A/N: So here's the next chapter, sorry it's been so late in coming. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
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Chapter Eleven
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Ha! Oxana said to Giz as they looked upon Legolas and Sinn interact and finally becoming great friends and in her small little romantic heart, lovers.
Why 'ha'? The racoon asked his owl companion. I don't see any reason why you should say 'ha'. Sure Sinn is finally getting over her love's death, but that doesn't mean that she is going to be with the Elf.
You just don't want to lose the bet.
Listen Oxana, Shenaux will get together with Haldir. They are perfect for each other.
I say that Sinn and Legolas will get together, they are perfect for each other!
Dream on featherbrain.
What did you just call me! Oxana demanded of the racoon. How dare you?
Simple really. Now come on, we should go and curl up with our masters. We have been neglecting our duties. The Lady will want them to have all of the knowledge in their heads when she finally meets with them. And you just don't want Haldir to be with anyone.
He's too gorgeous to be with one person. He should spread his love to all.
That's just disgusting Oxana. You're an animal. Sure, Elves are strange, but they are not that strange. And with that, Giz ran after Legolas. With a sigh, Oxana followed.
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The next morning, Haldir led them through the woods for about half the day when he finally stopped upon a hill.
"Caras Galadihon." He announced with pride and joy. "The heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."
The Fellowship gasped in shock at the sight before them. The trees were tall and ancient and golden. It was a magnificent sight to behold.
Haldir led them to the Elvish City and then up many stairs to finally stop on another platform. The Hobbits and the two women were getting tired of being up so high. They all awaited the arrival of the Lord and Lady of Galadhrim.
They didn't have to wait long, for a few moments after Haldir left them, the Lord and Lady began to descend more stairs and walked towards them. They were both bathed in magnificent light that seemed to cleanse the souls of all. The Fellowship looked on in awe.
"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Ten there are here, yet eleven there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar." Celeborn said as he and his wife came to a stop on the stairs.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into Shadow." Galadriel said as she looked into the eyes of Sinn and Shenaux.
Celeborn looked at his wife in confusion.
"He was taken by both Shadow and Flame." Legolas said softly and Celeborn looked at him sharply. "A Balrog of Morgoth." The Elves gasped in shock and horror at the mention of the Balrog and Morgoth. "For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life." Galadriel told the young prince. "We do not yet know his full purpose." She finally looked over at Gimli. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-Dum fill your heart Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril and in all the lands love is now mingled with grief." She stared at Boromir and he looked away. "The quest stands on the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will be the ruin of all." She looked at Sam and smiled. "But hope remains if the company stays true. Rest now, for you are weary with toil and much grief. Tonight you shall find much needed rest. The borders of Lothlórien shall protect you."
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Sinn and Shenaux were shown to different quarters than the others of the Fellowship. Lady Galadriel had requested that they stay in the guestrooms and they gratefully accepted the invitation. They were now taking advantage of the baths that were set out for them.
"Oh, how I missed my baths." Sinn sighed.
"It's just magnificent and relaxing." Shenaux agreed.
The two of them were sharing a talan. It had four rooms; two bedrooms, a large sitting room and a bathing room.
"Why are you still jumpy around Haldir?" Sinn asked her friend.
Shenaux sighed. "My heart is telling me that he isn't Darren, but my mind is telling me that he looks just like him. I know we are on Middle Earth and that Darren can't possibly be here, but I just can't get over the fact that a man that looks exactly like the person that abused me is here."
Sinn nodded and the two were silent for five minutes. "Legolas and I talked things out. We are now on our way to becoming friends." She sighed then smiled gently. "He got me over my grief."
"What! How?" Shenaux asked as she looked at her friend in surprise.
Sinn explained everything in full detail to her best friend and blood sister. How he apologised and then talked to her about how she would feel if she were the one to die and Ransom lived the way she was living. She told her how he made her open her eyes to the beauty of the world around her and how ugly she had become on the inside.
After her tale, the two women sat in contemplative silence as they finished their baths. Once they were out, the wrapped themselves in a towel and then went into their rooms to find something clean to wear.
Lying on the bed in Sinn's room was a long flowing green dress that had a curved neckline so it would show a hint of her soft, white breasts. Shrugging, Sinn put the dress on and found that it fit her perfectly in all the right places. After admiring the dress in the mirror, she sat down at the vanity and combed her long red hair.
She exited her room and found Shenaux standing there in a long blue flowing dress similar to her own. Her long golden brown hair was loose also.
"Shall we go see what the others are doing?" Shenaux asked as she slipped on the matching slippers.
Sinn nodded and put her slippers on also. "I wonder if Sam recited his poem yet." She mused as the walked toward the sleeping area their companions were staying at.
When they entered the clearing, Sinn's breath caught in her throat when she caught sight of Legolas as he walked from the pool with a silver urn in his hand.
He was dressed in his silver tunic and pants. His normally soft light was more radiant. The light glowed softly upon his long golden hair. The time here under the trees of Lothlórien will do him good. He looked magnificent and even more handsome than ever before. He had his eyes closed as he listened to the Elvish song.
Shenaux looked over at her friend and grinned at the look upon her face. Someone had finally got a hold of Sinn's attention.
"A lament for Gandalf." Legolas said softly to the others.
None have yet seen Sinn and Shenaux standing near the clearing's edge.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked the Elf.
Legolas looked at the young Hobbit, grief filled his eyes. "I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near."
Frodo, then began to speak.
"When evening in the Shire was grey
His footsteps on the Hill were heard;
Before the dawn he went away
On journey long without a word."
The young Hobbit faltered in his words and that's when Sinn and Shenaux made their presence known as they helped their friend speak the words in his heart.
"From Wilderland to Western shore.
From northern waste to southern hill,
Through dragon-lair and hidden door
And darkling woods he walked at will."
The group all looked towards them and Frodo smiled at them in thanks as he finished his poem he started.
"With Dwarf and Hobbit, Elves and Men,
With mortal and immortal folk,
With bird on bough and beast in den,
In their own secret tongues he spoke.
A deadly sword, a healing hand,
A back that bent beneath its load;
A trumpet-voice, a burning brand,
A weary pilgrim on the road.
A lord of wisdom throned
he sat,
Swift in anger, quick to laugh;
An old man in a battered hat
Who leaned upon a thorny staff.
He stood upon the bridge alone
And Fire and Shadow both defied;
His staff was broken on the stone,
In Khazad-dum his wisdom died."
"Wow Shenaux and Sinn. You two look beautiful!" Pippin said in shock as he stood up when Frodo finished his poem.
"Thanks Pippin, did we look ugly before?" Sinn asked, a small smile playing at her lips.
"That's not what I meant!" He protested. "I'm just not used to seeing you clean. I mean…" Pippin trailed off and Sinn laughed at him.
"It's all right Pippin." She giggled as she hugged the Hobbit and kissed the top of his head. "I know what you meant and I thank you for the compliment."
"There should be a verse about Gandalf's fireworks." Sam said as he stood up and clasped his hands behind his back and began to recite.
"The finest rockets ever seen.
They burst in stars of blue and green.
Or after thunder, silver showers
Came falling like a rain of flowers."
Sam sat down. "Oh that doesn't do them justice by a long road." He sighed.
Gimli snored and Aragorn hit him for being rude to fall asleep when the Hobbits were trying to handle their grief.
Shenaux smiled at Sam and sat beside him on the ground. "No Sam, that did them great justice. It was beautiful."
The small Hobbit smiled up at her in his thanks.
"I see that Gimli is getting his strength back." Sinn replied dryly. "Tell me, how much did he eat at supper?"
"I believe it was more than the Hobbits here." Aragorn chuckled.
"Is that even possible?" Shenaux asked.
"Apparently so." Sinn said as she looked at Legolas from the corner of her eye. She blushed slightly when she found him staring at her. She turned her head to say something when Haldir entered the clearing.
Even though Shenaux wasn't anywhere near Sinn, she still felt her friend stiffen at the sight of the Elf. Quickly standing, Sinn walked over to the Elf and smiled up at him. "Lord Haldir, I was wondering if you would show me around the city?" She linked arms with the male Elf.
"Of course my lady, I was just on my way here to ask if Legolas wished to join me in my wondering." He looked towards his old friend.
Legolas nodded his head. "It has been long since I have been here last." He walked over to join the two and to his surprise, Sinn linked her free arm through his and smiled up into his face.
"Shall we be off then?" Sinn questioned and the trio left.
As soon as Haldir was out of sight, Shenaux relaxed visibly.
"Is anything the matter Shenaux?" Aragorn asked. "Every time you are near Haldir, you tense up or shrink away from him. Is there a reason why you don't like him?"
"I can't say. Not yet." She told him and he nodded, letting the subject drop.
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