Edited on 13 Oct 2003
Dawn arrived when Ariel felt Galadriel calling in her mind.
"Will thou meet me?"
She arose quickly and walked down from her flet. Galadriel did not tell her where to meet, but Ariel found herself going towards a green glade. A waterfall rushed out to meet her, and somehow she knew this was the place of meting.
There, she waited for her foremother to arrive.
Galadriel studied her grand daughter intently. It was amazing how twins can be alike yet different. Both of them have hearts pure and true, have pride from their Noldorian decent, and loyal to those they love. Arwen was more gentle, wise, Ariel was more willful, impulsive, and headstrong.
It was said in Arwen the likeness of Luthien Tinuviel was seen. But few elves know Ariel resembles Galadriel's mother, Earwen of Alqualonde, greatly. For few who have seen Olwe's daughter lived till today to see Ariel. Earwen was and still is swan maiden of the Teleri, and her star-like silver hair flashed in Galadriel's memory, bringing on a swift rise of emotions.
Again the desire for the Sea rose in Galadriel's heart, but she hardened her will, knowing she had long forfeited the chance to go back to Valinor when she and Celeborn made their choice and rejected the offer from the Valar. Yet she did not regret coming to Middle Earth, for she had long wanted a realm of her own to rule. And neither did she regret her love for Celeborn.
Though she was the last of the Noldorian leaders, and the fire in her heart was slowly being quenched. The power of Nenya over her could not be undone. Each day she renewed her vow not to leave Middle Earth till it was Sauron was defeated. But each day the longing for the Undying Lands grew and she desired to see her mother, Earwen, again.
And in Ariel's heart Galadriel perceived restlessness, a desire to prove one's worth, to be capable of being Lady of a dwelling, as virtuous as a captain of an army, and worthy of a certain Elf's love. It was moments ere Ariel sensed Galadriel's presence."My Lady, what dost thou wish to speak to me about?"
"Would thou like to hear how the fellowship were when they arrived?"
"Aye, my Lady, were they all doing well?"
"They were weary when they came, but recovered soon enough. But for Frodo, the power of the Ring is beginning to overpower him. He finds it harder to resist outing it on every day, and I fear this quest will take his life."
Her heart went out to the Halfling, and said, "It pains me greatly to see such merry folk being the ones to carry the burden of Middle Earth. Especially when he has seen the Eye."
"I have done what I thought was the best for him, and can do no more. But for thou, thy path lies not homeward."
At this Ariel wondered greatly, if she was not to go home then where would she go? But knowing better than to question, she just acknowledged Galadriel's strange statement. After all, was she not one of the wisest on Middle Earth?
As if reading her thoughts, Galadriel said, "Thy time will come, when thou shalt face perilous tasks which thou must complete."
If Galadriel had not been her foremother but one of lower rank than her, Ariel would have snapped, "Speak plainer!" But her respect and reverence for her did not permit her to do so. Therefore Ariel just tried to nod and look wise, as if what Galadriel had just said explained everything.
"Mayhap you could tell me about your journey from Mirkwood to Imladris?"
Ariel brightened considerably, as if she were a child being given a treat. She told Galadriel with great enthusiasm, and though she said did not say aught about her feelings, the Lady could see she was drawn to Legolas. Her very actions betrayed her.
For everytime she spoke his name, her eyes would light up, and she would find it hard to stop smiling. And though Ariel knew naught, her feelings were reciprocated. During the fellowship's stay, Legolas and Aragorn often looked to the night sky and admired Evenstar and Silverstar.
Galadriel hoped their attraction to each other would soon end, or much grief it would cause to both parties if one were to perish. In the midst of strife and war, many things remain veiled from her Sight, and it was hard to discern what would befall Ariel or Legolas.
"Ariel, will thou not accept this gift?"
Galadriel handed a bow and a quiver of arrows over to Ariel.
"Your mother was also a skilled archer, I am sure she would love you to have this."
Ariel was amazed. She had yearned to find out more about Celebrian, her mother whom she spent only a few centuries with. And clearly this was unexpected, her mother, an archer? Ariel turned a questioning gaze to Galadriel.
Galadriel answered her unspoken question. "CelebrÃan had many talents, and archery was simply one of them."
The bow was wholly white, save for a few gold elf runes imprinted at the side. A strand of elvish hair strung the bow, taut and tough, no doubt her mother's. As Ariel gripped it, she felt the flow of her mother's being into her. Tears stung her eyes and she wished she had known Celebrian better.
"One day you would be reunited with her, but not in the years to follow, for you have much to accomplish here."
Again Galadriel spoke about her unseen destiny. This time Ariel really could not help asking.
"What is it about me that seems so important?"
"Even I cannot see nor tell. But hold this true in your heart: Your mother would have loved to see you, her daughter now. A warrior princess you have become, which was why you were named Eruawien, lion of God."
Ariel took this piece of information in silently.
"I foresee many dangers on your way home, have a care not to go too near Isengard, for Saruman who dwells there is not to be trusted." Galadriel's calm face was disturbed for a moment, but it soon changed back into the same expression.
"But we were going to take the High Pass, my Lady."
"It is not possible now, orcs were sighted at Dimrill stair and goblins have dared to venture forth from the Mines of Moria. The only way would be the Gap of Rohan."
"I thank thee for the gift and counsel." Ariel gazed into Galadriel's eyes and saw her reflection there. She felt glad Galadriel chose to counsel her of the journey instead of the escorts from Imladris. It made her feel important, on the way to Lothlorien Aradreth, the leader of the escorts would not speak of anything about the journey to her, and grudgingly revealed only a little after she had persisted.
They regarded each other solemnly for a moment, before embracing.
"You have strength and perseverance, a rare trait from your mother."
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"Gandalf!" Ariel and Arwen exclaimed when they saw the Istari. There was no mistake, it was he."
"Why are you not with the fellowship?" Ariel asked.
"It is a long tale." He replied. They saw his raiment was no longer gray, but white, and a power was revealed to him that Ariel felt compelled to bow and address him as 'my lord'. Neither did he bend like an aged man any longer, but his stature was proud, and Glamdring lay openly on his belt."
He told them about the Mines of Moria, and how he battled with the Balrog. A flicker of pain briefly crossed his face, but passed quickly, and Ariel knew it had not been easy defeating that ancient devil.
"And I was reborn as Gandalf the White, for my task here is not completed, and I was sent back."
Since Gandalf was leaving for Fangorn, he agreed to accompany them till the forest, and Ariel would be no doubt glad of his company.