Authors: Lucy and Lakaren

Summary: The Company meets with Galadriel and Celeborn - the girls further experience Lothlorien.

Disclaimer: No mine, no sue. All characters with the exceptions of Rae and Rebecca belong to Professor Tolkien, God rest his soul. . . I pray that that wonderful genius of a man is not rolling in his grave after the display that was delivered by Andy Sirkus and the technical team that created the visualization of Tolkien's most interesting character: Gollum. The MTV Movie Awards premiered on June 5, 2003, at which Gollum won the Award for Best Virtual Performance. He swore so much that the bleep-machine couldn't keep up, and he physically and verbally attacked Andy. . . Did Peter Jackson approve that? *sigh*

Warning: Adult Language. (* = Elvish Translation) WE ARE NOT MARY-SUES. OUR CHARACTERS ARE NOT MARY-SUES. They are intelligent young women, with no desire to become romantically involved with any of the characters in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. They are not of average 'Mary-Sue' appearance; they are based heavily on Lakaren and I, brunettes with issues. So, just a warning, please, do not refer to us as 'Mary-Sues', or blood will flow like the mighty Mississippi.

As for language, we chose a rating that would be appropriate for our language. I understand that the words chosen may not be appropriate, and they certainly to not enhance the story (by any means other than comically) but the way our characters speak, is the way we speak, and that is how we chose to write our fiction. If you do not wish to read swear words, I would advise you to find a fanfic that is rated G. Tolkien did not use swear words in his work, and for that I respect him. His work was for children and young adults. That was also 40 years ago, and times have changed. (His material is no less amazing or deserving of our respect, however.) I hope you all can appreciate our story for it's heart, and not for it's minor flaws. I have spotted numerous typos, but I think they add character. (That, and I'm too lazy to fix all of the files and then re-upload them.)

Please give us reviews!

Thank you and have a pleasant time.

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Rebecca gazed upwards at the flets far above her head in the trees. She glanced to Rae, and let out a sigh of anticipation.

Rae shared her feelings of worry and restlessness. It had been a long journey through the forests of Lorien. Haldir had spoken long of the land, and frankly, their ears were as tired as their feet and limbs. His voice was soothing, but the subject of his speech nearly put them to sleep. Finally, they had reached the stunning tree where the band of ten would face the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. It was vast and its grey tones seemed to shimmer in the early evening mists. Rae was endearing a sinking feeling in her stomach as she watched Frodo follow Legolas up the ladder to the fair ones. What would the Lady say to her? What would she ask of them? What was to become of them? For Rae, this was similar to awaiting judgment. . . condemnation.

Rebecca, on the other hand, was studying the Fellowship. The Hobbits were gathered around Aragorn. He gave them kind words of advice before he disappeared up the rope ladder. She saw the anxiety in their eyes. Her heart went out to Pippin. After his many mistakes, his eyes were ever watchful, constantly wandering to make sure of any opportunities he might have to slip up: to avoid them.

Sam's fingers were on the ladder before Aragorn was out of sight. Frodo had gone first with Legolas, and Sam had thought for sure he might follow as third. To his dismay, Aragorn stepped up to the woven stairway to follow the Ring bearer. Gimli, anxious to spy upon the maiden of the wood, took his turn next. Sam's ears began to grow red, and his eyes shifted nervously. Rebecca moved over closer to the fidgeting Hobbit - "Sam, go ahead, go right up," she said. She stepped in between the ladder and Pippin, and allowed Sam to begin his climb. Sadly, he was following closely behind Gimli. . . and Rebecca closed her eyes in silent prayer that Sam would make it to the flet of sound mind and body.

Sam had smiled a thankful smile in reply to Rebecca's actions, and scurried his way up behind the dwarf. She moved back over to Rae's side, and looked to the earth. Rae glanced around, attempting to take in her gorgeous surroundings, and to keep her mind off of the ruling pair of Elves.

"What do you think she'll say?" Rebecca finally broke the silence, as she watched Boromir grab for the ladder. The Hobbits had gone, and it would soon be their turn. Their things were piled neatly at the foot of the great tree, so to make their climb and decline more bearable. With the weight off of her shoulders, Rebecca's mind was still burdened so, that she felt as if she still carried the weight of her pack.

Rae looked to her friend and sighed, "I don't know. . . " She crouched down and began to fiddle with a stick, her mind racing with scenarios that could very well come into play in the near future. Would they be held in Lorien? Would that be for the best? Could they possibly destroy the quest? She picked up a small flower that had floated down from the large malorn and held it in her fingers. "I don't know."

"This has to be a dream. . . a nightmare." Rebecca insisted. "I mean," she sighed, "damn. I feel so vulnerable. I feel like they're already reading my mind."

"They probably are." Rae replied, as she tucked the flower she had gathered into her bag at the base of the tree. "I'm going up. No sense in delaying the inevitable."

Rebecca nodded and gave Rae's shoulder a bump with her own, before the smaller girl stepped onto the first rung.

Rebecca looked about at the elves that were wandering here and there. They each seemed as though they had a task, but they were in no hurry to complete it. They were all full of grace and light. Everything was just how she had imagined. Her train of thought began to wander, and she clasped her hand around the rung that was level with her elbow. She began to think. . .

Had Tolkien dreamt this entire spectacular world up in his own private and wonderful thoughts. . . or had he experienced the same fate, and happened upon this place, as real as the clothes on her body, just as she and Rae had? Was this all just a fantasy thought up by a genius man over decades of labor and toil? Or was this a true place, a whole place. . . with living, breathing beings who had thoughts and lives of their own, and worries and cares and joys and love. . .

"Coming?" Rae's voice asked, ringing from above.

Rebecca snapped out of her daydream, and hopped off of the train. "Yes." Her hand was still holding to the ladder, and she gave a reluctant sigh before she began her own journey upwards.

As Rae emerged onto a large, and particularly beautiful platform, she gazed about until her eyes found the pair she knew to be Celeborn and his wife, Galadriel. They were both incredibly beautiful, just as they were described: far more mysterious and wonderful than any movie could portray. The pair was clad in shimmering white, and their hair contrasted gracefully: Celeborn with his silvery white, and Galadriel, who possessed radiant, shimmering locks of white gold. Rae's breath was nearly taken away. They were truly a sight to behold. Legolas, to her dismay, did not compare in appearance to the Lord of Lorien, but the Mirkwood elf still held reign over her secret affections. She stood, meekly, and then her eyes met the Lady's.

She seemed to be reading Rae's emotions, and learning from her, taking information, and at the same time, Rae felt she was being taught a lesson like none other she could value. Galadriel's eyes seemed to tell the story of a thousand lifetimes, a thousand lives; they shone with infinite wisdom and heart.

~~You have not journeyed far, young woman, yet you are distant from your home, and your life. . . You fear what I may tell you, I can read it in your heart. You have been conjoined with this company for reasons I cannot say, but do not fear. Have heart. You will serve great purpose when your time comes. I imagine you seek rest, and your mind does need to come to peace. You know far more than I shall like to declare, Rae, as does your companion. Do not doubt your minds, and do not doubt the counsel of your company. Great things shall come to pass, and dark things as well. . . but now is a time for rest. Sit with your company, and you shall find that rest soon enough.~~

Rae watched the face of the Elven Queen, and her lips did not move, but Rae heard the unmistakably fair voice of the 'enchantress' in her thoughts. She felt at peace, at least for the time being. Frodo sat at the side of the Lord, and the rest of the company faced the pair. She waited anxiously for Rebecca, who was sauntering her way up to the flet.

What words would the Lady have for her companion?