Disclaimer: AU Story. My second large fic because it gave me so much
pleasure writing the last. I do not own any of the characters or places in
this story- both belong to the genius, Tolkien. I know; I torture the
characters but I will do my very best to save them. Hope you enjoy!
Shirebound: *cringe* I should not spend all my time writing fanfics. But I can't resist! So pleased that you enjoyed Ch.6. The plot will get going again in this chappie.
JaimeyKay: I know. Darned FF.net is always doing weird things with my work. Hopefully you can read the fifth chapter now.
Lil*bee: A very busy chick indeed-y! I actually went and DID something today- I went to London *chuffed look* to visit friends. Then I came back and, er, wrote. As for another story, of course! Just let me get this one done, first! Any requests?
Feline Daemon: Don't be sorry! I appreciate criticism. I often don't take it very well but I didn't mind a bit. D'aww, look at them cute puppy eyes. Happy that you're liking the story!
Belthronding: Yay! I'm being accurate! I enjoyed writing Ch. 6 too!
~ Chapter Seven ~
Morning came golden the next day. Haldir came to Frodo to bind his eyes again and then in turn, brought the Fellowship to their feet also. They moved now slowly, as if taking in the world around them- sensing its power and beauty surrounding them. Frodo had not slept one bit. He had tried to rest but he was now too terrified of the nightmares to even manage a few hours sleep. He felt so weary and struggled along, trying hard not to let Gimli realise his distress.
The Fellowship entered a glade when the sun was its zenith and stopped. There were voices and an exclamation of surprise. Haldir guided the company into a ring and then said to them,
"These elves bring word from the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim: they say that you are to walk free in our land for they know of your quest and of what has befallen you. They know of each and every one of you and say that you are welcome to look upon Lothlórien."
Haldir and his brother then went from one to another of the companions, untying their blindfolds. They stood, blinking in the bright light, gazing round at the clearing they had entered. A whole hoast of elves had gathered, all bearing long bows and quivers of arrows. They bowed to the Fellowship then began to move off again, into the woodland. Then, the friends gazed round in wonder at the sights before them. At their left, a large mound rose up- it's green arched back laced with pale flowers. Two circles of slender trees stood proudly at the hill's crown- the outer ring of stark colourless bark and the inner of straight, beautiful mallorn trees. Amid the strange gold branches was positioned a wide white talan. In the mellifluous sunlight, the dark green shadows stretched out to the company's feet, long and winding like ivy in the grass.
"There stands Cerin Amroth; the heart of the ancient realm as it was long ago. We will stay awhile here before moving on at eventide. Come, follow me."
Haldir strode ahead, letting the others follow at their own pace. They were in awe of the Naith. So untouched by time or age. So serene in the calm of noon. Never before had any of them experienced such beauty. The Fellowship mounted the slope and started approaching the double band of trees. Gimli took the advantage to fall in step beside Frodo.
"Frodo," he said. The hobbit looked up, a smile lighting his features.
"Frodo, I never had a chance to thank you for what you did for me."
"What do you mean, Gimli?" Frodo said, his brow creasing.
"I heard your shouts and Legolas told me that you had convinced the elves to let me pass through. I hope you understand, young hobbit, that I am in your debt. Thank you."
Frodo did not seem to be touched or moved by the dwarf's words. He just shook his head.
"Gimli, I could not bear to see this company parted. It would be more than I could stand."
--
They reached the mound's summit and fell down into the long grass. Frodo stood a time on his own, lost in his thoughts. It was as if he had stepped into a different world. Light streamed in, dancing with colours. And all around him was life. A perfect stillness and air of contentment all about he and his comrades. It was just perfect. Frodo felt as he were looking upon everything for the first time and they were exciting, new things. Bright, pure colouring and uncarved, unblemished stone. Everything made to look like the first building in the world. Perhaps it was. Perhaps Cerin Amroth was the very beginning of Lórien. The thought made shivers run through the little hobbit. He felt so small and young in the presence of something so old, so careworn. As if the whole world had moved outside while in here, you could stay the same for hundreds of years, never changing. Frodo felt he could sit here forever, watching the world change out there in the wide world. He would not have to deal with the affairs of the wise or powerful. He would just be- caught in an unmoving reality.
"Mister Frodo, I've never felt so humble in all my life."
Sam's voice sounded so small and Frodo turned to find him standing behind him.
"What do you mean, Sam?"
"Well, I didn't think elves were like this. It looks more the sort of thing you'd find in the Shire, if you take my meaning. But it feels elvish. Like- musical and special. Something you can treasure. It's like we're inside a song."
"You're right, Sam. It does feel exactly like that."
And the two friends stood, content with just each other for company, trying to absorb the surreal splendour of Cerin Amroth. Haldir came to them. He was smiling widely.
"Frodo, Samwise, I would like you to come with me. There is something I would like both of you to see."
The elf led them up to the inner ring of mallorn trees. A gentle peace fell upon the hobbits, as they had never experienced in their lives. They gazed round in wonder. They had, for weeks now, always been aware of the perils that hunted them. Always waiting for some new threat to attack them. Always looking for the latest ambush. But it felt here that none of the dangers existed. Haldir took them to a ladder attached to one slender tree and started to ascend it. Frodo let Sam go first then gripped the rope himself and climbed high up to stand among the canopy leaves. Haldir guided them onto the white talan and faced both hobbits South.
"There! Do you see?"
They gazed in dumbstruck wonder at the view lain out before them. A vast city of trees, green as the fields of his home. Light seemed to emanate from it and power seemed to flow out from its borders. Frodo was caught by Pippin's words again- 'Gandalf would have loved this.'
"Samwise, I heard what you spoke of earlier. 'Inside a song'. I have shown you this because I too said the very same when I looked upon this sight. There you see the heart of all elvendom on earth. Does it please you?"
Sam gazed at Haldir with wide, dark eyes. He was lost for words.
Shirebound: *cringe* I should not spend all my time writing fanfics. But I can't resist! So pleased that you enjoyed Ch.6. The plot will get going again in this chappie.
JaimeyKay: I know. Darned FF.net is always doing weird things with my work. Hopefully you can read the fifth chapter now.
Lil*bee: A very busy chick indeed-y! I actually went and DID something today- I went to London *chuffed look* to visit friends. Then I came back and, er, wrote. As for another story, of course! Just let me get this one done, first! Any requests?
Feline Daemon: Don't be sorry! I appreciate criticism. I often don't take it very well but I didn't mind a bit. D'aww, look at them cute puppy eyes. Happy that you're liking the story!
Belthronding: Yay! I'm being accurate! I enjoyed writing Ch. 6 too!
~ Chapter Seven ~
Morning came golden the next day. Haldir came to Frodo to bind his eyes again and then in turn, brought the Fellowship to their feet also. They moved now slowly, as if taking in the world around them- sensing its power and beauty surrounding them. Frodo had not slept one bit. He had tried to rest but he was now too terrified of the nightmares to even manage a few hours sleep. He felt so weary and struggled along, trying hard not to let Gimli realise his distress.
The Fellowship entered a glade when the sun was its zenith and stopped. There were voices and an exclamation of surprise. Haldir guided the company into a ring and then said to them,
"These elves bring word from the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim: they say that you are to walk free in our land for they know of your quest and of what has befallen you. They know of each and every one of you and say that you are welcome to look upon Lothlórien."
Haldir and his brother then went from one to another of the companions, untying their blindfolds. They stood, blinking in the bright light, gazing round at the clearing they had entered. A whole hoast of elves had gathered, all bearing long bows and quivers of arrows. They bowed to the Fellowship then began to move off again, into the woodland. Then, the friends gazed round in wonder at the sights before them. At their left, a large mound rose up- it's green arched back laced with pale flowers. Two circles of slender trees stood proudly at the hill's crown- the outer ring of stark colourless bark and the inner of straight, beautiful mallorn trees. Amid the strange gold branches was positioned a wide white talan. In the mellifluous sunlight, the dark green shadows stretched out to the company's feet, long and winding like ivy in the grass.
"There stands Cerin Amroth; the heart of the ancient realm as it was long ago. We will stay awhile here before moving on at eventide. Come, follow me."
Haldir strode ahead, letting the others follow at their own pace. They were in awe of the Naith. So untouched by time or age. So serene in the calm of noon. Never before had any of them experienced such beauty. The Fellowship mounted the slope and started approaching the double band of trees. Gimli took the advantage to fall in step beside Frodo.
"Frodo," he said. The hobbit looked up, a smile lighting his features.
"Frodo, I never had a chance to thank you for what you did for me."
"What do you mean, Gimli?" Frodo said, his brow creasing.
"I heard your shouts and Legolas told me that you had convinced the elves to let me pass through. I hope you understand, young hobbit, that I am in your debt. Thank you."
Frodo did not seem to be touched or moved by the dwarf's words. He just shook his head.
"Gimli, I could not bear to see this company parted. It would be more than I could stand."
--
They reached the mound's summit and fell down into the long grass. Frodo stood a time on his own, lost in his thoughts. It was as if he had stepped into a different world. Light streamed in, dancing with colours. And all around him was life. A perfect stillness and air of contentment all about he and his comrades. It was just perfect. Frodo felt as he were looking upon everything for the first time and they were exciting, new things. Bright, pure colouring and uncarved, unblemished stone. Everything made to look like the first building in the world. Perhaps it was. Perhaps Cerin Amroth was the very beginning of Lórien. The thought made shivers run through the little hobbit. He felt so small and young in the presence of something so old, so careworn. As if the whole world had moved outside while in here, you could stay the same for hundreds of years, never changing. Frodo felt he could sit here forever, watching the world change out there in the wide world. He would not have to deal with the affairs of the wise or powerful. He would just be- caught in an unmoving reality.
"Mister Frodo, I've never felt so humble in all my life."
Sam's voice sounded so small and Frodo turned to find him standing behind him.
"What do you mean, Sam?"
"Well, I didn't think elves were like this. It looks more the sort of thing you'd find in the Shire, if you take my meaning. But it feels elvish. Like- musical and special. Something you can treasure. It's like we're inside a song."
"You're right, Sam. It does feel exactly like that."
And the two friends stood, content with just each other for company, trying to absorb the surreal splendour of Cerin Amroth. Haldir came to them. He was smiling widely.
"Frodo, Samwise, I would like you to come with me. There is something I would like both of you to see."
The elf led them up to the inner ring of mallorn trees. A gentle peace fell upon the hobbits, as they had never experienced in their lives. They gazed round in wonder. They had, for weeks now, always been aware of the perils that hunted them. Always waiting for some new threat to attack them. Always looking for the latest ambush. But it felt here that none of the dangers existed. Haldir took them to a ladder attached to one slender tree and started to ascend it. Frodo let Sam go first then gripped the rope himself and climbed high up to stand among the canopy leaves. Haldir guided them onto the white talan and faced both hobbits South.
"There! Do you see?"
They gazed in dumbstruck wonder at the view lain out before them. A vast city of trees, green as the fields of his home. Light seemed to emanate from it and power seemed to flow out from its borders. Frodo was caught by Pippin's words again- 'Gandalf would have loved this.'
"Samwise, I heard what you spoke of earlier. 'Inside a song'. I have shown you this because I too said the very same when I looked upon this sight. There you see the heart of all elvendom on earth. Does it please you?"
Sam gazed at Haldir with wide, dark eyes. He was lost for words.