I hate this chapter so much.

I cannot describe how much I hate this chapter.

THIS chapter just had to catch me during the time I was working until one in the morning for four days straight, which pretty much shut down my muse. Combine that with stressing over dreaded Biology tests and finishing a History project, and then you have a very awful obstacle called Writer's Block, the bane of authors everywhere.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, I finally saw The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey! AWESOME! I loved it, and I cannot wait for the next one!

HOWEVER, enough with my whining and ranting. Here's the long-awaited chapter 25!

Disclaimer: I own only my OC's, who I don't feel like naming right now.

Chapter 25: The Golden Wood

"Legolas, get them up," Aragorn suddenly called, sheathing his sword with a sharp ring.

Boromir glared disbelievingly at the Ranger. "Give them a moment for pity's sake!"

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs," Aragorn retorted. "We must not linger here. Come now, get them up."

Reluctantly, Legolas and Aragorn began to lift the other members of the Fellowship to their feet. Chase slowly stood up from his seat beside Hope, reaching a hand down to her.

"Come on," he said gently. Hope grasped his arm and hauled herself to her feet, hurriedly wiping her tears dry on her sleeve. It did not take long for Legolas and Aragorn to rouse the others, seeing as most understood the peril they could be in if they tarried.

"Pardon me, laddie," asked Gimli gruffly as the company readied themselves, "but where exactly are we going?"

Aragorn answered swiftly. "We travel to the woods of Lothlórien."

Chase could not help the faint smile that flickered across his face. No matter where he traveled, Lothlórien would always be his first home in Middle-Earth. He could never forget how the woods looked the first time he had seen them, the golden leaves of the mellyrn trees seeming to glow in the moonlight and their silver branches stretching towards the heavens.

And glad was he to see the woods again. Sunset was nearly upon them when they finally crossed the Nimrodel. The tall mellyrn trees towered above them, their leaves spiraling to the ground in a graceful dance. The hobbits seemed to shrink beside them, huddling warily together beside Fern. Boromir's eyes darted about, his hand straying ever closer to his sword. Gimli's grip was tight on his axe. The others, though, were calm, the wind rustling through the wood bringing peace to them.

Legolas gazed in wonder at the trees. "Long have I wished to see the woods of Lothlórien," he said, his voice almost a whisper.

"They are indeed a fair sight," said Chase. "It is a pity that it is winter, and we shall not see the mellyrn in spring."

"A pity?" Gimli snorted under his breath. "I say that it is good fortune that we do not stay longer in these woods than we need." He turned around, gesturing to the hobbits. "Stay close. They say an Elf-witch lives in these woods; a sorceress of terrible power. Few who look upon her ever come out, and those that do rarely escape unscathed."

"I do not think 'unscathed' is the right word," said Fern, fingering her pendant. "'Unchanged' would seem a better fit."

Gimli continued on as if he had not heard her. "Well, this is one Dwarf she will not snare easily," he proclaimed rather loudly. "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox." The Dwarf then abruptly stopped, staring at the arrowhead mere inches away from his face.

"Could you have used those hawk eyes of yours to spot the ring of archers we just walked into?" Philip sniped, earning a few snickers from Hunter.

Haldir stepped forward, the faint traces of a smirk on his face. "Your company breathes so loud we could have shot you in the dark."

"Well, I thank you for not shooting us, then," Chase replied. "That would have been an unfortunate mess."

Haldir paused for a moment before striding over to the younger ellon and clasping his forearm, greeting him in Elvish. Chase returned the greeting, and the two quickly fell into a rapid discussion in Sindarin, Chase often gesturing to the other members of the company for emphasis. Fern, Legolas, Hope, and Aragorn could easily understand the conversation, but the others could only comprehend a few phrases and words, at the most.

It was Gimli who finally expressed this fact out loud. "So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves," he grumbled. "Speak words we can all understand!"

"Peace, Gimli," said Chase, reverting back to the Common Tongue. "I was merely explaining our situation to Haldir. He and his company have been aware of us since we crossed the Nimrodel a mile back. They are offering to lead us through the wood and give us shelter for tonight."

Haldir nodded briskly and turned to his archers, signaling them to lower their bows. The Fellowship followed him through the quickly darkening forest, finally stopping at a set of trees. Chase could vaguely see grey wood platforms the Elves called talans resting among the branches. With a high whistle, Haldir called up to the Elves resting up in the trees, and three ladders were swiftly let down. The ladders were made of silvery material that glittered in the pale moonlight, and though it seemed delicate, it soon proved to be strong enough to hold many men.

Fern and the hobbits climbed up onto the first talan, while the others divided themselves among the remaining two flets. As she leaned back against one of the thicker boughs, Fern could not help but notice the slightly deadened look in Frodo's eyes. She knew that Gandalf's fall had been especially hard on the Ringbearer, as he had often looked to the Wizard for advice.

"Frodo," she said gently, gazing at him from across the talan. "Gandalf's fall was not in vain, and he would not have you give up hope."

Frodo shook his head. "It was I who chose to go through Moria. If we hadn't gone through—"

"Then we might have lost even more of our company." Fern sighed. "We will never know what could have happened, so do not dwell on it. It was not your fault that Gandalf fall." She settled into her sleeping roll, watching as Merry and Pippin did the same. "You already carry a heavy burden, Frodo; do not carry the weight of fallen as well."

~o*o*o*o~

Philip had not slept so peacefully in a long time. This caused him to be quite cheerful the next morning, though the news of Gollum crawling up onto Frodo's talan did unsettle him a little. Hunter could not believe that he managed to sleep through the commotion the nasty creature had caused and expressed this sentiment aloud, to which Philip replied that he wouldn't let a peaceful night go to waste. This ultimately resulted in the duo bickering throughout the entire journey to Caras Galadhon, much to the chagrin of the Elves nearest to them.

Their argument did come to an abrupt halt, however, as the company crested to top of a large hill. Beneath them stood a section of forest, glowing from within with a radiant golden light. Silent wonder passed over the Fellowship as they continued to walk, eventually entering the wood. Glittering crystals illuminated the paths before them with a soft blue light, and intricately crafted staircases wound around the thick trunks of the numerous mallorn trees.

Haldir led them up one such stair in the heart of Caras Galadhon to reach a wide, silver, leaf-shaped platform. A few yards away from where the Fellowship stood was a smaller, much simpler staircase leading to another platform, upon which stood two figures: Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Both stood tall and regal, clad in softly glowing silver and white. Their expressions were grave as they spoke to the Fellowship, eyes drifting from one member to the next. Most of the Fellowship, however, could never recall what was said aloud on that platform, for as Lord Celeborn addressed the company, Lady Galadriel whispered words in each individual's mind, cryptic messages that left many puzzling over their meaning.

Home lies behind you, the world lies ahead, she whispered to Hunter. And when your adventure is over, you will have to choose where your home resides.

Philip jumped when Galadriel spoke in his mind. Heroism comes in many forms, young Philip. You will find your way, though it may not be where you believe it to be.

Do not fear for what the future holds, came the Lady's soft voice in Fern's mind. All things, good and bad, happen for a reason that none can see. Trust in the others, and your loyalty will guide you through.

You will find your courage and strength, Hope, Galadriel's voice murmured, though perhaps not where you expect them to be. True valor is something few shall ever come by, as is true strength.

There are choices ahead of you, Chase, she whispered to the young ellon. Some will end in ruin, others in peace. But remember, a price must be paid for every life that is saved.

~o*o*o*o~

That night, the Fellowship was given lodging among the roots of the mallorn trees, it being painfully obvious that many of the company were not comfortable in the treetops. Gimli had promptly grabbed a mass of blankets and pillows, and within minutes, the Dwarf was sound asleep. As the rest unpacked, sorrowful singing began to flow from the treetops. It took Philip a moment to realize that they were singing in Elvish.

"What are they singing?" he asked, glancing at the Elves of their company.

"A lament for Gandalf," Legolas answered gravely. "Of what they say, I have not the heart to tell you, for the grief is still too near."

"They probably don't mention his fireworks," Sam muttered. "There should be a verse about them."

"Why don't you write one, then?" Fern suggested, settling down onto a root.

Sam shook his head, glancing at the ground. "Oh, whatever I would say wouldn't do them justice by a long road. I'm no poet."

"On the contrary," said Hope from where she sat with Aragorn, "I distantly recall you reciting a poem you had written back in Trollshaw." She smiled, but Philip noticed that something about her smile seemed forced, as if there was something else covering it. "I may have been half-asleep when you were saying it, but I do remember that it was quite good." (That certain poem is not mentioned in the telling of this story, for it is part of the hobbits' tales and not the Elenmír's.)

Philip chuckled softly as Sam blushed furiously and Merry and Pippin began to pester their friend. The young Gondorian glanced around at the rest of the company and frowned upon seeing Boromir sitting apart from the others, staring at the ground. Quietly, he stood, making his way over to his friend.

"And what, may I ask," he said, taking a seat beside Boromir, "have you found so interesting about the ground? I mean, I know we're in an Elvish forest, but still, there can't be anything seriously different about the dirt."

Boromir jerked his head up in surprise. "Oh, hello Philip," he murmured, lowering his gaze back to the floor.

Philip's frown deepened. "Seriously, no reaction?" He gently nudged Boromir's shoulder. "What is wrong, Boromir?"

"What did she tell you?"

The question caught Philip off guard. "Huh?"

Boromir sighed. "She spoke to you in your head, did she not?" Philip nodded. "What did she say?"

"She…she spoke to me about heroism," Philip answered after a while, "and finding my way." He shrugged helplessly. "I don't know what she was trying to say, though, and I've given up on trying to figure it out." He turned to Boromir. "What did she say to you?"

The older Gondorian hesitated to answer. When he did, though, Philip was surprised to hear his voice choked with sobs. "She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said that, even now, there is hope left. But I cannot see it."

"I think I do," Philip said, tilting his head in the direction of Aragorn.

Boromir ran a hand through his hair, closing his eyes. "My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing, as is our people's faith. Perhaps…perhaps you are right." He shook his head sadly. "I should not have spoken so harshly of Aragorn. I do not know why I thought that the Rangers of the North would be so very different from the Rangers of Ithilien. If he is anything like those in Faramir's company, then he would make a great captain, and…and perhaps he would bring the hope that Gondor needs."

Philip grinned. "Good to know that you agree with me," he said. "Now, you really need to sleep. Unless, of course, the ground warrants more attention."

Boromir rolled his eyes, lightly shoving him. "Oh, Philip."

~o*o*o*o~

About a month passed, though it did not seem like it. Time seemed to flow differently in the woods of Lothlórien, and an afternoon may have well been a thousand years. The Fellowship was to soon leave the peace and light of the golden woods and venture back into the darkness of the world, and needless to say, much of the company was not too happy about this.

Hope sat in the branches of a shorter mallorn tree, taking her last look at the golden wood. The sun had yet to fully rise over the horizon, and most of the company was still asleep, snoring peacefully on the ground beneath her. She noticed, after closer inspection, that neither Legolas nor Chase was among them.

A sudden rustle sounded in the leaves behind her, and Hope turned to see Chase climbing up to join her. "Where have you been?" she asked softly as the ellon sat down upon a nearby branch.

"Legolas and I went on patrol with Haldir and his company," he informed her. "We were scouting the banks of the River and the path we are supposed to take when we leave."

Hope nodded, scanning the ground below. "Where is Legolas?"

Chase's eyebrows knit together as he too leaned over and surveyed the camp. "We split into three parties. Legolas's must not have returned yet."

"Oh."

Hope leaned back against the tree's thick trunk and watched as Chase continued to gaze about the wood. "A price must be paid," he muttered softly, "for every life that is saved…every life…"

"What was that?" Hope asked, sitting up.

Chase glanced up, surprised that she had heard. "Oh, it was nothing," he replied. "I was just thinking aloud." He turned to face her. "Did Lady Galadriel say anything to you in your mind when we met her up in Caras Galadhon?"

Hope nodded. "Indeed. She spoke to me about courage and strength and that I would find mine one day." She shook her head. "But I do not understand her message. Trust me, I do want to find those things, but I do not know where to look." Hope sighed. "And I fear that I will not find those things in time."

"Lady Galadriel is rarely wrong," Chase said, moving closer to her. "And I agree with her. You will be brave and strong when the time comes." Gently, he laid his hand on hers. "And for those times when you do not feel strong enough, I will be there by your side to help you."

Hope smiled weakly. "Really?"

"I swear on my life I will always be there," Chase stated firmly. "I promise."

Well, I hope you enjoyed.

I can't believe I'm almost done with FotR. Only one more chapter to go! YAY!

Please review!