I breathed in, the familiar scent of the golden wood's loam filling my
sensitive nose. Still lingering in my mind was the half rotten reek that
permeated Moria, long dead flesh and rotting goblin minions. Yet, there was
a strain here that had not been in the Wood when I had left. I turned to
Aragorn.
"The March warden will try to surprise us. It is his custom to scare those not of Elvish blood." I whispered in the Man's ear in Elvish, hushed toned to not frighten the little ones. Gimli was reassuring Frodo and Sam that nothing would get past him. The stretching taught of a bowstring broke the fragile calm, and I turned to face Orophin, the point of a shaft in my face. Haldir stepped from between the ranks of the Galadhrim.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." The captain and his company herded us up into the hunting flets in the mallorns, where they had been keeping watch.
"Ah, Aragorn of the dunadain. Your name is known to us." Haldir had not known my face, and would not know it until he looked at it my true name. Gimli grew impatient.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the elves! Speak words we can all understand!" Haldir shot the dwarf an annoyed, superior look.
"We have not had dealings with the dwarfs since the dark days." Gimli frowned, his temper flaring. I could read the signs on his face better than anyone, and knew when to stay clear of him. And now was not a good time to be pushing him over the line of patience.
"And you know what this dwarf says to that?" He called Haldir a very bad name in Khuzdul. Aragorn took his shoulder rather roughly, turning the dwarf to face him.
"That was not so courteous." Haldir then looked at me. A strange light shown in his eyes, and his expression softened.
"Gabrielin? You have returned to us again?" I set my face in a line.
"No, Haldir. I will leave when they do. It is my duty." I looked at Frodo sitting, looking forlorn from his sojourn in Moria. Haldir looked at the tiny hobbit, growing fear in his eyes.
"You bring great evil here.you can go no further." I looked at Aragorn, and he stepped forward to try and reason with the March warden. As I continued my watch of Frodo, he seemed to look more like an angel in the growing dim of the forest tops, shining in the faint glow of the mallorns. Boromir looked to comfort the hobbit, but Aragorn had finished. Haldir, looking disinclined to honor our request.
"You would follow me."
On the second day of our trek through the woods, Haldir led us up a rise, and pulled some of the underbrush tenderly back.
"Calas Galadon, the heart of elvendom on earth. Realm of the lord Celeborn, and of Galadriel, lady of light." His face betrayed that he was truly happy to be home again.
Up, up, up we climbed, into the heart of the trees, and led to the platform where the lord and lady met guests. When the lord and lady appeared, the hobbits looked at Galadriel as if she were God, arrayed in silvering splendor. Boromir appeared unsettled, and Aragorn reverently bowed his head. Celeborn spoke.
"the enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now lost. Eight there are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him, as I can no longer see him from afar." I had to speak. But the lady realized it first, looking from me, then to Aragorn, who turned away, nearly in tears. Images flashed in my memory, flames, Moria, the bridge, and Gandalf, clinging to that edge. 'Fly, you fools!'. The words echoed in my mind.
"Gandalf the gray did not pass the borders of this land.he has fallen into shadow." The Lady's voice was severed from her body, as it always was when she soothsaid, light and nearly transparent.
"He was taken by a creature of both shadow and flame.A balrog of Morgoth." I bowed my head in shame, not wanting to look at my uncle's face. "For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." The lady spoke, comforting me. "Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief." I looked up in time to see the normally strong Boromir turn his tearstained face away, crying unceasingly and silent.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." I looked up. Times must be dire indeed; for the Lord of Lórien to say that hope was lost as he did. Galadriel's voice had come back down to earth, tangible, in the real.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all." She thought for a moment. "Yet hope remains while company is true. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace." And in my head, she added, "There is someone who would have words with you, daughter of the trees. Go thou to him." The wardens escorted us back down to the forest floor, where beds had been prepared for us. While everyone else readied for bed, I went to search for Haldir.
"You did not tell me you would return!"
"I did not tell you I would leave, either." Haldir looked at me, genuine concern in his blue eyes.
"I was afraid, when we had no word save that you had ridden with a company of eight others from Rivendell. What drove you to this madness?"
"A path not trod save for my feet." Haldir looked at me, a longing in his eyes. I went on. "There is one among us who must die. I have seen it; Galadriel has seen it. This is his doom. You cannot cheat Death- a life for a life is the only payment he understands. If I go, things may be different for this man-for the love he shares." Haldir's eyes still shown with concern. He knew that I would die.
"And what of our love? Do you not love me?" I looked at him, and the passion in his eyes ebbed.
"I do, but.there are many paths to tread.and the path of death .is a golden path. For me, and for whom I die." I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm, and kissed me. It was not a formal peck, no. This was the kiss he'd been holding onto for so long, it pained me to see it rush out this way. And the only thing I could do was kiss him back.
I was going to get water when I heard the clear singing of a dirge. The hobbits heard it too, not knowing what was being sung.
"A lament for Gandalf." I paused, taking in the words. Merry looked up from his bedroll.
"What do they say about him?" I half smiled.
"I have not the heart to say.for me, the grief is still too near." I looked at Frodo, still in his dream world, lost without the friendly graying man by his shoulder. Sam stopped making his bed.
"Bet they don't mention his fireworks.ought to be a verse about them." He stood up to recite. "The finest rockets ever seen, they burst in stars of blue and green. And after thunder, silver showers, came falling like a rain of flowers.oh that doesn't do them justice be a long road." I set the pitcher down and laid a hand on Sam's shoulder.
"It was beautiful, Samwise. You truly have a gift with words. You should write some of it down." Sam blushed.
"Thank you, milady." I chuckled. It was the first time he'd had enough courage to speak to me outright.
"You may call me Gabrielin, Sam. The only Lady here in the wood is Galadriel." Merry looked up from making his bed again.
"Have you ever met the lady before, Gabrielin?" I smiled. One had to be patient with these younglings.
"Yes, Meriadoc. I used to live here." The hobbits' eyes grew wide. Pippin moved closer.
"Did you really?"
"Yes. It's a wonderful place, full of magic and mystery. Many happy days were spent here." I gazed off, remembering a time when jewelry was the least of my concerns. I sighed. The past cannot be changed, and it is not good to lament over times lost and gone. "But now is the time for young hobbits to be going to bed." There were groans.
"But we're old enough not to go to bed on time!" I looked at Pippin, who was giving me a puppy dog scowl.
"Nonsense. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. You will not want to be falling asleep." Rather grudgingly, Merry and Pippin scooted themselves into their beds. Sam was already asleep. Frodo was fitfully turning, as if haunted by some dreamful specter. I began to sing, lulling the four to sleep, the same lullaby my mother had sung to me, long ago.
"A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain softly blows O'er lullabye bay.
It fills the sail of boats that are waiting; Waiting to sail your
worries away.
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain, and you boat waits down by the quay
The winds of night so softly are sighing, soon they will fly your troubles to sea.
So close your eyes on Hushaby Mountain. Wave goodbye to cares of the day.
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain sail far away From lullabye bay." The eyelids drooped, and soon all four were sleeping soundly, lost in dreams. I tucked the covers round their chins, and looked up at the crack of a twig to see Boromir looking at me rather oddly. I smiled. Truly, this man of the south was rock and stone to not see that these young minds still needed a motherly figure.
"Did not your mother sing to you as a child, son of Gondor?" He nodded, reminiscing. I then remembered the steward's wife was dead.
"Yes. You remind me of her, in many ways. You remind me of many people I love." Is that why you avoid me then, son of the south? He went on. "And every time I hear your voice, my thoughts turn to home." He fingered the star cut white stone he wore about his neck.
"Where is she, the woman who gave you that jewel?" Boromir continued to study the pendant, as if willing it to show him something he desired greatly.
"Back in Gondor, in the White City, waiting for my return with an anxious heart. Waiting with my brother." His voice was sorrowful, as if it pained him to think he could ever return home.
"Do you think of them often?"
"Every blessed day. My brother is strong at heart, but our father despairs of him, and I fear that Faramir will go to great pains to win his love. And I fear what will happen to my rose should the city be taken.my white rose in the field of thorns. As I got up and left him to his memories, I heard him singing. "All you who are in love And cannot it remove I pity the pains you endure For experience lets me know That your hearts are full of woe A woe that no mortal can cure A woe that no mortal can cure."
Early in the morning on the day of our departure, Aragorn found me sitting in the forest, legs crossed, and hands on my knees. He nodded a silent greeting, and sat beside me in the predawn light.
" I heard you talking with Boromir last night."
"Nothing escapes the ears of a Ranger."
" He talked to you of Rhoswen, then?"
"That is her name, this white rose of which he speaks so fondly?" Aragorn nodded. "Then you two are brothers of fortune. Both men in love, which is an ocean wide and deep that many find themselves in, and as far away from that which they love as is possible without venturing into death. And in this also you are brothers of blood, bound to the same land. And so you find yourselves in the same boat amidst this sea. But.will you row with each other? Talk to him, make him your friend, your brother. Share in his hopes, and give him a share in your hopes as well. Your fates are intertwined, and should one fail, the other stands to fail as well. You two working together for a common goal could do uncommon things." We sat for a time in silence, Aragorn digesting my advice, I taking in the sunrise. "How is the lady Evenstar? My chance to speak with her last in Rivendell was brief." Aragorn sighed. "She is well, but her father still withholds her from me. Love is a golden thing abused by those who cannot see it's worth." The Dunadan said bitterly. I laid a hand on his shoulder.
"As a friend to you both, I say that Elrond only wants what is best for the both of you. And as your sister, I say only that there is a time and place for everything, and you, little brother, need to learn patience. When the White City opens it's gates for you, then the time will be right." I got up to over see packing up camp, and left Aragorn to finish watching the sun.
"The March warden will try to surprise us. It is his custom to scare those not of Elvish blood." I whispered in the Man's ear in Elvish, hushed toned to not frighten the little ones. Gimli was reassuring Frodo and Sam that nothing would get past him. The stretching taught of a bowstring broke the fragile calm, and I turned to face Orophin, the point of a shaft in my face. Haldir stepped from between the ranks of the Galadhrim.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." The captain and his company herded us up into the hunting flets in the mallorns, where they had been keeping watch.
"Ah, Aragorn of the dunadain. Your name is known to us." Haldir had not known my face, and would not know it until he looked at it my true name. Gimli grew impatient.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the elves! Speak words we can all understand!" Haldir shot the dwarf an annoyed, superior look.
"We have not had dealings with the dwarfs since the dark days." Gimli frowned, his temper flaring. I could read the signs on his face better than anyone, and knew when to stay clear of him. And now was not a good time to be pushing him over the line of patience.
"And you know what this dwarf says to that?" He called Haldir a very bad name in Khuzdul. Aragorn took his shoulder rather roughly, turning the dwarf to face him.
"That was not so courteous." Haldir then looked at me. A strange light shown in his eyes, and his expression softened.
"Gabrielin? You have returned to us again?" I set my face in a line.
"No, Haldir. I will leave when they do. It is my duty." I looked at Frodo sitting, looking forlorn from his sojourn in Moria. Haldir looked at the tiny hobbit, growing fear in his eyes.
"You bring great evil here.you can go no further." I looked at Aragorn, and he stepped forward to try and reason with the March warden. As I continued my watch of Frodo, he seemed to look more like an angel in the growing dim of the forest tops, shining in the faint glow of the mallorns. Boromir looked to comfort the hobbit, but Aragorn had finished. Haldir, looking disinclined to honor our request.
"You would follow me."
On the second day of our trek through the woods, Haldir led us up a rise, and pulled some of the underbrush tenderly back.
"Calas Galadon, the heart of elvendom on earth. Realm of the lord Celeborn, and of Galadriel, lady of light." His face betrayed that he was truly happy to be home again.
Up, up, up we climbed, into the heart of the trees, and led to the platform where the lord and lady met guests. When the lord and lady appeared, the hobbits looked at Galadriel as if she were God, arrayed in silvering splendor. Boromir appeared unsettled, and Aragorn reverently bowed his head. Celeborn spoke.
"the enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now lost. Eight there are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him, as I can no longer see him from afar." I had to speak. But the lady realized it first, looking from me, then to Aragorn, who turned away, nearly in tears. Images flashed in my memory, flames, Moria, the bridge, and Gandalf, clinging to that edge. 'Fly, you fools!'. The words echoed in my mind.
"Gandalf the gray did not pass the borders of this land.he has fallen into shadow." The Lady's voice was severed from her body, as it always was when she soothsaid, light and nearly transparent.
"He was taken by a creature of both shadow and flame.A balrog of Morgoth." I bowed my head in shame, not wanting to look at my uncle's face. "For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." The lady spoke, comforting me. "Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief." I looked up in time to see the normally strong Boromir turn his tearstained face away, crying unceasingly and silent.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." I looked up. Times must be dire indeed; for the Lord of Lórien to say that hope was lost as he did. Galadriel's voice had come back down to earth, tangible, in the real.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all." She thought for a moment. "Yet hope remains while company is true. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace." And in my head, she added, "There is someone who would have words with you, daughter of the trees. Go thou to him." The wardens escorted us back down to the forest floor, where beds had been prepared for us. While everyone else readied for bed, I went to search for Haldir.
"You did not tell me you would return!"
"I did not tell you I would leave, either." Haldir looked at me, genuine concern in his blue eyes.
"I was afraid, when we had no word save that you had ridden with a company of eight others from Rivendell. What drove you to this madness?"
"A path not trod save for my feet." Haldir looked at me, a longing in his eyes. I went on. "There is one among us who must die. I have seen it; Galadriel has seen it. This is his doom. You cannot cheat Death- a life for a life is the only payment he understands. If I go, things may be different for this man-for the love he shares." Haldir's eyes still shown with concern. He knew that I would die.
"And what of our love? Do you not love me?" I looked at him, and the passion in his eyes ebbed.
"I do, but.there are many paths to tread.and the path of death .is a golden path. For me, and for whom I die." I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm, and kissed me. It was not a formal peck, no. This was the kiss he'd been holding onto for so long, it pained me to see it rush out this way. And the only thing I could do was kiss him back.
I was going to get water when I heard the clear singing of a dirge. The hobbits heard it too, not knowing what was being sung.
"A lament for Gandalf." I paused, taking in the words. Merry looked up from his bedroll.
"What do they say about him?" I half smiled.
"I have not the heart to say.for me, the grief is still too near." I looked at Frodo, still in his dream world, lost without the friendly graying man by his shoulder. Sam stopped making his bed.
"Bet they don't mention his fireworks.ought to be a verse about them." He stood up to recite. "The finest rockets ever seen, they burst in stars of blue and green. And after thunder, silver showers, came falling like a rain of flowers.oh that doesn't do them justice be a long road." I set the pitcher down and laid a hand on Sam's shoulder.
"It was beautiful, Samwise. You truly have a gift with words. You should write some of it down." Sam blushed.
"Thank you, milady." I chuckled. It was the first time he'd had enough courage to speak to me outright.
"You may call me Gabrielin, Sam. The only Lady here in the wood is Galadriel." Merry looked up from making his bed again.
"Have you ever met the lady before, Gabrielin?" I smiled. One had to be patient with these younglings.
"Yes, Meriadoc. I used to live here." The hobbits' eyes grew wide. Pippin moved closer.
"Did you really?"
"Yes. It's a wonderful place, full of magic and mystery. Many happy days were spent here." I gazed off, remembering a time when jewelry was the least of my concerns. I sighed. The past cannot be changed, and it is not good to lament over times lost and gone. "But now is the time for young hobbits to be going to bed." There were groans.
"But we're old enough not to go to bed on time!" I looked at Pippin, who was giving me a puppy dog scowl.
"Nonsense. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. You will not want to be falling asleep." Rather grudgingly, Merry and Pippin scooted themselves into their beds. Sam was already asleep. Frodo was fitfully turning, as if haunted by some dreamful specter. I began to sing, lulling the four to sleep, the same lullaby my mother had sung to me, long ago.
"A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain softly blows O'er lullabye bay.
It fills the sail of boats that are waiting; Waiting to sail your
worries away.
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain, and you boat waits down by the quay
The winds of night so softly are sighing, soon they will fly your troubles to sea.
So close your eyes on Hushaby Mountain. Wave goodbye to cares of the day.
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain sail far away From lullabye bay." The eyelids drooped, and soon all four were sleeping soundly, lost in dreams. I tucked the covers round their chins, and looked up at the crack of a twig to see Boromir looking at me rather oddly. I smiled. Truly, this man of the south was rock and stone to not see that these young minds still needed a motherly figure.
"Did not your mother sing to you as a child, son of Gondor?" He nodded, reminiscing. I then remembered the steward's wife was dead.
"Yes. You remind me of her, in many ways. You remind me of many people I love." Is that why you avoid me then, son of the south? He went on. "And every time I hear your voice, my thoughts turn to home." He fingered the star cut white stone he wore about his neck.
"Where is she, the woman who gave you that jewel?" Boromir continued to study the pendant, as if willing it to show him something he desired greatly.
"Back in Gondor, in the White City, waiting for my return with an anxious heart. Waiting with my brother." His voice was sorrowful, as if it pained him to think he could ever return home.
"Do you think of them often?"
"Every blessed day. My brother is strong at heart, but our father despairs of him, and I fear that Faramir will go to great pains to win his love. And I fear what will happen to my rose should the city be taken.my white rose in the field of thorns. As I got up and left him to his memories, I heard him singing. "All you who are in love And cannot it remove I pity the pains you endure For experience lets me know That your hearts are full of woe A woe that no mortal can cure A woe that no mortal can cure."
Early in the morning on the day of our departure, Aragorn found me sitting in the forest, legs crossed, and hands on my knees. He nodded a silent greeting, and sat beside me in the predawn light.
" I heard you talking with Boromir last night."
"Nothing escapes the ears of a Ranger."
" He talked to you of Rhoswen, then?"
"That is her name, this white rose of which he speaks so fondly?" Aragorn nodded. "Then you two are brothers of fortune. Both men in love, which is an ocean wide and deep that many find themselves in, and as far away from that which they love as is possible without venturing into death. And in this also you are brothers of blood, bound to the same land. And so you find yourselves in the same boat amidst this sea. But.will you row with each other? Talk to him, make him your friend, your brother. Share in his hopes, and give him a share in your hopes as well. Your fates are intertwined, and should one fail, the other stands to fail as well. You two working together for a common goal could do uncommon things." We sat for a time in silence, Aragorn digesting my advice, I taking in the sunrise. "How is the lady Evenstar? My chance to speak with her last in Rivendell was brief." Aragorn sighed. "She is well, but her father still withholds her from me. Love is a golden thing abused by those who cannot see it's worth." The Dunadan said bitterly. I laid a hand on his shoulder.
"As a friend to you both, I say that Elrond only wants what is best for the both of you. And as your sister, I say only that there is a time and place for everything, and you, little brother, need to learn patience. When the White City opens it's gates for you, then the time will be right." I got up to over see packing up camp, and left Aragorn to finish watching the sun.
