The Last Othellan

Leaving Lorien

It felt like no time at all before a small hand was shaking my shoulder. I sighed and turned over, opening my eyes blearily to see Frodo smiling down at me. I could still see a slight curiosity in his gaze that undoubtedly stemmed from the word 'Othellan', but I tried to ignore it.

"We will be leaving soon, and the elves wish to give us supplies" He announced. I thanked him for waking me with a smile and sat up, subconsciously rubbing my tender head.

Most of the fellowship were more cheerful and well rested that morning, and talked casually over our route, which would take us down the Anduin River and beyond.

Again, I seemed to draw the eyes of the fellowship more often than usual. I had been foolish not to expect this. Casting my eyes down as I met a mistrustful glance from Gimli, I continued to eat.

Boromir, however, looked troubled, even upset. I watched him closely for a while, but he didn't seem to notice the fellowship around him as he ate quietly at the end of the table.

After we ate, the elves led us to three delicate looking boats on the riverside. They were a silvery white colour, and the oars on their sides were intricately carved of the same pale wood.

Mounds of supplies wrapped up in brown material sat by the River. Elves were loading these supplies onto the boats, which swayed cheerfully in the water.

I scrambled down the bank of the Anduin to assist the elves in packing, and came across Merry and Pippin already sitting in a boat, organising packages around them.

"Lembas!" Exclaimed Legolas, opening one of the packages "Elvish waybread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man!"

"I've never had any" I said in interest, looking curiously at it. Legolas tore off a small mouthful and handed it to me. I ate it and was surprised at how satisfying it was. "It's good" I grinned. Legolas smiled back and wondered off up the river bank.

Meanwhile, Merry and Pippin looked shifty, sitting in their own boat surrounded by packages. I noticed for the first time that some of them were open, and had been roughly resealed.

"How many did you eat?" asked Merry

"Four" answered Pippin. I shook my head at them jokingly.

After the boats were ready and the supplies (minus four pieces of Lembas) were complete, Galadriel and Celeborn came forwards, along with more elves. 

The Fellowship stood into a line in front of the Lothlorien elves. The elves held long, grey cloaks in their hands and each fastened one around our necks. The cloaks had been perfectly fitted according to the height of each person. Mine came to just above my ankles, and fitted around my shoulders comfortably.

I looked at the clasp with interest. It was a simple green leaf with intones of silver. Since I had left my tattered old cloak in Rivendell, this was certainly a useful asset.

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

Galadriel then stepped forwards. An elf handed her an elegantly carved bow. It was made of a strong, pale wood and strung (I recognised, startled but impressed) with elf hair.

"My gift to you, Legolas is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin". Legolas took the bow softly, his expression rapt with wonder and awe, and pulled back the string. I smiled.

"To you, Aúthiel, I give a simple gift" Galadriel began, gliding along the line to me where I stood next to Legolas. "I hope you will write your past and begin to accept it".