Gandalf's Apprentice

Chapter Two: Koi goodbye...

***Leandra's POV***

It's been a week and I wasn't used to anything. I had to wear gowns every day, have my hair done every day, wear a fucking corset...all day every day.

I was exhausted. I sat with Gandalf by a river while he fished, he was letting me read a spell book of his. He wanted me to learn magic to protect myself. "How do you pronounce that...?" I thought out loud and set the book aside, holding my hands out towards the river.

I took a deep breath and concentrated on a fish. "Bela...ed'...templa." I said slowly and felt my fingertips begin to tingle, a sort of feeling like pins and needles flowing from my chest, down my arms...I felt it leaving my hands.

Gandalf studied me. "Bela.ed'.templa!" I commanded...I didn't expect the water to listen.

A bubble of water rose up from the river and floated in the air...there was a small koi fish in it. "Gandalf...did I just...?" I was speechless, I controlled it, making the bubble come closer until it rest in my hands like a glass ball. The fish looked at me, occasionally spinning around in the bubble to move, but seemed to keep eye contact.

"That is amazing...you perform telekinesis with ease." Gandalf said in astonishment.

I giggled when the fish blew a bubble. "Aww...I like you too, little one. I will name you Pudge. Sir Pudge of Lothlorien. A noble knight who guards the river." I giggled and kissed the bubble, receiving a little kiss from the koi fish.

I set the bubble back in the water and let Pudge go. Gandalf couldn't help but to smile at how silly...but meaningful that little thing was to her.

"It's good luck to kiss a koi fish. It blesses you because it's so difficult to get one...could-...could you teach me magic? I-I'm a great student, I can cook, sew, I even know some medicine?" I asked with hopeful pleading in my voice.

"Are you asking to be my apprentice, Leandra?" Gandalf smiled slyly as he lit his pipe.

"Only if I can go on quests with you-...oh! And could you teach me how to make your fantastic fireworks!?" I asked excitedly with a wide grin that he couldn't help but to return.

"Only because you know my fireworks. I shall ask Lady Galadriel if you can accompany me to the west. I have a secret-" I cut him off.

"You're going to recruit a Hobbit burglar...Bilbo Baggins, son of Belladonna Took. He resides in Bag-End and likes books and armchairs. You've already invited Thorin Oakenshield and thirteen other dwarves, Balin, Dwalin, Ori, Nori, Dori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Oin, Gloin, then finally the sons of Lady Dis and nephews to Thorin, Fili and Kili." I said all of their names without taking a breath, I took a deep breath and tried not to giggle too much.

Gandalf was surprised. "Well...it seems you know more than you let on, my dear. Very well...you shall go with me to Bag-End." He smiled.

It was decided...

***

The next day while I was packing, Galadriel walked into my room.

She was carrying a sheathed sword in hand. "This is the Blade of Lorien...it comes from the Undying Lands. My home. I hope you never need to use it." Galadriel said with a sad smile as I examined the impeccable blade in awe.

"You're giving this to me...? I-I don't know what to say." I felt my eyes prick with tears as I slid the blade back into its sheath.

Galadriel said it wasn't a problem...then just left.

***

I stood nervously on the boarder of Lothlorien. My new horse was clopping at the ground beside me. I stared out into the open field, seeing the mountains just beyond...where Moria was. I shuddered at the very thought of the place.

"Are you ready, Leandra? Once we set out, there is no turning back on this." Gandalf rode up beside me and I mounted my horse.

"Yeah...let's go. I can't be afraid..." My voice trailed off at the end.

Here we go...