"Gandalf, my dear friend, please take a seat," spoke Galadriel as the wizard stepped into the meeting place to seek council.
"I am troubled," Gandalf did admit, his head bowed in shame.
"Please, speak of your woes," spoke Galadriel, concern in her features.
"I fear an old demon has arisen in my heart," he whispered as he took a seat. "It has haunted me for many a long year, never more so than now."
"You staff and your greater power protects you from such torments, do they not?" queried Galadriel.
"My staff is my downfall," replied Gandalf with the slightest of smiles. "For the demon is my thoughts and my staff is only sometimes wood."
Galadriel raised her eyebrow as the meaning behind the cryptic words revealed itself to her. "I see," she spoke with a gleam in her eyes. "You are burdened with attraction."
Gandalf sighed.
"Indeed, I am," he replied. "I have tried to resist these thoughts, yet the convenience of such a situation keeps the allure strong."
"Please tell me more," spoke Galadriel, leaning forward in her chair.
Gandalf moved uncomfortably in his chair before settling and speaking again.
"I have for many years favoured the company of Hobbits. I have spent wonderful times in Hobbiton, especially surrounded by the Bagginses. And now, of course, upon this journey I have the pleasing company of not one but four Hobbits!" He sighed loud in frustration. "It is almost too much to bear!"
"What is your concern?" asked Galadriel, still missing the trouble behind the words.
Gandalf settled again, this time eyeing the ground as he made his admission. "It is their height."
"Their height?"
"Yes, indeed, their height," confirmed Gandalf. Rising from his seat, he began pacing the ground, caught in his thoughts. "Their stature is so...convenient. Their heads reach just to the right height. Many times in Bag End before this journey began did I encounter groin moments with my dear friend Bilbo." He stopped his pacing to stare Galadriel full in the face. "And now, upon this journey do my troubles haunt me again. I am surrounded by Hobbits! And even a dwarf, were that not enough! I find myself turning suddenly when they walk behind so one will knock into my larger manhood. Or I wish to carry their slight bodies in my arms, so friendly a bundle they are. Gimli I resist easier for he is not so willing and open in his love for me. The Hobbits are the most of my demons, for they are so pleasing. Many a night have I wished to attach all four around me; two for my chest and back, and two for my legs - front and back. I have thought of it much!"
"A fetish for those of short stature, you would say?" summed Galadriel.
Gandalf nodded his acceptance of her words. "Indeed. It is causing me troubles above even the wants I have already mentioned. I am finding injury a close companion too."
"How is this so?"
Gandalf tinted red to his cheeks. "I find my eyes focused down so often that I do not see the dangers above," he replied, reaching to his forehead to touch a lump which he had gained from a low-hanging tree branch earlier that day.
"I see," replied Galadriel with a smile.
"I need your council," admitted Gandalf. "I see no relief from my troubles and my mind is becoming increasingly distracted from the quest at hand."
There was barely a pause before Galadriel made her decision and spoke again.
"It is simple to my mind to form the solution to your problem. I do suggest you follow the course of action I do speak of now. First, seek the company of young Frodo, for it is he I plainly see has the most want of your lap to rest his head. Approach with all the wisdom of your aged years and speak long of your days of times before his birth. I see this clearly is the opening to his heart. You must trust me with this."
Gandalf nodded, confusion slight in his eyes. "I agree to this."
"The next step is easy," continued Galadriel. "For where Frodo walks does Sam follow. To gain one should indeed gain the other."
Gandalf nodded, seeing the logic behind these words.
"And lastly," spoke the elf, "strange though my words might seem, I have a different path for you to follow for young Merry and Pippin. They come as a pair, and to this end you will do well to approach them with the love a grandfather might have for his young grandchildren. They will respond well, I do suspect."
Gandalf nodded. "They must miss their families much, to want the loving purity of a comforting grandfather."
Galadriel had a glint to her eye as she replied. "Indeed maybe that is one reason, if it is the reason you choose."
Gandalf sighed as he rose from his chair.
"I thank you deeply, kind Galadriel," he spoke, leaning forward to rest one aged limb on her shoulder in friendship. "You have eased my suffering and my mind is lessened of the burden it has carried for far too long. I will do as your words guide."
Stepping lightly from the meeting place, he was soon gone from sight.
Galadriel smiled, for with each meeting her own mind was lightened in its burden. It was the burden of worry that she might lose her tally with Celeborn, yet by now she was certain that this worry would soon no longer concern her. Her council was sought and her victory was in reach. She thanked her inner guidance for it was that which directed not only herself but also the hearts of those who came to see her.
THE END.