From Wyoming, to Middle-earth

Chap. 20 - The Departure and Gifts

I woke up in the morning with a cold breeze coming in from outside. Everyone was sleeping still. I sat up, and yawned. I stood up, and put my blue cloak on. It was filthy, but hey, it was still in good use. I put my bow on my shoulders, and put my quiver on my back as quiet as I could.

I stepped around Legolas, who I'm sure was awake, and Gimli, who was snoring loudly. Once I was outside, it reminded me of camping. The sun was coming in through the trees, and the campfire Aragorn and Legolas made last night was still smoldering. I exhaled, and I could see my breath. I went to go find some sticks to fuel the fire. I looked back at the tree. Legolas was standing outside of the open doorway. He followed me, "Where are you going?"

"I'm fetching wood for the fire," I said, and bent down to pick up broken branches on the ground. Legolas started to help me.

"Do you know when we are departing?" I asked him.

He shook his head, "No. Most likely today. It's Aragorn's call."

I nodded, and carried my bundle of sticks back to the fire. Frodo was standing outside of the tree now. I smiled, "Good morning, Frodo."

Frodo nodded his head, still upset over Gandalf. I set the sticks down, and Legolas followed my actions. I let Legolas build the fire, and watched him light it. Aragorn walked outside, and shivered. He went back into the tree and came back out with his cloak. I smiled at him, and I saw down next to the fire. He sat down next to me, and murmured a drowsy good morning. I snickered, "Someone got a lot of sleep."

Aragorn chuckled, "Not really. I'm fine though."

He watched as Boromir walked out towards the campfire. I looked at Legolas, who was watching Aragorn. "When are we leaving?" I asked.

Aragorn turned his attention back to me, "Today, perhaps noon. Most likely in the afternoon."

I nodded, and watched Sam and Gimli, and the rest of the hobbits come to join us. Sam cooked us a quick breakfast hash, and we went back into the tree to pack. I started to put my dirty clothes into my bag, when Aragorn stood up.

"Lady Galadriel wishes to see us," he said, "Come. We must go now. She is waiting. Gimli! Leave your axe."

I looked at Gimli, who put his axe down near his small bag. I giggled, and followed Aragorn to the grand court in Caras Galadhon. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn were waiting for us patiently. A neat pile of emerald green fabric laid on the ground near Lord Celeborn's feet.

We all kneeled before them. Even Gimli did, which I was surprised at.

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks shield you from unfriendly eyes," Lord Celeborn said, and passed them out. The hobbits got the smallest ones, of course, and Gimli got a small one as well. he handed the rest to the taller people. I held mine up. A golden trim outlined the green fabric, and a leaf brooch finished the cloak's appearance elegantly. The symbol of Lothlórien.

Lady Galadriel approached us, and an elf that held gifts trailed behind her. She walked up to Legolas, and handed him a wonderously crafted bow, "My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim. Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Legolas stares at the bow in wonder.

"These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage. And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of hithlain," She said, and handed the hobbits their gifts. The she elf walked to Gimli, "And what gift would a dwarf ask of the Elves?"

"Nothing. Except to look upon the lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth. Actually, there was one thing," Gimli said, and Galadriel laughed.

Lady Galadriel came up to me, and the servant behind her handed her a set of shiny daggers "These were your mother's when she helped defeat the dragon, Smaug. Use them well." She handed the daggers to me.

I took them, "Thank you, my lady." I examined them. They were extremely light, and elite looking.

"You made a wise choice, my dear Alex," Lady Galadriel said, and smiled at me. She turned to Aragorn, and touched the locket I had given him, "I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear. You also made a wise choice, Elessar. We will not meet again."

Aragorn reached for the locket, and clasped it in his hand. Lady Galadriel went to Frodo, "Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star."

She returned to her spot next to Lord Celeborn, "We have packed extra supplies you will need on your journey. There are canoes on the river bank, but you will have to load the boats yourselves. I bid you farewell, and good luck."

The Fellowship bowed, and said their thanks, and started to go down the spiral staircase. Behind Lady Galadriel, my mother stood, watching us leave. I ran past Galadriel, and ran to her.

"Good bye, Mom!" I said, and hugged her.

She embraced me back, and started to cry, "I'm afraid this is the last time I will be seeing you, my dear."

"I know! I don't want you to go again," I said, and started to sob. Aragorn approached us, and my mom looked at him.

"I don't want to go either," she said, and pulled away from my embrace. I didn't notice that Aragorn was behind us, waiting for me.

"You will take good care of my daughter. Won't you, Aragorn?" Mom said. Somehow, they had already met. Aragorn nodded, and stepped closer to me, "Yes, my lady. I will protect her as best as I can."

My mom smiled, and sniffed. She put her hands on my face, "You have made an honorable decision. I bid you good luck. You must be going."

I nodded, "Goodbye, Mom. I love you."

Mom started to cry again, "I love you too. Go! Go child! You are going to make me cry my tear ducts dry!" She smiled. "Go and have an adventure."

I smiled, and held back a sob. Aragorn put his arm around my shoulders, and we walked down the spiral stairs, and I cried into his shoulder. We went back to the tree, and grabbed the rest of our belongings. The rest of the group must already be down at the river bank. I wiped my face off, and followed Aragorn with my new cloak on, and my new daggers strapped around my waist.

At the river bank, Legolas was helping Gimli load the canoes with the baggage. I put my bag with my old clothes into one of the canoes, and got inside one. It wobbled, until I sat down. Gimli walked over and climbed in, while Aragorn shoved the canoe I was in into the water, and quickly boarded it.

"Can you pass me that paddle, Gimli?" Aragorn asked him. Gimli grunted, and lifted up the paddle and handed it to him. We started to move swiftly down the river, with Legolas, Sam and Frodo in the front; and Boromir, Merry and Pippin in last.

Lady Galadriel was standing on the river bank, with her hand raised. In my head I heard her voice, "Good luck, Lady Alex of Wyoming."

I thought back a thank you, and looked ahead on the winding river. I remembered the gifts she had given me, and looked at Gimli. "Gimli, what did she give you? You asked for something! Didn't you?"

Gimli snorted, "Aye, I did. I asked for one golden hair. She gave me three!"

Aragorn and I laughed. It was going to be a long ride.

:D