Aria the Black (Book 2 of the Daughters of Durin Trilogy)

Chapter 15: Leaving Lothlórien

Back in the forest, Aria and the rest of the Fellowship were boarding their boats the Elves had given them, taking their final leave of Caras Galadhon. The Elves bid them a fond farewell, even playing music for them. It was undoubtedly the tradition for when royalty left the forest, like Aragorn, Legolas and Aria, but nonetheless, it was a kind gesture to all of the Fellowship. Galadriel's white robes fluttered behind her in the wind as she raised a single hand in farewell to the Fellowship, nodding at Aria as she met the She-Elf's crystal blue eyes.

Do not fear, my child. We will come to you if you call.

Aria brought a hand to her chest and pointed it in Galadriel's direction, a traditional Elvish custom that symbolized great respect. She hopped into the boat with Legolas inside, resting both hands on it's sides as they floated down the river, away from the saftey and peace that Lothlórien had provided.

Gimli sighed and turned his face away from the Lady of Light. "I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is the fairest. Henceforth, I will call nothing fair, unless it be her gift to me."

Aria gave Legolas a knowing smile, not responding as they continued down the river. "What was her gift?" The elf asked him.

"I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three."

The princess looked upon Gimli, a grin spreading across her face. That was a very sweet notion the lovesick dwarf had made, at least in those times. Asking for hair from her head was asking to take a piece of her wherever Gimli may roam, so that he would never forget her in the coming days.

"A very admirable request, master dwarf. She will never forget such kind words, uttered from a dwarf's mouth, no less. You dote upon her, and she does notice, my dear friend." Aria chuckled at his grumble in response, denying that he felt anything for the lady.

Nightfall arrived shortly after a few hours on the river, and Legolas, Boromir and Aragorn steered the boats onto the shore. Their passengers, namely the hobbits, Gimli, and Aria hopped off, beginning to unload supplies to prepare for the cold embrace of the evening. The young princess' thoughts wandered as she stared into the fire's embers, one that Sam had made not moments before. She had not yet told anyone of her new knowledge, and she doubted she ever would. They would only try to stop her in the end, for they would not understand.

On the riverbank in front of the Fellowship, Aragorn and Boromir watched as a suspicious log drifted down the current, the first they had seen the entire time on the Anduin River.

"Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria. I had hoped we would lose him on the river, but he is too clever a waterman." Aragorn said aside to Boromir.

"And if he alerts the enemies to our whereabouts, it will make the crossing even more dangerous." Boromir seemed to finish Aragorn's exact thought as he turned towards him. "Minas Tirith is the safer road- you know that. From there, we can regroup and strike out for Mordor from a place of strength."

"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us." Aragorn responded, turning away, but Boromir pulled him back, beginning to lecture him about the strength he knew lied within his people. The Fellowship all admired the man's faith in his people, but the wiser knew it was misplaced. Gondor was ill with a sickness Saruman had laid upon that land, and on their ruler himself. Boromir was only kept in the dark because his travels had not brought him home in a long time.

Aria just shook her head at Boromir's refute, agreeing with Aragorn's course of action. "I would not bring the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city." Strider snarled, ending Boromir's monologue and returning to his place beside Aria in the camp.