[Garen LiLorian]

Garen was led for many miles through Lothlorien, bound and blindfolded as a captive. He felt and heard the gates of Caras Galadan opening before him, and many voices in the Elven tongue. He caught the words "prisoner," "condemned," and "criminal" in their talk. Then the blindfold was lifted. "Now you must climb, son of Man, for the Lady of the Wood desires to speak with you," spoke the ranger who had bound him, and gestured to a ladder up into the trees.

Never before had Garen been in the Elf-city, and wonder was plain on his features as he climbed past many flets on either side. He climbed until his arms burned and breath came dear to him. At last he reached the top. The ranger spoke quietly to an Elf who stood nearby. He listened to the reply, then spoke again to Garen. "No doubt, son of Galthun, you have heard of the misfortune that has recently occured." Garen did not reply, but his face showed his ignorance. "A young girl has been taken from us by Men. Even now our Lady is assembling a search party." He searched Garen's face keenly, looking for some flicker of knowledge.

Then he straightened up. "I do not deny it, there are many among us who remember now your house and lands, and the Men under your banner. There is feeling that you must be held accountable, indeed there is the opinion that your men have themselves commited this crime. However, I see no such deception in your face. I will therefore take you before Lady Galadriel. For what it is worth, I hope that she feels the same." He turned away, and led Garen by many paths to where the search party had assembled.

A motley crew it looked. Several Elves of woodcrafty bearing, rangers like his escort, one wearing the greens and browns of an Elf in the far northern woods. A woman, clad in a simple gown. And, strangely, an Elf that reminded him of Fester, Lord Galthun's fool. Although this one looked far too serious to be engaging his profession right now. Garen wasted no more time on the assembled Elves, but knelt before the Lady of the Wood.

"Lady Galadriel. I am Garen liLorian, son of Galthun. For many days and nights have I tracked this band of Men across my father's lands, and I come before you now bearing an apology. Never before has my bloodline failed in our oath to you and to the Wood, but grievously now have we broken trust. I have naught but my word to say that these criminals were not of my house, and offer you my life as forfeit for the breaking of our oath." He looked up for the first time into the eyes of the Lady of the Wood. He saw her smile, and it was as if a great weight had lifted from his heart.

"I think, Garen son of Galthun, that a better use might be found for your life than the executioner's block, even had I the inclination to rid your house of such a courteous tongue." Laughter sprung from her lips, and all were amazed at the change; since Nuhrive had been lost, the Lady had been pensive, thoughtful as few before had seen her. "I give you this doom; to aid these pursuers as best you can, being at ease neither in heart nor body until Nuhrive has been found. Is this acceptable to you, lord of Men?"

And Garen climbed to his feet, bowing deep in Dwarf fashion. "Lady, you give me too much credit. Gladly do I take this doom, indeed it was my intention to ask it if my life was spared." But Galadriel said, "then take your place among the rescuers, son of Man, and hope for your sake and that of your house that no harm comes to the maid. For I do not forget that your oath was broken, and many great deeds must be done before the Elves can forgive it."

Garen, thus chastened, took his place among the group, yet he looked about him eagerly, and eager he was to be off.

[ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: Garen LiLorian ]