" Be still young one, " Galadriel once again spoke to the young woman' s
mind. " We are only trying to help you. There is much to talk of this day.
Before we can discuss anything, I must cast a speech spell over you so that
you may speak and learn our language. Fear not. "
The young woman understood now that these strange and majestic beings were not trying to harm her. She realized that they must have found her after she arrived in the strange forest. But what she couldn' t understand was why they had bothered. For many years she had been forced to fend for herself, away from others. As a result, any acts of kindness were few and far between. It was all too much, too fast, and she began to feel dizzy.
Galadriel moved to the bedside and sat next to the young woman. She smiled at the maiden who looked as if she were very cofused. Galadriel reached out and touched a single, slender finger to the young woman's dark red lips and one to her own pale pink lips. The incantation fell like a warm breeze on the maiden. She could feel her faintness slip away and her fear begin to ebb. The tension in her body began to ease and her mind relaxed. As Galadriel finished the spell the girl felt as if her mind had awoken from a deep slumber, renewed and refreshed. It had worked.
" How are you feeling, my dear? " asked Galadriel with a knowing smile.
" I feel. . . strange, " the young woman replied. She was mystified. She finaly felt somewhat at peace after years of turmoil. What was most wonderuos was the sensation of this strange new language on her mind, ears, and lips. The experience was truly amazing.
" That is to be expected young one, for this spell will give one many sensations. But, pray, tell us your name. " Galadriel implored.
" I am called Marsaili, " she replied.
" I am Galadriel, Lady of the Wood of Lothlorien, and this, " she gracefully gestured to the scowling elf beside the bed, " is Haldir, Captain of the Gaurd. Here, take this, it should ease the pain of your wounds. " Galadriel handed her a small, glass vial that contained a deep blue elixhir. " The taste is unpleasant, but the effects are satisfactory. " Galadriel encouraged as she twisted open the vial and handed it to Marsaili.
Marsaili took the vial and put it to her lips. She poured the elixhir into her mouth and fought the urge to gag. Galadriel was correct, it did taste horrible, but after a few moments she could feel her pain diminish. This elixhir was indeed powerful.
" Diola lle. " ( thank you) Marsaili gratefully replied.
" Your welcome. " Galadriel replied. " Although you will feel less pain from your wounds, you should till be mindful not to upset them again. Now, if you both will follow me, " she said, looking at both Haldir and Marlaili, " we have much to discuss. "
Galadriel raised herself from the bed and made her way to the door. Masaili started to sit up on the bed, but was promptly laid down again by her injuries. This was by no means going to be easy. Haldir now walked over to the door and stood waiting for her, Galadriel was now on her way to the hall and had instructed Haldir to bring Marsaili there for an audience.
Graoning, Marsaili made another unsucsesful attempt to sit up. She glared at Haldir in frustration as he stood smirking at her from the doorway. She' d be damned if she asked him for help, but it seemed as if she would have to.
" Can you help me please! And not just stand there with that look on your face? " Marsaili snipped.
" Well you didn' t need my help when you were attacking me. And I' d say it takes a great deal more effort than sitting up in bed. " Haldir retorted.
" Well if you don' t help me then we' ll never get there. So I' d say you don' t really have a choice. " Marsaili said matter- of- factly.
" Fine. " Haldir huffed. He went over to the bed and slowly helped her up. She hissed in pain as her body finaly came to a sitting position. She managed to slide her legs over the edge and was about to and was about to try to stand when Haldir put out a hand to stop her. She shrank from his touch.
" Strange, " Haldir thought, " not something you' d expect from one so cocky. "
" I believe you' ll need some assistance in walking. I suggest you let me carry you to the hall. " said Haldir.
" Oh no you won' t. " Marsaili indignantly stated. " I' m perfectly capable of walking. " And with that she slid herself off the bed and onto her feet. " Oh gods! Not a good idea. " she thought as she fell to the floor, stiffling a scream that threatened to barrel its way out of her. She lay on the floor, legs trembling in pain, as a few silent tears fell from her tightly shut eyes.
Haldir was horrified and at her side in an instant. " Oh, no! I should never have let her do anything so stupid. " he thought. " Wait, she can' t see you like this, she can' t know. "Before she opened her tear filled eyes, he regained a nuetral expresion and picked her up, saying, " Well it appears as if you do need my assistance after all."
She said nothing as he carried her to the hall. She vowed to herself never to act so rashly infront of him again. But still she couldn' t understand why she felt she had to impress him at all. " he' s a pompous jerk. " she thought. " But if I hate him so much, why am I so attracted to him? It' s like I' m in love with him, but I can' t be. This is just too strange. Untill I get a handle on my feelings, I' m just going to avoid him. "
They reached the hall and found both the Lady Galadriel and the Lord Celeborn waiting for them. Lord Celeborn smiled at the two individuals before him and bid them sit in the chairs that had been provided.
" Greetings Haldir. " he said. " I' m glad to see that your task has successfullly been completed. " He turned to the woman. " I am Lord Celeborn of Lothlorien. I believe you have already met my wife. " He took Galadriel' s hand and smiled lovingly at her. " Now, young one, " he said, turning back to the assembled party, " what is your name? "
" Marlaili, my lord. " she stated.
" That is a lovely name. " he said. " Are your accomodations to your liking? "
" Yes my lord, " she said.
" That is good to hear, but I am sure you have many questions. Let us try to anser them. " he said. " You have arrived in Lothlorien through a vortex, or passage through space and time. " Celeborn told her. " You are in one of the elvin realms of Middle- Earth. We have reason to believe that you are prt of a small group of humans that are gifted with immortality. That gift was awoken when you recieved a mortal wound. It was also most likely why you were attacked.I fear that it is now immpossible for you to leave untill the threat against you has ended. Untill then you will reside with the elves of Lothlorien. I' m afriad that is all we can tell you at this moment. I hope that we have answered at least some of your questions. "
" Thank you my lord. I am grateful for your aid. " Marsili said. Although most of her questions were answered, a whole new sety were taking hold. Who were her attackers? Why doid she recieve this gift?What is Middle- Earth? And would she ever see what little she had called her home again? Although the situation was daunting, she knew this time she couldn' t run. She had to face her fears.
" Haldir, " Lord Celeborn broke into Marsaili' s thoughts, " You will teach her our ways. She is now in your charge. See to it that she learns of our customs, traditions and history. You will also be charged with teaching her how to defend herself in case of an attack from those who pusue her. "
"Yes my lord, " Haldir replied, " It will be done as you have asked. " even as he said this the weight of his decision began to settle on his already troubled heart. " Why me? " he thought. " This just doesn' t get any easier! How am I going to keep my feelings from showing? Today was hard enough!It wouldn' t be so bad if I could explain my feelings, but I can' t. I wonder if this is what love feels like, but how would Iknow? "
Marsaili was having similar thoughts of her own. " Great! " she thought, " Does the nightmare never end? The situation, alone, is bad enough, and now I' m stuck with him. It' s bad enough that he' s a jerk, but I' m starting to feel attracted to him. What is going on? Well, I can' t avoid him now."
Later that evening-
The starry sky was like a quilt over the forrest. The cool breeze made the leaves dance in the trees andbrought thes smell of blossoms and earth to the two lone star gazers, apart and unknown to each other. From the time they were young, both had looked to the midnight heavens for peace when life became difficult But tonight there would be no ret for thier weary souls. Each had a burning desire for the one they would not allow themselves to have. Both were stubborn and set in thier ways, holding on to pride as if it were a shield to protect them from the unknown. Tonight thier bodies would rest, butd thier minds would wander. As Haldir and Marsaili lay in thier beds they knew they would not find the realm of dreams tonight.
The young woman understood now that these strange and majestic beings were not trying to harm her. She realized that they must have found her after she arrived in the strange forest. But what she couldn' t understand was why they had bothered. For many years she had been forced to fend for herself, away from others. As a result, any acts of kindness were few and far between. It was all too much, too fast, and she began to feel dizzy.
Galadriel moved to the bedside and sat next to the young woman. She smiled at the maiden who looked as if she were very cofused. Galadriel reached out and touched a single, slender finger to the young woman's dark red lips and one to her own pale pink lips. The incantation fell like a warm breeze on the maiden. She could feel her faintness slip away and her fear begin to ebb. The tension in her body began to ease and her mind relaxed. As Galadriel finished the spell the girl felt as if her mind had awoken from a deep slumber, renewed and refreshed. It had worked.
" How are you feeling, my dear? " asked Galadriel with a knowing smile.
" I feel. . . strange, " the young woman replied. She was mystified. She finaly felt somewhat at peace after years of turmoil. What was most wonderuos was the sensation of this strange new language on her mind, ears, and lips. The experience was truly amazing.
" That is to be expected young one, for this spell will give one many sensations. But, pray, tell us your name. " Galadriel implored.
" I am called Marsaili, " she replied.
" I am Galadriel, Lady of the Wood of Lothlorien, and this, " she gracefully gestured to the scowling elf beside the bed, " is Haldir, Captain of the Gaurd. Here, take this, it should ease the pain of your wounds. " Galadriel handed her a small, glass vial that contained a deep blue elixhir. " The taste is unpleasant, but the effects are satisfactory. " Galadriel encouraged as she twisted open the vial and handed it to Marsaili.
Marsaili took the vial and put it to her lips. She poured the elixhir into her mouth and fought the urge to gag. Galadriel was correct, it did taste horrible, but after a few moments she could feel her pain diminish. This elixhir was indeed powerful.
" Diola lle. " ( thank you) Marsaili gratefully replied.
" Your welcome. " Galadriel replied. " Although you will feel less pain from your wounds, you should till be mindful not to upset them again. Now, if you both will follow me, " she said, looking at both Haldir and Marlaili, " we have much to discuss. "
Galadriel raised herself from the bed and made her way to the door. Masaili started to sit up on the bed, but was promptly laid down again by her injuries. This was by no means going to be easy. Haldir now walked over to the door and stood waiting for her, Galadriel was now on her way to the hall and had instructed Haldir to bring Marsaili there for an audience.
Graoning, Marsaili made another unsucsesful attempt to sit up. She glared at Haldir in frustration as he stood smirking at her from the doorway. She' d be damned if she asked him for help, but it seemed as if she would have to.
" Can you help me please! And not just stand there with that look on your face? " Marsaili snipped.
" Well you didn' t need my help when you were attacking me. And I' d say it takes a great deal more effort than sitting up in bed. " Haldir retorted.
" Well if you don' t help me then we' ll never get there. So I' d say you don' t really have a choice. " Marsaili said matter- of- factly.
" Fine. " Haldir huffed. He went over to the bed and slowly helped her up. She hissed in pain as her body finaly came to a sitting position. She managed to slide her legs over the edge and was about to and was about to try to stand when Haldir put out a hand to stop her. She shrank from his touch.
" Strange, " Haldir thought, " not something you' d expect from one so cocky. "
" I believe you' ll need some assistance in walking. I suggest you let me carry you to the hall. " said Haldir.
" Oh no you won' t. " Marsaili indignantly stated. " I' m perfectly capable of walking. " And with that she slid herself off the bed and onto her feet. " Oh gods! Not a good idea. " she thought as she fell to the floor, stiffling a scream that threatened to barrel its way out of her. She lay on the floor, legs trembling in pain, as a few silent tears fell from her tightly shut eyes.
Haldir was horrified and at her side in an instant. " Oh, no! I should never have let her do anything so stupid. " he thought. " Wait, she can' t see you like this, she can' t know. "Before she opened her tear filled eyes, he regained a nuetral expresion and picked her up, saying, " Well it appears as if you do need my assistance after all."
She said nothing as he carried her to the hall. She vowed to herself never to act so rashly infront of him again. But still she couldn' t understand why she felt she had to impress him at all. " he' s a pompous jerk. " she thought. " But if I hate him so much, why am I so attracted to him? It' s like I' m in love with him, but I can' t be. This is just too strange. Untill I get a handle on my feelings, I' m just going to avoid him. "
They reached the hall and found both the Lady Galadriel and the Lord Celeborn waiting for them. Lord Celeborn smiled at the two individuals before him and bid them sit in the chairs that had been provided.
" Greetings Haldir. " he said. " I' m glad to see that your task has successfullly been completed. " He turned to the woman. " I am Lord Celeborn of Lothlorien. I believe you have already met my wife. " He took Galadriel' s hand and smiled lovingly at her. " Now, young one, " he said, turning back to the assembled party, " what is your name? "
" Marlaili, my lord. " she stated.
" That is a lovely name. " he said. " Are your accomodations to your liking? "
" Yes my lord, " she said.
" That is good to hear, but I am sure you have many questions. Let us try to anser them. " he said. " You have arrived in Lothlorien through a vortex, or passage through space and time. " Celeborn told her. " You are in one of the elvin realms of Middle- Earth. We have reason to believe that you are prt of a small group of humans that are gifted with immortality. That gift was awoken when you recieved a mortal wound. It was also most likely why you were attacked.I fear that it is now immpossible for you to leave untill the threat against you has ended. Untill then you will reside with the elves of Lothlorien. I' m afriad that is all we can tell you at this moment. I hope that we have answered at least some of your questions. "
" Thank you my lord. I am grateful for your aid. " Marsili said. Although most of her questions were answered, a whole new sety were taking hold. Who were her attackers? Why doid she recieve this gift?What is Middle- Earth? And would she ever see what little she had called her home again? Although the situation was daunting, she knew this time she couldn' t run. She had to face her fears.
" Haldir, " Lord Celeborn broke into Marsaili' s thoughts, " You will teach her our ways. She is now in your charge. See to it that she learns of our customs, traditions and history. You will also be charged with teaching her how to defend herself in case of an attack from those who pusue her. "
"Yes my lord, " Haldir replied, " It will be done as you have asked. " even as he said this the weight of his decision began to settle on his already troubled heart. " Why me? " he thought. " This just doesn' t get any easier! How am I going to keep my feelings from showing? Today was hard enough!It wouldn' t be so bad if I could explain my feelings, but I can' t. I wonder if this is what love feels like, but how would Iknow? "
Marsaili was having similar thoughts of her own. " Great! " she thought, " Does the nightmare never end? The situation, alone, is bad enough, and now I' m stuck with him. It' s bad enough that he' s a jerk, but I' m starting to feel attracted to him. What is going on? Well, I can' t avoid him now."
Later that evening-
The starry sky was like a quilt over the forrest. The cool breeze made the leaves dance in the trees andbrought thes smell of blossoms and earth to the two lone star gazers, apart and unknown to each other. From the time they were young, both had looked to the midnight heavens for peace when life became difficult But tonight there would be no ret for thier weary souls. Each had a burning desire for the one they would not allow themselves to have. Both were stubborn and set in thier ways, holding on to pride as if it were a shield to protect them from the unknown. Tonight thier bodies would rest, butd thier minds would wander. As Haldir and Marsaili lay in thier beds they knew they would not find the realm of dreams tonight.