Chapter 6

Being woken up at crack of dawn, Iris groggily ate some of the food she was offered. Climbing back down the tree the fellowship and the mutants once more started walking. Once more following the path, they reached a river.

"There is one of my people yonder across the stream though you may not see him" Haldir said. He gave a call like the low whistled of a bird, and out of the trees came an elf. He was dressed in grey and his hood was thrown back, revealing his golden hair; glinting like gold in the morning sun. Haldir threw over some of the grey rope to the other elf, who caught it and tied it around a tree near the bank. Explaining that the stream was strong and that it ran both swift and deep there, Haldir said that the elves there did not built bridges there in the present days of watchfulness. Telling the company to follow him, Haldir fastened the rope around another tree and then ran lightly along it, over the river and back, as easily as if he was walking on a street.

"I can walk this path, but the others have not this skill. Must they swim?" Legolas asked. Haldir said that there was no need for anyone to swim over, they would simple tie two more ropes over the river; one shoulder-high and the other half-high. Once the 'bridge' was made the remains of the Fellowship and the mutants passed over.

Much like Legolas and Haldir, Iris seemed to cross over the rope easily, although that was mostly thanks to her mutant abilities. The men too crossed without any problems. Of the hobbits, Pippin crossed over with most ease while Sam had been clutching the rope.

"Now, friends, you have entered the Naith of Lórien, or the Gore, as you would say, for it is the land that lies like a spearhead between the arms of the Silverlode and Anduin the Great. We allow no strangers to spy out the secrets of the Naith. Few indeed have been permitted even to set foot there" Haldir said. "As was agreed, I shall blindfold the eyes of Gimli the Dwarf. The others may walk free for a while, until we come nearer to our dwellings, down in Egladil, in the Angle between the waters"

The three mutants watched as Gimli showed his dislike, telling Haldir how the agreement was made without his consent. He refused to walk blindfolded like a prisoner or a beggar, assuring Haldir that he was no spy.

Haldir told Gimli that he did not think him to be a spy, but it was not up to him. That it was their law, and he could not set it aside. But Gimli didn't give up, telling him that he would go forward without the blindfold, or go back to his own land where he was known to be true of word.

"You cannot go back" Haldir said sternly. "Now that you have come so far, you must be brought before the Lord and the Lady. They shall judge you; to hold you or to give you leave, as they will. You cannot cross the rivers again, and behind you are secret sentinels that you cannot pass. You would be slain before you saw them" At the sound of the word 'sentinels' the three mutants glanced at each other.

"A plague on Dwarves and their stiff necks" Legolas said as Haldir and the other elves had drawn their bows in result of Gimli's drawn axe.

"Come" Aragorn said. "If I am still to lead this Company, you must do as I bid. It is hard for the Dwarf to be this singled out. We will all be blindfolded, even Legolas. That will be best, though it will make the journey slow and dull." Gimli started laughing as soon as Aragorn had finished speaking.

"A merry troop of fools we shall look! Will Haldir lead us all on a string, like many blind beggars with one dog? But I will be content, if only Legolas here shares my blindness" Gimli said, infuriating Legolas.

"I am an Elf and a kinsman here"

"Now let us cry: 'a plague on the stiff necks of Elves!'" Aragorn said. He also added that everyone in the Company should be treated the same. As for the mutants, they would have to decide for themselves if they wished to be blindfolded as well or to go on free.

"Well, what do you think?" Iris asked Wolverine as Gambit. Talking softly among themselves, they agreed finally to go as the others had chosen, to go blindfolded.

As all of them were being blindfolded, Gimli told them that he would hold them responsible for every fall and stubbed toe.

"You will have no claim" Haldir answered. "I shall lead you well, and the paths are smooth and straight"

Led by Haldir, the company started walking in a line. Feeling that the ground indeed was as Haldir had said, they walked more feely. Being deprived of sight did not stop Iris from taking in the surroundings. She could feel the sun on her skin, hear the wind rustling the leaves, and feel the smell of trees and grass. Having heard Legolas talk about the beauty of the forest, Iris fell for the temptation to see it. Feeling one of the elves walking beside her, Iris asked who it was. It turned out to be Haldir.

"Is the forest as beautiful as Legolas says it is?" she asked.

"I do not know what Legolas said, but beautiful it is"

"Can't you describe it to me? Describe to me what I can't see…" As Haldir walked a bit closer, he began describing the surroundings. Gently Iris reached out and entered his mind, holding on to his arm as she looked through his eyes. It was amazing. The trees, the grass, the rays of sunlight making their way through the canopy of leaves; it seemed like they had entered some sort of dreamland. It was almost breathtaking; the forest looked like nothing Iris had seen before. The trees were huge and the entire forest seemed very old, but still vibrant somehow.

Walking onto the flet after having climbed a winding stairway among the trees, the fellowship and the mutant trio walked towards the grand court of Galadriel and Celeborn. Hand in hand the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien moved down to meet the company.

Unconsciously the company had lined up, standing side by side, mesmerized by the beauty of the Lord and the Lady of the Wood, and how they seemed to give out a faint glow that surround them. Both of them were tall like the other elves Iris had seen so far and they were both clad entirely in white. The Lady's hair had a deep golden colour while the Lord's hair was silver, long and bright. Even thought Celeborn had silver hair, there was no sign of aging about them except for their eyes.

"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eleven are here, yet nine were to set out the messages said. Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him" Celeborn said.

A silence fell over the company, even though none of them had spoken. Searching the eyes of Aragorn Galadriel spoke.

"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow"

"He was taken by both shadow and flame. A balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria" Legolas said solemnly.

Like the others Iris too was taken by the beauty of the two rulers. But what she was paying attention to the most was Galadriel. Iris stared at her, the presence she had felt for some time now, and it had been her all along. Like so many other times Iris had come across another telepath, she tried to see how strong her opponent was.

"What now becomes of this fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost" Celeborn said.

"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" Galadriel said, giving Sam a smile. "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"

While the Lady had spoken she had been looking at each member of the Fellowship, and then looking at the three mutants. For a moment it looked like Galadriel frowned when watching them, but it was only for a very brief moment. Still staring at Galadriel, it wasn't in awe like the others, but to keep an eye on the telepath in front of her, a potential opposition.