Chapter Twenty-One

The Light Within

~~Elaina's POV~~

I quickly run down some stairs and ran past another waterfall. I hastily stopped when I saw a woman approach me. She was completely in white. Her hair was long and golden, lighter then Hetti's was. She was extremely beautiful.

"It is good to finally meet you in person Elaina Baggins!"

I was completely stunned, she was speaking inside my head. How was that even possible and more to the point, how did she know my name?

"Relax Elaina," she smiled warmly at me "I do not mean you any harm."

Not knowing how to communicate through my own mind I say out loud,

"W-Who are you?"

Again the lady in front of me smiled before saying,

"I am Galadriel and I know what has been chasing you!"

'News certainly does travels fast.' I thought to myself, noticing Galadriel's smile widen.

"You wish to know what this 'light' is, don't you?"

My eyes bore into hers. How did she know about that? I only told Thorin and Loki.

"My fa-," I stopped myself, to me my father was Bilbo not the man in that cloud city "I mean Zeus, told me to ask Lord Elrond about this 'light' and," I pause for a second, feeling a little shy in explaining myself like this "but I haven't got round in asking him yet."

"I could tell you a little." said Galadriel.

I slowly nod my head. I was a little apprehensive with what the answer would be. I knew all this was connected with Sierra, but what has all this, got to do with me!

"A guiding light is in each and everyone of us," began Galadriel "It is an essence of what we all are. Some are not even aware of it, which is unfortunate."

"But what is this 'light'?" I asked her softly.

Galadriel steps forward and clasps her hands over mine.

"The 'light' that is inside of you Elaina, is part of your spiritual power. It is a power that your mother Alasse bestowed upon you as a baby to protect and to heal you!"

I remember that light around my hand, and the way it went round those Wargs and that lone Messenger. The way the light enveloped them and with Gandalf's help, our enemy were no more. I was more confused then ever and it showed.

"Elaina, in time you will fully embrace your power," said Galadriel, breaking me out of my thoughts "You were five years of age, when Gandalf rescued you and Hetti. I saw what was about to transpire. The Messengers had discovered where you were and with Gandalf's help, I opened a portal for Gandalf to bring you both to safety at The Shire. You now know the rest!"

I didn't know how I got to be here, in the first place and I had no idea The Messengers were after me as a child. It shocked me to the core.

"Why are they after me?" I ask them.

"They thieve on strong power Elaina and I'm not sure why they need all this power. There is something blocking my vision, everything is hazy when I try and see what lies ahead."

Galadriel steps back again and I watch as she frowns a little. I am very concerned for her but just as I was about to say something, she glances back at me and smiles.

"I know you are scared Elaina but you are among friends now, do not shut others out."

"Elaina!" I heard Thorin's voice and I turn around and see him walk towards me.

I turn around again and found Galadriel gone.

'Only you can change the fate of others!' Galadriel cryptically said in my head, causing me to glance up.

"What are you doing?" asked Thorin, turning me around.

"I was talking to a lady but she appears to have vanished!" I replied, still confused with what had transpired. "Her name is Galadriel."

"Yes, I've heard of her," Thorin looked thoughtful, then added, "Elaina, why did you walk out?"

I sigh.

"I don't like confrontations" I say, softly. walking away from Thorin.

Thorin grabs my arm and turns me around again and looks at me.

"What's troubling you?" Thorin whispered.

"Nothing is troubling me."

Thorin rolls his blue eyes.

~~Thorin's POV~~

I knew Elaina was lying. Had that elf Lady Galadriel, upset my enchanting angel. The sadness in her eyes gave it away.

"I won't let anyone hurt you my love." I whispered to her, wrapping my arms around her.

Elaina looked at me and again, my heart reacted differently and I crushed my lips on hers, deeping the kiss.

"I'm fine really," said Elaina softly, breaking the kiss "I can take care of myself!"

"Oh I'm well aware of that my love," I smiled at her "The way you used your power on those Wargs and that other being, was very impressive. As were those trolls."

"Those trolls were idiots with a speech impediment." she replied, trying to smile but failed.

I did not like to see her like this. Loosening my hold of her, I gently cupped her face.

"Please tell me what is worrying you Elaina?"

I watch her carefully as I feel her hands gently play with my hair. Elaina's eyes were downcast and I realy wanted to help her, but how could I, if she wouldn't address what was troubling her.

"I'm just thinking about what Galadriel has told me." whispered Elaina.

"What did she say to you?" I ask her, softly.

I listen and never interrupt Elaina, as she explained her troubled mind.

"She said this 'light' was bestowed upon me by my mother. Then she went on to explain that those Messengers were after me in the foster home and that she saw what was about to happen."

I could feel her trembling in our embrace and I tighten my hold on her, kissing her forehead.

"You are safe Elaina." I whispered

"Galadriel informed me that she opened up a portal for Gandalf to rescue Hetti and I, bringing us to safety but I wish I could remember life before coming here!"

"I don't understand!"

I watch her as she frowns in frustration.

"I can only remember life in The Shire but beyond that, nothing." I heard Elaina sigh "It's like someone has erased the first five years of my life and no matter how hard I try, I just can not remember living in that foster home."

I watch my angel in stunned silence. How could she not remember her past? Seeing Elaina's pained face however, I knew she was speaking the truth.

"Have you talked to Gandalf about this?" I asked her, gently brushing her hair out of her face.

"No," she sighed again "Your the only one I have told."

"Maybe you should inform him."

Elaina shook her head and we watch one enough.

"I was going to but, what could he do? Wave his staff in the air and bring forth my forgotten past!" Elaina chuckled.

"Elaina, you should speak to Gandalf," I urged her "He would help you."

"No, I'm more concerned about those Messengers."

I gently caress her cheek.

"Promise me something," I begin, Elaina's brown eyes watch me "that no matter what, you will not hesitate in telling me, your fears and problems."

She smiles at me and nods her head.

"I promise and that goes for you too!" Elaina tilts her head "It's only fair."

I grin and lean towards her.

"I promise." I breathed, before capturing her mouth for a kiss.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

A little later I was walking alongside Bilbo and Loki around Rivendell. Since I told Thorin about my memory lapses, I felt a little calmer. True I was still a little scared at not knowing what I did, before the age of five, but since my home was really Bag End, I should concentrate on the here and now.

We all hear talking and we see Gandalf speaking to Lord Elrond. I thought it was rude to eavesdrop and try and coax Bilbo away. Strangely though, Bilbo refused to leave.

"Of course I was going to tell you," I heard Gandalf say "I was waiting for this very chance. And really, I-I think you can trust that I know what I am doing."

"Do you?" replies Lord Elrond "That dragon has slept for sixty years. What will happen if your plan should fail? If you wake that beast-,"

"But if we succeed! What if the dwarves take back the mountain, then our defenses in the east will be strengthened." Gandalf interrupted.

'Defences in the east!' I thought to myself 'What an earth is he on about?'

I took no notice of Loki's concerned look on his own face.

"It's a dangerous move, Gandalf!" exclaimed Lord Elrond.

"It is also dangerous to do nothing! Oh, come – the throne of Erebor is Thorin's birthright! What is it you fear?"

I turn my head and saw Thorin standing behind Bilbo. I know he too has heard everything that has just taken place and my heart goes to him. I slowly walk up to him but suddenly felt a chill. Turning my attention to where Gandalf and Lord Elrond stood was another man.

He was dressed in white but there was something about this newcomer that put me on edge. My breathing was increasing and I had no idea why.

"Take deep breaths." Loki whispers.

That seemed to snap Thorin out of his trance, as I felt his hand go on my back as I took Loki's advice.

"Nice and slow."

I felt Thorin gently rub my back which seemed to work, until I heard that newcomer walk past us.

"Have you forgotten, a strain of madness runs deep in that family. His grandfather lost his mind. His father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall? Gandalf, these decisions to not rest with us alone. It is not up to you or me to redraw the map of Middle-earth." exclaimed Lord Elrond.

I felt myself slump forward and I fall to the ground as I stare at this man walking away from us. I don't know how I knew it, but that man was not trustworthy. Both Thorin and Loki help me up and sat me down on a bench.

"Elaina, are you alright?" asked Bilbo "Your ribs aren't hurting you again are they?"

I manage to smile at Bilbo as he looks back at me with worry etched on his face. I could see that Thorin and Loki's had that look as well, they matched Bilbo's.

"I'm alright, I just wasn't expecting that!"

"Expecting what?" asked Thorin, sitting next to me, his hand went back on my waist.

"All that negative energy. W-Who was that man in white?" I asked everyone.

"Saruman the White," replied Thorin "Why do you ask?"

"I can't put my finger on it but, I have a very bad feeling about that man!"

"You felt it too!" remarked Loki "It seems my theories match yours Elaina."

"I fear that he is going to do something terrible," I whisper "Maybe not right this second but in the future. He is going to betray all those that like him."

"One of your visions?" whispered Thorin, rubbing my back which was relaxing me once more.

"Sort of," I confess to him "I have a feeling, he has already started!"

Loki raises his eyebrows.

"Are you certain?" asked Thorin.

I watch Thorin and see that he is upset.

"Thorin take no notice on what Lord Elrond said. I have no idea what this sickness is."

"It is called gold sickness," began Thorin "My grandfather had it and I used to watch him walk in the treasury room, staying in there for hours, watching the gold and the jewels. Every day and night, King Thror stayed in there, slowly getting ill with gold sickness. When he saw gold, his eyes would light up. All he saw was gold and his jems, nothing else. He mostly took no notice of his status as a king. Gold was all he thought about."

Thorin closed his eyes and I gently placed my hand on his cheek.

"I don't want to be like my grandfather Elaina," whispered Thorin "Seeing him act like that, I never want to be like that, ever!"

I saw Bilbo walk away but Loki stayed put watching Thorin.

"Everyone is different Thorin," Thorin opens his eye and watches me through hooded eyes "You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. It's all to do with will power. Your will is strong."

"But what if I do succumb to this sickness?"

Placing my other hand on his cheek, I whisper,

"You won't get this sickness Thorin, have faith."

~~Loki's POV~~

As I watch Elaina tell Thorin about his will power, I noticed a glow on her hands. It appears they were both unaware that Elaina was using her power on Thorin. I had a feeling it would help him, when he least excepts it.

I decided to leave them alone and go in search for Hetti. I wanted to know more about Elaina's past before coming here. Those memory lapses were not good news.

~~Elaina's POV~~

"How can you be so sure?" asked Thorin.

"I trust my instints," I smiled "maybe you should trust yours."

"Perhaps," replied Thorin brushing his lips over mine "Are you sure you are alright?"

I nod my head and smile at him, feeling his arms wrap around my middle.

"Are you alright?"

"I am now," smiled Thorin kissing me gently on the lips "I love you."

"I love you too." I replied, smiling as he hugged me lovingly.

We both had problems to contend with but I realise that Galadriel is right, I should let others in. I hoped what I said to Thorin, will help him overcome his fear of this sickness. With luck, he will be alright but, I had a bad feeling towards Saruman the White.

I saw a black aura around him and that was what had made me stumble. I knew he was out to cause trouble and I had no idea what to do. What was he doing here anyway? This place was a peaceful place but Saruman was tanishing it and I did not like that one bit!