An Arrow or Two || Legolas/LotR

EIGHT

edited 23/06/2020. lowkey dislike how this one turned out & couldn't change much but here we go hope it's okay! we love gimli tho x

Chapter Eight. Gifts of the Galadhrim. 

That night I did not dream of anything. As I slept everything was black, and dark, and silent. This made it peaceful; I felt nothing and so therefore felt at ease, even in sleep. For the first night in a long time I felt wholly comfortable, despite being injured and worn. It was not cold here, and everything felt perfect for just those few hours. 

When eventually I did awaken, I was being quickly shaken by Pippin who seemed to be eager to wake me up. 

"Astella, we are going to be using rowing boats to travel." He said, "We won't have to walk! We're going to the harbour!"

I sat up fully, and saw my regular clothes were in a neat pile beside my bed. Pippin left me so I could get dressed, pulling on the familiar tunic and trousers. They felt brand new; even as I pulled on my boots I felt as if I had just got them for the first time. I brushed my hair, braiding a section of it back, before following Boromir with Pippin close on my tail, to the small harbour. The trees surrounded it, and the sun made the water glisten. I gasped slightly, the beauty of the harbour as prominent as everywhere else in Lórien.

The Lady Galadriel was waiting for us there with Lord Celeborn. When we had all arrived, she faced us all, smiling. Her glow was radiant. Ethereal. She smiled down upon us. 

"Now it is time for us to bid farewell," The Lady said, her soft voice warming us like a beam of golden sunlight, "But do not let your hearts be sad. Night must, after all, follow noon. The shadows will fall between us, but we have brought gifts of the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim,  which we offer to you now in memory of the light of Lothlórien." 

She gestured, and Elves stood behind her in the harbour stepped forwards. The Elves fastened a cloak around each member of the Fellowship. Each hooded cloak was made to the size of the wearer, a dark green or grey though I could not truly tell what its hue was, and the clasp was a shining green leaf, with silver veins which glittered. It was a symbol of the Galadhrim, and now it was a symbol of our unity as a Fellowship.

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. Made by the LadyGaladriel herself with her elf-maidens; may these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Lord Celeborn said. Precisely why Gimli's hawk-eyes had not spotted the Elven archers, I thought to myself as I looked down at the cloak wrapped around my shoulders. They had been beautifully made, and it was an honour beyond all to wear the cloth curated by the hand of the Lady Galadriel. 

Galadriel now stepped forward to see to each of us; first, stood before Legolas, she picked up a beautiful longbow from the arms of one of the Elves who stood next to her. It was stout, sturdy and strong, and its pale wood was carved beautifully. I ached with longing; I wished I could own a bow as beautiful as the one Galadriel held.

"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Legolas looked stunned as he took the bow graciously and pulled back the bowstring; it was much longer than his bow of Mirkwood, and it suited him. He seemed both honoured and excited, and there was a childlike gleam in his eyes as he admired it with wonder. Perhaps with flattery, even. Galadriel smiled at his enthusiasm, before next turning to Merry and Pippin next.

"These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war." She said, as Merry and Pippin unsheathed the blades. Pippin looked up at the tall Elleth stood before him, "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took, you will find your courage."