The Miror of Galadriel - As night falls, they arrive at Caras Galadhon, the city of the Galadhrim—the Elves who live in Lothlórien. Entering the great gates of the city, they come presently to a large tree and climb a ladder to a large platform, "like the deck of a great ship," on which a great house stands. In a chamber of the house, Galadriel and her husband Celeborn, the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien, greet them each by name. Celeborn and Galadriel ask why Gandalf is not with them and the Company shares the bad news of Gandalf's fall. The Lord and Lady say they will help Frodoin his quest, of which they are aware.

The Fellowship remains in Lothlórien for many days but eventually realizes they must leave and continue the quest. Both Frodo and Sam feel strongly that they must be on their way. As the two hobbits discuss this, Galadriel approaches and leads them to a spring next to which sits a silver basin on a pedestal. Filling the basin with water, she invites them to look into "the Mirror of Galadriel," which shows "things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be."

Sam sees "Frodo with a pale face lying fast asleep under a great dark cliff ... [and] himself going along a dim passage, and climbing an endless winding stair." Then he sees trouble happening in the Shire.

Frodo sees a "figure ... clothed not in grey but in white ... and in its hand there was a white staff." Then he sees Bilbo, back in Rivendell, and then flashes of scenes from the Ring's history—the "great history in which he had become involved." Finally, he sees a great Eye—the Eye of Sauron, which he knows is searching for him.

Galadriel reveals to Frodo she is the bearer of one of the Elven rings, and so the destruction of the One Ring will mean the destruction of all the good she has done with her ring's power. She tells Frodo, "if you fail, then we are laid bare to the Enemy. Yet if you succeed, then our power is diminished, and Lothlórien will fade, and the tides of Time will sweep it away."

Frodo offers her the One Ring, but she resists the temptation to take it.