AN: Sorry for the late update guys! I've had lots of exams and stuff, and Im just so tired. And sorry for the short chapter, i honestly could not write any longer. Anyways, hope you enjoy :)
Thanks for the follows, faves and reviews, they make my day :)
the8horcrux: yEaH i kNoW rIgHt? And yup, I mean if I was Lady Galadriel I'd probably enjoy way too much freaking out ppl, so I guess its a good thing I'm not her. Thank you for understanding! It's really annoying me that I have zero time anymore. Ughhh
Mustard Lady: yeah I wouldnt like being left alone with ppl I dont know either. And the mirror... hang in tight ;)
Annabel Jones: Um, yeah the mirror... hope you like it... As for that... ;) cant really tell you now can I? that would spoil the surprise ;)
mystarligh: I'm glad you like it! I know, i love writing Thranduil like this too :) it gives me such fuzzy feelings ;)
PrettyRecklessLaura: enjoOOOY!
. . . Chapter 15- The mirror of Lady Galadriel . . .
Come look into the mirror…
Alysae was troubled. She sat on her bed with her knees drawn up and her chin resting on them. Her mind was whirling. It kept on displaying over and over again what happened in the dining room, Lady Galadriel's cryptic words, and all she knew about the mirror.
She had heard of it, of course she had. An elleth she knew in Mirkwood originated from Lothlorien; her name was Celegwen. She'd told her about the kind and fair rulers, and about the mysterious mirror. Whispers claimed that it could show one's future.
But they also said that no one who looked in the mirror came unchanged.
Alysae rubbed the sides of her face tiredly. How long had she sat on her bed, thoughts swirling for an answer? Too long, that she could tell.
If she wanted to see the twins off in the morning, she'd have to go to sleep now. But what about the mirror? a voice whispered in her head.
The mirror was just another thing that she shouldn't have to worry about. What was that thing that Lord Elrong used to say? Worrying is not for children, only for adults.
And yet, as Alysae snuggled under her warm covers, she could not help but think, Am I a child anymore?
No, there was no need to worry. Her father was fine, her brother was going to be all right, and she was going to be perfectly well. Nothing to worry about. In the morning, she'd have her visit to Lord Celeborn's library, how exciting it was going to be!
Her last thought as she drifted was, if whether the twins started the fire on purpose, and what kind of punishment they received afterwards…
-xxx-
Come look in the mirror, Alysae. Come, I am awaiting for you…
Alysae woke with a start. Her heart pounded in her chest as her eyes snapped open; for a moment she could not remember where she was. And then, it all came back. The Mirror…
Come, Alysae… Come look into the mirror…
Without thinking, Alysae slowly got up and made her way through the room, to the door. It opened silently, with just a slight whoosh of air. As she walked, her bare feet made no sound against the cool floor, and her white nightgown rustled at every step she took.
Soft silver and white lights glowed down upon her, like rays of moonshine descending through the golden trees. There was no sound safe for the gentle sway of the branches in the slight wind, or the ethereal chanting voices in the distance.
Her white hand trailed down the balustrade as she walked down the stairs.
Down and down and down the stairs.
And then she felt moss and soft grass beneath her bare feet, and lifted her nightgown so that the hem would not trail over the dirt.
Come, Alysae.
The voice beckoned her forward, tugging her like a rope tied to her waist. Alysae did not know how or where to go, but her feet pulled her along, bringing her to a location few had seen.
Suddenly the voices stopped, and there came only silence.
She looked up. There, in front of her, stood mighty and shining, on a stone pedestal, the silver basin of the mirror; and besides it, Lady Galadriel, radiant and glowing white, her keen eyes on her. Galadriel beckoned Alysae to come forward with her hand. In the other, she held a pitcher of argent, light and flowing.
Sounds rushed back in. Behind the mirror a fountain spilled clear water into a large basin where it swirled in a calm manner.
Alysae stepped forward, her eyes trained on the silver basin; it was empty. When at last she stood right in front of it, she found her voice.
"What will I see if I choose to look upon it?"
Lady Galadriel's eyes bore on her. "The mirror shows many things, Alysae Thranduiliel. Things that were, things that are, and some things… that have yet come to pass." As she spoke, the lady of the Golden Woods approached the mirror. "I cannot predict what the mirror will show you, for it has a will of its own. Know that the future is not set in stones, and can always be changed." She raised the silver pitcher and poured clear water into the mirror; like a thin glowing rope it fell and filled the basin.
The Lady retreated, the now empty pitcher grasped in her hands. "I cannot force you to look into the mirror. It is your choice. Choose wisely."
Alysae took a breath. It all came down to this; look or do not look. She did not know what to do. She could not deny that she was curious; what was she going to see? Would she learn more about her past, about who she truly was? She'd given a lot of thoughts about this: if whether she was the daughter of some low commoners, or peasants, or maybe she'd come from a great family who all perished quite drastically. And now she could get answers.
But she was also scared. Terrified, even. What would she see? Death, destruction, blood. Legolas dead? And would she be the same afterwards, or forever changed by the traumatic images in the mirror?
She let out a shaking breath. If Lady Galadriel had deemed that Alysae should look into the mirror, then perhaps it was so that she could get answers. And Galadriel was wise.
Alysae knew she should trust Lady Galadriel's judgement. So she took another breath and looked into the mirror; she could see her reflection, her eyes large and worried, and slightly blurry.
At first nothing happened. Then, the water bendend, small waves appearing on its surface, and distorting the image; the water shimmered. Alysae gripped the railing.
There was her father, Thranduil, first, smiling at someone behind the mirror, in her direction. He said something but Alysae could not hear, only see his lips moving. His eyes were bright, and his smile carefree. Alysae had never seen him like this so, so… happy.
The image changed; there was a tiny elfling with a shock of blond hair and wide, blue eyes running past. He laughed and chased a butterfly before swirling from view.
She saw Imladris in all its splendor, with light reflecting off its waterfalls like floating lace in the in the wind. The sun rose behind the valley basking it in a warm glow. In the main courtyard, elves were swarming by, as though it was for some sort of feast; and yet, as Alysae looked closer, she could see the worry on their faces. She saw Glorfindel, in shining armour, sword gleaming at his hip, and spear in hand, as he mounted his white stallion, Asfaloth. Behind him rode the rest of the Imladrin guards; they kicked off and galloped away. Lord Elrond was left standing with his brows furrowed and his eyes distant.
The water shifted.
A blonde elleth with a gentle smile on her fair face as she stared lovingly at her swollen stomach. She passed her hands on her belly softly. Suddenly she looked up, as if someone had called her name, and smiled back at Alysae with such love in her eyes that Alysae felt her breath catch. The elleth's eyes seemed familiar somehow, as if she had seen them before. And yet she'd never seen this elleth before.
There was a ripple and Alysae saw herself, young and scared in Thranduil's throne rooms. Her face was tear stained, and her eyes wide and terrified. Thranduil stared at her cooly.
The image changed once more. This time, Alysae saw the Fellowship running in the dark, terror written on their ffaces. The ground trembled and shook beneath their feet. In the distance, something glowed red and yellow, like ravaging flames and roaring fires. Alysae caught a glimpse of Boromir stumbling and Legolas catching him before they both fell backwards.
Then she saw herself again, falling into nothingness, her hair flying around her face like a yellow flag flapping around the wind, her hand reaching out to hold on to something.
A ripple changed the scene, and Alysae saw thousands of Orcs swarming like antss, with deadly spears and torches, yelling, and cackling, and showing their yellow crooked teeth. It was terrifying to watch.
She saw forests burning, Orcs killing, children crying. She saw Gollum with a green flame in his eyes. She saw Mirkwood invaded, elves vailantly fighting.
Then, she saw herself; lying pale and frail, gasping, dark shadows under her eyes. As Alysae watched, she saw her thin hand grasp at her chest, blue veins standing out, as her breathing fell to a stop. Her eyelashes fluttered and she went still. Besides her, Legolas shook her shoulders and shouted something, his eyes burning with tears.
Bodies littered the floor, crimson blood tainted ruined faces and grasping hands. Pale eyes looked unstaring from under strewn bodies. There was so much blood… And a voice was crying out, "Alysae! Alysae!"
The water churned.
And then fire came and burned all, and a voice cackled and hissed, The Valar are weak, they should have never saved you. I will destroy everything you hold dear… A great red eye focused on her, trapping, pulling her in. Alysae felt herself fall forward, her hands gripping the railing so tight her knuckles were white as she pulled against the terrible force.
With a cry Alysae wrenched herself from the mirror and fell. She put her head in her tremblings hands and sobbed, her shoulders shaking.
What had she seen?
Horror. Death. Destruction.
Her dead body. She choked on a sob, gasping. Children dying, mothers screaming, Legolas perhaps dead.
It was too much. All of it.
And then a gentle hand was upon her shoulder, and a soft voice spoke in her head, "Come back to the light, child. Open your eyes, dear, do not let your heart be troubled."
Alysae felt a light enter her body from where Lady Galadriel's hand touched her shoulder; it seeped like warm honey and chased away the darkness within her mind. She let out a few shuddering breath and tentatively opened her wet eyes.
She came upon a set of gentle blue eyes, and golden hair. Lady Galadriel offered her hand to Alysae, who took it, and helped her stand up. The princess drew her arms around her still shaking body.
"What-" she whispered and broke off. She cleared her voice. "What I've seen... What, what is it?"
Lady Galadriel's brows furrowed. "I have seen what you saw, and I cannot answer your questions. Some things have been kept secrets, some answers are veiled to me."
Alysae shuddered. "So you do not understand this either? But, what I saw, it's terrible! Has it all truly happened? What of my brother, is he all right?" She was near panicking now.
"Stay calm, child," said Lady Galadriel. "Not all that you've seen will come to be, although it might, but that is not known for certain. Answers will come to you in time, and all will be revealed to you, when the will of the Valar be it. Do not worry, Alysae," she added, seeing Alysae's hands gripping the material of her nightgown. "Your brother is fine for now; he is an excellent warrior. I have been keeping an eye on the Fellowship, and rest assured to know, that they are still alive."
Alysae let out a breath she had not known she'd been holding. Her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Go to bed and rest, child," said the Lady kindly. "Lay your troubled mind to rest." She lay her soft hand on Alysae's tear stained cheek. "Do not worry, child, all will be revealed in due time; do not ponder too much on what you have seen, or it will consume you!"
Alysae nodded jerkily. Not worry? Not ponder too much? That was near impossible! Already she felt a weight in her chest, and she felt like great walls were slowly enclosing around her. Her breath came in short gasps.
The last thing she remembered was two firm words, spoken like a command, that had everything go dark, and her mind go empty.
"Rest now!"
-xxx-
So? whaddya think? tell me your theories please!
I originally was going to write the mirror scene in like a few chapters, then thought that it would be cruel to tease you with it and not write it, so here it is! I know it only brings more questions, but i promise if you really look into it and connect the dots, you actually have all the answers.
Have fun! ;)