The Beginning of Darkness [LotR] [COMPLETED]

The Lady of the Wood and her Mirror

It was mid-afternoon by the time the Fellowship reached the outskirts of Lothlorien. The silvery trees seemed to stretch forever up into the sky, bending slowly in the cool breeze. Aragorn lead the way into the wood everyone following in single file,

“Stay close young Hobbits” whispered Gimli, beckoning for them to come closer, “Some say a great Sorceress live in these woods. All those that gaze upon her face fall under a terrible spell and are never seen again”

Marillel chuckled to herself, she had heard many rumours about the Lady Galadriel each more ridiculous than the last. Even though Marillel had never had the privilege of meeting her in person, she knew from the tales her Father had told her she wasn’t an evil Elf-Witch or Sorceress.

Up ahead Marillel saw Frodo pause in his walking and look all around him as if a small flying insect was bugging him,

“Everything alright?” she asked as she caught up to him

“Ye- yeah, fine” he replied looking a bit confused

They continued walking to catch up to the group,

“Well here is one dwarf she won’t be ensnaring so easily. I have they eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!” Gimli declared proudly

Aragorn suddenly stopped short and it took a moment for Marillel to realise it was because he had an arrow pointed at his chest. Looking around she saw that they had become surrounded by elves and each had an arrow ready to shoot. Marillel glared at the elf that had his arrow pointed at her head knowing it was useless to try and fight back.

One elf stepped forward, he seemed to be the leader of the patrol,

“The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark”  A bubble of laughter escaped from Marillel’s lips but quickly silenced it after receiving glares from Aragorn and Gimli.

It was nightfall by the time they arrived at the heart of Lothlorien, here the trees were even taller than on the edge of the forest and seemed to glow silver in the moonlight. The Lothlorien elves lived amongst the tree tops, staircases wound up the trunks of the trees leading up to platforms amongst the branches.  Haldir, the leader of the group of elves, lead them up the largest tree in the centre of the wood.

When they reached the top they lined up in a row before another set of stairs that led up to an arch that was lit with white lights so that you couldn’t see what was on the other side. Two elves suddenly appeared stepping out of the light, hand in hand and slowly started to descend the stairs. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien, truly two of the most beautiful people Marillel had ever laid eyes upon. Remembering her courtesies she hastily bowed to the couple.

“Ten set out of Rivendell, but only nine are before us. Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him” Lord Celeborn questioned

The Fellowhsip remained silent avoiding the elf’s gaze, the grief still too raw. Lady Galadriel looked at each of the travellers in turn as if reading their thoughts,