When Fate Strikes

Chapter 8

The trees glistened in the late afternoon sunlight. The mossy ground was littered with small bushes and tree roots sticking out of the ground. Our path is made of wooden beams stuck into the ground like broad steps, none going much higher than the one before them. We walk in silence as sunlight flashes off and on our faces, revealing spots in the sky that the trees do not cover. There was no one around to witness our coming. Either everybody was away or people simply did not live in this area.

I had tried to push my way to the back of the group long before our large party had stopped for the night’s rest; however Haldir kept me at his side, wordlessly. The same was for today, when we woke before the sun rose to continue our journey to Caras Caladhon. Some would say that the scenery is even greater in beauty the further we get to the centre of the woods, but I like every type of the varying scenery this forest offers.

Two Elves ahead of our fellowship move and my eyes glide over to them, noticing presence other than ourselves for the first time. One of the Elves utters a command to the other Elf and he nods once before rushing up a great staircase the leads in a spiral up the tree. The spiral staircase is very ornamented, but not overly – causing a very beautiful look. We reached the Elf that was standing in front of the staircase, Haldir exchanged nods with him and he started up the staircase, me in tow.

By the time we got to our destination – a beautiful treehouse decorated with hanging ceramics and mosaics in Elven styles and patterns – it was night time already. I turned to view the forest from above and almost gasped at how high we were. The trees glistened, this time with lanterns emitting purpled white colour (I don’t know how that’s even possible; I suppose it’s the lightest shade of lavender in the world.) My breath was taken away not from the long climb but from the view. I could live here!

Haldir led us to a small place in front of the stairs that led into the magnificent tree palace. I notice the courtyard that we are in surrounds a beam of the giant tree this building is built around. Haldir leaves the rest of the fellowship right in front of the staircase, but grabs my arm and gently drags me over to stand beside him. Eryn looks notably concerned and moves to the far right of the group, obviously to stay close to me. I shoot him a look to let him know I’m alright, he relaxes slightly.

A pure white light grows before our eyes and I am drawn to a pair of Elves walking down the stairs, hand in hand. The Elf on the left – Lord Celeborn, I’m assuming – is clothed in long white and pale blue robes. He stares straight incessantly at the fellowship, a frown appearing on his face.  The lady Elf on the right – I’m guessing that’s Lady Galadriel –is absolutely stunning. Her beauty is not one of normality, for it is one of grace and wisdom. She is wearing a long, white dress with her waist long, golden ringlets cascading down her body, however she appears troubled. Neither of them notices me, I think.

Lady Galadriel looked downwards, grief seems to ebb out of her, however she did not show it on her face. Lord Celeborn spoke first, his voice was negative.

“The enemy knows you have entered here. “ He spoke, gazing at the fellowship. “What hope you had in secrecy is now gone.” For such a negatively appearing man, he held his grace about him well. “Ten that are here and yet 11 there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. “ Lady Galadriel’s eye’s flitter to Aragorn. “I can no longer see him from afar.” How good is this Elf’s eyesight? This time it was not Lord Celeborn, but Lady Galadriel that spoke.