Anonymous: Thanks for the request and here it is folks!
Navaer Lalaith I thank you with all my heart for pointing out the mistakes that I made. I did not know there was so much difference between the Elvish I wrote and the thing that the Professor wrote! Bad me. But thanks for correcting me; and those websites helped me a lot. Thank you. And I am sorry for misleading you into thinking that my character was an elf. She is not. And since she is not an elf, I think her name is justified. And Anya has never used her magic in Lorien, yet. And though many would deny it, this is not a Mary Sue. If it were, Anya would end up with Legolas. Anyway, thanks for your review and I treasure it, honestly. Hope you read my story to tell me any future mistakes I might commit. Thank you. And thanks for complimenting my creativity.
Haldir's Heart and Soul: No she doesn't. I know I confuse you but the truth will be out eventually.
Goldfire: Thanks for the cookies and here is your update!
Xkuroxshinobix: You will know a bit of that in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I am not J.R.R.Tolkien. So there!
Thoughts or dreams are in Italics
- Anarya of Lorien
CRYSTAL DREAMS
Chapter – 4 (The Encounter)
Anya's Point of view:
They had left the place. I was alone. Alone for a while. Haldir had spoken of a place – the golden woods. It was the same place that Julius had mentioned. I sat down on the bed, placing my head on my knees, thinking.
The cool breeze from the open window lessened my confusion a little. People who lived in such beautiful places would not be evil. I stood up from the bed and slowly walked towards the open window. As I looked down, I saw the pale and glittering flora on the grass below. My eyes roamed through the grass below with awe. Suddenly I remembered. Just after Julius had unceremoniously pushed me into the portal or what ever he had conjured, he had thrown in an ornament with a flower that looked exactly like the ones below.
"The ornament!" I cried. I ran my hands through my robes, hoping to draw out the small filigree. But all I could take out was the mirror that jerk of a Benedik had given me. Somehow, the mirror seemed to fit in with the surrounding. It held a sense of belonging here. I turned to scan the empty room, seeking my object. It was nowhere to be found. I wandered a little in the room where I sat now before getting up. There was at least another room in this house. I was sure of it. As I turned the knob of the door, the door creaked to reveal to me a room where chairs well cushioned were stationed as though to welcome guests. But the entire room held an air of masculinity. Empty quivers and daggers were seen stacked in a cabinet close to the door from, which I had appeared.
"Lord Haldir?" I called out. But there was no one to answer back. I walked a little away from the door.
"Lord Haldir, are you here?" I asked, this time a bit more loudly. Still only silence. I had to find the ornament. I did not know why, but it had to be found. Suddenly a thought hit me. What if? I shook my head. There was no way I was going to get it back if that was the case. Rumil had said that I was found in a glade. What if it still lay there? Unwatched and unattended, glittering in a lone meadow. I gripped my wand more tightly as I slowly proceeded towards the door, which I had a hint opened to the outside. I pushed to door to find it surprisingly unlocked. Weren't these people aware of burglars? I smiled a little at my luck and slowly stepped outside to see steps running down to the ground. Had I been conscious when they had brought me here, I would have marveled at their architecture. It seemed primitive to live on trees, but this was elegance in itself. I slowly walked down the steps, my school robe slightly billowing in the breeze. The trees, on which these houses were built, seemed to stretch to the very skies. Their leaves glowing gold in the night. Yet night seemed to be filled with a light that soothed my soul.
It had leaves of gold and an ethereal light glowed all day long…
I was startled as I saw the same vision Clara had seen. A knot formed in my chest as I thought about her. What would she do if she knew I was not there in the morning? I prayed Julius had an answer he could give to satisfy everyone. I walked between the giant trees. The paths, soft from the hearth growing below. As I slowly wandered away from the house of my rescuer, I felt the light dim, as though I was unwittingly leaving a safe haven behind. I pushed these thoughts out of my mind as my feet went ever forward and my hand gripped my wand ever tighter. I reached a clearing, which I hoped was the one they found me in. the snow here was immense. It amazed me that while such dastardly weather should exist a while away from his house, he should be nestled in-between warmth and safety.
"Lumos." My wand tip flared to light. All right, at least I can do magic here. I stooped down to search each and ever inch of the ground in that clearing. But just then there were slight sounds of scampering heavy feet. I raised my head a little to see little figures running my way.
"Not good." I exclaimed aloud. They seemed to come for me. The single torch, which flared at the distance, was looming ever closer. Just as they neared me enough for me to see them, I wished I hadn't left the tree house. Goblins ran here and there as though seeking a way to get into the woods. They seemed to be wrought out of pure evil, that it seemed evident even to one like me who knew nothing about them. Run Anya! My mind screamed. But some force prevented me from moving an inch. It was my own fear.
"Aye! There is a mortal creature there! Outside the border. This way!" a harsh voice shouted. Now the torch ran even closer. As they neared me, I screamed. I screamed like I had never done before. Just as the first goblin before me raised his scimitar to strike, the world went blank and I fell to the ground. My illuminated wand falling from my hand and all passed to darkness as they surrounded me.
Haldir's Point of view:
I ran towards the glade where I had found her lying senseless for the first time, and there she stood with her wooden stick with its tip alight. Her face showed such horror that it reminded me of the last time I had seen another in the same plight. Her.
"Run away, Laurelin! I bid you run." I shouted as I thrust my sword into another orc. His harsh cry sounding into the wind as he fell. But she stood there as though one made of stone. She was in danger. They were in danger. My family. I ran towards my love who stood there, a fair flower amidst the bloodied battleground.
"Run! EgoDelio! No lagor, Melethen." I screamed. (Run! Go away! Hide! Hurry, my love.)
But she stood there and as though the trauma in her face was not enough, I saw from afar, a late observation. An orc rose from the ruin to smite her down. He plunged his iron sword through her abdomen. Through our future.
"NO!" I cried. She gasped as she felt the blade pass through her. Her white robe slowly staining red as her lifeblood flowed from her wounds onto the crushed Niphredil blossoms beneath her. She fell onto the ground as the orc behind her gave a harsh cry. A cry that enraged me to such an extent that my hands shivered as they held my blade. And I screamed. A warrior's scream as I rushed towards him. He turned to stare at me stupidly before I plunged my sword through him, thrusting it further and further causing him immense pain. His cry turned from one of victory to that of pain. As he fell, I sank into the ground, taking her head gently into my embrace. My bloodied hands caressing and stroking her fair face that had turned deadly pale.
"Laurelin." I whispered, holding her body close to me.
Another scream echoed through the woods and my pace quickened. Soon I was there amidst the orcs. I loosed my bow at one of them and quickly changing weapons I hewed down the rest. Rumil and Orophin came to my assistance almost immediately. Soon, the small brigade of the miscreants was defeated. She was safe. I slowly walked towards the girl who lay there on the ground trembling like a mallorn leaf in the wind. Her brown head was bent as she crouched with her hands around her as though they would protect her better than the blades and arrows of the world. As I approached her, she slowly lifted her head, so that I could see her startled brown eyes. Her face was pale and frightened.
"What were you doing here?" I asked her not minding to keep my voice down. She yelped at my tone and backed away a little. I knelt down beside her and grabbed her hand, preventing her from getting away.
"I have had enough of your fear and trembling. What were you doing in this glade?" I said through gritted teeth. She squirmed in my vice grip as though it hurt her.
"I was searching for an ornament of mine. I lost it when I came here." She breathed in-between struggles. My eyes widened as my grip on her loosened a little bit. I thrust my hand into my cloak and drew out the ornament.
"Is this the ornament you were searching for?" I asked her almost shouting. Her face paled at my tone and tears sprang from those brown eyes. She merely nodded her head. Suddenly she started sobbing softly. Rumil and Orophin who were standing there, checking the ruins for clues, turned back suddenly at this.
"I am sorry. I just meant to come here. I did not mean to run away. And my wand, I lost it in the dark or else I might have defended myself. Please don't!" she said as she backed away a little more. I sighed as I got up and turned back to see my brothers walking up to me with concern in their features.
"Brother, I think she is already frightened enough without you traumatizing her." I glared at Orophin.
"I am angry." He rolled his eyes. I glared even more. "I know! But…" his sentence remained unfinished. Rumil nodded his head in agreement.
"Orophin is right. I know you are angry and that she had just done something utterly stupid but she is not from this world, and she does not know anything about the good and evil of this world." He then thrust something into my hand.
"I think this is hers." It was the stick she carried with her. Mayhap this was the 'wand' she was blabbering about. I slowly walked towards her. Her crying had stopped a bit and she was looking at me approach with tear-stained eyes. I felt my heart clench with guilt. I threw the stick into her lap.
"Is this you wand?" I asked her careful not to look at her. She clutched the wand as though life had been restored and smiled.
"Yes." She nodded and then she caught my hand and whispered, "Thank you." I stared at her as she let go of my hand and sat there hugging her wand.
"I can understand your joy, lady Anya. But we must leave." I heard Rumil speak. She looked up at him and nodded her head. I sighed as I whistled loudly. Arrna trotted to my command. Such as the way of the elven mounts.
"You shall ride with me now. We must leave. Do you understand?" I asked as she looked up and nodded slightly. I smiled a little as I slowly lifted her up. As I touched her waist, I felt a shiver run across her body. I removed my hands immediately after setting her atop Arrna. He tossed his head violently as though objecting this passenger. I gently patted his muzzle and soon he calmed down. I mounted him, seating myself before her. I turned back to see her hands in front of her.
"If you will not hold onto me, Arrna will throw you down." I clicked his reins sending him into a gentle trot. She fell against me gently, as though startled.
"I was about to settle myself, Lord Haldir." She stated with a tinge of irritation.
"I beg your pardon." I said simply. She slowly placed her hands on my shoulder. Her hands were warm on my cloak, sending its warmth down into my heart. I smiled a little. Was it her way of consoling me? Or was I looking for consolation everywhere I looked? I shrugged it off as Arrna bore us towards the city gates.
Anya's Point of view:
The rhythmic canter lulled my fear a little and the rest, the woods and the trees took care of. My hands tightened around the fold of the suede cloak he wore. There were slight disadvantages with horses. One, they do not trust people. I could see this horse highly unwilling to bear me. But Haldir had merely spoken one word, and now I rode on his back. The steed now rode as though some will called him thither. For how long we rode, I did not know. For I was weary and I slept a little. When I woke up, I was horrified to find myself leaning my head against the straight back of Haldir.
"I am sorry!" I stammered. "I didn't mean to." He half turned to show me a part of his face. "Never mind." He breathed as he clicked the reins once more, hastening our journey. Soon, I could see an immense yet gentle light permeating every thing in the place. Gates stood elegantly with motifs too delicate to describe. Two guards stood alert beside the shut gates. Haldir got down from the horse when he saw them. As Haldir approached them, they bowed down as though they were his subordinates. He spoke to them in a language that sounded like it was their native tongue. He then motioned to me and pointed to the city. They nodded and opened the gates immediately. He then led horse by foot through the gates. It was a good thing I was not walking, for I would have stopped right there. The city was entirely constructed on trees. Trees whose radiance covered the entire place.
"This is Caras Galadhon, the city of the Lady." I nodded vaguely as I was too busy staring at the beauty of the place.
"Caras Galadhon." I repeated after him. He nodded and led his horse towards the city.
Haldir's Point of view:
"Caras Galadhon" she repeated. I nodded and turned to lead Arrna towards the stables. Few elves here possessed horses and I was one among them. I smiled as I saw how she seemed to marvel even in the simplest talans of the city. As we approached the stables, I turned to her.
"You must get down, now." She nodded but remained where she was. I rose my eyebrow in question.
"Maybe you might help me?" she suggested as embarrassment clearly showed in her face. I nodded and helped her down.
"Thank you, Lord Haldir." I said nothing. Silence dragged a while longer as I settled Arrna into his stable. As I turned back, I saw her stand there with her hands around her looking at the horses around her.
"Lady Galadriel waits for you, Anya." She turned to look at me as I said that.
"Oh." She said before following me. I knew I spoke less, but what did I have to speak with this maiden? And if she had no problem with my silence then neither had I.
Anya's Point of view:
"Lady Galadriel waits for you, Anya." His voice ringed into my ears. I turned abruptly to look at him. "Oh." I said, expecting him to brief things a bit for me. But all he did was walk away. I had no option but to follow the goof. Julius Benedik was going to get his share out of my hands immediately after I found a way to get back home. Maybe this lady would know how to send me back. Just then I heard a voice in my head, a soft and calm voice.
You are where your destiny lies, penneth. (Penneth – young one)
I turned around to find out the person who had spoke but I could find no one. Haldir turned to look at me and raised his almighty eyebrow again.
"Is there a problem?" he asked me. Such arrogance and intimidation! I cringed with indignation. "No. Nothing bothers me, Lord Haldir." I said trying to sound normal.
Insolent fool I thought. But all I could do was stomp the ground and follow the warrior in front of me towards the inner heart of this beautiful city.
Soon we stood below a mighty trunk of a huge tree. Steps climbed around its trunk to a tree house perched on its many mighty boughs. A guard in noble attire stood there and when he saw Haldir approach, he took out a silver horn and blew into it. Another horn answered his call and he turned to Haldir.
"The White lady of the Woods expects your arrival, March Warden." Now Haldir was their March Warden? I turned to look at him and it seemed to me that the title was at least appropriate. He did look noble and handsome, yet with a warrior's air and the grace of a captain who could control his patrol. He nodded his head and then turned to me.
"Follow me. Her Ladyship would like to meet you." I nodded my head, as that was all I could do. I followed his lead and soon, we stood halfway from the ground on the threshold of a grand tree house. The white walls and the pools around the entrance made it look as though we stood on the ground. Haldir seemed to be used to such wonders, but I found so much beauty and brilliance to stare at that I did not realize that we had reached the place where she would meet us.
"The Lady shall now meet you, Anya." He said coolly. I scowled behind him as I turned to see the curtained entrance dancing in the slight breeze. We stood waiting, for the Lady of the Woods to arrive.
So, How was it? Read and review please!
- Anarya of Lorien.
