Chapter 13
Leaving Lórien
The morning after we arrived in Lothlórien, we found ourselves standing near the banks of the River Anduin. We stood in a line, as pale green cloaks were fastened around our necks by several elves.
I looked down and saw the emerald green brooch, shaped like a leaf, which held my new cloak in place. I glanced over at Aragorn and couldn’t help blushing when I saw him take my pendant and adjust it, so it hung outside his cloak. I smiled as Celeborn appeared before us.
“Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks shield you from unfriendly eyes.” He said solemnly. By his side appeared Galadriel. She walked up to Legolas...
*** Later
I carelessly threw my pack into one of the long boats that floated in the river beside me, and then took another few bags from Legolas.
“Lembas! Elvish waybread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man.” Legolas smiled, taking a tiny bite from the pale wafer that had been packed for us. He offered me a small piece and I nibbled it curiously and raised an eyebrow.
“You weren’t lying.” I muttered, tossing the bag into the boat as Legolas walked away.
“How many did you eat?” Merry whispered to Pippin.
“Four.” He replied with a small burp.
I smirked and stepped back, looking out at the river. Somewhere behind me, Aragorn was speaking with Galadriel and Celeborn, I knew I shouldn’t interrupt them, or try to eavesdrop. I had already been spoken to by Galadriel anyway…
*** (Flashback)
As the rest of the Fellowship (apart from Aragorn) walked away with their gifts, I was left standing before Galadriel. Celeborn took Aragorn to one side to speak with him.
“Lady Galadriel, I desire no gift from you.” I murmured shyly. She smiled kindly.
“You may think that now, but in time, you will need this.” She handed me something small, barely longer than my hand. It was a tiny dagger in a soft leather sheath. I slowly drew the blade and examined it. The tip shone brilliantly.
“The tip of that blade is made of Mithril, it is sharp enough to cut through any material, although you can only use it once.” She spoke softly. “Only use it in your time of greatest need.” She cautioned me, and then looked over at Aragorn.
“He will need you before the end.” She murmured.
‘That is the second time I have been told that…’ I thought to myself. I was about to question her, when she interrupted me.
“I leave you with this advice, Edro gûr lín.” (Open your heart), “You will achieve great things with the ones you love. Namárië, we shall not meet again in this lifetime.”
“Namárië.” I whispered as she turned and left me.
*** End of Flashback
I looked down at the sheathed dagger that lay in my hand, before slipping it inside my boot for safekeeping. Someone approached me from behind and I turned to see Aragorn smile at me as the Lady Galadriel walked away. Before she disappeared into the trees, she turned and smiled at us in a very ‘knowing’ manner. Aragorn took my hand and helped me climb into one of the boats. Sam and Frodo already sat in it. Sam looked highly uncomfortable, to say the least. Aragorn climbed in behind me and took up the paddle as I found myself a seat near him.
“What gift did she give you?” He whispered as we pushed off from the shore, along with the other two boats.
“A dagger.” I murmured. “What did she give you?”
“Nothing.” He replied with a slight smile. “She said that she had no greater gift to give me than the gift I already have… She said I would understand in time.”
***
For several days we paddled up the Anduin River. I often relieved Aragorn of paddling when he became tired. We always camped on the western shore of the river, as the eastern shore was almost continuously patrolled by Orcs from Mordor. We were closer to Mordor now than we had ever been.
As night fell, we beached the boats on the western shore of the river and made camp. As I tried to light a fire, I heard something moving in the water, but when I looked up, all I could see was a log. I watched it for a moment, and then realised that there was something floating alongside it. Boromir seemed to have noticed too, as he was creeping along the riverbank, trying to get a better look at the creature.
“Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria. I had hoped he would lose him on the river. But he's too clever a waterman.” Aragorn murmured, almost out of my range of hearing, so that it almost felt like I was eavesdropping on their conversation.
“And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous.” Boromir muttered.
Close by, Sam started talking to Frodo.
“Have some food Mister Frodo.”
“No Sam.” He replied.
“You haven't eaten anything all day. You're not sleeping neither. Don't think I haven't noticed. Mister Frodo…” Sam sighed.
“I’m alright.” Frodo mumbled.
“But you're not. I'm here to help you. I promised Gandalf that I would.”
The mention of Gandalf’s name still hurt me, but the pain was numb.
“You can't help me, Sam. Not this time. Get some sleep.” Frodo replied. As the Hobbits fell silent, I turned back to Aragorn and Boromir.
“Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know that. From there we can regroup. Strike out from Mordor from a place of strength.” Boromir said to Aragorn.
“There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us.” Aragorn murmured.
“You were quick enough to trust the elves! Have you so little faith in your people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honour to be among Men. But you will not see that.” Boromir hissed, suddenly becoming defensive. I heard footsteps and it sounded like Aragorn was walking away, but then I heard him get violently pulled back.
“You are afraid! All your life you have hidden in the shadows. Scared of who you are, of what you are.” Boromir spat angrily. I was ready to spring to Aragorn’s defence, but then they would know that I had been listening.
“I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city.” Aragorn replied coldly, before walking back towards me. I kept my head down as I restarted trying to light the fire, as I’d forgotten about it while I had been listening.
“It doesn’t normally take you this long to start a fire.” Aragorn murmured in an amused tone. I sighed. He knew that I had heard the whole conversation.
“I think his father asked him to bring the Ring to Minas Tirith, which is why he wants to take that road.” I whispered.
“I know.” Aragorn murmured, sitting beside me and warming his hands on the pitifully small fire.
“I didn’t think we would have to look for danger from inside the Fellowship.” I sniffed, “I hate how the Ring has changed him.” Aragorn slipped his arm around my shoulders and gave me a comforting hug.
“Don’t worry. It’s not time to worry yet.” He murmured softly. “Try to get some sleep, I have a feeling that tomorrow may be our last day in the boats.”
