Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or any of its characters. I only own Leûra, Aearion, Undûme, Cassiopeia, Balanidhren, Aefaradien and any other original characters – so no stealing. However, I don't own Cuiviénen. That place belongs to J. R. R. Tolkien, but the stories of it in Chapter 1 and 2 are all mine.
Chapter 21: Farewell to Lórien
"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes," Celeborn states as the Elves prepared for our departure. Legolas is among them, shifting parcels into a set of boats provided by the Galadhrim. As I see Pippin and Merry sit in a boat, he holds up a thin wafer for them to see.
"Lembas! Elvish Way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man," he tells them with a smile, then walked up onto shore, leaving the Hobbits by themselves. I overhear Merry ask Pippin how many he ate, and Pippin burps saying four. I can't help but smile and shake my head slightly before returning my attention to Lord Celeborn.
"Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. Mordor Orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin." As the Elf Lord speaks, we climb into the boats. Legolas helps Gimli onboard, as Sam tried to steady himself in the boat he would share with Aragorn and Frodo.
Meanwhile, I see Aragorn and Celeborn wander through the heavy mist and sunlight. I follow behind as Haldir walks with me, bidding me good-bye. While Celeborn tells Aragorn we will not find safety on the Western Bank, Aragorn accepts the dagger he is presented with. The Lord tells him that we stand a chance of out-running the enemy to the Falls of Rauros by the river.
"Le aphadar aen," Haldir says, as we leave Aragorn and Celeborn to speak privately. I thought it best considering I heard Celeborn mention the Evenstar, whatever that is. It sounds important though, sounds personal.
"Amin weera yassen lle. N'dela no'ta," I reply casually as we arrived near the boats. I see Legolas look towards us, waiting to help me into the boat with him and Gimli.
"Quel fara, mellonamin. Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva," he says, clasping my arm like he did with Legolas when we first met.
"Lle naa belegohtar. Ta nae amin saesa, Haldir," I compliment him with a smile. Standing there for a moment, a little awkwardly, I finally decide it's time to leave.
Before I move to Legolas, I wrap my arms around Haldir's neck and hug him. He responds, wrapping his arms around my back a little unsure of himself. I suppose he's not used to such contact. We seperate and nod our farewells, and I quickly make my way to Legolas. As I step into the boat, Gimli and Legolas look at me curiously. I stare back at them, more threateningly, and they stop.
We have rested as long as we can, and I'm sure the Hobbits would've enjoyed the Elves more if they hadn't been so sad. Gandalf was like family to them, to all of us, and now he is gone. Nothing will ever be the same again. I can see it on Pippin and Merry's faces that all they want in this instance is for him to appear, and make them wash dishes like he had in a story they told me. I assume it is in moments like that, that they weren't sure if he was mad at them, or simply teaching them a lesson because he really cared. Whereas I can see all Frodo and Sam want is to hear the sweet old Wizard's voice again, whether it is scolding or kind.
I cannot blame for I feel the same way.
We now paddle away from Lórien in the canoes we've graciously been given. As we go up river, I notice that all of the Elves are watching us. It makes me feel awkward with all eyes on us. It's almost unnatural! Aragorn leads the way, of course, Frodo and Sam with him. Boromir is behind him with Pippin and Merry. Legolas brings out the rear with Gimli, who is actually sad we are leaving the city, and myself.
I look to the shore and see Lady Galadriel raise her hand to us, telling us farewell with a small smile. My eyes immediately go to my lap in which the gift she bestowed upon me rests. The sun is reaching its rosy fingers over the hills; Caras Galadhon rises far away, in the mists. A song of sorrow of the Elves of Lothlórien echoes throughout the air. As we move further downstream, I stare distantly and smile, remembering earlier events.
"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin," Galadriel says and she smiled as Legolas admires the bow and quiver in awe, a smile graceing his own lips. "These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war," she explains, handing the daggers, with small silver belts, to Pippin and Merry. "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage."
I look back at the Hobbits, and see the same distant stare. They, too, are remembering the meeting as we sail downriver.
"And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope, made of Ihithlain," she says, handing him the rope, which he took in the same awe the others were in.
"Thank you, my lady." He looks sidelong at the blades held by Pippin and Merry, then looks up hopefully. "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" The Lady just smiled at him, and turned to the next Fellowship member in line: Gimli. The Dwarf Lord diverted his eyes downwards.
"And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" she asks, her golden hair shining beneath the poignant blues, whites and greens of the forest.
"Nothing," Gimli grunts, but a change comes over him and he looks up. "Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth." I smile at Gimli, who finally finds respect for the Elves, as Galadriel giggles, smiling at him. He turns to walk away, but halts and turns back. "Actually, there was one thing…ah, agh, that's quite impossible. Stupid to ask."
I look at Gimli, sitting in front of me. He looks down at something in his hand, then back up at the shores where the Lady had been standing. I can only imagine a faint smile gracing his face. Looking ahead of me, I see Boromir with his gift, a golden belt, around his waist. Aragorn glances at us then to the river ahead. He, too, is remembering the farewell on the shores of Lothlórien. I remember that Galadriel gave him a sheath for Anduril, and a broach with a large stone.
"I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear." Galadriel stands before Aragorn and places her hand on a beautiful pendant he wears. Aw, Aragorn has a beau! Or he has a strange liking for women's jewelry. "Am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Arwen Undómie…pelitha." The two share a common sorrow in their eyes.
"Aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen. Aníron e ciratha a Valannor." Aragorn wants to send his love away, to Valinor? Oh, that means she must be an elleth! Oh, dear. I can see how that would be a problem.
"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." There is silence for a moment. Branches shake, a spider's web glimmering strands sway in the wind as Galadriel glances at the pendant and smiles. "Namárië. Nadath nâ i moe cerich. Dan ú-'eveditham, Elessar." Galadriel moves to Frodo and handed him a crystalline vessel shaped like a teardrop, filling with clear water and a shining light.
"Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the Light of Eärendil, our most beloved star." She kisses him on his forehead and smiles gently. "May it be a light for you, in dark places, when all other lights go out."
We sail out onto the river and leave Lórien behind with lighter hearts than when we arrived. White mountains rise starkly beneath blue skies and green trees. Gimli turns around, and begins to talk to Legolas and I. He tells us that he had taken his worst wound at this parting, having looked his last upon that which is fairest. He says he will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to him. Legolas asks him what his gift was, beating me to it.
"I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three," he answers, showing the hairs to both of us and we smile.
"And you, Leûra? What gift did the Lady bestow upon you?" I look up at him and smile, remembering.
"Your mother was once of this realm…and a dear friend," Galadriel tells me with a bit of sadness, and I'm shocked to know this. I knew mother was from Lórien, but I did not know she knew the Lady. "I have mourned her pass for far too long. The time to celebrate the life she gave with her final breath is now." She speaks of my birth, but I am very confused. What is she saying? "I give you the Giltha knives, Leûra. Weapons you can call your own, and cease the use of your brothers."
She hands me brown leather fighting scabbards, embossed with an Elven vine design, and solid metal collar and tip. I unsheath the knives and take in their exquisit craftsmenship. The silver, glinting blade is long and thick, tempered in stainless steel, sharp-edged and deeply etched with a gold-tone color. The plaque of the blade is the finest wood, adorned with a carving of a Drake and my family's crest: the Septagram.
"And one gift more." I look up, confused. Two gifts? Why? "Celeborn and I take you as our daughter." I look up at her, stunned, and quickly sheath the beautiful knives.
"No, that is too much, my Lady," I argue, shaking my head. "I cannot let you do that!"
"It is our choice. We take you as our daughter, and I hope you will take us as the parents you never knew." I stand there for a moment, not sure what to do. So I nod and Galadriel smiles, kissing my forehead as she did for Frodo.
"She gave me knives of my own," I answer, holding them proudly, and pause before smiling happily. I turn to look up at Legolas, and he continues to paddle up the river. "And took me as her daughter."
"She…!" He looks down at me, shocked and astonished. But he soon smiled widely as his gaze returns to the journey ahead. "That is a great gift indeed."
Translations:
Le aphadar aen: You are being tracked
Amin weera yassen lle. N'dela no'ta: I agree with you. Don't worry about it
Quel fara, mellonamin: Good hunting, my friend
Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva: Sweet water and light laughter till next we meet
Lle naa belegohtar: You are a mighty warrior
Ta nae amin saesa, Haldir: It was my pleasure, Haldir
Am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Arwen Undómie…pelitha: For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar...will diminish
Aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen. Aníron e ciratha a Valannor: I would have Namárië: Farewell
Nadath nâ i moe cerich. Dan ú-'eveditham, Elessar: There is much you have yet to do. We shall not meet again, Elessar
P.S.: Five pages total.