The Morningstar
Author: Dimcoriel
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Same old stuff
A/N: Ok I know I promised that this would be the chapter where I incorporated HTK, well I lied. That hopefully will be the next chapter. This chapter is still bridge material but I promise it will be good bridge material.
The next few days found Galadrien and the prince in her grandfather's private study listening to him and the ambassador go on and on about nothing. It seemed like they were talking in circles about this point or that point. Nothing was being accomplished and neither one wished to back down. Galadrien found herself getting very bored and Celeborn noticed.
He stopped the proceedings and said; "I see that we are boring the children. But do not worry yourselves about it. I admit diplomacy can be boring. Galadrien why don't you take Prince Legolas out and show him the forest. I am sure it will be more interesting than this."
Happy to be free of the proceedings Galadrien could not get out of there fast enough. Legolas met her out in the courtyard. Looking over at him she said; "First we should change our clothes. Formal dress and the forest do not mix very well."
An hour later, now in more comfortable clothing Galadrien and Legolas made their way through the trees. They both carried bows and quivers on their backs and Galadrien carried Ringilion. As they made their way Galadrien pointed out the wonders of the forest to Legolas. Thickets of elanor flowers, where songbirds had their nests, where rabbits dug their holes. They came to the river and easily made it across. It began to get dark and they found a flet on which to rest for the night.
Soon Galadrien found herself in the realm of sleep where the light from the moon and stars blended with that of her consciousness to create dreams. But this dream was different; she was in a place that was very different, one she did not know. Men and elves were rushing about and she could hear the Black Speech outside.
Looking around she was in some kind of field hospital. Injured men were being brought in left and right. There were screams for help and screams to be put out of their misery. She ran outside to a worse scene, they were in the very pits of hell, Mordor itself. Not to far off she could see where the battle was being fought and many elves and men were giving their lives. Then something caught her eye, orcs had flanked the masses and were heading for the field hospital.
She turned to run and warn the hospital so it could be evacuated but she was struck in the back with an arrow. As she fell to the ground her world went black.
She hit the ground with a sickening thud. Looking up she could see the flet 50 ft overhead. In a flash Legolas was on the ground next to her. "Are you alright Galadrien?" he asked.
Looking around she replied; "Yes I think so. What happened, how did I end up on the ground?"
Cradling her in his arms he said; "You were having a nightmare. I tried to wake you but you fought me. Then in your struggle you fell. I am glad to see you are not injured."
Pushing herself into a more upright position she said; "What a nightmare it was. There was a battle between men and orcs. I was in a field hospital and it was attacked, I was shot by an arrow and that is all I can remember."
Helping her to her feet Legolas said; "We should get back to Caras Galadhon, your grandparents will want to hear of this."
Before they could get underway she stopped and looked around. "I smell something foul on the air; we are very close to the border." Indicating for him to follow her she silently made her way through the trees to the low brush that dotted the border. Peeking over the brush she saw a band of orcs preparing to battle.
It wasn't many only about 30, meaning it was just a roving band trying their luck and not a war party. In the back of her mind she knew that members of the Guard where around but hidden also watching this happen. Looking around she began the call of a local songbird. She waited a second than a second call came back answering her. Then from around them about a dozen of the Guard stepped out from their hiding spots. Their leader was Orophin, one of Haldirs brothers.
Gathering them to her she said, "There is no time to sound the alarm in the city, we must hold them back. No blood is to be spilled under our trees. Keep them out of the forest."
Orophin nodded and began shouting orders to the men. A couple had never fought against orcs before but looked ready to face them. The odds were not in their favor but they were not bad, only 2 to 1. In her mind she knew they would succeed. No orc had ever set foot in Lorien and no orc ever would.
The rabble of orcs continued to may their way to the border of the forest. At this insistence of both Orophin and Legolas she now stood on the flet to keep her away from danger. This gave her a good vantage point of where everyone was. Below her members were hiding in the low brush that dotted the border preparing their weapons.
It was obvious the orcs had no leadership, they could hardly coordinate themselves. She waited till they were close enough then signaled Orophin to begin the attack.
The orcs had no idea what to do and began to run frantically about. This made her smile because victory would be theirs. Then something caught her eye, 3 orcs trying to flank the group. She picked up her bow and quickly downed two of them. The third was wearing some kind of armour over vital parts of his body which arrows would not easily penetrate.
Drawing her sword she slid down a rope to the ground and walked out to meet him. He was large and rather ugly and he exuded a rather rank stench of dead flesh. In his hand he carried a curved sword of iron. She raised her sword in a manner that told him to defend himself and the blue steel of the blade glimmered in the sun.
In a flash their blades met with the ringing of metal on metal. Soon they were engaged in combat that would lead to either's death. He caught her off guard once and kicked her in the stomach which sent her tumbling back. But she did not let that dissuade her. She was starting to get tired but could not let it show. She could hear something behind her but thought it was Legolas or one of the Guards. Then Legolas came into view holding the weapon of another orc. He shouted something but she could not make it out. Then she heard a bowstring snap and felt something hit her back and she fell to the ground unconscious.
She awoke to find herself lying in her bed. There was a low throbbing pain in her back that made moving difficult. A healers assistant was in the room moving about and when he saw that Galadrien was awake he made a quiet exit, most likely to tell her grandparents that she was awake. Soon her room was filled with people including Legolas and Haldir.
The assistant helped her sit up and placed pillows behind her back and handed her a cup of water to ease her dry throat. After taking a few measured sips she was finally able to talk. Looking around she asked; "What happened?"
Legolas was the first to answer; "You were flanked and got shot in the back. Orophin killed the one that shot you and I killed the leader of the rabble. No blood was spilled under your trees." He paused for a moment than continued; "We thought you were dead, you had become pale with blood loss and you were not moving."
Celeborn than interrupted when he saw that Legolas was faltering; "They brought you here where we noticed that you still clung to your light. You have been unconscious for nearly two weeks. Yet there was never any doubt in our minds that you would recover."
Galadriel then shooed everyone from the room on the grounds that her granddaughter still needed rest. Yet Legolas remained behind and made himself comfortable in a chair. She could tell that he did not have good news. Sighing he said; "My father has decided that the talks are going nowhere and has ordered us home."
She was stunned by this and lowering her head she said; "Then your coming here was in vain. It accomplished nothing."
Legolas took her hand and replied; "No, it was not in vain; I got to know you and your good heart more than I ever did before. And that is accomplishing something, though it was not my fathers' intention for this trip." He then stood and said; "We leave tomorrow at first light, I must go prepare for the journey back home."
"Wait, just for a minute. I have a gift for you." she said as she reached for a box sitting just under her bed. Setting it on her lap she opened it and took out a long silver knife with a white bone hilt. The hilt was inscribed with many runes including the prince's name, rank and his lineage. Also in the box was a simple scabbard to carry it in. Galadrien handed it to him saying; "I do not know who made the blade but the inscriptions on the hilt I carved."
Legolas stood speechless for a few moment than said; "I thank you for this gift my lady but I am puzzled by it. I do not use knives or swords in combat. My bow and arrows have always worked well for me."
Galadrien nodded and said; "I thought you would say that. Remember my prince that there comes a time when a bow breaks and arrows run out. Or perhaps you are in too close of a combat to use them. In those times a good knife or sword can mean the difference between life and death."
He nodding in understanding and replied; "I thank you my lady for this gift. Though I hope that I may not have to use it. Though I suggest you learn more about a bow, you are good yes but not great. I hope that one day we shall pit our abilities against one another in a friendly duel." He then leaned over and gave Galadrien a soft kiss on the forehead. "Naamarie my fair lady. I hope that our paths shall cross again."
Smiling she said; "In my heart I know we shall meet again my good prince and I am looking forward to that day. I am also looking forward to our friendly duel."
With that she leaned back against the pillows and Legolas silently left. The next day with minimal fuss and fanfare Legolas and the rest of the entourage left Lorien to return to Mirkwood. Galadrien was not there to see them off since the healers had not pronounced her fit to leave her bed. It would be a long recovery from this wound but she had her mind set that she would not only recover but come out from this experience stronger than before. She then fell asleep and dreamt of beautiful things to come.
A/N: Ok I know I promised that this would be the chapter where I incorporated HTK, well I lied. That hopefully will be the next chapter. This chapter is still bridge material but I promise it will be good bridge material.
The next few days found Galadrien and the prince in her grandfather's private study listening to him and the ambassador go on and on about nothing. It seemed like they were talking in circles about this point or that point. Nothing was being accomplished and neither one wished to back down. Galadrien found herself getting very bored and Celeborn noticed.
He stopped the proceedings and said; "I see that we are boring the children. But do not worry yourselves about it. I admit diplomacy can be boring. Galadrien why don't you take Prince Legolas out and show him the forest. I am sure it will be more interesting than this."
Happy to be free of the proceedings Galadrien could not get out of there fast enough. Legolas met her out in the courtyard. Looking over at him she said; "First we should change our clothes. Formal dress and the forest do not mix very well."
An hour later, now in more comfortable clothing Galadrien and Legolas made their way through the trees. They both carried bows and quivers on their backs and Galadrien carried Ringilion. As they made their way Galadrien pointed out the wonders of the forest to Legolas. Thickets of elanor flowers, where songbirds had their nests, where rabbits dug their holes. They came to the river and easily made it across. It began to get dark and they found a flet on which to rest for the night.
Soon Galadrien found herself in the realm of sleep where the light from the moon and stars blended with that of her consciousness to create dreams. But this dream was different; she was in a place that was very different, one she did not know. Men and elves were rushing about and she could hear the Black Speech outside.
Looking around she was in some kind of field hospital. Injured men were being brought in left and right. There were screams for help and screams to be put out of their misery. She ran outside to a worse scene, they were in the very pits of hell, Mordor itself. Not to far off she could see where the battle was being fought and many elves and men were giving their lives. Then something caught her eye, orcs had flanked the masses and were heading for the field hospital.
She turned to run and warn the hospital so it could be evacuated but she was struck in the back with an arrow. As she fell to the ground her world went black.
She hit the ground with a sickening thud. Looking up she could see the flet 50 ft overhead. In a flash Legolas was on the ground next to her. "Are you alright Galadrien?" he asked.
Looking around she replied; "Yes I think so. What happened, how did I end up on the ground?"
Cradling her in his arms he said; "You were having a nightmare. I tried to wake you but you fought me. Then in your struggle you fell. I am glad to see you are not injured."
Pushing herself into a more upright position she said; "What a nightmare it was. There was a battle between men and orcs. I was in a field hospital and it was attacked, I was shot by an arrow and that is all I can remember."
Helping her to her feet Legolas said; "We should get back to Caras Galadhon, your grandparents will want to hear of this."
Before they could get underway she stopped and looked around. "I smell something foul on the air; we are very close to the border." Indicating for him to follow her she silently made her way through the trees to the low brush that dotted the border. Peeking over the brush she saw a band of orcs preparing to battle.
It wasn't many only about 30, meaning it was just a roving band trying their luck and not a war party. In the back of her mind she knew that members of the Guard where around but hidden also watching this happen. Looking around she began the call of a local songbird. She waited a second than a second call came back answering her. Then from around them about a dozen of the Guard stepped out from their hiding spots. Their leader was Orophin, one of Haldirs brothers.
Gathering them to her she said, "There is no time to sound the alarm in the city, we must hold them back. No blood is to be spilled under our trees. Keep them out of the forest."
Orophin nodded and began shouting orders to the men. A couple had never fought against orcs before but looked ready to face them. The odds were not in their favor but they were not bad, only 2 to 1. In her mind she knew they would succeed. No orc had ever set foot in Lorien and no orc ever would.
The rabble of orcs continued to may their way to the border of the forest. At this insistence of both Orophin and Legolas she now stood on the flet to keep her away from danger. This gave her a good vantage point of where everyone was. Below her members were hiding in the low brush that dotted the border preparing their weapons.
It was obvious the orcs had no leadership, they could hardly coordinate themselves. She waited till they were close enough then signaled Orophin to begin the attack.
The orcs had no idea what to do and began to run frantically about. This made her smile because victory would be theirs. Then something caught her eye, 3 orcs trying to flank the group. She picked up her bow and quickly downed two of them. The third was wearing some kind of armour over vital parts of his body which arrows would not easily penetrate.
Drawing her sword she slid down a rope to the ground and walked out to meet him. He was large and rather ugly and he exuded a rather rank stench of dead flesh. In his hand he carried a curved sword of iron. She raised her sword in a manner that told him to defend himself and the blue steel of the blade glimmered in the sun.
In a flash their blades met with the ringing of metal on metal. Soon they were engaged in combat that would lead to either's death. He caught her off guard once and kicked her in the stomach which sent her tumbling back. But she did not let that dissuade her. She was starting to get tired but could not let it show. She could hear something behind her but thought it was Legolas or one of the Guards. Then Legolas came into view holding the weapon of another orc. He shouted something but she could not make it out. Then she heard a bowstring snap and felt something hit her back and she fell to the ground unconscious.
She awoke to find herself lying in her bed. There was a low throbbing pain in her back that made moving difficult. A healers assistant was in the room moving about and when he saw that Galadrien was awake he made a quiet exit, most likely to tell her grandparents that she was awake. Soon her room was filled with people including Legolas and Haldir.
The assistant helped her sit up and placed pillows behind her back and handed her a cup of water to ease her dry throat. After taking a few measured sips she was finally able to talk. Looking around she asked; "What happened?"
Legolas was the first to answer; "You were flanked and got shot in the back. Orophin killed the one that shot you and I killed the leader of the rabble. No blood was spilled under your trees." He paused for a moment than continued; "We thought you were dead, you had become pale with blood loss and you were not moving."
Celeborn than interrupted when he saw that Legolas was faltering; "They brought you here where we noticed that you still clung to your light. You have been unconscious for nearly two weeks. Yet there was never any doubt in our minds that you would recover."
Galadriel then shooed everyone from the room on the grounds that her granddaughter still needed rest. Yet Legolas remained behind and made himself comfortable in a chair. She could tell that he did not have good news. Sighing he said; "My father has decided that the talks are going nowhere and has ordered us home."
She was stunned by this and lowering her head she said; "Then your coming here was in vain. It accomplished nothing."
Legolas took her hand and replied; "No, it was not in vain; I got to know you and your good heart more than I ever did before. And that is accomplishing something, though it was not my fathers' intention for this trip." He then stood and said; "We leave tomorrow at first light, I must go prepare for the journey back home."
"Wait, just for a minute. I have a gift for you." she said as she reached for a box sitting just under her bed. Setting it on her lap she opened it and took out a long silver knife with a white bone hilt. The hilt was inscribed with many runes including the prince's name, rank and his lineage. Also in the box was a simple scabbard to carry it in. Galadrien handed it to him saying; "I do not know who made the blade but the inscriptions on the hilt I carved."
Legolas stood speechless for a few moment than said; "I thank you for this gift my lady but I am puzzled by it. I do not use knives or swords in combat. My bow and arrows have always worked well for me."
Galadrien nodded and said; "I thought you would say that. Remember my prince that there comes a time when a bow breaks and arrows run out. Or perhaps you are in too close of a combat to use them. In those times a good knife or sword can mean the difference between life and death."
He nodding in understanding and replied; "I thank you my lady for this gift. Though I hope that I may not have to use it. Though I suggest you learn more about a bow, you are good yes but not great. I hope that one day we shall pit our abilities against one another in a friendly duel." He then leaned over and gave Galadrien a soft kiss on the forehead. "Naamarie my fair lady. I hope that our paths shall cross again."
Smiling she said; "In my heart I know we shall meet again my good prince and I am looking forward to that day. I am also looking forward to our friendly duel."
With that she leaned back against the pillows and Legolas silently left. The next day with minimal fuss and fanfare Legolas and the rest of the entourage left Lorien to return to Mirkwood. Galadrien was not there to see them off since the healers had not pronounced her fit to leave her bed. It would be a long recovery from this wound but she had her mind set that she would not only recover but come out from this experience stronger than before. She then fell asleep and dreamt of beautiful things to come.