The Apple and The Ring

"Darkness is temporary; dawn will always arrive, even if it's hidden by fog, bringing hope."

The young hobbits continued their journey. In due course, they managed to reach Rivendell, where a unique "Fellowship of the Ring" was formed. Ten brave beings. Five of this number were hobbits. We should start with the Ringbearer of the One Ring. Frodo Baggins. Gandalf the Grey became the head of the Fellowship. A wondrous Istari. Then, in descending order... Aragorn, son of Arathorn. One of the finest representatives of Men, chieftain of the Dúnedain. Boromir, son of Denethor. Also a representative of Men, being the heir of the Steward of Gondor. Legolas, son of Thranduil. A representative of the Elves from Mirkwood. Gimli, son of Glóin. A representative of the Dwarves from the Lonely Mountain. And then our beloved hobbits. Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, and... Melinora Farrow. Melinora managed to prove at Elrond's council that she was not just a hobbit lass. She was a warrior. And she was ready to go to the end to protect her friends and the whole world from the tragedy that the Ring would bring.

***

Caradhras. The very peak of the Misty Mountains. Snow fell so thick that they could no longer see each other. Only voices broke through the white haze: "Frodo?" Melinora called out in a trembling voice. "Here. Hold onto my cloak." The wind intensified. In such weather, hobbits would not survive. It was too great a risk for them. But Melinora, gathering her last strength, shouted: "Forward! There, ahead... I see something!" Through the blizzard, the silhouette of a tree emerged – not snow-covered, but green, with leaves shimmering in the darkness. It was like seeing the gates of paradise, a place you yearn to reach, even if it's distant and obscured. However, they were outnumbered when a fierce snowstorm struck, burying the entire Fellowship under the snow. It was a miracle when they broke free from the tenacious grip of the dense snow, which seemed to promise to take them with it, to drag them to the very bottom. Farrow was the last to be pulled out. She had gone too deep under the snow. Melinora shivered uncontrollably from the intense cold that pierced her to the very bones. This was not the best day. While everyone debated whether they should turn back... Farrow had already stood up, as if following the alluring tree. This made the entire Fellowship freeze, watching Melinora walk away. Exchanging glances, they decided to follow the young hobbitess. Frodo Baggins was the first (and seemingly the most devoted) to follow. He remembered that warm night in the inn, where she had first kissed his cheek. It was physically impossible to forget. ... The snow grew thicker, yet they continued to walk until the very end, where they were met not by snow, but by countless magnificent trees, beautifully arranged in rows. They were met by the wondrous Lothlórien. The Wood Elves, going about their work, glanced briefly at the newly arrived guests. However, no one dared to approach the strangers any closer. There was another group of Elves who did approach them. "You have come from the darkness," one of the Elves said, bowing his head. "But darkness must not follow you." An awkward silence hung in the air. The hobbits huddled together, pressing against each other like puppies. Melinora cautiously asked: "Will you help us?" The Elf smiled: "We do not wage wars. But we can offer respite and counsel." He looked them over, his gaze lingering only on Frodo and Melinora. "Come. Galadriel awaits." Galadriel. A completely unfamiliar name to many, yet... A very beautiful name for an Elf. Merry and Pippin exchanged glances, feeling ridiculously unneeded. They simultaneously pouted and looked back at them, following them with a dramatic gaze that held a certain resentment towards the two.

***

The two young hobbits met the Elf. Galadriel looked at Frodo. Her gaze seemed to penetrate to the very depths of his soul. "You bear a heavy burden," she said softly, sensing everything. "But you are not alone." Frodo subtly clutched the Ring in his pocket, as if trying to protect it. Many had tried to take the Ring, intoxicated by its power. And few resisted its enchantment. "It... it grows stronger." "The strength is not in the Ring," she replied. "It is in those who walk beside you." Here's the translation into English: Galadriel's gaze settled on Melinora. The hobbit girl shyly looked up at the tall, powerful elf from beneath her lashes, her hands clasped before her. As for Melinora... Noble elves had presented her with a tunic. Light, silvery-grey, made of elven fabric – it didn't wrinkle, didn't stain, and kept her warm in the cold. She decided to wear it over her dress. A cloak appeared... Elven, grey-green, with a leaf-shaped clasp. This cloak unusually changed its hue depending on its surroundings (darker in the forest, lighter on the plains). Aragorn gifted her boots. Leather, with soft soles. Moreover, they didn't squeak or slip, unlike her previous footwear. She quietly clutched a piece of elven lembas, wrapped in a leaf, in her pocket, which she had managed to save for later. She had already secretly eaten three pieces, despite Legolas's words that it was enough to satisfy one. Galadriel gently extended her hand, revealing in her palm a delicate silver pendant with a stone that shimmered like a star. "Take this. It will remind you that even in the darkest night, there is light." Melinora shyly examined the pendant, reaching for it. She hesitated, then finally took it. She looked at it, noticing how brightly it glowed. "...even in the darkest night, there is light," she repeated to herself in her mind, carefully placing the pendant around her neck. Frodo helped her almost immediately, lifting her hair. The hobbits' gazes met, then they turned away from each other like shy children. Galadriel smiled tenderly, seeing something more in these young hobbits. She felt the fluttering sensation of butterflies in their stomachs. She felt their hearts, which were bursting from their chests – longing to be together. ... They sat on the branches of a mallorn tree, wrapped in elven cloaks. Below, in the valley, mist swirled, and overhead, stars shone – brighter than ever. This day was beautiful in its own way. The stars whispered sweet tales to them, urging them to rest after their arduous journey, and the moon, casting its languid rays upon the world, which differed from the star they called the Sun by many. They are two opposites. The Moon and the Sun. Yet, they are close. The wondrous nature of planets and stars. Melinora touched the new pendant. It glowed softly in the darkness of wondrous Lothlórien, illuminating their silhouettes along with the moon. A very sweet sight. Many would think they were two peas in a pod. And why not, after all? "Now I believe," she whispered. Frodo looked at her, at the forest, at the stars. "In what?" he inquired. "Never mind," she continued, lowering her gaze. Baggins gazed into her eyes, as if searching for an answer to his question. Nothing. Only a certain hope shone in her eyes, though he couldn't guess what it was about. Looking up at the sky, he saw a shooting star. Frodo made his one wish, which he had carried with him from the very beginning. What was it? Unknown. Only Baggins himself knew what was going on in his head. A final thought flashed through Frodo's mind. "I am ready," the thought flickered. "I am definitely ready to give everything I have to go home with her." He didn't even realize he had completely forgotten about his friends, enveloped in the mist of her being. Melinora suddenly rose softly from her spot, straightening her shoulders. She sighed heavily, looking at Frodo. "Good night," she whispered to him finally, before disappearing behind the trees. "Night." It slipped from Frodo's lips unconsciously. It seemed that sitting under that moon, shrouded in mist and clouds, he had understood only one sensible thing.

***

"And even under the cover of night, their souls became closer than they realized. Many saw this, so there was no chance of convincing their friends otherwise..."