Hello! All characters belong to the Master, Tolkien, and I have no claim on
them whatsoever.
Now about this story: It arose from my feelings of frustration regarding galadriel's lukewarm (at best) relationship with Celeborn (or as Tolkien himself insisted: Teleporno). Galadriel seems as such a complex character, and Celeborn is too unidimensional and simple for my taste. That is why I decided to give her a more worthy partner, someone to match both her power and intelligence, someone as old as her, as wise as her. And, best of all, what any girls dreams of: a tall, dark stranger.
The story is R rated, since there are adult situations coming up.
GOLDEN DARKNESS
It was a soft, warm evening, and the world seemed to be painted in pastel. The sun was almost setting, and the trees swayed in a gentle end-of-the- summer breeze. Galadriel stood by a small pool that was created around a fountain, in one of the many gardens of Eriador. The town that was built there was not one of towers and fortresses, but of many spacious houses on slopping hills, connected together by walks and lanes shaded by trees. The water in the pool glistened in the last golden rays of the sun, and it reflected her image, tall and slender, clothed in gray and violet, her hair picked up in a loose bun, gently brushing around her face.
She stood there silently, gazing at the water, thinking.
It had been seven years since she had come to Eriador. She had not meant to stay so long, but there was something so amusing and playful in Annatar's eyes, something so intriguing in his rascalish smile, something so wild in his black hair, long and uneven, falling around his face. A fun face. He could be so serious at times, and so childish at others, confusing her. And he laughed often, and had a way of picking up one eyebrow in a gesture of astute mischief that she found so charming. Annatar was all intriguing.
He seemed not to care about almost anything, except for the things he made, but she knew full well he was well versed in everything that happened in the city. He seemed to be so calm and controlled, but she had seen him wild and unstoppable. He was always playful, but at times, a shadow crossed his face. He tried to look meek and unimportant, but Galadriel sensed the inner power he held, and the yearning to use it.
Annatar was friendly to everyone, and talked to all. Most of the other elves found his company easy, for he told many and amusing stories, and was always in high spirits, but he didn't have any close friends, and didn't really speak to anyone, at least didn't before she had come.
The first time she had seen him, they were both at an evening gathering. The Elf-Lord of Eriador had convoked it to greet her, and bid her welcome, and the better part of the evening she spent with him, telling him of Elrond and Gil-Galad, and the Kingdoms of the North, of the journey and the roads, and the news from abroad. As the night passed, the company grew merrier, and the music ushered, and all were enchanted, and everything seemed to mix and glide in a pleasant harmony of tones and sparkle, and laughter and wine.
Galadriel had been standing next to a column, alone, listening to the voices and the song, and moved toward the corner of the great hall in a dreamy state, thinking of her friends left back in the north, and planning her next journey. She stopped in thought for a while, and only when she sprang from it, minutes later, did she notice the handsome dark lord sitting at a table further from the center of the merriment, sipping red wine from a golden goblet.
He was alone, too, although she was sure she had seen him talking to someone before. He didn't seem to notice her, and was watching the to and fro of the elven folk in the hall, but caught her glance as she stared at him. He raised his cup, and greeted her, in a friendly, but slightly disinterested manner. This bothered her, for SHE had found him interesting.
For a moment, she thought of not returning his greeting. It was only a moment, but enough to intrigue Annatar. He had for a while been worried that his true identity was known to some of the company, and suddenly, her being from the north, a Noldo lady of considerable power, born to the light of Aman, made her immediately dangerous to him. Her lack of courtnesness astounded him.
Galadriel raised her cup, and smiled down at him, but he took time to slip back into his usual happy mood. He looked at her suspiciously, and made a motion with his hand, signaling to the chair next to him, as a test.
He was sure she'd decline. It was not a proper offer from an elf lord to an elf lady, not even in an informal gathering such as this one was, specially if they had not been properly introduced before. It could be considered rude, and a provocation, if done publicly. He was quite certain she'd be offended, and leave. Galadriel, however, was so lost in thought, and surprised by Annatar, that she didn't even twitch at this invitation. Something in him awoke her curiosity, and she walked up to him, and sat on the offered chair almost mechanically, not taking her eyes of his.
Those eyes seemed to switch constantly between deep green and golden yellow, and she was sure she had seen them somewhere before. He was dangerous, she felt immediately, and uncertain, and wild. But so unlike anyone she had ever met before, so different, so new, she just had to stay and stare.
Galadriel's sitting next to him shocked Annatar, to say the least. H was used to being courteous, but cold with most elven ladies. They were not as important as the lords, and he didn't think them worthy of his company. Most he thought devoid of any real courage or intelligence, pretty vessels to ornament elven homes. This lady was different. Simply dressed, no jewelry, her hair tied in a bun, eyes dreamy and intelligent, she was different. He knew her for a Noldo, one of the Maia Melian's company, sister to some of the most important elven lords to have ever walked these shores. But she was simple and remote. Her gaze was at once intent and distracted, and he realized that like him, she spent most of her time in her own thoughts. He wandered what she was thinking.
"Did I know you from before, lady?" He decided to ask, changing his entire attitude anew, now courtly and formal, but nonetheless friendly. This was so fake, however, she fidgeted.
"Yes.." she softly said, something sharp in her eyes now. " We do know each other."
" Ah, and I forget from where!" Annatar exclaimed " Mine is not a sharp memory. If you would be so kind as to refresh it, I would be obliged to you. Forgive my disabilities first, though, lady, I am most impolite not to remember such a person as yourself". His voice was now sweeter.
This bothered her even more. " I do not know." She said, now more sober. Annatar was surprised by the answer. " I cannot tell" She continued " But I do know you, I know I do..".
" Then we shall both let memories rest. Let's meet anew, and not forget it. I am Annatar, my lady, and wholly at your service." He bowed a little as he said this, relieved at her not remembering. She stared at him for a while.
" Annatar." She said " Annatar. No, I do not recall. I am Galadriel".
" This is a great pleasure to me, Lady Galadriel. I have heard so well of you! You have been gladly expected by the Lords." Annatar tried his sweetest tone with her. It was not working, except to repulse her further.
" Annatar" She repeated " I have never heard of you."
He was surprised at such a statement, but relieved. Gil-Galad and Cirdan knew his name, and warned against it. He thought she might have heard it also. Perhaps the elven alliances were not as strong as he deemed them? Galadriel continued gazing at him. He disturbed her profoundly. His moves, his voice, his words they were all so calculated to mislead, to enchant, to deceive, but why she did not know. That he was no elf, that was evident. What and who he was, was a mystery, though.
"And how is it that you are here?' She asked. This was properly impolite, but she did not care. She needed to know.
" I am but a working elf, my lady, at the service of the lords of the town" He answered, a glistening in his strange eyes.
She stared at him for a few seconds, and then got up, and left, leaving him stunned and disappointed. It was the oddest reaction he had ever caused, and it bothered him immensely. He needed to hide his identity, only for a little longer now, just a little.
Now about this story: It arose from my feelings of frustration regarding galadriel's lukewarm (at best) relationship with Celeborn (or as Tolkien himself insisted: Teleporno). Galadriel seems as such a complex character, and Celeborn is too unidimensional and simple for my taste. That is why I decided to give her a more worthy partner, someone to match both her power and intelligence, someone as old as her, as wise as her. And, best of all, what any girls dreams of: a tall, dark stranger.
The story is R rated, since there are adult situations coming up.
GOLDEN DARKNESS
It was a soft, warm evening, and the world seemed to be painted in pastel. The sun was almost setting, and the trees swayed in a gentle end-of-the- summer breeze. Galadriel stood by a small pool that was created around a fountain, in one of the many gardens of Eriador. The town that was built there was not one of towers and fortresses, but of many spacious houses on slopping hills, connected together by walks and lanes shaded by trees. The water in the pool glistened in the last golden rays of the sun, and it reflected her image, tall and slender, clothed in gray and violet, her hair picked up in a loose bun, gently brushing around her face.
She stood there silently, gazing at the water, thinking.
It had been seven years since she had come to Eriador. She had not meant to stay so long, but there was something so amusing and playful in Annatar's eyes, something so intriguing in his rascalish smile, something so wild in his black hair, long and uneven, falling around his face. A fun face. He could be so serious at times, and so childish at others, confusing her. And he laughed often, and had a way of picking up one eyebrow in a gesture of astute mischief that she found so charming. Annatar was all intriguing.
He seemed not to care about almost anything, except for the things he made, but she knew full well he was well versed in everything that happened in the city. He seemed to be so calm and controlled, but she had seen him wild and unstoppable. He was always playful, but at times, a shadow crossed his face. He tried to look meek and unimportant, but Galadriel sensed the inner power he held, and the yearning to use it.
Annatar was friendly to everyone, and talked to all. Most of the other elves found his company easy, for he told many and amusing stories, and was always in high spirits, but he didn't have any close friends, and didn't really speak to anyone, at least didn't before she had come.
The first time she had seen him, they were both at an evening gathering. The Elf-Lord of Eriador had convoked it to greet her, and bid her welcome, and the better part of the evening she spent with him, telling him of Elrond and Gil-Galad, and the Kingdoms of the North, of the journey and the roads, and the news from abroad. As the night passed, the company grew merrier, and the music ushered, and all were enchanted, and everything seemed to mix and glide in a pleasant harmony of tones and sparkle, and laughter and wine.
Galadriel had been standing next to a column, alone, listening to the voices and the song, and moved toward the corner of the great hall in a dreamy state, thinking of her friends left back in the north, and planning her next journey. She stopped in thought for a while, and only when she sprang from it, minutes later, did she notice the handsome dark lord sitting at a table further from the center of the merriment, sipping red wine from a golden goblet.
He was alone, too, although she was sure she had seen him talking to someone before. He didn't seem to notice her, and was watching the to and fro of the elven folk in the hall, but caught her glance as she stared at him. He raised his cup, and greeted her, in a friendly, but slightly disinterested manner. This bothered her, for SHE had found him interesting.
For a moment, she thought of not returning his greeting. It was only a moment, but enough to intrigue Annatar. He had for a while been worried that his true identity was known to some of the company, and suddenly, her being from the north, a Noldo lady of considerable power, born to the light of Aman, made her immediately dangerous to him. Her lack of courtnesness astounded him.
Galadriel raised her cup, and smiled down at him, but he took time to slip back into his usual happy mood. He looked at her suspiciously, and made a motion with his hand, signaling to the chair next to him, as a test.
He was sure she'd decline. It was not a proper offer from an elf lord to an elf lady, not even in an informal gathering such as this one was, specially if they had not been properly introduced before. It could be considered rude, and a provocation, if done publicly. He was quite certain she'd be offended, and leave. Galadriel, however, was so lost in thought, and surprised by Annatar, that she didn't even twitch at this invitation. Something in him awoke her curiosity, and she walked up to him, and sat on the offered chair almost mechanically, not taking her eyes of his.
Those eyes seemed to switch constantly between deep green and golden yellow, and she was sure she had seen them somewhere before. He was dangerous, she felt immediately, and uncertain, and wild. But so unlike anyone she had ever met before, so different, so new, she just had to stay and stare.
Galadriel's sitting next to him shocked Annatar, to say the least. H was used to being courteous, but cold with most elven ladies. They were not as important as the lords, and he didn't think them worthy of his company. Most he thought devoid of any real courage or intelligence, pretty vessels to ornament elven homes. This lady was different. Simply dressed, no jewelry, her hair tied in a bun, eyes dreamy and intelligent, she was different. He knew her for a Noldo, one of the Maia Melian's company, sister to some of the most important elven lords to have ever walked these shores. But she was simple and remote. Her gaze was at once intent and distracted, and he realized that like him, she spent most of her time in her own thoughts. He wandered what she was thinking.
"Did I know you from before, lady?" He decided to ask, changing his entire attitude anew, now courtly and formal, but nonetheless friendly. This was so fake, however, she fidgeted.
"Yes.." she softly said, something sharp in her eyes now. " We do know each other."
" Ah, and I forget from where!" Annatar exclaimed " Mine is not a sharp memory. If you would be so kind as to refresh it, I would be obliged to you. Forgive my disabilities first, though, lady, I am most impolite not to remember such a person as yourself". His voice was now sweeter.
This bothered her even more. " I do not know." She said, now more sober. Annatar was surprised by the answer. " I cannot tell" She continued " But I do know you, I know I do..".
" Then we shall both let memories rest. Let's meet anew, and not forget it. I am Annatar, my lady, and wholly at your service." He bowed a little as he said this, relieved at her not remembering. She stared at him for a while.
" Annatar." She said " Annatar. No, I do not recall. I am Galadriel".
" This is a great pleasure to me, Lady Galadriel. I have heard so well of you! You have been gladly expected by the Lords." Annatar tried his sweetest tone with her. It was not working, except to repulse her further.
" Annatar" She repeated " I have never heard of you."
He was surprised at such a statement, but relieved. Gil-Galad and Cirdan knew his name, and warned against it. He thought she might have heard it also. Perhaps the elven alliances were not as strong as he deemed them? Galadriel continued gazing at him. He disturbed her profoundly. His moves, his voice, his words they were all so calculated to mislead, to enchant, to deceive, but why she did not know. That he was no elf, that was evident. What and who he was, was a mystery, though.
"And how is it that you are here?' She asked. This was properly impolite, but she did not care. She needed to know.
" I am but a working elf, my lady, at the service of the lords of the town" He answered, a glistening in his strange eyes.
She stared at him for a few seconds, and then got up, and left, leaving him stunned and disappointed. It was the oddest reaction he had ever caused, and it bothered him immensely. He needed to hide his identity, only for a little longer now, just a little.