By Your Side

Chapter 7: The Gifts From Galadriel

After we spoke with Galadriel and Celeborn, Haldir showed us to an area beneath the trees where we could sleep without worry. As we settled down beneath the trees, we heard elves singing. 

"A lament for Gandalf." Legolas mentioned.

Merry looked up towards the trees as his eyes lit up. "What do they say about him?"

"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near." Legolas replied.

I nodded. "I still can't believe he's gone..."

Gandalf was the one who convinced Thorin to allow me and my friends to go along with them to Erebor. Legolas gave me a sympathetic smile. 

"I bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about them." Sam commented, trying to lighten the mood. "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 then shook his head. "Oh, that doesn't do them justice by a long road."

Edmund scoffed. "No it won't."

Edmund then walked off, joining Aragorn who sat beside Boromir. I shook my head. I knew Edmund was hurting, and unfortunately this was the way he dealt with the pain, by pushing away people and acting cold.

"Don't pay any attention to Edmund, Sam. He's just as hurt as we are." I explained. "Gandalf meant so much to my children and to me. He was the one who knew I was from a prophecy when I first arrived in this world."

Sam's ears perked up. "Can you tell us about your home world?"

I smiled at his request. "Of course, Sam. I'm from a place called Narnia. It's a beautiful place filled with animals who can talk. They're called Narnians..."

And I continued to talk about Narnia until we all grew tired and we could no longer keep our eyes open.

•••

The next morning, we were all given green Elven cloaks. Celeborn and many of the elves stood before us. Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Coriakin, Lucy, Susan, Edmund, Peter, and I stood by the boats that lied next to the river.

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Celeborn said.

As Legolas and Susan placed our supplies that Celeborn and the others gave us into the boats, Legolas's face lit up as soon as he saw the lemmas bread. "Lembas. Elvish waybread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man."

As I wandered away from the boats, I overheard Merry's, Peter's, and Pippin's conversation. 

"How many did you eat?" Merry asked.

"Four." Pippin replied as he let out a burp.

"Four? I could barely finish one!" Peter exclaimed. 

As I walked past them, I noticed Celeborn with Aragorn by the trees. As soon as Celeborn noticed me, he motioned me to join them. As soon as I approached them, Celeborn spoke up. "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. Le aphadar aen. By river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros." Celeborn explained. 

"Thank you, Lord Celeborn for everything." I mentioned.

He gave us a small bow. "It's not much, but it's all I can do to help the Fellowship."

He then looked behind us, and rather curious ourselves, we turned to see Galadriel approaching us. As soon as she reached us, everyone from the fellowship had gathered around her. And to our surprise, she was giving us gifts. She began with Legolas handed him a bow.

"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim. Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Galadriel explained as Legolas looked at the bow in awe. 

She then gave Merry and Pippin daggers and Sam Elven rope. "These are the 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?" Sam inquired.

Galadriel merely smiled at Sam without responding. She then looked over at Gimli. "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." Gimli complimented.

Galadriel let out a laugh, and Gimli began to turn away. However he turned back around to face Galadriel. Actually, there was one thing."

Gimli then shook his head as he muttered to himself. "No, no, I couldn't. It's quite impossible. Stupid to ask..."

Galadriel then turned to me. She handed me a beautifully crafted sword. As I studied the sword, Galadriel explained to me the origins of the sword. "This is Aranrúth, the sword that belonged to the Elven King Thingol of Doriath."

My eyes widened. I've heard of this sword in books from the library in Rivendell, which Elrond allowed me to borrow every time I made a trip to his kingdom. 

"But I thought it was lost." I protested.

A warm smile appeared on Galadriel's face. "What is lost can be found."  

I wore a wide smile at her words. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of it."

"I know you will. You have nothing to fear, Aurelia. For you are nothing like your mother." Galadriel responded.

"Yet I have her magic running in my veins." I pointed out.

"And yet you have been forgiven and changed by Aslan. You have proven you are nothing like Jadis." Galadriel reminded me. "You have saved both your home and Middle Earth, and now I have faith you'll help again, Aurelia Durin."

That was true. I owed a lot to Aslan, he saved me from a terrible fate. He showed me a better path, a better way. I gave her one last smile. "Thank you for everything, Galadriel."

"You are welcome. We shall meet each other again for this is not the end." She informed me.  

As I walked over to the boats by the river, I saw Galadriel touch the Evenstar necklace that Aragorn had around his neck. No doubt they were talking about Arwen. Peter, Susan, Edmund, Coriakin, and Lucy all received different gifts as well. Once we were all in the boats, we made our way down the river. As we rowed the boats, we saw Galadriel amongst the trees, raising her hand as we left.

~Translations~

Le aphadar aen---You are being tracked