Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. If you see any characters or any
of that stuff that you don't recognize, it's mine. The rest belongs to
Tolkien.
Chapter Sixteen
In what seemed like a few minutes, the blindfolds were taken off. Ali blinked in the sunlight and looked around. Lothlorien was so beautiful.
"You don't need the blindfolds anymore," Haldir said coldly. "Follow me."
The Fellowship followed after the Elves and soon they were climbing up a flight of stairs that were wrapped around a huge tree. As Ali looked around, she realized there more flights of stairs like this. Ali wondered how long it took to build this huge realm of Lothlorien.
Soon they came to the top the top. Ali blinked again at the light and as she got used to it, she saw that the light came from a man and a woman standing on a small flight of stairs. Ali instantly felt the need to bow her head slightly in respect. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the rest of the Fellowship was doing something similar.
The man and woman stood and looked at them silently for a few minutes. Ali felt like the woman in front of them could hear what she was thinking and studying her hard.
"Eight that are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me where is Gandalf? For I had a much desire to speak with him," the man said.
"You are forgetting the young maiden who is also with them," the woman said.
The man turned to look at Ali. Ali shifted feet uncomfortably.
"Yes, indeed. A small, fair maiden. Some purpose that Elrond to send her with them, I do not know. But a purpose indeed," the man said.
Ali for the life of her couldn't speak, even if she wanted to. She suddenly remembered that these two people were Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. But why were they making a prolonged notice of her?
"She came along to help us. To keep us together, Lord Celeborn," Aragorn spoke up.
Celeborn didn't say anything, but Ali had a feeling that he understood.
"Gandalf has fallen into shadow," Galadriel said. Everybody stared at her, hanging onto every word. They couldn't help it. "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all." Galadriel looks at Boromir. Boromir starts to shake and looked like he was about to cry. Ali couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Galadriel continued as she turned to look at Sam, "Yet hope remains while company is true. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."
Just then, Ali heard a voice inside her head. 'Alexandria Wimund, the one who is keeping them together! You will need some advice and some medical help.'
Ali looked up at Galadriel. She seemed to be looking right at her. Ali finally broke her gaze from her.
"It appears that the fair maiden is injured. Haldir, please take her and heal her. Then return her to the Fellowship," Galadriel said.
Haldir bowed and led Ali away from Celeborn and Galadriel. Ali followed behind the tall Elf, holding her arm, as it was getting more painful by the minute.
"Let me see your arm," Haldir said after they reached their destination.
Ali held out her injured arm, feeling more pain shoot up it. The arm had fresh bandages on from the night before when Aragorn had redressed it. Haldir gently took the bandages off and carefully looking at the arm, showing no signs on his face.
"Hmm.looks like you've run into some trouble with an Orc, if I may ask?" Haldir commented.
"Yes. They attacked us while we were in the Mines of Moria. One decided to take me on," Ali replied.
Ali couldn't have sworn it, but she thought she saw a small smile pass quickly across Haldir's face. But as quickly as it came, it was gone.
"Yes, the Orc must have slashed at you. Those Orc swords have been everywhere, so it might have had some kind of germ or poison or whatever on it and it has infected your arm," Haldir commented. "But I can help take it away."
He went to a shelf in the room that they were in and took down some medicine. Haldir walked back over to Ali and applied some to the cut on Ali's arm. Ali winced slightly as Haldir applied the medicine, but slowly the pain eased to a very dull throb.
"You shall be able to use your arm now, my lady," Haldir said. "But it won't be completely healed for a while. Now for me to take you back to your companions."
Soon Ali was back with the Fellowship. Most of them were relaxing and thinking quietly. Ali could probably guess what they were thinking about; it wasn't that difficult.
Pippin stood up and walked over to Ali as Haldir left Ali's side to talk to Aragorn.
"You're arm's better, Ali," Pippin exclaimed. "Can you use it?"
Ali smiled and moved the arm a little bit.
"Yes, I can move it, Pip. It still hurts a little bit, but not enough that I can't use it. What do you think of that one?"
"That's wonderful. Let's hope that it gets better completely soon," Pippin said.
"Let's hope," Ali replied.
That night, Ali woke up suddenly. She sat up and saw that Lady Galadriel was walking past her quietly. Galadriel seemed to be beckoning Ali to follow her, so Ali got up quietly as to not wake up the hobbits that were sleeping near her and followed after her. Ali wondered where they were going. After a few minutes, they came to a flight of stairs and Ali walked down them with Galadriel already down the stairs and standing next to a small pool with a miniature waterfall.
"Will you look into the mirror?" Galadriel asked as Ali reached the bottom step.
"But what will I see?" Ali asked, feeling like a Frodo, who had also said the same things in the movie, if she remembered correctly.
"Even the wisest cannot tell, for the mirror shows many things," Galadriel walked over to the mirror and started to slowly pour in the water. "Things that were, things that are, and some things-that have not yet come to pass." Galadriel stepped away from the mirror. "I cannot tell you what you will see, you just have to see for yourself."
Ali nodded silently and walked over to the mirror, stepping up onto the small step so she could see into it. Ali gasped quietly. She saw everybody that she knew. Eli, Elena, her parents, all her other friends; everybody that she missed so much it hurt. Then she saw each of the Fellowship, looking sad. Pippin, especially, who seemed to be crying quietly to himself in a corner.
"Please don't cry, Pippin," Ali murmured to herself.
But the image didn't last forever. The next few images were what made Ali truly gasp. The Fellowship was battling a seemingly endless flow of Orcs and Uruk Hai. Boromir was leaning against a tree, seemingly asleep, but there were arrows sticking in him. The Uruk Hai were taking Merry and Pippin away and Frodo and Sam were rowing a canoe across the river by themselves. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimili standing around Boromir; weeping at their loss.
Ali let out a small cry. Is this what the future was holding for all of them? All to be broken up and die a slow death? Ali looked up at Lady Galadriel. She had her eyes closed as if in thought. Ali went back to looking into the mirror. There was some kind of slimy, skinny, gray character following after Frodo and Sam. Sam didn't seem too happy about it. Then there were images of everybody else in the Fellowship, other people Ali didn't recognize. A huge battle at a keep with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimili. Haldir was there, too, and he seemed to be dying. Suddenly Ali pulled back away from the mirror.
"I don't want to see anymore. Please don't let me see anymore," Ali pleaded, stepping away from the mirror.
Galadriel opened her eyes up and looked at Ali carefully. Ali looked back at her, panting slightly. If this was to happen, what should she do?
"I know what it is you saw, for it was also in my mind," Galadriel said.
"Oh, that's nice. If you saw it, too, then what do I do? How do I keep them together? If I can't, who do I follow?" Ali asked, looking up at Galadriel.
"I think, Lady Alexandria, you can do nothing to keep them together. But-" Galadriel said, interrupting Ali's protests, "Some things you could change so it wouldn't be a complete failure in your eyes. You just have to decide what's important to you."
"What's important to me?" Ali sputtered. "To have them broken up and dying slowly? And Boromir and Haldir-they're going to die. And if I leave Merry and Pippin, they could die at those Uruk Hai's hands. And Frodo and Sam-"
"Maybe, Lady Alexandria, you can do some multi-tasking," Galadriel interrupted.
"How?" Ali asked bitterly.
"Save several people at once. And maybe you can still go with whomever you wish after you stay with them. But I am not you and I can't choose for you. You will know what's best once it happens. And go with what your heart and soul tell you, for they will also help you," Galadriel replied.
"Perhaps. But I feel so small and helpless. I can't possibly do what's best," Ali said. "All I want to do is go home. To where everything is familiar to me."
Galadriel looked down and smiled sadly at Ali. "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future, Lady Alexandria. And about your home, I'm sure you'll be able to get back home sooner or later, if you want it bad enough."
"But I DO want it bad enough. But I don't want to leave before this is all over. If I do, I might feel guilty for the rest of my life and think that I could've changed the course future; that something that I did could've made a difference to whether we won or lost in the war against Sauron," Ali commented.
"I'm sure you're right, Lady Alexandria. But in these days, not even the Elves know what to decide," Galadriel said. "But go and rest now, you have had a long day and grief is still upon you. You won't be doing any good to the Fellowship if you are tired and not much use."
Ali nodded and went back to her sleeping area. Soon she fell asleep, listening to the Elves singing sadly in the treetops, remembering that Legolas had said they were singing a lament for Gandalf, but wouldn't tell what they were singing because the grief was still too near for him. Everything that happens happens for a reason, indeed.
A/n: Here's chapter sixteen. I hope you all liked it. And before anybody asks, no, I have not yet decided which way Ali's going when the Fellowship breaks. I've got several theories, but I have yet to figure out how to work it out without straying too far from what Tolkien wrote. If I do, don't yell at me too much, it's only a story, after all. I'll shut up now and happy reading.
Sunni07- Thanks for the review! I'm glad that you like the story and hope you continue reading it. Go short people! Laugh out loud.
Melissa Ocean- Thanks for the review! Glad you like the story and I'll update as often as I can. And I didn't specify enough because I'm one of those people who hate writing descriptions. I only manage to get in enough description to keep people happy in stories. Sometimes at least, but enough of that, thanks again for the review!
Kage Miko- Thanks for review! Well, we're all different. Knowing me, I would pass out while I was walking by then. Who knows. Yes, Gimili's a sweetheart. And funny as it would be to see Ali and Gimili like each other that much, I highly doubt I'm going to make that happen. They'll just stay friends. But funny thought, though. Innywho, I'll stop rambling. Thanks again!
Chapter Sixteen
In what seemed like a few minutes, the blindfolds were taken off. Ali blinked in the sunlight and looked around. Lothlorien was so beautiful.
"You don't need the blindfolds anymore," Haldir said coldly. "Follow me."
The Fellowship followed after the Elves and soon they were climbing up a flight of stairs that were wrapped around a huge tree. As Ali looked around, she realized there more flights of stairs like this. Ali wondered how long it took to build this huge realm of Lothlorien.
Soon they came to the top the top. Ali blinked again at the light and as she got used to it, she saw that the light came from a man and a woman standing on a small flight of stairs. Ali instantly felt the need to bow her head slightly in respect. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the rest of the Fellowship was doing something similar.
The man and woman stood and looked at them silently for a few minutes. Ali felt like the woman in front of them could hear what she was thinking and studying her hard.
"Eight that are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me where is Gandalf? For I had a much desire to speak with him," the man said.
"You are forgetting the young maiden who is also with them," the woman said.
The man turned to look at Ali. Ali shifted feet uncomfortably.
"Yes, indeed. A small, fair maiden. Some purpose that Elrond to send her with them, I do not know. But a purpose indeed," the man said.
Ali for the life of her couldn't speak, even if she wanted to. She suddenly remembered that these two people were Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. But why were they making a prolonged notice of her?
"She came along to help us. To keep us together, Lord Celeborn," Aragorn spoke up.
Celeborn didn't say anything, but Ali had a feeling that he understood.
"Gandalf has fallen into shadow," Galadriel said. Everybody stared at her, hanging onto every word. They couldn't help it. "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all." Galadriel looks at Boromir. Boromir starts to shake and looked like he was about to cry. Ali couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Galadriel continued as she turned to look at Sam, "Yet hope remains while company is true. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."
Just then, Ali heard a voice inside her head. 'Alexandria Wimund, the one who is keeping them together! You will need some advice and some medical help.'
Ali looked up at Galadriel. She seemed to be looking right at her. Ali finally broke her gaze from her.
"It appears that the fair maiden is injured. Haldir, please take her and heal her. Then return her to the Fellowship," Galadriel said.
Haldir bowed and led Ali away from Celeborn and Galadriel. Ali followed behind the tall Elf, holding her arm, as it was getting more painful by the minute.
"Let me see your arm," Haldir said after they reached their destination.
Ali held out her injured arm, feeling more pain shoot up it. The arm had fresh bandages on from the night before when Aragorn had redressed it. Haldir gently took the bandages off and carefully looking at the arm, showing no signs on his face.
"Hmm.looks like you've run into some trouble with an Orc, if I may ask?" Haldir commented.
"Yes. They attacked us while we were in the Mines of Moria. One decided to take me on," Ali replied.
Ali couldn't have sworn it, but she thought she saw a small smile pass quickly across Haldir's face. But as quickly as it came, it was gone.
"Yes, the Orc must have slashed at you. Those Orc swords have been everywhere, so it might have had some kind of germ or poison or whatever on it and it has infected your arm," Haldir commented. "But I can help take it away."
He went to a shelf in the room that they were in and took down some medicine. Haldir walked back over to Ali and applied some to the cut on Ali's arm. Ali winced slightly as Haldir applied the medicine, but slowly the pain eased to a very dull throb.
"You shall be able to use your arm now, my lady," Haldir said. "But it won't be completely healed for a while. Now for me to take you back to your companions."
Soon Ali was back with the Fellowship. Most of them were relaxing and thinking quietly. Ali could probably guess what they were thinking about; it wasn't that difficult.
Pippin stood up and walked over to Ali as Haldir left Ali's side to talk to Aragorn.
"You're arm's better, Ali," Pippin exclaimed. "Can you use it?"
Ali smiled and moved the arm a little bit.
"Yes, I can move it, Pip. It still hurts a little bit, but not enough that I can't use it. What do you think of that one?"
"That's wonderful. Let's hope that it gets better completely soon," Pippin said.
"Let's hope," Ali replied.
That night, Ali woke up suddenly. She sat up and saw that Lady Galadriel was walking past her quietly. Galadriel seemed to be beckoning Ali to follow her, so Ali got up quietly as to not wake up the hobbits that were sleeping near her and followed after her. Ali wondered where they were going. After a few minutes, they came to a flight of stairs and Ali walked down them with Galadriel already down the stairs and standing next to a small pool with a miniature waterfall.
"Will you look into the mirror?" Galadriel asked as Ali reached the bottom step.
"But what will I see?" Ali asked, feeling like a Frodo, who had also said the same things in the movie, if she remembered correctly.
"Even the wisest cannot tell, for the mirror shows many things," Galadriel walked over to the mirror and started to slowly pour in the water. "Things that were, things that are, and some things-that have not yet come to pass." Galadriel stepped away from the mirror. "I cannot tell you what you will see, you just have to see for yourself."
Ali nodded silently and walked over to the mirror, stepping up onto the small step so she could see into it. Ali gasped quietly. She saw everybody that she knew. Eli, Elena, her parents, all her other friends; everybody that she missed so much it hurt. Then she saw each of the Fellowship, looking sad. Pippin, especially, who seemed to be crying quietly to himself in a corner.
"Please don't cry, Pippin," Ali murmured to herself.
But the image didn't last forever. The next few images were what made Ali truly gasp. The Fellowship was battling a seemingly endless flow of Orcs and Uruk Hai. Boromir was leaning against a tree, seemingly asleep, but there were arrows sticking in him. The Uruk Hai were taking Merry and Pippin away and Frodo and Sam were rowing a canoe across the river by themselves. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimili standing around Boromir; weeping at their loss.
Ali let out a small cry. Is this what the future was holding for all of them? All to be broken up and die a slow death? Ali looked up at Lady Galadriel. She had her eyes closed as if in thought. Ali went back to looking into the mirror. There was some kind of slimy, skinny, gray character following after Frodo and Sam. Sam didn't seem too happy about it. Then there were images of everybody else in the Fellowship, other people Ali didn't recognize. A huge battle at a keep with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimili. Haldir was there, too, and he seemed to be dying. Suddenly Ali pulled back away from the mirror.
"I don't want to see anymore. Please don't let me see anymore," Ali pleaded, stepping away from the mirror.
Galadriel opened her eyes up and looked at Ali carefully. Ali looked back at her, panting slightly. If this was to happen, what should she do?
"I know what it is you saw, for it was also in my mind," Galadriel said.
"Oh, that's nice. If you saw it, too, then what do I do? How do I keep them together? If I can't, who do I follow?" Ali asked, looking up at Galadriel.
"I think, Lady Alexandria, you can do nothing to keep them together. But-" Galadriel said, interrupting Ali's protests, "Some things you could change so it wouldn't be a complete failure in your eyes. You just have to decide what's important to you."
"What's important to me?" Ali sputtered. "To have them broken up and dying slowly? And Boromir and Haldir-they're going to die. And if I leave Merry and Pippin, they could die at those Uruk Hai's hands. And Frodo and Sam-"
"Maybe, Lady Alexandria, you can do some multi-tasking," Galadriel interrupted.
"How?" Ali asked bitterly.
"Save several people at once. And maybe you can still go with whomever you wish after you stay with them. But I am not you and I can't choose for you. You will know what's best once it happens. And go with what your heart and soul tell you, for they will also help you," Galadriel replied.
"Perhaps. But I feel so small and helpless. I can't possibly do what's best," Ali said. "All I want to do is go home. To where everything is familiar to me."
Galadriel looked down and smiled sadly at Ali. "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future, Lady Alexandria. And about your home, I'm sure you'll be able to get back home sooner or later, if you want it bad enough."
"But I DO want it bad enough. But I don't want to leave before this is all over. If I do, I might feel guilty for the rest of my life and think that I could've changed the course future; that something that I did could've made a difference to whether we won or lost in the war against Sauron," Ali commented.
"I'm sure you're right, Lady Alexandria. But in these days, not even the Elves know what to decide," Galadriel said. "But go and rest now, you have had a long day and grief is still upon you. You won't be doing any good to the Fellowship if you are tired and not much use."
Ali nodded and went back to her sleeping area. Soon she fell asleep, listening to the Elves singing sadly in the treetops, remembering that Legolas had said they were singing a lament for Gandalf, but wouldn't tell what they were singing because the grief was still too near for him. Everything that happens happens for a reason, indeed.
A/n: Here's chapter sixteen. I hope you all liked it. And before anybody asks, no, I have not yet decided which way Ali's going when the Fellowship breaks. I've got several theories, but I have yet to figure out how to work it out without straying too far from what Tolkien wrote. If I do, don't yell at me too much, it's only a story, after all. I'll shut up now and happy reading.
Sunni07- Thanks for the review! I'm glad that you like the story and hope you continue reading it. Go short people! Laugh out loud.
Melissa Ocean- Thanks for the review! Glad you like the story and I'll update as often as I can. And I didn't specify enough because I'm one of those people who hate writing descriptions. I only manage to get in enough description to keep people happy in stories. Sometimes at least, but enough of that, thanks again for the review!
Kage Miko- Thanks for review! Well, we're all different. Knowing me, I would pass out while I was walking by then. Who knows. Yes, Gimili's a sweetheart. And funny as it would be to see Ali and Gimili like each other that much, I highly doubt I'm going to make that happen. They'll just stay friends. But funny thought, though. Innywho, I'll stop rambling. Thanks again!
