A Time To Forget

While those in the clearing were trying come to terms with what they had just witnessed, the puppy had already entered the forest that surrounded the clearing.

Running on instinct alone and at full tilt it tried to find somewhere to hide away afraid of being hurt by those beings. However not used to being in a much smaller form with four legs instead of two, Calenuir didn’t take long to get tangled up in the normally easy to travel through undergrowth. Unfortunately for him the lush undergrowth also hid some of the magnificent trees roots and he managed to place one paw in a deep hollow between the roots causing him to twist the paw when it went further down than he had been expecting and it left him whimpering in pain.

It didn't take long for his whimpering to attract the attention of one very concerned hobbit, who arrived beside the distressed puppy in what seemed like no time.
Sam reached out slowly and placed his hand in front of the pup's nose so that the small canine could smell his scent and when he was sure Calenuir had accepted him he carefully inched his hand to the pup's head and began to gently stroke the black silky coat.

"There now, Calenuir, I know you're scared but you have nothing to fear from me. You just got a little overwhelmed is all and that's all right, I have to admit I was overwhelmed a bit too when I first met some of the others in the fellowship, especially Boromir. I know he seems a bit suspicious, but he's a soldier and he is just looking out for us, I guess"

As Sam continued to speak, the stroking had clearly been calming Calenuir and the whimpering had decreased considerably.

"Now then, little one, will you let me see what you have gone and done to yourself?"

With that he gingerly moved his hands over his new friends' small body and was rewarded with a small yelp when it came to the front right paw.

"It’s all right Calenuir, I know just how to fix this, me old gaffer showed me how, said I seemed to have a natural ability with animals and plants, especially tending the young ones."

It was just then that there was a gentle clearing of a throat from behind them, then a melodic female voice spoke, "Samwise Gamgee, your purity of heart will serve you well in the times to come and I have seen that it will be instrumental in helping Calenuir come to grips with his fear. He needs another friend in this world who he can trust, besides Legolas. You too must also learn to trust the others in the fellowship to take care of Frodo's needs instead of you, for a short time. Are you able to do this my young gardener?"

Sam was shocked when he turned to find the Lady of the Golden Wood herself who was addressing him and even more shocked when her words started to sink in. It had never occurred to him that anyone else but him could take care of his Mr. Frodo, he had always been there for Frodo as long as could remember in fact. Still, they were in the safest place they could possibly be, after all, what with the fellowship and the whole of Lothlorien to protect his master, surely it would be all right to take a little time to help Calenuir.

So despite the fact that he was only a humble gardener and he wasn't sure how he was going to help, he knew in his heart that he could not turn his back on the young pup he had already become attached to.

Sam sighed before replying, "I'll do my best my lady, is there somewhere quiet I can take Calenuir to tend to his hurts and let him eat and rest?"

Galadriel smiled that knowing smile of hers, "Of course, I have a place prepared for you both, if you would follow me."

On that note Sam turned back to his new charge and carefully lifted him out of the depression in the ground and into his arms making sure not to jostle the already tender little paw.

With Calenuir snuggling safely into his chest, the kindly hobbit turned to follow The Lady of Light, he had a sudden thought, "My Lady, what about the others especially Legolas and Frodo, they will be worrying about what has become of us?"

"Fear not, my young friend I will make sure they are informed" came the softly spoken reply.
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Meanwhile back at the clearing, Legolas glared at Boromir, "Do you realize what you have done, human? It has taken me all this time to gain Calenuir's trust enough to bring him out of the dispirited state he was in when last we were all together. Indeed, I have every reason to believe he witnessed the death of some one very dear to him quite recently. I believe it safe to say that most of us here have had a simlar experience, so I don't think that we could begrudge the boy his grief, no matter what form it takes.

Finally, Aragorn, did I not inform you before we parted company that the only danger he presented was not to us but to himself?" Legolas finished his imperious tirade, sounding just like the royal prince he was.

The ranger was surprised by the tone as Legolas hated to show that side of him, preferring to let his actions speak for him rather than his rank. Still Legolas was right, so, "Aye Legolas, that you did and now it makes sense given what you have just revealed to us, although you must admit that grief can regretfully sometimes drive one to take more drastic action than one would normally. You have been in a command position and you know that you must put the safety of those under your command first if you perceive any danger, even from some one as obviously innocent as your friend."

Aragorn turned to Gimli and Boromir and fixed both with a peremptory look which suggested that he had done his duty as their leader and would expect this to be the end of the objections.

"But let me make myself clear, I do not believe it was necessary to continue to perceive Calenuir as a danger since The Lady Galadriel herself allowed the lad within the borders of Lothlorien and the elves of Lothlorien are more than capable of dealing with any type of threat in their own home.

Now, Legolas, Boromir and Gimli do not know you as well as I do, so it is understandable they may not have been quite as willing as myself to rely on your words alone, but I have no doubt that they would not have wished to cause such distress to your friend. So let us have an end to this, so that we may proceed to the problem at hand, that of the missing Calenuir. Can we at least agree on that?

Everyone nodded and it was only as Aragorn looked around the fellowship that surrounded him that he realized that Sam was not amongst them.

[[“Legolas, do not worry about Calenuir or Sam, it has been revealed to me that it is Sam whom Calenuir needs to spend time with on this occasion to help our young friend.

For now reassure the rest of the fellowship and stay close to Frodo for he will miss Sam’s gentle coddling and reassurance.]]” With that the Golden Ladies’ voice was gone from his mind.


Legolas dutifully passed on the message although he remained concerned about how long it would take Calenuir to return to being the boy who had walked into Lothlorien less than an hour ago.