(I feel as though I strayed with the last chapter a little in terms of the quality of the writing. Distractions have the ability to do that to a person so let's see if I can't recapture a little bit of that old magic :D Still a bit sad, but we're steadily moving along and we'll be getting to more of the good stuff shortly. I promise certain characters will stop the pouting by next chapter. Just stick with me.;) Thanks so much to the sweet individuals who continue to read and review. I love it so much. :D Disclaimer: Oh and once the characters, lands, songs, cultures, etc.. that were created by the wonderful J.R.R. Tolkien are obviously not mine. I am writing this as a fan for entertainment purposes only and am not profitting from this story.)
Chapter 4: The Mortal Coil
"I do not understand, that was not the path. I thought I had not strayed but it seems… I have. And now where is my Istar? Has he succumbed as well? Or mayhaps it was all a devilish trick and I was fool enough to be blinded. Tell me where is Mithrandir? I need very much to see him... where is he now? He could tell me why this has come to pass. He said he was the last, but he should not have been the last. He should not be." She forced herself up in bed and Aragorn looked rather shaken and upset by her words.
"My Lady lay still." He gently demanded.
"I shall do no such thing. Answer me now Estel. Where is Mithrandir? Why is he not here now?" She asked fearfully.
"My Lady..." Aragorn lost his voice quite suddenly.
Legolas could barely look at her. The utter fear and disquiet in her eyes was such a painful thing to look upon.
Boromir took it upon himself to gently break the news to her seeing as the others could not. "Lady Androthiel. He fell... in Moria."
"What?" She asked horrified. She was not hearing this. It could not be!
"There were many creatures there that tried to overtake us, but none so terrible as the Balrog." Boromir explained.
Legolas clenched his fist angrily remembering how he had dropped his arrow. He had been so frightened. If he had just held on, if he had done something then maybe Gandalf would still be with them.
Androthiel's eyes were wide with tears. "No.." She shook her head slowly, some color having now returned to her face as she had brewed fresh those bitter tears and began to move about.
Aragorn gently touched her shoulders and this time it was he who took her into his arms for it seemed somehow, queer, as the thought may be, that their roles had reversed. As she had done many times over the years it was now his turn to care for her. She fell heavily against him, her slowly warming flesh pressed against his weathered tunic as she loosed her frustration and feelings of despair in the curve of his neck. And he noticed now, as if for the first time since they had arrived that there was a sudden sharp contrast in the color of her long hair. Where a wave of it normally framed her face in gold there was a long stark white streak that no longer shined. As if it were a sign that she had lost something precious.
He noted over her hunched form that Boromir was looking off towards the entryway in confusion. Craning his neck slightly he saw that the son of Thranduil was storming away from them down several platforms and many vaulting steps. And now he understood what Androthiel had meant when she voiced the sorrow of a denial. It was a reason for the chill in her skin and the change of her eyes… the color of her hair.
His fingers played over the white hair as he gently stroked her back in a hope to soothe her grief. He looked up to Boromir who could do naught but nod and quietly leave them. Once they were alone he chose to speak.
"Gandalf did what he was meant to do. He fought seeming without fear. He faced the Balrog when no other could…" Aragorn's voice wavered a little as he spoke. " He showed the creature his great will and it seemed as though it had been defeated once it had fallen from the bridge of Khazad-dûm, but it was not to be. It took him into the black chasm and that was the last we saw of our Grey Pilgrim." He explained feeling the shuddering of her shoulders and the wet kiss of her tears, newly fallen, blessing the simple garments he wore.
"The loss was a great toll on us all, but we must not let it defeat us. Not you… nor I…" He said with such ease and passion that it hid any doubt he still may have carried with him along the great journey. "He did what he must to ensure that we could keep moving so that we might live to fight another day. He sacrificed himself in the hope that Middle-Earth would outlast the shadows and find peace again. I can speak for none but myself, but I will tell you now that I will fight, until my final breath should that be my fate. I will keep fighting for him and everything good left in this world."
He felt her movements slowly winding down, her grief passing sluggishly. By the time he had finished speaking she had raised her head enough to meet his gaze. She looked so weary, but not as sad.
"And so shall we all." Androthiel said with a small voice that uplifted and broke his heart all at once. His smile was just as small and fragile.
"Yes…" Aragorn replied. "Now sleep."
"I do not think I can sleep anymore." She said.
"Please. You are safe here and under the protection and care of many." He said gently easing her back into the petal soft pillows. "Your friends are near if needed. Try to take comfort and find rest. The questions can wait for now."
- -
Though she was still feeling weak, Androthiel's fair face was lit with the most gleeful smile as Merry and Pippin, being the light hearted scamps they were, sang her a song. Dancing and marching and making a grand show. Every smile and laugh earned from her just spurred them on in search of more and in that way they were like small children, competing for the praise and affections of a loving parent. It was a wonderful thing to watch.
"Tree and flower and leaf and grass,
Let them pass!" Cheered Merry with a pump of his small fist.
"Let them pass!" Pippin echoed with a grin.
"Hill and water under sky,
Pass them by!" Pippin sang with a hearty smile, his chin held high as he and Merry weaved back and forth around each other, singing and marching.
"Pass them by!" Merry echoed this time.
"Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though we pass them by today,
Tomorrow we may come this way
And take the hidden paths that run
Towards the Moon or to the Sun."
They sang together looking from one another and then often back to Androthiel who kept a soft beat by clapping her thin hands and grinned sweetly at them.
"Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,
Let them go!" Pippin sang dancing a merry little jig, his feet slapping the soft earth as Merry joined him, falling into synched with his friend's footwork.
"Let them go!" The hobbit cheered.
"Sand and stone and pool and ell,
Fare you well! Fare you well!"
Gimli sat making his own laughter, a deep hearty chuckle from the pit of his belly. The wee ones were quite entertaining he must admit.
"A fine song!" He praised as Merry postured and took a dramatic bow for the audience.
Pippin grinned and looked eagerly at Androthiel. "Did you like the song Lady elf?"
"Yes of course!" Androthiel said with a smile. "It was wonderful and no doubt one of Bilbo's, he always was so very good with songs."
Merry nodded. "Yeah ol' Bilbo made that one 'imself. We sang it when we first set out for Buckland."
"Well I'm quite certain he would be very proud to hear you singing it so well." The elf praised.
"Awww.. t'weren't that good." Merry said shuffling his feet.
Pippin blinked. "Yes it was."
"Pippin!"
"It was! I thought it was. Not as good as elf song of course but that's different."
The elf only smiled sweetly and folded her hands in her lap, quite content in her soft grassy seat, hugged by mighty tree roots. As she listened to the two hobbits debate another small figure came walking by, the likes of dear Samwise Gamgee, carefully carrying two plates in his hands. He stopped by the Lady and gave her a coy look.
"Beggin' yer pardon my Lady, but Strider thought it'd be right nice if you had yerself somethin' to eat. I was gonna bring Mr. Frodo a bit of food too so I offered to bring you yours." He said softly, offering her a plate.
"Oh... Thank You Sam. How Lovely." She said reaching for the plate. As she did a tremor passed through her hand causing it to shake visibly and she frowned softly. The hobbit saw this too and he looked mighty sad, but Sam being the kind soul he was, didn't say anything about it.
"I'll set it right here for you to have when you may. Should you be needin' anything else just let me know and I'd be happy to get it for you." Sam said with his gentle smile.
"Thank You Sam. You have a kind heart."
Sam just smiled and moved on with a little nod of his head.
Androthiel watched the hobbit walk away, wrapping the soft folds of her cloak more tightly around herself, feeling quite cold and a little insecure.
--
In another part of the wood Legolas stood alone, or so he thought, staring up at the thick canopy of the trees, seeking the light of the stars above them. He kept straight and tall and as still as a statue, with his arms carefully folded before him.
'You seek answers to questions which you already have.' A voice whispered in his mind.
Legolas looked about, his brows drawing together in slight confusion. There stood the Lady of the Golden Wood, robed in white, gleaming like silver under the moonlight. Her wise eyes followed him as she entered the glade where he stood. He could feel it, where her eyes did not simply look, but reach deep, probing the things within his very heart and soul. He looked back, into her star filled eyes, unafraid of the intrusion as some might be.
'Why do you despair son of Thranduil?' Her voice asked in the deep tones of her voice, a sound like rich honey. It was so clear in his head and her lips never moved. 'You are but a child to me, but you are not so very young… and yet here you are… fearful of the things that can not be undone.'
Legolas face was placid now, though his eyes were deep wells of emotion. "It is hard not to despair when things happen that are so very wrong." He said softly.
Galadriel's eyes brightened. 'Wrong for whom? Wrong for your kin or wrong for you? Painful are many things that come to pass, but they are no more right than wrong when it is the path one must take.'
"She should not have to endure this curse! She was given no choice! It was brought upon her by the will of evil. How is that not wrong? I do not want her to… I cannot watch her die… she was not meant to…"
'But you do not know this for certain. It feels unfair because your heart is deep and cares greatly for your friends, it leaves you feeling betrayed. But that is the way and you must accept what fate has dealt. Sometimes those that deserve life can not keep it young Prince, you know this.' Galadriel's starry eyes narrowed at him; still she did not speak allowed. Only to his mind. 'The Lady has her part to play in this quest, as do you, and your concern now should be if you shall continue onward and aid Frodo on his journey… or? Do you turn back? Back whence you came… to family and all life and love under the darkened bows of your home? None would fault you for leaving the Company…' She said, filling his head with the idea, drudging up his happiest memories to the forefront of his mind, tempting him…
His heart did ache at the memory of home and family, but he could think naught of what he left behind. Legolas had pledged to serve the Hobbit on this perilous mission and he was not one to go back on his word. To turn back now would be a fool's notion!
"I will not go back." He said with determination. "I will see this through… to its end… or my own."
A warm, cunning smile stretched the wise she-elf's lips upon hearing this.
He passed the test.
--
"I had ridden forth with a company from Imaldris at my Lord Elrond's request. He bade us go and bring word to the Lord and Lady." Androthiel explained gently to those members of the company gathered about her, still feasting and curious of her journey to LothLorien.
Many hooves pounded over the wildlands of Middle-Earth. The elves moving with all due speed and haste in hopes of reaching the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien as soon as possible. Her Lord was in desperate need of their guidance, all hope depended upon her getting his letter delivered in a timely manner. Androthiel led the group with a grave look about her face. She moved with such speed the winds had caught up her lovely cloak, causing the garment to float behind her like gossamer wings.
"What word did he bade you bring?" Boromir wondered softly.
Androthiel floated down the halls of Elrond's beautiful home, the leaves continued to fall around her with the season's changing. She noticed a great distance away that her Lord was walking with his child. His arm linked with that of Arwen's, her pale hand held in his own, cupped by the other as they spoke and moved together. Bless her! For she was making her father laugh!
Androthiel smiled warmly at the sight for it had been a long while since she had seen him even crack the tiniest smile. But his smile would not last nor would any other as Arwen's eyes fluttered suddenly and she fell into her father's arms. The Lord of Rivendell stood for one horror-filled moment before he fell to his knees, cradling his ailing child in his arms.
Androthiel's emerald orbs shifted to the quiet form of Aragorn as he sat a distance away, his back to them as he puffed thoughtfully on his pipe. Then her loving gaze was back on Boromir, Gimli, and the Hobbits.
"I fear I am not able to discuss that information with you. It is of a private matter." She apologized, bowing her head.
"Oh think naught of it." Gimli said with a wave of his hand. "Continue! Continue! When and where did you meet with peril?" He asked.
"Not far from the borders of the Golden Wood." Androthiel explained, her brow furrowing with the memory. "We had seen little sign of peril 'til then when we came upon one of our own…" Tears welled in her eyes. "A young scout, he had been slain on the way ahead and the orcs had been sure to leave him on display. They had butchered his mount… or rather… had it not been them, but the Wargs perhaps." She remembered only the deep red that had covered the ground, beyond that she had blocked much of it out.
"Wargs!" Pippin cried in alarm.
"Yes. Our steeds had grown alarmed, not at the sight they beheld, but the foul stench on the air. And then we heard the first beastly howl and we knew we had to flee, the answering calls were far too many, far too close. Seeing as I had been the one carrying the marked case, containing my Lord's news I rode on ahead with two others, while the remaining company followed in hopes of warding off the enemy until we had reached the safety and protection of the Lady."
Bows sang and metal clashed as the chittering cries of orcs and the howls of the wolves rose with the battle cries of her brethren. The she-elf's hands snapped the reins of her mount, urging him to speed her away as fast as possible.
"Needless to say I saw many of my kith and kin fall. I did slay as many of the murdering fiends as I could before the arrow hit and then… a terrible fire burned in my veins." She described, clutching her chest.
The loud 'shank' of the black arrow resonated as it buried itself deep, sheathing itself in the elf's body. She gave a startled cry, but did not falter as she raced ahead of the beastly creatures. Many large paws slapped the ground, chasing the pounding hooves of the white horse and its rider. They were snapping at it's heels as the outermost borders of Lorien appeared in the distance.
"Noro lim!! Noro lim!" She cried as she wrapped the animals' reins around a link on its saddle. Balancing carefully at this speed, Androthiel gripped the shaft of crude wood in both hands and sucked in a deep breath of air as she pulled it out. She let out a cry of great pain as she freed herself of it and studied the arrowhead as she was gasping now at the pain.
"They've tipped it." She realized to her horror. With an angry snarl, she took the black arrow and pulled her own bow, turning in the saddle, cloak and hair flying with the wind; she fired the arrow into the wolf coming nearest to her. Her aim was true, slamming into the thing's heart. It issued a shriek and tumbled to the ground, crushing its rider. The animals shrieked and howled as she pulled free another arrow from her quiver and fired and fired and fired again. She sent her arrows to the animals until there were none left to send.
"So hot did it burn I felt my blood turn to ice within me and I thought surely I would not make it, but I had to try. I don't remember much after… the distant sound of horns blowing… the squeals of my mount and then darkness it seemed had overtaken me completely."
"We were all afraid for you." Merry said softly, biting at his lip, remembering as he had watched at a distance as the elf maiden had dismounted and how pale she had seemed.
"And I thank you deeply for that concern." Androthiel replied with a gentle tilt of her head.
--
This was the scene Legolas came upon, the vision of his dear friend and elder, seated barefoot on the grass, clothed in a shimmering silver garment of Lorien. Her long golden hair lay loose about her thin shoulders, the lackluster streak of white had been consciously tucked back behind the fine point of her ear.
All around her sat his company. The four hobbits sat nearest to her right. Frodo, the closest, though he seemed distant of the conversation. On her left sat Boromir, engrossed and sympathetic to the maiden and across from her was the mighty dwarf, still enjoying his supper meal. A short distance away, farther from the gathered company, but closest to the archer, was Aragorn. He faced away from them all though his eyes were deftly locked on Legolas as he took the pipe from his mouth.
Legolas moved as if a passing shadow, over to his friend and sat a moment with him.
"She spoke to you."
Legolas nodded. "Ai, she did."
Aragorn nodded.
"And why do you not join the others?" Legolas wondered.
The slightest rise lifted the Ranger's brows to his question. "Am I not?" He countered.
"Not from where I am seated. No you are not." Legolas said with a soft scowl, that drew his brows together.
"Would it please you if I moved then?" Aragorn asked, a ghost of amusement in his tone. Still somewhat somber from the loss of Gandalf and the obvious worry for Androthiel.
"It may." Legolas said with a whisper of a grin as his lively blue eyes traveled back to their company.
Aragorn rose with the silence and grace of an elf and led the way back to the company. Legolas followed close after.
--
Androthiel's eyes caught those of both Aragorn and Legolas as they rejoined the company. Aragorn nodded solemnly in return. Legolas wore a mask that was quite shaken; though he tried to smile for her all the same.
"Ah!! The Elf and Ranger finally return!! Well it's about time!! You missed most of the Lady's story." Gimli grumbled at them.
"They missed all of it Master Dwarf. There is nothing left to tell…" Androthiel replied gently, gifting him with her warmest of smiles.
"Oh." The dwarf blinked. "Well see? You missed everything because of your sulking!"
The Hobbits looked back and fourth between the others, save Frodo. Who was still picking at his dinner plate. Androthiel said no more and did the same, picking a juicy slice of fruit to eat, silently thanking Yavanna for the morsel before it touched her pale lips.
"I'm sure we are all well aware, Dwarf… Of what happened. There is no need to rehash it and upset the Lady any longer." Legolas replied, quite curtly. This issued the attention of all; Aragorn shot him a dark look.
"I only meant…" Gimli began, abashed, only to be cut off.
"We all know well what you meant! Say no more of it! I wish not to hear it!" The elf snapped, almost viscously.
Frodo looked up at the smarting tone his voice took on.
"Legolas…" Androthiel began sternly, as a parent would, talking to a haughty child.
"I am free to speak as I would, am I not?" He responded.
"Of course… But what has Gimli done to you that you would be so quick to lash out in this manner? He offends none. Honestly, he has been a joy to me and has served to lift all of our spirits tonight. Would you so readily return to us and trample our mirth with your foul behavior? That is not the way a child of Thranduil would conduct himself…"
Legolas's eyes darkened, literally at her reprimand. "My foul behavior? Look at yourselves? You laugh in the wake of Mithrandir's death!! Call me foul? I think not!"
"Bite your tongue!" Androthiel snapped in the elven tongue. Her voice was rough over the flowing language. It startled the Hobbits. Frodo's small hand went to his heart as his eyes shifted uneasily between them.
"I will not!" Legolas replied in elvish. "I have already tried and it pains me. I am weary of watching my friends fall and none caring!"
"You are blind if you think none care. You surely must be, had it not occurred to you that we may laugh only to keep from letting the grief swallow us whole?" She questioned. "Am I not also your friend? Are not the Hobbits? The Dwarf? The Men?"
"Yes, but.."
"No Legolas. Cease this childish behavior now. I know you are above it. This peace will not last. Enjoy it now while you are able." She advised. The others looked back and fourth as they argued.
"How am I to find peace? How am I, when you are dying!!" He hissed.
Androthiel stared back at him blankly. No one save Aragorn knew the content of the argument, but it was obvious the younger elf had hit a nerve. With no more talk of this, Androthiel rose, silver garments shimmering like falling rainwater as she stood.
"Good night to you all Gentlemen." She said softly in the common tongue as she walked away. As she moved she looked at Legolas out of the corner of her eye. Glistening green pools cutting through the lock of stark white hair as she made to move off to rest.
All it took was that single look for the young elf to realize how truly sorry he was being. He had hurt her and that thought would plague him for the rest of that night.
TBC...
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Chapter 4: The Mortal Coil
"I do not understand, that was not the path. I thought I had not strayed but it seems… I have. And now where is my Istar? Has he succumbed as well? Or mayhaps it was all a devilish trick and I was fool enough to be blinded. Tell me where is Mithrandir? I need very much to see him... where is he now? He could tell me why this has come to pass. He said he was the last, but he should not have been the last. He should not be." She forced herself up in bed and Aragorn looked rather shaken and upset by her words.
"My Lady lay still." He gently demanded.
"I shall do no such thing. Answer me now Estel. Where is Mithrandir? Why is he not here now?" She asked fearfully.
"My Lady..." Aragorn lost his voice quite suddenly.
Legolas could barely look at her. The utter fear and disquiet in her eyes was such a painful thing to look upon.
Boromir took it upon himself to gently break the news to her seeing as the others could not. "Lady Androthiel. He fell... in Moria."
"What?" She asked horrified. She was not hearing this. It could not be!
"There were many creatures there that tried to overtake us, but none so terrible as the Balrog." Boromir explained.
Legolas clenched his fist angrily remembering how he had dropped his arrow. He had been so frightened. If he had just held on, if he had done something then maybe Gandalf would still be with them.
Androthiel's eyes were wide with tears. "No.." She shook her head slowly, some color having now returned to her face as she had brewed fresh those bitter tears and began to move about.
Aragorn gently touched her shoulders and this time it was he who took her into his arms for it seemed somehow, queer, as the thought may be, that their roles had reversed. As she had done many times over the years it was now his turn to care for her. She fell heavily against him, her slowly warming flesh pressed against his weathered tunic as she loosed her frustration and feelings of despair in the curve of his neck. And he noticed now, as if for the first time since they had arrived that there was a sudden sharp contrast in the color of her long hair. Where a wave of it normally framed her face in gold there was a long stark white streak that no longer shined. As if it were a sign that she had lost something precious.
He noted over her hunched form that Boromir was looking off towards the entryway in confusion. Craning his neck slightly he saw that the son of Thranduil was storming away from them down several platforms and many vaulting steps. And now he understood what Androthiel had meant when she voiced the sorrow of a denial. It was a reason for the chill in her skin and the change of her eyes… the color of her hair.
His fingers played over the white hair as he gently stroked her back in a hope to soothe her grief. He looked up to Boromir who could do naught but nod and quietly leave them. Once they were alone he chose to speak.
"Gandalf did what he was meant to do. He fought seeming without fear. He faced the Balrog when no other could…" Aragorn's voice wavered a little as he spoke. " He showed the creature his great will and it seemed as though it had been defeated once it had fallen from the bridge of Khazad-dûm, but it was not to be. It took him into the black chasm and that was the last we saw of our Grey Pilgrim." He explained feeling the shuddering of her shoulders and the wet kiss of her tears, newly fallen, blessing the simple garments he wore.
"The loss was a great toll on us all, but we must not let it defeat us. Not you… nor I…" He said with such ease and passion that it hid any doubt he still may have carried with him along the great journey. "He did what he must to ensure that we could keep moving so that we might live to fight another day. He sacrificed himself in the hope that Middle-Earth would outlast the shadows and find peace again. I can speak for none but myself, but I will tell you now that I will fight, until my final breath should that be my fate. I will keep fighting for him and everything good left in this world."
He felt her movements slowly winding down, her grief passing sluggishly. By the time he had finished speaking she had raised her head enough to meet his gaze. She looked so weary, but not as sad.
"And so shall we all." Androthiel said with a small voice that uplifted and broke his heart all at once. His smile was just as small and fragile.
"Yes…" Aragorn replied. "Now sleep."
"I do not think I can sleep anymore." She said.
"Please. You are safe here and under the protection and care of many." He said gently easing her back into the petal soft pillows. "Your friends are near if needed. Try to take comfort and find rest. The questions can wait for now."
- -
Though she was still feeling weak, Androthiel's fair face was lit with the most gleeful smile as Merry and Pippin, being the light hearted scamps they were, sang her a song. Dancing and marching and making a grand show. Every smile and laugh earned from her just spurred them on in search of more and in that way they were like small children, competing for the praise and affections of a loving parent. It was a wonderful thing to watch.
"Tree and flower and leaf and grass,
Let them pass!" Cheered Merry with a pump of his small fist.
"Let them pass!" Pippin echoed with a grin.
"Hill and water under sky,
Pass them by!" Pippin sang with a hearty smile, his chin held high as he and Merry weaved back and forth around each other, singing and marching.
"Pass them by!" Merry echoed this time.
"Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though we pass them by today,
Tomorrow we may come this way
And take the hidden paths that run
Towards the Moon or to the Sun."
They sang together looking from one another and then often back to Androthiel who kept a soft beat by clapping her thin hands and grinned sweetly at them.
"Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,
Let them go!" Pippin sang dancing a merry little jig, his feet slapping the soft earth as Merry joined him, falling into synched with his friend's footwork.
"Let them go!" The hobbit cheered.
"Sand and stone and pool and ell,
Fare you well! Fare you well!"
Gimli sat making his own laughter, a deep hearty chuckle from the pit of his belly. The wee ones were quite entertaining he must admit.
"A fine song!" He praised as Merry postured and took a dramatic bow for the audience.
Pippin grinned and looked eagerly at Androthiel. "Did you like the song Lady elf?"
"Yes of course!" Androthiel said with a smile. "It was wonderful and no doubt one of Bilbo's, he always was so very good with songs."
Merry nodded. "Yeah ol' Bilbo made that one 'imself. We sang it when we first set out for Buckland."
"Well I'm quite certain he would be very proud to hear you singing it so well." The elf praised.
"Awww.. t'weren't that good." Merry said shuffling his feet.
Pippin blinked. "Yes it was."
"Pippin!"
"It was! I thought it was. Not as good as elf song of course but that's different."
The elf only smiled sweetly and folded her hands in her lap, quite content in her soft grassy seat, hugged by mighty tree roots. As she listened to the two hobbits debate another small figure came walking by, the likes of dear Samwise Gamgee, carefully carrying two plates in his hands. He stopped by the Lady and gave her a coy look.
"Beggin' yer pardon my Lady, but Strider thought it'd be right nice if you had yerself somethin' to eat. I was gonna bring Mr. Frodo a bit of food too so I offered to bring you yours." He said softly, offering her a plate.
"Oh... Thank You Sam. How Lovely." She said reaching for the plate. As she did a tremor passed through her hand causing it to shake visibly and she frowned softly. The hobbit saw this too and he looked mighty sad, but Sam being the kind soul he was, didn't say anything about it.
"I'll set it right here for you to have when you may. Should you be needin' anything else just let me know and I'd be happy to get it for you." Sam said with his gentle smile.
"Thank You Sam. You have a kind heart."
Sam just smiled and moved on with a little nod of his head.
Androthiel watched the hobbit walk away, wrapping the soft folds of her cloak more tightly around herself, feeling quite cold and a little insecure.
--
In another part of the wood Legolas stood alone, or so he thought, staring up at the thick canopy of the trees, seeking the light of the stars above them. He kept straight and tall and as still as a statue, with his arms carefully folded before him.
'You seek answers to questions which you already have.' A voice whispered in his mind.
Legolas looked about, his brows drawing together in slight confusion. There stood the Lady of the Golden Wood, robed in white, gleaming like silver under the moonlight. Her wise eyes followed him as she entered the glade where he stood. He could feel it, where her eyes did not simply look, but reach deep, probing the things within his very heart and soul. He looked back, into her star filled eyes, unafraid of the intrusion as some might be.
'Why do you despair son of Thranduil?' Her voice asked in the deep tones of her voice, a sound like rich honey. It was so clear in his head and her lips never moved. 'You are but a child to me, but you are not so very young… and yet here you are… fearful of the things that can not be undone.'
Legolas face was placid now, though his eyes were deep wells of emotion. "It is hard not to despair when things happen that are so very wrong." He said softly.
Galadriel's eyes brightened. 'Wrong for whom? Wrong for your kin or wrong for you? Painful are many things that come to pass, but they are no more right than wrong when it is the path one must take.'
"She should not have to endure this curse! She was given no choice! It was brought upon her by the will of evil. How is that not wrong? I do not want her to… I cannot watch her die… she was not meant to…"
'But you do not know this for certain. It feels unfair because your heart is deep and cares greatly for your friends, it leaves you feeling betrayed. But that is the way and you must accept what fate has dealt. Sometimes those that deserve life can not keep it young Prince, you know this.' Galadriel's starry eyes narrowed at him; still she did not speak allowed. Only to his mind. 'The Lady has her part to play in this quest, as do you, and your concern now should be if you shall continue onward and aid Frodo on his journey… or? Do you turn back? Back whence you came… to family and all life and love under the darkened bows of your home? None would fault you for leaving the Company…' She said, filling his head with the idea, drudging up his happiest memories to the forefront of his mind, tempting him…
His heart did ache at the memory of home and family, but he could think naught of what he left behind. Legolas had pledged to serve the Hobbit on this perilous mission and he was not one to go back on his word. To turn back now would be a fool's notion!
"I will not go back." He said with determination. "I will see this through… to its end… or my own."
A warm, cunning smile stretched the wise she-elf's lips upon hearing this.
He passed the test.
--
"I had ridden forth with a company from Imaldris at my Lord Elrond's request. He bade us go and bring word to the Lord and Lady." Androthiel explained gently to those members of the company gathered about her, still feasting and curious of her journey to LothLorien.
Many hooves pounded over the wildlands of Middle-Earth. The elves moving with all due speed and haste in hopes of reaching the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien as soon as possible. Her Lord was in desperate need of their guidance, all hope depended upon her getting his letter delivered in a timely manner. Androthiel led the group with a grave look about her face. She moved with such speed the winds had caught up her lovely cloak, causing the garment to float behind her like gossamer wings.
"What word did he bade you bring?" Boromir wondered softly.
Androthiel floated down the halls of Elrond's beautiful home, the leaves continued to fall around her with the season's changing. She noticed a great distance away that her Lord was walking with his child. His arm linked with that of Arwen's, her pale hand held in his own, cupped by the other as they spoke and moved together. Bless her! For she was making her father laugh!
Androthiel smiled warmly at the sight for it had been a long while since she had seen him even crack the tiniest smile. But his smile would not last nor would any other as Arwen's eyes fluttered suddenly and she fell into her father's arms. The Lord of Rivendell stood for one horror-filled moment before he fell to his knees, cradling his ailing child in his arms.
Androthiel's emerald orbs shifted to the quiet form of Aragorn as he sat a distance away, his back to them as he puffed thoughtfully on his pipe. Then her loving gaze was back on Boromir, Gimli, and the Hobbits.
"I fear I am not able to discuss that information with you. It is of a private matter." She apologized, bowing her head.
"Oh think naught of it." Gimli said with a wave of his hand. "Continue! Continue! When and where did you meet with peril?" He asked.
"Not far from the borders of the Golden Wood." Androthiel explained, her brow furrowing with the memory. "We had seen little sign of peril 'til then when we came upon one of our own…" Tears welled in her eyes. "A young scout, he had been slain on the way ahead and the orcs had been sure to leave him on display. They had butchered his mount… or rather… had it not been them, but the Wargs perhaps." She remembered only the deep red that had covered the ground, beyond that she had blocked much of it out.
"Wargs!" Pippin cried in alarm.
"Yes. Our steeds had grown alarmed, not at the sight they beheld, but the foul stench on the air. And then we heard the first beastly howl and we knew we had to flee, the answering calls were far too many, far too close. Seeing as I had been the one carrying the marked case, containing my Lord's news I rode on ahead with two others, while the remaining company followed in hopes of warding off the enemy until we had reached the safety and protection of the Lady."
Bows sang and metal clashed as the chittering cries of orcs and the howls of the wolves rose with the battle cries of her brethren. The she-elf's hands snapped the reins of her mount, urging him to speed her away as fast as possible.
"Needless to say I saw many of my kith and kin fall. I did slay as many of the murdering fiends as I could before the arrow hit and then… a terrible fire burned in my veins." She described, clutching her chest.
The loud 'shank' of the black arrow resonated as it buried itself deep, sheathing itself in the elf's body. She gave a startled cry, but did not falter as she raced ahead of the beastly creatures. Many large paws slapped the ground, chasing the pounding hooves of the white horse and its rider. They were snapping at it's heels as the outermost borders of Lorien appeared in the distance.
"Noro lim!! Noro lim!" She cried as she wrapped the animals' reins around a link on its saddle. Balancing carefully at this speed, Androthiel gripped the shaft of crude wood in both hands and sucked in a deep breath of air as she pulled it out. She let out a cry of great pain as she freed herself of it and studied the arrowhead as she was gasping now at the pain.
"They've tipped it." She realized to her horror. With an angry snarl, she took the black arrow and pulled her own bow, turning in the saddle, cloak and hair flying with the wind; she fired the arrow into the wolf coming nearest to her. Her aim was true, slamming into the thing's heart. It issued a shriek and tumbled to the ground, crushing its rider. The animals shrieked and howled as she pulled free another arrow from her quiver and fired and fired and fired again. She sent her arrows to the animals until there were none left to send.
"So hot did it burn I felt my blood turn to ice within me and I thought surely I would not make it, but I had to try. I don't remember much after… the distant sound of horns blowing… the squeals of my mount and then darkness it seemed had overtaken me completely."
"We were all afraid for you." Merry said softly, biting at his lip, remembering as he had watched at a distance as the elf maiden had dismounted and how pale she had seemed.
"And I thank you deeply for that concern." Androthiel replied with a gentle tilt of her head.
--
This was the scene Legolas came upon, the vision of his dear friend and elder, seated barefoot on the grass, clothed in a shimmering silver garment of Lorien. Her long golden hair lay loose about her thin shoulders, the lackluster streak of white had been consciously tucked back behind the fine point of her ear.
All around her sat his company. The four hobbits sat nearest to her right. Frodo, the closest, though he seemed distant of the conversation. On her left sat Boromir, engrossed and sympathetic to the maiden and across from her was the mighty dwarf, still enjoying his supper meal. A short distance away, farther from the gathered company, but closest to the archer, was Aragorn. He faced away from them all though his eyes were deftly locked on Legolas as he took the pipe from his mouth.
Legolas moved as if a passing shadow, over to his friend and sat a moment with him.
"She spoke to you."
Legolas nodded. "Ai, she did."
Aragorn nodded.
"And why do you not join the others?" Legolas wondered.
The slightest rise lifted the Ranger's brows to his question. "Am I not?" He countered.
"Not from where I am seated. No you are not." Legolas said with a soft scowl, that drew his brows together.
"Would it please you if I moved then?" Aragorn asked, a ghost of amusement in his tone. Still somewhat somber from the loss of Gandalf and the obvious worry for Androthiel.
"It may." Legolas said with a whisper of a grin as his lively blue eyes traveled back to their company.
Aragorn rose with the silence and grace of an elf and led the way back to the company. Legolas followed close after.
--
Androthiel's eyes caught those of both Aragorn and Legolas as they rejoined the company. Aragorn nodded solemnly in return. Legolas wore a mask that was quite shaken; though he tried to smile for her all the same.
"Ah!! The Elf and Ranger finally return!! Well it's about time!! You missed most of the Lady's story." Gimli grumbled at them.
"They missed all of it Master Dwarf. There is nothing left to tell…" Androthiel replied gently, gifting him with her warmest of smiles.
"Oh." The dwarf blinked. "Well see? You missed everything because of your sulking!"
The Hobbits looked back and fourth between the others, save Frodo. Who was still picking at his dinner plate. Androthiel said no more and did the same, picking a juicy slice of fruit to eat, silently thanking Yavanna for the morsel before it touched her pale lips.
"I'm sure we are all well aware, Dwarf… Of what happened. There is no need to rehash it and upset the Lady any longer." Legolas replied, quite curtly. This issued the attention of all; Aragorn shot him a dark look.
"I only meant…" Gimli began, abashed, only to be cut off.
"We all know well what you meant! Say no more of it! I wish not to hear it!" The elf snapped, almost viscously.
Frodo looked up at the smarting tone his voice took on.
"Legolas…" Androthiel began sternly, as a parent would, talking to a haughty child.
"I am free to speak as I would, am I not?" He responded.
"Of course… But what has Gimli done to you that you would be so quick to lash out in this manner? He offends none. Honestly, he has been a joy to me and has served to lift all of our spirits tonight. Would you so readily return to us and trample our mirth with your foul behavior? That is not the way a child of Thranduil would conduct himself…"
Legolas's eyes darkened, literally at her reprimand. "My foul behavior? Look at yourselves? You laugh in the wake of Mithrandir's death!! Call me foul? I think not!"
"Bite your tongue!" Androthiel snapped in the elven tongue. Her voice was rough over the flowing language. It startled the Hobbits. Frodo's small hand went to his heart as his eyes shifted uneasily between them.
"I will not!" Legolas replied in elvish. "I have already tried and it pains me. I am weary of watching my friends fall and none caring!"
"You are blind if you think none care. You surely must be, had it not occurred to you that we may laugh only to keep from letting the grief swallow us whole?" She questioned. "Am I not also your friend? Are not the Hobbits? The Dwarf? The Men?"
"Yes, but.."
"No Legolas. Cease this childish behavior now. I know you are above it. This peace will not last. Enjoy it now while you are able." She advised. The others looked back and fourth as they argued.
"How am I to find peace? How am I, when you are dying!!" He hissed.
Androthiel stared back at him blankly. No one save Aragorn knew the content of the argument, but it was obvious the younger elf had hit a nerve. With no more talk of this, Androthiel rose, silver garments shimmering like falling rainwater as she stood.
"Good night to you all Gentlemen." She said softly in the common tongue as she walked away. As she moved she looked at Legolas out of the corner of her eye. Glistening green pools cutting through the lock of stark white hair as she made to move off to rest.
All it took was that single look for the young elf to realize how truly sorry he was being. He had hurt her and that thought would plague him for the rest of that night.
TBC...
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