AN: Some parts of this chapter are taken directly out of the book-mainly dialogue. I've italicized what I could remember was directly from it but just so you know I don't own those parts. Tolkien's work is incredible and beautiful and to change some of the things he's done, I just couldn't do it. Writing a LOTR canon story is difficult for that reason. Please understand that, know that I mean no infringement on copyrights or anything.

Chapter Eight

After they had all gone to bed and were fast asleep, Frodo lay restless. He opened his eyes, tired of trying to sleep and stood up.

"Where are you going Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked as Frodo started to walk away.

"I cannot sleep," he said and his face was troubled. Sam immediately got up and went to him.

"What's the matter?" He asked worriedly, walking away with him.

"I think it's time Sam, time that we leave Lorien and finish what we started." He looked at Sam with dark blue eyes.

"I was beginning to feel the same thing, Mr. Frodo and I was wondering when you would." Sam reassured.

"But I would very much like to see the Lady Galadriel one last time before we leave." Frodo said with a sigh and just as if she had heard him, there appeared Galadriel approaching them. She said nothing but looked at them and turned, beckoning to them. They followed and she led them towards the southern slopes of the hill of Caras Galadhon where she and Orpheus had spoken. They went down a long set of stars and into the deep green hollow where the silver stream flowed, coming from the fountain on the hill. At the very bottom on a low pedestal carved like a branching tree, there was a silver basin. It was wide and shallow and beside it was a silver ewer. Galadriel filled the basin with water from the stream, breathing on it she looked at them.

"Here is the Mirror of Galadriel. I have brought you here so that you may look in it, if you will." She spoke quietly and the hobbits looked at it nervously. The air felt so still and the dell was dark and before them the Lady stood so pale and tall.

"What will we look for? And what will we see?" Asked Frodo in awe.

"Many things I can command the mirror to reveal and to some I can show what they desire to see," she answered, "But the mirror will also show things unbidden, and those are often stranger and more profitable than things which we wish to behold. What you will see, if you leave the mirror free to work, I cannot tell. For it shows things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be. But which it is that he sees, even the wisest cannot always tell. Do you wish to look?" Frodo gulped and was unable to answer, his mind reeling with the possibilities. "And you?" She asked, turning to Sam.

"I'll have a peep, Lady, if you're willing. And I'd not mind a glimpse of what's going on at home." He said, worried about those at home. He climbed up the foot of the pedestal and leaned over it. After a moment, he gave a low gasp and it was as if a dark veil had been withdrawn. There was sun shining and the trees swayed in the wind, Sam was unsure of what he was seeing but then the light faded and he thought he saw Frodo with a pale face asleep under a dark cliff. Then it was like he was going down a long passage, climbing an endless winding stair. He felt as if he were desperately looking for something, but what it was, he didn't know. Then like the vision changes in a dream, it shifted and went back to the trees. But things had changed and the trees weren't so close together or waving in the wind, but falling down. There was a large red-brick building; lots of folk were busily working on it. Black smoke seemed to cloud the surface of the mirror. And then he gave a cry as he saw that Bagshot Row had been dug up and his poor old gaffer was going down the hill with his belongs on a barrow.

"I must go home!" Sam cried, pulling away.

"You cannot go home alone," Said the Lady, "You did not wish to go home without your master before you looked in the mirror, and yet you knew that evil things might be happening in the Shire. But do not forget that the mirror shows many things, some that have not yet come to be. Not all that it shows comes true for many things may stop them. It is dangerous as a guide."

Sam sat on the ground and put his head in his hands.

"Do you now wish to look, Frodo?" She asked after a long silence.

"Do you advice me to look?" He asked nervously.

"No, I do not counsel you one way or the other. I am not a counsellor. You may learn something, whether what you see be fair or evil, it may be profitable or not. Seeing is both good and perilous. I think, Frodo, that you have courage and wisdom enough for the venture, or I would not have brought you here. Do as you will."

"I will look," Frodo said and climbed up on the pedestal. Leaning over he saw a twilit land, mountains loomed dark in the distance against the sky. There was a long grey road that went out of sight and far away a figure walked slowly down the road, small at first but growing larger and clearer as it came closer. Suddenly he realized it was Gandalf and he almost called out for the wizard but then he saw the figure was clothed in white, not grey. He wondered suddenly if it was not Gandalf but Saruman the White. The vision changed then and briefly, he saw Bilbo walking restlessly around his room, the table full of disordered papers. Slowly it shifted through the past that he had now become entangled in and then he saw a sight which he had never seen before: the Sea. Then it was dark and the sea rose and raged in a storm. He saw the great ships sailing west and the wide river flowing through a populous city. The white fortress with seven towers. Just as Frodo was about to pull away, the mirror suddenly went dark and in the emptiness there appeared a single eye that grew until it filled the whole mirror. The eye was rimmed in fire but itself was yellow as a cat's, watching and the black slit of its pupil opened on a pit, a window into nothing. The eye was searching and Frodo knew that he was what it was looking for but it couldn't see him, not unless he wanted it to see him. The ring on his neck grew heavier and heavier, pulling down on his neck and dragging him closer to the mirror.

"Do not touch the water!" the Lady warned softly and the vision faded instantly. Frodo stepped back, shaking head to toe and looked at her.

"I know what it is that you last saw," she whispered, "for that is also in my mind. Do not be afraid but do not think that only by singing amid the trees, nor even by the slender arrows of elven-bows, is this land of Lothlorien maintained and defended against its enemy. I know the Dark Lord and his mind and he gropes ever to see me and my thoughts but that door is closed." She lifted up her arms and spread her hands towards the East as in a gesture of rejection. Earendil, the Evening Star, the most beloved star among the elves shone clearly above them. In its light she glowed, glittering like polished silver and white. On her hand was a ring and Frodo then understood, she had one of three rings that were given to the elves, Nenya. He looked at it in wonder.

"We do not speak of it, but it cannot be hidden from the Ring-bearer." She said, watching him look at it. They talked a little more about how if he succeed in his quest, the power she had would disappear and Lothlorien would fade, disappearing into the world as time finally reached it.

In the morning Frodo told the fellowship that he believed it was time to go and they all agreed, having only been waiting for Frodo. They spent their last day walking around and taking in as much beauty as they could, savouring the memories they had made here and the peace they felt. In the evening they went to the chamber of Celeborn to see the Lord and Lady one last time.

"It is time now, for you to be of strong heart and go and continue the Quest. Those who wish to not continue on, may stay for a while." Celeborn said as he they stood before him, "but I cannot promise peace for Middle Earth is entering a time dark and the darkness spreads across the lands and he who stays may be summoned to the last need of Lorien." They all listened, thinking about what they were risking to go on. The boys thought about their world, their friends, their lives and what would happen if they never returned. The hobbits thought of the Shire, Sam thought of his Gaffer and though his heart ached for him and begged him to go back, but he knew he had to stay with Frodo and see this through. Orpheus heard the song in his head and Galadriel seemed to give him a knowing look but he forced the song away. He knew that if the Quest failed, there could be no future for him and whoever his soul mate was, he had to protect them.

"They all resolved to go forward." Galadriel said at last, looking at each one of them slowly.

"My home is onward, not back, I must go on." Boromir said.

"So it is. Are you all then going to Minas Tirith?" Celeborn asked, looking at Boromir.

"We are unsure of what direction we will take," Aragorn said, not wanting Boromir to get any ideas in his head, "for I am unsure of what direction Gandalf has planned for us beyond Lothlorien."

Celeborn thought for awhile, "you cannot leave this land without going down the Great River and there is no way to cross with your belongings without a boat. Which side will you take? The way to Minas Tirith is on this side but the road of the Quest is east of the River, what shore will you take?"

"I still believe we should go to Minas Tirith." Boromir said, Frodo's heart stirred. He suspected that Boromir just wanted to take the ring to his father and would try to take it from him. "But," Boromir said with great emphasis and a little resentment, "I am not the leader of this company."

"Hmm well I know Aragorn, Legolas and Boromir can handle a boat, but are there any others who know?"

"Yea, we all can." Heru said easily. "We go kayaking all the time and Andrew's practically a fish he's out on the water so much back home."

"And me!" Merry exclaimed, "Not all of us hobbits look at boats as if they were wild horses. My people live off the shore of the Brandywine and I have some skill with a boat."

"Very well then," Celeborn smiled, "I will give your Company boats to carry all of you and your belongings down the River until you can decide what way to go. They are small and light, for that will be good because when you come to the rapids of Sarn Gebir, you will be forced to carry them as well as at several other points." Aragorn felt a weight leave his shoulders, he couldn't decide which way to go and this took the pressure off him for at least a couple more days. Sam was really the only one who wasn't too fond of this plan, for he did look at boats as wild beasts.

"All will be prepared for you and will be waiting for you at the haven before noon tomorrow. I will send people in the morning to guide you and make sure you are ready for your journey. Have a fair night and untroubled sleep!" He said gently and bowed.

"Good night, my friends." said Galadriel, bowing as well, "sleep in peace; do not trouble yourselves with worry about the road." They left, feeling a little sad to be leaving the next day but also anxious to get moving. They had finally known how long they had been there for it was the last night of the full moon when they reached Lothlorien and tonight was the last night of another full moon. They had spent a full month resting in the golden woods. Legolas didn't spend the night with elves but instead, spent his last night with the group. They talked for a little while about what would be ahead of them for the next couple days. Aragorn and Boromir explained to the boys and the hobbits what kind of land was up ahead and they were given a small history lesson, at which Heru and Andreas took as their cue to space out.

Morning came soon and elves who spoke English came to say farewell, bringing them gifts of food and clothing for the journey. Heru had packed a couple plays; he could never go too far without reading at least one play. He gave a couple as gifts for their hospitality and they thanked him gratefully, for the ones he had given them to had been at every story he had told and had intently listened to every word. The food they were given was mostly thin cakes and Gimli took one of the cakes, looking at it doubtfully.

"Cram," he muttered and broke off a small corner, nipping at it cautiously. As he tasted it his eyes lit up and he ate the rest of the cake.

"No more, no more!" Cried the elves, laughing, "You have eaten more than enough now for a full day's march."

"I thought it was just a kind of cram." Gimli blushed.

"It is, but it is called Lemas or way bread and it is more strengthening than any food made by men and much more pleasant than cram." Gimli nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for all your gifts and such wonderful cakes!"

The elves then unwrapped the clothes they had brought. Each were given a hood and cloak, made specifically for them. The material was light but warm and they were grey with a tint of twilight under the trees or so it looked and if they moved or the lighting changed, they seemed almost green or brown. The elves went about, fastening them on them. As one put the cloak on Saber, he hissed loudly and jumped back, smoke steamed up from his back.

"What is wrong?" Cried the elf, staring at the burned cloth. Saber growled, stepping back and trying to calm down.

"Your gift is a wonderful gift and I would accept it willingly but the purity of your people is far too great for a creature like me." Saber explained slowly, "and to touch such a pure object, made with such care and affection, hand stitched by the Lady herself who is far too pure and good for me. I cannot accept this," he stared at the cloak, "for it will kill me." The elves looked at him in surprise and back at the cloth.

"But surely you are not so evil or you would not be free to walk in the lands of Lorien or speak with the Lord or Lady?" Asked the elf who held the cloak.

"My heart is right but I am still a creature of darkness in my world and in this one." They nodded, not fully understanding this but they did not force him to accept the gift.

They ate breakfast and once they finished packing the last of their things Haldir appeared. His face was stern like it had been the whole time they travelled with him before, but his eyes sparkled with amusement and delight to see them again.

"Haldir!" Pippin said excitedly and Heru looked up.

"Mm, I'm really going to miss looking at him," Heru whispered to Andreas, forgetting about the extraordinary hearing of elves. Haldir gave him a confused look and Heru blushed, shifting his weight awkwardly.

"I have come to lead you to the river," he said, his eyes smiling behind his stoic face. They greeted him and were glad to see him. They walked for a few hours, coming to the opening at the river.

"Come!" Haldir waved his hand at the four boats, "all is ready for you." They packed their belongings into the boats and they arranged themselves this way: Aragorn, Frodo, Sam and Orpheas went in one boat; Boromir, Merry and Pippin in another; Legolas, Gimli and Saber, and in the last boat, Andrew, Heru and Andreas sat. It was rather cramped, but the boats were relatively large and the hobbits were small, as was Gimli, and they managed to fit everything in without the boats sinking into the water.

"Farewell!" Haldir waved and they all waved goodbye, paddling down the Silverlode led by Aragorn. The current was fast and everything faded behind them quickly. Sam clung to the side of the boat like a cat in water and Saber looked at it in disgust as he paddled along.

"There's a song," Orpheas whispered and looked up the river. In the distance they could hear music and suddenly they saw a ship ahead, carved with elven-skill in the likeness of a bird. There Galadriel stood, singing, her voice both sad and sweet. Celeborn sat in front of her, looking back at them. Aragorn steered their boat up alongside them as she ended her song.

"We wish to bid you one last farewell," Galadriel said as they came up.

"You have been our guest for a month now and yet you did not eat with us, so let us now eat together." Celeborn said and they paddled to the shore. There, they ate and drank, relaxing in the grass and sunlight. Celeborn gave them directions and warned them about rapids and which way to go. He told them which way to go in both directions, to Minas Tirith and Mordor. Galadriel then stood up.

"I have gifts to give to each of you in memory of Lothlrien." She said, turning to Aragorn. "To the leader of the Company, here I give the gift of Celeborn and Galadriel, a sheath that has been made to fit his sword." It was beautiful and had flowers and leaves wrought of silver and gold on it and there were elf runes forming the name of his sword, Anduril and its lineage. "The blade drawn from this sheath will not be stained or broken even in defeat." She said smiling and Aragorn accepted the gift, thanking her for her kindness. "Is there anything else I can give you?" She asked and Aragorn shook his head.

"My Lady, you know all that I desire and what I want is not yours to give me."

"Ah, but perhaps this will lighten your heart," she said and pulled out a stone of clear green, set in a silver brooch that was shaped like an eagle with outspread wings, "for it was given to me to give to you should you pass through this land. This I gave to my daughter, Celebrain and she to hers and now it is given to you as a token of hope. In this hour take the name that was foretold for you, Elessar, the Elf stone of the house of Elendil!" Aragorn took the stone and pinned it on his breast. They looked at him and somehow he had changed, standing tall and kingly and the shadow that had been over him faded and fell from his shoulders. He bowed and she turned to Boromir. To him she gave him a belt of gold, to Merry and Pippin small silver belts that had a clasp in the shape of a golden flower. To Legolas she gave him a bow that her people used; it was longer and stouter than the bows of Mirkwood. With it, she gave him a quiver of arrows.

"And what could I give to a Glandian?" She asked, looking at Orpheas, "for nothing I could give would be as great as the things in Mayadar. But here, you share a love for the earth and all that grows, much the same as this little gardener," she looked at Sam, "for both of you, I have only a small gift." She handed each of them a box of plain grey wood, simple with only a silver rune on its lid. "It will not protect you on your road or defend you but perhaps it will give you hope. In it, there is earth from my orchard and my blessing has been bestowed upon it. And in that earth, a single Mallorn-tree seed. Wherever you place a small amount of this soil, even in barren waste lands, your garden shall bloom like no other in Middle Earth. And you will remember Galadriel and have a small glimpse of Lorien." She said and they both accepted the presents, Orpheas' eyes filled with tears.

"My Lady, no gift could you give to me that would be greater." He held it in his hand and then it vanished, "it will go to Mayadar and I will plant the seed in the courtyard of the White Castle in memory of the peace between our peoples and of the beauty of the Elvish race that is more beautiful and fairer than any other. My lady this gift is a token of peace among my people and it welcomes you and all of your people into our world. When we have finished our quest, I extend to you an invitation to visit us and come to the planting ceremony."

Sam managed to mumble something but no one could really understand what it was and he blushed bright red, clinging to the box. She nodded and thanked Orpheas for his invitation and turned to Gimli, asking,

"What gift would a dwarf ask of the elves?"

"None, Lady, it is enough for me to have seen the Lady of the Galadhrim and to have heard her gentle words." Answered Gimli.

"Hear all ye Elves!" She laughed, "let none say again that dwarves are grasping and ungracious! But surely, Gimli son of Gloin, you desire something that I can give?"

"There is nothing," he repeated, bowing and stammering, "nothing, unless it might be, if it is permitted to ask, nay to name a single strand of your hair which surpasses the gold of the earth as the stars surpass the gems of the mine. I do not ask for such a gift, but you commanded me to name my desire."

The Elves stirred in astonishment and Celeborn glared at Gimli in wonder but Galadriel smiled.

"How can I refuse if I commanded you to speak? But what would you do with such a gift?"

"Treasure it, Lady in memory of your words to me at our first meeting." He answered. Then the Lady took her hair out from her braid and cut three golden hairs and laid them in his hand. Then she came to Andreas and Heru.

"For both of you, I give you these knives," she handed each of them a dagger, their handles carved with leaves and their sheaths were much like Aragorn's in design. They thanked her and Heru cleared his throat.

"Actually, if you can pause for a minute," Heru held up his hand and ran to the boat that had his bag. He rummaged through it and came back, carrying a one pound chocolate bar and ran back. "I know this isn't much, it's really nothing in comparison to the gifts you've given us. But my step dad, Araylen, is always saying how elves love sweet things, or at least that's his excuse for putting five tablespoons of sugar in his tea," he rambled, "but I've heard that chocolate is a rare treat in Middle Earth and well, we brought some 'cus it's good to have if your blood sugar levels are low and you need a boost, but we have a lot and I'd like to give it to you." He handed her the golden Lindt chocolate bar. "I'm sorry we can't give you anything else, but I hope you'll like it." He blushed, now suddenly feeling like a complete idiot. She took the chocolate bar and looked at it curiously. Clearly caught off guard by the sudden gift but she grinned and handed it to Celeborn who looked at it just as curiously, hiding his excitement for he loved chocolate.

"This is a very gracious gift and we are honoured that you would give it to us."

"Well we appreciate you being so hospitable and what not. For letting us stay in your land, especially Saber, and we're not even from Middle Earth. We'll never forget your kindness," he said, his eyes filling with tears suddenly. He had never known anyone to give so freely and expect nothing in return and he was overwhelmed by her kindness. Galadriel saw his heart and what he felt, the pain he had experienced in his life and she touched his cheek gently.

"I do hope that you have found healing here in our land." She whispered softly and he sniffed, nodding. The others watched, rather confused but Orpheas held back his own tears, seeing the healing that was happening in Heru's soul. Galadriel turned to Saber.

"And what could I give to a vampire?" She asked, "For you do not desire anything that I can give. But just as Gimli had a secret desire, you must as well."

"No," Saber shook his head, "your acceptance of me has been more valuable than any gift you could give me. For you let a creature of death and darkness walk in your lands freely and you let me rest and hunt and find comfort here in this haven of purity. You have already given me the greatest gifts you could give to one like myself." He answered and she smiled, nodding in acceptance of his answer.

"Very well then." She said and turned to Andrew. She pulled out a clear small white shell, much like a seashell in their world. "For you, Andrew, I have a gift for your weary soul. Here is the shell of the Grey Havens. If you place it to your ear, you shall hear a song of great comfort and it will bring peace to you wherever you are." She handed it to him and he looked at in wonder, placing it to his ear. The song was faint, but it echoed through the shell and for a moment, the anxiety and rage inside of him seemed to calm and he was able to breathe easier.

"Thank you," he said quietly, not sure what else to say.

"I come to you last Frodo," she turned to him, holding a small crystal phial. It glittered as it moved and there was a white ray of light that came from the crystal. "In this phial is caught the light of Earendil's star. It will shine brighter when night is about you. May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out. Remember Galadriel and her mirror!" Frodo took the phial and bowed, unable to find words to thank her.

The Lady and Celeborn led them back to the hythe and the afternoon sun sparkled on the waters. They took their places in the boats and said their final farewell, slowly paddling away.

"What was that about?" Andreas asked Heru as they paddled, following behind Aragorn.

"What was what about?" Heru asked, clearing his throat.

"That whole weepy scene back there?"

"Nothing." He growled and Andreas made him smack himself.

"Hey!" He rubbed his cheek and glared at him, "fine, I just… I mean common you didn't at least feel weird being there? When was the last time a complete stranger let you come into their house, eat their food, sleep in their beds, and not expect anything in return? And to top it off, gave you a gift when you left? When was the last time that ever happened to any of us?" He asked and they sat there silent for a minute, letting his words sink in.

"Never," Andrew said sadly, "well, Ammon. But he's the only one."

"Yea," Andreas nodded and shook his head, "people sure are different here."

"They're trusting." Andrew shook his head, "it's so much better here."

"You don't miss home?" Heru asked, looking back at Andrew.

"What's there to miss?" Andrew looked at him, paddling easily, "my home is here-you're all here." Heru smiled and leaned over hugging him. Andrew patted his back and pushed him off.

"I miss home," Andreas said after a minute, "I miss the sound of traffic and the lights at night, I miss the insanity." He grinned and Andrew shook his head.

"Me too." Heru nodded.

"You're both city rats."