Alanya slept deeply and dreamlessly for several hours, her body repairing the scorched pathways that allowed her to utilize magical energy. She slowly came to consciousness buried in soft blankets, the weight reassuring and warm. A cool hand stroked her hair and she opened her eyes to see Galadriel sitting by the bed.
"You have slept most of the day away, penneth. How do you fare?"
Alanya glanced out the window, and indeed, the angle of the sun indicated many hours had come and gone. She struggled to sit up and Galadriel helped her, propping a pillow up behind her. Her head still faintly ached but light and sound were now bearable. The lady turned to retrieve a glass sitting on the table beside her.
"I've had better days," she said faintly.
"Here, this will help with any lingering pain." Alanya made a face and tried to take the glass, but Galadriel shook her head. "You must let me help you penneth." She held the cup to Alanya's lips and the mage downed the draught. Galadriel laughed softly at Alanya's surprised expression. "You were expecting something foul?"
"They usually are," replied the mage. "I've accused my healer of making them purposely bad to punish me for overextending myself." She sighed and sat back while Galadriel sat the glass back down.
"It is not much more then some soothing herbs in wine." Galadriel smiled warmly. "If it were foul, I would not be able to convince Celeborn to drink it when he overtaxes himself with work." She returned to stroke Alanya's hair and the mage sighed, resting her head back and closing her eyes. "My penneth. I had not foreseen the ring would harm you so."
"I think it was because I was unprepared. A mage is intimately connected to the flows of power in a world, and the ring warps and bends those energy flows, causing damage to the mage." Alanya responded, turning slightly pink in embarrassment at the admittance of her error. "I've felt so at home here, that I've let my shields down a great deal, especially when I am with Haldir and his brothers, or you and Celeborn. I'm lucky I'm not comatose right now." She shuddered in memory of the ring, the malevolent and seductive sensation of the power still lingering in her senses. It had whispered to her of deeds that could be accomplished, wrongs that could be righted if she would just take it up when it came under her grasp. "I can almost still hear it." Galadriel grasped her hand as Alanya was surprised to find it was trembling.
"We will not let you be hurt by it penneth."
"I know." She took in one hesitant breath. "I'm not afraid of that. It's just that, for a moment…" her voice trailed into nothingness as she was ashamed to continue.
"You found yourself tempted." Galadriel finished for her. Alanya nodded mutely, eyes downcast. "The ring is strong, Alanya. Do not feel shame at feeling its pull." Galadriel tilted her chin up to look Alanya in the eye. "It has a siren's call, lovely but deadly, and few can hear it and be unaffected. Even myself."
"Until now I've been able to put the approaching conflict in the back of my mind. I'm scared now, for Haldir, myself, even you and Celeborn. Everyone. The whole of Lorien. The thought of such a place as this being profaned by evil…" Alanya shook her head, unable to find words that could adequately describe the situation.
"And it does you credit, Alanya, that you do feel such things for a people not yet your own. Although, it seems that situation may change?" Alanya blushed at Galadriel's knowing inquiry, and the great lady merely smiled, giving Alanya a hug before rising.
"Maybe…" Alanya demurred, looking away. Galadriel laughed, the sound bright in the late afternoon light.
"Well ,we shall see. The fellowship will arrive at the edge of Lorien by nightfall. We will see them in two days, penneth. Whatever you must do to shield yourself from the effect of the ring, you have some time to do so. Once the fellowship arrives we must begin preparations for war." The Lady's dress whispered as she moved to look out the window. "The world is changing." She said quietly. Alanya rose carefully and made her way to the window, resting her head on Galadriel's shoulder.
"Where there is life, there is always hope." Alanya said simply.
"A wise statement for your young years, penneth." Galadriel replied, putting her arm around Alanya's waist. The two stood in the sunlight, watching the movement of life below, each pledging silently to fight the coming darkness.
The next two days passed in a blur for Alanya. She slept in what was once Celebrian's room, and spent all her time working on her shielding and bringing herself up to full power. If the ring affected her so when it was not even within the borders of Lothlorien, she had no wish to find out what it could do in close proximity. She would come out of her trances periodically to find food and drink sitting at her side. It was evening on the day when the fellowship was expected when Alanya came out of her final trance to find Galadriel waiting.
Are you ready my penneth?
Alanya was pleased to find that despite the heavy shielding she could still hear Galadriel's calming presence in her mind when the Lady chose to speak to her in such a manner. She nodded, rising from her prone position to smooth her velvet skirts into place. She took a moment to more firmly ground her energy, having trouble coming back down to earth after hours of working in the magical energy flows of the land.
"The fellowship approaches. I would have you stand with Celeborn and I to receive them." Galadriel held her hand out to Alanya, who took it with suddenly nerveless fingers. They paced into the main room, where Celeborn awaited them, resplendent in silver robes.
"A'mael, penneth." Celeborn nodded, taking his wife's hands and kissing them. He gave a closer look to Alanya. "You are well?" He strode over to her, lifting her chin to look in her eyes. Alanya gave him a shy smile.
"I'll be fine. I've spent the entirety of these last few days making sure of it." Celeborn nodded in response and released her. He turned to a side table and handed her a small velvet bag. Alanya looked at him in a silent query, wondering what it was.
"A sign of your status among us, Alanya. I would have you wear it for greeting the fellowship."
Now beyond curious, she opened the bag to see delicate mithril circlet, luminous in its shine. Tiny diamonds decorated it here and there, causing it to sparkle. A sigh left her lips as she examined it.
"It's lovely," she replied softly. "Thank you!" She leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek and he smiled over her head at his wife as the mage added a hug to her thanks as well. Galadriel took the circlet and gently placed it on Alanya's head, securing her hair back with a set of jewel pins.
A quite tap on the door signaled the arrival of an attendant, notifying them that the fellowship had arrived. Celeborn and Galadriel signaled Alanya.
"Come, penneth, and attend us."
Alanya followed the pair out the door, pacing gracefully behind them, head held high. The only sound as they walked was the rustle of fabric from Alanya's skirts. They descended onto a platform and halted, Alanya stepping to the side, staying near Galadriel. Before them stood a group of weary travelers, but at first she only had eyes for Haldir. Like her, he stood off to the side of the group. Her heart went out to him for the tension she could see still in his frame. He saw her standing near Galadriel, and some of the tension left his body. Alanya dimly heard Galadriel speaking to the fellowship and returned her gaze to the group in front of her.
She saw two men, one darkly handsome and one fair. Worry sat heavy on the dark one's countenance, while something unidentified sat in the fair one's face. She saw his glance rake over her in appraisal and stiffened, raising her chin imperiously and looking over his head. Her gaze moved on to see another elf next to Haldir, this one clad in deep greens and browns that showed allegiance to another realm. Her eyes softened at the confusion and heart sickness she saw contained in his sapphire eyes and she sent a glance of sympathy in his direction.
The remainder of the group was unusual to her eyes, consisting of five small beings, one stout and disappearing behind a bristly beard, the other four all alike with their curly hair and large hairy feet. She could see one of them gaping at her, until one of the others elbowed him in the side. She bit the inside of her lip to stifle a grin at their antics, but allowed a bit of her humor to show in her eyes. It was the sight of the last two that sobered her humor, as she could feel the power of the ring radiating off of the last figure.
Earnest blue eyes were troubled and grieving, and she could sense the shadow that surrounded him. For a brief moment she heard of whisper of power from the ring and gasped, closing her eyes and centering herself. The whisper went away and she opened her eyes to find Haldir had moved to her side, gently taking her arm in his, but saying nothing. His eyes spoke volumes of concern, and she could feel his worry. She sent him a gentle smile, and turned her attention back to Galadriel. She saw the fellowship dismissed to rest, but not before she sensed the Lady speaking to each of the fellowship in turn. The fellowship withdrew, guided by another warden. Galadriel and Celeborn shared a glance, silently conversing with each other and withdrawing alone, leaving only Haldir and Alanya standing on the platform, light from the descending sun casting them in a golden shadow.
Haldir turned towards her, pulling her into an embrace. She said nothing, resting her head on his chest to hear his heart beat in a soothing rhythm.
"I worried greatly for you while on the fences." Haldir said quietly. Alanya sighed, raising her head to look him in the eyes and brush her hand against his cheek.
"I'm glad you're back." She replied simply, laying a gently kiss on his lips. He continued to hold her close, closing his eyes. "What is wrong?" she asked, seeing turmoil still in his face. He sighed, shaking his head.
"I feel very weary suddenly. Let us retire instead to my talan. I will explain all that has happened since my departure."
Alanya bit her lip and nodded, walking along with Haldir towards his home. Upon entering the talan he closed the door tightly and sat down on a small couch against one of the walls, head in hands. Alanya kneeled down in front of him, resting on hand on his knee.
"Haldir?" she said softly, turning his name into a question. He looked up at her, grief in his face. He took her hand quietly, tracing patterns in her palm.
"Mithrandir has fallen," he said. Alanya cocked her head, not quite understanding. He saw her look and smiled a small smile. "You fit into our world so well, I forget what you have and have not been told of Arda." He pulled her up gently to sit beside him, before continuing his explanation. "Mithrandir is a powerful Maia, who was acting as a guide to the fellowship on the mission to destroy the ring. They were passing through the mines of Moria, when he was taken by a Balrog, a demon of smoke and flame." Haldir gave a long sigh. "I knew him well," ha said quietly. "He would often pass through this land, and as my position requires a great deal of time on the fences, I counted him as friend."
"I'm sorry Haldir," Alanya said, moving to embrace him. He moved to kiss her, his lips lingering on hers. They broke off the kiss and he brushed her face softly.
"I find though, returning to you lightens all my cares."
"My silver tongued elf." She smiled and dropped a kiss on his nose. He arched one golden eyebrow at her and she simply smiled, sliding off the couch to pour two glasses of wine.
"For lightening my cares further?"
"Something like that," she replied, handing one to him. She had barely sat back down when a tap was heard at the door. Haldir started to rise and she pinned him with a look. "You just returned from duty, let me." She chided him. Opening the door, an elf stood there with a message that Celeborn wished to confer with Haldir on the matter of the fellowship. Haldir rose without complaint, setting his glass down.
"I will most likely be late tonight, lirimaer, so if you wish to retire before I return do so. But I hope I might find you retired to my bed tonight." Haldir said after dismissing the messenger with word that he would attend to Celeborn right away. Alanya blushed prettily and Haldir smiled, leaning in to hover his lips above hers. "The nights away from you were cold in their solitude. I fond myself desiring of your warmth to forget my troubles." He withdrew with a smug look at her dazed expression, closing the door behind him.
"Aargh!" Alanya cried out. She exhaled one long shaky breath, her heart slowing back down after the jump Haldir's words had caused. Fanning herself with one hand, she muttered to herself about the wickedness of elves, heading to the forest floor to find the fellowship.
She wanted to meet the fellowship, and see what she could do about bolstering them against the effects of the ring. She hoped its influence was not too deep, otherwise attempting to block out its affects when it already had hooks into them would be nigh impossible. After some time she learned from passing elves where they were, finding their pavilion at the base of a particularly large mallorn. As she drew near the eyes of the dark human fell upon her and he rose, nodding to her.
"My lady," he said in a quiet voice. The elf in the party turned and saw her standing there and rose, bowing with hand over his heart. She smiled in response.
"Please, call me Alanya, I am simply a visitor in this land as well as yourselves. I came to see if I might be able to help bolster you however I may against the ring. I am a mage, you might say a wizard like Gandalf, from a land far from here, and I have no small acquaintance with the need to fight evil in any of its forms."
"This is not a business for women." A voice from behind her spoke and she turned to find the fair haired one looking down on her with a look of contempt. In a lightening quick decision she decided to make an example of him. Lashing out, she knocked him backwards with a visible energy push. A twirl of her hand and she had him ensnared, a glowing web of energy holding him still several feet in the air.
"You would do well to learn to whom you speak before reopening your mouth with meaningless prattle!" She said icily, standing powerful as the Adept she knew herself to be. "I am the Lady Alanya Mystewalker, an Adept of the First Rank. There is little that is not my business to know." She contracted the web briefly an d painfully before dropping him gasping on the ground, before continuing in a calmer voice. "I will make allowances that you have all suffered a great loss, and are under a duty most grave. But I will not suffer disrespect or contempt." The man reddened and muttered an apology, which she accepted with grace.
"I see you have strange abilities, Lady Mystewalker. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Legolas Thranduilion of Mirkwood, Gimli son of Gloin, and Boromir of Gondor. Please sit, and explain what aid you may offer." Aragorn said, draping a cloak across a root at the base of the mallorn and gesturing for her to sit.
Before she could do so however one of the other members of the party fairly bounced up to her, followed by a second.
"I say, who might you be, I don't think I've ever seen anyone with blue hair before. Did someone play a joke on you? I did that to my cousin once, dumped dye in his bath. His skin was red for weeks!" The little man piped up.
"Pippin!" said the other in a disgusted tone. "It's not polite to point out such things!"
"I just wanted to know Merry!" the one addressed as Pippin stated indignantly as Merry proceeded to whack him on the arm. Alanya laughed brightly, genuinely amused by the little one's directness.
"No Master Pippin. Often we mages have some physical characteristic which marks us as a mage. Generally its eye or hair colors that change gradually as we come into our abilities. I hope I can use my abilities to shelter you from some of the effects of the ring of power." Everyone's face grew grave at her last statement, and she sat down, seeing the last two party members wander over to her.
"Lady Alanya, these hobbits are Master Samwise Gamgee, and Master Frodo Baggins ,the remaining members of our company." Aragorn introduced her as she studied them. She could see the burden the ring was putting on Frodo, and her heart ached for the misery she saw in his face. Sam was looking at her with distrust, obviously watching out for his master. She smiled gently in greeting.
"Master Frodo," she spoke softly as she might to a frightened child, "I may be able to help shield you from the ring, but I would never do so without your permission. I hope sometime before your stay in Lorien ends you allow me to help. Indecision warred in his face, but he answered to her surprise in the positive.
"Thank you for your offer Lady Alanya, but the ring is my burden to bear." He replied just as quietly. She nodded in acknowledgement.
"And so it is, but I hope you may accept my aid in support of your burden. You need not answer tonight. Leave a message for me with one of Celeborn and Galadriel's attendants or with Haldir, and I will be at your service." Frodo nodded gravely, and then at Sam's behest went back to rest. The others found various places to sit as Sam and the other hobbits began to cook their evening meal.
"You say you may help Lady Mystewalker, how is this so?" asked Legolas. Alanya flushed slightly under his blue eyes and smile.
"I can create a magical barrier in your minds which block the ring from entering your mind and subverting your thoughts and desires. It is not something I treat lightly, as I would have to enter your mind to lay in the protections, and it speaks of great trust on your part to allow this to happen. This is why I would rather have you take your time to consider the offer."
"It is a generous offer Lady Mystewalker. It will be spoken of among us. Will you join us for our evening meal?"
"Thank you for the offer, but I intend to return to Haldir's talan. The news of Gandalf's demise has upset him, and I wish to be there when he returns from conferring with Lord Celeborn." She nodded to Aragorn and the rest of the party once more.
"Shall I escort you back Lady Mystewalker?" asked Legolas, standing respectfully before her.
"Oh, I would not wish to trouble you, I can manage." She rose and shook out her skirts, a golden mallorn leaf clinging stubbornly.
"Nonsense. You are friend to those I call kin, I would not have it said I treated you impolitely." His glance flickered over to Boromir who had withdrawn some distance from the group.
"Far be it from me to stop you then." Alanya replied, a chill going through her as she recognized the signs of the ring's undue influence on the man. Deciding that the presence of the elf by her side would be enough to forestall trouble until Boromir had cooled down, she nodded her acceptance. Legolas offered her his arm and they said their goodbyes to the fellowship, stepping off into the gold of Lorien.