Chapter 7: Decisions
Lady Galadriel was silent. Silent throughout the entire meeting made up of the Three, Lassalanta, Glorfindel and his brother Folcred, and Aignor. Silent even when Aignor told the warning of the tilionthule. Silently thinking.
Lady Lassalanta touched her shoulder lightly. Galadriel looked upon her, and smiled gently. "Lady Lassalanta..." she said softly. "What is it that troubles your mind?"
Lassalanta murmured, "Frodo cannot be killed, lest something evil happen...yet we must get rid of him! He cannot leave the Havens, unless through Death. What can we do, Galadriel, what can we do?"
"Hush..." was the kind reply. "Listen to the wise words of this council...for we must come to a decision!"
Galadriel heard her sigh and turn back. She herself said nothing more. She seemed lost in thought. Frodo Baggins must be stopped...yet we cannot disregard the words of the tilionthule...Lassalanta is concerned more for her love than for the situation at hand, how very unfortunate it may seem...and yet, she is the only one besides the Three who knows!
Glorfindel now stood to speak, and Galadriel listened. "Hisilome, as Aignor has called the one the tilionthule speaks of, is strong. Hisilome cannot be killed, lest some greater evil take place; yet we cannot send the one away from the Havens. How, then, can he be stopped?" The Elf looked 'round at all of them, silently regarding each. None answered, nor met his gaze. Finally Folcred responded to his brother's lingering question: "Make Hisilome an everlasting prisoner."
The words made the others turn to him, and grimace. Lassalanta looked both sad and excited; then Galadriel spoke:
"You are suggesting we take the one we call Hisilome and capture him in some place in the Havens? The Havens will be tainted forever then!" Her soft and gentle eyes were full of sorrow, and she asked, "Tell me, where shall we do this deed?"
Gandalf looked up briefly, then lowered his gaze as she looked his way. Neither Glorfindel nor Folcred could answer Galadriel now; for they knew not the answer. Aignor frowned, having an idea; but he did not approve of it. At length Lassalanta answered very quietly: "Cavern Caragdur."
All were silent, regarding her words; but then Folcred protested, "But we know not when Caragdur may erupt! And how can we lure him into a place like the Cavern? Anyone who enters is forever locked within! We cannot take this risk."
"And yet," said Elrond, speaking for the first time, "and yet this is our only option. Gandalf, I know, has many tricks and illusions that can be useful. Galadriel has the gentle persuasion that is perhaps more convincing than Saruman's own forked tongue."
"All these traits are useful," stated Glorfindel. His brother nodded in agreement.
Only Aignor was unsettled. "Who is Hisilome?"
But he never received an answer; for the Three and Lassalanta were silent, and Glorfindel with his brother Folcred knew not.
It was Gandalf who finally supplied an acceptable answer: "It matters not...Hisilome, whoever he be, must be stopped."
"Must he really?" Aignor asked quietly.
And no one answered.
