~Chapter Two
I heard voices coming from a cluster of trees in the distance. I ran towards it, my footsteps light and silent. My approach was undetected. Hiding behind a tree near the Fellowship, I listened to their conversation. One of the Men was talking about what Galadriel had told him- something about his father. I didn't bother to really listen just yet and instead I poked my head out, my hair snagging on the bark of the tree. I tapped my fingernails against the tree as I pulled my hair free; giving a slight 'ah!' as a few strands of hair were cruelly ripped out from my scalp. The golden strings that were my hair fluttered in the breeze, still attached to the tree.
All at once I became aware that the Fellowship's conversation had stopped. I turned from the tree and found myself facing down an arrow.
"You!" we both said at the same time, for it was the Elf that was pointing the arrow in my face. The tip was a centimeter from my nose but I did not flinch. I knew he wouldn't shoot. I raised my hand and swatted the arrow away from my face, not taking my gaze off the Elf.
"It would do you better not to go pointing arrow's in the faces of Celeborn's daughters," I said after a moment, drawing myself up to my full height. The Elf lowered the bow, his golden hair catching slightly on the white feathers that adorned the rear tips of his arrows. I took a moment to study them. They had obviously been picked and honed by an expert in archery.
"I did not know that you were Celeborn's daughter," the Elf replied. "I apologize for my actions but it is of utmost importance that our conversations remain within the Fellowship."
"You need not fear me," I said, relaxing a bit. "I am Niphredil, and, as you already know, I am the daughter of Lord Celeborn and Galadriel, Lady of Lorien."
"So you are Galadriel's daughter," the Elf murmured. "I am Legolas."
"Welcome to Lothlorien, Legolas," I replied, stepping out from behind the tree. A sad sight met my eyes- not sad as in crying, but sad as in pathetic. Eight figures sat slumped against rocks and trees. There were the four Halflings and the two men. The Hobbits were shorter than I had pictured- their curly heads would scarcely reach my waist, but then again I had inherited my parent's height. The two men had not shaved in days and their hair was dirty and tangled. But I tried to remember my father's words- do not judge by appearance, he always said. Appearances can be deceiving.
"These are the remainders of the Fellowship of the Ring," Legolas was saying. "The Ninth, Gandalf, fell into shadow in the Mines of Moria." I cast my eyes down, biting my lip slightly. Just the mention of Gandalf's name made me want to weep for him, but I didn't want to do that in front of the whole Company.
"Which is the Ringbearer?" I murmured so that Legolas wouldn't hear the quiver in my voice. Legolas pointed towards one of the Halflings. I saw a flash at the Hobbit's throat. "Is that the Ring?" I asked, my voice low and confidential. The Hobbit nodded and drew the chain out from under his vest. The Ring glinted in the light of the Evening Star. The Hobbit held it out to me, as if he wanted to be rid of it. "I dare not take it," I said hoarsely, afraid to be near a thing of such great evil.
"This is Frodo Baggins," said Legolas, stepping forward. "And these are Sam Gamgee, who's always wanted to lay eyes upon an Elf such as yourself, Pippin Took, and Merry Brandybuck, watch out for those two. These Men are Aragorn, descendent of Arathorn, and Boromir, and Gimli, son of Glóin." I acknowledged all of them with a nod. One of the Halflings- Pippin Took, to be exact- stepped forward timidly. "Do you know about second breakfast?" he asked in an accented voice that suggested of the Shire. My brow wrinkled. "Second breakfast?" I asked, shaking my head. Pippin Took looked rather let down. Legolas gave him a look that was half warning and half amused.
Catching the confused look on my face, Legolas laughed. "I'll tell you all about breakfast, second breakfast, luncheon, afternoon tea, supper, and dinner later," he said, only making me more bewildered. There was a crackling of leaves under feet and I whirled around. Elanor approached, making her way over various stones and leaves that littered the forest floor.
"Niphredil," she whispered to me in Elvish, "invite the Fellowship to dinner, Mother wishes it." I turned back towards the Company. I noticed that Sam Gamgee was staring at my sister with a rather pop-eyed expression on his face. I smiled at this. "My mother wishes that you join us at supper," I said to Legolas. He smiled and nodded. "I must go now," I said, catching a glimpse of the dark sky. Mother would surely be looking for me by now. I followed my sister away from the Fellowship, pausing to wave back at them.
I followed Elanor up the steps, holding my skirt out of the way of my feet. A Lament drifted through the woods from one of the higher chambers in the trees. They were singing a Lament for Gandalf. My heart was consumed with misery once more as I remembered the spectacular displays of fireworks on our birthdays.
It was ironic how Gandalf had chosen the worst possible death imaginable- to fall into Shadow. I paused as I neared the dining chamber to smooth my hair and the wrinkles out of my dress. I peered over the steps into the room. My father and mother sat at opposite sides of the long table. I dropped my gown and walked in. My parents acknowledged me with a nod. "Will the Fellowship be joining us?" Galadriel murmured as I sat at my place. Elanor nodded. I looked towards my father. Celeborn's face was placid and showed no emotion, but I saw the turmoil in my father's eyes. He was grieving for Gandalf.
Soon the Company came in and stood quite awkwardly along the table. My mother rose and gestured for them to sit down. Legolas sat on my left and Frodo Baggins, the Ringbearer, on my right. Elanor looked a little uncomfortable, with Sam Gamgee staring at her from one side and Gimli the Dwarf being- well, Gimli was being a Dwarf. It was slightly amusing to see a Dwarf in this room, because no Dwarf had ever set foot in this entire wood since Durin's Day. But my father stood and welcomed all the guests once more, saying things about having a new friendship with the Dwarfs and breaking a long history of rivalry.
The Lament rang in my ears as the food was served, and the words of the song broke my heart. I felt Legolas shudder beside me and I knew that he had heard it too. I wiped a tear from my cheek and I knew that my mother had seen. She watched me from the corner of her eye.
"Tell me how Gandalf died, Legolas," I said in a hushed voice so no one else heard. Legolas sighed deeply, a sad look in his eyes. I regretted the question but I still felt that I had to know, and Legolas had been there.
"We were fighting the Orcs in the Mines of Moria," he began, "but we were outnumbered. Then, all of a sudden, the Orcs just scampered up the walls and out of sight, away from us." Legolas took a deep breath and continued. "Gandalf ordered us to go towards the Bridge at Khazad-DÛm. We headed down the stairs and if by some miracle, we made it to the bridge. But," Legolas's voice faltered at this point, "There was a Balrog." I gasped. A Balrog! Legolas continued, "It sprang up onto the bridge, its limbs aflame, and Gandalf stood at the middle of the bridge and said some sort of incantation. There was this blue light, encircling him in a globe. The Balrog unsheathed its fiery sword and struck at Gandalf but the globe protected him. Gandalf told the Balrog, 'you shall not pass!' then, at that moment, the bridge under the Balrog crumbled up and the Balrog fell into Shadow. Then, when we thought it was safe and Gandalf had turned back to us, the Balrog sent out his last whip and pulled Gandalf down. He hung onto the bridge but he was slipping. Then, he told us, 'fly, you fools!' and then he let go. He fell into Shadow."
I became aware that the whole table had stopped talking to listen to Legolas's whispered tale. I stole a glance at my mother. Surely Galadriel had known, surely the Mirror had told her. I raised a forkful of food to my lips but I tasted nothing. I met my mothers searching gaze.
She knew things that I did not.