Estateillio

Gifts from Galadriel

• The next day, they awoke early and got ready for their journey and then Haldir led the fellowship to the docks and the Celebrant lay calm before them, boats of various sizes slightly bobbing on the small waves, sunlight reflecting on the water.

• Three small boats seemed to be prepared to set out, filled with supplies and only tied to the docks. These would be theirs, Haldir informed them, and they quickly split into groups of three. Frodo and Sam would not be parted and Aragorn offered to join them and Boromir wanted to help Merry and Pippin and so Estateillio and Legolas and Gimli would take the third boat.

• And as they loaded their packs into them, the Lady Galadriel and her husband appeared with their entourage, a few of the handmaidens of the Lady of Light, and she spoke: "Come, before you leave the Golden Wood you must feast with us." And she led them a bit into the woods to a clearing, where the elves had prepared an exuberant breakfast, and they feasted with the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim, as was the custom of the elves of Lothlórien, and then they returned to the docks.

• "Before you must leave us, we would give you gifts and a blessing", Galadriel then declared and her handmaidens stepped forth and gave them cloaks in green and grey and brown and a clasp in the shape of a leaf, similar to the one Estateillio wore, and the Lady of Lothórien said: "May these shield you from unfriendly eyes." And then one of the ellyth handed her a small casket and she opened it and in it was a small vial with clear water and Galadriel gave it to Frodo and spoke: "This is the light of Gil-Estel, our most beloved star. May it be a light in the darkest hour."

• And Sam she gifted soil from her orchard with the words: "So that the Shire may know a bit of the plenty of Lothlórien." And Merry and Pippin received finely made belts and sheaths for their swords and the Lady of Lothlórien told them: "Have heart. You will find your courage." And Boromir too she gave a golden belt and said: "Even in the darkest hour, there is hope."

• And then she turned to Aragorn and her words to him were: "I cannot give you that which you desire most. But my granddaughter asked me to give you this." And she gave him a brooch with a green jewel and declared: "I name you Elessar, the Elf-stone." And Aragorn thanked her and then the Lady of Light turned to Gimli and was at loss.

• "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?", she asked and the dwarf answered: "None, Lady, It is enough for me to have seen the Lady of the Galadhrim, and to have heard her gentle words." "Hear all you Elves!", she then cried to those around her, "Let none say say again that Dwarves are grasping and ungracious! Yet surely, Gimli son of Glóin, you desire something that I could give? Name it, I bid you. You shall not be the only guest without a gift."

• "There is nothing, Lady Galadriel", Gimli stammered and bowed, "Nothing, unless it might be – unless it is permitted to ask, nay, to name a single strand of your hair, which surpasses the gold of the earth as the stars surpass the gems of the mine. I do not ask for such a gift. But you commanded me to name my desire."

• And the elves were astonished and gazed at the dwarf in wonder, for such a request was unheard of since Fëanáro attempted the same and failed, but the Lady of Light simply smiled and said: "It is said that the skill of the Dwarves is in their hands rather than in their tongues. Yet that is not true of Gimli, for none have ever made to me a request so bold and yet so courteous. And how shall I refuse, since I commanded him to speak? But tell me, what would you do with such a gift?"

• "Treasure it, Lady", he answered, "in memory of your words to me at our first meeting. And if ever I return to the smithies of my home, it shall be set in imperishable crystals to be heirlooms of my house, and a pledge of good will between the Mountain and the Wood until the end of days."

• And Galadriel unraveled one of her braids and asked for a knife and Estateillio handed her her dagger and she cut three strands from her golden head and gave them to Gimli and the dwarf thanked her multiple times, but she simply smiled and returned the dagger to her niece, ignoring the whispers of the elves around her who had understood the significance of such gesture.

• And then the daughter of Arafinwë turned to the granddaughter of Curufinwë and spoke quietly: "There is naught I can give you that you do not have already, Rendieli, nor can I give you what you so wish for, so words can be my only gift to you." And then she slipped into Quenya, for this was private, and said: "War is approaching again and again you fight on the front line and again your skill will be tested. Have heart, Rendieli, for when this war is won, peace will settle and it will last a long time. Evil will never be able to rise again and we may finally sail, for the exile of the Ñoldor is finally lifted."

• "The house of Finwë will be reunited at last and this time we will work out our differences and talk about our problems. And we will have a wedding that was long overdue to plan." And then Artanis pressed a kiss to her forehead, for which Estateillio had to lower her head, and then she stepped back and addressed the whole fellowship:

• "Go now with the blessings of Lothlórien. May your quest succeed." And Sívcelumë bid Estateillio farewell and the fellowship mounted the boats and slowly paddled away from the gathered elves and the Lady of Light raised her voice in song:

"Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrinen,

Yéni únótimë ve rámar aldaron!
Yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier

mi oromardi lisse-miruvórevaAndúnë pella, Vardo tellumar
nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni
ómaryo airetári-lírinen.

Sí man i yulma nin enquantuva?

An sí Tintallë Varda Oiolossëo
ve fanyar máryat Elentári ortanë
ar ilyë tier undulávë lumbulë;
ar sindanóriello caita mornië
i falmalinnar imbë met, ar hísië
untúpa Calaciryo míri oialë.
Sí vanwa ná, Rómello vanwa, Valimar!

Namárië! Nai hiruvalyë Valimar.
Nail elyë hiryva. Namárië!"

[《◇》]

Here's the next chapter, hope you enjoyed!

AT

P.S.: I quoted the part with Gimli from the books with a few slight changes.