How beautiful the day and night

The earth is singing in the wind,

The voices rise and touch the sky

Telling all the earth's believing

And in the night sighs fall down,

And from the skies sighs fall down on me

---------Enya (Tears on my heart)

Chapter 6: Anna- márie indoren*

Legolas could see her blood left a trail on the road they took and he could not withstand it any longer. 'No matter what evil she has committed, there is no way we should treat her like this.'

"Langolin, hold on." Everyone stopped and turned to him.

"Her feet are bleeding. She doesn't wear shoes."

Langolin looked down to Galadriel's feet and turned away. His eyes were still flamed with hatred and sorrow. He almost ignored Legolas' plea, but something made him change his mind.

"Let her mount one of our horses. Aeglos, guard her." His voice was icy cold as always.

"But our horses will not let anyone mount them save the owners."

"I am sure they will," Galadriel replied reactively. Aeglos raised his eyebrows in disbelief and reluctantly brought forward a brown horse. The stallion neighed softly, pushed her gently with his head. The Lady smiled and mounted him with ease.

"I've never seen Hwest* want to be mounted by anyone but me." Aeglos was clearly impressed.

"Maybe she has bewitched him." Brethil looked at them in amazement, though certainly without pleasure.

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Legolas was perplexed. 'Why is Hwest so eager to submit to her? Does she have dark magic? Why does she attract me so much? Am I the only one who can see the beauty in her? None of my brothers or friends seems to like her. Did she cast a spell on me? How could anything Evil shine with such beauty, possess such kindness and wisdom in their eyes? She admitted that she was not blameless. What kind of misdeeds had she committed? And why does Langolin hate her so?'

Questions, questions and questions. He never stopped questioning since Galadriel came, something that was unnatural for him. They haunted him every minute, every day, refused to let go their grip on his mind. He kept his eyes on the Elven Queen the rest of the journey, hoping to find an answer, but found himself more confused by the complexity he found in her. Young and inexperienced, the young Elf had always thought that everything was as discernable as black and white, but he began to doubt if such a point of view could be used to understand the prisoner.

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After many days of walking, almost without rest, the journey ended. They reached Southern Mirkwood and arrived at a simple house in the middle of forest.

"Aeglos, nin melethron*!" an Elf maid ran to meet them. The young lady was fair, with beautiful brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes, clad in a simple green dress. She was clearly Aeglos' beloved for the Prince embraced her and they kissed passionately. Their love for each other was obvious and it took a long time for both to satisfy their longing for each other.

Langolin stepped forward to the maid Elf and greeted her. "We meet again, Limiel. Sorry to bother you by this matter."

The maiden laughed. Her voice was crystal clear, "Its my pleasure to help you, Uncle. You may use my house anytime." It was then she took notice of Galadriel sitting on Hwest.

She could not hide her surprise and did not try to. "Who is she, Aeglos? She is so lovely! And why is she riding Hwest?"

"She is our captive, Limiel. Do not bother over her. Just place her anywhere. Put her in the dungeon if you wish," Brethil raised his voice. Legolas frowned.

"Nay, she will not. She is my guest and I treat all my guests with respect." Her voice was stern but she smiled at Galadriel. "Who are you, Lady? Never have I seen such a beautiful maiden. I am Limiel, daughter of Aglar the Brilliant. Call me Limiel."

Galadriel smiled. It was the first time since her capture someone treated her with kindness and warmth. "I am Nerwen, daughter of Finarfin. You can call me Nerwen." She used her infamous name, which was only known by certain persons, to conceal her identity as Lady of Lothlorien.

Limiel came forward and tapped the horse's neck gently. "Seems like Hwest is quite fond of you. Very strange." Then she looked at Galadriel empathetically. The Queen was clearly exhausted from the journey, though she sat tall and proud on the horse. Her beautiful dress was stained by blood and dirt, and her eyes shone with sorrow and grief. "Come, Lady, let me show you my simple hut. You can rest and enjoy a nice warm bath. I believe none of these gentlemen treat you with decency." She glared at Aeglos and his companions.

"I live here alone. All my brothers are married and my parents have gone to theWest. My uncle and his company usually stay in my brothers' rooms. Ah, here is my chamber. It is not large or luxurious, but it is better than nothing. And it is comfortable enough for two of us, if you don't mind sharing a bed with me."

"Of course not. Thank you, Limiel."

Limiel busied herself around the house while Galadriel sat on the most comfortable chair she could find, trying to rest.

"You can have your bath now, Lady Nerwen. It seems strange to call you by name. I am still young and I believe you are much older."

"You can call me muinthel*, if you wish," Galadriel replied. "I cannot say how much I appreciate your hospitality, Limiel."

"It is nothing, Lady, I mean muinthel. I know my Aeglos and his company are not the nicest persons in Middle Earth. But they are not evil, I assure you."

"But I am their captive. Don't you worry that I might be an evil… Witch?" Galadriel raised her eyebrows.

Limiel laughed, "Witch? That's what they call you? Nay, I knew you were not an ordinary Elf when I saw you. I can very well tell that your greatness and strength are beyond anyone I ever met. Shame that Aeglos and his company cannot sense that." She shook her head. "Besides, Hwest likes you. That ill-mannered horse is very sensitive, you know. The fact that he seems happy letting you sit on him is enough to assure me of your kind nature. "

She opened a cupboard and took out a plain white dress. "You can wear this. This dress in no way compare to the marvelous dress of yours, but I believe such a graceful Lady as you are will look equally beautiful in any garment."

Galadriel felt more than content when she found that Limiel had kindly prepared soaps and flower petals for her along with warm water. 'Such a wonderful maiden she is. No fear or prejudice does she have for someone who is evil in the eyes of her beloved. But I wonder why everyone chooses to dress me in white?'

Limiel was a light-hearted lady and she talked a lot as she cooked dinner. Cheerfully she told Galadriel about her family and friends. Her father was a teacher in Mirkwood, but she preferred horse training. She had trained many horses, but could never tame Hwest. To her surprise, the stallion let Aeglos to mount him, and from that moment she found something impressive in him.

"So, tell me about yourself, muinthel."

"What to tell, Limiel?" Galadriel had been sitting in the kitchen with her, listening to her chattering. She offered to help, but Limiel strictly refused.

"Well, I am quite curious as to why my Uncle and Aeglos captured you."

Galadriel sighed. "It is about something happened a long time ago, mistakes I made when I was young and foolish. But I do not want to talk about it if you don't mind."

"Of course. Forgive my impulsive tongue." She blushed.

"Frankness is not something to be ashamed of." Galadriel smiled at her lovingly, as if to her own daughter, "You are a nice lady, Limiel. Aeglos must be very grateful for having you as his beloved."

"Thank you. A compliment from such great Lady is very honorable to me."

"Where are the others?" Galadriel realized she had been left alone with Limiel.

"My uncle, Daeross and Brethil returned to Northern Mirkwood. They will come back in a week or so. Aeglos and Legolas will stay to guard you. Ah, here they come. Right on time, the dinner is ready."

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Legolas kept trying to steal a glance at Galadriel who sat in front of him during the dinner. She looked a lot more like ordinary maid that night, probably because she took off her crown and exchanged her queenly gown for simple white dress. Her hair had been brushed and braided in simple knots, adding to her young features. But her modest appearance did not change her nobility Every gesture she made was graceful and majestic, even when she humbly helped Limiel serving the dinner. The bath had made her skin and hair fairer than before, and she was surrounded by a mist of sweet fragrance of soaps and flowers. Her Elven light was more radiant than usual, filling the dining room with a lovely sheen, while her eyes were like a vast and deep blue sea with sparkling foamy waves as they reached the shore.

There were moments when Legolas felt as if he was drunk or mad. Never in his life had he felt this way. A couple of times he had to restrain himself from touching the Lady. And his will to fight the urge began to grow thin every time his eyes fell on her. With all the strength he could summon, he forced his eyes to the plate of food in front of him and said no word during the dinner, but that could not prevent his mind from wandering to the Lady. His mind began to form another question, a very different question, ' Am I in love?'

Fortunately for the young Elf, Galadriel was too tired to notice his weird behavior, let alone intrude his mind.

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The night was pleasant to the Queen and she was thankful that Fate had not completely forsaken her. The house was small, yet warm and homely. Windows were opened wide, bringing the scent of summer flowers and cool refreshing wind. Her keen ears caught the lovely melody of a stream flowing from afar. She looked to the maiden who had fallen asleep beside her, 'How can I ever repay your kindness, Limiel? Your gentle heart soothes my troubled spirit, and you are indeed a sparkling star in my darkest night.'

Dreamless was her sleep and she felt very grateful for she had not had decent sleep for long time, even before her captivity. She cast away her cares for a while and enjoyed a peaceful rest.

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Anna marie-indoren = gift of good heart in Quenya. (very rough translation)

Muinthel = sister in Sindarin.

Hwest= breeze in Sindarin

Nin melethorn = my beloved/lover in Sindarin, used for masculine only.

Limiel = sparkling star in Sindarin