The Morningstar
Author: Dimcoriel
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I only own the original plot, characters and items, all else
belongs to Tolkein
Chapter 4
Whirling around Galadrien raised her sword to strike at whatever grabbed her. Behind her was an elf clad in green and brown. He was holding a torch but the strong winds soon blew it out. He did not speak but the look in his eyes told her everything.
Suddenly a sound was heard coming down the road. The strange elf grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into some bushes by the road. She was about to protest when he placed a hand over her mouth to keep her silent.
Around the bend of the road came a wagon driven by an orc. He was so foul she could smell him before the wagon even got to their location. As the wagon got closer she could see canvas bags had been thrown in the back. They were all moving. Over the crash of the storm she heard voices, young and old, man and women calling out for help. She started to stand, her intention being to run out and free whoever was in those bags but the elf held her back.
The wagon disappeared around the next bend. The elf stood and motioned for her to follow him. They walked through very dense foliage until they came to a wall of rock. Hidden in the brush was a low opening. The elf ducked low and disappeared inside and Galadrien followed suit. Inside was a large cave lit with many candles and lanterns. There were also many elves about; all were dressed in the same brown and green as the elf that had led her here.
The elf now spoke, "Welcome my Lady to our hiding spot. Welcome to all that is Mirkwood. I am sorry for sneaking up on you but if I hadn't we would have both been found. My name is Legolas, I am Prince of this realm and a captain of our guard. May I ask the name of a lady who is well armed and dressed in the gray of Lorien?"
Removing the quiver from her back Galadrien said, "I am Galadrien. I am also called Tindomiel and I am a Lady of the Galadhrim. I am also a student of Mithrandir and I am away from my lands on a test of my abilities. It appears that I haven't learned as much as I though since I was not able to see the coming of that wagon."
The prince, now seated at a hearth spoke again, "Again I am sorry for pulling you away. I know you wanted to help but that wagon was protected by magic more powerful than you can imagine. The Necromancer who inhabits Dol Gulder was protecting that wagon." He stirred something in a pot hanging by the fire then said, "It is rumored that all people who go into Dol Gulder are tortured and forced to do unspeakable things. The Necromancer is also responsible for these storms that are ravaging the forest. I was sent by the King, my father to find out if anything can be done about this. I am dismayed that there is nothing we can do, the fortress can withstand any attack."
Sighing he turned back to Galadrien, "Enough of this. You said you were a lady of the Galadhrim. How can this be, I have never heard of you."
Galadrien sat next to the prince and began her tale, "I do not know much about my history for it is shrouded in mystery. I was born in Valinor to the Lord Amroth and an elven lady from a long sundered line of Palurien Yavanna, the Mother of Magic and one of the Valar. As a baby I was placed on a ship and sent here. Cirdan at the Havens found me and took me to Rivendell. From there I was taken to Lorien. My grandparents have raised me ever since."
This story seemed to intrigue Legolas, "How can that be? Amroth drowned many years ago waiting for his love, the lady Nimrodel. Yet you are saying he made it to Valinor and married. This must have warmed your grandmothers' heart."
Before she could answer a sentry came in from outside with news, "The storm has ceased, you must see the damage my Lord."
In an instant Legolas was on his feet and walking towards the cave opening with Galadrien close behind him. Outside the forest was smoking from fires caused by the lightning and no birds were flying overhead. Gazing at the desolation Galadrien murmured, "Such desolation, something must be done about this Necromancer." In the distance a little ways off Galadrien could see the tower of Dol Gulder belching black smoke. Perhaps it was her imagination but Galadrien swore that she heard the screams of people coming very faintly from the tower.
Another sentry came running up, "Another storm is on its way my lord. We must get undercover quickly."
Legolas nodded and everyone quickly went back inside the cave. The sentry was right the storm soon hit with full fury and all were trapped inside the cave.
For three days they remained inside the cave not able to leave. Their food and water supplies were running very short. Galadrien spent the time looking over maps that scouts had drawn of the fortress of Dol Guldur. She was looking for a way into the compound and on the third day she found it.
Running up to Legolas she said, "I found a way into the fortress. At the base of the southern wall is a small culvert that is most likely used as a drain. It is probably unguarded or very minimally guarded. Not many would be able to get in unnoticed, perhaps a scout group of 2 or 3."
Legolas took the map from her saying, "This is crazy, do you know what would happen if you were caught? It is too risky, besides whom do you suggest should do this? My men are brave but none will volunteer for a mission like this. It is suicide."
Galadrien grabbed the map back; "I will go then. I will map the inside of the fortress. I shall leave when the storm is over." With that she retreated to the back of the cave to prepare for the task that lay ahead of her.
At dawn on the fifth day the storm ceased and Galadrien set out for the fortress. She moved swiftly and silently through the trees. She stayed away from the road because it was being patrolled by orcs. She was almost there when she heard twigs snapping behind her. Moving in-between two trees she crouched down and covered herself with her cloak, making her blend into the environment.
Then Legolas came into the clearing and moved past her. Silently she stood and moved behind him. Pulling her sword she held it to his neck causing him to stop. He turned slightly and said, "Where did you come from?"
Smiling Galadrien re-sheathed her sword; "I was between those two trees. You didn't see me because my cloak helped me blend into the environment. It will help me escape detection in the fortress."
Gazing at her Legolas asked, "Think it will cover more than one person? I cannot let you go alone. Therefore I am going to need some protection."
Galadrien laughed then motioned for him to follow her. They came to the culvert, which was covered by a metal gate. The gate however was rusted through which made the bars easy to break. They made their way silently through the culvert and into the compound. They found themselves in a small courtyard with several doors leading to other parts of the fortress. Staying close to the wall they made their way to an open one that appeared to lead deep into the main part of the citadel.
Deeper they walked into the fortress and they began to pass holding cells with large locks on them. The first ones they came to were empty, but the further they got the more people and animals they saw. In one cell was a small boy not more than 5 or 6 years old. Some of his skin had been cut away and replaced with grafts of orc and goblin skin and one of his eyes had been sewn shut.
Then they heard something coming down the tunnel. Galadrien pushed Legolas to the wall and threw her cloak over both of them. Then a shadowy figure in a black robe passed them. It sent a chill through her that went straight to her bones. When it was out of site they stood. "What was that thing?" Legolas asked. Still looking down the hallway Galadrien answered, "I think it was a Nazgul; one of the Ring-Wraiths of the Second Age, a servant of the Dark Lord himself. Let's not tarry here, there is more to see."
Next they came to a room filled with torture equipment. They walked through silently, not trying to think about what went on here. They could hear the screams of prisoners elsewhere in the citadel as they were being tortured and mutilated by servants of the Necromancer. Then they came to a large room filled with artifacts.
Looking around Legolas asked, "What is this place?"
Gazing around Galadrien said, "It is a trophy room. These things belong to victims of the Necromancer. He is keeping them to remind himself about the people he has killed here." Then two objects caught her eye. On the wall were two staffs and both were etched with the rune of Palurien Yavanna. She pulled one off the wall and examined it; "This staff and the other belonged to the Istari. I can't read some of the runes but I believe that these staffs belonged to the two blue wizards that came to Middle Earth from Valinor. From what I was told they went into the Far East but it seems they did not make it."
They left that room and Galadrien took the staff with her; they may need it later. The hallway continued down deeper and became so twisted they did not know the direction that they were going in. Finally they came to a door and Galadrien stopped them.
Staring at the door she said, "The Necromancer is in there. I will go in alone; you do not have the power to face him. I fear I do not either but it is our only choice. I sense that he knows that we are here. Take my cloak and hide." She then took off her cloak and handed it to him. She started towards the door and stopped, turning to Legolas she said; "He is coming."
The door slowly opened and a bright light filled the tunnel. Galadrien stood there in front of the door with her arms outstretched her sword in one hand and the staff in the other. There was muttering as if someone was trying to put a spell on her but the power of the staff resisted it. Then the look in her eyes changed; she turned to Legolas and shouted, "RUN!"
Both of them turned and began to run back up the tunnel. Whatever had been in that room was following them. As they ran they could hear the screams of the tortured calling to them to set them free. Finally they reached the courtyard but Galadrien stopped and turned. She stood there defiant and confident in her abilities. Raising the staff she was prepared to fight.
The Necromancer was close, he was hidden in the shadows of the tunnel they had just run out of. Raising the staff Galadrien began to mutter powerful spells which she had no control over; the first being a spell of protection, "Vara tel' taurninin." The second was a spell to reveal her enemy; "Elea i'dolen." Yet when she intoned that spell all that she saw in the shadows was a great eye rimmed in fire.
She began to get weak as the spells drained her energy, she had not been trained for this. As she got ready to intone another spell a bolt of lightning came down into the courtyard, striking down not a foot from where she was standing. All she could feel was the crackling of the energy then her world went black.
Chapter 4
Whirling around Galadrien raised her sword to strike at whatever grabbed her. Behind her was an elf clad in green and brown. He was holding a torch but the strong winds soon blew it out. He did not speak but the look in his eyes told her everything.
Suddenly a sound was heard coming down the road. The strange elf grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into some bushes by the road. She was about to protest when he placed a hand over her mouth to keep her silent.
Around the bend of the road came a wagon driven by an orc. He was so foul she could smell him before the wagon even got to their location. As the wagon got closer she could see canvas bags had been thrown in the back. They were all moving. Over the crash of the storm she heard voices, young and old, man and women calling out for help. She started to stand, her intention being to run out and free whoever was in those bags but the elf held her back.
The wagon disappeared around the next bend. The elf stood and motioned for her to follow him. They walked through very dense foliage until they came to a wall of rock. Hidden in the brush was a low opening. The elf ducked low and disappeared inside and Galadrien followed suit. Inside was a large cave lit with many candles and lanterns. There were also many elves about; all were dressed in the same brown and green as the elf that had led her here.
The elf now spoke, "Welcome my Lady to our hiding spot. Welcome to all that is Mirkwood. I am sorry for sneaking up on you but if I hadn't we would have both been found. My name is Legolas, I am Prince of this realm and a captain of our guard. May I ask the name of a lady who is well armed and dressed in the gray of Lorien?"
Removing the quiver from her back Galadrien said, "I am Galadrien. I am also called Tindomiel and I am a Lady of the Galadhrim. I am also a student of Mithrandir and I am away from my lands on a test of my abilities. It appears that I haven't learned as much as I though since I was not able to see the coming of that wagon."
The prince, now seated at a hearth spoke again, "Again I am sorry for pulling you away. I know you wanted to help but that wagon was protected by magic more powerful than you can imagine. The Necromancer who inhabits Dol Gulder was protecting that wagon." He stirred something in a pot hanging by the fire then said, "It is rumored that all people who go into Dol Gulder are tortured and forced to do unspeakable things. The Necromancer is also responsible for these storms that are ravaging the forest. I was sent by the King, my father to find out if anything can be done about this. I am dismayed that there is nothing we can do, the fortress can withstand any attack."
Sighing he turned back to Galadrien, "Enough of this. You said you were a lady of the Galadhrim. How can this be, I have never heard of you."
Galadrien sat next to the prince and began her tale, "I do not know much about my history for it is shrouded in mystery. I was born in Valinor to the Lord Amroth and an elven lady from a long sundered line of Palurien Yavanna, the Mother of Magic and one of the Valar. As a baby I was placed on a ship and sent here. Cirdan at the Havens found me and took me to Rivendell. From there I was taken to Lorien. My grandparents have raised me ever since."
This story seemed to intrigue Legolas, "How can that be? Amroth drowned many years ago waiting for his love, the lady Nimrodel. Yet you are saying he made it to Valinor and married. This must have warmed your grandmothers' heart."
Before she could answer a sentry came in from outside with news, "The storm has ceased, you must see the damage my Lord."
In an instant Legolas was on his feet and walking towards the cave opening with Galadrien close behind him. Outside the forest was smoking from fires caused by the lightning and no birds were flying overhead. Gazing at the desolation Galadrien murmured, "Such desolation, something must be done about this Necromancer." In the distance a little ways off Galadrien could see the tower of Dol Gulder belching black smoke. Perhaps it was her imagination but Galadrien swore that she heard the screams of people coming very faintly from the tower.
Another sentry came running up, "Another storm is on its way my lord. We must get undercover quickly."
Legolas nodded and everyone quickly went back inside the cave. The sentry was right the storm soon hit with full fury and all were trapped inside the cave.
For three days they remained inside the cave not able to leave. Their food and water supplies were running very short. Galadrien spent the time looking over maps that scouts had drawn of the fortress of Dol Guldur. She was looking for a way into the compound and on the third day she found it.
Running up to Legolas she said, "I found a way into the fortress. At the base of the southern wall is a small culvert that is most likely used as a drain. It is probably unguarded or very minimally guarded. Not many would be able to get in unnoticed, perhaps a scout group of 2 or 3."
Legolas took the map from her saying, "This is crazy, do you know what would happen if you were caught? It is too risky, besides whom do you suggest should do this? My men are brave but none will volunteer for a mission like this. It is suicide."
Galadrien grabbed the map back; "I will go then. I will map the inside of the fortress. I shall leave when the storm is over." With that she retreated to the back of the cave to prepare for the task that lay ahead of her.
At dawn on the fifth day the storm ceased and Galadrien set out for the fortress. She moved swiftly and silently through the trees. She stayed away from the road because it was being patrolled by orcs. She was almost there when she heard twigs snapping behind her. Moving in-between two trees she crouched down and covered herself with her cloak, making her blend into the environment.
Then Legolas came into the clearing and moved past her. Silently she stood and moved behind him. Pulling her sword she held it to his neck causing him to stop. He turned slightly and said, "Where did you come from?"
Smiling Galadrien re-sheathed her sword; "I was between those two trees. You didn't see me because my cloak helped me blend into the environment. It will help me escape detection in the fortress."
Gazing at her Legolas asked, "Think it will cover more than one person? I cannot let you go alone. Therefore I am going to need some protection."
Galadrien laughed then motioned for him to follow her. They came to the culvert, which was covered by a metal gate. The gate however was rusted through which made the bars easy to break. They made their way silently through the culvert and into the compound. They found themselves in a small courtyard with several doors leading to other parts of the fortress. Staying close to the wall they made their way to an open one that appeared to lead deep into the main part of the citadel.
Deeper they walked into the fortress and they began to pass holding cells with large locks on them. The first ones they came to were empty, but the further they got the more people and animals they saw. In one cell was a small boy not more than 5 or 6 years old. Some of his skin had been cut away and replaced with grafts of orc and goblin skin and one of his eyes had been sewn shut.
Then they heard something coming down the tunnel. Galadrien pushed Legolas to the wall and threw her cloak over both of them. Then a shadowy figure in a black robe passed them. It sent a chill through her that went straight to her bones. When it was out of site they stood. "What was that thing?" Legolas asked. Still looking down the hallway Galadrien answered, "I think it was a Nazgul; one of the Ring-Wraiths of the Second Age, a servant of the Dark Lord himself. Let's not tarry here, there is more to see."
Next they came to a room filled with torture equipment. They walked through silently, not trying to think about what went on here. They could hear the screams of prisoners elsewhere in the citadel as they were being tortured and mutilated by servants of the Necromancer. Then they came to a large room filled with artifacts.
Looking around Legolas asked, "What is this place?"
Gazing around Galadrien said, "It is a trophy room. These things belong to victims of the Necromancer. He is keeping them to remind himself about the people he has killed here." Then two objects caught her eye. On the wall were two staffs and both were etched with the rune of Palurien Yavanna. She pulled one off the wall and examined it; "This staff and the other belonged to the Istari. I can't read some of the runes but I believe that these staffs belonged to the two blue wizards that came to Middle Earth from Valinor. From what I was told they went into the Far East but it seems they did not make it."
They left that room and Galadrien took the staff with her; they may need it later. The hallway continued down deeper and became so twisted they did not know the direction that they were going in. Finally they came to a door and Galadrien stopped them.
Staring at the door she said, "The Necromancer is in there. I will go in alone; you do not have the power to face him. I fear I do not either but it is our only choice. I sense that he knows that we are here. Take my cloak and hide." She then took off her cloak and handed it to him. She started towards the door and stopped, turning to Legolas she said; "He is coming."
The door slowly opened and a bright light filled the tunnel. Galadrien stood there in front of the door with her arms outstretched her sword in one hand and the staff in the other. There was muttering as if someone was trying to put a spell on her but the power of the staff resisted it. Then the look in her eyes changed; she turned to Legolas and shouted, "RUN!"
Both of them turned and began to run back up the tunnel. Whatever had been in that room was following them. As they ran they could hear the screams of the tortured calling to them to set them free. Finally they reached the courtyard but Galadrien stopped and turned. She stood there defiant and confident in her abilities. Raising the staff she was prepared to fight.
The Necromancer was close, he was hidden in the shadows of the tunnel they had just run out of. Raising the staff Galadrien began to mutter powerful spells which she had no control over; the first being a spell of protection, "Vara tel' taurninin." The second was a spell to reveal her enemy; "Elea i'dolen." Yet when she intoned that spell all that she saw in the shadows was a great eye rimmed in fire.
She began to get weak as the spells drained her energy, she had not been trained for this. As she got ready to intone another spell a bolt of lightning came down into the courtyard, striking down not a foot from where she was standing. All she could feel was the crackling of the energy then her world went black.