Frodo screamed in sorrow as Gandalf fell into Shadow. Seeing as how he wasn't going to move, Boromir picked him up and carried him out of the cave.
"Aragorn!" Boromir yelled when he saw Aragorn standing there looking at the broken Bridge.
Aragorn turned and followed the rest of the Fellowship out of the cave. With Gandalf gone, there was no one left to lead them to Mordor. Aragorn knew he had to take charge and lead the group.
Solatiri blinked as her eyes met with sunlight. She looked around seeing the light of day for the first time in four days. But at what cost? They had lost their leader and a good friend. She looked around to see how everyone was dealing with their emotions.
Sam sat and covered his eyes as he started to cry. Gimli was looking to go back into the Mines and give those Goblins a beating for taking their friend, but Boromir held him back with a look of defeat on his face. Merry looked nearly emotionless, almost as if he didn't know how to feel. He comforted Pippin who was laying across his lap sobbing. Legolas looked lost and confused. Elves don't die, with the exception of being slain in battle or dying of a broken heart. Aragorn on the other hand showed no traces of sadness at all. It was almost as if Gandalf's death had no effect on him.
"Legolas", he said. "Get them up."
"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir said.
He didn't understand how Aragorn could be so calm and collected. Did he not care about Gandalf or what he meant to the Hobbits?
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs", Aragorn said. "We must reach the woods of Lothlorien."
Boromir looked at Solatiri who felt just the same as he did. Aragorn was unpredictable with emotions, but he was right. They needed to leave while they still could.
"Come, Boromir, Solatiri, Legolas, Gimli, get them up."
Solatiri went to Merry and Pippin. She gave them a comforting hug.
"I know you're upset", she said. "But now is not the time to grieve. We are still on dangerous grounds."
"What will we do without Gandalf?" Pippin asked tearfully.
"Aragorn will take care of us. Right now we need to keep moving."
Solatiri looked into the distance to see Aragorn comforting Frodo. The look on his face nearly broke her heart. Frodo looked like he had lost his best friend, which he had. Aragorn turned away and began walking down the mountain. Everyone followed as they walked slowly. Aragorn ran like an excited child.
As the Fellowship reached the outskirts of the woods, they began to feel relieved. Aragorn said they would be safe there. Solatiri looked around to see the tallest trees that could possibly exist. The autumn leaves fell and floated to the ground. The peaceful silence was broken by a paranoid Gimli.
"Stay close, young Hobbits!" he said. "They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch…of terrible power. All who look upon her…fall under her spell. And are never seen again."
"Are you sure that's not a myth?" Solatiri asked. "I've heard of no such thing."
"Solatiri", Boromir said putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily", Gimli said, his voice rising. "I have the eyes of a hawk and ears of a fox."
He stopped as he came face to face with Elves pointing arrows at him. The Hobbits stopped as more Elves pointed their arrows at them.
"The Dwarf breathes so loud, we could've shot him in the dark", one Elf said as he stepped forward.
"Wait", Solatiri said. "We mean no harm."
"Solatiri, hush", Boromir whispered taking her hand.
The Fellowship stayed silent as the Elves led them into the forest. Night fell and soon the Elf that spoke to them stopped to interrogate the group.
"Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil", he spoke in Elvish.
"Our Fellowship stands in your debt", Legolas said in Elvish.
The Elf turned and looked at Aragorn.
"Aragorn of the Dunedain…you are known to us."
So much for the courtesy of the Elves!" Gimli said frustrated. "Speak words we can all understand!"
Solatiri felt the same way but she didn't encourage Gimli's behavior. This was no way to act in front of people who offered protection.
"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days", the Elf said looking at Gimli.
"And you know what this Dwarf says to that?" Gimli said.
He then spoke something in Dwarfish that sounded highly inappropriate and rude.
"That was not so courteous", Aragorn said.
The Elf turned away from them and looked at the Hobbits. He set his eyes on Frodo as his expression grew grim.
"You bring great evil with you. You can go no further."
Everyone looked at Frodo suspiciously. They couldn't go further because of him? Aragorn followed the Elf to discuss their situation in Elvish. The rest of the Fellowship sat away from Frodo looking at him every now and then. Solatiri and Boromir sat with him trying to comfort the young Hobbit.
"Gandalf's death was not in vain", Boromir said. "Nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo. Don't carry the weight of the dead."
"He is right", Solatiri said. "I know this is hard, but you need to move on. Don't think of Gandalf as he was today. Think of the joy he brought to others."
Everyone looked up as the Elf stood before them.
"You will follow me", he said.
Everyone stood and followed as he led them through the woods. They stopped as they reached the largest trees in the woods.
"Caras Galadhon", the Elf said. "The heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."