Disclaimer: I am grateful to J.R.R. Tolkien and his son Christopher Tolkien, without whose works on Middle-earth this story would not be possible.
The Shimmer of the Dwimordene
"...But other powers also were at work. For when at last the host drew near to Dol Guldur, Eorl turned away westward for fear of the dark shadow and cloud that flowed out from it, and then he rode on within sight of Anduin. Many of the riders turned their eyes thither, half in fear and half in hope to glimpse from afar the shimmer of the Dwimordene, the perilous land that in legends of their people was said to shine like gold in the springtime. But now it seemed shrouded in a gleaming mist…."
- J.R.R. Tolkien
The Twelfth Day of the Month Gwirith, Year 2510 of the Third Age of Arda
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Galadriel turned away from the silver basin and departed from her garden, her countenance troubled. Passing through the high green hedge, she walked upon a carpet of golden leaves, while through the silver-grey trunks of the mellyrn, shafting early morning sunbeams of gold and green filtered down. She continued on her way, towards the Great Tree of Caras Galadhon, where the white-cloaked, mail-clad Guards stood before its wide white ladder. They came to attention as she approached.
Swiftly ascending the ladder, Galadriel passed into the great oval talan-hall of the Rulers of Lórien, where she was awaited by several of those with whom she shared ties of blood, friendship, or common purpose.
Celeborn the Wise was there, Lord of Lórien, her spouse whom she had chosen in the far-off Elder Days. The sons of Celebrían, Elladan and Elrohir, were present, newly arrived from the shores of Mithlond, where they had seen their mother take ship, never to return to the hither lands. Rúmil of the Marchwardens was there, lately come from the eastern fences. And Mithrandir and Curunír, mighty among the Istari, were present also.
All rose as the Lady of Light entered the chamber. "Greetings, my Lady," Celeborn said. "We are ready."
"Greetings, my Lord." Galadriel bowed her head in acknowledgment, then turned to the others. "My Lords, let us begin."
()
Much was said and debated concerning tidings in the world, but at length their discourse turned to Dol Guldur. "Fifty years has it been," said Rúmil, "since we first perceived that a Power had re-entered the old fortress of Amon Lanc, but now its strength and malice are growing apace, and it moves the wild Men of the East to assail the remnants of the Northmen, as well as the descendants of the Elf-friends of old."
"That I have seen, alas," said Galadriel. "Not all of what passes in the waters of the Mirror is what is or will be, and not all of what is or will be may I reveal in open council, but I have learned this, to our consternation: Gondor now has no organized allies left east of Anduin, and the Army of Gondor in Calenardhon will be beset on two or more sides by the Men of the East ere many days be past. A single errand-rider of Gondor has brought tidings to the Men of the North, who even now ride south past the Gladden with a great host to the succour of Gondor. Yet the Dark Power of Dol Guldur will not suffer them to pass nigh his fortress unchallenged. And is it not true, sons of Celebrían, that the Orcs are descending from the Mountains in force?"
"It is true, Nanethodhril," replied Elladan. "We crossed the Mountains at the Cirith Forn en Andrath above Imladris, and as we drew nigh unto the north borders of this land, we espied a great host of Orcs issuing from the east-gate of Moria. Nay, Nanethodhron!" he added quickly, seeing both Celeborn and Rúmil open their mouths to speak. "They are not bound for Lórien, but crossed the Silverlode southwards, hugging the skirts of the Mountains."
"And not only from Moria, but from other holds also," added Elrohir. "Some great stroke against the West is in the making, it seems."
Galadriel sighed. "My lords, ever does the Shadow seek to establish itself over these lands. It is nothing if not persistent."
"It seems, my Lady, that your Mirror reveals much to those who are worthy to scry out its secrets," said the White Istar. "Can you not bend this device to your will so that it reveals these things to you more plainly?"
"Would that it were so, my Lord Curunír," replied the Lady, "but such is not the way in which the device may aid its user. It can increase one's awareness of distant events, and it can inform one's understanding of near concerns, but it is perilous to rely solely upon the Mirror's counsel when determining one's present duty. Certainly it may enhance, but in the end it may not replace, reports gathered through more customary means."
"But be that as it may," said Mithrandir, "if indeed the Shadow in Dol Guldur is our Enemy returned, then it would behoove us to take thought for how we should meet this threat against the West."
"May we not strike out at the Orc-host that ventures from the Mountains?" asked Curunír.
"Nay, my Lord, we have not the strength to venture so far south beyond our own borders," said Rúmil.
"Nor can we sally forth with but little knowledge of the lands and disposal of forces of the enemy as we go," added Celeborn. "It would not help the Men of the West or of the North if we were whelmed by unexpected foes from the Mountains as well as from Mirkwood. Nay, we must but watch and wait, striking skillfully as occasion offers. Our reach is shortened since the days of Amroth, when the realm was able to send a force to the overthrow of Angmar. For if the Dwarves had not awoken the terror in the depths of Moria, then much evil and loss might have been averted. But that cannot now be helped."
"Then," said the Grey Wanderer, "if Lórien cannot make a stroke against the Orcs on its own account, then may it not at the least lend aid to the Northmen as they pass us by? Some hundreds of horsed archers and spearmen of the Galadhrim would make an impression both on our friends and on our foes."
But Celeborn said, "We know not how far afield the battle would be finally joined, and what ill chances may fall out. We cannot afford to risk even a company of horsemen in such a venture. I would that things were otherwise, Mithrandir, but as Lord of this realm I have my people to consider, and how best to preserve them through an Age in which the Eldar fade and Men increase. And among the Men of the West, especially among the Northmen, the Firstborn are fast becoming a matter not only of legend, but of fear. They would mistrust us, and such ill-feeling would sow division and strife among those who should be friends. Nay, we will not lend armed force to Gondor or its allies."
"Do not be so swift to underestimate the hardihood and faithfulness of the Men of the West," said Curunír. "They may be prideful in their way, as the heirs of Elendil, but let us grant them this at least: they serve as the bulwark of the Free Peoples against the Darkness, and against the savage, benighted peoples of the far East and South. They bring Order to a world that has too long been without it. And let us not forget that it was from Númenor of old, by the hand of the great mariner Aldarion, that the seeds of these very trees in which we hold council, the trees of your realm, my Lord, were brought."
"Well do we know it," said the Lady, "for it was I to whom Ereinion gave the seeds, and again it was I who planted them on this hill. But my lord Celeborn speaks rightly. We cannot strike beyond our domains at this time, at least where strength of arms is concerned. Not without a Union of Free Peoples such as Maedhros and Fingon devised of old. But needless is it to recriminate or to seek to pass blame, and it is useless to regret how things might have gone otherwise, had we all sought long ago more earnestly to repair the breaches in faith and trust between Free Folk who were in their way and in their measure opposed to the Enemy."
"We cannot strike with strength of arms, said I?" she continued. "Not wholly true. The sons of our daughter, my Lord, will ride southward ere this day is done, for I read their purpose already in their eyes. The foul brood of the Enemy has not looked the last upon the sons of the Halfelven, I deem. And there are contests with weapons other than shaft or blade. I myself will strike at the foe with the power that has been given to me, for it is held by the Wise that some who are accounted mighty among the pupils of the Holy Ones may put forth their will upon the weather of the world for lawful cause."
"Yes," said Celeborn. "We will trust to the wisdom and skill of my Lady Alatáriel, who learned much from Melian of Doriath. And I will grant this concession to the needs of policy: Rúmil, you will increase the watches and patrols on the east shore of Anduin, to such a number as will still be hid from the eyes of the enemy, but enough to project the power of Lórien to such a degree that the River corridor that the Northmen must pass through will be clean of any scouts or waylaying force. And when the time comes on the morrow, then the walls of mist shall hide our folk on the eastern shore from friend and foe alike."
Galadriel smiled.
Then Mithrandir said, "You have the right of it, my Lord and Lady of Lórien. To march forth openly ourselves at this time would be folly, but that means not that we cannot assist Gondor and the North in our small way."
But Curunír said, "You may do as you will, my Lord and Lady, but know that Men do not remember small assistance save in dusty scrolls and forgotten books of lore. It is through Power that the Wise make their wisdom felt."
()
Much else was said, but at the last Galadriel said to the sons of Celebrían, "May great good come of your riding with the Northmen to the aid of Gondor. Go forth with our blessing, ioni, and may Elbereth guard you!"
And when all had gone, Mithrandir said to Galadriel, "My Lady, I will aid you as I may, for your labours against the Darkness this night will be great indeed. But that which I possess may kindle hope, courage, and light for the weary and fearful who may ride through the valley of the shadow of darkness ere tomorrow be old."
And Galadriel said, "Who knows? I thank you, Mithrandir. For that which I possess may work upon the mists and waters of the land in such a manner as to fashion a cloak against the malice of evil, yet will it need your power, Mithrandir, to light a path within the mist, and moreover will require the winds of Súlimo to bring the cloud yonder across Anduin. For that purpose, I shall reach out in thought to the spouse of Celebrían. And so we Three shall each play a part in such a victory for the Free Peoples as may be brought to pass not many days hence."
()
It was sung afterward that through the long hours of darkness that night, while the host of Eorl lay fitfully bivouacked upon the eastern marches of Anduin, the Lady of Light and the Lord of Darkness strove together in the Realm of Spirit, invoking the Powers of Heaven and Earth for the mastery; she for the mists of Ulmo and for the tirelessness of Oromë and for the winds of Manwë, and he for the Darkness of his Master the Morgoth; she on behalf of the Northmen, and he for their thwarting. But in the end the Lady, through the power of that which she bore, the native ability of her lineage, the skill of her teaching, and the aid of her fellow-labourers, drove back the darkness of the Hill of Sorcery at the rising of the Sun, and shrouded the host of the Éothéod in a concealing mist that yet lighted their way before them and invigorated the weary limbs of the men and their steeds. And it is told that the sons of Elrond joined themselves unto the host of Eorl during the great Battle of the Field of Celebrant, where the Free Folk at last had the victory.
"In the forefront of the charge they saw two great horsemen, clad in grey, unlike all the others, and the Orcs fled before them; but when the battle was won they could not be found, and none knew whence they came or whither they went. But in Rivendell it was recorded that these were the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir."
- J.R.R. Tolkien