By Your Side

Chapter 6: Lothlórien

We soon reached the woods of Lothlorien. I was happy to be back here. As we began to walk through the woods, Gimli spoke. "Stay close young Hobbits! They say there's a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell...and are never seen again."

I rolled my eyes. Oh boy...here we go. Gimli continued. "Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"

At that moment, we were surrounded by elves. They pointed their arrows and bows towards us. I merely placed my hands up, knowing that they would know who I am. After Fili and I became King and Queen of Erebor, we reached out to Rivendell and Lothlorien, forming alliances with both. At that moment, an elf I recognized as Haldir approached us. "The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark."

Edmund snickered. "The eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox, huh?"

Gimli glared at him before muttering something under his breath. As the evening approached, we made our way up into one of the giant trees along with Haldir and a few other elves. It was there where Haldir gave us the proper elf greeting.

"Mae govannen, Aurelia, Legolas Thranduilion." Haldir greeted us.

"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien." Legolas replied.

"Le channon, mellon." I added with a smile as I gave him the elf greeting.

Haldir returned my smile before turning to Aragorn. "Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen."

Aragorn gave him the elf greeting before speaking. "Haldir."

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can all understand!" Gimli snapped in an irritated tone.

"We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the dark days." Haldir retorted.

"And do you know what this dwarf says to that?" Gimli asked.

"Gimli, please don't do anything that you may regret." I warned.

"Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" Gimli exclaimed, ignoring my words.

Peter grimaced. "Too late."

Aragorn glanced over at him, giving him a glare. "That was not so courteous."

Haldir ignored Gimli as he walks up to Frodo. "You bring great evil with you. You can go no furthur."

At that moment, Aragorn and I took Haldir aside, quietly arguing with Haldir, trying to get him to let us into Lothlórien. And fortunately it worked. After a short while, Haldir turned to the others. "You will follow me."

With that, Haldir led them through several paths through the woods until we reached a hill. We all looked at Caras Galadhon in awe. It was a giant tree containing the grand court of Galadriel and Celeborn along with a stairway. 

"Caras Galadhon. The heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light." Haldir informed us.

We made our way up the stairs and finally, we reached the court. There we saw Galadriel and Celeborn making their way towards us. Aragorn, Legolas, and I gave the elf greeting, while the others stared in awe. 

"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eight that are here yet nine 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 commented.

Galadriel then glanced at Aragorn and me. She seemed to already know the answer by just reading our eyes. She wore a sympathetic look. "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into Shadow."

Celeborn looked at her, rather baffled. 

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

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose." Galadriel commented before turning to look at Gimli and my children. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands love is now mingled with grief."

Galadriel then looked over at Boromir with a piercing gaze, which made him shiver. He immediately averred his gaze to the ground, making me worry. What's going on with Boromir?

"What now becomes of this Fellowship?" Celeborn inquired. "Without Gandalf, hope is lost."

"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 informed us. She then looked over at Sam and smiled at him as he continued to gaze at her. "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..."

Galadriel then turned to me. I could hear her voice in my head. "Welcome back to Lothlorien, Aurelia Durin. Your journey is getting more dangerous as you head closer towards your destination. But fear not for I know the great lengths you will go to save others."

~Translations~

Mae govannen, Aurelia----Welcome Aurelia 

Mae gonannen, Legolas Thranduilion.----Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.

Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien.----Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien.

Le channon, mellon---I thank you, friend.

Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen.---And Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.

Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!--- I spit upon your grave!