Today in Middle-earth: February 16

Farewell to Lórien by Ted Nasmith

On this day in the year 3019 of the Third Age, the Fellowship departs Lothlorien. Celeborn provides them with boats, and they are also given several other gifts by the Lord and Lady:

Legolas is given a bow and arrows; Aragorn receives a sheath for Anduril and the Elfstone (an heirloom of the Lady's house); Merry and Pippin receive silver belts with a clasp in the shape of a golden flower; Boromir receives a belt of gold; Samwise receives a small box containing earth from the Lady's orchard and a single mallorn nut. Gimli asks for a single strand of the Lady's hair, but she gives him three. To Frodo, she gives a phial filled with water from her mirror which contains light from the star Eärendil.

Gollum, hiding along the banks, observes the Fellowship's departure.