Disclaimer: None of the recognizable characters/places/events/etc. of Arda belong to me. They're all Tolkien's.

Chapter Two: The Golden Wood

The days were growing darker, the threat of Mordor becoming ever more powerful. This was especially true for the border guards, who had been instructed to shoot to wound first and ask questions later. Several guards felt a bit apprehensive at this; they usually preferred to take captives or at least wait to see who approached.

One Elf saw a flash of white out of the corner of his eye. He drew an arrow from his quiver, and within a split second was pointing it at the figure. He prepared to fire…

But he couldn't do it. He knew he had to, but he just couldn't. Some mysterious force kept him from releasing the arrow despite his struggles. Finally, he just gave up and approached the figure.

He had seen many strange things in his long life, but never anything like this.

A young girl—a mortal, no less—was lying just inside the Wood's border. She wore a short white dress which seemed more undergarment than actual clothing. Her dark hair, splayed out on the grass, seemed to be tinted purple—or perhaps it was a trick of the sun. She appeared to be asleep.

But what was most shocking was the necklace she wore. A small silver coin hung from a chain around her neck. On one side was a symbol that he recognized as Sarati, though he could not read it. On the other was a symbol in Tengwar.

So this was why he couldn't shoot her.

He gave the girl a hard jab in the side with the end of his bow. She opened her eyes slowly, her mind disoriented and not entirely certain what was going on. He watched as dawning realization crept across her face.

"What's going on?" she asked, both confused and alarmed. "Who are you, and what is this place?"

Mortals rarely came to Lothlórien. He and his people did not much like to deal with them. So, most of the Elves, including himself, had never bothered to learn their tongue.

The Elf turned his head and peered up into one of the many trees.

"Tolo dad," he called into the leaves. Another Elf dropped down from the tree. He had his bow strung and an arrow notched, and pointed it at her the moment he touched the ground.

"What is it, Eryndur?" he asked in Sindarin.

"I cannot harm the mortal girl," said the first Elf. "She appears to wear the necklace of Lórien."The girl just stared at them.

"She is in the Valar's favor," said the second. "Send a messenger to the Lady." The first Elf raised an eyebrow.

"Speak to her in the common tongue."

"What is your name?" the second Elf asked her, this time in words she could understand.

"Kaitlyn," she responded. "Uh… where am I, and who are you?"

"I am Haldir of the Border Guard, and you are trespassing in Lothlórien."

Irmo was once again sitting beside the fountain of Lórien in Valinor. A peaceful, faraway look veiled his face.

Estë watched nervously as her husband's eyes widened with worry.

"What is it?" she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Is it the girl?" Irmo nodded.

Estë raised an eyebrow. "Something went wrong?" she hazarded.

"No. The journey to this world was flawless, and she now lies in Middle-earth. But I fear paranoia will place her under suspicion." He held a hand to his forehead, as if all this was giving him a headache. "I have given her a small token that should keep her safe for the time being, but its power will not last. Once it does, the token will identify her, but will not keep others from attacking her impulsively."

"Is there any way you can prolong its power?"

"No, there is not. We can only wait, and watch, and hope for the best." He rose from his seat. "I go now to see my brother." Irmo sighed. "Then he will call the others together, and they will wish to hold a Council. It seems a popular pastime."

"I will remain," Estë said with a small smile. "I will remain, and watch over the girl."

"And I shall send for you when the time comes. Until then, I wish you luck."

"And you," Estë said softly, taking her husband's hand for a moment before his misty figure disappeared. Then, as the sun began to rise, she returned to her island in the Lake Lorellin to sleep until night fell once more.