A/N - All Elvish is translated immediately after it is said, I did have
translations in italics, but it doesn't show up when I upload.
The songs used in this fic are the work of Tolkien, and since five people
managed to read this so quickly, I'll wait till 10 more do until I up load
the next part.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, your comments were welcomed, and the
advice appreciated.
Samantha.
Part 20.
After a long march, much of it alongside the Silverlode spring, which was
icy cold, too cold to drink from, the country around them began to change.
The land became much flatter, and trees grew more readily, the grass became
green instead of sickly yellow.
"We will follow the path Gandalf had intended us to take." Aragorn told
them, "The woods where this spring joins the Great River." He gestured to
the direction their path would take.
"There lies Lothlorien, the fairest of all the dwellings of my people."
Legolas spoke.
"Hasten now." Aragorn told them.
"We must wait just a little." Arwen told him. "Let us stop just long enough
that I may tend to Sam and Frodo's wounds."
He looked at her sharply. "I forgot. Yes, we will stop for a short break."
Arwen sat down with Sam and Frodo, first cleaning and bandaging the cut on
Sam's head with the Elvish medicines she had with her. Then she turned to
Frodo, still worried about the lance injury that should have killed him.
Gently she unlaced his tunic, a little surprised to find the mithril coat
Gandalf had spoken of underneath it. Carefully she helped him pull it over
his head. An ugly purple bruise had formed where the lance had hit him,
with the back of his ribs also bruised. With deft fingers she smeared a
strange, sweet-smelling lotion on the bruises, before examining the knife
wound Frodo had received at Weathertop. "All seems well, Frodo." she told
him, her voice soft.
It was late afternoon before they reached the edge of the forest.
"We cannot expect to go much further today." Aragorn announced, "We are all
foot-sore and weary. Maybe the virtue of the Elves will protect us
tonight."
"Then let us venture a little further into the forest." Legolas said. "That
way Orcs will not be able to see us from the road."
As they walked Boromir told stories of the Lady of the Golden Wood, who
left none unscathed. Arwen forced herself not to smile.
Gimli began to speak. "Here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare." He vowed. "I
have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox." Suddenly he found a sword
at his throat, and the rest of the Fellowship found themselves surrounded
by arrows.
"The Dwarf breathes so loudly we could have shot him in the dark." The
blonde-haired Elf man told the rest of the Fellowship.
The others shrank back, rightly fearing the Elvish archers in the
surrounding undergrowth.
Arwen stepped forward. "Haldir, is this always the way you treat guests to
Lorien?" She pushed the sword away from Gimli's throat, with her bear hand.
"The Lady of Lorien should be disappointed in you."
"Lady Arwen, you should be safe in Rivendell." He told Arwen, surprised to
see her
"Where I should be is my own business. I wish to see the Lady." She told
him, speaking in a way she had never used to address any of the members of
the Fellowship.
"Lady Arwen Undomiel of the joined houses of Rivendell and Lothlorien, I
cannot allow you or your companions to pass any further into the Golden
Wood." Haldir told her. He moved to stand in front of Frodo. "This one
brings great evil here. My Lord and Lady will not permit it."
"Have you asked the Lord and Lady who they will and will not permit in
Lothlorien? Aid and welcome are free here to all those who ask." Arwen
argued with him. "As they have been in the past, so shall they be in the
future."
Legolas laid a gentle hand on Arwen's arm. "Haldir of Lothlorien..." He
began.
"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion." Haldir said to him in Elvish. Welcome
Legolas, son of Thranduil.
Then Haldir turned to Aragorn. "A Aragorn in Dunedain istannen le ammen."
Aragorn of the Dunedain, you are know to us.
"Haldir this is ridiculous. I wish to see the Lord and Lady, and I wish for
you to let my companions pass." Arwen said softly. "I must see the Lady and
take council with her."
"My sincerest apologies, sweet Lady." Haldir said to her, "But I cannot let
you pass."
She leaned close to Aragorn, "See if you can persuade him, or delay him."
As she spoke she stumbled, Aragorn's strong arms reaching out to catch her.
"Be easy Lady Evenstar." He told her, gently lowering her to the ground.
"Legolas," He ordered, "Stay with the Lady." Then Aragorn went to argue
some more with Haldir.
Arwen closed her eyes. My Lady it is Arwen Undomiel of Rivendell. Help me.
Arwen projected.
Seconds later a thought was projected into her own mind. Lady Evenstar,
where are you? What ails you?
Lothlorien. She sent back. I must speak with you.
Then come to me child, you are safe in Lothlorien. The thought came back. I
will alert all patrols to your presence. You shall be brought to me
immediately.
Several seconds later Haldir and Aragorn walked back over to them. "Lady
Arwen, the Lady of the Wood requests that I bring you to her side
immediately."
Aragorn took Arwen by the hand and helped her to her feet.
"Come then." Arwen told Haldir, "Lead us to the Lady of the Wood."
"Of course my Lady." He conceded. "Rumil, bind the Dwarf and the others."
He ordered another Elf.
"These are my friends and companions. They will not be bound."
"Lady-" Haldir began.
"I place them under my protection, until I see fit to release them from it.
Now lead us to the Lady, she is expecting me now." Arwen ordered him,
surprising all with her firmness.
Haldir looked even more shocked, then silently motioned for the other Elves
to lead them back to the fair city of Caras Galadhon.
As they walked Arwen spoke quietly to the others. "You must call me 'Lady'
now, and please, do nothing unless I tell you too. When we reach the Lady,
I will release you from my protection."
"It seems you have not been honest with us, my Lady." Boromir told her,
bitterness creeping back into his voice. "We should not need to be placed
under protection."
"Please Boromir, you must understand that this place is not like others you
have been to. You could all have very well been shot on sight. Please try
to be calm, all of you. Our audience with the Lady will explain everything
to you." Arwen told him, her heart still heavy with loss of Gandalf.
As they walked Aragorn took her hand, holding it gently in his own. The
ring on his finger, the Ring of Barahir one of the symbols of his heritage
was cool against her skin.
Part 21.
They reached the city at dusk, the stars only just rising in the sky.
Elven lights were lit in the trees, casting shadows over the land. These
shadows however, were not frightening, they were almost soothing to their
troubled minds and hearts, ethereal in some ways.
At last Haldir lead them faithfully to the foot of a silver staircase.
At the top stood the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien, both clad in silver and
white, appearing youthful beyond their years.
Arwen bowed her head, in the proper gesture of greeting, waiting for them
to speak.
"Nine there are here, yet ten set out from Rivendell." The Lord of the Wood
said to them.
Arwen project a single thought into all of her companions minds. Do not
speak unless you are spoken to.
After a moment the Lady spoke. "Where is Gandalf the Grey? I much desired
to speak with him." She asked.
Arwen lifted her head, "He has fallen into shadow, my Lady."
"Gandalf the Grey has fallen into shadow." The Lady repeated.
"Yes, my Lady," Arwen explained, "He was taken by both shadow and flame."
"A Balrog of Morgoth. For we traveled under the mountains, through the
Mines of Moria." Legolas told them.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship now that Gandalf is gone? Now that
hope is lost?" The Lord asked.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife, stray but a little and it will
fail, to the ruin of all." The Lady told them.
"Hope remains here, my Lord and Lady." Arwen told them, "Even if you cannot
see it."
At once the Lady descended the stairs, and lifted Arwen's hand. "You should
be safe in Rivendell, child. Lord Elrond will be worried." Arwen didn't
have the chance to speak before the Lady hugged her. "We will send him word
of your arrival here."
By this time the Lord of Lorien had descended the stairs to stand with his
wife. "Nin Tarien. Arwen, Evenstar." My princess. He too embraced her.
Then turned to the court of Elves. "Bring food for my granddaughter and her
companions. Make up quarters for them." He turned back to Arwen, "We would
have a feast to celebrate your arrival, but..."
"Under the circumstances it is not proper." Arwen finished for him.
"This is correct."
She turned to the others. "I would introduce you to Lady Galadriel and Lord
Celeborn of Lothlorien." She paused, then spoke again. "In this hour, I see
fit to release you from my protection."
Aragorn bowed his head in the proper form of respect, while Legolas bowed
in traditional Elvish style. The others took their leave from Aragorn and
bowed as well.
"Come now," Galadriel spoke, "The hour grows late, and you are weary with
grief and much toil." Her voice was soothing to their tired ears.
The members of the Fellowship were soon led to sleeping quarters, a feast
laid out for them.
Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn sat with them, indulging in small talk,
the Ring not discussed at all.
"I don't understand this." Boromir began. "The Lord and Lady of this Land
call you granddaughter."
"The Lady Arwen's mother was from this Land, Boromir of Gondor." Celeborn
explained to him. "My only daughter. Her name is Celebrian."
"She has long since sailed to the Undying Lands, where she hopes we will
all meet again one day." Galadriel told the others.
"So you knew that when we arrived here we would receive welcome?" Gimli
asked Arwen.
"Aid and welcome are free in Lothlorien, so they have been in the past and
shall be in the future." Celeborn said.
"Even now, at the ending of the Third Age, the ending of the time of the
Elves, all who seek shall be found in the fair gardens of Lothlorien. The
only troubles you shall find here are the ones you yourselves have brought,
for the world is falling into shadow." Galadriel explained, "You are weary,
sleep now. Anything else you must question, you may do so in the morning."
Gracefully the Lord and Lady stood and disappeared into the trees.
At once a mournful song rang out among the trees, followed by another and
another.
"What are they saying?" Gimli asked warily.
"It is a lament for Gandalf." Legolas told him, "Though I do not understand
much."
"Do you Lady Arwen?" Boromir asked.
"I understand the words, but I do not have the heart to tell you. My own
grief is still too near." Arwen lowered her head to hide the sparkle of
unshed tears in her eyes. "I must leave you now. It is expected I go to my
rooms." She stood quickly. "Send word for me in the morning with one of the
Elves."
Then she was gone, like a dream through the forest.
Part 22.
After she had left the others Arwen did not proceed immediately to her
room, but went instead to the private garden of Galadriel.
Her grandmother was no more dimmed in the darkness than she was in the
sunlight, an ethereal light glowing around her, the same light, same
ethereal beauty Arwen herself possessed.
"I have been waiting for you, child." Galadriel greeted her.
"My apologies. I was detained." Arwen bowed her head respectfully.
Galadriel moved gracefully towards the pool. "The ripples still."
"Yet the images are unreadable. The future is ever-changing." Arwen
countered.
"You have grown up much, Arwen Undomiel."
"It is the way of our people." Arwen answered, leaning down to gaze into
the depths of the pool.
"You seek to find the answers there. You will not find them, I have not
found them." Galadriel warned her.
"The future is always in motion. It doesn't matter what I see, I only wish
to ensure the safety of Frodo and the demise of the One Ring." She trailed
her fingers in the pool, then waited for the water to still.
"Take your leave, my granddaughter. Your heart and mind are troubled. Find
peace once more in the dreaming of Lothlorien." Galadriel laid her hand on
the younger woman's cheek.
"May the rising of the sun bring better fortune to us all." Arwen bade her.
Arwen lay on her couch for a long time before sleep overtook her.
Memories of Gandalf flitted through her mind, along with memories of her
father and brothers. For the first time in a long time Arwen wondered if
she would ever see their faces again. She wondered if she would ever set
foot in fair Rivendell once more.
Finally, homesickness overtook her, and she cried, not knowing if she cried
for Gandalf, for her kin who were spread throughout the Elven world, or for
herself.
As her sobs abated she drifted into deep and dreamless sleep.
High above her, Earendil, the Elves beloved Evening Star glittered.
Part 23.
The Company rested well into the next day, and at dusk Lord Celeborn
summoned them.
"The quest must go on. The aim must be achieved." He began.
"You must harden your hearts and leave this land. The One Ring must be
destroyed." Galadriel spoke quietly, moving to stand beside her husband.
"Any who wish to abandon the quest, are welcome to stay in fair Lorien,
until the paths of the world are clear enough for you to journey to lands
of your kin. Shall any abandon the quest?"
All shook their heads.
"Have you decided on a course?" Celeborn asked.
"I feel that the best course of action will be to follow the Great River on
towards Gondor." Aragorn stated.
"Your fellow Companions agree to this?" Galadriel asked.
Aragorn nodded silently.
"From here to Gondor the only crossing of the Great River is by boat. The
enemy hold all of the landings, and the Bridges of Osgiliath are broken
down." Galadriel advised.
All was silent for a moment. "I will furnish the Company with boats. Small,
lightweight. You will be forced to carry them over rapids in some places."
Celeborn told them.
Aragorn bowed his head to Celeborn, and then to Galadriel
"Boats may make your journey less toilsome for a while." Galadriel told
them, her voice distant. "Yet in the end you must leave them, and the
River, turning East, or West."
"In the morning I will send my people to you to help make ready for the
next part in your journey." Celeborn told them, "For tonight, sleep and
rest well."
"Sleep and dream in peace. Maybe the paths that you each shall tread are
already laid before your feet, even though you do not see them." Was
Galadriel's final advice to the Fellowship before they parted ways for the
night.
Part 24.
Early the next morning Elves appeared before them, arms filled with food
and provisions for the long march ahead.
Gimli looked on curiously as the Elves set about packing the items into
their rucksacks. Cautiously he poked at a pile of leaf-wrapped cakes.
"It isn't cram, Gimli." Arwen told him from behind. "It is lembas bread."
She offered him a small piece wrapped in a single mallorn leaf. He eyed it
suspiciously before nibbling at the corner.
"It tastes sweet and... It tastes of honey." Gimli told her.
"It is a welcome gift from the Elves of Lothlorien for our use on the
journey." Arwen told him.
"Here are more gifts to you, from the ladies of Lorien." Galadriel
announced, coming up behind them. Close behind her a handmaiden carried a
pile of garments. Galadriel wrapped the first on the pile around her
granddaughter's shoulders, fastening it in place with Arwen's own leaf-
shaped broach.
By-midmorning the remaining nine members of the Fellowship had assembled at
the boats.
All were dressed in the gray-green cloaks that had been gifted to them by
Galadriel and the ladies of Lorien.
Galadriel and Celeborn came to see them off, both dressed in glittering
white and silver, along with many other Elves, for it had been made no
secret of their errand.
"We have come to a parting of ways." Celeborn told them gravely. "Yet the
paths we walk along bring us to the same goal, the safety of this Middle
Earth."
Arwen looked around at her companions, at her friends. "This is our Middle
Earth, all of ours. It is as much a part of us as we are of it."
"I have sent word to Lord Elrond in Rivendell of your safe arrival, and
departure of the Woods of Lothlorien." Galadriel told them.
"We wish you a safe and successful journey." Haldir told them, bowing
before Arwen.
"I have brought gifts for each of the members of your Company." Galadriel
spoke. "My Lord Aragorn, who will always be more than what he seems." She
passed him a sword sheath, overlaid with flowers and leaves of silver and
gold, and inlaid with Elven-Runes telling the name and lineage of Anduril.
"There is more that you would desire, My Lord. But this is all that is mine
to give." She smiled at him, and displayed a clear green stone, set in
silver, in the likeness of an eagle. "This stone I gave to my daughter
Celebrian, and she to hers. Now it comes to you as a symbol of hope, and of
things yet to come. Soon all things will come to pass. In this hour take
the name that was given unto you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the House of
Elendil." Arwen bowed her head, knowing that the time would come soon
enough.
She turned to Boromir next, gifting him with a belt of gold, and Merry and
Pippin with small belts of silver. She passed Legolas a bow such as the
Elves of the Galadhrim, and indeed Lady Arwen used, along with a quiver of
arrows.
To Sam she passed a small box, built of gray wood, adorned only with a
single Elf-Rune, on the top, 'G' for Galadriel. "In this box is earth from
my own garden. It will not keep you on the road, or defend you in times of
need, but keep it and see your home once you return. Then scatter the
grains where you will, there will be few places in Middle Earth that shall
bloom as your garden will. When you gaze upon the sights think of
Galadriel, and far off Lothlorien." Sam went red with embarrassment and
murmured his thanks.
Smiling Galadriel turned to Gimli. "What gift would a Dwarf ask of the
Elves?"
"I ask for nothing from you Lady, except that the friendship between our
peoples be saved and savored." Gimli told her humbly.
"Hear this all Elves who believe that the race of Dwarves is grasping and
ungracious!" Galadriel called to her people. "Master Dwarf, ask freely of
me for yourself."
"I would ask only for a lock of your hair, fair Lady. To encase in
imperishable crystal and make an heirloom of my house, a symbol of the
unity of the Mountains and the Woods." Gimli bowed his head.
"An unusual gift perhaps." Galadriel told him, "But one that will be
granted nonetheless." From one of her handmaidens, Galadriel accepted a
pair of scissors, and sliced away a lock of her hair, passing it gently
into Gimli's work-roughened hands.
"Frodo, whom is not one of the last on my mind, but the first, I have
prepared this for you." She held in her outstretched hand a small crystal
phial, filled with, it seemed, rays of glittering white light. "The water
in this phial comes from the pool of Galadriel, whose waters you have
viewed. In this water is captured the light of Earendil, our most beloved
star, as it shines in my fountain. Let it be a light to you in dark places,
when all other lights go out."
Last of all she turned to Arwen, "Arwen Undomiel, the Evenstar of our
people. This is my gift to you." She offered Arwen a small rod, intricately
twined with gold, showing glimpses of pearly-white in the gaps of the
pattern. "You know what this is, and how you are to use it. Use it well,
Arwen Evenstar."
Beside Galadriel, Celeborn waited for her to finished. "These too, my
granddaughter belong to you. Long have they been entrusted to you, and long
have we held them. Now you have need for them they are yours in more than
trust, now they are yours in name." He crossed over a pair of golden Scys,
the tops of each handle displaying filigreed grips, and the set of
pearlescent throwing stars that long ago, had belonged to her mother. "May
they serve you well, Lady of Rivendell." He finished, reaching out to hug
her.
"Remember that help is always freely given in Lothlorien, and will be
available to you and your kin as long as the Elves of Lorien remain in
Middle Earth." Celeborn told them.
"Grandmother, I would ask that you see this letter safely to my father."
Arwen told her, holding out a rolled parchment, sealed with silvery-white
wax, embossed with the Elf Rune for 'A'.
"This task I will gladly see done." Galadriel smiled, accepting the letter.
"If you speak with my father, tell him I have not forgotten my promise."
She bowed her head, saying a silent prayer.
"Then it is with a heaviness is my heart that we leave you, and the
peaceful woods of Lothlorien." Aragorn told them, "We thank you for your
hospitality, and for your gifts."
"You must depart now." Galadriel warned, "Your errand can wait no longer.
Already the presence of the One Ring draws the Eye of the Dark One towards
Lothlorien."
Silent now, the Company moved towards the boats, allowing the Elves to put
them out into the water of the Great River, the Anduin.
Part 25.
Arwen was silent for a long time. Elessar, long awoken from the deep
slumber she had placed upon him perched reassuringly on her shoulder. Sam
too, was silent, either not knowing what to say, or not speaking because
Arwen herself did not.
Sighing she shook off her daze, all thoughts of home and paddled strongly,
until she and Sam had drawn up alongside Aragorn and Frodo.
The river banks were eerily silent, almost as though they were completely
uninhabited.
Boromir, along with Merry and Pippin drifted up alongside them. "Aragorn I
don't like this. It's too quiet."
"I agree with you, wholeheartedly." Arwen told him. "I have never seen this
stretch of water so silent, and I have paddled it many times whilst I have
resided in Lorien."
"Do you think that may be Orcs around somewhere on shore?" Aragorn asked.
She reached down to unsheathe Shalat. "Shalat tells me no. In my heart I
believe it is something else. No lesser than Saruman or Sauron if the
creature was to reclaim the One Ring."
"Why did Lady Galadriel call Sauron 'the Dark One'?" Sam asked.
"There are some things not spoken of in fair Lothlorien, The Dark One is
one of those." Arwen told him, "To speak the name of Sauron is a call to
power. Galadriel will not call that power, she has strength enough on her
own." Arwen explained to him.
"My father will not speak the Dark One's name either," Legolas began,
gliding up to them, Gimli sitting in the front of their canoe. "He believes
that it is an invocation of the Shadow of Mordor."
"He is probably right." Arwen spoke softly.
"Then why do you speak his name?" Merry asked her.
"I am not afraid of him." She began at last. "I fear only what he can do to
our Middle Earth. Death does not frighten me, not even at his hands."
Arwen's voice held no trace of emotion. "Frodo I will follow you into the
very fires of Mount Doom if I must, if that is my part in seeing this
errand done."
"You seem resigned, Lady." Gimli told her.
"I still have hope." She smiled at the Dwarf. "And I trust the company of
my friends and companions. I do not need resignation."
The scenery passed quickly as they rode with the current, only stopping to
light a small fire to cook on, or to allow for several hours of
uninterrupted sleep, or when the moon was too dull to see clearly, but for
most part they ate and slept in the boats.
On one of such stops the Fellowship drew off the river at dusk, allowing
for almost a whole night's sleep.
Many hours into the night Arwen woke to hear as strange splashing sound and
then hissing. She sat up, drawing her sword as she did so. Nearer to the
camp fire Frodo was silhouetted, then joined by Aragorn. Silently she edged
over to them. "What's going on?"
"Gollum is about." Aragorn told her in hushed tones. "He has been following
us since Moria."
"I must have heard him then." Arwen told them. "In Moria I kept hearing
footsteps behinds us, I thought that it may have been him, but I wasn't
sure."
"Sleep now, the pair of you." Aragorn told them. "I will watch for the
little wretch."
"Wake me halfway to morning, when Silmaril begins to set." Arwen told him,
"You need more rest than I do."
Aragorn nodded and watched as both Arwen and Frodo curled up into their
blankets once more.
As Arwen had told him, Aragorn woke her as the star Silmaril began to set
into the West. The remainder of the night passed quietly, without incident.
translations in italics, but it doesn't show up when I upload.
The songs used in this fic are the work of Tolkien, and since five people
managed to read this so quickly, I'll wait till 10 more do until I up load
the next part.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, your comments were welcomed, and the
advice appreciated.
Samantha.
Part 20.
After a long march, much of it alongside the Silverlode spring, which was
icy cold, too cold to drink from, the country around them began to change.
The land became much flatter, and trees grew more readily, the grass became
green instead of sickly yellow.
"We will follow the path Gandalf had intended us to take." Aragorn told
them, "The woods where this spring joins the Great River." He gestured to
the direction their path would take.
"There lies Lothlorien, the fairest of all the dwellings of my people."
Legolas spoke.
"Hasten now." Aragorn told them.
"We must wait just a little." Arwen told him. "Let us stop just long enough
that I may tend to Sam and Frodo's wounds."
He looked at her sharply. "I forgot. Yes, we will stop for a short break."
Arwen sat down with Sam and Frodo, first cleaning and bandaging the cut on
Sam's head with the Elvish medicines she had with her. Then she turned to
Frodo, still worried about the lance injury that should have killed him.
Gently she unlaced his tunic, a little surprised to find the mithril coat
Gandalf had spoken of underneath it. Carefully she helped him pull it over
his head. An ugly purple bruise had formed where the lance had hit him,
with the back of his ribs also bruised. With deft fingers she smeared a
strange, sweet-smelling lotion on the bruises, before examining the knife
wound Frodo had received at Weathertop. "All seems well, Frodo." she told
him, her voice soft.
It was late afternoon before they reached the edge of the forest.
"We cannot expect to go much further today." Aragorn announced, "We are all
foot-sore and weary. Maybe the virtue of the Elves will protect us
tonight."
"Then let us venture a little further into the forest." Legolas said. "That
way Orcs will not be able to see us from the road."
As they walked Boromir told stories of the Lady of the Golden Wood, who
left none unscathed. Arwen forced herself not to smile.
Gimli began to speak. "Here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare." He vowed. "I
have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox." Suddenly he found a sword
at his throat, and the rest of the Fellowship found themselves surrounded
by arrows.
"The Dwarf breathes so loudly we could have shot him in the dark." The
blonde-haired Elf man told the rest of the Fellowship.
The others shrank back, rightly fearing the Elvish archers in the
surrounding undergrowth.
Arwen stepped forward. "Haldir, is this always the way you treat guests to
Lorien?" She pushed the sword away from Gimli's throat, with her bear hand.
"The Lady of Lorien should be disappointed in you."
"Lady Arwen, you should be safe in Rivendell." He told Arwen, surprised to
see her
"Where I should be is my own business. I wish to see the Lady." She told
him, speaking in a way she had never used to address any of the members of
the Fellowship.
"Lady Arwen Undomiel of the joined houses of Rivendell and Lothlorien, I
cannot allow you or your companions to pass any further into the Golden
Wood." Haldir told her. He moved to stand in front of Frodo. "This one
brings great evil here. My Lord and Lady will not permit it."
"Have you asked the Lord and Lady who they will and will not permit in
Lothlorien? Aid and welcome are free here to all those who ask." Arwen
argued with him. "As they have been in the past, so shall they be in the
future."
Legolas laid a gentle hand on Arwen's arm. "Haldir of Lothlorien..." He
began.
"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion." Haldir said to him in Elvish. Welcome
Legolas, son of Thranduil.
Then Haldir turned to Aragorn. "A Aragorn in Dunedain istannen le ammen."
Aragorn of the Dunedain, you are know to us.
"Haldir this is ridiculous. I wish to see the Lord and Lady, and I wish for
you to let my companions pass." Arwen said softly. "I must see the Lady and
take council with her."
"My sincerest apologies, sweet Lady." Haldir said to her, "But I cannot let
you pass."
She leaned close to Aragorn, "See if you can persuade him, or delay him."
As she spoke she stumbled, Aragorn's strong arms reaching out to catch her.
"Be easy Lady Evenstar." He told her, gently lowering her to the ground.
"Legolas," He ordered, "Stay with the Lady." Then Aragorn went to argue
some more with Haldir.
Arwen closed her eyes. My Lady it is Arwen Undomiel of Rivendell. Help me.
Arwen projected.
Seconds later a thought was projected into her own mind. Lady Evenstar,
where are you? What ails you?
Lothlorien. She sent back. I must speak with you.
Then come to me child, you are safe in Lothlorien. The thought came back. I
will alert all patrols to your presence. You shall be brought to me
immediately.
Several seconds later Haldir and Aragorn walked back over to them. "Lady
Arwen, the Lady of the Wood requests that I bring you to her side
immediately."
Aragorn took Arwen by the hand and helped her to her feet.
"Come then." Arwen told Haldir, "Lead us to the Lady of the Wood."
"Of course my Lady." He conceded. "Rumil, bind the Dwarf and the others."
He ordered another Elf.
"These are my friends and companions. They will not be bound."
"Lady-" Haldir began.
"I place them under my protection, until I see fit to release them from it.
Now lead us to the Lady, she is expecting me now." Arwen ordered him,
surprising all with her firmness.
Haldir looked even more shocked, then silently motioned for the other Elves
to lead them back to the fair city of Caras Galadhon.
As they walked Arwen spoke quietly to the others. "You must call me 'Lady'
now, and please, do nothing unless I tell you too. When we reach the Lady,
I will release you from my protection."
"It seems you have not been honest with us, my Lady." Boromir told her,
bitterness creeping back into his voice. "We should not need to be placed
under protection."
"Please Boromir, you must understand that this place is not like others you
have been to. You could all have very well been shot on sight. Please try
to be calm, all of you. Our audience with the Lady will explain everything
to you." Arwen told him, her heart still heavy with loss of Gandalf.
As they walked Aragorn took her hand, holding it gently in his own. The
ring on his finger, the Ring of Barahir one of the symbols of his heritage
was cool against her skin.
Part 21.
They reached the city at dusk, the stars only just rising in the sky.
Elven lights were lit in the trees, casting shadows over the land. These
shadows however, were not frightening, they were almost soothing to their
troubled minds and hearts, ethereal in some ways.
At last Haldir lead them faithfully to the foot of a silver staircase.
At the top stood the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien, both clad in silver and
white, appearing youthful beyond their years.
Arwen bowed her head, in the proper gesture of greeting, waiting for them
to speak.
"Nine there are here, yet ten set out from Rivendell." The Lord of the Wood
said to them.
Arwen project a single thought into all of her companions minds. Do not
speak unless you are spoken to.
After a moment the Lady spoke. "Where is Gandalf the Grey? I much desired
to speak with him." She asked.
Arwen lifted her head, "He has fallen into shadow, my Lady."
"Gandalf the Grey has fallen into shadow." The Lady repeated.
"Yes, my Lady," Arwen explained, "He was taken by both shadow and flame."
"A Balrog of Morgoth. For we traveled under the mountains, through the
Mines of Moria." Legolas told them.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship now that Gandalf is gone? Now that
hope is lost?" The Lord asked.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife, stray but a little and it will
fail, to the ruin of all." The Lady told them.
"Hope remains here, my Lord and Lady." Arwen told them, "Even if you cannot
see it."
At once the Lady descended the stairs, and lifted Arwen's hand. "You should
be safe in Rivendell, child. Lord Elrond will be worried." Arwen didn't
have the chance to speak before the Lady hugged her. "We will send him word
of your arrival here."
By this time the Lord of Lorien had descended the stairs to stand with his
wife. "Nin Tarien. Arwen, Evenstar." My princess. He too embraced her.
Then turned to the court of Elves. "Bring food for my granddaughter and her
companions. Make up quarters for them." He turned back to Arwen, "We would
have a feast to celebrate your arrival, but..."
"Under the circumstances it is not proper." Arwen finished for him.
"This is correct."
She turned to the others. "I would introduce you to Lady Galadriel and Lord
Celeborn of Lothlorien." She paused, then spoke again. "In this hour, I see
fit to release you from my protection."
Aragorn bowed his head in the proper form of respect, while Legolas bowed
in traditional Elvish style. The others took their leave from Aragorn and
bowed as well.
"Come now," Galadriel spoke, "The hour grows late, and you are weary with
grief and much toil." Her voice was soothing to their tired ears.
The members of the Fellowship were soon led to sleeping quarters, a feast
laid out for them.
Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn sat with them, indulging in small talk,
the Ring not discussed at all.
"I don't understand this." Boromir began. "The Lord and Lady of this Land
call you granddaughter."
"The Lady Arwen's mother was from this Land, Boromir of Gondor." Celeborn
explained to him. "My only daughter. Her name is Celebrian."
"She has long since sailed to the Undying Lands, where she hopes we will
all meet again one day." Galadriel told the others.
"So you knew that when we arrived here we would receive welcome?" Gimli
asked Arwen.
"Aid and welcome are free in Lothlorien, so they have been in the past and
shall be in the future." Celeborn said.
"Even now, at the ending of the Third Age, the ending of the time of the
Elves, all who seek shall be found in the fair gardens of Lothlorien. The
only troubles you shall find here are the ones you yourselves have brought,
for the world is falling into shadow." Galadriel explained, "You are weary,
sleep now. Anything else you must question, you may do so in the morning."
Gracefully the Lord and Lady stood and disappeared into the trees.
At once a mournful song rang out among the trees, followed by another and
another.
"What are they saying?" Gimli asked warily.
"It is a lament for Gandalf." Legolas told him, "Though I do not understand
much."
"Do you Lady Arwen?" Boromir asked.
"I understand the words, but I do not have the heart to tell you. My own
grief is still too near." Arwen lowered her head to hide the sparkle of
unshed tears in her eyes. "I must leave you now. It is expected I go to my
rooms." She stood quickly. "Send word for me in the morning with one of the
Elves."
Then she was gone, like a dream through the forest.
Part 22.
After she had left the others Arwen did not proceed immediately to her
room, but went instead to the private garden of Galadriel.
Her grandmother was no more dimmed in the darkness than she was in the
sunlight, an ethereal light glowing around her, the same light, same
ethereal beauty Arwen herself possessed.
"I have been waiting for you, child." Galadriel greeted her.
"My apologies. I was detained." Arwen bowed her head respectfully.
Galadriel moved gracefully towards the pool. "The ripples still."
"Yet the images are unreadable. The future is ever-changing." Arwen
countered.
"You have grown up much, Arwen Undomiel."
"It is the way of our people." Arwen answered, leaning down to gaze into
the depths of the pool.
"You seek to find the answers there. You will not find them, I have not
found them." Galadriel warned her.
"The future is always in motion. It doesn't matter what I see, I only wish
to ensure the safety of Frodo and the demise of the One Ring." She trailed
her fingers in the pool, then waited for the water to still.
"Take your leave, my granddaughter. Your heart and mind are troubled. Find
peace once more in the dreaming of Lothlorien." Galadriel laid her hand on
the younger woman's cheek.
"May the rising of the sun bring better fortune to us all." Arwen bade her.
Arwen lay on her couch for a long time before sleep overtook her.
Memories of Gandalf flitted through her mind, along with memories of her
father and brothers. For the first time in a long time Arwen wondered if
she would ever see their faces again. She wondered if she would ever set
foot in fair Rivendell once more.
Finally, homesickness overtook her, and she cried, not knowing if she cried
for Gandalf, for her kin who were spread throughout the Elven world, or for
herself.
As her sobs abated she drifted into deep and dreamless sleep.
High above her, Earendil, the Elves beloved Evening Star glittered.
Part 23.
The Company rested well into the next day, and at dusk Lord Celeborn
summoned them.
"The quest must go on. The aim must be achieved." He began.
"You must harden your hearts and leave this land. The One Ring must be
destroyed." Galadriel spoke quietly, moving to stand beside her husband.
"Any who wish to abandon the quest, are welcome to stay in fair Lorien,
until the paths of the world are clear enough for you to journey to lands
of your kin. Shall any abandon the quest?"
All shook their heads.
"Have you decided on a course?" Celeborn asked.
"I feel that the best course of action will be to follow the Great River on
towards Gondor." Aragorn stated.
"Your fellow Companions agree to this?" Galadriel asked.
Aragorn nodded silently.
"From here to Gondor the only crossing of the Great River is by boat. The
enemy hold all of the landings, and the Bridges of Osgiliath are broken
down." Galadriel advised.
All was silent for a moment. "I will furnish the Company with boats. Small,
lightweight. You will be forced to carry them over rapids in some places."
Celeborn told them.
Aragorn bowed his head to Celeborn, and then to Galadriel
"Boats may make your journey less toilsome for a while." Galadriel told
them, her voice distant. "Yet in the end you must leave them, and the
River, turning East, or West."
"In the morning I will send my people to you to help make ready for the
next part in your journey." Celeborn told them, "For tonight, sleep and
rest well."
"Sleep and dream in peace. Maybe the paths that you each shall tread are
already laid before your feet, even though you do not see them." Was
Galadriel's final advice to the Fellowship before they parted ways for the
night.
Part 24.
Early the next morning Elves appeared before them, arms filled with food
and provisions for the long march ahead.
Gimli looked on curiously as the Elves set about packing the items into
their rucksacks. Cautiously he poked at a pile of leaf-wrapped cakes.
"It isn't cram, Gimli." Arwen told him from behind. "It is lembas bread."
She offered him a small piece wrapped in a single mallorn leaf. He eyed it
suspiciously before nibbling at the corner.
"It tastes sweet and... It tastes of honey." Gimli told her.
"It is a welcome gift from the Elves of Lothlorien for our use on the
journey." Arwen told him.
"Here are more gifts to you, from the ladies of Lorien." Galadriel
announced, coming up behind them. Close behind her a handmaiden carried a
pile of garments. Galadriel wrapped the first on the pile around her
granddaughter's shoulders, fastening it in place with Arwen's own leaf-
shaped broach.
By-midmorning the remaining nine members of the Fellowship had assembled at
the boats.
All were dressed in the gray-green cloaks that had been gifted to them by
Galadriel and the ladies of Lorien.
Galadriel and Celeborn came to see them off, both dressed in glittering
white and silver, along with many other Elves, for it had been made no
secret of their errand.
"We have come to a parting of ways." Celeborn told them gravely. "Yet the
paths we walk along bring us to the same goal, the safety of this Middle
Earth."
Arwen looked around at her companions, at her friends. "This is our Middle
Earth, all of ours. It is as much a part of us as we are of it."
"I have sent word to Lord Elrond in Rivendell of your safe arrival, and
departure of the Woods of Lothlorien." Galadriel told them.
"We wish you a safe and successful journey." Haldir told them, bowing
before Arwen.
"I have brought gifts for each of the members of your Company." Galadriel
spoke. "My Lord Aragorn, who will always be more than what he seems." She
passed him a sword sheath, overlaid with flowers and leaves of silver and
gold, and inlaid with Elven-Runes telling the name and lineage of Anduril.
"There is more that you would desire, My Lord. But this is all that is mine
to give." She smiled at him, and displayed a clear green stone, set in
silver, in the likeness of an eagle. "This stone I gave to my daughter
Celebrian, and she to hers. Now it comes to you as a symbol of hope, and of
things yet to come. Soon all things will come to pass. In this hour take
the name that was given unto you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the House of
Elendil." Arwen bowed her head, knowing that the time would come soon
enough.
She turned to Boromir next, gifting him with a belt of gold, and Merry and
Pippin with small belts of silver. She passed Legolas a bow such as the
Elves of the Galadhrim, and indeed Lady Arwen used, along with a quiver of
arrows.
To Sam she passed a small box, built of gray wood, adorned only with a
single Elf-Rune, on the top, 'G' for Galadriel. "In this box is earth from
my own garden. It will not keep you on the road, or defend you in times of
need, but keep it and see your home once you return. Then scatter the
grains where you will, there will be few places in Middle Earth that shall
bloom as your garden will. When you gaze upon the sights think of
Galadriel, and far off Lothlorien." Sam went red with embarrassment and
murmured his thanks.
Smiling Galadriel turned to Gimli. "What gift would a Dwarf ask of the
Elves?"
"I ask for nothing from you Lady, except that the friendship between our
peoples be saved and savored." Gimli told her humbly.
"Hear this all Elves who believe that the race of Dwarves is grasping and
ungracious!" Galadriel called to her people. "Master Dwarf, ask freely of
me for yourself."
"I would ask only for a lock of your hair, fair Lady. To encase in
imperishable crystal and make an heirloom of my house, a symbol of the
unity of the Mountains and the Woods." Gimli bowed his head.
"An unusual gift perhaps." Galadriel told him, "But one that will be
granted nonetheless." From one of her handmaidens, Galadriel accepted a
pair of scissors, and sliced away a lock of her hair, passing it gently
into Gimli's work-roughened hands.
"Frodo, whom is not one of the last on my mind, but the first, I have
prepared this for you." She held in her outstretched hand a small crystal
phial, filled with, it seemed, rays of glittering white light. "The water
in this phial comes from the pool of Galadriel, whose waters you have
viewed. In this water is captured the light of Earendil, our most beloved
star, as it shines in my fountain. Let it be a light to you in dark places,
when all other lights go out."
Last of all she turned to Arwen, "Arwen Undomiel, the Evenstar of our
people. This is my gift to you." She offered Arwen a small rod, intricately
twined with gold, showing glimpses of pearly-white in the gaps of the
pattern. "You know what this is, and how you are to use it. Use it well,
Arwen Evenstar."
Beside Galadriel, Celeborn waited for her to finished. "These too, my
granddaughter belong to you. Long have they been entrusted to you, and long
have we held them. Now you have need for them they are yours in more than
trust, now they are yours in name." He crossed over a pair of golden Scys,
the tops of each handle displaying filigreed grips, and the set of
pearlescent throwing stars that long ago, had belonged to her mother. "May
they serve you well, Lady of Rivendell." He finished, reaching out to hug
her.
"Remember that help is always freely given in Lothlorien, and will be
available to you and your kin as long as the Elves of Lorien remain in
Middle Earth." Celeborn told them.
"Grandmother, I would ask that you see this letter safely to my father."
Arwen told her, holding out a rolled parchment, sealed with silvery-white
wax, embossed with the Elf Rune for 'A'.
"This task I will gladly see done." Galadriel smiled, accepting the letter.
"If you speak with my father, tell him I have not forgotten my promise."
She bowed her head, saying a silent prayer.
"Then it is with a heaviness is my heart that we leave you, and the
peaceful woods of Lothlorien." Aragorn told them, "We thank you for your
hospitality, and for your gifts."
"You must depart now." Galadriel warned, "Your errand can wait no longer.
Already the presence of the One Ring draws the Eye of the Dark One towards
Lothlorien."
Silent now, the Company moved towards the boats, allowing the Elves to put
them out into the water of the Great River, the Anduin.
Part 25.
Arwen was silent for a long time. Elessar, long awoken from the deep
slumber she had placed upon him perched reassuringly on her shoulder. Sam
too, was silent, either not knowing what to say, or not speaking because
Arwen herself did not.
Sighing she shook off her daze, all thoughts of home and paddled strongly,
until she and Sam had drawn up alongside Aragorn and Frodo.
The river banks were eerily silent, almost as though they were completely
uninhabited.
Boromir, along with Merry and Pippin drifted up alongside them. "Aragorn I
don't like this. It's too quiet."
"I agree with you, wholeheartedly." Arwen told him. "I have never seen this
stretch of water so silent, and I have paddled it many times whilst I have
resided in Lorien."
"Do you think that may be Orcs around somewhere on shore?" Aragorn asked.
She reached down to unsheathe Shalat. "Shalat tells me no. In my heart I
believe it is something else. No lesser than Saruman or Sauron if the
creature was to reclaim the One Ring."
"Why did Lady Galadriel call Sauron 'the Dark One'?" Sam asked.
"There are some things not spoken of in fair Lothlorien, The Dark One is
one of those." Arwen told him, "To speak the name of Sauron is a call to
power. Galadriel will not call that power, she has strength enough on her
own." Arwen explained to him.
"My father will not speak the Dark One's name either," Legolas began,
gliding up to them, Gimli sitting in the front of their canoe. "He believes
that it is an invocation of the Shadow of Mordor."
"He is probably right." Arwen spoke softly.
"Then why do you speak his name?" Merry asked her.
"I am not afraid of him." She began at last. "I fear only what he can do to
our Middle Earth. Death does not frighten me, not even at his hands."
Arwen's voice held no trace of emotion. "Frodo I will follow you into the
very fires of Mount Doom if I must, if that is my part in seeing this
errand done."
"You seem resigned, Lady." Gimli told her.
"I still have hope." She smiled at the Dwarf. "And I trust the company of
my friends and companions. I do not need resignation."
The scenery passed quickly as they rode with the current, only stopping to
light a small fire to cook on, or to allow for several hours of
uninterrupted sleep, or when the moon was too dull to see clearly, but for
most part they ate and slept in the boats.
On one of such stops the Fellowship drew off the river at dusk, allowing
for almost a whole night's sleep.
Many hours into the night Arwen woke to hear as strange splashing sound and
then hissing. She sat up, drawing her sword as she did so. Nearer to the
camp fire Frodo was silhouetted, then joined by Aragorn. Silently she edged
over to them. "What's going on?"
"Gollum is about." Aragorn told her in hushed tones. "He has been following
us since Moria."
"I must have heard him then." Arwen told them. "In Moria I kept hearing
footsteps behinds us, I thought that it may have been him, but I wasn't
sure."
"Sleep now, the pair of you." Aragorn told them. "I will watch for the
little wretch."
"Wake me halfway to morning, when Silmaril begins to set." Arwen told him,
"You need more rest than I do."
Aragorn nodded and watched as both Arwen and Frodo curled up into their
blankets once more.
As Arwen had told him, Aragorn woke her as the star Silmaril began to set
into the West. The remainder of the night passed quietly, without incident.