A/N: I take a lot from the movie, but I decided to go with the book on part
of this. Instead of just staying in Lorien for one night like they did in
the movie, I'm gonna compromise. The Fellowship will stay for about a
week. I know they stayed for a month in the books, but I want to get to
Helm's Deep sooner.
Galadriel won't talk to Ella in her head-Frodo is the important one here, and she won't look into the mirror. I just thought up a really good ending yesterday, now I just have to get them there.
Also: thanx, Tara for the bit about the lines. I wanna be as accurate as I can. And I'll try not to portray Haldir too evilly, but I really like the scene when he and his guards stop the Fellowship. Tell me what u think!
The Company walked and jogged the distance to the woods of Lothorien, splashing across the river of Nimrodel once they entered the forest. The forest was more beautiful than any Ella had ever seen before. The trees had golden leaves that crowned the mammoth trees' canopies. The forest floor was free of undergrowth, and the light filtered down from the trees with a golden glow from the leaves. Here and there sprung a pale silver fir. The companions stopped for a little to tend to Frodo's wound. It was not until Legolas abruptly told Ella that she was bleeding did she notice the wound in her side. Fortunately, it was fairly shallow and needed only a light bandage. Her side was sore now that the adrenaline from the fight had faded, but it was a dull pang, not a shooting pain. Legolas' manner told Ella more than just of her wound; it spoke volumes of the anger he harbored toward her for the attempted use of her magic against him.
I'm as bad as Scarlett O'Hara, Ella thought, but I can't deal with everything today. She pushed Legolas out of her head along with her grief. She would deal with it tomorrow. She focused on steady breathing as she ran, and on the pounding of her feet on the soft loam, her mind detached.
Suddenly, she saw Legolas grab and arrow and fit is to his bow, just as she looked up and saw an arrow pointed at an uncomfortable proximity to her nose. It was held by a tall, willowy blonde elf that looked at her with hard eyes. Ella saw that other members of the Fellowship were in the same predicament as she.
"They breathe so loud we could have shot them in the dark," another blonde elf said acidly, but without malice. He seemed amused more than anything else.
"Aragorn, these woods are perilous. We should go back," Gimli warned.
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. But you need have no fear," added the commanding elf that towered over Ella with his imposing height. "We have been aware of you for a while and heard you crossing the Nimrodel."
The elf, who introduced himself as Haldir, was accompanied by two of his brothers. He spoke of the Lady with such respect that Ella's curiosity was stirred. The Lady was also a witch, and Ella wondered if she would be willing to teach her anything. She had heard of wizards who fiercely guarded their spells and didn't share their findings with others. She hoped the Lady would be different. Ella's learning was now in her hands, and she was aware of her relative ignorance in all things magical. She needed some guidance badly.
The Companions were led to flets up in the trees. They were little more than solid platforms supported by the parting branches of the massive trees. Ella had trouble getting up, and by the time she clambered up the trunk, she had a new appreciation for their size. Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Ella shared a flet, and the hobbits were in another. The silent elves gave them extra blankets, and a little food. They were thankful for the food, but still silent, each lost in their own thoughts. The entire company mourned the loss of Gandalf, and Legolas also brooded of his friendship with Ella. Ella tried to keep the melancholy thoughts out of her head, and fell asleep first, snugly wrapped in two blankets on the unyielding wood floor of the flet.
Ella blinked awake the next morning as the heat from the rising yellow sun filtered through the trees' branches and warmed her face. She sat up, her ponytail mussed and tangled. She briefly ran her fingers through it and reluctantly threw off the cozy blankets. Aragorn had already awoken and left, and Gimli snored on blissfully. She turned her head to look for Legolas, and met his eyes. His blue orbs hardened, and his expressionless visage turned away. Ella bit her lip, and picked up her blankets. Suddenly furious, she threw them down.
"You don't even want an explanation, do you?" Ella spat angrily, "You'd just be content to feud for a couple hundred years! Well, I haven't got a couple hundred years." She said, waiting for his back to at least turn to face her. Finally, he turned his face enough for her to see his cold mask of a profile. She was about to open her mouth to fling a blistering insult at him, when Aragorn climbed into the flet. He looked from one bright red face to a pale white one. He knew that something had happened between Ella and Legolas in the Mines of Moria. There was a noticeable difference in the way both of them acted. Where they had once been close and always talking, he could see Ella's eyes snap angrily whenever she looked at Legolas, and he saw Legolas' long glances at Ella when he thought none would notice. Mentally shrugging, he had no desire to become involved and just hoped that they would once again become friendly.
"We leave soon," was all he said before he again descended, "Wake Gimli."
Ella studiously ignored Legolas and readied to leave. She awoke Gimli, and heard Legolas slip down the tree to the ground. She followed. The hobbits were assembled, and she heard Gimli land on the ground with a dull thump. Guided by Haldir and one of his brothers, the Fellowship made their way on the road south. The Fellowship soon caught sight of another stream, and walked along its bank until Haldir called a halt.
"There is one of my people across the stream," he said, emitting from deep in his throat a low birdcall. Out of a tangle of brush stepped another tall blonde-haired elf in the uniform of the Lothlorien guards. Haldir uncoiled a rope from his pack and held the end of a rope, tossing the other end to the elf on the opposite bank of the stream. Both ends of the rope were secured, drawing the rope taut across the stream.
"Celebrant is a strong stream, and it runs both swift and deep. We do not set foot in it unless we must. In these days of watchfulness, we do not make bridges. This is how we cross!" he exclaimed, and nimbly stepped onto the single strand of rope and skipped easily across. Ella wasn't overly surprised. She had witnessed the fluid movements of the elves in other instances, and wondered if she could look as graceful doing anything. Probably not, she decided quickly, laughing at herself for that thought.
"I can cross the stream as it is," Legolas said. Braggart, Ella darkly thought, "But my friends cannot."
Two more ropes were strung across the stream, one at shoulder and waist height, so the stream could be forded with care. When it came Ella's turn to cross, she put foot over foot gingerly, and made her way across, jumping the rest of the way when she was a few feet from the edge of the bank.
"I think I'd be better off swimming next time," Ella said, glad she had her feet on solid ground once again. Gimli heartily nodded his agreement; his passage across the stream had been rather difficult. The short dwarf had used his ax as a balance. Once all had crossed, Haldir said, "Now, friends, you have entered Lorien. Few indeed are permitted to set foot here. As agreed, I shall blindfold the Gimli the Dwarf. The others may walk free."
"The agreement was made without my consent," Gimli protested. Ella agreed with him. He had proven himself during his time in the Fellowship like they all had, and he had risen above his prejudice of elves and became good friends with Legolas. "I will not walk blindfolded," he declared.
"I do not doubt you, but it is our law," Haldir replied.
Gimli wouldn't give in. His face took on a recalcitrant expression, and looked even more stubborn than dwarves' faces usually appeared. His hand lingered on his ax handle, and the elves drew back their bowstrings. Legolas stepped in between the two groups, fixing Gimli with a glare.
"Dwarves and their stiff necks!" he said exasperated.
"Come on," Aragorn said, intervening, "It is unfair for Gimli alone to be blindfolded. We will all go blindfolded, even Legolas."
"What?" Legloas sputtered, "I am and Elf and a kinsman here!"
"Elves and their stiff necks!" Ella said ironically, faintly smiling at Legolas' venomous look in her direction.
Soon, Ella had a white linen blindfold swathed around over her eyes. She bumped into the person in front of her a couple of times, but soon she was able to hear when the footsteps in from of her ceased, and heard the natural sound of the forest clearly. She also became more aware of the powerful aura pressing into her, almost examining her for impurities. Maybe it was the woods of Lothlorien, or the fair weather, but Ella actually enjoyed the marching that day. Before she knew it, the air felt cooler against her skin, and her blindfold was tugged off her head. They had stopped in a wooded opening, with great talans illuminated by eerie light perched above in the great trees. Circular stairs led up to the platforms above them.
"Come. She is waiting," Haldir said, and guided the Fellowship to one of the staircases at the base of an enormous tree. The tree was of enormous girth, and the winding staircase took time to climb. Ella marveled at the breathtaking view that the staircase afforded as they climbed the staircase. Under the dusky evening sky, Ella could see talans nestled in trees, illuminated by the flickering spheres of light fueled by an unseen force. The wood that Ella tread upon as she mounted the stairs seemed to have its own vitality. Ella mentally reached out to it and felt its life force and its memory of innumerable ages long past. Finally the winding stairs ended, and they entered a sparsely furnished talan and stood in a semicircle around base of more stairs. From these stairs came a powerful force preceded by a blinding light that Ella felt before she saw. Blinking in the sudden brightness, Ella could gradually discern two elves standing arm in arm. On the left was a noble blonde elf dressed in silver robes clasped at the chest that Ella assumed was Celeborn. On his arm stood the most regal elf Ella had ever seen. She now knew whose aura she had felt upon entering the woods, and came to realize the extent of the power the elf witch held if her mere presence could be projected that far. She was robed in pristine white and upon her brow sat a gold and silver circlet covered by her golden wheat hair, the strands closest to her forehead tucked behind her delicate pointed ears. Her wizened blue eyes were the only thing that betrayed her great age. They scanned the group one by one. As her turn to be examined by the Lady came, Ella could feel reassuring warmth wash over her, dissipating her trepidation.
"Eight there are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell," Celeborn said and raising his voice he asked, "Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desired to speak with him."
The Lady Galadriel closed her eyes for a moment in concentration and said softly after a moment, "He has fallen into shadow."
Ella's eyes were pricked with tears as she thought of Gandalf. The Lady's piercing blue eyes settled on Ella for a moment as if she could feel the intense emotions washing over her. Ella blinked back her tears, focusing on the meeting before her and the burning sensation behind her eyes subsided.
"The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all," Lady Galadriel warned. "Yet hope remains while the company is true," she added, her eyes resting on Sam. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow. Tonight you will sleep well."
Haldir and his brothers appeared to escort the Fellowship to their individual talans. They once again climbed down the winding stair and set off on a well-trodden path. Soon, the path split and all went in different directions.
"G'night!" Ella called to the hobbits.
Ella and Legolas' talans were close to each other, and they walked the same path in uncomfortable silence led by Orophin. Ella occasionally glanced at Legolas out of the corner of her eye, but the blonde elf's was impassive. Ella climbed the steps and stepped into her small two-chamber talan. It was decorated with intricate carvings like the rest of Lothlorien, and there was a soft mound of cushions that served as her bed. There was a mirror mounted on the far wall and below it was a low table. Like her room at Rivendell, there was silk draped lavishly around the room. Orophin had pointed out hot springs as he was guiding them. Ella grabbed a soft towel from her room, a fragrant bar of soap, and a gauzy white nightgown and slipped out of her talan. Furtively peeking at the steamy springs from around a tree trunk, Ella made sure no one was in sight, and quickly stripped her travel worn clothes from her back. She stepped into the water, and felt the tension in her muscles ease in the soothing water. She soaked for a long time, and eventually cleansed her hair and stepped out into the now frigid air, drying herself with prune-like fingers. She slipped the nightgown over her head, and went back to her talan. She sank into her pile of plush cushions with a sigh and slept soundly.
Ella awoke the next morning, and wiggled out of the pile of cushions. It was a surprisingly comfortable bed; Ella woke refreshed and loose. Judging from the sun's brightness, Ella figured she had slept in late. She looked around the room for something to wear, and found some robes in a small perfumed wardrobe. The robes were all Ella's size, some fancier than others. Ella chose a simple, filmy cream robe and pulled it on. They bell sleeves hung down to her hips, and there was a slight train in the back. It fit snugly, but it wasn't constricting. She let her hair hang down in waves, noticing that it had grown a couple inches. Ella looked in the mirror, noticing the more defined cheekbones and faint purple bags that hung under her eyes. She looked older, and with longer hair and a tighter face, Ella thought that she almost looked as if she belonged in Middle Earth. Turning away from her changed reflection, Ella was suddenly ravenous, and made finding breakfast her next objective. She set out barefoot along the path she used to reach her talan the night before. She had no idea where to look, and wandered around various paths for a quarter of an hour with no luck. Ella's side started to hurt. She had freshly bandaged it this morning, it was just starting to scab over. She would have to take it easy until the scar formed. Seeing an elf walking the same path as she, she hurried toward him.
"Excuse me!" she called, stopping the elf, "Could you please toll me where I could find some food?"
Marveling at his luck to find such a pretty human in need, the elf gallantly, at least in his eyes, agreed and offered Ella his arm. Ella had to keep herself from laughing, and instead smiled broadly up at the blonde elf. No one had ever offered his arm to her, and it made her feel queenly. The elf looked down into the twinkling green eyes, transfixed. He was a young elf, and was rather unworldly. Humans were very rare in Lothlorien, and he was curious. Ella's attractiveness and unusual coloring made his curiosity sharpen. They walked along the path and took a left. The kitchens weren't in trees like the rest of Lothlorien, for having a fire in a tree would be impractical. Instead, they were burrowed underground in the roots of a tree of enormous girth and age. Another elf was approaching the kitchens. Legolas.
"Thank you very much for showing me here," Ella said, not noticing Legolas and bestowing a bright smile upon her escort. He watched Ella's receding figure as she entered the kitchens with undisguised admiration in his eyes.
Legolas stopped fifty yards away from the kitchens, saw Ella and her young elf, and watched their parting through narrowed eyes. Ella looked elegant in her cream robe, and Legolas couldn't help but notice that, unlike most female elves who had the same figure as their male counterparts, Ella was definitely female. That observation, combined with Ella's infatuated admirer put him in a foul mood as he stalked away from the kitchens, his appetite curiously slacked.
Ella entered the underground kitchens and found herself in a cavernous room with worn wood planks lining the floor. The earth kept in the warmth from the cooking fires that lined the wall with pots simmering suspended above the flames. The kitchen was a hive of activity. Elves were everywhere, some chopping juicy roots, others kneading yeasty bread. Ella was soon provided with enough food to feed her for a day, all of it sumptuous. She ate her fill and set out to explore Lothlorien.
Galadriel won't talk to Ella in her head-Frodo is the important one here, and she won't look into the mirror. I just thought up a really good ending yesterday, now I just have to get them there.
Also: thanx, Tara for the bit about the lines. I wanna be as accurate as I can. And I'll try not to portray Haldir too evilly, but I really like the scene when he and his guards stop the Fellowship. Tell me what u think!
The Company walked and jogged the distance to the woods of Lothorien, splashing across the river of Nimrodel once they entered the forest. The forest was more beautiful than any Ella had ever seen before. The trees had golden leaves that crowned the mammoth trees' canopies. The forest floor was free of undergrowth, and the light filtered down from the trees with a golden glow from the leaves. Here and there sprung a pale silver fir. The companions stopped for a little to tend to Frodo's wound. It was not until Legolas abruptly told Ella that she was bleeding did she notice the wound in her side. Fortunately, it was fairly shallow and needed only a light bandage. Her side was sore now that the adrenaline from the fight had faded, but it was a dull pang, not a shooting pain. Legolas' manner told Ella more than just of her wound; it spoke volumes of the anger he harbored toward her for the attempted use of her magic against him.
I'm as bad as Scarlett O'Hara, Ella thought, but I can't deal with everything today. She pushed Legolas out of her head along with her grief. She would deal with it tomorrow. She focused on steady breathing as she ran, and on the pounding of her feet on the soft loam, her mind detached.
Suddenly, she saw Legolas grab and arrow and fit is to his bow, just as she looked up and saw an arrow pointed at an uncomfortable proximity to her nose. It was held by a tall, willowy blonde elf that looked at her with hard eyes. Ella saw that other members of the Fellowship were in the same predicament as she.
"They breathe so loud we could have shot them in the dark," another blonde elf said acidly, but without malice. He seemed amused more than anything else.
"Aragorn, these woods are perilous. We should go back," Gimli warned.
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. But you need have no fear," added the commanding elf that towered over Ella with his imposing height. "We have been aware of you for a while and heard you crossing the Nimrodel."
The elf, who introduced himself as Haldir, was accompanied by two of his brothers. He spoke of the Lady with such respect that Ella's curiosity was stirred. The Lady was also a witch, and Ella wondered if she would be willing to teach her anything. She had heard of wizards who fiercely guarded their spells and didn't share their findings with others. She hoped the Lady would be different. Ella's learning was now in her hands, and she was aware of her relative ignorance in all things magical. She needed some guidance badly.
The Companions were led to flets up in the trees. They were little more than solid platforms supported by the parting branches of the massive trees. Ella had trouble getting up, and by the time she clambered up the trunk, she had a new appreciation for their size. Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Ella shared a flet, and the hobbits were in another. The silent elves gave them extra blankets, and a little food. They were thankful for the food, but still silent, each lost in their own thoughts. The entire company mourned the loss of Gandalf, and Legolas also brooded of his friendship with Ella. Ella tried to keep the melancholy thoughts out of her head, and fell asleep first, snugly wrapped in two blankets on the unyielding wood floor of the flet.
Ella blinked awake the next morning as the heat from the rising yellow sun filtered through the trees' branches and warmed her face. She sat up, her ponytail mussed and tangled. She briefly ran her fingers through it and reluctantly threw off the cozy blankets. Aragorn had already awoken and left, and Gimli snored on blissfully. She turned her head to look for Legolas, and met his eyes. His blue orbs hardened, and his expressionless visage turned away. Ella bit her lip, and picked up her blankets. Suddenly furious, she threw them down.
"You don't even want an explanation, do you?" Ella spat angrily, "You'd just be content to feud for a couple hundred years! Well, I haven't got a couple hundred years." She said, waiting for his back to at least turn to face her. Finally, he turned his face enough for her to see his cold mask of a profile. She was about to open her mouth to fling a blistering insult at him, when Aragorn climbed into the flet. He looked from one bright red face to a pale white one. He knew that something had happened between Ella and Legolas in the Mines of Moria. There was a noticeable difference in the way both of them acted. Where they had once been close and always talking, he could see Ella's eyes snap angrily whenever she looked at Legolas, and he saw Legolas' long glances at Ella when he thought none would notice. Mentally shrugging, he had no desire to become involved and just hoped that they would once again become friendly.
"We leave soon," was all he said before he again descended, "Wake Gimli."
Ella studiously ignored Legolas and readied to leave. She awoke Gimli, and heard Legolas slip down the tree to the ground. She followed. The hobbits were assembled, and she heard Gimli land on the ground with a dull thump. Guided by Haldir and one of his brothers, the Fellowship made their way on the road south. The Fellowship soon caught sight of another stream, and walked along its bank until Haldir called a halt.
"There is one of my people across the stream," he said, emitting from deep in his throat a low birdcall. Out of a tangle of brush stepped another tall blonde-haired elf in the uniform of the Lothlorien guards. Haldir uncoiled a rope from his pack and held the end of a rope, tossing the other end to the elf on the opposite bank of the stream. Both ends of the rope were secured, drawing the rope taut across the stream.
"Celebrant is a strong stream, and it runs both swift and deep. We do not set foot in it unless we must. In these days of watchfulness, we do not make bridges. This is how we cross!" he exclaimed, and nimbly stepped onto the single strand of rope and skipped easily across. Ella wasn't overly surprised. She had witnessed the fluid movements of the elves in other instances, and wondered if she could look as graceful doing anything. Probably not, she decided quickly, laughing at herself for that thought.
"I can cross the stream as it is," Legolas said. Braggart, Ella darkly thought, "But my friends cannot."
Two more ropes were strung across the stream, one at shoulder and waist height, so the stream could be forded with care. When it came Ella's turn to cross, she put foot over foot gingerly, and made her way across, jumping the rest of the way when she was a few feet from the edge of the bank.
"I think I'd be better off swimming next time," Ella said, glad she had her feet on solid ground once again. Gimli heartily nodded his agreement; his passage across the stream had been rather difficult. The short dwarf had used his ax as a balance. Once all had crossed, Haldir said, "Now, friends, you have entered Lorien. Few indeed are permitted to set foot here. As agreed, I shall blindfold the Gimli the Dwarf. The others may walk free."
"The agreement was made without my consent," Gimli protested. Ella agreed with him. He had proven himself during his time in the Fellowship like they all had, and he had risen above his prejudice of elves and became good friends with Legolas. "I will not walk blindfolded," he declared.
"I do not doubt you, but it is our law," Haldir replied.
Gimli wouldn't give in. His face took on a recalcitrant expression, and looked even more stubborn than dwarves' faces usually appeared. His hand lingered on his ax handle, and the elves drew back their bowstrings. Legolas stepped in between the two groups, fixing Gimli with a glare.
"Dwarves and their stiff necks!" he said exasperated.
"Come on," Aragorn said, intervening, "It is unfair for Gimli alone to be blindfolded. We will all go blindfolded, even Legolas."
"What?" Legloas sputtered, "I am and Elf and a kinsman here!"
"Elves and their stiff necks!" Ella said ironically, faintly smiling at Legolas' venomous look in her direction.
Soon, Ella had a white linen blindfold swathed around over her eyes. She bumped into the person in front of her a couple of times, but soon she was able to hear when the footsteps in from of her ceased, and heard the natural sound of the forest clearly. She also became more aware of the powerful aura pressing into her, almost examining her for impurities. Maybe it was the woods of Lothlorien, or the fair weather, but Ella actually enjoyed the marching that day. Before she knew it, the air felt cooler against her skin, and her blindfold was tugged off her head. They had stopped in a wooded opening, with great talans illuminated by eerie light perched above in the great trees. Circular stairs led up to the platforms above them.
"Come. She is waiting," Haldir said, and guided the Fellowship to one of the staircases at the base of an enormous tree. The tree was of enormous girth, and the winding staircase took time to climb. Ella marveled at the breathtaking view that the staircase afforded as they climbed the staircase. Under the dusky evening sky, Ella could see talans nestled in trees, illuminated by the flickering spheres of light fueled by an unseen force. The wood that Ella tread upon as she mounted the stairs seemed to have its own vitality. Ella mentally reached out to it and felt its life force and its memory of innumerable ages long past. Finally the winding stairs ended, and they entered a sparsely furnished talan and stood in a semicircle around base of more stairs. From these stairs came a powerful force preceded by a blinding light that Ella felt before she saw. Blinking in the sudden brightness, Ella could gradually discern two elves standing arm in arm. On the left was a noble blonde elf dressed in silver robes clasped at the chest that Ella assumed was Celeborn. On his arm stood the most regal elf Ella had ever seen. She now knew whose aura she had felt upon entering the woods, and came to realize the extent of the power the elf witch held if her mere presence could be projected that far. She was robed in pristine white and upon her brow sat a gold and silver circlet covered by her golden wheat hair, the strands closest to her forehead tucked behind her delicate pointed ears. Her wizened blue eyes were the only thing that betrayed her great age. They scanned the group one by one. As her turn to be examined by the Lady came, Ella could feel reassuring warmth wash over her, dissipating her trepidation.
"Eight there are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell," Celeborn said and raising his voice he asked, "Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desired to speak with him."
The Lady Galadriel closed her eyes for a moment in concentration and said softly after a moment, "He has fallen into shadow."
Ella's eyes were pricked with tears as she thought of Gandalf. The Lady's piercing blue eyes settled on Ella for a moment as if she could feel the intense emotions washing over her. Ella blinked back her tears, focusing on the meeting before her and the burning sensation behind her eyes subsided.
"The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all," Lady Galadriel warned. "Yet hope remains while the company is true," she added, her eyes resting on Sam. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow. Tonight you will sleep well."
Haldir and his brothers appeared to escort the Fellowship to their individual talans. They once again climbed down the winding stair and set off on a well-trodden path. Soon, the path split and all went in different directions.
"G'night!" Ella called to the hobbits.
Ella and Legolas' talans were close to each other, and they walked the same path in uncomfortable silence led by Orophin. Ella occasionally glanced at Legolas out of the corner of her eye, but the blonde elf's was impassive. Ella climbed the steps and stepped into her small two-chamber talan. It was decorated with intricate carvings like the rest of Lothlorien, and there was a soft mound of cushions that served as her bed. There was a mirror mounted on the far wall and below it was a low table. Like her room at Rivendell, there was silk draped lavishly around the room. Orophin had pointed out hot springs as he was guiding them. Ella grabbed a soft towel from her room, a fragrant bar of soap, and a gauzy white nightgown and slipped out of her talan. Furtively peeking at the steamy springs from around a tree trunk, Ella made sure no one was in sight, and quickly stripped her travel worn clothes from her back. She stepped into the water, and felt the tension in her muscles ease in the soothing water. She soaked for a long time, and eventually cleansed her hair and stepped out into the now frigid air, drying herself with prune-like fingers. She slipped the nightgown over her head, and went back to her talan. She sank into her pile of plush cushions with a sigh and slept soundly.
Ella awoke the next morning, and wiggled out of the pile of cushions. It was a surprisingly comfortable bed; Ella woke refreshed and loose. Judging from the sun's brightness, Ella figured she had slept in late. She looked around the room for something to wear, and found some robes in a small perfumed wardrobe. The robes were all Ella's size, some fancier than others. Ella chose a simple, filmy cream robe and pulled it on. They bell sleeves hung down to her hips, and there was a slight train in the back. It fit snugly, but it wasn't constricting. She let her hair hang down in waves, noticing that it had grown a couple inches. Ella looked in the mirror, noticing the more defined cheekbones and faint purple bags that hung under her eyes. She looked older, and with longer hair and a tighter face, Ella thought that she almost looked as if she belonged in Middle Earth. Turning away from her changed reflection, Ella was suddenly ravenous, and made finding breakfast her next objective. She set out barefoot along the path she used to reach her talan the night before. She had no idea where to look, and wandered around various paths for a quarter of an hour with no luck. Ella's side started to hurt. She had freshly bandaged it this morning, it was just starting to scab over. She would have to take it easy until the scar formed. Seeing an elf walking the same path as she, she hurried toward him.
"Excuse me!" she called, stopping the elf, "Could you please toll me where I could find some food?"
Marveling at his luck to find such a pretty human in need, the elf gallantly, at least in his eyes, agreed and offered Ella his arm. Ella had to keep herself from laughing, and instead smiled broadly up at the blonde elf. No one had ever offered his arm to her, and it made her feel queenly. The elf looked down into the twinkling green eyes, transfixed. He was a young elf, and was rather unworldly. Humans were very rare in Lothlorien, and he was curious. Ella's attractiveness and unusual coloring made his curiosity sharpen. They walked along the path and took a left. The kitchens weren't in trees like the rest of Lothlorien, for having a fire in a tree would be impractical. Instead, they were burrowed underground in the roots of a tree of enormous girth and age. Another elf was approaching the kitchens. Legolas.
"Thank you very much for showing me here," Ella said, not noticing Legolas and bestowing a bright smile upon her escort. He watched Ella's receding figure as she entered the kitchens with undisguised admiration in his eyes.
Legolas stopped fifty yards away from the kitchens, saw Ella and her young elf, and watched their parting through narrowed eyes. Ella looked elegant in her cream robe, and Legolas couldn't help but notice that, unlike most female elves who had the same figure as their male counterparts, Ella was definitely female. That observation, combined with Ella's infatuated admirer put him in a foul mood as he stalked away from the kitchens, his appetite curiously slacked.
Ella entered the underground kitchens and found herself in a cavernous room with worn wood planks lining the floor. The earth kept in the warmth from the cooking fires that lined the wall with pots simmering suspended above the flames. The kitchen was a hive of activity. Elves were everywhere, some chopping juicy roots, others kneading yeasty bread. Ella was soon provided with enough food to feed her for a day, all of it sumptuous. She ate her fill and set out to explore Lothlorien.