Story Notes:
****IMPORTANT NOTE**** Do not attempt any of the survival techniques or "medical" procedures described in this story. This is a work of fiction. I am not a survivalist, I have no formal medical training, and I am not a nutritionist.
The following resources have been crucial to my research in writing this series:
Harold Ensle's Elvish language resource site Copyright © 1996, 2002
The Grey Company Copyright © 1998
Copyright © 2003
The Encyclopedia of Arda Mark Fisher Copyright © 1997-2008
Dragon Flame 2.0 Copyright © Benjamin Babut & Didier Wilis (Freeware)
Names of Middle Earth by Colin Chapman (pdf)
Map of Middle Earth in the Third Age by Chris Taylor and Chris Guerette (pdf)
Thanks to Beleg Cuthalion for telling me about: Council of Elrond Copyright © 2001-2004
Gandalf had a spring in his step that I'd never seen before. He was light on his feet and lighthearted, clad in white from the tip of his hood to his boots as we set out to climb the ladder to the paths out of Lothlórien. The harmony of the city was joyful and the song spoke of the triumphant departure of heroic warriors on an epic journey.
I felt the song was a bit overblown, but I couldn't fault the elves; their most powerful ally had returned from the dead stronger than ever and was leaving them now to put the destruction of the Enemy into motion. I felt like Mickey Mouse in The Sorcerer's Apprentice. I had my pack on my back and all my supplies had been replenished. The new dress was light as a feather so I didn't notice any added weight. Galadriel and Celeborn were nowhere to be seen, but I had a pretty good idea we wouldn't be allowed to leave without some sort of send-off.
I followed Gandalf through the trees and we were joined by Haldir and his brothers on the edge of the city. They greeted us cheerfully and led the way south.
When we reached the Silverlode, we crossed in similar small grey canoes to the ones the Fellowship had departed in. Orophin and Rúmil were in one boat with Gandalf in the middle and I was in the second boat with Haldir. As when I arrived in Lórien, Orophin and I paddled across the swift current, while Rúmil and Haldir stood guard.
Across the river I could no longer hear the song of the city. Orophin pulled the boats up onto the far shore. I looked back; the water sparkled like diamonds and I could barely see Arminas and my young friend waving from the other side. I grinned and waved back and then we climbed a near tree and disappeared into the canopy again.
"How far to the southern border?" I asked Haldir as we walked.
"At least three hours at our current pace, my lady."
"Surely Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn won't go all the way to the border to say goodbye. That would be very dangerous," I said after I thought for a moment.
"Nay, there is a talan not far from here where the mid-day meal will be served and the farewell cup will be drunk," he replied with a grin.
I nodded and we continued on in silence. I was a little too warm in my jacket; it was a balmy, sunny day, especially considering it was mid-February, though it was very chilly crossing the river and I was sure it would be colder still crossing the Field of Celebrant after dark.
We climbed higher into the canopy and were nearly underneath the large talan before I saw it. Gandalf followed Rúmil, then Orophin, Haldir, and me. The Lord and Lady were seated when we arrived, surrounded by their attendants and guards. They stood and greeted us as we approached.
They were dressed in white as always and Galadriel had a woven wreath of elanor in her hair. Celeborn had a silver circlet made in the likeness of small mallorn leaves on his brow.
Galadriel spoke, "As is our custom a farewell meal has been prepared. Eat and rest, for soon your trials will begin in earnest."
Chairs and tables were placed here and there and Gandalf sat as the Lord and Lady took their seats. We ate a lovely meal; it wasn't quite the feast that had been prepared for the Fellowship, but Gandalf and I were on foot and a heavy meal would have weighed us down.
The minstrels played happy tunes of victory and Gandalf chatted merrily with Galadriel. Celeborn and I remained silent for the most part. Haldir and his brothers had gone to keep watch.
When the meal was over, the tables were removed and Galadriel stood. A cup was brought to her and filled with the same white mead. "We shall drink the farewell cup; drink my Lord to our departing friends, may their journey bring peace and safety to all of Arda."
Celeborn drank and she brought the cup to Gandalf and me and we drank from it. The liquid was cool and sweeter than any mead I had had so far and it reminded me of the honeysuckle nectar of the Beornings.
Galadriel finished the cup and she and Celeborn took their seats again. Her maid brought forth gifts and Gandalf stood and stepped in front of her. "My oldest and dearest friend, I have no gift to compare with the gift your return has been to me. I can but return to you what is rightfully yours," She reached to the side of her tall golden chair and brought out Gandalf's staff. "It is but your own staff, carry it forth now as the White Wizard, chief of your order and leader of the White Council forevermore!"
Gandalf took the staff from her with both hands and its gnarled wood glowed with a white brilliance. The last of the grey in his beard and hair vanished in the light and from that moment on was white as the sun reflected on a field of virgin snow. He bowed deeply to her and smiled but said nothing. He stood taller and more magnificent that I had ever seen him; there was no sign of the weary old man I thought I knew.
"There is one other of your possessions Gwaihir brought to me, my friend," Galadriel continued. One of her maids stepped up to them and held out a sword in a white sheath on a matching white leather belt. "Glamdring, the mate of Orcrist which now lies upon the breast of Thorin Oakenshield under the Lonely Mountain."
Gandalf took the sheathed blade and fastened the new belt around his waist. The sheath was encrusted with precious gems, which took the shape of Elven runes. "Thank you, my old friend. I must remember to thank Gwaihir when next we meet."
Gandalf returned to his seat and Galadriel looked at me. I stood and approached her, bowing low. "Dear child, as you are a warrior and a healer I give you this," she held out her hand to me and in it was a single red faceted stone on a chain of mithril. "This is the blood stone; wear it in remembrance of the time you have spent in the Golden Wood. Keep it close to your heart and it will never falter, neither in battle nor in love."
I took the necklace from her hand and marveled at the way the deep red stone reflected the sun's rays in all directions. I bowed again, "My Lady, it is the custom of my people to exchange gifts on parting, but I regret that I have nothing to give to compare with the gifts you have given me, of counsel and skill."
"You have given me the most precious gifts, Elaura. I have seen not only the light of Telperion and Laurelin in your eyes, but also you have given me a glimpse of the children of my daughter's daughter. I saw them in your mind as clearly as I saw the light of the two trees. I will diminish with the knowledge that my own blood will run through the veins of Kings and Queens of men."
I bowed again and returned to my seat. I placed the chain around my neck and tucked it into my shirt, it rested on my heart.
"Finally, I present to you these," an ellon stepped up to me and an elleth stepped up to Gandalf. We stood and they placed around our shoulders long grey cloaks, pinning them with the green cloisonné brooches in the shape of mallorn leaves that were given to the members of the Fellowship. Mine was custom fitted so that I could reach my axe and both were light and touched the floor.
The Elves then brought us lembas wrapped in mallorn leaves and I stowed both our shares in my pack between layers of clothing so that they would not break and would stay fresh. We were each given a full water skin and the one I had was filled with an amber liquid from a pitcher.
Celeborn stood then and addressed us, "Go now my friends. The Galadhrim will guard your way to the Field of Celebrant, from there it is my counsel that you travel by night. Your cloaks will conceal you, but not the movement of the terrain around you. The way is fraught with peril; stay true to your purpose and may the blessings of the Valar go with you."
Gandalf and I bowed to Celeborn and Galadriel and went to the south end of the talan. Haldir and his brothers were waiting for us and we stepped off into the branches of the trees. Neither Gandalf nor I looked back, though Galadriel's dulcet voice was carried on the wind around us for some time. This is the song she sang:
He who walked with ghosts so grey,And Hobbits and Elves so gay,
He was one of every kind,
An Elf, a Steward, a counter of time. He fell to doom, under fire so bright,
Of Evil creature of the Night,
Who is not told to come from Light,
But from the Evil Darkness, bright,
As bright as Jet, as cold as Ice,
It did not know of the Right. He fought it with the flame so cold,
Against hot breath it would not fold,
But he knew his friends were standing there,
They would die if he did not care,
So he smote the bridge,
With his strong Staff,
And he did fall into night so black,
And fire so red,
With the Evil creature of the night. It would not fight, but fled away,
To stairs of Grey,
That lead to mountain peak,
Where the creature of the Night,
Turned to fight, but to no avail,
For it fell, to death on the snow,
And He had won the day,
and sat on hill, so grey,
When Eagle came through the Night. And when he was ready, did the Eagle say,
'Ever am I fated to carry thee,
from Mountain Top to Golden Tree,
But still I will carry you,
My light feather of Whitened dew.'
To this He did reply,
'Yes, it is now that I wish for Golden Tree,
To find my friends, with thee,
for you have carried me so far,
I wish for no-one else.' So He was carried to Golden Tree,
By Eagle quick, and fast through sky,
And there was dressed in dazzling white,
Then he came to where His friends had lately been,
But now they had moved on down running stream,
Towards the Never-Ending Darkness,
That was Mordor, where the shadows lie.
It was a song for Gandalf though I knew it was not yet finished. On and on we trekked through the treetops. The sun was setting behind the mountains when we reached the thinning edge of the wood.
We dropped out of the last tree and I gazed across the field; the red sunset on the tall windblown yellow grasses made them look as if they were on fire. I envisioned nasty things lurking in the beautiful plains and stood quietly as Haldir spoke, "The Galadhrim will stay on guard within the borders of the wood until we can no longer see you; after that time, you will be beyond our aid."
"Farewell my friends," said Gandalf with a wink and a smile.
I nodded to each of the brothers in turn and followed the Wizard into the field. I stayed close behind him, attempting to be as quiet as I could. It was obvious that if we became separated in the field we might never find one another again. We didn't talk at all until well after dark and then only is whispers.
Gandalf suddenly stopped and I froze in my tracks. "Unsheathe your hook and make ready your axe," he whispered.
"What is it?" I asked turning my head from side to side, feeling the adrenaline rise.
"Nothing my dear, he smiled. It is always a good idea to be prepared."
I sighed deeply, but did as he said. I think the males of this world enjoy scaring the hell out of me.
The night wore on and Gandalf showed no signs of slowing down. As we walked I worked a square of lembas free of its wrapping and broke off a corner. "Mithrandir? Are you hungry?" I whispered and held out a piece to him.
"Thank you, my dear," he replied and took it from me without missing a step.
I worked the waybread back into the leaf and closed my pack. I felt clumsy trying to juggle the pack, the bread, and my axe all at the same time. I flipped the cork off my water skin and took a small sip. The liquid inside was sweet and had a slightly alcoholic twang.
"What did they fill our skins with?" I asked as I replaced the cork and let the skin fall.
"It is a cordial similar to miruvor but lighter and made with pears. It will fortify you and keep you hydrated, but mind you do not drink too much at a time. You'll need your wits about you tonight."
I didn't like the sound of that even though Gandalf's tone was cheerful. Come on, Elaura. You're not taking a midnight stroll with just any old guy, this is the White Wizard. Don't be such a scaredy cat!
"Good counsel. You should listen to yourself more often, my dear," Gandalf whispered.
I sighed. If you can read this, you're too close, Mithrandir. He chuckled quietly and I knew he'd read my thoughts again.
We walked at a good clip all night and by the time the black sky was giving way to grey morning in the east I was exhausted. I'd been nibbling the waybread and sipping from my skin occasionally, but my eyelids were getting very heavy. I glanced around and saw nothing but the tall grass. I felt like I was in a cornfield. I figured Gandalf had been navigating by the stars or by some inner compass, because I wouldn't have know if we'd been walking in circles.
Finally, he stopped. "We'll rest here until evening," he said quietly and sat right where he stood. "I will take the first watch and wake you if I feel the need, though in truth I feel as if I have slept enough for a lifetime."
"I'm glad you're wide awake Mithrandir, because I couldn't take another step." I sat and laid my axe next to me. I sheathed my hook, just in case I scratched myself in my sleep, and rested my head on my pack. I remembered the lembas and took out the remainder of the one I had been breaking pieces off of and laid it on the ground near Gandalf. I fell asleep as soon as I laid my head back down.
End of Chapter 1.
Chapter End Notes:
* "The Story of The Grey to The White" J.R.R. Tolkien