Author's Chapter Notes:
The events at the field of Egladil will not be retold verbatim. Tolkien did it first and he did it best.
This time there was no answer to my wish. I tried hard not to make a sound. I knew that Legolas' sensitive ears and Aragorn's honed senses would pick up any sound and they would wake instantly.
I closed my eyes and thought about Galadriel; I pictured the way she moved and I figured I'd give it a shot. I stood in one smooth movement and stepped as softly as I could toward the door of the tent. I didn't look around to see if anyone woke and I stepped out into the sunlight.
I shielded my eyes from the brightness. Elven ale was not quite as forgiving as their wine and I DID have a headache. I covered the few steps to the fountain and rolled up my sleeves. I let the cool water run over my hands and I wiped the water over my face and neck. My hook, glove, and tunic were back in the tent, though I couldn't remember when I'd taken them off.
I guess I wasn't as quiet as I'd hoped because when I opened my eyes, Aragorn and Legolas were at the fountain doing the same thing I was. "I'm sorry if I woke you, my lords."
"Please, after last night I believe you have earned the right to call me Aragorn, my lady."
"Only if you'll call me Elaura," I smiled and looked at him. He seemed to be shunning the sunlight as well. Well at least I'm not the only one paying for last night. Wait. What did I do to earn anything?
Legolas looked as bright as the morning sun. He had closed his shirt, but not put his tunic back on. "Aragorn? What exactly did I do to earn that right?"
He smiled, "Anyone who can match a Dwarf drink for drink can certainly call me by my name."
"Ah, that explains my headache," I sighed. "Please tell me someone in Arda knows the meaning of the word 'coffee'."
"'Coffee'? I am sorry; I do not know what that is," Aragorn replied earnestly. It was not a good sign considering how well-traveled he was.
"I thought as much. It's a wonderful drink made from roasted beans. A gift of the Valar if there ever was one. It's great in the mornings, especially mornings as bright as this one."
"The sun is no brighter today than yesterday, Meleth," Legolas commented cheerily and a little too loud.
Aragorn and I looked at him with identical expressions of irritation. He looked back at us innocently. I took a deep breath and decided Legolas really wasn't messing with us so I let it pass, but Aragorn muttered, "A little less volume would be appreciated, mellon nín."
"I suppose everyone in that tent is going to need a little healing this morning. I'll go to my talan and get a few things. If you'll excuse me?"
"Of course, Elaura," responded Aragorn.
"Do you require any assistance?" Legolas asked a little quieter, but no less cheerful.
Aragorn gave me a look that said, "Please take him with you" and I said to Legolas, "Yes, thank you," and nodded at Aragorn.
Legolas followed me up to my room and waited patiently for me outside the door while I cleaned up and changed back into my gold dress. I took a few herbs out of my pack, the bark for headache and some ginger and peppermint for anyone who felt sick to their stomachs. I tore off a piece of the bark and put it in my mouth.
I stepped back out onto the platform and handed the herbs to Legolas. "What are these?" he asked.
"Willow bark for headache, ginger and peppermint for nausea," I replied as I began the climb down. "Legolas, mortals have a tendency to get hangovers after drinking too much. Headache and upset tummies are very common symptoms."
"Oh. The Eldar do not get sick unless they are poisoned or imprisoned."
"Alcohol is a poison, make no mistake. You just appear to have a very high tolerance for it. And another thing, you must speak quietly around mortals who are hung-over, loud noises make the head pound worse."
"Thank you for explaining that to me, Meleth, it will almost certainly save me from more of those irritated looks."
"Or worse," I replied as we reached the bottom of the ladder. I took his elbow, "I can't even imagine what a hung-over Dwarf is like."
"I believe we will find out shortly."
I waited outside for Legolas to give me the all clear; I didn't want to walk in on someone changing clothes . . . well, to be honest I wouldn't have minded, but it would have embarrassed the males.
He peeked out and nodded and I stepped into the tent. Gimli was still snoring into the tabletop, Pippin was also still asleep, but Merry was tickling his face with a blade of grass to wake him. Sam and Frodo and Boromir were groaning and moving around slowly.
"'Morning," I whispered as Legolas put the herbs on the table. I separated them and realized I'd left my knife up in my room. I picked up my hook from the corner and put it on, unsheathed the blade and quickly cut the herbs into sizes appropriate to each of my suffering friends.
Boromir had sat up on his cot and was watching me. I gathered up his portion of the herbs and stepped over to him. "What are these?"
"Poison, my lord. If you chew them you'll be dead in seconds. If by some chance you don't die, they will ease the throbbing in your skull and settle your stomach."
"You are fortunate you are wearing that weapon, my lady," he grumbled.
"You are very welcome, my lord," I smirked and picked up the small portions for Pippin and Merry.
They took them from me and popped them in their mouths. "Thank you, Elaura," mumbled Pippin.
"You're welcome, Pip. Mind you don't swallow that, it won't hurt you, but your body can't digest it either."
Merry managed a weak smile and a nod, but said nothing.
Sam was busying himself with a pot to make some tea and I walked up between him and Frodo. "Here chew these; they'll make you feel better."
"Thank you, my lady," Frodo said quietly as he took them.
"Aw, I'm fine milady. Mister Frodo can have mine," Sam said; he was squinting even in the tent.
"No, Sam. It won't do him any good to have extra; besides, they don't taste too bad when you chew them all together. I'd love some tea, if that's what you're making."
"A 'course milady. I'll make enough for ev'ryone, though I only have four cups."
"We can share, Sam." I smiled and went back to the table for Aragorn's share. "Your turn, Aragorn."
"Le hannon," he said and nodded. "I usually carry these myself; I hope we have not depleted your supplies."
"I'm sure they have some similar herbs here in Lórien to replenish them. I haven't even visited the healers here yet. I'll get some things for you if you have room in your pack."
Gimli growled then. "Is it entirely necessary for everyone to shout so early in the morning?"
I took the sheath off my hook again and put my hand down on the table next to his head, scratching the wood slowly. I leaned down very close to his face and said evenly, "Gimli, it is not early and no one is shouting. I forbid you to say another word until after you've had your medicine. If you cross me I won't give you the right amounts and they will be bitter and burn your throat."
He growled again and took the herbs from me.
I looked up at Aragorn and he had a wry smile on his face. He raised his eyebrows and nodded in approval.
Boromir was already perking up. "I recognize ginger and peppermint but what is the other flavor, my lady?" he asked.
"Willow bark. It's for the headache," I answered as I put the leftover herbs in my own mouth.
"When you fellows go to take your baths, be sure to leave the door open and roll up the windows, it smells like a brewery in here," I said as I gathered up the mugs and set them together on the table.
Sam was looking around for a place to start a fire to heat his water, but just then there was a quiet chirp outside the tent. Gimli winced at the sound, but Legolas stepped to the door and pulled it aside. Two Elves, a male and a female, handed trays with tea and breakfast to Legolas and Aragorn.
They were about to turn and leave when I called to them, "Dartho an hé [S. Wait for this]." I took the tea service off one of the trays, stacked the mugs on it and handed it to the ellon. "Le hannon, herdir [S. Thank you, sir]."
He nodded and followed the elleth out into the glade. "I don't think I'll ever get used to having everything handed to me on a silver platter," I muttered to myself as I separated the cups and saucers and poured the tea.
"The trays are made of wood, Meleth, not silver," Legolas explained to me as if I were an idiot.
"Thank you, hún nín, it was just an expression," I replied and he had a confused look on his face.
Boromir stepped up to the table and took a cup of tea, "She means, Master Elf, that she is not accustomed to being served. Your lady prefers to do for herself rather than have servants."
"Thank you, my lord," I said and smiled at Boromir. "I think I could learn to deal with the laundry service; I always hated to do laundry, but it's unnerving having people just give you everything you want expecting nothing in return."
"Ah, but there you are mistaken, Meleth. Those who serve expect much in return. Protection, leadership, food during lean times . . ."
"Must you prattle on so?" Gimli interrupted. The Hobbits were hungrily devouring the fruit and pastries on the other tray. Apparently they don't lose their appetites no matter how hung-over they are.
"Stop growling, Gimli. You sound like a bear," I said and picked up a rag that had been used the night before to wipe up a spill. I walked to the fountain and rinsed the rag in the cold water. I went back into the tent and placed the cold wet rag on the back of Gimli's neck; he was still bent over the table resting his head.
"Ahhh, that feels nice, Lassie. Forgive me for grumbling. How is it that you are not in as much pain as I am? You easily drank as much as me if not more."
"Practice, Gimli. I've been drinking more than half my life and as they say, 'practice makes perfect'," I replied.
I watched as Legolas put two spoonfuls of sugar and some milk in his tea, picked up a pastry, and took his seat. Aragorn put one spoonful of sugar in his cup and took a handful of fruit back to his chair. Boromir sat on his cot with his tea; he'd added nothing to it and had no appetite.
I put some milk and sugar in my tea, picked up a small puff-pastry, and took them out into the glade. I sat down in a sunbeam on the side of the hill, facing north. Shortly, Legolas sat down on my left with his teacup and another pastry.
"I know your nose is more sensitive than mine, Legolas. How can you stand to be in that tent? It smells like a frat house."
"A 'frat house'?"
"It's a place where young bachelors live when they go away to school. They have a lot of parties and rarely clean up after themselves. They often won't take a shower between Friday night and Monday morning."
"Elaura, after a month of traveling with no baths whatsoever, the smell of the tent is nothing by comparison."
"I hadn't thought of it that way. I understand even Elves get dirty and sweaty. Though I don't think many mortals would notice it. From what I could tell on the training grounds, Elves just smell a little sweeter, like a wilting flower or a slightly over-ripe fruit."
"Mortals are not as offensive to the Eldar as you think, Meleth. The scent of sweat is just as natural to us as the scent of smoke. We are able to smell smaller quantities of a scent in the air, but that does not mean that what you can smell is overwhelming to us."
"I'm glad to hear that hún nín, I know that although I don't sweat as much as a man, after a few days' travel I'm not very happy with my own aroma."
"You always have an aroma; it is your own scent. I would know it if you were standing in a large group of mortals." I opened my mouth, but he anticipated my question, "No, it is not unpleasant. It reminds me of wet grass after a rain shower on a hot summer day."
"I can live with that," I said with a smile.
"And what do I smell like to you, meleth nín?" he asked, looking over the wall into the forest.
I leaned closer to him and drew a long breath through my nose. "Mmm, you have a very light scent. Like spiced pears."
He smiled and pulled me closer to him. I was still a little sleepy and I rested my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat and the harmony of the city. He wrapped both his arms around me tightly; I began to sense a desperation in the embrace, though whether it was mine or his I couldn't tell.
"Meleth please come with us. Leaving you is becoming too difficult for me. You were correct when you said no place in Arda is safe now. I accept that. I would rather have you fighting next to me than not know your fate. I have spoken to the Lady and she believes there is a possibility I will not see you again after we leave Lothlórien."
I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind. "Legolas, when we step outside our door there is always a possibility we will not return. You would have me accompany you all the way to Mordor? You know that's where Frodo must go." I looked up at him; he had an expression of deep confusion and concern on his face, as if he wasn't sure what he wanted. "You are my heart, Legolas. There is nothing I want more than to spend all the rest of my days with you; whether I die in battle or of old age, but I must wait here."
"What are you waiting for, Elaura?"
I smiled at him, "Who am I waiting for would be a better question."
"You will not explain this to me, will you?"
"No, but you will know the answer to the riddle soon enough, hún nín."
"Elaura, I believe you are possessed by Mithrandir. You sound more and more like him everyday. He speaks often in riddles."
"Perhaps. I think Gimli is right. I am spending too much time with Elves, though I can't say I regret it." I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
Legolas and I spent most of the rest of the Fellowship's time in Lórien with the Elves. I continued my training with Gimli every afternoon and Boromir and Aragorn often practiced with Pippin and Merry alongside us.
Although Sam and Frodo did not come to train, they spent many long hours with Pippin and Merry exploring the beauty and wonder of the city. Aragorn often walked alone along the paths, lost in memory.
The healers of Lórien took me to their gardens, they did not have willow trees, but they had other analgesic herbs like clove and they gave them to me freely. I was sure to pack an extra pouch for Aragorn.
All too soon it was time for the Fellowship to depart. They had been in the city a month. The night before they left, the Fellowship was called to the great hall. I was called also and stood next to Legolas.
Celeborn spoke and gave us all the option of staying or going on. Galadriel looked at each of us and proclaimed that all would go on, save me. It was decided that the Fellowship would go south down the Anduin by boat, though Aragorn did not know whether to Mordor on the eastern shore or to Minas Tirith on the western shore.
Aragorn was very grateful for the gift of the boats and Celeborn told them they would be ready at the dock by noon on the next day. The Lord and Lady bid us a good night and peaceful sleep.
The Fellowship went back down the ladder to their tent to discuss their next move and though I decided to stay behind, Aragorn stopped at my talan and spoke to me, "Elaura, I would be in your debt if you would accompany us to our tent. Gandalf spoke highly of you to me and said that if he were ever absent that I should heed your counsel. I did not understand what he meant at the time because I believed you would be in Mirkwood, but now I think he had some idea of what might befall you and him."
"I will come, but don't expect much of me. There is still a lot I can't tell you."
I followed them to their pavilion and we all sat at the table. Boromir was the first to speak, "You know my counsel. To Minas Tirith would be my path were I leader of this company."
"But you are not," replied Frodo. "That is Aragorn's burden." Frodo did not speak again.
"Burden it is my friend," Aragorn said quietly. "In any case, the ring cannot go to Minas Tirith, though perhaps we may yet stop on the western shore and decide who will go forward."
I sat quietly and listened to their council. At length Merry and Pippin fell asleep and Sam was on his way to dreamland. Frodo was looking hard at Boromir, who had decided he would go to Minas Tirith to defend his home and had said dark words concerning lives thrown away uselessly in confronting the Dark Lord in his own lands. Boromir had a queer look on his face and had had to change his words. It was obvious he had intended to say that the ring would be uselessly thrown away and although Aragorn didn't catch it, Frodo and I did.
I finally spoke and Aragorn, Legolas, Boromir, and Gimli turned to face me, Frodo still watched Boromir. "I believe what the Lady said, that our paths are already laid before our feet. She also told me to follow where my heart leads me. I say let the water carry you for a while and after that, your paths will be made clear enough." I stood up to leave; it was obvious no decision would be made that night.
"May I walk with you a moment, Elaura?" asked Aragorn. I nodded and stepped out into the night. He walked with me and we stopped by the fountain. He turned to make sure no one had followed us.
"Aragorn, Gandalf may have known a better way, but I doubt it. He often flew by the seat of his pants; he was just very good at making it look like he knew what he was doing."
Aragorn looked confused.
"I mean that he had no idea what to do next a lot of the time. He was not all-knowing. He simply never let anyone believe he didn't know what to do. It's part of leading; never let them see you are in doubt. You've lived too long as a lone ranger; you have people who depend on you now. As king you will have more. Stop thinking like a ranger and start thinking like a king."
Aragorn ran his fingers through his hair. "A king does not hide in the shadows; a king does not rely on stealth, but goes forward in the light."
"Exactly. Your days of hiding behind Gandalf and Elrond are over. You must stay in the shadows a little longer, but be ready to step into the light; the time is coming."
He chuckled quietly and shook his head, "Gandalf was correct, you have given me sound counsel. You will be a boon to Legolas when he assumes leadership of his people."
"Let's just take things one day at a time, shall we?" I asked and turned toward the door of the tent. The light inside had been extinguished and I could see Legolas in the doorway, his pale skin glowed in the dark.
He stepped over to us. "Mellon nín, it is late and you should try to sleep," he said to Aragorn.
"Aye, goodnight," Aragorn said and nodded to each of us. He went back into the tent.
Legolas took my hand and we climbed the ladder to my talan. I grabbed my light down blanket and we climbed to the highest flet in the tree. We lay down next to one another under the blanket and stared up at the stars. We didn't speak and I curled up and laid my head on his chest. He held me like that until dawn.
I woke and found that his eyes weren't focused. I waited a few minutes, watching his reverie. I was glad he was getting some rest. We had not spent a single night together since the party in the tent and I didn't know if he'd rested since then. I knew that soon I would have to wake him; the Elves would be coming to the tent to help them pack.
He whispered in his sleep and I barely caught the words, ". . . please do not leave me . . ."
I closed my eyes and prayed to the Valar that I would have that choice. Then I spoke to him gently, "I will not leave you, hún nín. If it is my decision, I will stay with you forever, my love."
He turned his head and focused on me, his eyes glistened with unshed tears in the morning light. "It is I who must leave you today, meleth nín." He held me close.
"Believe me or not, but I don't think we'll be parted long. I will find you again soon, and then perhaps we will not be parted again," I replied.
"Would that it were so," he smiled and kissed me. I melted into the kiss, it was long and sweet. There was a new feeling; passion crept in and for the first time, he opened his mouth to mine. It was not a furious, deep, passionate kiss. It was simple and innocent, our tongues barely touched where our lips met. There was no invasion of the other by either of us. We breathed each other's breath and slowly parted.
Without another word, we climbed back down the ladder and he left me with another sweet kiss at my talan, then continued on down to the glade.
I found a lovely green-grey dress and matching shoes of the style of the ellith of Lórien on my bed. I gathered them up and took my things to the spring and bathed, as I passed the tent there was quite a bit of activity, but I didn't stop. When I finished and headed back to the ladder, the Fellowship was standing by the fountain speaking with Haldir.
He told them he was to lead them to their boats. And then he turned to me, "My Lady, the Lord and Lady await you in the great talan. Do not say your farewells yet."
I nodded and went to my room. I put on my glove and hook and took everything out of my pack except the herbs I'd gathered for Aragorn. I slung it over my shoulder and climbed up to the great hall.
Celeborn and Galadriel were waiting with a host of Elves, several wore the clothing of the guards at the bottom of the ladder. Galadriel spoke to me smiling, "I see you have found my gift; it suits you."
"Yes, my lady. Thank you very much," I said and curtsied.
"You will accompany us on our boat and we will meet our guests and proceed to the field upon which we will say our final farewells," said Celeborn.
"Yes my lord," I replied.
I climbed with the host up the ladder and we walked the paths in the treetops east for many miles. The Elves were as sure-footed in the trees as on the ground and I found myself following them easily. I felt the dreaminess I always felt in Lórien and it was stronger still because I was near Galadriel.
I wasn't able to judge the time, but it seemed to be well before noon when we came to a dock of white wood, hidden in the trees. There was a great white barge in the shape of a swan tied to the dock. Its beak was covered in gold leaf, or maybe it was solid gold, but I couldn't tell by looking. The swan's eyes were black stones set in glittering yellow and its wings were lifted slightly as if it were about to take flight.
In detail it looked every bit like a real swan, blown up to gigantic proportions and frozen in position. I boarded after Galadriel and Celeborn and their guards and when I touched the side I expected to feel feathers. Two Elves dressed in white leggings, shirts and tunics boarded after me and took up their places in the rear. They picked up two long black paddles that reminded me of webbed feet.
Other Elves packed goods in smaller boats and left quickly to prepare the place for the farewell feast. Galadriel and Celeborn sat in tall golden thrones awaiting the time of our departure. I sat behind them on a low seat, watching the Elves busy themselves with the task of casting off and guarding the boat. I stared at the deck and thought about what Legolas had said to me the last time he asked me to come with them.
"You have a question of me, child?" Galadriel was standing in front of me.
I stood and looked into her eyes, "Yes, my lady. Why did you tell Legolas there was a possibility we would never see each other again?"
"Is it not true?" she replied.
"Yes, it's true, but coming from you it sounds more like prophecy. Like it's more than just a possibility; that it's a probability."
"Why is it that when one mentions a possibility no matter how slender, there is a tendency to expect the worst?"
"Did you tell him it was a slim chance?"
"I am not a being who dwells on chances. The Valar do not gift me with likelihoods; only with paths that may or may not be."
"I mean you no disrespect, my lady, but you might as well say there's a possibility the sun won't set tonight, or that the stars will fall from the sky."
"Legolas did not ask me if the sun would set or if the stars would fall; he asked me whether or not he would be with you again."
"Did he look into your mirror?"
"Yes."
"I know you can't tell me what he saw, just tell me if he asked you that question before or after he looked into it."
"Before."
"Was he satisfied with what he saw, my lady?"
"He was puzzled. As all are at first."
"I see. Thank you," I said and sighed.
She put her right palm against my cheek, "Your way is not an easy one, though you will walk it just the same. Keep your chin up and face your destiny with dignity. The Valar chose you to come to Arda; They would not have done so lightly."
I nodded and she stood behind Celeborn as we cast off. Her white dress and golden hair blew in the breeze. She had a crown of golden flowers in her hair. She took up her harp and sang a sweet song in her dulcet voice. As we floated down the Anduin, her song changed, it became sad with a quality that reminded me of a poem of death. One that spoke of leaving one shore and just as the ship becomes invisible to those who bid its travelers farewell, it becomes visible to those on the opposite shore anxiously awaiting their arrival.
This is the song she sang:
I sang of leaves, of leaves of gold, and leaves of gold there grew:Of wind I sang, a wind there came and in the branches blew.
Beyond the Sun, beyond the Moon, the foam was on the Sea,
And by the strand of Ilmarin there grew a golden Tree.
Beneath the stars of Ever-eve in Eldamar it shone,
In Eldamar beside the walls of Elven Tirion.
There long the golden leaves have grown upon the branching years,
While here beyond the Sundering Seas now fall the Elven-tears.
O Lórien! The Winter comes, the bare and leafless Day;
The leaves are falling in the stream, the River flows away.
O Lórien! Too long I have dwelt upon this Hither Shore
And in a fading crown have twined the golden elanor.
But if of ships I now should sing, what ship would come to me,
What ship would bear me ever back across so wide a Sea?
Just as she finished the swan drew up beside the boats of the Fellowship. I had seen them coming up river from where the Silverlode met the Anduin, mere specks of grey against the silver sparkling water. Aragorn Frodo and Sam were together in the first boat. Sam was in the bow, gripping both sides of the boat until his knuckles were white.
Celeborn bade them follow our boat to a farewell feast in the field where the two rivers met. They did and we moored in a hidden inlet. The boats were tied to small grey posts. The eight travelers were dressed in their Elven cloaks and followed the Lord and Lady to the field beyond the trees. Legolas held out his hand to me and we walked together in silence.
We all sat on the grass in a wide circle and there was food and drink laid out. The three young Hobbits ate and discussed the food, pointing out to each other new things to try, but Frodo ate little and watched Galadriel wistfully.
Gimli sat near me and Legolas; they had become quite close in the time they'd spent in Lórien. Gimli often glanced at Galadriel and a look of unabashed wonder would come over him. Aragorn sat with Haldir and his brothers, but Boromir sat quietly a little off to the side and seemed to be brooding about something.
All of them were changed by their time in Lothlórien and all were somewhat subdued. There were minstrels singing, but their songs were not particularly happy and there was little laughter, though there was no crying either. Just a general sense of loss, as if with the parting of the Fellowship, Lothlórien's time was ticking down.
When everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and the late afternoon sun was passing beyond the mountains, Celeborn spoke to the Company of the lands they would see on either side of the river. He warned them of Fangorn and Boromir proudly stated that he had no fear of the old wives' tales still told in Gondor of the dark forest. I thought sadly to myself that it wouldn't matter because he would never see it.
Galadriel and Celeborn stood at the end of the discussion and an elleth came forward and gave Galadriel a cup and filled it with white mead. She gave it to Celeborn and he drank from it and then it was passed to each of the travelers. The thrones from the swan were brought forward and Celeborn and Galadriel sat. They bid the others to sit and they did.
She called each of the Fellowship forward and gave them their gifts. Her maids brought her each gift in turn. To Aragorn she gave a sheath for his sword Andúril, the blade that was re-forged for him in Rivendell. Then she gave him something that she had carried herself, for her maids did not bring it to her. A clear green stone set in a brooch of silver eagle's wings, the gift of Arwen. As he pinned it on his chest, Galadriel gave him a new name, Elessar, the Elfstone of the House of Elendil. He thanked her and stood proudly before her as a king.
To Boromir she gave a belt made of gold and to Merry and Pippin she gave belts made of silver. She called Legolas forward and gave him a long white bow strung with woven Elf hair and a quiver of white arrows with white fletching. He looked at it in wonder; he had long admired the bows of the Galadhrim. He came back and sat next to me drawing his slender fingers along the intricate carvings.
To Sam she gave a simple grey box containing soil from her orchard. She spoke softly to him of his gardens and the blessing she laid on the soil so that they would be fair and green. He blushed and mumbled his thanks as he bowed and went back to his seat next to Frodo.
I was saddened by her words, it was February, and she said that Lórien would never see another spring or summer, but would forever more be held in winter.
She turned to Gimli and no gift was brought forward by her maids. She asked him what he wanted and he replied humbly that merely to see her and hear her voice was gift enough.
She pressed him and he bowed low and stammered his reply. His desire, though he was not bold enough to ask for it directly, was a single strand of Galadriel's hair. The Elves in attendance gasped and I knew why; I remembered Legolas' reaction to me giving him a lock of my hair.
Celeborn stared at Gimli in shock, but Galadriel smiled. She asked Gimli what he would do with it and he told her he would make it an heirloom of his house and a symbol of friendship between Dwarves and Elves forever.
She took out one of her braids and cut three hairs and placed them across Gimli's hand. He stared down at them in disbelief. She blessed him then and said that his hands would "flow with gold" but gold would never have any power over him.
Finally, she came to Frodo and he stepped forward and bowed to her. She held out to him a crystal bottle, which glowed with white light in her hand. The light of the star of Eärendil shone in the water. He took it and bowed again and withdrew without a word.
The Lord and Lady stood and led the way back to the boats. I stepped up to Aragorn and gave him the pouch of herbs I had put together. "It's not much, I'm afraid, but I knew you would have to travel light," I said.
"Thank you, it will be enough for the inevitable scrapes of travel," he replied and tucked it away in his pack. He looked and sounded younger and more confident; he also seemed taller, somehow.
Gimli walked up to me as Aragorn moved away; he still had his hand over the pocket where he had put Galadriel's hair. "Farewell, Lass. Do not fear; I will keep an eye on the Elf for you!"
"Thank you, Gimli. Take care and keep a civil tongue when you meet strangers. You never know who might be a friend," I replied.
He looked at Legolas, "Aye, and in these times friends are few and far between."
I smiled and he went to his boat where Legolas was standing. The Hobbits gathered around me. I looked down at them marking the innocence that I would never see again. "Farewell, my friends. You may not believe me, but all of Gondor will see you as heroes someday."
"Beggin' your pardon milady," said Sam, "But I don't want to be no hero, I just want us all to make it back to the Shire in one piece."
"Don't you worry about that, Sam. You will, I swear it."
Frodo looked up at me, "How can you be so sure, my lady?" he asked, his brown eyes wide with worry.
I knelt on one knee in front of him, "Because the alternative is unacceptable, Frodo. If you put that in your heart and keep it there, success is the only possible result."
He tilted his head and smiled, "Thank you, my lady, farewell."
I nodded and Pippin gave me a big hug before I could stand. "Hey, Pip! Leave some for me," cried Merry who also gave me a hug, nearly knocking me over.
Merry whispered loudly, "I think Pip has a crush on you, Elaura."
Pippin let go of my neck and pushed Merry, "I don't! I'll bet you do, Merry!"
Merry let go and grinned and winked at me, Pippin was blushing.
"You two watch out for each other and listen to the others. They'll take good care of you," I said and stood.
"Farewell, Elaura!" they called in unison as they climbed into the boat with Boromir. He had already boarded and seemed to have no intention of saying goodbye.
Legolas left Gimli and came over to me.
"I'll miss you, hún nín," I said and did my best to hold back the tears.
"I will miss you also, meleth nín."
He took my left hand and kissed the ring he had put on my finger. I listened to my heart and kissed him squarely on the mouth in front of everyone and held him tightly. He returned the embrace and the kiss, completely unashamed.
We parted and I heard Merry's voice, "Sorry Pip. She's already taken." I heard a splash and Gimli and Aragorn chuckled.
Legolas stepped lightly into the boat with Gimli and I stood on the bank as the Elves untied their boats and pushed them away from the shore with long grey poles.
I waved as the Elves of Lórien cried their farewells. Boromir looked at me then and smiled and waved. I never saw him alive again.
Galadriel stood alone on the tip of the Tongue where the two rivers met. She held up her hands as the current bore the boats swiftly away and sang:
Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrinen,Yéni únótimë ve rámar aldaron!
Yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier
mi oromardi lisse-miruvóreva
Andúnë pella, Vardo tellumar
nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni
ómaryo airetári-lírinen. Sí man i yulma nin enquantuva? An sí Tintallë Varda Oiolossëo
ve fanyar máryat Elentári ortanë
ar ilyë tier undulávë lumbulë;
ar sindanóriello caita mornië
i falmalinnar imbë met, ar hísië
untúpa Calaciryo míri oialë.
Sí vanwa ná, Rómello vanwa, Valimar! Namárië! Nai hiruvalyë Valimar.
Nail elyë hiryva. Namárië!
When they had finally gone beyond even Galadriel's sight she turned and came back to the inlet. The Elves had loaded the chairs and food back onto the boats. There was no joyful song as we boarded and set sail back to the dock. When we arrived, the Lord and Lady silently climbed up into the trees.
I stood at the base of the nearest one staring up at the canopy with a heavy heart. I felt a presence next to me and looked to my right; it was Haldir. He was flanked by his brothers and they were all looking at me; their eyes told me they understood.
"Would you prefer to walk a while on the ground, my lady?" Haldir asked.
"Yes, if you don't mind. I am growing very tired of goodbyes."
We turned and walked through the forest, Haldir beside me with Orophin and Rúmil behind us.
The faces of the Fellowship passed in my mind's eye. I saw the Hobbits, their joy and innocence replaced with weariness and worry. Then Gimli, his laughter rang in my mind and was then replaced with an image of him fighting off the orcs as they attacked at Amon Hen. I saw Aragorn and Boromir sparring in the glade of Rivendell, then Aragorn kneeling next to Boromir's broken body, holding his hand as he died.
At last Legolas' face, first childlike and glowing in a full smile, then his head bowed with grief at the bonfire of the Rohirrim. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore, I stopped and crumpled against a tree.
I sat there in the falling night crying as Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil stood by silently. When I finally finished and the tears would no longer come, I calmed my breathing and said to them, "I'm fine now. We can travel in the trees, if you would rather."
Haldir answered, "There is no shame in sorrow, my lady. If you are certain you can go on we will take to the trees, for it is safer. If you cannot complete the journey back to the city, you may rest on a talan on the way and we will guard you until morning."
I nodded and they helped me up to the lowest branch of the nearest tree. It was a little harder to climb up to the paths than it was to climb down and the way seemed much longer. Soon I was too tired to go on and we stopped for the night. They led me to a flet that had a bedroll and Haldir produced a leaf-wrapped square of lembas [Elvish waybread] from his tunic and offered it to me. I unwrapped it and broke off a corner. It was as sweet and light as the cakes of the Beornings and I felt full after just that one small bite.
I sat with my back against the trunk of the tree and the Elves sat around me. I spoke in Sindarin, "I'm sorry, you should be back home by now."
"There is no need to apologize, we are more accustomed to sleeping out here than in the city," Haldir replied quietly.
"You can't tell me there are no ellith at home waiting for you. You are all so handsome," I said with a smile.
"Nay, my lady. We are bachelors yet. Those with families do not patrol the borders," replied Rúmil with a grin.
"No girlfriends even?"
"My Lady waits for me across the sea," replied Orophin. The other two shook their heads.
I felt refreshed and offered to go on, but Haldir did not think it was a good idea, "My Lady, it is too dark now and we have no lamps to light your way. It is better that you rest here until dawn. Although we are near the river and no orcs have yet dared to come into the forest that way, still it is not safe to go forth on the ground and I fear you may fall if we travel through the trees in darkness."
"You're the Marchwarden. I defer to your judgment," I said and unrolled the bedroll. I lay down on it and Rúmil covered me with his cloak. I was lulled to sleep by their soft singing and the wind in the leaves.
At dawn we made good time back to the city and I went to my talan to wait for Gandalf's arrival.
End of Chapter 36.
Chapter End Notes:
* "Galadriel's Song of Eldamar" J.R.R. Tolkien The Fellowship of the Ring
** "Song of the Elves Beyond the Sea" J.R.R. Tolkien The Fellowship of the Ring Translated:
long years numberless as the wings of trees!
The long years have passed like swift draughts
of the sweet mead in lofty halls beyond the West,
beneath the blue vaults of Varda wherein the stars
tremble in the song of her voice, holy and queenly. Who now shall refill the cup for me? For now the Kindler, Varda, the Queen of the Stars,
from Mount Everwhite has uplifted her hands like clouds
, and all paths are drowned deep in shadow;
and out of a grey country darkness lies
on the foaming waves between us, and mist
covers the jewels of Calacirya for ever
. Now lost, lost to those from the East is Valimar! Farewell! Maybe thou shalt find Valimar.
Maybe even thou shalt find it. Farewell!