"Welcome to Lorien! Lorien is probably the most beautifull place in the whole of Middle-Earth. It is the home of Celebrant and the Lady Galadriel. It was Galadriel that gave the name Lorien as a reminescence of the Gardens of Irmo in Valinor. The Noldor also called it Laurelindórenan, valley of the singing gold. Another name is Lothlórien, blossoming dream-garden. All of these names are inspired by the golden-yellow blossoms of the Mallorn trees, which Galadriel is said to have planted there. Galadriel used the power of her elven ring, Nenya, to guard Lorien against all evil and to keep it a beautifull place of peace. The elves who live in Lorien live in flets in the tree-tops. Celebrant and Galadriel live in Caras Galadhon, the Tree City of the Galadhrim. After the loss of Gandalf, the Fellowship made their way to Caras Galadhon blindfolded and led by Haldir the elf. There they met Celebrant and the Lady Galadriel."


The Lady Galadriel

The Fellowship of the Ring stayed for quite some time in Lorien to rest and grieve for the loss of Gandalf. During their stay Sam and Frodo were offered to take a look in the Mirror of Galadriel. They accepted and the mirror showed them events in the distant future. They saw visions that shocked them and for which they did not have the right interpretation yet. Galadriel also had to pass the test when she was offered the One Ring by Frodo. She could have claimed all power for herself but she was strong enough not to accept the Ring and to accept her faith. Without Gandalf as their leader the Fellowship did not exactly know where they had to go from here. It was Celebrant who advised them to take boats to travel further to the south."

Farewell to Lorien

As the Fellowship was about to leave Lorien, the Lady Galadriel and Celebrant came in their Swan-ship to say their final words. The Fellowship received many gifts that would prove vital for the success of their quest. They each got Elven hoods and cloaks that made them nearly invisible. Galadriel gave a sheath for Anduril to Aragorn and a broach with a large green stone. To Boromir she gave a golden belt, and she gave small silver belts to Merry and Pippin. Legolas received a bow of the Galadhrim and a quiver of arrows. To Sam she gave a box with seeds from Lorien. Gimli the Dwarf had grown very fond of Lorien and the Lady Galadriel and when she asked him what he wanted, he asked and received a single strand of her hair. To Frodo she gave the most special gift: a phial that held the light of Earendil's star. Then finally they said good-bye and the Fellowship left in their boats."