Chapter 4- Gifts from the Goddess
The silence was awkward and tense for Cedric, who was used to the noise of the Hufflepuff common room or the singing of his siblings in cabin four. All Demigods could sing, no matter who their parents, it was a talent from their godly side, though Apollo children where still the best. Singing, if it were from himself or his siblings, calmed him down, so that's what he started to do.
'Hey brother, there's an endless road to re-discover.'
Fern's head snapped round and he grinned at her, prompting her for the next line.
'Hey sister, know the water's sweet but blood is thicker.'
She grinned back at him before they continued the song together.
'Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do
Hey brother! Do you still believe in one another?
Hey sister! Do you still believe in love? I wonder
Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do
What if I'm far from home?
Oh brother, I will hear you call!
What if I lose it all?
Oh sister, I will help you hang on!
Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do
Hey brother! There's an endless road to rediscover
Hey sister! Do you still believe in love? I wonder
Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do
What if I'm far from home?
Oh brother, I will hear you call!
What if I lose it all?
Oh sister, I will help you hang on!
Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do.'
The words floated through the golden leaves, defusing the tension in Cedric's mind and lifting Fern's spirits. The long night of walking turned into a long day of walking, only sped by songs. Songs that only Cedric and Fern knew.
Finally, they came to the edge of the golden forest, standing on the edge of a cliff, they looked up at the glade of trees that rose above them, haloed by the setting sun which turned the leaves golden and the sky pink. "Caras Galadhon, the heart of the Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light." The lead elf smiled, Legolas looked upon the sight with finely veiled awe.
The fellowship were lead along a path that twisted among and up into the branches of great trees. Wooden spirals of stairs wound into the trees under the blue glow of the moon and the silver lanterns hung on each arch. All the way up the fellowship followed the elves to a great platform suspended in the air and glowing silver. A curling walkway led to a short set of stairs.
The elvish couple that descended glowed. As the light dimmed slightly, Lady Aphrodite and her elvish husband became the glowing pair. Aphrodite's eyes came to rest on Frodo but it was her husband that spoke.
"The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hop you had in secrecy is now gone." He told the fellowship, a slight frown on his face as he met the eyes of each member. "Nine there are here, but ten set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I mush desire to speak with him." He paused, looking thoughtful and sad. "I can no longer see him from afar."
It was Aphrodite who spoke for the fellowship, her voice light and mystic. "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He was fallen, into shadow." She looked to Aragorn, almost for confirmation, he nodded sadly. "He was taken," Legolas said, though it pained him to do so. "by both Shadow and Flame: a Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the nest of Moria."
Gimli bowed his head, it had been him who'd convinced the fellowship into the mines, promising beds, food and the company of others. instead it had brought death and fire. "Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose." Her gaze shifted to Gimli. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin."
Gimli looked up, unreleased tears glittering in the light. "For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
"What now becomes of this Fellowship?" The elf at her side asked. "Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
"This 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 remains true." Aphrodite locked eyes with Sam and smiled, he looked down bashfully. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now, rest. For you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."
Once they were back on the ground, the fellowship where guided to a small clearing, small mountains of bedding in the hollow roots of the trees. The lighting here was soft, still silver but the silver of the moon and the stars, not the glow of lanterns and elves.
Then the fellowship were offered baths. Needless to say, seeing as none of them had had a proper bath since Rivendell, which was several months ago, they all took the chance. And seeing as Gimli refused to bath unless it was in a proper bath, everyone was rather grateful. They were all given a set of clothes while their own were being washed and mended. An elf had to help Fern brush the knots and tangles from her hair, gently untangling them one by one, it took a while.
When Fern rejoined to fellowship, her damp curls hung loose, gently tickling her tail-bone, the elves had stated singing. "A lament, for Gandalf." Legolas breathed, looking up, trying to find the elves singing. Gimli snored gently, the steady noise of swords being sharpened had sent him to sleep. "What do they about him?" Merry asked, looking up from making his bed, Legolas met his eyes, tears glittering in his eyes. "I have not the heart to tell, for me the grief is still too near."
"I bet they don't mention his fireworks." Sam said to Merry sadly, remembering the dragon at Bilbo's eleventy first. "There should be a verse about them." The slightly chubby hobbit said, stealing his bravery and getting to his feet. "The finest rockets ever seen, They burst in stars of blue and green." Gimli snorted loudly in his sleep causing Aragorn to hit his pillow. "Or after thunder... silver showers came falling like a, rain of flowers." The hobbit blushed and sat back down. "Oh that doesn't do them justice by a long road." He muttered, embarrassed.
"It was a good try." Cedric smiled gently as Aragorn walked past toward Boromir. "We should make a shroud." Fern said, running a whetstone along the blade of a dagger. "It's what we'd do." Cedric agreed. "If we were at camp." The demigods looked sadly at the weapons in their hands. "They probably burnt ours before Dad told them what was going on." Fern said. "Sound like something he'd do." She said bitterly, there was another pause before Cedric said tentatively. "Hay. Fern, what do you miss most? About home?"
Fern shrugged, setting her dagger down and taking up her sword. "I miss climbing the lava wall; I miss beating the Aries cabin at Capture the Flag; I miss the roast pork when it's someone's birthday; I miss the smell of the strawberry fields when it rains; I miss eating Thalia's Mississippi Mud Pie every Monday after archery; I miss sparing in the arena; I miss the songs around the camp fire; I miss Percy and Jason and Thalia and Annabeth and Lacy and Rachel and Juliet and Ryan; I miss Millie and Milo. I miss quidditch and the school Library; I miss sneaking into the kitchen in the middle of the night; I miss watching McGonagall losing it at the twins; I miss Sirius and Remus and Hermione and Ron and Neville and Katie and Alicia and Ginny; I miss curling up in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room in the middle of a lightening storm. I miss Home Cedric, all of it, more than I can ever say." Fern met the grass green eyes of her best friend, tears shimmering in her mismatched eyes before burrowing into the nest of pillows and blankets she'd made and falling asleep.
The Fellowship stayed in Lothlorien for three days, adding to their supplies, sharpening their weapons and catching up on some mush needed sleep. On the third day, they were called to the edge of the woods, near the river, to receive parting gifts from the Lady Galadriel.
"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people." Celeborn said as the group of elves pinning cloaks around the shoulders of the Fellowship stepped back. "May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Celeborn smiled, stepping aside to let his wife glide toward the Fellowship. "You embark on a dangerous quest. You will need the help of the elves, unfortunately, we cannot send one of our own with you but we can bestow gifts upon you." Her long pale dress brushed the forest floor as she moved closer. "To Boromir, son of Denethor. I give the sword of the Noldorin." From beneath the folds of her dress she drew a short sword encased in a scabbard of golden leaves. "Do not let power fill you as it has filled your father Boromir." The man looked up sharply but Aphrodite had already moved on to Aragorn. "To Aragorn, Son of Kings. Andúril's sheath, the blade that is drawn from this sheath shall not be stained or broken even in defeat." Seemingly from thin air she pulled a sheath overlaid with a tracery of flowers and leaves wrought of silver and gold. "But no gift I give can be greater then her love."
"Thank you my lady." Aragorn bowed slightly and respectfully. "My gift for you, Legolas son of Thranduil, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." With a look of pure awe on his face, Legolas took the pale bow. "Let your heart lead you where it wants to go, do not lead your heart with your head." Aphrodite turned to Merry and Pippin. "These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage." Pippin looked up, pure terror in his eyes. Aphrodite smiled kindly at him and turned to Sam. "And for you, Samwise Gamgee: Elven rope, made of hithlain."
"Thank you, my lady." He looked sidelong at Merry and Pippin's daggers, then up hopefully. "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" The lady laughed. "Not every war is won with weapons." She smiled and turned to Cedric. "To you, Cedric son of Demeter." She held out a wooden box. "The tears of a Phoenix. And may they be of some use. Both to the plants you grow and the people around you. be warned, do not used too many as it take four sunsets to refill." Cedric nodded happily, his grip tight on the box. She turned to Fern. "To Fern, daughter of Zeus. I give you the sword of your ancestor." She held out a long sword in a scarlet and gold scabbard. The gold hilt glittered with rubies as she closed her fist around it. Holding the scabbard with one hand Fern draw the sword of Godric Gryffindor. "Thank you my lady."
Finally she turned to Frodo, Galadriel held out a crystal vial shaped like a tear-drop, filled with clear water and a shining light. "Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you, in dark places, when all other lights go out." She bent and kissed him lightly on the forehead and moved on to Gimli. "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" Gimli grunted, keeping his eyes down. "Nothing." He looked up quickly and said. "Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth." Aphrodite laughed, smiling at him. He turned to walk away, then stopped and turned back, looking bashful. "Actually, there was one thing — ah, agh, that's quite impossible. Stupid to ask."
"Tell master dwarf. What would you have me give you?" Gimli looked down at his boots. "A hair, my lady. A hair from your golden head." Aphrodite smiled and plucked three hairs from her head. "To Gimli, son of Glóin. Three of my own hairs, to do with what he sees fit." Gimli took the hairs, rapture lighting up his face. "Thank you my lady." He breathed.
The elves sent them off down the river in small pale boats with leaf shaped ores. Elvish way-bread carefully packaged in large leaves piled into the back of the three boats between their packs. After a warning from Celeborn the Fellowship set off, the elvish song of parting surrounding them.
"I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me." Gimli said gruffly after a while, great grey cliffs rising either side of them. "What was it?" Legolas asked curiously. "I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three." Gimli said quietly, still in awe of the gift.
Legolas smiled gently. "A generous gift." He nodded, dipping his paddle into the water. "Especially seeing as she's a Goddess." Fern add, resting the sword of Gryffindor across her lap, running her hands over the red sheath. "She's one of your Goddess'?" Gimli asked, looking up in surprise. "Uh-hu." Fern nodded, trailing her fingers through the water. "Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty. She's usually a bit of a trouble maker."
"What's she doing here?" Legolas asked,suddenly weary of the Lady of Light. "No idea." Fern shrugged "But for once, she seems to be doing something helpful for the quest."
The river widened suddenly and cliff to the right fell away to a rocky beach. "What's Boromir trying to run from?" Fern grinned seeing his boat far ahead of the boat holding herself, Legolas and Gimli and the one bearing Aragorn, Cedric, Sam and Frodo. "Maybe he doesn't like cliffs." Gimli suggested with a slight smile. "Or Goddess'" Legolas grinned, Fern snickered. "They can be terrifying." Fern nodded with a grin. "Hera, my Step-mother, once sent a heard of her sacred cows after one of my friends, she also wiped the minds of two boys, one of them being my brother, and swapped them for each other." Fern grinned at Legolas' confused face a the beach turned to forest. "It's a long and confusing story." She shrugged, as the pounding of many feet reach their ears.
Searching the cliffs for the source of the noise, the fellowship's sharp eyes catch a glimpse of a black mass moving swiftly through the trees a few feet back. "Perhaps, he's running from them." Fern said, trying to sound light hearted. A flock of crows erupted from the trees crowing loudly. Legolas' head snapped to the side and he stared into the trees. "We must make haste." He said quietly. "That would be a good idea, yes." Gimli nodded as the three little Elvin boats pick up the pace.
The Fellowship managed to lose their shadow by nightfall, stopping on a small rocky island for safety. They ate quickly, keeping their fire low and their voices quiet. That night, Fern got a massage via a dream from her father. She'd been looking forward to sleep, it'd been a long day, so when she did fall into slumber she wasn't too pleased to see the throne room on Olympus.
"Dad!" She groaned as soon as her father materialized next to her a few moments later. "What?" Zeus, in his usual pinstriped suit, holding a paper Chinese take-away bag, looked confused. "Could you not invade my much needed sleep? Or chose a meeting place with comfy chairs?"
"I needed to talk to you." He shrugged and held up the bag. "And I brought food." The god grinned, Fern rolled her eyes at him and eyed him suspiciously before letting out an over exaggerated sigh and flopping into a cross legged position on the ground. Zeus joined her and soon the smell and taste of Chinese food was all around them. "So, what you wanna talk about?" Fern said round a mouthful of crispy duck and pancake. "I'm making sure you're still alive for one thing." Zeus shrugged nonchalantly. "I can't see into Middle Earth, I have little power there and Aphrodite's protection veils you from the sight of the Gods. "
Fern grinned at this revelation before she asked. "How are the others?" She was referring to her siblings and the rest of camp. "Worried, obviously. But they're alright. Confident in your ability to come home safe."
"That's reassuring." Fern smiled. "How's the wizarding world. I heard from Luna it's crumbling."
"Well, that's one word for it." Zeus admitted. "Your Godfather's gone slightly more insane that before. Tom is slowly gathering his forces, there's small resistance but when you return, I'm confident you can increase that resistance and truly bring Tom done once and for all." The god looked at his daughter proudly, but she frowned at his words. "But, what about Neville. Luna mentioned he disappeared for a while and came back saying that Tom was back. I'm not sure if he'll be pleased if he has to step down so that I can lead the fight." Fern pointed out, Zeus shook his head with a small smile. "That's not what I meant. The Longbottom boy is the leader of the resistance inside your school, but he's not cut out for the job that you have in you future."
"Which is hunting down all the pieces of Tom's soul, isn't it?" The food in the Styrofoam carton in Fern's lap didn't look so appetizing to her any more. Her father nodded solemnly before sending Fern a soft smile. "On a hopefully happier note, how are you and Cedric doing?"
Fern shrugged, starting on her food again. "We're alright. Sleeping on a small island at the moment, we just left Lothlorien, taking a water rout, trying to out run a company of Uruk- hai, we've lost them for the moment but it's only a matter of time." Fern sighed. "Gandalf died and to be honest, I'm not sure if this quest will succeed." She looked up at her father who smiled sadly. "I have faith in you Fern, in the company picked out by Elrond , in Cedric. I'm sure everything will work out."
"Thanks Dad." Fern smiled as her name echoed quietly around the throne room. "You're being woken up." Zeus said, getting to his feet. "Good observation." Fern grinned, letting the god help her to her feet. "I guess, I'll see you next dream." She said, giving Zeus an unexpected hug. "Yes. I suppose you will." He nodded, pulling a golden whistle from his pocket. "When you're in need of more men to fight, get to the highest spot and blow on this." He pressed the cool metal into her hand. "Help will come. Good luck Fern." The god pulled his daughter into another hug as she began to fade. "Thank you Father." Fern gave him one last smile before she awoke.