The Fellowship of the Ring

The fellowship arrives at Caras Galadhon, the city high upon the mallorn-trees. Celeborn and Galadriel, clad in white, greet their guests and consider Gimli’s presence as a sign of renewed friendship. Celeborn is grieved to hear of Gandalf’s passing and lays blame on Dwarves for waking the Balrog. Galadriel intercedes, claiming that if Elves had lost their ancient homeland such as the Dwarves, they too would risk anything to return. She recites the names of Moria’s landmarks in the Dwarven tongue, and, returning her smile, Gimli “looked suddenly into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and understanding” (347).

Celeborn apologizes to Gimli, and Galadriel tells the fellowship that she cannot offer counsel. Though their mission “stands upon the edge of a knife” (348), she offers hope that their quest will succeed if the Company remains true. At those words, she looks into the eyes of each member, and all but Legolas and Aragorn endure her gaze. Later that evening, the members reveal that in her eye contact, Galadriel had wordlessly but clearly communicated with each of them, offering each a choice to continue the quest or have their deepest desires fulfilled. No one is willing to reveal the details of their desire, but Sam admits he felt as if he were naked in her glance and that he was offered a chance to return to the Shire and have a garden of his own. Boromir claims that it was a test and that he flatly refused her offer, doubting Lady Galadriel’s intentions. Aragorn defends the Lady’s honor and restates that the only evil in Lórien is that which men bring in themselves.

Frodo composes an elegy for Gandalf, and he and Sam meet Lady Galadriel, who leads them to a garden with a silver basin of water. She tells them they may look but that what they see may or may not come to be. Sam looks into the Mirror of Galadriel and sees the destruction of the Shire. He cries that he wants to return but then affirms that he will “go home by the long road with Mr. Frodo” (354). Frodo sees a figure like Gandalf but dressed in white instead of gray. The Sea appears with ships of black sails and then a smaller ship fading in the mist. Finally, he sees the Eye of Sauron: It is “rimmed with fire, but was itself glazed, yellow as a cat’s, watchful and intent, and the black slit of its pupil opened on a pit, a window into nothing” (355).

Frodo feels the Ring weigh down on his neck, and before he touches the basin’s water, Galadriel speaks, and his trance dissipates. She tells him there is more than songs and arrows protecting Lórien, and Frodo notices that she wears one of the Elven Rings of Power, Nenya. As a Ring-bearer, only he can see her ring, and when he offers to entrust her with the One Ring, Galadriel lifts her hand, casting darkness all around her illuminated form. She appears “beautiful beyond enduring, terrible and worshipful” (356), but she lowers her hand, returning to her usual form; she has resisted the Ring’s temptation and passes the test. She acknowledges that upon the One Ring’s destruction, the power of Nenya will also die, and she will “diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel” (357). She tells Frodo that the One Ring has sharpened his perceptions, and Sam admits that he sees no ring on the Lady’s finger at all.

Celeborn announces that those in the fellowship who wish to do so may remain in Lórien, and Galadriel confirms that they all wish to go forward. Boromir notes that for him, forward is to Minas Tirith, as he must return home to protect his people. Aragorn hasn’t yet decided whether he will take the Company to join Boromir’s fight in Gondor, as prophesied in the dream, or travel the eastern road to see Frodo to Mordor. He is grateful when Celeborn gives them boats to travel the Great River which allows him more days to decide. Boromir states that he will go to Gondor with or without the group and that if they seek to destroy Sauron, it would be “folly to throw away” (360). After faltering, he quickly states, “It would be folly to throw lives away, I mean” (360). Frodo suspects that Boromir means to take the Ring and notices a change in Boromir’s eyes.

The Elves give the journeymen lembas, a nourishing bread even in the smallest amount, and Elven cloaks that camouflage them in any setting. Sam is thrilled to find Elven rope in their boats as he regretted not packing any when they set off from Rivendell. Galadriel sings at their parting feast, and Celeborn advises them to avoid Fangorn Forest. Boromir believes that the legends of Fangorn are “old wives’ tales” (364), and Celeborn admonishes him, stating that the tales are meant to warn the wise.

Galadriel gives each member a parting gift. To Aragorn, she gives a sheath for his reforged sword and a brooch with a green Elfstone from Arwen. Legolas receives a bow, Merry and Pippin belts of silver, and Boromir a belt of gold. Sam accepts a small wooden box containing soil and a seed, with the letter G on its lid for Galadriel and for garden. Gimli wishes nothing, stating that to see Galadriel is gift enough. She proclaims to all the Elves that Dwarves are not “grasping and ungracious” (366), and when pressed, Gimli asks for one strand of her hair and is given three. He vows to set the strands in crystal to symbolize the alliance between Elves and Dwarves. Finally, Frodo accepts a phial that contains the light of Eärendil’s star to guide his path through darkness. Galadriel sings in Elvish her final song, which Frodo will remember years later by heart and translate to Common Speech. Legolas and Gimli share one boat and have become “fast friends” (363).