Disclaimer: I do not own Lothlorien. The Lady Galadriel does. Oh, I mean, Tolkien.
Edited on 10 oct 2003
Chapter 9After a few weeks of uneventful traveling, they neared the borders of Lothlorien.
Ariel was horrified to discover she was disappointed there had been no adventure of sort. Now that she mastered the use of the knives, she longed to be of use the escorting party. In her opinion she thought she and Arwen were perfectly capable of taking care of themselves, but Lord Elrond would not hear of it, and insisted they travel with five other elves for protection.
Though she wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it, at the same time she was touched by her father's love for his daughters, ensuring their well-being.
They were now under the eaves of the Golden Wood. It was spring and the boughs of mallorn were laden with yellow flowers. The forest floor was golden from the falling leaves and the trunks were a beautiful shade of silver. Elanor and Niphredil blooms graced the hills.
Ariel thought she heard a twinkling of bells and sound of clear water rushing down a river stream. Everything was so calm, as if the whole place was not in the least bothered by the looming war outside.
The horses slowed to a trot, neighing in delight at the lush green grass beneath their feet.
"Land of our mother's kindred, here my heart would be glad." Sighed Arwen in contentment and bliss. She took a deep breadth of the air, and felt wholly refreshed.
Ariel glanced at her sister and half wished the same could be said for her. She knew naught of what to expect from Galadriel, or what was expected of her. Nevertheless, she was still filled with joy and wonder at the sight of such beauty of nature. The flowers were unlike any she seen before — so simple, sweet yet beautiful. The towering presence of mallorn made her feel insignificant, and humbled her immensely.
"Daro!" A clear voice rang out, stopping them in their tracks at once. Out from a tree leaped an elf clad in shadowy gray, noiselessly onto the forest floor. He could not be seen among the trees, lest he moved quickly.
"Vedui, Lady Undomiel" Greetings
"Vedui, Haldir." Replied Arwen warmly.
Haldir was taken aback by Ariel's presence. For he did not know anyone whose beauty could be equivalent to the Lady Arwen.
" And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"
"Ariel Silverstar, daughter of Lord Elrond."
"Mae Govannen, Lady Silverstar. The Lady awaits your arrival." If he was any surprised by Ariel's identity, he did not reveal it. All elves of Lothlorien guarded their emotions well, and it was hard to perceive what they were thinking, Ariel noticed.
Haldir led the way on a straight and smooth path. Along the way shadowy figures were seen, darting to and fro in between the trees. Careful not to be seen by unfriendly eyes.
"Haldir, why are the elves do discreet?' Ariel inquired.
"The enemies would be less likely to spot us. In times of war, all the more reason for concealment. It is sad these days our hands are more on the bow than the harp. There is no time for making merry, and less songs are heard in Caras Galadhon" Haldir replied sorrowfully.
They soon reached the elven dwellings. Ariel saw flets on impossibly tall trees, and strange songs sung in a tongue unknown to her. It was Quenya, a much more rich and subtle language than Sindarin. And rather than hearing it, she felt as if she was part of the song, or if she would be so bold as to add, inside it.
The March Warden led them right into the heart of the city itself, and then they climbed up a never-ending flight of stairs, to a platform, that was when Haldir left them.
"Welcome to Lothlorien, my dear granddaughters. Ariel, it hath been long since I saw you." Celeborn of Doriath had a deep, resounding voice, almost like her father's. He had shoulder length silver hair and his eyes beheld his granddaughters with a grandfatherly kindness, which Ariel felt unworthy of.
Lady Galadriel, on the other hand was clad in shimmering white. Her hair was of the deepest gold and it was said the radiance of Laurelin, one of the two Trees of Light was caught in it. A circlet of gold rested on her forehead, as did Celeborn. Starlight glimmered in those blue eyes of hers. And when her gaze was turned to her, Ariel felt icy warmth go through her body, and slightly shivered.
The Lord and Lady bade them to sit at a table, where they talked about Elrond and other matters concerning Rivendell. Celeborn did most of the talking, while Galadriel simply looked grave.
They were careful not to touch on the subject of Celebrian, and for that Ariel was glad, for it would be reliving a nightmare.
Turning whence forth to Ariel, Galadriel finally spoke. And when she did it sounded like the peals of countless bells, echoing in silence, the sparkling of streams, musical, serious yet with a touch of joy. Anyone who heard it knew it belonged to someone of great wisdom and knowledge.
"Would it comfort you to know that the fellowship left yester eve ere your arrival?"
Arwen and Ariel were greatly astonished and relieved.
"It gladdens me much to know that they passed through the Misty Mountains safely. It is full of perils and dangers that none know of," said Arwen.
"As do I." Stated Ariel as a matter of fact.
Galadriel gave Ariel a knowing look, and Ariel realized Arwen was not the only person she could hide secrets from.
"Celebrían" started Galadriel.
At this Ariel felt a wrenching in her gut, and Arwen grew numb at the sound of their mother's name. Till now they had not spoken about her, but to avoid the subject was to prolong the inevitable.
"She managed to pass away over the sea and dwells now on the Undying Lands. I know she has been healed fully, so do not trouble yourselves over her any longer."
It was as if a burden had been lifted off their shoulders. Ariel immediately felt relaxed in Lothlorien.
"How can you be so sure?" Ariel asked, fearful of false hope.
"I know this in my heart." And that was proof enough.
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They were given a flet for their own. Ariel sttod upon the edge, gazing out. Twilight had settled on Lothloríen, and the sky had turned a dusty blue. There was lanterns everywhere, hung on trees giving the whole place an unearthly glow. She could feel very strongly the power of the Lady Galadriel. No evil was present here, lest someone brought it with him.
"It was here where my doom was appointed." Said Arwen talking softly, more to herself than her sister.
"He walked toward me, under the trees when they were laden with gold. Like an Elf-Lord out of the Isles of the West, he seemed. His raiment was silver and white, and the power of Numenorean Kings was revealed in him."
"And thus from that hour I knew I would renounce the Twilight and land of my kin. For a season we walked upon the glades of Caras Galadhon till it was nigh time for him to leave. Then, on an evening of Midsummer, we were troth plighted on Cerin Amroth."
"But know this, sister, I would always love my family, and Eru forbid that I shall ever forget them. You, Father, Elladan and Elrohir will always be in my heart." Turning to Ariel, she said.
Ariel said naught, but was deep in thought.
When the time comes for the elves to depart, when they grow weary of Middle Earth, she too, will leave for the Undying Lands, but Arwen would stay behind, and walk upon the paths that mortals take.
This grieved her verily, for she longed to spend many years with Arwen, whom she loved dearly. And yet, who can tell what will happen? Many things hide the future, and even the wisest cannot tell.
Ariel knew she would soon be restless, she cannot be like Arwen, peacefully dwelling in Imladris. Sooner or later she would leave and seek adventure, see the whole of Middle Earth. For she liked not the confinement of being in a house, or behaving properly like a lady, like Arwen. The position of the lady of Rivendell belonged to Arwen, she was not going to change that.
What she knew naught of was an unseen doom, which awaited her. Her time will come, soon.