Amandil, the stars' child

Galadriel frowned in concern: she knew what she had to do, but that didn't mean she liked the idea. The queen was afraid for the girl, but there was no other choice! As the only force capable of holding back the Dark Lord's advance, the Lady of Light needed to remain in Lothlorien, protecting her kingdom and her people. That's why she needed to send Amandil... So that the girl would be her power out of the forest.

Leaning on the windowsill, staring at the city lights, she sighed as she heard her emissary's heartbeat: the time had come. With all the softness she could muster in her own voice, the Queen of Lórien turned to the newcomer:

"Good night, Amandil. I suppose you know why I called you here."

"I could imagine, my lady. I must ride to Rivendell, where Master Elrond will gather his Council to decide what must be done under..." Galadriel noticed her prudence in not citing the One Ring. ..."the new circumstances. Am I right?"

"Yes. Do you also know what the Council's decision will be? Has your vision showed you?"

"I shall accompany the fellowship, my Lady. Must be your eyes and ears. I will watch over them, so they do not deviate from the goal."

"I want you to be more than my eyes and ears. You must be my hands and my voice. I want you to represent my own authority before all races."

The eyes of the young woman – who was little more than a teenager – widened:

"Do you think I have the capacity for that? That I can decide on your behalf what to do?"

"I've trained you from birth, child. Even for us, fifteen hundred years is a considerable time, and you have never failed in your duty, or neglected my teachings. I know you're ready." The queen approached the younger woman, watching her. "Then, be my voice and my hands through Middle-Earth. Use common sense and logic, but don't forget that your heart, instincts and visions have more relevance than your cold mind, as the latter can be deceived by the Dark."

There was sadness and pride in Galadriel's heart: how could she imagine that the small creature in her arms, fifteen hundred years ago, would become the woman now before her? Almost as tall as the Lady of the Forest herself, Amandil had long chestnut hair, tied in a braid that fell to her hips. The dark blue eyes dotted with silver points - like the night sky itself - shone like the moon, serene and powerful, confident. Her complexion was clear and immaculate, her face held soft features and a firm expression. Her mouth formed a hard, impassive line as she impassively listened to the mission. Her slender body wasn't delicate like that of most high elves, but athletic, shaped by years of training with a bow and sword; the warrior was covered in black garments, plus the gray cloak of the elves of Lórien. A beautiful and imposing figure, no doubt... her daughter.

"You could, at least when we're alone, just be my daughter, Amandil." Said the queen, after all. "You don't need to maintain the princess posture all the time."

"I thought you had called me to give me an official mission, my mother." The young woman smiled, accepting and returning the mother's hug.

"Official missions can be given by a mother to her daughter." Whispered the woman with golden hair. "You shall leave tomorrow, at daybreak, but tonight, I would like you to put your weapons aside and just stay by my side. It's been almost a month since we sat down for pleasant conversations."

"I think I need to apologize for that..." Agreed the girl, following her mother out of the main hall. "But, with everything that has been happening, mom..."

"I understand your anxiety, my dear: these are dangerous times, and one mistake can lose ten victories. But you will not fail! You didn't fail sixty years ago, and won't fail now."

"I will do my best." The two sat on a bench, side by side. "But today, I just want to forget the outside world, Mom. Can you make me forget, at least for a few hours?"

"Let's forget the two of us," replied Galadriel with a smile, undoing the braid in her daughter's hair and combing the silky hair with her fingers. In her delicate voice, the queen began to sing a sweet song, in which she was accompanied by Amandil. The melody spoke of verdant forests, blooming flowers and waterfalls that murmured secrets heard from the wind. The next morning she would see her little one leave – and she couldn't be sure if would see her ever again – but for now, the elf lady just wanted to enjoy a nice late afternoon, like she hadn't had in a few years.

*

Comfortably sitting on Eclipse's back, her tar-black mare, the young elf smiled and said goodbye to her parents:

"You will be proud of me, I promise."

"We already are, my dear daughter." replied Celeborn, holding her daughter's hand affectionately. "Keep alert at the ford of Rivendell: there are orcs patrolling the region."

"If the orcs have even the slightest bit of intelligence, they'll stay out of my way." Amandil replied, aware of her own abilities.

"Remember, Amandil," warned Galadriel, "use your magic only if there is no other choice. The Enemy will do anything to have you, if he can find your trail: the greater the power you use, the more prominent you will be in the eyes of the Shadow."

"I know that, my queen," The elf dressed in black kept the necklace through which she channeled her barely controlled powers "I will not reveal myself to the Shadow."

"Also remember: the south is no longer safe" completed the king of Lothlorien "Not since Saruman's betrayal."

"Be calm, my parents. I'll be fine. The Stars will watch over me."

"As they always did. Now go, my child. Be safe."

Without looking back – knowing it would be too painful – Amandil urged the mare into a medium gallop, clenching her teeth to keep from shedding tears as the gold and silver of the forest she called home fell behind. Ahead, only the fields she would cross before starting the journey through the mountains. Only a madman would travel alone in those days... A madman, or her. Alone, she would be quicker and more discreet, and she far more safer than with an escort.

Proud on the horse, as black as her clothing – the warrior seemed to be the only elf to wear that color – she pulled her hood over her face. If all went well - and it would - she would reach Rivendell in less than a week. Her mission had just begun.

*

Amidst the din caused by Gimli's insult, Frodo's voice was heard, shyly:

"I'll take it."

When the argument did not cease, the halfling repeated, louder and more firmly:

"I will take it!" Everyone around fell silent "I will take the Ring to Mordor." the little one hesitated "However... I don't know the way."

With his ever kind smile, Gandalf approached the hobbit and declared:

"I will help you with this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it falls to you to bear it."

Aragorn, unsheathing his sword, dropped to one knee and said:

"If with my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword."

"And yours is my bow," Legolas's voice was decided and devoid of fear.

"And my axe," snarled Gimli, visibly dissatisfied at the prospect of traveling with an Elf.

At length Boromir spoke:

"You carry the fate of us all, little one. If such is the will of this Council, Gondor will participate."

Elrond seemed quite satisfied with the way things had turned out, until the three other Little Ones – Meriadoc, Peregrin and Samwise – left their hiding places, surprising the elf not with their presence, already perceived by him, but with their brave and courage, imprudence, and also loyalty to the Baggins boy.

"Nine members," declared the Lord of Imladris at last, "so be it. You will be the Fellowship of the Ring."

"Okay," said Pippin excitedly. "And where are we going?"

They all threw him puzzled looks: how could the halfling not know the fate of the Company, if that was the subject of the entire meeting? The answer, however, came from a new voice, one that had not yet been heard. A female voice:

"Our goal is far away, to the south and east. A place of evil and perversion, where light can never penetrate. Our destination, decidedly, is your worst nightmare, little hobbit: the cursed land of Mordor. Be sure of your decision, before throwing yourself on this mission."

All eyes turned to the new arrival: dressed in black, proud as a queen, carrying a bow and quiver on her back and a sword at her waist, an elf of rare beauty walked through the circle of guests, heading for the only empty seat, on the right hand of Lord Elrond. Before occupying her place, however, she bowed to the elf:

"Forgive me for being late, my lord, but I had problems with orcs crossing the mountains. It should have arrived three days ago... I'm very sorry for the interruption."

"It is enough for us that you have arrived safe and sound, Princess of Lórien." Elrond replied, getting up and making an elegant bow before the newcomer. "Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Princess Amandil, of Lothlorien, daughter of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn."

The lady greeted them all with an elegant bow before taking her place at her host's right. For all those present, the importance of that woman was very clear, since the king's own children occupied the chairs at his left, not to his right. It also did not go unnoticed that Legolas, the prince of Mirkwood, could hardly take his eyes off the young woman, and that a smile spreaded on his face.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Your Highness" continued Elrond "But it seemed to me that you intended to leave with the Brotherhood."

"Indeed, my lord. Nine are the members of the Brotherhood, as nine are the Nazgul Knights. However, there is one more servant of the Dark that we should be concerned about: Saruman. So the Enemy's mighty servants add up to ten. There should also be ten members of the Fellowship. I present myself to occupy the tenth place."

"And has such measure your queen's approval?"

"This decision was taken by her. I present myself here by her order."

The displeasure and concern were explicit in the eyes of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir – his sons – but, in the end, the lord of Rivendell declared:

"So it is decided. Let the members of the Brotherhood rest and prepare, for they will be leaving in two days."

Some time passed before everyone had dispersed; in the courtyard were only Elrond, his two sons, and the princess of Lórien. Away from prying eyes, this one seemed much more peaceful and at ease, and there was pure joy in her voice as she flung her arms around the king's shoulders, and spoke:

"Oh, Dad, I missed you so much!"

"Thirty years would be a short time, if you were with us." replied the king, while the girl dodged her arms and received the embrace of the twins. "I never regretted anything so much as allowing your grandmother, Galadriel, to take you to be raised in Lórien... In fifteen hundred years, I rarely had my daughter with me!"

"We both know it was necessary. We know what would have happened if Lady Galadriel had not taken me as her daughter." Elrond's face darkened "but I'm here now. Is that not enough?"

"It's not, once I know what dangers you will be exposed to in a few days."

"I have no choice, dad. Or rather... I can't make any other choice. It's what I am. What I've trained my whole life to do. If I fly from this mission... I'd be nothing but a coward."

With a sad smile, the three elvish men flanked the girl, taking her by the hand and leading her to the family quarters. Amandil was home, at least by now, and that was enough for them. Arwen would be overjoyed when she heard of her sister's arrival.