Chapter Eight
Eleniel sat on hard stone, Frodo and Pippin cuddling into her sides, relaxing under her running fingers through their hair. She opted to staying away from Haldir and her father while they quietly argued at the back of the platform. Everything still seemed so surreal. She never imagined that Gandalf would be the one to demise amongst them all, if anything she would have been the first. Amongst the heavy grief that settled in her, she constantly felt the strong pull towards the Prince. It was so strange to develop feelings for an Elf that took care of her when she was a young elleth, entertaining her from sunrise until sundown in the waterfall gardens of Rivendell. Regardless of her feelings, it could never be – he was immortal. Eleniel was merely blessed with a long life, she was guaranteed to not go past four thousand years of living. To elves it was a blink of an eye.
"Eleniel?" Her eyes snapped to his, a wave of peace washing over her. The question shone in his eyes clear as the Lothlórien light.
"I will be alright, do not fret," she answered quietly, not ceasing her movements that considerably calmed the two hobbits. Legolas nodded and after a moment of hesitation, kissed her forehead with lingering lips and rushed away. She could feel her face burst with redness.
"Gandalf's death was not in vain. Nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo. Do not carry the weight of the dead," Boromir broke the silence, in hopes of comforting the hobbit but Frodo simply stared at him blankly before burying his face in the crook of Eleniel's neck. After that, silence hovered once again until Haldir stalked over to them with a look of defeat.
"You will follow me."
They climbed a long way across the great thick trees of Lothlórien in silence. The gentle glow of the forest did little to ease their troubled minds even as they ventured deeper into it. The trees started to thin out at the foot of a hill and out of it, several Mallorn trees rose up and twisted around into a crown to accommodate the small city of Caras Galadhon. It was a beautiful city that gleamed under the low rays of sundown, the colours of gold, green and silver vibrating in their places with boldness. Small glimpses of the river Anduin appeared between the branches but you could see the plain dark grounds beyond it where the light of Lothlórien did not reach.
Haldir tilted his chin at the soldiers that closely guarded the back of the fellowship and they stepped back to retire to their own chambers. They proceeded wordlessly up the delicate stairs that twisted high up into the Mallorn trees. Eleniel could only stare around in wonder and awe as they slowly climbed as the last time she saw the very glow and life of Lothlórien was at the age of sixteen. Right before the accident. She did not even realise that she stopped until a small tug pulled at her hand. Looking up, she smiled momentarily at Legolas and kept her hand in his warm, slightly calloused one as they continued to make their way up to the audience room. They stopped at a wide fleet with circular green and silver walls that faded into a shimmering gold at the ceiling. The soft light that emitted in the room made Eleniel realise just how exhausted she was and could now begin to feel the raging protest of her muscles. She soon pushed it to the back of her mind when almost silent footsteps reached her ears. Her eyes met with the familiar light grey of her great grandfather, Celeborn. His hair was as light as it always has been and rested on his broad shoulders. Next to him, Galadriel stood in all her glory with a golden head and incredibly light blue eyes that matched well with the kind smile she wore on her face. Legolas, Aragorn and Eleniel hurriedly paid their respects with bowed heads and lowered bodies. As they rose, Celeborn's eyes gazed at Aragorn in a hard, cold manner.
"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is gone," when silence met his scolding he added:
"Nine there are yet there were ten set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar," the tension became thick and difficult to breathe through as Celeborn stared at them all pointedly.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the boarders of this land. He has fallen into shadow," Galadriel answered softly, her voice heavy with sadness at the mention of the death of her oldest friend.
"He was taken by both shadow and flame," Legolas said quietly in a monotone voice. "A Balrog of Morgoth, for we went needlessly into the net of Moria after almost losing one of us," he continued, his hand tightening its grip on Eleniel's hand as if to confirm she was right next to him. Galadriel's gaze pierced right through her at the sight of their intertwined hold.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose," at the sight of the dwarf whose head was dropped she directed words of reassurance to him.
"Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril and in all lands, love is now mingled with grief," Gimli stared at the Lady of Light in wonder and Eleniel found it the smallest bit amusing; so much for the hatred he held for the elves.
"What now becomes of this fellowship? Without Gandalf, all hope is lost," Celeborn cut in, raising the doubts the fellowship had for themselves.
"Hope is only lost when you let go of it. Gandalf sacrificed himself to give us a fighting chance and we intend to go through with the journey however clueless we may be. We all have skills to survive in this world and should not be underestimated because we do not wield a staff or have lived through it all. We have not given up hope and neither should you, great grandfather," Eleniel answered firmly but tried to keep her tone soft as to not offend those of high respect. Galadriel only looked at her in pride.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, you are wear of sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace," she said calmly before waving over one of the maids that stood in the corner of the room. She was shaking, as if scared that a simple action would have a raging Lady of Light on her hands.
"Please show our guests to the chambers near the gardens and supply them with their needs," she said softly and dismissed them before speaking out once again.
"I wish for you, Eleniel, to remain behind. You will join the rest shortly," Galadriel said quickly as the rest descended back down and with great reluctance, Legolas slipped his hand away and followed. Eleniel turned to her great grandparents and eased under their smiling faces.
"It has been too long, great granddaughter," she finally said and stretched out her arms but with a red face, Eleniel had to refuse.
"It has but I'm afraid that my clothes would ruin your gown," Eleniel uttered out, motioning to the clothes that were soaked in blood, soil and sweat. Regardless, her great grandmother waved it off and brought her into an embrace.
"I can always have another one made but I only have one great grandchild," she turned Eleniel into Celeborn and despite his cold words earlier on, he hugged her tightly to his chest.
"You are becoming more like your mother everyday, strong spoken. Not sure that can be a good thing," he said with amusement as he pulled away.
"For those who cannot handle it, it just might," she said in humour. Celeborn only chuckled and bid her goodnight before he allowed his wife to lead her away.
"No family of mine will walk around covered in blood."
After thoroughly scrubbing her pale skin raw and returning her dark hair to its natural state of chocolate waves down to her breasts, Galadriel convinced her to wear the dress she has picked out for her. It was a beautiful long cream gown with ruffled skirts and a train that flowed behind her. The front was a bit shorter, not exposing anything above the ankles. What she was worried about the most was the bust. It had a plunging neckline that would show a hint of her full breasts and the evenstar that usually rested below her collarbone, to accent it there were little diamonds sewed in. She has never worn anything so…revealing and she was not sure how her father would react but she put it on nonetheless and left her hair down, hoping to cover up at least a little.
"Do not worry, Eleniel. You look beautiful," Galadriel said softly and passed her white slippers to put on.
"I just never have worn anything like this before."
"I am sure Legolas will not mind," Galadriel slipped in casually, grinning when her great granddaughter whipped around, a bright red skimming her cheeks.
"I do not know what you are talking about," Eleniel bit back and followed Galadriel down the steps.
"What are you afraid of?" She asked instead, Eleniel's face falling at the question.
"I am only a half breed-"
"Do not talk about yourself like that. You are an elf and a descent of Dûnedain. A princess of Gondor. None should question your bloodline. Not even you," Galadriel said forcefully.
"Regardless, I have not been blessed with immortality and my life will not continue past four thousand years. I could not put him through the heartache," she whispered back as they reached the gardens fleet not to far from the ground. The Lady of Light stopped for a minute and cupped Eleniel's cheek.
"Four thousand years is more than enough to love and cherish someone. Humans do not get nearly as much but they manage to spend their life in bliss. If he is willing to spend your eternity with you then there is nothing to fear."
