Chapter 3
A.N. Hey guys, I'm back and just about the same. I have another chapter here, and I should have another chapter up before the end of the year… that being 20015 considering my pattern so far.
Thus Begins Chapter 3.
The trip down the mountain was a blast. Out of pity or kindness, Aragorn would not concede to Boromir's request to bind my hands. It would allow me to take better care of myself on the rocky hills where falling was extremely likely. As was being pushed and falling to an extremely painful death.
I was, however, assigned a guard. Gimli, who had paraded me around at gunpoint… or, well, axe-point, had long since gone to speak to the little men of the party. Many of the stories were said to a "Frodo" about an elf-witch of a forest, but every time I heard his voice raise in a exclamation, I felt the residual anger towards him from being paraded around like a captured prisoner. And his own impatient hostility towards me for something I hadn't done was highly unwelcome.
For the past hour or two, Legolas had held my reins. He didn't speak, nor did he hold his weapon at me, but I have no doubt that running would have been extremely stupid. But despite the better conditions for their "prisoner", the somber mood of the company remained the same.
There was a ringing in the air. A sound like wind rushing through the trees, whistling as the great branches bow beneath the weight. A voice whispered as if from a great distance, ancient and powerful, Welcome, young one, I have waited a very long time to meet you, but your arrival was not fated for a long time. The evil that threatens this world has ripped you from your path to Valinor and brought you here.
I saw a flash of gold, the fires of a raging volcano, and a long blade the color of moonlight. Dark powers have grown on the horizon, and a shadow spreads across the land.
I felt a rush up my spine and shivered. Almost instantly, Legolas drew his bow, arrow notched, just beside my eye. The party came to a halt. Suddenly, quite literally out of the woodwork of the forest, came half a dozen men… elves, surrounding us, all with their weapons drawn.
Before anyone could say anything, another elf stepped forward. His blank face did not hide the amusement and curiosity in his eyes. We will speak together soon, for now, I wish good luck.
As the world came back into focus, I was quickly aware of the increasingly tense atmosphere surrounding me. Legolas' bow was point first in the other elf's face, while Gimli appeared close to spitting fire. "Haldir of Lorien, we come here for your help. We need your protection." Aragorn's voice cut through the air quickly before anything drastic occurred.
"Aragorn! These woods are perilous. We should go back." Gimli's barbed words did nothing to the elves before them, none appeared to register the pointe remark.
It was Haldir who answered. "You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back." Haldir looked to me. HIs eyes travelling up and down my form, gaze unwelcome. I looked away uninterestedly. Not my type, I thought.
"She is expecting you," he finished.
-(insert line break here… not a funny one this time, no more pissed off teachers)-
Atop a great crown of unimaginably tall trees was a beautiful city. As we were led higher and higher into Lothlórien, as it was called, Aragorn and Legolas told the Hobbits about the Lady Galadriel and her husband Lord Celeborn.
When we finally reached the beautiful chamber belonging to Lord Celeborn, the awe of the magnificent elven kingdom quickly faded at his first question. "Eight there are, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him."
Lady Galadriel spoke for the party of elves, dwarves, men, and hobbits, "He has fallen… into shadow. The Quest stands upon the edge of a k knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all...Yet hope remains while the company is true." Her eyes roved back and forth through the group.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace," she continued. As she spoke she moved forward towards me, and then rested her hand upon my shoulder. She looked to the rest of the party, "Go, I will watch over him as you rest."
As the rest of the Fellowship paraded behind servants who led them to wherever they would stay for the night, Galadriel squeezed by shoulder lightly. "Come, let us walk," she ordered. And I followed.
As we walked the Lady Galadriel quickly explained much of what I did not understand about this world. She explained the Fellowship and the Ring, Sauron and Saruman, and the basics on Melkor and the Valar. Finally after several attempts to get the answers I wanted, rather than as she said, the answers I needed, she told me why I was here and not rotting in an airport.
When Nienna, a Vala of Mercy, Patience, and Hope, learned that her star pupil, the Maia, Olórin, or as I knew the wizard, Gandalf, had died in battle with the balrog, before I arrived, her sorrow moved some of the other Valar. In hopes that it would aid in the battle against those who would tip the balance between Creation and Corruption, Order and Chaos, Good and Evil, Mandos the Judge of the Dead, Esté the Lady of Rest and Healing gave aide to Nienna.
Until Gandalf's immortal spirit could find it's way back to a physical form, someone would have to help fight for the people of Arda. Together the three of them created a light that could shine while drowning in the darkest of magic. Whose purity and fairness could last forever. And they sent it off, letting the Ilúvatar, the fate and destiny of this world, lead it where it would go. And it found me.
"I'm sorry, but that's got to be bullshit. Are you kidding me? This is impossible!" It couldn't be true.
With all the things you have seen of this world is it really so impossible, she asked in my mind.
"I died. I'm dead. Why would they bring me here? How? They told me Gandalf fell over the edge with the balrog. I was already outside when he was still alive, I heard him shouting."
Yes, indeed. That can be explained in the fact that you did, in-fact, die. Your body is a lifeless husk in your world and the Valar have gifted you new life. You are their chosen. Time and Space mean little to beings with such immortal power. They sent for you millenias ago and you are now here. As are we. She gestured to the room we were now standing in.
After a short walk across to the opposite side of the city to a tight staircase that spirals higher and higher into the treetops, where, at the top, an opening is revealed to another narrow staircase down into the depths of the tree. The air was old, but not musty and quite cool. The lights became more frequent as we went further down. Glowing stones set into the wall of the tree. We had reached the bottom by the end of our discussion.
"Alright, FINE!" I sigh, "Then tell me what this means now that I'm here." She looked at me, Your soul has... paired with the light, it is part of you. A more correct way of looking at it would be that you are the light, and after so long a time, you have returned. You are not from this world, but you have always belonged to it.
"So what now?" My question spurs her into motion. She glided across the small room to the side of the side where the light seemed to dissipate. There were 5 wizards sent to Arda. 5 of the Maiar to battle against those who had been corrupted by Melkor and his dark power. Your existence has been threaded into the web of this world. you have been created, by all rights, by the Valar. You have been given power to fulfill your purpose and immortality to celebrate your success. We cannot however take away your right to die if you so life may be freely given. We do not wish to force you to do anything, merely to ask for your aide.
"Ask for help after you've enabled me to help you. Great plan," I muttered sarcastically. Yes , I know that it is too much, but we don't have time to wait. You were meant to go to Valinor so that Mandos and Esté could explain the situation and offer you assistance, but for now you have me. Her eyes were irritated but eager, as well as worried and expectant. She pulled off a ring on her right hand and held it up before her.
She then turned away from me and began what appeared to be an incantation. the ring began to glow red hot between her fingers. As it got brighter and brighter the shadows began to shimmer. The ring, now white, melted slowly, dripping to the ground, then all at once, the remainder of the o-shape dissolved and splattered onto the ground, the glowing O shape still between her fingers as the darkness parted like a curtain and gave way to light.
Aight that is it for now, love you guys , see ya next chapter.