A/N: Hurrah! An update! Bouncy bounce! Gah, it's too late to be writing author's notes. Big chunks stolen borrowed from A Sense of Belonging, with many kisses to ArwenAria18, and mutilated altered to suit me. Aria does not look in the mirror- stop screaming, I can't hear you, and I get to do whatever I want, so there. And Legolas' conversation with Galadriel is greatly changed. So that means even if it SOUNDS like you've heard it before, don't skip, because I stuck in a word here and a phrase there and it totally changes what's going on. Oh, stop whimpering. Haven't you ever heard of creative license?

All reviewers get imaginary chocolate chip cookies *dangle*dangle*pretty*pretty*

Chapter 19

Morning dawned soft and clear in Lothlorien, a bright day of warm sunlight and cool spring breezes. Rhian woke feeling that a great burden had been lifted from her spirit, and she saw the same peace in her sister's face. It was as if the very quietness of the golden wood sank into their minds and cleansed away the darkness. In a half-recognized agreement, neither of them spoke as they got up and dressed in the new clothes they found waiting- fine linen gowns that flowed gracefully into gentle lines, and soft laced sandals. Erin was braiding her sister's dark hair, twisting a loose strand tightly around the ends, when the grief-stricken scream split the silence.

"What-" Rhian darted out of the pavilion with Erin at her heels, just seeing Aria's bright head disappear into the trees before the hobbit girl vanished beneath the shadows. Frodo stood staring after her, bewildered suffering written across his face.

"Frodo, what's happened? What's wrong?"

His eyes were full of tears. "She didn't know- she hadn't realized- that, that Gandalf-" he choked. Erin reached out to touch his shoulder lightly and he bowed his head.

"Let her be. Grief is right and healing. It will spend itself out and be easier for her to bear."

"But I want to help her bear it!"

Erin shook her head. "She must come to it on her own terms first, before she will be able to let anyone in. Even you." He nodded miserably, and went to sit by the fountain, watching the trees hopefully.

Erin did not look at him, but she knew Legolas watched, too.

Aria's grief did ease, as she turned to her friends to share comfort- not until late had she come out of the trees, as dark fell slowly. She walked slowly into the fading light and went to Frodo's arms, where he stood waiting. Farther back, nearly hidden, a taller form turned away.

The days in Lorien passed slowly, and the Fellowship was grateful, soaking in the peace, drawing strength from the respite. One quiet evening Rhian and Erin called Aria away from her walk with Frodo and Sam to join them as they sat beneath the trees. Three women cannot travel together in a company of men without becoming either sisters or enemies, and if Erin was Rhian's right arm Aria was her left, and they could talk freely. The hill where they sat was thick with flowers, and it was not long before Aria was crowned with a wreath of them, and more were woven into Rhian's braid. Erin showed the hobbit girl how to braid the longest stems together, and so she too had a diadem of silver-white stars. This was how they were when Frodo returned, Sam close by him, both of them hushed with awe in their faces. They had been with the Lady Galadriel, and would not speak of it, but sent them deeper into the wood where the lady waited.

The elven queen stood waiting near a wooden bench, carved so that it seemed to grow from the ground it stood on. She was perfectly still, as though she were a statue, and her eyes looked into the distance. She turned as they approached and bade them sit.

"You are from a time far in the future, are you not?" the Queen asked.
"Yes, lady."

"And why have you come?" She looked to each in turn. Aria finally answered.

"I do not know."

Galadriel paused and looked up at the stars. "In Middle-earth we have prophecies," she began in a far-off voice. "And they speak of the coming of the Halfling with Isildur's Bane, and then the waning of this land... of my land and my people.
"But these prophecies speak not of you, any of you," she said, turning and looking down into their eyes, lingering on Aria's. "For this reason I am in doubt as to what should be done. Gandalf would have been a great help in this matter. But alas! he is no more, and those of us who remain must try as best we may. Shall I permit you to leave with the Fellowship? Or shall you remain here and hopefully bring about no changes? And yet I would not keep you here against your will. Now tell me: how did you come here, and what do you purpose to do?"

In turn they spoke of how they came to find themselves in Middle Earth, and all the events that had led to their coming into Lorien. When they were silent, the lady turned to look closely at Rhian.

"Tell me this, Rhiannon, why you felt it necessary to journey with the Fellowship? Why go into danger, when the danger is no business of yours?"

"I-" Rhian paused. "I can't say that I know, for certain," she said. "It seemed to me...that it aught to be so. That if I were sent, or drawn to Middle Earth, it must be for some purpose, and failing that, that I might find, on this road, others from my time. If we came, surely there are others- Surely my uncle and Jonathan came as well. I can hardly go without seeking them."

Galadriel nodded, turning to Erin. "And you?"

Erin looked steadily into her face, repeating her first words on their arrival before the king and queen. "I go with my sister."

"And for no other reason?"

She studied Erin's face, but when she didn't answer, turned to Aria.

"Only to be with Fr - with the Fellowship," she said.
Galadriel took the girl's head in her hands and gazed into her eyes, as a mother does who is looking for traces of deceit in a beloved child.
"I see that you are honest. But I also perceive that you have another interest in this Fellowship; in one of its number particularly?"
Aria blushed and looked down, too embarrassed to speak of her love to a near stranger. It was too tender a secret to be left open for perusal. The elf-Queen tried to catch her gaze again.
"It would not be Aragorn," she said quietly, as though speaking to herself. "No, nor the dwarf. The Elven-prince?" She was silent for a moment as she probed Aria's hidden thought, then she frowned and looked first to Rhian, then Erin. "No. Not Legolas. Then one of the hobbits. Samwise, Meriadoc, Peregrin, Frodo..." at the last name Aria trembled the slightest bit. "Ah! The Ring-bearer! Should his thought turn to her so we may have difficulty. And yet, to be sent on such a Quest may prove fatal without strong love to heal and to mend. Mayhap that should be its purpose.
"Fear not, little one!" she said laughingly, speaking once again to Aria. She saw the red cheeks and bent head of the girl and touched her shoulder with a slender hand, as if to assure her that her secret was safe. "For I know," she continued in a gentler tone, "that love con hold sway over all but the strongest magic. So love the Ring-bearer! and perhaps you will be the saving of him. Yet yours also will be a choice like to that of Luthien's. You are not from his world, Aria. And worlds cannot mix with each other, except by necessity as in this case. I cannot see the end of your road if you choose to love this Frodo. But I fear it will be an evil one."
The elf queen stood back to look at them. Slowly she nodded, and they stood to leave. As Rhian ran ahead with Aria, seeking Frodo, Erin as halted by the lady's hand on her arm. Galadriel was taller even than her, and lifted her chin so that their eyes met. "So. There is much suffering on the road you have chosen, as well. Where will your path end, I wonder?"

"I do not know, lady. But I will not refuse to follow it, whatever comes."

"So." Galadriel smiled. "You are not so bold as your sister, I think, but no less brave. I think the blood that runs in you will not be seen to retreat. So," she said again, and bent to kiss Erin's forehead. "I wish for you all that is good, golden one. May your path be clear and straight, and free of stones."

Erin walked swiftly away, her thoughts troubled, and was startled when she came upon Legolas. He was standing, silent and still, looking towards where Aria had gone. To late she moved to leave him alone, as he turned to her, but the need for words was removed by the Lady Galadriel calling to him.

"Come here, Legolas," she said. Meekly he obeyed and stood before her, grey eyes meeting grey. "Did you hear what was said, Legolas?"
"Yes, my Lady."
"And it causes you pain. Yes, I can see this, though it is hidden from me why. You did not long stand under my gaze earlier today. What troubles you, Legolas?"
"I have stretched out my hand for something I cannot take, my Lady."
She looked deeply into his eyes, and he did not try to avoid her gaze, but instead met it head on, though he was afraid of what she would tell him.
"I understand much, now. It is the young girl, is it not?" He nodded mutely. "You know that she loves another?"
"Yes - my Lady." He choked back a break in his voice and strove to contain his composure.
"Your time may come. But for now I can only give you my blessing, and free leave to wander this land and talk with its people."
Legolas bowed his head, strands of gold slipping over his shoulder. "I thank you, my Lady." He then turned to leave, his hands hanging at his sides.
"Legolas," Galadriel called suddenly.
He turned back to her, standing silently and solidly in the moonlight.
"One other thing I may give you. That you should see with clearer sight, Prince, and perceive what is hidden from other eyes." She stretched out to touch his forehead. "Do not let your grief cloud your vision."
"Never, my Lady."
"So. Keep your resolve, then, Legolas." Galadriel extended her hand to him and then turned and moved away through the trees.

Legolas turned away once more, and saw Erin still standing beneath the trees. She was gazing skyward, but seemed to feel his gaze, for she looked at him suddenly. Moonlight fell across the golden tide of hair around her shoulders, and her brow seemed crowned with stars.