It's time…

Kelsey slowly opened her tired eyes and calmly watched how the light from the rising sun created beautiful patterns on her ceiling; the golden yellow contrasting wonderfully against the white. Aches filled her whole body as she took a couple of deep breaths. That night had been a very tiring and painful experience when she watched each of her dear friends take in the news of her dying, Kili's reaction the worst of them all. She could see in his eyes all the pain and the grief from seeing her lying in that bed, like he couldn't do anything to help ease her pain.

They had spent a few hours huddled around her bed, telling her stories of places she would have loved. Thorin spoke highly over Erebor and that she should have seen it in its glory days. His face feel knowing she would never see them again and see Erebor as she was too weak to journey the harsh trek. She was to stay in Rivendell until her dying days. The elven maid, Yava ushered them out the door when it was time for Kelsey to rest. She gave them all a small smile and as Kili was about to leave, she had grabbed his hand and gave it a quick squeeze.

"It's okay, Kili, don't let the pain of grief get to you," she assured, fighting to not give in to a round of coughs. "It seems it wasn't my destiny to join you and the Company."

"But you are too young to leave this world. To leave the Company. To leave me," he replied, a few tears falling from his eyes. He had leant forward and placed a warm kiss on her cold forehead before leaving the room. It was his words that made her breakdown with the realisation that she was to die.

It was a very long night for her as she had barely any sleep, as she replayed all of her happy memories from childhood to present time.

"Lady Kelsey, how are you feeling?" a strange dream-like voice asked, interrupting her thoughts. Slowly lifting her head up from her pillow, a few strands of her hair falling over her face, Kelsey noticed the memorising elf at the foot of her bed. Her long, white hair fell in waves down her back and was pushed back by a silver circlet. She wore a white dress that almost glowed and had a large smile on her face, revealing pearling white teeth.

"Much the same as yesterday, my Lady," stuttered Kelsey, sitting up. "Sorry to ask this but who are you?"

"I am the Lady Galadriel," laughed the beautiful elf; her laugh was like the sound of tinkling bells. "Come, my child. You must get changed and follow me. You have some questions to be answered, do you not?"

Kelsey simply nodded and was just able to pull herself out of her bed, her legs slightly buckling underneath her. Lady Galadriel glided out of the room for Kelsey to have her privacy. She noticed a white gown placed nicely at the end of her bed and quickly got dressed, leaving her lifeless hair down and walked out the door barefooted. She had a quick glance at her reflection and realised that overnight, her cheeks had hollowed in and black bags began underneath her eyes which were dull and colourless; she had become some ghastly and pale, she didn't recognise herself.

Somehow, she was able to hold herself up and began to follow Lady Galadriel; walking alongside her. Soon enough they ventured outside where the wind hit Kelsey in the chest and she tried her best to breathe normally and to not start a coughing fit. Birds flew above them, the sun was shining brightly and the grass felt so soft against her bare feet. The trees swayed slightly in the wind, as if they were dancing. Not noticing the dwarves who were staring after her in disbelief, she followed the beautiful elf into a very familiar grove.

Trees slightly glowing with white lights surrounded a large pond, glistening underneath the glow. No sunlight filled the grove as the trees were so tall, they arched over it and allowed no outside light to enter. The whole scene breathed magic and Kelsey stood there in awe.

"If you want your questions to be answered, you must go under the water," explained Lady Galadriel off to the side. Kelsey looked over to her in disbelief and gulped.

"But won't I drown."

"Where you are going, you won't need to worry about that," smiled Lady Galadriel, the sound of running footsteps echoed in the grove. Kelsey spun around to find all the dwarves panting and smiled at them. Before they say anything, Kelsey turned back to the pond and proceeded to glide into the water. Surprisingly the water was warm and she managed to completely emerge herself in the water, ignoring the warning shouts from the dwarves.

"If you all care for the Lady Kelsey, you will not disturb her while she is in the water," claimed Lady Galadriel, her stare so intimating and stern, the dwarves began to fidget and then found spots to get comfortable for the wait.

"Why is she in the water, my lady?" Kili piped up, concern spreading across his face. He knew that Kelsey was in a fragile state and should not be over-exerting herself.

"She is visiting someone who can answer her questions," was all was said by the elf before staring off at the pond.

The wait began.

….

Enveloped in a white light, Kelsey found herself in a throne room. Pillars glistened in white and there was no ceiling so she could see the starry sky. Fourteen thrones sat beside each other but before Kelsey could study them, a female voice interrupted her.

"Merilwen."

Kelsey spun around at the familiar voice and her eyes almost popped out of her sockets as she looked at the woman from her dream. Her silver hair was out of its bun and flowed nicely around her shoulders. Wearing a light blue dress, her green-blue eyes studied the young girl who stood before her.

"You have grown so beautiful," the woman smiled, reaching out for her. Kelsey took a quick step back and the woman stopped in her tracks. "Don't be frightened, dear child."

"Who are you? How did I get here?" asked Kelsey, before realization kicked in. "You're Ilmarë, aren't you?"

The woman gave her a huge smile and nodded. She held out a fair hand and Kelsey reluctantly took it. A warmth of familiarity spread throughout her body and she knew she could trust this woman.

"I saw you in a dream earlier this week, with your husband and your baby daughter, who you called Merilwen," Kelsey stated, as she was led outside to a small couch on a balcony. The soft features made her feel right at home. "Then why are you calling me Merilwen?"

"Because you are her," Ilmarë said, placing her other hand over Kelsey's hand. "You are my daughter; my little star-rose."

DUN DUN DUN! Bet you didn't see that!

Actually doesn't surprise me if you did see that coming. If you did, clever you haha

I was hoping to make this chapter longer but I realised at almost 1:30 in the morning that this chapter would be even longer than Chapter 9 as there is so much information so I decided to split it in two.

I hoped you enjoyed it and please review. If you have questions, I will try to answer them without giving too much away. Hopefully I will get the next chapter written up and up by tomorrow night or Tuesday night.

Xxx

P.s I imagine Ilmarë as Rachel Weisz but with silver hair