Fan Fiction ❯ Lord of the Rings: Stargaze ❯ Farewell to Lórien ( Chapter 15 )

Farewell to Lórien

"Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!

O Queen beyond the Western Seas!

O Light to us that wander here

Amid the world of woven trees!"

Slender Elven fingers dexterously clasped a silver-wound leaf across the meeting point of two ends of an Elvish cloak. Nine Lórien Elves stepped back from the Fellowship, whose members now wore a jade green cloak each.

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

The Fellowship was soon packing their few belongings and the supplies the Lórien Elves had given them into three long canoes. Merry and Pippin sat in the prow of one canoe watching Legolas load strange tied packages into the boat.

Reaching into one of the packages, Legolas pulled out an unusual square piece of food. He smiled, his eyes sparkling in amusement.

"Lembas," he stated. "Elvish waybread." Taking a tiny bite off the corner and chewing for a moment, he told the two Hobbits matter-of-factly, "One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man."

Pippin and Merry nodded politely. After Legolas had hopped out of the boat again to grab more things, Merry slid closer to Pippin.

"How many did you eat?" Merry whispered guiltily.

Pippin seemed to shrink a bit. "Four." Then he made a rather obscene bodily sound.

Sam wobbled unsteadily into one canoe. Frodo followed. Boromir climbed in the back of Merry and Pippin's boat. The two Hobbits had wanted to ride with Arora, but Boromir seemed insulted, and took advantage of Arora's new, unusually docile attitude to skip them in with him.

Arora watched the Fellowship climb into boats. Legolas had to take Gimli's hand and arm, in case the Dwarf lost his balance and tumbled into the water. Haldir took Aragorn aside and walked away with him, whispering quietly and very quickly. Arora took all this in with silence. She clutched her recovered bow and the strap of her quiver tightly, taking comfort in their familiarity.

All the boats were full by now…Aragorn would ride with Frodo and Sam, Boromir with Merry and Pippin. Legolas paddled in the boat he shared with Gimli. Arora hesitated, then approached them. Instead of going to Legolas, she spoke to Gimli instead…much to the surprise of the Dwarf.

"Master Gimli, would you mind terribly to allow me share of your boat?" she asked quietly, smiling a little. Legolas said nothing, but watched curiously.

Taken off guard, Gimli stammered for a minute, then replied, "Of course, lass! I'd be glad to share the boat with you."

Arora nodded gratefully. Gimli extended his hand to help her in, but Arora made a tiny leap and landed in the prow of the boat. Gimli blinked, then laughed, and Arora couldn't help a small confident smirk.

Legolas smiled.

~*~

An ornate Elvish paddle brushed through the waters of the Silverlode. The Fellowship pulled out onto the river in silvery-grey Elven boats, their departure observed by Lórien Elves that dotted the riverbanks.

Legolas smiled serenely.

"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."

Galadriel handed the gift to Legolas. He breathed out in awe as he tested his new, beautiful longbow. Eyes glowing with the joy of the new present, Legolas showed it to Arora, who admired it accordingly.

Merry and Pippin smiled excitedly as they examined their new, Elvish blades, silver and richly decorated.

"These are the daggers of the Noldorin," Galadriel informed them gently. "They have already seen service in war." Noticing the slightly apprehensive look on Pippin's face, she spoke reassuringly, "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage."

Pippin blinked peacefully, and Merry gazed at the water, deep in thought.

Sam stared off into space.

"And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of hithlain."

"Thank you, my lady," Sam said politely, taking the rope from Galadriel's hands. Glancing at Merry and Pippin, he asked regretfully, "Have you run out of those…nice shiny daggers?"

Galadriel merely smiled. Sam sighed and stepped back again.

The Lady of Light continued to Gimli, who stood fidgeting with his axe and staring at the ground.

"And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" she inquired gently.

"Nothing," Gimli muttered, shuffled nervously. After a moment, he slowly lifted his eyes and murmured, "Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time…for she is more fair that all the jewels beneath the earth."

Galadriel laughed breezily.

Embarrassed, Gimli turned to go. Galadriel's eyes sparkled fondly. Then, hesitantly, Gimli turned around again. "Actually…There was one thing…No, no, I couldn't. It's quite impossible. Stupid to ask."

Gimli sighed wistfully.

Arora stared into the water, frowning absently.

"I would not forget you, young Nightkin," Galadriel said softly, standing before Arora. The Night Elf princess kept her eyes downward, inwardly ashamed of the troubled between their people.

Galadriel touched the side of Arora's head with one elegant white finger, brushing aside a starkly contrasting strand of black hair from the pale face. She smiled warmly. "You search for your answer, little one. The answer is closer than you think…trust those you care for to guide you, and the heavenly stars to light your way."

Somehow this comforting advice touched Arora more deeply than any material object could have done. She thanked Galadriel gratefully.

Taking in the river landscape, Aragorn reflected between powerful strokes on what the Lady of Light had said to him.

"I have nothing greater to give…than the gift you already bear," Galadriel whispered, touching the Evenstar around Aragorn's neck. "For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will diminish."

"I would have her leave these shores," Aragorn replied, "and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor."

"That choice is yet before her," Galadriel said knowingly. "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."

Aragorn was silent…then he nodded.

Galadriel did not speak for a moment. Then she gently touched Aragorn's cheek. "Namaarie." Seeing Aragorn bow his head, she lifted his chin with her soft hand. "There is much you have yet to do. We shall not meet again…Elessar."

Frodo blinked in the bright sunlight, sitting quietly in the Elven canoe.

"Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Earendil…our most beloved star." Galadriel handed Frodo a delicate glass vial. A small light shone persistently in its depths.

"Namaarie." Galadriel leaned forward and very gently kissed Frodo on the head.

Galadriel raised her hand in farewell as the Fellowship canoed down the river.

"May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights go out."

The river was quiet and peaceful. The Fellowship, although eager not to waste time, was content to flow with the current of the water.

In the boat shared by two Elves and a Dwarf, Gimli sighed depressively.

"I have taken my worst wound at this parting…having looked my last upon that which is fairest." Arora looked back slightly and Legolas watched the Dwarf carefully as he exhaled heavily. "Henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me."

"What was her gift?" Legolas asked, his voice soft.

"I asked her for one hair from her golden head," Gimli breathed reverently. "She gave me three."

Legolas smiled fondly, a bit amused. Arora couldn't help but do the same.