Chapter 10

As we entered the woods I felt calm. After so long in the mines I felt as though I could breath again.

"Be cautious hobbits! 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." Gimli said.

I sighed and shook my head. Legolas took my hand and I looked up at him. He smiled and I gave him a small smile.

"Well here is one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and ears of a fox. OH!"

There were arrows being pointed at all of us. My first instinct was to reach for my bow. However I knew that these elves would not harm us. I raised my hands in surrender but Legolas drew an arrow and aimed his bow. Father also raised his hands. An elf stepped forward.

"A dwarf breaths so loud we could have shot him in the dark." He said.

Gimli growled and glared at him.

"Haldir o Lorien boe ammen i dulu lîn!" Father said.

Haldir led us further into the woods and up to a great mallorn leaf. He met us one by one.

"Mae govannen Legolas Thranduilion." Haldir said.

"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien." Legolas said respectfully.

Haldir bowed his head and then he looked at me.

"~You must be the Lady Gilraen. You look like your mother. The Lord and Lady have long waited for you to come. Welcome to Lothlorien.~"

He bowed and I bowed as well. He then moved on to my father.

"A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen." He said.

"Haldir."

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the elves! Speak words we can all understand!" Gimli said in frustration.

Haldir looked at him.

"We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the dark days." He said.

Oh boy.

"And do you know what this dwarf says to that?! Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!"

Haldir looked very offended by Gimli's words. Father turned and gripped Gimli's shoulder.

"That was not so courteous."

Haldir moved over to the hobbits. He looked them over and his eyes rested on Frodo. They widened.

"You bring great evil with you. You can go no further." Haldir said.

I sighed in defeat and my father walked forward. He started to argue with Haldir quietly in elvish. I looked to Legolas. He was staring out into the woods. I wanted to walk over and stand by his side. However Gandalf's words rang through my head. Fear stopped me from going further. I heard Boromir speaking to Frodo.

"Gandalf's death was not in vain. Nor would he have you give up. You carry a heavy burden Frodo…..do not carry the weight of the dead." He said.

I had to smile. Boromir and I had never truly agreed on anything or gotten along very well. When I heard his words to Frodo…I knew he truly was honorable. Haldir walked over.

"You will follow me."

I smiled at father and he smiled small. We followed Haldir through the woods and then stopped. The sight before me truly was amazing.

"Caras Galadon. The heart of Elvendom on earth. There dwells the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel Lady of Light." He said proudly.

I smiled and we all followed him down. As we walked through Caras Galadon I took in everything I saw. It was beautiful, and I knew from what I had been told that no evil could taint it. We walked up the stairs and then waited on a platform. The sun had set and everything seemed to glow. I looked up and watched as two elves gracefully descended the stairs and stood before us. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn.

"9 there are here yet 10 there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him." Celeborn said.

Galadriel looked over us.

"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow." Galadriel said.

Legolas looked up at her.

"He was taken by both Shadow and Flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Legolas said.

I leaned into him and he took my hand and squeezed it.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. Do not let the emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart Gimli son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril, and love now mingles with grief." She said.

I looked directly at her and she finally locked eyes with me. They widened and she smiled.

"I have waited many years to meet you…my great granddaughter. Come forward child and let me see you." She said.

I walked forward slowly and stood before them. Celeborn also smiled.

"She has the beauty of her mother and the strength and skill of her father. It fills my heart with joy to finally meet you." Celeborn said.

I smiled and bowed. Galadriel lifted my head gently.

"You bow not to us. Nor to anyone. Welcome child to Lorien." She said.

"Hannon le." I whispered.

They smiled and walked back to stand with my father.

"What now becomes of this fellowship? Without Gandalf to guide them hope is lost." Celeborn said.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." I saw her eyes rest on Boromir. I looked at him and he looked to her for a moment before his eyes fell to the ground.

"Yet hope remains while company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you shall sleep in peace." She said.

We thanked her and then Haldir showed us to where we could stay.