Chapter Seventeen

Legolas hurried to follow her, and spoke with Haldir before they left. "Haldir, please tell Lady Galadriel that I'm requesting another audience with her. I await Haehithien's return for her reply," Legolas said.

Haldir looked puzzled at this. "I was told to fetch Elena, the woman who was traveling with you," he said.

"That's me," Haehithien said. "Lady Arwen calls me Elena, to the others, I am called Haehithien." Haldir nodded and bowed, and then turning, he, and Haehithien departed.

Galadriel walked in the woods with the girl as she had done the day before with Legolas. She was kind to her, but critical. She needed to find out the truth about her before she allowed the girl to depart with them, and time was running out. "Legolas speaks very highly of you, my dear."

"He's been very kind to me, my Lady," Haehithien answered honestly, and there was conviction in her voice.

Galadriel nodded. "Legolas has a kind soul, and gentle spirit," she said with a smile. "I have always thought it was a shame that he chose to come to Middle Earth rather than remain in Valinor with the Valar although I know why he chose to do so. Don't get me wrong," she said when the girl looked at her strangely. "Legolas' a magnificent warrior, following in the footsteps and true nature of the Elven warriors with his skills. However, his soul doesn't belong to that life. Tell me," she said with a sigh, as she paused and turned to face the girl. "What are your feelings toward him?" She thought that maybe if their feelings were the same, they might be strong enough to over power the orders the girl had received, if she was a spy.

Haehithien was taken aback. She was not used to people being so direct. Galadriel reminded her of Lord Elrond. She was sure they shared some kind of bond; she just couldn't recall what it was. "Well," she said, and paused shyly. "I love him, my Lady."

Galadriel sensed there was something more, that there was something troubling the girl. "But?" she inquired. Maybe this was it, she thought. Maybe she was about to hear the truth.

Haehithien sighed heavily. "But I had a dream last night, and it troubles me," she said.

Galadriel nodded slowly. This is it, she thought. "Go on," she encouraged the girl as she listened intently.

"It just," Haehithien started then sighed heavily. "It's just that I don't remember my life before Legolas found me. I'm sure he told you that when you talked yesterday." Galadriel nodded, but remained silent, while she waited for the girl to continue. "I feel that my dream may hold a memory. I'm frightened of what it I could remember; my dream was filled with anxiety and sadness. In Legolas, I've found joy, and I don't want to loose it," she finished quietly.

Galadriel nodded. I have her, she thought. "There is a way to find out for certain, and I'm sure Legolas would want you to discover what your past held. I'm sure he will be there for you if you need him," she said. Haehithien didn't realize it, but Galadriel had an ulterior motive for wanting to help her. She still wasn't convinced that the girl wasn't a spy, or that her love for Legolas was true, and she needed to find out what the girl's real intentions were.

"What way is that, my Lady?" Haehithien asked nervously, and fear started to build in the pit of her stomach.

"Come with me, and I'll show you," Galadriel said, and though Haehithien hesitated slightly, she followed. They went deep into the woods and came to a clearing that held a fountain on one side and a large stone basin on a raised pedestal in the center. "I have been gifted by Ilúvatar," Galadriel said softly. "I can see the past, present, or future of any one that looks into my mirror. If you so desire, I can show you what lies in your past. Do you wish to look?"

Back at the camp, everyone was nearly ready to leave. Legolas paced nervously. Haehithien had been gone a long time, and he was beginning to worry about her. He was fidgeting when Aragorn came by. Aragorn stopped and looked at him. He sighed, and putting down the supplies he was carrying, sat down. "I know there's something bothering you, Legolas. What is it? Maybe I can help," he said as he watched his friend sit down, stand up and pace, then sit down again, only to repeat the cycle. "Come on, Mar, you can tell me…we're like brothers, my friend."

Legolas looked around, and finding that everyone was still busy getting ready to leave, he sighed and sat next to Aragorn. "I'm worried about Haehithien," he said flatly, in a hushed tone. "She's been gone a long time."

Aragorn nodded, and then smiled as he put his arm around Legolas' shoulder. "That she has, my friend, but have no fear. We'll not leave her behind," he said with a chuckle. Then, said more seriously, "Besides, nothing can happen to her here. These woods are well protected."

"It's not the location which disturbs me," Legolas said, and gazed off into the distance after Aragorn had removed his arm from around his shoulder. Aragorn looked at him quizzically. Legolas sighed heavily, then looked at Aragorn and said, "I think Lady Galadriel believes her to be a spy, just as we did in Rivendell."

"What reason would she have to think that?" Aragorn asked incredulously.

"She questioned me about her yesterday. I think she was rather upset that I was unable to answer her questions about Haehithien's past. I believe that's why she summoned her," Legolas answered.

Aragorn jumped up. "We have to go,now!" he yelled, and everyone looked up in surprise. "Not you," he said, and the continued to pack for the journey. "Mar! Come, I know where she is. We must hurry!" Aragorn and Legolas took off running, while the others paused and watched as the pair quickly disappeared into the trees before they continued their tasks once more.

"Where is she?" Legolas asked as they ran through the forest in an area he'd never visited before.

"Galadriel's mirror!" Aragorn yelled over his shoulder, not slowing his pace in the slightest.

"Where?" Legolas asked in confusion, as he followed close on Aragorn's heels.

"Lady Galadriel plans to show Haehithien what lies in her past. The knowledge could be too much for her, and if she's not ready to see it, it may cause her to lose her mind. I believe as Gandalf did, she will learn it on her own. When it's time, Ilúvatar will show her," Aragorn said urgently, and in a burst of speed he received through his fear, Legolas passed Aragorn in their trek through the forest.

Three minutes later, Legolas and Aragorn burst through the woods, and into a clearing, Legolas had never been in before. As he emerged, Legolas found they were just in time to see Haehithien step up to the mirror. "STOP!" Legolas yelled, and she turned in surprise. "Haehithien," he said and reached his hand out to her. "Don't do it. It's a trap."

"Listen to him, my Lady," Aragorn panted, trying to catch his breath. "Don't do it. I know you desire to know your past, but this is not the way."

"How dare you!" Galadriel said venomously. "Get out!"

Legolas and Aragorn ignored her. "Haehithien," Legolas said as he slowly walked toward her, his hand still extended to her. "Please, don't do it; not this way," he pleaded. "Aragorn has told me about the mirror. If you aren't ready to see what it shows you, you could be harmed. Please, don't do this."

Haehithien looked from them to Galadriel and back. Then slowly, she stepped away from the mirror. Aragorn and Legolas sighed in relief. "No!" Galadriel shrieked as Legolas took Haehithien's hand and lead her away. "She can't leave, I won't allow it. She's a spy!"

"I assure you, my Lady, she is not!" Aragorn said. "We'll delay our departure long enough for you to contact Lord Elrond in Rivendell. He believes as we do, that the Lady was sent to help us, and is not a spy. You know as well as I, the apparent dangers of using the mirror," he said and turned.

Neither noticed that Legolas and Haehithien had stopped short when Haehithien was called a spy. Haehithien looked up and saw the anger she had only seen once, on Caradhras when he had found Boromir had tried to hurt her. Still, the look frightened her. "Come on," she said softly, trying to lead him forward, but he didn't move. "Let's just go."

"Haehithien," he whispered. "Go with Aragorn, he will take you back to camp. I must have a word with Lady Galadriel." She looked at him uncertainly, but he released her hand, and turning, walked purposefully past Aragorn, closing the distance between Galadriel and himself quickly.

Aragorn had seen the look on Legolas' face as the Elf walked by him, and hurried to Haehithien, taking her hand, he whispered, "Come, my Lady," as he lead her quickly from the glade.

Once they were gone, Legolas rounded on Galadriel. "How could you?" he yelled. "Do you honestly think that we'd not have taken the necessary precautions to ensure that she wasn't a spy of either Saruman or Sauron, who we know have now joined forces in searching for the ring?"

Galadriel took the defensive. "So I was wrong, so what?" she sneered. "Why should I have to contact Rivendell, when Lord Elrond didn't notify us that she'd be with you? How dare you speak to me like this in my domain!"

"This may be your domain, my Lady, but I am not a commoner in mine!" Legolas said sharply. "I was going to speak with you on another matter, but I can figure it out myself." Then, he turned on his heel and walked off, not waited for a response.

Later that day, Galadriel finally caved after coaxing from Celeborn, and contacted Elrond in Rivendell. Elrond was grieved to hear of the loss of his wizard friend. He explained to Galadriel that he hadn't contacted her about the girl because Gandalf had assured him that he would explain the situation when they arrived in Lothlorien. He also assured her that the girl wasn't a spy, and told her of the precautions they had taken. Under this assurance, Galadriel later apologized to Haehithien, Legolas, and Aragorn, saying that she would be allowed to leave with them the next day.

Legolas and Haehithien thanked Galadriel, and neither held a grudge toward the Lady of Lothlorien. The two lovers then turned and departed to help the others finish packing the supplies that they wouldn't need over the course of their one night extended stay in the Elven haven. When they were alone, Aragorn bowed to Galadriel and said, "I'm sorry that things weren't handled in a manner that suited your position, my Lady. My heart sings to know that you now understand her importance to us. Legolas' told me that she was aware that the Gap of Rohan was being watched before anyone, including himself. Then, there was the fact that she did save his life, all our lives, in Moria."

Galadriel smiled and nodded. "Aragorn, all is forgiven and forgotten. Go now, and rest, for you and the others still have far to go. I'm sorry that all I can give you is one more night's rest in this haven that is my home. Tomorrow, your path and your guide are yours to take. You must go before the sun is high or you will not make it. Even the girl knows this to be true," Galadriel said, and bid him goodnight.

The next morning as Aragorn passed through the now clean camp, Legolas was speaking to his horse, Nieninque. "My friend, you have been good to us, it is time for you to return home now. Lady Galadriel has been kind enough to provide us with boats. Even you would find it difficult to cross the country that we are now heading to. Be glad, and enjoy your break," with that, he patted the horse's neck and sent him on his way home.

Over the next few days, they found without a doubt, that they had been right about Haehithien's purpose. They saw all unfold as she had told them in Rivendell that it would. A band of Orc attacked them near Emyn Muil. It was there that Boromir met his death, Sam and Frodo left the company of the others to finish the quest alone, and Merry and Pippin were captured. Legolas then found cause to pause in his grief at all that had happened, and realized with renewed hope that it meant Gandalf was alive somewhere.

After the Orc attack, Legolas and Haehithien didn't have much time alone together because Aragorn was determined to rescue Merry and Pippin. He turned the remnants of the group from their road and backtracked to Rohan.