Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters and/or places
thereof
To the reviewers of 'Forever Mithril':
MorotheWolfGod: Lol! Okay.
Zelda123: Well, it was just an epilogue. Epilogues aren't always very long.
Alyssa-Anime-Angel: Hehehe. . .silly Legolas! Quit bashing people over the head with blunt objects!
ZeroCool: Thanks!
Tbiris: I know who wrote it, but that doesn't stop me from liking the poem. Oh, by the way, in your bio it said something about very few people knowing who Tamora Pierce is--have you read Lady Knight yet? I just finished it, and I loved it so incredibly much!
Torture-the-Elf: Um. . .
939597: No, not sad. . .sad is a monkey with plaid trousers
Gwyn: Thanks.
Soul Searcher-Arbariel: Aw, poor Elves. . .Thank you. Seriously, thank you. Knowing that anyone finds help from these stories is a great comfort to me, because no one should suffer so.
Jessie-Greenleaf: Sequels are like Agent Smith: there are just too many of them! Okay, that was a really strange simile. Noble as the author's intentions were, Cut was a very inaccurate depiction of mental hospitals and their patients. Those sorts of books are flat-out wrong.
Lady of the Forest: Thanks!
Kaimelieamin: Lol!
Goma-Ryu: careful with that term, "crazy".
EarendilStar: I doubt Elrohir will kill his brother. Look, it's not like I WANT to hurt myself, it just. . .happens. A lot of stuff in my life sucks right now, and sometimes I need a certain degree of control.
ElvenPrincessofLegolas: Well, yeah. . .but there's a sequel! Thanks. And you must update soon!
Wandering-Ranger: The hobbits knew that something was wrong with him, but not quite what. Yeah, Aragorn's not such a dolt after all. Hehehe, Galadriel is based on a girl at school, whose nickname is (appropriately) Galadriel. Yes, I did make up the song, and I guess it is getting "deep".
Bant: Thanks! Nice Galadriel quote there. . .I just have to ask: Emily, is that you?
Reginabean: Ugh, homework. Thing of Satan. . .
Lirenel: Thanks. I hope so, too.
Ola: Thanks. The endings are a bit of a borrow from one of my favourite authors.
And to the reviewers of 'Nightly Gleams the Blade':
Zelda123: It did take him a while, didn't it? Oh, well. Okay!
Alyssa-Anime-Angel: Thanks. . .poor Legolas and Aragorn. . .
Erhothwen: Sequels also make the world a more crowded place. . .oh, well. . .You didn't really break your scanner, did you?
Tbiris: Uh-oh, that's one big threat, Boromir! Better watch out. . .Boromir: **runs and hides**
Saera: Ha, you've finally said more than "More now"! Which you usually said. . .
Gwyn: The hobbits, like everyone else, have a lot to learn, don't they?
Tini-Angels: Thanks. . .uh-oh, hope you didn't hurt your feet on those pins and needles. . .
Tica: Thanks
Lady of the Forest: Thanks. . .who doesn't love Elf-angst?
Kaimelieamin: Yeah, ever since the movie I've rather disliked him. As for telling. . .it will probably always hurt. But be strong, because once you are used to the stress-hurt, it cannot control you.
ZeroCool: Hm. . .I guess so! He has honour, just. . .a mixed breed of it.
Forest Elfin: He does, he is very brave.
939597: Thanks! And, as always, I tried to update soon **ducks flying objects**
Earendilstar: Hehe. . .so many tests come to mind: CAT 6, SAT, Standardized, Golden State (they canceled the geometry Golden State! It's so unfair!) As for Easter, my family's not really religious: after all, my mum and dad married, and she's from a Jewish family and his family is Church of England, so. . .yeah.
Wandering-Ranger: It's only a natural response.
*****
As the company floated down the Anduin, Aragorn's mind strayed from the moment to the past. He, too, had encountered the Lady before the fellowship left Lothlorien, and although he had not seen the mirror he, too, had learned much from her. It was using that knowledge that troubled him, or perhaps the need to use that knowledge.
~* "Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Elfstone of your house," said a high and fluttery voice. Aragorn knew it at once. He sheathed his sword and turned to the White Lady.
"Yes, my Lady?" he asked.
"A journey lies ahead of you. It will be trying on your emotions, and unless you are stronger then than ever before, you may fall--and others will fall with you, if you do," Galadriel warned. "So much is resting on your shoulders."
"Do you think perhaps I should not be with the company? Appoint Haldir or Elladan to lead us--"
"I have known you for many years, son of Arathorn. Perhaps not so many to an Elf, but to one of your kind a high number. You have the strength for this task that has been appointed to you, much as Frodo shall find his strength for the task appointed to him." Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, as if asking a question that had no words. "Do you remember yourself, four and seventy years ago?" she asked, and Aragorn blushed. "Yes, but you wish not to. I understand this, but do you not also recall your vow? Never would you cry, you said, and never did you. It would have been easier if you had, for then others might have known, but you kept your tears hidden with your pain."
"Why must you bring this up?" Aragorn asked. He would not disrespect the Lady, but why did she delight in torturing him so? That was a long time ago; he had been young and done a few things he regretted. It was a time he tried hard to forget.
"Because, dear child, this is a time when your tears would be best saved. You have no choice but to be strong, not if this quest is to succeed and if Legolas is to heal. I am sorry, but help must come harshly, at times."
Aragorn gathered himself, feeling a bit scattered in the head, then he nodded. "Yes, I understand, of course," he said with a nod. "I will not cry on the road ahead, my Lady, you have my word. Now, if I may have your leave. . . " he collected his sword and walked away, but stopped when he heard Galadriel call to him.
"The borders of Lothlorien are well protected, and within them you are safe," Galadriel said. At first Aragorn did not understand, but when she added, "None of the dangers of the outside world exist within them," he comprehended her meaning.
"But my Lady. . .Legolas can still hurt himself here, can he not?"
"Aye, sometimes in safety people are as children. Sometimes they should be?" she raised her eyebrow. Aragorn swallowed hard, then he shook once, and could not keep himself from tears. Through sobs he called out curses on himself and the Valar.
". . .How can he do that to himself? He only seeks to worsen things, he cannot. . .why do you curse us so? Have you any reason? Do you even care!. . ." Aragorn was ashamed of himself, but could not stop his tears. He felt someone wrap their arms around him in a comforting manner.
"They mean well," Galadriel soothed, "but they cannot be everywhere at once. Forgive them."
"Aye," Aragorn replied, his voice muffled by Galadriel's dress. She held him for a long time. *~
No longer, of course, thought Aragorn. I can no longer weep, I must be strong for Legolas and for the Quest. Unconsciously, he glanced over his shoulder at Legolas.
In the third of three boats, Boromir scowled. Aragorn had never trusted him, and never would, and he knew it. But then, had Aragorn not so easily trust the Elf, when now he turned every other moment to glance warily at him? I am not, thought Boromir, unworthy of trust. Now that the Elf loses Aragorn's trust I could gain it, but what do I want with that so-called King? Nay, it is not Aragorn's trust I shall earn. Not to say I would let such an opportunity slip by unnoticed. . .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Author's Note: Sorry this is so short. I don't think I'll be writing very long chapters this time around, because I've got a lot going on with school and stuff.
For those of you that cut, or want to, my friend has a support site for such things at kenilworth.suddenlaunch2.com and anyone can go there, if they want, to talk about. . .mostly stress, but anything really.
And now, guiltily, I'm going to advertise: if you liked this story, a good one to check out might be 'Loving the Wind' by Lock Owl, it's a similar story about Estel, how he came to be a cutter, and what he does to recover from it.
And, once again, I am sorry about the shortness of the chapter. Maybe longer chapters once we get into The Two Towers. . .?
To the reviewers of 'Forever Mithril':
MorotheWolfGod: Lol! Okay.
Zelda123: Well, it was just an epilogue. Epilogues aren't always very long.
Alyssa-Anime-Angel: Hehehe. . .silly Legolas! Quit bashing people over the head with blunt objects!
ZeroCool: Thanks!
Tbiris: I know who wrote it, but that doesn't stop me from liking the poem. Oh, by the way, in your bio it said something about very few people knowing who Tamora Pierce is--have you read Lady Knight yet? I just finished it, and I loved it so incredibly much!
Torture-the-Elf: Um. . .
939597: No, not sad. . .sad is a monkey with plaid trousers
Gwyn: Thanks.
Soul Searcher-Arbariel: Aw, poor Elves. . .Thank you. Seriously, thank you. Knowing that anyone finds help from these stories is a great comfort to me, because no one should suffer so.
Jessie-Greenleaf: Sequels are like Agent Smith: there are just too many of them! Okay, that was a really strange simile. Noble as the author's intentions were, Cut was a very inaccurate depiction of mental hospitals and their patients. Those sorts of books are flat-out wrong.
Lady of the Forest: Thanks!
Kaimelieamin: Lol!
Goma-Ryu: careful with that term, "crazy".
EarendilStar: I doubt Elrohir will kill his brother. Look, it's not like I WANT to hurt myself, it just. . .happens. A lot of stuff in my life sucks right now, and sometimes I need a certain degree of control.
ElvenPrincessofLegolas: Well, yeah. . .but there's a sequel! Thanks. And you must update soon!
Wandering-Ranger: The hobbits knew that something was wrong with him, but not quite what. Yeah, Aragorn's not such a dolt after all. Hehehe, Galadriel is based on a girl at school, whose nickname is (appropriately) Galadriel. Yes, I did make up the song, and I guess it is getting "deep".
Bant: Thanks! Nice Galadriel quote there. . .I just have to ask: Emily, is that you?
Reginabean: Ugh, homework. Thing of Satan. . .
Lirenel: Thanks. I hope so, too.
Ola: Thanks. The endings are a bit of a borrow from one of my favourite authors.
And to the reviewers of 'Nightly Gleams the Blade':
Zelda123: It did take him a while, didn't it? Oh, well. Okay!
Alyssa-Anime-Angel: Thanks. . .poor Legolas and Aragorn. . .
Erhothwen: Sequels also make the world a more crowded place. . .oh, well. . .You didn't really break your scanner, did you?
Tbiris: Uh-oh, that's one big threat, Boromir! Better watch out. . .Boromir: **runs and hides**
Saera: Ha, you've finally said more than "More now"! Which you usually said. . .
Gwyn: The hobbits, like everyone else, have a lot to learn, don't they?
Tini-Angels: Thanks. . .uh-oh, hope you didn't hurt your feet on those pins and needles. . .
Tica: Thanks
Lady of the Forest: Thanks. . .who doesn't love Elf-angst?
Kaimelieamin: Yeah, ever since the movie I've rather disliked him. As for telling. . .it will probably always hurt. But be strong, because once you are used to the stress-hurt, it cannot control you.
ZeroCool: Hm. . .I guess so! He has honour, just. . .a mixed breed of it.
Forest Elfin: He does, he is very brave.
939597: Thanks! And, as always, I tried to update soon **ducks flying objects**
Earendilstar: Hehe. . .so many tests come to mind: CAT 6, SAT, Standardized, Golden State (they canceled the geometry Golden State! It's so unfair!) As for Easter, my family's not really religious: after all, my mum and dad married, and she's from a Jewish family and his family is Church of England, so. . .yeah.
Wandering-Ranger: It's only a natural response.
*****
As the company floated down the Anduin, Aragorn's mind strayed from the moment to the past. He, too, had encountered the Lady before the fellowship left Lothlorien, and although he had not seen the mirror he, too, had learned much from her. It was using that knowledge that troubled him, or perhaps the need to use that knowledge.
~* "Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Elfstone of your house," said a high and fluttery voice. Aragorn knew it at once. He sheathed his sword and turned to the White Lady.
"Yes, my Lady?" he asked.
"A journey lies ahead of you. It will be trying on your emotions, and unless you are stronger then than ever before, you may fall--and others will fall with you, if you do," Galadriel warned. "So much is resting on your shoulders."
"Do you think perhaps I should not be with the company? Appoint Haldir or Elladan to lead us--"
"I have known you for many years, son of Arathorn. Perhaps not so many to an Elf, but to one of your kind a high number. You have the strength for this task that has been appointed to you, much as Frodo shall find his strength for the task appointed to him." Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, as if asking a question that had no words. "Do you remember yourself, four and seventy years ago?" she asked, and Aragorn blushed. "Yes, but you wish not to. I understand this, but do you not also recall your vow? Never would you cry, you said, and never did you. It would have been easier if you had, for then others might have known, but you kept your tears hidden with your pain."
"Why must you bring this up?" Aragorn asked. He would not disrespect the Lady, but why did she delight in torturing him so? That was a long time ago; he had been young and done a few things he regretted. It was a time he tried hard to forget.
"Because, dear child, this is a time when your tears would be best saved. You have no choice but to be strong, not if this quest is to succeed and if Legolas is to heal. I am sorry, but help must come harshly, at times."
Aragorn gathered himself, feeling a bit scattered in the head, then he nodded. "Yes, I understand, of course," he said with a nod. "I will not cry on the road ahead, my Lady, you have my word. Now, if I may have your leave. . . " he collected his sword and walked away, but stopped when he heard Galadriel call to him.
"The borders of Lothlorien are well protected, and within them you are safe," Galadriel said. At first Aragorn did not understand, but when she added, "None of the dangers of the outside world exist within them," he comprehended her meaning.
"But my Lady. . .Legolas can still hurt himself here, can he not?"
"Aye, sometimes in safety people are as children. Sometimes they should be?" she raised her eyebrow. Aragorn swallowed hard, then he shook once, and could not keep himself from tears. Through sobs he called out curses on himself and the Valar.
". . .How can he do that to himself? He only seeks to worsen things, he cannot. . .why do you curse us so? Have you any reason? Do you even care!. . ." Aragorn was ashamed of himself, but could not stop his tears. He felt someone wrap their arms around him in a comforting manner.
"They mean well," Galadriel soothed, "but they cannot be everywhere at once. Forgive them."
"Aye," Aragorn replied, his voice muffled by Galadriel's dress. She held him for a long time. *~
No longer, of course, thought Aragorn. I can no longer weep, I must be strong for Legolas and for the Quest. Unconsciously, he glanced over his shoulder at Legolas.
In the third of three boats, Boromir scowled. Aragorn had never trusted him, and never would, and he knew it. But then, had Aragorn not so easily trust the Elf, when now he turned every other moment to glance warily at him? I am not, thought Boromir, unworthy of trust. Now that the Elf loses Aragorn's trust I could gain it, but what do I want with that so-called King? Nay, it is not Aragorn's trust I shall earn. Not to say I would let such an opportunity slip by unnoticed. . .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Author's Note: Sorry this is so short. I don't think I'll be writing very long chapters this time around, because I've got a lot going on with school and stuff.
For those of you that cut, or want to, my friend has a support site for such things at kenilworth.suddenlaunch2.com and anyone can go there, if they want, to talk about. . .mostly stress, but anything really.
And now, guiltily, I'm going to advertise: if you liked this story, a good one to check out might be 'Loving the Wind' by Lock Owl, it's a similar story about Estel, how he came to be a cutter, and what he does to recover from it.
And, once again, I am sorry about the shortness of the chapter. Maybe longer chapters once we get into The Two Towers. . .?