Day 10 - Lothlorien
The golden forest of Lothlorien stretched before them like something out of a dream. Mellyrn trees reached for the sky, their golden leaves shimmering with their own light. The very air seemed to sing with ancient magic, and for the first time since they had entered Moria, the Fellowship could breathe freely.
"It's beautiful," Sam whispered in amazement. "Like nothing I've ever seen."
"This is the last refuge of the Elves in Middle-earth," Legolas said gently. "Here, the power of Lady Galadriel keeps the darkness at bay. For now."
They were led by elven guards into the heart of the forest, where the city of Caras Galadhon rose among the tallest trees. And there, waiting on a high platform, were they.
Celeborn, the Lord of Lothlorien, tall and noble.
And Galadriel, the Lady of the Golden Wood.
Escanor had heard stories about her. Of her beauty, her power, her wisdom that spanned ages. But seeing her in person was something else entirely.
She was... luminous. Not just beautiful, though she was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen except for Arwen and Tauriel. But there was a light about her, a power that made even her own Sunshine seem like a candle compared to the sun.
"Escanor," his voice echoed in his mind, not his ears. "The Lion of the Sun. I have waited a long time to meet you."
He bowed deeply.
—Lady Galadriel. The honor is mine.
" Is it?" She smiled, and there was something ancient and knowing about that smile. "You wield power that is not of this world. And yet, you use it with honor. With purpose. That is... rare."
"I try to be worthy of it," Escanor replied.
His eyes moved to Eldarion, who stood beside his father.
—And your son. The one who faced a Balrog and lived. There is greatness in you, young man. And danger as well. Unparalleled power can corrupt or elevate. You must choose wisely which it will be.
"I choose to rise," Eldarion said firmly. "As my father taught me."
"Well said," Galadriel agreed. "But words are easy. Actions are what define. And the trials you face... the trials yet to come... will test not only your strength but your soul."
He turned to the entire community.
"All of you. You have come far. You have faced darkness and survived. But the road ahead is darker still. And some of you—" Her eyes rested briefly on Boromir—"some of you already feel the pull of the Ring. Its whisper in the darkness."
Boromir stiffened, his hand unconsciously moving towards where Frodo stood.
"Rest here," Galadriel continued. "Regain your strength. For when you leave Lothlorien, your paths may diverge. The Fellowship may break. And each of you must choose which path to walk."
That Night
The Fellowship was lodged in the flets, the platforms among the trees where the elves of Lothlorien lived. Escanor found himself unable to sleep, his mind too full of thoughts.
He went down to the forest floor, walking among the golden trees, seeking peace.
—You can't sleep either.
She turned to see Aragorn approaching, his face thoughtful in the starlight.
"Too much to think about," Escanor admitted. "Too much to fear."
" Is the Lion of the Sun afraid?" Aragorn smiled slightly. "That's... comforting in a way."
"We are all afraid," Escanor said. "The difference lies in whether we let fear control us or whether we act despite it."
They sat together under a particularly large mellyrn, the friendly silence between them.
"About what you said earlier," Aragorn finally spoke. "About Arwen. Were you serious?"
"Every word," Escanor said, looking at him. "Aragorn, I've lived with unconventional love for twenty years. I've learned that the heart is bigger than society tells us it should be. And if Arwen feels something for you... you shouldn't ignore it on my behalf."
—But you...
"I love her," Escanor interrupted. "Completely. Totally. And I love Tauriel the same way. And they both love me. We all love each other. It's complicated, yes. But it works." He paused. "And if Arwen wanted to add you to that equation… if everyone consented… why should it be impossible?"
Aragorn stared at him, speechless.
— Are you suggesting...?
"I'm not suggesting anything," Escanor said. "I'm just saying that if we survive this, if the war ends, you should talk to her. Honestly. And see what she says. Because life's too short to live with regrets."
—But I... I'm just a ranger. A man without a kingdom. What could I possibly offer her?
"You underestimate yourself," Escanor said. "You are Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Heir of Isildur. The King who shall return. And more than that... you are good. Noble. Exactly the kind of man who deserves to be loved."
"You speak as if you're certain I'll survive," Aragorn said softly.
"You will survive," Escanor said with conviction. "Because you must. Gondor needs you. Middle-earth needs you. And perhaps... perhaps Arwen needs you too."
Before Aragorn could reply, a presence made itself felt. Galadriel appeared from the shadows as if she had always been there.
"They walk dangerous paths," he said. "Not in battle, but in their hearts. But I see wisdom in both of them. And honesty. That is rare in these dark times."
"Lady," Aragorn bowed. "I did not mean..."
"Don't apologize for feeling," Galadriel interrupted. "Feelings aren't transgressions. Only actions can be judged." She turned to Escanor. "Let's walk, Lion of the Sun. I have something to show you."
Escanor continued on, leaving Aragorn to his thoughts. Galadriel led him deeper into the forest, to a clearing where a silver pool shimmered beneath the stars.
"My mirror," she said. "It shows things that were, things that are, and some things that have yet to happen. Will you look?"
" Should I?" Escanor hesitated. "The future isn't set in stone. Ver could change..."
"Or prepare yourself," Galadriel said. "Look. Not with fear, but with understanding."
Escanor leaned over the mirror. At first, he saw only reflected stars. Then the images began to form.
He saw his children, Eldarion, Aelindë, Aurëlindë, growing into magnificent warriors, defending Middle-earth against darkness upon darkness.
He saw Arwen and Tauriel, still together, still loving each other, raising their family with wisdom and grace.
Saw...
He saw his own death.
Standing on a battlefield, surrounded by countless enemies. And before him, a figure of such profound darkness that it made the night itself seem bright by comparison.
Morgoth.
The first Dark Lord. Sauron's master. A power that should not be possible in this age.
And in the vision, Escanor fought against him. He fought with everything he had, his power shining like a star. But it wasn't enough. It would never be enough.
And he fell. He died. His light was fading.
But then... something else. A light brighter than her own. A presence that lifted her fallen form. And a voice, resonating with infinite power:
"You have served well, Lion of the Sun. Now, rise. Your work is not complete."
The images faded away.
Escanor stepped away from the mirror, breathing heavily.
"You saw your death," Galadriel said softly. "And your rebirth. Eru Ilúvatar himself has marked you for a greater purpose. A sacrifice that will save all. And a reward few have ever received."
"I will die fighting Morgoth," Escanor said. "But... how? Morgoth was chained beyond the world. How can he return?"
"Through Sauron," Galadriel explained. "If Sauron feels he is losing, in his final desperation, he might try to summon his former master. To break the chains that bind him. And if he succeeds…"
"Middle-earth will burn," Escanor finished. "And someone will have to stop it."
"You will have to stop him," Galadriel corrected. "And it will cost you everything. But Escanor... will also give you everything back. You will be reborn. You will live. And you will have eternity with those you love."
—Is this safe? This future?
"There are no certainties," Galadriel said. "Only possibilities. But I saw truth in those visions. And I believe your destiny is tied to this. To the ultimate sacrifice. And to the ultimate reward."
"Then I will," Escanor said simply. "Whatever it takes. I will protect this world. I will protect my family. No matter the cost."
"That's what I was hoping you'd say," Galadriel smiled. "That's why I have a gift for you."
He reached into his robe and pulled out something that glowed with a soft light. A phial, a small vial filled with luminous liquid.
—This contains the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. In dark places, when all other lights go out, this one will shine brightest. Take it. And when you face your final battle, may it give you hope.
"Thank you." Escanor took the vial reverently. "Lady Galadriel, I don't know how..."
"Survive," she said simply. "Fight. And when the time comes, sacrifice yourself knowing it's not the end. Just a transition. From mortality to something more."
"I will," he promised.
Day 14 - Departure from Lothlorien
The Fellowship had spent precious days in Lothlorien, recovering, training, preparing. But finally, the time had come to leave.
Galadriel gave gifts to everyone. To Frodo, a light to illuminate dark places. To Sam, elven soil for his garden. To the others, gifts suited to their needs.
To Eldarion, he gave a sword. Not just any sword, but one forged in the First Age, with an edge that never dulled and the power to wound even immortal creatures.
"You will use this in the final battle," he said. "Against enemies that no mortal weapon can touch. Wear it with honor."
To Aelindë and Aurëlindë, he gave bows of elven wood, stronger than steel but as light as air. And arrows that always found their mark.
"Twin sisters, twin archers," Galadriel said. "Together, you are unstoppable. Remember that in the battles to come."
And to Escanor, in addition to the flask of light, he gave something else. A ring. Simple, silver, engraved with runes that glowed softly.
"This will connect you with those you love," he said. "No matter the distance. When you feel afraid, touch it. And you will feel its love. Its strength. And you will know you are not alone."
"Thank you." Escanor slipped the ring onto her finger, immediately feeling a warmth, a connection. "For everything."
They then set off, traveling down the River Anduin in boats provided by the elves of Lothlorien. The journey was peaceful at first, the river flowing gently, the landscape passing by in quiet tranquility.
But the peace would not last.
Day 16 - Amon Hen
They camped on the shore, near the ancient ruins of Amon Hen. The tension that had been building for days finally reached its breaking point.
Boromir approached Frodo when the hobbit was alone. Escanor saw him go, sensed the darkness in the man of Gondor, and moved to intervene.
But Gandalf stopped him.
"Leave it," the wizard said softly. "This must happen. Boromir must face his weakness. And Frodo must choose."
They watched from a distance as Boromir spoke to Frodo, his voice growing more urgent, more desperate. They saw him try to take the Ring by force. They saw Frodo put on the Ring and disappear.
" Now!" Gandalf said, and they ran forward.
But it was too late. Frodo was gone, fleeing into the forest. And behind them, they heard horns. Orc horns. Uruk-hai from Isengard, coming swiftly.
" It's an ambush!" Aragorn shouted. "Defensive formation!"
The Uruk-hai burst from the forest, hundreds of them, larger and stronger than ordinary orcs. And with them came wargs, the wolf-beasts of Isengard.
The battle was brutal.
Legolas and the twins fired relentlessly, their arrows felling enemy after enemy. Gimli hacked away with his axe, roaring with defiance. Aragorn and Boromir (who had returned, remorse clear on his face) fought back to back.
Gandalf summoned fire and lightning, his power shining brightly.
And Escanor, with Eldarion at his side, became a whirlwind of destruction. Rhitta sang, slicing through Uruk-hai as if they were grass. Her power shone, not fully unleashed, but enough to push back the hordes.
" They're going after the hobbits!" Merry shouted, seeing a group of Uruk-hai running towards where Pippin was trying to catch up with Frodo.
" Eldarion! The twins! With them!" Escanor roared. "Protect the hobbits!"
His children moved as one, intercepting the Uruk-hai. Eldarion, his sword gleaming, cut down the leader. The twins fired arrows that found eyes, throats, hearts.
But there were too many. For every Uruk-hai that fell, two more appeared.
" We need to retreat!" Aragorn shouted. "To the boats!"
" Frodo!" Sam shouted. "We need to find Frodo!"
" He has made his choice!" Gandalf said. "He has taken the Ring and gone! We must let him!"
" No!" Sam ran into the woods. "I won't let him!"
And so the Community broke up.
Sam going after Frodo.
Merry and Pippin being captured by the Uruk-hai despite Eldarion's efforts to stop them.
Boromir falling, arrows in his chest, but taking dozens of Uruk-hai with him before he fell.
Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli choosing to pursue the Uruk-hai who took the hobbits.
And Escanor, with his sons and Gandalf, stayed behind to hold the line. To buy time for the others to escape.
" Go!" Escanor told Gandalf. "Follow Aragorn! He will need your wisdom!"
- And you?
" I will hold here!" Escanor roared, his power exploding outward in a wave of heat and light. "Now GO!"
Gandalf hesitated, then nodded. He ran after Aragorn and the others.
Leaving Escanor, Eldarion, Aelindë, and Aurëlindë alone in Amon Hen.
Surrounded by hundreds of Uruk-hai.
And in the distance, more came. Always more.
"Dad," Eldarion said softly, "we can't win this."
"No," Escanor agreed, Rhitta glowing in his hands. "We can't. But we can delay them. We can buy the others time." He looked at his children. "Ready?"
"Ready," the three said in unison.
—Then —Escanor smiled, and it was the smile of the Lion of the Sun in all its glory— let's show them what it means to face the sun itself.
And with that, he unleashed his power.
Completely.
Completely.
Without retention.
Light exploded from him like dawn made flesh. The Uruk-hai shrieked, covering their eyes. Some simply burned where they stood.
And Escanor, with his sons beside him, charged into the horde.
The battle of Amon Hen had begun.
And the world itself trembled with his fury.
End of Chapter 20