Lothlorien

How long it's been, I do not know. The spell that lays over Rivendell seems twice as heavy here. For all I know, I've been in this strange elven wood for years. All I know is that it was dark when I arrived, and now it is light.

But let me pick up where I left off.

I slowly climbed the gray ropes that led upward into the tree, closely followed by Haldir. Fifteen feet up I went through a hole in the first platform, but it was empty but for a few elves sitting and talking, dressed in fine clothes the color of the stars and the dew on the grass.

I made to get off the ladder, but Haldir told me to continue on, so up I went. It was on the third platform that I finally got off, and what I saw amazed me.

An elf, so fair and old and young, with long gold hair, clothed in white, and a silver circlet upon her brow. A male elf sat with her, he also fair of hair and dressed in white, as she sat weaving.

I stood and looked at her in awe. Haldir stepped forward, and the lady looked up. A small, strange smile appeared on her face. Sad, knowing, mysterious, all at once, and then it was gone. Suddenly, I felt overwhelmed. I could feel a presence, and I felt that the lady was looking into me.

"Welcome to Lorien." said she, standing up. I noticed that Haldir had left. "I am Galadriel, Lady of the Wood." Inside my head, I felt as if I was being examined.

I cannot remember the details after this. It seems as if this all occurred and age ago, and but a few minutes before this very moment at the same time.

She did question me. Of my origins, my motives, how and where I traveled, and where I planned to go. I told her everything, and as I told, I felt as if a burden were lifting off me.

And then, after perhaps hours of listening to me speak, Galadriel revealed that the Fellowship had passed through this wood not long ago, and she offered me assistance. I was excited to say the least.

So now, here I am, minutes or days later, preparing to set out again. The Lady has been kind to me, she gave me a green-grey cloak that she herself weaved, with a clasp in the shapes of the leaves that grow on the trees here. She told me that the fellowship had also gotten this gift, as well as Lembas, an elven way bread that will help me on my journey. but one thing she gave me that I think I shall never be able to thank her enough for.

A sword. I fine elven long-sword. Wrought with silver detail, the blade is long and sharp, and the Lady guarantees that it will warn me when orcs are near. It is a two-handed blade, that balances nicely at the hilt. I will treasure it always.

When I left Rivendell, I had only a dagger and a bow. Now, I feel outfitted for war. I had no idea that my task would be so dark, yet I suppose that if it were not, my skills would not be needed.

But now I part from this land. Indeed, I am already gone. I have stayed too long. Tela I have left behind, though I wish I could keep her. But the way the Fellowship went was by boat, and if in riding Tela, I end up on the wrong side of the river, I have no way to cross to the other side. Now I drift away in this small grey boat of the elves, packed with Lembas and my weapons. My cloak is wrapped around me as I drift on the current.

There are no elves to be seen on the shore of Lorien, indeed, if any but Haldir and Galadriel knew I had been there. I now put down my pen and pick up the leaf shaped paddle, and row down the Anduin river....