Lothlórien
Aurë sat upon a rolling hill near the river, Nimrodel. In the near distance she could see the trees of Lothlórien and to her back were the Misty Mountains. This was one of her favourite spots, for she loved to see the sunrise paint the Lothlórien forest in hues of green and gold. The beauty of the dawn along with the feeling of peace and purity that radiated from the trees never ceased to amaze Aurë. She tried often to come to this secluded spot. Well, as much as she dared to, for she found peace of mind in the woods that bore Galadriel's protection and was hesitant to leave.
As always, dawn continued to be her favourite time. She craved to see the night and day intermingling in a triumphant reunion; the palette of colours that their light painted the waking world. She missed being with them and more than anything she missed their song. The song of dawn; a song of reunion, triumph, and hope. If she strained hard enough she could hear the song of the moon and the sun; of Arien and Tilion.
Aurë had been trapped in Middle Earth since the First Age but she still mourned the loss of her home. She still felt the cold arrow in her shoulder, and she still flinched at shadows. She had hoped that after the War of Wrath was won that she would be able to return to Varda's sky, but Morgoth's evil continued to linger, in the form of Sauron and also through his lies that lingered in the hearts of Elves and men, alike. Lies that continued to be fed two ages later. Despite that, she continued to remain hopeful, and that hope was rekindled with each sunrise.
Aurë sighed as the sun began to make an appearance and listened. Some days it was easier to hear the dawn's melody than others. And today the song was clear and sad—a sun of mourning. Arien felt loss openly and her sorrow was evident for all to see, for the dawn was pale. It had been that way for the past two days.
Aurë listened and felt that sorrow. It was Olórin. Olórin had passed into shadow. She had met the Istari a multitude of times in the past and had loved him. His loss tore at her heart. Aurë raised her voice to join in the sorrowful ode to Olórin and the dawn was painted in hues of pale blue and violet.
Eventually, the hour of dawn passed and Arien's time for mourning was over and Aurë knew she had to return. For days now she could sense that a great evil was approaching Lothlórien, and she had lingered in her spot for too long already.
With one last lingering look at the sun, Aurë rose to her feet, using her staff to support her weight. She quickly began to make the journey back to Lothlórien. She had walked this path many times and knew it well. Today, her heart was heavy and she longed to be back and the journey felt long. Olórin's passing was weighing heavily on her heart and she found her self becoming increasingly anxious. Today was a day full of fate, her heart told her, and her presence was going to be needed in Lórien.
Aurë continued her quickened pace, but stopped when something caught her eye on the outskirts of the Golden Wood. It was a flower—a splash of colour among a patch of charred and trampled soil. She crouched down and fingered the brilliant, sunny petals; it was Elanor. Aurë knew it well, for the flower grew readily in Lothlórien. It's presence here, however, was curious to Aurë. For one it was rare to see the soil of the Golden wood marred in such a way but also for the flower itself. Niphredil was much more common to see in winter.
Despite the uneasiness that the burnt soil caused her, Aurë knew that this flower was a good omen. She hesitated before delicately plucking the Elanor from its decaying home. Normally, she abhorred destroying Yavanna's creations but she could not bear the thought of leaving the beautiful flower in such a place.
She gently placed it in the satchel on her hip before rising to her feet and continuing her journey. As the trees thickened with her approach, she was subject to more ill omens. For she could sense corruption in the Nimrodel river and tracks on the ground indicated Orcs had travelled in these woods.
It was well after noon when Aurë at long last approached the heart of Lórien and night before she came upon Caras Galadhon. It had been a long journey but her heart gladdened at the sight of City of the Trees, for there was much that she wanted to discuss with the Lady Galadriel. She greeted the elves at the gate as she passed but quickly made her way towards the grand court of Galadriel and Celeborn.
Aurë greeted the guards who sat at the base of the great tree but did not linger, climbing up and ignoring the protests she heard from them. She knew they longed to talk with her, for she had been gone a week, but she longed to talk to the Lord and Lady first.
She arrived on their talon and was quickly greeted by Haldir, who she had thought was patrolling the borders.
"Tindómiel." He greeted, jumping to his feet.
"Haldir, it is wonderful to see you." She smiled. "Are your brothers with you? I would love to catch up with you. Are you here for long? I have need to speak with Lady Galadriel first, but after I would love to speak with you."
Aurë did not give Haldir much time to respond for she was already entering the hall. "My Lady Tindómiel, the Lord and Lady are currently entertaining—" Aurë did not hear the rest of his protests for she had already entered the great hall.
She quickly approached the Lord and Lady's chairs but promptly halted her approach when she felt eyes upon her. She then realized the guards and Haldir's protests as she caught the grim mood that was saturating the air. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel were standing, speaking with eight men who were weary with travel and grief—and all looked towards her.
Aurë blushed as she realized her mistake and bobbed a quick bow. "My apologies, it was not my intention to interrupt."
Lady Galadriel took pity on the Maia and gracefully approached her, reaching out a hand and wiping a smudge of dirt of her cheek. "Do no trouble yourself, child. You are always welcome in these halls. I bid you welcome, for these troubles concern you."
Aurë smiled timidly, for once again she was grateful for the patience of Galadriel. Often, she found herself feeling like a child and Galadriel always helped soothe her anxieties away.
Galadriel grasped Aurë's hand in her own and led her to the group of men. "There is much I wish to discuss with you, my Lady. I have seen things that are concerning in my time away."
Galadriel smiled. "In time, child. I feel as what we shall discuss now shall cover some of those concerns."
Aurë stood beside Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn and finally drew her attention to the eight before her. There were two men—one she recognized as Aragorn son of Arathorn—one dwarf, what looked like four small children, and a elf.
Aurë smiled politely towards the group. "I apologize for interrupting, sirs. I am Aurë."
"Tindómiel." The elf said with awe and Aurë shied away from his intent gaze.
She instead focussed on the halflings. She had lived a long time but never had she seen creatures such as these—although she knew them to be Hobbits. It was the dark haired one who drew her attention and she frowned. In him she felt a great weariness—more so than that of the others, and she could sense a great evil. She could feel his spirit wavering and she took pity.
"Frodo Baggins of the Shire." Aurë stepped forward and knelt before him. He looked at her in surprise as she pulled the elanor she had picked and put it in his hands. "You carry a great burden with you. I sense the weariness in your soul. But you mustn't lose hope."
Frodo's startled gaze met hers and she stared back, trying to pass on some of her unshakable faith to him.
"The enemy know you have entered here." Celeborn spoke. "What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eight that are here yet nine 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."
Aurë's gaze fell to the ground and she stood, standing once again by Galadriel's side. She knew the answer to this and it saddened her heart.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow." Galadriel spoke gravely.
Aurë winced and looked up at the Fellowship. "How did this come to pass?" She questioned.
"He was taken by both Shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." The elf spoke and Aurë lifted her eyes to look at him, once again surprised by the intensity of his gaze upon her. She looked away, willing herself not to grasp her shoulder, which felt icy from the elf's words.
Galadriel grasped her hand lightly, knowing her distress. "Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose." She turned to face the dwarf. "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."
Galadriel fixed her gaze upon each of the eight in turn. Only Aragorn and the elf were able to hold her gaze. "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."
"Go now!" Celeborn stepped forward, opening his arms. "You are worn with sorrow and much toil. Even if your quest did not concern us closely, you should have refuge in this City, until you were healed and refreshed. Now you shall rest, and we will not speak of your further road for a while."
"Rest now." Aurë also spoke, wanting to welcome the travellers as well. "And know that you are welcome among this city."
The Fellowship bowed and turned to follow Haldir who would guide them to their lodgings. The strange elf left a lingering look towards Aurë and this time she willed herself to maintain the gaze so that he was the first to look away. She felt strangely triumphant.
"You wished to speak, child." Galadriel stated and Aurë turned her attention towards the Lady of Light.
"Yes, my Lady." She sighed. "I meant to discuss the great evil I felt approaching and of Olórin passing into the shadow, but it seems the information precedes me."
Galadriel let out a beautiful chuckle, her eyes sparkling like stars. "It seems that is the case, but there is more you wished to discuss."
"On my way back I found a flower among charred soil."
"The flower you gave to Frodo."
"Yes. It was the only thing alive among burnt soil—among death. I feel it to be an omen."
"Yes. I feel so to." Galadriel sent her a piercing look. "I think it right you gave it to Frodo, for it is a symbol of hope. However, I sense there is more to this and I shall think on this more." Aurë nodded her head in a bow. She wished to discuss this more in length but she found herself growing weary. "You grow weary, child." Galadriel said knowingly. "It pleases my heart to see your return, but we will have time to talk on the morrow. Rest now, and ease your weary heart."
Aurë smiled gratefully and headed off to her talon. She was glad to be back among these peaceful woods but she could sense something changing. Perhaps it was due to the presence of the fellowship and the burden they carried. Perhaps it was the growing strength of Sauron. Either way, Aurë felt herself growing concerned about what the future held.
She slept fitfully that night—her shoulder burning like ice.
Thanks so much for reading! Sorry it took so long to get this out, it's been a crazy couple of weeks and I kinda-might have sprained my hand-which makes my hand useless at doing hand things... like typing!
Anywho, thanks again for reading, hope you enjoyed! Let my know what you think! :)
Oh, also Aurë is pronounced like ow-rey.
And some of the text in here belongs to the Fellowship of the Ring film by Peter Jackson.
- Delaney :)