~~
Galaduin rose with the sun the next morning. She left her room with out purpose or direction and wandered somewhat aimlessly through the wood. She felt so much a part of this place, but still her heart yearned for something beyond what these trees could offer. Just by habit she ended at her favorite spot in all Lothlorien. It was a strong branch that reached out into the river like hand just letting its finger tips skim the water. Galaduin slid out to the end of the branch and lay down on her back. She would spend hours here, mimicking the branch, on her back with her fingers just in the water. Today was one of those days. The breeze skipped across the water and danced through her hair and across her face. The sun was shinning bright, but the canopy of trees shaded her comfortably. All was calm, but something was unusual. The water was cool as always, but something was different. There was a new feeling in the water. It was pulling at her, trying to say something. Galaduin knew every elf has a close connection with water, but she had never experienced this before. Not sure how else to react, she lay still and tried to listen. The message was subtle, but it was of reassurance and purpose. After only a moment the water felt normal again, but she had a new sense of excitement about her travels.
Legolas wasn't quite sure what to do. He had been sent out to find Galaduin and discuss with her the travel plans, but when he finally comes upon her she is laying serenely on a branch, looking almost asleep. After a minute he decides he must carry out his orders even if it means disturbing her. He walked down the bank and stood along side the branch. Surprised she didn't hear him approach; he looked down at her face and studied it. She was so beautiful. As he first looked she had a blank expression, but not blank as in stupid or confused, it was the look one gets when he is reading and trying to take everything in. Just before Legolas reached out to touch her arm, her face turned to a slight smile and she stretched as if what she had just learned was physically taxing. It boggled his mind how easily this girl could capture his interest; she was such a mystery to him.
As these thoughts ran in his mind, Galaduin opened her eyes. Startled, the granted grace of the Eldar escaped her for a moment and she fell from the branch. Legolas quickly took a step forward and caught her. A smile spread across the faces of Galadriel and Ulmo.
"I am so sorry!"
"No, I shouldn't have come up without warning," Legolas said as he set her down.
Galaduin was trying her hardest not to blush, and at the same time, figure out why Legolas had sought her out.
After a moment of awkward silence, Legolas' purpose returned to his mind. "I was sent to find you so our travel plans could be discussed. I was very glad to learn you were accompanying us. We plan to leave at sunrise tomorrow, if that is not too short notice."
"I will have plenty of time to get my things together, though the good-byes may take until the minute we set out."
"I will tell Gimli and the others these plans are acceptable then."
"Yes, thank you."
"Well, I will be heading back now, do you wish me an escort, or will you stay here longer?"
"After you." Galaduin smiled and fell in behind Legolas.
"And so our travels together begin."
Legolas' comment brought even more smiles to the faces of Galadriel and Ulmo.
Galaduin rose with the sun the next morning. She left her room with out purpose or direction and wandered somewhat aimlessly through the wood. She felt so much a part of this place, but still her heart yearned for something beyond what these trees could offer. Just by habit she ended at her favorite spot in all Lothlorien. It was a strong branch that reached out into the river like hand just letting its finger tips skim the water. Galaduin slid out to the end of the branch and lay down on her back. She would spend hours here, mimicking the branch, on her back with her fingers just in the water. Today was one of those days. The breeze skipped across the water and danced through her hair and across her face. The sun was shinning bright, but the canopy of trees shaded her comfortably. All was calm, but something was unusual. The water was cool as always, but something was different. There was a new feeling in the water. It was pulling at her, trying to say something. Galaduin knew every elf has a close connection with water, but she had never experienced this before. Not sure how else to react, she lay still and tried to listen. The message was subtle, but it was of reassurance and purpose. After only a moment the water felt normal again, but she had a new sense of excitement about her travels.
Legolas wasn't quite sure what to do. He had been sent out to find Galaduin and discuss with her the travel plans, but when he finally comes upon her she is laying serenely on a branch, looking almost asleep. After a minute he decides he must carry out his orders even if it means disturbing her. He walked down the bank and stood along side the branch. Surprised she didn't hear him approach; he looked down at her face and studied it. She was so beautiful. As he first looked she had a blank expression, but not blank as in stupid or confused, it was the look one gets when he is reading and trying to take everything in. Just before Legolas reached out to touch her arm, her face turned to a slight smile and she stretched as if what she had just learned was physically taxing. It boggled his mind how easily this girl could capture his interest; she was such a mystery to him.
As these thoughts ran in his mind, Galaduin opened her eyes. Startled, the granted grace of the Eldar escaped her for a moment and she fell from the branch. Legolas quickly took a step forward and caught her. A smile spread across the faces of Galadriel and Ulmo.
"I am so sorry!"
"No, I shouldn't have come up without warning," Legolas said as he set her down.
Galaduin was trying her hardest not to blush, and at the same time, figure out why Legolas had sought her out.
After a moment of awkward silence, Legolas' purpose returned to his mind. "I was sent to find you so our travel plans could be discussed. I was very glad to learn you were accompanying us. We plan to leave at sunrise tomorrow, if that is not too short notice."
"I will have plenty of time to get my things together, though the good-byes may take until the minute we set out."
"I will tell Gimli and the others these plans are acceptable then."
"Yes, thank you."
"Well, I will be heading back now, do you wish me an escort, or will you stay here longer?"
"After you." Galaduin smiled and fell in behind Legolas.
"And so our travels together begin."
Legolas' comment brought even more smiles to the faces of Galadriel and Ulmo.