No shout outs today! If you review for the first time on this story, then you'll get one!
The rest of the Fellowship stood in awe while I swallowed my heart back into my chest. The inside was even more breath taking and almost made me forget about the incoming doom! The trees were taller than towers and wider than lakes. Their branches seemed to bend at will to form the great sanctuary for their masters. Faint lights flickered from the trees' canopies, casting a calming glow into the shadows of the forest. It all reminded me of the fantasies I had before I met the elves: the idea that their lives were peaceful and full of contemplation rather than condemning girls to death at first sight. Still, the ever present sound of chanting seeping through the city made me a little envious. Legolas got to live in such calm most of his life, never fearing growing old while I came from a filthy village where mercenary work was all that paid decently and lynching was common (just look at how I died).
At last, we reached the top of the tallest tree in the sanctuary and watched as a soft light descended from the stairs before us. I stood in both awe and horror as the light cleared, revealing the Lord and Lady of Caras Galadhon. Luckily, Lord Celeborn looked a little less harsh than the last elf who looked down on me but when my eyes fell upon Lady Galadriel, I felt myself flinch. Right then, I knew this was the woman who had spoken in my head upon our arrival. She looked like the Elven trees, peaceful and calm but unwilling to be used as a mere resource for your own desire. Yet I could not deny that she was beautiful.
"The enemy knows that you have entered here," Lord Celeborn observed slowly as he looked us over, "What hope you had in secrecy is now gone."
Then the Lord looked among us, searching for someone he would not find until his gaze fell on me, making me squirm nervously.
"The ninth walker was believed to be a wizard," he continued on, looking down at Tooth and Claw of which I had desperately tried to hide, "not a…"
Go on, say it: a thief. I thought, looking away from him.
"…woman," he finished, making me look back in shock.
I think that hurt even more! I thought, taking offense.
Realizing he would get a chance to speak with me later, he moved on.
"Tell me where is Gandalf for I much desire to speak with him…I can no longer see him from afar,"
At this, we all exchanged awkward glances, not sure how to tell them what happened to our friend.
"Gandalf did not pass through the borders of this land," Galadriel whispered faintly but her voice was strong enough for us to hear.
I could not meet the sorcerer's eyes, for all I could think of was his right to live again. My mind was taken over by guilt all over again that my second chance should've been given to him. I even noticed Legolas looked up to the Lady, recalling what I had taught him about death: he no longer existed but his memories remained.
"He was taken by both shadow and flame," Legolas informed the Lady, "A Balrog of Morgoth,"
Lord Celeborn looked like his heart was going to stop from shock and his eyes were going to melt from sorrow! Even Galadriel who seemed to know everything looked down in sadness.
"For we went needlessly into the net of Moria," Legolas continued.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life," Galadriel replied, looking back up and collecting her poise, "For you do not know his full purpose,"
What does she know? I wondered in my head.
Then the Lady of Light turned to Gimli who was grieving as he had when we first left the mines.
"Do not let the emptiness of Khazad dum fill your heart, Gimli son of Gloin," Galadriel said sweetly to the dwarf.
Despite the usual animosity between the elves and dwarves, the woman spoke to him like an old friend and Gimli looked so touched. We had barely had a shred of kindness since we lost Gandalf! She then turned to Borimir and looked straight into his eyes as if she were speaking telepathically to him (probably was knowing her) but instead of looking happy or at least slightly disturbed, his whole face beaded with sweat. Finally he looked away from her, gasping for breath, making Galadriel look confused by his actions.
"What now becomes of this fellowship?" Lord Celeborn asked, breaking the silence, "Without Gandalf, hope is lost,"
Aragorn, the usual group leader, had no reply but only a look of confusion.
"The quest stands on the edge of a knife," Galadriel spoke for him, "Stray but a little and it will fall into the ruin of all,"
Galadriel shifted her eyes to me, staring into my green orbs pensively.
"Yet hope remains while company is true," she said as she stared at me
What is that supposed to mean? I thought worriedly. She wouldn't have looked at me if it wasn't meant for me.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled," she smiled and looked at us all, "Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep well,"
Can't wait! I thought, holding back an exhausted sigh. All I need to do is get through a meeting with some intimidating elves.
"The More Aiwe will stay with us, however," Lord Celeborn added, turning to me, "We have matters to discuss,"
The rest of the fellowship didn't know about this meeting but Aragorn. They all shifted their gaze at me, especially Frodo. He didn't want anyone else to be lost and I could tell in his sad eyes that he was afraid of losing me. I looked from each hobbit, to the two men, the dwarf, and then the elf.
"I'll be alright," I said monotonously, trying to hide my nerves.
The eight left and I was left with the Lord and Lady just staring at me, making me fidget awkwardly.
"Haldir has told us of your situation," Celeborn said, looking me over, "I apologize if he said anything to offend you,"
"I've heard worse," I breathed nervously, thinking of other things a certain elf had told me.
There is no need to be afraid. Galadriel's voice rang in my head. We do not mean to harm you.
Looking into her brilliant, blue eyes, I felt a wave of calm come over me. I felt my shoulders relax and a slow sigh come out.
"May I see your gloves?" Lord Celeborn asked.
Without hesitation, I took off my gloves and cautiously handed them to the elf. Tooth and Claw looked so much more at home in the hands of their own kind. Now I saw that they were truly Elven, meant to fit the hands of an acrobatic immortal, capable to use them to the best of their ability.
"These truly are Karka and Rakka," he said in awe, looking down at them, "they have seen much bloodshed. Do you know what age these weapons come from?"
Did he want to discuss 'matters' with more or does he just want to quiz me on things I don't know? I thought, trying to think of an answer.
"No," I simply stated.
I barely knew a thing about Tooth or Claw except that they were antiques that I stole from Rivendell when I was The Raven.
"They were forged in the Second Age and were used in the War of Elves and Sauron," he said, looking up to me again, "One of our greatest generals wielded them, I knew her well,"
This elf is older than I thought! He lived through the Second Age and I'd bet anything that he fought in the war! I thought, astounded at his age.
I noticed a little sadness come into his eyes as he looked at me.
"She died in the final battle yet the gloves were passed through the generations until the line ended recently and they were gifted to Lord Elrond," he said.
More silence…My glance shifted between the Lord and Lady, not sure of what to say.
"You must forgive him," Galadriel excused the Lord, "You remind him so much of her,"
I only nodded, still unsure of what to say.
"The real reason I called you here was to see if it was all true," the Lord said, snapping out of his sorrow.
My face wrinkled in confusion, hadn't they already heard the truth from Aragorn?
"It is shocking to us that such a ravenous outlaw can become so innocent in a matter of moons through memory loss," he said calmly, "I could not be certain if you had forgotten, that is why I called you here. And to see if you possessed the real Karka and Rakka."
I only nodded, longingly looking at Tooth and Claw, wondering if I would ever get them back.
"Aragorn has told us that you are repaying your crimes through this journey," Lord Celeborn continued, "That is very brave of you,"
I felt a little blush and my eyes move from my gloves to the Lord. Never had I expected an elf to be so nice to me!
"However, it will not suffice," he said gravely.
Not suffice?! I'm hauling myself all the way to a fiery mountain of death and slaying monsters of pure evil to redeem myself! How does that not suffice?! I thought with an angry look.
"All I am asking…" Celeborn said, putting his hand up in defense, "…is this: after your journey, you will return to Lothlorien and we will begin trying to restore your memory. Once it has been restored, you will take us to where you have stashed your stolen goods. There are many things More Aiwe has taken from us. Then we can leave Middle Earth,"
I gulped, thinking of how some of the things I could've taken in my past were lives.
"I understand," I replied.
"I give these back to you now," he said, handing Tooth and Claw back to me.
"But…" I hesitantly raised my hand to them.
"You may have stolen them from us, but they are the only chance you'll have to succeeding in your mission and repaying your debt," he explained with a saddened look, "And the weapons belong with someone so resembling of their original master,"
Galadriel still wasn't done talking in my head, oh no! As Lord Celeborn sent me away and I descended the stairs, I heard her voice but it was much less calming this time.
Your days of stealing have not ended. She murmured darkly. When Tooth strikes discord, you will have stolen the most precious thing you could ever imagine.
R/R plz! Next time: BOATS!
