DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One for full disclaimer
A/N: This is the last chapter of this story. But there will be a sequel called TEMPERED IN WAR. Coming soon to a fanfiction.net near you.
Chapter Five: Peace At Last
By mid-day, they had crossed the Silverlode River and entered the Golden Wood of Lothlorien. Here, at its borders, the trees were still far-spaced. Sunlight filtered through the intertwined branches, still bare in winter's waning. Only now did the Fellowship slow down their flight as they felt safety in the realm of the Elves.
All but Gimli. He gripped Frodo's arm and whispered, "Be still. They say these woods are home to a great sorceress. An Elf witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell and are never seen again."
From behind them, Legolas snorted and said, "They say entirely too much."
Frodo looked around nervously. Gimli stated, "Well, this is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox---oh!"
He found himself staring at an Elvish arrow. A dozen strange Elves, clad in leathers of blue and gray, surrounded the Fellowship and each had a drawn bow. Even Legolas, his own bow up and drawn, was a target. Aragorn raised his hands in a peaceful gesture.
"A lammath en-craban," said a stern-faced Elf with golden hair, moving forward.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves," snapped Gimli. "Speak so's we all can understand."
Legolas lowered his bow. "He said you also have the voice of a crow." Disregarding Gimli's indignant snort, he said, "Mae govannen, Haldir o Lothlorien."
Haldir nodded acknowledgement and signalled his warriors to lower their bows. He stared haughtily down his nose at Gimli and said, "The Dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark. We have not had dealings with Dwarves since the Dark Days." His eyes swept the group and came to rest on Frodo. "You bring great evil with you. You can go no further."
He started to move away. Aragorn caught his arm, speaking rapidly in Elvish. Legolas joined the discussion and a heated argument began.
With the setting sun, the Elves moved the Fellowship to a wooden platform---a talan in their tongue---high in the trees. The Elves set guards while Aragorn and Haldir continued arguing. The Fellowship spread their bedrolls and got comfortable but Gimli doubted any would get sleep that night. The Elves spoke in whispers of yrch and he knew what that meant.
When morning finally began to brighten the sky, a grim-faced Aragorn pulled Gimli aside. "Haldir will escort us through Lothlorien only if Legolas and I guard you and you are blindfolded."
"That's ridiculous!" Gimli protested. "I'm no spy, yet he would treat me as a beggar or prisoner, to be led about blindly. My word is as good as anyone's."
"Peace, friend." Aragorn put a hand on his shoulder. "It is their way and we are strangers here."
"So do we just leave then?"
"We're not allowed to leave. I told him I would not allow you to be singled out. We will all be bound and led."
Gimli laughed. "Like so many blind beggars with one dog? And how does the Elf feel about this?"
Aragorn looked up as the Elf in question joined them. "I like it not," Legolas admitted, "for I am kin here and the sun is bright through the forest. But I agree with Aragorn---bind one, bind all."
Gimli nodded thoughtfully, then stood up. "Then let's be on with this before I change my mind."
NEW SCENE
They had no idea how far they traveled, or even the direction. Sometimes the sun coming through the trees warmed their faces. Other times they felt in on their backs. But Haldir was true to his word---their feet found neither root nor stone so they gained confidence as they walked. There was little conversation except for the endless chattering from Pippin.
At midday, they stopped to rest and eat. Surprisingly springy, deep grass formed a soft cushion beneath Gimli's old bones. The Elves provided them with a meal of assorted tubers, fruits, and nuts. While Gimli would have preferred fresh meat, he was satisfied even though he could not see the meal.
He heard quiet voices and cocked his head, listening. He couldn't make out specific words but knew from the lilting tones the speakers were both Elvish.
"My brother Orophin brings news," Haldir said, close enough that Gimli jumped in surprise. "Orcs crossed the Nimrodel during the night, something they have not done in two ages."
"They are tracking us," Aragorn said.
"No longer. They have been destroyed. But we are reinforcing the borders. There is something else as well. A strange creature, bent so it nearly runs on all fours yet it is no animal."
"Gollum," whispered Frodo.
"Few things of this world can escape the patrols of Lothlorien," Haldir said with a trace of pride, "but this 'Gollum' has done so. We shall keep watch for it."
"Hannon le," said Aragorn.
"Orophin also brought word from the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim. The Lady knows you and your purpose. She commands that you are all to walk free, even the Dwarf Gimli."
"Well, it's about time!" grumbled the Dwarf.
Suddenly he found his eyes uncovered. Haldir bowed deeply to him. "Your pardon," said the Elf. "I hope you will look now on us with friendly eyes. You are the first Dwarf since Durin's day to behold Caras Galdhon, heart of Elvendom on Middle Earth."
And a beautiful sight it was to behold. The woods around them were green even in the middle of winter. They were at the edge of a large valley with a great mound in the center. Star-shaped golden flowers mixed with others of white and pale green to create a misty appearance in the valley. The distant mound was covered with trees---some leafless in winter's sleep with white bark and others of enormous size with pale gold leaves. A giant talan could be seen in the greatest tree.
"This is more Elvish than anything I've heard of," Sam said. "It's like I'm inside a song, if you take my meaning."
Haldir smiled in understanding. "You feel the power of the Lady Galadriel. There are none more fair or beautiful. Come. We still have far to go."
The Fellowship followed the Elf warrior. As he picked up his axe, Gimli paused to look again at the distant mound. He felt at peace---a strange sensation for a Dwarf among Elves. Perhaps the Fellowship would have time to rest and grieve for Gandalf before having to face the wilds again. He hoped so---they certainly needed it.
"Coming, Master Dwarf? Or do I need to get Haldir so he can lead you?"
Gimli spun around to see Legolas' smiling face. "I'll find my own path, thank you very much! With none of your smart comments!"
He stomped off after the rest of the group.
END