TALE OF LEGOLAS AND RAENASLEE (LOTR STORY)

LOVE MINGLES WITH GRIEF

CHAPTER 10

LOVE MINGLES WITH GRIEF

“That was the thing. You never got used to it, the idea of someone being gone. Just when you think it's reconciled, accepted, someone points it out to you, and it just hits you all over again, that shocking.” 

― Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

Travelling for days, the fellowship headed to Lothlorien.

Gimli: Stay close, young Hobbits! They say that 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. Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!

Then arrows drew before their faces, Legolas has his own bow out, pointing it at the owners of the other weapons. Raenaslee told him that he doesn’t need to fight them, because she knew the elves of Lorien. Then a tall elf appeared with a blonde hair like Legolas. She smiled at him because she knew it was Haldir her old friend.

Haldir: The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark. Now follow me.

The fellowship followed Haldir,

Haldir: Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion. (Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.)

Legolas: Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien. (Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien.)

Haldir: Le Suilon, Aranel Raenaslee Edhelmeleth o Meriltaurë, iell o Fëaraen. (I greet thee, Princess Raenaslee Elflove of Meriltaurë, daughter of Fëaraen) (As he kissed her hand).

Raenaslee: (smile) Im gelir ceni ad lin, Haldir. (I’m happy to see you again, Haldir.)

Haldir: A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen. (Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.)

Aragorn: (smile) Haldir.

Gimli: So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!

Haldir: We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days.

Gimli: And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!

Aragorn: That was not so courteous.

Haldir: (looked at Frodo) you bring great evil with you. You can go no further.

But Aragorn pleaded him, while Haldir and Aragorn were talking, Raenaslee looked at Haldir because she missed him and he was like a brother to her, Legolas noticed that she was looking at Haldir. He thought, she like, or maybe more nonsense, she fell in love with him. When the she-elf looked at him, she saw his face was different that she never seen him like that before.

Finally, Haldir will let them go to Lorien. When they arrived, they were climbing a winding way among the great trees as the last rays of evening sun stream through their trunks. They ascended this path until night fell.

In the blue glow of a moonlit night, they climb a twisting stair around the trunk of a tree, passing glimmering lights of silver and blue. Far above, the silhouetted shapes of the shadowy tree-branches loomed. Passing numerous platforms, they came to a great palace in the trees, lit with silvery lights. A curving walkway lied before them, leading up a low stairs to an archway. Three-pronged, golden leaves were scattered about. Slowly, they gathered before the arch as Haldir stepped to one side, and look up. With a glow issuing forth from them, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn descended to meet them, hand in hand. The Fellowship stared in awe. Aragorn touched his head as a greeting. Upon reaching the fellowship, Celeborn and Galadriel halted.

Celeborn: The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten 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.

Galadriel: Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow.

Legolas: He was taken by both Shadow and Flame: a Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria.

Galadriel: Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose. 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.

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

Raenaslee: There is always hope for us, my lord. For this is not yet the end, this is just the beginning. Only a little faith of our own strengths is enough for us to journey on.

Galadriel: 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. 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.