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Disclaimer: I do not own Haldir, though I could do with a good elven brother, or maybe three of them. Hmm…

Thoughts or dreams are in Italics

- Anarya of Lorien

CRYSTAL DREAMS


Chapter – 5 (The Lady of the Light)

Anya's Point of view:

There was a figure standing just beyond the curtains. I waited. Then suddenly, the curtains drew apart and I stood before a woman who except for the grace and unnatural beauty of her people looked normal. Her ears were delicately pointed upwards as was the ears of everyone in this place. I bowed down to her and said,

"Greetings, milady!"

She merely giggled and shook her head. I turned to look at Haldir confused. He stood there laughing. The incorrigible goof! I scowled. The woman walked towards me, tucking some of her golden tresses behind her pointy ears. These people were elves! But they seemed so different from the house elves of Hogwarts! I was shaken out of my reverie when the elf spoke.

"I am a maid in the Lady's household. Pray, follow me. She awaits your arrival." She then turned to head back inside and stopped at the threshold as though expecting us to follow her. Haldir immediately went in after her while I stood a little uncertain as a whole. It was then that I heard the voice again.

Fear not, my child. For you bring no evil with you.

I started as I heard the voice again. I gulped a little and stepped into the room.

There she sat. A lady dressed in flowing white that almost blinded me. Her long hair flowing like liquid gold and her blue cerulean, penetrating my very soul. I stood there, my feet rooted to the spot. She smiled at me a little and raised her hand in welcome.

"We welcome you to Lothlorien, Lady Anya. We welcome you to the abode of the Elves of the Sindar. I have anticipated your arrival for a long time now." It was the same voice that spoke twice before, only for me to hear.

"My lady." I bowed a little. Her laughter rang like merry silver bells.

"Your courtesy is flattering. But pray sit down, for the Lord and the Lady of Lothlorien desire to see you." She motioned to a seat beside Haldir who was seated as though he sat before an officer of greater rank than him. I slowly walked to the seat they offered and sank silently into the pale silver cushions. The lady ordered the woman who had received us at the door in some other language, which I had heard Haldir use with the guards of the city. She then turned to face me. Her mind seeing all.

"I know how you feel. A new place such as this where you are the only member of your kind can be quite frightful. But be assured and at peace, penneth that we seek not to harm you but to guide you towards whatever good end your life has destined for you."

I merely nodded my head. She continued on.

"It has come to my knowledge that you are a mage in your own way." Her eyes strayed to my pocket where my wand lay. I followed her eyes and then turned to look back at her. How did she know all that?

"I have the gift of foresight, if you are curious." I would have fallen to the ground had I been standing. How on earth? She continued on and all I did was stare at her.

"You shall remain with Haldir, in his talan and you can trust him far better than you can trust yourself sometimes. And certain things have to be discovered in their own times. And I am not worried that you shall be attacked in the future by orcs as Haldir's talan, though is a little closer to the Borders, it is also closer in the city, in a way."

I nodded.

"And further more, I would request you to hand me your staff of magic and the ornament on whose account you almost risked your life." She extended her hand towards me. I looked at her hand and then into her eyes.

"These are the only things that I have for my safety." I thought. She smiled at me as though sensing my thoughts.

"Guests in Lothlorien need not fear any enemies from within." Her hand extended a little more. I sighed as I slowly took out my willow wand. I placed it along with the filigree that Julius had thrown in after me and placed them into her fair palm. Her hands curled around them and drew them towards her. She looked down at my wand and nodded.

"I shall return these to you when I deem the time fit. And now you may leave." Haldir got up immediately as though he had been sitting on springs. He bowed before the Lady and turned towards me.

"Shall we leave, lady Anya?" I turned to look at him. His grey eyes pierced my mind. Here was a world where everyone was trained a little in Occlumency. I turned back to look at the Lady. I had been with her and yet I knew nothing about her, nothing about why I was here. She smiled at me.

"My name is Galadriel. I am the Lady of Lothlorien. And you hold the key to your answers. They are for you to find, penneth." I nodded my head. She had indeed sensed all my questions. She would be one dangerous person to be around with.

Only if you seek evil, penneth. Her voice ringed in my head. I nodded even without turning back. Haldir was waiting for me near the door, holding the curtains apart, for me to pass through. I turned back once more and bowed down before the Lord and the Lady. I wheeled around swiftly and walked out of the room. Now I was wand less. This was a sweet preposition. I sighed as I waited for Haldir to lead the way.


Haldir's Point of view:

I waited for her to follow me.

"Lord Haldir?" her voice broke the silence. I turned back to look at her. She stood there, in her black robe that seemed to flow too loosely about her. Were all people in her world attired as this? Then they must lack the physical grace the Eldar had. I nodded my head and said,

"We shall stay in my talan. It is a bit far away from the gates of the city but you shall be safe."

"Are we going back?" she asked me. I nodded. She seemed confused.

"But it took us a while to reach here. How can it be near the city?" I smiled a little. Her confusion grew.

"We took an indirect route, in fear of persecution. We did after all kill an Orc captain! They might follow the band we killed in the name of revenge." She nodded her head.

"Then, we shall leave this place." She said in a small voice. I nodded my head.

"But if you are uncomfortable with that, you can go and tell the Lady. I shall not feel bad." I replied coolly. She flinched a little. But then, her head rose and she looked at me straight through my eyes. Her brown orbs boring into mine.

"I am not, March Warden. If you would be kind enough to lead the way." I smiled blandly and turned to face the steps leading to the ground. I could sense her presence behind me. She was hurt, I was sure. I turned back to see her scowl at me.

"Lady Anya-"

"The way, March Warden." She reprimanded. I frowned at her and turned my back towards her. If she didn't want an apology I wouldn't bother her with one.


Anya's Point of view:

He had just told me, we were to leave this place. I did not know what it was but there was something connecting me with this place. Some bond that seemed to pull me back towards it. I sighed a little.

"But if you are uncomfortable with that, you can go and tell the lady. I shall not feel bad." His over confident voice bore into my brain. Oh the insufferable insolent Idiot! I frowned at him glaring at his gray steely eyes and I said with as much indifference I could call forth.

"I am not, March Warden. If you would be kind enough to lead the way."

He smiled at me. Making fun of my words, toying with my dignity in a way. Before I could give him a cutting remark, he turned his stuck up face to the other side. Good for him. I would have slapped him. He was treating me like a kid just out of the nursery. I was fuming inside when he turned his over inflated head to kindle my anger any further.

"Lady Anya-"

"The way, March Warden." I said with a much better effect than I hoped for. My voice was cold and indifferent. Well, if he could taunt and annoy me, then so could I. He glared at me and turned back. I smirked at my victory as I followed him towards the paths towards the distant stables.

Soon I was seated behind Haldir who held the reins of his silver steed. His back straight and erect, I felt I was a bit disgraceful in front of this elf. Elves. These were the same people who worked in our houses. But these people looked so advanced! They seemed too elegant and wise to be in the same place as men. I wondered where the elves of our world came from. But I couldn't wonder long as he kicked his horse's flanks sending him into a trot.

"Mind telling me when you start?" I asked totally irritated. I had just prevented myself from falling.

"You must be ready. Or so I thought." He said with such arrogance that it was a good thing my wand was not there with me. Here was a good subject for the Cruciatus curse.

"Indeed!" I said sarcastically, shifting myself so that I could seat myself more comfortably and more important, without touching him. He let out an impatient sound as though this disturbed him. But I did not stop until I was comfortable.

Finally, he stopped in front of a tree on whose branches lay nestled the home I was going to share with this god of arrogance. God grant me patience! I sighed as I got down from the horse. It tossed its head as I turned to it.

"Oh all of you are impossible!" I muttered as I followed Haldir up the steps into my home for a while.


End of Chapter 5. Feedback and Reviews are welcome. Now be good people and take your mouse pointer towards the "GO" button down there and tell me what you think about this chappie…

- Anarya of Lorien.