Chapter 16: Comfort in Your Arms

The walk through the woods was eerily quiet for the most part as I heard Gimli whisper about the witch of the woods.

"She can't fool me, I have the eyes of a hawk." Gimli began to say when suddenly we were surrounded by elves seeing them get all defensive.

"Who dares walk through here?" the commander said in common while I replied in elvish, "We seek audience and safe passage from the lady of the woods."

"I didn't know she spoke elvish." I could hear Pippin whisper to Merry hearing him whisper back, "She's an elf Pip of course she does."

I tried to hide a smile as the elf turned to me saying in elvish, "And who are you?"

I stared at him confidently saying in elvish, "I am Marina, daughter of Lossëa, whom is the daughter of Rivea."

His eyes widened for a moment looking over at my party saying in the common tongue, "Follow me."

The darkness slowly began to fall over us as we traveled farther into the woods seeing we were approaching the heart of Lothlórien watching the elves stare at us curiously. We traveled up the tree line until we got near the top looking up seeing Lady Galadriel and her husband Celeborn.

"Welcome to Lothlórien, we've heard whispers of your journey." Celeborn said looking between us saying, "There were ten when you started this journey but now I see only nine, please tell me what happened to Gandalf."

I saw Galadriel look in my direction for a moment as I said weakly, "He fell… down into the abyss, pulled by the Balrog."

They gave me a sorrow-filled nod as he began talking but his voice a mere echo to the one floating in my head.

Marina daughter of Lossëa you are most welcomed here and I mourn with you for not only losing Gandalf but your mother as well.

I was always told should I need shelter and protection to come here since this is where my grandmother was from and we are in dire need of it, my lady.

She smiled looking around at us all saying out loud, "You have all lost much in these last few hours but tonight you shall all rest and mourn your loss in peace. No harm shall come to any of you this night."

Celeborn offered me a place to sleep away from the others so I had some privacy sitting in a large tub of water seeing the steam rise around me. Once I was finally left alone though I felt the tears begin to fall fully feeling the impact of losing Gandalf and my mother all at once.


I wasn't sure how long I stayed in the water but by the time I removed myself my eyes were puffy and dry whilst my fingers were pruned and cold. I got dressed in something comfortable looking around the room I was given frowning, realizing the last thing I wanted right now was to be alone.

I walked on the soft grass not feeling like putting on my shoes as my long dress flowed around me getting dirty at the bottom but I didn't care. I could hear the elves sing in the distance also feeling the impact of losing Gandalf making my heartache in my chest.

I saw most of my companions already asleep despite the loss everyone was still exhausted and none of us knew when another good night's rest would ever be upon us. Eyeing my destination I moved silently along the grass before sitting down seeing the one I sat beside jump surprised by my sudden presence.

"Marina…" Pippin said softly but I didn't say anything simply moved closer leaning against his shoulder as he hesitantly wrapped his arm around me.

I felt his thumb trance circles into my shoulder gently wishing I still had tears left to cry but was met with nothing instead. We sat quietly for a long time until my eyes began to grow heavy as he watched me closely. He cautiously moved us downwards so I faced him lying on my side while he stayed on his back never taking his arm away from around my body.

"Get some sleep… I'll be here when you wake." Pippin said quietly as I closed my eyes leaning into his shoulder curling myself up against him, looks like I needed his protection after all.


I ended up in a dreamless sleep feeling the light warm glow of the sun peeking through the tree line as my eyes slowly opened. I felt hot breath brushing against my forehead as I went to move but the arm around my body held me tighter hearing light muttering from my captor. My body felt rested despite the pain I still held in my heart but I knew Gandalf would want me to keep moving forward so I knew the best thing was to keep living not only for him but for my mother as well.

"Pippin we are going to miss breakfast." I said quietly as he snorted opening his eyes lazily looking around seeing I was still being held tightly in his grasp letting go.

"We can't miss breakfast." He said looking down at me giving me a small smile before saying, "Are you feeling a little better now?"

I sat up seeing most of our companions had left the area replying, "I am… Gandalf would have wanted me to keep going and I intend to do that."

"Good cause you snore." He said making me narrow my eyes saying playfully, "I do not snore Pipsqueak."

He laughed standing up groaning as he tried moving his arm but it was partially dead on account of me sleeping on it as Sam, Merry, and Frodo came over to us holding food out to us.

"I thought you were sleeping in a bed in the canopy?" Sam asked curiously while I replied, "I was but after taking a very long bath I decided I didn't want to be alone, besides you guys are my friends and that would have been awfully rude despite being a girl and needing her beauty sleep."

"That explains the snoring." Merry said as I smacked his arm laughing lightly while the others laughed as well, maybe I really wasn't alone.

I strapped on my gear as the elves helped pack us essential things for our long journey ahead not knowing when we'd be back this way. Galadriel had gotten a gift for each of us as I looked down at my new shoes which were the comfiest ones I had ever worn and would see through any weather without resistance. I was also given a pair of dragon hide gloves which I learned were made from the dragon Smaug.

I walked alongside Legolas while we passed by Merry and Pippin as he smiled saying, "Lembas."

He took a small bite saying, "Elvish waybread, one small bite is enough to fill a grown man's stomach."

He walked away passing them out as I turned towards them saying, "How many did you eat?"

"Four…" Pippin said seeing the uncomfortable look on his face while Merry picked his teeth making me roll my eyes trying not to laugh saying quietly, "Hobbits…"