Journey of Time
Early the next morning, when the first of the sun's rays streamed down through the canopy, Gilraen awoke to the gentle shaking of her arm. She opened her eyes and saw the elven maidservant smiling down on her. "My lady, Lord Legolas is here, speaking with Lord Celeborn." Gilraen sat up quickly. She did not want Legolas to leave without saying farewell.
"What is your name?" asked Gilraen, remembering that she had never asked this before. Now that she was to travel with Lord Celeborn, she felt she should get to know his people.
"I am called Fireal," she replied as she helped Gilraen dress. Fireal had brought up a new gown for Gilraen to wear. The ladies of Lord Celeborn's house had been working on it all day yesterday as Lord Celeborn had told them Gilraen was to stay with him and would need more fitting garments.
Gilraen ran her fingers over the shimmering material. She had never felt anything so smooth before. These elves were truly skilled.
"It's beautiful Fireal. Thank you." Gilraen said truthfully.
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Lord Celeborn had informed Legolas of his decision to take Gilraen to Rivendell himself by taking the path west over the mountains. Legolas knew that at this time, that path was safest and he did have confidence in Lord Celeborn and his guard to keep Gilraen safe.
"I will inform King Elessar and Queen Arwen of this change in plans," Legolas said.
"Do not spare any of your men. I will send a messenger of my own to Minas Tirith," Celeborn replied. Legolas nodded his compliance. There was another matter on his mind however. He felt it was important that Lord Celeborn know of it. Before he could speak the words, Lord Celeborn spoke.
"You worry about the warning from the wizard."
Legolas nodded. "She has told you then?"
"No, but I have seen it." Lord Celeborn replied. "I do not yet know the meaning, but I will think deeply on it. I have a vague recollection of something, but it was long ago." Lord Celeborn looked off towards the north, in deep thought.
Just then Gilraen came up the stairs and joined them on the balcony. She bowed her greetings and they bowed back.
"Lord Celeborn has informed me of your decision, Gilraen. I will miss your company greatly," Legolas smiled at her.
"And I will miss yours. And Gimli's too of course," she added.
"I will tell him." Legolas put his hand on her shoulder and bent down so that his face was level with hers. "He will have to bore the soldiers with his stories now."
They both laughed and Gilraen said, "I was not bored." Then she grew sober and said, "Will I see you at Rivendell?"
"I expect that you will," Legolas replied. "My business will take me to Rivendell, after I have spoken with my father in Mirkwood." Gilraen felt better about her decision now. It wasn't like she wouldn't see him for years, as would have been the case if she stayed in Minas Tirith.
"Farewell Gilraen, may the Valar watch over you and keep you ever in their care," Legolas bowed to her. He had to get started back to the troops. They had lingered enough and needed to be on their way once again.
"Farewell my Lord," she bowed in return. She walked to the edge of the balcony and watched Legolas mount his waiting horse and make his way up the forest path. Lord Celeborn had come and stood next to Gilraen, watching as well. He knew of the affection Gilraen had for Lord Legolas and he knew that she would think of him often in her child's heart.
"Do not be so sad child. Those we care about are never truly far."
Gilraen gazed up at Lord Celeborn. She knew he was giving her important advice, but she couldn't help thinking he was also giving it to himself.
"Thank you for the new dress Grandfather," she said, not wanting to discuss the meaning of his words at the moment. "It is so very lovely."
Lord Celeborn smiled warmly at her. He was very happy she was going to be with him now. She filled his lonely heart with a happiness he had almost forgotten. "I plan on giving you with many gifts, Gilraen. I have not had a daughter around to cherish for thousands of years."
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Gilraen's days passed in happiness over the next two weeks as the preparations for the journey to Rivendell were made. Gilraen found out that many would be accompanying them, not only guards but other nobles and their households. Lord Celeborn had assigned Fireal to be Gilraen's personal maid and Gilraen was happy that she would have a female companion along.
True to his word, Lord Celeborn was a very generous grandfather. The next week was Gilraen's eleventh birthday, and he gave her a chest filled with two more gowns, two cloaks, brooches, a set of beautiful brushes for her hair and three silver and gold circlets to adorn her head. She truly felt like an elven princess when dressed in her finery.
During this time Gilraen explored the forest around Caras Galadon and she enjoyed climbing to the highest flets overlooking the top of the tree canopy. The guards on the flets indulged her curiosity and pointed out the various directions and landscapes, telling her the names of the mountains she saw in the distance.
Best of all were the times she spent with Lord Celeborn by the river. He would show her more images of the past and talk to her about her ancestors. She would have so many questions for him and he would answer them all patiently. He was filling her mind with so many new things that Gilraen felt she was changing in a way she couldn't explain. She would spend hours contemplating things he had told her.
Lord Celeborn had sensed that Gilraen had special gifts. She was very intelligent and her thoughts were deep. He felt that she was destined to become very wise. He knew that Middle Earth would need more like her, as many of the eldar and wise ones had already left for Valinor. He decided that teaching Gilraen was well worth the time.
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The night before they were to leave on the journey north, Lord Celeborn was awoken by Gilraen's screams. He quickly sprang up the stairs to her flet and found Gilraen sitting up in bed sobbing. Fireal was trying to comfort her by petting her head.
"What has happened?" Celeborn inquired as he made his way to Gilraen and sat on her bed next to her.
"It was terrible! A dream that seemed so real!" Gilraen sobbed. She hugged Celeborn and he wrapped his arms around her to comfort her.
"Let me see it child." Celeborn pulled Gilraen to arms length and stared into her frightened eyes.
Images of slaughter filled his mind. Blood spilled from many bodies. Blood staining a snow covered ground. Men, women and children with arrows sticking up from their dead bodies. Heads and arms lying disconnected.
Celeborn hugged Gilraen again to calm her and he knew that this was no ordinary dream. Gilraen had a vision. He knew that this was not a memory he had given her from his past. That meant it must be of something yet to come. But where and to whom? He thought of the snow in the vision. It will not come to pass until winter, he reasoned.
"Shh Gilraen. Calm yourself child. Fireal, get Gilraen drink and a little food. Hunger can sometimes cause dreams," he consoled.
"But I am not hungry," she explained.
"Listen to me Gilraen. You are safe with me. Do not ever believe otherwise."
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Gilraen was amazed at the efficiency of the Lorien elves. How all was packed and made ready for the journey, and how the horses were fitted with all the comforts they would need. She was surprised when Fireal showed her that no matter how tightly she rolled up her clothing, they would not wrinkle. She was happy that her new dresses would not be ruined on the journey. She tried to wear her old riding garments that she arrived in, but Lord Celeborn sent her back to change. "You are a princess Gilraen. You will look like one."
"He wants me to ride through the mountains in a new gown?" she complained to Fireal.
"You will be surprised at how durable these gowns are," she replied.
As all were mounting their horses, Gilraen saw how right Celeborn had been. All the Lorien elves looked beautiful and dressed in finery. It seemed as if they were making a statement to the outside world of their status. Lorien elves were very proud beings.
As the procession moved north down the forest paths, the elves began a song of farewell. Gilraen thought it lovely, and joined in as well. They sang of leaving fair Lorien behind and how it would be missed. The elves staying behind at Caras Galadon would sing a farewell response back to them after every few verses. Soon the voices in the distance faded and all that could be heard was the traveling party.
To Gilraen's great joy, she found that much of the riding was done to the accompaniment of song. She found in the words and harmonies a feeling of transporting to a higher place of being. Many times she lost herself in the sounds and was glad her mare followed the others on her own. The hours passed by in this way, and the days seem short and lovely.
There were songs for all landscapes they passed. Sometimes, stories would be sung of an event that happened long ago in the particular spot they were passing.
They climbed high over the pass of Caradhras, and Gilraen was treated to a view unsurpassed by any she had seen before. There was still snow at the top and the chilly air was clean and refreshing.
After they reached the bottom of the other side, they turned north once more. Celeborn explained to Gilraen how this area, in the second age, use to be an elf haven called Ost-in-Edhil. As they camped there one evening, he gave her the images of that time and place. He had lived there for a time with Galadriel. He explained that it was here that the rings of power were forged, when Sauron had disguised himself as a friend. It was also here that Celebrimbor, the last descendant of Feanor, had lost his life to Sauron. Feanor was the creator of the Silmarils, Celeborn explained. He was the one who filled them with the light from the trees of Yavanna in Valinor.
Gilraen knew that story. It always made her sad to think that Feanor had let greed destroy so many, even his own family.
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The days went by in this fashion and Gilraen was very happy with the way the elves found so much joy in nature. Soon they entered the north country and Celeborn pointed out the direction of the Shire of the halflings to the west. Soon they would be turning east when they came to the town of Bree. Celeborn explained that men and halflings now lived at Bree.
"Will we stop in Bree? I would like to meet a halfling!" Gilraen remembered all the stories of the halflings and their adventures during the War of the Ring. She was so curious as to meet the race of people that could actually bring down the Dark Lord Sauron.
"Elves do not depend upon the hospitality of other races unless we have no choice," he told her. "We will pass Bree and make camp in the forest as we usually do."
Gilraen was disappointed. She loved being with the elves, but they could be so superior minded at times. Perhaps she could see a halfling on the road in passing, she hoped.
She did not see any pass by and she was sorely disappointed. Celeborn glanced over at her and smiled. "You are yet young, Gilraen, I'm sure you will see halflings in the future." She hoped he was right.
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The days went by happily without mishap. They were now approaching Rivendell and were expected to arrive by nightfall. Gilraen felt extremely excited and thought about how she would finally meet her uncles. They noticed lookouts high above the hilly ridges and elves waved in greeting at them. Rivendell was expecting them.
As they were riding across the last bridge, the sound of the Rivendell elves singing a song of welcome wafted through the evening. The Lorien elves responded back with song as well. She was finally here, thought Gilraen. She smiled over at Lord Celeborn, who smiled back at her. He felt her excitement and it was a very contagious feeling.
"Fireal! We are here! We are at Rivendell!" Gilraen chirped to her maid. Fireal seemed excited too. She had never left Lorien before.
Flocks of birds were flying and swooping through the canyons, singing their own songs. They seemed joyful at the arrival as well. The procession made it's way under the archways and into the main courtyard. Gilraen's eyes marveled at the colors and beauty around her. Waterfalls fell around the haven that seemed to be a thing put there by Yavanna herself.
She now noticed all the elves standing around them, some on balconies, some in the courtyard, others on terraces surrounding them. All seemed happy to see them and it seemed as though many already knew each other as Lorien elves stepped off their horses and greeted others warmly with hugs.
On the stone steps stood a group of elves looking at Gilraen with interest and affection. These must be my relatives, she thought. Lord Celeborn spoke in her mind.
Come off your horse Gilraen and meet your uncles.
She saw Celeborn making his way to the stairway as the group descended to meet him. Gilraen came down and straightened out her gown and hair quickly before she made her way to the gathering.
Elrohir and Elladan were embracing Celeborn and staring into his eyes. Gilraen knew they were sharing images with each other and she stood quietly and waited. Meanwhile she gazed at the female elves next to them and they smiled down at her. One of them walked down to her and said, "You must be Gilraen." Gilraen bowed to her.
"I am Nemel, wife of Elrohir, your uncle. These are Mendir and Teslan, your cousins." Gilraen's gaze followed to where she pointed. There stood two elven children, around her age she guessed, a boy and a girl. She had not known of these cousins. She was pleasantly surprised. She bowed to them and they bowed back.
Elrohir then spoke to her, drawing her attention away from her cousins. "Welcome Gilraen, I am Elrohir and this is Elladan." Elladan stepped forward and all bows were exchanged.
Elladan then spoke. "We were so happy when we heard you were to stay with us." He looked at her thoughtfully. "You look so much like your mother, it is like having our little sister back again. We have prepared her old room for you and we are sure she won't mind you using any of her old belongings," he smiled warmly.
"Nemel will show you and your maid the way." Elrohir announced. "We shall speak again at the feast tonight."
"Thank you." Gilraen managed to say. She felt suddenly shy around all these elves looking at her. She wanted to say more but she felt like she forgot how to speak. She followed her smiling aunt up the stairs and into a series of passages, Fireal was trailing behind. Finally they entered a beautiful room that seemed half exposed to nature. Gilraen smiled as she could picture her mother in a room like this. She was definitely going to like it here, she thought. The birds fluttered in branches above her balcony and the sound of a rushing waterfall was near. She looked over her shoulder at Fireal and noticed a smile on her face as well. They locked eyes.
Beautiful!
They both projected at the same time.
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Coming Up: Gilraen's years at Rivendell pass happily but fate has waiting for her. Evil lurks in the North. Will Gilraen get caught in it's twisted plot?