I apologize for such a long long lonngggggg wait. I feel terrible about it. Lots of life, lots of adulting, been robbed of inspiration. Any who's, I'm making that change happen. I apologize also if this isn't the smoothest written chapter. The gears are a little rusty, but no worries, it's all coming back to me. I'm already about halfway through the next chapter. I was gonna hold off till I had it ready since this is such a short chapter, but didn't want to make ya'll wait another two days till that one is done. Hope you all enjoy!
~This~ means they are talking in Elvish!
Eyes wide, mouth left ajar, breath slow; Caleigh was in complete awe at the magnificence of the forest.
She knew it was more prudent for her to keep a sharp eye out, but even still she couldn't stop herself from admiring the trees, tall with age, sending their leaves dancing through the air to the gentle songs of birds in flight.
Closing her eyes she thought on whether or not the Elves in Lothlorien would take kindly to her. In all honestly she was praying to be completely unnoticed. Considering it had taken quite a while for Legolas to drop all antagonism towards her, she didn't want to even think about how a large number of Elves would feel about her.
Her only prayer was that Legolas's cold shoulder might have mainly been for her initial introduction and not because of her bloodlines.
"Stay close, young Hobbits! They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell. And are never seen again."
A small smile traced her lips, one of the first in many hours. To see the Dwarf on edge was a rare sight, especially when it was due to an Elf.
"Mr. Frodo?"
Caleigh shifted her emerald and stone gaze towards her left to look upon uneasy blue eyes. His messy brown curls bouncing a bit when he nodded towards Sam. She was about to make a move for him when the air seemed to change.
"Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox."
Her eyes narrowed, her right arm flying up to grab her bow however two arrows were already pointed directly at her head, merely feet away.
She froze, her only movement being to grab a fistful of Frodo's cloak just in case they made to grab him.
Her frown deepened when she found everyone to be in the same predicament as she. Legolas having been the only one quick enough to draw an arrow at the ready, however he had three trained on him and the sight made her breath falter.
"The Dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark."
Out from the woods stepped an Elf, apparently the leader, Gimli's growl rumbled from behind, at the sight of Legolas the Elf issued a command to the others to lower their bows; his icy blue gaze shifting to Aragorn.
"Let us go where we can talk."
Everyone fell into line behind this Elf, following silently as they were lead through the woods. Even being surrounded by such splendor was no longer enough to distract Caleigh, her eyes trained ahead and cautious.
He seemed to know Legolas and Aragorn, however would that fact alone grant them the rest they so desperately needed? Or for that matter would they even be allowed safe passage.
It was dark before they reached their destination. A platform suspended high in the trees; surrounded by many others supporting Elvin archers that curiously watched the new arrivals.
Caleigh shifted to stand behind the others, close to the hobbits to help ease their nervousness. She would have offered words of comfort however she was trying her best to pay attention to the interaction with the elf she now knew to be named Haldir.
~"Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil."~
~"Our Fellowship stands in your debt."~
She had to strain her memories to decipher their words. She was certain she was once fluent in Elvish; however a murky veil was over even that. Though hearing it spoken served to help refresh her. Perhaps she could one day trouble Legolas to sit with her and give her some assistance?
~"Aragorn of the Dunedain, you are known to us."~
She shifted her gaze over to Aragorn as he nodded in thanks, though as usual Gimli wasn't one to stay silent for long periods of time.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can all understand!"
Haldir turned to face Gimli, his tone bitter "We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days."
"And you know what this Dwarf says to that?"
Without wasting a moment, Gimli began speaking in Dwarvish. Even though Caleigh knew not what he said she could tell by his tone and the look on Haldir's face that it wasn't pleasant. She had half a mind to pop him across the head. The last thing needed was hostility.
Aragorn placed his hand forcefully on Gimli's shoulder as he looked down at him.
"That was not so courteous."
Haldir shifted his gaze from the grumbling Dwarf to look behind Aragon, his eyes quickly on the 4 tiny Hobbits. She was surprised to find that he didn't seem too perturbed by their presence, however when his steely eyes rose to match Caleigh's gaze, his face became an impassive mask.
"Half-elf… tell me how you came across such strange eyes?"
It would have been a lie for her to pretend she wasn't relieved at his nonchalance at her mix, however the all too familiar question of her eyes was one she could not answer, so she hoped to distract him and his ever growing intense stare.
"My name is Caleigh."
"You did not answer the question. An iris of stone is-"
Haldir had made a step towards her; arm extending as he absentmindedly reached for her, but when her body tensed in alarm, Legolas shifted to stand next to her, his proximity calming her.
"She is a member of this Fellowship."
Aragorn's words snapped him out of his reverie, Haldir offered Caleigh one last glance from where she stood next to Legolas. He seemed determined to pose his question again, however bright blue eyes peering behind little brunette curls caught his attention.
It was at the sight of Frodo that Haldir's demeanor became visibly anxious.
"You bring great evil with you. You can go no further."
Aragorn expression darkened as he ushered Haldir to the side and began a hushed conversation in Elvish.
After a few long moments passed, Caleigh had settled on the ground with the Hobbits; Frodo and Sam at her sides, while Merry and Pippin leaned against her legs attempting to rest a bit.
Frodo's grief was palpable from where she sat. His downcast gaze and slumped shoulders said it all and she had no words of comfort to gift him. Her tongue failed her. What could she possibly say to ease his agony?
"Gandalf's death was not in vain. Nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo. Don't carry the weight of the dead."
Caleigh's attention fell upon booted feet as they neared hers. Lifting her gaze she gave a slight smile to Boromir, his blue gray gaze shifting to her momentarily before returning to Frodo.
Frodo wasn't given a chance to respond before Haldir approached "You will follow me."
The Fellowship walked in line with the Elves as they made their way deeper into the woods, towards the center of the realm.
She paid little attention to how long it took; her attention only lifting from her feet when light once again penetrated the tree tops. From then on her gaze was in the distance, watching the leaves fall or the scurry of woodland creatures.
It wasn't entirely the melancholy of Gandalf's loss that kept her taciturn; in truth she was exhausted, physically and mentally stretched thin. Her simple life routine had so abruptly changed, it left her playing catch up, still…there was no regret.
Collecting bounties on evil men or twisted creatures, paled in comparison to the path she was now upon. Even if it was only a little, she was doing something that could really help make an impact for the good.
"Caras Galadhon. The heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."
Caleigh shifted her gaze forward, coming to a halt a few feet to Haldir's right behind the Hobbits to see where the forest dipped down in the distance before raising to a heavily forested center.
Sooner than anticipated the once simple trees changed to ones that were not only a great deal wider but towered overhead. The density growing until no light could penetrate the forest ceiling.
"Truly magnificent isn't it?"
"It is. Even if I gazed for days I doubt my eyes could drink it all in."
Legolas lowered his gaze, examining the crimson haired woman next to him, his eyes quickly shifting away before Caleigh could look in his direction.
"You speak as if you never seen the Elvin cities."
"I haven't…I've been too afraid."
"Afraid?"
"Of rejection…"
Legolas fell silent at her admission and a twinge of guilt stabbed at her. She hoped she hadn't said anything trouble him. It was simply the truth.
Not wishing to suffer in the awkward silence any longer she sped up, finding herself in the company of the hobbits, a safe mental space. Those precious four were so wonderfully easy to read, such rare honesty, especially when it came to Pippin.
She had been so distracted by her conversation with Legolas that she hadn't paid any further attention to her change in surrounding.
The entire area was a light with a heavenly silver glow, such a pure and tranquil aura. It was all like a dream as the group began its assent up a stairway.
Being mindful of each step he took from the back, Boromir marveled at the way the silver glow of Lothlorien coated Caleigh. It blanketed everything; where her skin was not stained with grime and ork blood, her fair complexion shone porcelain, her crimson locks still bound in a now messy braid, the shade of fresh blood.
His breath hitched when she chanced a glance behind her towards the rest, her mismatched iris's having taken on a completely different shade; jade and silver.
She was hauntingly beautiful and he was growing fearful of his own growing attachment.
Finally the Fellowship's destination was meant.
The top of the stair way lead to a large platform that had stairs on the other end that led up to a rather unique structure. She had never seen such architecture.
All nine of the Fellowship lined up. Caleigh stood with Legolas in the back, the four hobbits in front of the two and Aragorn in the front with Gimli on the far right and Boromir on the far left.
Caleigh's emerald and stone iris's narrowed as a bright light erupted at the top of the steps leading to the structure. She did her best to keep her eyes open as the light slowly dimmed revealing two elves; a male and a female.
Caleigh had never seen such beauty in all her days. So this was Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel. The rumors did not do her enough justice and Caleigh soon began to shift uncomfortably knowing that those crystal blue eyes would eventually fall upon her.
"The enemy now knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eight of the Fellowship there are here, yet nine were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him form afar."
Caleigh raised her gaze to Lord Celeborn as he spoke.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into Shadow."
Caleigh's gaze shifted to the Lady Galadriel's angelic face. Although her expression was unreadable, she knew that older woman felt sorrow as she spoke those words and it only reminded Caleigh of the painful loss, her gaze dropping to her feet as Legolas's voice broke the silence.
"He was taken by both Shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
Caleigh gently placed a hand upon Gimli's shoulder blade after witnessing his chin drop.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose."
Galadriel's soft blue optics soon landed upon the sorrowful dwarf.
"Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart Gimli, son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril and in all lands love is now mingled with grief."
Upon her last word her gaze shifted to Boromir, his stance clearly faltering under her penetrating gaze, but she was merciful and adverted her eyes to take in the nine.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
Caleigh's gaze finally rose to look upon Lord Celeborn. Was hope really gone?
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all."
Once again Lady Galadriel's piercing eyes fell upon Boromir in suspicion. Despite the trust Caleigh had in the man, she couldn't help the sense of foreboding that was ebbing into her heart.
Sam was the next to receive her all-knowing gaze, a warm smile gracing her lips.
"Yet hope remains while the Company is true."
The smile fading to stoic as blue optics locked to Caleigh's mismatched gaze. The young female, or well, relatively young female had never felt so easily deciphered in her life. She might as well been an open book, she now understood Boromir's break in posture because she had to fight to keep her own nerves from showing.
"Who might I ask is this?"
"Caleigh."
She had a hard time finding her voice. Her name being spoken so softly she feared that she would have to repeat herself.
"Yes…a child of two worlds…"
Lady Galadriel glanced in Haldir's direction and the ever the observant Elf took the que, he walked directly towards Caleigh, the hobbits shuffling out of the way as he extended his hand towards her.
Sensing Caleigh's confusion, Galadriel spoke "I wish to speak to speak with you."
Caleigh reached forward however paused when her hand was inches from Haldir's. Her filthy skin was a stark contrast to his clean porcelain fingers. In truth, even though it was silly, she didn't want to get him dirty.
"Come."
If she hadn't been looking she would have completely missed the small smirk that momentarily curved the corner of his lips. Without hesitation he took hold of her hand coaxing her forward as he began to lead her towards the stairs.
Her anxious heart was in her ears, her blood rushing so loud she almost didn't hear Galadriel's words as she began her descent.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep."
What could Lady Galadriel possibly wish to discuss with her? She was unimportant, just a tag along in this quest. Did the wise Elven queen know something of her? There was something about the look Caleigh was given. It was as if Galadriel saw familiarity in her.
She trusted Haldir's grip to lead her as her mind scrambled over every possible scenario.
