The Lost

The Lost

Chapter 9
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.


*

Anólindë stumbled across the uneven ground as Legolas pulled her through the forest. She could not concentrate on where she was going. Her mind was too confused, thinking too strongly on what Aragorn had told them. Having no reason to believe the King did not alleviate her fears. If it was indeed true, if Elrond was a murderer and responsible for this war, things were worse than she imagined.

"We have no reason to believe him," said Legolas, his grip tight on her arm. He had insisted they leave the dungeons immediately, under both the threat of being discovered, and needing to process what they were told. "He has lied before, and I am certain he would lie about this, as well." Stopping, the blonde elf loosened his grip on Anólindë's arm and looked down into her nervous eyes. "I am sorry for what he said."

Taking a breath, Anólindë looked around. Only a few elves were out this early in the morning. All were out of earshot. "I need to know," she said, looking up at Legolas, "I need to know if it is true."

He shook his head. "You cannot ask Elrond. Either way, he should not know that we spoke with Aragorn."

Anólindë agreed and nodded. Biting her lip, she frowned and asked, "What about Galadriel? Should we speak with her again?"

"That would be wise, though we must be careful." He regarded her curiously for a moment, then asked, "Can you speak of this with Haldir?"

Licking her lips, Anólindë thought about it. Haldir was the one who started her thinking about peace between men and elves. "Yes, I think so," she replied, "I will try talking with him."

Legolas nodded. "I will await you on the east side of the forest. We should not be seen together." He touched her shoulder and smiled. "Do what you can."

Anólindë smiled, watching as Legolas parted company with her. Now that she was alone, she felt more nervous than before. Her task was a simple one, though, so she started out for Galadriel's home. She only hoped Haldir would help them.

She stopped at the steps leading to the house of the Lady. Taking a look around, she made sure no one saw her ascension to the top floor. She didn't want to risk being interrupted by anyone.

Haldir was not outside; Anólindë assumed he was in with the Queen. She thought about waiting, but decided this was something that needed resolving quickly. Licking her lips, she knocked softly at the door.

It creaked open slightly. Haldir knit his brows at the visitor. "Anólindë," he said, opening the door wider, "Is something wrong?"

He did not open the door enough for her to see Galadriel, but she could sense the Lady knew she was there. "There may be," she said, "I need to speak with you, and Lady Galadriel, if possible."

Haldir hesitated, but allowed Anólindë entry. The Queen, sitting in the same chair as before, smiled at her as she entered. "The Lady told me you were coming," he said as he closed the door behind her, "She knew you needed guidance. Otherwise I would not have allowed you entry." His eyes were serious, but Anólindë saw the concern behind them.

"I do need guidance," she said, clasping her hands, "I need help." Anólindë looked up at Haldir, feeling very anxious. She knew he would not leave her alone with the Queen. Everything depended on him trusting her. "I must speak with the Lady about things that, if you hear them, must be kept to yourself. Please. Lives may depend on it."

He frowned, but nodded. Anólindë took a shakey breath and approached Galadriel, kneeling at her feet. "Do not worry so," she said, touching the dark-haired elf on the cheek. Her fingers were cold. "It is not as hopeless as it seems."

Tears stung Anólindë's eyes. "I spoke to him," she breathed, "He told me things that I do not wish to believe. I need to know if he can be trusted."

"That is something I cannot answer," she said. Her blue eyes sparkled brightly, as though lit with tears selvselves. "You will have to make the decision to trust for yourself."

Anólindë shook her head. "I don't know what to do. You must tell me what I'm supposed to do."

Galadriel's hand left Anólindë's face, and fell into her lap. Her pale face turned quiet. "I have seen things that will torture you, but you must remain strong. There will be others to help you. You must remember that you are not alone."

Averting her eyes, Anólindë exhaled a deep breath. She did not know if she could take more despair. "What of the history of this war? Is what I was told the truth?"

"Truth often melds with lies. If they do not know anything else, then they will assume what they know is truth. It is like this with Elessar."

Haldir, having been quiet until then, stepped forward. "Elessar?" he said, jerking his eyes to Anólindë, "You have spoken with the King of Gondor? What is the matter with you? Are you looking to be killed? He is dangerous!"

Anólindë looked up. Haldir was definitely not pleased to hear such words. "Haldir," said Galadriel, "You judge too quickly."

The marchwarden's blue eyes settled on the Queen. "Forgive me, Lady, but how must I react when my friend does something to endanger her life? My judgement of her actions is fueled by my want of her safety."

Galadriel shook her head softly. "No, Haldir, it is not Anólindë whom you judge wrongly."

He frowned. "What do you mean?" he breathed, stepping closer, "Do you speak of Aragorn?"

The Queen clasped her hands in her lap. "I see only so far and only so much," she said, looking to Anólindë, "Soon you will realize what is truth and what is deception, and it will be easier then. I cannot tell you what lies ahead, but I will say that the past still influences this future as it should not. Legolas awaits you on the forest's edge. If you go to him, your chance for knowledge will be delayed until perhaps too late." She leaned close and smiled faintly, "I hesitate to offer this guidance, but I see no alternative. My mind is consumed with thoughts of our ultimate ends, and only one gives me hope."

"Someone needs to meet Legolas," said Anólindë, distracted. She looked up at Haldir, whose expression was unreadable. "Haldir, could you tell him I cannot see him immediately?" His eyes flickered to Galadriel, but Anólindë was quick to respond. "I will stay with the Lady until you return."

Even if Haldir did not quite understand, he knew that what Galadriel had said held importance. He nodded. "What shall I tell him?"

"Tell him...I will seek him out when I can," she said after a moment's hesitation.

Haldir nodded again and left the house. Anólindë heard the door click behind her as she looked up into Galadriel's eyes. "I feel so lost," she said, seeking comfort in the Lady's gaze, "Forgive me if I do not succeed in this."

Galadriel smiled then, and raised her hand to brush Anólindë's hair behind her ears. "You have already succeeded," she said, "You have done more than most others would have."

"Have I done enough, though?" Anólindë shook her head and sighed, "In the end, will what I have done have made a difference?"

Galadriel's eyes rose upwards, to the door behind Anólindë. "Cuil on arnediad. Man min carinnas glamor godref anann." As the Queen's smile faded, the younger elf grew tense. Soft footsteps were now audible behind her.

A dark voice sounded in the space of the room. "A ti ai gwarth innas bronio i suigoll amarth." Anólindë looked up into Elrond's dark eyes. "On i dambeth alfair, nin meleth?"

*

Legolas leaned against one of the large oaks that made up the forest of Lorien. His arms were crossed and his jaw set as he waited for Anólindë. Her nervously wondered if she had succeeded in talking with Haldir.

Truth be told, part of him wasn't sure about any of this. He wanted this war to end as much as anyone, but there were feelings inside him that warned him against trusting humans. While they were once his friends, lately they had proven themselves violent and decepetive. They had killed his family. Part of him wanted them to die, as his father and brothers did.

Something was wrong, though, Legolas could not deny that. The stories did not mesh. He felt darkness invading the realm of the elves, a darkness that was not of man's making. If trusting the world of Gondor would mean eternal peace and rest for his kind, he would make that sacrifice.

Soft footfalls caused his keen ears to perk up. They were heavy, though, not like the light steps of a female elf. Turning, he looked around the tree and saw Haldir approach.

"Legolas," the marchwarden called out, "I have a message for you from Anólindë."

Knitting his brows in concern, Legolas stepped out from behind the tree and met Haldir halfway. "What is it?"

Haldir's eyes looked over Legolas. They were not friends, nor did they really even know each other all that well. The Mirkwood elf could sense that Galadriel's guard did not fully trust him. "She has spoken with the Lady and was advised to remain apart from you for a short while," he said. When Legolas made to speak, Haldir interrupted, "Do not ask me why. The Lady is...cryptic."

He sighed and nodded, unsure. Galadriel must have had a good reason to keep them apart. "Did Anólindë say anything else?" he asked, desperate for any kind of news.

"She said to tell you she will seek you out later," he responded. The marchwarden blinked softly as his eyes grew hard. "Anólindë is my friend, Prince Legolas, and I have witnessed her become severely distressed in front of the Queen. If you have knowledge as to what causes her such worry, I ask that you share with me. I have only concern for her well-being."

Legolas stared into Haldir's eyes. He did not know if he could trust this marchwarden, but he could not deny having another on their side would help matters. "I hesitate to share with you, only because of the importance and urgency of this matter. If you are indeed Anólindë's friend, you would keep what I say to yourself."

"Anólindë has already asked for my silence in regard to her conversation with Lady Galadriel," he responded, "I promise you the same."

Legolas bit the inside of his cheek. "There is something amiss in Lothlorien," he explained, "The Lady has set us on a path that would include the world of men, specifically King Aragorn of Gondor. She speaks of a truth that has not yet been revealed, that would impact this war in a way we are not yet sure of. Both Anólindë and I have spoke with Aragorn, and he has told us things that may change what we know of the past." He sighed then, and shook his head. "I know not if the King lies."

"If what the Lady speaks is correct, then the King may be speaking at least partial truths." Haldir clenched his jaw and looked around, quickly settling his gaze back on Legolas. "This is a very dangerous game you play. There are some here who would not take lightly to such conversations."

"We are aware of that," he replied, taking a deep breath, "More than you know."

*

TBC

Elf-Talk:

Cuil on arnediad. Man min carinnas glamor godref anann. - Life is endless. What we (us) do will echo through time.
A ti ai gwarth innas bronio i suigoll amarth. On i dambeth alfair, nin meleth?- And those (they) who betray will endure a (the) likewise fate. Is that (the response) not right, my love?