I apologized for the long wait. I had a bad case of writer's block but hopefully I will make chapters that won't last a year to make. Thank you and enjoy.
Warning: Mentions of suicide and self-harm.
The Fellowship ran swiftly across a meadow into the woods. Once in there, they walk quietly and carefully, looking around them. Yellow flowers, above is a roof of golden leaves, held up by silver pillars... the trunks of huge, grey trees.
Legolas, taking in the surroundings as if returning home. He mused, "Ah, Lothlórien. The fairest of all the dwellings of my people. There are no trees like the trees of this land, for in autumn the leaves fall not, but turn to gold. Not till the spring comes and the new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden with yellow flowers; and the floor of the wood is golden, and golden is the roof, and its pillars are of silver, for the bark of the trees is smooth and grey. So still our songs in Mirkwood say."
Elizabeth looked around and had an almost peaceful look on her beautiful face. One of the few things Middle Earth had to offer is the genuine beauty of the forest. The soft wind teasing her hair, the golden light from every corner making the forest look magnificent and regal.
She heard Gimli talk of a great sorceress that lives in these woods. But all there is out there is the Lady of Light, Galadriel. Elizabeth stops and looks around before quickly drawing her sword when two arrows appear in front of her face.
The Fellowship are suddenly surrounded by drawn arrows on all sides by numerous armed elves. Legolas has drawn his own arrow in response. Aragorn holds his hand up in peace and closely watches Elizabeth.
A handsome elf stepped forward showing he is the captain, "The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark."
Gimli growls at the elf. Aragorn spoke softly to the sole female and made sure no one got hurt. "Elizabeth, please put Shuǐlóng down." Elizabeth blinked at Aragorn and slowly put her kanata away.
The Fellowship, now standing high up in the trees on a platform of the Mallorn branch, it is evening.
The elf captain, now Haldir, greets everyone starting with Legolas, "Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion."
Legolas greets back, "Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien."
Haldir nodded and looked at Aragorn, "A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen."
Aragorn bows, "Haldir..."
Haldir then turned his stare at Elizabeth, who is next to Aragorn watching Hadir every move. Haldir nodded to her, "Elizabeth..."
"Haldir..." Elizabeth gave him a stiff nod of her own to the elf.
Gimli growls, "So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!"
Haldir hardened his glare at the dwarf and drew out harshly, "We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the dark days."
"And do you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" Gimil rudely said.
Elizabeth did a facepalm as Aragorn slapped his hand on Gimli's shoulder with a stern look upon his face, "That! Was not so courteous!"
Haldir turned to look at Sam and Frodo, "You bring great evil with you..." he pauses, "You can go no further!" They turn to look at Frodo.
"This is going to be a long night." Elizabeth mumbled to herself as Aragorn grunted in agreement.
Elizabeth and Legolas stood next to each listening to Aragorn talk avidly to Haldir: "Boe ammen veriad lîn. Andelu i ven!" Elizabeth nodded her head to Aragorn's statement.
Haldir replies back whispering inaudibly where Elizabeth can't hear them all that well. Elizabeth shakes her head.
"Merin le telim." Aragorn pleads.
Haldir replies quietly where no one but Aragorn can hear him.
"Henio, aníron boe ammen i dulu lîn!" Aragorn tries once more.
"They're going in circles." Elizabeth sighed but took a seat at the edge looking up where moonlight shining through hitting her face just right to show her true age. Legolas turns around and looks at Frodo, who glances at Sam. Sam looks away sadly, Merry and Pippin look at Frodo and turn away, and Gimli turns to look at Aragorn and bows his head.
"Aragorn!" Haldir speaks quietly to him.
Aragorn pleaded to the elvish captain, "Andelu i ven."
Frodo again looks uncomfortable and alone. Boromir sees this and gives out whatever advice he can, "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."
Haldir walked up to Frodo, "Very well. Here we will stay awhile, and come to the city of Galadhrim on the morrow."
Elizabeth got up and stood next to Aragorn, "Took you long enough."
Aragorn sighed, "Now I understand why you hate politics."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow that practically says doubt it.
Sam and Frodo sit on one of the many platforms in the trees at Cerin Amroth. Sam suddenly looks up and around, with a puzzled expression. He rubs his eyes.
"What is it?" Frodo asked
"It's an odd thing, Mr. Frodo. It's sunlight and bright day, right enough. I thought that Elves were all for the moon and stars. But this is more Elvish than anything I ever heard told of. I feel as if I was inside a song, if you take my meaning."
Haldir from behind them, "You feel the power of the Lady of Galadhrim. Would it please you to climb with me, up Cerin Amroth?" Frodo and Sam follow Haldir up a long series of platforms until they reach the pinnacle of the trees. Haldir shows the hobbits the layout of Middle Earth from where they stood they are able to see for miles and miles to the north the Forest of Mirkwood. From Orthanc to the west and to the east Mordor and Barad-dur. This is a site they will never forget. Haldir leaves the high place. With a final look, Frodo and Sam follow.
As the dawn of morning rises, Haldir leads the Fellowship onto a hill top. They look with wonderment at the vista spread before them. Several miles towards the South, a Large Hill rises out of the woods. Upon the hill rise many mighty Mallorn Trees, taller than any others ... Nestled high in the crown of the mallorns is a Beautiful City. It Gleams in the low rays of the late afternoon ... green, gold, and silver. To the east of Caras Galadhon, the Woods of Lórien run down the pale gleam of Anduin, the great river. Beyond the River, the land appears flat and empty, formless and vague, until far away, it rises again like a dark dreary wall. The Sun that lies on Lothlórien has no power to enlighten the shadows that lie beyond.
"Caras Galadon. The heart of Elvendom on earth. This is the city of Galadhrim where dwell the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light." Haldir explained to the fellowship.
A beautiful glow welcomes them to the elven city.
As the sun set and sky filled with stars as night approached, Elizabeth walked beside Aragorn to Celeborn's chamber, Caras Galadhon. The Fellowship steps onto a wide fleet filled with a soft light. The walls are green and silver, the roof gold and in its midst is the trunk of the mighty Mallorn Tree, now tapering toward its crown.
Celeborn steps forward to greet the guests. His hair is long and silver, his face grave and beautiful, with no sign of age upon it. Next to him stands Galadriel, the Lady of the Elves. She has hair of deep gold and timeless unsurpassed beauty.
Celeborn looks hard at Aragorn... and says, "The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I, much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar."
Frodo looks at Galadriel, standing silently beside Celeborn. With the memory of Gandalf's fall still fresh in his mind.
Galadriel softly aloud, "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into Shadow."
"He was taken by both Shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Legolas stated. The Fellowship bow their heads in sadness at the memory of Gandalf.
Celeborn appears surprised but listens to what Galadriel had to say.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose." Galadriel surveys the face of the Fellowship.
Gimli looks up as Galadriel addresses him, "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril, and in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
Galadriel looks over the Fellowship again to meet her gaze with Boromir's. Boromir is suddenly fearful and nervous. Galadriel's eyes piercing Boromir. Boromir turns away from her. Galadriel's gaze remains on him for a moment before turning to Celeborn.
Celeborn cooly asked, "What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
Galadriel looks at 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 settle on Sam. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil." Galadriel's eyes turn to Frodo ... her voice fades. "Tonight you will sleep in peace."
Gimli, Legolas, Merry, Pippin, Frodo, and Sam are in a pavilion set among the trees near the fountain. They lie on soft couches as elves leave food and wine for them. Mournful singing drifts down from the trees above.
"A lament for Gandalf…" Legolas mourned.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked quietly.
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near." Legolas said to the hobbit, eyes filled with sorrow.
Elizabeth watched from the side observing the hobbits as they talked about Gandalf's fireworks, Gimli smoking in silence, Legolas walking around trying to fully understand his grief for his fallen friend and the two men from Gondor hope to see the White City, Minas Tirth shine brighter than ever before. But Elizabeth can see Aragorn's disquiet sadness for his home, his country.
Elizabeth sighed and looked away, she knew how to deal with her grief and knew not everyone was going to make it to the finish line but never expected for Gandalf, their leader, to be the first to fall but all things happen for a reason.
Once everyone falls asleep Elizabeth is wide awake in her colt and for memories will not leave her tonight. She gets up and walks towards the edge, Elizabeth sits alone with only the first layer of clothing on and one of her many guns, but this one is a special one. Its true master is one Captain Jack Sparrow, before she left he handed the gun to her for safekeeping and to hold on to and remember an important person in their life. This gun was made by Will Turner and it's been in good care for the last hundred years or so.
She heard his footsteps before he sat next to her, "May I ask why you are still awake?" Aragorn asked.
"Memories of old…"
"Tell me please."
"The last time I felt this type of grief was a long time ago but at the same time it's not as strong as I thought." Elizabeth huffed, "Or maybe I have truly forgotten how to feel… I was once young and naive but wanted more than I could understand. I fought for it but because of that I lost more and when I lost him, nothing could fill the void in my heart and soul. Then I stopped…" Aragorn sat next to her listening and for the first time watching her sobbed in pain. "I stop caring. I stop believing. I stopped living and now it is all coming back. What does that mean?" She clings to the gun as if it's her only lifeline, she has spent many years pushing her emotions back ever since she lost her child and Will.
"...I want to know."
Aragorn pulled Elizabeth into his arms to let her cry it out, for it seems she has been in pain and holding it in for such a long time. After a while Elizabeth calmed down and went back to her normal self or as normal it was for her. The heir ran a hand down his partner's hair as she slowed down her breathing. To others it looks like she fell asleep on Aragorn's shoulder but to those who know her she's meditating, a technique she learned back in her world from her 'people' that she worked with before. The technique is called Journey, it pulls her into a state to relax her mind when her emotions get too wild for her, it helps with pressure and exhaustion. Elizabeth mostly pictures herself on the Black Pearl with Will and their kids or sometimes she's alone in a different place or with Aragorn and the rangers in the Wild North and most recently she sees a certain elf prince who just waits with his hand out ready for her to take it.
"At least you didn't go to the extreme unlike last time."
"I did apologize for that. Not my fault you all weren't used to my guns and here I thought you were."
"Welcome back to the living. Water, air, earth, or fire?"
"A mix of water and fire."
Elizabeth and Aragorn now have a system whenever one of them needs to sleep or meditate, it's been working for some time now. They use the elements to get an idea of what the other was thinking about. They made this system about a year ago when Elizabeth shot herself with one of her many guns. She told Aragorn some details about her life and vice versa and so they are closer than ever.
"Thank you."
"You would do the same for me."
Translation
Shuǐlóng
water dragon (I think)
Haldir-Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion.
Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.
Legolas- Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien.
Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien.
Haldir- A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen.
Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.
Gimli-Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!
I spit upon your grave!
Aragorn-Boe ammen veriad lîn. Andelu i ven!
We need your protection. The road is fell!
Aragorn- Merin le telim.
I wish we may come with you.
Aragorn- Henio, aníron boe ammen i dulu lîn!
Please, understand, we need your support!
Aragorn-Andelu i ven.
The road is very dangerous.