01x01 - Shadow of the Past

[bunniefuu]

Nothing is evil in the beginning.

Here! Over here!

And there was a time when
the world was so young,

there had not yet been a sunrise.

But even then there was light.

Well, is it finished yet?

Even you couldn't possibly
believe that old scrap will float.

It's not going to float.

It's going to sail.

Stop!

No, don't!

Stop, you'll break it!

Stop! Don't!

- Come on.
- Stop, you're breaking it! Stop!

I told you it wouldn't float.

Get off me!

Lose your footing again, Galadriel?

It was a good ship, sister.

I made it just as you taught me.

Do you know why a ship
floats and a stone cannot?

Because the stone sees only downward.

The darkness of the water
is vast and irresistible.

The ship feels the darkness as well,

striving moment by moment to
master her and pull her under.

But the ship has a secret.

For unlike the stone, her
gaze is not downward but up.

Fixed upon the light that guides her,

whispering of grander things
than darkness ever knew.

But sometimes the lights
shine just as brightly

reflected in the water
as they do in the sky.

It's hard to say which way
is up and which way is down.

How am I to know which lights to follow?

But that seems so simple.

The most important truths often are.

But you must learn to
discern them for yourself.

I won't always be here
to speak them to you.

You won't?

Come along. Mother
and Father are waiting.

We had no word for death.

For we thought our
joys would be unending.

We thought our light would never dim.

So when the Great Foe, Morgoth,

destroyed the very light of our home...

We resisted.

And a legion of Elves went to w*r.

We left Valinor, our home, and
journeyed to a distant realm.

One filled with untold perils and
strange creatures beyond count.

A place known as Middle-earth.

Valaron kalanen!

Firuvantë!

They said it would be over quickly,

but the w*r left Middle-earth in ruin.

And would last centuries.

Now, we learned many words for death.

In the end, Morgoth would be defeated.

But not before much sorrow.

For his Orcs had spread to
every corner of Middle-earth,

Multiplying ever greater

under the command of
his most devoted servant,

a cruel and cunning sorcerer.

They called him Sauron.

My brother vowed to seek
him out and destroy him.

But Sauron found him first

and marked his flesh with a symbol.

One whose meaning even our
wisest could not discern.

And there, in the darkness,

his vow became mine.

And so, we hunted.

To the ends of the
Earth we hunted Sauron.

But the trail grew thin.

Year gave way to year.

Century gave way to century.

And for many Elves,
the pain of those days

passed out of thought and mind.

More and more of our kind

began to believe that
Sauron was but a memory.

And the thr*at, at last, was ended.

I wish I could be one of them.

Commander Galadriel.

This company has followed you
to the very edge of the world.

But none who ever dared
search for this last stronghold

has ever found anything.

It's been years since
the last Orc was sighted.

Is it not possible the other commanders

are right and our enemy is no more?

Night is closing in.

How long can living flesh endure
where even sunlight fears to tread?

Perhaps we would be wise to camp here.

And tomorrow, begin the journey home.

We are losing the light.

Commander, wait!

No. We keep moving.

Galadriel, stop!

There's nothing out here. We
should have been there by now.

We are there.

This is it.

This is where the Orcs
gathered after Morgoth's defeat.

Far more must have escaped,
than we ever imagined.

My hand is past feeling.

No.

This place is so evil, our
torches give off no warmth.

This way.

How can you be certain?

It's colder than the rest.

A door was filled in here.

Bring it down.

What devilry is this?

These Orcs were meddling

with the powers of the Unseen World.

Some dark sorcery of old.

But what was their purpose?

Surely, it is lost to the ages now.

Whatever happened here was long ago.

Water.

Even stone cannot hide the mark

of one whose very hand
is flame unquenched.

He was here.

Sauron was here.

Tell the others to rest while they can.

At sunrise we move on. We'll
take the search further north.

Further north?

This mark was left as a
trail for Orcs to follow.

The last time I saw
it was on my brother.

We must follow it.

The mark is centuries old.

Whoever left it could be long dead.

Or lying in wait, gathering strength,

perfecting whatever
dark art eluded him here.

We exceeded our orders months ago.

Surely we must first return home
to take counsel with the High King.

I promise you there is not
a soul amongst our company

who yearns for home more than I.

I can still feel the light
of the Trees on my face.

I can still see it.

And until we are certain

every trace of our
enemy is vanquished...

I can never return.

Snow-troll!

We should never have come in here.

We leave soon enough.

The order is given.

We march at first light.

Then you shall do so alone.

Something's wrong here. Nothing to hunt.

Wolves in every thicket.

Don't you think it's
the least bit strange?

World's strange.

If I let 'em pitch-kettle me,

I'd never get off me barstool.

Oi, oi!

Keep walkin'.

Why?

Looked like a badger. Maybe a fox.

More likely a Harfoot.

A Harfoot?

Ugh. Don't care to be seein' none,

but if you do, watch yourself.

Dangerous creatures they are.

You're making it up.

Come on. Rattle your dags!

Let's just get to the
lake before sundown.

Huh? Huh.

Clear and clear.

Nori!

Nori!

Nori!

Nori!

Travelers? At this time of year?

It's an omen, I warrant ya.

- Mmm-hmm. Bad one. As bad as they come.
- Easy, Malva.

The last time we had travelers
this early, it was the Great Frost.

And there's no misremembering
how bleak a season that was.

More than likely they
just got lost, that's it.

Has to be the reason.

You're gonna spoil dinner.

I've looked high and low again.

The wee ones are still out there.

They'll be fine, Goldie.

Nori's with them. You know Nori.

Yes. I do.

Can we turn back now?

There's things out
here that could k*ll us.

Hundred-eleven if you
count you worrying to death.

You know the rules. We're not
supposed to be out this far.

Don't be... If we didn't do
everything we weren't supposed to,

we'd hardly do anything at all.

Me first!

Go on, now. Watch the puddle.

Watch your head.

This way!

Nori!

- I'm stuck.
- I've got you.

It's...

Nori! Ow!

Enchanting.

Come on.

Can we turn back now?

- Oh, but you haven't even seen it yet.
- Seen what?

Good place for a hill-troll
to hide, if you ask me.

Oh, great glory and splendor.

Oh!

Nori!

Mmm.

Mmm.

Nori!

I found something.

There's something in the mud.

What is it?

It looks like a footsie.

A dog.

Just a dog. You know
how dogs love berries.

Is he going to eat our berries?

Not if he doesn't see us, he isn't.

Hey. Twos and hands,
everyone. Time to go.

- What's the big rush?
- Wolf.

You heard your sister. Time to go.

Go on, now. Come on.

First one back to camp gets
the first pie at Harvest Fest.

Let's go.

Remember, if anybody asks, we
were just out digging for snails.

"I Palannúmen... I Alfirimë Nóri...

Na metta avantë...

Home.

For centuries, they have
swept across crag and crevice,

washing away the last
remnants of our enemy.

Like a spring rain over the bones of a...

Dead animal."

"Spring rain over the bones of a..."

Herald Elrond.

At last.

Yes. It's almost as if
I didn't wish to be found.

What tidings?

The Council regrets to inform you

you won't be permitted to
attend the next session.

Elf-lords only.

Is there anything else?

Yes. Your friend has arrived.

She's here? Why didn't you say so?

For the ceremony.

Galadriel.

Elrond.

Lindon receives you with grace.

With grace, I am received.

I hear it's said that when you
cross over, you hear a song.

One whose memory we all carry.

And you are immersed in a light,

more intoxicating than any
sensation in all of Middle-earth.

When I was a child, it was
the only feeling I knew.

And look at you now.

Commander of the Northern
Armies. Warrior of the Wastelands.

I half expected you to
arrive caked in grime and mud.

This time, frostbite and troll blood.

And no army.

Tell me everything.

This mark's very existence
proves Sauron escaped.

He's still out there.

The question now is, where?

I intend to ask of the
King a fresh company.

- If he supplies enough to...
- You have only just arrived.

Must you speak of leaving again so soon?

You know very well why I must.

There will be ample time later
to discuss official matters.

I want to hear about you.

Your harrowing journey.

Why, Elrond.

You really have become a politician.

You make it sound so grim.

I am not some courtier to
be placated by idle flattery.

I demand to speak
with the King directly.

You have made that plain.

So I will be equally plain.

It was not your company
who defied you out there,

but rather you who defied the High King,

by refusing to heed any
limit placed upon you.

In an act of magnanimity,

he has chosen to honor
your accomplishments...

Rather than dwell upon your insolence.

Test him again

and you may find him less
receptive than you might have hoped.

Are you going to arrange
an audience or not?

If after the ceremony
that is still your wish,

you shall have it.

Ah. She has returned.

- How fare thee?
- Well and well, Father.

And look at her!

You found all that down
by the river bank, did you?

Mm-hmm.

Did you hear about the travelers?

- Travelers?
- Mm-hmm. Hunters.

Two of them.

Big as great boulders.

Right up on that ridge.

I can't believe I missed them.

Maybe you ought to stick closer to home,

that way you don't miss anything, hmm?

You went to the old farm again.

Didn't you?

I was careful.

But the children might not be.

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

We never get hunters up
here before the harvest.

- Mmm.
- Or wolves.

I wonder if there's trouble down south.

And what concern is that
of yours, Elanor Brandyfoot?

Haven't you ever wondered...

What else is out there?

How far the river flows

or where the sparrows learn the
new songs they sing in spring?

I can't help but feel
there's wonders in this world.

Beyond our wanderin'.

I've told you.

Countless times.

Elves have forests to protect.

Dwarves, their mines.
Men, their fields of grain.

Even trees have to worry about
the soil beneath their roots.

But we Harfoots are free from
the worries of the wide world.

We are but ripples in
a long, long stream.

Our paths set by the passing seasons.

Nobody goes off trail
and nobody walks alone.

We have each other. We're safe.

That is how we survive.

Go on. Help your father.

That's your problem. You see,
a wheel's supposed to be round.

These most valiant of warriors

kneel here before us, victorious.

For though Morgoth fell an Age ago,

some feared a new evil
might arise from his shadow.

So for centuries now,

these soldiers have swept
across crag and crevice,

washing away the last
remnants of our enemy

like a spring rain over the
bones of a spoilt carcass.

And now, at last,

they return to us in triumph,

for they have proven beyond any doubt

that our days of w*r are over.

Today...

Our days of peace begin.

And as a measure of our gratitude,

these heroes shall be granted an honor

unrivaled in all our lore.

They will be escorted to the Grey Havens

and granted passage across the
sea to dwell for all eternity

in the Blessed Realm, the Far West.

The Undying Lands of Valinor.

At last, they are going home.

Are you just going to stand
there, breathing like an Orc?

It is said the wine
of victory is sweetest

for those in whose bitter
trials it has fermented.

I do not feel victorious.

You deserve the honors of this day.

Your brother would be proud.

I remember when the first
of these were carved.

The likeness of one fallen,
preserved upon a living thing.

I suppose some part of me always
believed my rest would be here,

with them.

But instead, I am to leave them.

This is the gift of your king.

A gift I have decided to refuse.

Galadriel, you...

My brother gave his life hunting Sauron.

His task is now mine.

I go to seek the enemy that
escaped us in the north.

Alone, if I must.

Ah, yes. Your mystery sigil.

I shared it with the High King.

- Then why would...
- Because seeing a sigil

does not mean you're any
closer to finding Sauron.

It is over. The evil is gone.

Then why is it not gone from in here?

After all you have endured...

It is only natural to feel conflicted.

Conflicted?

I am grateful you have
not known evil as I have.

But you have not seen what I have seen.

I've seen my share.

You have not seen what I have seen.

Evil does not sleep, Elrond.

It waits.

And in the moment of our complacency,

it blinds us.

Let us say that all is as you fear,

and this enemy is out there
somewhere, lying in wait.

Do you truly believe seeking
him out will satisfy you?

That one more Orc upon the point
of your blade will bring you peace?

- If you are wrong...
- I'm not wrong.

If you are wrong,

will you lead more Elves
to die in far-off lands?

To convince yourself
you have done enough,

how many more statues
would you add to this path?

No one in history has
ever refused the call.

Do so now, it may never come again.

You will linger here, an outcast,

poisoned in dark whispers and dreams.

And in the West, do you
think my fate would be better?

Where song would mock the
cries of battle in my ears?

You say I have won victory over
all the horrors of Middle-earth.

Yet you would leave them alive in me?

To take with me?

Undying, unchanging, unbreaking,

into the land of winterless spring?

Only in the Blessed Realm

can that which is
broken in you be healed.

Go there.

Go, and I promise you...

If but a whisper of a rumor of the
thr*at you perceive proves true,

I will not rest until it is put right.

You have fought long enough, Galadriel.

Put up your sword.

Without it, what am I to be?

What you have always been.

My friend.

Evenin'.

Caraes in three moves.

Hmm.

Ha!

Poisoned more likely.

Poisoned? By who?

For all we know, the onion-eyed
scut done it himself.

Arondir.

Has it really been a fortnight already?

It has.

Uh, very little to report
this go-round, I'm afraid.

A couple of shabby disputes,
a bit of uneven dice-handling.

And... Oh, yes!

Had a bit of a thrill
in here, Trewsday last.

Bit of a row over a girl.

His eye was lazy, hers
overactive, if you take my meaning.

Do you care for a drink, soldier?

Well, my well is yours, as ever.

And the poisoning?

What poisoning?

The one you were just discussing.

No, no, no, no...

It was but poisoned grass
he was twattlin' about.

A fellow passed through, said
his grazing's gone rotten.

That only weeds will grow.

This fellow, where was he from?

Didn't say. East, I think.

On what day was he here?

Oh, let it go, Kn*fe-ears.

It's a bloody patch of grass.

The lot you lump us in with
d*ed off a thousand years ago.

When are you people
gonna let the past go?

The past is with us all,
whether we like it or not.

One day, our true king will return.

And pry us right out from
under your pointy boots.

Easy, lad. Quench the fire now.

Come on, lad.

Will there be anythin' else then?

Give me your hand.

Hmm.

Alfirin seeds.

I've not seen this flower
since I was a child.

Where did you find these?

I had to trade with another
healer who was passing through.

We crush the petals to form a salve.

You crush them?

Gently.

Are there healers among your kind?

There are.

But we call them artificers.

Most wounds to our bodies
heal of their own accord,

so, it is their labor instead to
render hidden truths as works of beauty.

For beauty has great
power to heal the soul.

Then I hope you find
alfirin flowers beautiful.

Until next time, then.

Soldier.

Anything to report?

Nothing out of the ordinary.

And the well...

How was it?

Did you draw some water?

We are awaited at Ostirith.

Have you considered the
consequences I might face

if the Watchwarden were to discover
what it is that you're doing?

Afraid I don't take your meaning.

It's difficult enough
keeping watch over them

without having to keep
one eye squarely on you.

Or do you think me blind?

No. I think you talk too much.

And you smell of rotten leaves.

No, I don't.

Yes, you do.

My point is this. Only twice in known history

has a pairing between Elves
and humans even been attempted.

And on each occasion,
it ended in tragedy.

It ended in death.

You need not remind me.

Then why do you persist?

Give me one reason. One.

Arondir! Médhor!

The High King has declared
the days of w*r are over.

All the far outposts
are being disbanded.

We're leaving.

- Taking a last look?
- Mm-hmm.

Seventy-nine years I've
been stationed here.

I suppose I've grown accustomed to it.

Can you believe this place was
once a barren scrap of rock?

It has changed much, Watchwarden.

But the Men who live here have not.

The blood of those who stood with
Morgoth still darkens their veins.

That was long ago, Watchwarden.

What were you before the w*r?

A grower.

Then you shall be returning
home to far more than you left.

Honors, title.

Your life will begin anew.

But mark this, Arondir,

that for years, you've kept watch

over the men and women of Tirharad,

not because of what their
ancestors once did...

But because of who they still are.

And be grateful.

That you need never see them again.

Careful. That's fire-root
powder. You have to do it slowly.

Go any slower, I'll
be stuck here all day.

You're in a boil this morning.

Hardly slept. Mice were
dancing a proper jig

- under the floorboards.
- Again?

Last three nights.
Scratchin' and scrapin'.

What's one of them doing here?

I heard you were leaving.

We are.

Where's the rest of your company?

Most likely searching for
me at this very moment.

Then why are you at my home?

Say what you wish to say.

I have said it already.

A hundred times over,
in every way but words.

Mother.

There's a man here for you.

Mum.

You heal animals, too?

If you could just give her a look.

She's got some sort of a sickness.

What manner of sickness?

It isn't a fever.

And she doesn't appear
to have any sores.

Where has she been grazing?

Hmm. She wandered east a few days ago.

Think she might have ate something?

What was that, squirted out of her?

How far east?

She might've made it as far as Hordern.

Where are you going?

Hordern's a day's journey. If I
leave now, I can reach it by dusk.

I'm going with you.

Be quick about it.

He finds us in here,
he'll knock our teeth out.

Only spotted it by mistake.

Stepped on a lucky board.

So, tell me,

is it true? About your mum?

Is what true?

Heard Waldreg caught herself
and one of the pointies

mighty sweet back of
his well the other day.

Who told you that?

Everybody.

It's a lie.

Maybe that's why your
father run off like he done.

My father didn't run off.

Then what happened to him?

You don't even know, do you?

Salty rascal's got the
King's bounty down there.

This is the real bounty.

Watch it!

Go on, quick.

She has passed beyond my sight.

Galadriel was so certain
her search should continue.

We foresaw that if it had,

she might have inadvertently kept alive

the very evil she sought to defeat.

For the same wind that
seeks to blow out a fire

may also cause its spread.

Then the shadow she sought...

You believe it does exist?

Set your mind at peace about it.

What you did was right.

For Galadriel and for Middle-earth.

It's hard to see what is right...

When friendship and duty are mingled.

Such is the burden of those who lead

and those who would seek to.

Galadriel sails to the sunset.

You and I must look to the new sunrise.

To that end,

are you acquainted with the
work of Lord Celebrimbor?

The greatest of Elven-smiths, of course.

I've admired his artistry since
I was a child. Why do you ask?

He is about to embark on a new
project. One of singular importance.

And we've decided that you
will be working with him.

But I'll allow you to explain
the details, Lord Celebrimbor.

First the big people, now the stars.

Eyes open when they should be sleeping.

Almost like...

Like they're watching for something.

Watching for what?

A tongue-lashing, if you
don't mind your own cartwheels.

What is it? What do you see?

Elanor Brandyfoot,
with your father's nose,

and always poking it into trouble,

you are far too curious and
meddlesome to have been born a Harfoot.

Are you quite certain
you're not part squirrel?

Sadoc. Sadoc, please.

Tell me.

The skies are strange.

Strange.

Strange how?

Nori! Do you have that grease?

On my way.

How familiar are you with
the townsfolk of Hordern?

Very, I should hope. I was born there.

Why?

The people of Hordern were known
for having been especially strong

in their loyalty to Morgoth.

What did you just say?

The truth.

You're talking about my friends.

Close kin, I know them.
There are good people there.

That is why I'm here with you.

Instead of the Watchwarden.

Bronwyn.

You're the only kind touch I've
known all my days in this land.

Hordern.

Do you know why a ship
floats and a stone cannot?

Galadriel.

Give me your hand.

But sometimes the lights
shine just as brightly

reflected in the water
as they do in the sky.

How am I to know which lights to follow?

Sometimes we cannot know

until we have touched the darkness.

Galadriel!