38. Caras Galadhon
[A caravan of Elves leads the Fellowship along a ridge, through the golden woods. Boromir glances at Frodo behind him. The group comes to the end of the high ridge and looks out. A great glade of trees rises above them.]
Haldir: "Caras Galadhon… the heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."
[The Fellowship climb a winding way among the great trees. They ascend the path until night falls.]
[In the blue glow of a moonlit night, the Fellowship climbs a twisting stair about the trunk of a tree, past glimmering lights of silver and blue.]
[Far above, the silhouetted shapes of the shadowy tree-branches loom. Passing numerous platforms, they come to a great palace in the trees, lit with silvery lights. A curving walkway lies before them, leading up a low stair to an archway.]
[They gather before the arch as Haldir steps to one side. A glowing couple, hand in hand, descend to meet the Fellowship. The Fellowship stares in awe. Aragorn touches his head in greeting.]
[The light dims, and before the Fellowship the Lord and Lady, Galadriel and Celeborn, halt. The Lady's eyes focus on Frodo, but Celeborn speaks.]
Celeborn: "The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone."
Celeborn: "Eight there are here, yet nine there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf?"
[As he speaks, Galadriel's eyes flicker to Aragorn's, who looks up.]
Celeborn: "For I much desire to speak with him… I can no longer see him from afar."
Galadriel: "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow."
[Aragorn nods slightly. Celeborn turns to Galadriel.]
Legolas: "He was taken by both Shadow and Flame: a Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
[Gimli bows his head, sadly.]
Galadriel: "Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose."
Galadriel: "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin."
[The Dwarf looks up as her words.]
Galadriel: "For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
[Boromir turns his pained face to the Lady, blinking and swallowing hard. The Lady stares back. Boromir looks away, weeping.]
Celeborn: "What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
Galadriel: "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all."
[Boromir looks back up at her, unsure.]
Galadriel: "Yet hope remains while the company is true."
[Galadriel looks at Sam and smiles.]
Galadriel: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."
[She whispers to Frodo in his mind, casting her eyes sideways at him.]
Galadriel: "Welcome, Frodo of the Shire… one who has seen the Eye!"
[Galadriel's eyes, the same ones that Frodo saw upon entering Lothlórien, flash through his mind again.]
[Back on the ground, the Hobbits are settling down to rest. Elf song can be heard.]
Female Elf:
"A Olórin i yaresse Mentaner i Numeherui Tírien i Rómenóri"
(Olórin who once was Sent by the Lords of the West To guard the Lands of the East)
Other Elves:
"Melme nóren sina núra ala Eäro"
(Our love for this land Is deeper than the deeps Of the sea)
Legolas: "A lament for Gandalf."
[Aragorn sharpens his sword as Gimli sleeps beside him.]
Merry: "What do they say about him?"
Legolas: "I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near."
Elves:
"Maiaron i Oiosaila, Manan elye etevanne Nórie i malanelye?"
(Wisest of all Maiar, What drove you to leave That which you loved?)
"Ilfirin nairelma ullume nucuvalme. Nauva i nauva."
(Yet we will cast all away Rather that submit. What should be shall be.)
[Sam crouches down to make his bed.]
Sam (to Merry): "I bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about them."
[Sam stands up.]
Sam: "The finest rockets ever seen, They burst in stars of blue and green…"
[Gimli snores loudly.]
Or after thunder… silver showers…"
[Aragorn turns, annoyed, and swats the Dwarf's pillow, eliciting a grunt from Gimli.]
Sam: "Came falling like a… rain of flowers…"
[He squats down again.]
Sam: "Oh, that doesn't do them justice by a long road."
[Aragorn walks over to Boromir, who is seated alone on a great tree root.]
Elves:
"Ú-reniathach i amar galen I reniad lín ne môr, nuithannen."
(No more will you wander The green fields of this earth Your journey has ended in darkness.)
Aragorn: "Take some rest. These borders are well protected."
Boromir: "I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me, 'Even now, there is hope left.' But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope."
[Aragorn sits beside Boromir.]
Boromir: "My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing. And now our… our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right and I — I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored."
Boromir: "Have you ever seen it Aragorn? The White Tower of Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver. Its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?"
Aragorn: "I have seen the White City, long ago."
Boromir: "One day, our paths will lead us there. And the tower guard shall take up the call: "'The Lords of Gondor have returned!'"
[Aragorn smiles slightly, then looks away.]
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