"And then Master Gandalf slammed his staff against the rocks, and they split in two. The sunlight came through the cracks and the trolls cried out in dismay, as they writhed and were turned to stone."
"And you weren't eaten by trolls after all." Fali smiled, sprawled out on the hearth rug in her nightgown next to her brothers.
"Not a single bite was eaten by them." Mother grinned.
"Master Gandalf was very brave."
"Aye, Fali. He is very brave."
"And it was good of him to come back, even when he was cross with great-Uncle Thorin."
"Yes, Gideon. The grey wizard was one of the kindest and wisest of men."
"He's very lucky to have magic. It must be easy to be brave when you have magic."
"Perhaps, darling." And she gently tousled the black strands of hair.
/
I had heard so many stories of him in my younger years, and he had drifted in between the tales, always coming and going, and always safe. He was the one who pushed the dangers away. Trolls turned to stone in his wake, he cast back the goblins in Goblintown. Nothing could ever hurt him…
Not until now…
Now he was gone, slipped over the edge of a broken bridge and his robes fluttered like old grey leaves in autumn wind and he was gone, consumed by the darkness of the caverns below.
The grey wizard was no more.
Fali's cry of shock and despair was loud enough to make my ears go numb. Neither one of us had ever witnessed someone dying before. Aragorn had to push her away, urging her out of the caverns as the arrows returned. "Hurry, Master Gideon." He nudged at me as well, and though I felt as if everything inside me had been drained, both from tragedy and exhaustion, I ran out of the mines, and into the bright, chilled light outside the mountain walls. When I at last registered in my mind the grass beneath my feet, I crumpled next to Fali, and held onto her like she was a rock, feeling so hollow I thought I may float away.
Fali was crying, again, the second time in what was likely only an hour or so. Maybe even less. I had lost track of all time in the mines, without the sun to guide me. Her sobs were muffled by my sleeve, but I knew her crying was fierce from how quickly my arm felt wet from her tears.
No one was spared the grief of watching Gandalf drop to his death. Sam had his head bowed into his hands and wept quietly. Gimli was more vocal, venting rage and frustration.
Aragorn sheathed his sword, and turned to us, looking grim. "Legolas, get them up." Out of all of us, it was the elf who was the most capable at that moment.
"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!" Boromir shot back.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up." The ranger then went over to Sam, and stood him to his feet, gently but firmly.
Fali took one great breath, and in doing so stopped shaking against me. She looked up, wiped the trails left by her tears from her face, and stood. For a second her mouth twitched, as though she may let out a small sob again, but she noticeably bit down on her tongue to stop it. Her mind was shutting itself down, much like it did when she fought. Now there was only a very basic, and instinctual Fali before me. She'd shut her feeling out in order to stand back up, the seriousness of our situation still hanging above our heads. "Get up, Gideon." She said, and offered me her hand.
"I don't know if I can." I said. My head was swimming with thoughts of our companion slipping away forever, and still pounding with adrenaline, lighting up every sense and stopping my body from sorting it all out. I could not shut myself out of my head no matter how hard I tried, my body was not something I could move about like a puppet on strings. I remained stuck in my thoughts and on the ground.
"You can." Fali nodded. "And you will." She took my hand. "You must." She added, more quietly, and pulled me up. "Keep on those feet now." She said, and then deserted me, standing there like a statue, as still and as mute. She went immediately to Frodo, and pulled him back towards us, giving him a comforting embrace. "We will grieve for him later." She promised. "But now, we still need to seek shelter. Keep strong, Frodo. Soon we'll have our time to grieve, I promise you."
I felt as though Frodo was more her brother in that moment than I.
Not that I could have her comforting me in such a maternal nature before them now.
A fine image I'd made of myself in Moria, wanting to hide behind the wizard with the hobbits, hiding up in the mezzanine and then dropping my sword.
"Master Gideon?" I looked over my shoulder to Aragorn. "Are you all right?" He asked me.
"I am not hurt." I replied.
"Are you all right?" He repeated, a little more seriously.
I hung my head. "As well as everyone else is." I replied honestly.
He nodded down to me. "Miss Fali?" He asked of my sister.
"I'll be better when we are safe again, and have the time to rest." Fali nodded back at him. "Lead the way, Aragorn…and hurry."
Our few supplies we had escaped with were quickly gathered, and with heads hung and hearts broken we ran off down through the foothills. When the ground leveled itself off, there was the tiniest of reliefs that were a safe enough distance from Moria again, and the orcs would not dare to go so far from their safe haven. The forest Aragorn had spoken of stood before us, and we were walking carefully long the intricate trails among the tall trees.
"Stay close, young Hobbits!" I noticed Gimli looked particularily on edge, gripping his axe more tightly, eyes shifting back and forth. "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…"
The Lady of Lothlorien, yes, I had read of her…a curious woman, and while there was rumor of powerful magic I trusted she would find little reason to bewitch me, or any of us. The adrenaline had left my brain and I was now too tired and slow to be worried, especially with the forest cocooning us so. I walked on, my stare a blind one.
The hobbits however, were now alert and enrapt with Gimli's words. Frodo looked about nervously, as if hearing voices beyond the trees.
"…and are never seen again." Gimli finished in a whisper.
"Frodo, what's wrong?" Fali asked, as she bumped into the hobbit, who continued to look around as though he expected something to be out there in the woods.
"Mister Frodo?" Sam was suddenly checking him over too.
Frodo gave no answer. Fali turned to Sam, saying "Don't worry. He's likely tired, like the rest of us. The sooner we find a place to camp, the better. Then we can all settle our minds down. Who wouldn't think there would be something out here after what we just went through?"
"I suppose you're right, Miss Fali."
"Just Fali, please, Sam." She reminded him again, though her heart was not so much in it this time.
"Well," I heard Gimli again, his voicing rising in determination. "…here is one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox."
I was about to bring up, from deep within my slowed mind, that the fox was considered a symbol of wit in my mother's culture, when I felt something sharp against my ribs. I looked down, expecting a stray thorn, but I met a pair of dark eyes, that appeared even darker against pale flesh. Instantly I jumped back from the pale face, when I felt a similar jab at my shoulder blade. I was forced to meet the face dead on, and beheld the silver hair and pointed ears of an elf, with an arrow aimed at me.
There were at least a dozen of them, all with arrows trained at us. We stood frozen before them, not daring to move, or else they would let their arrows fly. How they had appeared so suddenly and quietly was beyond my understanding.
One stepped forward, in armour of grander make than the others. "The dwarf breathes so loudly we could have shot him in the dark." He said, amusedly. Gimli was not amused at all, and practically growled in response.
The elf looked over us, and his eyes fell upon Aragorn and Legolas. He greeted them, in elvish. Legolas lowered his bow and replied in the same language, calling him by the name of Haldir. Aragorn bowed his head respectfully. "We ask for safe passage through your domain." Aragorn said, thankfully in the common tongue, for I was not used to the gracefully lilting accent of the elves. Gandalf had been far easier to understand…
Aragorn, Legolas, and even Gimli were invited aside, but the conversation continued in elvish, much to the dwarf's distaste. It was obvious that the dislike between dwarves and elves was still present in this realm. Haldir proclaimed in the common tongue himself that they had not had dealings with dwarves since the dark times.
Wonderful…more people who did like not us. Orcs and trolls just weren't enough, now even decent folk like the elves of this forest had to hold some disdain for us.
Of course, Gimli threatening to spit upon the grave of Haldir in khuzdul wasn't giving us a glowing impression. I rolled my eyes at his words, my face buried in my palms, as Aragorn pointed out that it had not been a polite thing to say.
Aragorn had taken up the position of Gandalf as our new leader. He tried to present us all as respectful, and when Haldir refused to let us pass with the ring in our possession, Aragorn went further aside with him to argue in our favor.
"You'd think they'd let us through." Fali sighed.
"Erebor and Mirkwood may be on more peaceful terms than others of our kinds." I reminded her. "Be thankful Aragorn has the decency to argue on our behaves. We'd be shot straight through if we relied on Gimli right now."
"You're right…" She said, her fingers hovering close to the hilt of her blade, eyeing the elves around us with bows strapped to their backs. "Say, you don't think the reason Legolas has hardly spoken with us is because he still bears that old grudge?" She whispered.
"That would be foolish of him." I replied, also quiet. "He's tolerates us well enough." Truth be told, Legolas and Gimli still were on unsteady circumstances with each other. But nothing that I would call hatred. "Maybe it's your multitude of questions."
"Maybe it's because…you know…" And she tried to signal something to me, incomprehensibly.
"What?"
"Our family…" She hinted.
"What about our family?" I asked. Something fell into place in my head "Oh. You mean how Tauriel chose Uncle Kili instead of going back to Mirkwood?"
The statement had been a whisper, but suddenly Legolas turned his eyes harshly over me. It sent a chilly feeling of being caught out through my spine and I swallowed a forming lump in my throat.
I had neglected to remember the remarkable hearing of elves.
Fortunately, Aragorn returned with Haldir at that moment, and announced we were to camp tonight in the realm of Lady Galadriel. I quickly gathered my things and followed directly behind Aragorn, not looking up from the path, feeling stupid.
At one point I noticed the ground give way to bridges and walkways, that glowed beneath the moonlight. I glanced up once, and saw the arches, and swirling trails up the trees. Fali's eyes were darting from place to place, suddenly alive with curiosity and wonder, soaking in every detail. This place was the embodiment of what she expected from adventures, and now she lived in her moment, thrilled by the beauty of this city in the treetops.
We were lead to a sort of courtyard, and from a staircase descended two incredibly beautiful individuals, a lord and a lady, both of them elves. One would have thought they were glowing as well, given their beauty, and the way their garments reflected the light.
It was the lady, Galadriel, who glanced over all of us, but the lord, Celeborn, who spoke. "The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone."
My mouth twitched into a small grimace, but with the lady looking over us, I quickly dropped it.
"Ten there are here, yet eleven there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him… I can no longer see him from afar."
The grimace returned, and refused to be dropped this time. Fali glanced sadly up to the lady.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow." Galadriel said softly. A nod from Aragorn confirmed her thoughts.
"He was taken by both shadow and flame, a Balrog of Morgoth, for we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Legolas explained. We all hung our heads, now that we had the chance to finally think of our loss, without the distraction of finding a safe camp.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose." The lady Galadriel said, comfortingly. Her voice had a calm nature to it, and her statement soothed many a frayed nerve. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin." Gimli looked up in surprise as she looked over him. "For the world has grown full of peril., and in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
Her gaze swept over us, and Borormir flinched and tried to look away from her gaze. I raised an eyebrow at his actions when suddenly I heard a voice within my…and certainly not my own.
You have much doubt, Gideon, son of Fili.
I flinched again, my eyes growing in size and meeting the lady Galadriel's in shock.
Your doubt weakens you.
I blinked at her. I am afraid, I thought.
Why? What do you fear?
There is much against us, I thought. I do not know what will happen to us.
You must not fear what you do not know. We cannot know tomorrow. A man who rises afraid, falls afraid.
Then her voice vanished and it was Fali's turn for her eyes to grow wide, and stare.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." Celeborn reminded us.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." Galadriel spoke aloud again, warning us of the seriousness we faced.
"Yet hope remains while the company is true." She spoke gently again. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."
I was calmed once more by her voice. An attendant called for us to follow him back to the ground. Weary again at the promise of a safe, long night of sleep I turned and followed. I glanced back once, to meet the watchful eyes of Galadriel. The memory of her voice in my head rose again, staying long after we had disappeared down the stairs and I had lost sight of her.
/
"Gideon?" Fali asked, and tapped at my shoulder repeatedly.
"What?" The word was partially slurred, and I blinked back the heavy feeling of fatigue. "Did I fall asleep?" I asked. In the background the softly sung lament for Gandalf was still ringing through the air, and it threatened to make me dose off again.
"Aye." Fali replied. "You practically collapsed under a tent, and fell asleep before you hit the ground. Never seen you looking so tired before in my life."
"Why did you wake me?" Already a thousand memories of orcs and Wraiths and Gandalf dropping from the bridge were springing to the surface of my mind.
"I can't find Frodo."
"He's likely sleeping…"
"He's not in the tent with Sam."
"He may have moved…" I yawned, and tried to turn over and sleep again, but she swatted my shoulder, more harshly.
"Help me find him. Who knows where he wandered off to?"
"He's not a child, let him wander back…"
"What if he's wearing the Ring?"
I sat up, that worry invading my head and banishing rest for the time being. "He wouldn't." I protested. "He knows it is wrong Fali."
"We are all a little…shaken….after Moria and Gandalf." Fali said. She frowned at having to mention it, and for a moment there was silence. "Help me search for him, please."
I rose. "Very well." I agreed, heading off in one direction.
Our camp was nestled snugly among the roots of the forest, our bedrolls cushioned by soft moss, the air warm and quiet. A peaceful place, and a blissful respite after the darkness of Moria. I found comfort in its tranquility and hoped that was all Frodo was doing, searching for some private glen to rest and grieve. The Ring no doubt called out, offering comfort of its own to him.
I passed gardens, trails and courtyards, following the slowly swirling paths. "Frodo…?" I called out for the hobbit. "Frodo?"
Some sharp light caught my eye and I looked down into an empty courtyard, ringed by statues and ivy growth, and in the center something like a looking glass. I peered curiously at the lone mirror. There was something rather odd about having the mirror out in the middle of nowhere. I had read of large pools used to observe the stars and celestial planets, but this was so small.
I took a step closer, and soon found myself standing directly before the little dish of water. There was nothing odd about it in appearance. The water was the same, clear sort that poured from the fountains. The dish was beautiful, but as was everything in this realm. There was simply an aura about the artifact that beckoned you closer and invited you to look into its waters.
Gideon…
I glanced around me, surprised, before realizing the voice was in my head again.
Gideon…
I gazed into the pool, and the water stirred, as if shifted by a wind. It shimmered and the pale reflection of the moon exploded with colors that cleared themselves to images. I lowered myself closer and my mind was absorbed by the water.
"Gideon, get up." I was only a lad, young and pushed into the sand by my friend. My sword had fallen directly beside me.
"You're not hurt, are you?" Vesper asked.
I shook my young head. Vesper lowered her hand to help me get up. I remained in the sand, world still spinning from how she had managed to make me trip over my own feet. "Gideon?" She raised an eyebrow at me.
"I'm not very good, am I?" The words mumbled themselves from my mouth.
"We fought for a full five minutes." Vesper said. "Five minutes is a decent spar."
"Vesper, I'm in the sand." I reminded her, feeling said sand spill into my tunic, as it usually did. "I lost."
"So?"
"I lost again." I added.
Vesper shrugged. "Someone has to lose." She replied. "Otherwise no one will ever win." Fine logic on her behalf, especially since she was younger than I was. The frankness of her tone was a bit cold to me though.
There was the hushed snicker of other lads, who had just witnessed me getting beat by a girl. Vesper shot them a glare that rivaled Fali's. "Oi!" She waved her training sword menacingly at them. That was Vesper…one moment she pushed me down, and the next she came to my aid.
Needless to say, she did look rather menacing herself at that moment, and the laughter died down. "Honestly…" She grumbled to herself. She plopped down, none to gracefully, into the sand beside me.
There was a small frown on her face. "You need to learn to move your feet." She told me. "You sort of freeze up a lot."
I nodded, humming in agreement.
"Shall we practise again?" She was already leaps and bounds better than me, having started training since she could practically stand.
"In a moment." I quietly agreed.
"Does sand always spill down the back of your shirt?"
I snickered, and got up, spraying her with loose sand in the process. Vesper coughed back the dust and particles, and got up, grinning and glaring.
She prepared to spar, and I prepared to lose.
I pulled back from the water, the memory now fading. It was a miracle I had improved from being so hopeless to managing to escape a mine. Feeling as though I had been doing something I was not allowed to do, I stepped back from the mirror and back to the path. Fali came running back to me, with Frodo.
"He's fine." Fali smiled. "He just likes to wander off without telling us." And she gave Frodo a small smack upside the head.
"Hey!" Frodo nursed the inflicted wound.
"Where did you go off to?" Fali asked.
"Just…just down the path." I dismissed what had happened. I was not able to explain the enchantment of the mirror, nor did I think Fali would believe me.
That and if she did believe me she would likely go racing over and stick her whole face into the water, hoping to see something.
"Let's go back to the camp." Frodo spoke up. "Tomorrow our journey continues."
We walked back quietly, Fali leading the way and peering all around her, still in wonder.
"Did you look into the mirror?" Frodo asked suddenly, in a whisper.
I was shocked for a moment. "Yes." I answered. "Did you? What did you see?"
"The future." Frodo replied, his voice tired. "A future, more accurately."
"I saw the past. A memory of mine." I looked at him seriously. "What did the future look like?"
Frodo looked at me, concerned. "Not good."
I grimaced. "The past did not look so well either." I said, trying to comfort him. I wasn't as good at it as Fali was.
Whatever the past or future held, we still had to continue the journey tomorrow.