Read LotR Aloud: Lothlorien

[dreamflower]

I am sorry it took me so long to get posted! First was all the trouble with LJ, and then I got caught up in trying to get my Big Bang stuff done! But here it is at last!



Transcript behind the cut

Haldir led Frodo before them, and the Lord welcomed him in his own tongue. The Lady Galadriel said no word but looked long upon his face.

`Sit now beside my chair, Frodo of the Shire! ' said Celeborn. `When all have come we will speak together.'

Each of the companions he greeted courteously by name as they entered. `Welcome Aragorn son of Arathorn! ' he said. `It is eight and thirty years of the world outside since you came to this land; and those years lie heavy on you. But the end is near, for good or ill. Here lay aside your burden for a while! '

'Welcome son of Thranduil! Too seldom do my kindred journey hither from the North.'

`Welcome Gimli son of Glóin! It is long indeed since we saw one of Durin's folk in Caras Galadhon. But today we have broken our long law. May it be a sign that though the world is now dark better days are at hand, and that friendship shall be renewed between our peoples.' Gimli bowed low.

When all the guests were seated before his chair the Lord looked at them again. 'Here there are eight,' he said. `Nine were to set out: so said the messages. But maybe there has been some change of counsel that we have not heard. Elrond is far away, and darkness gathers between us, and all this year the shadows have grown longer.'

`Nay, there was no change of counsel,' said the Lady Galadriel speaking for the first time. Her voice was clear and musical, but deeper than woman's wont. `Gandalf the Grey set out with the Company, but he did not pass the borders of this land. Now tell us where he is; for I much desired to speak with him again. But I cannot see him from afar, unless he comes within the fences of Lothlórien: a grey mist is about him, and the ways of his feet and of his mind are hidden from me.'

'Alas! ' said Aragorn. `Gandalf the Grey fell into shadow. He remained in Moria and did not escape.'

At these words all the Elves in the hall cried aloud in grief and amazement. `These are evil tidings,' said Celeborn, `the most evil that have been spoken here in long years full of grievous deeds.' He turned to Haldir. `Why has nothing of this been told to me before? ' he asked in the Elven-tongue.

'We have not spoken to Haldir of our deeds or our purpose,' said Legolas. `At first we were weary and danger was too close behind and afterwards we almost forgot our grief for a time, as we walked in gladness on the fair paths of Lórien.'

Comments

[shirebound]

Thank you for reading to us! :)

What a shame nearly all of Celeborn's dialogue was cut from the film.

[addie71.livejournal.com]

I've always wondered if Celeborn greeted every one of the Fellowship with a personal welcome, and Tolkien didn't tell us, or just those four.

[romeny.livejournal.com]

I loved everything about this part of the books. I remember feeling relieved for the fellowship that they'd have s safe place to rest. Nice reading.

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

You have such a rich voice for reading! This was such a great chapter for read alouds, so much of the beauty of Middle earth!

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

It's interesting how they changed the dialog so that Galadriel knew what happened. You have a lovely reading voice, thank you!

[lbilover.livejournal.com]

I'm really struck by how the movies kind of reversed how Tolkien wrote this part, giving Galadriel's line about want to speak with Gandalf to Celeborn and having her aware that Gandalf fell into shadow. Wonderfully read as always, Barbara. Thank you so much!

[hildigard-brown.livejournal.com]

Such a lovely reading! I always loved this section, even with the sorrow of Gandalf's loss.