"The guilty shall bring the guilty to judgment,… "

(King Theoden, LOTR The Two Towers)

Chapter 10: Truth Revealed

Aeglos, and Limiel stood few feet from Galadriel who was weaving whole-heartedly, singing a wordless melody. They exchanged gazes and nodded.

"Lady Galadriel?" Aeglos softly called out her name.

"Yes?" Galadriel raised her eyes to meet his, bewildered at the kind tone he used, for he had never spoken to her respectfully, let alone gently.

"Could you please answer our questions?" His tone was still gentle, but his deep blue eyes shone with every determination that he would get what he wanted at any cost. Galadriel did not like such look at all, but she noticed Limiel behind him, clearly showed her support, and same plea with her beloved. Legolas, who had been sitting in front of her, observed her carefully, expecting her to refuse. Although he was greatly curious, he had learned and never again would cause Galadriel pain if he could help it.

"You want to know why your teacher holds me as a captive." She looked at them; her eyes were sharp and displeased. Aeglos nodded and turned away. Behind him, Limiel was slightly embarrassed.

"Why did you agree to this mission in the first place when you didn't even know the reason? Were you just ignorant or foolish? " Her voice clearly showed her indignation. Aeglos and Legolas looked down, ashamed of themselves.

Limiel moved forth, kneeled beside Galadriel. She placed her hands on Galadriel's knees and looked at her eyes apologetically, "Please forgive us, Lady Galadriel, the Greatest Lady of our people. We have been thoughtless and committed misdeeds beyond our comprehension. We dare not ask to be spared from the consequences and we must bravely face it when it comes. Now, we fear not for ourselves, but for Mirkwood, for all the Elves in Middle Earth would besieged us once they knew about our action. And we fear for you, for we do not know what Langolin has in store for you."

Galadriel's eyes were softened as she looked upon Limiel, awed at her unassuming wisdom and courage. Galadriel did not have the heart to reject her appeal for she was the maiden to whom she was in debt of kindness and whom she regarded as her own daughter. Galadriel looked down to her loom, pondering their request. 'Should I let my secret unfolded and stripped myself from my defense to such young unwise ones? Could I face the dismay and hatred they might cast upon me?'

Resolute, she rose and walked toward the door, "Come, I will tell you what I can. Let us go out. Night has been kind and I wish to see the stars."

It was new moon, and the night was clear from cloud, making the star constellations more visible and brighter. Galadriel looked above, searching for her beloved Star and sang out a song silently, for songs and stars were her only sources of strength left.

'Though nightfall should darken my way

Never shall my path go astray

Though end of days is drawing near

Death and pain I shall not fear.

Though Judgment Throne is unforgiving

Upright and tall will I keep standing,

Though punishment is cruel and scary

I will surrender with silence and bravery.

Let Darkness come engirdle me!

But true my heart forever be.

Let Joy and Hope gone out of sight!

Still my soul keeps soaring high.'

She finished her private song and turned to face the rest who waited anxiously behind her. "I assume Langolin wants my death," she said plainly and emotionless. She could hear them take sharps grasps but she ignored it, "he wants to revenge against me on behalf of his relatives which I murdered in Alqualonde, before I departed from Aman."

Her previous words echoed in Legolas mind : 'Innocent I am not for I have committed many mistakes.' 'You asked me who I am and the only thing I can tell you now is that the answers will not be pleasant to your ears. Do you still want to know me?' I, too, have caused many people to face their utmost fear and threw them into deep despair.' Was this what she meant? That she was a murderer? It could not be! She might commit mistakes, but to Murder her own kin? Kill other Elves? Legolas' mind denied the thought, but then, it was truth. Bare simple truth and there was no other explanation could fit better into the whole scenario. Pieces of puzzle had fallen into their places and the picture it showed was not amusing to anyone.

'As I said, Legolas, I am not faultless. Now you must choose as to how to respond to this truth.' Her gentle voice was heard in his mind.

"Who was it that you murdered?" Limiel whispered in her shock. How such a kind and noble creature was able to commit such a dreadful sin was beyond her comprehension.

"I cannot tell the exact reason he imprisoned me. My knowledge comes from my premonition, not from his mind. His mind only revealed some pieces of his intention, probably because he was so ancient and therefore able to keep his mind from my intrusion."

"But why did you kill?" Aeglos spoke up.

"Ambition," she chuckled in bitterness, laughing a herself and her people. "We, the Noldor, are the most ambitious among the Eldar, or perhaps among the Children of Iluvatar. Through our unquenchable yearnings, we have accomplished much, and destroyed even more."

"You said ambition, was it for Silmarils?" Aeglos, as a Prince, had learned about the flawed history of his people, though much of the story remained untold.

Galadriel shook her head, "Many people had been mad over the Jewels. I, however, had another thing on my mind."

"Finrod and I were young back then and our youth blood drove us mad by its craving. Valinor was very beautiful and safe, too safe. We wanted something more; adventure, suspense, power. We wanted to feel our heart beat in uncertainty, feel the throbbing of our blood rushing in our ears. We wanted power, to rule others instead of being ruled, to build our own kingdom. Finrod yearned for freedom. And I, " she sighed remorsefully. " I wanted recognition for my ability, not my beauty."

"We went secretly to our mother's family, the Teleri, who guarded the Swan Ships. We needed their help to escape from Valinor to Middle Earth where no one would supervise our deeds and we could achieve our dreams. By the time we reached Alqualonde, the Kinslaying began. I did not have choice but plunging myself into the war, disguised as Teleri, aiding my mother's relatives without second thought. And thus, I killed my father's kinsmen."

Galadriel returned from her trance and looked at them, "Now you know my story, a past which was concealed from many, yet revealed to you. I accept whatever curses and blame you place upon me."

Limiel gathered herself, and stepped forth. Her eyes met Galadriel's with clear support and compassion while her hand held hers tight, "What had passed let it pass and we do not have the right to judge you since we are not flawless either. "

Tears fell from Galadriel's eyes as she wordlessly thanked Limiel for her unconditional regard while Limiel, being assertive, embracing the Lady. Aeglos watched from behind, not at all surprised by his beloved's behavior.

Legolas' eyes were darkened. Without a word, he left the company and ran to the Wood alone.

******************

*hugs Oboe-wan* thanks for beta reading. I love your pickiness and your encouragements so don't stop being picky. :-).

In Unfinished Tales, there was a version of Galadriel fought against the Noldor and I took that version in this story. Not necessary meant she sailed to East with Celeborn.

The complete poem is in Through Darkness, the poem I posted in Poetry section.