Chapter 5

Warnings: none (don't look at me like that – first plot THEN smut)

xxxxx - Passage of time

Italics - thoughts or memories

Authors note: Description of Cerin Amroth & Lothlorien is taken directly from FOTR, though somewhat reworded.

(Elenna POV)

The morning dawned bright and clear. Light streamed down through the boughs of the mallorn tree, glowing silvery gold in the morning light.

"My lady, it is time."

I looked up to see him looking down at me.

"We will reach Caras Caladhon today." He continued as I got up and straightened my cloak.

"And I will take you to see the Lady of the Golden Wood."

I looked sharply back at him. He held steadily held my gaze.

"She will tell you whether you will be allowed to stay or not." He said.

I looked away.

Was it possible that I would be turned out of these woods? I could not bear the thought of never seeing him again.

But why? I asked myself. I had survived just fine without company for many years, why could I not bear to be parted from him?

"My lady?"

I looked up again. His brother, Orophin, stood there, looking questioning at me. The Marchwarden was nowhere to be seen.

"We must go now." said Orophin.

I nodded and followed him down the ladder.

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The forest was shining with golden light today. I followed behind Haldir and his brothers, this time without the blindfold and bonds that was on me yesterday. His guards followed behind.

I looked with awe at the great forest around me. It was unlike any others I had ever visited. Not even the great Fangorn forest could compare with its radiant beauty.

Fangorn was homely, but Lothlorien was dazzling.

We continued in silence for the rest of the way. I could not take my eyes off the tall mallorn trees surrounding us.

Late in the morning we passed by a clearing in the trees. There, shining in the morning sunlight, rose a great hill, carpeted in lush green grass swaying gently with the breeze. Flowers glimmered like gemstones on the hillside; small golden ones shaped like stars, and ones of white and palest green nodding on slender stalks.

Two circles of trees crowned its crest. The outer ring being leafless trees of snowy white, the inner were tall mallorn trees, reaching towards the deep blue sky. In the center stood the highest tree of all, and there, nestled in its branches, gleamed a white flet, like a jewel set into a crown.

"That is Cerin Amroth." said Haldir, turning my eyes to where I looked. "It was the heart of the ancient realm, long ago. Here, the golden elanor and the pale niphredil ever bloom on its unfading grass."

"It is so beautiful." I said softly, scarcely able to believe my eyes.

"We may stay awhile if you like." He said, turning to me.

I shook my head.

"No," I replied, "If I stayed, I don't think I would ever leave this place again, so great is its beauty."

He smiled. "The power of the Lady keeps this place ever-pure. There is no stain on the land of Lothlorien."

With the mention of the Lady, my smile dropped from my face.

"Do not worry Ranaew, the lady is not unkind, she will not turn away a wandering elleth." He said

I smiled again at his use of the name he gave me.

"We shall see." I replied.

We passed by Cerin Amroth, and carried on to Caras Galadhon.

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For long hours we walked until the sunlight falling slanted down onto the forest floor turned golden and the shadows grew long. We came to a break in the trees, and looking down on a green hill, I saw mallorn trees taller than any others I have seen before. Surrounded by a green wall of great height, they towered high into the twilight sky. Lights glimmered between its branches, green and gold and silver.

"We have come to Caras Galadhon, the city of the Galadhrim, ruled by the Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel." He said, "It is by her power these lands are kept safe."

(Haldir POV)

We led her through the gates of the city, and deep into the City of the Trees. And then we ascended into the tall mallorns, climbing the many stairs that led to the wide talan where resided the Lord and the Lady. Soft singing drifted around us, gently, quietly, wrapping us in its embrace.

She silently climbed behind me and said no word.

High into the trees we came finally to the wide flet of the Lord and Lady. Soft light glowed from within.

"Come." I told her.

(Elenna POV)

"Come." He said to me. I hesitated for a split second, and then followed him into the chamber. His brothers did not follow us.

The room was circular, the pillar of the great mallorn tree rose from its floor. There, sitting beneath the mighty tree, canopied by its pale green leaves, was the Lord and the Lady themselves. They rose as one and greeted me.

"Welcome, Elenna of the woods." said the Lady. "We have long awaited you."

I bowed low.

I know what it is you look for. A gentle voice rang in my head.

I looked up at the Lady, into the deep pools of light that were her eyes.

"All shall be revealed." she said. "Come, sit."

I sat, and looked back at Haldir. His face showed no emotion, but with his eyes, he sent me encouragement.

"Leave us for awhile Haldir, we wish to speak alone with her." the Lady said to him. He bowed and left the room.

Silence filled the chamber.

"You look for your family." said the Lady.

I slowly nodded my head. Doubt filled me.

"We shall help you." answered Lord Celeborn. "Do not lose hope."

I looked up at them both. "Hannon le." I said quietly, lowering my head in a bow.

The Lady smiled. Something flashed before my eyes.

Instead of the Lady, there stood the woman with the silver hair before my eyes, smiling at me.

Elenna…

Naneth

I looked again and she was gone.

The Lady was looking at me with an odd look in her eyes. I looked away.

"Elenna, I know what it is you saw." she said to me.

"Who is she?" I whispered, staring at the floor of the flet.

The lady did not answer.

I looked up again, eyes searching her face.

The Lady was silent.

"All shall be revealed in time." she said finally. "Haldir will show you to a place you can stay."

"My lady…." I started.

"I shall say no more." was her answer, as Haldir appeared into the room again.

I bowed slowly to the Lord and Lady, and followed him out.

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