The Lost

The Lost

Chapter 6
Author: Frosty the Dairy Cow
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Elrond, Legolas, Aragorn, Haldir, Galadriel, OC, AU, N/C
Summary: After the defeat of Sauron, Elves and Men go to war. The reason, though, is not so clear. Contains real plot.
Notes: Elvish translations are at the end of each chapter.
Disclaimer: LOTR is not mine. Bleh.

Once again, a big THANK YOU to those who reviewed. It means a *lot*. Even if you have critiques for the story - feedback is always a good thing. ;) And for Beth: Sorry the chapters are so short. I'm still writing this story - I don't want to catch up to myself. ;)

*

After Anólinad tad taken over the guardianship of Galadriel, she had sent one of the young elves to Legolas, to tell him she was there. The children of Lorien were not so suspicious or talkative as those who had lived here ages.

She settled on the steps and wrung her hands, anticipating his arrival. She was nervous that Elrond would find out. If he did, he would never trust her again. Every second she waited she considered backing out of this, but something inside her told her it was important that Legolas speak with the Queen.

Quiet steps invaded her thoughts. She looked up and saw Legolas. His quiver was on his back.

"I was beginning to think you were not coming," she said, rising from the stairs. Anólindë darted her eyes behind Legolas to make sure he had not been followed.

"It almost came to that," he replied, "Elrond was quite intent on making sure I do not speak with you again."

Anólindë widened her eyes in morbid humiliation. "What?" she hissed, "He told you to stay away from me?"

Legolas nodded softly. "I must admit, I thought about listening to him." His blue eyes looked over hers. "He was very serious."

"He has no right doing that," she muttered, "I cannot believe he would go behind my back."

Legolas pursed his lips. He did not mention that they were also going behind Elrond's back. "Did you not promise him you would no longer see me?"

Anólindë set her jaw as she looked up at him. "I did. I had no choice." She shook her head sadly, "He would not accept any other answer."

He touched her shoulder and smiled. "I appreciate what you have done." Sighing and looking up the stairs, he whispered, "I should talk with her now."

"May I come with you?" Anólindë licked her lips and followed Legolas up the stairs. "I have not had a chance to see her yet."

He looked as though he might ask her not to come, but in the end he nodded. \you you wish, but I ask that you do not repeat anything that is said while I speak with her."

"I understand." Anólindë bit her lip tensely as Legolas knocked gently on Galadriel's door, pushing it open slowly without waiting for a reply.

The Lady's sparkling blue eyes, having lost none of their wisdom, met them as they entered. She smiled broadly as Legolas came towards her, then knelt at her feet.

"My Lady," he said softly, bowing his head, "It is an honour."

Galadriel looked up at Anólindë before drawing Legolas' chin up with her finger. "Young Prince of Mirkwood," she said, motioning him to a chair beside her, "My heart lightens to see you well."

Anólindë drew back against the wall and leaned against it, suddenly feeling like an intruder. Legolas met Galadriel's eyes with sorrow. "I do not wish to burden your heart, My Lady, but I have gone to great lengths to see you. Anólindë has helped me in secret, and I do not wish to see her found out. I have concerns about this war, and I have heard you are ill. Please, can you tell us anything of what lies ahead?"

Galadriel sighed deeply and leaned back on her chair. Anólind's eyes moved over her slim form, noticing how pale she was. Her light was indeed dying. "What I see may or may not occur," she said lowly, her voice weak with exhaustion, "It is the past and the present that you should worry for."

"What do you mean?" Legolas knit his brows and leaned forward, touching her hands. She looked down at them, as though she had not been touched in ages.

Her eyes became distant as she looked off out the window. "Men and Elves, they do not realize the truth. This war is not what it seems. I have felt it. Others have as well." Pulling her hands from Legolas' hold, she touched the ring on her finger, gently rubbing its soft designs. Anólindë lowered her eyes to Nenya, watching it sparkle under the hazy lights. "Much will be learned when Elessar arrives."

"Aragorn?" Legolas' voice was quiet, surprised by her revelation. "The King of Gondor is coming?"

Anólindë watched as Legolas' eyes became distant. She knew of his history with the King. She knew they used to be friends. Taking a deep breath, she looked back up at Galadriel and saw her watching her. "Im garcen le ned i cendril, iell. Im garcen fuin orteli le. Nabach e ai innas annaubed an lain. Le garheria i lend. Le on law tolad." Galadriel turned her eyes to Legolas. "For either of you."

A tension knotted Anólind's stomach. She quickly regretted coming here to hear this. "I do not understand," she said, shaking her head, "What is going to happen?"

"Le innas tirad i thenid." The Lady's smile was faint upon her face, but it was there. "Sen cuil on alman thio ha."

"Nin brennil...," began Legolas, but he was cut off by the Queen pressing a finger to his mouth.

"Don, hin nin," she said softly, slowly removing her finger. Her gaze flickered towards the doorway as her voice lowered in tone. "Anglennae."

Anólindë pushed herself from the wall, her eyes wide as she stepped back from the door. Legolas stood and came to her. "Is there any other way out of here?"

They could hear footsteps. Anólindë shook her head and gripped Legolas' sleeve. "He will be so angry," she said, biting her lip. The agitation in her body was overwhelming.

There was a shuffling outside the door. Anólind's head spun to look at Galadriel, who watched the door with a soft, accepting expression. "We will explain," said Legolas, trying to calm Anólindë.

"He will not listen." Taking a deep breath and holding it, she stepped back when the door squeaked open.

She quickly let it out in a shuddering exhale.

"Haldir," said Legolas, smiling as the marchwarden frowned and closed the door to Galadriel's home, "It is good to see you."

Anólindë let go of Legolas' shirt and rubbed her face, muttering something under her breath. Looking around, she took the first seat she could find. "What is going on here?" asked Haldir, his brows knit in confusion. Looking past Legolas, his eyes met Galadriel's as he asked, "Lin namae?"

She smiled and nodded, so Haldir turned his attention back to the others. "Anólindë, tell me what has happened."

Lookip, Ap, Anólindë could have cried. She had thought it was Elrond who approached. Seeing her friend nearly made her collapse in relief. "We thought you were someone else," she said breathlessly, "Why are you back so early?"

"The men were closer than we first thought," he replied, seemingly more interested in why the two of them were speaking with Galadriel. Turning to Legolas, he said, "The Lady is my responsibility, and she is ill. I must ask that you tell me whu aru are here."

"No harm was meant, my friend," responded Legolas, "I had a sincere interest in speaking with Lady Galadriel, and Anólindë was kind enough to allow that to happen." He stepped closer, eyeing the marchwarden carefully. "I appreciate your responsibility, and meant no offense. I asked Anólindë to help, and she did, against the wishes of those who would be angry if this meeting were to become public knowledge."

Haldir's dark eyes moved to Anólindë as he sighed. "I understand," he said, meeting Legolas' eyes, "You should thank the Valar that it was not he who came up here to check on the Lady."

"Where is Elrond?" asked Anólindë as she stood up. Part of her still worried he would come to find her.

Haldir glanced at Galadriel. "He is with the prisoners," he said quietly, "He insisted on interrogating them himself."

Anólindë looked up at Legolas. His expression was nervous as he ventured the question she did not want to ask. "Is the King of Gondor among those who were captured?"

Narrowing his eyes, Haldir hesitated before speaking. "He is," he said, "How did you know?"

Anólindë turned and looked back at the Queen, who was looking out the window behind her. Her white hands wrung softly, her slender fingers moving the Ring of Adamant.

"It has been foretold." Legolas sighed softly, glancing back at Galadriel then turning and making his way te doe door. "I should speak with him."

"Lord Elrond will not allow you to converse with the King," said Haldir. Legolas turned and frowned. "He has ordered all other elves to keep away while he questions the men."

"I dagro on na cam," whispered Galadriel, "Min amarth nodon an i gador uin adanath."

Haldir looked to the Queen. "She speaks of the King," he said softly, turning quickly to Legolas, "Has she said anything else to you?"

"She has," he replied, not elaborating. His gaze moved to Anólindë. "We should leave here."

Nodding, Anólindë swiftly went to Legolas' side. "Thank you, Haldir," she said, touching him on the arm as they left the room. He nodded faintly, closing the door on them.

"You should not be seen with me," said Legolas as they descended the stairs, "I will take leave of you and speak with you when I can."

"What are you going to do? Lady Galadriel made it quite clear we are both too far in this to turn back." She took a deep breath, glancing around the darkened forest before leaving the stairwell. "I just wish I knew what we're supposed to do."

Legolas peered into the woods, ever watchful. "I am confused as well. I do know, though, that I must speak with Aragorn." Anólindë made to speak, but he silenced her by continuing, "I know what you would say. Do not worry over this. I will be careful around Elrond." He leaned forward, touching her arm. "You should as well."

Nervous tension unconsciously made Anólindë place a hand over her abdomen. She bit her lip and nodded, her eyes moist as she watched Legolas make his way to the prison where the men were kept. If Elrond insisted on interrogating them himself, she knew he would not let Legolas in to see them.

Dark began to cover the quiet forest. She looked around, uncertain of where to go, what to do. Galadriel's words had rattled her.

Taking a deep breath, she headed off to her home. There wasn't anything she could do right now but wait for Legolas.


TB
TBC

Elf-Talk:

Im garcen le ned i cendril, iell. Im garcen fuin orteli le. Nabach e ai innas annaubed an lain. Le garheria i lend. Le on law tolad. - I have seen you in the mirror, daughter. I have seen darkness overcome you. Beware he who will give denial to your freedom (free). You have begun the journey. There is no coming back (comeback).
Le innas tirad i thenid. Sen cuil on alman thio ha. - You will see the truth (true). This life is not what it seems.
Nin brennil. - My lady.
Don, hin nin. Anglennae. - Silence, my child. He approaches.
Lin namae? - Are you well? (You be well?)
I dagro on na cam. Min amarth nodon an i gador uin adanath. - The battle is at hand. Our fate is tied to the prison of men.