A/N: I have to say that I love the feedback I'm getting for this story! I love reading each and every one of your reviews...they add to my happiness. Cookies for all of you! You can all thank josie95 for this early update, as his review really made me smile. I must say that I am seriously fighting the urge not to update this story everyday like I do for my other stories...maybe once I have it finished completely. Right now, I'm writing the scenes in Return of the King...so once I finish completely I'll update daily. Yay! And once again...Elvish is in italics, while Western is regular.
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings.
Chapter 5
Anariel ran down the hall after Gandalf, however she made sure that none of the hobbits fell behind. "This way!" Gandalf cried.
Anariel saw a distant door that Gandalf appeared to be leading them too. Out of the corner of her eye she saw goblins seeming to materialize all around them. They clambered down the stone columns, appeared out of holes in the walls and the floors. Their harsh cries and the clanking metal of their armor was all that registered in her ears.
Her eyes widened in horror as she saw the goblins that were running towards them. Soon they were surrounded and she and the fellowship formed a tight circle. A fierce determination flared in her veins and she gripped her sword tightly. She stood by Legolas who had an arrow notched, ready to fire. Around a distant corner, Anariel saw a flicker of a fiery light. The ground began to tremble, and she noticed the suddenly cowering goblins begin to retreat.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir whispered.
Sudden realization dawned on Anariel, the stories that Glorfindel had told her rushed to her mind. "A Balrog," Gandalf said quietly. "A demon of the ancient world! This foe is beyond any of you! Run! Quickly!"
Anariel didn't need to be told twice. Just as she turned she caught a glimpse of the hellish creature. Its body covered in flames and ash, two horns sticking out upon its head like the devil it was. She ran beside Legolas down the never ending stairs. Boromir was in the lead and nearly fell over the edge as there was a chasm, but Aragorn pulled him back.
Legolas and Anariel quickly made the leap across the chasm and landed safely on the other side. Legolas immediately turned back and motioned for Gandalf to jump, "Gandalf!" he urged and he steadied the wizard as he too landed safely.
Boromir gathered Merry and Pippin into his arms and made the leap with them both. The hobbits quickly rushed to Anariel's side and she spared them a small smile before she turned back to the rest of the fellowship.
"Anariel!" Aragorn called before he tossed Sam in her direction. She caught him and set him gently on his feet. About this time an arrow flew past her head so close that it brushed her hair. Barely a second had passed before Legolas had fired his own arrow, killing the offended goblin.
She drew her attention back to the remaining three of the fellowship that had still yet to make the jump: Aragorn, Frodo, and Gimli. Aragorn went to toss Gimli, but the dwarf raised a hand. "No one tosses a dwarf!" and with that declaration he leaped to the other side, but he landed on the edge. He began to fall backwards, but Anariel grabbed the only thing she could, his beard. "Not the beard!" he protested, but Anariel pulled him to safety.
"Hurry Aragorn!" Anariel cried as the goblins began to fire more and more arrows.
Aragorn gathered Frodo into his arms and prepared to make the jump, but the stairs cracked and a piece came tumbling down. The gap was now too large. Anariel wasn't even sure if she or Legolas could make the leap. She watched Aragorn think frantically for a solution. "Lean forward!" he yelled and slowly they came closer. When they were about to hit the other side, Aragorn jumped and Anariel steadied him.
Aragorn immediately went to the front and led them up yet another set of stairs before they saw the bridge. "Lead them on, Aragorn," Gandalf said breathlessly, leaning heavily on his staff. "The bridge is near." Aragorn hesitated, a concerned look on his face and Gandalf said more forcefully, "Do as I say! Swords are of no more use here."
"Come Aragorn," Anariel urged grabbing his arm, and he reluctantly allowed her to pull him to the front and lead them across the bridge.
"Over the bridge!" Anariel heard Gandalf order from behind them. "Fly!"
Anariel ran along with the rest of the fellowship over the narrow stone bridge. Soon they were all across and Anariel looked behind them to see that Gandalf had stopped halfway across. "Gandalf!" she cried bewildered. What was that crazy, old wizard doing?
Anariel's eyes widened in horror as she saw the Balrog emerge from a chasm and step menacingly towards Gandalf; who held his sword in one hand and his staff in the other. The Balrog held a sword in one hand and a flaming whip in the other that made Anariel cringe as he cracked it in the air. However, Gandalf remained unfazed.
"You cannot pass!" Gandalf yelled determinedly.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried and Anariel started forward to forcefully drag the wizard back, but Legolas grabbed her arm. Anariel struggled, but Legolas' grip did not lessen. Finally, she gave up and watched Gandalf face the Balrog.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!" Gandalf yelled defiantly.
Anariel watched as the Balrog stepped onto the bridge, spreading its black wings, which stretched from wall to wall. Gandalf looked so small compared to the Balrog, that Anariel could feel tears begin to fill her eyes. "Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf spit spitefully.
The Balrog roared defiantly and brought down its sword. Gandalf blocked it with his own, and Anariel couldn't help the small feeling of pride that she felt when the Balrog's sword shattered into molten fragments.
"YOU-SHALL NOT-PASS!" Gandalf yelled and he brought down his sword and staff on the bridge in front of him. A loud crack was heard and Anariel saw the wizard's staff shatter. The Balrog took a step forward, and as the creature put all its weight on the bridge it gave way. With an enraged roar, the Balrog fell into the abyss and Anariel sighed, relief flooding through her.
Gandalf turned around and they made eye contact. He smiled tiredly and took a step forward...right as a crack of a whip echoed through the air. Anariel's eyes widened in horror as the whip lashed around Gandalf's ankle, and the wizard was dragged to the edge of the bridge, where he just managed to cling with his fingertips.
Anariel stared into his eyes and the wizard looked back at her. She saw the look that entered his eyes and she immediately started forward, but Legolas' still had a grip on her arm.
No, no, no, let me go Legolas! He's going to…but she didn't need to finish.
"Fly, you fools!" Gandalf whispered fiercely…and he let go.
"NO!" Frodo screamed and he too ran forward, but Boromir caught him and dragged him back and led him up the stairs.
The arrows from the goblins began to rain down upon them as Legolas towed Anariel up the stairs. He looked back and saw that Aragorn was still staring where Gandalf had fallen. "Aragorn!" he yelled, and Aragorn looked up before he followed Legolas and Anariel up the stairs.
Anariel stumbled out of the Great Eastern Gate into the bright sunlight. They were on a grassy hillside, and under normal circumstances she would have been ecstatic, but not now. Sam, Merry, and Pippin fell to the ground sobbing, and Anariel fought to keep her own tears at bay.
"Legolas, Anariel, get them up," Aragorn said quietly.
"Give them a moment," Boromir cried. "For pity's sake!"
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, Anariel, get the up," Aragorn ordered. "On your feet Sam," he said gently.
"Ay, lass!" Gimli gasped and Anariel turned to look at the dwarf quizzically.
"What?" she asked.
"Oi!" Pippin cried. "You're bleeding Anariel!"
Anariel thought for a moment. Oh, yes. She was probably bleeding, wasn't she? The white hot pain she'd felt in her back when they were in the burial chamber. "It's not too bad, is it?" she asked, and now that she thought about it, it was really throbbing, all the way from her left shoulder blade to her right hip.
She felt a feather light touch on her back and winced. "Well, how nasty is it Legolas?" she asked. When Legolas didn't answer she laughed. "Is it really that ghastly?"
She felt another hand, and knew that it was Aragorn. "It is not too deep, and it has stopped bleeding for the most part."
Anariel turned and ignored Boromir's gasp when he saw her back. "I'll be fine," she said more to Legolas than anyone else. His jaw was set in disapproval, but Anariel gave him a look and he sighed in defeat.
"Come, we need to move," Anariel said and began to lead the way. "Lothlorien will be this way."
Aragorn and Anariel led them towards Lothlorien at a fast pace, though after awhile Anariel's wound began to burn like fire, and she let Aragorn lead. She placed herself at the back of the group with Merry and Pippin, who would not leave her side. She would smile through the pain reassuringly at them whenever she caught them worrying.
Legolas walked in the front, having taken Anariel's place by Aragorn. The wound on Anariel's back was certainly not the worst he had ever seen, but he hated the thought that she would have that scar for the rest of her life.
"Are you sure the lass is alright?" Gimli whispered, glancing back to Anariel as he spoke.
"Anariel is one of the strongest elves I have ever known," Aragorn answered quietly. "This is not her first battle wound, nor will it be her last," he said and a faint smile lit his face.
"You're smiling?" Boromir questioned.
Aragorn shook his head, "I have known Anariel since I was a child. She was always getting into trouble. She would come back to Rivendell with a new injury often. Most of them were minor, but there were a few that were more serious," Aragorn trailed off as if remembering one of those times.
"I knew it was a bad idea to let her come along," Boromir muttered.
"She has been invaluable to us," Legolas argued. "She keeps our spirits high, particularly the hobbits who grow weary from the journey."
"She is a Lady of Rivendell," Boromir countered. "She should not be here."
Legolas was about to argue again, but Aragorn held up a hand. "Legolas is right. Anariel has been of great help on this quest, and Lord Elrond would never have let her go if he didn't think that she could take care of herself."
"Ay," Gimli said. "The lass is a strong girl."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say that you were becoming a friend of Elves Gimli," Anariel said coming up behind them.
Legolas wondered if she had heard any of their conversation, while Aragorn was wondering how long the elf had been eavesdropping. Gimli huffed, but a faint blush could be seen on his cheeks. Anariel smiled as she looked up at Legolas, only to realize that he was surreptitiously inspecting the slash on her back. Anariel huffed and glared at him.
It's fine Legolas. She said so quietly in Elvish that only Legolas would hear.
It's going to need to be sewn. Legolas answered just as quietly.
It won't be the first time. Elrohir and Elladan will want the whole story when I get back, then of course they will tell me what I did wrong and how I could have avoided it. Then I will throw something at them like last time. Anariel said smiling at the memory.
Legolas shook his head. Are you sure that you are well? We can stop if we have to.
We need to be in Lothlorien by nightfall. Anariel argued, though secretly she did not like one bit that they were going. There was someone there that she most definitely did not want to see.
They continued on and by dusk they had entered into Lothlorien. Anariel smiled. The beauty of Lothlorien would never cease to amaze her. She saw out of the corner of her eye that Legolas too was smiling at the sight. The forest floor was covered in yellow flowers, and the golden leaves of the trees created a roof above them. The trunks of the trees resembled large, silver pillars.
"Stay close young hobbits…they say a Sorceress lives in these woods. An elf-witch of terrible power, all who look upon her fall under her spell," Gimli said cautiously and Anariel laughed quietly under her breath. "And are never to be seen again!" Gimli continued.
"Then were do the stories come from, I wonder?" Anariel spoke at last, raising an eyebrow.
Gimli scoffed. "Well, here's one dwarf they won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"
Right at that moment, they were surrounded by elves, all of which had their weapons drawn. One arrow was almost touching Anariel's forehead.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark," Haldir said, eyeing Gimli with disdain.
Aragorn spoke urgently to Haldir in Elvish. Haldir of Lorien. We come here for your help. We need your protection.
You bring great evil with you. Haldir said and his gaze lingered on Frodo.
However much Anariel wished she didn't have to talk with Haldir, she knew for the sake of the fellowship she had too. She walked up to stand beside Aragorn. Please, Haldir. We are all weary from our travels. Can you deny us the protection we seek with a clear conscience?
Haldir thought for a bried moment before he sighed and nodded. For you Anariel, Lady of Rivendell, I shall let you and your friends pass.
Anariel smiled and Haldir led them through the Wood. Legolas walked beside her, consumed in his own thoughts. It was obvious to him that Anariel was not comfortable in the presence of Haldir. Legolas remembered the look in Haldir's eyes when he'd seen Anariel. Just thinking of that look of what Legolas could only call admiration, made the elf feel almost angry. He wasn't jealous, was he? No. No he couldn't be. What did it matter if Haldir looked at her that way? Anariel was beautiful, and she deserved to be admired… though by himself only. What was happening to him?
Anariel walked beside Legolas thinking of her last visit to Lothlorien. She and the twins had come to visit their grandparents, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. That's when she had met Haldir. He was immediately taken with her, much to her annoyance. She didn't have anything against the elf, but his constant bid for her affections annoyed her to no end. Of course, Elrohir and Elladan thought it was hilarious, and only sometimes would they provide her an excuse to leave Haldir. Anariel had hoped that it had been long enough for him to turn his affections elsewhere, but if the way he looked at her was any clue, it hadn't happened yet. Maybe Legolas would help her, or Merry and Pippin?
They broke through the trees and were now in a clearing. There was one huge tree that could be seen, by far the biggest tree any of them had ever laid eyes on. Anariel watched as her adoptive grandparents descended the steps. Celeborn's hair was so blonde it almost looked silver, and his face was ageless. Her grandmother, Galadriel, was as beautiful as ever, and if Anariel didn't know better she would have thought that she looked even wiser.
Celeborn and Galadriel stopped and stood before them. Anariel had never seen her grandfather's face so grave. "Eight there are, yet nine set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him."
Anariel watched as her grandmother's eyes roved over them. "He has fallen into shadow," she said quietly, before she turned to Aragorn. "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife, stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all…yet hope remains while the company is true." Galadriel's eyes moved to Sam as she said this and Anariel smiled slightly as her guess about Sam had been correct.
Yes my child. You have always been able to see the depth of people. Galadriel spoke in her mind, and Anariel smiled.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you shall sleep in peace," Galadriel said kindly.
The other fellowships members nodded and they were led to where they would be resting. The only two that remained were Legolas and Anariel. Galadriel looked from one to the other and Anariel saw the faintest hint of amusement enter her grandmother's eye.
"Do not worry, Prince Legolas. She will be tended to," Galadriel said outloud kindly, though she spoke to him in her mind also. She sensed the feeling of responsibility in his mind. You are not to blame Legolas Greenleaf. Legolas nodded and flashed a quick smile to Anariel, which she returned.
Once he had gone, Galadriel and Celeborn both came to her. "We should have known you would have been injured," Celeborn said as he inspected the wound on her back. "How is the pain?"
Anariel rolled her eyes. Just a few seconds before they were regal, and now they were worrying grandparents. "It burns like fire, but I've managed."
"Come," Galadriel said placing a gentle hand on her unharmed shoulder. "Let's get this sewn."
Legolas sat in the pavilion with Gimli and the hobbits. His mind was many places. He was worried about Anariel, and he felt somewhat responsible for her injury. It had unsettled him when he'd heard the Lady Galadriel's voice in his head, but he was also glad that she did not blame him. It was more the sense that he had failed. When he had made the unconscious decision to protect her from the world, he didn't know. He also wondered when he had fallen in love with her. Wait…love? Did he love her? He didn't want any harm to come to her, and he would happily kill anyone who wished to harm her. He might have been jealous. He thought that she was beautiful, kind, funny, and full of life. Her words entered his mind, unbidden, "Face it Legolas. I brighten your day." Yes. Yes she did. In that second he realized that he was indeed in love with Anariel. He smiled at that, but it turned into a frown when he heard the elves singing.
"A lament for Gandalf," he explained when he noticed the confused faces of the hobbits.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked.
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near," Legolas said sadly as he was yet again reminded of the evil that threatened to consume the world.
"Take some rest…these borders are well protected," Aragorn told Boromir quietly.
Boromir looked up, and Aragorn saw the sadness in the warrior's eyes. "I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head…she spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor, and she said to me: 'Even now there is hope left.' But I cannot see it…"
"If the Lady says that there is hope then you should take comfort and have faith in her words," Anariel said softly.
The entire company had heard her soft words and they looked at her in awe. She wore a red long sleeved dress lined with gold thread that made a circle of golden leaves at the hem. Half of her hair had been braided back, while the rest fell over her shoulders and down her back to her waist.
"Have you never been told that it's not polite to stare?" Anariel laughed and Merry and Pippin were the first to run to her.
"Anariel!" Pippin cried as he hugged her about her waist. "We were just about to go looking for you!"
"Where have you been?" Merry asked.
"I have been with the Lord and Lady," Anariel smiled. "It has been a long time since I have spoken with my grandparents."
"Your grandparents!" Pippin exclaimed in astonishment.
Anariel nodded and led them back to the pavilion sensing that Boromir wanted to continue his conversation with Aragorn in peace. She went over to Legolas to deliver a message to him from her grandmother.
Galadriel wishes to speak with you, Legolas. Anariel said quietly. Legolas looked up confused, but he nodded anyway. I will take you to her. Anariel smiled.
Legolas rose and offered her his arm, which she took as she led them to her grandmother. How is your wound? Legolas asked.
It is almost as if it never happened. Anariel answered smiling. Are you nervous? She asked giggling.
Legolas raised an eyebrow. Should I be?
Anariel shook her head. I think not. Grandmother just likes to give cryptic little remarks that will keep you up at night for you to try and decipher.
Legolas chuckled but shook his head, You should not say such things.
You should listen to him my dear, Galadriel said smiling as she emerged from the trees. She looked pointedly at Anariel and the younger elf sighed.
Fine. I can see that I am not wanted. She pouted, but smiling she nodded and left.
Legolas watched her go and when he turned back he saw that Galadriel had been watching him. She is a wonderful woman. Galadriel said fondly.
Indeed she is, Legolas agreed as he offered Galadriel his arm which she took as she began to lead them down the path.
She has always been one to get into trouble. I fear that Elrohir and Elladan are mostly responsible for that, but she is strong. Galadriel said smiling. What do you think of her?
Legolas paused. She has a love of life that I admire. She is like an elfling sometimes, yet she still shows the wisdom of her years. She has kept us all from sinking into despair.
Galadriel smiled. That was a good answer. I admire all those qualities about her myself. She is one of a kind. Tell me, why did you blame yourself for her injury?
Legolas sighed. I did not wish for any harm to come to her. I should have seen it done.
None of us wish to see harm come to those we love, Galadriel said slyly.
Legolas stopped their walk in shock. Forgive me, my Lady, but how do you know of my feelings? I only just figured it out a few minutes ago!
Galadriel laughed lightly. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you. You do not know it, but you always stand slightly in front of her, ready to protect her from anyone who wishes her harm. It was only confirmed when you lingered after the others had left.
I do not know what to do. Legolas sighed. This is not the time for love.
There is always time for love, Galadriel disagreed gently. Anariel will see that in time.
Lady Galadriel, Legolas said slowly. Is there something else you wished to speak with me about? I would not think that you would take the time to do this, if you did not have something else to say.
You are wise to think that. Galadriel said. The words spoken between us have been between a grandmother and her granddaughter's lover. The next words of which I speak shall be from the Lady Galadriel to Prince Legolas.
Legolas nodded in understanding and Galadrial spoke again, Now that you realize you love Anariel, what effects will that have upon you? Will you make the same choices? She asked and Legolas frowned, but did not answer. Decisions are to be made with a clear mind. Tell me, if faced with the choice, which would you save? Anariel or Frodo? Your love or your duty?
Legolas opened his mouth to answer, but he had no answer. What could he say? Either way he failed in one way or another.
I do not know. Legolas replied slowly. What have you seen, my Lady?
Galadriel smiled slightly. You making a choice. If you choose one way, it will lead to despair. If you choose the other, it will lead to happiness.
How will I know which choice to make? Legolas asked worriedly.
Legolas heard voices and looked up to see that Galadriel had slowly led them in a circle, and now they were only a few meters away from the fellowship. Remember Legolas, there are two important things in love...trust and faith.
Legolas frowned in confusion, but when he turned to ask what she meant by that, the Lady of the Wood had gone.
Hehe...writing Galadriel is so much fun! I hope I got it right...or at least close! The thing is that I now have my own plot line going...though this probably will not be resolved until Return of the King...so don't be too anxious yet!
Please, please review!
ArthursCamelot