----------Chapter 6: The Lady of the Golden Wood----------
We were led up a staircase that spiraled around a huge mallorn tree with incredibly high branches and, when we reached the first branches of the tree, out onto a vast talon with what looked like a dais directly opposite us. We stood there for a few minutes before a blinding light shone from the stairs which led further up past the dais and as the light slowly dimmed I could discern the figure of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her wavy, golden hair fell in flowing tresses past her waist and her pure white dress dazzled my eyes with its many winking jewels. She held out her hands to us in welcome as we both bowed in the elvish fashion, with the right hand held over the heart.
She smiled slightly, "Legolas Greenleaf and Ánwë Elánor I give you greeting and welcome you to the Golden Wood of Lorien. First I will give you news of the thing which I know is foremost on your mind at the moment. Your friend, Aragorn son of Arathorn, is well on his way to being healed and he will have no lasting trouble from his wounds. So now that you know that, Legolas I ask that you please leave me to speak with Ánwë alone."
Legolas bowed his head slightly, "As you wish my lady." And he turned around and disappeared around a bend in the stair.
After he had gone Galadriel beckoned to me and I followed her up the stairs beyond the dais to a talon that was nestled in the topmost branches of the majestic tree. This talon was furnished with several chairs and then there was a door into another room which was shut and I figured belonged to Galadriel and Celeborn's bedroom. Galadriel sat and motioned for me to do the same.
Suddenly she spoke, "Do not be frightened child, I am not here to interrogate you but to help set you on the path of you destiny. Yes I called you Elánor a few moments ago for whereas Arwen is Undomiel; evenstar of her people; you shall be known as 'Ánwë Elánor sun-star of her people' and to them you shall bring hope and light in dark days. For dark days are fast approaching when the Lord of the Ring shall again rise to power and there shall be one final war and one small person shall determine the fate of all Middle Earth. You are to remind the elves of the old alliance between men and elves; you must urge them to restore this alliance, if they refuse hope is lost. The only advice I really can give you now, despite how useless it may seem, is to follow your heart. You and your companions will leave tomorrow at dawn." Galadriel stopped speaking and I felt as though I ought to say something but I could not think of what to say.
"I thank you, my lady, for your aid." I finally replied.
Abruptly, as though she had been unsure whether to tell me this, she said "One more piece of advice for you Elánor; beware the son of the Rohirrim, I can say no more than that but you will know of whom and what I speak when you meet him."
Not knowing what to say I merely nodded my thanks and rose to leave. She stood also and led me out, when we came back onto the platform where she had greeted Legolas and me she bid me farewell and returned to her chambers. I made my way slowly down the steps that led up to the talon at the bottom I was met with the anxious face of Legolas. Although I knew he was dying to know what I had been told I was in no mood to talk and so I simply smiled at him in greeting and wandered back to the place where we had slept. When I came there I lay down on my bed and pondered over the things I had been told. I was afraid I would not be able to accomplish what I had to do... and if I don't then...I recalled the Lady's words; hope is lost.
I was afraid all I wanted to do was to run away and forget my obligations, forget the impending war; but if I were to do that what about all the people who would die... who would die because of me. I could not let that happen... but, oh! How much I wanted to hide. As I was lying there, alone with my thoughts, I sensed someone approaching. Instead of sitting up, however, I decided to pretend I was asleep.
"Ánwë? Ánwë are you there?" Legolas's voice came from nearby. And his soft footsteps came closer. "Ánwë? Are you asleep Ánwë?"
When I did not answer him he sighed and wandered away leaving me again to my thoughts. Lying there alone again I could not stand it any longer and I began to cry, I cried for my fate and I cried for Aragorn's hurts and I cried because I had ignored Legolas. At last completely exhausted from my weeping I fell asleep. But it was not a deep and dreamless sleep my thoughts were haunted with the dead and dying and everything was my fault. After one dream in which I saw all of Rohan burning and children being put to the sword I awoke sweating and breathing hard. By this time it was already moving towards morning and the moon had begun to climb down out of the sky. Legolas was lying on his own bed deep in meditation, not wanting to disturb him I tread softly around him and out into open air. We had been given fresh clothing and I took this up and wandered in search of a stream where I could bathe privately. I came upon a stream with a small pool in a thicket of bushes and, setting aside my clean gown and removing my soiled clothes, I climbed in. The water was refreshingly cold and I let it run over me washing away all the grime of travel and the lingering nightmares. When I was finished I stepped out and rung out my hair and wound it into a knot at the nape of my neck; then, rather than waiting till I was dry I pulled on the gown and let the excess water soak into it. When I was finished dressing I wandered back toward the center of Lórien and as I approached the place where Legolas and I had been sleeping I saw that Legolas was speaking to someone. Legolas was talking very animatedly and he was either worried or angry, I could not tell which it was. I emerged from the shadow of the trees and I realized he must be worried about me for I had disappeared without a word.
When Legolas saw me he hurried over, "Ánwë! Where have you been?" he asked angrily, "I thought you– I did not know what to think! You should not disappear like that."
"Legolas, what could possibly happen to me in the middle of Lórien?" I asked him, exasperated.
"Exactly what I was saying." Put in the other elf about whom we had forgotten. "My lady, I am Haldír guard of Lórien."
I smiled, "Delighted I am sure." I replied, "Undoubtedly, you know my name by now but for the sake of ceremony; I am Ánwë my lord."
"It is an honor to meet you my lady. I will be escorting you two to the stables where you will meet your companion. If you would follow me."
He turned and began walking away from us I looked at Legolas, shrugged and began to follow him. Legolas hesitated a little before hurrying to catch me up. When he was level with me I asked him if he had known Haldír previously. He whispered back that yes he had, they were childhood friends. I asked, surprised, if he did not seem a little pompous and Legolas laughed quietly, saying that yes, sometimes he did.
After a short walk we arrived at the 'stables' which were actually just a large meadow full of lush green grass where the horses were tied up on long ropes that allowed them to wander throughout the whole clearing. Haldír let out a long high whistle and our horses came cantering up to us. They had already been saddled and provided with saddle bags full of food and extra clothing. As we were taking the halters from Haldír I heard the sound of footsteps coming toward us, when I looked up I caught sight of a slightly pale, but otherwise well, Aragorn approaching. I let out a little scream of delight and ran to him at a full out sprint and threw my arms around his neck.
"Oh Aragorn! I'm so happy that you are alright, I was, I was afraid you would die. And it should have been all my fault."
"Hush little one, it should not have been your fault none of this was your fault. The only person who can be blamed for any of it is the man who was behind it all." He paused, thinking. "From now on, if it so please you Ánwë, you and I shall be sister and brother."
I smiled happily, "Oh yes, I would love that! I shall have a family again."
Aragorn laughed, "Yes, you shall little sister, yes you shall."