Author's Note: Hello and welcome to chapter three of "Wounded"! I must say I am absolutely thrilled by the reviews this story has received. I want to thank you all, MerryKK, Ki-ta, Nari-chan SND, CaptiveFaRaMiRheart, Sarahbarr17, and Bourgeois Sounds Swell. Thank you! Your feedback means so much to me. Now, as always, I do not have beta and even though I have proofread this chapter several times, I am sure I have not caught all my mistakes. Any errors that appear are my fault and my fault alone. As you know, I am not a Tolkien scholar, so any mistakes I have made in canon are also my fault. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I claim not ownership of Tolkien's masterpiece.
Chapter Three A Welcome
Faramir knew nothing but darkness. And fragrant breezes. And the keen whining of foreign instruments that swept about him. He touched his face and felt the soft warmth of the blindfold.
It should have been a worrisome experience, to be blinded and guided through a strange land, one known for mysterious peril. But to his surprise, he noticed the weariness slip from his limbs and a pleasant calmness wash over him. Perhaps this was the magic of the Wood.
Boromir sat beside him. This he knew not by touch or sight, but by the steady sound of his breathing and the occasional mumble.
"Where do they keep us?" he asked once and Faramir could find no answer.
"I know not," he said. His brother fell back into silence and Faramir heard him shift, his chain mail a dim tinkle against the wind.
They had come upon Lorien after a month's long journey and more than once, Faramir had been grateful for Boromir's company. Orcs mingled amongst the brush and the shores of the Anduin were haunted by other beasts. Night did not pass without some dark terror. Together bow and sword sung and by day, careful stealth guarded them.
But they had come to Lorien and Faramir did not know whether to feel relieved or terrified. Boromir had yet to discover his lie. And he did not dare relate his secret.
What would Boromir think? Surely, he would find him foolish, if not utterly weak. Faramir did not think he could withstand his brother's questions. He had led him into danger to pursue folly, his folly. Perhaps he should have come alone.
Faramir dug his fingers into the earth and tilled the cool soil with his hands. In the distance, he heard the muted whispers of the Elves. Their language was strange even to his ear. Upon the eastern edge of Lorien, the Elves had come upon them. Stern, yet courteous, they seized their weapons and horses and blindfolded them. Boromir had protested at first and Faramir did not think he would forget the look of fear that traced his brother's features. Fear that he had caused.
And what was he to say to the Elves? He had no summons from Mithrandir or any good cause to be in their land. A memory alone he possessed, which existed as a misted dream, shapeless, boundless and meaningless.
Why had he brought them here?
Boromir sighed suddenly and Faramir sensed his exhaustion.
"We are guarded as the Enemy," he said.
Once more, Faramir searched for a suitable reply but found none. An Elf laughed.
"Forgive us. You are to be treated as friends henceforth."
The blinds were removed. Faramir blinked. The silver glow of a clear eve surrounded him. A tall Elf stood just before them.
"I am Haldir, the Captain of the Galadhrim." He rested his palm against his chest and extended it in greeting. Faramir climbed to his feet and Boromir followed. A trio of Elves flanked Haldir.
"Welcome to the woods of Lothlorien, sons of the Steward." He spoke in the common tongue, tainted with a Elven light accent.
Faramir bowed his head but Boromir could not refrain from gazing about. Great trees enclosed them in a solitary glade and only a hint of the heavens could be seen above. Through the leaves there whispered the sounds of joyous voices and song and the air was sweet.
"We thank you," Faramir said in Sindarin and Haldir smiled.
"Our journey has not been without plight," Boromir said. He shifted closer to his brother and regarded the Elves with caution in his glance.
"And your days here shall be free of it," Haldir replied. "The great Lady of our Wood welcomes you. It seems she has indeed expected you. Come, I shall guide you to her."
Haldir made to turn away, his Elven companions stepped to the side. Shock curled in the pit of Faramir's stomach and threatened to overwhelm him.
"The Lady expects us?" he asked
"Yes." Haldir glanced over his shoulder. "You will be brought into our city, Caras Galadhon. There she dwells with our Lord."
Faramir managed a nod and Haldir turned away once more. What magic was this?
Boromir was at his side then and he wore a weak smile.
"It seems as though Mithrandir did will to summon you," he said and walked forth. Faramir could only follow, trepidation marking his every step.
Faeleth shut the door to Pelilas' tiny room. Her son was asleep upon his bed. Dreams danced in his eyes. She smiled. At least he knew peace.
Back to the balcony she went where Aniror still sat, her knees clenched to her chest. Faeleth's smile melted.
Aniror looked….tense.
Never a good thing, her reason said and she agreed. Never a good thing at all. Heightened nerves made Faeleth's limbs feel watery and she found her way to a small chair by her sister's.
"Aniror?"
"Hush."
"Aniror?"
"Hold your tongue or I shall rip it from your mouth!"
Faeleth fell silent and rested her chin on her hands. Aniror's warnings did not shock her. As elflings, they often quarreled and her older sister made sure to announce every evil she could inflict upon her.
And Faeleth knew she would not hesitate to fulfill her threats. Aniror never did.
They sat for a moment in silence and Faeleth's keen hearing noticed the sound of her son's breathing. She relaxed and focused on the simple sweetness of it. The air stirred and sighed along with him.
"Vala!" Suddenly, Aniror was on her feet and over by the balcony's edge. She curled her fingers about the railing, her knuckles white.
"What is it?" Faeleth forgot her imposed silence and stood. But Aniror's sharp glance drove her back into her chair.
"I heard something," she said at length. Her head was tilted to the side and her plait dangled over her shoulder. "By the Great Gates."
"Orcs?" Faeleth asked.
"No, of course not." Aniror shook her head, hurried back to her seat and hovered by the side of it. She did not look pleased.
"What then?"
Her sister did not answer. Instead she looked away and for the first time in many years, Faeleth saw fear twist her countenance.
She clutched her knees. "Aniror, what is wrong?"
"Nothing that I can tell." Her response was strangled.
"Oh, but I can tell."
"Spare me your foresight."
Aniror's anger had returned. This time, Faeleth did not back down.
"I would rather have it known now," she said. "I shall known it soon, when you come to me begging for aid."
"I want nothing from you. I need nothing from you."
Faeleth leaned back and felt the light of the stars on her brow. Emboldened, she continued. "Yes, I believe you do. You do no good to hide and cower."
Aniror perched her hand on her hip. "I am your elder. Have you no respect that bars you from questioning my business?"
"Respect? What deeds have you done to invoke my respect? I recall many incidents. Disobeying our Naneth, quarreling with almost every one of your comrades and Erthor. What of him?"
But she had gone too far. Faeleth tensed once more and her sister's face blackened.
"Enough!"
"Aniror, please. I did not-
"You knew your words before you spoke them."
Faeleth leaned forward and tried to touch her sister's hand. But Aniror flinched and recoiled as if she were no better than a mindless Orc.
"Please," Faeleth begged. "I should never have mentioned his name."
"And you have." Aniror turned away and began to pace, her steps short and jerky.
"It was wrong of me." Faeleth rose and made to follow her. But Aniror stopped and spun about. Her eyes were wide and wild.
"How can you…" Aniror broke off mid-sentence and her head tilted to the side once more. Faeleth listened as well, but heard nothing. The look on her sister's face terrified her.
"Aniror, what is it?"
But the older elleth pushed past her and lunged for the door. "I must go."
"Aniror!" Faeleth called after. She received no response.
They were led along a stone path that hemmed a great hill. A fosse lay to the left and only once Faramir stopped to gaze into the ditch.
"What is this?" he asked. He had not spoken much, but was a willing captive to the wonder of Lorien.
Haldir stopped by his side as did Boromir.
"The only unmoving guard of this city," the Elf said and he pointed to a green wall that bordered the fosse. "None of the Enemy have ever dared to surmount it and with the blessings of the Vala, perhaps they never will."
Faramir nodded but said nothing. They continued on in silence.
The stone path soon ended by a bridge that crossed the fosse and led to the gates.
"Behold." Haldir stopped and raised his hand. "Not many of your kin have viewed such a sight, except those Men from the North and rarely now do they tread here. These are the Great Gates of Lorien. Pass through them freely."
As if he had spoken a command, the gates opened for Haldir and he walked through. Faramir made to follow but Boromir balked.
"None that enter leave unchanged," he said and worry tugged at the lines on his brow.
Faramir stiffened. Guilt and fear warred within him.
"Then we change together," he said at last. Boromir seemed reassured.
"No other way should I wish it." His brother stepped past him and walked through the gates, confident. Faramir tried to draw strength from him.
Haldir led them through the city, accompanied by three other Elves.
"Is this where you dwell?" Boromir asked and he looked around doubtfully. No houses could be seen.
Haldir caught his confusion and laughed. "Raise your eyes, friend." He pointed above his head and through the shadows, the brothers noticed the bottom of a platform. Ladders and staircases wrapped about the mighty boles of the trees.
"The Tree People," Faramir muttered. Boromir continued to search the leaves for a clear sight of one of the strange platforms.
For a while longer they walked and the hill sloped upward. At last they came to a clearing and a tree that stood taller than any they had seen. Upon its boughs was perched a large dwelling. Haldir ushered them over to a ladder.
"Our Lord and Lady make their home here," he said. "You must climb."
The brothers obeyed. As they ascended, Faramir felt his heart scale his chest and lodge in his throat. What would he say to the Lady?
It seemed a shameful thing now and perhaps it was. He imagined himself standing before her and sputtering though his account complete with every sordid detail. No, that would not do.
They came to the top of the ladder and beheld what looked like a great hall. The air seemed heavier to Faramir and thick with something he could not recognize nor understand. For a brief moment, his mind settled and he felt calmed. But only for a moment.
An Elf entered the hall, tall and slender and clad in white. Her gold hair swam down to her waist. She smiled with both joy and courtesy.
Beside him, Boromir muttered something and Faramir managed an awkward bow. A light surrounded the Elf, pure and good. At once, Faramir's fear of Lorien faded. The Lady continued to smile.
"Welcome." She held out her arms and the white cloth of her sleeves billowed like wind-blown clouds. "I am Galadriel, Lady of Light, Lady to the Galadhrim. Welcome."
"My lady." Boromir bowed now and Faramir succumbed to the urge to repeat the action.
"I am Faramir, son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor," he said though he knew no introduction was needed. "This is my elder brother, Boromir of Gondor. We have come to Lorien…" He paused and tried again. "We have come to Lorien to…"
The Lady disrupted his babbling with a laugh. "I know why you have come," she said.
And then in his mind, her voice echoed. I know why you have come, Faramir. Fear not.
A pleasant tingle filled his body and no longer did he feel ashamed.
"Your journey has draped you in weariness," the Lady continued aloud. "And you shall take your rest here and have your riddles answered."
The brothers gave their thanks and the Lady turned from them, her gaze finding Haldir who stood close by.
"Captain," she said. "Is the sister of your wife within the city?"
Haldir's eyes widened briefly, but he nodded. "Yes, my lady, I believe it to be so."
"Good." The Lady returned her glance to Faramir. "Bring her to me."
Author's Note: The description of Lorien, including the empty ditch, the wall and the gates is based on Tolkien's description in "Fellowship".
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