Chapter 14: Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn
Haldir took off the blind folds and led the Fellowship right into the heart of Lothlorien.
‘In this tree, The Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn reside. I will lead you up to them. Legolas you follow after me, than Frodo.’ Haldir nodded to Legolas, who nodded back. They followed Haldir up into the largest mallorn tree in the city. Reaching a platform, the hobbits looked around in awe. Kal and Morril stood watching the other elves with interest.
‘Morril, look at their clothes! They are so beautiful!’
‘They are…’Morril commented lovingly.
‘Follow me.’ Haldir said motioning the group forward. They came upon two beautiful beings, surrounded by a bright, yet subtle white light.
‘Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn, here is the group that you sent me to bring to you.’ Haldir said bowing low. The Fellowship bowed as the two elves stood up.
‘Please come forward.’ Lord Celeborn spoke first. ‘Legolas, son of Thranduil we are glad to have you in Lothlorien.’
‘Father has told me of Lothlorien and all of it’s wonders.’ Legolas said bowing.
‘Come sit down. There is much that needs to be told.’ Lady Galadriel spoke softly. The Fellowship sat down in chairs provided to them. Soon the Lord and Lady were asking questions about their journey…and the fall of two friends.
‘You will rest here for as long as you need.’ Lord Celeborn said standing up and bowing towards the fellowship. Lady Galadriel rose and nodded in agreement with Lord Celeborn. She turned her gaze upon Frodo, than briefly over the rest of the company. They bowed and, again, following Haldir to the place they would be staying.
Around the fire that night, things seemed as they were in Rivendale, happy, simple and safe.
‘Sam, pass the fruit!’ Pippin called to his friend across the fire.
‘You have had the bowl already!’ Kal laughed. Haldir appeared out of the shadows.
‘Haldir!’ Legolas said smiling. ‘What brings you to us this time of night?’
‘I just brought word that your elven friend has been buried. I will take all those who would want to see it, tomorrow morning.’ Haldir said bowing.
‘Thank you.’ Aragorn said sadly, nodding his head towards he elf. ‘Best if we all get a good nights sleep, so we can be off on our way as soon as possible.’ Aragorn said to the suddenly silent group.
‘That elf does nothing but bring bad news..’ Gimli grunted as he rolled on to his blanket and promptly fell asleep.
Morril and Kal stayed awake during the night. The night never seemed as dark and lonely as it had in the open. There were elves singing of Gandalf’s departure…mourning for him.
‘Kal…are you asleep?’ Morril asked.
‘No…who is that?’ Kal asked. Morril looked the way that Kal had pointed. The both saw Lady Galadriel walk towards them. Only, Frodo and Sam got up and walked after her.
‘What are they doing?’ Morril asked.
‘Were is she taking Frodo and Sam!’ Kal asked urgently.
‘We should follow, just to make sure the Ring bearer…’
‘One of the Ring bearers.’ Kal corrected.
‘Just to make sure that Frodo and Sam aren’t hurt or taken.’ Morril said.
Morril and Kal got up silently, walking lightly away from their sleeping friends. Morril and Kal saw that Frodo and Sam walked down a stair case.
‘Lady Morril, Lady Kal, As Lady Galadriel had told me. You would follow your friends.’ Lord Celeborn’s voice broke the silent night.
‘Lord Celeborn!’ Morril gasped.
‘We didn’t mean to. We just….’ Kal started, bowing towards the Lord.
‘You just don’t trust anyone. That is good, but you can trust my wife and I and the elves of Lothlorien.’ Lord Celeborn said. ‘Come, walk with me.’
Morril and Kal looked at each other and nodded. They followed Lord Celeborn as they walked out of the main city and into the woods.
‘I often come here, to the woods, when I need time to think.’ Lord Celeborn said.
‘Is there something you would like to tell us?’ Kal asked politely. ‘
Yes. Lady Galadriel has seen that the Fellowship will fail.’ Lord Celeborn said silently. ‘
Fail!’ Morril gasped. ‘You mean that we will not destroy both rings?’ Morril asked.
‘She has not seen that far, only that the Fellowship will fail. I have told you this. When the time comes. You will need to choose. Your Friends or Middle Earth. That time will come. Is there anything you wish to ask me?’
‘Ask you?’ Morril asked.
‘Anything you need to tell someone.’ Celeborn said smiling slightly.
Morril and Kal looked at each other.
‘You go first.’ Kal said nodding to Morril. ‘I’ll just be other there.’ Kal pointed to a little glade.
‘Lord Celeborn. Just a couple months ago I was just any other elf. Why me! I didn’t do anything. Why do I keep hearing this voice in my head, that lead me to hurt my best friend and kill another!?!’ Morril burst out.
‘Frodo Baggins has asked the same thing. He wonders why he has been chosen to save Middle Earth. You, Morril have been handed a darker burden. You must die or become evil entirely. The voice you hear is the Dark Lord himself. Because you are his bride, you and he have a hidden thread. He can talk to you to do as he pleases. Destroy all hope for Middle Earth from the inside.’
‘What can I do to stop that! Every time he talks to me, I feel like I’m being pulled farther and farther from everyone that I love.’ Morril said. ‘What can I do?’
‘Find the one thing that will cast light into you thoughts. A place, a dream, a person, a friend, anything to bring you out of the darkness.’ Lord Celeborn said softly.
‘One more thing….’
‘Yes?’
‘Is there a chance that I won’t have to…die. That I could still live?’ Morril asked looking up at the Elven Lord. Lord Celeborn looked down upon her face.
‘I wish I could tell you that you will live. There is no other way.’ Lord Celeborn said covering his face with his hands. Morril took a deep breath.
‘It is not your fault. You should not feel bad, sorry, mad, angry. I think, I finally have come to realize that, I have to die in order to save everything I love.’ Morril said softly. ‘Thank you Lord Celeborn.’ Morril bowed. Lord Celeborn smiled sadly.
‘Kal, seems to have fallen asleep.’ Morril laughed. ‘I guess we better be getting back.’
‘No need to worry about that.’ Lord Celeborn said smiling. ‘Look.’
Morril looked over her shoulder to find Legolas carrying Kal back to camp.
‘They love each other, am I wrong?’ Morril asked.
‘They are.’ Lord Celeborn said. ‘You will find your light soon, young one. I am needed back. You will excuse me, won’t you?’ Lord Celeborn said.
‘You don’t need to ask me.’ Morril said blushing slightly.
‘Yes I do. You and Frodo are more important than anything in Middle Earth at this time.’ Lord Celeborn said. ‘For now, Lady, namarie.’
