A Stranger In The Woods
Chapter 22: Caras Galadhon
Everyone turned to stare as the three of them approached. For a long minute, nobody spoke, then Aragorn broke the silence.
"Are we ready?" He asked Haldir.
The elf nodded and gestured to the others, signaling for them to follow. Katie snuck in line between Frodo and Sam, trying to avoid standing by Legolas or Gimli. She didn't want to hear what the dwarf would say, and she was afraid of what Legolas would. He had seemed on the verge of saying something before he led her to Haldir. She didn't know if she wanted to hear it.
The rest of the day passed without incident. They spent most of their time walking and chatting quietly. Katie kept re-playing "the kiss" in her mind. Over and over. Each time she would get butterflies in her stomach as she recalled the feel of his soft lips against hers.
'What do I do now?' she wondered, feeling confused. 'Do I act like nothing happened? Does he wish nothing did?' Her mind went on. 'Maybe he only kissed me because he was sorry about being a jerk. Maybe it's an elven way of apologizing.'
Frankly, she didn't know what to think. All she knew for certain was that she wanted to kiss him again. See what would have happened had they not been interrupted.
'He sure is a good kisser,' she mused as they marched. 'I'll bet he's had his share of women.' This thought was accompanied by a jealous tug.
She re-played the kiss again in her head as she followed the others up a steep hill. Haldir stopped at the top and spoke- interrupting her daydream.
"Caras Galadhon," he announced proudly.
Katie walked behind Aragorn and looked over his shoulder. They were standing on a high cliff, overlooking a blanket of lush green woods. In the middle of it all was a cluster of tall golden trees. She smiled at the beauty of it.
"The heart of elvendom on Earth," Haldir stated. "Realm of Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."
They stood there a moment in silence, trying to absorb the picture into their memory. Finally, Haldir began to walk again- leading them all down the hill and towards the city.
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The sun had already set behind them as they entered Caras Galadhon. Dozens of beautiful elves emerged from the trees to watch as they passed. They followed Haldir through the city, glancing around in awe. He led them under the gigantic trees and started up some stairs. Katie felt her breath catch in her throat as she looked around. Huge, sparkling staircases wrapped around nearly all of the tall trees. Fear clutched her when she realized they were going to climb up one of those staircases.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and when she turned, her gray eyes met Legolas' blue ones.
"I am behind you," he said softly, sensing her fear.
Katie smiled at him, then turned and began to climb. 'He can be so sweet sometimes,' she thought lovingly. Tears welled up in her eyes and she blinked them back, not wanting to be sappy.
She walked along, making sure not to look over the edge. The stairs were steep, but easy to climb. 'Nothing like those damn steps in Moria,' she thought with a grunt.
The stairs ended and Haldir led them around a hole to a small platform in front of more steps. The fellowship looked around curiously as Haldir moved over to the side. Katie stood in the front, trying to stay away from the edge. Legolas stood behind her- just to her left.
The entire group looked up as two figures appeared and began walking down the stairs towards them. Katie recognized them as Galadriel and Celeborn. They were both bathed in a stunning white light. Galadriel looked very beautiful and queen like in her sparkling white dress with her long hair flowing out behind her.
They stopped and studied the group silently. Celeborn was the first to speak.
"The enemy knows you have entered here," he stated. "What hope you had in secrecy is now gone."
He looked them over and frowned.
"Nine there are here, yet ten there were sent out from Rivendell. Tell me- where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak to him."
Galadriel looked at them knowingly.
"I can no longer see him from afar," Celeborn admitted softly.
"Gandalf the grey did not pass the borders of this land," Galadriel whispered. "He has fallen into shadow."
Celeborn looked over at Galadriel as Legolas spoke up from behind her.
"He was taken by both shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth."
They all stood in silence as Galadriel studied them. One by one her eyes roamed them, seeking out the truth.
"What now becomes of this fellowship?" Celeborn asked. "Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife," Galadriel said dramatically, staring directly at Boromir. "Stray but a little and it will fail…to the ruin of all." She looked at Sam and smiled. "Yet, hope remains while the company is true."
She addressed the whole group. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest…for you are weary with sorrow and much toil."
Suddenly, Katie heard Galadriel's voice in her mind. 'Welcome child. You have traveled a great distance to fulfill a prophecy and return peace to Lothlórien.'
'What prophecy?' Katie wondered desperately.
'You will know when the time is right,' Galadriel answered without speaking.
Katie felt her eyes widen in surprise. 'You can read my mind?' she asked silently.
'Of course,' the voice replied.
'Then can you tell me why I'm here?'
Galadriel smiled. 'In due time all will be revealed. Sleep now, and when you wake all will appear different.'
The two elves turned and began walking back up the stairs.
'What does that mean?' Katie thought, feeling frustrated. Galadriel didn't answer.
After both elves had disappeared out of sight, Haldir approached her.
"I will show you to your room," he stated, then took her arm and led her away.
She followed him away from the group, risking a quick glance back at Legolas. He was busy talking with Aragorn and didn't seem to notice her departure. 'Oh well,' she thought with a sigh. 'I suppose I'll see him tomorrow.'
Haldir led her down some stairs and through a pair of tall silver arches. Katie kept stopping to admire the impressive surroundings, heedless of the elves insistence.
"Does my room have walls?" she asked suddenly, thinking of Rivendell.
Haldir looked baffled. "Of course."
"And a bed?" she asked breathlessly, daring to hope for the best.
This time Haldir smiled. "Yes…I take it you are tired of sleeping on the ground."
Katie nodded enthusiastically. "Our group has been traveling for a long time…" She frowned. "Speaking of my group, where are they?"
"They are sleeping beneath the trees."
"Why am I the only one to get a room?" She asked curiously, though she suspected she already knew the answer.
"You are a female." Haldir answered truthfully.
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious," she muttered under her breath, then smiled innocently as he turned to face her.
"Here we are," he stated, nodding to a closed door. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," she called after his retreating form, then turned and went into her room.
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The rest of the fellowship sat below the huge trees, quietly smoking their pipes. All except Legolas, who sat staring up at the bright stars. He couldn't stop thinking about what the Lady Galadriel had spoken in his mind. He replayed the words again, trying to understand there meaning.
"You have traveled far and faithfully to destroy the ring and have found something unexpected along the way…Do not be troubled, all will end as hoped."
Just then, Gimli approached him, breaking his thoughts.
"Care for a walk?" he asked pleasantly.
Legolas raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Sure," he answered, springing to his feet. He needed something to distract his mind anyways.
They walked in silence for a few minutes- both admiring the sparkling city. Gimli spoke first.
"This place is beautiful," he said, sounding dazed.
Legolas grinned over at him. "I thought dwarfs were more into mines and caves than trees," he teased.
Gimli let out a low growl, but there was a smile on his face. He was quiet another minute before speaking again.
"Where is Katie?" he asked, hoping to annoy the elf with the question.
Legolas frowned down at him. 'I should have known he was up to something.'
"Haldir showed her to her room."
Gimli smirked. Really, he couldn't help it. "Looks like you have competition, elf."
"Do not be a fool," Legolas snapped. In all truth, he had felt a pang of jealousy when he saw the elf lead Katie away. He had quickly turned to Aragorn and started a conversation to keep from watching.
"Whatever you say Legolas," Gimli growled, enjoying how uncomfortable he was making the elf.
'That is the first time he has ever called me by my name and not elf,' Legolas realized with a smile. He decided a change of topic was in order. Something that would take the dwarfs mind off him and Katie. He had just the thing.
"So, what did you think of the Lady Galadriel?" he asked innocently.
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