The fellowship looked sadly around when asked of Gandalf. Legolas stepped forward, his gaze on the floor. "He was taken by both shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." His face came up and tears glistened in his sharp eyes. Galadriel looked solemn.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. Nonetheless, You have come, save for Gandalf, to this point. Where are these others from? They bear weapons I do not recognize." Her gaze cast over the Jedi, and Tenel Ka glared, then gasped, turning to Jacen and the others.
"Block your minds! She searches within..You haven't the right!" The last words were directed to Galadriel, who chuckled.
"Ahh. Now I understand. Jedi! Finally you have come, and not at a better time. Your abilities will be needed greatly in the times to come." She smiled softly, looking over the seven Jedi.
Lowie growled from where he stood, behind Jaina. The elf queen wasn't fazed.
"And these other creatures? One Jedi, one not. You are not human.." She stopped for a second, seemingly looking back in her mind. Then, a grin. "Wookiees! Fiercely loyal, strong and quick minded. You also will be greatly needed on our side." Chewbacca howled from behind Han. Leia tried to calm him, but he bared his teeth at Galadriel.
"Chewbacca, I mean no harm or malice to your people. I alone, save for Elrond, know of your kind, and of the Jedi, for that matter. You will come to no harm here in Laurelindorenan. " She walked past, still seemingly inspecting the troops. She nodded to Han and Leia, walking on.
At Gimli she paused, and reached to pat the dwarf's helmet. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief." She walked on, meeting the gaze of each Jedi in turn, and smiling at Merry and Pippin. Coming to Boromir, she gave him a scrutinizing look. He quivered, paled and finally looked down, sweating. Galadriel walked on. At Aragorn she paused, and they spoke without words, he nodding a grim face. At last, she came to Frodo.
The little hobbit looked up at the blond elf-queen. She paused, then turned as if to ignore him. In his mind, however, her voice was knife-edged. "Welcome, Frodo of the Shire, one who has seen the Eye!"
Celeborn finally spoke from his chair on the top of the platform. " What now becomes of this fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." Galadriel walked back up to him.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace..."
That night, they all bedded down under the great trees in a secluded grove. The hobbits, Boromir and Gimli fell asleep almost immediately, as all had been given soft bedding, better than they had slept on in countless days. The Jedi also slept, but so attuned to their surroundings that they would wake if anything happened. Han, Chewie and Leia conversed quietly with Aragorn of the intentions of Galadriel, but soon, they too, slept. Legolas was missing, having gone off to talk with the Lorien elves.
At this time of complete silence, Frodo awakened. He sensed something... A summons. He stood, walking softly past the sleeping Jedi, unaware that Zekk had risen and was following, silent. Frodo padded softly into a grove where Galadriel waited, holding a silver jug. She gathered water from a spring, and all the time watching him, poured the water into a fountain that gleamed in the moonlight.
"Will you look into the mirror?" Frodo looked almost fearful, then glanced into the water.
"What will I see?" Galadriel raised an eyebrow.
"Even the wisest cannot tell. For the mirror shows many things. Things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass." Frodo hesitated, then leaned over the mirror and gazed into it.
From Zekk's hiding place above the grove, he watched Frodo look into the mirror. He seemed fine, until he began to twitch and shake, as if what he was seeming caused him great pain. Then, with a yelp, the hobbit fell back. Zekk wondered what it was the mirror showed.
" I know what it was that you saw. For it is also in my mind. It is what will come to pass if you should fail. The Fellowship is breaking . It has already begun. He will try to take the Ring. You know of whom I speak. One by one it will destroy them all." Frodo picked himself up, looking greatly shaken.
He removed the ring from his neck, offering it to the elf. "If you ask it of me, I will give you the One Ring." Galadriel reached out, but did not touch the ring.
"You offer it to me freely. I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this..." She shook, seemingly growing larger. "In the place of a Dark Lord, you would have a QUEEN! NOT DARK, BUT BEAUTIFUL AND TERRIBLE AS THE DAWN! TREACHEROUS AS THE SEA! STRONGER THAN THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH! ALL SHALL LOVE ME AND DESPAIR..." Quaking, she shrunk to her normal size again, breathing hard. "I pass the test. I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel." Frodo looked terrified. At this, Zekk left his place, swiftly returning to tell the rest of what he saw.