Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own characters, everything belongs to Tolkien the genius.
Author's Note: Sorry that I haven't updated for some time on this story. I had most of it written but just fell behind in things. Also, there had been a question posed to me as to the genetic relations between the Elves and Vulcans citing their differences. I sent an email back to that person who had concerns with the plotline and basis for the distant relations the different peoples had but I thought it best I also cover it quickly in these notes for anyone else confused. In The Next Generation episode "The Chase", it is found out that Romulans, Cardassians, Klingons, and Humans had a genetic makeup or a map that connected them all. One question was how could the copper-based blood Vulcans be related to iron-based blood types of Elves. Like I mentioned before… in the episode it was shown the different species were related in some ways but had many differences. The writers left the opportunity very open to take this in many ways. It is no different comparing the Elves and Vulcans than comparing the Romulans to Klingons or Humans. Klingons have a different blood type as well (they have pink blood!) but are still distantly related to Romulans (a variation of Vulcans from a long ago off-shoot). This will also explain the many differences between life spans, appearances (similar or dissimilar), and any other characteristics. Hope that answered any questions and I hope you all enjoy the rest of this!
Chapter Six: Surprises
Troi quickly climbed up the flight of stairs coming to a talan high in the canopy of the trees. She looked down upon the forest floor and up into the stars she could see through the leaves. Her thoughts turned back to Haldir, the Peredhil twins, and several of the Elves she had come across in the past day. All of them had uncanny good looks for such a diverse population. As she turned and thought to herself that she would not mind living in such a city of interesting people, she glanced up and found she was in the presence of the Marchwarden of Lórien once more.
"Mae Govannen… Deanna is it?" he asked, his blue eyes looking to her questioningly.
"Yes, that is my name," she answered, a little flushed at finding him standing behind her a mere few feet without her hearing his approach. "What can I help you with, Marchwarden?"
He smiled at her kind smile and warm countenance.
"I would prefer my given name: Haldir," he said, his voice melodic. "Though if you prefer the former you may call me by that."
"I do, and it fits you so well," Troi said gladly. "I was just wandering around trying to see more of your great town here."
He nodded and his smile spread wider.
"I can gladly show you some better places than staring at the healing chambers," he said and offered his hand to her.
She took it without hesitation and let him lead her on a great wandering tour of the golden forest. After several places of travel and visiting, the sound of flowing water could be heard a short distance away and Troi wondered where they were heading.
"What is that noise of?" she asked.
"Oh, those are our hot springs," he explained as they went along a bridge walkway. "We have several of them in our vicinity and use them for relaxation."
"I wish I had one of those on board," she sighed to herself. "Holodecks cannot always make it seem real."
"What is a… holodeck?" he asked with an upturned eyebrow.
"Oh, um," Troi paused for a minute thinking of an explanation. "It is a recreation of a place or people that is not real that we can create with some of our technology. I believe that is the best way I can explain it."
"It would be interesting to see one of those," Haldir said with interest. "Perhaps another day then."
"Yes, of course," she said as they went on their way.
They continued on their way along the walkway but both paused when a strange presence seemed to make itself known. Both of them felt it and looked at each other questioningly before realizing it was not from either of them. A deep furrow appeared on Haldir's brow as he appeared to be concentrating on something. Troi watched him with a confused look, completely oblivious as to what was happening but knowing there was someone or something nearby. It was when the strange presence in her mind seemed to become stronger that she looked around trying to find the source of such a prevailing mind.
"What is going on?" she asked Haldir.
"Lady Galadriel has informed me that something powerful has entered the woods," he said gathering his weapons together that he had with him. "I must go see what it is."
"Is that what I feel?" Troi questioned. "Let me come with you, I can help you locate it easier."
"You must be careful," he said looking to her finally. "Very strange occurrences have been happening these days. I doubt it is the Dark Lord but it may be one of his servants."
She nodded and followed him to a nearby tree where he pulled a ladder down for them to head up to a higher set of branches. While dashing over several walkways in the canopy and swinging ropes in the branches, Troi realized they were no longer alone. Several of Haldir's warriors followed close nearby on the same quest. Whenever she got a stronger feeling on the direction of the strange being she shouted ahead to him as she struggled to keep up and he helped her along. Soon enough they stopped and all was quiet in the large mallorn trees.
"It is very close," Troi whispered quietly into his ear.
Haldir nodded, then pointed a little ways ahead where a figure appeared to be walking through the brush and forest. Troi could barely see the figure but she was sure Haldir and his troops could see it much better by the way they were reacting.
"Stay here, I will return soon," he told her before disappearing in the trees.
With a sigh, Troi settled on the talan they had flown to and watched with strained eyes to see what was going to happen. Moments later she caught the slightest evidence that the elves were surrounding whatever it was coming their way. As they moved out to confront it, a blinding light caught them and they fell back in surprise. Troi gasped in shock as she felt the immense control and power the figure had of mind, body, and soul. She moved backward away from the edge of the talan and managed to find one of the ropes that led her to the forest floor and ran toward where the light was. She just hoped she could help them in some way if her mental abilities could protect them in some way. She was approaching at a fast jog just as the light subsided. Haldir was kneeling before the figure who appeared to be an old man with a white beard and brow. He held a staff in one hand but otherwise was completely naked. She stopped just as Haldir lifted his head and spoke to the man.
"Mithrandir," he said honorably. "We welcome your return."
An half hour after searching and finally finding Dr. Crusher, Riker returned to his full crew in a private chamber of the healing rooms. Lady Galadriel sat by the old man's side speaking with him in another tongue quietly that the universal translator had not translated yet. Her mate, Celeborn, stood nearby hanging on every word. Riker motioned for the doctor to scan the old man for injuries or harm but as she pulled out the tricorder, the old man turned to her and waved his hand.
"You do not need that, my good doctor," he said knowingly. "I am as well as can be."
She looked at him curiously since none of the other inhabitants had called her by her professional job title, "I just want to make sure of that."
"If you must," the man sighed then turned back to the Lady of the Wood. "But I have a lot of work to get to and little time."
"We have clothing for you, Olórin," Galadriel said as Celeborn handed over a white bundle from a nearby chair. "So that you may quickly be on your way."
"Who are you?" Riker asked finally.
"All will be explained shortly," the bearded old man said as he took the clothes. "Now, if you don't mind leaving me, I must change."
All of them left the room but Galadriel touched Riker's arm to lead him to the side hallway for a moment as Celeborn stayed with the crew.
"He wishes to speak with your Captain if that is at all possible," she whispered. "It is important but needs to be done immediately since we both now have little time."
"Understood," Riker said, curious as to what the old man wanted to talk about with Captain Picard. "I will take the shuttle myself and retrieve him."
Another half-hour later, Captain Picard had come to the planet's surface. Riker and the rest of the crew had returned to the Enterprise since their mission had been a success. Spock remained on the surface with Galadriel, Celeborn, and the mysterious Mithrandir until the Captain arrived and was done with what needed to be said. Riker flew the shuttle back for his Captain and came with him to the meeting.
"I do not understand why he would wish to speak to me," Captain Picard mulled aloud to Riker as they followed Haldir to the chambers of Galadriel and Celeborn.
"He did not tell us and I am just as baffled as you are, sir," Riker offered.
"Now, who is he again?" Picard asked as they went along.
"They have called him many names but he is very revered among them," Riker said then stopped before continuing since Haldir had turned to face them.
"Mithrandir is a great wizard as well as a protector and ally to the people of Middle Earth," he said gravely. "He was said to have died not more than a week ago. The Lady herself felt his power pass from this world but now… he has returned."
He turned back around and continued ahead to the chambers as Riker and Picard exchange a shrug and curious glances. Soon enough they had arrived and were let in quickly.
"Captain, it has been a while since we last met," Spock said as he rose from his seat near the old man. "I had hoped it would be under better circumstances; yet, I welcome your generosity in rescuing my crew and associates as quickly as you did."
"Not at all, Ambassador Spock," Picard said with a smile.
The Vulcan turned to the side and motioned toward the old man.
"I believe you two have much to discuss, I will wait with Commander Riker in the shuttle until you have finished," Spock said before turning to go with a still dumbfounded commander. "Come, I must give thanks to the Lady Galadriel for her generosity."
They waited until the two men had left and the door shut tightly before turning to each other.
"Captain, please, take a seat and join me," the old man said.
"It is good to meet you but I have not caught your name," Picard said as he carefully took a seat in a nearby chair.
"I am called many things of some I am sure you were told of by your crew but Gandalf will be the best," he explained.
"Very well," Picard said with a nod. "What is it you have to tell me?"
"I understand that you have learned about the Creators' secrets of the many worlds and peoples in the galaxy," Gandalf said. "That is a great burden off my shoulders to explain to you."
"Yes, we learned of this not too long ago," Picard confirmed. "So it is true that the Vulcans and Elves are distantly related?"
"Yes, it is," Gandalf nodded then turned serious. "However, I have much more information. The Creators, or the Valar as they are known on this world, were thought to have passed on to other galaxies and worlds but a few do remain here."
"Where are they?" Picard said, on the edge of his seat at this revelation.
"Here and there…" Gandalf said with a smirk. "No one quite knows where all the time but I remain in contact with them since I answer directly to them. They were the ones who sent me back to this world recently. Somewhere in their designs, they sought to remain involved in this world by creating many different races and creatures to be on just one world rather than spread out over many and be unobtrusive. However, one of them of lesser power took control and rebelled against those of higher stature than he. The Valar are aware of his trouble that he is now causing on this world but want to see if their creations can fight and win this war."
"This is the Dark Lord my crew has been hearing about while among the Elves," Picard established with him. "Do you or the Creators know what will become of this world or this rampaging fellow of theirs?"
Gandalf appeared to think to himself a moment then smiled, "No, but they have faith in those that they have put so much effort and love into creating. They were also very surprised but happy to see that you and other creations of theirs from long, long ago have journeyed beyond the stars such as they do and have come across this tiny refuge of theirs."
"That is… heartening to know," Picard said with a matching smile, feeling like a child making a parent proud.
"However, you must leave as soon as you can and leave this world and it's surrounding systems be without interruption," Gandalf warned. "As I said, we do not know the outcome of this battle raging and we do not want to involve outer-worlders in our troubles despite the ability to help us. The Creators will not allow another incursion in this space."
"I understand," Picard said sitting back a moment to think about what was said. "There are signal buoys I can leave beyond the system warning of distortions or dangers of some sort and I will find out what I will report to my superiors about our situation and rescue mission here."
"Wonderful," Gandalf said gladly. "Then our meeting is concluded, my dear Captain."
"It was enlightening talking to you, Gandalf," Picard said as they both stood to see him out.
"As it was with you, Captain," the wizard responded. "Remember to continue on with your travels and never stop from learning and exploring."
Captain Picard sat back in his chair in Ten-Forward as he drank his Earl Grey. He typically did not drink his favorite tea in the rambunctious and popular bar and restaurant on his ship but he felt like being around the interactions of others and the many races together in peace and in the name of exploration. Spock and his group of survivors were successfully rescued and all was well again. Picard could not help but feel a comforting calm and satisfaction with having done his job right but also learning much more to the mystery of life in the universe.
The End.