Destiny's Arrow
(Greetings)
Light. Piercing, aching, hateful brightness. Celebrian squinted into the fresh morning sunlight, shielding her eyes with her arm. It took a long time for her to adjust to the brightness. When, at last, she could look around, she found her daughter crouched on the opposite side of the fire, stirring the contents of a small clay vessel whose bottom rested in the coals. The morning air was brisk and chilly. Warmth from the small fire warmed Celebrian's front, but her back was inexplicably warm as well. When she looked behind her, she found Glorfindel curled up next to her, still asleep, bundled in a blanket. She smiled at him. As long as they had been friends, she had always felt maternal toward him when he slept. He reminded her of her sons. Celebrian's eyes returned to her daughter. Arwen looked up from her work and smiled.
"Good morning," Arwen smiled. "I'm glad to see you awake finally. How do you feel?"
"Good…," there was a metallic rasp in her voice that had never been there before. The smile faded from Arwen's face a little and was replaced by a look or puzzlement and concern. She said nothing though as Celebrian cleared her throat. "Good morning to you too," she said, internally surprised to still hear the grating quality that colored her speech. "How long have I slept?" she asked, clearing her throat again.
"Two days and a night," Arwen answered, but Celebrian barely heard her. She was looking around. Everything looked wrong. All the colors were duller, washed out somehow. The sunlight felt different on her face—cooler than it should have. It was too bright still.
Arwen watched her carefully as she continued to stew the herbs and roots over the fire. She did not take her eyes from her mother as she drew a small dagger and cut the tip of her finger, adding a few drops of her own blood to the potion.
"Drink this," she instructed finally, offering her mother the cup. Celebrian took the vessel and sipped the steaming liquid. She sputtered, surprised by the taste.
"Blood," she exclaimed looking into the cup. She stirred it with her finger and drew it out to examine the contents more closely. It was clear, not even the slightest tinge of pink. Things began to appear more normal though. The young, green, spring buds were the right vivid color again. The sun felt a little warmer. Celebrian found herself able to look at the sky without squinting. At last, she looked to Arwen. "Why does this taste of blood?" she inquired of her daughter. In reply, Arwen simply held up the finger she had cut.
"You should not be able to taste it," Arwen said shaking her head slightly.
"Orc blood," said Glorfindel sleepily from the ground. Both women looked at him, a little startled to find him awake.
"What do you mean? It is Arwen's blood in this draught," Celebrian protested.
"It is. But the poison on that dart was orc blood," Glorfindel explained, loosing his arms from his blankets and stretching. "Its effect is variable, and you were bitten as well." Celebrian nodded, pressing on the sore flesh at her shoulder. Glorfindel continued, "Arwen was right to add her own blood to that cordial. An orc's blood is most dangerous to an elf because they were like us once. To be poisoned with their black blood is to be infected with Darkness. Arwen's blood should help to thwart it. Orcs have a taste for blood, so its taste is stronger to you now." Celebrian nodded. She gulped the remaining contents of the vessel as quickly as possible. She did not like the idea of "having a taste" for her own daughter's blood.
By noon they had broken camp and set forth once more, Arwen and Celebrian on Arwen's horse and Glorfindel on Celebrian's. It was a bright, pleasant, if brisk and windy day. As it wore on though color and warmth began to leech out of Celebrain's world again. Rather than feeling nourished and energized, she felt drained by the cheerful spring sunlight—a feeling that worsened as they approached Lothlorien. The remainder of the journey transpired without incident…
The sun was a brilliant orange disk that sunk ever closer to the western horizon as the travelers neared the outskirts of the Golden Wood. Across a great plain, Celebrian sighted the towering mallorns of her native land, vibrant green in the summer of their lives. But now, to the Galadriel's daughter, they seemed to loom and forbid rather than to welcome her home. The amber glow of sunset lent the forest a golden luminance that intimated its strong and fecund life force.
As they drew nearer, a party of Galadrim that awaited them came into view. Chief amongst them was Haldir who stood at the side of the Lord and Lady of the Wood. Glorfindel's keen eyes recognized him some distance off. A broad boyish grin spread across his fair face and he spurred his steed forward, galloping to meet his friend. Pulling the horse to a sharp halt, Glorfindel launched himself from its back and nearly knocked Haldir down with the enthusiasm of his brotherly embrace. Both laughed happily; glad of their reunion. It had been far too long since they'd last seen each other as far as they were concerned and Glorfindel was not about to let the moment be spoiled by showing the pain that shot through his side when Haldir regained his balance and hugged him back with similar zeal.
Composure regained, but still smiling merrily, Glorfindel took Galadriel's hand and bowed reverently, touching his forehead lightly to her fingers. She said nothing, but smiled and embraced him tenderly, like a son. She seemed to be aware and careful of his injury. Then, in another gesture of respect and friendship, Glorfindel placed his right hand over his heart. Celeborn mirrored him. They, too, then embraced like old companions.
By the time Glorfindel had made his greetings, Celebrian and Arwen had arrived. Arwen dismounted, and then helped her mother down. Celebrian felt her legs begin to go watery under her. She laid a hand on the animal's withers to steady herself, telling herself it was because she'd been astride a horse all day that her legs didn't seem to want to hold her, ignoring the fact that she actually felt stronger now that the sun had dipped so near the horizon.
Galadriel marked but made no comment. She smiled as she went to meet her daughter. The closer she'd come, the more Celebrian had inexplicably dreaded this haven of elves. Her mother's presence, though, calmed her, soothed her as it always had. It seemed that she could hear, or at least feel, this queen's thoughts and they told her that all would be well as her mother kissed her forehead and held her tightly. Celebrian then went to her father and finally to Haldir, hugging them both.
At last, it was Arwen's turn to greet her grandmother. The turmoil of analysis, decision, and doubt that had clouded her mind since she left Rivendell was suddenly quieted by Galadriel's touch. This was the first time they had seen one another since Arwen had been no more than a girl. She felt like a child now, too—a selfish brat. Why have I come now? Because I am pregnant and need help hiding it. If it were not for me, mother would be well and Glorfindel would be at home where father needs him. And for the first time, Arwen felt the hot sting of shame and guilt in her eyes. Galadriel brushed a stray lock of hair out of her granddaughter's lovely face. Without a word, she assured Arwen that she had nothing to be ashamed of—told her she had done the right thing in coming.
"Thank you," Arwen whispered. The morning star smiled at her counterpart. But though a smile lit her face, Arwen saw sadness and pity in her grandmother's eyes that she did not understand.
"Come," Galadriel spoke at last in voice as light and unearthly as all the heavens above, "come, my beloved family. Be merry, all, and do not let the hardships of your path darken your safe arrival." She took Arwen's hand, then Celebrian's, and together they started back to the heart of the forest.
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AN: Okay, I know this is a dinky little chapter, but I was kinda stuck and I needed to get to Lothlorien. So here I am…yay. Let me clarify one thing, just in case your little brains are in the gutter: Glorfindel and Haldir are NOT gay. There will be no slashy shenanigans whatsoever…completely platonic love, got it? Good. Now, write me a review and make me happy! ~DR