The Morningstar Chapter 3
Author: Dimcoriel Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: I only own the original characters, items and plot. All else belongs to JRR Tolkien
For many a long year Galadrien studied the art of magic with the wizard called Mithrandir. She was a very apt pupil and quick to learn what he taught her. But despite her enthusiasm for the art he took the lessons very slow. This frustrated her because she wished to learn it all. Then one day he told her, "I do not teach this to you quickly for one reason. If one becomes too powerful too fast then that person could become a danger to themselves and others. Especially if they haven't mastered what they have learned."
Then from behind them another voice spoke up, "But she has learned enough to warrant the presentation of an item that will help her in her studies." Celeborn stepped into the room and spoke again; "Do you not agree Mithrandir?"
There was a pause as he thought about it then said, "Why yes I do agree and after you have given your granddaughter this item then I have a test for her. Something that will put all her skills to use." Then he nodded to Celeborn.
Celeborn stepped forward and took a small wooden box out of his waist pouch. He opened it to reveal a ring. It was made of silver with a teardrop shaped purple stone. The stone was smooth with a shiny appearance. Taking it from the box he said, "This was made by my Teleri kin. It is not as powerful as the Three or any of the other works by my kin but it has power enough for a person who is still learning the craft. It will aid you in many ways." He then took the ring and slipped it onto the middle finger of her left hand.
Mithrandir then spoke up, "Now for your test. You are to go into the Wild beyond your borders. You will most likely encounter many foes but do not despair you have the skills to overcome them. You are to take only what you need and nothing more. Go where you wish but it must be beyond the borders of Lorien."
Galadrien was stunned; this was more like the test given to the Rangers in the north or to members of their guard. She began to protest, "How is this, a test of my abilities? This is more than a test of my survival skills. What am I to learn from this?"
Her grandfather held up a hand to quiet another outburst, "What you are to learn from this is of your making. We cannot tell you what you will learn. But I can tell you this, go out with an open-mind, something unexpected may happen."
Then Mithrandir spoke up again, "Nor would we let you go out with only a ring and provisions. This is part of your birthright that came with you over the sea, use it wisely." He then held out a long sword in a jeweled scabbard.
She took the sword and pulled it from its sheath. There were runes inscribed on the blade and she could barely make them out for they had faded. "The runes say that the name of this sword is Ringilion, and that it was made in the likeness of Ringil the sword of High King Fingolfin. The rest I cannot read, it is in a language I do not know. I can tell this sword has a long and great history. But why is it part of my birthright?"
Celeborn shook his head, "I do not know. It may be because you come from some of the same blood that ran in Fingolfins veins and that in many ways you are like him in your steadfastness and pride. But I can tell you this, use the sword wisely and never pull it in anger. To pull it in anger would make you no better then the person with whom you are quarreling."
Looking at both men she said, "I thank you both for the gifts and rest assured I will use them wisely. Now if you will excuse me I must prepare for this test." Giving a slight bow to her teacher she turned and left the room.
She first headed to her chambers where she pulled a set of traveling clothes from her closet. Then she took out the gray cloak that all in Lorien wore when traveling abroad. Next she put on the clothing and looked at herself in the looking glass clad in the gray, green and black that the members of the Guard wore. The colors would help to make her invisible if needed. Lastly she put the sword around her waist and went to the Armory.
Walking into the Armory she spotted Haldir who was conditioning his bow. She walked over to him and said, "Give me your best bow and arrow. Mithrandir is sending me into the Wild as a test and I want to make sure that I can protect myself."
Haldir was stunned by this, "You are not ready to go into the Wild. Your skills in weaponry are not where I would like them to be." He took her shoulders and looked her in the eye, "Please be careful out there. You are the guiding light of the Elven people, I shudder to think what would happen if something happened to you that could have been prevented had you only paid attention to your weapons instructors."
Galadrien shook this off by saying, "I paid more attention than you know. I will be fine out there. Now please a bow and a quiver of arrows."
Sighing Haldir handed her the bow he had been conditioning, "This bow and I have been together for countless years. It will serve you well, use it wisely and take good care of it."
She took the bow without question and with a nod left the armory. Then she went off to gather the rest of the things she would need for her journey including lembas bread and a horse. After procuring these items she was ready to set out.
Before she left Mithrandir had some parting words for her, "Now remember you can go wherever your heart leads you, but if you wander into Mirkwood do not go near Dol Gulder. There is an unnamed evil that resides there and you do not have the strength yet to fight it."
Galadrien nodded her consent and mounted her horse. Members of the Guard then escorted her to the very edge of the forest. She was then on her own. Not knowing what to do she rode north, towards the Gladden Fields. Finding a suitable spot she crossed the Great River and came to the boundaries of Mirkwood.
It was now growing very dark and there were some foul looking clouds coming in from the east. Against her better judgment she pressed into the dark and foreboding forest. Instantly unfamiliar sights and sounds surrounded her. The sky overhead grew even darker and a foul smelling rain began to fall. Thunder began to crack overheard and lightning was striking the tall trees.
Further she pressed into the forest in search of a rock or overhanging that would provide her shelter and a dry place to start a fire. Then she began to feel a presence following her. She dismounted her horse and looked around, unable to see anything in the darkness; even with her elf eyes. Then a bolt of lightning struck a tree nearby and spooked the horse, which ran off into the forest, leaving her stranded.
The presence grew even closer and she put her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. She heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning she saw nothing. Then all of a sudden from behind her something reached out and grabbed her. In an instant she drew her sword and turned. What she saw shocked her.
Author: Dimcoriel Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: I only own the original characters, items and plot. All else belongs to JRR Tolkien
For many a long year Galadrien studied the art of magic with the wizard called Mithrandir. She was a very apt pupil and quick to learn what he taught her. But despite her enthusiasm for the art he took the lessons very slow. This frustrated her because she wished to learn it all. Then one day he told her, "I do not teach this to you quickly for one reason. If one becomes too powerful too fast then that person could become a danger to themselves and others. Especially if they haven't mastered what they have learned."
Then from behind them another voice spoke up, "But she has learned enough to warrant the presentation of an item that will help her in her studies." Celeborn stepped into the room and spoke again; "Do you not agree Mithrandir?"
There was a pause as he thought about it then said, "Why yes I do agree and after you have given your granddaughter this item then I have a test for her. Something that will put all her skills to use." Then he nodded to Celeborn.
Celeborn stepped forward and took a small wooden box out of his waist pouch. He opened it to reveal a ring. It was made of silver with a teardrop shaped purple stone. The stone was smooth with a shiny appearance. Taking it from the box he said, "This was made by my Teleri kin. It is not as powerful as the Three or any of the other works by my kin but it has power enough for a person who is still learning the craft. It will aid you in many ways." He then took the ring and slipped it onto the middle finger of her left hand.
Mithrandir then spoke up, "Now for your test. You are to go into the Wild beyond your borders. You will most likely encounter many foes but do not despair you have the skills to overcome them. You are to take only what you need and nothing more. Go where you wish but it must be beyond the borders of Lorien."
Galadrien was stunned; this was more like the test given to the Rangers in the north or to members of their guard. She began to protest, "How is this, a test of my abilities? This is more than a test of my survival skills. What am I to learn from this?"
Her grandfather held up a hand to quiet another outburst, "What you are to learn from this is of your making. We cannot tell you what you will learn. But I can tell you this, go out with an open-mind, something unexpected may happen."
Then Mithrandir spoke up again, "Nor would we let you go out with only a ring and provisions. This is part of your birthright that came with you over the sea, use it wisely." He then held out a long sword in a jeweled scabbard.
She took the sword and pulled it from its sheath. There were runes inscribed on the blade and she could barely make them out for they had faded. "The runes say that the name of this sword is Ringilion, and that it was made in the likeness of Ringil the sword of High King Fingolfin. The rest I cannot read, it is in a language I do not know. I can tell this sword has a long and great history. But why is it part of my birthright?"
Celeborn shook his head, "I do not know. It may be because you come from some of the same blood that ran in Fingolfins veins and that in many ways you are like him in your steadfastness and pride. But I can tell you this, use the sword wisely and never pull it in anger. To pull it in anger would make you no better then the person with whom you are quarreling."
Looking at both men she said, "I thank you both for the gifts and rest assured I will use them wisely. Now if you will excuse me I must prepare for this test." Giving a slight bow to her teacher she turned and left the room.
She first headed to her chambers where she pulled a set of traveling clothes from her closet. Then she took out the gray cloak that all in Lorien wore when traveling abroad. Next she put on the clothing and looked at herself in the looking glass clad in the gray, green and black that the members of the Guard wore. The colors would help to make her invisible if needed. Lastly she put the sword around her waist and went to the Armory.
Walking into the Armory she spotted Haldir who was conditioning his bow. She walked over to him and said, "Give me your best bow and arrow. Mithrandir is sending me into the Wild as a test and I want to make sure that I can protect myself."
Haldir was stunned by this, "You are not ready to go into the Wild. Your skills in weaponry are not where I would like them to be." He took her shoulders and looked her in the eye, "Please be careful out there. You are the guiding light of the Elven people, I shudder to think what would happen if something happened to you that could have been prevented had you only paid attention to your weapons instructors."
Galadrien shook this off by saying, "I paid more attention than you know. I will be fine out there. Now please a bow and a quiver of arrows."
Sighing Haldir handed her the bow he had been conditioning, "This bow and I have been together for countless years. It will serve you well, use it wisely and take good care of it."
She took the bow without question and with a nod left the armory. Then she went off to gather the rest of the things she would need for her journey including lembas bread and a horse. After procuring these items she was ready to set out.
Before she left Mithrandir had some parting words for her, "Now remember you can go wherever your heart leads you, but if you wander into Mirkwood do not go near Dol Gulder. There is an unnamed evil that resides there and you do not have the strength yet to fight it."
Galadrien nodded her consent and mounted her horse. Members of the Guard then escorted her to the very edge of the forest. She was then on her own. Not knowing what to do she rode north, towards the Gladden Fields. Finding a suitable spot she crossed the Great River and came to the boundaries of Mirkwood.
It was now growing very dark and there were some foul looking clouds coming in from the east. Against her better judgment she pressed into the dark and foreboding forest. Instantly unfamiliar sights and sounds surrounded her. The sky overhead grew even darker and a foul smelling rain began to fall. Thunder began to crack overheard and lightning was striking the tall trees.
Further she pressed into the forest in search of a rock or overhanging that would provide her shelter and a dry place to start a fire. Then she began to feel a presence following her. She dismounted her horse and looked around, unable to see anything in the darkness; even with her elf eyes. Then a bolt of lightning struck a tree nearby and spooked the horse, which ran off into the forest, leaving her stranded.
The presence grew even closer and she put her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. She heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning she saw nothing. Then all of a sudden from behind her something reached out and grabbed her. In an instant she drew her sword and turned. What she saw shocked her.