AUTHOR'S NOTE I still don't know if anyone's really reading this story…*shrugs* *sniff* But if you are, let me know! Review! I usually don't ask, but hey, why not. Oh, and the cloak thing might be a little clichéd, but I don't really care, lol.
DISCLAIMER You know who I own and who I don't by now. Please don't steal my original characters and I didn't steal any of Tolkien's.
When I went to bed that night, I still did not know what to do. The seperation from Legolas stung as I climbed into my empty bed. I tossed and turned, attempting to sleep but never really succeeding. I awoke not very well rested, but completely sure of my decision. I had to leave. I would never be happy in Lórien, not truly happy, again.
I spent the morning in my house, avoiding everyone. Maybe it was cowardice, but I couldn't bear to face Calíme and Emeriel. There was only one who I needed to see.
I ran through the city toward the Royal Chamber. "My lady," I said, curtseying as I was led before Galadriel.
"Hello, Raélowen."
I knew I shouldn't delay. With a deep breath, I said, "Lady, I have come to ask – "
"I know why you can come, child."
I nodded and lowered my eyes, not at all surprised. "What should I do?"
"Look at me, Raélowen." I raised my head to look at her. "You are unique. Born a human but to live as an Elf. Not even I know your full destiny in the fate of our world."
"Yes my Lady."
"Time are changing Raélowen," Galadriel said, staring at something far away. "Our time is ending."
"Lady?" I asked fearfully.
She looked back at me. "Rivendell is lost to us."
I gasped. "Not…attacked?"
"No child. Lord Elrond's people have decided to take the ship to Valinor. They are leaving this land. Elrond himself stays behind, waiting until he is sure he is needed here no more."
I nodded, crushed by her words. I knew that this was the beginning of a change I could not stop. Everything that I had grown up with would disappear. The vision in my mind was clear: soon the beauty of the Elves would fade away. Gone into nothing more than a shadowy memory.
"I know you have come to seek my permission to leave Lothlórien," Galadriel continued. I nodded. "Go. I wish for you to leave our lands while they are still beautiful. Your future lies beyond Lothlórien and the least I wish is for you to remember our home as it is now."
"What is going to happen?" I asked in a small voice.
"Things have been set in motion," Galadriel said softly. "Events that we cannot change. Soon, it will be time for all Elves to sail to Valinor. We will leave Middle Earth."
"Even me?"
The Lady laughed slightly. "Yes child. Even you. But there is much yet in front of you. You have my blessing. Take hold of your destiny."
I bowed my head. "Yes Lady."
"Follow the plains south, through the land of Rohan," she instructed me. My heart skipped a beat, but she continued. "You must journey toward the hilltop city of Edoras, near the Southern Mountains. You will find all that you seek."
I just nodded, trying to absorb her instructions. Within moments, a handmaiden had appeared beside Galadriel, a deep colored cloak in her hands. It was not gray, or green, or blue, or black, but rather a combination of all of these. Galadriel took it from the girl and dismissed her.
To my great surprise, the Lady placed the shawl in my hands. "Never remove this cloak when you are alone," she instructed me. "As long as you wear it, the protection of the Firstborn shall be with you."
"I will never take it off, Lady."
"Namaarië, Raélowen Mirimë," she said fondly. Then sadly, "We shall not meet here again."
"Namaarië, Lady Galadriel," I replied, meeting her gaze. "Thank you."
She nodded and I curtseyed a final time. Dusk was just falling as I left her chamber and headed back to where I had lived my entire life.
I would leave that night.
**********
My belongings were packed. My house was near empty. And yet I still stood in the main chamber, gazing at my dwelling. At where I had lived for so long.
I had checked the few rooms from top to bottom, packing anything that I would need after leaving Lórien and items that held sentimental value. And stowed away in a special pocket of my bag was the arrow Legolas had left for me the morning he and the rest of the Fellowship left Lórien.
"Raélowen Mirimë!" I said out loud to myself. "This is ridiculous! Just leave the room."
Strangely enough, my personal pep talk encouraged me and I left my house with my pack and a last parting glance. The stars were partially hidden by clouds. That did not help my mood and I descended the steps of my mallorn-tree with a heave heart.
But deep down I knew I was doing the right thing. I knew that staying in Lórien would stifle my growing sense of adventure and the separation from Legolas would never stop hurting. The thought that I was on my way to something new stirred my excitement and I gained more courage the farther away from my former house I got.
My eye was suddenly caught by another figure coming toward me. I quickly dropped behind a mallorn root, watching the other pass. I could tell it was an Elf maiden, but when she looked in my direction, I stood up. "Emeriel?"
"Raélowen?" She looked around, confused. "What are you…why aren't you at home? It's the middle of the night!"
I smirked. "I could ask you the same question."
I have never seen her face so red. "I…um…the night was warm…uh…I wanted to take a walk…"
"Colindor has the night watch alone, doesn't he?"
"I don't see what that has to do with anything…" I just laughed. "So Rae," she said, changing the subject. "What are you doing out so late? Has Legolas returned?" she asked jokingly. But when she saw the look of pain in my eyes, she quickly apologized. "I'm sorry Rae…I know how much you must miss him." I lowered my eyes to the ground. Emeriel's voice turned worried. "Rae, what is it?"
"I'm leaving, Emeriel. I'm leaving Lórien."
"What?!" Only then did she notice the pack on the ground beside me and the fact that I was wearing a traveling tunic with leggings and Galadriel's cloak rather than a gown. "Rae, are you crazy? Why are you leaving Lórien? Where will you go?"
"I am going to find the Fellowship. To find Legolas."
Emeriel looked about the same as she had when she had found out that I was no longer human. "You're…leaving?"
I saw her shock and upset as she looked at me and immediately remembered why I had decided to leave without good-byes. I opened my mouth to reassure her, but closed it when I could find nothing to say.
She just looked at the ground. "I understand why you're going. It's just…" She had tears in her eyes. "I'm going to miss you!"
"Oh Em!" I cried as I threw my arms around her. "I'll miss you, too!"
It was a minute before either of us could say anything else. I brushed away my tears. "So," she said with a small sniff. "How are you getting there?"
"Walking. I….uh…I've seen Legolas since the Fellowship left Lórien."
"You have? How?"
"He came back to me." I sighed. "Not for long."
"Where is he now?"
"I don't know."
Emeriel looked worried. "You're not just going to wander, are you? Middle Earth is big; you'll never find him."
I laughed slightly. "No. Galadriel told me where to find him."
"Well?" Emeriel asked.
"She told me to journey towards Edoras…in Rohan."
We were both quiet. She knew what Rohan meant to me. Long ago, I had spent time studying humans. I was curious about my race and Galadriel had helped me learn more about the race of Men. She taught me of the Men of Gondor, of the Western Men (of both Rangers and citizens of Eriador), and finally of the Men of Rohan.
I had also learned that Rohan was the only settlement close enough to be my original homeland.
"You're finally going back to Rohan," Emeriel said softly. I nodded and she continued, "Going home."
I just looked at her. "But this is my home! You know Lórien is my home."
"I know." Emeriel sighed and looked around.
"Oh Em, I wish you could go with me!"
She thought for a minute. "I'd give anything to help reunite you with Legolas. But I cannot leave. I'm to be joined with Colindor!"
"I know." I smiled. "You better send me word of your wedding!"
"Well of course! You think I'd let you miss that?"
We laughed about it. But I knew it was time for me to go. I shouldered my pack again, praying for the will power to keep back further tears.
Emeriel did brush away a tear. With one final hug, she was ready to let me leave. "Namaarië, Raélowen."
"Namaarië, my friend," I said. "May our paths cross again."
"I believe they will." She turned to go but I stopped her.
"Please explain this to Calíme."
Emeriel smiled sadly. "I will. Good-bye, Rae." She turned and ran towards her mallorn tree.
I turned in the opposite direction, heading towards Lórien's border.
**********
I stood, still and silent. Caras Galadhon, glittering in all its glory, lay quiet and peaceful in the twilight. Part of me would always be there. I would never forget I, but the time had come to move on.
A light breeze hummed through the leaves of Lothlórien as I turned to face the road that lay ahead. The path that I took led me as far as the river, where I managed to find a shallow ford where I could wade across.
I paused again once I'd reached the far side of the river. The river. I laughed softly to myself. Oh the memories from there.
Still smiling to myself, I left the river behind and continued walking through the tall trees of Lothlórien. I used the moon and stars overhead to maintain my journey south and within a few ours, the forest had ended. Plains opened up in front of me.
Staring back into the darkness under the trees, I felt a deep love for it. "Hannon le," I whispered, both to my home and to the concealed guards who I knew had let me pas the borders unharmed. As I turned toward the next step of my journey, a breath of wind brushed my cheek and seemed to whisper, "Namaarië" in my ear.
* Namaarië = Farewell (Quenya)
* Hannon le = Thank you (Sindarin)
