The power of Love

Disclaimer; I own nothing that belongs to J.R.R.T. So there!

AN/

Well here I am again. Finally I have a rock solid plot for this story. I will continue to write and post Children of Nen. Two stories at once might be difficult but I think I can do it. I hope you all like this chapter and please keep reviewing.

Thanks to my beta Ral for everything and also to my faithful reviewers.

You guys rock! And I hope you're still with me.

Chow,

P.J.

Chapter 13: Maybes and council.

Vision

Araviniel was standing on the ocean. Somehow the water held her up. She breathed in the salty air and looked beneath her. The view sent a chill through her.

Underneath her swam a giant fish. I was a shark. She stiffened in panic and looked around. The shark swam around her a few times and then plunged deeper into the murky depths. She looked around for the shark but couldn't see it anywhere. Just then she fell. She fell into the water, strait down. She splashed around in fear. The shark suddenly appeared and swam for her, jaws open.

Araviniel swam. She, somehow, could see a shore nearby and headed for it, panic filling her. Then an elf appeared on the shore. He had blond hair and green eyes with broad shoulders and a tall build. The elf reached out to her.

Araviniel reached the shore just as the shark was about to attack. The elf pulled her to him and she shuddered in his strong arms. The shark turned around and leapt into the air. As it fell back into the water it turned into an elf. He had brown hair and an aged face, filled with pain and hate. The shark-elf looked up at her through yellow shark eyes and said in a deep voice, "Silaerien, give her to me!"

The elf holding Araviniel shook his head vigorously. "She is and never was yours wielder of magic!" He looked down at Araviniel. "Use your power daughter. Fight him. He will not survive you." Araviniel turned back to the shark-elf who now stood, as she did, upon the water. "Do not be afraid." said the elf behind her.

She lifted her palm and shouted, "Sky and water! Sea and breath! Cast this demon to the depth! Fill his soul with judgment! Cast him away! Denounce the powers of his evil way!" The shark-elf twisted in pain and was transformed back into a shark. He fell underneath the water and she heard distantly, "She is mine, even now in death."

Araviniel turned to find the elf that had saved her gone. "Adar..."

End Vision

Araviniel looked into the eyes of the guard standing before her. "Excuse me..." She pushed past him and ran down the corridor, stopping to catch her breath. She made a choice; to forget. She pushed the vision to the back of her mind and continued down the hallway. After a few minutes she was calm and controlled. The vision still stood close to the back of her mind but she tried to wipe it away.

Araviniel headed off to her chambers. Surprisingly she remembered where they were. As she entered the room and shut the solid wooden door behind her she noticed one difference from when she was here last; she wasn't alone.

There, out on the balcony was a beautiful he-elf. He had long sliver hair and very sharp features. His eyes, like his clothing, were also silver. Whether that feature made him seem scary or beautiful she didn't know. His silver hair was tied back with long strips of some kind of white thread.

No matter how beautiful he was Araviniel drew her knives. "What are you doing here and what do you want?" she asked with her knives held tightly at her sides. He walked toward her, obviously not afraid, and said smoothly, "Do not fear me. The lady Galadriel sent me to accompany you to her chambers. I am her most trusted royal guard in the wood, if she does not doubt me then why should you, princess?"

Araviniel lowered her knives down to her boots and eyed him suspiciously. When she put her weapons away she noticed he was looking at her oddly. "What?" she asked, somewhat annoyed. He shook his head. "You are covered in rain." What an odd way of saying some one was wet! She thought. "I was out in the storm. Now I need to change." He nodded and went back out to the porch with his arms folded across his chest. He made no move to leave.

With a frustrated sigh she walked into the bathroom, grabbing, along the way, some clothes. She chose a brown leather tunic and soft, tight fitting white pants. She eagerly stripped off her wet things and slid on the dry ones. Once she had finished she combed out her wet hair and braided it into two braids. Then she took some brown cord and wove it between the two braids, binding them together. Once she had finished she walked briskly out of the bathroom and into the sleeping chambers. He was still out there, arms folded, looking at the silvery moon that matched his eyes and semblance perfectly.

He must have heard her because he turned around and said, "My name is Silvegil." Araviniel nodded. His name meant bright sword. She smiled, although she didn't know why. "Mine is Araviniel, although you might already know it." He looked at her knowingly, almost as if seeing her for the first time. He seemed as if he had waited a long time to see her. "Sadly I did not. I was not told your name daughter of the new dawn but I shall never forget it."

Araviniel bowed her head. "Nor shall I forget yours, bright sword." He smiled, oh what a smile! His smile seemed to light her own and she found herself happy. "Come, I must get you to the chambers."

He walked toward her and opened the door. Araviniel walked out in front of him and waited till he had shut it. He took her arm and led her down the many corridors untill; at last, they came to one with beautiful carving down the walls, the royal hallway. This would be where she would have her own room if she lived in the palace. They came to a white oak door and Silvegil knocked lightly on it. "Come in." came the voice of Galadriel from inside. He opened the door and followed her inside.

The chamber was beautiful indeed. There were many clear vases and white flowers adorning the rooms. The bed was surrounded by a curtain and the floor had a soft rich carpet on it. The walls, like everything else, were in tones of white and grey. She followed Silvegil into the bed chamber where the rest of the others were.

The first to see her was her grandfather. He surrounded her with a hug and a gentle kiss on the forehead. Next, however, were Legolas and Tatharion. Their reaction was much different. Seeing her come in, smiling, with another, very handsome elf, besides her had sent them both into jealousy and anger. Tatharion walked over to her and took her arm, leading her away to the other room. "Who is that?" he whispered.

Araviniel pulled away from him and said, "He is a friend of mine." He shook his head. "I don't want you wondering off with other people. You make me worry when I don't know where you are." She looked at him oddly. "You don't own me Tatharion."

Tatharion looked at her in the eye. "The ring on your finger speaks differently. Now who is he?" Araviniel looked at him, shocked. "Is that what you think? Once you give me a ring you can tell me what to do and who to see? Once you ask me to marry you I must surrender to you?" Tatharion just looked at her.

Suddenly Araviniel felt the presence of some one else. She turned to find Silvegil standing behind her. "It there a problem?" he asked, no emotion showing on his face. "No," she said. "Tatharion was just taking a token from me." She removed the engagement ring off her finger and placed it in the palm of hid hand. "Maybe after you learn to respect me I will consider your offer."

She then turned back to Silvegil, the unthreatening elf who didn't inquire past her vague answers, and went back into the bedroom. Tatharion looked down at the ring and back to Silvegil. The silver elf bothered him for some reason. "Who are you?" he asked. Silvegil gave no answer; he only stood there, seeing through Tatharion's soul. Tatharion did not like this elf. He was disturbing.

Tatharion placed the ring inside his tunic and walked past Silvegil, into the bedroom.

Silvegil let his mask drop and immediately confusion showed. Silver wisps of hair fell onto his face and his liquid silver eyes still showed nothing. He looked at the spot where Araviniel was standing and noticed a small red stain on the carpet. He walked over and swiped his finger across the stain and to his nose. The metallic scent of blood filled his nostrils.

Silvegil stood up quickly and walked into the bedroom. He went strait up to Araviniel and grabbed her arm. She let out a small cry of protest and Legolas jumped to his feet protectively. Silvegil held up a hand and pushed her sleeve up, revealing a slender bleeding gash from her morning battle. It had reopened. Araviniel gasped slightly and Legolas walked over to her. "How did you get that?" he asked.

Tatharion watched on from where he stood across the room. Araviniel tried, in vain, to pull her arm away. "It's just a scratch!" she protested. Silvegil held her arm in place as he passed his hand over the wound, whispering words of healing. The elvish spell filled the room and closed the wound slightly, stopping it from bleeding so much. He then whispered more words and the wound began to heal. In minutes it was as if it was never there, except for the small silver line that resembled a scratch.

Araviniel could then successfully pull her arm away from Silvegil. "Thank you." she muttered. He nodded. "How did you get it Araviniel?" asked Legolas again. She moved to her grandfather and said, "I was attacked this morning by a group of orcs. Haldir intercepted in time but I was tired and one of the attacks slipped by me, slicing me with a blade. I...healed myself but it must have reopened."

Legolas looked at her oddly. "Healed yourself? Like what he did just now? How?"

Araviniel was unable to answer. At that moment the lady arrived in the room. "She was gifted with a healing power. It runs through her just as it does mine, although my power is for the mind not the skin." Legolas nodded and backed away. "This is Silvegil. He is my most trusted knight besides Haldir and is now the princess's personal body guard." Araviniel began to protest that she did not need a body guard but her grandmother held up a hand.

"He will also be joining you on your mission. You will need his help. Please, sit down..." she motioned to the wooden chairs that were set in a circle on the right side of the room. They all sat except for Celeborn, who went to sit with his wife on the bed. It was rather strange but Araviniel felt that the lady had a reason for them being in this room. "You all have been chosen for certain reasons. This mission will be hard. You will not only be going to Mirkwood to ask for aid but also you will seek out the threat that is moving swiftly in darkness to our woodland home."

All of the elves in the room were silent. Araviniel winced in pain as her wound slid, by accident, against the woodened chair. It may have healed but it was very sore. Galadriel started to speak again. "You will all journey to Mirkwood. Upon receiving the elven kings' answer you will then go deep into the forest, past the elven guard. You must not be followed. The threat will be reveled to you now. Anything you learn must remain in yourselves only."

"The threat is an old friend of these woods. He is a wizard. His evil well exceeds whatever good he once possessed. A long time ago there was a small elven village on the east side of Rivendell. A very beautiful she-elf lived there. Once during the spring a wizard came through the village seeking aid. He had stumbled upon a band of orcs and was wounded. The she-elf took him in, in secret, and nursed him back to health. She had fallen in love with him and one night he confessed that he loved her two. A month later she came to him saying she was pregnant with his child. The young wizard was afraid. He and she were not ready for a child. Instead of staying with her he fled."

"One night, not long after, the village was attacked by orcs. The she-elf escaped with hers and the child's life and went to Rivendell. There the child was born. His mother took care of him untill he came of age. Then he left. He journeyed here, to Lothlorien. Not long after, however, it was discovered that he had powers of great force. He could call down fire and send forth lightning."

"After discovering his power he fled to the great forests of Mirkwood. I fear the evil in the forest has gotten to his heart. I do not know the full extent of his powers because he fled before we could test him. I do know that he is the one interfering with my foresight. He hates Lothlorien with a vengeance because it was there that he had fallen in love, in love with Araviniel's mother."

Araviniel looked up, shocked. "My mother?" Galadriel nodded. "I fear so my dear."

"The day he found out his powers was the day she was wed to your father, the prince of Lothlorien. His power is growing and now he seeks revenge. He seeks revenge on you my dear, for you are the only thing left that shows your mother's bond to Celeblas."

Araviniel raised her eyebrows in utter shock. This was defiantly making sense. The shark! "I had a vision." She said suddenly.

Galadriel looked at her with piercing blue eyes. "Tell us of your vision."

Araviniel looked down at her hands and sighed. As she retold the vision she noticed that no one moved or spoke. Silvegil stood against the back wall with his arms crossed, deep in thought, and Legolas and Tatharion sat in their chairs, making not a sound.

When she had finished Galadriel nodded. "It is as I feared. His hate has spread. You, however, have gained knowledge into the full extent of your power." Araviniel looked at her oddly. "My power?" Galadriel nodded. "You have the power of foresight as I do but also you have the special gift that the Valar have given you to defeat this monster. You must seek out this gift and use it well. I fear I cannot help you with this power but I know some one who can."

Araviniel waited for the lady to continue. After a moment Galadriel said softly, "your father has returned to this world." Araviniel sat back in her chair and looked at the lady with big eyes. "...How...I...?" Galadriel smiled. "For a short time only he has been given the right to return and aid you in the upcoming war." Araviniel nodded and closed her eyes. "Adar..."

"His footsteps have taken him to this very forest. He is here somewhere, searching for you."

Araviniel looked up at her grandmother. "I must find him!"

Galadriel shook her head. "No my dear. You must leave on your mission tonight. When he comes to these halls I shall send him your way. There is no time to lose. If we spare just a moment Lothlorien will be that much closer to the attack."

Legolas stood up in protest. "We can not leave in this storm milady! The horses can barely walk in it."

The lady nodded slowly. "I fear you have no choice in the matter."

Legolas sat back down in the chair and nodded.

The Lady rose from the bed with Celeborn and they smiled. "May your journey be safe and may the sun shine on you until we meet again. One last warning, however, I give to you. Beware the callings of temptation, stay together and do not let anything come between your unities. Evil destroys from within."

She bowed and left the room silently with Lord Celeborn right behind her.

"We must leave quickly before the storm worsens." said Araviniel flatly.

She rose from her chair, only glancing at the others, and slowly walked out of the bedroom chambers. Her heart was heavy and she cringed inside. The news of her father, the story of her mother, and the harsh words between Tatharion and she were eating away at her from within. She felt a sick feeling travel up her spine and her chest tightened. How long before all this madness ended? How long before peace was renewed in Lothlorien and the hearts of her people?

She walked gracefully into her chambers, grabbed a small piece of paper from the desk and a quill. She wrote a small note in flowing Sindarin script and then, blowing on the ink, she placed it gently in the inside pocket of her tunic.

"For later use." She commented.

After she had finished she left the room and headed off to the stables. When she reached the otter door she took a deep breath before charging into the storm. She gasped as the cold wind hit her small body and clutched tightly to the railing. By the time she reached the stable she was soaking wet again and wondered why she had bothered to change at all.

When Araviniel opened the stable door and entered she was surprised to find that the others were already there and had a lamp lit. The yellow-orange light cast a warm look over the elves in the stable. She walked silently over to her horse and slid her hand over his face.

He jerked his head up in a hello and then nudged her gently. She smiled and said softly, "Soon you will run mi friend. Be patient."

She suddenly felt Legolas at her side. "There was never a patient side to him. His heart lies in the unseen and the untraveled. He yearns to journey to places unfamiliar."

Araviniel nodded. "Maybe one day I shall join him. I too wish to go where my past does not exist. Somewhere there must be a place where I can truly be alone."

Legolas shook his head. "Why would you with for that?"

She smiled sadly. "Perhaps Legolas you do not understand the needs of a troubled soul. To be truly alone would mean to be truly free. I no longer with for the heartaches and the pain that this world carries." She threw a sad glace in Tatharion's direction and was unaware to the fact the all in the room noticed it.

Legolas shook his head and a cold look overtook his semblance. "I would not say such things. I know very well the sorrows of this world. I no longer see things in the light that most do. We are all broken inside Araviniel. We ALL need some one to heal us. We can not make it on our own. If you learn anything from me I hope it is this."

He walked away and she was left to tend to her horse. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps She needed some one else to help her. Maybe she needed some one else besides Tatharion and her grandmother. Maybe she needed to look higher, to the sky, to the heavens.

Maybe she needed to give up the struggle and let her pride go. Maybe she needed an unearthly being. Maybe Araviniel New Dawn, Daughter to the prince of Lothlorien, elven princess of light, needed help. And if she needed help perhaps she would look to God. She would look to the Valar. And she would wait. She would wait for their guidance.

Maybe in the end she would be free. Just maybe............