Aleana and Aragorn

Chapter 23

***Aragorn***

We stalk through the woods of Lothlorien, myself in lead. Legolas speaks of our beautiful surroundings as if he was returning home. Gimli on the other hand spoke nervously of an elf-witch living in the woods, scaring the poor hobbits.

I look to see Aleana walking behind me, her head down and the hood still drawn, her face hidden in the shadows of the trees.She had not uttered a word the whole day, not even to Frodo who had tried to talk to her. In the next second we are suddenly surrounded by armed elves, arrows aimed at our heads. The Elvish captain steps forward.

"The Dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark," the captain says before turning to Legolas.

"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion [welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil]."

"Govannas vin gwennen le, Haldir o Lorien [our fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lorien]," Legolas answers respectfully and Haldir turns to me.

"A, Aragorn in Dunedain instannen le ammen [Oh, Aragorn of the Dunedain, you are known to us.]"

"Haldir," I greet, bowing my head slightly.

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves," Gimli suddenly yells, "speak words we can also understand!" I sigh in exasperation.

"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days," Haldir replies coolly.

"And you know what this Dwarf says to that," Gimli yells, "Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul [I spit on your grave!]"

I turn sternly towards Gimli, but see Aleana had already grasped his arm, looking at him with slight anger.

"That was not so courteous," she finally spoke, her voice is filled with restrained anger, yet something told me it wasn't entirely aimed at Gimli. Haldir suddenly moves forward, gently moving aside to look at Aleana. She straightens up, her face illuminated by the moonlight as she glares at a shocked Haldir. Haldir falls to one knee, bowing to Aleana, the other elves immediately following suit.

"Mae govannen, tarien Aleana [welcome, Princess Aleana.]"

"Amin naa n'uma tarien sinome, lle uma il- kawa a' amin [I am no princess here, you do not bow to me]," she answers sternly.

Haldir rises hesitantly, looking to Aleana, but she just turns away from him. She walks away, sitting on a tree stump away from us. Unsure of what had just passed, I turn to Haldir, hoping to get his help as we crossed the woods.

***Aleana POV***

I sit away from them, an emptiness inside me filling itself with anger and grief, but I refused to cry. Aragorn was speaking with Haldir, asking him for help, begging, but Haldir was not budging. I did not want to be here. In fact, I never wanted to set foot in these woods, but unfortunately I had given my word to Frodo and the Fellowship, and I would honor it.

Aragorn continues to argue with Haldir, but he still refuses to help us. I had finally had enough and I stand, moving towards them.

"Sana lye a' he', tanya naa an order [take us to her, that is an order]," I command and Haldir looks to me hesitantly, wondering what to do. Then he sighs, turning around.

"Very well, my lady. Follow me," as he leads us through the woods towards the one place that I wanted to run as far away from as possible.

...

Night turns to day when we finally appear before Caras Galdon. Though I hated to admit it, I could not deny that the place was indeed beautiful.

"Caras Galadon," Haldir tells us, leading us through the gates as the others look around awe-struck, "the heart of Elvendom on Earth. This is the city of Galadhrim where dwell the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."

We step onto a wide fleet filled with a soft light. The walls are green and silver, the roof gold and in its midst is the trunk of the mighty Mallorn Tree. It is the chambers of Lord Celeborn, and we stand before the staircase, awaiting their arrival. I feel their presence as they descend the steps, but I do not look up though I know their eyes were on me. I keep my head down, and my hood drawn and that is how I stay.

"The enemy knows you have entered here," Lord Celeborn speaks, "what hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eight there are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? I can no longer see him from afar."

I look up sharply at the mention of father and see Lady Galadriel watching me. Immediately I turn my face away from her gaze.

"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land," she says softly, "he has fallen into Shadow."

Tears fill my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

"He was taken by both Shadow and flame," Legolas answers, grief heavy in his voice, "A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose," she replies and I tune her out while they continue speaking. I finally listen when she dismisses us.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled," she says softly, "go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil."

I can't help the scoff that leaves my lips and I feel all eyes turn to me in quiet shock as I cast my eyes to her, glaring at her. She looks to me kindly, no emotion betraying her eyes.

"What would you know of sorrow," I ask rudely and I know everyone was quite surprised for I rarely spoke rudely, yet here I was doing so and that also with the Lady of Light. I continue anyway.

"What would you know of loss when you so readily give up those meant to be closest to you, only for the sake of your own pride and kingdom...mother?"

There are sharp intakes of breaths all around as things finally make sense to them. All I do is glare at her.

"We will speak of this in private, my child."

"Do not call me that! And why speak in private? Do tell everyone that there is more to the Lady of Light than the purity she is seen in. After all before you met Lord Celeborn, you fell in love with father. I was the result of that love, but also your biggest mistake, is that not right?

You gave me to father as soon as I was born and you left because for you all that mattered was that others do not disrespect you for falling in love with someone you shouldn't have. And you so easily gave me up mother, never once looking back.

And Lord Celeborn? Remember when I ran away from father hoping to find shelter and love here under you and her. Do you remember what you told me? That I do not belong, that I would never belong! And you turned me away. And did you fight for me even then mother? No, you turned your back on me as you have done so since I was born.

And my father? You played with his feelings mother and you Lord Celeborn merely respected his title of a wizard and nothing more. But him? He always told me to never fester ill feelings for the two of you, trying to tell me that he wasn't hurt, that you did nothing that required forgiveness.

You do not deserve father's love, nor his friendship. And you do not get to mourn him."

Tears slide down my face as I finally let the grief wash over me, the weight of loss heavy on my heart. And with one last glare at the two of them, I turn and head to where we would be staying.

A/n: Forgive me for making Galadriel and Celeborn seem so mean, but I promise it is just for the sake of the story! And they truly aren't bad, afterall Gandalf knew that Galadriel belonged with her kind and it was a sacrifice they both made and Aleana will understand, but later.

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