Visitors from the North
A/n: This chapter is a bridge between this fic and my other fic Heir to a
Kingdom. In the next chapter I will be taking the chapters I wrote for HTK
and modifying them for use in this fic.Galadrien stood on a flet that looked out over the northern border of
Lorien. For the past few years orcs had been roaming in bands across the
lands. Twelve years earlier, Helm the King of Rohan was forced to seek
refuge with his people in a fortress deep in a ravine. The winters had also
been very hard, longer and colder than usual. Because of this Mithrandir
had left to bring aid to a people who lived in a place called The Shire.
The river that ran along one of their borders had frozen and wargs from the
mountains had crossed it causing panic and mayhem.
Ever since leaving Rivendell her time was now spent with the Guard who
protected the borders of her land. She now dressed like them and to her
grandmothers dismay wore her hair in the fashion that they did. The
something caught her eye; a rider on a brown horse was coming towards them.
Looking down she called out; "Rumil, a rider approaches from the north."
Picking up her bow she slid down a rope to the ground to meet this rider.
The rider approached the edge of the forest, dismounted and introduced
himself; "I am Brinion, a messenger from King Thranduil of Mirkwood." Then
he pulled a cylinder from his waist pouch and handed it to Rumil. He then
said, "You are to give this to Celeborn the lord of these lands with all
haste." Having said this he mounted his horse and rode off.
Galadrien took the cylinder from Rumil saying, "I will take this to my
grandfather. The rest of you keep a sharp lookout, something foul comes
near."
A couple hours later she rode into Caras Galadhon. She strode into her
grandfather's private study where he was conversing with her grandmother.
They stopped and she handed the cylinder to her grandfather saying, "A
messenger from Thranduil in the north just dropped this off at the northern
border."
Celeborn broke the seal of the cylinder and pulled out a scroll of paper.
He read it several times then said; "My distant kinsman Thranduil sends
word that dragons have returned to the North. Smaug has plundered Erebor
and the dwarves have fled. He fears for the safety of Middle Earth. It also
says that he is sending an ambassador here to discuss this." He then set
down the scroll and turned to his wife.
"Absolutely not, was Galadriel's reply."Need I remind you that we are
feuding with Thranduil? You cannot allow this to happen."
Celeborn held up a hand; "How did this feud begin in the first place?"
Galadriel remained silent. Laughing Celeborn said, "Your memory may be long
my dear but it is very selective. It was a very trivial matter in the first
place and it would do us good to end it. Thranduil is one of my kin and
there are very few of us Teleri left in Middle Earth. I do not want to be
alienated from him for the rest of my long life. We will welcome the
ambassador and his party with open arms."
Placing the scroll back in the cylinder he turned to Galadrien,
"Granddaughter would you by chance call on your friends the Eagles to bear
a messenger of ours to Thranduil to let him know of my decision?" Galadrien
nodded and he said, "Good, we will send Haldir because he is well known to
them and they trust him. Now lets start getting ready they should be here
in less than a month."
Three weeks later Galadrien and a host of the Guard in their finest dress
were waiting at the northern border watching the party ride up. It was of a
considerable size including the ambassador whose name Galadrien did not
catch, his aides, members of Mirkwoods Guard and the king's two sons,
Legolas and Adrolas.
After making a lengthy speech to welcome the guests they were led through
the forest to Caras Galadhon. Galadrien rode next to Prince Legolas but
they did not speak. Adrolas however could not seem to keep his mouth shut.
The entire two hour ride he did not say one kind word, he even made a
disparaging comment about Celeborn. Though it angered her Galadrien kept
her mouth shut but silently vowed to return the favor sometime later.
Finally they rode into the courtyard where her grandparents were waiting to
greet their guests. Celeborn seemed genuinely pleased to welcome the
ambassador. Galadriel however seemed less than keen on having them here but
it was not apparent on her face. Soon the formalities were concluded and
Galadrien left to prepare for the dinner that would be held in honor of the
ambassador and the princes.
Not far from the courtyard Legolas stopped her; "We meet again my lady. It
has been many years since we last saw each other and I can tell that you
have grown wiser. You have also grown fairer in my eyes."
Blushing Galadrien replied, "Nay, Grandmother is still the fairest of those
who walk on Middle Earth, I pale in comparison to her. Welcome to Lorien
Prince Legolas. It warms my heart to see after what is happening in the
north that you are all right. Though I am curious, your father sent an
ambassador for the negotiation why did he also send your brother and
yourself?"
Legolas laughed, "I told my father that I wished to learn more diplomatic
skills to get him to send me along. Adrolas however simply wished to make
trouble. I guess you could tell from the ride in. He is always looking for
ways to discredit me in our father's eyes, though they have so far been to
no avail." He looked around then said; "I should let you get going. You
must have many things to do before tonight's dinner. However before you go
would you do me the honor of sitting next to me at dinner tonight my lady?"
Smiling she replied; "The honor would be all mine Your Highness." Then she
gave a small curtsy and turned to walk away.
On the way to her chambers her grandfather met her. Falling into step with
her he said; "Walk with me my dear. There are many questions that I have
for you." Nodding her consent he continued, "First of all, this is not your
first meeting with the prince is it?"
Bowing her head she said, "No grandfather, the prince and I have met
before." He raised an eyebrow, which was her cue to continue. "When
Mithrandir and you sent me on my test I wandered into Mirkwood. A storm was
raging and my horse got spooked and ran off leaving me stranded. It was the
prince who found me."
Celeborn sensed that she was not telling everything, "Go on child, I wish
to hear the entire story."
Sighing she continued; "Against what Mithrandir said he and I went into Dol
Gulder to scout it. It is a horrible place and has given me nightmares ever
since. While there we had a run in with the Necromancer. I went up against
him though I did not have the power or the strength and was injured."
Looking up at her grandfather she continued, "He took me back to his
father's halls where their healers healed my wounds. The king was on a
hunting party at the time so I did not meet him and I suspect he was never
told of my visit. When I was released the prince gave me a horse and
provisions and we said our farewells. From there I went to Rivendell and
you know what happened then."
Celeborn stopped and looked at her; "I am disappointed that you did not
follow the advice you gave us and more disappointed that you did not tell
us the whole story. However you learned some valuable lessons that you
should not have had to learn and you returned to us safely and for that I
am glad. Now run along and get ready for tonight, I want you to look your
best for our guests. I am sure that Prince Legolas would appreciate it."
Bowing to her grandfather she ran to her chambers where one of her maidens
was laying out dresses for her. Going through them she found one she
adored. It was a soft; muted moss green color made from the lightest of
materials. It hung loosely on her body yet moved in an alluring way. After
years of keeping her hair pulled back on guard duty she decided to let her
hair hang free for the evening though her maiden pinned flowers throughout.
She wore no jewelry save fore the carved elanor flower that she had been
given on her trip to Mirkwood.
By the time she had finished it was time for her to go down to the great
hall for the feast that had been prepared. Then there was a soft knock at
her door. Her maiden opened it to reveal Legolas standing there in formal
dress.
Stepping inside he said, "My lady your grandfather gave me permission to
escort you to dinner tonight." He gave a formal bow then said; "I have also
brought a present for you my lady." Then he held out a necklace. It was
made of a silver hoop that went around the neck and it had a large smooth
oval stone that hung down that was the color of dark amber. "I see that it
will compliment your gown nicely." He stepped towards her and placed the
necklace around her neck to where the stone would hang in the hollow of her
throat. After doing so he held out his arm for her to take.
Galadrien was very touched by the gift and smiling took his arm. They
walked down to the Great Hall where a herald announced their coming to the
guests. "The Lord and Lady of Lorien are pleased to present to you Prince
Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil the King of Mirkwood and Lady Galadrien
Tindomiel of the Galadhrim." As they entered Galadrien pointed out some of
the guests to the prince. Included on the guest list were her cousins
Elladan and Elrohir, also present were Gildor, Erestor, and Glorfindel.
After what seemed like ages they were seated at the banquet table and the
feast began. She did not know from where but her grandfather had procured
many fine foods and wines for the guests. It was a good feast filled with
laughter, music and merriment. Galadrien could not remember the last time
that she had this much fun or had eaten this much. Soon the desserts were
brought out, individual winterberry tarts that astonished many of the
guests since the berries were supposed to be out of season. Adrolas, ever
to be malcontent brought this up; "Well it figures that guests such as us
would not be worth using fresh fruit on. Dried berry tarts, even my father
would not stoop so low."
Angry words began to form in the back of Galadrien's throat but a look from
Celeborn silenced them. Standing he said; "You are mistaken Your Highness,
we serve only the best to our guests. The berries though out of season are
fresh." Indicating to Galadrien he said; "We have my granddaughter to
thank. She knows of ways to coax the bushes to bear fruit out of season."
Sitting back Adrolas seemed to be at a loss for words.
After that people began to filter out of the hall, the banquet was winding
down. Galadrien took the opportunity to slip out into the open to get fresh
air. She began to walk back to her chambers to get dome rest when someone
fell into step beside her.
"Mind if I escort you back to your chambers my lady?" asked Prince Legolas
offering his arm to her.
Smiling she took his arm saying; "I would have thought that you would have
stayed to chat with the rest of the nobles. You are going to become very
popular around here so you better watch yourself."
Patting her arm he replied; "Well it must be better than the attention I
get at home. I am considered to be quite the eligible bachelor so therefore
I am hounded by these twins that always seem to be about in the halls. I
admit they are pretty but not the brightest on Middle Earth and I have no
interest in them but they can't see to get that."
Laughing she replied; "I know the type you are talking about we have a few
around here. They are harmless, simply social butterflies who like to be
where the people are. Truly if you ignore them enough they fade away."
They had now reached the tree where her chambers where. Legolas took her
hand and softly kissed the back of it. "Quel kaima (sleep well) my lady."
Curtsying to the prince she replied; "Quel esta (rest well) Your Highness."
Then she went up the steps carved into the tree and into her chambers where
she closed the door. Peeking out her window she watched him walk across the
courtyard to where his guest quarters had been prepared. Smiling to herself
she lay back on a lounger and drifted off into the elven world of sleep.
Chapter Eight
Fanfic Main Page
Dreaming of You
