Hello, everyone! Before I yield the floor to chapter 33, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your comments on the last chapter. I swear, you guys make me want to write more. THANK YOU! Also, thanks go out to all who have been following this story so far. Your continued interest has meant the world to me.
As always, a special shout-out goes to those who commented on the last part: leelee202, grumpypirate, WickedGreene13, leward1992, daughterofthechief, durinsdaughter2469btw, Doria Nell, Blue1258, KathrannofQuade, fantasticferret, Rogue's Queen, FriendlyNeighborhoodHufflepuff, Auriene, Cricklewood16, SmallLittleCagedBird, LadyConfidential, and Hansloch. You guys are awesome!
CHAPTER XXXIII
WAKING IN THE LAND OF DREAMS
"It is good to see you awake," the elf-woman said in the common tongue.
Her voice was soft and familiar. Annalyn knew she had heard it before, in a dream, or a half-waking moment. Or both?
"How are you feeling?" the elf-woman inquired gently.
Annalyn swallowed, but her eyes remained on Haldir. "I do not know."
Presently, he stood just inside the threshold, relief showing on his otherwise unreadable features. Though he had yet to say anything—anything other than her name that is—she could tell he was glad to see her. Perhaps as glad as she was to see him.
Upon waking, Annalyn had felt so lost and disoriented, her surroundings completely unknown to her. But when Haldir had rushed in and halted… When their eyes had locked…
Remembering the elf-woman's query, Annalyn broke the visual connection, blinked a few times. "Well," she started, looking down to assess herself. Glancing back up, she exhaled. "It is strange. I feel as though I have just awakened from the longest and strangest dream. I feel,"—her gaze settled on Haldir once more—"surprisingly good."
At her words, the corner of his mouth pulled just so.
As fragmented memories began falling into place, Annalyn finally looked to the elf-woman. She was tall and fair, with hair the colour of starlight. "Ithriel. That is your name, is it not?"
The elf-woman smiled. "Indeed, it is."
It was coming back to her now—well, some of it was.
Ithriel was a healer. Kind of face and calm in manner, she had been caring for her these past few days. Or has it been longer than that? Annalyn could not say.
Spurred by a growing desire to stretch her legs and gain her feet, she rose—or at least she tried to. The world lurched a little, and she had to brace herself on the edge of the bed. No sooner had her palm met the bedding than a bracing hand grasped her elbow.
"Easy." Having traversed the space in the blinking of an eye, Haldir searched her face, his features betraying concern.
It took a moment, but the world righted itself. Once Annalyn was sitting again, Ithriel assessed her briefly. "Haldir is right," she said. "You have been ill for many days. You will require a great deal of rest. In the meantime,"—reaching for a small phial, she placed it in Annalyn's hand—"drink this. It should help."
The draught had a strong but fresh taste to it. As it made its way down her throat, Annalyn felt a small measure of strength return to her limbs.
"You have not eaten in a while," Ithriel remarked at length, hands fluffing an extra pillow so Annalyn could sit comfortably in bed, a feather-bed no less. "I will see that food is brought. Fruit perhaps, or a light broth."
"Thank you," Annalyn replied, her voice still somewhat hoarse from lack of use.
Ithriel straightened and made to leave. "I shall return shortly."
Thus it was that Annalyn and Haldir were left alone.
"So," she said at length, smiling a tired little smile at her companion who now sat in the chair at her bedside. "Once again, I owe you my life."
"You owe me nothing," he assured her quietly, his features softer than she had ever seen them.
"The day I fainted, you told me that we would reach Lothlórien." Lifting her gaze to the canvas roof, Annalyn listened for a moment. The sound was faint but she could hear it nonetheless—beautiful elven voices raised in song. "You spoke truly." She sighed on an extended blink. "We are here."
When Haldir remained silent, blue eyes guarded but kind, Annalyn shifted against her pillow, and regarded him for a moment. "I remember you know. Some of it." Riding in the rain. The two of us reaching the forest. Her heart fluttered then, in gratitude and something else. You carrying me.
As broken memories slowly came together, she remembered that he had carried her over a river while balancing on a rope. She guessed it was the Silverlode.
Eyes straying toward the open entrance, Annalyn saw that it was night still. Even so, it was not completely dark outside. Rather, the grass-covered ground was bathed in a blue-white glow, similar to starlight, but more vivid somehow.
She must have been staring, because Haldir soon spoke. "Would you like to see?"
Her eyes finding his, Annalyn's heart lifted. She breathed her answer. "Very much so."
Given what had happened when she had tried to stand earlier, Haldir helped her to her feet this time. Holding to her arm, he made certain she felt steady before starting for the entrance. Slowly and carefully, they crossed the space.
When they finally stepped out into the night, Annalyn looked up and out, and gasped. Gracious me… Her voice had fled. But then, there were no words to describe the awe-inspiring beauty around her.
Her mouth hanging open, Annalyn slowly turned on the spot, and tried to take it all in. The tallest and most beautiful trees she had ever seen, with dwellings in them, and stairs, and footbridges. And lights! Silver and gold and green. So many of them…
"This is where you live?" was all she managed to say.
Looking to Haldir, she saw the quiet pride on his features, the deep and unwavering love for this place, his home. She understood then—or perhaps it was merely confirmation—that he lived and breathed for this city, that he guarded it not because he had to, but because it meant the world to him.
"Caras Galadhon," he said, looking all around. "The heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."
I'm sorry this chapter was super short. The next one will be longer (around 5500 words I think). It should be ready by this weekend.
