Galdor Returns to Lothloriel

Galdor gained the rise, leaving the heaviness of Mirkwood behind him and with just a few more steps he reached the peak and watched Lothloriel unfold beneath him. To unseeing eyes it was bathed in a golden mist. The brightness of the canopy of burgeoning trees and the lushness of the underbrush only just visible below took his breath away. He had been gone just four short days, yet each moment away had stretched an eternity.
'Here is my home and my fate is bound to the Golden Vale and it's blessed Guardian,' he spoke aloud to no one in particular.

Not far beyond, resting but alert, sat a giant eagle, and he listened intently to the words of the solemn Elf, noting his posture relax as his gaze swept the valley underneath them, as the joy of his return flooded his body.
The eagle stretched his wings, swivelling his large, majestic head due south and his exacting eyes connected with a second huge eagle yonder, perched on the highest crag, overlooking the Vale and the waters separating it from Taibreamh.
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Both birds gave a curt nod of their heads and having silently communicated their thoughts on the lone elven warrior about to enter Lothloriel, they returned to their Watch, unconcerned about the end of his errand.

Galdor heaved his pack onto his shoulder, adjusting his sling and newly acquired bow and hurried onward, recklessly taking a lesser known path, skirting the mountainside and reaching the pavilion where he deduced he might find the Maia, Elbereth Elentari, in less than the time for the sun to crest the skies.

His approach was noted by Elbereth, as was his entrance through the enchantments concealing and protecting Lothloriel. Each living creature that broached its borders did so with the knowledge and allowance of Elbereth. This was her task and also her burden. Her gift was the swift appraisal of the true motivation of those seeking sanctuary within this realm. Her ability to reach deep into the soul of all living things and perceive their purest intentions was the purpose for her mission to these Lands and part of the greater designs of Eru.

􀀀Galdor is Watched by the Great Eagle Meneldor

'Mae athollen, Thalionen, mae tollen na mar' (Welcome back, my Champion, welcome home), her melodic voice greeted him upon crossing the bridge leading to the pavilion. As she smiled upon him, his heart skipped a beat and his mind was stripped of all woes.
Feeling lightheaded, he carefully placed his pack at his feet and bowed low before Elbereth, his tone soft, but steady as he returned her greeting, 'Le suilon, Poikaer, glass nín le achened (I greet you, Pure One, I exult to see you again). A shy smile curved his lips, 'I trust that all is well since our parting?'

Galdor Reports to Elbereth

She smiled and her eyes shone like the brightest of stars, 'All is well, Galdor. Lothloriel blossoms with the sanction of Iluvatar. Did you accomplish your errand to your satisfaction?'

Galdor was watching her intently, but dropped his gaze rapidly at her query and there was a pause. He was uncertain how to impart the reaction of the Woodland Elves and their King to his sudden reappearance and that which he had to report.

The Keeper of Lothloriel motioned with a hand for him to take a seat, her foresight enabling her to read the turmoil stirring within his heart, binding his thoughts and tongue.
'Galdor', her sweet voice washed over him like a soothing breeze, 'do not fear to relay the words of the Elven King to me. I have discerned Thranduil's lack of faith and his purpose of releasing you from your allegiance to himself in order to return here.'
Elbereth rose gracefully, her inflection mild, though no smile lit her face as she continued, 'The Elven King has grown complacent during the strife free ages. He believes his mansions beneath the mountains to be impregnable to enemies and he himself impervious to harm.' Her eyes pierced her companion and she regarded him thoughtfully as her speech shook his conscience.
'Thranduil has allowed your return due to his disbelief of all you had to report. Your tales of Lothloriel Awakened, nor even the sight of the golden Mallorn leaf could sway his vainglorious position!'

Galdor began to rise, the anger he felt at King Thranduil's rejection of his proclamation of the change in Lothloriel and more so, the demeaning way he had discounted any truth to his description of the origin of Elbereth, returning with such force, roaring through his veins, that his hands began to shake and he opened his mouth to deny the accuracy of her deductions.

Elbereth moved towards Galdor, her hand light as a feather on his shoulder, as she pressed his return to his seat, stopping his protestations. Her touch instantaneously released his pent-up frustration and a wave of reconciliation pacified him.
Her voice but a whisper, her face radiating benevolence, she answered his questioning glance with a knowing smile, 'My Defender, the mighty King of Mirkwood requests an audience, yes?' her eyes twinkled with mischief. 'The noble Elven Lord of the treasures within the famed Halls of Thranduil would have you lead him here in order to dispel his scepticism, yes?'.
Galdor watched in amazement as Elbereth glowed brightly, her inscrutable happiness resonating throughout the pavilion, touching him and bestowing a lighthearted boldness upon him. He grinned as she concluded her reflections with the following statement,
'Thranduil, Son of Oropher and King of Greenwood, shall have his wish granted, though he will not enter Lothloriel until I am satisfied that his heart is once again pure and untainted. When the time is fitting, you shall guide me to his throne room.'
Her mirth evident in her musical delivery, she mused, ' For I have existed many moons longer than the Leader of the Taur'quessirea (silvan elves) and have learned that in dealing with doubt and rejection, humour and impudence are seldom amiss!'

Galdor stared at Elbereth in wonder, as the tinkling sound of her lighthearted laughter washed over Lothloriel, and each creature that heard it was filled with a sense of bliss.