Hello Again! Here’s Chapter 1 of Between the Shadows. Please feel free to contact me about any changes or corrections you feel are necessary!

Lindale looked up at the grey sky and ever-nearing mountains that loomed up to her left. She had been wandering around the unlovely terrain for days after her news of her mother’s death. Once, she had encountered a search party, and hidden behind the shelter of an overgrown bush until it had passed. She did not want to return to Mirkwood, she did not want to remember the grief of losing a loved one. She cursed at her stupidity of not even looking at a map before she had so rashly run away, because she had no idea where she was. Lindale had left Mirkwood once, and it was with her father, and mother, and their guards to visit Dale in the east. That was long ago now. She vaguely knew that the mountains to her left were the Misty Mountains, and the ribbon of water she had been following to her left was the Anduin. She had crossed it two days ago, and been heading southwards since. That was the extent of her geographic knowledge. Sighing deeply, Lindale again set out in her journey that had no specific end. A thorn snagged at the end of her gown. I must look terrible, she thought glumly. Her food stores were running out, and she was sure that she was going to die in the Wilderness, alone and hungry. The sun was still low in the sky, and the weather was yet cool, even in June. Once the fog clears, Lindale said to herself, I might be able to see what particular direction I am going in. Lindale foresaw correctly, because as soon as the sun was high enough to dissolve the swirling threads of mist that blocked her vision, she saw that she had made significant progress southwards. A green mass of trees stood before her. Lindale was overjoyed to find a forest. Trees had been scarce ever since she had left Mirkwood, and the sight of an entire forest filled her with happiness. Gladly she stepped into the shade of an enormous birch. She sat down, her back leaning against the tree. She closed her eyes. Perhaps I will rest for a moment, she thought, and fell asleep.
When she awoke, there was a group of people bending over her. She was startled, and the figures shrank back. When her vision cleared, she realized there were four elves around her. They were strange elves. Their garb was different from that of Mirkwood,
And a light shone from them. One of them stepped forward. “Lle rangwa Eldarin?” he asked uncertainly. Lindale nodded, still in shock that there were elves besides the ones in Mirkwood. She had heard stories, of course, of the High Elves in the south, but stories were stories, and Lindale had not paid attention to them since she was a young Elfling.
But now, the stories were real, and standing in front of her.
“Follow us.” said the leader. Lindale nodded again, unsure of what would come next. On the way to her unknown destination, Lindale marveled at the beauty of the forest. Compared to this wondrous place, Mirkwood was a dark, evil pit. This place was illuminated with light, and was ancient, yet beautiful, and bore no signs of decay. She was led to the very heart of the forest, to a breathtaking city of towering trees that shone pale gold in the afternoon sun. Lindale was startled to find the sun setting. It had been morning when she reached the borders of this elf-haven. Time had passed so quickly.
They entered the green city (It was called Caras Galadhon, in the realm of Lothlorien, she found out, from the leader of the group escorting her). The houses were platforms on the trees, called flets ,she discovered, and they seemed a much more wholesome place to live in then the dark, clammy caves of Mirkwood. The hovels reminded her of the dreariness of dwarves. Astonished she passed through the well-trodden lanes behind the escort until she reached the foot of the greatest mallorn tree of all. It was beautiful and eerie, as if a hidden power lived in its great heights. A gleaming stairway wound around its trunk, and the leader of the escort ( now known to Lindale as Darion) ascended the staircase and motioned to Lindale to follow him. Lindale glanced down at her stained hem and ragged sleeves. This was no proper apparel to greet the ruler of this wonderful place. She and Darion reached the top of the stairs and to a great oak door. He told Lindale to wait outside and he went through the door. Lindale tried to make her windblown hair lie flat and rub some dirt off her gown, but it was to no avail. A moment later, Darion emerged, a little light from the chamber within spilling out onto the hall. He gestured her to go in, and he went back to his company downstairs. Lindale pushed open the heavy door and entered. The room was swathed in a soft, pearly white light. Lindale gasped at the clear pureness of the room. It was as in the stories of the Elder Days that her father had wistfully told her at one of the autumn festivals held when she was young. Then, Lindale was astounded to see another thing. There were two people at the head of the room, in carven chairs. They were ancient and yet young, with wisdom in their clear, elven eyes.
A voice that seemed to come inside her mind said: Welcome Lindale Thranduilon , of our northern kin in Mirkwood. Lindale gaped, for the voice was coming from the lady at the head of the room, most likely the queen of this country, though no one else heard the voice. Lindale quickly remembered her manners and curtsied. “Greetings, Oh wise ones,” She said shakily. “I come from Mirkwood, in the North, seeking refuge, if it is allowed me.” The male elf stood up. ” Thou art welcome here, young maid,” He said. “What brings thou here, to Lorien so far south?” He asked. The lady at his side stood up as well.
“You have fallen into sadness,” said the elf-queen softly. To Lindale’s mind she said: I am Galadriel, and I sorely grieve for your lost mother. Lindale wondered how Galadriel knew so much about her, but grief threatened to overcome her and she could think of nothing else but self-pity. The elf-king introduced himself ” I am Celeborn, and this is Galadriel. Together we are the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien, the country which you have entered unbidden.” Lindale started, for realization swept through her that she would not be accepted here. Celeborn continued “Yet, you are welcome here, because you are kin, and seldom do our northern kindred visit us anymore. Now come, tell us your story and why you have left your home to come here.” With that Lindale plunged into her story of how her mother had died. When she was finished, Galadriel looked at her with a pitying look in her eyes. “You have gone through much, young one, but I deem your destiny is not here.” Lindale hung her head glumly. She knew what was to come. Galadriel would send her back to Mirkwood, to dwell on her loss. But it was not what she thought it was.
“You must go to Rivendell, and fully heal before you can face your family agan” finished Galadriel. Lindale looked up happily. “You mean I do not have to return home?” She asked hopefully. Galadriel shook her head. “Not until you are ready to, dear” Lindale nodded. “When do I depart?” she asked. Galadriel thought for a minute. “My daughter Celebrian, will arrive soon from Imladris to visit me. She is the Lady of Rivendell, and she will be coming for a short visit. When she departs, you will go with her.” Again Lindale nodded. Galadriel and Celeborn sat back down. The evening bell rang signaling the dinner-meal. Lindale breathed in the smell of delicious food brought out on wooden tables. This was bliss, she thought.