Several days later found Alanya standing on the battlements of the fortress. The skies were overcast and gray, lending fuel to her melancholy. The burial mounds of mortals and elves alike stood in stark relief. They were a mute sign that the victory won that day had not come without sacrifice. Far fewer elves would be returning to Lorien, she thought with sorrow. The wind whipped her hair around in a tangled mess, and she paused in her contemplation to pull up the hood of her cloak. The chill was beginning to make her reconsider her decision to escape the over-solicitous care of Haldir's brothers. She was recovering as well as could be expected but they were yet treating her like a fragile piece of glass. In order to gain her time in the bracing air she had to convince the brothers she was intending to rest, and leave the room once they had left her alone.
About the time she had decided it was really getting too cold a set of strong arms came around her and caged her between them. She smiled and rested back against the strong chest of her beloved.
"Should you not be resting, dear one?" Haldir's voice was warm, his presence comforting as he folded her into an embrace and rested his head on hers.
"Only if you intend on joining me."
Haldir's rich chuckle indicated he heard the smile in her voice. He moved slightly, gently pushing her hood off her head to stroke her hair, bringing forth a sigh from the mage.
"You are still in need of recovery penneth. When next we I come to your bed for more then sleep I will need you in full health." Haldir nipped at her ear, drawing forth a gasp from Alanya. She tried to turn to face him but he kept her firmly anchored against him. "Come, I would have you withdraw out of the chill. I do not want you falling ill in this state."
"As you wish." Alanya sighed, knowing from his firm tone that there was no sidetracking him. She turned to walk with him, secretly acknowledging that she did still tire easily. The trek down the steps and up another small set took her breath from her and they paused while the mage recovered.
"Perhaps I should carry you the rest of the way." Haldir frowned, taking her hand and feeling her pulse race.
"No Haldir, you still were wounded severely several days ago, and despite the quickness of elves to heal, I know you are still somewhat sore. I'll be fine."
"But perhaps you will allow me to help." Alanya's eyes turned to see Legolas striding up. "Actually, I bring word from Mithrandir, for Alanya. He is curious about you, lady, and wishes to make your acquaintance."
"I can do that, just give me a moment." Alanya nodded, having almost caught her breath.
"Unnecessary." Legolas shook his head. "Haldir, if you don't mind." Haldir motioned for Legolas to continue and Alanya squeaked as she found herself swung up into a set of surprisingly strong arms.
"Haldir, are you going to let him do this?"
"Yes." Haldir answered smoothly, keeping pace with Legolas. "As you will not allow me to carry you, I find it eminently suitable that the Prince exerts himself in my place. I am quite certain that he will not make designs upon you when I am here." Haldir said smugly, with a faint smile towards the prince.
"I would not make designs upon her at all, for fear of your wrath Haldir." Legolas said with a smile, eyes twinkling. "You are known for being protective of what is yours. Besides, I find it amusing that you will soon be bound in the state of matrimony. Hah! You who swore never would an elleth ensnare you such, for none were to be trusted." Legolas said with wicked amusement as Haldir turned red and Alanya's mouth dropped open at this.
"Legolas, I swear if you continue I will string you up by parts best left unmentioned in polite company." Haldir said after a moment of stunned silence.
"I think I find this current discussion fascinating, my dear prince. Perhaps to keep Haldir in line I shall threaten to hear of his past viewpoints and experiences. I am certain that there are stories you could tell me." Alanya raised her eyebrows at this, daring Haldir to respond.
"If you value your health, Thranduilion you will not respond to that statement."
The prince in question laughed, motioning Haldir to open the door leading to the inner hall of the keep. "Perhaps I shall keep my silence for now and simply see who offers the higher price, Alanya for my knowledge of her betrothed or you Haldir for my silence."
"I'm prettier then he is, so I should win. Besides, I am but a maiden," she said as Legolas carried her into the hall towards the fireplace, where there sat a white robed man, calmly smoking a pipe. "He should be polite and tell me whatever I wish."
"Hah! If you are just a simple maiden I am an orc." Haldir shot back, steadying her as Legolas set her down. Alanya giggled at his statement as the man by the fire raised his eyebrows at the bantering trio.
"So this is our mysterious benefactor." The man's eyes turned towards her and Alanya was surprised by the depths of wisdom she saw there. He reminded her of some of her previous teachers, and she smiled, offering her hand.
"Greetings Mithrandir. I have heard much of you from the elves." She gracefully inclined her head as he clasped her hand.
"Hmph. Only the half of it is true, I am certain." The wizard grumbled, leaning on his staff. "Sit, sit, you are still recovering I see." He looked over the two elves standing there and made shooing motions. "I am certain that Aragorn would value the council of two such warriors." Legolas nodded and withdrew, while Haldir raised an eyebrow.
"See to it that you do not overly tire her," was Haldir's only comment before turning on his heel and following Legolas.
"You have a strong protector, Lady Alanya. Though after hearing from Aragorn as to how you saved him during the battle I wonder who is the protector in this pairing." He sat down, gathering his robes around him as Alanya made herself comfortable.
"I'm sure it is a bit of both." She looked to see him exit through the door, turning to nod gravely at her once more before whisking out of sight. Alanya looked back to see Mithrandir watching her measuringly.
"Well you have certainly made a splash, here, my dear. I wonder if you do realize what role you have stepped into."
"And what would that be? I rather thought I have fulfilled what I've been brought here to do. I aided in the battle here, allowing men to see that they are stronger then they thought, that they have hope to win against this foe they face, this Sauron." Mithrandir winced at the mention of the Enemy.
"In truth, that is but part of it. The Valar brought you to this world to act as an agent on their behalf. You are now among the Maia that they have called to serve. This will bring forth responsibilities and consequences that you may yet have not realized." His sober eyes watched her digest this information.
"But how is that possible. I'm just a mage, not some mystical being." Alanya cocked her head, studying Mithrandir in return. She was not yet uneasy, but her native caution was rising to the fore.
"Have you ever questioned why you were brought here? You were selected to offset the Maia otherwise known as Sauroman. He turned from his path, seduced by the offer of power. The Valar saw into the future some of the possible outcomes of his betrayal, and decided to act to counter his betrayal. You were brought here for that purpose."
"And I have fulfilled it." Alanya sat back in her chair. "I acted in the battle."
"It does not end there." Mithrandir shook his head. "This is a duty that once assumed cannot be put aside. From this day forth you are bound as one of their servants. You will be called upon in time to act as their agent in this world, to guide and advise, until it is time for us to leave this world to the age of men. We will have no place here, and will return to Valinor with the last of the elves. You are as much spirit as flesh now, and the spirit is eternal. The reward for service is already upon you."
"I'm not sure I understand." She replied softly, her mind in a whirl. Was he suggesting what she thought he was? Eternity? She willed her nerves to quiet.
"The Valar do reward true service. They have extended their grace to you my dear. From this day forth they have shared their light with you. The end result is that you do not age or sicken, though a mortal blow may still be struck and have a fatal effect. The Valar sustain you so that you might yet serve them in the event of future need."
Alanya sat stunned. She could not focus her thoughts in one coherent direction, so surprised was she. She closed her eyes as the world tilted slightly around her and she felt faint. Indeed, in the state she was in now the shock was almost too much to deal with. After several long heartbeats, she calmed herself and opened her eyes.
"This is….much to consider." She ventured. Mithrandir let out a short laugh.
"Spoken like a true wizard." He patted her hand and she gave a small smile. "Be aware of your new role in this realm. If there is a need, the Valar will speak to you in dreams. But for now, recover quickly, for you will be needed in Lorien yet. The agents of Sauron are massing for an attack on the wood, and the Lady of the Wood must be warned. Should the ring not be destroyed, Lorien must be prepared to evacuate and make haste to the Grey Harbors, to flee for Valinor."
"And should the ring be destroyed? What then? I cannot believe we sacrificed many men and elves to simply run." Her heart contracted at the thought of leaving the Golden Wood and subjecting its inhabitants to a panicked fleeing from their homes.
"I am certain that should the ring be destroyed, Galadriel will wish to lay bare the pits at Barad-Dur, and rid middle earth of the remnants of the evil of Sauron."
Alanya nodded faintly in response. She pondered for a moment. "Is there anything that may be done to help destroy the ring at this moment?"
"At best we must meet Sauron's armies and hold them off as bet we may. We must keep his attention firmly focused here, and not let him focus on his own land or the territories leading to it. We must buy Frodo time to complete his task."
"Does the use of my power attract his attention?"
"The Enemy does see you as a power to be reckoned But his main focus must now needs be Gondor, and it is to the armies of Men that that fight will fall upon. Still were you to be captured it would be a great advantage. If your powers remain dormant, or nearly so, it is possible the enemy will believe that you have perished here. Indeed, if you must act to use your powers, do so only when it may remain unnoticed." The wizard sat back, obviously evaluating Alanya. She nodded distractedly, her mind already running on what she might do to impede an army heading into the woods, and yet keep the power signatures hidden from view. They had to return as quickly as possible, she thought. Standing up she wavered only slightly before fixing Mithrandir with a glance.
"This I will do, and freely. But next time the Valar had better ask they want something." She said crisply, much to Mithrandir's amusement.
"I have much hope for you my dear, as do the Valar." He offered her his arm. "Come, I will take you to your elf, that you may impart to him the need to return as quickly as might be."
And so it was that two days later Alanya again found herself traveling back to Lorien but with a greatly reduced force of elves. This time they had the benefit of the loan of horses from Rohan, and thus their pace was greatly increased. It was with great reluctance she traded her older horse off to the Rohirrim to gain a younger and faster mount. Fortunately Haldir had taken her needs of a calm mount into account and gained her a mellow gelding that the Rohirrim warrior who introduced them assured her that it would be a calm yet fast mount, one that would practically allow her to sleep atop it.
The rocky country held a kind of austere beauty all its own, and she admired the stark countryside as she rode through it. The people of the country were much like it, resolute but welcoming in their own fashion.
The stories of how she and the elves had helped repel the besieging army had won her acclaim. The two days before they left had children following her all around asking for demonstrations of her powers. She indulged them once to tell stories of famous mages from her time, complete with illusions. This was something with she fueled entirely with her own abilities, and hiding it with another whisper of power. It was one of those same children that when she was leaving had run up with a flower necklace constructed from some weeds growing in cracks of stone in the courtyard of the keep. Haldir had merely raised an eyebrow and his brothers smothered their smiles as she solemnly accepted the gift from an equally solemn child.
Another series of campsites, another series of tense nights keeping watch for the enemy, and they closed in on the woods of Lorien. When one morning Haldir roused her from her blankets with a whispered apology that they needed to be moving now, she knew they were within range of the borders. A hard and long ride, with only the minimum of breaks needed found them reaching the borders of the wood as the sun dropped below the horizon. Once they were back within those borders tension lifted from everyone, and hands strayed a bit further from sword and bow. Still they did not stop, but pushed on towards Caras Galadhon. Alanya had long since lost any of her hard-won endurance and clung blearily to the saddle. The great mallorn trees passed in a blur of gold and silver to her tired eyes. Her horse coming to a halt jolted her out of her doze and a strong pair of arms pulled her from her from her horse. She looked up to see Celeborn carrying her to her room in he and Galadriel's talan, Haldir walking beside her.
"Beyond glad we are to see you again penneth, but there is much to discuss with Haldir and the captains of the wood that you need not attend. For the moment rest here in your room with us and return to your talan tomorrow morn." His words were soothing and she nodded, dimly aware when she was set down and a blanket pulled over her. She fell down into darkness, her body craving the rest. Finally she felt as if she could truly let down her barriers to rest as deeply as she required.
Mist curled all around her, gradually resolving into a bright green countryside. The air that blew past her smelled of spring flowers and the sea, for she could see that august body shining in the far distance. She felt a faint pull leading her inland and she followed it, realizing she had found herself in a dreamland. Every detail was real, down to her skirts rustling the grass as she walked. Coming over a small rise she saw a lone tree by a stream, and a figure reclining by it. As she drew close the light emanating from the figure made her close her eyes at first, until she grew used to it. She was reminded of Mandos in the feeling of power that came from the unknown person before her. She drew before him and stood quietly, waiting to see what the situation would turn into.
"So you hear my call at last, penneth." His voice was sweet on the air and released a subtle tension from Alanya that she did not know she had. He waved one hand to her. "Sit, penneth, for I am certain you have many questions. I am known to the Eldar as Manwe, Lord of the Valar. It was at my behest that you find yourself here."
"Why? I know you brought me to contend as a counterweight against Sauroman, but why me? Were there no others you could touch here in your own world?" That was the one issue left that she couldn't make sense of. She cocked her head, waiting for an answer to her question. The Valar before her sighed, looking away before resting his gaze upon her.
"I appealed to Iluvatar for him to send forth another Maia into Arda, but our father yet refused. In my ponderings of the many realms that have been brought into being, you came to my attention. In the weighing of your character and soul, you were found equal to the task and worthy to receive the grace of the Firstborn. And so I sent you the dreams, linking you into the dreams of another here." Here the Valar smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Despite what you may admit to yourself, your heart was indeed lonely. Dreams of another in peril were deemed most likely to cement your cooperation. It was brought to my attention by my mate that one of my Eldar was indeed in such a singular state and really was one of the few available that would be of strong enough temperament to be your champion here."
"And so I come to what is really the heart of my bringing you here. I know that it was without your permission that I brought you here. I do, however, have the power to send you back, should you demand it." His eyes were steady on her as he waited for her answer.
Alanya's eyes widened in shock. Of all things she had expected to her, this was not one of them. Her emotions flew from one end of the spectrum to the other. Still, there was one thing to consider. She looked down at the ring sparkling on her finger, the sapphire reflecting back deep and blue. She took a deep breath and mentally asked forgiveness on behalf of her friends.
"You know I can't leave Haldir. It would kill him, and I think it would kill me to do so. I love him, and if you talk to your fellow Valar, you will know I stole him indeed from the very grasp of your brother Mandos." She shook her head. "I think my friends in my old life would understand, I'm happier now then I have been in some time." She finished softly, her voice barely a whisper over the wind. Manwe nodded in response.
"You have chosen wisely penneth. That is why we chose as we did, for it was indeed the decision of all the Valar to bring you here." He rose and kissed her on the forehead, a small gesture that flooded her with power, overwhelming her senses. Mist passed before her eyes again and she found herself back in her room, blinking moisture back into dry eyes. A voice echoed in her mind. "You are one of our chosen now," it whispered, "Look to us to call upon you from time to time to aid in this last great conflict."
Alanya sat, shaking her head slightly to rid it of the last vestiges of the dream and the power that Manwe had sent her back into body. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, the world spinning a little as she felt unanchored in her body. The feeling quickly passed and she rose to open the door to the sitting room, her eyes falling upon Galadriel, Celeborn and Haldir. The latter was dressed simply in loose pants and a light shirt, having apparently also just awoken. A smile graced her lips and it was returned with equal warmth from her loved ones. She sat thankfully in the chair Haldir pulled out for her and grasped his hand as she sat down, giving it a squeeze. She took a deep breath and let it out.
"So I think I have some things to discuss with you." Alanya ventured, a small smile upon her lips. "So, Haldir, how do you feel about marrying an agent to the Valar?"