Title: The Morningstar
Author: Dimcoriel
Disclaimer: If it looks like it belongs to Tolkien than it does, I only own Galadrien and Alana.
A/N: This chapter is actually ch 1 to my other fic Heir to a Kingdom re- written. It is not plagerism since I wrote the other story.
Chapter 8
Galadrien squinted in the midday sunlight. Carefully she looked at her two targets, dummies with bulls-eyes painted on the chests. Then she turned her bow horizontal and pulled two arrows from the quiver next to her. She pulled a feather from each and nocked them to her bow. She raised her bow, took aim and in a heartbeat pulled her bowstring back and released it with a loud THWAP. The arrows shot forth, straight at first but then each veered off and hit the targets dead center. Galadrien lowered her bow and smiled. Tenth time today she had hit two targets at once, and each one had become progressively smaller.
Haldir the head of the Lorien Guard walked over and clapped her on the shoulder. "Well done milady," he said with a note of pride in his voice. Haldir had been training Galadrien on weapons since she was a child and was his best pupil.
"Yes well done dear," her grandfather the Lord Celeborn had been watching her practice all day.
"Thank you Haldir, thank you Grandfather," she replied before setting her bow in a case with her quiver of arrows.
Haldir walked over to inspect the targets, "Dead center, if those had been orcs they would be dead, you have a very good eye milady."
Lord Celeborn gave his granddaughter a hug, "Now go wash up, your grandmother and I have something that we would like to discuss with you at dinner." With that he turned and walked out of the practice area.
Galadrien turned to Haldir, "I wonder what they wish to discuss with me."
"I know not my lady, but I shall see you at dinner." With that Haldir turned and began taking down the practice dummies.
Galadrien walked into her chambers high in the trees of Lorien. She took off her practice clothes and walked into her bathing area. To her delight she noticed that someone had already drawn a bath for her and had placed flowers in the water to scent it. Taking a towel from the shelf she wrapped herself up and sat on the edge of the bathing area and began trailing her fingers through the warm water. Letting the towel fall to the floor she stepped into the bath. The water felt so good after a day's worth of exercise.
Sighing Galadrien let her hair down and lay back in the tub, letting the scent of the elanor flowers fill her nostrils. She would have fallen asleep but she remembered that she was expected at dinner. She washed her long hair with a special shampoo made of a berry that grows wild in the forests of Lorien. The scent mixed well with that of the elanor which softened and scented her skin. Grabbing the towel she stepped out of the bath.
With a start she realized that someone had left the curtains open and that her bathing area looked straight at Haldir's quarters. The only thing covering his windows was a thin, gauzy material that let air circulate throughout the room. She could see him vaguely through the material and started blushing when she noticed that he had no clothes on.
As if sensing that someone was watching him he turned to his window. Gasping Galadrien quickly ducked into her dressing room and started giggling like mad. One of her handmaidens, Alandriel looked at her as if she was mad. Galadrien waved her towards her closet and said, "I shall tell you later Alana."
"Very well miss, which dress would you like to wear tonight?" she asked.
Galadrien thought for a minute then responded, "The blue silk one with yellow ribbons in my hair." While Alana prepared her dress, Galadrien put on new underclothes and dried her hair. Then she put on the dress that Alana held out for her and waited while she fastened it closed. She sat patiently while Alana braided her hair into many braids, adding ribbons to some and tied the braids in intricate knots on her head. When her hair was done Galadrien slipped on a pair of soft slippers and shook her head at the jewelry offered to her.
Then she quickly made her way down to the dining hall, stopping only momentarily at the entrance to smooth her dress. Pushing the door open she noticed that despite the grandeur of the hall tonight there was only a small table set in the center of the room.
There were four chairs around the table, two on one side and two on the other. The Lord Celeborn and his wife the Lady Galadriel already occupied one side of the table. On the other side sat Haldir, now dressed in a formal tunic and pants. He stood as Galadrien approached and pulled out her chair, "Milady" he said with a small bow.
Galadrien looked at her grandmother and asked, "Where is everyone else?"
Lady Galadriel smiled and said "They are eating elsewhere tonight, I thought that we would have a quiet dinner together." With that servants came out of the kitchen carrying platters of steamed and broiled vegetables and a great platter with a large roasted rabbit on it. With haste they were all served but before they could begin eating Galadrien asked, "What is it that you wanted to discuss with me?"
Her grandparents looked at each other, then Lord Celeborn turned to her and said "Haldir says that your skills with a bow and arrow are unrivaled by anyone in Lorien. Hey says that you have grown beyond his knowledge to teach." Galadrien looked sideways at Haldir who did not return her look but looked at his plate and blushed red.
Her grandfather continued, "We have decided to send you to Mirkwood, into King Thranduil's realm where his master archers could teach you more of the craft." Galadrien sat for a moment and thought, "Mirkwood, a large dark forest with a beauty all its own, but not without danger. A forest full of giant spiders and roving bands of orcs. "
She took a bite of rabbit and thought some more, "but then there are the Princes of Mirkwood, Legolas the eldest and his younger brother Adrolas. It has been years since I last saw them, Legolas was always the courteous and the handsome one, his brother on the other hand was rude and snobbish and a bit smarmy."
Lady Galadriel reached out and placed her hand on her granddaughters, "Galadrien, what is your answer?"
Galadrien looked up and smiled, "I shall go to Mirkwood, when do I leave?" Celeborn smiled, "At the end of the week so you best get ready, and time passes quickly."
Quickly she stood up, "May I be excused?" "Of course you may dear, you need all the time you can get to prepare for this journey," said her grandfather. Galadrien quickly kissed both her grandfather and grandmother on the cheek and ran out of the dining hall.
Outside she was met by her cousin Arwen who was visiting from Imladris. Excitedly she asked, "Did you hear the good news, I am being sent to Mirkwood. I shall get to see Prince Legolas again, isn't this exciting Arwen?"
Placing her hands on Galadrien's shoulders Arwen replied, "Yes it is very exciting and I am very happy that you shall see the prince again. This will be a good time in your life my cousin and I hope you enjoy it." She kissed her on the forehead than said, "Now you must go and start getting ready, you depart very soon."
She ran up the stairs at breakneck speed, scaring several servants and ran into her quarters calling for her handmaiden, "Alana! Alana!"
Alana ran out of her adjoining quarters looking very startled, "What is it milady?"
"Something good is happening Alana," said Galadrien. "We are going to Mirkwood and will be there for some time." Upon hearing this Alana immediately began pulling traveling bags out of the closet. While she was doing that Galadrien was putting her hair down and removing her gown and putting on some light nightclothes, she was tired and wished to sleep. Seeing this Alana quickly turned down Galadrien's bed and took the traveling things into her room, "Sleep my lady" she said, "You had a busy day and the next few will be even busier."
Galadrien waited till Alana had gone to her room and turned off her light. Then she climbed out of bed and went into her bathing area. She walked over to the window and looked out. There was a break in the canopy of the trees overhead and through it she could see some stars and the crescent moon.
She gazed up at the moon and stars thinking about the last time she had seen the Princes of Mirkwood. It had been around 250 years since the time when they had visited Lorien. They stayed only a month, but what a month it had been. A grand ball was held in honor of the Princes, meals were more festive, the people of Lorien were eager to make their stay the most comfortable they had ever had. She remembered what time she has spent with Prince Legolas, sitting in on diplomatic meetings, walking through the forest and fighting marauding orcs that happened to pick his visit to attack. Then in the blink of an eye they had left to return to Mirkwood and life returned to normal.
Galadrien had one thing to remember Legolas by. He had taken a piece of wood and carved it into a small elanor flower. She often wore it pinned to a favored dress or in her hair. Her reverie was broken when she noticed that Haldir had lit a lamp in his quarters, she could see him doing stretching exercises in his room wearing almost nothing at all. She watched him for sometime till he tired and blew out his lamp. Sighing she returned to her bed to sleep.
The next few days flew by that week as preparations were made for her journey to Mirkwood. Horses for herself, Haldir and Alana were chosen, as well as packhorses to carry their belongings. Escorts were also picked to protect them from any dangers along the way. Seamstresses worked day and night to fit her for new gowns, no doubt King Thranduil would hold many balls in her honor and Galadrien had insisted that they make several for Alana, the girl worked so hard, she deserved them. The cooks in the kitchen also worked day and night making lembas, the elven journey bread and other foods for their journey.
Finally after a whirlwind of preparation the day came to depart for Mirkwood. Galadrien stood by her horse, a large black colt named NightsShadow. She wore traveling clothes of a soft green and gray material and a moss green cloak to protect from wind. She was whispering to NightsShadow as her grandparents approached.
Lord Celeborn was the first to speak, "This is the first time we have sent a lady of our realm to train in Mirkwood, make us proud dear." With that he kissed her on the cheek and then slipped a note into her hand. Having done that he went to go speak with Haldir.
Then she turned to her grandmother, "Grandmother you know I always do my best."
"I know dear and your grandfather knows that as well." then Lady Galadriel took her granddaughter by the shoulders, "Dear I saw something in the mirror last night, beware of Adrolas, he bears ill will to his brother and I fear that he may turn it to you as well. But fear not your journey, it will be uneventful and you will remain safe throughout. Now mount up, it appears Haldir is ready to go."
With that Galadriel turned and joined Celeborn on the stairs leading to the main audience hall. Arwen was also standing there looking very happy. Galadrien jumped up onto her horses back with ease and turned him towards her grandparents. She raised her hand in salute then turned NightsShadow towards in the gate. With Haldir in the lead the party rode out of Lorien. Galadrien turned back only once, watching the trees of her childhood fade away. She didn't dwell on it, one chapter of her life was closing and another was starting.
Author: Dimcoriel
Disclaimer: If it looks like it belongs to Tolkien than it does, I only own Galadrien and Alana.
A/N: This chapter is actually ch 1 to my other fic Heir to a Kingdom re- written. It is not plagerism since I wrote the other story.
Chapter 8
Galadrien squinted in the midday sunlight. Carefully she looked at her two targets, dummies with bulls-eyes painted on the chests. Then she turned her bow horizontal and pulled two arrows from the quiver next to her. She pulled a feather from each and nocked them to her bow. She raised her bow, took aim and in a heartbeat pulled her bowstring back and released it with a loud THWAP. The arrows shot forth, straight at first but then each veered off and hit the targets dead center. Galadrien lowered her bow and smiled. Tenth time today she had hit two targets at once, and each one had become progressively smaller.
Haldir the head of the Lorien Guard walked over and clapped her on the shoulder. "Well done milady," he said with a note of pride in his voice. Haldir had been training Galadrien on weapons since she was a child and was his best pupil.
"Yes well done dear," her grandfather the Lord Celeborn had been watching her practice all day.
"Thank you Haldir, thank you Grandfather," she replied before setting her bow in a case with her quiver of arrows.
Haldir walked over to inspect the targets, "Dead center, if those had been orcs they would be dead, you have a very good eye milady."
Lord Celeborn gave his granddaughter a hug, "Now go wash up, your grandmother and I have something that we would like to discuss with you at dinner." With that he turned and walked out of the practice area.
Galadrien turned to Haldir, "I wonder what they wish to discuss with me."
"I know not my lady, but I shall see you at dinner." With that Haldir turned and began taking down the practice dummies.
Galadrien walked into her chambers high in the trees of Lorien. She took off her practice clothes and walked into her bathing area. To her delight she noticed that someone had already drawn a bath for her and had placed flowers in the water to scent it. Taking a towel from the shelf she wrapped herself up and sat on the edge of the bathing area and began trailing her fingers through the warm water. Letting the towel fall to the floor she stepped into the bath. The water felt so good after a day's worth of exercise.
Sighing Galadrien let her hair down and lay back in the tub, letting the scent of the elanor flowers fill her nostrils. She would have fallen asleep but she remembered that she was expected at dinner. She washed her long hair with a special shampoo made of a berry that grows wild in the forests of Lorien. The scent mixed well with that of the elanor which softened and scented her skin. Grabbing the towel she stepped out of the bath.
With a start she realized that someone had left the curtains open and that her bathing area looked straight at Haldir's quarters. The only thing covering his windows was a thin, gauzy material that let air circulate throughout the room. She could see him vaguely through the material and started blushing when she noticed that he had no clothes on.
As if sensing that someone was watching him he turned to his window. Gasping Galadrien quickly ducked into her dressing room and started giggling like mad. One of her handmaidens, Alandriel looked at her as if she was mad. Galadrien waved her towards her closet and said, "I shall tell you later Alana."
"Very well miss, which dress would you like to wear tonight?" she asked.
Galadrien thought for a minute then responded, "The blue silk one with yellow ribbons in my hair." While Alana prepared her dress, Galadrien put on new underclothes and dried her hair. Then she put on the dress that Alana held out for her and waited while she fastened it closed. She sat patiently while Alana braided her hair into many braids, adding ribbons to some and tied the braids in intricate knots on her head. When her hair was done Galadrien slipped on a pair of soft slippers and shook her head at the jewelry offered to her.
Then she quickly made her way down to the dining hall, stopping only momentarily at the entrance to smooth her dress. Pushing the door open she noticed that despite the grandeur of the hall tonight there was only a small table set in the center of the room.
There were four chairs around the table, two on one side and two on the other. The Lord Celeborn and his wife the Lady Galadriel already occupied one side of the table. On the other side sat Haldir, now dressed in a formal tunic and pants. He stood as Galadrien approached and pulled out her chair, "Milady" he said with a small bow.
Galadrien looked at her grandmother and asked, "Where is everyone else?"
Lady Galadriel smiled and said "They are eating elsewhere tonight, I thought that we would have a quiet dinner together." With that servants came out of the kitchen carrying platters of steamed and broiled vegetables and a great platter with a large roasted rabbit on it. With haste they were all served but before they could begin eating Galadrien asked, "What is it that you wanted to discuss with me?"
Her grandparents looked at each other, then Lord Celeborn turned to her and said "Haldir says that your skills with a bow and arrow are unrivaled by anyone in Lorien. Hey says that you have grown beyond his knowledge to teach." Galadrien looked sideways at Haldir who did not return her look but looked at his plate and blushed red.
Her grandfather continued, "We have decided to send you to Mirkwood, into King Thranduil's realm where his master archers could teach you more of the craft." Galadrien sat for a moment and thought, "Mirkwood, a large dark forest with a beauty all its own, but not without danger. A forest full of giant spiders and roving bands of orcs. "
She took a bite of rabbit and thought some more, "but then there are the Princes of Mirkwood, Legolas the eldest and his younger brother Adrolas. It has been years since I last saw them, Legolas was always the courteous and the handsome one, his brother on the other hand was rude and snobbish and a bit smarmy."
Lady Galadriel reached out and placed her hand on her granddaughters, "Galadrien, what is your answer?"
Galadrien looked up and smiled, "I shall go to Mirkwood, when do I leave?" Celeborn smiled, "At the end of the week so you best get ready, and time passes quickly."
Quickly she stood up, "May I be excused?" "Of course you may dear, you need all the time you can get to prepare for this journey," said her grandfather. Galadrien quickly kissed both her grandfather and grandmother on the cheek and ran out of the dining hall.
Outside she was met by her cousin Arwen who was visiting from Imladris. Excitedly she asked, "Did you hear the good news, I am being sent to Mirkwood. I shall get to see Prince Legolas again, isn't this exciting Arwen?"
Placing her hands on Galadrien's shoulders Arwen replied, "Yes it is very exciting and I am very happy that you shall see the prince again. This will be a good time in your life my cousin and I hope you enjoy it." She kissed her on the forehead than said, "Now you must go and start getting ready, you depart very soon."
She ran up the stairs at breakneck speed, scaring several servants and ran into her quarters calling for her handmaiden, "Alana! Alana!"
Alana ran out of her adjoining quarters looking very startled, "What is it milady?"
"Something good is happening Alana," said Galadrien. "We are going to Mirkwood and will be there for some time." Upon hearing this Alana immediately began pulling traveling bags out of the closet. While she was doing that Galadrien was putting her hair down and removing her gown and putting on some light nightclothes, she was tired and wished to sleep. Seeing this Alana quickly turned down Galadrien's bed and took the traveling things into her room, "Sleep my lady" she said, "You had a busy day and the next few will be even busier."
Galadrien waited till Alana had gone to her room and turned off her light. Then she climbed out of bed and went into her bathing area. She walked over to the window and looked out. There was a break in the canopy of the trees overhead and through it she could see some stars and the crescent moon.
She gazed up at the moon and stars thinking about the last time she had seen the Princes of Mirkwood. It had been around 250 years since the time when they had visited Lorien. They stayed only a month, but what a month it had been. A grand ball was held in honor of the Princes, meals were more festive, the people of Lorien were eager to make their stay the most comfortable they had ever had. She remembered what time she has spent with Prince Legolas, sitting in on diplomatic meetings, walking through the forest and fighting marauding orcs that happened to pick his visit to attack. Then in the blink of an eye they had left to return to Mirkwood and life returned to normal.
Galadrien had one thing to remember Legolas by. He had taken a piece of wood and carved it into a small elanor flower. She often wore it pinned to a favored dress or in her hair. Her reverie was broken when she noticed that Haldir had lit a lamp in his quarters, she could see him doing stretching exercises in his room wearing almost nothing at all. She watched him for sometime till he tired and blew out his lamp. Sighing she returned to her bed to sleep.
The next few days flew by that week as preparations were made for her journey to Mirkwood. Horses for herself, Haldir and Alana were chosen, as well as packhorses to carry their belongings. Escorts were also picked to protect them from any dangers along the way. Seamstresses worked day and night to fit her for new gowns, no doubt King Thranduil would hold many balls in her honor and Galadrien had insisted that they make several for Alana, the girl worked so hard, she deserved them. The cooks in the kitchen also worked day and night making lembas, the elven journey bread and other foods for their journey.
Finally after a whirlwind of preparation the day came to depart for Mirkwood. Galadrien stood by her horse, a large black colt named NightsShadow. She wore traveling clothes of a soft green and gray material and a moss green cloak to protect from wind. She was whispering to NightsShadow as her grandparents approached.
Lord Celeborn was the first to speak, "This is the first time we have sent a lady of our realm to train in Mirkwood, make us proud dear." With that he kissed her on the cheek and then slipped a note into her hand. Having done that he went to go speak with Haldir.
Then she turned to her grandmother, "Grandmother you know I always do my best."
"I know dear and your grandfather knows that as well." then Lady Galadriel took her granddaughter by the shoulders, "Dear I saw something in the mirror last night, beware of Adrolas, he bears ill will to his brother and I fear that he may turn it to you as well. But fear not your journey, it will be uneventful and you will remain safe throughout. Now mount up, it appears Haldir is ready to go."
With that Galadriel turned and joined Celeborn on the stairs leading to the main audience hall. Arwen was also standing there looking very happy. Galadrien jumped up onto her horses back with ease and turned him towards her grandparents. She raised her hand in salute then turned NightsShadow towards in the gate. With Haldir in the lead the party rode out of Lorien. Galadrien turned back only once, watching the trees of her childhood fade away. She didn't dwell on it, one chapter of her life was closing and another was starting.