Chapter 12
The Journey to Lothlorien
With his skills in speed, furtiveness, and the sword, Glorfindel was Elrond's mightiest warrior. His manner was honorable and his heart was devoted. For this, he was trusted most with Meli's safety on the long journey to Lothlórien. Elrond informed him of everything, leaving out nothing regarding Meli's experiences; in this way he would be prepared, just in case anything happened along the way.
"Never leave her alone." He told him gravely as he said goodbye. Glorfindel nodded in agreement.
He had seen the little elf from time to time about Imladris and had marveled at her skill in furtiveness. He doubted very many of the other elves even knew she existed. It amused him that she had been so curious and bashful at the same time. On more than one occasion he had watched her as she hid behind anything she could find just to get close enough to hear what was going on. He was tempted to teasingly call her out many times, but he restrained himself out of respect for her. In his eyes she was adorable, tiny and graceful; and he was just as curious about her as she was with everyone and everything.
Meli soon forgot her sad farewells and her timidity soon dissolved when she met the mighty elf. From the very beginning, she discovered he had an entertaining sense of humor. Though there were not many words spoken as they rode the first few days, she enjoyed a few of his tales and silly songs when they stopped to rest. She had never imagined such a strong and reverent elf, so full of history, could be so funny! It was wonderful for Meli to laugh again.
Perhaps it was because Glorfindel sensed her mood or read her thoughts. For to him it seemed a deep fearful depression had invaded her and the gloom was heavy.
A foreboding was eating at Frodo and indecision was nagging him constantly throughout these days. All she knew was that something deeply mistrustful had entered into his blanket of emotions and it was gnawing at him. At first she felt confused, for he was accompanied by the most honorable people she could imagine. But the subtle yearning within her grew stronger each day, and though she would not allow it to enter her forethoughts, it simmered in the back of her mind; a menacing nag. Within her own blanket she held hope. Thus this mix of emotive reflexes was mingled with the urgency of the ride. Therefore, Glorfindel's antics were very helpful in enabling her to cope; and there was another distraction to help Meli along the way.
She was drawn to the horse, in spite of his massive size. Soft white he was with shadows of brown and a grey mane long and willowy. She fell in love with him, although it was love alone. For the horse desired nothing from her and would not allow her to stroke his face as she longed to do. The only contact he would allow was to let Glorfindel place her upon his back and when they rode slowly, she got her fill as she stroked his mane and whispered sweet words into his ears.
At one moment Glorfindel let out a bellowing laugh, "You desire to steal my horse away from me, don't you little one!"
Meli blushed slightly, but carried on, for the adoration drew her and tickled her heart.
Glorfindel worked his horse Asfaloth very hard, though the terrain had become rough after leaving the woods. As they drew south the wind had become bitter and cold as it whipped their faces. Asfaloth did not seem to mind. He seemed to understand the need for haste and never lost respect for his master. As they rested, he was kept untied for need of fast departure if necessary and he was ever present, never wandered. To Meli's delight he stood near her much of the time as though on guard, gentle yet mighty. However, he still would not let her touch him.
It was late February, their third day of riding. The wind had grown warmer and the sky was clear. The sun awoke on the horizon, bright and gold, hinting that spring was around the corner. The mountains loomed nearer and as they rode Meli thought about how terrifying the stone giants had been as she traveled the other side so many years before. The land was more rugged on this side, bleak and barren with thorn bushes gnarling around each bend. She breathed deep, absorbing the morning air to lighten the heaviness of her gloom. It was refreshing after the bitter wind they had endured the previous days. They were at a swift gallop taking advantage of it all. They soaked in the fresh scents of the awakening buds as their task at hand pushed them.
However, the evil would not give them peace. The ever present gloom and foreboding seemed to come to a head within Meli and there was a period of time when intense fear once again gripped her. It was the unknown that made these moments the worse, with her own fear of Frodo's safety also overwhelming her. Shaken she began to sense the Ring was falling into the hands of a weaker mind and desperation fiercely riddled her. Glorfindel sensed something was happening and slowed Asfaloth to a stop.
He led them under some trees for cover and gently helped Meli down from the horse. She staggered feeling a rush of forced breath as if Frodo were running. Then something happened that froze her heart almost to the core. She fell to her knees and she begun hallucinating! It was grey and shadowed at first and she couldn't make anything out. She was blinded to reality and she kept covering her eyes hoping to block out the visions. But the images began coming in clearer and she could sense an evil presence. She saw vast stretches of land from a high point, many places passed before her; places she had never seen before! It would have been a marvel but the sight of war and Orcs were among them all.
Her eyes then fell upon a wondrous sight, a walled city, white and beautiful; it was built in such a manner, it appeared to be embedded into the welcoming embrace of a mountain. It had circlets spiraling up, level upon level until they seemed to burst into a tall white tower, splendid and proud. White doves fluttered about the banners that billowed in pride. Tall men stood upon the parapets dressed brilliantly with long silver trumpets held proudly to their lips. Hope seeped into her heart, but it was short lived for her gaze was dragged away to the east where terror and hatred clouded her mind. Then she saw it once more, the hideous flaming eye as she had seen in her dream and it felt as though it was groping around, looking for her; or was it Frodo?
Panicked she cried out "Never, never!" But then as though forcefully won by evil, she wickedly said, "Verily I come, I come to you!"
Shock filled her and in reflex she quickly cried, "No! No! Frodo!" His name rang out into the echoes of the mountain as she screamed it with every ounce of the breath in her lungs.
Glorfindel took her into his arms and held her tightly. He whispered into her little ears, "Shhh Meli…it is alright, it is alright."
Her determination battled the evil with all her might and suddenly her resolve took over. With every corner of her mind she poured her desire to will him and cried "Take it off! Take it off! Fool, take it off! Take off the Ring!"
She writhed, tormented; her body quaked until suddenly all became clear again and the vision was gone. Panting, she looked up at Glorfindel who was staring at her wide eyed. Weariness came over her, and the sense of urgency did not pass, yet with relief, her heart was lighter.
Meli inhaled deeply in a cleansing breath when suddenly, a Warg bounded out of the brush, teeth snarling and saliva dripping! Glorfindel's reflexes reacted barely in time as he let go of Meli and swung his sword, piercing the hideous creature in the side. The creature snarled and attempted another strike; and found his end as the sword drove through his neck. Three more Wargs suddenly bounded out of the brush in a whirl of terror!
Meli cowered into a small ball at Glorfindel's feet as he fought them off. She felt the hot breath of one that came too close and she stiffened as she anticipated the bite! The whir of the blade swooshed near her head as again the hand of the mighty elven warrior reacted swiftly! The head flew up and landed near her splattering its fowl blood everywhere. The remaining two attacked at once! The sword flew around with skill catching one in the shoulder. He bounded off yelping from his wound, but the other got hold of Meli's cloak and began pulling her! Terror poured out in her piercing scream! Glorfindel almost tripped over her body as his sword flew once more into the wiry fur, but again it was only enough to wound. The beast boiled in anger and his snarling teeth snapped in fierce desperation. He lunged once more, weak but furious. Glorfindel's reflexes jabbed in skill and his blade found his heart quickly.
Relief overcame them and they rested for a moment to catch their breath, but a moment felt too long; Glorfindel warily insisted upon departure. "There will certainly be Orcs about if there are Wargs," he warned.
They rode so swiftly Meli's heart continued to pound. She held her chest tightly in hopes the nagging pressure would pass. The grey mist within Frodo returned and she felt out of breath as though he was running again. She held her head in her hands and leant close against Glorfindel's chest and prayed. Frodo's blanket of emotions billowed up in urgency, then down one moment as it calmed; then it billowed, right back up again in frustration. She felt his anger overshadow his fear until finally it billowed down again. To her relief, calming remained.
Meli wondered and worried what had happened to Frodo. Her heart finally calmed a bit, allowing her to focus on the good things in her life; her parents, Bilbo, her love for Frodo; she used every means she could think of to distract her thoughts. Finally the turmoil slowly faded into another period of quiet uncertainty.
The remaining days of the trip seemed a blur as the haste and caution of the ride seemed to make time whirl by. Meli was grateful to have the horse, for her day's always ended in unknown frustration and certain exhaustion. Frodo's mind continued to billow with various emotions; moments of anger and others of pity arose within him. So out of place this pity felt that she wondered to whom it was for.
She also noticed her senses become more acute and, furthermore, now, the Ring was furiously fighting from within. The weariness grew stronger and the heaviness about her neck grew more each day. Yet the worst feeling was the humiliation she shared with Frodo; the increasing yearning to feel and touch the Ring.
The very thought of this appalled her. "How could one yearn for such evil," she asked herself over and over.
Yet deep in her thoughts she understood its power and how the will of that power brought great desire. It was fierce as a physical need, like eating, breathing and sleeping. Not having the Ring physically was torment for her. She had no choice. The little elf held on to her resolve and with determination endured silently, never letting Glorfindel know, anything was amiss, at least not in words.
In spite of her efforts, he knew she suffered this battle within. He could sense her fear as dreams of the eye haunted her and he felt helpless. It brought to him memory of Frodo; wounded upon Asfaloth's back and the urgency of getting him safely to Imladris. He sighed in silent relief, that now he did not have the worry of the Nazgul on their tails. Still, though, the sense of urgency was thick and all he could do was quickly take her to Lothlorien, and pray to Ilúvatar for respite if it be his will.
So they rode on, a swift gallop on long cool days. Asfaloth never tired too quickly as though he understood the urgency and ran gently as though he understood her pain.
Meli could feel Frodo was traveling great distances. Her legs ached and her appetite was great as the need for fuel to carry him increased. Fortunately they had plenty of food and now Glorfindel used this as a way to bring humor back to her. He teased her about becoming fat as she attacked each meal, filling her mouth so full she couldn't talk. He made faces at her; blowing his cheeks out full with wide eyes and it made her choke with the giggles. It was a wonderful release and quite a successful distraction. It was just the medicine she needed.
The days blended into the beginning of March and the atmosphere was beginning to feel spring like. They were four days yet from Lothlorien and the land had become rocky. They skirted the western side of the mountain in preparation for the climb through the Redhorn Pass. Asfaloth slowed to a trot to ensure sure-footedness. Meli had been dwelling in her thoughts, of the days to come; lost in a trance-like state as her thoughts and fears pondered. However, as the ride became rough with the horse's reaction to rock and stone, she leant as far forward as she possibly could to hold on.
Her heavy thoughts faded with the feel of the mane against her cheek and she decided to take advantage of the situation. She reached as far as she could, and stroked the horse's ears with her fingertips. The sound of her voice sang sweetly, as she began to whisper cute musings. Asfaloth shook and snorted without missing a step or the silent commands Glorfindel directed with firm tugs on the headstall. Meli giggled and once again the horse snorted.
"You are a tease Little One," laughed Glorfindel. "You will never win him that way!"
"Ah!" grumbled Meli in frustration as she sat up. "How can I win his love?" she asked in a silly swoon.
Glorfindel roared with laughter and offered no answer.
Meli's laugh in response was cut short by a cough as the first whiffs of a horrid odor seeped into her awareness. It became worse moment by moment until finally she asked, "What is that smell, Glorfindel? It is so heavy and foul! Is there a bog nearby?"
He looked at her puzzled. "No, little one, there are no bogs around here. I do not smell anything but the cool night air and the birth of new grass."
Her lungs begged for air as her breath became shallow until forcefully they pulled the odor deep into her lungs. "Surely you must smell it!" she cried to her companion.
"Honest Meli, I don't smell anything foul," he said curiously. She lay back down upon Asfaloth's mane and burrowed her head into the tresses; she made every attempt she could think of to rid her nostrils of the smell.
They traveled on for another hour until the sun began sinking, pulling the blackness of night down over the land. Glorfindel sat high, looking all around with his keen eyes. They marched on for about a mile until they came to a cliff wall that was surrounded by low woody brush and large boulders. As he helped her to dismount she stumbled from non-use of her exhausted legs and he caught her just in time. She blushed in embarrassment and quickly took her pack from his hands as he offered it in silent pity. Dizziness overwhelmed her from lack of air and desperately she wondered where Frodo was tonight. The night passed slowly.
"Are you not going to eat, Little One?" Glorfindel asked after a short while.
Meli looked over at the small blanket he had spread in readiness for her recent unending appetite; it was laden with apples, bread and dried meat. The taste of the meat entered her mind; its smoky flavor had been her favorite and the bread, slightly sweet seemed never to go stale. She shook her head as disgust from the putrid smell churned in her stomach. "I do not feel like eating anything tonight, thank you."
With that, she slipped away to her blanket and wearily looked up at her star until finally she drifted off to sleep with thoughts of Frodo's sweet eyes. But the rest did her no good. She awoke many times feeling a thick, slimy sensation on her feet and then later she woke to find she felt it on her hands. It repulsed her as it got worse until finally she felt it over most of her body. The smell was revolting as she rubbed her skin; her attempts to wipe away the sensation did nothing. She longed for a pool, or river to swim in. Silently she endured, knowing there was nothing Glorfindel could do for her.
Fear slowly began to enter her awareness and once again Frodo's blanket billowed. She drifted in and out restlessly in dreams of a disgusting land. Visions of faces entered her dreams; they were white and lifeless with profound horror defining their expressions. Little flickers of candles caught her and whirled her all around as though they were pulling her into deep chasms of lost time. Each time she awoke, she silently searched for Glorfindel. And he was always there, in never-ending guard with his arms folded neatly upon his mighty chest. He comforted her with his very appearance and once again she would lay down forcing away the evil thoughts and replacing with them with sweet thoughts of Frodo.
The next day the exhaustion was even more intense and the smell was really getting to her. She did not eat again that day and she wasted far too much time at the small creek they had found. Glorfindel tried to be patient, but he had to insist they be on their way. Reluctantly she left the fresh mountain water that had done her no good.
As they rode he noticed she kept her hand clenched upon her chest as though to relieve a burden. Anxiety filled him as he pushed Asfaloth on and he felt the urgency of getting her to Lothlorien was more critical than ever. However, they were interrupted once again late that afternoon, as she suddenly drew ridged and covered her head and ears as if to hide; a cold chill came over her.
She grasped at the scar on her shoulder as pain seared through, to her heart. She began coughing and choking and a great thirst began growing in her mouth. It was no use. They had to stop once more seeking the cover of the wood. Glorfindel quickly spread a blanket under a tree and wearily Meli sat down. She tipped her flask and wasted no time in draining it, but the water choked her further as she began gasping for breaths between swallows.
"Slow down, Little One." said Glordindel as he rubbed her back. "Take it easy now, breathe deeply."
Meli slowly felt the cold ease out of her body. Wearily she laid down and before she knew it she slipped again into fitful sleep, this time dreaming of strange phantoms, dark riding shapes, and faces; some known, others not. Within her dream, she had a sensation of sharing with Frodo these horrid sights and in her heart she longed only to comfort him.
She drifted in a dreamlike state until a soft sorrowful song heard deep in the echoes of her mind, carried her away from the agony; and placed her before Frodo's very eyes- a dream within a dream. She stood before him in the light of her star, illuminated and all aglow. And in his dream, the very sight of her, blocked out the blackness of evil and brought peace and beauty to him. And though he remembered her not upon awakening, he felt glad and lighter of heart.
All time seemed to be lost when she woke with a start, and the dusk hours had settled in. She looked all around wondering where she was. Her thoughts settled into calm when once again; she could see Glorfindel's silhouette in the distance as if he stood guard against the setting sun.
She closed her eyes again and began a soft song, a song to Frodo; once again bending all her will and her mind to him. She sang it long with love and when the sun was finally gone she too, arose feeling refreshed and lighter of heart. Sleep was not a necessity for Glorfindel and the need for speed was ever urgent so they rode swiftly into the moonlight with Meli holding tight in the saddle before him.
When they finally arrived at the edge of the woods of Lothlorien it was late morning on the twelfth day of riding. The foul smell had eventually faded and she could smell the sweet green of the grasses and brand new leaves. As they entered the wood, Meli felt a sense of safety and protection as she had never felt before. It was almost as if a veil had been placed over the treetops, but could not be seen; only felt in the depths of her awareness. After riding for about an hour they came upon a stream and Glordindel halted Asfaloth.
Climbing down he said, "These are the waters of Nimrodel. Do you remember the tales as told in the Hall of Fire, Meli?"
She smiled and replied, "Yes! I do remember! The waters are known to be healing to the weary!"
She almost jumped from the horse into his arms laughing and since she was barefoot she immediately stepped into the water tying her dress up high on her legs. Glorfindel hurriedly took off his boots. She plopped down upon a rock and began wriggling her toes in the coolness as anticipation of relief to her aching legs mingled with her dream of swimming again. She closed her eyes, absorbing the harmonious music the falls were singing, but after a while she began to frown.
"What is it?" asked Glorfindel as he stepped over a rock to sit down nearer to her.
She looked around unable to meet his gaze and said, "I don't feel anything. It is not getting better."
He looked at her puzzled. They sat for a moment in silence. Glorfindel thought about the spell and its effects. He wondered what to say, but words would not come.
Finally she said sadly, "It would have to be Frodo's feet in the water, for any relief to come. It is the healing of Frodo that heals me." He looked into her sad eyes distant in deepest brown. Her voice softened as if in shame, "I should have remembered."
Glorfindel stood up and said, "We better go now Meli."
She looked up and shook her head saying, "Oh please, lets just sit here a few more moments." She raised her shoulders and smiled sweetly to lighten the mood back to where it was.
He smiled in return but before he could blink he was drenched. Meli had begun laughing hilariously, as she threw water at him! A full-fledged water fight commenced, and they were both soaked to the bone before it was over. Birds fluttered noisily above in response and it seemed the music of the falls had turned to melodious laughter!
Asfaloth snorted grumpily. He had not been happy about the two wet bodies that climbed up upon him. However, they dried quickly from the warm southern air that flowed through the trees. The march went on through the quiet wood. The horse's steps were softened by thick grass and rich brown soil. Serenity so sweet carried Meli for the next few hours into dreams, as the weariness caught up with her. Frodo's blanket was calm and she felt safe and secure as she nodded off against Glorfindel's chest. Occasionally she would awake and look up at him, but his mind was bent on something as if he were talking to someone without words. Puzzled, yet content, she would slowly fall back into drowsiness and sleep would again take her.
It was early evening when he woke her to see the view. She gasped with awe as the sight brought memory of Gandalf's tales of the Eldar days. The trees were unlike any she had ever seen. They crowned a tall hill, that was blanketed with green grass and delicate little flowers dotted the lawns. The center trees grasped her wonder as their golden leaves shimmered in the sunset's golden rays. In its center was a white flet and she thought of the tales of Amroth.
"Mallorns!" She sighed in memory of the tales. And they rode on in Lothlorien.
