Hey all!
Here is part 6 for you, read and enjoy. And thanx to all the people who
have sent me reviews!
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PART 6:
".and then she gave the cup to Aragorn, and he drank, and he said: 'Farewell, Lady of Rohan! I drink to the fortunes of your House, and of you, and all your people. Say to your brother: beyond the shadow we may meet again!"
Aragorn to Éowyn, The White Lady of Rohan. "The Return of the King."
****
Her hands swinging slightly at her sides, Sam Carter walked idly down the pale, silver hallway towards Gandalf's chamber, strangely at peace with herself and her situation for the first time in a long while. Spring had come to Lothlórien and Sam's heart had soared higher than the flowers and seeds that had made their home in the Lórien treetops. The last few weeks had been ones of quiet and calmness on Sam's behalf as she finally started to settle down into Lothlórien, with the help of Gandalf, Galadriel and Aragorn, whose friendship with the misplaced mortal had surprised all.
Her baby was growing at an alarming rate, and not for the first time Sam blessed the loose elvish garments as her tummy seemingly expanded more every day. But it wasn't lost on her that if she was back on Earth, very soon Janet would be cutting her work load by half and making her sit down every couple of seconds as Jack force-fed her her lunch.
The Ironic fact was that she had very little to do here that there was no chance what so ever that she would get snowed under in work and forget to eat. She now spent the majority of her days out in the gardens, sometimes with company and sometimes without, crafting elvish jewellery and writing letters to her friends that she knew would probably never be received.
That is where she had just come from and had some of these very letters stuffed in the inside pockets of the light mesh cloak she wore over her pale yellow gown as she strolled around the corner towards Gandalf's rooms.
She came to an abrupt stop in the doorway when she caught sight of what was happening in the chamber before her. Gandalf was standing beside his huge, wooden desk; carefully packing folded pieces of musty parchment into a leather satchel.
Her hadn't seen her, and Sam used this opportunity to look wildly around the rest of the room, faint panic setting in when she noticed how empty it looked. The large bed was neatly made with a single change of clothes folded smartly on the cover. There were no loose pieces of paper lying around and no quills lounging over furniture, nothing to point out that Gandalf had been living here for the past three months.
She must have made some noise as Gandalf suddenly looked up and saw her, frowning when he saw the expression on her face. They stared at each other; the woman and the wizard, both waiting for the other to start talking.
"You're leaving." Sam whispered frankly, the accusation clear to read in her tone.
Gandalf gave a sigh and slowly put the roll of parchment down on the desk, along with the satchel. He came to stand in front of Sam, taking her hands in his and gave her a warm, comforting smile. "You knew this moment would come, Samantha, my dear. You must not be too upset or surprised."
Gently taking her hands from the Wizard, she wrapped her arms protectively around her belly and idly walked over to the desk, looking down at the parchment on its surface. From what she could make out, they were maps. Very primitive by her standards, but maps all the same. There were outlined mountains and valleys, rivers and cliffs and she read aloud some of the words she saw on there,
"Argonath.Anduin.Bree.. Osgiliath.. Moria."
They were all beautiful names for what she was sure were beautiful places. But she would never see them, not while she was pregnant and this was only enforced now that Gandalf was leaving her. The first person she had met here in Middle-Earth was departing and she cursed herself for being so weak.
What had happened to her? Where had the strong, military Major gone? She was used to people leaving her, it had been happening her whole life, what made this so different? He was only one man; an old and odd one at that, why should she care so much that he was going?
But even that as she thought that, she knew the answer. It wasn't that he was leaving so much as that he was leaving her to go on to better and brighter things, so to speak. Who knew what wonders he would see on his journey and what people he would meet, all the while she would be stuck back here, getting fatter and more lonely by the day, with only elves to keep her company.
As all of this occurred to her at the same instant, Sam found herself rushing over to Gandalf and grasping his hands tightly in her own. Looking up into his slightly surprised and concerned eyes, she whispered fervently, "Take me with you!" but then her eyes grew cold and she saw the pitying expression on his face.
"Samantha, you know you can not travel, especially not at this late date. The risk is just too high and I will not be the one to put you and your child in danger."
Her shoulders slumping, she left her friend and went to stand by the doorway leading onto the private balcony, her back to the Wizard. She had known what his answer would be, how could she not? He cared too much for her to put her in any danger just to satisfy her whims. And even though she wanted to hate him with all her heart, she found she could not, and understood his motives.
But Sam realised even though she would not be accompanying him, she was still curious as to what his journey entailed. "Where will you be going?" she asked, her voice soft and calm once again. Without turning, she felt her dear friend come up behind her and stay there, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We do not know at this time, not yet. Most probably to the Shire, for the danger to the Hobbits grows with every passing hour and I will not see those kind people destroyed for something they have no knowledge about."
Something in the sentence made her catch her breath and she turned around to face the old man. "We?" she asked, daring to breathe. But then the light dimmed in her eyes as the Wizard nodded gravely.
"Yes, Samantha, Aragorn will accompany me on my journey through the wilderness for there is no other choice. He has strayed in Lothlórien too long already, and his people grow restless. There are things to be done, and he is needed elsewhere."
"You are both leaving." she whispered unconsciously, lowering her eyes to the ground. But she felt a finger under her chin and lift her eyes to his face, wincing when she saw the sympathetic smile she found there.
"We will return, of that have no doubt. Gandalf the Grey keeps his promises and by the blessed rings of this world, I swear I will return to you."
Sam nodded, feeling that the world was slipping through her fingers and there was nothing she could do to stop it. "I know, Gandalf, I know."
She looked up into his eyes, and whispered the words she had been trying to say to him for the past few weeks, ever since she had learned that one day he would be leaving the Lórien walls. "Will you be there for the birth?"
He looked greatly surprised; as if that was the last thing he had expected her to say. But as she watched his mull this over, she saw his expression change. He looked simply touched by her offer. "You honour me, my dear, and there is nothing I would love greater than to be present at the birth of your child."
Sam let out a huge breath of air, as if she had expected him to say no. He saw this and chuckled, the familiar sparkle returning to his eyes. "For all the intelligence you seem to possess, my dear Samantha, there are times when you do not use them as well as you should."
She looked at him, startled by his words for they were the closest thing he had said to her regarding her smarts, but for some strange reason, it made her think of Jack so forcefully that it brought tears to her eyes.
But he must not have noticed, for the Wizard just took her arm and started to lead her towards the door. "Let there by no more talk of departures and farewells for now, young one. For I assure you, Aragorn and I will be back before you have even realised we were gone."
Even though Sam knew this would not be possible, she held her tongue, not wanted to concern the old man. It would be like losing Jack, Daniel and the others all over again and she knew she would miss them every day they were away from her, her heart only finding peace when she could see them again with her own eyes, safe and well within the healing halls of Lothlórien.
****
The departure of Aragorn and Gandalf came sooner than Sam could have dared, for it was the very next day. The weather had blessed the travelling pair for the day and the afternoon sun was shining brightly from between the treetops that blanketed them above.
But even now, as she stood under the golden arches of the city walls, surrounded by the elves that had come to see off the two travellers, Sam couldn't believe she wasn't going with them. Couldn't believe that she hadn't fought harder in letting her go.
She knew this was the Human side of her fighting, battling with her subconscious and her morals, it knowing that she was made of sterner stuff and should be putting up a better fight, but deep inside her she knew that what Gandalf had said was true, that she was safer here in Lothlórien.
He had also promised that when she had given birth he would take her where ever she wanted to go, within reason of course, but it was that thought alone that made Sam keep her mouth closed and not cause the scene that she wanted to as she watched the two men double check the stirrups and girths of their horses as they readied to leave.
Sam watched Aragorn leave his horse and walk over to where Galadriel was standing in front of a group of elves, with Celeborn at her side. When he came to stand before them, the Queen reached up and rested the back of her hand on Aragorn's cheek, smiling up at him fondly. They spoke together quietly for a moment, with Celeborn watching them warmly, before the young man gave a final nod and turned around. With one last look at the two elves that obviously meant a great deal to him, he made his way back to Gandalf and their two horses.
Mentally pushing herself forward, Sam left the comfort of the other elves and slowly walked across the grass towards them, holding the hem of her gown up with one hand so that it didn't brush across the ground. Both men looked up when she approached and gave her welcoming smiles, but they didn't still in their tasks, still strapping packs to the backs of the horses who, strangely enough to Sam, were standing quietly and calmly beside their masters, heads down munching on the grass idly.
When she reached them, she had to look up to meet their smiling faces. She stood there for a moment, hands clasped loosely in front of her, wondering what she could say to them that would be meaningful enough to stay with them for the duration of their journey. But as Aragorn suddenly stopped what he was doing with a final, affectionate pat of the horse's rump and turned to her, she realised she didn't have to say anything at all.
Instead, she just tilted her head to the side teasingly and said with a glint in her eyes, "Come back safely, and do it soon."
Knowing how badly she wanted to come with them, Aragorn gave an ironic snort and put both his hands on his hips. "We shall try, Samantha." Then he cast his eyes downwards towards her expanding stomach and gently laid a hand on the bump. "We have a few months yet."
She gave a laugh in reply just as Gandalf appeared from around the back of one of the horses and joined them. Putting a hand on Aragorn's shoulder, he said lightly, "Come, my friend. Middle-Earth awaits us." Aragorn nodded his head, his eyes suddenly sad at the thought of leaving, but he turned back to the horses once again, leaving Sam facing the Wizard alone.
They looked at each other, both with their hands in front of them. Then suddenly Gandalf eloped the woman in a warm hug and Sam gave a heartfelt sigh as she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. The moment was getting nearer and Sam didn't know if she could bare it. She had already lost so many people in her life; she couldn't stand it if her two new friends swiftly left her life as quickly as they had come.
The safe, comforting life that she had been getting used to over the past few months was abruptly coming to an end and Sam didn't like it one bit.
"Please be careful, Gandalf. Please," she whispered in his ear fervently. It was strangely important to her that he understood just how much he meant to her, even though they had only known each other for such a short time. For the past few months Gandalf had almost been her entire world here in the trees, he had been such a comforting figure as she ranted and raved at the injustice of her life now that she was away from her friends and family and stuck in a strange world all by herself. She didn't know how to thank him for everything that he had done for her, starting with how he had saved her life.
Pulling back, she stared up into his sparkling silver eyes that were hidden by those busy eyebrows that she had come to love so much. She drank in his image as much as she could, knowing that if the Middle-Earth outside Lothlórien was getting as dangerous as they said it was, there was a very good chance that she would never see them again, Wizard or no Wizard.
She started at the pointy, floppy hat and worked her way downwards past his worn, grey cloak to his feet, knowing that she would never forget him and what he had done for her if he never returned.
"Your thoughts are dark, my dear, and I don't like it one bit." Gandalf's tone was low, hiding it from Aragorn a few feet away, but gently serious. Sniffling suddenly, Sam dipped her head and wiped her nose, not wanting them to know she was crying.
But Gandalf gave a chuckle and gave her another short hug before he put an arm around her shoulders and led her around to stand in front of the horses. Sneaking a look out of the corner of her eye, Sam found herself inches away from the brown bay's large nose. Reaching up, she patted the horse's face idly and was rewarded when the other animal walked away from Aragorn and started rubbing its nose down her back, shoving her forward with every rub.
She couldn't help but laugh as she caught sight of Aragorn's exasperated expression when he came to see where his horse had got to and found both animals being petted by Sam. But at her smiling face, the two men shared a look and visibly relaxed. Sam realised instantly that they had both been bothered at leaving Sam behind in Lothlórien by herself if she wasn't happy with the idea. She was touched.
"Go on, then," she said confidently, still rubbing the horse's nose, who now looked like he was in heaven. "You better get going if you want to get to wherever you're heading before dark."
Gandalf nodded his head when he noticed Galadriel, Celeborn and the elf Haldir come up beside them. Sam greeted them all, even Haldir who she hadn't gotten on with too well when first arriving in Lothlórien. She was presently surprised when the tall, blonde haired elf came to stand beside her, not saying a word. She had just opened her mouth to ask what he was doing when she caught the look he send Aragorn and closed it with a snap, staring at her friend in disbelief. She knew what that look was, she had seen it used all the time in the military, and was stunned that they were using it over her.
If she wasn't mistaken, Haldir was silently assuring Aragorn that he would look after her while he was gone, that he was taking over her protection now that the man couldn't do it himself.
Shaking her head at the arrogance of not only Elves, but Aragorn as well, Sam made her point known when she abruptly moved away from Haldir and went to stand beside Galadriel, folding her arms across her chest and sending both men pointed looks as if to say where they could stick their 'protection'. She was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
Fortunately, both men were wise enough to drop the matter.
Then, seemingly the next thing Sam knew both Aragorn and Gandalf were on top of their horses; reins in hand and their green, elvish cloaks fastened at their necks with silver leaf shaped gems that Sam had made herself over the past few weeks, looking down at the people standing on the ground, around their horses, saying goodbye.
When it was Sam's turn, she went to stand by Aragorn's horse, craning her head upwards to see his face. He looked so tall sitting up there, the afternoon sun basking around his head like a halo, that she was struck at the resemblance he made to some Earthly kings of old. But she kept her opinions to herself as he bent down and cupped her cheek gently.
"Farewell, Samantha," he said in his low, music lit voice, his dark grey eyes kind. Then he seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if he was wondering if he should speak at all, but then seemingly made up his mind and said in a quiet voice for her ears only, "Do not be surprised if you get visitors while we are gone."
Sam's eyes opened wide in surprise at his words but she stayed silent as he continued, "Your arrival has caused great unrest in the elvish realms, my friend. Not only for your acceptance in Lórien, but for your friendship with the Grey One and myself. They will come to see you soon, of this have no doubt."
Sam mulled this over in her mind, wondering what it could all mean for not only herself, but for Galadriel, Celeborn and all the others. But Aragorn must have seen her uncertainty for he gave her one last comforting smile and withdrew his hand, sitting up straight on the horse, but his eyes still trained on her face.
"Do you fear them, Samantha. You must not fear them, for that is what they want from you. Just be polite and remember you place. Never forget your people and where you come from, for with that, you will rise above the rest. You have the blessing of Galadriel, and there are few others of our kind who can boast that."
Sam nodded her head slowly, taking in his words carefully. But then Galadriel's hand was on her shoulder and Haldir was again at her side and she was being forced to step back from the horses as Aragorn and Gandalf started to move away from the ever-growing crowd of silver and grey elves. Sam watched, tears pooling down her cheeks, as her two friends headed towards the outskirts of the trees, the leaves on the ground dancing up around the horse's legs as they moved.
And then, as they got to the edge of the Lórien forest they suddenly stopped and turned and Sam's breath caught in her throat as all the Elves around her lifted up their arms, palms up facing the travellers, in an age- old gesture of farewell. And Sam found herself following them, raising her own hands in respect and honour to the two men who spent so much of their lives on a quest that many saw as a hopeless dream.
She was honouring them now, just as she was honouring her friends back home who also were part of something that took them away from their families so often, sometimes for good, but who stayed on their quest for it was the right thing to do and they did it for their world and for the fate of the galaxy.
And even though she was no longer apart of that dream, she knew she would always consider herself so, even as she now saw herself following a different path, away from her people and away from her friends, but no less great.
But now, as she watched the two men, they too, lifted up their hands back at the elves and at her, and Sam knew that this was an old tradition that would be past down in Lothlórien for as long as the elves walked these glittering silver studded trees. They all stood there for a while, hands and palms up, saluting their friends and their kin, until Aragorn and the Wizard slowly lowered their own hands and turned back to the road.
And as they flittered out of sight finally, Sam heard Galadriel whisper beside her,
"Go with the blessing of Nenya, my dear ones, with Vilya and Narya the Great too. for the hearts of all elves go with you."
And turning towards the Elvish Queen, Sam saw that her great blue eyes were locked on the distance where the two men had left, and towards the setting sun. And that was how the two woman stayed, long after the others had gone back inside, and they stayed together, side by side, basking in the fading sunlight as they prayed for the safely of their friends who had left them for destinations unknown, but for a quest that threaten to take their lives.
****
A few weeks later, Sam was sitting in her chamber, writing another letter to Jack. This one mostly contained updates and titbits about the baby's growth since Gandalf and Aragorn had left. She had found as the weeks and months slipped by and she got bigger and bigger that the letters to her friends back home ceased to be letters as such, and more like diary entries as she undated them all on the news and important things that were happing in her life now that they were not here to see it.
The letters to Daniel and Jonas were mostly filled with the archaeological and architectural aspects of buildings she had seen in Lórien. Even though she wasn't an architectural expert by far, she had been around the two men long enough to know they would be astounded if they ever saw the place where she was living now. Of all the places they had visited through the galaxy, Middle-Earth was like nothing they had ever seen, and Sam would bet her life that they would never find another planet like it ever again.
Her letters to Teal'c and her father consisted of the living aspects of the elves and what made them so startlingly different to not only humans in general, but most other races they had encountered. In fact, Sam had been amazed at the similarities the Lothlórien elves had to the Nox. Both races were pacifistic by nature, and without a doubt they were some of the grandest and noblest species Sam had ever met.
But it was the letters she had written to Jack that had become her secret treasures and she cherished them above all of the other worldly possessions she had gathered over the past few months. They were strictly private and she made sure she kept them hidden in the locked draw of her desk at all times, and wore the key on a silver chain around her neck. Only in these did she pour out all her frustrations and sorrow, knowing that if he ever did get to read them, that he would understand her pain at being away from him for such a long time.
And true to her word, she wrote daily updates of the baby's condition and when and where the baby had kicked inside her. She knew that these would be Jack's only link to her pregnancy if they ever saw each other again, and she wasn't going to be the person who denied him the right to see his baby grow. There were no cameras here in Middle-Earth of course, so these were the next best things she could give him.
She was just re-reading through her latest sentence when there was a knock at her door and she looked up to find none other than Haldir standing in the open doorway, his hand still raised on the marble as he looked down at her in question, silently asking if he was interrupting her in anyway.
Pushing down her urge to groan in irritation, she set down her quill and waved him into the room, wondering what on Earth he wanted. She had understood Haldir's affection and concern for her at first, even if she had found it a little surprising considering his treatment of her when she first arrived, but now, it was getting a little startling. True to his word to Aragorn, the tall, imposing elf had been nothing but courteous and chivalrous to Sam over the past few weeks, always appearing out of nowhere if it looked like she needed help.
Helping her down stairs, fetching her snacks whenever her increasing appetite called for them, it seemed that there was nothing that he wouldn't do for her, and she wondered dryly what threats Aragorn had given the warrior before he had left concerning what he would do to the elf if he returned and found Samantha denied of the smallest little thing she could want.
Oh, he had other good points; of that there were no doubt. As well as seemingly knowing every inch of Caras Galadhon like the back of his hand, he had turned out to be an excellent listener in every way imaginable. Sam couldn't count the number of times she had been walking silently through the gardens, surrounded in trees from every angle, pondering over her fate in quite morbid manners when he would suddenly appear between the silver trees and ask if she would like some company.
At these times she would bless him completely, for company was exactly what she wanted.and needed, and he seemed to realise this. He had long ago apologised for his treatment of her when they had first met, and his suspicion for what she was doing in Lórien in the first place, and the two of them had formed an unlikely friendship the more they spent in each other's company.
So this is why Sam found herself slightly confused with his presence in her chamber, especially as she had insisted to him earlier that she have the morning to herself.
"What is it, Haldir?" she asked as he neared her desk and saw the uneasy expression on his beautiful face.
As he came to a stop in front of her desk, the elf looked down at her gravely, as if he had something heavy weighting on his mind. "The Lady Galadriel has requested your presence in her chambers, Samantha." Haldir said solemnly. "She apologises for interrupting your morning, but says the matter can not wait, and I am inclined to agree with her."
Eyebrows raised, Sam quickly rose from her chair and moved around the desk. "What's happened?" she asked, wondering what could unsettle the normally composed elf warrior. But Haldir just frowned, seemingly as baffled as she was at the situation. He didn't say anything else to ease her mind until they had left her rooms and he was guiding her down the corridor with a gentle hand on the small of her back.
"There are some people here to see you," he told her in a low voice as they made their way through the twisting staircase and hallways of Caras Galadhon. She wondered at his tone for a second before realising he didn't want anyone else to hear what he was saying and they were passing elves in all directions as they walked, all of them nodding their wise, golden heads in greeting at the tall elf and the mortal woman who had joined their house for the time being.
It was only impulse that made her try and twist around to see his face as his words registered with shock to her system. But he must have foreseen her intent for she felt his strong hand come to clamp down on her hip to still her movements instantly and she froze in shock at the intimate touch.
Less than a second later, she felt his warm breath on her ear. "I am sorry, my friend," he whispered. "But that was necessary. We must not draw attention to ourselves, for your visitor's arrival has yet to be announced and Galadriel wishes it to stay that way for the time being."
She nodded her head shortly, understanding his words, and let him lead her the rest of the way in silence. She recognised the path they were taking and knew they were heading deep within the heart of the city as they neared Galadriel's chambers. Finally she saw the closed, twin marble doors that led into the private rooms of the Queen and let out a breath of relief. She had a faint idea who the person or persons here would be, but she was impatient to meet them face-to-face.
But as the doors were pushed open and the occupants of the chamber stopped their conversation and turned to greet them, Sam found herself sucking in a gasp of shock as she stared at the people before her.
****
Standing in front of Galadriel's floor length window next to the Queen herself was a man who Sam knew she would never forget her first meeting with for as long as she lived. Standing next to the golden brightness of the elvish Queen and her Lord, Celeborn, this man was as dark featured as they night sky and Sam was stunned at the contrast between them. That he was an elf was obvious, from his slanted ears to his regal face and elvish robes that positively dripped the elegance of that striking race, Sam had noted that aspect instantly.
But that was where the similarities abruptly ended. His hair was as dark as his eyes and fell down his back in a straight mane with well-crafted pattens and designs at the front by his face. He was standing there, gazing back at her tranquilly with his hands clasped lightly in front of him with all the grace of a king.
There was no mistaking who this man was, and Sam couldn't believe that standing before her was none other that Master Elrond of Rivendell himself, mighty among men and elves. She knew who he was, she had heard all about him from Aragorn and there was no way she could think he was anybody else but the half-Elven.
This was Galadriel's son-in-law, and Aragorn's adopted father since he was barely a child, and for all the life of her, Sam didn't have a clue what to say. But her problem was pushed aside instantly when she caught sight of the other new figure with them, standing side on outside on the balcony, just behind her father, looking out onto the ever lasting forests of Lothlórien.
As her eyes slid over to rest on the new figure, Sam thought she had slipped into some impossible dream, for standing there, her pale hands loosely grasping the marble railing of her grandmother's balcony, was one of the most enchanting people Sam had ever seen. She wasn't merely beautiful, it was as if there was more to her than Sam could ever imagine. With her face side on to hers, Sam could see her fine, ageless features and her long, midnight tresses that were so much like her father's, and Sam would have sworn that she was the night itself.
And as she seemed to realise someone was staring at her, the lovely woman slowly lifted her head and turned to regard Sam in turn, and as she looked deep into those dusky eyes, Sam knew instantly why Aragorn had fallen in love with this elf, for there was no way you couldn't.
She was Arwen Undómiel, the Evenstar of her people, and the darkness of the elves as Galadriel was the morning.
But her eyes were drawn away from Arwen's and back to Elrond's when the dark elf took a step forward and held out his hand to her. As if she was suddenly snapped out of a trance, Sam stumbled forward and gave him her hand without thinking, jerking slightly when she felt him drop a chaste, feathery kiss on the top of her hand.
Slowly straightening, Elrond's eyes, that had been locked on Sam's, briefly flicked over her shoulder to the figure behind her, Haldir, no doubt, before sliding back to meet hers.
"Greetings, young one." Elrond said to her evenly. Then, as if by looking into her eyes he saw something he liked, the elf nodded his head to himself slightly. "You know who I am?"
Sam opened her mouth to answer, but found she could not speak. Risking a glance over Elrond's shoulder, she saw Arwen silently walk back into the room and go to stand next to her grandfather. Inclining her head to the side, she gave Sam a long, searching look before looking down at the ground, not wanting to know what she would find there. But Sam found this gave her new resolve and she yanked her gaze back to the dark, elvish Lord who was still waiting for her answer, one eyebrow slanted.
Sam forced herself to nod her head. "Yes, my lord. I know who you are." She was faintly proud of herself for keeping her voice even and not wavering. It just wouldn't do for her voice to break in front of this powerful creature. Briefly, her last memory of Aragorn flashed through her mind and she made a silent promise to herself and to her friend that she wouldn't embarrassed either of them in this meeting with the elf who was the only father Aragorn had ever known.
"Good." Elrond said pointedly and it was Sam's turn to raise her eyebrows at his tone. But he ignored the gesture and clasped his hands behind his back, regarding her intently from top to bottom as she stood there, bristling at the nerve of the man.
"As I am sure you are well aware, young one, I have travelled a great distance to meet with you here, so I ask that you do not waste either of our time." He shot her a quick glance with his dark eyes and Sam felt her hackles rising under his gaze. This meeting was not going well.
To Sam's complete surprise, Arwen must have noticed this for she silently rested a calming hand on her father's shoulder, which caused him to take a deep breath and relax slightly. When she next looked at him, she was pleased to see that he looked a lot friendlier, and she was internally grateful to Arwen for intervening on her behalf.
When Arwen took her hand away and went to stand with the others, Sam glanced at Elrond and almost gave a sigh when she saw the questioning look on his dark featured face. For a second, she cursed herself for not realising what this man wanted with her before now. She should have seen it. He was a Master among not only Elves, but Men as well, and she knew that this meeting would not end any time soon. He would want to know everything about her; where she had truly come from, and there was not doubt that what she would tell him would upset the elf something fierce.
But looking at Arwen again, the beautiful elf that she didn't know at all, but seemed to know so much about from others, Sam knew she would have no choice but to tell this man everything and let him come to his own conclusions, for it was the almost pleading look on Arwen's face that swayed Sam.
Taking a deep breath, Sam looked up and determinedly met Arwen's father's eyes.
"What do you want, Master Elrond?" she asked in a deadly, low voice. "For me to bare my soul to you?" Surprising them all, Sam abruptly spun around, almost bowling into Haldir in the process and marched across the room to a set of chairs that were arranged in a group under a large window. Knowing they were all watching her, she sat down in one of the seats and turned her unwavering gaze back to the small group of stunned elves.
"Well?" she asked firmly, knowing that this was it. If she was going to win the respect and friendship with the other elves in Middle-Earth, there was no better place to start than Elrond himself.
"What are you waiting for? None of us have all day." Getting more comfortable, Sam laid her hands across her lap, clenching them together as she went.
Slowly.oh, so slowly, Elrond came across the room and joined her in the group of chairs. Then Arwen followed him, taking a seat next to Sam herself. None of them said a word. Finally, when she couldn't take it any longer, Sam looked up and met the gaze of Galadriel, who was unhurriedly coming towards them with Celeborn at her side. And it was staring up into the gaze of this lovely golden elf that gave Sam the courage she knew she would need to see this meeting through, for Galadriel wore on her face a soft, winning smile that was for Sam herself. There was an odd twinkle in her eye and Sam realised that she was slightly looking forward to what laid ahead.
But from that, Sam knew that what ever happened, she would have the Queen's support and that gave her great comfort, knowing that she would always have a friend here in Lothlórien.
Pulling all her military background from its hiding place at the back of her mind, Sam sat up straighter and met Elrond's firm gaze head on, two strong personalities going head to head, one for the protection of his world, the other in protection of herself and her baby, for that was all she had left. And she would cling to that for all she was worth.
****
PART 6:
".and then she gave the cup to Aragorn, and he drank, and he said: 'Farewell, Lady of Rohan! I drink to the fortunes of your House, and of you, and all your people. Say to your brother: beyond the shadow we may meet again!"
Aragorn to Éowyn, The White Lady of Rohan. "The Return of the King."
****
Her hands swinging slightly at her sides, Sam Carter walked idly down the pale, silver hallway towards Gandalf's chamber, strangely at peace with herself and her situation for the first time in a long while. Spring had come to Lothlórien and Sam's heart had soared higher than the flowers and seeds that had made their home in the Lórien treetops. The last few weeks had been ones of quiet and calmness on Sam's behalf as she finally started to settle down into Lothlórien, with the help of Gandalf, Galadriel and Aragorn, whose friendship with the misplaced mortal had surprised all.
Her baby was growing at an alarming rate, and not for the first time Sam blessed the loose elvish garments as her tummy seemingly expanded more every day. But it wasn't lost on her that if she was back on Earth, very soon Janet would be cutting her work load by half and making her sit down every couple of seconds as Jack force-fed her her lunch.
The Ironic fact was that she had very little to do here that there was no chance what so ever that she would get snowed under in work and forget to eat. She now spent the majority of her days out in the gardens, sometimes with company and sometimes without, crafting elvish jewellery and writing letters to her friends that she knew would probably never be received.
That is where she had just come from and had some of these very letters stuffed in the inside pockets of the light mesh cloak she wore over her pale yellow gown as she strolled around the corner towards Gandalf's rooms.
She came to an abrupt stop in the doorway when she caught sight of what was happening in the chamber before her. Gandalf was standing beside his huge, wooden desk; carefully packing folded pieces of musty parchment into a leather satchel.
Her hadn't seen her, and Sam used this opportunity to look wildly around the rest of the room, faint panic setting in when she noticed how empty it looked. The large bed was neatly made with a single change of clothes folded smartly on the cover. There were no loose pieces of paper lying around and no quills lounging over furniture, nothing to point out that Gandalf had been living here for the past three months.
She must have made some noise as Gandalf suddenly looked up and saw her, frowning when he saw the expression on her face. They stared at each other; the woman and the wizard, both waiting for the other to start talking.
"You're leaving." Sam whispered frankly, the accusation clear to read in her tone.
Gandalf gave a sigh and slowly put the roll of parchment down on the desk, along with the satchel. He came to stand in front of Sam, taking her hands in his and gave her a warm, comforting smile. "You knew this moment would come, Samantha, my dear. You must not be too upset or surprised."
Gently taking her hands from the Wizard, she wrapped her arms protectively around her belly and idly walked over to the desk, looking down at the parchment on its surface. From what she could make out, they were maps. Very primitive by her standards, but maps all the same. There were outlined mountains and valleys, rivers and cliffs and she read aloud some of the words she saw on there,
"Argonath.Anduin.Bree.. Osgiliath.. Moria."
They were all beautiful names for what she was sure were beautiful places. But she would never see them, not while she was pregnant and this was only enforced now that Gandalf was leaving her. The first person she had met here in Middle-Earth was departing and she cursed herself for being so weak.
What had happened to her? Where had the strong, military Major gone? She was used to people leaving her, it had been happening her whole life, what made this so different? He was only one man; an old and odd one at that, why should she care so much that he was going?
But even that as she thought that, she knew the answer. It wasn't that he was leaving so much as that he was leaving her to go on to better and brighter things, so to speak. Who knew what wonders he would see on his journey and what people he would meet, all the while she would be stuck back here, getting fatter and more lonely by the day, with only elves to keep her company.
As all of this occurred to her at the same instant, Sam found herself rushing over to Gandalf and grasping his hands tightly in her own. Looking up into his slightly surprised and concerned eyes, she whispered fervently, "Take me with you!" but then her eyes grew cold and she saw the pitying expression on his face.
"Samantha, you know you can not travel, especially not at this late date. The risk is just too high and I will not be the one to put you and your child in danger."
Her shoulders slumping, she left her friend and went to stand by the doorway leading onto the private balcony, her back to the Wizard. She had known what his answer would be, how could she not? He cared too much for her to put her in any danger just to satisfy her whims. And even though she wanted to hate him with all her heart, she found she could not, and understood his motives.
But Sam realised even though she would not be accompanying him, she was still curious as to what his journey entailed. "Where will you be going?" she asked, her voice soft and calm once again. Without turning, she felt her dear friend come up behind her and stay there, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We do not know at this time, not yet. Most probably to the Shire, for the danger to the Hobbits grows with every passing hour and I will not see those kind people destroyed for something they have no knowledge about."
Something in the sentence made her catch her breath and she turned around to face the old man. "We?" she asked, daring to breathe. But then the light dimmed in her eyes as the Wizard nodded gravely.
"Yes, Samantha, Aragorn will accompany me on my journey through the wilderness for there is no other choice. He has strayed in Lothlórien too long already, and his people grow restless. There are things to be done, and he is needed elsewhere."
"You are both leaving." she whispered unconsciously, lowering her eyes to the ground. But she felt a finger under her chin and lift her eyes to his face, wincing when she saw the sympathetic smile she found there.
"We will return, of that have no doubt. Gandalf the Grey keeps his promises and by the blessed rings of this world, I swear I will return to you."
Sam nodded, feeling that the world was slipping through her fingers and there was nothing she could do to stop it. "I know, Gandalf, I know."
She looked up into his eyes, and whispered the words she had been trying to say to him for the past few weeks, ever since she had learned that one day he would be leaving the Lórien walls. "Will you be there for the birth?"
He looked greatly surprised; as if that was the last thing he had expected her to say. But as she watched his mull this over, she saw his expression change. He looked simply touched by her offer. "You honour me, my dear, and there is nothing I would love greater than to be present at the birth of your child."
Sam let out a huge breath of air, as if she had expected him to say no. He saw this and chuckled, the familiar sparkle returning to his eyes. "For all the intelligence you seem to possess, my dear Samantha, there are times when you do not use them as well as you should."
She looked at him, startled by his words for they were the closest thing he had said to her regarding her smarts, but for some strange reason, it made her think of Jack so forcefully that it brought tears to her eyes.
But he must not have noticed, for the Wizard just took her arm and started to lead her towards the door. "Let there by no more talk of departures and farewells for now, young one. For I assure you, Aragorn and I will be back before you have even realised we were gone."
Even though Sam knew this would not be possible, she held her tongue, not wanted to concern the old man. It would be like losing Jack, Daniel and the others all over again and she knew she would miss them every day they were away from her, her heart only finding peace when she could see them again with her own eyes, safe and well within the healing halls of Lothlórien.
****
The departure of Aragorn and Gandalf came sooner than Sam could have dared, for it was the very next day. The weather had blessed the travelling pair for the day and the afternoon sun was shining brightly from between the treetops that blanketed them above.
But even now, as she stood under the golden arches of the city walls, surrounded by the elves that had come to see off the two travellers, Sam couldn't believe she wasn't going with them. Couldn't believe that she hadn't fought harder in letting her go.
She knew this was the Human side of her fighting, battling with her subconscious and her morals, it knowing that she was made of sterner stuff and should be putting up a better fight, but deep inside her she knew that what Gandalf had said was true, that she was safer here in Lothlórien.
He had also promised that when she had given birth he would take her where ever she wanted to go, within reason of course, but it was that thought alone that made Sam keep her mouth closed and not cause the scene that she wanted to as she watched the two men double check the stirrups and girths of their horses as they readied to leave.
Sam watched Aragorn leave his horse and walk over to where Galadriel was standing in front of a group of elves, with Celeborn at her side. When he came to stand before them, the Queen reached up and rested the back of her hand on Aragorn's cheek, smiling up at him fondly. They spoke together quietly for a moment, with Celeborn watching them warmly, before the young man gave a final nod and turned around. With one last look at the two elves that obviously meant a great deal to him, he made his way back to Gandalf and their two horses.
Mentally pushing herself forward, Sam left the comfort of the other elves and slowly walked across the grass towards them, holding the hem of her gown up with one hand so that it didn't brush across the ground. Both men looked up when she approached and gave her welcoming smiles, but they didn't still in their tasks, still strapping packs to the backs of the horses who, strangely enough to Sam, were standing quietly and calmly beside their masters, heads down munching on the grass idly.
When she reached them, she had to look up to meet their smiling faces. She stood there for a moment, hands clasped loosely in front of her, wondering what she could say to them that would be meaningful enough to stay with them for the duration of their journey. But as Aragorn suddenly stopped what he was doing with a final, affectionate pat of the horse's rump and turned to her, she realised she didn't have to say anything at all.
Instead, she just tilted her head to the side teasingly and said with a glint in her eyes, "Come back safely, and do it soon."
Knowing how badly she wanted to come with them, Aragorn gave an ironic snort and put both his hands on his hips. "We shall try, Samantha." Then he cast his eyes downwards towards her expanding stomach and gently laid a hand on the bump. "We have a few months yet."
She gave a laugh in reply just as Gandalf appeared from around the back of one of the horses and joined them. Putting a hand on Aragorn's shoulder, he said lightly, "Come, my friend. Middle-Earth awaits us." Aragorn nodded his head, his eyes suddenly sad at the thought of leaving, but he turned back to the horses once again, leaving Sam facing the Wizard alone.
They looked at each other, both with their hands in front of them. Then suddenly Gandalf eloped the woman in a warm hug and Sam gave a heartfelt sigh as she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. The moment was getting nearer and Sam didn't know if she could bare it. She had already lost so many people in her life; she couldn't stand it if her two new friends swiftly left her life as quickly as they had come.
The safe, comforting life that she had been getting used to over the past few months was abruptly coming to an end and Sam didn't like it one bit.
"Please be careful, Gandalf. Please," she whispered in his ear fervently. It was strangely important to her that he understood just how much he meant to her, even though they had only known each other for such a short time. For the past few months Gandalf had almost been her entire world here in the trees, he had been such a comforting figure as she ranted and raved at the injustice of her life now that she was away from her friends and family and stuck in a strange world all by herself. She didn't know how to thank him for everything that he had done for her, starting with how he had saved her life.
Pulling back, she stared up into his sparkling silver eyes that were hidden by those busy eyebrows that she had come to love so much. She drank in his image as much as she could, knowing that if the Middle-Earth outside Lothlórien was getting as dangerous as they said it was, there was a very good chance that she would never see them again, Wizard or no Wizard.
She started at the pointy, floppy hat and worked her way downwards past his worn, grey cloak to his feet, knowing that she would never forget him and what he had done for her if he never returned.
"Your thoughts are dark, my dear, and I don't like it one bit." Gandalf's tone was low, hiding it from Aragorn a few feet away, but gently serious. Sniffling suddenly, Sam dipped her head and wiped her nose, not wanting them to know she was crying.
But Gandalf gave a chuckle and gave her another short hug before he put an arm around her shoulders and led her around to stand in front of the horses. Sneaking a look out of the corner of her eye, Sam found herself inches away from the brown bay's large nose. Reaching up, she patted the horse's face idly and was rewarded when the other animal walked away from Aragorn and started rubbing its nose down her back, shoving her forward with every rub.
She couldn't help but laugh as she caught sight of Aragorn's exasperated expression when he came to see where his horse had got to and found both animals being petted by Sam. But at her smiling face, the two men shared a look and visibly relaxed. Sam realised instantly that they had both been bothered at leaving Sam behind in Lothlórien by herself if she wasn't happy with the idea. She was touched.
"Go on, then," she said confidently, still rubbing the horse's nose, who now looked like he was in heaven. "You better get going if you want to get to wherever you're heading before dark."
Gandalf nodded his head when he noticed Galadriel, Celeborn and the elf Haldir come up beside them. Sam greeted them all, even Haldir who she hadn't gotten on with too well when first arriving in Lothlórien. She was presently surprised when the tall, blonde haired elf came to stand beside her, not saying a word. She had just opened her mouth to ask what he was doing when she caught the look he send Aragorn and closed it with a snap, staring at her friend in disbelief. She knew what that look was, she had seen it used all the time in the military, and was stunned that they were using it over her.
If she wasn't mistaken, Haldir was silently assuring Aragorn that he would look after her while he was gone, that he was taking over her protection now that the man couldn't do it himself.
Shaking her head at the arrogance of not only Elves, but Aragorn as well, Sam made her point known when she abruptly moved away from Haldir and went to stand beside Galadriel, folding her arms across her chest and sending both men pointed looks as if to say where they could stick their 'protection'. She was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
Fortunately, both men were wise enough to drop the matter.
Then, seemingly the next thing Sam knew both Aragorn and Gandalf were on top of their horses; reins in hand and their green, elvish cloaks fastened at their necks with silver leaf shaped gems that Sam had made herself over the past few weeks, looking down at the people standing on the ground, around their horses, saying goodbye.
When it was Sam's turn, she went to stand by Aragorn's horse, craning her head upwards to see his face. He looked so tall sitting up there, the afternoon sun basking around his head like a halo, that she was struck at the resemblance he made to some Earthly kings of old. But she kept her opinions to herself as he bent down and cupped her cheek gently.
"Farewell, Samantha," he said in his low, music lit voice, his dark grey eyes kind. Then he seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if he was wondering if he should speak at all, but then seemingly made up his mind and said in a quiet voice for her ears only, "Do not be surprised if you get visitors while we are gone."
Sam's eyes opened wide in surprise at his words but she stayed silent as he continued, "Your arrival has caused great unrest in the elvish realms, my friend. Not only for your acceptance in Lórien, but for your friendship with the Grey One and myself. They will come to see you soon, of this have no doubt."
Sam mulled this over in her mind, wondering what it could all mean for not only herself, but for Galadriel, Celeborn and all the others. But Aragorn must have seen her uncertainty for he gave her one last comforting smile and withdrew his hand, sitting up straight on the horse, but his eyes still trained on her face.
"Do you fear them, Samantha. You must not fear them, for that is what they want from you. Just be polite and remember you place. Never forget your people and where you come from, for with that, you will rise above the rest. You have the blessing of Galadriel, and there are few others of our kind who can boast that."
Sam nodded her head slowly, taking in his words carefully. But then Galadriel's hand was on her shoulder and Haldir was again at her side and she was being forced to step back from the horses as Aragorn and Gandalf started to move away from the ever-growing crowd of silver and grey elves. Sam watched, tears pooling down her cheeks, as her two friends headed towards the outskirts of the trees, the leaves on the ground dancing up around the horse's legs as they moved.
And then, as they got to the edge of the Lórien forest they suddenly stopped and turned and Sam's breath caught in her throat as all the Elves around her lifted up their arms, palms up facing the travellers, in an age- old gesture of farewell. And Sam found herself following them, raising her own hands in respect and honour to the two men who spent so much of their lives on a quest that many saw as a hopeless dream.
She was honouring them now, just as she was honouring her friends back home who also were part of something that took them away from their families so often, sometimes for good, but who stayed on their quest for it was the right thing to do and they did it for their world and for the fate of the galaxy.
And even though she was no longer apart of that dream, she knew she would always consider herself so, even as she now saw herself following a different path, away from her people and away from her friends, but no less great.
But now, as she watched the two men, they too, lifted up their hands back at the elves and at her, and Sam knew that this was an old tradition that would be past down in Lothlórien for as long as the elves walked these glittering silver studded trees. They all stood there for a while, hands and palms up, saluting their friends and their kin, until Aragorn and the Wizard slowly lowered their own hands and turned back to the road.
And as they flittered out of sight finally, Sam heard Galadriel whisper beside her,
"Go with the blessing of Nenya, my dear ones, with Vilya and Narya the Great too. for the hearts of all elves go with you."
And turning towards the Elvish Queen, Sam saw that her great blue eyes were locked on the distance where the two men had left, and towards the setting sun. And that was how the two woman stayed, long after the others had gone back inside, and they stayed together, side by side, basking in the fading sunlight as they prayed for the safely of their friends who had left them for destinations unknown, but for a quest that threaten to take their lives.
****
A few weeks later, Sam was sitting in her chamber, writing another letter to Jack. This one mostly contained updates and titbits about the baby's growth since Gandalf and Aragorn had left. She had found as the weeks and months slipped by and she got bigger and bigger that the letters to her friends back home ceased to be letters as such, and more like diary entries as she undated them all on the news and important things that were happing in her life now that they were not here to see it.
The letters to Daniel and Jonas were mostly filled with the archaeological and architectural aspects of buildings she had seen in Lórien. Even though she wasn't an architectural expert by far, she had been around the two men long enough to know they would be astounded if they ever saw the place where she was living now. Of all the places they had visited through the galaxy, Middle-Earth was like nothing they had ever seen, and Sam would bet her life that they would never find another planet like it ever again.
Her letters to Teal'c and her father consisted of the living aspects of the elves and what made them so startlingly different to not only humans in general, but most other races they had encountered. In fact, Sam had been amazed at the similarities the Lothlórien elves had to the Nox. Both races were pacifistic by nature, and without a doubt they were some of the grandest and noblest species Sam had ever met.
But it was the letters she had written to Jack that had become her secret treasures and she cherished them above all of the other worldly possessions she had gathered over the past few months. They were strictly private and she made sure she kept them hidden in the locked draw of her desk at all times, and wore the key on a silver chain around her neck. Only in these did she pour out all her frustrations and sorrow, knowing that if he ever did get to read them, that he would understand her pain at being away from him for such a long time.
And true to her word, she wrote daily updates of the baby's condition and when and where the baby had kicked inside her. She knew that these would be Jack's only link to her pregnancy if they ever saw each other again, and she wasn't going to be the person who denied him the right to see his baby grow. There were no cameras here in Middle-Earth of course, so these were the next best things she could give him.
She was just re-reading through her latest sentence when there was a knock at her door and she looked up to find none other than Haldir standing in the open doorway, his hand still raised on the marble as he looked down at her in question, silently asking if he was interrupting her in anyway.
Pushing down her urge to groan in irritation, she set down her quill and waved him into the room, wondering what on Earth he wanted. She had understood Haldir's affection and concern for her at first, even if she had found it a little surprising considering his treatment of her when she first arrived, but now, it was getting a little startling. True to his word to Aragorn, the tall, imposing elf had been nothing but courteous and chivalrous to Sam over the past few weeks, always appearing out of nowhere if it looked like she needed help.
Helping her down stairs, fetching her snacks whenever her increasing appetite called for them, it seemed that there was nothing that he wouldn't do for her, and she wondered dryly what threats Aragorn had given the warrior before he had left concerning what he would do to the elf if he returned and found Samantha denied of the smallest little thing she could want.
Oh, he had other good points; of that there were no doubt. As well as seemingly knowing every inch of Caras Galadhon like the back of his hand, he had turned out to be an excellent listener in every way imaginable. Sam couldn't count the number of times she had been walking silently through the gardens, surrounded in trees from every angle, pondering over her fate in quite morbid manners when he would suddenly appear between the silver trees and ask if she would like some company.
At these times she would bless him completely, for company was exactly what she wanted.and needed, and he seemed to realise this. He had long ago apologised for his treatment of her when they had first met, and his suspicion for what she was doing in Lórien in the first place, and the two of them had formed an unlikely friendship the more they spent in each other's company.
So this is why Sam found herself slightly confused with his presence in her chamber, especially as she had insisted to him earlier that she have the morning to herself.
"What is it, Haldir?" she asked as he neared her desk and saw the uneasy expression on his beautiful face.
As he came to a stop in front of her desk, the elf looked down at her gravely, as if he had something heavy weighting on his mind. "The Lady Galadriel has requested your presence in her chambers, Samantha." Haldir said solemnly. "She apologises for interrupting your morning, but says the matter can not wait, and I am inclined to agree with her."
Eyebrows raised, Sam quickly rose from her chair and moved around the desk. "What's happened?" she asked, wondering what could unsettle the normally composed elf warrior. But Haldir just frowned, seemingly as baffled as she was at the situation. He didn't say anything else to ease her mind until they had left her rooms and he was guiding her down the corridor with a gentle hand on the small of her back.
"There are some people here to see you," he told her in a low voice as they made their way through the twisting staircase and hallways of Caras Galadhon. She wondered at his tone for a second before realising he didn't want anyone else to hear what he was saying and they were passing elves in all directions as they walked, all of them nodding their wise, golden heads in greeting at the tall elf and the mortal woman who had joined their house for the time being.
It was only impulse that made her try and twist around to see his face as his words registered with shock to her system. But he must have foreseen her intent for she felt his strong hand come to clamp down on her hip to still her movements instantly and she froze in shock at the intimate touch.
Less than a second later, she felt his warm breath on her ear. "I am sorry, my friend," he whispered. "But that was necessary. We must not draw attention to ourselves, for your visitor's arrival has yet to be announced and Galadriel wishes it to stay that way for the time being."
She nodded her head shortly, understanding his words, and let him lead her the rest of the way in silence. She recognised the path they were taking and knew they were heading deep within the heart of the city as they neared Galadriel's chambers. Finally she saw the closed, twin marble doors that led into the private rooms of the Queen and let out a breath of relief. She had a faint idea who the person or persons here would be, but she was impatient to meet them face-to-face.
But as the doors were pushed open and the occupants of the chamber stopped their conversation and turned to greet them, Sam found herself sucking in a gasp of shock as she stared at the people before her.
****
Standing in front of Galadriel's floor length window next to the Queen herself was a man who Sam knew she would never forget her first meeting with for as long as she lived. Standing next to the golden brightness of the elvish Queen and her Lord, Celeborn, this man was as dark featured as they night sky and Sam was stunned at the contrast between them. That he was an elf was obvious, from his slanted ears to his regal face and elvish robes that positively dripped the elegance of that striking race, Sam had noted that aspect instantly.
But that was where the similarities abruptly ended. His hair was as dark as his eyes and fell down his back in a straight mane with well-crafted pattens and designs at the front by his face. He was standing there, gazing back at her tranquilly with his hands clasped lightly in front of him with all the grace of a king.
There was no mistaking who this man was, and Sam couldn't believe that standing before her was none other that Master Elrond of Rivendell himself, mighty among men and elves. She knew who he was, she had heard all about him from Aragorn and there was no way she could think he was anybody else but the half-Elven.
This was Galadriel's son-in-law, and Aragorn's adopted father since he was barely a child, and for all the life of her, Sam didn't have a clue what to say. But her problem was pushed aside instantly when she caught sight of the other new figure with them, standing side on outside on the balcony, just behind her father, looking out onto the ever lasting forests of Lothlórien.
As her eyes slid over to rest on the new figure, Sam thought she had slipped into some impossible dream, for standing there, her pale hands loosely grasping the marble railing of her grandmother's balcony, was one of the most enchanting people Sam had ever seen. She wasn't merely beautiful, it was as if there was more to her than Sam could ever imagine. With her face side on to hers, Sam could see her fine, ageless features and her long, midnight tresses that were so much like her father's, and Sam would have sworn that she was the night itself.
And as she seemed to realise someone was staring at her, the lovely woman slowly lifted her head and turned to regard Sam in turn, and as she looked deep into those dusky eyes, Sam knew instantly why Aragorn had fallen in love with this elf, for there was no way you couldn't.
She was Arwen Undómiel, the Evenstar of her people, and the darkness of the elves as Galadriel was the morning.
But her eyes were drawn away from Arwen's and back to Elrond's when the dark elf took a step forward and held out his hand to her. As if she was suddenly snapped out of a trance, Sam stumbled forward and gave him her hand without thinking, jerking slightly when she felt him drop a chaste, feathery kiss on the top of her hand.
Slowly straightening, Elrond's eyes, that had been locked on Sam's, briefly flicked over her shoulder to the figure behind her, Haldir, no doubt, before sliding back to meet hers.
"Greetings, young one." Elrond said to her evenly. Then, as if by looking into her eyes he saw something he liked, the elf nodded his head to himself slightly. "You know who I am?"
Sam opened her mouth to answer, but found she could not speak. Risking a glance over Elrond's shoulder, she saw Arwen silently walk back into the room and go to stand next to her grandfather. Inclining her head to the side, she gave Sam a long, searching look before looking down at the ground, not wanting to know what she would find there. But Sam found this gave her new resolve and she yanked her gaze back to the dark, elvish Lord who was still waiting for her answer, one eyebrow slanted.
Sam forced herself to nod her head. "Yes, my lord. I know who you are." She was faintly proud of herself for keeping her voice even and not wavering. It just wouldn't do for her voice to break in front of this powerful creature. Briefly, her last memory of Aragorn flashed through her mind and she made a silent promise to herself and to her friend that she wouldn't embarrassed either of them in this meeting with the elf who was the only father Aragorn had ever known.
"Good." Elrond said pointedly and it was Sam's turn to raise her eyebrows at his tone. But he ignored the gesture and clasped his hands behind his back, regarding her intently from top to bottom as she stood there, bristling at the nerve of the man.
"As I am sure you are well aware, young one, I have travelled a great distance to meet with you here, so I ask that you do not waste either of our time." He shot her a quick glance with his dark eyes and Sam felt her hackles rising under his gaze. This meeting was not going well.
To Sam's complete surprise, Arwen must have noticed this for she silently rested a calming hand on her father's shoulder, which caused him to take a deep breath and relax slightly. When she next looked at him, she was pleased to see that he looked a lot friendlier, and she was internally grateful to Arwen for intervening on her behalf.
When Arwen took her hand away and went to stand with the others, Sam glanced at Elrond and almost gave a sigh when she saw the questioning look on his dark featured face. For a second, she cursed herself for not realising what this man wanted with her before now. She should have seen it. He was a Master among not only Elves, but Men as well, and she knew that this meeting would not end any time soon. He would want to know everything about her; where she had truly come from, and there was not doubt that what she would tell him would upset the elf something fierce.
But looking at Arwen again, the beautiful elf that she didn't know at all, but seemed to know so much about from others, Sam knew she would have no choice but to tell this man everything and let him come to his own conclusions, for it was the almost pleading look on Arwen's face that swayed Sam.
Taking a deep breath, Sam looked up and determinedly met Arwen's father's eyes.
"What do you want, Master Elrond?" she asked in a deadly, low voice. "For me to bare my soul to you?" Surprising them all, Sam abruptly spun around, almost bowling into Haldir in the process and marched across the room to a set of chairs that were arranged in a group under a large window. Knowing they were all watching her, she sat down in one of the seats and turned her unwavering gaze back to the small group of stunned elves.
"Well?" she asked firmly, knowing that this was it. If she was going to win the respect and friendship with the other elves in Middle-Earth, there was no better place to start than Elrond himself.
"What are you waiting for? None of us have all day." Getting more comfortable, Sam laid her hands across her lap, clenching them together as she went.
Slowly.oh, so slowly, Elrond came across the room and joined her in the group of chairs. Then Arwen followed him, taking a seat next to Sam herself. None of them said a word. Finally, when she couldn't take it any longer, Sam looked up and met the gaze of Galadriel, who was unhurriedly coming towards them with Celeborn at her side. And it was staring up into the gaze of this lovely golden elf that gave Sam the courage she knew she would need to see this meeting through, for Galadriel wore on her face a soft, winning smile that was for Sam herself. There was an odd twinkle in her eye and Sam realised that she was slightly looking forward to what laid ahead.
But from that, Sam knew that what ever happened, she would have the Queen's support and that gave her great comfort, knowing that she would always have a friend here in Lothlórien.
Pulling all her military background from its hiding place at the back of her mind, Sam sat up straighter and met Elrond's firm gaze head on, two strong personalities going head to head, one for the protection of his world, the other in protection of herself and her baby, for that was all she had left. And she would cling to that for all she was worth.