Chapter 8
Goblins chase us through the large stone archways we passed through not a day ago. This is the most, and fastest, running I think I've ever done in my whole life, and it shows. If it weren't for the adrenaline pumping through my veins, I think I'd drop like a fly and sleep for three days.
Goblins start crawling from a hole in the ceiling and they surround us, trapping us between four pillars. The noises alone would be enough to scare anyone, it's a mix of high pitch screaming and deep gravely grunting.
Legolas shoves me back and he and Gimli stand side by side in front of me. There's about a four foot circle around us but beyond that are thousands upon thousands of goblins. Logically, I know I should be scared, but I can't bring myself to be. If I had to chose this or the balrog I think I'd pick this, but we don't get that choice.
Loud thundering but slow footsteps echo through the halls and a hallway to our right lights with bright flickering orange. I squeeze my eyes closed and blow a slow breath out through my lips. I wish with all I have that the goblins will hurry up and turn tail, but also that the balrog never comes.
Another heavy footstep echoes and the creatures surrounding us panic. They frantically skitter away in every direction except one specific hallway…
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asks lowly. Gandalf's head is bowed and his eyes are closed, tightly. I push past Boromir and grasp Gandalf's hand hoping to give him some strength, or at least a reminder that he returns, that there is hope. I don't think anyone can see it, but I can feel as he squeezes my hand.
"A balrog." He finally says gravely.
The fire light intensifies, and Gandalf instructs us all to run; that none of us can beat this. Gandalf leads the way and we all follow, running like a literal fire licks at our heels. Aragorn and Gandalf usher us through a door. Boromir rushes through first and almost runs off the edge of a set of cut off stairs but Legolas sprints to pull him back before he loses his balance.
We go to our right and continue down the stairs; with no railings. The hell were the Dwarves thinking when they built this staircase? Right out in the open, there's a giant, broken off, missing chunk of stair. I watch, horrified, as Legolas pauses for maybe a second then jumps the gap like it's nothing.
He turns and beckons Gandalf who follows his lead. My god. These people are crazy. No sooner than Gandalf lands in Legolas' arms does an arrow bounce roughly off the place he just vacated. A few more arrows come for us, and Legolas and Aragorn draw their bows.
Boromir grabs Merry and Pippin and hauls them across the gap. As he takes off, another chunk of stairs crumbles and breaks off. Legolas continues to trade arrow for arrow with the orcs while Aragorn tosses Sam across the gap to Boromir's waiting arms. He moves to Gimli next, but Gimli holds up a hand to stop him.
"Nobody tosses a Dwarf."
He looks forward and jumps feet first. Boromir is still steading the hobbits and I watch as Gimli lands a little too short and starts to fall backward. Legolas abandons his shot and grabs Gimli by the beard to pull him in. He gives him a tug and Gimli stumbles into his arms, annoyed, but at least he's safe.
Another chunk of the stairs comes loose and Aragorn, Frodo, and I scramble backwards so we don't join the rubble below. I take back everything I ever thought during the movies. I always use to get mad that they hesitated until the gap was basically impossible to jump but I get it now. The height and the fire and the arrows and the rumbling have me frozen in place.
Aragorn struggling momentarily snaps me out of it and I grab the back of his clothes and pull as hard as I can until he's able to stand up. He moves between Frodo and I, and wraps an arm around each of us. There's a loud growl and some rumbling behind us, and I'm frozen in fear again.
I see Frodo look back from my peripheral vision but my gaze is train on Legolas who's gaze is trained on me. His face holds fear, the most expression he's shown since I met him. I hear a giant chunk of the ceiling breaks through the stairs behind us and the portion were stranded on jostles. Aragorn's grip on us tightens. We sway as the pillar holding us up starts to break apart.
"Lean forward!" Aragorn shouts but I can barley hear him over the noise.
We do as he says and the platform starts to slide forward. It falls quickly through the air and when we're close, Aragorn tosses Frodo to Boromir, me to Legolas, then jumps himself. Legolas wraps both arms around me and steps back to make room for Aragorn, but he doesn't let me go. He hugs me tight and I can hear him take a deep breath, but I'm in too much shock to do anything myself.
The chunk of stair topples to the side, and I flinch and grab Legolas' tunic as it cracks and scrapes against the other stone. I never thought I'd say this but too soon Legolas withdraws his comfort and pulls me by the hand down the steps with everyone else. My heart pounds in my chest and I'm struggling to breathe.
"Over the bridge!" Gandalf shouts.
Legolas and I are the last to run past him. I hear a thud and look back, the balrog towers behind Gandalf. It must be at least 16 ft tall. It's large charcoaled body glows with fiery veins, and it's horns curl down toward its face. I stare up at it, half in awe, half in terror. Knowing this was coming didn't make it any less jarring.
"Run." Gandalf says running to me.
I stumble my first few steps but quickly catch my footing. The one thing working in our favour is that the balrog is slower than us. We stop at the edge as we wait for the others to cross the bridge first. I turn to Gandalf and search his face, hoping that I'm conveying that he doesn't have to do this; pleading that he doesn't.
"Nothing happens without purpose. That purpose may cause change. That change may hurt, that change may be hard. But in the end, it is for the best." I choke up at his words. Tears burn behind my eyes waiting to be released. "The world is not in your books and mo-vies, but out there." Gandalf says oddly and looks pointedly to the exit, but I don't take my eyes off him. He cups my cheek and I shake my head in a final attempt.
He looks past me then pushes me back, toward Legolas, who is waiting for us. Legolas catches me and struggles slightly to pull me along. I don't break eye contact with Gandalf. He follows us halfway across then turns back to face the balrog. The loss of eye contact snaps me out of it and I stop fighting Legolas' ushering. I run with him until we reach the stairs that will lead us out.
The balrog roars and I turn back beside Aragorn. The ground shakes as it stalks its way toward the bridge. Gandalf stands steady. It spreads its body out, posturing, but Gandalf shouts back at it.
"You cannot pass! I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn!" His voice carries over the blackness below to us.
He lifts his staff over his head and a bright white light emanates from the top. The balrog raises a sword made entirely of flame and slashes down at Gandalf. Sparks fly as they collide but the balrog is pushed back and the sword is extinguished.
"Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf commands.
The balrog steps toward Gandalf again, enraged, and raises a whip of searing orange fire. It snaps the whip, but Gandalf holds his position.
"You shall not pass!" Gandalf announces. He brings his sword and staff together and slams them down on the ground by his feet.
The balrog is forced back but recovers and moves to stand on the bridge for the first time. It swings its fire whip around and it slices through the old stone. The bridge crumbles and the balrog falls into the dark below. Everyone watches as it fades from our view.
Gandalf turns to join us, but suddenly the long whip catches his ankle and pulls him down. He holds onto the edge of the bridge with all he has. His legs dangle helplessly. Frodo screams Gandalf's name and the pain in his voice kills me. Gandalf pulls himself up enough to address us.
"Fly you fools!" He instructs us one last time, then let's go.
My heart stops. Everything stops. I thought I was prepared for this. I knew this was coming. I know he comes back. I tried to keep my distance. I'm used to loosing those close to me. But all that doesn't matter, seeing him die devastates me all over again.
Pain slices through my arm and I look down in time to see the fletching of an arrow cut through my flesh. It moves in slow motion, or maybe I do, I don't know but I welcome the pain. Physical pain I can deal with. Anything I can deal with, but what I'm feeling for Gandalf. My wrist is jerked by a hand, and I follow it with my eyes up to Aragorn. He pushes me in front of himself and half up the stairs. I'm lost, so he drags me through the doors out onto large smooth rocks under the too bright, too blue, sky.
We come to a stop, Aragorn still holding me, and I take in the group. Merry and Pippin are collapsed on the ground together sobbing loudly. Sam is sitting, head in his hands, crying silently. Boromir is restraining a fighting Gimli. Legolas is looking around distraught, trying to find anything to make this make sense. Frodo walks slowly away from us all. The image of his tearful, pained face from the movies is seared in my mind and it causes heavy and violent guilt and hopelessness to tear through me.
I rip myself away from Aragorn and take a few steps forward. Gimli stops fighting and Boromir gives him a once over before he steps back and turns on me, fury in his eyes. I take a few steps back as he gains on me. I swallow and clench my jaw as he towers over me.
"You knew this was to happen." He shouts and points in my face. My stomach drops. "You did not wish to continue into the mines. You showed no fear upon the demons awakening. You pleaded with Gandalf at the bridge." He accuses. "How could you allow this to happen, traitor!" His eyes are wild, and I forcefully blink back my tears and try to swallow the lump in my throat. "Well, what have you to say for yourself?" He demands aggressively. I know he's in shock from the recent events, and I know the ring is influencing him, but his words hit a little too close to home.
"You think I did this to spite you all?" I yell back. "You think me that heartless? I warned Gandalf. Begged him even, not to. He went of his own free will."
"Lies! You are a little snake spewing whatever will save you beheading!" He seethes at me through clenched teeth.
"Boromir, enough!" Aragorn gives us both a stern look. "Legolas, get them up."
Everyone stands awkwardly and quietly in their places. The hobbits regard me with ambivalence. Legolas eyes me with concern, Aragorn with pity, and Boromir with disgust. I push it all away and allow myself to feel nothing. I watch, numbly glued to my spot, as the group starts walking. I move my gaze to the ground as Legolas comes to my side. He places a hand on my shoulder, but I jerkily shrug him off. I keep my gaze trained on the ground and start walking, following the rest of the group at a distance.
We stop briefly at a river to clean up and refill water but other than that we walk all afternoon. Aragorn, having taken over as leader, only let's us rest when the sun has set, and we come across a little space surrounded by trees. Instead of doubling up, the hobbits decide to lay one of their bedrolls out flat to lay on and pull another on top of them. Aragorn is taking watch, so Boromir takes his roll, and Legolas offers me his saying he does not need as much sleep.
"Thank you." I say quietly. I look over to Gimli who has no bag.
"I do not believe he holds any ill will toward you." Legolas says encouragingly.
"We could share if you'd like to get some rest." I offer Gimli, standing in front of him with the roll in my hands.
"Thank you, lassie. I am not ready for rest yet though." He says.
"That's fine, me too. I'll just leave it here and whoever's ready first can set it up." I lay the roll against a tree then cautiously make my way to the hobbits.
I pick at the corners of my nails as I approach. Merry and Pippin are holding each other again and Sam is on his side watching Frodo who's frowning up at the stars. His unshed tears glisten in the bright light of the moon.
"I could sing some songs for Gandalf if you'd like." I offer them.
"I think that'd be nice, Miss Brielle." Sam answers sadly. I move to a tree near their heads, hold my ripped cloak so it's under me as I sit, then put my hood up and lean back against the tree trunk.
No words appear before me in the aftermath
Salt streams out my eyes and into my ears
I sing softly.
'Cause it's all over
It's not meant to be
So I'll say words I don't believe
Goodbye goodbye goodbye
You were bigger than the whole sky
You were more than just a short time
We've got a lot to pine about
We've got a lot to live without
I'm never gonna meet
What could have been, would have been
What should have been you
The hobbits all have tears in their eyes, but no one stops me so this must be something they need. The song comes to a close and I move into another.
For though we may be parted
There is still a chance that we will see
There will be an answer
Let it be
I survey our small camp as I sing quietly. The hobbits have fallen asleep with tear tracks staining their cheeks, Aragorn and Legolas sit quietly lost in their own thoughts, Gimli's spread out the roll and is laying inside watching me. I give him a small smile. Boromir is further away and has his back turned to me. My smile falls and I look back to the hobbits. Merry shifts so I start humming another song to sooth him back to a deeper sleep. Eventually I nod off with my head leaning back against the tree, mid hum.
Birds chirp and pain shoots through the side of my neck. I flinch and groan as I roll my neck. Exhaustion still clings to me and everything is sore but I guess that's what I get for falling asleep against a tree. The sunlight blinds me momentarily but I'm still grateful for it. I never want to go in mines ever again.
Everyone is already awake and when Sam notices my open eyes he bring me a bowl of whatever they're eating. I thank him and dig into the mostly broth soup. Spirits seem to be a little higher this morning but Boromir's avoidance of me is glaringly obvious as he does everything he can to not meet my eyes.
I help clean up breakfast and our camp, then we get on the road again. I stay to the back of the group again today as we walk. Partly because I want to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable and partly because the longer the day goes on, the worse I feel. Every part of me is too heavy, I'm too hot, and I'm starting to get dizzy.
I'm incredibly grateful when we finally stop. It's late again. Since Aragorn hopes to reach Lothlórien tomorrow, he's been having us walk a few extra hours each day. I drop my pack carelessly and plant myself against a large smooth rock. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. The dizziness doesn't go away and I sigh.
I force my eyes open and an image of Boromir staring at me sort of spins in front of me. I break eye contact and rummage through my bag for my tincture. The last thing I need right now is to get my period on top of all this. I put the drop under my tongue and hear a scoff.
"What now?" I ask Boromir half-heartedly. I'm fighting just to keep my eyes open, never mind whatever he has a problem with now.
"This is why women are kept at home while the men travel and fight." He says gesturing to me. Liquid heat pulses through my veins and I stand with the wave of adrenaline. I stomp over to where he's sitting by the fire and look down at him.
"You've no right to complain about me like that. I have walked just as fast and just as far as everyone else here. Despite being dizzy and exhausted and too hot, I haven't said anything because I am sure everyone is just as worn out as I am." I fume down at him. He stands forcing me to look up at him.
"It is more than that. You could not protect yourself in Moria. I had to abandon my sword to save you! You are a liability; you belong back in Rivendell!" He says angrily. I want to scream back that Frodo or Sam needed protection too, or that everyone was watching each others' backs in those caves, but I don't. Instead, I close my eyes and take a deep breath to collect myself. I turn, walk back to my rock, and sit down again. We lock eyes once more and he looks disappointed he couldn't goad me into further argument.
I pass on dinner, kind of nauseous, and rest with my eyes closed instead. Eventually the fellowship goes to sleep, but Boromir's words repeat in my head and make sleep difficult. Guilt and uncertainty swirl in my chest. Maybe he's right. Maybe I don't belong here and should just go back. I can convince Elladan and Elrohir to figure something out with me.
I quietly sort through my bag and make a pile on the ground of anything the fellowship could need. I close my pack back up and stand as quietly as I can. I make sure Glorfindel's sword is securely attached to my hip then start toward the edge of camp.
"It is not safe to travel alone." Aragorn's gruff voice calls to me quietly. I freeze and turn back to him. He stands and comes to me. A wave of dizziness causes me to sway and Aragorn guides me to sit on a log by the fire.
"I'm fine, bouts of dizziness can be normal for me around…" I start before he can worry but I cut myself off, not wanting to talk about this. "Though, this is more than normal. I don't think it's my tincture either, I've been taking that for over a month with no problems." He brings the back of his hand up to my forehead and his face quickly turns alarmed.
"Did you acquire an injury we are unaware of?" he asks urgently. My brown furrows as I think back and before I can stop myself, I look down at my left arm. He follows my gaze to the torn fabric.
"An arrow grazed my arm as we were leaving Moria." I shrug. He rips the fabric of my sleeve without asking to expose the wound and inspects it. I watch as he retrieves his pack and pulls out random containers and cloth. He piles the things around us.
"Chew this, but do not swallow it. It will help with inflammation and reduce your fever." He says sliding his fingers down the stem of a plant to remove a bunch of tiny looking leaves. I do as he says while he prepares other medical supplies. He grabs a glob of paste with his fingers and presses it into the 3 inch long gash on my upper arm. It stings and I hiss in pain. I spit out the leaves toward the fire so I can talk to distract myself.
"Thank you, I'm sure whatever you've just done is more than enough to start it's healing."
"I've only just started drawing out the poison." He says tightly.
"Poison?" my voice rises slightly.
"Orc arrows and blades are commonly coated with poison. It is likely why you feel so ill." He explains.
"Oh." I say dumbly. He goes back to working on my arm and I scan the camp. "He's right you know." Aragorn pauses and follows my gaze over his shoulder to Boromir.
"I don't belong here. I've never shot a bow or held a sword in real battle before. I can't even kill the bugs in my room back home. I have to bring them outside and set them free." I whisper. He smiles kindly at me.
"That is where one of your greatest strengths lie." I wince as he scrapes out the old goop and replaces it with something else. "Apologies." He murmurs. "You keep the peace within our group. You bring comfort where there is none to be found. We need you just as we need any other member of this fellowship." He pauses to let his words sink in.
"But Boromir-"
"Boromir is struggling. He is driven by fright and love of his people. Gondor is closest to Mordor. His people see firsthand what is happening. Add to that the deception and whisperings of the ring…" He shakes his head. "It is wrong of him to misplace his anger unto you, but that is all it is. Misplaced anger." He ties a cloth around my upper arm then meets my gaze again. "Do you have any other injuries?"
"It's hard to breath. In Moria I was thrown against a wall by the cave troll."
"That was days ago." He looks at me disapprovingly. He motions for me to lift my shirt and I do. I flinch when he prods my right side.
"A rib or two feel cracked. The most I can do for this is wrap it. We will need the elves help to actually repair the bones." I nod and he wraps it tightly in long pieces of cloth. He helps me lower my shirt again. "Stay with us until Lorien. If you still wish to return to Rivendell, we shall request an escort for you so you may return safely." He stands. "Get some rest. You will feel better in the morning."
I nod. It's one more day to Lothlórien then hopefully Lady Galadriel will have a way home for me, and I won't need to return to Rivendell. He helps me stand then moves to Legolas and shakes him gently.
"Aragorn!" I snap in a whisper. He only grins back at me.
"My friend, may Lady Brielle share your bedroll? You will have to be careful of her left arm and chest however. I recently finished binding injuries there." He says throwing me under the bus to Legolas as he wakes. Legolas looks to me and considers for a moment before easing himself out. I rush over.
"You don't have to do that." I try to stop him.
"I have gotten adequate sleep." He assures me. When I don't move, he bends down and lifts the corner for me. I give them both a vexed look and they press their lips together to hold back their amusement. I huff then slip my shoes off and slide into the bedroll. Legolas does up the side then he and Aragorn move to sit back by the fire. I fall asleep to the sound of their quiet whispering.
My body jerks to the side. The shaking doesn't stop so I scrunch up my face and groan. A chuckle finally rouses me and I blink my eyes open. Aragorn is crouched with a hand on my shoulder.
"I let you sleep as long as I could. The sun is already high in the sky."
"Thank you. And I do feel much better." He smiles at me and stands.
I do the same. The exhaustion from the last few days is gone and I'm just left with some aches and pains, but nothing major. I roll up the bedroll and start attaching it to my bag, but Legolas drops his bag beside me and takes the roll from me. Wordlessly he attaches it to his bag then stands.
I watch him as he extends a hand down to me. I stand without taking it but he doesn't seem fazed. He simply drops his hand and turns to where the group is gathering. I follow him over and we wait for the hobbits to be ready.
The mood today is much lighter, so long as I stay away from Boromir. Our walk is also peaceful. We don't run into anymore trouble. Thank god, or Eru, or whoever. The hobbits bounce back fairly quickly and are teaching me some of the songs they sing in the shire. Though, I can see Frodo start to withdraw, he's quiet just like I am when there's too much going on in my mind. I leave him be for now, there's nothing I can do except let him work through things.
In the late afternoon we come upon a forest. The trees are tall and their leaves are all gathered at the top. It makes it easy for us to travel through the smooth trunks. Water trickles in the distance and Legolas seems to perk up.
"Follow me!" He cries excitedly. We all pick up our pace to not lose sight of him. "Here is Nimrodel." He stands at the edge of the river with his arms open. "It is said the water is healing to the weary." He bends down and starts removing his boots.
Frodo and I share a look then bend down and do the same. I hear the rest of the fellowship copy and together we wade into the stream. Most members continue across, but Frodo grasps my hand. I stop my automatic reaction of pulling away and look down at him. I can tell he needs a few more moments, but not alone, so I stand in the middle of the flowing water with him. I close my eyes and let Nimrodel wash away the last of my tension and discomfort.
Frodo and I cross to where the group has set up camp for a rest and bite to eat. Aragorn suggests we try to cover a few more miles before night fall but encourages everyone to eat first. I mostly push my food around while Legolas tells stories he's heard of Lorien.
He sings part of a song depicting the tale of the elf maiden, Nimrodel. It's told she resided by this river. When the balrog awoke in Moria many years ago and the elves chose to flee west, Nimrodel became lost. Amroth leapt into the sea from the ship ferrying him to Valinor. He couldn't bear to be parted from her. It's a sad ending but I can't help but take note of the intense love elves experience between partners. I smile dreamily at the notion.
Refreshed, we get back to walking. The deeper we go, the more suspicious Gimli gets. I hear him behind me whisper to Frodo something about an elf witch. I roll my eyes at him. He'll be eating those words later, but I don't say anything. I search around to my right looking for any sign of the arrows soon to be pointed in our faces. I stumble back a step when I turn to my left and an inch away from my nose is an arrow head.
I relax my body to try and make myself look less threatening, not that I'd be much of a challenge, then I look around. The rest of the fellowship looks surprised and tense, but I'm not worried. I can't see any possibility of anything happening, even if Gimli runs his mouth.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." Haldir says. He's tall, well built, and handsome, and I can't help but watch him as he talks. "Come with me."
He turns and leads us to a tree not far off. We follow; the arrows that were previously trained on us are lowered, but still pulled taught. A ladder is dropped down and Legolas moves to one side to help Haldir hold it steady to make it easier for us to climb. One by one we ascend and gather on the talon at the top.
The talon platforms have no railings and I subconsciously move closer to Legolas standing beside me so I don't accidently fall off. By the time both our groups are facing each other, the moon is high in the sky. The pale blue illuminates Haldir's face giving him an ethereal glow; he's beautiful. I won't get close but I can look.
Haldir welcomes Legolas and Aragorn by name then turns to the rest of us. Gimli insults the elves courtesy and Haldir sneers back that they have not dealt with the Dwarves since the Dark Days. I'm not sure what that refers to, but Gimli doesn't give me a chance to ponder it as he feels the need to insult them some more. Poor Aragorn, probably feels like he's caring for a group of children. I hold back a laugh at his expense.
"You bring great evil with you." Haldir ignores Gimli's words and speaks to Frodo instead. He turns to Aragorn. "You may go no further."
"No! I need to speak with Lady Galadriel." I panic. Aragorn shoots me a warning look and I snap my lips shut. Haldir comes to stand in front of me and studies me. His expression turns puzzled.
"What are you?" He asks. Now I'm confused.
"Human?" I say slowly, questioningly. The group turns and looks at me. I shrink uncomfortably.
Aragorn says something in elvish and Haldir studies me a moment longer, then leads Aragorn off to the side. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Haldir and Aragorn speak in hushed and hurried tones in elvish I don't understand.
I watch as each member of the fellowship sits and eventually frowns at Frodo where he's chosen to sit. His shoulders hunch and he wraps his arms around his knees. I know he's feeling guilty so I plop myself down beside him. He doesn't acknowledge me but I speak anyway.
"Gandalf's death was not in vain. And he wouldn't want you to give up hope. You carry a heavy burden Frodo." He looks at me now. "Don't carry the weight of the dead too." He doesn't look convinced by at least he's not curling in on himself anymore.
"You will follow me." Haldir addresses the group.
I help Frodo up, then we all follow Haldir. He leads us further into the forest and to a group of trees that have a couple talons in them. He divides the group into the hobbits and the big folk then he turns to me.
"You will say with me and my company on the third talon." He finally decides. Legolas steps forward, probably to protest, but I stop him.
"I'll be alright." I assure. "You'll see me in the morning." I look up. "The talons are close enough you'll probably be able to see me up there anyway."
He doesn't seem pleased, but he goes with his group up their ladder. Extra blankets are provided for us, and I excitedly make myself a little nest. It's the comfiest bed I've laid in, in a long time. I'm so close to going home to my own bed.
"Tell me of yourself." Haldir commands. I look at the other elves around us that I don't recognise. I know he's not asking my name or favourite colour, so I worry my lip.
"I think I should speak to Lady Galadriel before I say anything." I say and hope he drops it. He nods once.
"Then sleep, we leave early in the morning." This time I nod. I lay on my back in hopes it stops me from rolling off the edge and close my eyes.
My heart drops at the sensation of falling. I bolt upright and throw my hands out to catch myself. The feeling suddenly disappears, and I look around. I'm still securely near the middle of the talon, but Haldir is giving me a weary look.
"Sorry." I mumble. "I dreamed I was falling." I explain.
"I would not allow that." He says. I know he means he probably wouldn't let anyone fall but something in his tone picks at me. "Come, the others will wake soon." I get out of my bed regretfully and start to fold the blankets. "Do not trouble yourself with those. Someone will come collect them."
I can't help myself. I quickly fold and pile them then follow him down the ladder. No one else is on the ground yet so I follow him toward a full looking bush. As we get close I notice little red berries on it.
"These are safe to eat until your friend's wake. Try one." He says picking a few berries and handing them to me.
I take one between my finger and thumb and bring it to my mouth. Ther berry looks like a strawberry but less seedy. It's deep red and the size of a button. And oh god it tastes phenomenal. The juice is cool and tastes like the sweetest strawberry mixed with the slightest tang of a raspberry.
"That's amazing." I moan and he smiles then extends his hand. I make mine into a bowl and he dumps the berries he's picked into them. I savour and enjoy each one. "Elves are the luckiest!" I exclaim and he laughs at me.
"Come, I hear your friend's stir."
I hurriedly pick a few more berries then jog to catch up with him. Sam is just climbing down the ladder as we return. The whole group is here but I don't see the other elves from last night. More for us.
"You guys have to try these." I say excitedly and offer the hobbits some of the berries. They each take 2 and I watch as they have the same reaction I did. I smile and move to the rest of the guys.
"The galuberry. Truly a treat." Legolas says holding one of my offerings up to the light. "Thank you." He says to me.
"Haldir helped me." I admit. Legolas expression falls slightly, and he turns to Haldir.
"Hannon le."
I offer some to Aragorn who hums in appreciation and Gimli who's eyes light up. Then I hesitantly walk to Boromir. I hold the last two berries out to him. He hesitates before taking one from my palm.
"You have the last." He says quietly. He almost seems ashamed. I take the last berry from my own palm, and we eat at the same time. With each of our gestures comes a tentative, very fragile, peace.
We continue walking for most of the morning. The deeper we go into the woods the prettier things get. The green grass starts to pepper with gold blades. The leaves move further up the trees and the bark becomes impossibly smooth. Sun beams glow through the treetops. It's beautiful.
I pick up my pace to catch up to Haldir at the head of the pack. It's getting hillier and I know soon we'll have a view of the heart of Lothlórien. I'm eager to see it. He tells me little facts of Lothlórien as we walk, like the age of the trees, or the dialect of the elves here. He stops on top of a hill and the view steals my breath.
"Caras Galadhon." He says. "The heart of Elvendom on Middle-Earth." The group stands together and gazes in awe at the sea of gold.
We continue down the hill. It's not long before we reach another group of elves from last night. Haldir stops and the group turns to face him. I have a feeling this is where he suggests blindfolding Gimli but I don't want him to be centered out, so I speak up.
"Let me guess, there's some super secret magic about these woods and you have to blind us until we're deemed trustworthy? As long as you don't let us fall it should be fine." I say and everyone looks at me in surprise. "I'm sure everyone will cooperate without objection as a sign of good faith." I tack on before any of the fellowship can protest.
Haldir nods speechlessly and motions for the elves to do as I 'predicted'. I watch as each member gets blindfolded. Most seem fine with it but Legolas looks like I just crushed his dreams, and Gimli looks offended. At least I tried to mitigate the damage and Legolas will get to explore soon enough.
"Turn around please." Haldir asks me, holding a blindfold draped across both his hands. I turn and pull my long hair back. He covers my eyes with the strip of cloth and works to tie it behind my head. I try to stop my self, I really do, but I can't help it.
"You know," I say conversationally, "this kind of the, the blindfolds I mean, are a type of foreplay where I'm from." I feel Haldir's fingers falter their work and I use a tremendous amount of effort to restrain my laughter. My lips twitch as I hold back my grin. Gimli chuckles and I hear Aragorn sigh exasperatedly. I also think I hear him mumble something about immature children.
"Let us continue." Haldir clears his throat. "We shall guide you." He says wrapping my hand around his elbow. I assume the other elves do the same for the rest of our group, then we continue on.
Notes:
Galuberry – blessed berry
Hannon le – thank you