The green meadows and the heathy leaves of the trees. They are soon to fade into dust and decay. The lives that flourished in this land is soon to die and be forgotten. The magic is dying in this world. Light is fading and the darkness is gradually destroying whatever good is left. Where will my people go? Once the One Ring is destroyed, Middle Earth will be dominated by Men. Valinor has been closed to us who fled the land for the longest time. Will they allow us to go back? I was forgiven for leaving our home in order to seek my own land to rule. I was asked to return and yet I turned it down. Was it out of pride? Celeborn said it's because I care too much for Middle Earth and its people. Was it the reason or maybe I wasn't ready to let go of this place…I am not ready. I must admit that I miss my home and my daughter. I am torn. I want Sauron's reign to end. I want Frodo to succeed in destroying the ring but there's a part of me that wanted otherwise. Nenya will die once the One Ring is destroyed. If I stop him...if I stop the ring bearer from his quest, then I will condemn the whole Middle Earth to a life of suffering and death. I cannot be the one responsible for that catastrophe.
I looked outside my window and stared at my home in Middle Earth, Lothlorien. It is a paradise. It saddens me to know that this will soon decay into dust and nothing more. I have to save my people. I have to save them. "Alatoriel...what is it?" Celeborn asked. I didn't answer. What should I tell him? He has always looked at me in the highest regard. I don't want to disappoint him. He walked beside me and held my hand. "Tell me", he insisted. "Ready the ships, my love. They all have to go to Valinor before Frodo destroys the One Ring or they will die along with the magic in this land", I said. Celeborn was taken aback by what I just said. "Will they be welcomed? Though it wasn't their sin, you know how they feel about us who left", he asked. I know that. I sighed and looked at his beautiful blue eyes. "They will be. I promise", I answered and that is enough to remove his doubt. He didn't wait much time. He ordered for all the ships to be ready. I watched our people prepare for a long journey to Valinor. Most of them haven't even laid eyes on our true home. I went to my mirror by the garden and let the water flow from the stones. My Nenya glowed so bright until the turned into a mirror.
I closed my eyes and called upon him. The distance makes it a bit harder to communicate but I will soon make it happen. It just takes much effort to do it. I opened my eyes and saw him standing in front of me. "Vala Aule...thank you for answering my call", I greeted. His face is cold. I cannot read what he's thinking too. "Artanis, you broke the heart of your father and mother when you declined your chance to return home", he said. I knew that will come up. The news spread quickly throughout Valinor about my notorious pride. "I'm sorry but I couldn't leave just yet, not with Sauron still threatening the peace here in Middle Earth", I apologized. I saw him smirked a little. "I do not know if your pride and your stubborness are your greatest qualities or the least", he muttered. I smiled for a moment and then it's gone. "Tell me your concern", he said once he sensed my intentions. "My people are leaving Middle Earth before the ring bearer destroys the One Ring. They are coming home", I said. It did not surprise him. It seems like he already knew. "How certain are you that the ring bearer will succeed in his quest? Many beings held that ring and all of them failed", he asked. The thought of the ring being in my hands crossed my mind. "He is different. Mithrandir made a wise decision to let a hobbit carry out the mission of destroying the ring. I read his mind. I believed that he can do it and he will succeed", I answered. He sighed. "They will be welcome here, Artanis. You have my word as long as you make one promise: you will come home as soon as Melkor's servant is defeated", he said. Why wasn't I surprised by his condition? "You never belonged there in the first place, Artanis and you know that. It's time for you to return", he added. I looked into his eyes. "I promise", I replied.
The Elves of Lothlorien one by one boarded the ships on the way to Valinor. Some of them decided to stay so they can look after us. We did not force them to go or stay but we did offer another chance in another time to leave. Celeborn and I stood by the river watching the ships sail away. "How can you be sure that they will be welcome there?" he asked. I held his hand. "They will be because I made a promise. We will come home after Sauron is defeated", I answered. He looked at me in wonder. I read his mind. He is wondering whether I really want to go back. I smiled at him. "You are reading my mind, aren't you?" he guesses, and I smiled even more. He smiled as well. "It will be good for us. We will see our daughter again", he said. I nodded. "That would be wonderful but first, Frodo needs to succeed", I replied. I asked to be alone by the river and Celeborn was kind to understand it. He is preparing our soldiers in case Rivendelle ask for our help in battle. I sat on a fallen branch of a tree and looked at the waters. I closed my eyes and opened my mind to everything that's been happening. Frodo and Sam still struggle to make it to Mordor and the villages are being raided by orcs. I disconnected for I can feel their pain. It is too much.
I need to get ahold of Mithrandir and let him know what is about to come. I searched for him. I know he will hear me soon enough. Mithrandir, the people of Lothlorien are leaving Middle Earth. Frodo is near in accomplishing his task. I need you to gather the force you need to defeat Sauron. Take the battle to Mordor or he will take the battle to us. I can hear the brush of the wind on the trees. He is in the forest. I understand, Lady Galadriel. Fear not. I believe that Frodo and Sam will succeed, he replied. I have no doubt about that. I know. Call upon Rivendelle if you need and they will answer. If you ever need me, I will come, I said. I disconnected from Mithrandir. I already have given enough. It's their turn to complete the rest of what is to come. I cannot reveal more. I cannot tell him that Frodo's path will not be easy. Otherwise, he will abandon his task at hand to get to him and help him. Frodo and Sam must do the mission on their own.
Nenya shone bright without my consent. It can feel the danger too. He knows. He has always known that I have it. The power of the resistance against him is growing. Men are being united along with Elves and even the Dwarves. He will need another source of power since he doesn't have the One Ring. He will come here. I can feel it. Sauron will try to take Nenya.