Lyra
It's been awhile that we have been here in Lothloren, tomorrow we leave to continue the quest to destroy the Ring. I exit the bathroom to find Legolas sitting on the bed, shirtless and waiting for me.
"How are you my love?" He asks
"I'm fine, just wishing my nightmares would go away" I say sitting next to him
"As do I" He says as he massages my shoulders making me sigh.
"Tonight's our last night here" Legolas says
"I know" I says as he starts kissing my neck, I turn and see his eyes glowing red and I know mine are glowing gold.
"Seems the wolves want out" He says smirking
"Well lets let them" I say kissing him, I can feel him smirking still as he kisses me back passionately and pushes me down on the bed.
Next Morning
"Well look who are finally up and joining the rest of us" Boromir teases us, I give him an annoyed look and a certain finger making him and my mate laugh
"Males, the most annoying creature on this earth" I says under my breath.
"Well so are woman" Boromir says
"Says you, Mister annoying" I say and walk off.
An elegant ship, carved in the likeness of a swan, flows through a river. Galadriel stands in it. On shore, cloaks are fastened around the Fellowship with green, silver-veined leaf-brooches.
"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Celeborn says
Elves prepare for the departure of the Fellowship. Legolas is among them, shifting parcels into a set of boats provided by the Galadhrim. He holds up a thin wafer for Merry and Pippin to see, as they sit in a boat.
"Lembas! Elvish Way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." Legolas says
He walks up onto shore, leaving the Hobbits by themselves.
"How many did you eat?" Merry asks
"Four." Pippin says and burps
"Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. Mordor Orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin." Celeborn says
As the Elf Lord speaks, the Fellowship climb into the boats. Legolas helps Gimli onboard. Sam tries to steady himself. Meanwhile, Aragorn and Celeborn and I wander through the heavy mist and sunlight.
"Nor will you find safety on the western bank. Strange creatures bearing the mark of the White Hand have been seen on our borders. Seldom do Orcs journey in the open, under the sun, yet these have done so!" Celeborn says
The three of us pause, and Aragorn looks down. Celeborn holds an ornate dagger before him. Aragorn takes it, and unsheathes it; its blade glints.
"Le aphadar aen." Celeborn says
Aragorn sheathes the dagger.
"By river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros." Celeborn says, I am about to follow my brother to the others but Celeborn stops me.
"Be careful out there Lyra, many will hunt you for being the last of your kind. Promise me you will stay safe granddaughter" He says
"I will, thank you for everything and being the best adoptive grandfather ever. I love you and will miss you Grandfather" I say hugging him
"I'll miss you too, I love you too, go join your husband and friends" He says, I hug him one last time and join Legolas and the others.
A paddle splashes into the water. The Fellowship rows through the river, past the Elves onshore. The sun is reaching its rosy fingers over the hills; Caras Galadhon rises far away, in the mists. Voices sing with the rising dawn:
Elves:
"Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrien,
Yéni úntimë ve rámar aldaron!
yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier
mi oromardi lisse-miruvóreva
Andúnë pella Vardo tellumar
nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni..."
(Alas! Like gold fall the leaves in the wind,
long years numberless as the wings of the trees!
The long years have passed like swift draughts
of the sweet mead in lofty halls beyond the West,
beneath the vaults of Varda wherein the stars
tremble in the song of her voice...)
The voices continue. A song of the sorrow of the Elves, of Lothlórien. As the boats move further downstream, Legolas's eyes stare distantly. He smiles, remembering.
Earlier
"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Galadriel says to Legolas as he inspects his new bow.
Galadriel smiles, and turns to Merry and Pippin.
"These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war." Galadriel says , Pippin looks at the dagger nervously "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage."
"And for you, Samwise Gamgee: Elven rope, made of hithlain." Galadriel says to Sam as she hands the rope to him.
"Thank you, my lady." Sam says, he looks sidelong at the blades held by Merry and Pippin, then looks up hopefully. "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?"
The Lady of the Galadhrim smiles, and turns to the next Fellowship member in line. It is Gimli, who diverts his eyes downwards. Galadriel speaks, her golden hair shining beneath the poignant blues and whites and greens of the forest.
"And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" She asks him
"Nothing."Gimli says grunting, a change comes over him; he looks up "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 giggles, smiling at the Dwarf. He turns to walk away, then halts and turns back.
"Actually, there was one thing — ah, agh, that's quite impossible. Stupid to ask." Gimli says, but I don't hear the rest of their conversation.
Galadriel stands before Aragorn and places her hand on Arwen's Evenstar pendant.
"I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear. Am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Arwen Undómiel...pelitha." Galadriel says as she touches Aragorn's Evenstar pendant from Arwen
The two share a sorrow in their eyes.
"Aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen. Aníron e ciratha a Valannor." Aragorn says
"That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn... to rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness... with all that is left of your kin." Galadriel says
There is silence for a moment. Branches shake, a spider web's glimmering strands sway in the wind. Galadriel glances at the pendant, and smiles.
"Namárië. Nadath nâ i moe cerich." Galadriel says "Dan...ú-'eveditham, Elessar."
"Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star."
She kisses him on the forehead.
"May it be a light for you, in dark places, when all other lights go out."
She then turns to Boromir and gives him a gold belt, then it's my turn.
"Lyra, my sweet, sweet Lyra, a long journey lies ahead of you. You must take extra care, an enemy is out to get you, watch your back" Galadriel says
"It's Jarvis isn't it?" I ask
"Yes, but he is not the only one. Many want to use you as a weapon for you are the last of your kind and the strongest, be very cautious." She says and hands me a dagger and two dual swords.
"Following my motto of "You can never have too many blades"?" I ask
"Yes, stay close to your husband or friends, they will help protect you" She says hugging me.
Present Time
The Fellowship sails out onto the river and leaves Lórien behind. White mountains rise starkly beneath blue skies and green trees. In the boats, Gimli talks to Legolas and I.
"I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Haugh, henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me." Gimli says
"What was it?" Legolas asks
"I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three." Gimli says
Legolas and I smile. The Fellowship passes out onto a larger branch of the Anduin beneath sheer cliffs. Darkness falls. The Fellowship rests on a small island. Boromir looks out from behind a large rock, at a log floating in the river. Small hands clutch it, and the top of a head is barely visible over the log's edge, where eyes glint softly. I lay with Legolas, he is asleep but I am wide awake, worried.
"Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria." Aragorn says
"Gollum." Gollum mutters
"I had hoped we would lose him on the river. But he's too clever a waterman." Aragorn says
"And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous." Boromir says
Frodo hears them. He looks worried.
"Have some food, Mister Frodo." Sam says
"No, Sam." Frodo replies
"You haven't eaten anything all day. You're not sleeping, either. Don't think I haven't noticed. Mister Frodo..." Sam says
"I'm all right." Frodo says
"But you're not! I'm here to help you. I promised Gandalf that I would." Sam says
"You can't help me, Sam... Not this time... Get some sleep." Frodo says
Sam leaves him alone.
"Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know it. From there we can regroup... strike out for Mordor from a place of strength." Boromir says
"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us." Aragorn says
"You were quick enough to trust the Elves. Have you so little faith in your own people?" Boromir asks
Frodo looks out, suffering, from his resting place, hearing Boromir's words.
"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." Boromir says, Aragorn turns away, but Boromir grabs his arm and turns him. "You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows!"
"Scared of who you are, of what you are." Boromir says and releases Aragorn, who turns away.
Aragorn turns back suddenly "I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city!" He says
The Fellowship's boats pass through a canyon. Boromir glances at Frodo's boat across the water. Aragorn lifts his head, half-smiles and taps Frodo on the shoulder.
"Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin." Aragorn says
The Fellowship looks up in awe at the towering splendor of the Argonath. Two majestic statues proudly stand on each side of the Anduin. Their left arms are held aloft, their palms facing outwards in gesture of warning. The Fellowship sail towards a great, roaring waterfall. As we disembark on a gravel beach, Boromir looks troubled and appears to be fighting a conflict within him, and Frodo glances at him, looking afraid. The Fellowship starts to make camp.
"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." Aragorn says
"Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better!" Gimli says sarcastically
Pippin looks up, alarmed. I smile, he has no idea what is out there.
"Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!" Gimli says
"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf." My brother says
"Recover my...?! Phrrr..." Gimli grumbles
"We should leave now." Legolas says
"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness." Aragorn says
"It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near... I can feel it." Legolas says
"I feel very uneasy about this too Aragorn, trust me, something is up" I say to my brother
Legolas's gaze wanders over the dark pine woods, with a dark, brooding statue nestled amongst their needles.
"No dwarf need recover strength! Pay no heed to that, young Hobbit." Gimli says
Merry, returning with some wood for the campfire, looks around.
"Where's Frodo?" Merry asks
Sam, who was half-dozing, rouses with a start. Aragorn looks over the camp. His gaze stops on Boromir's shield, lying with his baggage.
"We'll go look, Lyra stay here with the hobbits" My brother says
"What?! Um why?" I ask
"I need you to protect them" Aragorn says
"We'll be back soon" Legolas says
"Fine, if you aren't back in 20 minutes, I'm coming to find you" I say
"Alright" Legolas says and kisses me before him, Aragorn and Gimli head off into the woods.
Translations:
Le aphadar aen. - You are being tracked.
Am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Arwen Undómiel...pelitha. - For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar... will diminish.
Aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen. Aníron e ciratha a Valannor. - I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor.
Namárië - Farewell.
Nadath nâ i moe cerich. - There is much you have yet to do.
Dan...ú-'eveditham, Elessar. - We shall not meet again, Elessar.