Before leaving Moria, Gimli asks for a moment to look in the lake of Mirrormere, a site that honors his ancestor, and Sam is so moved by the water’s reflection that he does not speak. Devastated by Gandalf’s death, the fellowship mournfully continues their journey through Lothlórien, the Golden Wood and home of Elves. Legolas is eager to meet his kin, but Boromir halts as rumors in Gondor consider the realm perilous. Aragorn chides him that only those who bring evil into the forest should worry. Frodo continues to hear footsteps and sees eyes looking back at him from the dark.

Legolas chants portions of the Song of Nimrodel, an ancient elf, and is greeted by Haldir of Lórien. He agrees to escort the Company to meet Lord Celeborn, the wisest of the Elves, and Lady Galadriel, but only under the condition that Gimli is blindfolded. Aragorn refuses to have the dwarf singled out and directs that they all be blindfolded, including Legolas. Haldir laments that the powers of evil have divided the peoples of Middle-earth and that Lórien has isolated itself even from the Elves in the North.