We met a group of the Galadhrim as we walked in the darkness, but we saw the light once more; they had brought a message from Galadriel that we were to walk free from the confines of blindfolds.
"Hallelujah!" I ripped off the dark fabric and tossed it into the air, much like I had done with my Oxford cap at high school graduation.
"Halle- what?', Pippin inquired as he tried to say the word but stumbled over it instead. Aragorn and Boromir rolled their eyes at my childish outburst and I stuck my tongue out at them. What? Being mature gets boringfast!
Haldir had decided to stop at the hill that the elves called Cerin Amroth and let the fellowship rest for a bit. Most of them plopped into the sweet smelling grass, but Legolas remained standing to speak with Marchwarden.
Aragorn wandered around the base of the mound picking theelanorblossoms. He smiled softly as he held one of the blooms to his nose, and years seemed to fall away from him as a memory was brought to his mind.
"Arwen vanimelda,namárië.', Estel whispered as he released the golden flower to be carried away by the wind. He sighed, and the lines that had disappeared once more furrowed his brow.
Awww! He still thinks Arwen is going to leave for the Undying Lands! Should I tell him...
"No."
The deep feminine voice resonated inside my head and I almost fell over in surprise.
"I have seen that look many times in the weeks we have traveled together,tinwë.You were just reprimanded, were you not?" Legolas asked as he came closer with a teasing glint in his eye.
Nodding mutely, I pinched myself to make sure I hadn't been imagining things.
"Peace, child. I did not mean to startle you."
Um... okay. But having a psychic person in your head is pretty much a no-brainer when it comes to getting the heebie-jeebies.
The woodland elf sat beside me and grinned.
"Since you have been sitting too far from the others for one of them to reprimand you, I assume that you have just met the Lady of the Wood through your mind?"
I nodded again, starting to feel stupid for not saying anything out loud. Legolas understood my dilemma and began to snicker so that the group turned to look at us with bewilderment over what was so humorous.
"It's not funny!', I spluttered out as he continued to chortle.
"But you are not the one who beheld your shocked face!"
"What happened?" Aragorn walked up the hill to where we were in order to stare at my red face and Legolas' laughing one.
"Apparently Lady Galadriel read my mind and decided to stop me from doing something foolish." I scowled as several of Haldir's elves glanced at me curiously.
"Ah! But you have forgotten that she is not Lady Galadriel to you,penneth! She is yourmavwen, now."
Now it was Aragorn's turn to find mirth at my expression as I slowly pivoted my wide eyes in his direction.
"Say what now?"
"I said that Lady Galadriel is your—"
"I know, I know. It was just an expression to show that I was surprised."
"You needed no words for that; it shows plainly on your face.', Legolas teased as he and the ranger burst into another round of chuckles.
"Laugh at me all you want, you miscreant chuckle nuggets, but it ain't over until the fat lady sings. I KNOW WHERE YOU TWO SLEEP AT NIGHT!"
My jumbled comeback clearly confused them, which was my intent, but Legolas still had enough wit left to make one last retort.
"How strange. I know where I sleep at night, too!"
Humph. You little-
"Language, little one."
I didn't say it out loud!
"Ladies do not swear... even in their minds."
Why does this conversation sound so familiar?
xXx
"It's... glowing."
We were walking through the city of Caras Galadhon and my mouth was slack with wonder at it's beauty. It felt untouched by evil; nothing marred it's purity.
Legolas and Aragorn snickered at my gaping face, which drew me out of my reverie to scowl at them. Surprisingly, though, it was Haldir who came to my defense.
"I recall the day when the both of you first stepped foot into my homeland. Your expressions mightily surpassed Lady Rielásse's in their foolish appearance. Have you forgotten the many scoldings Lady Galadriel gave you about impertinence and rudeness?"
Legolas and Aragorn shoved stoic expressions onto their faces, but their eyes gave them away as they twinkled with mischief.
Thraduil's son gave a mock shiver. "No indeed. Whenever I was called up to hertalanI dragged my feet for as long as I could; always feeling as if I was going to the Halls of Mandos to be judged. She is more frightening than myada."
I choked on my laughter as an image of Legolas being chewed out by Galadriel was conjured in my mind. I mean, have you seen how scary Galadriel is when she gets angry? In the movies she turns into something along the lines of a bionic Maleficent with PMS. That is honestly the only way I can even begin to describe her. And I haven't even seen the real thing!
The path ended at a green lawn that was lit with silver lanterns and the stars that hung above. A large fountain burbled in its center, fed by one of the many natural springs of Lórien.
Everyone soon grew genuinely solemn as we approached the broad bole of the biggest mallorn tree I had seen yet. Its limbs stretched skyward as if they were trying to reach the wispy clouds that floated lazily overhead, and the grey trunk was thick and full of ancient strength. Steps made out of delicate arches wound around the tree like tendrils, disappearing into the golden leaves above.
Almost everything around me seemed to twinkle as if it had been dusted by starlight, and for the hundredth time that day I caught my breath in amazement.
"Welcome to the Heart of the Golden Wood, little one. You are welcome here, for your coming brings great joy to my heart."
I don't think I will ever get used to that.
Galadriel's laughter warbled gently through my mind in response to my thoughts.
Haldir drew a small horn and blew a single note; three answering notes descended from above in response, signaling us to begin the climb towards Celeborn and Galadriel's flet.
Miles of terrain I can handle. Four nights in the creepy mine I can handle. Five hundred steps... Not so much. Why have elevators not been invented yet?
After burning a million calories to get there, we find ourselves in an oval shaped chamber that is filled with soft golden light. Shimmers of green and white dance along the walls as moonlight whispers through the leaves over our heads.
The Lord and Lady of Caras Galadhon stood in greeting as the fellowship filed into the room one by one. Celeborn's hand was placed in his wife's with a firm and regal grip as the fellowship bowed in respect to return their welcome. They were garbed in pure white— except for the fact that Celeborn wore a deep green robe over his tunic.
Wow. They are so drop dead gorgeous. If I were Snow White's evil step-mother I would definitely kill them first.
Galadriel's eyes flickered in my direction for a split second, glistening with amusement.
"The Enemy knows you have entered these lands. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine that are here, yet ten there were that set out from Rivendell. Where is Gandalf? I should very well like to speak with him, but I can no longer see him from afar.', Celeborn said gravely.
Aragorn hesitantly let his eyes meet the blue ones of Lady Galadriel, allowing her to read his thoughts
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land.', she whispered. "He has fallen into shadow."
Her husband quickly turned his head in her direction, worry prominent on his brow.
"He was taken by both shadow and flame.', Legolas painfully declared. "A Balrog of Morgoth, the most feared elf-bane. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
Gasps echoed from the other elves in the room and I saw a few tears trickle down the faces of the Lady's maidens; Gandalf was well loved here. Gimli bowed his head— ashamed that it had been he who had suggested the mines to Gandalf.
"Needless were none of the deeds in Gandalf's life. Even now we do not know his full purpose." Galadriel looked to Gimli. "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."
When Gimli finally raised his defeated gaze to the Lady's he saw that she who he had once thought of as his enemy was an understanding and loving person.
Boromir's head shot up as the Galadriel comforted the dwarf, her words touching his own heart as well. Sensing his eyes upon her, she turned to face him, her blue eyes boring into his own. He shuddered as she read his thoughts.
I wonder if she's found the psychopath part of his brain yet...I mentally slapped myself.Snap out of it, Riley. She can hear you!
"What now shall become of this fellowship, I know not. Without Gandalf to lead you, hope is lost.', Celeborn grieved.
Aragorn's shoulders slumped as his forehead wrinkled with defeat.
"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." Galadriel sought the thoughts of each individual in the fellowship before giving a small smile. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you shall sleep here."
She once more sought our gazes and Sam blushed deeply, mumbling something under his breath about feeling as if he had no clothes on. The poor hobbit had forgotten that he was in a room full of elves, and if the atmosphere had not been so grim at the moment I have no doubt that several of the Galadhrim would have chuckled.
Haldir bowed properly before his Lord and Lady before he began to lead us to our resting place.
"Stay, penneth."
I obediently stopped and turned to nervously face my new grandparents. Aragorn gave me an encouraging smile before following the rest of the fellowship to their sleeping quarters.
"Welcome,niel, to our family. We have waited long for your coming since the day I saw your face in my mirror." Galadriel's golden hair rippled as a soft breeze blew through thetalan.
"Ni lassui, my lady."
"No need for formalities, little one. I am yourmavwen, as Celeborn is yourdaerada.', she softly reprimanded.
I swallowed and nodded quickly.
"You saw me in your mirror?"
"Many years ago, yes. Perhaps even before you were thought of by your parents."
Whoa. That's like... above and beyond stalking.
Celeborn and Galadriel exchanged amused looks. Apparently the Lady of Lórien had decided to share my mental conversations with her husband.
"Come, child. Tomorrow we shall spend the day growing more understanding of one another, but for now I will leave you in the care of my maidens." Galadriel motioned to one of the female elves in the room and I soon found myself being shown from the room.
xXx
I was brought to a glade where several natural springs created pools of warm water. Faelas, the elf whose care I was put into, explained that since the Galadhrim lived in the trees it was useless to have bathtubs.
I suppose that having to haul bathwater several hundred feet into the air is no picnic.
Worried that someone would see me in the wide open space I made no move to enter the pool. Faelas was confused at first, but she quickly put my qualms to rest once she understood why I was hesitant.
"The men have a separate bathing pool and no one is here this late in the evening. No one will disturb you while I am here."
I grinned and thanked her as she turned around to give me some privacy. Hurriedly discarding my clothes, I stepped into the warm water and wiped the grimy dirt and blood off of my skin with a bar of sweet smelling soap. Wincing as I noticed my hair was a greasy mess, I quickly dunked my stiff mop underneath the water and furiously scrubbed at the orc blood that was splattered there.
Gross! This stuff is worse than hair gel!
After I was satisfied at how clean I now was, I exited the pool and wrapped a fluffy towel around my torso and waist. Faelas had removed my other clothes and replaced them with a silver dress, which she helped pull over my head and lace up.
Here we go again with the 'act like a lady' stuff.
The next area Faelas led me to was made into the roots of the mallorn trees. Resting couches were nestled into the ancient wood and a table was laden with food for those who were hungry. The hobbits had immediately made a beeline for that area. A fountain like the one we had seen earlier spilled water into a silver basin. It was all together a restful place— if you didn't count Merry and Pippins noisy eating habits.
After they had demolished the fare that was set before them, the halflings quickly made their way to the comfy beds and snuggled into the warm blankets.
The sound of elves singing soon drifted through the trees to our ears. Legolas set aside the silver pitcher he had been filling at the fountain to listen to the elvish words.
" A lament for Gandalf.', he stated to answer the questioning gazes of the hobbits. Strider laid aside his sword which he had been rubbing against a sharpening stone to listen also.
"What do they say about him?', Merry asked curiously.
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still to near.', the silvan elf replied. Four pairs of hobbit eyes then turned to me for answers.
"Don't look at me! I've got nothing! Nope, nada, zilch, zero!"
"But you are the only other elf in the group, and you do not act as sad as everyone else!', Pippin whined as he scooted closer to where I sat.
I cringed as I realized that Boromir, Legolas, and Aragorn all regarded me with curious eyes. Pippin had been truthful when he had said that I was not as grieved as the rest of the fellowship. In fact, I was almost to the point where I could be classified as overjoyed.
"Rielásse...', Aragorn murmured with a raised eyebrow.
"Pippin? Do you still want to hear that song?" My voice is tense and stretched, but I had to do something to keep from being interrogated by the ranger. Not replying to his question only made me look more suspicious, but at least I don't have to answer him.
Olórin, who once was...
sent by the Lords of the West
To guard the lands of the East
Wisest of all the Maiar
What drove you to leave
That which you loved?
Mithrandir, Mithrandir O Pilgrim Grey
No more will you wander the green fields of this earth
Your journey has ended in darkness
The bonds cut, the spirit broken
The Flame of Anor has left this world
A great light has gone out
The song died on my lips. I swallowed and took a deep breath in.
"They don't mention his fireworks. There should have been a verse about them.', Samwise stated sadly as he fluffed one of his pillows. In a sudden drive of creativity he leapt to his feet.
"The finest rockets ever seen! They burst in stars of blue and green! For after thunder—"
The curly headed being was suddenly cut off by a loud snore issuing from Gimli's throat. Aragorn slapped the dwarf upside the head and I bit my lip to contain a giggle.
"—silver showers, come falling like a rain of... like a rain of flowers." He growled as he plopped back onto the ground. "That doesn't do them justice by no means."', he grumbled vehemently.
The short members of the group were soon breathing evenly as they nodded off to sleep. I curled into a corner with my blanket wrapped snugly around my body, watching Legolas fletch several arrows. Aragorn moved closer to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders in a brotherly fashion.
"Rielásse, earlier Pippin said—"
"I know what he said, Aragorn.', I snapped. Instead of growing angry at my surly tone, he grew sad and regretful.
"I am sorry. I should not have pressured you. You bear a heavy burden." He stood slowly and would have walked away had I not grasped ahold of his hand.
"I should be the one apologizing. I just wish I could share certain things without it messing up your fate, Aragorn."
The ranger nodded understandingly and took his place at my side again.
"There are many things I know of in this world, Rielásse, and many things that I do not. One thing I have learned is that you must follow your heart."
I groaned.
"Fine, Mr. Disney Princess. But you have to swear not to tell a soul! As in, cross your heart, hope to die, stick a needle in your eye."
Once more I have confused him, but his expression ispriceless!
"Why on earth would I hope to die and stick a needle in my eye? And why am I a princess?"
Cracking up, I give him a hurried explanation through my laughter, leaving him more confused than ever.
"I do not understand what that has to do with Gandalf. Indeed, I do not understand what you said at all."
"Aragorn, when you lived in Rivendell did you meet Glorfindel? Good. What do you know about him?"
He gave several random pieces of what he knew about Elrond's advisor and I rolled my eyes in exasperation.
"Well, maybe he is a book worm, but I mean what do you really know about him? About before he came to Imladris?"
"He led his people out of the ruins of Gondolin and was waylaid by a Balrog. He slayed the foul beast."
"Exactly." I waggled my eyebrows. "But the Balrog slayed him too, didn't it?"
As he finally got through his thick skull of what I was saying, he almost fell over in surprise.
"Glorfindel... was sent back by the Valar. So Gandalf is going to..."
"Yes! Now shut that open mouth before I shut it for you!"
Strider laughed before rising to his feet and moving to speak with Boromir. I rolled over and promptly fell asleep.
xXx
Guide...
Arwen vanimelda, namárië. — Farewell, Arwen Beloved.
tinwë — sparky
penneth — little one
talan — flet
niel — granddaughter
Ni lassui — Thank you
mavwen — grandmother
daerada — grandfather