A/N: This chapter took forever to write because I have no time to write... but somehow, it actually typed itself up for me... ya right, I wish. Anyways, thanks to Clever for helping me, and for reviewing! Thanks to Michiru, simply for putting up with me. And thanx to all the rest of you, you invisible people, who seem to ignore that tiny little button that let's you review.
Ok, well, this is a short chapter and kind of meaningless, but hey, why not add to my chapter count! Anyways, review and tell me how terrifyingly horrible or how fantabulously spiffing this chapter is! Thanks! ~Morgaine of Ithil~

Falling Leaves

Chapter 3~ Mysteries of the Woods

Nilulmaien lay in her bed and slept for the few short hours that an Elf needs. The previously smooth sheets on her bed were now wrinkled and twisted around her body, evident of a turbulent night. Nilulmaien's sleep was disturbing and her dreams were strange half-nightmares. Her rational mind would have reminded her that it was only a dream, but in her dream her mind was powerless...

The dream had begun beautifully, full of soft silver light and the far off sound of tinkling bells. Nilulmaien walked through Lothlorien and noticed a white pavilion set up at the bottom of several trees. She approached curiously, though not worried. All she could make out was eight sleeping forms. She came closer hoping to get a better look.

Just then, Nilulmaien heard a soft melody begin off to her right. It was an Elven woman's voice that sang clearly and perfectly. The song had no words, just smooth flowing notes that the singer blended into phrases. The music captured Nilulmaien's attention and she began to follow it. Her hearing led her through the woods into a secluded part of the forest. As she came closer to the music, she became aware of light that seemed to be coming from the same direction as the music. Finally reaching the source of the music, she saw that the light was around the singer and was very bright, so that she could not see who it was.

A shadow crept from the trees towards the singer and began to choke the edges of the light. The voice faltered, then went on strong, singing with more life and energy than before. At this point, it dawned on Nilulmaien that the light was coming from the singer, not surrounding her. The shadow was closing in on the light, reaching the singer's body and engulfing the Elf as her song was cut off abruptly. Nilulmaien was horrified, but found she could not move to help the unseen Elf. The shadow began now to come closer to her, choosing her as its next victim.

Suddenly she was aware that she could move again and turned to run back to the center of Lothlorien where she knew she would find comfort. As she turned, she glimpsed the black cocoon that held the singing Elf and noticed leaves falling all around it. In her panic, she forgot about the Elf and ran. Somehow, her mind registered that the leaves were still falling around her, drifting gently to the ground. The leaves seemed to give the woods a peaceful atmosphere, yet she was begin pursued by the shadows and was not calm in the least. She ran as fast as she could, the trees a blur around her. Nilulmaien ran to the place where the pavilion was. The pavilion was now deserted and black, whereas before it had been white.

Terror in her mind and veins pushed her onwards, though she did not know where she was going. The trees were losing all their leaves, so that Nilulmaien was surrounding by falling leaves and bare trees. The leaves of Lorien do not fall idly. As Nilulmaien stumbled across a stream, her foot caught on sharp-edged rocks and a searing pain went through her right leg. All she could hear was the pounding of her heart, the water in the stream, and the soft sounds of the leaves still falling around her. The rushing of the water grew louder as the water level rose. Nilulmaien was still trapped by the rocks and watched in horror as the water reached her waist, slowly rising until it was up to her neck, her jaw line, and suddenly she couldn't breathe. She could only see the water around her and bubbles of air that were strangled from her throat. Before all her thoughts dissipated, her mind flashed once more to the beautiful light of the singing Elf and the falling leaves that surrounded it. A last feeling of calmness came to her with the Elven woman's song, but then it was forgotten and all became darkness...

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The Lady Galadriel descended the steps gracefully, her gown whispering on the forest floor. It was late now, and even the Elves who didn't sleep were at rest. The hush of the forest was peaceful and it helped Galadriel calm herself for her task. She moved to the stream and gathered water in her vase. Pouring the water into her mirror, she thought of what she might see... the past was not on her mind this night, the present was unusual and worthy of study. But the future disturbed her most of all. The Lady was not one who needed guidance, but this one time, she would look into the mirror to find an answer. Setting aside the silver vase, she looked into the quiet, reflective mirror...and waiting...until her reflection shimmered and she saw...

Nilulmaien, the young Elf whose mind her confused Galadriel that evening. Her face was covered with a look of pain, so deep and intense, that at the same time it was power and anger. The image of Nilulmaien opened its mouth to scream.... and the image shimmered again... to be replaced by the eight shadowy forms of travelers, that soon would be coming to Lorien... another shimmer... a close-up of brown eyes, now possessed with a strange feeling. A reflection could be seen in them, but all it showed was a bright light, similar to the one Galadriel had seen in the future of Nilulmaien's mind... a final shimmer from the mirror... darkness, suddenly pierced by points of light, and silence, suddenly shattered with cries of pain, or anger, or despair.... the water became still and Galadriel found herself to once again be looking at her own face.

This young Elf brings many mysteries with her, Galadriel thought. Perhaps it is time to begin preparing for the future...

A/N: ooh... scary. not really, but that's ok. I couldn't figure out how to finish this chapter, so that's the way it ends. also, I've changed the title of my story!!! Tell me what you think... personally, I thought that the mirror sequence was lacking, but whatever. Yours is the opinion that matters!!! I'll be updating more often now, because finals are over and I have more time. Please review!!! Thanks! ~Morgaine of Ithil~