AN: I have more than a hundred reviews! *tosses multicolored popcorn around the room* I feel so special! Thank you all!!!!
Oh, and I did write a short Prophecy Ficlet, it's called "Gil-galad: His Fall and His Prophecy".
Lastly, I know some of the dates surrounding Gollum after he meets Bilbo to his capture by Aragorn and Gandalf are a little shady, so bear with me. I also know that Legolas says in FOTR that it has been a long time since Mirkwood elves had entered Lothlórien, but oh well.
Lightning Rain: Here ya go!
Morgaine of Ithil: Yeah, except I can't believe that the twins aren't going to be in the movie! *looks really pissed* They are so cool, two of my favorite characters!!! I'm not good at running or sword fighting, so I guess I would be doomed if I met orcs. Oh well, I guess I don't have to worry about it, since there are no orcs in the States. I hope.
breeNbloom: One more week of school, then a week of finals. I can do it. I can do it. I just have to keep telling that to myself. Atleast once it is all over, I'll have weeks and weeks of no school! (well, a few at least) And ROTK comes out soon! I'm going to see it as soon as my finals are over!!
Li Ting: Hee hee, yeah, poor Verdi, it's for the best though.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with ME.
Enjoy...
"English talking"
'thinking'
~Galadriel mind-speaking~
*Elvish talking*
*Again, you can cut that corner more. Stay as close to the poles as possible, trust your horse, she knows what she can and cannot do.* Haldir had set up an obstacle course for Verdi and Linta, forcing them through it time after time, trying to increase not only their speed, but their agility as well. *Good, but don't slow down so much before the fence.*
*That is quite a challenging course you have set up, Haldir.* Anneal came to stand next to the Marchwarden. *They are doing very well.*
*They can do better. Welcome, my friend, but why are you here?*
*Oh, you know, the normal diplomatic meeting. Galadriel wants to make sure everyone is following the plan without knowing what the plan is.*
Haldir laughed, *She does have her secrets. I am not sure if even Celeborn knows all of what is going on.* Verdi finished and dismounted by the two elves.
*Hello Anneal! How are you?* Over the years, Anneal had visited Lothlórien a few times and had become friends with Verdi. They still laughed about the Vampire incident, but it was in a good way.
*I'm fine, thanks. That is quite a horse you've got there.*
*Yeah, her name is Linta. Isn't she a beauty?* To anyone else besides Verdi, Linta was just a normal looking, if slightly gangly, horse, but Verdi seemed to think Linta was perfect in every way. The two adored each other.
*Er, sure. How are Haldir's tort—I mean, lessons going?* Haldir pretended to scowl.
*Oh, jolly good. Are we done now, Haldir?*
*I suppose so. Rub down your horse, and we'll go have some refreshments.*
After Linta was taken care of, the three went to the kitchens to catch up on news. Haldir was very interested in why Anneal was here, but Verdi didn't particularly care. When it became obvious they weren't going to talk about anything interesting, she excused herself and set out to find Enelya.
Verdi was walking towards her friend's talan, when she met an elf she didn't recognize, who was obviously in a hurry. He was the third one she had met in the last five minutes who seemed to be late.
*Excuse me, have you seen Haldir?* The dude asked. Verdi looked at him, he was a pretty elf, delicate looking, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
*Yeah, he's in the kitchen with Anneal. Who are you?*
*Legolas Thranduilion.*
*Oh, I'm Verdi. Did you come here with Anneal?*
*Yes, you must be that girl Haldir found.*
*Yup, bye!* Verdi found Enelya talking with Gildur and Elu. News of the Mirkwood visitors had traveled fast, though everyone seemed to agree that it was a normal visit. There were vague rumors that some human female had died in Imladris. Privy to only a select few, however, was news of Mithrandir and his search for the creature Gollum. Aragorn and Gandalf plan to scour Anduin, Mirkwood, and Rhovanion, in hopes of capturing Gollum.
*Hey, you want to hear my new song? I just finished it last night. It's pretty good, if I do say so myself.* So the four went to Verdi's room and she played her song. Then she played some songs she had taught them, so that they could sing along as she played. It had taken her a while to translate the songs to Elvish while keeping with the tune and rhyme, but they had turned out well. Other songs she had taught them in English and still others didn't have any recognizable words so just the random 'dees', 'doos', 'ahs' and so on were sung. Verdi didn't play the instrument she had found, rarely did she have the courage to take it out and play, she felt much more comfortable on Lady Amber. At length they stopped, just sitting around Verdi's room talking and gossiping.
Eventually they all left to do their own thing, and Verdi sat at her desk jotting down various music or lyrics that came to her. These were some of her most peaceful times, no worries, no cares, just herself and the paper in front of her. She felt no pressure, if nothing came to her, it was all right and she would be content simply thinking. It was a rare occasion when Verdi actually combined music and words into a full song, but she enjoyed writing bits and pieces.
It was almost dark and Verdi was trying to find a word that fit with the rest of a new stanza when there was a knock on her door. *Come in,* she called, happy for the distraction. Sometimes it was best just to let her subconscious mull things over.
An elf entered, *Lady Galadriel requests your presence at the High Table for supper. She also asks that you bring your new instrument.* Verdi nodded and the elf departed. 'Well, that is curious. I have not been asked to dine with the high and mighty for many years! And my new instrument? I suppose that means the violin I found, but why?' Verdi proceeded to put on the nicest dress she had (one of three), it was blue and silver, with a hair ribbon to match. She let her hair down from the ponytail she usually wore, brushed it out and tied the ribbon around her head as a headband. This done, she picked up Iaurlin, as she had decided to call her instrument artifact. After tuning it, she put it into its carrying case and left the room.
Supper was a quiet affair, only about ten elves were at the table, among them, Haldir and his brothers, Anneal and Legolas, as well as the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood. The talk was mostly small and trivial, as if the elves knew they had important things to discuss, but didn't want to think about them yet. As the meal came to a close, Galadriel asked Verdi to play for them. Her first formal performance in front of the Mirkwood elves, Verdi instantly became nervous, but a small smile from Anneal soothed her and she obediently took up her violin.
*I'm going to first play my newest song, which I finished only a few days ago.* She lifted her bow and began to play. As whenever she played upon this strange violin, her audience became mesmerized by her song. She felt in complete control over those before her, as if she could control their every emotion. Deliberately she chose a sad song next, one she knew they would not recognize but was indisputably full of grief. Accordingly, she started to see sorrow upon every face and a tears in the eyes of a few. She then switched to a happy tune, and the elves began to smile and tap their feet, looking at each other with joyful eyes. Verdi played half a dozen more songs, including a few requests, before deciding to take a break.
The new elves were eager to examine the fine instrument, asking her questions about how it worked and such; however, none could coax a sound out of it. Slowly the discussion drifted to other matters and Verdi felt a little relief. Late into the night they talked, sometimes in a big group, sometimes in smaller groups. Occasionally Verdi would play a tune or two, but mostly she listened to what was happening in the world outside. As the conversation drew to a close, Galadriel asked Verdi to play one more song. With a nod, played a slow love song (a genre she had stayed away from all evening) and watched the elves leave. Anneal walked out with Haldir's brothers, the three still in a hot debate about some archery competition, followed by a pair of Mirkwood elves. Haldir, Legolas, Celeborn and Galadriel stayed a few minutes longer than the rest, chatting away about something in Imladris. Haldir and Legolas departed together as Verdi finished her song. The Lord and Lady, hand-in-hand, wished Verdi pleasant dreams and the girl went to bed.