Chapter 4

A New Hope

Valinor

September 25, 4

The Fourth Age

Early Morning

Galadriel was walking barefoot along the sandy edge of Valinor deep in thought and gazing across the wide sea that lay between her and Middle Earth. Celeborn was there as well. News had reached Valinor of the wars of Middle Earth a couple months before. So they had sent Olorin and young Frodo Baggins over the sea to the kingdom of Hyrule to aid the free peoples. They had had no news from them ever since. Galadriel was deeply worried. To think it had come to this! They had thought Sauron destroyed along with the One Ring. It sure looked like he had been destroyed. What were they to do? Surely they couldn't just sit here like cowards! But alas, the age of the elves had passed and it was now the age of men.

"What do you advise we do, Galadriel?" Celeborn finally asked.

Galadriel looked towards Middle Earth with a tear in her eye and finally turned to Celeborn.

"I honestly don't have a clue dear!" she wept bitterly.

Celeborn gave her a comforting embrace.

"It'll be fine. They have the White Wizard." He said.

But he honestly did not believe that that would even help. Galadriel walked briskly into the woods. As Celeborn started to follow after her he was stopped by Elrond Halfelven.

"Let her be, Celeborn. She needs time." He counseled Celeborn.

Celeborn turned to the elven lord.

"Aren't you the least bit worried about Lady Arwen?" he asked.

"She has chosen her fate. It is hers alone. I can do nothing but let fate run its course." He answered.

"But we have to do something! Anything!" Celeborn protested.

Elrond shook his head sadly.

"Like Galadriel said as we departed from Middle Earth 'the time of the elves is over.' We can no longer sail back to Middle Earth." He said with deep sadness in his voice.

He wanted to sail over to Middle Earth with an army of Elves himself, but he knew that would be looked upon with anger by the Valor. Elrond then led Celeborn to the Great Elven Hall. As they walked upon the dirt road they remembered the ages gone by. They had to do something about this new war. But what? He had been busy when Olorin got the news of the war and had not been able to hold council with him. Olorin would have had good advice for him. All of a sudden an idea sprang into his head. Radagast! What had ever happened to him since he ran into Olorin?

"Celeborn!" Elrond exclaimed in excitement.

"What is the matter, Master Elrond?" Celeborn asked in confusion.

"Radagast can help! He has been a friend of the elves since before I could remember! If only we could contact him!" Celeborn's spirit rose on the mention of Radagast.

Of course! Why hadn't they thought of him before? All of a sudden he saw a giant eagle coming their way.

"Lord Elrond! It's Gwaihir, the lord of the Eagles! Maybe he can get a message to Radagast!" Celeborn cried in excitement.

"The Eagles are coming!" he shouted for all to hear.

The lord of the eagles landed gracefully on the shores of Valinor. The two elven lords ran over to him.

"Greetings Gwaihir! What news from Middle Earth?" Elrond greeted him.

"Lord Elrond, grave news I have." The eagle began.

The eagle then told them of the treachery of Frodo and the return of Sauron and the Ringwraiths.

"Oh no! Arwen!" Elrond cried out in dismay.

"Relax Lord Elrond! She is safe in Minas Arnor with an army of Men protecting her." He said.

Elrond was still worried about his daughter.

"Gwaihir, can you by any chance find Old Radagast and deliver a message for us?" Celeborn interrupted.

"Radagast! Wow! Excellent timing. I just came from talking to him and the Halflings. He is setting out to Coruscant with Sam, Merry, and Pippin to alert Olorin of the Return of Sauron and his minions." The eagle told him.

"Excellent!" Elrond breathed in relief.

"So what do you advise the elves do?" Elrond asked the eagle.

"I am merely a messenger. I am no adviser." The eagle began.

"But I advise you gather your forces and set out for the Grey Havens." He finished.

"Indeed?" Elrond and Celeborn said with eyebrows raised.

"But is that wise?" Galadriel said as she walked into view from the forest.

Gwaihir bowed his head to Galadriel.

"Lady Galadriel." He greeted.

"Welcome Gwaihir." Galadriel replied in like kind.

"So are you saying we shouldn't bring the elves back to Middle Earth?" Elrond inquired.

"All I'm saying is that Frodo brought this upon us. Not the elves but the Halflings! They should be the ones who should be fixing it! Not us! On the other hand they might do the same thing again. So I propose sending an elven warrior over to destroy the REAL Ring in Mount Doom so the mission will not fail." Galadriel replied. "I agree with Lady Galadriel, I think we should send either one elven warrior to destroy the ring or send another Fellowship over to complete the mission." Elrond said.

"It's settled then. We will appoint a fellowship of elven warriors to destroy the Ring." Celeborn announced.

"But who will be in this new fellowship?" Gwaihir asked.

"Who indeed?" they all said ominously.