Chapter 30

Thirteen elvish horses rode into Minas Tirith at top speed. All the riders were hooded with dark cloaks. All who saw them pointed and whispered.

"My lord! My lord Aragorn! There are thirteen hooded riders in the city!"

Aragorn looked over the side of the top level of Gondor and recognized the horses immediately. They were elvish.

"When they arrive, send them to the restricted room of the Houses of Healing. Send only Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel. Send the others to their prepared chambers." Aragorn ordered. He broke into a run towards the Houses of Healing.

"Yes, my lord." The servant said.

Aragorn burst into Elizabeth's restricted room. "Gandalf! Good, you are here. Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel have arrived. Prepare yourself."

Gandalf nodded sternly. "Clear the room. Keshavan! Appear!"

Keshavan materialized next to Gandalf.

"I know, Gandalf," he said calmly. "It is time."

He held out his hands and began to chant in his ancient faery language. Elrond and Galadriel hurried into the room. It looked as if they'd run the entire way. Aragorn bowed and left. But Haldir stayed.

"Haldir, leave now." Gandalf said.

"No, she is a sister to me. I must stay." He said. Galadriel watched him silently with a strange look on her face, but said nothing. "and I will serve a purpose before the end. I have dreamt it."

"It is not a purpose but a destiny. Keshavan understands it also, do you not, Prince?" Galadriel asked. Keshavan nodded.

"Aye my lady, for some time I have seen my end." The prince said. "But let us not procrastinate any longer!

"Ancient powers of Brillion! We call upon the magic of the lost faery city to destroy this possessive and evil spirit before us. We ask only that thou wouldst spare the child it possesses. Unite the three elven rings and guide their power to destroy the evil spirit of Sauron!"

Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel held up each of their hands that held the rings and in turn, each of the three rings began to glow brightly. Elizabeth/Sauron sat up in her bed and screamed. When she cried out, her voice was mixed with a deeper, darker voice. Sauron's voice.

"NOOOO!"

But her scream stopped abruptly as she began writhing uncontrollably in her bed and experiencing a terrible seizure. Time seemed to slow down as the power of the three rings and Keshavan's magic mixed and overcame Elizabeth.

Her eyes rolled up in her head and she began foaming at her mouth. Haldir's eyes widened and he ran forward to Elizabeth. He passed through the barrier and grabbed her small body and hugged it before a jolt went through him.

Elizabeth opened her eyes and wriggled out of his grasp. She ran through the barrier and tripped just outside of it. She turned around on the ground and began backing away from Haldir, crying as she went.

The magic ceased and Haldir was left just staring at Elizabeth. The three ring bearers lowered their hands and Keshavan walked back into Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth?" Gandalf asked.

He watched her suspiciously. How could he know that Sauron was not in her any more? Suddenly there was an agonized cry from Haldir. He was standing within the circle with his hand pressed to the barrier. His hand could not penetrate it!

"Haldir?" Elizabeth asked timidly.

"Stay away from me!" he yelled angrily. He withdrew his sword and lifted his free hand to his forehead. "Sauron is strong, but he has not encountered one so trained in mind barriers. I took the liberty to strengthen myself whilst in Lorien with you, Elizabeth.

"I know how you care for me as a brother and I care for you as a sister, but I must ask you to hate me now, for I feel Sauron's spirit trying to overtake me. Just remember me as who I was to you before all this happened. Since it was I that foolishly interceded during his removal from you, it is I who will destroy him for you this time." Haldir finished.

With that, he promptly thrust his own sword through his abdomen and sank to the floor.

"NO!" Elizabeth cried out, reaching for Haldir.

Elizabeth immediately pulled herself to her feet and made to go to Haldir, but found herself held back. She looked back and saw Gandalf holding her small, frail hand.

"Let me go! He's dying!" she screamed. But Gandalf shook his head.

Instead of giving her comforting words, Gandalf simply pulled her close to him and embraced her.

"I am sorry," he said simply. Elizabeth pulled her head away from the embrace and looked Gandalf in the eye. He, too, was crying softly.

Elizabeth shook her head. "NO! No, you aren't sorry at all!"

She turned back to go to Haldir once more, but stopped dead in her tracks. Sauron was on his knees in front of Haldir and he wasn't doing too well. He was melting, actually melting like the Wicked Witch of the East or West…or whatever her name was.

Once he'd fully melted, the circle disappeared, Elizabeth just stood there. She felt Gandalf come behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and hugged him, allowing tears to fall freely.

She turned around and watched Lord Elrond kneel next to Haldir. Sauron's soul had been destroyed, but so had Haldir. Elizabeth watched Haldir whisper something to Elrond and Elrond brought his head away, his face shocked at what Haldir had said.

But no matter how Elrond felt, he did what Haldir had wanted. He closed his eyes and pushed Haldir's sword in all the way, causing Haldir to die immediately.

Elizabeth flinched and cried even harder. She turned away from Elrond and Haldir as Gandalf hugged her tighter. Elrond said a prayer to the Valar for Haldir's soul and raised his head. He shut Haldir's open eyes. Elrond stood to his feet and took his place by Galadriel. Gandalf stood to his feet, Elizabeth's head still on his shoulder, crying.

Gandalf nodded to Elrond and Galadriel before opening the door to Elizabeth's room and leaving. Aragorn and Elizabeth's friends stood outside and when they saw Gandalf walking away with Elizabeth, they looked inside. Aragorn's heart fell as he saw his dear friend Haldir lying dead on the ground next to Elizabeth's bed.

Elrond took Aragorn by the shoulder and brought him over to a corner to explain what had happened. Others just bowed their heads in respect.

Time passed by so slowly that Elizabeth herself wanted to die. Gandalf was becoming worried about her. She'd stopped eating, she slept less and less and she was constantly mourning Haldir. Elrond even had to come and see her to make sure she was healthy. Aragorn had postponed the Coronation for Haldir's funeral and because Elizabeth was so ill. She would spend days and days lying tucked under his lifeless arm, waiting for him to suddenly embrace her like he always had.

"Child you must eat." Elrond said, during his now hourly visit to Elizabeth's room. "Haldir is gone, you must accept that."

Elizabeth's eyes immediately became reddened and slightly wet. But no tears came, for Elizabeth had none left to cry. Elrond wanted to help her so badly – he felt obligated to help her, but he could not. So he left her there like that.

Once he'd left, Elizabeth eventually calmed down. But she began talking to Keshavan.

"I think I know how to get him back."

Elizabeth could feel that Keshavan was nervous, as if he knew something was going to happen.

'How do you think we can get Haldir back?' he asked.

"We can talk to the Valar. They could make him come back." Elizabeth said. "You can help me get there, right?"

'…Yes…' There was a sigh. 'Yes, I suppose. Are you ready?'

"Yes."

'Close your eyes…concentrate on where you want to go…'

"Elizabeth?" a voice asked. No answer. The owner of the voice knocked on her door. But it was no use. Elizabeth had taken herself to see the Valar.

The door opened and Gandalf and Elrond entered. They saw Elizabeth sitting cross-legged on her bed, staring straight up at the ceiling. Gandalf rushed to Elizabeth's bedside where he shook her, but woke her to no avail.

Elrond looked up at the ceiling and saw a picture of an angel looking down. Whoever slept in the bed would have an angel looking down upon them.

"Do not wake her." Elrond said. "She has gone to the Valar."

"Then I shall go after her." Gandalf said. He put his hands to Elizabeth's forehead and whispered in elvish. Within minutes, Elrond knew that Gandalf had joined Elizabeth.

'We are here to see the Valar.' Elizabeth said simply.

'I am sorry, child,' the attendant said. 'they will only see those who make an appointment beforehand. You do not have an appointment do you, child?'

'No,' Elizabeth said. 'But can't you let me see them? It's important!'

'Will you let us in if I ask?' Keshavan asked. 'I am sure they will recognize the prince of the faery realm.'

'Perhaps, I shall ask. I shall also ask if they will let you in for the White one.' The attendant said. He disappeared behind the door.

'The White one?' Elizabeth questioned. 'Who are they talking about, Keshavan?'

'It seems someone followed us here,' Keshavan said, looking past Elizabeth at the tall figure clad in white that had arrived. Gandalf had entered the room.

'Gandalf!'Elizabeth exclaimed. 'How'd you get here?'

'I entered your mind.' Gandalf answered. The attendant reentered the room and all eyes were upon him.

'They will see you now.' He said. Elizabeth, Gandalf and Keshavan thanked the attendant and entered the room.

Elizabeth looked around in awe. It was a large room with fifteen thrones on all sides of the room. The thrones glistened beautifully. Made of what looked like mithril, the thrones all had crowns hovering above them. Gold inlay decorated the thrones with intricate designs and each of the Valar's names were engraved in gold on the crown.

'Welcome, Prince Keshavan.' A voice said. The fifteen thrones were filled suddenly.

Keshavan bowed. 'Thank you, my lord, Manwe.'

'You are most welcome.' Manwe answered.

'Welcome Gandalf, White Wizard of Middle Earth.' Another voice said.

'Thank you, my lady, Nienna.' Gandalf answered, bowing low.

Elizabeth bowed like her friends had.

'And you, Elizabeth. We have been waiting to meet you. You are sailing to the Undying Lands, are you not?' a third voice asked.

'I hope so,' Elizabeth said, swallowing nervously.

'Good. I will be happy to further guide you when you arrive.'

'What's your name, sir?' Elizabeth asked.

'I am Mandos. I know why you have come.'

'I've heard of you! You guide the dead elves!' Elizabeth exclaimed.

Mandos chuckled. 'Aye, that is some of what I do. But for what you ask, we all must ask that the wizard exit the room. He will object to what you are about to offer.'

Gandalf nodded and exited willingly. He understood that he could not interfere with the Valar's wishes.'I take my leave.'

Mandos nodded to him. 'May your life be blessed, wizard.'

Once Gandalf had left, Elizabeth and Keshavan got right to the point. They explained what had happened and how Haldir had died to save Elizabeth and destroy Sauron.

'So we, actually I, was wondering if we could have him back.' Elizabeth said shyly.

'You speak of it as if Haldir were an object that we could simply retrieve for you. But it is much harder than that. We must replace one life with another. And I do not think that you would like to replace his life with your own. He would not appreciate that very much, now would he?' Mandos said.

'And what if I were to go in his stead?' Keshavan asked immediately.

'Keshavan, no!' Elizabeth cried.

'Silence, Elizabeth! This is my destiny.' Keshavan said. 'I have no reason to carry on. I have defied my people and their rules for some time now. The best way for me to have peace finally is to take Haldir's place in the Halls of Mandos. I can do no more harm there.'

Mandos looked thoughtful.

'But if you allow this, you must restrain Elizabeth, for she loves her friends all too dearly to let any of us go so easily.' Keshavan continued.

'What say my fellow Valar?' Mandos asked.

One by one, the Valar all consented to Prince Keshavan taking Haldir's place in the Halls of Mandos.

'Very well,' Mandos said. 'Come with me Keshavan and I shall perform the ceremony.'

'Keshavan! No!' Elizabeth cried. Keshavan gave Elizabeth one last smile before turning away and following Mandos into another room. She ran to the door and tried to open it but it was locked.

Elizabeth bit back her tears and concentrated on opening the door with her powers. She closed her eyes and concentrated until she heard the lock click and she ran into the room.

'KESHAVAN!'

Mandos and Keshavan looked to her, but it was too late. A bright flash of light enveloped the room and everything in it. Elizabeth closed her eyes and brought her hands to them for further blockage. When the light dissipated, Keshavan's body fell to the ground and Elizabeth ran to it. She gathered Keshavan into her arms and cried.

'Keshavan…why does everyone have to leave me?' she asked herself softly.

'Not everyone leaves you,' Mandos said. 'There are many that stay by your side. Besides, I amsure your parents miss you.'

Mandos made a circle in midair and Elizabeth saw her mom and dad very worried and sad. Her mother lay in bed, looking pale and ill while her father did nothing but drink beer and watch TV.

'How long have I been gone over there?' Elizabeth asked.

'Only a week, but they still worry.' Mandos said. 'There is also another that worries for you, but your parents know not.'

He waved his hand over the circle in midair and the picture faltered before disappearing. An older man was sitting in front of a television set, watching the news about how Elizabeth Gunner had disappeared. Elizabeth recognized this man! He looked like Gandalf with shorter, gray hair!

'Gandalf?' Elizabeth asked. 'Why did Gandalf cut his hair and change its color?'

'No, this is not Gandalf. This is Gandalf in your lifetime. Several people from Middle Earth are reborn over and over again until they reach your lifetime. You will learn more of this when you are older.' Mandos said.

He waved his hands and the circle disappeared.

'There is something I must tell you, child.' Mandos said.

'Yes?' Elizabeth asked.

Mandos looked hesitant. He sighed finally and leaned down and whispered into Elizabeth's ear. Her eyes widened and she watched him as he stood up to his full height.

'It will not come into full effect until you return to your body.' Mandos said.

'What about Haldir?' Elizabeth asked.

'He will return to his body when you wake.' Mandos said. He kneeled before Elizabeth and smiled. 'I hope, when you arrive at the Undying Lands, that you and I can form a fast friendship.'

'I hope so too.' Elizabeth said. 'Buh-bye, Mandos.'

'Good bye, little Elizabeth Until we meet again.'

Gandalf sat up and looked at Elrond. His face was grim.

"What is it?" Elrond asked. "What happened?"

"Keshavan gave his life for Haldir's." Gandalf said simply. "But there is something wrong that I cannot see."

"Gandalf?" Elizabeth asked.

Gandalf looked to Elizabeth immediately. "What is it, Elizabeth?"

"Why can't I open my eyes?" Elizabeth asked.

Gandalf glanced at Elrond, who immediately began examining Elizabeth's eyes.

"My dear, your eyes are already open." Gandalf said, becoming worried. He held up three fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?"

"I don't know! I can't see your hand!" Elizabeth cried. She reached forward and found Gandalf's hand. She felt it for awhile and then came to her conclusion. "Three. You're holding up three fingers."

Gandalf frowned. "Your diagnosis, Lord Elrond?"

"I am sorry to say that my diagnosis is very grim for the ears of a little girl," Elrond said. "But I must say it. Elizabeth is most definitely blind."

((A/N: I am SO sorry that this took me so long. First I had to get my knees x-rayed. Then, I fainted last Saturday and was taken to the hospital. I am so sorry this took so long. Please forgive me.

By the way: for any of you that would like to contact me on the internet, my AIM sn is musik iz my muse or gothdancer2

Thanks!))