Disclaimer: Don't own the Tolkein characters, do own Alanya.
The world is changing.
This thought echoed through Galadriel's mind as she sat watching the forest before her from the bedroom balcony of her talan. Connected intimately to her realm, the great Elvin lady felt the signals of change in her very blood. She could sense an ever-growing shadow begin to take shape in the world. Lord Elrond of Imladris had called a council to deal with this threat, of which she waited for word that had been promised her. She had been reluctant to send a contingent of fighters, as there were growing numbers of orc incursions on the fences of the Golden Wood. Ageless eyes stared unseeing as she pondered shifts in the world, from the increasing numbers of orcs, to the darkening shadow in the east. Perhaps it was time to consult her mirror, she debated, and to see if the reflections cast any clarity on the times to come.
Galadriel rose and paced gracefully and unhurriedly down the steps of her talan, nodding to the sentinel guards at the base of the steps. Her dress shimmered with thousands of exquisite tiny crystals that sparkled and shone, as the Lady's eyes themselves shone. Not a whisper of sound was heard as she trod the ground, the grass cool beneath her feet in the early afternoon sun. If one observed her the only picture would be of serenity and eternal wisdom. Here and there a subject would greet her, bowing with their hand over their hearts, as she walked the forest path. To these she smiled, bestowing to her people the knowledge that each and every one held a place in her heart.
She came to an isolated glade and descended into it. All outside noise dropped to barely a background whisper within the circle of the trees, adding a mysterious calm to the small hollow. The only sound came from the soft breath of the wind, and the bubbling of a small spring at the side of the clearing. Gliding over, a slim hand grasped a silver ewer and let the water flow into its depths. She turned towards the center of the glade and the small basin on a stand in its middle. This was the famous Mirror of Galadriel. Here the lady would search its depths in answer to her questions, and pray to the Valar that a clear vision would be granted.
The water poured into the mirror, the surface rippling this way and that, before becoming as smooth as a pane of glass. Misty images began to float in its depths. She could see the forest of Lorien underneath a great shadow. Other images that arose were one of a golden ring in the darkness, and the image of the nazgul riding forth from the Black Gate of Morder. Finally, she saw an image of the keep called Helm's Deep by the Rohirriic people, and fierce fighting enveloped it as an orc army poured over the outer wall. The final image was of her March Warden, Haldir, a fierce figure among the fighting, laying waste to many orcs. She saw him stunned by a blow, and saw the orc sword rise behind him for a killing blow. Before the blow could land however, the view shifted to the figure of a young woman standing in plain gray robes, a well-worn travel pack at her feet and a dark horse by her side. Her lovely face was framed by strangely iridescent blue-black hair that hung past her waist. Then, the image in the mirror shimmered and broke up, to become simply a pool of water once more.
Troubled, Galadriel turned away to find her husband waiting silently at the edge of the glade. His eyes darkened as he noted her unease.
"What troubles you, a'maelamin?" Lord Celeborn said somberly as he walked over to Galadriel. Galadriel met him halfway to the edge and leaned into him, enjoying the feel as his arms came around her to hold her in his embrace. She sighed and leaned her forehead onto his in an intimate gesture long turned into habit between the two.
"Even the wisest cannot tell," she said with a small smile, the phrase also an old one between them, for all the times he asked her of what she had seen in her mirror. Loosening herself from his embrace she drifted over to the side of the clearing and sat on the edge of a bench placed there.
"Then I will sit with you and ease your troubles however I might." Celeborn moved to his wife's side, placing his arm back around her and holding her to his side. "What portents have revealed themselves to you?"
"Darkness gathers across the land. The shadow grows ever stronger. I believe the Council at Imladris will speak of the one ring being found, though in whose hand I cannot tell." Celeborn's grip on his wife tightened as Galadriel continued. "The hammer shall fall soon. Our people must be ready."
Celeborn sighed. "It is as I feared. Haldir and I have been analyzing the orc attacks, and they are more frequent." He closed his eyes as his wife trailed her fingers across his temple into his hair.
"We cannot allow the world of men to stand alone." She stated quietly. She could feel in her mind Celeborn's silent agreement. And yet her mind was still troubled on the vision of the strange mortal woman seen in the depths of the mirror. "The alliance of men and elves will be honored. Some of our people will fall. That may yet be prevented, but that knowledge is still hidden. There will come a strange mortal, who will play a pivotal part in helping those of our people who join in this fight." The image of Haldir being struck from behind and the image of the woman were clear in her mind, and she shared this with Celeborn. Her lord was silent as he pondered this.
"You think they are linked for some purpose?" He replied, a faint ghost of concern crossing his brow. His wife nodded a silent assent. "Then we must wait and observe, and to hear the results of Elrond's council. In the meantime though I shall see our people ready."
"I will call our Marchwarden back from the fences. And we watch for her coming." She gave her lord one last slight smile and they withdrew, with only the wind to mark their passage.
Haldir stood concealed on the edge of his watch talan, listening to the forest. His turn on the fences was not due to end for several weeks yet he had received a summons from the Lady to return home. A birdcall caught his attention, signaling his temporary replacement was on the way. Several moments later the golden mallorn leaves rustled and the figure of an elf dropped gracefully onto the talan floor. Haldir shot him a look.
"Did you get lost on your way?" Haldir asked with a touch of sarcasm.
"Ai, brother, so terribly foul tempered! I'll have you know I stopped to visit Elenwen at her post, that I might prevail upon her for some company when night falls, for it is so dreadfully lonely out on the fences." His younger brother Orophin replied with a wicked grin. Haldir merely rolled his eyes as he began to gather his weapons about him.
"If you spent half as much time paying attention to your duties that you spent on wooing the elleths, you would be up to challenging me for my position."
Orophin looked at him askance. "What?! I'd sooner kiss an orc, Haldir. With all that responsibility of yours I think my mind would burst at the seams. I am perfectly content with my position as a mere warden my brother, rather then pursuing a captains position. As it is I am busy accommodating all the elleths who swoon over my duties on the border."
Hoisting his belongings on his back, Haldir gave everything a small shake to settle it all before taking off. He did not deign to answer his brother with much more then a scowl. "Still, be certain you pay attention out here now. There was an orc patrol that almost came within our territories before turning and traveling towards Isengard. Their increasing boldness has me concerned."
"Peace, Haldir. I know your duties as well as you do yourself. All will be well." Orophin grasped his brother on the shoulder. "I shall see you back at the city when I finish your tour on the fences."
Haldir graced his brother with a small, but real smile. "I know you know your position. Carry on in my stead and I will see you anon." He nodded his head at his brother and hopped from the edge of the talan to a lower branch, continuing in such a manner until he reached the ground. Doing another check to be certain all was set, he took off at a distance devouring lope towards the warden's base camp to leave one last set of orders before he set off to Caras Galadhon.
As Haldir jogged along he could not help but feel uneasy. He knew there was nothing wrong with the manner in which he carried out his duties. He severely doubted it was because the Lady thought him overworked, although she had mentioned perhaps he could spend a few more hours relaxing without the performance of his duties hurting. It most certainly had to do with the growing numbers of orc attacks and the growing shadow she had sensed recently. A chill set in his bones that had nothing to do with the weather as he recalled his dreams as of late. He could remember few clear details from them, simply a feeling of danger.
After reaching the city, Haldir took a moment to stop and inquire of one of the sentinels where the Lady Galadriel could be found. Before the sentinel could vocalize the answer the calm mind voice of Galadriel echoed into their thoughts.
Peace, Marchwarden. You may come to me in my talan. A feeling of amusement from the Lady was felt as the two elves snapped up straight in reaction. Haldir sighed in exasperation as he felt her mind leave his.
"Sometimes, I think she does that out of pure mischief." He said dryly to the sentinel.
The guard laughed. "Aye, I think you have the right of it. Welcome back, Captain Haldir." Haldir nodded and headed for the center of the city feeling better then he had upon entering. If it had been immediate bad news, for certain the Lady's mental tone would have been much more somber. Perhaps it was more along of the lines of her forcing him to spend more time home from the fences. The Lady Galadriel had taken a personal interest in Haldir ever since he and his brothers were orphaned at a young age during the first War of the Ring. Truthfully, Haldir did hold much affection for the Lady as well, and he did not resent her meddling in his life as it was most often out of love. Occasionally mischief, he mused to himself, but most out of love.
Slowing down as he neared her talan, he took a moment to attempt to make himself more presentable. Glancing down, however, proved that he might as well give it up as a lost cause. He had obviously been out on the borders, from the well worn tunic to the scuffs on his boots. Ah well, he would live. He always made an effort to appear at his best before Galadriel and Celeborn, for despite the bonds of affection between them they were still his Lord and Lady and he was still their subject. The stairs leading up to her talan offered an amazing view of the city, and he paused to admire it.
He loved his home with a passion. It was this which led him to spend long hours on the fences and endless time on the practice fields, driving his wardens to constantly be striving towards perfection. The units he trained personally were always head and shoulder above others. Elves may complain that he was a hard taskmaster, but they could never say that he would ask something of his wardens that he would not do himself. Sighing at the view of the city, he turned back and hurried up the stairs. Before he could knock the Lady's voice bade him enter.
Stepping into Galadriel's talan he could feel the cares of his duties ease from his shoulders as her presence enveloped him. He kneeled before her and bowed his head, looking up in surprise as she caressed his face.
"Come, my march warden. This is not simply about your duties. Lay aside your weapons and sit, for I desire your company."
Haldir's eyebrows rose but he said nothing, carefully placing his weapons by the entrance and attempting to brush the dust of his travels off of him before he marred the cushions of the Lady's couch. Galadriel smiled at his actions, but said nothing, merely gesturing him to sit beside her. When he sat she moved close, laying a kiss on his brow.
"You have not done that since I was an elfling," Haldir said with a ghost of a smile.
Galadriel's eyes sparkled. "And I also remember you as an adolescent elf, protesting that you were too old to be kissed so."
Haldir smiled in remembrance for the obnoxious youth he had been. "Ay, perhaps I was being a bit silly."
"I have always loved you as a son, Haldir, for even as I saw the grieving elfling brought to my attention, I knew that within you was a strong, kind heart. Even though you do conceal it behind a gruff exterior." She said dryly. Her smile left her as she continued. "You will need this strength in the coming darkness."
Haldir grew still. "The growing shadow." he said quietly. Galadriel nodded. He looked away. "I have felt this. Not only that, but," he paused not certain how to continue. He sighed, getting up to pace. "Strange my dreams have been these past few moons. There is no sense to them, at least that I can recall. When I wake the only thing I can recall is the lingering feel of danger." An image came to him as he tried to remember the dark things that came only half formed to his conscious mind.
"Yes, Haldir? There is more you remember, I can see this." Galadriel waited for his mind to bring forth images she knew were contained inside.
"Simply, a dark haired woman in moonlight…" his words trailed off. "Neither mortal or elf, for there is something about her."
"I have seen this in my mirror," Galadriel said. Haldir started in surprise, but said nothing. "I believe this strange mortal woman has a purpose here, and somehow her destiny here in middle earth s linked with yours. For now, however, we wait for word from Elrond's council."
"Am I to return to the fences now, Lady?" Haldir asked, his thoughts whirling in confusion.
Galadriel shook her head. "Rest here Haldir, and let go your cares for some time. There will be no time for such things in the darkening days, but those days are not here yet," she said gently as she rose, cupping his face. "Search your dreams for meaning, but do not despair, for the Valar watch over us evermore."
Haldir's face was troubled, and he turned to go.
"Haldir?"
"Yes?" He turned back to her.
She smiled, a vision of loveliness. "Do not fear your heart." The Lady turned away and headed for her balcony, as Haldir stood with his thoughts in a whirl.
be nice...review! This is my first fic...constructive criticism greatly appreciated