Chapter 11- The Golden woods

Zephir was flying toward Lothlorien as fast as his wings could have carried him. On his back was Viridis, however the elf was unconscious. The night fury was scared. Due to the bond they shared the black dragon knew that his friend was seriously hurt and in need of fast medical attention. He had felt his rider terror as the young elf felt into the black abyss and he appeared under him, and saw Gandalf battle with the Balrog but was powerless to help him as he was careful with the at the time semi conscious elf on his back and his worry intensified as the weight of his rider became heavier which indicated that he lost the battle to stay awake. The black dragon saw the border of Lothlorien and relaxed for a moment before his speed increased. Maybe, just maybe his friend stood a chance.

Galadriel was in her favoured glade with Celeborn. The ruler of the forest loved this particular meadow because it was secluded. Not for the first time she wandered what was happening with her Viridis, her Golden Prince. Few days ago his and Draco horses had arrived in the forest with a message that the Fellowship was entering Moria. Celeborn had doubled the sentries that looked over the forest border with the mine in the hopes that they would appear soon. Suddenly her mussing was interrupted by a dragon roar she looked at Celeborn and smilled as both of them knew the dragon.

- It appears, that our son is coming with Zephir my love- the ruler of Lothlorien smiled at his wife - Yes, I am happy to see him too

However their smiles disappeared as they saw their son dragon and their started running toward him. Zephir was close to Galadriel favourite meadow and he knew it. He only hopped that either her or Celeborn would be there as Viridis needed immediate medical attention, just in case he roared to announce himself and was immensely glad when he saw the Lord and Lady of the forest. He landed right in front of them and positioned himself in such a way for Celeborn to be easier to take his son from his back then he moved slowly to permit to Galadriel to touch him.

Celeborn gently took his unconscious son from his dragon saddle and pressed him to his white clothes and he saw how Galadriel eyes widened as she watched the place where his tunic made contact with his son armour. He looked down and stilled at what he saw. His tunic was deep red. He gripped his son more securely and started running toward the healing halls followed by Galadriel who was running next to him while pressing their son wound.

The news that the Prince has returned traveled fast and the fact that he was hurt even faster. When the two elfs arrived at the healing halls, two young elfs were already there and had prepared the medical supplies that the Lord and Lady would need.

While Zephir was landing in front of Galadriel and Celeborn the Fellowship was entering Lothlorien. Draco didn't know how he was going to tell the two rulers of the forest about the fate of their son. Suddenly he heard Gimli and his vision reddened.

- Stay close to me, young hobbits- the dwarf was saying- their are rumours that a powerful witch lives here . No one who had entered had exited the forest- as he finished saying that Gimli found himself at the forest floor with Draco dagger pressed on his neck
- Draco...- started Aragorn, but stopped as he saw that they were surrounded by Lothlorien sentries. In the front three elfs stood up, but he recognized only one of them Haldir.
- How dare you- started Draco- to disrespect the Lord and Lady of the forest. Do you know that they had increased patrols for the Fellowship to be safe?Do you know that the most likely reason why we didn't encounter any enemies in our weakened state is more likely due to them?
- Draco, this is enough- said one of the black haired elfs next to Haldir
- Where is Viridis, Draco,- said the other- where is my godson?

The Fellowship saw that Draco turned carefully toward them and run toward the first elf that had spoken and buried his face in his clothes. Then to Aragorn horror Gimli opened his mouth again and the dwarf sed.
- That may be, but she is a witch, and if we continue here the chances that we may exit are slim to none.
- Oh non Gimli, let's look at the facts shaw we- Draco sed with barely restrained fury. - Fact 1- when we were relaxing on the rock formation you started to speak of Moria. Fact 2 - Gandalf told you that he didn't want to pass in the mines. Fact 3- when we were snowed in, you started talking again about Moria and Frodo chose it with your promise of a safe passage through them.
- Wait a minute...- started the dwarf
- I am not finished, for goodness sake you are dwarves, don't you communicate with your different kingdoms- stated Draco- to continue fact 4- we found a graveyard in the mine, Fact 5- when you saw the room where your cousin was buried you started running and we had to come after you. I understand that you had to grieve, but why there? And you...- he turned toward Pippin- didn't Gandalf tell us to be quiet and to don't touch anything, and what do you do? you touch the worst possible skeleton
- I am sorry...-started Pippin
- Draco...- started Aragorn, you know that we could have been discovered any moment
- yes, i know, but the fact is that the bridge was near to the great hall and we could very well exited the mine with everybody and while Gandalf loss is big the fact that Viridis... Viridis...- he could not continue
- Draco what happened to Viridis, where is he?- asked Haldir
- He fell into Moria- sed Aragorn
- No...no that is not true...Draco this is just a joke that you are playing right- sed one of the black haired elfs, but stopped as he saw the young elf face
- No, impossible, not him - Somebody send a message to the lady and lord right now- sed the other elf- Sirius...
- Not now Severus, Draco come, Haldir we will be back in a couple of hours- Sirius disappeared in the forest followed by his two companions.

Aragorn looked around the elfs and saw the shock and disbelieve on their faces as well as the sadness. He turned toward Haldir and asked.

- Viridis, wasn't a simple elf? Wasn't he?
- No he wasn't- Haldir sed - Who was he then.?What was his rang among the Galadrims?-asked Legolas
- He was the son of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. He was the prince of the Golden woods- having sed that Haldir turned and the shell shocked Fellowship followed him into the dark of the forest surrounded by the Lothlorien elfs.

Two days later Draco, Severus and Sirius arrived at the heart of the woods and Draco looked at the palace tree with apprehension dreading the news that he had to give to the Lord and Lady of the Forest.
- Draco- Celeborn called
- Celeborn, Viridis he...- he started not knowing how to finish
- Is in healing halls- to the relief of the three elfs
- But how? He fell into Moria- Draco asked
- It pays to have a bonded dragon, Zephir brought him, 2 days ago- Celeborn stated
- What happened?
- We were forced to go into Moria as you know- by that time Galadriel has joined them also- however Moria was become a graveyard as goblins have over run the mines and killed all the dwarves there.
- This is bad news- sed Snape
- We will need to increase the patrol and the lookout toward Moria- stated Sirius
- What happened next?- asked Galadriel
- We spend three days walking in the dark and then Gandalf...-he stopped not knowing how to continue
- what happened to Gandalf, Draco- asked Celeborn concern
- He fell into Moria. So we entered a hall and after walking for some time,We saw a light that illuminated a small room and then the dwarf run in it and we found a coffin with Balin remains
- Then what happened?- Celeborn
- All hell broke lose. On of the hobbits made noise, the goblins heard it and we were boxed in this little room. Then a cave troll came in and went to Frodo
- Who?
-The hobbit with the ring, So the cave troll had a lance and speared Frodo
-Not before he speared Viridis- Celeborn stated
-WHAT?
- You didn't know, Draco?-asked Galadriel
- No, but that explain it
- What?
- Viridis was a little out of it and then we heard it...- Draco sed with a haunted voice
- What?- asked Snape
- a Balrog, as Gandalf said
-WHAT?- Celeborn roared, - There was such an abomination at our door steps
- Apparently- sed Sirius - Then what happened?
-We went toward the bridge, but there was a crack on the stairwell and well we had to jump the crack, but Viridis stumbled when he was his turn to jump and he fell into the darkness, a little after that Gandalf fought with the Balrog and he fell.
-Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel- a elf arrived
-Yes - The fellowship has arrived?
- We are going to the healing halls to see Viridis,- the three elfs departed toward the healing rooms