf-kind. It is to them that we owe you such courtesy as we may, for your mothers before you were helpful to our kind through these long years."
Neviâ seemed to shine at the mentioning of her family, and thus listened as the Lady and Lord told tales she never before heard of her mother, the Elf-friend and outcast. Her mother had never seen the Golden Wood, but knew well its sister-haven Rivendell, and the Master Elrond. Neviâ had many questions to ask, and all were answered with patience and care by Galadriel and Celeborn, who seemed pleased that they might fill in such a hole as was lain in Neviâ's heart. Haldir himself was surprised that her family, whom she had not even known, had such history with his own kindred. But ever in his heart he was saddened by a tale that was yet to be told.
When memories were made and all was quiet again, Neviâ at once fell dark and was lost in her thoughts. "I would love nothing more than to stay this night," she said with some difficulty, "but.. I do not mean to intrude."
"It is no intrusion," said Celeborn warmly. "Be at peace here. One of our own will show you the Wood, be your guide, tell you the lore and the stories of old, that your mother so loved. You may dine in our House," he continued, "with our people. And you can leave only when you are ready."
Neviâ seemed uncertain. "When I am ready?" she repeated.
"Aye. You may call this place your home, if you feel all is lost," said Galadriel.
"Me? To stay in the ancient lands and live among the beauty of the Elves?" Neviâ was awed by the idea--it shown in her face--but again she seemed distant and pensive.
"Will you not stay among us?" said Galadriel, but in her voice and her eyes, Haldir could read an answer she long knew.
"I can not," said Neviâ, though it took some great will to deliver the words. "But on this night, I will stay as you bid and look upon the Wood, and upon the Lady, and remember them forever as the only place in all of Middle-earth that was unspoilt by the charges of Men. And be comforted for all my days after."
Neviâ finished with a great sigh, and in a moment they all rose from their seats.
"Then it is so," said Galadriel, and she extended and lay a hand upon Neviâ's bent shoulder. "Rest here tonight, and learn our world from your guide." She looked then at Haldir, who was unmoved and watching anxiously. "I could find no greater leader than our beloved Guardian," she said with a knowing glint in her fair eyes. "If he would be so willing," she added.
Haldir nodded once to the Lady, and once to Neviâ. "Aye," he said softly.
"I am beyond grateful," said Neviâ with sudden humilty. "But I must offer my apologies to your guard," and as she spoke she looked upon Haldir. "For he has been naught but helpful and fair, and I have given unkind words in his expense. I was greatly wrong."
And to his surprise, she bowed lowly to him, before the Lady and the Lord. Haldir could scarcely believe how humbled the woman became, and in the presence of such ancient greatness.
The Lady smiled again. "You have been through much, daughter of Niliâ," she said, "do not bother with guilt and grief over thoughtless words."
"Neviâ," Galadriel continued, but her voice deepened and yet went soft with some new assurance. "The one for whom your heart grieves still remembers you, and has not forgotten your friendship. Be at peace!"
Then both she and Celeborn smiled on their guest, and took their leave. Neviâ sighed again, and stared after them with terrible sadness.
Haldir felt this sadness as plainly as he could feel wind and rain. The one for whom her heart grieves? Mysteries wrung themselves around Neviâ, or the Redspear, as she was called.
"Is something the matter?" Haldir asked after some time.
Neviâ seemed spun from her thoughts, and turned sharply. A new absence was in her eyes. "Nay," she said. "And it is not necessary that you lead me through the City. I would not keep you from your duties, or trouble any here. Only lead me to my resting place, and I'll no more be a bother."
Haldir couldn't decide if she was trying to rid of him, or suffered some secret hurt she would not risk revealing. In any case, his Lady asked him to accompany this stranger-friend, and so he would. "I will show you your sleeping place," he said. "But only once you've seen our City by my guidance."
She looked up suddenly, and searched his face. "I am to guess that you won't be moved on this decision?"
He nodded. "Your guess is fair."
"Because your Lady asked of you to lead me through these unfamiliar lands?" she continued.
Again he nodded. "That is so."
"Then you need not suffer the cause! I will be fine on my own."
"You will be fine accompanied by me," he said evenly, "and 'tis no suffering on my part."
Her dark eyebrows lifted at an angle, and changed the whole of her face into a single question she didn't need to phrase.
He smiled. "All will be well."
"Then it is settled," she said and was peaceful. "I extend kindness and friendship to you, Guardian, and many thanks."
"And I to you," he responded. "But I am also Haldir, as you know that is my name."
"And I may use it?"
"In kindness and friendship!" he replied hastily, and gave her a threatening look, but there was a smile behind his eyes and she knew he was jesting.
She grinned broadly. "Then let us have a go at this City of Trees."
And so they left the Lady and Lord's House, and walked onto many paths, around many trees and homes. Always Haldir had a thing to say on the goings-on of the Wood, particularly the families residing in particular flets they passed. Often, another Elf would come by and offer kind words to Haldir, and look oddly upon Neviâ. Haldir gave introductions in Elvish, and Neviâ seemed to understand some, but not all of what was said. And the visitor would depart, and Haldir would take it upon himself to tell the tale of those who passed. He adored telling stories, especially of his own kind, though he knew little of any else, nor did he often have a spirit to share them with.
And in all his songs and tales, he invited Neviâ to speak of her own experiences and tell stories of her people. She gave hardly a word, but always listened while he spoke, and humored his antics, applauded his finished tales, and always urged him to tell more. It seemed she could not learn enough about any one person or place, and he felt comforted in this. She was restricted to the land of her own people, as he was, and when the desire for knowledge of the outside world overcame her, she had to seek it alone, for no one else would join her. Such was the way of him. When he left the Woods seeking news from distant lands, he was always alone, though these trips were rare.
At last they came to the trunk of a particularly large mallorn, and both sat down in front of it. Neviâ rested her back against the tree-bark, and sighed softly.
Haldir watched her curiously. After a while he spoke.
"It is a rare of the Lady to invite a stranger to live among us," he said quietly.
Neviâ turned to him, but cast her eyes to the ground. "I know," she replied. "And I am so filled with gratitude that it feels like I should burst. But I could not stay, and I think this she already knew."
"Would it be so hard to stay here?" Haldir asked, gesturing around them to the beautiful rows of silver trunks and golden leaves; the soft murmer of Elven spirits in song and speech; the ever-present voice of the Great River calming the lands and hearts of all surrounding it.
Neviâ grinned faintly, understanding his point. "It is a sad thing to turn away," she confided, "but my heart is lost by it-- an Elf who was my friend for many years. And now I can not look upon any Elf-kind without grief."
"The one the Lady spoke of," Haldir said aloud, though he meant it only to himself.
"Aye," she answered. "A dear friend, who taught me much of the Elves, and much of anything I know," she added.
Halidr tried to find her eyes, but always they were turned down. "I thought you too knowledgable of the Elves," he said lightly, "to never have known one before. But.. where is your Elf-friend?"
"I do not know. Nearly two years it has been, with naught a word from or for the other."
Hadir nodded his head gently. "Have you no thoughts where she might be?" he asked.
Neviâ looked up, but quickly down again. "None," she said. "I've bent my mind to it time and again, but always for nothing. It is a terrible thing," she said lowly, "to be loosed from so rare a friendship."
He agreed in silence. There they sat for many moments, watching the darkling sky, comforted by the unchanged spirit of the trees.
Then a thought came to him. "You must be thirsting to death! Might I offer you a draft of our water? It is soothing, and our rivers are well-protected."
"You need not convince a thirsting woman to have a drink of water," Neviâ replied slyly.
"Of course," said Haldir, grinning. "I'll be a moment."
And he sprang lightly to his feet, seeking a canteen for this new guest, and friend.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the Elvish travellers and their woman-guest arrived at Caras Galadhon, city of the Galadhrim, the sun already began to drop from the sky. All of Lothlórien was musical with the drifting of leaves from branch to floor; with the quiet songs of the elf-maidens, who looked curiously upon the roughly clad newcomer and laughed softly amongst themselves.
Neviâ smiled unto them as she--now led only by Haldir--climbed the delicate, but sturdy staircases and paths that rose to the heart and seat of the Lady of the Wood. They stepped up to a wide, glowing flet that far outshined any other in the land. Neviâ braced herself and her eyes shone anxiously, and brightly. Haldir stood a few feet to the side of her, and soon the Lady Galadriel emerged standing tall with the Lord Celeborn at her side.
Neviâ bowed at their approach, but Galadriel quickly bid her stand.
"Elf-friend!" the Lady's voice sang in a greeting. "We are pleased that you have finally come."
And Celeborn uttered words to the servants at his side, who disappeared thereafter and returned shortly bearing seats with soft pillow-pads upon them. They gave one to Neviâ, who insisted she did not mean to bother them with such generosity. But her worries were quelled when Celeborn hastily dismissed them, and together they sat in something of a circle--Haldir himself seated at a distance, ever-watching and listening.
"So, my Lady and my Lord.. you were expecting me?" said Neviâ hesitantly, once they settled.
"Yes, Neviâ. You've come to tell us that your people wish us ill deeds," said Galadriel plainly, but her voice was soft and comforting.
"I have," Neviâ replied, seeming relieved. "I do not understand their animosity. Elves have done nothing to us, yet in the minds of my men they stand as some awful curse to the earth. And least of all, the Galadhrim, whose people have not been seen for ages! I do not know what I can do, but come to warn that they will attack these Woods if they can, though... I do not see that they would be successful. I am overcome with surprise that I myself have made it so far into your lands."
Galadriel smiled. "Nay, Neviâ. You need not worry."
"And if they attack, what will you do?"
The Lady seemed thoughtful for a while, her smile slowly fading. "We will drive them away. We will not harm them. They are a mislead and desperate peoples, but they are harmless."
Neviâ seemed troubled. "I do not doubt that these Woods are impossible to overrun. They are, for one, very well-guarded." She paused, as if reflecting on all that had happened to her since her arrival at the river. "But I feel it in my heart that the desperation of the Rundean--as my people are called--has gone awry. They will try to find and destroy all that they can of this place."
Celeborn spoke gently: "They may try, but they can not. These borders will not shudder at the touch of a few lost men."
Neviâ lowered her head. "My Lord. But I had to find you, die though I might trying. I am restless with the fear that something may yet go astray. It is piteous that I can not do more."
And so it seemed to Haldir, who had been listening with utmost care and interest, that the Lady and Lord indeed meant to soothe Neviâ. But why? Perhaps the Lady had forseen that something would certainly go astray. Perhaps Neviâ's people would be violent, and the Elves in their defense would be forced to rid of them. Now he could see both the Lady's and Neviâ's concerns, and he was strangely saddened.
"Neviâ! Do not despair. You will stay the night with us, if you will, and tomorrow we will send you along a path of safety back to your home," Galadriel said. "That is, if you wish to go that path. Most gracious we are that you have travelled far and alone from the kindness of your spirit to warn us."
"Thank you milady, but I wish not to return home."
"Where might you go?" asked Celeborn. A slight frown was in his brows.
"Of that I am not aware," replied Neviâ, with a small smile. "The earth has no limit. I suspect I shall find a new home before it is over."
"Ah. You are the vision of your mother," said Galadriel. "With no less the charm, and all of her strength."
"Of my mother!" responded Neviâ quickly. "Then the Lady knows more than I do."
"It is unfortunate that you could not know your mother, or your grandmother. Strong and willful, and beautiful they were," said Galadriel. "For they were also great friends of ours, and all Elf-kind. It is to them that we owe you such courtesy as we may, for your mothers before you were helpful to our kind through these long years."
Neviâ seemed to shine at the mentioning of her family, and thus listened as the Lady and Lord told tales she never before heard of her mother, the Elf-friend and outcast. Her mother had never seen the Golden Wood, but knew well its sister-haven Rivendell, and the Master Elrond. Neviâ had many questions to ask, and all were answered with patience and care by Galadriel and Celeborn, who seemed pleased that they might fill in such a hole as was lain in Neviâ's heart. Haldir himself was surprised that her family, whom she had not even known, had such history with his own kindred. But ever in his heart he was saddened by a tale that was yet to be told.
When memories were made and all was quiet again, Neviâ at once fell dark and was lost in her thoughts. "I would love nothing more than to stay this night," she said with some difficulty, "but.. I do not mean to intrude."
"It is no intrusion," said Celeborn warmly. "Be at peace here. One of our own will show you the Wood, be your guide, tell you the lore and the stories of old, that your mother so loved. You may dine in our House," he continued, "with our people. And you can leave only when you are ready."
Neviâ seemed uncertain. "When I am ready?" she repeated.
"Aye. You may call this place your home, if you feel all is lost," said Galadriel.
"Me? To stay in the ancient lands and live among the beauty of the Elves?" Neviâ was awed by the idea--it shown in her face--but again she seemed distant and pensive.
"Will you not stay among us?" said Galadriel, but in her voice and her eyes, Haldir could read an answer she long knew.
"I can not," said Neviâ, though it took some great will to deliver the words. "But on this night, I will stay as you bid and look upon the Wood, and upon the Lady, and remember them forever as the only place in all of Middle-earth that was unspoilt by the charges of Men. And be comforted for all my days after."
Neviâ finished with a great sigh, and in a moment they all rose from their seats.
"Then it is so," said Galadriel, and she extended and lay a hand upon Neviâ's bent shoulder. "Rest here tonight, and learn our world from your guide." She looked then at Haldir, who was unmoved and watching anxiously. "I could find no greater leader than our beloved Guardian," she said with a knowing glint in her fair eyes. "If he would be so willing," she added.
Haldir nodded once to the Lady, and once to Neviâ. "Aye," he said softly.
"I am beyond grateful," said Neviâ with sudden humilty. "But I must offer my apologies to your guard," and as she spoke she looked upon Haldir. "For he has been naught but helpful and fair, and I have given unkind words in his expense. I was greatly wrong."
And to his surprise, she bowed lowly to him, before the Lady and the Lord. Haldir could scarcely believe how humbled the woman became, and in the presence of such ancient greatness.
The Lady smiled again. "You have been through much, daughter of Niliâ," she said, "do not bother with guilt and grief over thoughtless words."
"Neviâ," Galadriel continued, but her voice deepened and yet went soft with some new assurance. "The one for whom your heart grieves still remembers you, and has not forgotten your friendship. Be at peace!"
Then both she and Celeborn smiled on their guest, and took their leave. Neviâ sighed again, and stared after them with terrible sadness.
Haldir felt this sadness as plainly as he could feel wind and rain. The one for whom her heart grieves? Mysteries wrung themselves around Neviâ, or the Redspear, as she was called.
"Is something the matter?" Haldir asked after some time.
Neviâ seemed spun from her thoughts, and turned sharply. A new absence was in her eyes. "Nay," she said. "And it is not necessary that you lead me through the City. I would not keep you from your duties, or trouble any here. Only lead me to my resting place, and I'll no more be a bother."
Haldir couldn't decide if she was trying to rid of him, or suffered some secret hurt she would not risk revealing. In any case, his Lady asked him to accompany this stranger-friend, and so he would. "I will show you your sleeping place," he said. "But only once you've seen our City by my guidance."
She looked up suddenly, and searched his face. "I am to guess that you won't be moved on this decision?"
He nodded. "Your guess is fair."
"Because your Lady asked of you to lead me through these unfamiliar lands?" she continued.
Again he nodded. "That is so."
"Then you need not suffer the cause! I will be fine on my own."
"You will be fine accompanied by me," he said evenly, "and 'tis no suffering on my part."
Her dark eyebrows lifted at an angle, and changed the whole of her face into a single question she didn't need to phrase.
He smiled. "All will be well."
"Then it is settled," she said and was peaceful. "I extend kindness and friendship to you, Guardian, and many thanks."
"And I to you," he responded. "But I am also Haldir, as you know that is my name."
"And I may use it?"
"In kindness and friendship!" he replied hastily, and gave her a threatening look, but there was a smile behind his eyes and she knew he was jesting.
She grinned broadly. "Then let us have a go at this City of Trees."
And so they left the Lady and Lord's House, and walked onto many paths, around many trees and homes. Always Haldir had a thing to say on the goings-on of the Wood, particularly the families residing in particular flets they passed. Often, another Elf would come by and offer kind words to Haldir, and look oddly upon Neviâ. Haldir gave introductions in Elvish, and Neviâ seemed to understand some, but not all of what was said. And the visitor would depart, and Haldir would take it upon himself to tell the tale of those who passed. He adored telling stories, especially of his own kind, though he knew little of any else, nor did he often have a spirit to share them with.
And in all his songs and tales, he invited Neviâ to speak of her own experiences and tell stories of her people. She gave hardly a word, but always listened while he spoke, and humored his antics, applauded his finished tales, and always urged him to tell more. It seemed she could not learn enough about any one person or place, and he felt comforted in this. She was restricted to the land of her own people, as he was, and when the desire for knowledge of the outside world overcame her, she had to seek it alone, for no one else would join her. Such was the way of him. When he left the Woods seeking news from distant lands, he was always alone, though these trips were rare.
At last they came to the trunk of a particularly large mallorn, and both sat down in front of it. Neviâ rested her back against the tree-bark, and sighed softly.
Haldir watched her curiously. After a while he spoke.
"It is a rare of the Lady to invite a stranger to live among us," he said quietly.
Neviâ turned to him, but cast her eyes to the ground. "I know," she replied. "And I am so filled with gratitude that it feels like I should burst. But I could not stay, and I think this she already knew."
"Would it be so hard to stay here?" Haldir asked, gesturing around them to the beautiful rows of silver trunks and golden leaves; the soft murmer of Elven spirits in song and speech; the ever-present voice of the Great River calming the lands and hearts of all surrounding it.
Neviâ grinned faintly, understanding his point. "It is a sad thing to turn away," she confided, "but my heart is lost by it-- an Elf who was my friend for many years. And now I can not look upon any Elf-kind without grief."
"The one the Lady spoke of," Haldir said aloud, though he meant it only to himself.
"Aye," she answered. "A dear friend, who taught me much of the Elves, and much of anything I know," she added.
Halidr tried to find her eyes, but always they were turned down. "I thought you too knowledgable of the Elves," he said lightly, "to never have known one before. But.. where is your Elf-friend?"
"I do not know. Nearly two years it has been, with naught a word from or for the other."
Hadir nodded his head gently. "Have you no thoughts where she might be?" he asked.
Neviâ looked up, but quickly down again. "None," she said. "I've bent my mind to it time and again, but always for nothing. It is a terrible thing," she said lowly, "to be loosed from so rare a friendship."
He agreed in silence. There they sat for many moments, watching the darkling sky, comforted by the unchanged spirit of the trees.
Then a thought came to him. "You must be thirsting to death! Might I offer you a draft of our water? It is soothing, and our rivers are well-protected."
"You need not convince a thirsting woman to have a drink of water," Neviâ replied slyly.
"Of course," said Haldir, grinning. "I'll be a moment."
And he sprang lightly to his feet, seeking a canteen for this new guest, and friend.