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Chapter 5

The Fellowship stumbled out of the mines, each one in shock. Gandalf had been their leader, their rock, the band of the group, and now he was gone. Boromir had to restrain Gimli, to stop him rushing back into the mines. Sam, Merry and Pippin collapsed to the ground, sobbing. Aica and Legolas paced, bewildered. Frodo walked away, while Aragorn seemed indifferent. The man cleaned his sword, before sheathing it. 'Legolas, get them up.' Legolas made towards Sam.
Boromir, who had managed to calm Gimli, swung around. 'Give them a moment, for pity's sake!' he shouted.
'By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs.' Aragorn replied. 'We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Aica, Gimli, get them up.' He bent down and hauled Sam to his feet, while other four helped Merry and Pippin up. 'On your feet Sam.' He then turned. 'Frodo?' he called twice. The hobbit had moved apart from the group, to grieve on his own.

What remained of the Fellowship took off down the mountain, Aragorn in the lead and Aica bringing up the rear. They ran through the day, across the dales and streams. Dusk was falling as they crossed the Nimrodel; Legolas explained the rivers magical properties to those of the Fellowship who were unaware of them. Once across the river they entered into Lothlórien, the Mallorn trees stretching high above them. 'Stay close young hobbits.' Gimli encouraged. '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.'
'Young are walking a dangerous path young assassin.' Aica started when the voice filled her head. 'You travel to destroy your master's most dangerous weapon, yet what do your companions know about you?' Legolas' hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality. He looked at her with concern in his eyes; something Aica wasn't used to seeing, particularly directed at herself. She shrugged off his hand. 'I'm fine.' She muttered.
'Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily.' Gimli was still saying. 'I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!' Right on cue an arrow brought the dwarf to a halt. Legolas and Aica quickly drew their own bows in response.
The lead elf stepped forward. 'The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark' He said, causing Gimli to growl.

The Fellowship were led deeper into the woods and up into flets in the trees. 'Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion.' The leader of the elven patrol greeted.
'Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lorient' Legolas replied.
Haldir then turned to Aica. 'I do not know your face young one.'
Aica raised her head and locked her black eyes with his blue ones. 'My travels have never brought me to this realm.' She replied.
'A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen.' Haldir greeted Aragorn.
Aragorn bowed his head. 'Haldir.' He greeted back.
Gimli chose then to speak up. 'So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can all understand!'
'We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the dark days.' Haldir almost spat back.
'And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!' Gimli insulted. Aica had to stifling a laugh, she knew exactly what he was saying. Both Haldir and Aragorn glared at her.
Aragorn swung around and grabbed Gimli. 'That was not so courteous.' Aica doubted he knew exactly what Gimli had said, but his intent was clear.
Haldir turned to look at Frodo. 'You bring great evil here.' He looked back at Aragorn. 'You can go no further.'

Aragorn was arguing with Haldir, pleading for the help, for a path through the woods. The rest of the Fellowship sat around, waiting. Frodo, looking very uncomfortable, looked around at each of them. 'How did you know what Gimli said?' Legolas asked suddenly.
'I know dwarfish.' Aica replied, shrugging. 'As close as they keep their secrets, some things will always slip through.'
'So you taught yourself?'
'I taught myself many things.'
Aica replied, before turning away, making it clear that the conversation was over.
After what seemed like an age Haldir approached Frodo. 'You will follow me.' The Fellowship began to get to their feet and strap on their packs and weapons. Haldir led them back down to the forest floor and even deeper into the great wood.
They journeyed on, the sun was just about to set completely as they topped a high ridge. 'Caras Galadhon, the heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light' Haldir said as the Fellowship looked on in wonder.

The end of their journey was in Caras Galadhon. They followed a curving walkway that wound up one of the great Mallorn trees. The end of the walkway opened up into a wide platform. It was here that the Fellowship halted. After a moment a golden light surrounded the top of the steps in front of them, before a Lord and Lady stepped forth. At the base of the stairs the pair stopped, Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel now stood before the Fellowship. 'The Enemy knows you have entered here.' Celeborn spoke up. ' What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him.'
'Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land.' Galadriel spoke for the Fellowship, her voice distant. Aica almost started when she realised this was the voice she had heard before. 'He has fallen into shadow.'
Celeborn looked at his wife in surprise, before Legolas spoke up. '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 in shame and sorrow. 'Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief.'

Then Aica heard her voice in her head once again. 'Do not be afraid young one. Your secret is not mine to share. That is down to the strength of yourself. Do you not trust your companions? They may be more understanding than you think.'
Aica glanced around at her companions as Celeborn spoke again. 'What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost.'
Once again it was Galadriel who answered. '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. 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.'
Haldir led the Fellowship from the presence of the Lord and Lady. At the base of one of the great Mallorn trees a camp for the Fellowship had been prepared. It was here that Haldir left them. Slowly, as if still in shock, the Fellowship began to unarm and strip off their outer layers, finally able to relax for the first time since they had stepped out of the gates of Rivendell all those weeks ago. Aica removed all of her weapons, shrugged off her outer jacket and removed her boots, Legolas doing the same. In the background elves were singing. 'A Olórin i yaresse, Mentaner i Numeherui Tírien i Rómenóri, Melme nóren sina , núra ala , Eäro.'
'A lament for Gandalf.' Legolas stepped across the glade.
'What do they say about him?' Merry asked.
'I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near.' Legolas replied gently.
'I bet they don't mention his fireworks.' Sam piped up. 'There should be a verse about them.' He rose suddenly and began to speak. 'The finest rockets ever seen, They burst in stars of blue and green, or after thunder, silver showers, came falling like a rain of flowers.' He trailed off, sitting down again. 'Oh, that doesn't do they justice by a long road.'

Legolas was stood at the edge of the clearing, looking out into the woods. Aica approached him on silent feet. 'I hope you can forgive me.' She murmured, just loud enough for him to hear.
Legolas turned to look at her. 'You ask for forgiveness, yet there is none to be given, for there is nothing to forgive.'
Aica looked away, shame and sorrow in her eyes. 'I have been harsh in my ways to you. Tis not how one should treat another. Before this Fellowship I had never known friendship or trust or respect. Perhaps I still do not know them completely, but I may yet learn.'
Legolas lifted her chin with one finger. 'What is it about your past that makes you hide it so completely? Why is it that you are so different from any elf I have ever met? Why is it that you do not smile, nor laugh, nor speak much?'
Aica jerked her chin away. 'You would hate me if I told you. You would force me away. This Fellowship is the only friendship, the only companionship that I have ever known. I do not want that to end.'
'Aica.'
He said her name so gently that she looked up at him. 'Your name means terrible or fell. Something as simple as a name can be a gateway to many things. Your name is an indication of the past that you try to hide. But you are no longer that person. Were you, you would not have come so far on this journey, you would have turned a long time ago.'
'How can you be so sure? You know so little of me.'
'You have changed since we began this quest. Before you were harsh, aloof and distant. Now you are still distant, but you are easier to be around, more gentle, more inclined to be stood closer to someone. When we began this quest you would not have come asking my forgiveness, yet now you do. Perhaps you have not noticed it yourself, but that is what has happened.'
Aica took a deep breath before speaking again. 'That is the effect of the Ring on me.' Legolas looked at her in shock. 'When we began this journey all I knew in my heart was darkness. The Ring has no influence over me, save for changing the person I once was. I cannot go back to what I once knew. When this quest is over I have no place to go. But I wish to see the world, spend time in the places I have heard so much about. Spend time with those who I have come to rely on. But I ask that you do not trust me wholly just yet, you still know little about me and I cannot be sure of myself, no matter what you say.' She nodded gently to him, before walking away, slightly glad to have been able to open up to someone, even if it was only a little.


Translations: 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.)
A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen. (Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.)
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