A.N: Revised(14) More scenes, more dialogues.

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Darkness shall descend

The time in Lothlorien was well spent. Lady Galadriel allowed me to spent time with her in her private gardens. The plants were very different, more topical-looking rather than wild flowers. Outside of that, I spent time at the archery court where I challenge Aragorn to a contest, which by the way, he won. A sore loser, I was but I was determined to get better and challenge him again later. The day before the company must leave to return to Rivendell; I was summoned to Lady Galadriel's private gardens again.

The elf maiden led me to her mistress. Lady Galadriel poured water into her largest plant that sprout one large flower. To my surprise, the flower opened instantly after it received water. The elf maiden stopped at the arch entrance and waited for me to past. Her garden always took my breath away. It was mysterious and yet has a gentle feeling. Lady Galadriel kept her back to me as she continued to water plant to plant.

I approached her and waited. "These flowers require much attention." She began in a teaching tone, her hand brushed against the soft petals. "If gone one day without water, they will die." Her voice flattened and she turned away and faced me. "As you can see, there's not much sun here."

I nodded in comprehension, although I tried to figure out what she tried to get at. The flowers were beautiful but there must be a double sense. Then she swiftly handed me her pitcher and pointed at the flowers at the other side of the garden. With a nodded, I walked over to the neglected flowers that seemed to reach out to the pitchers. I poured the water over the flowers that instantly opened and bloomed.

After I was finished, I turned to the lady who was at the far corner of her garden where there was a stone table with chairs. In the center of the table was a small box. She face me with a slight smile, "Come, young one. I have a gift for you."

"You already had given me plenty of gifts." I protest as I gestured to the cream dress I wore, which was a gift. In my room, I had many new dresses from the Lord and Lady. If I didn't know better, I would think I've been adopted.

She smiled and walked to me with her dress trailed behind her with the box in hand. I smiled at her stubbornness and laid down the pitcher and met her half way. "A gift from the elves of Lothlorien."

I took the box and opened it. Inside was a silver necklace in the shape of the star. It shined against the reflective lights and it was lighter than a feather. I heard Galadriel continued, "It was crafted for Nalana. A star will shine in darkness. May it bring your light in darkest of places."

My fingers brushed against the brooch and it was surprisingly warm whereas other necklaces would be cold. Swiftly, I placed it over my neck and allowed it to dangle over my breast. I looked up at Lady Galadriel, "Thank you. I will cherish this gift."

It was time to return to Rivendell. The trip was indeed interesting and I would very much like to return to this beautiful place. No matter how wonderful my time was here, I felt unfulfilled. The answers I longed for were nothing what I thought it would be. I internally groaned as I strapped my quiver over my chest. Nerra nickered impatiently for me to mount her. Her soft nose poked my side and slightly shoved me to the side. "I know we'll leave soon." I cooed in a soft voice as I rubbed her forehead with affection.

The company readied themselves for the trip back. Not before the Lord and Lady came to us. A solemn smile grew on Lord Celeborn's lips as his eyes dashed from grandchild to grandchild. Lady Galadriel looked at me, her eyes softened; you will know when the time is right…

I mustered a smile and nodded my head in comprehension. My attention was drawn back to Lord Celeborn who made a statement, "You are to return to Rivendell. May your journey be safe. Lord Elrond would be waiting"

I smiled sadly when it was time to leave. It was a quick goodbye, which was more than fine for me. Long goodbyes were too difficult. However I knew this would not be the last time we shall see each other. Somewhere down the road, I will see the Lord and Lady again. That alone gave me hope. From the corner, Haldir approached with a several elves trailed behind him. He stopped in front of us and bowed to his Lord and Lady before he turned to us. His eyes bounced to each one of us, "I am to escort you from these lands. Follow me."

We traveled like wind through a forest beyond the mountain. Nerra panted heavily after each mile we set. My eyes were cautious as I heard strange whispers in the gust the swept by us. Nerra got restless and her gallop was harder… wilder. Everything in the air made my skin crawl. I looked to my side and noticed the same unsettled look on Glorfindel's face. He searched and listened.

My hands clenched the reins tighter, my legs muscle constricted and my heart heavy with worry. I glanced at the passing trees where shadows moved at the same speed with us. I frown to this sight. Was it my imagination made from my own fear? Had Galadriel's mirror made me uncomfortable? Everything I saw had darkness. The sky above us dimmed although it was too early for the after noon or night. A taint of red was painted across the sky near the high sun. Something wasn't right. Nothing was right. Arwen was correct; the darkness had begun to descend. Evil moved in the world and it already dug it claws into the earth but it was only now when I finally saw the change. I swallowed hard and refocused my attention to the road ahead.

Our horses moved fast in unison. Tension grew between as we raced back to the safety of the Elves. Then suddenly, I heard it. Loud screams.. No not screams, it was snarls. Grind and thrash sounds came from the forest around us. Nerra came to an abrupt stop without my command and almost threw me off. The other horses stopped too. They grew relentless, stomped their hooves to the moist grounds.

"What is it?" Elladan inquired in a serious tone, as he searched and strained to listen. He tried to relax his horse but the beast would not calm down.

"Something lurks." I answered, my voice full of fear and shakened. The shadows around moved like dark spirits.

A hand reached out to me and grabbed my hand. I jumped but quickly relaxed for it was Glorfindel. However, his expression was serious as his eyes harden, "Stay close."

Be ready…. they are coming

My heart constricted with fear to Nalana's warning and I swallowed. Instantly, I went for my bow and arrow. My test had come. I tried to calm my nervous by breathing heavily through my mouth but I couldn't shake the feeling.

Courage

I nodded and Glorfindel readied his bow and arrow. "Be ready, something comes."

My head snapped to the sound of ruffled brushes. I swiftly aimed in that direction but then something moved on my other side. I looked over my shoulder to the other side. Whatever it was, it was surrounding us in the middle of a dark forest. My arrow pointed at the empty forest, searched for a target. Then my eyes noticed movement to the right. All of us looked to the side and point our arrows. Tension grew between. My heart raced with a mixture of fear and adrenaline. Suddenly from the left side, busting out of the bush were two black arrows. They swooshed by and struck the two other elves.

I yelped in fear and my eyes widened. Fear froze me and I saw the twin released two arrows toward the bush. There were moans, alerted us that they were struck down. I looked down to the ground where the two elves laid dead on the ground. Their horse nickered in fear and started to run off.

"The horses!" Arwen shouted but was silenced by Aragorn.

"There!" I heard Elladan shout, as all but me shot their arrows into the dark forest. Suddenly a pack of orcs leaped out growling and charged at us. Glorfindel stuck the first one down only to be encountered by a pack of orcs.

It happened to quickly. Nerra jumped onto her back feet in fear when orcs came too close. My horse kicked two orcs out of the way but I fell off from her back. With a yelp, I landed on my back and mud splattered over my body. My head submerged with the moist mud. I was still surprised by the event that I did not realize two orcs to advantage of my fragile state. When I shook off the shock, I look up as they swung back their weapon to strike. But two arrows pierced their chest.

"Get up Amelia!" I heard from the mixture of yelling and war cries.

Get up and fight!

I immediately stood up with adrenaline soared through my veins and breathed heavily, prepared for battle. Swiftly, I put back my bow and pulled out my two daggers. An orc came too close and I dodge his attack by ducking down. Swiftly, I turned in place and sliced the sensitive flesh of his leg. The creature screamed and fell on his knees. Without hesitation, I stuck it in the back with my dagger. Black blood spilt from his wounds and onto my arm. Disgusted, I pulled out my weapon and turned to prevent another attack. The orcs swung his sword from above and I used my two daggers to counter his attack. Our weapons came in contact with a loud high-pitched sound and my muscles ached from the force. I recovered and kicked him in the stomach to push him back. With a war cry, I sliced his throat.

After all the too-close orcs fell, I swiftly went for my bow and arrow. I shot down another orc-archers, one after another. Once I got started, I didn't stop. Four fall at my bow. I heard a cry from behind and I swiftly turned and shot down the charging orc. Another came at me but got too close. I drawn out my dagger yet again and throw at him straight between the eyes. Quickly I turned and shot down another orc.

The fight carried out and I realized, I was actually enjoyed the combat. Fear once filled me and replaced by pure adrenaline. Once after another, orcs fell but more came. We were out numbered and my arrows were almost gone. I looked to the side where Glorfindel fought with his long and slim sword for he had no more arrows. Elladan and Elrohir in the same situation. Aragorn and Arwen remained close and relied of their swords. Worry grew in my stomach. I turned and continued to fight. In the distance, I saw strange orc. A large and intimidating orc. He readied his black arrow as I did mine. Similar to the old western movies, we had a showdown but with arrows. As fast I could, I shot my last arrow at him and stuck him in the chest. Not before he released his arrow. The black arrow aimed toward me and came fast.

It was like slow motion. It happened too fast to recall. My life was in the balance of time and space. It swooshed fast at me but I was not fast enough to dodge it. As it came closer toward my heart…. To my surprise, Glorfindel jumped at me. His arms wrapped over me and push me down and out of the way. But…. It hit him in the back. He came too late to prevent either of us to be struck.

I heard him moan as we fall toward the ground. Horror filled me as my hand clenched at him. Why would he do that! The ground finally came in contact as the mud splashed everywhere. Our shoulder slammed first. I swiftly recovered from the fall and looked at Glorfindel with fearful eyes. My mudded hand cupped his pained face as the mud smeared his angelic cheeks, "No Glorfindel! You fool! Why did you do that?!" My voice shrilled with agony and completed hysterical. "Please Glorfindel! Hold on!"

As the others finished off the last remaining orcs around us. I turned Glorfindel onto his stomach and examined the wound. I should have moved! I am such a fool! My chest rose and fell in fear when I ripped the fabric off his wound. The arrow was deeply embedded into his skin. Even if I found Athelas and cured the darkness… he would die from internal bleeding. We were too far from Rivendell to seek aid from Lord Elrond.

Salty tears filled my eyes as I tried to remember how to handle this. My mind was too jumbled to concentrate. Please don't die, Glorfindel! Not for anyone, not for me! You're much too good of person for that! Please don't die!

A sob slipped my lips as I reached for the arrow and as swiftly as possible, I pulled it out. Glorfindel moaned in agony, which only made me sob more. "I'm sorry… it had to come out… This is my fault." I started between sob as I tried to attempt medicine.

"It was my choice." Glorfindel murmured as he struggled with breath.

'Shh' I hushed him. Nalana I mentally begged. Please lend me your powers. Please safe him! Please!

I looked at me hand that was drenched in black and red blood. My body shook with fear and horror. Please

Do not fear. I am here

A rush of warm filled my body from my toe to the tips of my fingers. My ivory skin glowed a light shade of gold as my heart became filled with nothing but love. My desire was to save him.

Lay your hands on his wounds

I obeyed and gently pressed my hands against his pierced wound. He moaned from the touch and I said in a broken voice, "Do no worry Glorfindel, I will make it better." My eyes closed and allowed Nalana to overtake this body. From my lips, a spell was uttered. I repeated the spell over and over until I felt myself drift away into a bright light. From my hands a light rays entered into his wound.

"What is she doing?" A faint questioned lingered in my mind but I paid no heed to Elrohir. My main focus was to save Glorfindel and that was what I was going to do. No matter the price.

As I recited the spell, I felt myself became weak. It was difficult to continue. My body became very heavy and it required all my strength to continue. I will not stop! I felt my heart slow down, to a threatening pace. I don't care, hold on Glorfindel! Just little more longer….

The spell came to a end and weakness overtook me. I opened my eyes to find blue ones stare back with concentrated curiosity. My eyes jumped to his wound and it was completely healed with dried blood. He was healed and the darkness was gone. A smile came onto my lips to that sight as my head swayed. My eyes drooped and my body became utterly heavily. Darkness called for me as I fell into a deep slumber…

It is done… rest Amelia… rest

To be continued...

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