An Olympian's Daughter

Passed the gates of great kings

On shore, cloaks are fastened around the Fellowship with green, silver-veined leaf-brooches. "Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Celeborn says in a serious tone. Elves prepare for the departure of the Fellowship. Legolas is among them, shifting parcels into a set of boats provided by the Galadhrim. He holds up a thin wafer for Merry and Pippin to see, as they sit in a boat. "Lembas! Elvish Way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." Legolas says like an excited child he walks up onto shore, leaving the Hobbits by themselves. "How many did you eat?" Merry asks looking down at his cousin "Four." Pippin says with a burp, Hali giggles at the two in good nature half to see their smiles again.

"Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. Mordor Orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin." As the Elf Lord speaks, the Fellowship climb into the boats. Legolas helps Gimli onboard. Sam tries to steady himself. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Hali and Celeborn wander through the heavy mist and sunlight. "Nor will you find safety on the western bank. Strange creatures bearing the mark of the White Hand have been seen on our borders. Seldom do Orcs journey in the open, under the sun, yet these have done so!" Celeborn contunies to speak privately with Aragorn and Hali. The three pause, and Hali looks down. Celeborn holds an ornate dagger before her. Hali takes it, and unsheathes it; its blade glints.

Celeborn whispers to them both "Le aphadar aen." (You are being tracked.)
Hali sheathes the dagger. "By river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros." A paddle splashes into the water. The Fellowship rows through the river, past the Elves onshore. The sun is reaching its rosy fingers over the hills; Caras Galadhon rises far away, in the mists. Voices sing with the rising dawn:

Elves:

"Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrien,
Yéni úntimë ve rámar aldaron!
yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier
mi oromardi lisse-miruvóreva
Andúnë pella Vardo tellumar
nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni..."

(Alas! Like gold fall the leaves in the wind,
long years numberless as the wings of the trees!
The long years have passed like swift draughts
of the sweet mead in lofty halls beyond the West,
beneath the vaults of Varda wherein the stars
tremble in the song of her voice...)

The voices continue. A song of the sorrow of the Elves, of Lothló rien. As the boats move further downstream, Legolas's eyes stare distantly. He smiles, remembering. "My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Galadriel smiles, and turns to Merry and Pippin. "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." The Hobbits remember the meeting as they sail downriver. Sam also recalls the Lady's gift to him.

"And for you, Samwise Gamgee: Elven rope, made of hithlain." "Thank you, my lady." He looks sidelong at the blades held by Merry and Pippin, then looks up hopefully. "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" The Lady of the Galadhrim smiles, and turns to the next Fellowship member in line. It is Gimli, who diverts his eyes downwards. Galadriel speaks, her golden hair shining beneath the poignant blues and whites and greens of the forest.  "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" Gimli gruntingly crooks "Nothing." a change comes over him; he looks up "Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth." Galadriel giggles, smiling at the Dwarf. He turns to walk away, then halts and turns back. "Actually, there was one thing — ah, agh, that's quite impossible. Stupid to ask." he stutters out looking away embarressed. Gimli sits in his boat with Legolas, a far away look in his eyes, a faint smile upon his face.

From another boat, Aragorn glances towards them, then away. He too is remembering the farewell on the shores of Lothlorien. Galadriel stands before Aragorn and places her hand on Hali's  pendant.]

Galadriel stares deep into his eyes "I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear." she looks down the line at Hali who is also admiring Legolas' bow.

There is silence for a moment. Branches shake, a spider web's glimmering strands sway in the wind. Galadriel glances at the pendant, and smiles. Galadriel whispers out into their minds. "Namárië." (Farewell.) "Nadath nâ i moe cerich." (There is much you have yet to do.)"Dan...ú-'eveditham, Elessar." she says privately to Aragorn.  (We shall not meet again, Elessar.) Frodo sits in his boat with Sam and Aragorn. He hears the echo of her voice in his mind.Galadriel hands him a crystalline vessel shaped like a teardrop, filling with a clear water and a shining light.

"Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star." She kisses him on the forehead. Back in the boat, Frodo looks at the glass in his hand, and glances up at the shore. Galadriel stands there, her right arm upraised. She speaks to him, silently, as he passes by. "May it be a light for you, in dark places, when all other lights go out." The Fellowship sails out onto the river and leaves Lórien behind. White mountains rise starkly beneath blue skies and green trees. In the boats, Gimli talks to Legolas "I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Haugh, henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me." Gimli sighs. "What was it?" Legolas asks him from the bck of their boat.  "I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three."

As they leave the shores of Lorèn and sail down the river after gifts and provisions were given to them. Each member sits three to a boat, Boromir, Merry and Pippin, Legolas, Gimli and Sam and Aragorn, Hali and Frodo. Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know it. From there we can regroup... strike out for Mordor from a place of strength." Boromir speaks up,  Aragorn says with distaste"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us." Boromir replays with scorn burning in  his gaze "You were quick enough to trust the Elves. Have you so little faith in your own people?" Frodo looks out, suffering, from his resting place, hearing Boromir's words. Hali looks just as uncomfratable standing between the two.

Boromir rants on  "Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that." Aragorn turns away, but Boromir grabs his arm and turns him. "You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows! Scared of who you are, of what you are."  Boromir releases Aragorn, who turns away batting him. When Aragorn turns back very suddenly "I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city!" He growls getting up in front of Boromir. "Enough!! Both of you are acting like children we have a set path that Gandalf left us, going through Gondor will be our last resort because it takes us far too close to the great eye. Of this you should know O' captain of the guard" Hali defuses them pushing them to move on from the argument.

The Fellowship's boats pass through a canyon. Boromir glances at Frodo's boat across the water. The Uruks are shown, running in pursuit of the fellowship. Hali calls out to Aragorn drawing his attention away from the waters he stares at Aragorn lifts his head, half-smiles and taps Frodo on the shoulder.  "Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin." Aragorn explains his excitement to the hobbit. Hali smiles at the ranger seeing the boy she knew in his genuine smile.  The Fellowship looks up in awe at the towering splendor of the Argonath. Two majestic statues proudly stand on each side of the Anduin. Their left arms are held aloft, their palms facing outwards in gesture of warning. Voices sing out in the light.

Voices: "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta!'" (Out of the Great Sea to Middle-Earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world!)