Gilraen tossed in her bed, restless mind running over all the things that
had been done to prepare for the journey. Then her focus shifted to the
morning, when the new Fellowship would depart. They had discussed the
journey in detail, planning the route over maps, packed and prepared. And
now, the time was near.
Giving up on the idea of sleep, Gilraen rose and drew a cloak over her nightgown, before padding out into the hallway where all was quiet. The house slumbered, and even the figures of the guards at the doors were stood as still as statues.
As Gilraen passed the guard at the door, one hand was brought to his brow in salute, breaking the tableau. Once she was past though, the guard motioned for another to follow her, to make sure that she would be safe.
The moon was shrouded by clouds but Gilraen's feet easily found the familiar path down to the lake. Behind her moved the guard, keeping his distance, but ready for any trouble that might show itself.
Ignoring the cool ground beneath her, Gilraen sank to her knees and stared out across the lake.
"Would you approve grandfather?" she whispered softly. "A group of us, paying tribute to you in this way? But we won't have the same fears, the same worries that you did."
She leant forward and dabbled her fingers in the water, sending ripples out into the centre of the lake.
"Watch over us grandfather. Let your spirit, and the spirits of the other members of the fellowship guide us."
She bent her head forward as she spoke these last words, and then, weariness overtaking her despite the excitement of the morning, she headed back to her room and sleep.
--------------------
The morning dawned sunny and clear. Despite her restless night, Gilraen was the first to rise and beginning to prepare.
Eldarion had decided on a good send off for his daughter, and the fellowship raised from her dreams and hopes. So as the time for their departure grew nigh, a crowd began to gather outside the King's home.
Gilraen hefted the pack to her back, adjusting her cloak under it so that it fell easily. She regarded herself in the mirror and smiled at the culmination of her dreams.
A knock came on the door, and without waiting for an answer, Araval walked in, practically dancing with anticipation.
"The time grows near." He said as he moved to stand beside her.
"Indeed it does,"Gilraen replied as she turned to face him, unable to keep the quaver of excitement from her voice.
"Be careful, won't you?" he abruptly engulfed her in a hug, arms squeezing her tight, emotion choking his voice.
"I will brother." She said, slightly startled by this sudden outpouring of emotion from her usually more restrained brother. She brushed a lock of hair back from his cheek and tucked it behind his ear. "I promise."
Araval gained control of himself once more, and with a parting squeeze disentangled himself.
"We'd better head outside. Father would not want us to be late."
-------------------
Gilraen was astonished by the amount of people that had turned out to see the new fellowship depart.
She stood beside the others, shifting nervously. Cirdan rested one hand on her arm, and she jumped slightly.
"Nerves are only to be expected young Gilraen but don't let them get the better of you." He said with a slight wink.
Gilraen nodded and smiled in gratitude, before steadying herself and composing her features. She would not disgrace her lineage.
Her father was beginning his speech, and as was generally her custom, Gilraen paid little or no attention to what he was saying, until her own name was mentioned.
"My daughter Gilraen travels for Aragorn. Beren travels for Boromir. Fundin travels for Gimli. Cirdan travels for Legolas. Radagast travels for Gandalf. Merimac, Olo, Morro and Robin travel for Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin. Their fellowship is complete."
The crowd applauded, and the fellowship bowed (and curtsied) in response. And then they began, with Cirdan motioning to Gilraen to take the lead. With a respectful curtsy to her father in farewell, and a wave to her brother, Gilraen stepped out.
Eldarion watched as his daughter led out the fellowship, and felt pride swell his heart.
"Watch over her father." He whispered.
-----------------
They set an easy pace the first day, to get every one used to traveling by foot. Gilraen spent most of the trip giggling at Radagast, who was chatting with the animals and birds that they met on their way. The hobbits were regaling Beren with stories, and Fundin and Cirdan were putting the legendary feud of the elves and dwarves behind them and talking about the past.
The next day, the pace picked up slightly as they continued to make their way towards Hobbiton. It was Radagast that managed to persuade the insects that they wanted to go elsewhere and not bother the travelers that were passing through.
It took six days before they entered terrain that Morro recognized as being in the Northfarthing, where he immediately took the role of their guide, pointing out areas of interest, and recounting stories of his growing up. These were quite often contradicted by the other hobbits who added their own versions of events, but this was taken humorously by all. Laughter was the best bonds for all.
-------------
They reached Hobbiton as night fell on the eighth day, pleasure rising in their hearts as they saw the glowing lamps that marked the smials. Gilraen was almost bouncing with nerves, but she tried to maintain her composure. It would not do for a daughter of the house of Telcontar to be too enthusiastic about this, no matter how enjoyable or different it may have been to her.
A middle aged hobbit met then as they made their way down the East Road (having moved slightly off course as they traveled south). He introduced himself as Halfred Gamgee, the mayor of Hobbiton. Grandly, he gave them permission to enter the town, and to stay as long as they liked in the Shire.
"Remember, it was your grandfather who granted the Shire to the Halflings" Radagast whispered to Gilraen, who nodded.
Halfred acted much like a guide as he escorted them through the town. "Unfortunately, none of our rooms are built to accommodate people of your, stature shall we say." He explained. "So, if it is convenient for you, we have had tents set up in the Party Field."
"That is most generous of you Mayor Gamgee." Fundin declared.
"Indeed." Cirdan added. "And to see the only mallorn tree West of the mountains!"
"You'll have to excuse young Halfred." Merimac whispered to Gilraen as they walked. "He isn't usually this formal. It's only because he's never seen Big People before, and of course, who your ancestors are."
"A relation of yours Merimac?" Gilraen whispered back.
Merimac grinned. "Distantly. I would tell you exactly, but I know that Men don't find such things as interesting as Hobbits do."
Gilraen laughed, before her voice trailed off in an astonished gasp as they crested a hill and the Party Field lay before them.
It glittered with lanterns, hung from the branches of the Mallorn tree and from the other trees that lined the field. A large yellow canvas was hung on poles to create a large open air tent.
"The Long Expected Party." Gilraen whispered to herself, remembering the passages from the Red Book that she had studied. "Where everything began." Almost, she could see the events of the past, Bilbo Baggins, who had now long sought his rest, greeting his guests and avoiding the Sackville Bagginses, Frodo dancing with the other young hobbits, and a host of feasting and merry-making. Halfred murmured his excuses and left them there, scuttling away with ill- concealed stealth. Merimac laughed.
"If I know Halfred, he's got something up his sleeve planned for such a great event as this."
Beren nodded, a smile flickering across his face as he deposited his pack on the ground underneath the canvas ceiling. "Let us hope that we do not disgrace ourselves, or start dancing on tables."
Gilraen and Merimac were the only ones who got the joke there, and laughed, before the three of them had to explain to the rest of the bemused Fellowship what was so funny.
--------------------
The night was continuing onwards, and the Fellowship were taking their ease under the canvas. Gilraen was flicking through a small, plain bound book that she had brought with her, to document what occurred on the journey, and to note down her thoughts and feelings. Radagast was talking with Merimac, Beren and Olo, with Fundin in a group with Morro and Robin. Cirdan was lying still, eyes open. Gilraen suspected that he could be resting, but from all the lore that she had heard about elves, it was difficult to tell.
They had been told that the 'something special' that Merimac thought would be planned for them, had been planned, but would not take place till the following night, to give their honored guests a nights sleep to recover and refresh themselves. So their time was their own.
Morning and the sunlight would be time enough for exploring, to see all the places, the Bywater Pool, Bag End, Bagshot Row, The Green Dragon, the Ivy Bush, and all the places that, to Gilraen, were simply places named on paper. To be able to put an image to these words was a honour.
And it was with these thoughts in mind, that Gilraen drifted off into a quiet sleep.
Giving up on the idea of sleep, Gilraen rose and drew a cloak over her nightgown, before padding out into the hallway where all was quiet. The house slumbered, and even the figures of the guards at the doors were stood as still as statues.
As Gilraen passed the guard at the door, one hand was brought to his brow in salute, breaking the tableau. Once she was past though, the guard motioned for another to follow her, to make sure that she would be safe.
The moon was shrouded by clouds but Gilraen's feet easily found the familiar path down to the lake. Behind her moved the guard, keeping his distance, but ready for any trouble that might show itself.
Ignoring the cool ground beneath her, Gilraen sank to her knees and stared out across the lake.
"Would you approve grandfather?" she whispered softly. "A group of us, paying tribute to you in this way? But we won't have the same fears, the same worries that you did."
She leant forward and dabbled her fingers in the water, sending ripples out into the centre of the lake.
"Watch over us grandfather. Let your spirit, and the spirits of the other members of the fellowship guide us."
She bent her head forward as she spoke these last words, and then, weariness overtaking her despite the excitement of the morning, she headed back to her room and sleep.
--------------------
The morning dawned sunny and clear. Despite her restless night, Gilraen was the first to rise and beginning to prepare.
Eldarion had decided on a good send off for his daughter, and the fellowship raised from her dreams and hopes. So as the time for their departure grew nigh, a crowd began to gather outside the King's home.
Gilraen hefted the pack to her back, adjusting her cloak under it so that it fell easily. She regarded herself in the mirror and smiled at the culmination of her dreams.
A knock came on the door, and without waiting for an answer, Araval walked in, practically dancing with anticipation.
"The time grows near." He said as he moved to stand beside her.
"Indeed it does,"Gilraen replied as she turned to face him, unable to keep the quaver of excitement from her voice.
"Be careful, won't you?" he abruptly engulfed her in a hug, arms squeezing her tight, emotion choking his voice.
"I will brother." She said, slightly startled by this sudden outpouring of emotion from her usually more restrained brother. She brushed a lock of hair back from his cheek and tucked it behind his ear. "I promise."
Araval gained control of himself once more, and with a parting squeeze disentangled himself.
"We'd better head outside. Father would not want us to be late."
-------------------
Gilraen was astonished by the amount of people that had turned out to see the new fellowship depart.
She stood beside the others, shifting nervously. Cirdan rested one hand on her arm, and she jumped slightly.
"Nerves are only to be expected young Gilraen but don't let them get the better of you." He said with a slight wink.
Gilraen nodded and smiled in gratitude, before steadying herself and composing her features. She would not disgrace her lineage.
Her father was beginning his speech, and as was generally her custom, Gilraen paid little or no attention to what he was saying, until her own name was mentioned.
"My daughter Gilraen travels for Aragorn. Beren travels for Boromir. Fundin travels for Gimli. Cirdan travels for Legolas. Radagast travels for Gandalf. Merimac, Olo, Morro and Robin travel for Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin. Their fellowship is complete."
The crowd applauded, and the fellowship bowed (and curtsied) in response. And then they began, with Cirdan motioning to Gilraen to take the lead. With a respectful curtsy to her father in farewell, and a wave to her brother, Gilraen stepped out.
Eldarion watched as his daughter led out the fellowship, and felt pride swell his heart.
"Watch over her father." He whispered.
-----------------
They set an easy pace the first day, to get every one used to traveling by foot. Gilraen spent most of the trip giggling at Radagast, who was chatting with the animals and birds that they met on their way. The hobbits were regaling Beren with stories, and Fundin and Cirdan were putting the legendary feud of the elves and dwarves behind them and talking about the past.
The next day, the pace picked up slightly as they continued to make their way towards Hobbiton. It was Radagast that managed to persuade the insects that they wanted to go elsewhere and not bother the travelers that were passing through.
It took six days before they entered terrain that Morro recognized as being in the Northfarthing, where he immediately took the role of their guide, pointing out areas of interest, and recounting stories of his growing up. These were quite often contradicted by the other hobbits who added their own versions of events, but this was taken humorously by all. Laughter was the best bonds for all.
-------------
They reached Hobbiton as night fell on the eighth day, pleasure rising in their hearts as they saw the glowing lamps that marked the smials. Gilraen was almost bouncing with nerves, but she tried to maintain her composure. It would not do for a daughter of the house of Telcontar to be too enthusiastic about this, no matter how enjoyable or different it may have been to her.
A middle aged hobbit met then as they made their way down the East Road (having moved slightly off course as they traveled south). He introduced himself as Halfred Gamgee, the mayor of Hobbiton. Grandly, he gave them permission to enter the town, and to stay as long as they liked in the Shire.
"Remember, it was your grandfather who granted the Shire to the Halflings" Radagast whispered to Gilraen, who nodded.
Halfred acted much like a guide as he escorted them through the town. "Unfortunately, none of our rooms are built to accommodate people of your, stature shall we say." He explained. "So, if it is convenient for you, we have had tents set up in the Party Field."
"That is most generous of you Mayor Gamgee." Fundin declared.
"Indeed." Cirdan added. "And to see the only mallorn tree West of the mountains!"
"You'll have to excuse young Halfred." Merimac whispered to Gilraen as they walked. "He isn't usually this formal. It's only because he's never seen Big People before, and of course, who your ancestors are."
"A relation of yours Merimac?" Gilraen whispered back.
Merimac grinned. "Distantly. I would tell you exactly, but I know that Men don't find such things as interesting as Hobbits do."
Gilraen laughed, before her voice trailed off in an astonished gasp as they crested a hill and the Party Field lay before them.
It glittered with lanterns, hung from the branches of the Mallorn tree and from the other trees that lined the field. A large yellow canvas was hung on poles to create a large open air tent.
"The Long Expected Party." Gilraen whispered to herself, remembering the passages from the Red Book that she had studied. "Where everything began." Almost, she could see the events of the past, Bilbo Baggins, who had now long sought his rest, greeting his guests and avoiding the Sackville Bagginses, Frodo dancing with the other young hobbits, and a host of feasting and merry-making. Halfred murmured his excuses and left them there, scuttling away with ill- concealed stealth. Merimac laughed.
"If I know Halfred, he's got something up his sleeve planned for such a great event as this."
Beren nodded, a smile flickering across his face as he deposited his pack on the ground underneath the canvas ceiling. "Let us hope that we do not disgrace ourselves, or start dancing on tables."
Gilraen and Merimac were the only ones who got the joke there, and laughed, before the three of them had to explain to the rest of the bemused Fellowship what was so funny.
--------------------
The night was continuing onwards, and the Fellowship were taking their ease under the canvas. Gilraen was flicking through a small, plain bound book that she had brought with her, to document what occurred on the journey, and to note down her thoughts and feelings. Radagast was talking with Merimac, Beren and Olo, with Fundin in a group with Morro and Robin. Cirdan was lying still, eyes open. Gilraen suspected that he could be resting, but from all the lore that she had heard about elves, it was difficult to tell.
They had been told that the 'something special' that Merimac thought would be planned for them, had been planned, but would not take place till the following night, to give their honored guests a nights sleep to recover and refresh themselves. So their time was their own.
Morning and the sunlight would be time enough for exploring, to see all the places, the Bywater Pool, Bag End, Bagshot Row, The Green Dragon, the Ivy Bush, and all the places that, to Gilraen, were simply places named on paper. To be able to put an image to these words was a honour.
And it was with these thoughts in mind, that Gilraen drifted off into a quiet sleep.