Chapter 5 - Time Immortal

As Gilraen's mare followed the three Lorien elves into the forest, Gilraen felt she was being watched. Up she gazed into the faces of other elves who had been set high above in flets, keeping guard over Lorien. They all watched her progress and she could tell that her guides had mentally informed them of their business.

They seemed so strange and foreign to her. The elves she was used to, at the haven in Ithilien, seemed friendlier. These Lorien elves seemed more suspicious and mysterious. The fact that her guides did not speak to her also put her at unease. Gilraen found herself regretting her decision to come. What if Lord Celeborn was just as distant as these elves?

After a few hours of this silent riding, Gilraen's fear was replaced with wonder as she first laid eyes on Caras Galadon. The timeless beauty of the tree homes and grottos transported Gilraen to a world of magic. She stared wide-eyed at all. Here laid the heart of Lorien. The elves here seemed regal and fairylike to her young imagination. She could easily believe all the stories she had been told about this place.

Gilraen was so filled with wonder that the stopping of her horse jolted her senses back to the present. Her guides just stood there looking at the ground, holding her reign. Did they want her to get down? She was pondering this when she felt a probing in her mind.

Come to me child.

She looked ahead and noticed a small balcony set in a mallorn tree. On the balcony stood the noblest elf she had ever laid eyes on. Long, smooth golden hair flowed over his light blue robes. His blue eyes shown with wisdom. Though he did not smile, Gilraen felt he did welcome her presence.

She slowly got off her horse and just as slowly walked towards the stairs under the mallorn balcony. She felt that time was slower here and so she should be. An elf maiden stood midway up the stairs and inclined her head to Gilraen. Gilraen returned the gesture and continued up the stairs, apprehensive about meeting her great grandfather.

She had heard the tales about him. How he had been alive in the first age of Middle Earth, so very, very long ago. She knew the story of how he had met her great grandmother, Galadriel, in the Kingdom of King Thingol in Beleriand. She knew all those tales. Now she was to meet someone who had lived in those times and in those lands that were long ago covered by the sea.

She reached the balcony, but he was no longer there. So she continued across it until she entered a doorway of branches which bloomed the most fragrant white blossoms. She entered and saw Lord Celeborn, sitting alone in this small alcove. Gilraen slowed to a stop in front of him and bowed low. She was too frightened to speak, as she felt waves of power radiating off him.

When she raised her eyes to his, she felt an immediate pull on her thoughts. It felt as though images were flying by and she started to sway in dizziness. After a few long minutes she could no longer stand and she collapsed onto her knees, breaking eye contact.

"Forgive me Gilraen, for I was anxious to know of you." Lord Celeborn consoled.

Gilraen then realized that he had pulled all the thoughts that he could from her head. He now knew all her memories and she stared at him in wonder.

That's right child. It is the ancient way of sharing knowledge with our kindred. When you live long, there are times when you are separated from each other, for centuries at times. It is how elves share our experiences with each other.

Go and rest now as I can see this has been a strain for you.

Gilraen rose to her feet, feeling confused. The elf maiden she passed on the stairs was now beside her, taking her by the hand. Gilraen took one last look at Lord Celeborn as the maiden led her away and up some more stairs. They crossed over a bridge between the trees and onto a large flet with gauzy material hung from the branches above. There was an assortment of large cushions and pillows set in a private area and a decanter of liquid on a small table next to them.

The elf maiden began to unfasten the clasp of Gilraen's riding cloak and then she removed it and placed it over her arm. She gestured to the pillows and nodded.

"Will you not speak to me?" Gilraen asked her in elvish. "Why do the elves of Lorien not speak?"

The elf maiden replied, "We speak my lady. Though we usually do not speak aloud."

"I am anxious to know of this place. Will you tell me more of Lorien?"

"That is not my place. Lord Celeborn shall tell you all you wish to know," she answered respectfully.

"Why can you not tell me? I do not find it easy to speak with Lord Celeborn," Gilraen explained.

Gilraen felt apprehensive about asking anything from Lord Celeborn. His enormous power and abilities to read her mind had left her with a fear of their next meeting.

"I am no high elf, my lady. I but serve Lord Celeborn and would not presume to educate his kin." she answered. The maiden bowed and left with Gilraen's cloak as Gilraen thought about her words. Was Lord Celeborn so strict with his servants as to keep them silent?

She lay down on the cushions and began to wonder when Legolas would come for her. She hoped it was soon.

--------------------------------------------------------------

She woke to the sound of singing from other flets surrounding hers. At least they sing aloud, she thought. She made her way to the edge of the flet and sat down, feet dangling over the edge, listening to the song.

It was not just one voice but many and Gilraen closed her eyes and listened to the beautiful melody. They sang of Lorien and the beauty of its trees, streams, animals and birds. The song was filled with their love for this place and it's inhabitants.

Gilraen started to hum the melody and tried to imprint the words in her mind. Then she found herself singing along, softly at first. Her voice soon grew louder and soon it's lovely tone mingled with the voices of the others.

She didn't know how long she had been singing for, because she was completely carried away by the sound. It was a long while before she began to realize that the only voice now singing was her own. She ended the song and opened her eyes to find that the elf maiden had returned and stood waiting silently.

The elf smiled and gestured towards the stairs.

"Where do I go?" asked Gilraen, wanting to hear a speaking voice.

"Lord Celeborn awaits you."

------------------------------------------------------------------

Gilraen was led down to the forest floor and down many twisting paths; the sound of rushing water was growing louder. Finally the elf maiden stopped and gestured for Gilraen to continue on her own down a set of stairs formed from the roots of trees.

When Gilraen reached the last stair a breath taking sight met her. There lay a sparkling river, glistening from the shafts of sunlight that made their way through the tree canopy. Flowers of many varieties and colors grew along its banks and on both sides of the pathway she was on. Lord Celeborn sat on a lovely stone bench, carved in the shape of flat tree branches.

He turned his head towards her as she approached and indicated another bench that rested across from his. Gilraen sat, careful not to look directly into his eyes.

Lord Celeborn had sensed her fear of him. It had been so long since he had dealings with children, he had forgotten how fragile they could be. He did not want her fear, however, so he decided to try to find a common ground.

"You sing lovely Gilraen," he began. "It has been long since the elves of Lorien have been silenced by the song of another."

Gilraen risked a glance at his face and saw that he had a slight smile on his face. Some of her fear eased and she smiled back.

He had read earlier from her mind of her thirst for elven history and stated, "Long ago, in the kingdom of Doriath, there was a princess with a beautiful voice like yours, but you already know of her."

Gilraen nodded and said, "Yes, her name was Luthien. Her tale is my favorite of all."

"She was not just a tale, Gilraen, she was as real as you and I. I lived in Doriath at the time of Luthien. I heard her song and saw her beauty."

Gilraen's eyes widened with wonder. Of course this was true, she thought, but she had never before made the connection of Lord Celeborn actually knowing Luthien. The tale was so very old.

"Did you see Beren as well, and Huan, and Carcharoth? Did you see the Silmaril they captured from Morgoth?" she was so excited at this revelation she could not contain her words.

He was amused at her wonder. "Yes, I saw all that had happened. The parts of the tale, which took place in Doriath, I was present for."

Gilraen looked at him in awe.

Celeborn ventured, "Would you like to see them?"

Her face fell into confusion as she asked, "How?"

"The same way I saw into your thoughts and memories earlier." he explained.

Her eyes widened, "I can share those memories with you?"

"Yes child," he smiled again. "Look into my eyes Gilraen. I will make it easy for you. I will have those thoughts ready for you to take. Do it child, look."

Gilraen took a deep breath and looked into his light blue eyes. The images flew into her mind at once. Such a magnificent kingdom was Doriath. She saw King Thingol and Queen Melian in all their magnificence. The caverns of Menegroth that the Dwarves carved for the royal pair, the tapestries woven with magic from the hands and heart of Melian, and so many more images of the beauty of the elves.

Gilraen saw Luthien, though she could not hear her voice, standing next to Beren, in front of her angry father. More and more images flooded the mind of Gilraen and she felt frozen in time. Then she saw the Silmaril and it's light shown with a brightness she had never before witnessed.

Finally Celeborn looked away from Gilraen and she gazed out at the flowing river in wonder.

It was all so beautiful.

She thought these words and Celeborn projected back.

I can share much of my history with you Gilraen in this way. Not even the libraries of Rivendell can show you what I can.

Gilraen looked at him again, wondering what he would say next.

Would you like that, Gilraen? Would you like to learn from me?

I leave for Rivendell soon. My uncles are expecting me.

I have already thought this over, while you were sleeping. I shall take you to Rivendell myself. It is no place for you to be traveling with rough soldiers.

Gilraen made to protest. She did not mind traveling with Legolas and Gimli. All others in the company treated her very well. But Lord Celeborn knew her thoughts before she spoke them.

I know you are fond of your companions. However, they take a road that may be unsafe at this time. Also, I have been contemplating a visit to Rivendell for some time now, before I knew of your journey. I grow weary here and wish to stay with my grandchildren.

Gilraen thought of how lonely he must be with Galadriel in Lorien and her heart went out to him. Perhaps he needed her company more than Legolas and Gimli did, she pondered. There was also the temptation of his knowledge that he offered. She sat staring at the ground, thinking all this through.

"You are right, Gilraen. It is not the same here without Galadriel," he said, startling her out of her thoughts.

She could not help satisfy her curiosity, now that he had brought up the subject. "Why did you not leave with her?"

"The time was not right for me. Galadriel said there was something left undone that I needed to do before I could join her in Valinor."

"Did she tell you what it was?"

"She did not." Lord Celeborn looked at this curious child and felt a warmth beginning to build in his heart. He had not felt this warmth for a very, very long time.

"How will you know when it will be the right time?"

"There come moments in your life, Gilraen, when your heart tells you it is the right time. I will listen to my heart, as you should as well."

Gilraen pondered these important words. Finally she said, "My heart is telling me that I should go to Rivendell, with you, grandfather."

-----------------------------------------------------------

Please let me know how you like the story thus far. The comments are very encouraging! Thanks!