Galadriel's Mirror

Title: Galadriel's Mirror
First story in the Child of Prophecy Series
Author: Haldirsbaby/Balrog
Fandom: LOTR
Type: FCHET
Characters: OFC/Haldir, Elves From Middle Earth
Rating: PG
Genres: Romance/Adventure/Supernatural/Mystery
Disclaimer: I do not any of the Tolkien characters, just borrowed them for a while. All OCs are mine. No monetary gain is being received. Strictly for enjoyment.
Timeline: AU-4th Age and Present
Setting: Lothlorien-Earth Modern day

Revealing The Prophecy....

Hal led Ana into a small set of gardens that connected by pathways but overrun with thorny vines and ivy. A carpet of moss covered the floor of the garden. They both looked around in awe at the site before them: bushes and plants showed signs of severe neglect, birdbaths sat in the midst filled with leaves and looked decayed. Ana felt sad at the site before her. The coolness of the thick woods started to make her shiver slightly. Hal seeing her shiver asked, "Would you like for me to go and find your sweater?" She nodded as he kissed her forehead. He turned and left her standing alone.

She imagined what the garden must have looked like when trimmed and cared for. The image she saw in her mind was simply breathtaking. Flowers of every kind danced and the smell of them intoxicated her. She looked around and noticed that Hal still had not returned. She knew that they had not left their packs that far away. She decided not to worry. She found a bench and sat down. She pulled off her hiking boots and socks to rub her sore feet. The moss covered floor of the garden looked very inviting. Upon putting her foot down on the ground, her foot sank with the softness. Moss came up in between her toes causing her to loose her thoughts to its comfort. 'So peaceful and untouched here. If only there were more places like this in the world,' she thought to herself. A light Breeze blew up and in that breeze a fell voice sounded.

'Anastasia' it whispered.

Ana's head popped up and looked into the forest in the direction it came from. 'It must be my imagination,' she thought and closed her eyes.

'Anastasia, come child' it said louder this time.

Ana looked in the same direction. Now she was definitely not imagining that. Curiosity finally overtook her. She stood and began to walk into the direction of the voice, which continued. The voice got clearer and sounded very feminine. She walked down a path that looked well traveled in the past, only now covered with leaves. She walked for what seemed at least a half an hour. She came upon a clearing that was in a circular pattern with bushes around it which were cover in ivy. In the middle of this garden stood what looked like a birdbath with vines that encased the pedestal and contained a large shallow basin made of silver on top. Amazingly, the water inside it was crystal clear, no debris laid inside. This object intrigued Ana but she also feared it. To the left of the garden stood a small waterfall clearly made by human hands but the water had stopped running and vines now covered it.

'Come closer, Ana. Will you look into my mirror?' the voice said.

Ana stopped herself from doing what the voice bid. That phrase seemed familiar to her. 'Where have I heard it before' she asked herself. She decided to do the crazy thing and talk back to the voice.

"If I look what will I see?" she asked it looking around.

'Even the wisest cannot tell. Things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass,’ it said.

The n it dawned on her. The words were from the Tolkien book and the movie. The same words she spoke to Frodo Baggins when he was in Lothlorien. 'Oh, no.' she thought. The voice belongs to her. "Lady Galadriel?" Ana whispered.

'Yes, come. Come and look into my mirror,’ she bid her.

Ana could not believe what she was hearing. It was all too surreal. She started to feel fearful. At that moment, she almost had the urge to run and find Hal. 'Hal, where are you?' she thought to herself. The voice heard her thoughts, knew she was fearful. It spoke.

'Fear not. No harm will come to you. He will be here soon enough,' the voice said reassuring her.

Ana felt a wave of calm hit her. She gathered up enough courage and walked slowly to the basin. She looked straight ahead, still a little untrusting of what she might see. She took a deep breathe and let it out slowly. She closed her eyes. She placed both hands on either side of the basin and bowed her head. She opened her eyes and gasped at what she saw.

~~~~~~~~~

Hal met up with the others after leaving Ana in the garden.

Eric held out the pack with Hal's old uniform in it. Gary stood nearby fully dressed in his old clothes.

"We must hurry. She is looking into the mirror. She will need answers." He said in haste.

Hal went behind the tree and changed. After he had changed, he came out braiding his hair in the traditional braids. He felt a little uneasy about what they were getting ready to do.

He looked up and Eric, Brian, Randal, Lee, and Orion were already in their clothes. Down to the last braid. He reached into Ana's pack and grabbed her sweater. No one said anything as these men made their way to the garden and down the path to the mirror’s glade. Hal knew the way all too well.

Hal looked up and saw Ana standing peering into the basin, she was in a stunned state of shock. You could see that light was flashing in the water as the images changed. She never looked up. She was too enthralled. They all stood watching her, worried, concerned and anxious at how she would react. Gary knew what the images were she was seeing. The pain she was feeling. But he was not the only one. Hal felt them too.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ana was shocked at the images, even a little intrigued by them. The first images to appear were of a group of people with pointy ears standing in this same garden she stood. A woman dressed in clothes of the purest white stood looking into the basin. They were looking at a pool of water that flashed images of men and wars. Next, there were people, who thrived in the trees, leaving a beautiful city. Ana recognized the city as the one she now stood. The mirror somehow had a pull on her. Another image flashed of a woman in pain about to give birth and then a child. Then the woman died giving birth. Then there was a teenage girl in an orphanage, helping the nuns with the other children. She then saw a man with white hair talking to the teenage girl. The man was Uncle Gary. Ana realized that the images were of her life. However, who were the ones before that?

The images changed to show her in her adult life. There were conventions and speeches she spoke at, and then came her humanitarian work around the world. She watched her Uncle and Brian talking in the library in England. Then the images changed with the arrival of Hal, his brothers, Lee and Eric. She then stood in front of the retreat. Ana watched as her and Hal walked hand in hand around the grounds. Then she saw things that she didn’t recognize. There was a powerful light bright enough that she had to shield her eyes. When her eyes adjusted, she noticed at the center was a mystical opening with pointed eared people coming through. At the head of the procession was the woman in white. Suddenly the images stopped. Ana felt a little sickened woozy from all the flashing images.

She closed her eyes to catch her bearings. She was breathing hard. 'What is the meaning of all this?' she thought. She looked up and saw Hal's blue gray eyes staring back at her. Her eyes never left his. He did not smile, he did not speak, but looked away at someone behind her. She looked around the garden noticing Brian, Eric, Orion, Lee, and Randal. They all looked at something or someone behind her. Ana turned slowly feeling fearful.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ana gasped at the man before her: Uncle Gary. Nevertheless, he did not look the same. He was dressed very strangely, in a long snow-white robe and white cloak. His hair white as it usually was, only slightly braided off his face. He held a staff and a look of pain on his face, as if he was sorry for something. Ana wanted to speak but could not get the words out. She turned from him and looked at the others. They too were dressed strangely.

Ana finally broke the silence. "What is the meaning of all this? What did the images mean, Uncle Gary?" she started shakily, "Why are all of you dressed like you are?" She looked at each and then stopped at Gary. Hal, she noticed, looked worried.

"The images are of the past, the present, and the future. I know what it is you saw, Ana," he said walking closer to her.

Everyone remained silent and watched as Gary talked to her.

"Why have I been shown these things?” asked Ana as tears slowly streamed down her face. "Who exactly are you and them?" she asked pointing to the others.

"In my old life, I was known as Gandalf the Gray, but then after the War of the Ring and battling the Balrog in Moria, I became Gandalf the White. They are the Elves that the Valar willed to stay behind to help keep the peace in The World and wait for the Prophecy to be fulfilled." Ana could not believe what he was telling her.

"What is going on exactly?" she asked him, "What prophecy?"

"Long ago, in this very garden, Lady Galadriel the Lady of light, revealed a prophecy that the Valar made. ‘It shall come to pass that elves will come back to the Earth once more and become its rulers. The Elves shall return when men will fail again to reclaim the land. At this time, a mortal child will come forth and given the task of calling them back to Earth. This child will be of pure heart and soul.' You, Ana are that child. You are the Chosen One."

Ana broke out into a fit of laughter that rung through the garden. "Me, a child of prophecy! Now that is funny," she said laughing at the mere thought.

"Why do you find it funny, Ana?" Gary said not seeing the amusement.

She kept laughing in disbelief. "Why? You want to know why that is funny?" she said," Because a few weeks ago, I had some dream lady tell me about the same prophecy. And now I find out she was telling me the truth."

"She who? Elbereth? Why did you not tell me about what she said?" Gandalf said.

"Cause I did not believe her. Now that I see these things in this mirror thingy, I do not know what to believe," she said turning to look at the others. She looked at each. She then noticed their ears and their clothes. They looked like something out of the Tolkien books and the movies.

"So tell me. The names I know you by aren't really your names are they?" she asked quietly almost humbled. The first one she looked at was Brian. She recalled the little things that should have set off the alarms in her head. The vanity, his golden hair, his youthful looks not to mention the description of the infamous Balrog slayer who died in the first age and then came back in the second age as himself. "Let me guess Brian, you are the Famous Balrog Slayer, Glorfindel. Am I right?" she said nodding her head, and then she added, "I should have seen this coming. The little hints, the personality traits described in the books. Man, am I stupid."

Brian looked at her and said, "Ana, I am he. We did not want to deceive you. We had no choice."

She held up her hand stopping him. "I do not want to hear it," she said then looking at Eric. "And you there,” she pointed her finger at him. “There is only one character that fits you. You have to be Erestor, the Chief Counselor to Lord Elrond. I see Tolkien was correct in describing you. You are truly the smart mouth person he presented you to be."

"Ana, please under...” he was cut off by her.

"I said, save it," she looked at Lee, "There is no doubt. I should have known from the start. You have a regal air about you Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. I should have seen it sooner.”

Legolas kept his mouth shut and looked down to the ground.

Then she looked at the three brothers and shook her head with shame. "I should have noticed the three noble brothers of Lothlorien. Haldir opened that gate all too quickly. I knew he was hiding something. I knew it." She looked up at Haldir and tears welled up in her. "The house earlier, it was your home. The ones in the painted portrait in the chest were you and your brothers. The armor and cloak was yours also. Wasn't it?" Haldir nodded yes. She turned away. Haldir felt a pain strike his heart. She was hurt.

She turned back to Gandalf. "So I am this child of prophecy. Why the lies, the deceit, the years of a life that did not exist?" she asked crying.

"Ana we had no intention of hurting you. We are still the same people you knew. We just had different identities. There was a proper time and place for the prophecy mentioned. Please understand," Gandalf pleaded.

"Understand? Understand what?" she almost yelled at him. She felt the pain rise in her. Her thoughts clouded. She felt herself. She ran from the garden as fast as she could. She needed to be away from them. The tears flowed as her feet carried her further away from them.

~~~~~~~~~

Haldir stood fast as he was about to turn after her. Gandalf stopped him. "Let her be. She needs to accept this. Deep down she knows it is her destiny. She will not fail, Haldir."

The others looked at each other with shocked faces. They feared for her. The woods were no place for her. Haldir looked at them.

"Mithrandir, let me go to her. She needs comfort and reassurance please. If she leaves the city, she will be in danger. Let me talk to her," he pleaded. Gandalf looked at him and finally agreed.

"You must hurry Haldir, it is almost time to awaken the beacon," Gandalf said calmly.

~~~~~~~~~

Ana ran until her feet could not carry her anymore. She was almost to the gates. She stopped under a large Mallorn tree and collapsed to her knees crying. The pain in her heart was too much. How could they lie to her? Why was she chosen to do this massive task? The weight of the world was on her shoulder. She remembered the images in the mirror. The love she felt for her uncle, the only father she had ever known. She felt as if they took advantage of her. The care for the guardians, they were like her brothers. She cried out asking "Why me?" They knew she had an overwhelming need to help. They were playing on that. Then she did love them, even Haldir. Knowing this made her calm and think a little more clearly.

She felt someone's presence behind her. Her head shot up. Haldir was kneeling beside her. He looked pained at seeing her like this. He reached out to touch her shoulder. She pulled away from him. He slowly lowered his hand away from her.

"Ana, why are you angry?" he started, "We meant you no harm. We hated to keep this from you. Can you not see that?"

"If that’s the truth then why do I feel used and lied to? You all know that I cannot refuse to help others." She was calmer now but crying softly.

"The Valar sought to bring you into this world. You have exceeded all their expectations. You are a rare gift to this chaotic world. I know you feel betrayed, I understand, we all do. We hated keeping this secret from you," he said quietly pleading to her.

"If you all cared for me, then why not just tell me. My whole life, I dedicated myself to others. I am no one special," she said looking up at him with tears in her eyes.

"You are wrong, Ana," he said moving closer to embrace her, she did not pull away from him, "You are very special, to them, to the world, and...to me”

She looked up at him. "I have no powers. Why would the Valar need me? What can I do? If I awaken the beacon or whatever it is they want done, what will happen to me?" she said looking to him for answers.

"You will live on. You will find someone to love and lead a normal life. The Valar sees the beauty of your soul, The purity and the innocence of it. That is the power you have,” he said holding her. "That goodness in you is a very attractive thing especially in a chaotic world. I know I like it. We all do." He smiled at her and she smiled back at him.

"I guess I over reacted, maybe I need to find out what I have to do. Will you escort me back to the mirror?" she asked sniffling.

Haldir took out a handkerchief and wiped away the tears. "I thought you would never ask. Besides there is nothing to fear, we will all be with you. I will be with you. You know I would never let anything harm you. Don't you?" he asked and smiled.

They both stood up and Ana continued. "I do love all of you. You are my only family. I guess that the Valar did bless me with all of you," she smiled and joked. "But I am still mad that all of you lied to me," she said smiling.

Haldir smiled, nodded and kissed her forehead. "Now little one, what do we have to do to get you to forgive us?"

"I don't know, I will think about that one." she paused a minute. "Hal, did you mean all those things you said to me on the trip through the woods?"

Haldir stopped, looked at her, and smiled. "First off, do not call me Hal anymore and two,” he paused and moved closer to her, “I meant every last word. Never doubt that." He kissed her briefly on the mouth.

~~~~~~~~~~

Haldir and Ana arrived back at the mirror. Everyone looked at them. Gandalf looked at her and smiled. He walked over to her and embraced her tightly.

Ana spoke to all of them," I am sorry. I did not mean to overreact as I did. All this is a bit much."

"Ana, you are human. Your reaction is normal. Do you now understand why we could not tell you?" Gandalf said backing from the embrace and looking at her.

"Not really. Nevertheless, you know my nature. If I can help, I will. I just need to know a few things," she said looking up at him.

"What is it sweetheart?" Gandalf asked leading her over to the mirror. Everyone moved closer to the mirror. Haldir was within arms reach of her.

"Like what do I have to do exactly?" she asked feeling a little shaky.

"You have to awaken the beacon, the mirror, by touching its waters. There is a decision you must first make," he said looking at her then to the others.

"What decision?" she asked curiously.

"It is said that the child will sacrifice something upon touching the mirror." He stopped and saw fear rise up in her eyes. "Fear not, child, it’s nothing bad. Upon the sacrificing of this, you will be given something in return."

"What will I be sacrificing, Uncle?" she asked as she looked at him.

"Your mortality. That is all. It will not hurt. You may have some side effects. But that will not be too harsh," he said assuring her.

"My mortality? What will I be given in return?" she asked taken a little aback.

"An Immortal life. You will no longer be human. You will be given the opportunity that no mortal has ever been given," he said smiling and grabbing her hand.

"What will I become? A beast? Monster? What?" she asked, desperate for an answer.

Gandalf chuckled heartily. "No my daughter, none of those. You will become Elf kind. It’s only a minor transformation. Most likely you will fall asleep and change during slumber," he said. Hearing that, she could see out of the corner of her eye Haldir perked up at the thought. He was overjoyed at the thought.

Hearing what he said, she looked at Haldir. He stared back at her and smiled from ear to ear. He reached out to her and rubbed her arm lovingly. She looked at the others and they all smiled at her. She looked around the garden. Then thought about what she had to do. She weighed the possibilities. The willingness to help humanity and the elves out weighed more than anything else did. She also realized by doing this, she would have a longer life to help more. She did not have anything to lose. She decided she would do it.

She looked at the others, and then Gandalf. "I will do this." she said timidly and still a little scared.

Everyone sighed in relief. "That is my girl. We will be right here. Do not fear it," Gandalf said smiling. Ana turned to the mirror.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Awakening: Return of the Elves

Ana stood at the mirror as the sun was starting to go down and the garden was darkening by the minute. Ana held her hands over the mirror. It began to glow a light blue glow, lighting up the small garden. Everyone stepped back with the exception of Gandalf and Haldir who stayed close to her. Ana took a deep breath to calm her still uneasy nerves. She closed her eyes and braced herself for any pain that may come. She plunged her hands into the mirror's waters.

She felt a sensation that only warmed her skin. She opened her eyes only to shut them again by a pure white light. She felt her life pass before her in retrospect. The things she had done, the people she helped. In that light she felt the love of others play across her heart and smiled. She looked up into the sky and saw the column had no end. She felt her old life leave and something new enveloped her. Her heart was changing. Not to something different, but growing bigger. She felt the love of nature arise in her. Utter love and devotion replaced a part of her that was intrigued. The love grew and grew until it filled her.

~~~~~~~~~

On the distant shore of Valinor, Galadriel and a massive host of elves waited on the shore, looking eastward. They saw the column of light that stretched beyond made them all gasp at the sight. Galadriel had had all those who would go in the first wave of elves to return, to gather their belongings and wait on the shore. She knew that once the signal would come, the Valar would open the portal.

Amongst the elves waiting were the rulers from the three realms, their armies and courts. The count was in the thousands. The rulers of the three-elven realms: Galadriel, whose powers had returned along with Celeborn, Elrond, and King Thranduil. Also in attendance were various artisans, servants and farmers. A host of buggies and horses also were present filled with all they needed to refill their homes.

Galadriel turned to the host of elves standing in wait. With a loud voice said, "The time to return to the earth has now come. The child has now called us home. Make haste and light the lamps. Lift your voices and rejoice."

Galadriel turned to the direction of the light. She called upon the Valar," Our Lords and Queens of the most high. The hour of our return has now come. Open the gates so that we may do the task you set before us."

With that, a great light shone before them. A portal opened and the host of elves started through with the elven rulers leading the way..

~~~~~~~~~~

The column of light soon reversed its flow and now crashed down onto the ground like a wave crashing on the shore. Ana felt tired and a little light headed. She watched as the wave of light pass over the ground. Haldir and the others watched as the plants began to come to life, erasing the years of neglect. Gandalf and Haldir turned to Ana to make sure she was okay. They could tell she was a little wobbly.

"Ana, are you alright?" Gandalf asked looking at her, concerned for her well-being

"Yeah, I think so. Can we follow the light? I want to see what it does." She was a little breathless trying to clear her head.

Gandalf looked at Haldir and said, "Haldir, help her. The Elves will come shortly. We must try and hurry." Haldir grabbed Ana around the waist and held her up. He could tell she was a little wobbly.

They all made their way up the path. The light had traveled through bringing all of the grounds back to life. The houses in the trees were back to their grand spender. The lanterns lit throughout the city giving it an ethereal look. It was now dark outside and they made their way through the clearing in the midst of the city. The trees sprang to life, filled with leaves and the sound of soft music played in their branches. Ana looked around in awe, glad to see what she had done. 'Beautiful' she thought.

All of them walked on and soon made it to the field. The rundown homes and stables were now like new, a place to call home. Ana looked at Haldir who saw happiness once more. Tears were threatening to fall as he looked upon his beautiful city once more. The light continued until the forest breathed in new life. Ana could feel it thanking her for the sacrifice she had made. All present waited for the portal to open. They all looked at Ana who was starting to feel a little faint. Nevertheless, she stood fast with Haldir holding her up from behind. They knew why she held on. She wanted to see the elves, her new kinsmen, passing through the portal.

Soon a bright light came to where they stood. Gandalf bade them to stand back. He knew that there would a massive group coming through. Ana looked on in awe and faced the portal. Haldir clutched her to his chest. The Lady in white from the image in the mirror with her mate beside her, Celeborn, came through first. Ana felt tears fall. The ones that followed were Elrond and Thranduil. They stepped through and looked around. Galadriel and Celeborn greeted Gandalf in elvish. She understood what they said a little. Ana looked at what was going on behind them. Droves and droves of elves, women and servants, males and females, dressed in the most beautiful gowns and robes carried lanterns and sang a beautiful melody. From what she could tell, it was a song of celebration in honor of their return and the child called Adonnennial. It was about her. Ana eyes watered up some more. 'They are thankful' she thought. Haldir stood there caressing her hair.

Soon the soldiers came through, the massive army took forever to pass through. All were dressed as if going into battle. They wore different styles of armor embraced by cloaks. Some carried the banners of their realms while others carried their weapons. Following them were their families. Soon all of them had arrived. Ana looked around and noticed thousands of them. Some immediately began setting up tents. Others began to unpack the carts and some started looking around at the renewed city.

Legolas, Orophin, Rumil, Glorfindel, And Erestor stood waiting to speak to the Lords and Lady. Haldir's brothers and Legolas were talking to a handsome set of dark haired twins that looked just like Lord Elrond. She knew that they were Elladan and Elrohir. Ana knew that it had been millennia’s since they all saw each other. Seeing them renew an old friendship and getting caught up, made Ana happy. Gandalf was still speaking to the Lords and Lady. He turned and motioned for her to come. Haldir walked over with her close beside him.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ana pulled away from Haldir and walked uneasily to Gandalf. The Lady turned to her, as did all three Lords. Galadriel was even more beautiful then she ever thought possible. Galadriel looked at her with joy in her eyes. She smiled.

"I have waited millennia’s to look upon the face of the child who would risk everything to help others. I am privileged to finally meet you, Adonnennial, adopted daughter to Gandalf the White. Welcome home." The lady bowed slightly to her and kissed her forehead. Lord Celeborn and King Thranduil approached her and each kissed her hand. By the time Lord Elrond made it up to her, her body had enough, the wobbling feeling returned full force. She shook her head to clear it. Elrond stepped up to her.

He put his hand up to her chin and tilted it to face him. When she looked up at him, she felt herself start to fall. Elrond reached out to catch her laying her gently onto the ground. She could see him through a hazy vision. Elrond and Haldir were both leaning over her on the ground. Elrond's voice softly said, "Child you held out a long time. That shows you are strong. Now rest." He waved his hand over her face and whispered something in elvish that she could not make out. Then everything went black.

~~~~~~~~~~

All of them came close to her looked at her. She had been through so much. They were all worried, but commented on how strong she was.

"She lasted longer than I thought she would," Gandalf said taking off his cloak and covering her.

"Yes she showed such determination didn't she?" Legolas said looking at her now unconscious form.

Galadriel walked over to Ana and knelt there. "She wanted to see all of us. It was a blessing and did her heart good," she said then looked at Erestor and said, "You need to go and find her a tent for the night.” Erestor nodded and then left to find someone. Erestor soon returned and told them that one was already prepared.

Haldir looked at Galadriel, "My lady, my heart sings in seeing you again. And you also, My lord." The both nodded to him.

"Haldir, I see you have found your destiny," the Lady said smiling and whispering to him.

"Aye, I believe I have," he said gathering Ana up into his arms. Celeborn helped his beloved up and they walked behind Haldir who was carrying Ana close to his heart.

Haldir carried Ana to the nearest tent to find her a bed. A guard saw him and led him to the one that was set up. Haldir laid her on the bed and covered her. Outside he could hear the others singing. Elrond, Gandalf and the others came in to make sure that she was settled.

"Haldir, you stay with her tonight. I will be by in the morning to check on her," Elrond said, taking on the tone of a devoted healer. Elrond smiled down at her and touched her forehead. "Do not be alarmed, she is in the process of her transformation. By morning, she will be changed."

"I will, Lord Elrond," he said taking up a chair to set by her side. Haldir sat quietly as the others left the tent and watched Ana sleep.