We walk swiftly and quietly through the woods of Lothlorien. It's so beautiful out here that you can easily be distracted. Gimli turns to the hobbits.
,,Stay close, young hobbits." He tells them. ,,They say a great sorceress lives in these woods. En Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell and are never seen again." I notice that Frodo is distracted by something.
,,Frodo? Are you okay?" I ask him, stepping closer to him.
,,Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily! I have the eyes of a hawk and ears of a fox!" Gimli yells but is interrupted by an arrow appearing in front of his face. We're surrounded by drawn arrows on all sides by numerous elves. Legolas and Chloe have drawn their own arrows in response. I hold up my hands in peace. A long haired elf steps forward.
,,The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." Gimli growls. The elf glances at me, then to Chloe. Legolas says something in Elvish but I'm too tired to decipher what. The long haired elf leads them on further into Lothlorien. We wait patiently and a little nervous at the entrance of Lothlorien as the evening is falling. We have been walking through the woods for a whole day.
,,Mae govannen, Lostariel Thranduiliel." The long haired elf says to Chloe. ( Welcome Lostariel, daughter of Thranduil )
,,Govannas vin gwennen le, Haldir o Lorien." ( Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lorien ).
,,We seldom use any tongue in the common language," The long haired elf says, now in the common language. ,,dwell now in the heart of the forest and do not willingly have dealings with any other folk. Even our own kindred in the North are sundered from us. Haldir is my name." He bows to Chloe and me for a small moment. ,,I have heard rumours of your coming, for the messengers of Elrond passed by Lorien on their way home up the Dimrill Stair. We had not heard of hobbits, and did not know that any dwelt in Middle-Earth. You do not look evil. And since you have come with elves of our kindred, we are willing to befriend you. With how many are you?"
,,Nine." Says Legolas. ,,Myself, four hobbits, two men. One of whom, Neuma, is half elf and friend of the folk of Westernesse."
,,The name Neuma, daughter of Elrohir, is known in Lorien." Haldir speaks. ,,And she has the favor of the lady. All then is well. But you have yet spoken only seven."
,,The eight is a dwarf and the ninth is Lostariel."
,,A dwarf?! That is not well. We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the dark days. They are not permitted in our land. I cannot allow him to pass."
,,But he is from the Lonely Mountain, one of Dáin's trusty people, and friendly to Elrond." Frodo says now. ,,Elrond himself chose him to be one of our companions and he has been brave and faithful." The elves speak together in soft voices and question Legolas and Chloe in their own tongue.
,,Very good, we will do this. If Neuma and Legoals will guard him and answer for him, he shall pass; but he must go blindfolded through Lothlorien." The sun is sinking behind the mountains as we continue. Gimli, blindfolded, is walking with Legolas while I'm walking next to Chloe, holding her hand. Our path went into thickets where the dusk had already gathered. Night comes beneath the trees as we walk and the Elves uncover their silver lamps. Suddenly we come out into the open again and find ourselves under a pale evening sky pricked by a few early stars. There is a wide treeless space before us, running in a great circle and bending away on either hand. Beyond it is a deep fosse lost in soft shadow, but the grass upon its brink is green, as if it glows still in memory of the sun that has gone. Upon the further side there rises to a great height a green wall encircling a green hill thronged with mallorn-trees taller than any I have seen in all the land. Haldir turns towards us now. ,,Welcome to Caras Galadhon!" He says. ,,Here is the city of the Galadhrim where dwell the Lord Celebron and Galadriel the Lady of Lorien. But we cannot enter here, for the gates do not look northward. We must go around to the southern side and the way is not short, for the city is great." There is a road paved with white stone running on the outer brink of the fosse. Along this we go westward, with the city ever climbing up like a green cloud upon our left; and as the night deepens more light springs forth, until all the hill seems afire with stars. We come at last to a white bridge and cross it to find the great gates of the city: they face south-west, set between the ends of the encircling wall that here overlaps and they are tall and strong, and hang with many lamps. Haldir knocks and speaks, causing the gates to open soundlessly. We pass within and the gates shut behind us. We walk on many paths and climb many stairs, until we come to the high places and see before us among a wide lawn a fountain shimmering. Haldir bows and I see two elves in long white cloaks. Gimli's blindfold gets removed and I guess those two elves are Celeborn and Galadriel. ,,Here dwell Celeborn and Galadriel." Haldir says. ,,It is their wish that you should ascend and speak with them. But you have to wait for a small moment." We look at each other before sitting down. There is not other option than to wait. I see Frodo sitting next to me with a painful look on his face. A face, with guilt and pain.
,,Gandalf's death was not in vain." I say to him as I feel Chloe sitting next to me. ,,Nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo. Don't carry the weight of the dead." After a small moment, Haldir returns and tells him to follow him. He leads us a little further up until we're blinded by a bright white light. Two elves, which I assume are Celeborn and Galadriel, come down from their thrones, towards us. The light dims and I see Chloe and Legolas bow. I want to bow too but I'm too struck by Galadriel's beauty. It's not that I'm falling in love with her, but she is beautiful.
,,The enemy knows you have entered here." Lord Celeborn says. ,,What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine that are here yet ten were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I desire to speak with him." Galadriel's eyes find mine now. ,,I can no longer see him from afar." It's like she's reading my mind.
,,Gandalf the Grey set out with the company but he did not pass the borders of this land."
,,Gandalf fell into shadow." I say. ,,He remained in Moria and did not escape."
,,Tell us the full tale." Celeborn says. I recount all that has happened upon the pass of Caradhras and in the days that followed. I speak of Balin and his book and the fight in the chamber of Mazarbul. About the fire, the narrow bridge and the coming of the terror.
,,An evil of the ancient world it seemed," Chloe says. ,,such as I have never seen before." I nod and look at Galadriel.
,,It was both a shadow and a flame, strong and terrible."
,,It was a Balrog of Morgoth." Legolas says. ,,Of all elf-banes the most deadly, save the One who sits in the dark tower."
,,We have long feared that under Caradhras a terror slept but had I known that the Dwarves had stirred up this evil in Moria again, I would have forbidden you to pass the northern borders. You and all that went with you. And if it were possible, one would say that at the last Gandalf fell from wisdom into folly, going needlessly into the net of Moria."
,,Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose. But however it may be with the guide, the followers are blameless." She turns her gaze to Gimli. ,,Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands love is now mingled with grief." Galadriel looks at Boromir now with a piercing gaze that he can't stand. He starts shaking and casts his eyes down. ,,What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost. The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." Now she looks at me. ,,Yet hope remains while the company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Tonight you shall sleep in peace."
,,Go now!" Celebron says. ,,You are worn with sorrow and much toil. Even if your quest did not concern us closely, you should have refuge in this city, until you are healed and refreshed. Now you shall rest and we will not speak of your further road for a while." We bow as goodbye as Haldir leads us down the stairs, where we can sleep. I wait until everyone has picked a place to rest, before grabbing my sword out of its hilt and sharpening it. Chloe sits beside me, sitting in silence, while Elves are singing in the trees. I lay down my sword and listen to the song, while pulling Chloe into my arms. I know the Elves are making songs of lamentation for Gandalf's fall because I caught his name among the sweet sad words that only Legolas, Chloe and I can understand.
,,What are they doing?" Merry startles us, coming to sit closeby.
,,A lament for Gandalf." Chloe answers. Merry looks up towards the trees.
,,What do they say about him?"
,,I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near." I tell him, looking down at my hands, still hurt by the fact I couldn't help him. Chloe rubs my hand reassuringly. I'm normally not someone who starts to sing, but being here with Chloe and the beautiful fountain in Lorien, I can't help myself. I softly start to sing my own song for Gandalf, not wanting to interrupt the Elves' beautiful singing.
When evening in the shire was grey,
his footsteps on the hill were heard;
before the dawn he went away
on journey long without a word
From Wilderland to Western shore,
from northern waste to southern hill,
through dragon-lair and hidden door
and darkling woods he walked at will
With Dwarf and Hobbit, Elves and Men,
with mortal and immortal folk,
with bird on bough and beast in den,
in their own secret tongues he spoke
A deadly sword, a healing hand,
a back that bent beneath its load;
a trumper-voice, a burning brand,
a weary pilgrim on the road
A lord of wisdom throned he sat,
swift in anger, quick to laugh;
An old man in a battered hat
who leaned upon a thorny staff
He stood upon the bridge alone
and Fire and Shadow both defied;
his staff was broken on the stone,
in Khazad-dûm his wisdom…
Died
I look down at Chloe and she smiles at me.
,,That was beautiful, Becs." She tells me and gives me a quick but loving kiss. ,,Go get some sleep, sweety." She caresses my cheek and lays me down. ,,I don't sleep but you still need it. I love you."
,,I love you too, Chlo." I tell her and then snuggle up against her, falling in a peaceful sleep.