Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. Hope you like this one.
Lets' get to it.
Chapter 9- The Golden Wood
Having left the darkness of Moria far behind, the Fellowship hurries across a large field as the set begins to set, the Misty Mountains growing smaller in the distance behind them.
Up ahead are the trees of Lothlorien. Many of the Fellowship feel a slight sense of relief as they enter the trees. However, some of them also feel slight apprehension, knowing the stories of Lothlorien.
The one who feels only apprehension is Gimli. The dwarf turns around towards the hobbits and says, "Stay close, young hobbits. They say there's a great sorceress that lives in these woods. And Elf-Witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell and are never seen again."
Jakan rolls his eyes a bit under his helmet. He had heard the stories of the witches of Dathomir, but knows that they are pretty much extinct. He finds himself skeptical that stories about this supposed Elf-witch to probably just be tall tales.
Suddenly, he hears in his head, Your coming here, Jakan Shan, heralds great changes for our world, and for your people. The crucible of the Mandalorians draws near.
Jakan looks around in shock, not having expected that. He cannot see anybody around him, thereby making him assume that whoever this was spoke to him mentally from a great distance. That doesn't make him feel less uneasy.
"Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox," Gimli says. But, as he finishes saying this, he suddenly finds an arrowhead just a few inches from his face. "Oh," she says simply.
All around the Fellowship, Elves with bows aimed seem to melt out of nowhere. Legolas, acting on instinct, fits an arrow to his bow and draws it back. At the same time, Jakan pulls out a blaster with one hand, while whipping Hadhafang out with the other hand. Several elves standing near Jakan look at the sword in surprise, recognizing it as Elrond's blade.
Then, an elf, wearing slightly finer clothing than the others, steps into view, saying, "The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." Gimli growls in annoyance upon hearing that.
The elves lead the Fellowship to a series of platforms mounted in the trees. As they reach them, the sun has already set.
The leader of the Galadhrim, Haldir, begins conversing with Legolas in a language unfamiliar to Jakan. Curious, he leans over to Aragorn and asks, "Elvish?"
"Yes," Aragorn responds simply.
Gimli, apparently having had enough of the Elves talking and him being unaware of what's being said, says in irritation, "So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves. Speak words we can all understand!"
Haldir looks over at Gimli, and, with his tone much less respectful than when he was speaking to Legolas, says, "We have not had dealing with the dwarves since the Dark Days."
"And do you know what this dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" Gimli says in a venomous tone.
Jakan may not speak Dwarvish, but can tell from Gimli's tone he just insulted Haldir. This is only confirmed when Aragorn lightly smacks Gimli on the shoulder and says, "That was not so courteous."
Haldir then looks behind Legolas, to where Frodo is standing. He looks at him intently for several moments before he says, "You bring great evil with you. You can go no further." He then turns to walk away.
Aragorn follows Haldir a few yards away from the rest of the Fellowship, and they commence an argument in Elvish.
Jakan sits down beside Frodo, who is staring off into space, as if contemplating something.
Boromir, who is sitting close by, looks over at Frodo. For the first time, Jakan sees nothing but concern and compassion for Frodo on his friend's face. "Gandalf's death was not in vain. Nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden Frodo. Don't carry the weight of the dead," Boromir says.
Jakan nods once and says simply, "You speak from experience." Boromir just nods sadly.
Then, Haldir walks back up to the Fellowship, and orders, "You will follow me."
The Fellowship follows Haldir off of the platform, or Telain as the Elves call it, and back down to the ground, where they begin marching through the forest.
For a full day, they follow Haldir and the other Galadhrim through the forest. As they go, Jakan is overwhelmed by the beauty of the forest. He's seen many forests on various planets across the galaxy, but this is the most beautiful forest he's ever seen during his travels.
Then, late in the day, they came over a rise, and up ahead, Jakan sees a valley up ahead, where a glade of massive trees rises above all the others. Added to that, it seems as though there is light coming from it.
"Caras Galdhon. The heart of Elvendom on Earth. Home of the Lord Celeborn, and of Galadriel, Lady of Light," Haldir says.
The Galadhrim lead the Fellowship over to Caras Galadhon. By the time they reach the settlement, night has fallen.
Haldir and a few Elves lead the Fellowship up some stairs winding around the tallest tree in the settlement. Eventually, they reach a platform at the top of the tree. The platform is completely bathed in light.
Jakan and the rest of the Fellowship look up at the landing up ahead, and the stairs leading up to it. Then, from out of the light on the landing, they are able to make out two figures, which slowly begin making their way down the stairs towards the Fellowship.
After a few moments, the two figures come fully into view, the glare no longer hiding their features. Jakan almost gasps. The lord, Celeborn, is regal, handsome, and calm. But the beauty of the lady, Galadriel, instantly draws his eyes. He is stunned. He has heard stories of creatures whose beauty would captivate most men, but none of those stories seem to compare to Galadriel.
"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is gone," Celeborn begins. He pauses for a moment, then says, "Nine, there are here, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar."
Galadriel looks over the Fellowship, then says, "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the border of this land. He has fallen into shadow."
There is silence for a moment before Legolas says, "He was taken by both shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Gimli lowers his head a bit in shame at that last sentence.
Galadriel says, "Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet knows his full purpose." She then looks directly at Gimli and says, "Do not let the darkness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in many lands, love is now mingled with grief."
As she says this, she glances at Boromir. Boromir looks back at her, and as he does, his face seems to fill with despair and emotion. Jakan sees out of the corner of his eye, and wants to comfort his friend, but finds himself unable to move.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost," Celeborn says.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fall, to the ruin of all," Galadriel says. She then looks right at Jakan, and he hears her voice in his head saying, A great task lies before you, Jakan of Mandalore. When the time comes, the fate of the world of Men will rest on your soldiers.
Jakan looks at her in surprise, wondering what on Earth she is talking about. Galadriel looks away from him and looks around at the rest of the Fellowship as she says, "Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace."
(Some time later)
The Fellowship has gathered on a pavilion set aside for them by the Galadhrim. Many of them, including Jakan, are now wearing clothing provided by the Galadhrim so their clothing and armor, including Jakan's Mandalorian armor, could be cleaned. Jakan had set aside a number of pieces of armor that he told the Galadhrim he would clean himself. The last thing he wanted was for an unsuspecting Elf to accidently activate one of his flamethrowers and set fire to Caras Galadhon.
As Jakan sips some water from a goblet, he hears a chorus of Elven voices begin to sing in Elvish. Jakan looks over at Legolas, who is looking up into the trees.
"What are they singing?" Jakan asks.
"A lament for Gandalf," he says.
"What are they saying?" Jakan asks.
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near," Legolas says.
Jakan nods, then slowly stands up and walks around, stretching his limbs a little bit. He then sees Boromir, sitting against a tree a few yards away.
Jakan walks over and sits down besides Boromir. "Are you alright, my friend?" he asks.
Boromir looks up at him. After a moment, he says, "I heard the Lady's voice in my head. She spoke to me of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said, 'Even now, there is hope left.' It has been a long time since we had any hope."
"I know how you feel. When we entered Lothlorien, I heard Galadriel say that 'the crucible of the Mandalorians draws near'. The Mandalorians have suffered much death and destruction over the last few decades, and even civil war. But, we have always survived. We always do, because we are strong. If your people are as strong as you are, I firmly believe that Gondor will survive," Jakan says to Boromir.
Boromir turns to his friend, a slight smile beginning to form on his face. "I hope that one day, I can show you my city, Jakan. You should see the White Tower of Ecthelion! It glimmers like a spike of pearl and silver with its banners caught in the morning breeze."
He then leans forward and clamps a hand on Jakan's shoulder. "I know that one day our path will lead us all there. And when that day comes, the heralds will take up the call, 'The Lords of Gondor have returned!'"
Jakan smiles slightly, glad to see his friend cheering up. Neither of them notice Aragorn, who had been listening in to the conversation, and slowly walks away.
(Later that night)
Jakan turns over slightly, sleeping rather soundly, his dreams dominated by his memories of his growth as a Mandalorian.
Suddenly, he feels something, and begins to wake up. Looking around, he sees Frodo disappearing down a staircase.
Feeling slightly concerned for the Hobbit, Jakan stands up and follows Frodo. He makes his way slowly, not wanting to be seen by Frodo.
As he comes down the staircase, he starts to come around a corner, then stops and doubles back. Glancing around it, he sees Frodo and Galadriel standing in an alcove, with a stone plinth in the middle with a basin of water on it.
Frodo and Galadriel seem to be having a conversation. Finally, Frodo turns and starts walking away. Jakan ducks further back, and Frodo walks right past him.
Jakan glances around the boulder, and sees Galadriel is facing away from him. Before he can do anything, she says, "I know you are there." She then turns around, looks right at Jakan, and says, "Come. There is no need to run, Mandalorian."
Jakan makes his way down the rest of the stairs and slowly approaches Galadriel. After a moment, he asks, "You know of my home?"
"Through the mirror, all things are visible to me," Galadriel says, gesturing to the basin. She then says, "I have seen your world. I have seen many things that I did not believe possible. And I have seen your future."
She pauses again and says, "Come, look into the mirror."
Jakan glances at her, then slowly walks over to the basin. He takes a step up, then looks into the basin.
At first, there's nothing but his own reflection. Then, the surface of the water shifts, and he sees the leader of the Free Mandalorians, Bo-Katan Kryze, fighting with several Free Mandalorians against the Dark Mandalorians. The image then shifts again, and he sees stormtroopers marching over the surface of Mandalore. It shifts through images of stormtroopers engaging in battle with the Free Mandalorians, ending in an image of dozens of dead Mandalorians.
Then, it shifts again, and shows Jakan standing on a barren plain, holding the Darksaber in one hand and Hadhafang in another. Marching towards him is a vast army of Orcs and trolls. Then, the image changes again, and Jakan sees himself lying dead on that same plain, the Darksaber beside him. As he watches, an armored hand reaches down and claims the Darksaber.
Jakan tears his eyes away from the mirror and stumbles back. He looks up at Galadriel and asks, somewhat breathless, "What was that?"
"The Mirror shows many things. Things that were. Things that are. And some things that have not yet come to pass. What you saw are things that stand every chance of coming to pass," Galadriel responds.
Jakan looks back at the mirror, then says, "I don't believe that is my future. The future is never fixed. I will do what I can to prevent this from coming to pass."
Galadiel smiles. "It is good you have such hope and determination. In the end, the security of Middle Earth, and even of your own people, may come to depend on it. I have seen of your world, and your people. Your warrior nature, and your desire to do good and make the galaxy better will leave a lasting impact. Follow your heart, and you will come to be known as one of the greatest of the Mandalorians," she says.
Jakan looks at Galadriel for a few moments, then bows his head respectfully. "Thank you for your words, milady," he says. He then slowly turns and walks back towards the rest of the Fellowship, pondering over what he saw in the mirror.
And, I'll end there. I hope you liked it.
So, Jakan got to look into the mirror. For those who have seen The Mandalorian tv show, the stormtroopers fighting the Free Mandalorians is meant to be the Great Purge mentioned in the show. And, for those wondering, I do plan for Bo-Katan to show up near the end of this story. And, for those wondering what Jakan's task is that the future of Men rides upon, well, you'll just have to wait and see.
Next chapter will be up soon enough. Until then, leave a review, stay tuned!