The company jogged down the hill into a forest covering at the bottom. It was there that they took a moment to make sure that there was nothing following them. At the bottom, Amdiriel could feel the pain in her side burn, she felt around and figured that she had dislocated a rib. "Boromir?" she said. Boromir was immediately at her side, he could tell as they were coming down the mountain that something was wrong. "I think that I may have dislocated my rib." he told her. Boromir nodded "You know what to do." He whispered to her, for this wasn't her first time dislocating something, nor would it be her last she was sure.
She and her brothers had always found ways to get into trouble that normally led to some type of injury, they would then have to go to the house of healing who would then tell their parents about what had happened. After watching the woman of the house of healing so many times, they began to pick up tips and technics to keep them out of there. Their knowledge became very handy on the battlefield in helping each other and othersas they got older.
Boromir walked over to Aragorn and whispered "We have to stop for a moment. Amdiriel's hurt." Aragorn looked at him and then looked to Amdiriel who was removing her weapons from her body. "What's happened?" He asked as they then walked over to Amdiriel. "She thinks she may have dislocated her rib." Boromir said as he knelt beside his sister, he too removed his sword from his waist. Amidiriel began to unbutton her top, Aragorn quickly realized what was happening looked to Legolas who then nodded at his friend and ushered the other males away. Amdiriel disguarded her outer vest "Can I help in any way?" Aragorn asked. Boromir took his gloves off and placed them off to the side. "If she has in fact dislocated her ribs, you will have to hold her down to make sure she doesn't punch me in the face." He told him. Aragorn looked at him confused. "It's happened before." Boromir explained. "One time only." Amdiriel clarified as she lifted up her shirt just below her breast. Several scars from her past battles were revealed along with a very large grey bruise on her left side. Boromir felt around until Amdiriel hissed. "Oh don't be a baby." Boromir teased. Amdiriel growled about to snap at him as he pushed on her bruise again. "Yes, you dislocated your rib again. I got to push it back into place before we move on." Boromir said more to himself than anything else. Amdiriel nodded and laid down on the ground, so Boromir could place his hands accordingly. Aragorn slipped his hand into Amdiriel's free. Once Amdiriel turned her head to look at Aragorn, he gave her an encouraging smile. Amdiriel returned it but her face soon flinched in pain as Boromir pushed on her rib. Amdiriel's grip on Aragorn's hand tightened as she bit her lip to keep her from screaming. "Okay, Amdi, turn over carefully." Amdiriel did as she said with Aragorn's help as she turned over. Now on her stomach, Amdiriel reached for Aragorn's hand and gripped it tightly as Boromir pushed on her again. Boromir then told Amdiriel that she was good. "Does it feel better?" Aragorn asked as he let his hand wipe away the stray hairs that had fallen in front of her eyes. Amdiriel let out a deep breath and nodded, giving him a small smile and giving his hand a tight squeeze before she sat up. Aragorn handed her outer top and helped her to her feet.
"We are not far from Lothlorien, are you going to be okay?" Aragorn asked her, concern in his eyes. "I'll be fine, it doesn't hurt anymore but if it makes you feel better, I'll go see a healer we get to safety." Amdiriel reasoned. "Alright." Aragorn wanted to say more but he knew that Amdiriel could handle the pain, they were only two hours away from safety anyway.
They were off once again, moving quickly but carefully through the trees. They had one more field to cross before they would be on the borders. Amdiriel couldn't see them but she knew the guards of the elven city were following them. It was not like them to let anyone this far into their territory without confrontation. They quickly ran across the field and into the forest. The trees were tall and the aura of the forest had a certain glow with the evening sun. The air felt light but delicate.
"It's been a long time." Boromir whispered to his sister who trailed behind the group. "but it feels the same." he stated. "It seems to never change." she whispered back.
"Stay close young hobbits." Gimli said. "They say a great sorceress lives in these woods. An elf-witch of terrible power." he said and looked around him. "All who look upon her, fall under her spell, or are never seen again." Gimli finished cautiously this statement caused the two siblings to chuckle to themselves quietly. "Shall we keep quiet?" Amdiriel asked. Boromir nodded, thinking it would be funny.
"Well here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eye of a hawk and the ears of a fox." Gimli gloated before coming face to face with an arrow. Ten elves came out from their hiding places bows at the ready. The hobbits were scared and shocked, Gimli didn't dare move, Aragorn raised his hands in surrender and Legolas pointed his bow and arrow at the elf in front of him even though it was useless. In the back, however, stood two other elves, one on each side of Amdiriel and Boromir. The two did not raise their weapons at the two for they knew who they were and that they posed no threat to them. The elves simply bowed their heads in respect as the siblings did the same in silence.
"A dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." said the blond captain of the guard as he came forward. Gimli growled while he glared at the elf.
"Haldir, we come in desperate need. We need your protection." Aragorn said as he bowed in respect to the captain. Haldir looked at Aragorn as if he already knew this.
"Aragorn these woods are perilous, we should go back now." Gimli suggested but Haldir spoke up. "You have entered the realm of the Lady of Light, you can not go back." he informed them. Haldir then moved throughout the group and stood before the two siblings. "Welcome back." He greeted and placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head, the two mirrored his actions before Haldir hugged Boromir and then Amdiriel. "It's good to see you." Boromir said. "It does me good to see you both again. Come your grandparents are expecting you." Haldir told them. The two nodded, of course, they were. Two of the most powerful and gifted elves in Middle-Earth surely knew that they would come long before they even knew. Amdiriel and Boromir followed behind the Captain. "Come, she is waiting." Said Haldir to the fellowship and then lead them on.
They walked on in silence until they began to walk up a hill. "I heard a rumor from some orcs, that you were dead." Haldir said to Amdiriel. "And you believed them?" she asked. "Oh no, I learned to never listen to such rumor unless they had a body as proof." Haldir replied. "That is like the seventh time-" "Eighth." Boromir corrected his sister. "Eight times? Eight times in the last 30 years that they have spread the rumor of me being dead." Amdiriel said. "Why is it always me that dies though? Why does everyone hate me?" she asked jokingly, causing the two to chuckles they reached the top.
Haldir stopped for a second and let the rest of the group join. "Caras Galadon." Haldir said proudly as he smiled at the large mound of trees where the setting sun shone upon. "The heart of Elvendon on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light... temporary home to their grandchildren Prince Boromir, Prince Faramir, and the Princess Amdiriel." Haldir said with pride and a small smile. The jaws of hobbits and Gimli dropped at the revelation while the two smiled and continued to walk on.
They walked down the hill and across the forest spread until the reached the large Elven City. Night had fallen when the reached the top of the large set of spiral stairs that lead up a large tree. The whole city sparkled as if starlight was their source of light.
Haldir led the Fellowship onto a platform in front of a set of stairs where they were to wait. Gimli, Legolas, Aragorn, Amdiriel, and Boromir stood behind the hobbits as they saw the silhouette of two people but their faces were hidden by a bright light shining from the top of the stairs. The light dimmed as two figures walked down the stairs, hand in hand. Amdiriel and Boromir watched in pride as the others stared in awe at their young and beautiful looking grandparents.
Both of the elves smiled small smiles at their grandchildren before Celeborn addressed the Fellowship "The enemy knows you have entered here. Whatever hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten 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." Celeborn asked while Galadriel looked into Aragorn's sorrow-filled eyes.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into Shadow." Galadriel concluded, her husband looked to her in shock. Legolas spoke up when no one offered an explanation "He was taken by both Shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Celeborn looked to the ground as he received news of the loss of his friend.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf's life. We do not yet know his full purpose." Galadriel said, her eyes then falling on Gimli who looked distressed. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart Gimli, son of Gloin. For the world has grown peril and in all lands, love is now mingled with grief." Galadriel said and turned to look at her grandchildren fro they knew the truth behind her words all too well.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship?" Celeborn asked. "Without Gandalf, most of your hope is lost." he and looked to Aragorn and then Amdiriel.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." Galadriel said. She then looked at Sam with a small smile. "Yet hope remains while the company is true. Do not let your heart be troubled. Go now, bathe, eat, and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace and prepare for the long journey ahead of you." she said and dismissed them.
We will speak with you after you have cleaned up. We will send someone to you. The siblings heard in their minds, they nodded their heads and headed off with the others to the bathing pool, Amdiriel was taken to a different one being a woman.
Dress Headdress
Amdiriel was dressed in a simple but beautiful dress and simple headdress that was kept there by her grandparents. She was then requested at the mirror. She thanked the guard and went off. She and Boromir arrived at the same time. A smile graced the faces of the two elves as they embraced their young ones. "How you have become a man, Boromir?" Celeborn said as he took in the sight of the man no longer a boy that stood in front of him.
The four talked about what had happened before and at the council meeting and the beginning of their journey, including what they had encountered in Moria and how it ended in tragedy. Apart of them, didn't want to tell them but then again, they were good friends and they deserved to know that he gave his life to save them.
"Have you not broken the spell?" Celeborn asked. Amdiriel shook her head. "We have been together for 50 days and nothing. Hope is fleeting." She admitted. Celeborn and Galadriel shared a sad look. "You may be closer than you think." Galadriel said. "You must hope, that is all you can do. There is always hope, even if it is just a fool's hope. If we don't have hope, we have nothing." Celeborn told her. Galadriel stared at her grandson as her husband spoke. The two others knew Galadriel was speaking in his mind but what of, they didn't know but knew that it would come to light soon. Amdiriel and Boromir were never ones to keep secrets from each other.
They spoke a little longer together before Celeborn and Boromir moved to speak together alone, leaving Galadirel and Amdiriel alone to talk. "Gondor future does not look bright does it?" Amdiriel asked. Galadriel let out a sigh and walked over the fountain. She picked up the silver pitcher that was on the edge of it and dipped it into the water.
"You know as well as I Gondor's fate should things continue to be as they are" said her grandmother as she turned to face her. "The darkness is growing, the fate of Gondor is uncertain but what is certain is that things will get worse before they can get better." She said. "Worse? How could things possibly get any worse than what they are already? The steward rule is failing, the people are destroyed, hopeless, two of the once three captains are gone and Faramir is left to defend the country and put up with its horrid leader on his own. How much worse can it get before it meets its own destruction?" Amdiriel ranted.
"Shall we look into the mirror?" Asked the Lady if Light as she poured the water into the large dish. "Grandmother, the last time I looked into the mirror I saw what was supposed to be my happiness and love." Amdiriel reminded "And it did come to pass, it, unfortunately, was taken from you but it may come to pass again...He may not remember now but I can see in his heart that he loves you." Amdiriel sighed and walked up to the platform and looked into the mirror.
She could see the reflection of herself for a moment before the scene changed. She saw Aragorn standing before Frodo who had his hand stretched out to the ranger with the Ring in his palm. The scene cut before Amdiriel could see if Aragorn would take the Ring, in her heart she hoped he would not. The next scene was of a cliff a war raged between horsemen and wargs and orcs. Amdiriel caught sight of a flag on a spear of a horse...Rohan she thought but they had agreed not to go by that road. The next scene was of a fire on s mountaintop and then the Black Gate of Mordor, she and what looked to be Aragorn sat on their horses in armor and faced Morder with their swords in hand.
That soon faded and changed to both her and Aragorn kneeling side by side as crowns were placed on their heads. They then looked to each other and laced hands, Amdiriel's eyes catching glimpse of a diamond ring on her finger as they faced the cheering people of Gondor. The last scene was an older looking Aragorn, his hair was slightly grey but still shoulder length who looked out, his face still looked the same regardless of the toll the years had taken. He looked out over a balcony as a young boy who looked to be seven ran into the room, laughing. Aragorn spun around and caught the little boy up in his arms and kissed his cheek as the little boy laughed. Amdiriel could feel the tears in her eyes as she looked to see a very familiar necklace hanging from the little boy's neck, it was the someone that Aragorn wore, the one she gave him when she pledged her love to him so many years ago. A second later a woman walked in, Amdiriel could tell it was herself but like Aragorn, she had aged a little but still looked very youthful. She held you girl no older than two in her arms as she approached her husband. Aragorn smiled and gave the little girl a kiss on her head before kissing his wife.
A sob escaped Amdiriel's throat as the scene faded away, and returned to the reflection of herself. A tear trailed down Amdiriel's face as she stepped away, her grandmother now at her side. "The path that you are to follow is not the same as that of Frodo, for others will need you. Rohan and Gondor will need you...The mirror showed you what you needed to see, to give you hope for a future that will happen should you succeed. But you must not give up hope, not in yourself, not in the those empower and certainly not in Aragorn. He will need you more than anyone else to do what he must.
You are our hope if you lose hope then so do we. That means that your mother's death and the death of everyone past and future would have been in vain. The time ahead is not going to be easy. I fear it will get worse before it will get better. The enemy seeks to destroy everything you love, your family, your homeland, and the man you love but no matter what happens you must fight, you must continue on, even if it just to honor their sacrifice." Galadriel told her. Amdiriel sighed loudly. In her heart she knew all her grandmother said was true, but hearing someone say it aloud made her realize just how much responsibility she had. As much as she wished she could not just sit aside and do nothing, her heart nor her conscience would ever let her.
Galadriel brushed her fingers through Amdiriel's hair, "Go find your brother and the others. They will need a bit of comfort right now. When that is done, you must rest, do not let your mind keep you awake. You will need your strength for what is ahead." said the Lady of Light and then kissed Amdiriel's head. "Goodnight, Grandmother," Amdireil said with a slight bow. Galadriel smiled "Goodnight, my dear one."
Amdireil then left her presence to find the others. On her way there she crossed her grandfather who too bid her goodnight and told her to rest well before kissing her head and sending her off.
She soon found her company upon the root of the trees, setting up their beds with pillows and blankets lent to them by their host. Gimli was already snoring fast asleep while Aragorn sat next to him sharpening his sword. Legolas stood in a silver tunic and pants walked around the grounds, listening to the singing of the elves from up top.
"A lament for Gandalf." Legolas said. Aragorn stopped sharpening his sword for a moment and listened.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked Legolas.
"I have not the heart to tell you." Legolas answered, turning to Merry. "For me, the grief is still too near."
"I bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about that." Sam said while making his bed. He then stood up "The finest rockets ever seen they burst in stars of blue and green." Sam said to the fellowship. Aragorn then looked at a sleeping Gimli with a frown as he snored, quickly growing annoyed, he hit him to wake him up.
"For after thunder, silver showers came falling like a rain of flowers." Sam said and then frowned "Oh that doesn't do them justice." Sam said sitting back on his bed.
"Not all of us can be great poets, Sam. All that matters is if it comes from your heart."Amdiriel said as she stepped forth, all eyes turning to her. The hobbits stared at her in awe while Aragorn smiled a small smile at her, he swore the color white never looked better on anyone else. "Something on my face?" she teased, the hobbits before walking over to Legolas to make sure he was okay. Amdiriel knew how sensitive he was to the death of people he cared about. He looked to have a hard shell on the outside but the inside was different.
Aragorn then looked over and saw Boromir sitting alone on a root of a tree, deep in thought. Aragorn could tell by the way he sat that something plagued his mind, so he got up and approached the gondorian from behind. "Take some rest. You know these borders are well protected." advised the ranger.
"It will be too hard for me to find rest now, my mind is plagued with too much to sleep...the fate of Gondor and of Amdiriel is too uncertain." Boromir explained, Aragorn turned and looked to the other man to explain further. "I was speaking with Galadriel, she spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said even now there is hope left but I can not see it...it has been long since we had any hope."
Aragorn looked up and saw Amdiriel approaching her brother from behind, knowing she could hear their conversation, Boromir too could feel her presence behind him but kept on speaking once Aragorn sat beside him. "Our father was once a nobleman but grief corrupted his heart. So his rule fails and our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right and I will do it. I do it so me, Faramir, and Amdiriel could see the glory of Gondor restored. So that one day, Amdiriel can come home and everything we fought for would not be in vain." Amdiriel placed her hands on her brother's shoulder in comfort. She knew their father placed a lot of pressure on her eldest brother. As siblings, they all used to share the burden of their father's expectations, but those days were long ago. Amdiriel knew that with her banishment and her father's lack of confidence in Faramir, all responsibility and expectations now fell on Boromir's shoulders and his alone.
"Have you ever seen it, Aragorn?" asked Boromir as he looked in the distance. "The white tower of Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver. It's banners caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by the ringing sound of silver trumpets?" Both siblings in their minds could see their home as Boromir described it.
"I have seen the White City once, long ago." Aragorn admitted. "And one day, our path will lead us there and the tower guard will take up the call 'For the Lords and Lady of Gondor have returned.'" Boromir said with a smile as he took his sister's hand. "I will return and I will help you undo Deanthor's mistakes, and help restore our people, I promise." Amdiriel said. Boromir smiled at his sister, squeezing her hand before giving it a kiss. Boromir knew no matter what happened to him, Gondor would be left in good hands.
Aragorn smiled at the two siblings, mostly at Amdiriel, and how she was able to lift her brother's spirit but Amdiriel could see the uncertainty behind the ranger's eyes as he thought about what Boromir had just said.
"Amdi?" Sam asked from behind them, making all three turn to the voice. "Would you mind singing for us to help us sleep?" he asked shyly. Amdiriel smiled and walked over to where the hobbits laid, ready to rest. She had sung a few times on their journey to help pass the time or to help fill the air instead of boring silence. "Anything, in particular, you would like to hear?" she asked as she knelt before the little hobbits.
"Nothing sad." Pippin said. "Or that will make us miss home." Merry added. Amdiriel nodded in understanding as a song came to memory. It was one she had not heard in years, so she hoped she would get it right. It was a song her mother used to sing to her and her brothers when times got hard or when just words could no longer comfort.
I can see every tear you've cried
like an ocean in your eyes
All the pain and the scars have left you cold
I can see all the fears you face
through a storm that never goes away
Don't believe all the lies that you've been told
I'll be right here now
to hold you when the sky falls down
I will always
be the One who took your place
When the rain falls
I won't let go
I'll be right here
I will show you the way back home
never leave you all alone
I will stay until the morning comes
I'll show you how to live again
and heal the brokenness within
Let me love you when you come undone
When daybreak seems so far away
reach for my hand
When hope and peace begin to fray
still I will stand
When the rain falls I won't let go
I'll be right here.
When Amdiriel came to the end of the song she found her entire fellowship sound asleep, even her brother. The half-elf didn't know if it was the singing voice that she had inherited from her mother, the calmness of the melody of both together that lulled them to sleep but she was grateful that it did nonetheless. Amdiriel went around the camp one by one to cover each person with a blanket.
Amdiriel came to Aragorn last, chuckling at the sight of him, for he had fallen asleep sitting upward, his sword next to him. Amdiriel moved the weapon to the side before carefully laying his body down and resting his head against the pillow. She grabbed the blanket that had been tossed at his feet and laid it over his body, right below his shoulder. Amdiriel let her fingers brush away the few strands of hair that had fallen in front of his face, much like he had to her earlier that day. A smile coming across her face as she saw the look of peace come across his face. But all too soon her heart ached, she knew she had to cherish this silent moment because when morning arrived so did the harsh reality of the spell her father cast over him. Amdiriel leaned down and pressed a kiss to Isildur's heir cheek "Rest well, my love." She whispered before getting up and going over to settle herself down for the night. With one last look to her brother and then to Aragorn, Amdiriel let her eyes shut, knowing tonight they were all safe.
Unknown to Amdiriel, the power of the song she had sung. For not only had it brought sleep upon her former love but the words spoke by her had broken the sorcery that once held his mind captive. His mind now replayed every moment the two had shared but this time when he woke at dawn the next day, he would remember.