Chapter 11

Lothlorien

After a while, what was left of the fellowship entered into a forest, each still carrying the grief of their missing comrade within their hearts. However upon entering the forest, Gimli broke the silence in an effort to address what he considered to be a great danger, as well as perhaps provide a temporary distraction from everything they had already survived. "Stay close, young Hobbits! They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-witch, of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell." Hazel shivered at this, turning to Frodo for strength and comfort, when she noticed a peculiar startled look on his face. Truly he was frightened for he had just heard a lady's voice calling his name, within his mind! "And are never seen again!" Gimli continued as if nothing happened.

"You are coming to us," The voice whispered again in Frodo's mind, causing him to stop in his tracks. "Is as the footsteps of doom. You bring great evil here, Ring-bearer!"

"Frodo." Hazel called, reaching out to take his hand, which he clung to immediately. As if he were drowning at sea, and this was his last lifeline. She was his lifeline. This thought both gave her a sense of overwhelming pride, and fear. She couldn't let Frodo down! No matter what happened.

"Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Gimli bragged shamelessly. That is until a notched arrow appeared right before his face, causing him to gasp in surprise. Suddenly they were surrounded it seemed by bows with arrows trained right on them, causing Ruby to stumble back into Merry who caught her and held her safely in his arms, as Pippin stepped protectively out in front. Though it was clear that he was frightened as well.

Then one of the elves (for these were elves that surrounded them) stepped out saying, "The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." Which of course only made Gimli growl. Then he turned and spoke something in Elvish to Legolas, and then Aragorn, both of whom replied calling the Elf Haldir.

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves. Speak words we can also understand!" Gimli complained, redirecting Haldir's attention back at him.

"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days." He said simply.

"And you know what this Dwarf says to that?" Gimli replied, snapping something in an equally unknown language, at least to the hobbits, though even they could tell it was an insult.

"That was not so courteous." Aragorn commented.

"You bring great evil with you. You can go no further." Haldir said suddenly after glancing at Frodo.

Hazel watched his growing discomfort as Aragorn and Haldir continued to argue in elfish. She couldn't stand to see the anguish that appeared on Frodo's face, a look of utter hopelessness and loneliness. She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek, successfully redirecting his attention toward her. He smiled weakly, and she smiled back before leaning over and whispering something in his ear she had been longing to tell him for a long time. Ever since they had lost Gandalf and she had seen the tortured grief and perhaps guilt in his eyes. "Gandalf's death was not in vain. Nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo. Don't carry the weight of the dead." Then she gave him a quick kiss on the lips, slightly embarrassed at the thought that anyone in their company could have seen her doing so, though a part of her did not care in the slightest. All she cared about was reminding Frodo of her love and need for him. That he wasn't alone.

"You will follow me." Haldir finally gave in, and the rest of the fellowship trailed after him as he led the way deeper into the wood. They came to a beautiful place, and Ruby and Hazel couldn't help but stare in awe at the loveliness of their surroundings. "Caras Galadhon, the heart of Elvendom on earth. Ream of the Lord Celborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light." Haldir announced, sounding quite proud of his home. The group was lead before both Lord Celborn and Lady Galadriel, and once again Ruby found herself completely awestruck at the beauty of the woman in front of her.

"The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone." Lord Celeborn told them, as he looked them over becoming even more concerned as he continued. "Ten there are here, yet eleven there were that 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."

"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow." Lady Galadriel said, a look of sorrow coming over her lovely face, which not only raised Hazel's curiosity as to how this woman already knew of Gandalf's fate, but renewed her own sense of grieving as well. As if it needed to be renewed.

"He was taken by both Shadow and Flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Legolas explained, his voice and manner seeming bitter at least to Hazel's ears.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose." Galadriel spoke in the wizard's defense, before turning toward Gimli. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimil son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief." She told him.

"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf hope is lost." Celeborn asked, making Ruby whimper so quietly only Hazel could hear it. She turned and gave her sister an encouraging smile, though she did not return it. Ruby had not smiled once since the loss of the dearly beloved wizard. Hazel worried for her sister. The two had been leaning so hard on one another for the strength and comfort they needed, but a part of her couldn't help but feel Ruby was holding something back; and she couldn't understand what.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fall to the ruin of all." Galadriel spoke up, seeming to look pointedly at Boromir as she did so. He looked away at her gaze. "Yet hope remains while the company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with much sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace." She continued, smiling at Sam and then the rest of them in turn before her eyes finally rested on Frodo's.

"Welcome, Frodo of the Shire. One who has seen the Eye." Frodo heard her voice in his mind once again, and shivered.

~jb~

The fellowship was led to an area where they could stay and rest for the night. Immediately each of the hobbits started picking out their spots and settling down, Ruby coming over to sit beside Hazel resting her head on her shoulder. Above them in the tree's singing could be heard, one female elf voice in particular floating above the rest in a language none of the hobbits could understand.

"A lament for Gandalf." Legolas answered the question that must have been in Hazel's eyes, a faraway look coming into his own.

"What do they say about him?" Ruby whispered, closing her eyes, so she could better listen to the sad but pretty song.

"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still to near." He replied, before sitting back to listen himself.

"I bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about them." Sam commented as the song continued, before setting to work trying to come up with such a verse. "The finest rockets ever seen. They burst in stars of blue and green."

"Or after thunder, silver showers." Hazel joined in, giving her cousin a small smile for his clever thinking.

"Came falling like a rain of flowers." Ruby finished, and they all looked at one another for a moment, before sighing and hanging their heads in defeat and grief.

"Oh that doesn't do them justice by a long road." Sam said for all of them before coming over to sit beside Ruby, who immediately turned to lay her head on his shoulder, a few stray tears rolling down her cheeks as he put his arm around her. Hazel leaned closer to her kin, playing with Ruby's hair, crying silently herself as she hummed along with the elves committing each and every word, though she knew not what they meant, to memory.

"Take some rest. These borders are well protected." Aragorn told the group.

"I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me, 'Even now there is hope left'. But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope." Boromir said, and Aragorn decided to come over beside him.

"My father is a noble man but his rule is failing. And now our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right and I—I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored." He continued his voice filled with a fiery conviction, before he sighed as if he had just seen a vision. "Have you ever seen it Aragorn? The White Tower of Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and sliver. Its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of trumpets?" He asked Aragorn.

"I have seen the white city long ago." He replied quietly.

"One day our paths will lead us there. And the tower guard shall take up the call: 'The Lords of Gondor have returned!'" Boromir declared firmly. Aragorn smiled slightly at this, and then after a while the two went and settled in for the night.

Late into the night, Frodo found himself awakened as a lady, shining with a soft white light, walked by the group. He watched after her as she glided through the tree's, then began to follow after her as he saw it was Galadriel and he could hear her calling to him in his mind. Hazel, who had also been awoken by the passing light, immediately followed after him, doing her best to not let either of them see her. They entered into a garden, Galadriel coming to stand before an ornate stand with a silver basin on it, after having filled a silver pitcher with water from a nearby trickling stream. Here she finally turned to face Frodo, and Hazel seeing this, ducked behind a bush desperately wanting to know what this bewitching Elf wanted with her Frodo.

"Will you look into the mirror?" She asked him.

"What will I see?" Frodo asked her in return, feeling wary and perhaps the tiniest bit frightened.

"Even the wisest cannot tell. For the mirror, shows many things. Things that were, that that are, and some things, that have not yet come to pass." She told him, as she poured water into the silver mirror. Frodo came forward and hesitantly looked into the mirror. He was horrified at what he saw: the Shire in ruins, hobbits enslaved, and other such unspeakable things, and above all the eye, that horrid eye and the voice of Sauron whispering to him. Startled he jumped back grabbing at the Ring, landing on his back at the bottom of the steps.

"I know what it is you saw, for it is also in my mind. It is what will come to pass if you should fail. The Fellowship is breaking: it is already begun. He will try to take the Ring. You know of whom I speak. One by one, it will destroy them all." She told him, watching him closely for his reaction.

"If you ask it of me, I will give you the One Ring." He said, holding it out to her in his hand.

"You offer it to me freely. I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this." She said, suddenly changing frighteningly as she continued. "In place of a Dark Lord, you would have a queen! Not dark, but Beautiful and Terrible as the Dawn! Treacherous as the Sea! Stronger than the Foundations of the Earth! All shall love me and Despair!" Frodo backed away frightened by this sudden change, and Hazel nearly screamed from her hiding place, though she clamped her hands over her mouth just in time. Just as suddenly as her transformation Galadriel returned to normal, breathing heavily for a minute before smiling softly.

"I pass the test! I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel." She said, mostly to herself it seemed

"I cannot do this alone." Frodo said softly as she began to turn away, feeling more troubled and afraid then he ever had in his entire life. Hazel could see this, could feel it, and wanted to help, but somehow didn't know how.

"You are a Ring Bearer, Frodo. To bear a Ring of power is to be alone." Galadriel told him, which surprisingly he did not find the least bit comforting; that is until she lifted her own hand and showed her own ring. "This is Nenya, the Ring of Adamant, and I am its Keeper. This task was appointed to you, and if you do not find a way, no one will."

"Then I know what I must do. It's just… I'm afraid to do it." He admitted.

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." She said, bending down to look him in the eye, and giving him a smile filled with hope. He grasped to it. With that the two parted, and Frodo headed back to where the rest of the fellowship lay still sleeping, Hazel following close behind him. She too felt a little more hopeful after what Galadriel had said, if not a bit more scared, but most of all she felt a strong determination creep into her bones. Frodo may be a ring bearer, and there very well be some loads she could never help him carry, but she promised herself then and there that she would be there for him in every single way she could. She wouldn't leave him alone.

Ironically, Ruby had awakened not long after Frodo and Hazel had followed Galadriel, and she decided to go on her own little 'adventure'. She carefully got to her feet, doing her best not to awaken Sam, or any of the rest of the company for that matter, and grabbing her violin (yes she brought it with her on this adventure, despite many long protests from the rest of her companions, particularly Pippin) from where she had laid it when they had first arrived.

She wandered about for a while before she finally came to a small stream (ironically the same stream from which Galadriel had filled her pitcher only farther down) where she pulled out her violin and began to play the same song the Elves had been singing earlier. After tuning of course, I mean with all they had been through the strings were very mad at her and extremely out of tune. She must have tuned one of her strings a little too tight though, for before she was halfway through the song it snapped, swinging back and hitting her across her cheek as it did so leaving behind a scratch. She jumped back, crying out in both pain and despair as she held out her precious violin for further inspection.

"Oh! The others were right. I never should've brought you. Now you're ruined." She cried, falling to her knees and hugging it to her chest, even while knowing that this was a complete exaggeration. She could always get another string; when she got back home, though she had no idea when that would be. Suddenly she was struck with what she believed was a great idea. Setting her violin down, she scrambled to find some flowers which she gently laid on top of it. Then, oh so carefully, she placed her dear old friend into the river whispering, "In tribute to you, Gandalf" as she did so. Then she began to sing ever so softly, first the verse she, Hazel, and Sam had created earlier, then began to hum the rest, allowing the tears she had been holding in for so long to come rushing out.

"It seems such a shame. You play so beautifully." She heard a voice say from behind her, causing her to whirl around. It was the Lady Galadriel, who crouched to kneel beside the young hobbit.

"I'm so sorry my lady. I didn't mean to disturb you." Ruby stuttered, embarrassed at being caught at her childish acts.

"You did not disturb me." She informed her smiling. "I enjoyed the music. You have a gift."

"Thank you." Ruby said, blushing in a deep crimson at the compliment.

"I was, however, wondering how you play it so well after only hearing it one time." Galadriel mused.

"Oh I've always been able to do that." Ruby shrugged it off, as if it were nothing. "Bilbo used to teach Hazel and I songs all the time, then I'd go home and play them over and over again on my violin, even after only having heard them once or twice. Hazel's the same way with lyrics. She's a real word person. I'll bet you she'll have this song memorized too, even though the words are Elvish."

"Is that so?" Galadriel asked, her smile brightening, which somehow seemed to make Ruby's heart brighten as well. "Your mother is lucky to have two such pretty and talented daughters." Ruby nodded her head in thanks, blushing once again. "Tell me, little Ruby, why if you love your violin so much, which I can tell by your eyes that you do, would you send it floating away in the river like that?"

"For Gandalf." She whispered in reply. "He used to love to hear me play. I wanted to give it in tribute: to him."

"It won't bring him back." Galadriel pointed out.

"I know." Ruby said, her voice barely audible as she stared into the river in front of her. "I guess I just wanted to show that if I could, I would do anything even sacrifice a million violins to save him." She paused again, before lowering her gaze and confessing something she hadn't even admitted to Hazel. "It's my fault you know. That he's gone. I'm the one who knocked Pippin backward so he tipped the skeleton into the well. None of the creatures would have even known we were there if not for that. We could have gone through the mine free and clear. Gandalf could have lived if it wasn't for me."

"Oh Ruby." Galadriel said, reaching out to lift the hobbits face so she could look into her eyes. "Gandalf's fate was no one's fault. Not yours or Frodo's. He knew the risks when he agreed to come with the fellowship, when he entered the mines, and even more so when he faced the Balrog. He simply decided that the outcome, the chance for the salvation of Middle Earth was worth the danger." Ruby gazed at her still unconvinced. "Trust me dear. It is best to not live in the past, especially when concerning such things. All you can do now is live in the present and look to the future, doing all you can to make sure Gandalf's great sacrifice means something."

"You sound like Hazel." Ruby said after what felt like a long time, a smile creeping across her face.

"Your sister is a wise girl." She replied, smiling even wider. "She will need you Ruby. She will need you to be strong. To be able to stand on your own. Do you think you can do this?"

Ruby pondered it for a moment, before nodding her head a fierce determination entering her eyes. "Yes."

"Good. Now get some rest. You have a long journey yet ahead of you."

~jb~

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Celeborn said, handing them to the fellowship as he spoke.

"Lembas! Elvish bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." Legolas claimed showing it to Merry, Pippin, and Ruby as they sat in one of the boats.

"How many did you eat?" Merry asked Pippin, after he walked back to shore.

"Four." Pippin replied, making Ruby giggle, which in turn caused both boys to smile at one another. It had been a while since they had heard their friend laugh, and they were quite relieved to do so.

"Every league you travel south the danger will increase. Mordor Orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin. Nor will you find safety on the western bank. Strange creatures bearing the mark of the White Hand have been seen on our borders. Seldom do orcs journey in the open, under the sun, yet these have done so." Celeborn warned Aragorn as the rest of the fellowship began climbing into the boats as well, Hazel sticking to Frodo's side like glue after the conversation she had witnessed between him and the Lady of Light. "By river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros." He (Celeborn) finished handing Aragorn a knife and clearly wishing them luck. Once they were all in the boats and heading off on their journey, the two sisters settled back and found themselves thinking (much like the rest of their companions) about the farewell Galadriel had given them earlier that morning.

"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galdhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." She said extending the gift. Legolas took the bow from her, obvious gratitude and awe in his eyes as he did so.

"These are the daggers of Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage." She said smiling at the uncertain look on the hobbit's face.

"And for you Samwise Gamge: Elven rope made of hithlain." She was presenting the gift to a rather let down Sam.

"Thank you, my lady." He told her, enviously eying Merry and Pippin's blades. "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" Galadriel simply smiled patiently at him, while Hazel and Ruby shared a knowing smile.

"And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" She asked Gimli, who appeared to be trying to maintain his gruff manner, and failing terribly at it.

"Nothing. Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is fairer than all the jewels beneath the earth." At this Hazel couldn't help but let out a tiny giggle, remembering Gimli's warning of the day before. How things changed. "Actually there was one thing. Ah, that's quite impossible. Stupid to ask." She heard him go on to say, though neither she nor Ruby, nor anyone else for that matter quite heard what gift he may have asked for.

"I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear." She told Aragorn before the two started to speak Elvish together, a sudden sorrowful expression coming upon both of their faces. The only thing Hazel for sure caught was the name Arwen. "That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn. To rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness, with all that is left of your kin." Galadriel continued, before she slipped into Elvish once again. Then she finally turned to Hazel, who gazed at the Lady with a thrill of excitement.

"To you sweet, darling Hazel, I present a full writing translation of the Elvish language." She said placing the manuscript gently into Hazel's arm as she stared in complete awe at her priceless gift. Then suddenly she flung herself into Galadriel's arms, startling pretty much everyone around her with her eagerness.

"A book!" She cried with utter delight. "Thank you my lady, I will treasure it forever."

"You are most welcome my dear friend. I know you will." She replied smiling fondly at the young girl, before turning to face a grinning Ruby. "My gift to you, precious Ruby, a violin made from a branch of the eldest tree in Mirkwood. It has been said to produce the purest sound ever known to man, elf, or hobbit." Ruby stared reverently at the gift as Galadriel placed it in her ready arms. She fingered the Elvish words that had been carved delicately into the wood along it's edges, feeling the smooth softness of the wood beneath her fingertips.

Tears of gratitude filled her eyes as she also reached to hug the Elf, who returned the embrace with complete understanding. "Just please try not to drop it in a river." She teased, making Ruby laugh and nod her head vigorously before she placed the gift into her violin case, alongside her bow (which luckily for her, she hadn't gotten rid of) and placed it gently on her back.

"Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star." She said, coming over to him and placing what appeared to be a crystal vial, in the shape of a tear drop in his hands, before leaning over and giving him a kiss on the forehead. Frodo, who was also remembering the experience, looked up from his reverie at that moment to where Galadriel was standing on the shore waving to him. "May it be a light for you, in dark places, when all other lights go out." He heard her say in his mind making him smile.

The rest of them were also pulled from their reverie when they heard Gimli sigh. "I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Henceforth, I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me." He said.

"What was it?" Legolas asked.

"I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three." Gimli admitted. Hazel and Ruby turned to each other and smiled.