CHAPTER III



1.1 "Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,"

1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien



Upon the Fellowship's arrival in Lothlorien, they were lead to a small, secluded glade deep within the forest. Weary with exhaustion and sorrow, the group bathed and redressed in silence. Later, they were given food, drink, and rest as the elves lamented the loss of Gandalf.

As the group listened to the elves sing Aragorn slunk unnoticed into the surrounding woods. Throughout the treacherous journey over Caradhras and then Moria, he'd been too busy to think of anything but finding safety. Therefore, the Ranger sought a bit of seclusion to gather and sort his thoughts.

Lothlorien was a place of remarkable beauty. Structure and nature merged seamlessly; from the huge trees supporting homes and expansive bridges to the magnificent sculptures nearly masked beneath flourishing greenery. The very air appeared to glow with vibrancy. A sense of overwhelming peace pervaded every centimeter of the lush forest.

Aragorn eventually stopped before a crystal clear spring. Its translucent, shimmering waters were nothing like the black depths of Mirrormere. A Mellyrn tree no more than five feet from its bank created the perfect place for solitary contemplation.

"All is not as it appears." The regal cadence of the voice made it unnecessary for Aragorn to see the speaker; thus he remained facing the rippling water as he answered.

"To what do you refer?"

"You know what I speak of, son of Arathorn." Galadriel sharply replied. She sighed heavily before continuing. "You commiserate endlessly over Arwen's betrayal…"

Pushing off the tree he'd been leaning against, Aragorn turned toward the white clad figure.

"I don't know that it was betrayal." He insisted. "I only heard the end of the conversation. I could have misunderstood."

"Whom do you wish to convince?"

"She was willing to give up her immortality." Desperately grasping at the fraying strands of his relationship, he defiantly reasoned. "For ME."

"Was she?" Galadriel questioned. One thin brow rose sharply upward. "She is Elrond's child and therefore privileged to knowledge of your birth."

"No!" Aragorn gasped. His voice dropping to a whisper, he breathed; "She would have said something if she'd known."

"And yet when she offered to give up her life, you did not tell her of your Mother's true identity."

"I…I couldn't" He stuttered helplessly. Shaking his head vigorously, Strider growled. "Your wrong."

"Am I?" Her sparkling blue eyes narrowed slightly. "If you have no doubts then why did you return her Evenstar?"

Dropping his face into his hands, Aragorn fell back against the tree. "Its not possible. She… I… " Finally, he pleaded. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"You who would be King of Gondor have had your eyes closed to the truth far to long." Stepping closer, she sighed. "Va'na put Middle-Earth's fate in your hands when she bore you as Gilraen. You cannot continue on this path of falsehood."

"What would you have me do?"

"Your heart will lead you."

"Where?" He raised his head. Shaking the brown locks from his face, he stared at the elf. "My heart sings only of Arwen."

Forlornly, she slowly shook her head. "Your mind deceives you by whispering what you know. Your heart… your heart beats only for one."

"One?" Aragorn demanded. "And who would this one be, for I know of no one but Arwen?"

"Once again, you ignore the ever loyal companion."

Angry at the elf for seeing what he could not, he growled back. "I know not whom you speak of. My only 'companions' are four hobbits I barely know, a dwarf too eager for a fight, a man I can't trust, and an elf who rarely speaks."

Her hands clasped behind her back, Galadriel slowly circled Aragorn. She tilted her head to one side as she watched him. Finally her voice soft and mournful, she whispered. "I fear you may not see clearly until too late."

As she turned to leave the clearing, Strider leaped forward. "Wait! Please, a name, anything." He begged.

Her parting advice shocked him with its familiarity. "Open your eyes, son of Arathorn, you need only 'see' what is before you."

"'He doesn't even see you. Your nothing…'" As though the very wind were mocking him, Arwen's grating words came back to haunt him.