Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
Author's Note:
This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)
~ XXXVIII: Lothlórien ~
... and she grew to be tall beyond the measure even of the women of the Noldor; she was strong of body, mind, will... ... Even among the Eldar she was accounted beautiful, and her hair was held a marvel unmatched. It was golden like the hair of her father and of her fore-mother Indis, but richer and more radiant, for its gold was touched by some memory of the star-like silver of her mother; and the Eldar said that the light of the Two Trees, Laurelin and Telperion, had been snared in her tresses. - "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn" in Unfinished Tales.
Lothlórien, 3019 TA, January 15
The Company now went down the road from the Gates. They were called upon to take the road and to travel, as a sort of safety, ensuring that it would lead someplace of less darkness and pain. It was rough and broken, fading to a winding track between heather and whin that thrust amid the cracking stones. But still, it could be seen that once long ago a great paved way had wound upwards from the lowlands of the Dwarf-kingdom.
Some roads were left that way, forgotten and erased by the passage of time. Along the way were crumbled stoneworks and mounds of green crowned with delicate birches or fir-trees groaning in the wind. They came to a sharp eastward turn near the sward of Mirrormere, and there, not far from the roadway, stood a solitary column with the top broken off.
"That is Durin's Stone!" cried Gimli. He recalled often Balin speaking about the pillar that stood on the banks of Mirrormere lake near the East gate of Khazad-dûm. "I cannot pass without turning aside for a moment to look at the wonder of the dale!"
"Be swift then!" said Aragorn, looking back towards the Gates. "The Sun sinks early. The Orcs will not, maybe, come out till after dusk, but we must be far away before nightfall. The Moon is almost spent, and it will be dark tonight."
Gimli nodded towards the ranger assuring him that it would take only a brief moment. "Come with me, lass!" the dwarf, springing from the road. "I would not have you go without seeing Kheled-zâram."
Xena's thoughts were interrupted she was busy thinking about what would happen to her broken blade. She placed her sword aside and followed the dwarf who ran down the long green slope. Frodo and a few more followed as well, drawn by the still blue water in spite of hurt and weariness. Beside the standing stone, Gimli halted and looked up. It was cracked and weather-worn and the faint runes upon its side could not be read.
"This pillar marks the spot where Durin first looked in the Mirrormere," said the dwarf. "Let us look ourselves once, ere we go!"
Indeed as promised they saw the Durin's Stone and Gimli spent a few more moments watching it in awe. "O Kheled-zâram fair and wonderful!" said Gimli. "There lies the Crown of Durin till he wakes. Farewell!"
The road now curved south and descended rapidly, emerging from between the dale's arms. They arrived at a deep well of crystal-clear water some distance below the mere, from which a freshet spilt over a stone lip and flowed sparkling and bubbling down a steep rocky path. They followed that road for many miles, as it was the road that the Grey Wizard had chosen.
The company was weary and still grieving Gandalf's loss, but they did not linger or hold, they kept hiking from the road that Aragorn was leading them. Soon they could see the stream leaping down to the trough of the valley, and then running on and away into the lower lands until it was lost in a golden haze.
"There lie the woods of Lothlórien," said Legolas, they have been travelling for days and never had the company seen the elf gazing in admiration, "That is the fairest of all the dwellings of my people. There are no trees like the trees of that land. For in the autumn their leaves fall not, but turn to gold. Not till the spring comes and the new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden with yellow flowers, and the floor of the wood is golden and golden is the roof, and its pillars are of silver, for the bark of the trees is smooth and grey. So still our songs in Mirkwood say. My heart would be glad if I were beneath the eaves of that wood, and it was springtime."
"My heart will be glad, even in the winter," said Aragorn.
Xena rolled her eyes as she listened to the elf speaking. "I didn't know you are so fond of leaves, elf" she scoffed and the elf simply ignored her. Because at the time his gaze could only stare at the unique beauty of Lothlórien.
"That's not what I have heard," Gimli said while gazing nervously around as they ran across a forest, magnificent like none they had ever seen "They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-witch, of terrible power. All who look upon her, fall under her spell... and are never seen again."
For a while, Frodo and Sam kept up with the others; but Aragorn was leading them at a breakneck speed, and they fell behind after a while. Frodo was instantly befuddled as if someone was speaking to him. He would cast his look about, attempting to locate the source of the voice.
Xena step after step followed them. She was weary, and her mind was spinning into thoughts, she never thought she would have. Once before she had walked in Elfish land. Days ago when they were in Rivendell. She acknowledged that Gandalf's death brought sorrow to the hobbits who had him as a father figure. Aragorn and Legolas seemed to have the same thoughts about the matter. She was of course sad about his death, but she did not know the wizard so much to be affected by it as the hobbits were.
'How strange?' She felt no sadness, no remorse. The elf cast a glance towards her.
Gimli went on "Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"
The group of nine were suddenly surrounded by elves that were armed. Deadly arrows were aimed at their heads. Legolas drew his bow and aimed as they were cycled by the elves. The leading elf stepped forward, he gazed at Gimli with disdain.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." Haldir of Lórien commented.
The dwarf hissed "Aragorn! These woods are perilous. We should go back."
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back." the elf said, "Come now, she is waiting."
He led the Fellowship onto a Hill Top. Their vision was lost; wonderment at the vista spread before them. Several miles towards the South, a Large Hill rose out of the woods. Upon the hill many mighty Mallorn Trees, taller than any others. To the east of Caras Galadhon, the Woods of Lorien ran down the pale gleam of Anduin, the great river. The Sun that laid on Lothlorien had no power to enlighten the shadows that lay beyond. The Fellowship stood in front of him and greeted them.
The marchwarden gazed at Legolas "Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion." [Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.]
"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien." [Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien.] Legolas answered. The elf didn't seem tired. Though, he seemed dusty. It was clear they came a long way. Xena noted the welcome, though she ignored most of it. If she knew the tongue, she would find out. That the 'annoying' elf was the son of Thranduil. As of now, it was a detail she didn't know.
Haldir glanced at Aragorn "A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen." [Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.]
"Haldir." Aragorn gave him a light bow.
Finally, she could give a name to the leader of elves. It was the only words she recognized after hearing Aragorn calling him by that name. She admitted that speaking in elfish and ignoring the rest was rude.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!" Gimli complained as he couldn't understand anything and the human smirked agreeing with him.
"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days." the elf answered gazing at Gimli.
"And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" [I spit upon your grave!] Gimli voiced up.
Aragorn grabbed Gimli serious "That was not so courteous."
Haldir glanced at Frodo "You bring great evil with you. You can go no further."
Aragorn argued with Haldir, angrily Aragorn in soft whisper told Haldir "Boe ammen Verian lîn! Henio, aniron boe ammen i dulu lîn." [We need your protection! Please understand, that we need your support.]
Aragorn continued to argue loudly with Haldir.
"Andelu I ven." [The road is very dangerous.] he explained again.
"You will follow me." the marchwarden agreed finally, after a long argument. He gestured for the company to follow and it was only then when Legolas withdraw his bow, and the rest of the elves lowered their bows as well.
A caravan of Elves led the Fellowship along a ridge, through the golden woods. Boromir glanced at Frodo behind him. The group came to the end of the high ridge and looks out. A great glade of trees rose above them.
"Caras Galadhon… the heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light," he said proudly.
Light, that was given a bright side. The walls were green and silver, the roof gold as it trunk of the Mallorn tree, tapering towards the crown. They began to climb the rope ladders. The fellowship was brought to meet with Lady of Lórien. They were blindfolded on their way up. Since Haldir didn't trust Gimli. He didn't want to allow Gimli to pass, because Gimli was a dwarf. Dwarves weren't allowed to pass through Lothlorien. Haldir agreed, only if the dwarf would be blindfolded. Legolas agreed though he found it fair that all nine should be blindfolded. It was the right thing to do.
Legolas wanted to climb up and be among the trees as they were strange to him. He had heard all the tales about Lothlórien and knew the songs. He had met before with Lothlórien elves in Rivendell and in Mirkwood, but he had never travelled in Lothlórien.
As the party of nine ascended the curving stair around the trunk of a tree, through dazzling silver and blue lights, a lunar blue shone. Everyone was taken aback by the colours, as their vision had been restored. The silhouetted forms of gloomy tree branches hang far above. Passing through several levels, each revealing its own magic. Xena, too, took a peek.
"The Lady Galadriel, we call her 'Lady of Light', grandmother of Lady Arwen, is an Elven Queen of extraordinary beauty, with her timeless features and golden river of hair." Legolas described her gazing up at Xena.
"Golden leaves and gleaming maiden, that's what turns you on elf," she suddenly scoffed earning his dark glare and not an answer.
Finally, they reached the ground floor. They gather before the arch as Haldir stepped to one side. A glowing couple, hand in hand, descend to meet the Fellowship. The Fellowship stared in awe. Aragorn touched his head in greeting. Xena amused gazed at the couple.
Celeborn spoke "The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, ten there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar."
"Gandalf the Grey, did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow." Galadriel said after he glanced at Aragorn suddenly. Aragorn nodded slightly.
Legolas remarked, his voice gloomy. "He was taken by both Shadow and Flame: a Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
Gimli bowed his head, sadly.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose." the lady of the light said.
After a small pause, Galadriel faced Gimli "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin." The Dwarf looked up as her words reached him. "For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." said the Lord of the Golden Wood.
"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." she responded.
Again, there was a light silence. As if the Lady of the woods was talking to them. Suddenly, she paused in front of Xena. She stared Galadriel directly in the eyes. She could feel the brightness. Stronger than Legolas. She was scared, that Galadriel would blind her. 'You are holding deep darkness and pain inside you. Xena, still there may be hope for you!'
Xena knew she had listened to the voice speaking inside her mind. She was sure she didn't imagine it. Lady of the Lórien seemed that had the ability to speak into the minds.
"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." she ensured the fellowship.
The nine, stepped backed after greeting the fair lady. Indeed they were through a lot. They needed to clean and rest. That night the Company slept upon the ground, much to the satisfaction of the hobbits. The Elves spread for them a pavilion among the trees near the fountain, and in it, they laid soft couches; then speaking words of peace with fair elvish voices they left them. For a little while the travellers talked of their night before in the tree-tops, and of their day's journey, and of the Lord and Lady; for they had not yet the heart to look further back.
((Upcoming Chapter Thirty-Nine))
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