Chapter 7
"Welcome Silvawen," said the Lady Galadriel as she greeted her friend warmly.
"Hello Galadriel," said Silva with a smile. "It has been a long time since I last saw you. I hope you are keeping well."
"I am," said Galadriel.
"I'm sorry about that guard," said Silva. "It's just I haven't quite got the hang of controlling my temper yet."
"It is not a problem," said Galadriel. "Haldir was a bit too stuck up for his own good. He needed to be brought down a peg or two." Silva began to laugh.
"Well, I'm sure you can fix it, so I'll leave the matter in your hands, if that's ok with you," she said.
"That is fine," said Galadriel. "We shall have him back to normal in no time at all. Another good thing is that you will forever be feared by him from now on."
"Cool, that's always a good thing," said Silva. She turned to leave but stopped again. "Ooh, one more thing, what does kuruni mean?"
"It is Sindarin Elvish for witch," said Galadriel.
"They think I'm a witch?" said Silva. "Wow. Well, I won't be telling them any different." She walked away smiling.
Her first few of days went swimmingly, apart from the occasional riffy look from (those were mainly from Haldir, though). After a week, she finally plucked up the courage to ask Galadriel to teach her how to play the harp (although she was actually Galadriel's superior, she was in awe of her and felt like it should be vice versa). She'd wanted to do so for a very long time but could never before actually be bothered to do anything about it. She was delighted when Galadriel agreed.
"It is quite a long process," said Galadriel. "There are many things you must learn before you can begin to play actual compositions." Silva had guessed this much, it seemed like quite a complex art if you studied it closely, but she was determined to prove to herself that she could do it. She would practice every day and night is that's it took. Galadriel read her thoughts and smiled.
"I'm glad you are determined, Silvawen," she said. "Only those with the time, patience and persistence will achieve their goals and targets."
"So, when can we begin?" Silva asked, eagerly.
"This evening, if you wish," said Galadriel. "I can teach you whenever you wish me to, as long as I know in advance."
"Would it be at all possible for a lesson everyday?" said Silva, tentatively. Galadriel smiled.
"I think that can be arranged," the Lady replied. "But I must ask, why are you so-"
"My dear, I have word from Gondor," said Celeborn, rushing onto the talan on which they were standing.
"Celeborn, I am busy," said Galadriel.
"But you asked me to inform you," said Celeborn.
"Yes, that I did," she said. "But I did not ask you to interrupt me."
"We're having a very important conversation," said Silva.
"But... Gondor!" said Celeborn. Silva waved her hand in front of his face and daisies began to sprout from his ears. Galadriel had to contain a laugh. Celeborn glowered at Silva.
"Well, you should not have interrupted, should you?" said Galadriel.
"Anyway, Galadriel, you were saying," said Silva.
"Oh yes, I am intrigued as to why you wish to play the harp," she replied.
"That is the important conversation?" said Celeborn. "Harps? Gondor is much more important than - ARGH!" With a click of the fingers, Celeborn's nose was a lovely, blooming rose. "Change it back! INSTANTLY!" he ordered.
"Never mess with Istari," said Galadriel to her husband. "Especially not Istari women. Surely you remember that from Queen Melian. There will be serious consequences if you do."
"Yep, us Istari are great!" added Silva.
"Thank you for telling me, dear," he said. "I will remember that in future."
"You would be wise to," said Silva with a grin. "So, what about-"
"-My face?!" said Celeborn.
"Shut up, I am talking," said Galadriel with a flick of the hand. "Continue, Silvawen."
"Yes, about my lessons."
So it was agreed, Galadriel would teach Silva how to play the harp. She would have a lesson every night for as long as she wished (though Galadriel recommended no more than two hours). 'If only everyone else in Lothlórien was that friendly,' she thought. She had encountered quite a few problems whilst staying in Lórien, and she's now only been there two weeks. It seemed that all the Elves had taken a dislike to her, after what she did to Haldir. And as they saw more of her, they found more and more faults to add to their list. 'They're just jealous,' she thought. In the past, this reasoning had enabled her to go months without being affected in any way by taunts or insults. This time being no different. So she did go for months with a problem (four months to be exact). The only person she really wanted to speak to was Galadriel anyway (she was the only person that fully understood her, beside Riel, as they were pretty much on the same wavelength). But she did find it very annoying the way people kept moaning about her.
"She's so noisy," she heard an Elf say to a group of others, when she was on her way to another lesson. She didn't know who they were talking about to begin with so she stopped to listen for a moment.
"She never stops talking, especially about herself," said another.
"And those four sisters of hers," said the third. "It's Rath this and Riel that and me the other. Honestly, you'd think she didn't know anyone else."
"She probably doesn't," said the second. That got a laugh.
"I had the unfortunate job of having a conversation with her a couple of days ago," said the first. "She told me she was feeling paranoid that people don't like her. I was so tempted to say 'You're not paranoid. Everyone does hate you'."
"I don't understand why she's so annoyingly close to our Lady," said the third. "She's only been here nearly four months."
"She does have those damn harp lessons every night though," said the second. "They probably help."
"She practices all through the day," said the third, "and never heard her get any better."
"Why can't she just go back to her precious Aman and leave us well alone?" said the first.
"No, she'll be waiting for us then when we pass over the Sea ourselves," said the second. "She should just go somewhere well away from here and never show her face ever again. I'd be happy enough with that." Silva stood in shock for a while. 'They really don't like me, do they?' she thought. "Oh well, they can just get over it because I'm here to stay.' But that didn't put her mind completely at ease. It niggled at her day after day, even when Galadriel reassured her that she could see daily progress with her harp skills. 'People don't like me.'
'They need time to deal with change,' she heard Galadriel's voice say within her own mind. 'They have been set in their ways for many millennia and you are a drastic change, even you must admit. Give them time. They'll soon grow to like you.'
'But even your husband doesn't like me,' Silva replied. 'You are one person in many. I'm not sure if I can handle it much longer.'
'May I suggest that you write to one of your sisters? Either Arianrhod or Isauriel and let them know you will be visiting,' said Galadriel. 'I think you may have been a little too quick to judge where your permanent residence will be. You are welcome to stay here as long as you want to, but you must be happy. I also have a feeling that your heart lies elsewhere.'
"Very well," said Silva sadly.
"We can continue your lessons until you leave, if you so wish," said Galadriel.
"Oh, I do, very much," said Silva. That made her slightly happier. The thought of her lessons at the end of each day would get her through, she knew.
She wrote to Arian the following day, informing her of her arrival (she chose Arian because mountains weren't really her scene. There was very little plant-life on mountains). She asked her to reply as soon as possible so she could ensure she could return to Rivendell for the unforeseeable future.
None of the Lórien Elves knew of Silva's departure (except Celeborn and Galadriel) so when they awoke one morning to find peace and no Silva, they were very happy. Many celebrated her leaving though most were just content that she had finally gone.
"Farewell, Silvawen of the Istari," said Galadriel as she was leaving. "May your days be peaceful and refreshing. And remember this: we often find happiness where we least expect it, in the form of something new. Namarië." She left dwelling on those words. 'Happiness where I least expect it?' she thought. 'In the form of something new? What in the name of Eru does that mean?' She spent her entire journey to Rivendell pondering over it and still came up with no conclusions.
When she reached Rivendell, she received a warm welcome from Elrond and her sister. Because she hadn't explained properly in the letter why she was returning, Arian took Silva to her chamber to that they could talk privately.
"You were only there six months," said Arian. "I thought you were going to live there permanently."
"I was," said Silva, "but I wasn't happy. The only person who liked me was Galadriel."
"I'm sure that's not true," said Arian. Silva raised a dark eyebrow.
"Believe me, it is," she said. "They all thought I was noisy and vain. They said I never shut up. They moaned when I practiced playing the harp. They complained when I spoke of my sisters and homeland. If they weren't so arrogant themselves, they'd see that that is just the outside. Just because I turned Haldir into a pot plant and Celeborn's head into a flower garden, I'm suddenly the bad guy." Arian stared at her sister for a moment.
"You turned someone into a pot plant?" she said. "And their ruler's head into a flower garden? Silva, no wonder they don't like you. You've petrified the lot of them!"
"Well, they didn't have to be so mean about it," said Silva. Arian put an arm round her sister's shoulders.
"Look, do they really matter?" she asked. Silva shook her head. "Exactly. And I'm sure you play the harp very well, after being taught by the Lady Galadriel and I'd love listen to you sometime. But before I do, I have to ask something on Elrond's behalf. Are you staying or going this time?"
"Well, I'm going to start with," said Silva, "but that's only because I want to settle something in my own mind."
"What's that?" said Arian.
"Are the majority of Elves stuck up, like the Lórien Elves, or sweet and welcoming, like the Rivendell Elves? I'm going to Mirkwood to find out, thought quite reluctantly, might I add. The name doesn't exactly sound very appealing, does it? I mean, it doesn't exactly cry out to travellers, does it? I've heard it's quite a dull, ugly place, though apparently the people are kind and considerate. But I shall make my own decisions when I get there."
"You know, I think those Lórien Elves were right," laughed Arian. "You never do shut up. Not that it's a bad thing. Well, not always, anyway."
"That's not half as much as what goes on in my head," said Silva. "Anyway, to put it simply, I'm going to Mirkwood then I'm coming back. Though, I might pop down and see young Fangorn on the way back. I heard he's lost his wife. Very careless of him misplacing her like that. But she's only been gone a few centuries, so there's still time."
"When are you leaving?" asked Arian.
"As soon as I can be bothered," said Silva.
"I thought you might say that," giggled Arian. "Now then, come along, Silva, you need rest. You've been travelling for ages, with little rest if I know you right. What you need is a good night's sleep." Arian showed Silva to her chamber, where she fell asleep almost instantly, and she had the oddest dream. She was in a forest, a dull looking forest if truth be told, but as she walked she made it spring to life. Plants grew, trees renewed themselves and animals scurried at her feet. The forest had a generally happy feeling about it. But then, all of a sudden, she came across a giant enemy. After not a lot of effort, she drove it out and rejoicing Elves surrounded her. She had saved them from the foe and made their forest beautiful. The leader stepped forward and just as he opened his mouth to speak, she woke up.
"How odd," she said aloud and sleepily. "Must ask someone." And she fell asleep again. It didn't occur to her that she may jut have had a premonition.
****************
A/N: Yes, it's a lame ending, but I've been trying to end this chappie since she left Lothlórien. I had to end it somewhere, didn't I? Luvs Elfie xXxXx
"Welcome Silvawen," said the Lady Galadriel as she greeted her friend warmly.
"Hello Galadriel," said Silva with a smile. "It has been a long time since I last saw you. I hope you are keeping well."
"I am," said Galadriel.
"I'm sorry about that guard," said Silva. "It's just I haven't quite got the hang of controlling my temper yet."
"It is not a problem," said Galadriel. "Haldir was a bit too stuck up for his own good. He needed to be brought down a peg or two." Silva began to laugh.
"Well, I'm sure you can fix it, so I'll leave the matter in your hands, if that's ok with you," she said.
"That is fine," said Galadriel. "We shall have him back to normal in no time at all. Another good thing is that you will forever be feared by him from now on."
"Cool, that's always a good thing," said Silva. She turned to leave but stopped again. "Ooh, one more thing, what does kuruni mean?"
"It is Sindarin Elvish for witch," said Galadriel.
"They think I'm a witch?" said Silva. "Wow. Well, I won't be telling them any different." She walked away smiling.
Her first few of days went swimmingly, apart from the occasional riffy look from (those were mainly from Haldir, though). After a week, she finally plucked up the courage to ask Galadriel to teach her how to play the harp (although she was actually Galadriel's superior, she was in awe of her and felt like it should be vice versa). She'd wanted to do so for a very long time but could never before actually be bothered to do anything about it. She was delighted when Galadriel agreed.
"It is quite a long process," said Galadriel. "There are many things you must learn before you can begin to play actual compositions." Silva had guessed this much, it seemed like quite a complex art if you studied it closely, but she was determined to prove to herself that she could do it. She would practice every day and night is that's it took. Galadriel read her thoughts and smiled.
"I'm glad you are determined, Silvawen," she said. "Only those with the time, patience and persistence will achieve their goals and targets."
"So, when can we begin?" Silva asked, eagerly.
"This evening, if you wish," said Galadriel. "I can teach you whenever you wish me to, as long as I know in advance."
"Would it be at all possible for a lesson everyday?" said Silva, tentatively. Galadriel smiled.
"I think that can be arranged," the Lady replied. "But I must ask, why are you so-"
"My dear, I have word from Gondor," said Celeborn, rushing onto the talan on which they were standing.
"Celeborn, I am busy," said Galadriel.
"But you asked me to inform you," said Celeborn.
"Yes, that I did," she said. "But I did not ask you to interrupt me."
"We're having a very important conversation," said Silva.
"But... Gondor!" said Celeborn. Silva waved her hand in front of his face and daisies began to sprout from his ears. Galadriel had to contain a laugh. Celeborn glowered at Silva.
"Well, you should not have interrupted, should you?" said Galadriel.
"Anyway, Galadriel, you were saying," said Silva.
"Oh yes, I am intrigued as to why you wish to play the harp," she replied.
"That is the important conversation?" said Celeborn. "Harps? Gondor is much more important than - ARGH!" With a click of the fingers, Celeborn's nose was a lovely, blooming rose. "Change it back! INSTANTLY!" he ordered.
"Never mess with Istari," said Galadriel to her husband. "Especially not Istari women. Surely you remember that from Queen Melian. There will be serious consequences if you do."
"Yep, us Istari are great!" added Silva.
"Thank you for telling me, dear," he said. "I will remember that in future."
"You would be wise to," said Silva with a grin. "So, what about-"
"-My face?!" said Celeborn.
"Shut up, I am talking," said Galadriel with a flick of the hand. "Continue, Silvawen."
"Yes, about my lessons."
So it was agreed, Galadriel would teach Silva how to play the harp. She would have a lesson every night for as long as she wished (though Galadriel recommended no more than two hours). 'If only everyone else in Lothlórien was that friendly,' she thought. She had encountered quite a few problems whilst staying in Lórien, and she's now only been there two weeks. It seemed that all the Elves had taken a dislike to her, after what she did to Haldir. And as they saw more of her, they found more and more faults to add to their list. 'They're just jealous,' she thought. In the past, this reasoning had enabled her to go months without being affected in any way by taunts or insults. This time being no different. So she did go for months with a problem (four months to be exact). The only person she really wanted to speak to was Galadriel anyway (she was the only person that fully understood her, beside Riel, as they were pretty much on the same wavelength). But she did find it very annoying the way people kept moaning about her.
"She's so noisy," she heard an Elf say to a group of others, when she was on her way to another lesson. She didn't know who they were talking about to begin with so she stopped to listen for a moment.
"She never stops talking, especially about herself," said another.
"And those four sisters of hers," said the third. "It's Rath this and Riel that and me the other. Honestly, you'd think she didn't know anyone else."
"She probably doesn't," said the second. That got a laugh.
"I had the unfortunate job of having a conversation with her a couple of days ago," said the first. "She told me she was feeling paranoid that people don't like her. I was so tempted to say 'You're not paranoid. Everyone does hate you'."
"I don't understand why she's so annoyingly close to our Lady," said the third. "She's only been here nearly four months."
"She does have those damn harp lessons every night though," said the second. "They probably help."
"She practices all through the day," said the third, "and never heard her get any better."
"Why can't she just go back to her precious Aman and leave us well alone?" said the first.
"No, she'll be waiting for us then when we pass over the Sea ourselves," said the second. "She should just go somewhere well away from here and never show her face ever again. I'd be happy enough with that." Silva stood in shock for a while. 'They really don't like me, do they?' she thought. "Oh well, they can just get over it because I'm here to stay.' But that didn't put her mind completely at ease. It niggled at her day after day, even when Galadriel reassured her that she could see daily progress with her harp skills. 'People don't like me.'
'They need time to deal with change,' she heard Galadriel's voice say within her own mind. 'They have been set in their ways for many millennia and you are a drastic change, even you must admit. Give them time. They'll soon grow to like you.'
'But even your husband doesn't like me,' Silva replied. 'You are one person in many. I'm not sure if I can handle it much longer.'
'May I suggest that you write to one of your sisters? Either Arianrhod or Isauriel and let them know you will be visiting,' said Galadriel. 'I think you may have been a little too quick to judge where your permanent residence will be. You are welcome to stay here as long as you want to, but you must be happy. I also have a feeling that your heart lies elsewhere.'
"Very well," said Silva sadly.
"We can continue your lessons until you leave, if you so wish," said Galadriel.
"Oh, I do, very much," said Silva. That made her slightly happier. The thought of her lessons at the end of each day would get her through, she knew.
She wrote to Arian the following day, informing her of her arrival (she chose Arian because mountains weren't really her scene. There was very little plant-life on mountains). She asked her to reply as soon as possible so she could ensure she could return to Rivendell for the unforeseeable future.
None of the Lórien Elves knew of Silva's departure (except Celeborn and Galadriel) so when they awoke one morning to find peace and no Silva, they were very happy. Many celebrated her leaving though most were just content that she had finally gone.
"Farewell, Silvawen of the Istari," said Galadriel as she was leaving. "May your days be peaceful and refreshing. And remember this: we often find happiness where we least expect it, in the form of something new. Namarië." She left dwelling on those words. 'Happiness where I least expect it?' she thought. 'In the form of something new? What in the name of Eru does that mean?' She spent her entire journey to Rivendell pondering over it and still came up with no conclusions.
When she reached Rivendell, she received a warm welcome from Elrond and her sister. Because she hadn't explained properly in the letter why she was returning, Arian took Silva to her chamber to that they could talk privately.
"You were only there six months," said Arian. "I thought you were going to live there permanently."
"I was," said Silva, "but I wasn't happy. The only person who liked me was Galadriel."
"I'm sure that's not true," said Arian. Silva raised a dark eyebrow.
"Believe me, it is," she said. "They all thought I was noisy and vain. They said I never shut up. They moaned when I practiced playing the harp. They complained when I spoke of my sisters and homeland. If they weren't so arrogant themselves, they'd see that that is just the outside. Just because I turned Haldir into a pot plant and Celeborn's head into a flower garden, I'm suddenly the bad guy." Arian stared at her sister for a moment.
"You turned someone into a pot plant?" she said. "And their ruler's head into a flower garden? Silva, no wonder they don't like you. You've petrified the lot of them!"
"Well, they didn't have to be so mean about it," said Silva. Arian put an arm round her sister's shoulders.
"Look, do they really matter?" she asked. Silva shook her head. "Exactly. And I'm sure you play the harp very well, after being taught by the Lady Galadriel and I'd love listen to you sometime. But before I do, I have to ask something on Elrond's behalf. Are you staying or going this time?"
"Well, I'm going to start with," said Silva, "but that's only because I want to settle something in my own mind."
"What's that?" said Arian.
"Are the majority of Elves stuck up, like the Lórien Elves, or sweet and welcoming, like the Rivendell Elves? I'm going to Mirkwood to find out, thought quite reluctantly, might I add. The name doesn't exactly sound very appealing, does it? I mean, it doesn't exactly cry out to travellers, does it? I've heard it's quite a dull, ugly place, though apparently the people are kind and considerate. But I shall make my own decisions when I get there."
"You know, I think those Lórien Elves were right," laughed Arian. "You never do shut up. Not that it's a bad thing. Well, not always, anyway."
"That's not half as much as what goes on in my head," said Silva. "Anyway, to put it simply, I'm going to Mirkwood then I'm coming back. Though, I might pop down and see young Fangorn on the way back. I heard he's lost his wife. Very careless of him misplacing her like that. But she's only been gone a few centuries, so there's still time."
"When are you leaving?" asked Arian.
"As soon as I can be bothered," said Silva.
"I thought you might say that," giggled Arian. "Now then, come along, Silva, you need rest. You've been travelling for ages, with little rest if I know you right. What you need is a good night's sleep." Arian showed Silva to her chamber, where she fell asleep almost instantly, and she had the oddest dream. She was in a forest, a dull looking forest if truth be told, but as she walked she made it spring to life. Plants grew, trees renewed themselves and animals scurried at her feet. The forest had a generally happy feeling about it. But then, all of a sudden, she came across a giant enemy. After not a lot of effort, she drove it out and rejoicing Elves surrounded her. She had saved them from the foe and made their forest beautiful. The leader stepped forward and just as he opened his mouth to speak, she woke up.
"How odd," she said aloud and sleepily. "Must ask someone." And she fell asleep again. It didn't occur to her that she may jut have had a premonition.
****************
A/N: Yes, it's a lame ending, but I've been trying to end this chappie since she left Lothlórien. I had to end it somewhere, didn't I? Luvs Elfie xXxXx