“We have tried to answer two questions, Scholar,” Galadriel says. “and now on to the third. If those who have been turned to the Shadow can be redeemed, and if you are convinced that Thandwen the Elf is now Gwathwethil the Morroval, then the third question is, what must be done?
“I say to you, your desire for your mother’s redemption must not be allowed to be first before all else. The conflict which looms on the horizon shall be an all-or-nothing gamble, and the loser loses all, which is why both we and the Enemy are wagering everything on one throw. This is why I would advise you to –“ and Galadriel pauses, her eyes suddenly vacant, her head tilting to the side as if listening.
“Come, Seregrían,” she says at last. “News is on the wind, and counsel is changing.” And she moves off, Seregrían following her to the high talan where they are met by Celeborn and Bosi. Galadriel joins her lord, as they look silently at each other. Seregrían stands beside Bosi and mutters, “What news, brother?”
“Messages and reports have arrived while you two were off alone,” Bosi explains. “Word has come from Moria, and from the Mountain. And report is had from across the River. It would seem that the Lord and Lady are very well-informed about the world outside, even as they fence themselves in.”
Celeborn and Galadriel conclude their osanwë, of which Seregrían can discern nothing, only that they speak mind to mind and she is shut out. They turn to face their guests and include them in their discussion.
“News has come, and counsel and course must change,” Celeborn begins. “We have dispatched an expedition, the Malledhrim, to cross over Anduin and press home an assault on the Enemy’s former lair of Dol Guldur. As part of the larger gamble, we must do our part to keep the Eye roving this way and that, fixed on some movements and blind to others.
“This is in part the reason for sending a company to aid the Iron Garrison,” he says. “The Dwarves of Khazad-dûm shall do their part in this strategy as well as the Folk of the Mountain – who are also being invested closely by the East. Friend Bosi, is it your intention still to hold the Mines of Moria for as long as strength lasts?”
“We have never thought otherwise,” Bosi says. “Durin’s Folk have reclaimed Khazad-dûm, and the halls of our fathers. That which is ours is ours again and shall not fall while this world lasts. Especially not with the help of our allies, the folk of Lothlorien, and the Sister of the Dwarves at our side!”
“You may not have all you desire,” Galadriel says. “Our counsel indeed would have bade Seregrían rejoin you in Moria, to labor in your cause. But news and policies have changed, and this is now our counsel: that Seregrían go forth from Caras Galadhon, not in company with either Dwarf westward or Elf eastward, but alone and south – to the lands of Men.”
Seregrían is momentarily shocked by this, and she gives in to her anger. “You would have me travel with and hold congress with, with Them? Faithless, honorless, caring only for death and songs of war? Their former pride wasted, their memories tarnished by countless tides and seasons –“
“All the more reason for you to be among them, scholar,” Galadriel says. “Clearly, for all your lore cultivated in Rivendell, your wisdom is a blighted harvest. I deem that your company with them would benefit you, as well as they; for your presence among them would show they are not without allies among the Free Peoples, and that the counsels of the Wise still support them. And consider also, that travel to the southern lands would stand you into close quarters with the Black Land, where lies the true Enemy – and other goals, besides…” she leaves that last fruit hanging for Seregrían to pick. She does.
“If I am resolved to take the fight to the Enemy, then it is true that a southern road would serve better,” she says after a beat. “I shall go south, if the Council wills it.”
“It is decided, then,” Celeborn says. “We would bid you partake of our hospitality for a time, but events are moving swifter than the River. We invite you, Bosi, and you, Seregrían, to dine with us in leisure before your labors begin. The company bound for Moria shall be ready on the morrow. Tonight, take your rest here as our guests, and we shall talk more of lighter things.” But while Celeborn is speaking, Seregrían’s thoughts are broken by a strong osanwë:
[Moria lies behind thee, Nauthira, as does now Lothlorien. That which thou doth seek lurks behind the walls of Mordor. The answers lie with the creature, Bogrian. Find her, and thou hast found thy answers – the ones thou seekest, and the ones thou wouldst shun. Beware them both, young one…]
