A.N: I would like to thank the following reviewers…

As I was suffering from a bout of viral fever, I couldn't update my story. I begsie pardon, guys! Okay? On with the review thanking now!

And a belated Happy Halloween and a Happy Diwali to everyone!

HUMPH: Too bad! Unfortunately I do. Anya is a Russian alternative for the name Anna from old English, which means "Gracious". I am sorry you dislike the story. But there is not much that I can do.

Haldir's Heart and Soul: Let's just say he is mighty stressed! The future might be good or bad… It can be bad as well! Who knows?

Radbooks: Thanks for such a glowing review! I am left without words of gratitude! Here, have these wonderful pancakes I made this morning. Hope they are good enough for a thank you gift!

Anonymous: That would end the story within the next chapter then…Let us make them suffer a little more shall we?

Draculina: Thanks for your review and you have got a mighty accent! I like it!

Ariendar: well… what can I say? You hear that Haldir? LOL thanks for the review! Love you!

Isildur'sbane123: Well he was behaving like a jerk, yes. But he is embarrassed and stressed! The poor dear! Anyway, that would mean Anya would not go near him any time soon… more drama!

Lady Fae: Thanks for the review. Someone is feeling sympathetic towards an inborn babe. That is so sweet! U Too bad neither Haldir nor Anya are here to listen to you, well I am here…but ahem. Enough said. LOL

Ilenya the fair: Ah! Another lady has graced my story! Thank you for thy glowing review! It maketh my day.

Joy4eva: technically yes. But the child would also have elven blood. Gasp! What new species have I aided in evolution?!

A Crazy Elephant: Thank you for the review, and to reply to your query, I would say that this is set before the war of the ring and after the banishment of Sauron from Mordor to Dol Guldur. And thanks for adding my name in the Author alert list!

Crecy: Will the word "Tense" describe the situation more aptly? Thanks for the review! We shall see…

Elven Script: Thanks for the review and about your brother, Too bad so sad!

Angel312: Thanks for the review! And here you are! I mean we are! We all are here! Aren't we? Hmmmm… (Goes muttering off to herself)

Cullhawien: Thanks for adding my name in the Author alert list! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Culfindae: Whoa! Here, have some milk and cookies and here is your long awaited update!

Jiblade7: Thanks for the glowing review!

Princess shadowcat: Here you go, princess! Your next chapter! And thanks a lot for adding me in your favorite list! I love you guys!

I have also uploaded a one-chapter Glorfindel fic, under the name, Dannen Aglar Fallen Glory. If my dear readers would be kind enough to check it out and tell me how it is, I would find that very 'very' helpful.

Seeing-spots: I liked it that you reviewed saying you liked it! Am I confusing? Well… (Goes off muttering to herself again!)

Now that all is settled, let the story begin!

Disclaimer:

No. No. No. I don't own LOtR. Okay? Good. Here, catch cookie!

Thoughts or dreams are in Italics

- Anarya of Lorien

CRYSTAL DREAMS


Chapter – 17 (Séregon)

Ithilwen's Point of view:

"And your point is?" she turned to glare at me. I glared back.

"My point, my dear lady is that you should see some sense and get back to Haldir's place before things get irreversible between the two of you- hey Anya! Wait!"

I stopped her before her hand could grasp the doorknob. I turned her around and gently led her back to the couch before firmly seating her down and kneeling in front of her, placing my hands on her lap so there was no way she could get up without pushing me. She glared at me as though she would kill me then and there.

"What do you want, Ithilwen? I am late for my duty. I cannot forfeit my duties just for the simple reason that I carry a child within me."

"Haldir's child." I reminded her. She scowled at me. "And does that make it any different?" I laughed as I shook my head.

"Haldir's family, though are not here at present are one of the most noble ones around. It is said they came here to Lothlorien with the Lady from Menegroth."

"So?" she could be so stubborn!

"So, my wonderfully stubborn friend, it means that you would do better to go to Haldir and let him take the responsibilities for his child." She shook her head as she turned her face away from me and rested her head n her hands.

"I do not want to depend on anybody, Ithilwen." I smiled as I slowly removed her hand away from her face.

"You do not have to. All you have to do is go back to Haldir. But you could always come to the gardens and work! Would that not suit you?" she gave an impatient sound and pushed me away. I laughed as I gathered myself before falling down.

"I am late, Ithilwen. And if it does not go well with you, then I shall request the Lady for a change in accommodations." I stopped my laugh as I turned to see her stare at me aloofly. I slowly shook my head as I stood up from where I sat on the floor and walked towards her.

"Goheno nin, Anya." (Forgive me, Anya.) I walked by her to the door and closed it gently after me, leaving my very agitated friend inside.


Anya's Point of view:

"Goheno nin, Anya." I gaped at her as she smiled a little and walked out of the house. What was wrong with everybody at the moment? I sighed as I slowly turned around to get ready for the duties in the Lady's garden. It was then that I felt the familiar sense of nausea washing over me. I ran to the basin and puked. I hated Haldir for giving me this every morning, but then again, the child was mine as much as Haldir's. I sighed as I gently caressed my abdomen and walked unsteadily back to the hall. I smiled a little as I imagined myself having a child. A silly notion that was seriously a reality here.

I walked towards Olwen who was busy pruning a bush.

"Olwen!" she shrieked and dropped her pruning scissors and turned around to face me with a hand over her heart.

"Níriniel, stop scaring me like this!" she gasped. I laughed as I shook my head.

"You shall forgive me, my friend. I couldn't resist the temptation. So, have we much work today?" I enquired. Having a sudden elation of spirit for a reason unknown, I decided to taunt Olwen.

"Nothing much. The Lady has instructed us to particularly give you less work." I sighed. Here we go again!

"For the simple reason that-"

"For the child within you. For the sake of that innocent soul." She firmly led me back to the place where our tools were stationed.

"You sit here and tell me what happened when I came to your talan to call Haldir?" I turned away from her, the encounter flashing in my memory.

"We had a bit of tussle. That's all." She raised an eyebrow.

"What?" I asked her. She seemed not convinced at all.

"A bit of a tussle, my friend?" I sighed and nodded my head. She shook her head and walked away to come back towards me with a watering can.

"You need not prune the hedges or do anything that tiring. Here, take this can and water the bushes. That is all for today." She smiled at me as I nodded my head glumly. There went my ticket to distraction. I sighed as I picked the water can and started to water the plants near me. I slowly moved towards the plants closer to the entrance of the garden.

I was about to turn around back towards the storehouse when something pink caught my eyes. I turned around to see a small girl seated there under a mallorn close to the entrance, staring at me. I stared back. Slowly her face broke into a smile. I smiled back as my hand that did not hold the water can slowly rose in a form of a wave towards her. She waved back. But then I heard Olwen call me.

"I am here, Olwen." I turned back to see the girl gone. Was she an elfling or was she like me? It was hard to tell. She seemed to have the grace of the elves. But then again, what would a human girl be doing here?

What was I doing here?

I shook the thought off my mind as I made my way back to the storehouse. Olwen was waiting there for me.

"I shall take that." She took the watering can out of me hand and placed it in its place near the other gardening tools and turned back to face me.

"Now you head back straight to your talan and rest." I smiled at my friend and nodded my head. Her tone softened as she placed her palm on my cheek. Her eyes held such care that I was taken aback.

"It is for the sake of the child, Níriniel. Please understand that. Nobody thinks you are weak here." I smiled again as I nodded my head.

"I know, Olwen. But there are times-"

"I know." She smiled and hugged me once and accompanied me towards the gate. I would be passing the mallorn where I had seen the girl. Maybe I would see her again. For some reason, I was feeling very curious. I bid my farewell to Olwen and made my way towards the mallorn.

I reached the said tree and looked around to find nobody there. I sighed and was about to turn around when I felt somebody tug at my robe. I looked down to see a pale hand clutching my robe tightly. I turned back to see the same girl smiling at me. I smiled back at her.

"Aur vaer." She bowed her head in greeting. I turned around and she let go of my robe and smiled at me.

"My name is Anya. I am also known as Níriniel here. And your name is?" I asked her as I knelt down beside the little girl. Her eyes immediately looked down and it puzzled me. She remained silent and I remained there, knelt beside her, waiting for her to answer me.

"I am afraid, she will not speak." I started as I heard a deep voice behind me. I turned around to see an elf stand there. He was very tall and looked like he could easily qualify for a soldier. His arms were folded over his broad chest. His hair seemed to sparkle golden in the early sun.

"I beg your pardon?" I asked him quite taken aback by the presence of such a handsome man. He smiled at me, his golden brown eyes flickering at me.

"She is my daughter." I blinked once.

"Your daughter? Can't she talk?" I asked him, he smiled as he moved closer to the little girl and me. He knelt down beside the girl and she hugged him tightly.

"Yes. And I am Séregon, by the way. May I know your name?" I blushed a little.

"Yes. I mean…my name is Anya. But then I am also known as-"

"Lady Níriniel. Am I not right?" I stood there baffled.

"How – how did you? I mean-" he laughed as he shook his head.

"I am a friend of Lady Olwen." I nodded my head.

"And what brings you to Lothlorien? I mean - I haven't seen you before." He smiled as he slowly picked his daughter into his arms.

"I was a resident of Imladris. I have come here to visit my wife."

"Oh. I see. Then you shall very much want to see the Lady first?" I asked him trying to sound matter of factly. He smiled as he nodded his head. But then his gaze lingered on the girl.

"But I am afraid Síladiel shall not be able to accompany me." the girl's face fell as she bowed her head down.

"But she shall stay with me if she desires so." I said trying to cheer the little girl whom I seemed to have a deep attachment for. She smiled and nodded her head as she extended her hands towards me as though asking me to carry her. I smiled apologetically as I shook my head.

"I am sorry my child, but I am most unfortunately not in a condition to carry you back." The girl smiled and shook her head and wriggled down to the ground out of her father's grasp. She then walked up to me and held onto my hand with an expectant smile on her face. I nodded my head.

"Shall we leave, Lady Síladiel?" I asked her and proceeded towards my talan after bowing a goodbye to Séregon. We would soon be within the city. True to my thoughts, the white tower of Caras Galadhon loomed ahead of us.


End of the chapter! Sorry guys! I am really sick with this viral infection and am still a bit weak from body cramps so if you'd kindly do the needful and review my story.

I would also like to thank the many reviewers who have indeed not given up on me.

Thank you!

- Anarya of Lorien