"So soon?", she replied in wonder, her voice light and warm, like a summer breeze.
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| Elbereth Awakens Nature |
Deep in silent conversation with the oldest of the trees, mute sentinels to all that came and went within the area, she heeded their telling and guided her footsteps towards the path leading to the ascent into Mirkwood.
* * * * *
Galdor finally slowed his pace, having raced through Mirkwood with one or more of the giant spiders at his heel. He had been searching for a distinct tree, whose bark he needed to complete the inlay of a new sling, when he happened upon a nest of smaller arachnids. Thinking to destroy the next generation of Shelob's spawn, he had noiselessly approached them, weapon at the ready, when suddenly a rustling directly behind him and the appearance of a spider twice his size from the branches above, had compelled him to run for the nearest opening out of the shadow-filled forest.
Having achieved the crest of the mountain range bordering Lothloriel, he strode towards the path leading to the lonely valley below but faltered as he experienced an unseen tremor. An imperceptible force stayed his next step and for a moment his consciousness became clouded as the Power of the Enchantment tested his intent. Galdor shook his head, his long hair slaying across his shoulders, as he tried to resist the drowsiness that was enveloping his senses. He steeled his will and pushed on, eager to escape the last dreary trees of Mirkwood and the deadly creature at his tail and just as suddenly as the sensation had overtaken him, his senses cleared and he passed the border into Lothloriel.
As his eyes swept the valley below, he sucked in his breath, not comprehending the sight before him.
'Elo! Mani marte?', he exclaimed. (Behold! What happened?). The stricken woodland of Lothloriel was shimmering with Light.
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| Lothloriel Blossoms |
And yet... Galdor was feign to disbelieve his own eyes and the blossoming and thriving visible at this moment was evident wherever he turned his gaze.
Reaching the flourishing valley floor he leaned against a large oak tree, his heartbeat slowing as the adrenaline rush from his lucky escape from Shelob's brood waned, 'Am I dreaming? Did something take hold of my senses as I entered this place? How can this be?', he gave voice to his bewilderment.
Galdor breathed in the fresh scent of grass and blooms and aside from his surprise, he felt at peace. Lothloriel, even in its languishing majesty, had ever been his refuge. He had crossed through Mirkwood Forest on a dare long before he had reached manhood and discovered the splendour of Lothloriel by chance.
His thoughts turned inevitably to Miriel and he sighed. Miriel, companion of his childhood, she was the one who had dared him to enter Mirkwood. She had always been too reckless and always yearning for adventure and he had never been able to deny her any wish.
'Daro!', (Stop!) he suddenly cried, anguish filling him with each vision of the elven maiden. He had sworn to dismiss any contemplation on things that would never come to pass. Miriel had chosen to give her heart to Iolas. The leader of the Mirkwood Rangers was a noble and loyal Elf, admired by all who dwelled in Thranduil's kingdom and Galdor wished them happiness. His heartache was his own concern and so, Lothloriel had become his place of refuge over the ensuing years.
* * * * *
Elbereth Elentari anticipated the footsteps of the Elf of the Trees. As she soundlessly approached, she observed him resting against a tree, the green and brown of his garments allowing his figure to merge with the mighty timber, and she perceived the turmoil of his heart. The flight from the mounstrous spiders were not the only cause for his admittance through the Enchantments of Elbereth and Ulmo. As one of pure intentions, seeking refuge, he was worthy of entrance, yet she gleaned the sorrow upon his soul and was conscious that there were more pressing grounds for his search for sanctuary...
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| Elbereth Appears Before Galdor |
'Creoso, mellonamin, creoso a'Baramin,' (Welcome, my friend, welcome to my Dwelling), do not be alarmed, you are safe here.'
Galdor gasped in surprise. The appearance of such a luminous Being directly before him, without noise or warning, set his heart racing again. He stood frozen before Elbereth, the awe he felt evident in his face, yet without halt or deliberation he answered her welcome, his voice hushed, but steady, 'Lirimaer, amin naa tualle. Amin Galdor. Mani naa essa en lle?' (Lovely One, I am your servant. I am Galdor. What is your name?'
He wondered at his own daring, his limbs weakening in her presence as her shimmering features showered all surrounding her in a luminescent glow.
Elbereth turned and with a nod of her head bid him follow her, deeper into the Golden Woods. As they strolled towards the giant Mallorns at the center of Lothloriel, she spoke in soft tones, "Galdor, Elf of the Trees, you have entered the Realm of Lothloriel.' She stopped and placed her hand on his shoulder. Galdor's amazement grew as the Light of Eru shone from her eyes and the heat of her touch filled his being with a sense of tranquility and purpose. Her voice swelled as she continued, 'I am the Keeper of Lothloriel and by my resolve, the power of Ulmo and the Will of Eru, I will rekindle the Spirit of Sanctuary within this region. None but the valiant and true of heart shall enter here, for I am Elbereth Elentari of the Maiar and I have been assigned the task by my Valar forebears to aid those dwelling among the waterways and mountains of the River Lands and its bordering dominions.'
The Elf stared at Elbereth, taking in her words and their meaning. The revelation of her origin astonished him, such things belonged to elven lore and the distant past and yet, his soul rejoiced at her presence, proof that the Valar had not foresaken the fates of those in this world and a sign of hope that the River Lands Realm was blessed and favoured by the Powers of Arda, as it had been Ages before.
'My Lady, your words inspire me. My destiny is suddenly clear and my only desire now is to serve you and further your cause in any way you deem fit.' Galdor lowered his gaze and knelt before Elbereth. 'Please allow me to remain here in Lothloriel as your Defender and Attendant. I shall swear an oath to protect you and The Golden Vale until the end of my days,' he finished beseechingly.
Elbereth looked down upon his bowed head and smiled tenderly. She leaned down and took his hand, raising him up so that their eyes met. Galdor blinked at the brightness of her eyes, but his gaze remained constant as his fate became bound to hers.
'So be it, Galdor,' she intoned. 'Once Elf of the Trees, you are now Defender of Lothloriel. I know your worth as a warrior and your words reveal your devotion. Together we shall return Laurenenadë to its rightful glory and welcome any and all who are in need of a safehaven. Come with me now, my friend. This is your new home.'
Galdor followed her up the curved pathway among the majestic Mallorns, a blissful serenity consuming him completely and upon reaching the Library of Lothloriel, Elbereth seated herself at the round table and took up a quill, her hand flowing over the parchment as he watched.
She finished and handed him the rolled missive, a gentle smile lighting her features as she sent him on his first errand for Lothloriel. "Return to your former home, the Halls of Thranduil. No creature shall hinder your passage through Mirkwood.' She watched him square his shoulders with a new sense of duty and pushed on, 'Give the King this parchment explaining my Will and ask his leave to follow your destiny as Defender of Lothloriel.'
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| Galdor's Mission |
'Present the King with this token of my goodwill and a sign of the patronage of the Valar. They do not forget, nor have they relinquished their bond with the Children of Iluvatar. He must regain his faith and broach friendship with men and dwarves once more, if the races are to vanquish the Darkness and Evil that threatens them.'
Galdor filled his knapsack and tucked his sling into his belt. With a low reverential bow towards Elbereth, he turned and hurried away in the direction of Mirkwood. His senses were heightened with fresh ambition and he felt more alive than he had in many moons. He sped towards the Halls of Thranduil, all the more haste in his stride so that he could return to the sublime presence of the Keeper of Lothloriel as soon as possible.
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