Chapter 12

Lothlórien

After several hours of travel, we found ourselves looking upon the forest of Lothlórien, and not long after, we passed its boarders. I walked behind everyone else, lost in my own thoughts. Up ahead, Gimli and the Hobbits entered the forest cautiously.

“Stay close, young hobbits. They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an elf-witch of terrible power. All those who look upon her fall under her spell…and are never seen again.” Gimli whispered. Frodo seemed distracted.

“Mister Frodo?” Sam asked, concerned.

“Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily!” Gimli boasted, “I have the eyes of a hawk, and the ears of a fox!”

With no sign other than a slight rustle of leaves, I suddenly found myself surrounded by golden-haired elves, all aiming arrows at our group.

“The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark.” One elf said cockily, stepping forward.

As the sun began to set, we were lead through the forest to a chamber, where the trees were so thick, that barely any daylight was allowed through.

“Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion.” (Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.) The elf (whom we now knew as Haldir) said.

“Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien.” (Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lorien) Legolas murmured. Haldir then turned to Aragorn and myself.

“A Aragorn en Rana in Dúnedain istannen le ammen.”(Aragorn and Rana of the Dunedain. You are known to us.) Aragorn and I bowed slightly.

“Hennaid”(Thank you) Aragorn said softly. I only nodded, feeling too overcome by my grief for words.

“So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves. Speak words we can all understand!” Gimli grumbled from behind me.

“We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days.” Haldir frowned.

“And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul, in khuzdûl!” (A plague upon your necks!) Gimli spat. Aragorn turned and placed a warning hand on his shoulder.

“That was not so courteous.” He muttered. Haldir then turned to Frodo.

“You bring great evil with you. You can go no further.” He then turned and walked away. Aragorn met my gaze for a moment, before following him.

I sat down as Aragorn began arguing with Haldir.

“Boe ammen veriad lîn! Andelu i ven. Merin le telim. Henio, aníron boe ammen i dulu lîn!”(We need your protection! The road is dangerous. I wish we could depend on you. Understand, we need your support!) Aragorn spoke irritably, as if he was running out of time.

“Gandalf's death was not in vain. Nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo. Don't carry the weight of the dead.” Boromir murmured to a troubled-looking Frodo, although to me his comforting words felt like a stab to the chest.

‘We could have saved him…’ I thought to myself, drawing my cloak tightly around my body. I looked up when I heard Haldir and Aragorn’s footsteps.

“You will follow me.” Haldir spoke briskly to the company, before walking away. I stood and followed Aragorn as we were lead into the forest.

We walked for some time through the silver wood, nobody spoke. Suddenly, up ahead, Haldir stopped and looked over a ledge.

“Caras Galadhon, the heart of Elvendom on earth, realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light.” He smiled proudly, before leading us onward. I stopped to look at the beautiful hill covered in golden-leaved trees for a moment, before following.

We were lead into a great city of trees as the sky grew dark, and were brought before a short flight of steps. Everything glowed here. Lights flickered in windows set into the trees and from winding stairways. Even the elves seemed to emit their own light. I looked up as the light shone brighter, and two elves, clad in white, began to descend towards us. One was male, and one was female, both were beautiful, but the beauty of the woman far surpassed the appearance of any elf I had ever seen. It was the Lady Galadriel and the Lord Celeborn.

“The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten 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.” Celeborn spoke in a calm, unchanging tone. Galadriel looked up

“Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow.” She spoke softly.

“He was taken by both shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria.” Legolas murmured.

“Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-Dûm fill your heart, Gimli son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril, and in all lands love is now mingled with grief.” Galadriel smiled, casting her gaze over Gimli, and then looking at Boromir.

“What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost.” Celeborn said, and I was suddenly angered by his lack of faith in the Fellowship.

“The quest stands upon the edge of a knife, stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the company is true.” Galadriel comforted us, and a feeling of calm began to spread over me. “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...”

***

We made camp on the ground, as the Hobbits did not like the idea of sleeping in trees. After I had found a bed for myself, I walked away from the company, and climbed into the low branches of a tree. Around me, I could hear the sound of elves singing.

“A Olorin i yaresse, Mentaner i Numeherui, Tirien i Romenori, Maiarion i Oiosaila… Mana elye etevanne… Norie i melanelye?”

Their words brought fresh tears to my eyes, but this time, instead of stopping them, I let them roll freely down my cheeks.

“A Lament for Gandalf.” Legolas murmured somewhere behind me. I did not turn. I hated it when people saw me cry, that’s why I chose to be alone.

“What do they say about him?” Asked Merry.

“I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near.” Legolas whispered sadly, and I heard him walk away. One line of the Lament caused me to cry even more.

‘What drove you to leave that which you loved?’

Why did he leave us? He could have been saved…

“I bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about them. ‘The finest rockets ever seen, they burst in stars of blue and green. Or after thunder, silver showers, came falling like a rain of flowers...’” Sam stood and spoke. I smiled through my tears. “Oh that doesn't do them justice by a long road.” He sighed, sitting down again. I laid my head against the trunk of the tree and continued to gaze into the forest, the lights that shone ahead of me slipped in and out of focus as I cried silent tears.

After a short while, I heard someone speak. It was Aragorn.

“Take some rest. These borders are well protected.” He murmured softly. For a moment I thought he was speaking to me, until Boromir replied.

“I will find no rest here. I heard a voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me, even now, there is hope left, but I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope. My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing, and now our... our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right, and I would do it, I would see the glory of Gondor restored. Have you ever seen it, Aragorn? The White Tower of Ecthelion glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver, its banners caught high in the morning breeze? Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?” His voice filled with passion as he spoke of his city.

“I have seen the White City, long ago.” Aragorn said softly.

“One day, our paths will lead us there, and the tower guard shall take up the call, ‘the lords of Gondor have returned!’” Boromir spoke cheerfully, as if speaking about his city had renewed his faith. I heard him stand and walk away, leaving Aragorn alone. I wondered whether he even knew I was here. These doubts were removed from my mind as I heard him rise and walk towards me. He stopped beneath the branch I sat on and leant casually against the tree, not looking up at me. I hastily attempted to wipe the tears from my eyes as I looked down at him.

“Rana?” He murmured.

“Hm?” I sniffed.

“I noticed you hurt your head earlier.” He stated matter-of-factly.

“I didn’t hurt it… The Orc did.” I muttered, lightly touching the throbbing wound and wincing. Aragorn chuckled softly below.

“Can you come down so I can look at it?”

“I’m fine.” I insisted quickly. If I came down now, he’d be able to tell that I’d been crying.

“Please?” He murmured. I sighed.

“I’m fine.” I repeated.

“Rana, please come down.” He requested. I sighed, knowing he would suspect something if I didn’t come down. I hurriedly rubbed my eyes one more time, before dropping out of the tree and landing in a crouch beside him. As I stood, he wordlessly took my hand and led me back to the camp. I glanced over at the sleeping forms of our company before he sat me down on one of the large tree roots that surrounded us. He examined my injury carefully, apologising each time he caused me to wince.

“It’s only small. It will heal.” He whispered, sitting down beside me after he had washed the cut. I smiled weakly and looked at the floor, before standing and walking a few steps away.

“Rana.” Aragorn’s call caused me to turn around. I saw him stand and walk over to me, before hugging me tightly.

“Crying is not a sign of weakness.” He whispered in my ear, “It’s just a sign that you have been strong for too long.”

With those words, I broke down. For the second time that day, I found that my legs couldn’t support my weight, and I sank to the ground with Aragorn still holding me. I sobbed into his shoulder as he stroked my hair.

“It’s alright.” He comforted me.

“What do we do now?” I choked. Aragorn was silent for a moment.

“Gandalf asked me to lead the Fellowship. I will try to make the choices he would have made.” He hugged me tightly and I nodded.

“I will follow you.” I whispered. “Even into the fires of Mordor, and back.”

“I hope we will make it that far.” He murmured. I sat up and wiped the tears from my cheeks, before looking into his stormy grey eyes.

“We will make it. There is always hope.”