action.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo arrives rolling and tumbling across the floor.

There was a great shadow over him then, something with a terrible stench and legs too numerous to count. And now, light. He shields himself from the brightness and scoots back until he bumps against the wall, then scrambles to find shelter behind a couch. It hurts his eyes. The air is suddenly too clear, everything too clean. He fears it is a trick.

He speaks in a hush, afraid to alert the enemies but more afraid of being alone. ]

Sam? Where are you, Sam?

Comments

[inafadingcrown]

It is difficult to believe, I know, but I have reason to believe it true. [She pauses to look him over here. It's clearly been a some time since he left Lórien.] For instance, before my arrival here, it had been a matter of weeks since I saw you last.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo watches her. She is unchanged of course. ]

It has been more than that. Months, I believe.

[inafadingcrown]

So I see. [She might once have drilled him for details, but since Legolas' arrival and his news of the end of the war, she's a little less eager than she once was. And compassion moves her more than curiosity now.]

There will be time enough for you to tell me later; you look in need of food and rest, as well as answers to questions of your own.

[bronwe]

I should only like to rest a little. [ The questions can wait, though he thinks she would have more to ask him, doesn't she? ]

Sleep would do me good.

[inafadingcrown]

[Oh, she has plenty of questions, but most are not the sort to be asked openly.]

You will have a room of your own here- all who arrive do, strange as it seems. We might search for it or I might take you to my quarters. There is a spare room and a bed awaiting you there, if you wish.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo wants to ask her how big this castle is and if he would be able to manage finding it, but those things seem too trivial for the Lady of the Golden Woods. The alternative is equally intimidating, however. ]

Then... I would take your offer for a spare room.

[ It wouldn't be right to take Galadriel traipsing about looking for his room. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[She wouldn't have offered if she weren't willing to do it, Frodo. Really. But she smiles and nods.] Come, then. We may speak more privately there as well.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo starts to follow her, keeping a polite distance and trotting once in a while to keep up with her steps. He isn't sure what to say for a few long minutes. ]

Sam has the phial you gave me. Its light helped ward away the dark creature that pursued us.

[inafadingcrown]

[She glances down at him and smiles in that particular way of hers- it's enough to make one wonder how much she knows and what she guessed.]

I thought, perhaps, it might be of use.

[She's silent for a few moments as well and when she finally breaks that silence, it is not with her voice but with her mind- speaking to him as she did in Lórien before her mirror.]

You have it still? [It should be obvious, not just from the context, but from her tone that she's talking about the Ring. She dares not speak of it openly, even here.]

[bronwe]

[ Frodo feels cowed under that smile. Perhaps she knows too that he would forget to use it if not for Sam.

But he snaps his gaze at her at the question invading his mind. The method is familiar by now, but the question rouses something like anger, jealousy in him. She could take it by force if she wants to. She asks now so she can steal what's his once they are alone in her room!

Frodo bites back all the poison and the fear, trying to calm his breathing, and speaks back the same. ]

Yes.

[inafadingcrown]

[She glances back at him, her gaze slightly reproachful. She could have taken it long ago, had she wished to. She could have taken it when it was offered to her. She has passed that test and she has no intention of revisiting it.]

Then I will trust you to continue to see to its safety.

[bronwe]

[ He just tightens his jaws and sets his gaze to the ground in front of him. A serious little hobbit. He speaks out loud next. ]

Why do you trust me?

[inafadingcrown]

I told you once before, Frodo of the Shire, that this task has been appointed you; that has not changed.

You have shown great endurance under your burden- more than most could withstand. It is not without reason, I think that you were chosen, nor that Gandalf placed such faith in you.

[bronwe]

[ Was it appointed, though? He did say he would take it but then he wondered if that was truly his voice. He certainly had no say in losing his parents, becoming Bilbo's heir, inheriting the One Ring.

Perhaps it was. And what a terrible thing to appoint anyone to and he doesn't even know the half of it yet. He speaks without voice next. ]

I would not appoint anyone else in my stead.

[inafadingcrown]

[Some things are meant to be. Galadriel is very much aware of the greater powers at work in their world and she cannot believe that they did not have a hand in it.]

You bear a heavy burden, I know. If I would that I could ease your burden.

[bronwe]

[ But she can't. No one can. Not even Sam.

Frodo tightens his jaw and just keeps walking. He doesn't think he has enough faith in himself in this regard, but Galadriel is wise and Gandalf was too. ]

Wow, what was that last sentence in my tag even? Just pretend I can use grammar

[inafadingcrown]

[And she'll lead him to the third floor, where her room is, and open the door for him. The first thing he'll see is essentially a sitting room- not nearly so grand as her home in Lórien, but comfortable enough.]

IT TOTALLY MADE SENSE TO ME

[bronwe]

[ Frodo holds open the door, and glances over his shoulder before walking in to stand in the middle of the sitting room and look about somewhat warily. ]

WELL GOOD

[inafadingcrown]

[And she will just walk past him and open a second door. This room in more bare. A few things of Rin's are left in place, too large or cumbersome for her to have taken with her, but for the most part it's just furniture.]

It is not as pleasing a place as I might wish, but it should be comfortable enough. A dear friend has recently removed herself from my care, else I would not have the space to offer at all.

[bronwe]

[ He follows her at a distance, checking out whatever things were still there. The room doesn't compare to Lothlórien of course, but he is still awestruck at the thought of taking the room.

Frodo makes his way toward the bed, placing one hand on the sheet. Who could call Galadriel a friend, an equal? ]

This is already more than I would ask of you.

[inafadingcrown]

Then it is fortunate you did not have to ask. [It was natural for her, to offer what little protection and safety she was able to provide. It was no different than what she had done in Lórien, though her means were more limited here.]

[bronwe]

[ Frodo watches her, though he drops his gaze to her feet after only a moment. ]

You can ask me whatever questions you must come morning.

[inafadingcrown]

And so I will [She moves to the doorway.] But now I will leave you to rest.

[bronwe]

[ He tries a grateful smile, which doesn't come easily if only because he's still rather awestruck. ]

My thanks.

[inafadingcrown]

OF course. [And with a nod and a smile, she'll leave him to his own devices.]