A Paladin's Journey (1)

Valleys of singing Gold some called it.

Some called it The Dream Land; Some other the Heart of Elvendom in the 3rd Age. The last and most beautiful elvish land remaining on middle earth.

A Forest of Golden Wood and Mallron trees, east of the misty mountains.

"O Lórien! The Winter comes, the bare and leafless Day;

The leaves are falling in the stream, the River flows away.

O Lórien! Too long I have dwelt upon this Hither Shore

And in a fading crown have twined the golden Elanor."

The land was the elven kingdom, Lothlórien, Ruled by Galadriel and Celeborn.

Arthas looked at the lands below with eyes of happiness; He stood atop an Eagle, flying over the Middle-earth. The winds blew his hair and cloak, fluttering, giving him a heroic and charming appearance; He was as if a Young man who had seen the sky for the first time, standing atop his mountains. His smile one of peace and true of heart.

The Eagles were Messengers of Manwe, those with magic could summon them to get help, as Gandalf would do many times in the future. (It was a bit mysterious how she reached Rivendell so I came up with my own idea.)

The Fair Lady Galadriel glanced at him briefly and smiled, 'It is his first time flying. He almost behaves like a child.'. She was not wrong as he had been less than 2 decades old before he appeared on Middle-Earth mysteriously; He was not 23 in spirit as he was in the body.

They gradually descended; The griffin lowered its head as she stepped on the ground, He followed her despite feeling full of desire. 'I must one day get a Griffin or even a dragon of my own to ride.' thought Arthas with longing; He had enjoyed their trip a little too much.

He eyed the trees and the elves around them with awe, he looked a the crafts and smelled the fresh air; 'A unique sent, it is very pleasant and relaxing.' He thought.

The houses were on the trees, spirals of stairs leading to various places. Strange orbs illuminating the forest. It was a dreamland indeed; one yet to be corrupted by mortal men and darkness. He finally sighed 'The elves sure know how to enjoy life.'

He came to be in the presence of Celeborn, the king. Galadriel moved and stood by his side gracefully, a smile on her face. "I welcome you, Arthas Menethil, To Lórien, our land, you are forever welcome," Celeborn said with a smile.

Arthas bowed slightly to show his respect, "I am honored, Lord Celeborn.". Galadriel declared, "Arthas shall be my student from this day to the day he is worthy of the name 'the light bearer of Lórien'.".

The elves bowed to him. Arthas was shocked, 'They knew of my name before we came but since it is Galadriel... It is possible she telepathically sent a massage ahead but how can these elves be so fast. They prepared a lot of things, this is more of a ceremony than a welcome. Is my power that great that I deserve such a welcome?! I am on the verge of tears!'. Having so many elves bow to him was making him a little emotional but he didn't show anything on his face, still looking calm.

That is how he was granted a high status in Lórien; He accompanied Lady Galadriel to learn from her.

On the other side of the land, The Dwarfs and company were escaping from Goblins with Gandalf's help...

Once upon a time, If someone had told him that you would one day live with elves in a fantasy world; He would have laughed at their joke. Now, however, his childhood dream had come true.

The elves accepted Arthas as one of their own. He put on his new clothes and a temporary residence was given to him. He bathed and listened to the songs.

He looked like a handsome and elegant elf if one excluded his human ears; This certainly helped him blend in. He talked with them and made a few friends. He gradually began to feel as if he were home.

Eventually, Lady Galadriel summoned him. "Come, Sit here." he sat in front of her, his expression calm and graceful. Even though he had only lived with them for a very short time, their way of life had a profound impact on him.

"You have blended in quite well, Athal. Close your eyes...", he followed her command. She put her thumb on his forehead. "When I say so, open your eyes and focus on your heart."

He felt a cool feeling on his forehead, it engulfed his eyes and entered his body. "Now." When he opened his eyes, they shone with a dazzling golden light. He saw the world but it looked different, he could see flickers of faint light everywhere; Galadriel looked like a humanoid body of white light.

He focused his eyes and attention on his heart and saw a golden sun covered behind clouds. The clouds were pierced with white spears that let some of the light escape and enter his eyes.

'This is my power? With only that much of it, I can see this much of the world. It's a magic perceiving eye. The light is being manipulated by Galadriel into my eyes to achieve this effect.'

"Do you see the clouds that obstruct your power? Those were placed there by your own mind. Relax and let them part, Let the sun, shine."

He took a deep breath and relaxed his mind and body. He focused on his heart and let himself be free of shackles. It didn't work immediately, however, the clouds moved a bit. A dozen minutes past by...

Most of the clouds had moved away, the sun shone with very weak obstruction. On the outside, His body was engulfed in golden light. His hair fluttered as it shone mystically.

The moment all the clouds were gone, his sun shone with radiant light, Unobstructed and free.

In the room, his body turned as dazzling as the sun in the sky. The entire Lórien was illuminated. All the elves looked with wide eyes. A pillar of golden light pierced into the sky; Great pressure descended on all the elves.

He looked like a Holy Deity, however, it all lasted for but a moment as Lady Galadriel removed her hand and he collapsed back unto the ground, breathing deeply with wide eyes. "That was your full potential. Now, you have to gradually unlock it. I have awakened you and placed the seed. Come here, every day in the morning and noon. I will guide you until you can completely control it. This was only the first step." her tone was solemn. "After you learn how to control it, we can begin on using your power, I do not recognize the origin of your power, It is purer and holier than any I have felt from mortals. You have to come up with ways to use it yourself, I can only guide you."

The reason he had so much power was simple; He had the body of Arthas who was a powerful paladin; to begin with, His soul from earth had very high potential so coupled with such a body, it became very powerful. He had also killed a few enemies with his sword and the absorbed souls increased his power, although it was still very small; If he were to slay many enemies he would grow more powerful, maybe he would one day stand shoulder to shoulder with the Valar.

He looked at his hand with a smile, 'It felt so good! I can come up with ways, I have a few ideas...'. He gratefully looked at Galadriel and smiled cheerfully, "Thank you, My lady. I will never forget this favor.".

Galadriel looked at the man in front of her, she couldn't help but admire his calmness. Any other man would have reacted strongly yet he remained calm. Galadriel also liked the light of his power, It was very beautiful, It was healing and righteous, It was holy. 'He will become the bearer of light.' She thought sure of herself as she looked at his cheerful smile and felt at ease.

Time passed as he spent his time at Lórien...

A certain group consisting of Dwarfs and a hobbit looked at the lonely mountain in the distance, they entered the Mirkwood.