Chapter 8
In Lothlorien Haldir is speaking to the Lady Galadriel. "I had a very ill sleep last night and now tonight I can not even lay my head upon my pillow I must know that Ithil is all right." He says, desperation creeping into his voice.
"I can do what you ask Haldir, however you may not like what it is that you will see. Know this, the middle of the night is where the darkest of secrets are born. The mirror will show you what you desire and more; you have been warned."
"My Lady, I hear your warning and my heart also warns me. However I would rather know the truth then be in the dark. I did not know fear in battle but now I find its icy grasp upon my heart. I must know that Ithil is alright."
"You have made your decision. Follow me." Galadriel leads him down to where the basin rests on its pedestal. She fills the pitcher with water, walks to the basin and pours the water in. "Here is your last chance to turn away Haldir. Once knowledge is obtained it can not be unlearned."
"I understand I do not wish to turn away." Haldir says as he leans over the mirror.
"Focus all of your thoughts on her, let nothing else enter your mind." Galadriel closes her eyes. Haldir thinks about Ithil's green eyes and they way they used to laugh at him as he bantered back and forth with his brothers. He thinks of dancing with her in the moonlight. The late night walks they took. An image starts to form in the still water. Bending closer to the surface of the water he lets all his mind, body and heart dwell on his love for her. On the water's surface he sees her, she's lying in bed, the moonlight shining on her soft features. He smiles, she seems all right, must be asleep in Rivendell. But then her eyes open and her mouth forms a silent gasp. What is this? Another face appears over hers; it bends down and they kiss passionately. Haldir cannot see the face for long blond elvish hair blocks it from view. Haldir cannot believe his eyes, surely the mirror is lying, and it has to be.
"The mirror knows no deceit." Galadriel's voice says softly into his mind. The image in the mirror shows Ithil's hand brushing the hair away from the face. Haldir again cannot believe his eyes the face it belongs to Legolas!
Once more Haldir witnesses their passionate kissing and the image in the mirror pulls back to reveal the two of them locked in a lover's embrace. Their naked bodies are entwined, their hands stroke each other's flesh and the sweat of their bodies glisten in the moonlight. Haldir can look no more; he grabs the basin and throws it against a rock where the metal shatters as if it is glass. Looking up he sees Galadriel looking at him. He cannot accept it. He runs from her sight and into the night. Haldir does not stop running until he reaches the Nimrodel.
"Noooooooooooo!!!!" Haldir screams with all his soul then falls to his knees in the mud of the riverbank.
In Lothlorien Haldir is speaking to the Lady Galadriel. "I had a very ill sleep last night and now tonight I can not even lay my head upon my pillow I must know that Ithil is all right." He says, desperation creeping into his voice.
"I can do what you ask Haldir, however you may not like what it is that you will see. Know this, the middle of the night is where the darkest of secrets are born. The mirror will show you what you desire and more; you have been warned."
"My Lady, I hear your warning and my heart also warns me. However I would rather know the truth then be in the dark. I did not know fear in battle but now I find its icy grasp upon my heart. I must know that Ithil is alright."
"You have made your decision. Follow me." Galadriel leads him down to where the basin rests on its pedestal. She fills the pitcher with water, walks to the basin and pours the water in. "Here is your last chance to turn away Haldir. Once knowledge is obtained it can not be unlearned."
"I understand I do not wish to turn away." Haldir says as he leans over the mirror.
"Focus all of your thoughts on her, let nothing else enter your mind." Galadriel closes her eyes. Haldir thinks about Ithil's green eyes and they way they used to laugh at him as he bantered back and forth with his brothers. He thinks of dancing with her in the moonlight. The late night walks they took. An image starts to form in the still water. Bending closer to the surface of the water he lets all his mind, body and heart dwell on his love for her. On the water's surface he sees her, she's lying in bed, the moonlight shining on her soft features. He smiles, she seems all right, must be asleep in Rivendell. But then her eyes open and her mouth forms a silent gasp. What is this? Another face appears over hers; it bends down and they kiss passionately. Haldir cannot see the face for long blond elvish hair blocks it from view. Haldir cannot believe his eyes, surely the mirror is lying, and it has to be.
"The mirror knows no deceit." Galadriel's voice says softly into his mind. The image in the mirror shows Ithil's hand brushing the hair away from the face. Haldir again cannot believe his eyes the face it belongs to Legolas!
Once more Haldir witnesses their passionate kissing and the image in the mirror pulls back to reveal the two of them locked in a lover's embrace. Their naked bodies are entwined, their hands stroke each other's flesh and the sweat of their bodies glisten in the moonlight. Haldir can look no more; he grabs the basin and throws it against a rock where the metal shatters as if it is glass. Looking up he sees Galadriel looking at him. He cannot accept it. He runs from her sight and into the night. Haldir does not stop running until he reaches the Nimrodel.
"Noooooooooooo!!!!" Haldir screams with all his soul then falls to his knees in the mud of the riverbank.