When first they had arrived at Caras Galadon, the Lyons had been met by a throng of elves. The citizens of LothLorien had been told not only of their coming, but also of their nature and all were most curious to look upon them, especially upon the changed Chief Advisor of Imladris.
{ You seem to be finding great enjoyment at their reaction, my love. } Ja-zel had teased.
And that had been the truth of it. After so many centuries of hiding, Erestor had felt an almost elfling-like pride and joy in having his nature be revealed and thus, though his countenance had shown only dignified reserve, his beautiful black-tuffed tail had taken to swishing around merrily behind him as he walked.
Curiosity had turned to stunned shock a day later, when the Lyons appeared in all the glory of their change. The two left a trail of murmurs in their wake. All who saw them would have felt fear, in spite of the assurances that the Lord and Lady of the Wood had given, but for the fact that the Marchwarden and his brothers seemed to be completely at ease as they walked beside the huge creatures.
It was that ease, more than anything, that gained the two complete acceptance and soon enough, the sight of the Lyons enjoying a stroll in either of their forms was met with naught but respectful, yet friendly greetings.
On occasion, Aragorn joined them in their meanderings through the forest. Ja-zel had teasingly remarked to her mate that the ranger seemed much improved by his regular soakings in LothLorien's bathing pools. Although in truth, the availability of soap was not the only thing improving the Dunadan's appearance, as the Lyons found out during the last afternoon of their stay.
Erestor had taken his Lyoness to see Cerin Amroth, so named by the LothLorien elves in honor of their King, who had long resided there before passing into legend. But as they approached, they had found two others already upon the elanor-and-niphredil-covered mound.
Thus, the Lyons inadvertently bore witness as Aragorn, Dunadan Chieftain and secret heir to the throne of Gondor and Arwen Undomiel, daughter of Elrond and Evenstar of her people, spoke their loving pledge of troth.
Erestor and Ja-zel silently slipped away, unnoticed by the couple, then turned their steps back towards the city. As they walked, the Lyoness cast a sidelong glance at her mate.
{ You are troubled, beloved. Are the love words spoken by the young ones not good news?. } She asked.
Erestor spied a small clearing through the trees and turned to her.
{ Come. Let us rest under Anor's rays a while, for there is much I need to tell you. } He beckoned, in answer.
They passed the rest of the afternoon laying side by side as Erestor told Ja-zel about the choice given to the Peredhel by the Valar and of how Elrond's own twin, Elros, had cleaved to mortality, founding the line of Numenorian Kings, of which Aragorn was the last descendant.
Then he told her about the Lady Celebrian, who herself had pledged troth to Elrond upon the very place where her daughter, this day, had stood. He then spoke of centuries of happiness for the ruling family of Imladris and of how that happiness ended with the brutal attack that forced the Lady of Imladris to seek sail for the undying lands, leaving behind a hole in all of their lives.
Lastly, Erestor told her how Elrond's gift of foresight had shown him that the day would come when his only daughter would give her heart to the ranger. And in doing so, would eventually forsake her own immortality for the doom of man, becoming lost to her family and kindred.
As she listened, Ja-zel felt her heart aching with empathy. For she understood, only too well, the pain of loss...
Erestor finished the telling as Anor's rays began to fade from the sky. Looking up, he shook out his great mane as if to dispel the sadness brought on by his words, then gave his mate an affectionate nip.
{ Let us return to the city, my love. A feast is being given for this, our last night in LothLorien, and we must make ready. It would be most remiss of us to be late, since we are the guests of honor. } He sent, in an attempt at levity.
Understanding his need for a lightening of mood, Ja-zel answered him in kind.
{ Indeed. Far be it for us to attend such an occassion in our present forms. I am quite certain that our table manners would leave much to be desired... }
Later that evening, neither their forms nor their manners left anything to be desired. For in their rainments, gifted by the Lady of Light, they were truly a regal sight to behold.
Erestor's robe of dark slate-blue was trimmed in silvery embroidery and belted by a wide sash, also silver in color. It was the first time in centuries that he had worn something other than black robes, and he found it a liberating change. Upon his arm, Ja-zel was a vision in her exquisite gown of opalescent light silver, subtly patterned in a swirling leaf design that was echoed by the delicate mithril circlet she wore upon her brow.
They were as exotic blooms in the midst of the mostly flaxen-haired, light-eyed elves and Erestor could not help but to reflect on the fact that, once upon a time, he would have been highly uncomfortable in such a gathering. But not anymore. This Erestor, found he enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the feast, occassionally even joining in the laughter and conversation of his own accord.
Towards the end of what had turned out to be a most pleasant last evening in LothLorien, Lord Celeborn presented the Lyons with some last parting gifts. The first was a pair of large travelling packs, one black and the other a rich, dark brown. Both were made of supple, water-proof leather and both had clasps and edgings of mithril. The design had been modeled after Ja-zel's own well-worn pack and had further been improved to allow for more comfortable wear, as well as for the accomodation of additional gear. A feature that would be needed, as it had been agreed that Arwen and Aragorn would be returning to Imladris with the Lyons, who had then insisted that they would be the ones to carry them there. The second, was two especially-made ultra-light saddles, each a perfect match to the travelling packs and each designed to give maximum confort for both the Lyons and whoever they chose to let upon their backs.
Ja-zel had been absolutely delighted by the gifts, which she called an atonishing blend of beauty and functionality. A complement that was greeted by the elves with wide smiles of pride.
After that, those gathered began to disperse back towards their own abodes until only Arwen, Aragorn and the Lyons remained in the company of the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood. It was then, that Galadriel turned to Ja-zel and the two powerful females locked gazes in silent communication. Without a word, they rose and went to descend the winding stairs around the great Mallorn tree. Erestor watched them go, his eyes troubled, for he knew where the Lady of Light was taking his mate.
" Will you look into the mirror?."
Mist swirled around Galadriel's feet, glowing eerily under Ithil's pale light. A glow that was reflected by the ancient Lady's own luminescence as she waited, patiently.
Ja-zel hesitated for a few moments, before drawing a calming breath and approaching the stone pedestal upon which, rested a basin made of purest mithril.
Then she bent her head and looked down into the still waters...
TBC...