Chapter 13
It was our last night in Lorien. I wished to be alone, no Legolas, no one. I climbed to the top of a mallorn tree which had a view of the lands surrounding Lorien. I sat down and dangled my legs of the edge of the great mallorn leaf. I closed my eyes and a few stray tears fell.
"Naneth if you can hear me…..please do not leave me. All of this will be over soon and I will come home. Please do not depart for Valinor, do not go where I cannot follow. I love you Naneth." I whispered.
The wind blew and I hoped it carried my words. I heard footsteps behind me. I knew there were none that dwelled in Lorien who would cause me harm, yet old habits died hard. I stood quickly and drew my sword. It was only Boromir. I sheathed my sword and folded my arms.
"What is it?" I asked.
The look in his eyes was one of regret, guilt and haunting. My eyes softened and I slowly walked forward.
"Boromir?" I asked.
He did not look at me. I slowly reached out to him but he recoiled. I quickly withdrew my hand.
"Boromir what…."
"You were right." He said.
I was confused.
"Your words were true. The ring….Frodo…..everything."
I looked down.
"You know not how much I wished to be wrong." I whispered.
"Yet you are not! I am so very sorry. I have failed all of you."
I shook my head and walked forward. I turned his face towards mine and looked at him seriously.
"You have failed no one! You are strong Boromir. The ring is the greatest evil ever known, many men have been corrupted by it. You can make things right! You are stronger then most I have known. And I will help you in any way that I can." I said.
He stared at me and I gave him a soft smile.
*"Estelio nin mellon nin." I whispered.
He nodded and I left him. Boromir was strong and I knew that he could deny the power of the ring. Yet as always there was a small voice of doubt in the back of my mind. I shook it away and wandered back to Legolas. I lay down beside him and moved close. He woke up and I closed my eyes. I heard him laugh softly and placed my hand over his chest. He wrapped his arm around me and I took a deep breath. Ever he smelled of pine and flowers. His lips brushed against my hair and I had to keep from smiling.
*"Sleep well meril vain nín." he whispered.
I waited before slowly opening one eye. He had fallen back into a peaceful slumber. I smiled and cuddled up to him and let sleep take me.
I awoke in his arms and slowly sat up. Today we would be departing. I gently woke him.
"Legolas? Meleth you must wake." I whispered.
Either he was sleeping deeply or he heard me and was giving me a hard time. I smiled and began to sing softly,
With a sigh, you turn away
With a deepening heart, no more words to say
You will find, that the world has changed forever
*I amar prestar aen.
And the trees are now turning from green to gold
And the sun is now fading
I wish I could hold you closer
Time and tide will sweep all away
He opened his eyes and smiled at me. I smiled and gave him a light kiss before we began to pack our things. Celeborn came to me and Legolas smiled and walked off.
"~Gilraen I have told your father the same. Every road you take south the danger shall increase. Mordor orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin. Nor will you find safety on the western banks. Strange creatures bearing the White Hand have been seen on our borders.~" his voice grew urgent and he began to lead me off. "~Seldom do orcs journey out in the open, under the sun, yet these have done so.~"
I stopped suddenly and looked at him.
"Saruman….." I whispered.
He nodded and I looked away at the others.
"~I will not fail.~"
"~You must think!~"
I looked back into his wise eyes. He put his hands on my shoulders.
"~They appear to be stronger then orcs you have faced before. You must be cautious. Yet these are not the only beasts that you must be aware of.~"
He handed me a beautifully crafted hunting knife. I looked back at him.
*"Le aphadar aen." he said warningly.
I sheathed the dagger and hook it to my belt.
"By river you have a chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros." He said in a low voice.
"I do not understand why you speak of this to me. Aragorn leads us now."
He seemed to disregard the fact I did not call him my father.
"No one man alone can hope to do this alone." was all he said.
I nodded though I was still slightly confused. Galadriel had gifts for all of us. Among these were cloaks bearing the leaf brooch of Lorien.
"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Celeborn said.
I smiled and then Galadriel walked to Legolas.
"My gift to you Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."
Legolas looked at his new bow with amazement and excitement. I smiled and then she looked to me.
"My gift shall come to you once you have departed. Always remember who you are and that the strength of elves and men run through you. We shall not meet again."
Her last words tore at my heart. As she began to walk away I hugged her. She laughed and returned my embrace. She kissed my forehead and then moved to Merry and Pippin.
"These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in battle. Do not fear young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage."
She now looked to Sam.
"And for you Samewise Gamgee, elven rope, made of hithlain."
"Thank you my lady."
I saw him look at Merry and Pippin and then he looked back to Galadriel hopefully.
"Have you run out of those, nice shiny daggers?" He asked.
She smiled at him and then moved to Gimli, who I noticed did not meet her gaze.
"And what gift would a dwarf ask of the elves?" she asked kindly.
"Nothing…..except to look upon her Lady of the Galadhrim one last time. For she is more fair then all the jewels beneath the earth." he said looking up.
She smiled and laughed. Gimli turned a bright shade of red and turned away. Yet she remained as if knowing he would turn, which he did.
"Actually there was one thing- ah, ugh, that is quite impossible. Stupid to ask."
I did not hear the rest and they walked away. She returned to us and Gimli walked towards the boats. She now stood before Aragorn.
"I have nothing greater to give, then the gift you already bear. *Am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Arwen Undómiel…pelitha."
I gasped and looked over.
*"Aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen. Aníron e ciratha a Valannor." he replied.
I gave him an icy glare that he seemed not to notice.
"That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make Aragorn. To rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil…..or to fall into darkness…..with all that is left of your kin. Including your only daughter."
He glanced sideways at me and was only met by my glare. He sighed and looked away.
"Namárië."
He bowed his head but she lifted it.
*"Dan…ú-'eveditham, Elessar."
He bowed ad then began to walk towards me but I gave him a warning look and walked off. I saw Frodo with Galadriel.
"Farewell Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Earendil. Our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places when all other lights go out. Namárië."
She leaned down and kissed his forehead. I stepped into a boat with Gimli and Legolas and we were off.
"I have taken my worst wound from this parting. Hence forth I shall call nothing else fair lest it be her gift to me." Gimli lamented.
"What was it?" Legolas inquired.
"I asked her for one hair from upon her golden head…she gave me three."
Legolas smiled and so did I. Gimli was different from other dwarves. We paddled down the Anduin and as night fell we stopped upon the western shore. A very small fire was made and I sat upon a large boulder. Wondering what my mother was thinking and if she would forgive Aragorn after this. At that moment something landed beside me. I looked over and found an eagle. Not one of the Great Eagles but a regular eagle. I looked at it curiously and it hopped onto my knee. It did not possess the gift of speech as some did, but it appeared intelligent. I reached forward and stroked his feathers. As I stroked him I found a strange sort of pendant about his neck. It was similar to that of my elven brooch. I smiled knowing this eagle was my gift from Galadriel. I heard her voice in my head,
"My gift to you has come. A companion fierce in battle and loyal. He remains loyal only to you and whomever you deem worthy. And if you should wish him free you simply tell him. Yet I warn you, he may not do as you ask, for the bond he may form with you may prove stronger then your will. *Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta astalder."
"I shall call you Faeron. Which means spirit." I whispered.
He nuzzled my palm and I smiled. I lifted him onto my shoulder and then jumped down from the boulder I sat upon. I walked to Legolas with Faeron proudly on my shoulder.
*"Meleth, en!" I said.
He turned and his eyes widened with surprise when he saw Faeron. I smiled and he landed on my arm.
"I call him Faeron, meaning spirit. He is my great-grandmother's gift to me." I looked to Faeron. "~He is more then worthy of your loyalty my young Faeron. Trust him as you do me.~"
He looked upon Legolas and then hopped onto his arm. I smiled and took Legolas's other hand.
"He is a beautiful creature."
He lifted his arm and we watched Faeron take to the air. His wings spread and he flew around us a few times gracefully. I laughed and he landed on a nearby tree-branch. I looked up into Legolas's loving blue eyes. He leaned forward and rested his forehead against mine. No words were spoken for none were needed.
*Trust me my friend.
*My beautiful rose.
*The world has changed
*You are being followed/tracked.
*For her love…..I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar…will diminish.
*I would have her leave these shores, to be with her people…..I would have her….take the ship to Valinor.
*There is much you have yet to do.
*We shall not meet again Elessar.
*May your ways be green and golden valiant one.
*Love, look!
