Lady of Sky (Legolas/OC)

Book 2: chapter 11

I can only remember the ground passing underneath my feet for a long time. I do not think I have said a word, or even so much as cast a glance at anyone. I will my mind not to work. I do not want to think. I do not wish to feel. I know I must not be alone in this though.

"Therith, behold." a soft voice whispers from besides me. The voice is coated in grief, I notice.

Sparing a look ahead, I see ahead of us a sea of all sorts of different greens. Lothloriën lies before us in all its splendor. 'Gandalf would have loved to return here.' I can't help but think.

I cringe at the thought, feeling fresh tears come to my eyes. I cover my face, not wanting to be seen like this and not wanting to be reminded by Gandalf every other second.

An arm wraps around my shoulder, leading me forward. "I'm sorry." the voice says in my ear, a forehead resting against the side of mine. "I can only imagine how much he must have meant to you." I can find nothing to say in return, having too much trouble to keep myself together and safe some of my dignity.

"Legolas?" comes another voice, questioningly. The tall figure besides me moves, not losing their hold on me as they hold a silent conversation. "We're nearly there. Then we can rest." the other voice says, moving away.

At last we reach the forest. Leaves crunch underneath my feet as familiar smells reach me. I have been here before, but that was a long time ago.

"Stay close, young hobbits... They say a sorceress lives in these woods; an elf- witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell...And are never seen again." Gimli warns, clearly on edge.

The hobbits look around with uncertainty, but not just them. The only one who seems slightly comfortable here is Aragorn.

"Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Gimli boasts, only to fall dead silent the next moment.

Looking up, I see the gleaming point of an arrow pointing threateningly my way. I do not even have the energy to feel startled and just stand there, watching the elves that have surrounded us.

"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." says the one by Aragorn. He looks slightly familiar. Aragorn speaks to the elf in hushed, but restless tones.

"Aragorn! These woods are perilous. We should go back." Gimli stammers, his eyes fleeting from one arrow point to the other.

"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back." the elf tells him before passing his eyes on Frodo. "Come, she is waiting."

Leading us deeper into the woods, the sky steadily grows darker. Once we have reaches their settlement, all that is lighting our path are lights aligning the stairs we are climbing.

Hugging the tall Mallorn trees, are flets and seemingly endless stairs. Here the elves of Lothloriën reside, high in the trees, as do the Lord and Lady of the land, where the elf Haldir has led us.

Smoothly stepping down from their home, they grace us with their nearly overwhelming presence. They look as timeless and graceful as they did before when I visited a long time ago in the company of... Well, the Lady has perhaps grown even greater in beauty. Everyone seems to be greatly impressed, even Gimli.

"Nine there are, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him." Lord Celeborn questions, letting his eyes roam over the company before stopping at Aragorn.

"...He has fallen into shadow." comes Lady Galadriel's smooth voice, catching the look in Aragorn's eyes. "The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all..." she starts, keeping Boromir's eyes as she says so. His emotions waver from the intensity. "Yet hope remains while the company is true." she continues, glancing towards Sam fondly.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace." Galadriel assures us. Her words alone seem to lift our spirits, even if it is only slight.

Some hours later, when the others are most likely to be sleeping, I find myself on a bridge, suspended between two of the tallest trees. There, I gaze at the stars, visible beyond the thick canopy above.

I remember standing here with Gandalf by my side all those years ago. I was quite young at the time. We travelled at lot and I had an inkling that he wanted me to meet all his acquaintances and wanted to show me all the places he's been.

"Your eyes hold much sorrow young one." a low voice says from behind me, making me turn around. I curtsey before the Lord of the land. "You used to be much more lively if I recall correctly."

"Yes...I suppose so." I say, looking down at the white wood beneath my feet.

"I cannot cure you from your pain, nor can the Lady. Pain of loss is a precarious thing and can only be dealt with by time itself." he says, stepping closer and stopping beside me to look up at the stars as well.

"Gandalf has always had good reasons for doing what he did. Do not think his loss was in vain, he will not have thought so either."

"Gandalf protected us." I state.

"Yes, because he wishes your journey to continue...with all of you." he hints.

I sigh, looking down at the forest floor. "So you have noticed that my motivation is... wavering?"

Celeborn smiles slightly. "It was quite clear to see. It worried us." he admits. "You might not see it yourself, but your help is needed in this journey. It will help you if you play out your role as intended."

I look up at the tall Elf Lord. "Is that what Lady Galadriel foresees?" I ask.

He nods. "Yes...and, it is what I advise, as Gandalf's friend." he says, earning a tiny smile. "Thank you my Lord."