- - CALINA - -
They crossed a dale, passing a stream of gurgling ice blue water.
'It's all my fault…'
Down the mountains they ventured, towards the woods that loomed off in the distance.
'If I only could've held on longer…'
They jogged across an open field. Its grass was tall as it swayed against the nimble fingers of the wind.
'The spell is broken…'
At long last they arrived at the skirt of the forest.
'It's all my fault…'
Calina had fallen deep within her mind. 'All I see is darkness and despair. That seems to be all I ever bring.'
The Fellowship paused for only a moment before slipping beneath the shade of the trees.
'Is that what you truly believe?' A new voice inquired. It was as calm and regal as the forest around them. Yet it also harbored a sense of wisdom that was far older than any of the trees.
Calina, in her shock, snapped back to reality. Her eyes jumped about, trying to find the source of the voice as it continued to speak to her in her mind. 'Your heart is heavy with much toil and sorrow. But do not despair, for there is much truth to be told upon your arrival.' The voice then faded, and its presence in her mind along with it.
Despite this, Calina couldn't help but speak aloud as she felt questions arise. "Arrive?" She asked, craning her neck around, still searching for the owner of the voice to no avail. "Arrive where?" She paid no mind to her comrades as they looked at her in confusion as she continued to peer about. For an instant, the entire company stopped, all looking around the forest in befuddlement. But as they turned to continue on their trek, the Fellowship found themselves at arrow point surrounded by a band of Elves who had appeared quite seemingly out of nowhere.
"Arrive, indeed. The Dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." One of the Elves said as he stepped forward, his position clearly that of a Marchwarden. His blonde hair fell down his back, and its long locks added an extra sense of edge of his handsomely cut face. This, along with his tall stature, added to the aura of command that hovered about the very air around him. His green eyes were touched with harshness as they washed over the Fellowship. Gimli growled under his breath, but said nothing.
"Yet, you are fortunate." The Marchwarden added. "The Lady of Light has sent us in search of you. You have her personal invitation to reside in Caras Galadhon," his eyes then passed between Frodo and Calina, "despite the great evils you bring with you."
"Invitation?" Sam dared ask.
The Elf looked toward the Half-ling, "Much to your benefit, yes."
"Why?" Frodo continued.
"That is knowledge only the Lord and Lady are privileged. Now come. With all of this chatter, the new age will have begun before we arrive." With his final order given, the Elf turned and began to stride away, leaving the others to follow behind as they ventured deeper into the forest.
.
Further and further into the woods they traveled, the trees growing larger and larger as they went. But Calina paid none of this any mind, for she was lost to her thoughts once again. Endless guilt rolled violently within her, and so many thoughts of 'if only' and 'what if' caused her to sink into a deep inner turmoil.
After a time she was so pained by these thoughts that she fell completely within herself, entirely numb. Her eyes dropped into a deadened stare, only locked on the fluttering tail of Frodo's cloak as he walked ahead of her…
.
How long Calina had resided within herself, she was unaware. She would have remained so if the voice from the skirt of the wood did not return, just as crisp and clear as before. 'Release yourself from this sadness. It does not do one well to dwell on the past and forget to live.'
'The past…' A pang of anguish rang through her, 'yet another thing I fail to know, let alone understand.' Calina did not want to hear the voice anymore, and so she began to fall back within herself, fully set on ignoring any further intrusions the voice had to offer.
That was, until the voice made a curious claim. One that Calina could not help but intake.
'It is for such reasons I have requested your presence.' The voice said smoothly. Though Calina did not respond, her curiosity kept her listening. 'Gather your strength, and raise your eyes. For needless were none of the deeds in Gandalf's life. We do not yet know his whole purpose, much like we do not know of yours.'
Calina then lifted her dimly lit eyes, peering through her raven bangs. To her astonishment, she found herself meeting the piercing blue stare of a stunning She-Elf that now stood before her.
Like a raging wildfire, a blazing sense of alarm exploded through Calina's body. While she had been so buried within herself, she had failed to notice that she was once again deep within a realm that was ruled by the light. Instinct urged her to flee but the Lady would not drop her gaze, and Calina found herself petrified where she stood.
It was also now clear that the voice she continued to hear belonged to the Elf-Witch standing before her. 'Welcome back.' A grin tipped one of the corners of the Lady's mouth. 'I am Galadriel, Lady of Light, and I welcome you to Caras Galadohn, the heart of Elvendom on earth.'
'What do you intend?' Calina conveyed, her mind and body wrought with trepidation.
To this, Galadriel smiled, the gesture as soft a summer's breeze yet as mysterious as the darkest hours of the night. 'All in good time. Now be at peace, for no soul among this place will do you harm.'
'How do I know that?'
'While Elrond's distaste for you was thick among his people, it did not spread to all of Elf-kind.' It was in this instant that Calina was blessed with a glorious sense of calm and tranquility. It washed over her like the sun on a warm afternoon, completely erasing her previous sense of panic. She let her shoulders relax as all the tension left her body.
It was then that she realized that the She-Elf's title of 'Elf Witch' was not a mere name given to her out of fancy. She could sense that she was as terrifyingly powerful as she was ethereal. Calina could sense it plainly by just meeting her eyes. Yet, Calina was gracious that Galadriel's abilities had numbed her panic with a mere look.
Then, with a gentle flutter of lashes, Galadriel broke the connection and her gaze turned towards the group as a whole. "And hope will remain while the company is true."
Oddly enough, to her left, Legolas shifted where he stood. It became apparent that the Elf-Witch had set her gaze on the Prince. The Lady carried on, "Yet truth, it would seem, has been shrouded among you." Galadriel's gaze did not waver. To this, a tremor of confusion washed over the Fellowship and all their eyes fell on the Prince.
"Legolas?" Aragorn asked the Elf beside him. But Legolas remained mute, his expression calm and controlled as the Lady continued to gaze at him with a passive look for an instant before looking away.
Despite the oddity that had just occurred, no one dared interrupt Galadriel as she carried on, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Now, go and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace. Haldir will provide the way."
The Marchwarden once again stepped forward, and gestured the Fellowship follow, which they did without question. At the tail of the group, Calina cast the Lady a parting glance. To this, Galadriel nodded before heading away.
"Calina?" Merry asked, having lingered at her side.
She looked back around to the Half-ling, "I'm coming, Merry."
.
As the group meandered along, Calina gaped around in awe now that she was actually taking in the sights around her. She most immediately noticed that they were no longer among the solid comfort of mother earth, but high up in the thick brows of the grandest trees of the forest. It was truly a palace among the sky, and they were in the highest residence of them all.
Calina walked near the back of their group with Frodo and Merry while her brother took up the rear as they descended the stairs that wound gracefully around the thick trunks of the ancient trees. To all of this, a light of wonder appeared in her eyes. It was now deep into the night, and gentle globes of light had appeared, dotting the night with their magical incandescence as they guided the group ever lower.
Upon reaching solid ground again, Calina couldn't help but let out a breath of amazement. The view from below was just as astonishing as it was from above. The trees were just so incomparably colossal. So lost to the momentary glory of it all, she stuttered in her walk.
To her delay, Boromir stopped behind her. "Are you alright?" He asked.
She swiftly nodded, "Mmm. This place is just so beautiful." Her eyes danced across the endless paths that wound their way through the trees, soft grasses lining their edges and more of the glowing spheres dotting each path.
"That it is." Boromir also took a moment to take in the pristine beauty of the Elvish Haven and for a moment, the pair was silent. But with their company beginning to vanish around a bend in the path ahead, they picked up their pace and carried on.
.
Haldir led them up in a glade that was nestled within the exposed roots of a handful of the colossal trees. Upon entering the space, Merry and Pippin were first to take note of the makeshift beds, pillows and blankets that had been put out for them, laughing in sheer glee at being reunited with these long lost amenities. They each had also been given a spare set of clothes to change into at their leisure.
The Hobbits continued to banter gleefully about the astonishing softness of the pillows and blankets. Gimli immediately plopped himself down on one of the beds and fell asleep, and was snoring vehemently shortly thereafter. Boromir laughed at the Dwarf's antics, shaking his head in joking exasperation as he set his things down by one of the beds, with Calina taking up another bed close by.
Upon settling in, Boromir's eyes began to wander and eventually fell on Aragorn and Legolas. The two had separated themselves from the others and they were now exchanging a hushed murmur of words. To this, a clear look of curiosity broke out across Boromir's face, which his sister swiftly noticed. She followed his gaze towards the pair, her expression soon resembling Boromir's as they silently watched the ranger and Elf interact.
The duo was clearly engaged in a serious discussion, for both of their expressions were strained. They were so locked within the words they were exchanging that neither of them noticed the sibling pair watching them silently from afar.
After a moment, Boromir posed a question, turning to her, "Can you hear anything?" He asked quietly.
Calina blinked, looking at him, "No. They're out of earshot."
Boromir nodded in understanding. "What's this now?" Her brother's gaze had turned back over to Legolas and Aragorn. Calina's eyes swiftly followed suit. Aragorn had suddenly stood upright, his stature tense. Without a spare word to the Prince — whose expression harbored an unusual look of guilt — Aragorn left the campsite, his eyes blazing angrily as he stormed off.
This uncharacteristic behavior from their typically cool and collected ranger earned looks from the entire company. Eyes then jumped between the path in which Aragorn had departed and Legolas, who remained as he was leaning against one of the trees. The Elf let out a heavy sigh before rising and leaving the scene as well, departing on a different path than the ranger.
"Now what do you suppose that was all about?" Pippin asked from nearby, his arms wrapped tightly around his enormous pillow.
"I am not sure," Boromir answered before standing, "but I will go speak to Aragorn about it."
Calina stood up along with him and declared, "I will go with you."
"No. While this place is unquestionably safe, someone has to stay and watch the little ones. I will be back." He ruffled her hair, which instantly threw Calina off at the surprise attack. Boromir laughed jovially, swiftly departing while Calina tried to fix the mess her brother had made of her hair.
Once having remedied her brother's oh-so loving show of affection, Calina huffed and flopped back down onto the ground, her arms folded in a slight pout at having been left behind. The Half-lings were having a hard time not laughing at Calina's expense, but even she couldn't help but find the situation more endearing than it was an actual nuisance.
It was here Frodo came up to her, "Calina." He looked both sad and ashamed, "I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. It wasn't right for me to react that way."
She pulled him into a hug, "It's alright, Frodo. We all were upset." Her expression dimmed, "We're all still upset."
The Marchwarden appeared again, "A series of baths have been arranged for those of you who desire them." He announced. To this, all of the Hobbits and Calina jumped up, chattering excitedly while collecting their new clothes and following Haldir out of camp.
"I can't remember the last time I had a bath!" Pippin exclaimed, practically on Haldir's heels as he bounced behind him in glee.
"Well, you did fall into the lake with the sea monster." Merry countered, following after his friend.
"That was hardly a bath!" The two continued to cutely bicker as they walked on.
However, Sam suddenly gave a quick shout from behind them. "Wait a moment!" He then abruptly turned and ran back into the campsite. A confused and clearly startled yelp was heard, and Sam emerged from the glade with Gimli in tow. The Dwarf was clearly groggy at having been woken up so suddenly. He grumbled as he stomped past them, his new clothes bound haphazardly in one fist and dragging on the ground behind him as he went.
Sam stopped beside them as Gimli strode by, "I couldn't stand the smell of him any longer." To this statement everyone laughed.
The Marchwarden cleared his throat, trying to brush away the chuckle that threatened to escape his throat. "We carry on." For the first time in months, the group walked along in good spirits as Haldir continued to lead them along.
.
After they all had been blissfully scrubbed and freshly clothed, the group was escorted back to their campsite. However, after having been so pampered and actually given the chance to relax, they all began to realize just how exhausted they were. Thus, their walk back was quiet as they prepared themselves for sleep the instant they returned.
But upon entering the camp, it quickly became obvious that peace was nowhere to be found.
Boromir had his hands latched onto the scruff of Legolas's collar, and the Elf's hands were on the man's wrists in efforts to free himself. Aragorn was latched between them trying to break up the dispute. The trio did not notice how loudly they were shouting, nor how clearly their words could be heard by those around them. The onlookers all stared in surprise, too astonished at the sight before them to intervene.
"Quell your anger Boromir!" Aragorn urged, a hand on each of them, still trying to separate the pair. Yet Boromir refused to relinquish his hold on the Elf. His aura raged with seething anger as his hands found their way closer to the Elf's throat. But Aragorn was determined to keep the man at bay, and the two fought each other's grip.
"He is no better than the demon-spawn of Sarumon's armies for agreeing to it!" At last, Aragorn wrenched them apart, placing himself between the man and the Elf in order to keep any more violence at bay. "Answer me this, Elf," Boromir's eyes were overflowing with hostility, "she passed all his tests, acted out against no one, and did everything he asked of her. You bore witness to it all, and were personally made a fool of as well. She even healed your scars and yet you still found it right within yourself to spy on her?"
All sound had stopped upon these words. Not even the night dared continue its soundtrack. All that could be heard with the heated breaths of an angry older brother.
Legolas's voice was quiet, "A fear lingers within Lord Elrond of what would happen should she lose control of her powers. He only had the Fellowship's best interests at heart." Despite his words, the Prince's voice died away, his regret agonizingly apparent.
"That's besides the point!" Boromir yelled, throwing his hands up, radiating a scorching hate that was directed solely on Legolas. "He made you his worm, set to do his dirty work for him. And even though you knew he was wrong, you agreed." To this, the Elf remained silent.
There was an icy pause before a cracked voice broke out and shattered the silence with words that were just as fragile. "All this time…" Calina whispered, her words having faded into no more than a wisp of a breath.
The three of them, finally realizing they had been overheard, looked away shamefully, but this time at themselves for not being more aware of their surroundings and who might have happened to overhear them.
Boromir stepped away, now deeply concerned for his sister, "Calina–" But with each step he took forward she took two steps back, shaking her head in denial. Her eyes were locked on Legolas, but he would not meet her gaze. He looked completely wracked with guilt. She took more and more steps until she could not even hold onto the Prince's defeated form. She then turned and completely bolted out of the glade and into the darkness of night, tears streaking down her cheeks.
.
Calina tore down the paths of Lothlórien, paying no mind to which turns she took and where her frantic sprint took her. All she knew was that she could not bear to be in the campsite. So she ran on, her mind slipping back down a dark rabbit hole until she finally slowed in her running, and came to a complete stop. A question she had never dared fully ask herself finally passed through her mind, 'Perhaps it would have been best had I not joined the Fellowship.'
'That,' Galadriel's voice echoed out, 'is not true.'
'How do you know?' Calina inquired weakly, unable to banish the elder's voice from her mind.
'I have Seen it. As has Elrond.' Confusion instantly bubbled up within Calina, her tears eventually subsiding as Galadriel appeared before her.
"Come." The Elf-Witch then turned down another path and Calina followed after her. For a time they walked in silence, the sound of night once again providing them with a peaceful music with its chirping insects and swaying of leaves. The Lady walked ahead of Calina, the pair looking quite graceful as they meandered together in and out of the moonlight.
"What exactly have you and Lord Elrond Seen?" Calina asked after a moment.
"That your presence is crucial in the outcome of this war." Galadriel glanced back over her shoulder, "Elrond has realized he must let go of the past. And he has. However, he fears that should you truly lose control and be lost to the darkness, that the tables would turn and the war would be lost."
For an instant, only the night echoed around them. "He believes my powers are a linchpin." Galadriel nodded. Calina sighed. "I can't blame him. I just wish I knew, why me?" It was not a question of self pity. It was one of truely longing to know.
"Because the best way to create an agent of darkness is to begin with a wielder of light. And the light magic within you is insurmountable. As such, so became the darkness." They then traveled down a short flight of shallow steps and into another glade. The space was locked between the bases of trees and their roots, a small trickle of fresh water came from amidst the great roots and turned into a small stream. At the glade's center was an ornate pedestal with a shallow silver basin.
Calina stopped upon reaching the last step, momentarily keen only on watching Galadriel retrieve a silver pitcher from amidst the roots before moving to fill it with water from the stream. Galadriel moved elegantly over towards the pedestal and emptied the contents of the ewer into it before stepping back, "Look into the mirror if you wish to know more." The Elf-Witch's eyes then fell onto the basin.
Gingerly, Calina walked forward, her dress skimming the ground as she walked across the glade. Her hands took to the sides of the basin and she leaned forward, peering into the mirror.
Everything went backwards. First, Calina saw the argument she had witnessed not moments ago. Then it changed to their journey in the Mines, then to Rivendell and the trials, and even to her discovery of Hobbiton all those months ago.
But the mirror went back further still. Back to memories of her own adventures and misfortunes and blissful times spent with her father and brothers in the White City. Further and further back the mirror traveled until the very day she awoke in the MinasTirith. The water then became a murky gray and nothing could be seen.
Calina's brow furrowed and she looked up. Galadriel was already staring at her with her ever-piercing blue gaze. "It is not often the mirror is fogged." The Lady declared.
"What does it mean?" Calina inquired.
"That there is a shroud over your mind. One that needs to be removed should you wish to remember."
"Could you lift it?"
"Only if you permit me."
"Do it." There had been no pause in Calina's answer.
"A word of caution," the Elf-Witch warned, "the truth can be a heavy burden. Are you prepared to carry this new weight?"
Calina swallowed, the Lady's words heavy in her throat. "You said that there was a shroud. Have you Seen what lies beyond it?"
The Lady nodded. Calina's heart began to pound. She gripped her fists tight at her sides, "I need to know the truth. I'm tired of living in darkness."
Galadriel's face then obtained a look of utmost focus as she walked around the basin, coming to stand directly before the Calina. The Elf-Witch then brought a hand up to Calina's face, her palm coming to float just in front of the younger's forehead, her fingers gently spread. Galadriel then spoke, "Close your eyes."
To her words, Calina nodded. Even from behind her eyelids, she could see a white light beginning to glow in front of her. Upon its illumination Calina felt a strange sensation. It was like a snake sifting through the grass as Galadriel filtered her way through her mind. It was hardly seconds before the Elf-Witch moved towards the edge of the fog in her mind and then, with a surge of blinding white power, blasted it away.
A rush of memory flew into Calina's conscious mind like a rage of violent thunder. It was so intense that she stumbled backwards, instantly breaking the connection. But the deed was done, and the veil had been lifted.
Calina's eyes glazed over as she went over the memory that had returned. In truth, it was not much, but it was enough to have her eyes quickly glass over with a chilling horror upon realizing what she now knew.
"Return to the mirror to fully understand what it is you saw and to understand Elrond's fear." Galadriel had stepped away, returning to her previous place on the other side of the basin. Calina then stood on shaking legs as she grasped the sides of the mirror. Upon her panicked gaze, the water began to churn and the fog that obscured the mirror began to disperse. Thus, the scene amidst the water began to evolve and she watched the mirror begin to tell its tale.