Hi everyone, I'm back! Sorry for the delay. This chapter and the next couple have given me some trouble, but hopefully I'll be back to a more regular update routine soon. Thanks to everyone who has stuck around for this story. I started it based on a passing interest from the tv show, but I'm still writing for you all. I know where the story is headed, but I've still got a lot of writing left to get to the end. I hope you all continue this journey with me.

I tagged this story as Galadriel x Halbrand and here is some actual fluff (finally). I dislike slow burn in general, but I do feel as if there's too much going on to focus on the romance at this point. Hopefully you're not too disappointed.

Chapter 10: Memories and Magic

"This forest reeks of elf magic you know."

Galadriel had to concentrate to pull her consciousness from the forest around her and focus on the speaker. Halbrand was standing in front of her, illuminated by the golden shafts of sunlight breaking through the forest canopy.

"What?"

He smiled at her and continued, his voice teasing. "I half expected the men to notice, and you know how hopeless men are when it comes to sensing magic."

Galadriel stared at him for a moment. "I have no magic."

Halbrand raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly at her hand where Nenya sparkled in the sunlight. "You bear a ring of power. Surely you knew there was magic in that gift?"

Galadriel looked down at the adamant ring thoughtfully. "Naturally. But I had not intended to use any magic here."

"Galadriel, you've spent weeks wandering these woods. Your very presence brings the touch of the Eldar to this place, and the ring appears to be amplifying that effect."

They stared at each other for a moment, Halbrand's mouth twitching as if he fought back laughter, before Galadriel turned in a slow circle, surveying the trees around her. "I wonder what effect the power has wrought. The woods here seem much the same as they did when I first rode through them."

Halbrand looked around also. "The forest here is healthier, more alive. It has some of that watchful quality that you so admired in Fanghorn as well, but where those trees seemed wary, these seem reassuring."

Galadriel watched him as he slowly peered at the trees around them. The warm golden glow of the afternoon sun made him seem younger and less haunted. She realized disconcertingly that she had missed him in the weeks they'd been apart, even if her mind had been occupied by other memories.

"Galadriel?"

He had stopped speaking and was now waiting for a response. She forced a lighthearted tone. "We should return. The men will be wondering where you are. Actually," she looked at him quizzically for a moment. "When did you arrive?"

He smiled at her as he led her back toward the road. "Only this morning. But imagine my surprise when you were not available to welcome me and in fact were not in the camp at all."

She felt a little abashed. "I did not know you were set to arrive so soon."

"You have scarcely been to the camp at all from what I hear. The men were a bit worried at first, but I think they have rationalized it as a quirk of the elves."

Galadriel chuckled, and the two began to walk in companionable silence through the trees. Her attention was still drawn by the songs of the trees, but it was easier now to distance herself from their pull.

Halbrand glanced at her a few times before he finally spoke. "I must admit, this seems more than a quirk of elves to me. Why have you spent such time wandering these woods?"

He was frowning, the creases of his brow betraying honest concern. Galadriel contemplated for a moment before she decided on the truth. "For centuries I have set aside a few weeks between each of my missions to honor the death of my husband. I have not had the solitude to do so as I liked recently, so I took this opportunity."

Halbrand's eyes widened slightly, the only visible response to her words. "Of course. Your honor for the dead does you credit. How long has it been since his passing?"

Galadriel glanced away from her companion, her insides aching as if they'd been filled with ice. "It has been an age since last I saw him. He disappeared during the wars for Beleriand. We had hoped to find and rescue him in the taking of Angband but there was no sign of him."

Halbrand grimaced. "I know there were many prisoners who were being kept there during the destruction of the Iron Mountains, but I cannot reckon the full number, nor how many perished that day. I am… sorry though. It is another death that you must lay at my feet."

She turned to look at him, slowing her own pace as his faltered. "I have lived over three quarters of my life without him now, yet still I mourn him. We survived many battles, both those with Morgoth and some amongst the Eldar. We stood hand in hand as we watched the light of Valinor fade, and together we crossed the sea. For centuries I held out hope that I would find him, but many more have passed since I relinquished that hope. I loved Celeborn, but he is gone while I remain.

"I am weary, Halbrand. I have struggled too long in pursuit of vengeance. Now that I have put down that burden, I find I cannot take it back up. I am not strong enough."

Halbrand took her hand slowly, giving her time to pull away had she wished. "I cannot bring back your loved ones. Nor can I return to the lines of men the dignity that Morgoth's treachery stole from them. However, just as I intend to lead the Men of the South into a new era of peace and prosperity, I will endeavor to support you and help you find rest. Although I believe you have strength enough for anything, I will lend you mine as you require. It is the least I can do to repay my debts to you."

He reached out a hand and brushed it against her face. Galadriel closed her eyes, sighing without conscious thought. They stood there in silence, hand in hand while Halbrand tenderly held her face. Finally, she blinked her eyes open again and stepped back, smiling gently at him. "We should return."

He nodded and began walking again, tugging her gently along with him. She glanced once at their joined hands but did not pull away until they left the shelter of the trees.

Back at the camp, which was starting to resemble a fort, the two found the men hard at work on the new structures. As planned, the main barracks had been completed on a low shelf at the base of the mountains and the men were now working on a large wall surrounding the shelf. Once fortifications were in place, they would add some additional accommodations and communal structures so that the location could serve as a stronghold for an extended period if needed. The rolling meadows that occupied the valley from the edge of the woods to their fortifications could be farmed to amass a store of food.

They found Tindómëon just inside the walls, sitting along the main path where he could see any who entered the camp. He stood immediately upon seeing them approach. "You found the general. Very good, my lord. Let me fetch the others and we can begin the conference."

Halbrand nodded and dismissed him. Then he and Galadriel followed the main path up through the camp. Next to the barracks on a narrow strip of weakly growing grass was Halbrand's old tent from the early days of their settlement. She shot him a questioning look.

"I felt nostalgic." He shrugged lazily and pulled back the flap for her to enter.

Galadriel smiled a little at the familiar tent. The heavy furniture had been left behind in the city, but a low trestle table and cushions sat in the front room where the large chair had been. The old blanket that sectioned off her room still hung to her left. Halbrand slid easily into his place at the head of the table and gestured to his right for her to sit.

She took her seat quickly as the others filtered into the tent and found their own seats. Tindómëon at Halbrand's left, Arondir next to Galadriel, and Isildur and Theo as the leaders of the scouting party rounding out the table. Ontamo had remained in the city once again as the highest ranking official while the king was traveling.

The meeting began with updates on the progress of construction, the state of their stores, and the lack of orc sightings. Arondir had only found more recent evidence of orc movements around the northern curve of the mountains, near the main passes. "However, even if the orcs are not using this pass now, there is still evidence they have in the past. We would be remiss to leave such a weakness unguarded."

All had nodded before Halbrand called back their attention. "Our construction is progressing well, and soon we shall have a self-sufficient stronghold in this place. Isildur, Theo, your work here does you credit."

They thanked him, Theo pink from the compliment. Galadriel smiled encouragingly at him.

"Theo, you will travel with the next group of soldiers returning to the city. Your mother has asked for you to be stationed closer to home. Ontamo will be expecting you and will require your help with training." Theo nodded before Halbrand turned to Isildur. "You will continue to lead this project, even while I am here. You have implemented an efficient system, and the men trust you. I would not wish to disrupt your progress. Instead, I will split my time between helping with the work and assisting General Galadriel in her search for the orcs."

Arondir turned to her questioningly. "I was unaware you were searching for the orcs, my lady. I would have been glad to assist."

Halbrand spoke for her. "Your search north along the mountains was invaluable as it told us that the main body of raiders has likely returned by the northern pass. However, there may still be a contingent in the southern reaches of the forest or closer to the river. General Galadriel has been hunting the servants of Morgoth for centuries. If anyone can find where the orcs have been hiding in this forest, it is she."

Galadriel, though startled by the explanation for her absence, quickly agreed. "The forest and its inhabitants are aware of all who come and go. If there are orcs still in this stretch of the forest, they have found some hiding place. I will continue to search for it and expand my search to the south as well. There are still men in Harad who may be amenable to an alliance with Morgoth if Adar is clever."

All those around the table nodded, their expressions thoughtful. Once it was clear that no one else had matters to discuss, Halbrand thanked them and dismissed the council. Before Isildur could leave, Halbrand called the younger man back.

"I mean what I said about your work here. It has been impressive, and you have proven yourself a natural leader. Let me know if there's any assistance you need from me." Isildur thanked him and had turned to go when Halbrand continued. "There is one additional item I wished to speak with you about. As part of this contingent we brought a few civilians. Most will be sleeping in the barracks, but I believe Cerys would be uncomfortable there. I do have an additional tent if you could work with her to find a location that suits her?"

Isildur's eyes had grown wide as Halbrand spoke. "Of course, my lord. I will go find her immediately and help her set up the tent."

Halbrand nodded seriously but his bright eyes belied his stoicism. "Since she is a young lady, perhaps a location somewhat further back from the barracks. For privacy, of course."

Isildur nodded quickly and hurried from the tent. Galadriel managed to contain her laughter until he'd moved out of earshot.

"You enjoyed that far too much." She finally said, her breath still short from laughing.

Halbrand shrugged, but he was also smiling widely. "Perhaps, but Isildur and Cerys will enjoy it far more."

Galadriel felt wistful as she looked at the tent flap where Isildur had vanished. "Both of them are still so young. Should we really encourage such youthful wiles?"

Halbrand reached over and laid his hand lightly on hers. "They are not so young amongst their own people. Even Arondir and Tar-Palantir are young to us."

Galadriel nodded, but she could not shake the knowledge of their youth and her own great age in comparison.

The next morning, Halbrand and Galadriel broke their fast early before walking out of the valley and into the woods. They walked in silence for a bit, enjoying the early morning chill in the air. Finally, Galadriel turned to him. "Although I appreciate your offer of help in searching for orcs here in the forest, I am convinced neither of how I should seek them nor how you would help."

He chuckled. "I can think of a couple ways in which I could assist you, m'lady. I had thought we might try to better understand the magic you have wrought here, or," he smiled lazily at her and held out a hand. "We could go for a walk."

"You wish to accompany me on a walk?"

He stared at her without moving his hand.

Galadriel found herself laughing. "After all of that about scouring these woods for a hidden contingent of orcs?"

Halbrand grinned at her, "I have every intention of checking for orcs as we walk."

Slowly, and feeling rather foolish, she reached out and took his hand. The smile on his face was worth it.

They walked together all morning, sometimes talking but often in silence. When the sun reached its height, he bowed graciously and walked back to the fort while she allowed herself to be swept into the music of the forest. Unlike before, she did have a semblance of a goal now. The trees, the birds, they would notice if orcs were walking the forest, so she listened until the sun sank low and painted golden veins along the ground between the tree trunks.

It was dark when she returned to camp, but no one minded. Halbrand was sitting in the tent, looking over his notes while a pair of bowls sat covered on the table in front of him.

Galadriel sat next to him as he put away his work. They ate together, discussing her progress in the forest and his working on the fortifications. It seemed like no time at all before she retreated to the small bed that had been settled back behind the curtain and slept.

The next day passed the same, as did the one after. With every day, every week, that passed, the fort grew. The progress in the forest was much slower. Although enjoying their walks and discussing contingencies for the possible fallout from Pharazôn's actions, they had not found any trace of the orcs.

One afternoon while she was alone, Galadriel felt a stirring of something north of the road. She listened and searched, but it was still no more than a whisper, a breath. The next morning when she and Halbrand set out to walk, she steered them in the same direction.

"No wandering today?" He teased.

Galadriel's brow was furrowed. The sensation was still there, drifting on the edge of her consciousness.

"There's something… odd in the forest this way. I couldn't find it yesterday, but maybe with both of us we can figure out what it is."

He shrugged but followed her lead. She walked quickly, letting intuition guide her. The sun was well above the treetops when she started to slow. She could feel something nearby. Finally, she drew near a small cleft of rock, a furrow in the generally flat forest.

"Do you hear water?"

Halbrand looked at her in surprise. "I haven't heard much of anything all day. The forest is disconcertingly silent here."

Galadriel stared at him then abruptly shifted her attention away from the water and toward the forest at large. He was right. The trees still murmured but there were no bird calls or animals in the brush.

"There is something here that we do not see. We must find it."

The two inspected the cleft which turned out to be a narrow gully. Once they successfully slipped inside, they found themselves able to walk upright with the forest floor above their heads and only a narrow strip of sky visible above them. They followed it deeper, and now Galadriel was sure she could hear the distant clamor of falling water.

Coming around a sharp corner, they found that the gully delved into the ground itself, leading to a small cave in the forest floor. Galadriel stopped for a moment, feeling the hairs on her neck rise.

"Something is here."

Halbrand nodded once and drew his sword slowly. She followed suit, and the two crept into the darkness. The sound she had heard from the surface was now clearly audible as a waterfall, striking down somewhere in the depths of these caves. There were other sounds too: quiet breathing and the rustle of leather. They were so quiet Galadriel had to strain to hear over the hum of the falls.

She followed the sounds, leading Halbrand through a maze of unlit caves until she could see a shifting mass on the ground. She pointed and found the slight glimmer of his eyes in the dark.

They moved as one to either side of the mass, but a loose stone clattering against the rocky floor spurred the shape into movement. Two orcs leapt up abruptly, pulling knives from their bedrolls as they turned to face the intruders.

They were quick, but Galadriel was faster. The first flick of her sword took the head off one orc and the second disarmed his companion.

"I would not act in haste if I were you."

The orc growled lowly. Galadriel could practically see Halbrand smirking as he used a length of rope to tie up their captive. "I must say, while I was not convinced there were still orcs lying low in the forest here, I was entirely correct that you'd be able to find them if they were."

They pulled the orc back up and out of the tunnels where it cringed in the bright sunlight. Galadriel sat back against the edge of the gully as Halbrand began viciously questioning their captive.

He either knew little or was unwilling to say what he did know. His orders were to wait in that cave with his companion until told otherwise. When Halbrand was sure that there was no additional knowledge to be gained, he dispatched the orc quickly.

"They must have had supplies. I do not believe they have emerged from this place for some time. I would have noticed them."

Halbrand nodded and the two returned to the cave entrance bearing roughly constructed torches.

They hunted through the caves, methodically canvassing the space. There were supplies as well as a small lake fed by the waterfall that contained fresh water and fish. Finally, Halbrand stumbled on a pile of swords and axes, carefully covered by a leather tarp.

Galadriel frowned down at it. "These are far more weapons than that pair would have needed. There are at least a dozen swords here."

Halbrand had resumed his searching against the walls of the adjoining caves and quickly cried out, "There are more here too. At least two more loads."

They found several caches of weapons in the end, each carefully wrapped in leather to protect them from the moisture leaching into the air from the waterfall.

"Halbrand, what would orcs need to stage an attack on our city?"

"Besides the supplies here? Bodies. Either man or orc."

Galadriel stared at him. His face looked haunted in the flickering firelight. "If they sought men, they certainly would have found a space to hide to the south. If the force were to be orc, how many would this equip?"

Halbrand's face twisted in hate and fear. "Too many."