Disclaimer: I don't own Middle Earth and it's characters, and am writing
the story for my own enjoyment. Please don't sue -- I don't have much
money, and whatever I do have generally disappears quickly.
Author's Note: Many thanks to those who reviewed so far, I really appreciate it. Please keep the reviews coming! Constructive criticism is always helpful -- how else can I improve the story and my creative writing skills (or lack thereof)? ;)
Chapter 3: Lothlorien.
Lothlorien was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. The people (or is it elves) had skin that seemed to shine of it's own accord, and I couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous. Being a teenager, I still had pimples marring my face, and even though I did wear concealer to try to mask the red splotches, they still seemed overly apparent to me. Looking around, I couldn't see anyone with even a hint of a zit, it was disgusting...
As we reached the top, the elves seemed to stop what they were doing, and all stood and pointed towards us. I could hear a few of them whispering to one another, and hoped that their conversation didn't involve anything about my pimply face. I looked over at Alex, only to see him gawking at a couple of female elves. 'Figures,' I thought to myself, trying to hide the smile that was threatening to show itself. I leaned towards Alex as inconspicuously as possible and pushed his chin up gently. He quickly got the picture and shut his mouth.
Haldir spoke a few words in elvish to the elves that had been our escort and the elves headed back down the tree, presumably to get back to their guard duties. He then turned to us. "I will take you to Galadriel," he said softly. He led us a little higher up in the tree, and evidently noticed me playing with my sweatshirt nervously, because he chuckled. "You need not worry if you are honest with our Lady -- she can read the past, present, and future better than any living being. If anyone can lead you down the path back to your home, she will." He smiled kindly, as if trying to reassure me. I couldn't help but smile back, even if I still had some fears relating to meeting Lady Galadriel.
Why would I be nervous about meeting someone like Galadriel? The truth was, I was always afraid of getting into some kind of trouble with someone in a position of power. I was even afraid of going to the Vice Principal's Office at school for fear that I'd be told I'd done something drastically wrong and my parents were being called in. I hated having to involve my parents in anything -- they had a habit of trying to take over my life whenever I allowed them in. Admittedly I wouldn't need to worry about that this time, since it wasn't like they could be called in for a meeting with Lady Galadriel, but after years of nervousness around powerful people, old habits still had a way of dying hard.
Alex was evidently feeling a little nervous too, as I felt him take my hand for reassurance. He hid it well, though, making it look as if he was being the perfect gentleman and guiding me up the steps.
Finally, just as I was beginning to think that my legs would fall off or seize up from all the climbing we'd been doing, Haldir announced we were there and stood aside to let us pass. Galadriel had evidently sensed our arrival, because she smiled radiantly at us.
If I had thought that the other elves we had met below looked beautiful, then Lady Galadriel could only be described as stunningly beautiful... Her regally chiseled face smiled down warmly at us, and I could sense that Alex's legs were turning into jelly as we stood before her. She wore a white dress trimmed in gold and had white lillies interwined in her long blond hair. Her pale skin shone in the sunlight that was even now beginning to creep down below the horizon.
"Welcome, Lady Sarah and Lord Alex, it is a pleasure to see you both here at last."
"At last?" I broke in, "What do you mean, 'at last'?"
She turned to me. "We have long awaited your presence, Lady Sarah. You and Alex have a difficult task ahead of you, but I will speak more of it tomorrow morning. It has been a long day for you both, and I am sure you will appreciate some food and rest..."
As if in answer to her question, I heard Alex's stomach growl. I laughed as he started to blush slightly. "Food sounds great! And I wouldn't say no to a little rest and relaxation too after today's trek."
Haldir walked up behind us, slipping an arm around my waist. I jumped in surprise. 'Elves sure can be quiet -- I didn't even hear him sneaking up on us...' "I will lead them to the dining hall, my lady." Galadriel nodded and Haldir bowed. Alex followed suit and I did my best to curtsy politely before turning around and following the departing males as they headed down the steps we had climbed moments before.
As I left, I heard Galadriel's voice in my mind. "Enjoy yourself tonight, and seek rest while you still can..."
Please R&R!
Author's Note: Many thanks to those who reviewed so far, I really appreciate it. Please keep the reviews coming! Constructive criticism is always helpful -- how else can I improve the story and my creative writing skills (or lack thereof)? ;)
Chapter 3: Lothlorien.
Lothlorien was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. The people (or is it elves) had skin that seemed to shine of it's own accord, and I couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous. Being a teenager, I still had pimples marring my face, and even though I did wear concealer to try to mask the red splotches, they still seemed overly apparent to me. Looking around, I couldn't see anyone with even a hint of a zit, it was disgusting...
As we reached the top, the elves seemed to stop what they were doing, and all stood and pointed towards us. I could hear a few of them whispering to one another, and hoped that their conversation didn't involve anything about my pimply face. I looked over at Alex, only to see him gawking at a couple of female elves. 'Figures,' I thought to myself, trying to hide the smile that was threatening to show itself. I leaned towards Alex as inconspicuously as possible and pushed his chin up gently. He quickly got the picture and shut his mouth.
Haldir spoke a few words in elvish to the elves that had been our escort and the elves headed back down the tree, presumably to get back to their guard duties. He then turned to us. "I will take you to Galadriel," he said softly. He led us a little higher up in the tree, and evidently noticed me playing with my sweatshirt nervously, because he chuckled. "You need not worry if you are honest with our Lady -- she can read the past, present, and future better than any living being. If anyone can lead you down the path back to your home, she will." He smiled kindly, as if trying to reassure me. I couldn't help but smile back, even if I still had some fears relating to meeting Lady Galadriel.
Why would I be nervous about meeting someone like Galadriel? The truth was, I was always afraid of getting into some kind of trouble with someone in a position of power. I was even afraid of going to the Vice Principal's Office at school for fear that I'd be told I'd done something drastically wrong and my parents were being called in. I hated having to involve my parents in anything -- they had a habit of trying to take over my life whenever I allowed them in. Admittedly I wouldn't need to worry about that this time, since it wasn't like they could be called in for a meeting with Lady Galadriel, but after years of nervousness around powerful people, old habits still had a way of dying hard.
Alex was evidently feeling a little nervous too, as I felt him take my hand for reassurance. He hid it well, though, making it look as if he was being the perfect gentleman and guiding me up the steps.
Finally, just as I was beginning to think that my legs would fall off or seize up from all the climbing we'd been doing, Haldir announced we were there and stood aside to let us pass. Galadriel had evidently sensed our arrival, because she smiled radiantly at us.
If I had thought that the other elves we had met below looked beautiful, then Lady Galadriel could only be described as stunningly beautiful... Her regally chiseled face smiled down warmly at us, and I could sense that Alex's legs were turning into jelly as we stood before her. She wore a white dress trimmed in gold and had white lillies interwined in her long blond hair. Her pale skin shone in the sunlight that was even now beginning to creep down below the horizon.
"Welcome, Lady Sarah and Lord Alex, it is a pleasure to see you both here at last."
"At last?" I broke in, "What do you mean, 'at last'?"
She turned to me. "We have long awaited your presence, Lady Sarah. You and Alex have a difficult task ahead of you, but I will speak more of it tomorrow morning. It has been a long day for you both, and I am sure you will appreciate some food and rest..."
As if in answer to her question, I heard Alex's stomach growl. I laughed as he started to blush slightly. "Food sounds great! And I wouldn't say no to a little rest and relaxation too after today's trek."
Haldir walked up behind us, slipping an arm around my waist. I jumped in surprise. 'Elves sure can be quiet -- I didn't even hear him sneaking up on us...' "I will lead them to the dining hall, my lady." Galadriel nodded and Haldir bowed. Alex followed suit and I did my best to curtsy politely before turning around and following the departing males as they headed down the steps we had climbed moments before.
As I left, I heard Galadriel's voice in my mind. "Enjoy yourself tonight, and seek rest while you still can..."
Please R&R!