Caras Galadhon

Caras Galadhon, the City of the Galadhrim, is the central stronghold and dwelling-place of the Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel in the Elven realm of Lothlórien. It is not a city of stone but a living fortress of immense mallorn-trees, rising like a green cloud above the forest. Within its high walls, the Fellowship of the Ring found rest, healing, and counsel after their desperate flight from Moria, and it was here that the fate of their quest was weighed and their course set towards the future.

Description and Location

Caras Galadhon is situated on a green hill within the Naith of Lórien, the land that lies like a spearhead between the rivers Silverlode and Anduin. The city is encircled by a deep fosse and a great green wall, and within this enclosure, the mallorn-trees grow to an immense height, their branches laden with countless lights of green, gold, and silver. The city is entered through great gates that face southwest, and within, paths and stairs wind upwards through the trees to high platforms, or flets, where the Elves dwell. The central tree is the mightiest of all, and upon a high talan built around its bole is the chamber of Celeborn and Galadriel, a hall of oval shape with walls of green and silver and a roof of gold. The city is a place of profound peace and ancient power, where the light of the Elder Days still lingers.

The Fellowship's Arrival and Reception

The Fellowship, guided by Haldir, first glimpsed Caras Galadhon at dusk, seeing it as a hill thronged with mallorn-trees taller than any they had yet seen, their branches alive with countless lights. They entered the city through its southern gates and were led up many paths and stairs to the high places, where they were brought before Celeborn and Galadriel. The Lord and Lady, seated on chairs beneath the bole of the great mallorn, greeted each member of the Company by name. Celeborn welcomed Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, noting the long years since Aragorn had last visited and the rarity of seeing one of Durin's folk in Caras Galadhon. It was here that the Company learned of the fall of Gandalf, a revelation that caused great grief among the Elves. Galadriel, however, spoke of hope, stating that the quest stood upon the edge of a knife, but that hope remained while all the Company was true.

The Test of the Mirror and the Gift of the Phial

Within the confines of Caras Galadhon, Frodo and Sam were led by Galadriel to a secluded dell where the Mirror of Galadriel stood. There, Frodo was shown visions of the past, present, and future, including a glimpse of the Eye of Sauron, while Sam saw the Shire being ravaged. This experience deepened their understanding of the peril they faced. After this test, Galadriel revealed to Frodo that she was the keeper of Nenya, one of the Three Elven Rings, and she famously refused the temptation of the One Ring when Frodo offered it to her. As a parting gift, she gave Frodo a small crystal phial containing the light of Eärendil's star, a light to shine in dark places when all other lights go out. This gift, the Phial of Galadriel, would later prove crucial in the darkness of Shelob's Lair and at the gates of Mordor.

The Farewell and the Gifts of the Galadhrim

Before the Fellowship departed, they were summoned to the chamber of Celeborn for a final council. The Lord and Lady offered them boats for their journey down the Great River, a gift that comforted Aragorn by delaying the need to decide their final course. At the parting feast on the green grass of Egladil, Galadriel bestowed gifts upon each member of the Company. Aragorn received a sheath for Andúril and the Elfstone, a green gem that was a token of hope. Boromir was given a belt of gold, while Merry and Pippin received silver belts. Legolas was given a bow of the Galadhrim, and Sam a small box of earth from Galadriel's orchard. Gimli, in a moment of profound significance, asked for and received a single strand of Galadriel's hair, a gift that would become an heirloom of his house. As the Company departed in their boats, Galadriel sang a lament in the ancient Elven tongue, and the light of Lórien was hidden from them as the River swept them around a bend. Frodo never came again to that fair land.