Hello, and welcome!
Thank you for stopping by to check out this story. The story you are about to read has been stuck in my head for several years now, but all my previous attempts to get it written down just haven't really gone according to plan. Lately, the story has been on my mind nonstop, so even though I probably have no business starting a new project right now, I just can't help myself. I'm going to really go for it this time and see if I can finally get this bad boy written!
A few things to take into consideration before you begin – as deeply as I love the entire Tolkien universe, I'm far from being an expert. I will do my absolute best to keep everything as accurate as possible, but I will very likely get some things wrong. Also, as much as I wish I was good at writing in made up languages, I'm not. So whenever you see full lines of dialogue in italics (Example: "What does the fox say?") know that the characters are speaking Elvish to one another. And if you see dialogue that is all in bold, they are speaking Khuzdul. This way I don't have to keep specifying what people are speaking to one another and thus I avoid sounding redundant. Capeesh?
Also, for anyone who has never read my work before, I have to warn you – I can be a very slow updater. I have a toddler who takes priority over everything else, which means I don't have a lot of time to write, but I try to do my best. All I ask is that you please be patient with me!
Anywho, I think that's all for now. Enjoy the prologue, and please let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to the Hobbit, only the OC.
FANCAST FOR MELLIEL: Amanda Seyfried.
Prologue
Lady Galadriel stood on the balcony that overlooked the training grounds of Lothlórien, her wise, blue eyes studying the two elves sparring down below.
One of them was a male elf by the name of Olithir, one of the most skilled fighters in the Lothlórien guard. He was tall and lean, his long, straight, golden hair whipping around him as he practically danced around his sparring partner, moving with a graceful ease that would have made even the most skilled of fighters envious.
The other was a female. Her name was Melliel, and though she was an elf as well, one might not think so when first looking upon her. Elves were amongst the tallest beings in Middle Earth, but this particular elf only stood tall enough to be level with the chests of her woodland kin. Her honey colored eyes stood apart from the blue eyes their kind normally had, as did her frame, which was fuller and stronger than the slender build of elleths. It was only her pointed ears that confirmed she was, indeed, an elf. Otherwise, she could easily be perceived as just a human woman.
There was a reason for the difference in her appearance. Melliel was only half elf. Her father had been of Men, a great warrior from Rohan who had boasted the same honey colored eyes as the elleth down below. Her father, Haleth, had certainly been a man to behold – strong, loyal, and smart, but also stubborn, loud in his opinions, and plagued with a tendency to make rash decisions that didn't always end in the best results for himself. Yet, he had been pure of heart, and everyone who knew him would agree that he had been a good, honorable man.
Lady Galadriel watched Melliel as she moved, unable to help smiling a bit when she executed an impressive combination that sent her opponent sprawling ungracefully onto his back. Melliel laughed triumphantly and tossed a few taunting remarks at Olithir, looking mighty proud of herself. Olithir scowled in response as he got back to his feet and said a few biting words in return. They took their positions again, and then they were back at it, their blades meeting with a loud clang as the spar resumed.
Melliel had inherited a great deal more from her father than just his eyes. She was quick witted, lethal when there was a weapon in her hands, and had a strong stubborn streak that was eerily reminiscent of her father's. The fighting spirit of the Eorlingas ran thick in her blood, and it was a spirit that had only grown stronger with age. Melliel had always been unafraid to make her opinions known and was unwilling to conform to any way of life that she did not want, just like her father before her.
Yes, Melliel had certainly inherited many of her father's personality traits. But for as similar as she was to him, she could also be just as similar to her elven mother.
Melliel could be incredibly kind and compassionate, often going out of her way to help those in need. She had a gentle side that greatly contradicted how fierce she was when she had a weapon in her hands. She was generally patient and had never been very quick to anger, just like her mother, and though she could be choosy about whom exactly she considered to be a friend, Melliel was incredibly loyal to anyone who did earn her friendship. As far as appearances went, anyone who had ever known Lúthril could confirm that her daughter looked exactly like her, save for her eyes of course.
The thought of Melliel's mother, of Lúthril, made Lady Galadriel smile sadly to herself. Lúthril had been her second born daughter, a beautiful, kind hearted, soft spoken elf whom she had always thought had been too pure for this world. It had been nearly three centuries since she had perished from a broken heart, but that didn't diminish just how greatly Lady Galadriel missed her. Two of her greatest joys in life had been her children, her beautiful daughters Celebrían and Lúthril, and both of them were now gone. Whenever she thought of them, her heart always ached with longing.
Lady Galadriel's eyes followed every move her granddaughter made. She knew that Melliel missed her parents very much, which contributed largely to her reason for choosing the lifestyle she now led. Melliel had not truly settled anywhere since her parents had departed this world. She lived an almost nomadic lifestyle – she had trekked all across Middle Earth, visiting countless towns and settlements, but never lingered anywhere long enough to truly make a home there. Lady Galadriel had once thought her thirst for adventure had been due to her simply wanting to see the world, but she had since come to realize that Melliel journeyed so much because she was looking for something.
What that something was, Lady Galadriel couldn't say for sure. She wasn't even certain Melliel knew.
She had never tried to stop Melliel from her travels and had done her best not to interfere with her granddaughter's life. As much as she loved Melliel, as much as she wanted to protect her from the same dangers that had robbed her of her daughters, Lady Galadriel had acknowledged long ago that her granddaughter was more than capable of making her own decisions. Melliel was not one to be held back from something she set her mind to, and attempting to do so only ensured that she would fight even harder to achieve her goal. There was no containing her, there never had been, which was why Lady Galadriel had stood back and let her do as she pleased for all these years.
Recently, however, she had begun to see things that caused her worry, things that had made her wonder if perhaps the time had come to finally try to interfere.
She knew the visions she saw in her mirror were not always exact. They were only glimpses into a future that could be possible, but not necessarily a future that would come to be true. Regardless, she had seen visions that had frightened her. Visions of Orcs and goblins and wargs. Of bloodshed and fire. Of war and death. So much death.
And her beloved granddaughter, her brilliant, strong willed Melliel, had been right in the middle of it all.
Lady Galadriel took a deep breath, trying to quell the uneasiness in her heart. She had not seen these visions until Gandalf the Grey had reached out to her with a message for Melliel, a message that would have Melliel leaving Lothlórien once more and possibly embarking on a journey that might lead her to these terrifying things she had seen. When the message had come and her visions had turned frightening, she had very strongly considered not telling Melliel about it at all, purely so she could keep her safe in the Golden Wood. It was selfish of her, yes, but who would dare blame her for wanting to protect her family?
As tempting as it was, Lady Galadriel knew that she could not keep this from her granddaughter. The message had seemed to hold a note of urgency, and, as it was, Gandalf was Melliel's closest friend in all of Middle Earth. If he needed help, then Melliel needed to go to him. For if something happened to him and Melliel discovered that Lady Galadriel had purposefully kept her from going to her friend's aid, the outcome of that would be disastrous.
The time had come to deliver Gandalf's message, whether she wanted to do so or not.
Finally, Melliel and Olithir decided to take a break and sat down on the ground, chatting easily with one another. After a few moments Melliel looked up and spotted her watching them, which had her smiling in acknowledgement. Lady Galadriel raised a hand and motioned for Melliel to come and join her. Melliel nodded, said a few words to Olithir, then made for the exit of the training ground.
Lady Galadriel looked upward toward the treetops as she waited for Melliel, watching as the leaves rustled with the gentle breeze. As uneasy as the visions she had seen made her feel, she decided she would not tell Melliel of them. Not yet, anyway. She would wait to see what came of this meeting with Gandalf first, then she would worry about preparing Melliel for whatever might lay in her future.
She heard Melliel approaching soon enough. "What did you think of our spar, grandmother?" she asked by way of greeting.
Lady Galadriel turned to face Melliel, carefully masking her unease with a smooth smile. She stepped closer, looking down at her much shorter granddaughter. Melliel's lack of height had come as a surprise to everyone, especially so seeing as both of her parents had been of considerable height themselves. Haleth had had an explanation for the reason – he had claimed that shortness was a common trait amongst the women in his family for several generations and that she simply must have taken after them. Melliel had an explanation of her own – she believed the Valar had merely decided to make her the butt of some cruel joke.
"Your skills in combat never cease to impress me," Lady Galadriel complimented. "Your father would be proud to see how well you handle a blade."
Melliel beamed in response to the praise. "He would," she agreed. "And mother would most certainly be horrified," she added with a small laugh.
Lady Galadriel smiled wider at that. Haleth had insisted that Melliel learn to fight and defend herself, much to the dismay of Lúthril, who had hoped to raise her daughter to be gentle and ladylike. It had been a lost cause in the end – Melliel had started swinging a sword the moment she was strong enough to lift one, and that had been the end of Lúthril's dreams for a prim and proper daughter.
"She would love you regardless," Lady Galadriel said with a nod.
Melliel's smile faltered and a tinge of sadness entered her gaze. She glanced away for a moment, a faraway look overtaking her features as she, undoubtedly, reflected on memories of her mother. After a few seconds she shook her head, as if to clear her thoughts, and met Lady Galadriel's gaze again, the sadness in her eyes now gone.
"Did you wish to speak with me about something?" she asked to change the subject.
Lady Galadriel nodded. "I have received a message, one intended for you," she said. "It is from Mithrandir."
Melliel's brows furrowed instantly. "Mithrandir? Is he well?" she asked at once, her tone taking on a note of concern.
"As far as I know, yes," Lady Galadriel answered.
Melliel let out a small breath of relief. "What is his message then?" she inquired curiously.
"He has asked you to meet him in the town of Bree, and though he did not disclose the reason for this meeting, he said it was of the utmost importance that you come," Lady Galadriel relayed. "He has asked that you arrive as soon as possible."
Melliel seemed a little confused by the mystery surrounding this vague summons, but nodded anyway. "Very well. If it is of the utmost importance, then I will go to him," she readily agreed, just as Lady Galadriel knew she would. "Was there anything else?"
"No," Lady Galadriel answered with a shake of her head.
Melliel nodded again. "I should begin making preparations, then," she mused aloud.
"Indeed," Lady Galadriel agreed.
Melliel looked up at her, then frowned with apology. "Forgive me, grandmother," she said regretfully. "It has only been a month since I returned, and yet I am already being called away. It was not my intention to make this visit so short," she said, shaking her head.
Lady Galadriel smiled reassuringly and reached out to touch her shoulder. "Mithrandir is your friend, and this summons seems of great importance," she said. "I understand why you must go."
Melliel looked relieved to know that she was not upset with her for leaving.
Lady Galadriel stared at her granddaughter for a moment, trying not to think of those visions she had seen. With a small sigh, she placed a gentle hand on Melliel's cheek, peering into her honey eyes intently. "I do not know the reason why Mithrandir has called for you, but whatever you do, promise me you will be careful," she said imploringly.
Melliel frowned at the seriousness of her tone. There was a brief hesitation, where the elleth stared up at her with searching eyes, as if she could sense something was bothering her. "Grandmother?" she asked uncertainly. "Is something wrong?"
Lady Galadriel just continued to hold her gaze. "Promise me, Melliel," she repeated firmly, giving no further detail.
Melliel hesitated, then nodded. "I will be careful. I promise."
Lady Galadriel offered a smile, before leaning down to press a lingering kiss to Melliel's forehead. It was with a great deal of reluctance that she finally released her granddaughter and took a step backward. "Go and begin your preparations."
Melliel gazed at her for a moment longer, but if she still suspected something was wrong, she did not voice it aloud. She finally nodded, then she turned and headed off, her long, wavy, golden hair swaying as she went. Lady Galadriel watched her go, and once Melliel was no longer within her line of sight, she turned so that she could stare at the trees again.
Lady Galadriel had done her part. She had delivered Gandalf's message and, though she did not want to, she would soon be saying goodbye to her granddaughter as she left to meet with him. It was hard to know what exactly would happen when Melliel left the Golden Wood, but Lady Galadriel hoped with everything inside of her that her visions had been wrong. She hoped Melliel would not face any of the things she had seen as she embarked on this new journey of hers.
But if it came to be that her visions did come true, then she would have to trust that Gandalf would protect her granddaughter. Because if he intended to convince Melliel to go on a mission that might put her life at risk, then he had better make sure she came out of it alive in the end.
I really hope you enjoyed it! See you at the next chapter!
