Toward the Golden Wood

Aragorn roused his companions who were still grieving the loss of Gandalf. He led them through the Dimrill Dale near the Mirrormere, or Kheled-zaram in the Dwarf tongue. As they travelled down a broken path Gimli spotted a sight that had to be seen: Durin's stone near Mirrormere; he called for Frodo to come as well and the company halted briefly. They came upon an old weather-worn standing stone with faint runes in it. "'This pillar marks the spot where Durin first looked into the Mirrormere,' said the dwarf. 'Let us look ourselves once, ere we go'" (p. 348, The Fellowship of the Ring). Staring into the deep and still waters the Misty Mountains came in to view in breathtaking blue hues. After they rejoined the company.

They struck the Silverlode River and Aragorn meant to follow it for some miles until it met the Great River. As he pointed in the direction only a golden haze could be seen in the distance. "'There lies the woods of Lothlorien!' said Legolas. 'That is the fairest of all the dwellings of my people'" (p. 349, The Fellowship of the Ring). They journeyed at a great pace but soon Frodo and Sam could not keep up given the injuries they sustained fighting the Orcs. Legolas noted they could not keep up and informed Aragorn who, with Boromir, carried the two injured hobbits to a resting place.

Aragorn inspected Sam's cut and was relieved to find the blade that gave it was not poisoned. He washed the wound with athelas that he had found at Weathertop. Frodo was very reluctant to be tended saying only he needed rest. Aragorn insisted still hardly believing Frodo alive and to his wonder discovered the mithril coat. He held it up, in wonder, to show the Company: "'If it were known that hobbits had such hides, all the hunters of Middle-earth would be riding to the Shire'" (p. 350, The Fellowship of the Ring). Gimli was particularly impressed noting that it had been well-given by Bilbo and that Gandalf had great mis-judged the value of it for the dwarf had never seen one so fair. Merry was quite happy Bilbo gave it away, for it kept his friend alive: "'Bless the old hobbit! I love him more than ever'" (p. 350, The Fellowship of the Ring)

Frodo had a badly bruised chest on the right side due to the spear and a badly bruised left side due to hitting the rock wall. The athelas took away his intense pain but he would remain stiff and sore for a good many days. They ate quickly and began again with Sam and Frodo now able to keep up on their own. They listened carefully but no sound of pursuit could be heard as night approached. Frodo checked Sting but the blade was dull--it seemed their journey toward safety would be adventure free. Frodo still thought he could hear following footfalls and tiny gleams of light likes eyes behind.

To Legolas' great delight they reached the eaves of Lothlorien. Aragorn was relieved they made it. Gimli wondered if any Elves still lived there with the darkening of the world. Legolas explained that a secret power kept the land free from evil but the Elves that resided lived far inside the woods. Aragorn sought to lead the company into the woods a bit farther and hope the power of the Elves would protect them for the night. Boromir refused to enter. "'By strange paths has this Company been led, and so far to evil fortune. Against my will we passed under the shades of the Moria, to our loss. And now we must enter the Golden Wood, you say. But of that perilous land we have heard in Gondor, and it is said that few come out who once go in; and of that few none have escaped unscathed'" (p. 352, The Fellowship of the Ring) Aragorn answered: "'...fair and perilous; but only evil need fear it, or those who bring some evil with them'" (p. 353, The Fellowship of the Ring). Into the woods they went.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, January
Today's reading comes from: The Fellowship of the Ring, pages 347-354