We stay in Lothlorien for four days before we're allowed to leave. We stand in a line, as Elves pin green cloaks onto us, fasten by green and gold leaf pins. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel stand in front of us.
,,Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people." Celeborn says. ,,May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." I see Legolas putting supplies into a boat that Merry and Pippin are sitting in.
,,Lembas. Elvish waybread." I hear him say and know what that is. ,,One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." Merry and Pippin nod in agreement.
,,How many did you eat?" I hear Merry ask Pippin.
,,Four." I smile at that. Celeborn turns his gaze to me now.
,,Neuma, can I speak to you for a moment?" I nod, as I leave the Fellowship behind, following Celeborn into the forest.
,,What do you want to talk to me about?" I ask the high elf.
,,Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. Mordor orcs now hold the Eastern shore of the Anduin. Nor will you find safety on the Western bank. Strange creatures bearing the white hand have been seen on our borders. Seldom do orcs journey in the open under the sun, yet these have done so." He hands me a dagger now. ,,Le aphadar aen. ( You are being tracked ). By river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros." I nod as we come back to the Fellowship. Chloe holds me close next to her.
,,What did Lord Celeborn say to you?" I look at the others of the Fellowship who are back in line again, waiting for Lady Galadriel to give them a farewell gift.
,,We're being followed. We have to take the river." I whisper to her and she nods, while Lady Galadriel stops at Legolas now.
,,My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim. Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Legolas looks at the bow in wonder, as Merry and Pippin unsheathe the daggers Lady Galadriel had given them. ,,These are daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage. And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of hithlain."
,,Thank you, my lady. Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" Galadriel just smiles at Sam without responding.
,,And what gift would a dwarf ask of the Elves?"
,,Nothing. Except to look upon the lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth." Galadriel laughs and Gimli starts to turn away. Now Lady Galadriel stands before me. She doesn't say anything with words, but instead she speaks to me through her mind.
,,I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear." She touches the Evenstar Chloe gave me, hanging around my neck. ,,Am meleth dîn, i ant e guil Lostariel pígatha. ( For her love, I fear the grace of Lostariel will diminish )." I'm so happy Lady Galadriel is talking to me through her mind, so Chloe won't hear my answer.
,,Im didn't anír- hen na tul- with nin onto hi lend. Aníron i e broniatha, ad ae periatham athar i methid en-amar hen. Aníron i e círatha na Valannor. ( I didn't want her to come with me onto this journey. I would have her leave these shores and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor )."
,,That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Neuma." I know what she means, because I have a choice to be the queen of Rivendell after this war, be at Chloe's side while she rules Mirkwood or live in Rivendell by myself, travel as much as I can before I die. ,,Namárië ( Farewell )." She says now out loud by everyone to hear, included Chloe. Chloe has luckily no idea what Lady Galadriel and I have discussed in our minds and she doesn't need to know. If Chloe knew what I was thinking, she would disagree and put herself in more danger, just to prove to me that she belongs at my side. Galadriel turns to Frodo now, while Chloe and I make our way to our boat. We climb in, Chloe in front and me behind Frodo. Legolas and Gimli with Merry in a boat next to us. Behind them are Boromir, Sam and Pippin. They're also the last boat of our three row. We depart in our boats, rowing with the current while Lady Galadriel waves her hand in farewell. It doesn't take long for us to reach the great river. We're floating peacefully along the Anduin for a while, until Chloe and Legolas notice Uruk-Hai, running through the woods, towards the river. We pass through a canyon, where we decide to stop on the shore to rest before continuing our journey.
The night is growing dark as I sit next to the fire, poking at the embers. Pippin sits next to me, roasting a tomato from his pack on a stick. Chloe sits on the other side of me. Merry and Sam are sitting next to each other, talking about our journey so far. Boromir looks out on the river suspiciously as a log floats by. I look up as well. I see pale fingers and the top of a head poking out from the top of the log. He might think he's successful in following us quietly, but I've already seen him. Pippin also sees the log, just like Chloe and the others.
,,What is that?" Pippin asks.
,,Gollum," I simply answer. ,,he has tracked us since Moria." The head and fingers disappear behind the driftwood. ,,I had hoped we would lose him on the river, but he's too clever a waterman."
,,And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous." Boromir says. I turn my head, seeing Sam offering Frodo some food, but he refuses. It's something to worry about. Frodo hasn't been sleeping or eating very well lately. Boromir walks over to me and takes me apart from Chloe and the rest, but I know that Chloe can hear us wherever we're standing. ,,Minas Tirith is the safer road." Boromir says to me. ,,You know it, you have been traveling there before. From there we can regroup… strike out for Mordor from a place of strength."
,,There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us." I shake my head.
,,You were quick enough to trust the Elves." He says and not in a friendly tone. My blood starts boiling.
,,Don't you dare say anything bad about Elves!" Boromir looks over at Chloe now and I give him a warning glare.
,,Neuma, do you have so little faith in your own people? You are half human, you know?" He waits for a moment to see my reaction, but I keep quiet. ,,Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty, but there is courage also, and honor to be found in men. But you will not see that. You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows."
,,Of course I am afraid! My father got killed in the war and my mother died giving birth to me. I have no parents and I have been hidden in the shadows, traveling alone, because there was no place for me. Not among the Elves and not among men. Men has never been accepting of me, since I'm half Elf. So, don't you dare to speak to me like that ever again because I have lost more than you have so far!"
,,You're just scared of who you are." He tells me, referring to the princess part of me.
,,Boromir, that's enough." Legolas stands up. Boromir looks at Legolas and just scowls. I turn back to the human warrior.
,,I will not lead the ring within a hundred leagues of your city." I say. Boromir glares at me and then he stalks away. I sit back between Chloe and Pippin. The latter is yawning when I notice the other hobbits are already asleep.
,,I can't sleep." Pippin says and crosses his arms. ,,Can you sing a lullaby?" He looks at me and I see Chloe's eyes light up.
,,Wait, you can sing?" Chloe asks me. I never sang in front of her before, so it might be a surprise to her. I just nod. ,,Please, sing a lullaby for us." Chloe gives me her puppy eyes and I know I can't resist that, so I sigh and just nod. Pippin smiles and lies his head on my lap, while Chloe rests her head against my shoulder.
Far over the Misty Mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day
To find our long forgotten gold
The pines were roaring on the height
The winds were moaning in the night
The fire was red, it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light
The bells were ringing in the Dale
And men looked up with faces pale
The dragon's ire, more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail
Far over the Misty Mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day
To find our long forgotten gold
I finish the song and see Pippin asleep on my lap. I look over to Chloe who just looks at me with love in her eyes.
,,You have an amazing voice, Becs." She whispers.
,,Thank you." Chloe sits upright and gestures for me to lay my head on her shoulder.
,,You're welcome. Now, get some sleep." She gives me a look when I try to protest but I know that Chloe is right and that I am tired, so I give in, lay my head on her shoulder and close my eyes. ,,Lend dreams, meleth nín ( Sweet dreams, my love )."
,,Melin(ye) tye, Lostariel ( I love you, Lostariel )." I say before I fall into a deep slumber, feeling safe with Chloe by my side.