Author's notes:
Aië! Sorry for the incredible amount of time it took to get this done! I can't make any promises the next chapter won't take as long as this did. / I'd very much appreciate if you'd tell me what you thought of Haldir here. I had a hard time with him and still have my doubts whether I got his reactions right. I think they're at least acceptable... Just another thing (I said it on my profile page, but I strongly doubt anyone reads that): if you happen to like the little poems that come up around the chapters, you can find them at "Fallen Leaves". I had them all written before the story because, honestly, I didn't want to write it then. ;p

To Gilraen: Thank you for that review, it made my day! That's only part of what I mean, but the most significant part, yes. ;) I usually answer reviews by email, but I really wanted to say this. Hope you enjoy the new chapter!

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Chapter V: The Lady of Lothlórien

"Lord Haldir, maybe you should have someone go out looking for her. It has already been over a day since she has disappeared..." Haldir and Simbelmynë were again at the same place, in the high platform, as if they had not moved since their talk with the dark-haired maiden. But it was not so, quite the opposite in fact.

The two guardians had met the Lords of Lórien the very following afternoon, reporting to them what had come to pass. Yet, they were astonished with the lack of interest the Lords had demonstrated. Not even the Lady Galadriel had spared them with anything else, other than a more than obvious fake look of interest and then concern, before the Lord Celeborn had dismissed them.

Simbelmynë had been restless and, for the first time in her very long life, she wished to go out into the wild and look for the maiden herself, but since she knew there was little she could do, she had not stopped trying to get the captain, who was doubly astonished with first the Lords' reactions and then with the respectful lady's sudden change of attitudes, to go ever since instead. A dark and slightly more ironic corner inside Haldir's mind could not keep from thinking that at least there may be still hope for the lady to understand that there were more important things than good-manners and that there was still a chance for her to loosen her grip on herself, and others, from there on.

Right now, the situation was no different, apart maybe from the captain's line of thought. Both were discussing what to do about Moralphwen – Haldir, too proud and embarrassed to admit that maybe his actions on the day before had not been the wisest, and Simbelmynë, too worried with what may have happened to the maiden to bother the captain with it. She knew they had all made mistakes and acted without thinking properly, with a hot head full of confused emotions and promptly rash answers.

Haldir, however, was somewhat fearful of the whole thing. He ignored the lady's little interest in imputing guilts and so feared what she could say or what she could feel towards him now. He, on the other hand, wasted no time in blaming himself and that burnt too large a whole within him to bear easily. He knew he could not stand if something happened to his little alph [swan]. After all, he had made a promise... Thus, he said nothing and kept his eyes on either the floor or the distant horizon, back turned to the lady, desperately trying to think himself out of it.

"Are you going to do nothing, then, my lord?" At that, Haldir finally and brusquely snapped out of his gloomy reverie.

"Of course I am going to do something! It was my fault this happened after all, therefore I'm bound to..." But the lady, who by now had understandment written all over her eyes, cut him off mid-sentence.

"Then that is what has been on your mind. Do not trouble yourself, for the blame rests upon no one's and everyone's head."

"Nay, my good Simbelmynë. I let her go, I failed to heed your advice and I even encouraged you against it. Not even the Lords find me worthy of the task I was appointed. Didn't you see them?..." Simbelmynë kept silent, for she could not see any explanation to justify their actions, or lack of thereof, but whatever it was, she was certain it was not that, it could not be. Meanwhile, Haldir had already reached a decision of his own. "I'll go look for her. You are right, it has been too long."

Haldir walked away, with steady and large paces, and Simbelmynë was left alone. After a while, she too turned to leave, when a messenger from the Lords caught up with her and told her of their wish.

~*~

The journey back from the Nimrodel was very different from before for Moralphwen. Having a cooler head, she was now able to see each tree and each leaf very clearly. She could also see that there was a greater distance between the stream and the city than she had ever imagined and now wondered how it was that she could have made such a long walk on such short time and still, more importantly, not remember a thing of it, apart from what was on her mind at the moment. However, even that seemed an indistinct recollection, as if it was some event that had occurred on some past life. The resulting feelings, though, were quite fresh and vivid in the maiden's heart and of those she was sure she would not forget, nor easily nor anytime soon.

The guard who had found her had waited for a while by the Nimrodel, before they ventured off back to Caras Galadhon. He had said he wanted to wait till the path was clearer from the mud the rain had produced. When they had begun walking, though, he made sure to always keep an eye on the road before him and the other on Moralphwen, to see if she fared well. She was a maiden and not accustomed to those kinds of walks, but whenever she caught him looking in her direction, she made sure he got nothing but a murderous glare as an answer, even as she tripped on some protuberant root that got in her way or nearly fell on some small pool of mud. She still had not forgiven him for his initial little 'intrusion', though it was more out of stubbornness than anything else.

They had not talked since their first meeting, much to Moralphwen's relief. The brew of new and unknown feelings inside her made her feel insecure as to whether or not she would be able to talk to anyone without shouting out in frustration and rage. Apparently, and fortunately, the guard was more interested in getting her back home at the time, even if her attempts on intimidating him had been very amusing.

Moralphwen was starting to get tired and had to focus on each step she took, the drenched clothes and mud drying on her legs truly making her feel uncomfortable, when sounds of a conversation ahead floated over to her. She raised her head to ask the guard if they were home already, but then realised that he had disappeared. Listening more carefully, she noted that one of the voices was his and the other was dreadfully familiar.

She halted and, listening even harder, tried to make out the words being said, but, just then, they quieted. Merely seconds later, Haldir came out from behind a tree, clearly apprehensive. He just stood there waiting for the maiden to say the first word.

Moralphwen, though, surprised herself when, instead of yelling out how much she hated him, she ran to her guardian and embraced him as fiercely as she had never done before in her life. She felt him release a long breath and, only then, respond in kind. But she said nothing.

Still not free of his guilt, but utterly relieved that she was well, Haldir led the maiden through the final piece of the journey. Just after they'd crossed the white gates and entered Caras Galadhon again, Moralphwen was struck by the unexpected feeling that she had entered the city for the very first time, and that only now was she able to truly see it.

Great majestic trees that rose to the immense heights, where the talans that housed the elves were built, vertical and inflexible, implacable in their stand. Arien's ship was completing its journey west and Rana had made her entry known, while, below Elbereth's canopy of innumerable twinkling jewels, the Lórien elves lit their own blue and white lights, giving the earth a celestial and ethereal air that could only be matched by the heavens.

So intent on watching the enormous change in her home for ever since she could remember was she, that Moralphwen did not notice how Simbelmynë had joined her and Haldir. The two guardians' voices were carried to her by some fresh breeze and she awoke from her reverie, startled without knowing why. As she saw the lady, Moralphwen launched herself at her and, as they embraced, tears flowed to her eyes without her consent. Simbelmynë wiped them off with her white coloured sleeve and gently spoke to the maiden.

"Moralphwen, child, are you well? Are you hurt? I am so sorry, I am sorry for everything... I can understand if you hate us..." The maiden lifted her head and, somehow, so did her spirits.

"Of course not. I could never hate you or Haldir, Simbelmynë. You mean so much to me..." She hesitated for a while. "At first I thought I did, but now I know I could never hate you, I love you two too much..." The ladies hugged again and Haldir stayed nearby to one side. The situation was strange to him, he didn't quite know what to do, it was making him rather uncomfortable, though hearing his little alph's words were more reassuring than he had ever expected. Maybe Simbelmynë had been right. Seeing his fellow guardian so at ease with Moralphwen, he found himself wondering next on who was more careful with composure, whether it was the expected Simbelmynë or perhaps he himself. "Strange things do happen when things are suddenly changed", he thought.

"Moralphwen, Haldir and I have talked to the Lords of Lothlórien and I have been sent a message earlier, requesting your presence. The Lords wished to see you alone as soon as you returned." This was new for both the maiden and Haldir, and he made sure to have it known.

"What?! After that disgraceful... monologue with them, they want to see her?" He wasn't sure why he was reacting that way, he should be thankful that the Lords did indeed care. Simbelmynë's answer was short, concise and welcomingly expected – she gave him a reprimanding glare.

"Do not listen to him, Moralphwen, he have all been worried sick since you took that flight off into the middle of nowhere, and lord Haldir most of all. Come now, we must not keep the Lords waiting." Simbelmynë turned and walked towards the Lords' talan. Meanwhile, Haldir and Moralphwen shared a small knowing smile, not just because of the respectful lady's full return, but also because they both felt incredibly light-hearted now that everything was settled and back to normal.

~*~

"My Lady..." With a slight curtsy, Moralphwen came before the Lady Galadriel. She was a bit nervous, standing there alone. She had never been before any of the Lords in the past, not even with her guardians. "Fortunately, Lord Celeborn is not present, so I have only half of it to worry about", she thought.

"Moralphwen Dark-swan, we meet again." The Lady gave her a mysterious smile that could have been one of amusement. "The first time I saw you, you were but a small child, merely a few Springs old. I assume you do not remember that time, do you?" The Lady's gentle tone somehow felt intimidating, but she knew there was nothing to fear.

"No, my Lady, I do not." As soon as she had ended saying this, the Lady of the Galadhrim continued as if there had been no interruptions in her speech.

"It was the time when Simbelmynë was appointed to guard you and to raise you. You know, at first, she alone was to be your guardian, not along with captain Haldir. I had my doubts at the time, but I see now it was right to permit it. He was very insisting." Galadriel kept smiling, but Moralphwen was puzzled as to where their talk was heading, she wasn't even sure she understood completely what was being said. The Lady seemed to read her mind, though.

"You are not following what I am saying. Maybe it would be better to show you instead. Would you like to see?" Now she was sure she had no idea of what was going to happen, but the Lady was revealing herself to be kind and that encouraged Moralphwen to speak.

"I'm sorry, my Lady, you are right. I do not understand and I'm afraid I'm even more confused right now. What is it that you wish to tell me, what is it that you wish to show me?"

"Dear Moralphwen, but you already know. What was it that made you return, what new doubt plagues your mind now? The truth. I will show you the truth, I will tell you the truth... if you so desire." The maiden's heart leapt with excitement.

"Yes, I do wish to know, my Lady!" The Lady of Light granted Moralphwen with another one of her mysterious smiles, approached a table to take a piece of parchment and slowly spoke.

"Follow me, then." They left the oval chamber through an opening on the floor, next the other where the great mallorn's trunk continued its ascension. It gave way to a large white staircase that led to the ground. The same guards that had been next to it when Moralphwen had come were still at their post, with their white capes and grey chain mails, seated by the end of the stairs. They stood just as they had before, when the two ladies passed by them.

A small white rivulet flowed off a fountain and then off a silver basin near the mallorn's roots. It was located in the middle of a grand lawn, but the Lady did not stop there. They followed the crystalline waters in their mild course, towards the southern slope of the hill where Caras Galadhon lay. Eventually, they arrived at a clearing, a garden with no trees where the fair sky could be seen unopposed by the branches of the great mellyrn.

Moralphwen did not know where they were going or why had the Lady brought her to this place. She had never seen it before and did not comprehend how exactly it would help her in learning the truth, how it would show it to her.

There was a deep green depression in the center, through which the silvery rivulet continued its flow, and in it, naught but a low pedestal where laid another silver basin and an elegant silver pitcher. The Lady Galadriel slowly filled the basin with the rivulet's water, breathed at it and as the waters became calm and clear once more, she spoke again, cutting through the immense confusion mingled with curiosity in the maiden's head.

"This is the Mirror of Galadriel, Moralphwen. In it, you may look upon that which you desire to see. I can read in your eyes, though, that your heart refuses to have the same doubts as your head and it is that inner conflict that ails you the most..." The maiden could not hold the Lady's piercing gaze and so lowered her head. "Look into it, but do not trouble the waters. Come!"

Step by step the maiden approached the pedestal. She knew that this was it, the moment of truth, even if she still wasn't sure of how it would work. Slowly, she set her eyes upon the Mirror's clean surface, but it reflected only the stars above. However, that image slowly began giving way to something else, a very different landscape from that one where she was. And Moralphwen observed it closely...