Chapter 33: Farewell to Lorien
Morning fell over Lothlorien.
Elves prepared for the departure of the Fellowship. Duatin was among them, shifting parcels into a set of six boats provided by the Galadhrim.
Grey Elvish cloaks were fastened around the Fellowship members with green, silver-veined leaf-brooches.
but accepted it on the Elves' behalf. They were also given packages of Lembas bread, the way-bread of the Elves.
Captain Mitchell speaks, "never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes."
Hunter, Blake, and Shane boarded the First boat…
Dustin and Max boarded the Second boat…
And Ethan and Conner boarded the last boat, as they waited for Trent. Conner tried to steady himself, as though he was unused to boats.
Every league you travel south," said Captain Mitchell, "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!"
Captain Mitchell then turned to Trent. Trent looked down to see Captain Mitchell holding a dagger for him to have. Trent took the dagger, and unsheathed it. The blade glinted brightly before his eyes.
Le aphadar aen (You are being tracked)," Celeborn said warningly to Trent.
Trent re-sheathed the dagger.
"By river," Captain Mitchell added, "you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros."
Sometime later… a paddle splashed into the water…
The Fellowship rowed through the river, past the Elves onshore. The sun is reaching its rosy fingers over the hills; Caras Galadhon rises far away, in the mists. Voices sing with the rising dawn…
A song of the sorrow of the Elves, of Lothlórien…
Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrien…
Yéni úntimë ve rámar aldaron…!
Yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier…
Mi oromardi lisse-miruvóreva…
Andúnë pella Vardo tellumar…
Nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni…
The boats continued to move downstream, and they spot Hayley, standing silently on the shore, clothed in white. Ethan looked at Hayley and looked down at the glass-object shaped like a teardrop in his hand, which was undoubtedly, given to him by Hayley.
Eight of the Fellowship members received gifts from Hayley…
Dustin received a new bow from Hayley…
"My gift for you, Dustin," said Hayley, handing the new bow to Dustin, "is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."
Dustin took the bow and stretched the bow to test it. He was filled with awe within his eyes.
Hayley gave daggers to Hunter and Blake.
"These are the daggers of the Noldorin," said Hayley, "they have already seen service in war."
Blake, at first, seemed uneasy to use them.
"Do not fear young Blake Bradley Took," Hayley assured Blake, "you will find your courage."
Sam came up afterwards…
" And for you, Conner Mcknight Gamgee," said Hayley, giving rope to Conner, "Elven rope, made of hithlain."
"Thank you, my lady," said Conner with humble gratitude. Then he looks sidelong at the blades held by Hunter and Blake.
"Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" Conner asked hopefully.
The Lady of the Galadhrim smiled and turned to the next Fellowship member in line. It is Max, who diverts his eyes downwards.
"And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" Hayley asked Max with her golden hair shining beneath the poignant blues and whites and greens of the forest.
"Nothing," Max grunted suddenly… and then…
He looked up and answered further, "…except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time… for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth."
Hayley giggles, smiling at the Dwarf. He turns to walk away… but halts to turn back.
"Actually, there was one thing," added Max so suddenly but stuttered, "ah, agh, that's quite impossible. Stupid to ask…"
Max wanted a stand of Hayley's hair… but received three strands of her hair instead, filling him with a great smile on his face. One thing was now certain for Max... he would never, from this point forward, call anything else in the world fair... unless it was a gift to him... from Hayley.
…
Trent was next, as Hayley stood before him placing her hand on the Evenstar pendant on his neck.
"I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear," said Hayley with sorrow, "am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Kira Ford Undómiel… pelitha (for her love, I fear the grace of Kira Ford Evenstar…will diminish)."
For a brief moment… the two shared a sorrow in their eyes.
Then Trent said to Hayley, "aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen… Aníron… e ciratha a Valannor (I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people…I would have her…take the ship to Valinor)."
"That choice is yet before her," Hayley replied in the common tongue, "you have your own choice to make, Trent… to rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil… "
Then… her voice deepened with great concern as she finished, "or to fall into darkness… with all that is left of your kin."
Silence followed as Trent pondered her warnings…
Branches shake…
A spider web's glimmering strands… swayed in the wind…
Hayley glanced at the pendant, and smiled.
"…Namárië (Farewell)," Hayley said her farewells to Trent, "neravanyar i gerich (There is much you have yet to do)."
She then looked in Trent's eyes with both sorrow and joy…
"Dan… ú-'eveditham, Elessar. (We… shall not meet again, Elessar)," Hayley said her last statement to Trent.
Ethan was last in line.
Ethan was the last one to receive a gift from Hayley.
Hayley looked down on Ethan, handing him a crystalline vessel in the shape of a teardrop, filling with clear water and a shining light.
"Farewell, Ethan James Baggins," said Hayley, "I give you the light of Earendil… our most beloved star. Namárië."
Hayley then went down towards Ethan… and kissed his forehead…
Back in the boats, the Fellowship continued to leave, as Hayley waved goodbye to them with Nenya adorned on her hand. Ethan remembered the last thing Hayley said to him…
"…May it be a light for you in dark places… when all other lights… go out."
