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marshes。 Yet they should not go too far up that stream； nor risk beingentangled in the Forest of Fangorn。 That is a strange land； and is now littleknown。 But Boromir and Aragorn doubtless do not need this warning。'
'Indeed we have heard of Fangorn in Minas Tirith；' said Boromir。 ‘Butwhat I have heard seems to me for the most part old wives' tales； such as we
tell to our children。 All that lies north of Rohan is now to us so far awaythat fancy can wander freely there。 Of old Fangorn lay upon the borders of ourrealm； but it is now many lives of men since any of us visited it； to prove ordisprove the legends that have e down from distant years。
‘I have myself been at whiles in Rohan； but I have never crossed itnorthwards。 When I was sent out as a messenger； I passed through the Gap bythe skirts of the White Mountains； and crossed the Isen and the Greyflood intoNortherland。 A long and wearisome journey。 Four hundred leagues I reckoned it；
and it took me many months； for I lost my horse at Tharbad； at the fording ofthe Greyflood。 After that journey； and the road I have trodden with thispany； I do not much doubt that I shall find a way through Rohan； andFangorn too； if need be。'
‘Then I need say no more；' said Celeborn。 'But do not despise the lorethat has e down from distant years； for oft it may chance that old wiveskeep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know。'
Now Galadriel rose from the grass； and taking a cup from one of hermaidens she filled it with white mead and gave it to Celeborn。
'Now it is time to drink the cup of farewell；' she said。 ‘Drink； Lord ofthe Galadhrim！ And let not your heart be sad though night must follow noon；
and already our evening draweth nigh。'
Then she brought the cup to each of the pany； and bade them drink andfarewell。 But when they had drunk she manded them to sit again on thegrass； and chairs were set for her and for Celeborn。 Her maidens stood silentabout her； and a while she looked upon her guests。 At last she spoke again。
'We have drunk the cup of parting；' she said； ‘and the shadows fallbetween us。 But before you go； I have brought in my ship gifts which the Lordand Lady of the Galadhrim now offer you in memory of Lothlórien。' Then shecalled to each in turn。
‘Here is the gift of Celeborn and Galadriel to the leader of yourpany；' she said to Aragorn； and she gave him a sheath that had been made tofit his sword。 It was overlaid with a tracery of flowers and leaves wrought ofsilver and gold； and on it were set in elven runes formed of many gems thename Andúril and the lineage of the sword。
‘The blade that is drawn from this sheath shall not be stained or broken
even in defeat；' she said。 ‘But is there aught else that you desire of me atour parting？ For darkness will flow between us； and it may be that we shallnot meet again； unless it be far hence upon a road that has no returning。'
And Aragorn answered： 'Lady； you know all my desire； and long held inkeeping the only treasure that I seek。 Yet it is not yours to give me； even ifyou would； and only through darkness shall I e to it。'
‘Yet maybe this will lighten your heart；' said Galadriel； ‘for it wasleft in my care to be given to you； should you pass through this land。' Thenshe lifted from her lap a great stone of a clear green； set in a silver broochthat was wrought in the likeness of an eagle with outspread wings； and as sheheld it up the gem flashed like the sun shining through the leaves of spring。
‘This stone I gave to Celebrían my daughter； and she to hers； and now it esto you as a token of hope。 In this hour take the name that was foretold foryou； Elessar； the Elfstone of the house of Elendil！ '
Then Aragorn took the stone and pinned the brooch upon his breast； andthose who saw him wondered； for they had not marked before how tall and kinglyhe stood； and it seemed to them that many years of toil had fallen from hisshoulders。 ‘For the gifts that you have given me I thank you；' he said； 'OLady of Lórien of whom were sprung Celebrían and Arwen Evenstar。 What praisecould I say more？ '
The Lady bowed her head； and she turned then to Boromir； and to him shegave a belt of gold； and to Merry and Pippin she gave small silver belts； eachwith a clasp wrought like a golden flower。 To Legolas she gave a bow such asthe Galadhrim used； longer and stouter than the bows of Mirkwood； and strungwith a string of elf…hair。 With it went a quiver of arrows。
‘For you little gardener and lover of trees；' she said to Sam； ‘I have
only a small gift。' She put into his hand a little box of plain grey wood；
unadorned save for a single silver rune upon the lid。 ‘Here is set G forGaladriel；' she said； ‘but also it may stand for garden in your tongue。 Inthis box there is earth from my orchard； and such blessing as Galadriel hasstill to bestow is upon it。 It will not keep you on your road； nor defend youagainst any peril； but if you keep it and see your home again at last； thenperhaps it may reward you。 Though you should find all barren and laid waste；
there will be few gardens in Middle…earth that will bloom like your garden； ifyou sprinkle this earth there。 Then you may remember Galadriel； and catch aglimpse far off of Lórien； that you have seen only in our winter。 For ourspring and our summer are gone by； and they will never be seen on earth againsave in memory。'
Sam went red to the ears and muttered something inaudible； as he clutchedthe box and bowed as well as he could。
‘And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves？ ' said Galadriel turningto Gimli。
‘None； Lady；' answered Gimli。 ‘It is enough for me to have seen the Ladyof the Galadhrim； and to have heard her gentle words。'
‘Hear all ye Elves！ ' she cried to those about her。 ‘Let none say againthat Dwarves are grasping and ungracious！ Yet surely； Gimli son of Glóin； youdesire something that I could give？ Name it； I bid you！ You shall not be theonly guest without a gift。'
‘There is nothing； Lady Galadriel；' said Gimli； bowing low andstammering。 ‘Nothing； unless it might be – unless it is permitted to ask； nay；
to name a single strand of your hair； which surpasses the gold of the earth asthe stars surpass the gems of