The Tale of Anwyn, Part Four: The Golden Wood

1

Anwyn, Itarildë, Eruantien, and Meldarion arrived in Lothlórien in mid-Narvinye on the Elvish calendar. They were greeted by Orophin, a marchwarden of the Galadhrim. He led them to Caras Galadhon, where Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, both dressed in white and glowing with their own light, met the company.2

"So this is she whom the Elves of Rivendell have named Silmarwen," Galadriel pronounced. She closed her eyes, and it seemed to Anwyn that she was drawing knowledge from somewhere deep inside. She then stepped down and stood across from Anwyn. "I did not think it possible for a daughter of Men to possess the light of Elbereth, yet I can see her radiance within you." Galadriel smiled. "I can see that you possess a great strength, a great spirit, and a great love." And Anwyn was surprised, for she had heard tales of the Elf-Witch and her terrible power; however, now that she had met her, she perceived the Lady of the Wood to be kind and gentle.3

Then Celeborn spoke. "Tell us, who is in your ancestry that you are gifted with this radiance?"4

"I have been told all my life that only Men have been my forebears, my lord," Anwyn replied. 5

Galadriel looked long upon Anwyn's face, silent, and then raised her voice in song. 6

"A! Elbereth Gilthoniel!7

silivren penna míriel8

o menel aglar elenath,9

Gilthoniel, A! Elbereth!"10

"We have no doubt, now that you have come before us in your splendor." Galadriel reached for a glass filled with a red liquid that gleamed like rubies. "Here. Drink this, and join our kindred; for whoever drinks the Draught of Carnil will be granted the immortality of the Eldar." She held it out to Anwyn, and Anwyn put it to her lips. The draught tasted of strawberries, of cherries, of spring and light, of the purest kind of life imaginable: and Anwyn felt her life force being changed. She felt youthful and lovely, like light and the spirit of life itself.11

Galadriel smiled. "I have these for you as well," she said, and first held out a gleaming sword. "This is Ilmensil, the Sword of the Night Sky. It is made of mithril and ithildin, and will shine like the light of Eärendil in even the darkest of nights." 12

Anwyn took it. "Thank you," she said simply, for she knew not what else she could say.13

Then Galadriel held out her hand, and in it was a shining necklace. "And this is Elenmir, wrought by my own craft for you to wear around your neck, a token of your immortality. In the gem is captured the light of Elemmírë, one of the stars of Elbereth."14

Celeborn took up a silver circlet wrought with clear gems and a white gown, and handed them to Anwyn. "Welcome to Lórien, Lady Tinúelena, Daughter of the Stars. May this Wood be as your home, for as long as you choose to remain here."15

"You shall take rest now," said the Lady. "Your road has been long and hard. Take comfort in the solace of Lórien." She turned to leave, and two young Elf-maidens brought the company to their beds.16

That night, among the serene sound of running water from the fountains and the streams of the Wood, Anwyn heard voices. Unable to quell her curiosity, she got up and made her way to the clearing. Above her, where the thrones of Celeborn and Galadriel sat, the Lord and Lady were greeting a group of eight. A dwarf she could see, and four Halflings; two men there were, and an Elf also. A breath of air caught in her throat. Could it be? But she saw no wise wizard, and so she went back to her bed.17

She awoke later that same night to beautiful music-- the Elves were singing. She listened to the words, and recognized the song as a lament-- for Mithrandir, Gandalf, the Grey Pilgrim. And she cried out in anguish, mourning the loss that she never imagined. But now she knew that it was truly the Fellowship that had arrived in the Golden Wood, and so she took up her skirts in her hand and went running through Caras Galadhon, looking for Legolas.18

It was in a pavilion that Anwyn came across the Fellowship; there was Aragorn and Boromir, Frodo and Sam, Merry and Pippin and Gimli. Legolas was not with them, and Anwyn felt fear rise inside her. 19

"Lady Anwyn," a surprised Aragorn greeted her, bowing his head. "How is it that you are in Lórien?"20

"I came at the behest of Queen Galadriel," said Anwyn, "and now that I know the Fellowship is here, I am looking for Legolas. Please say he has not followed Gandalf into Shadow."21

"He has not, Lady," Aragorn replied. "He has only now taken his leave of us and went out to behold the beauty of the Golden Wood." 22

"Thank you, my lord." Anwyn quickly bowed her head and left the Company. She found Legolas wandering in a clearing circled by tall trees, among fountains of water and light.23

"'Quel undome," spoke Anwyn, and Legolas turned in surprise.24

"Ed' i'ear ar' elenea! Anwyn?" He was in disbelief. "You are arrayed in raiment of the Elves... your headdress is that of a highborn Elf. What's happened?"25

She smiled. "I am no longer Anwyn of Thandor. I am now Anwyn Silmarwen of Imladris, Daughter of the Stars, Tinúelena of Lothlórien, Lady of the Starlight, daughter of Men, kindred to Elves."26

Legolas returned her smile. "You have changed, my lady."27

"Only my home and my name has changed," replied Anwyn, and came closer to Legolas. "The person within me, and my love for you-- those things have remained unchanged."28

"Anwyn," whispered Legolas, and brought her to him for a kiss-- and the fountains' light became brighter, clearer.29

She smiled. "What is making all this light?"30

"Love," he replied, returning her smile. He reached for Anwyn's hands. "And you must hold fast to love, or you will fall into darkness. Hold fast to dreams. For we have been blessed with this short time together here in Lórien, but the road I have ahead of me is long and hard and lonely." He paused. "Galadriel warned me of this tonight. She said we must trust in each other, that we must have faith in order to survive. But we must part for now."31

Anwyn moved away from him and sat on a stone bench in front of a fountain, watching the overflowing water as it mirrored the light and spilled over onto the ground. The stars shone with sparkling clarity, contrasted beautifully against the night sky, just barely visible past the canopy of lush green leaves that hung overhead. For the longest time, nothing was said. 32

Then Anwyn broke the silence. "Do you remember that day in Rivendell when you set off with the Fellowship?"33

"Yes," came the answer.34

Tears sprung up in Anwyn's eyes. "Watching you leave me was the hardest thing I have had to endure. I did not want to part with you. Then, or now, or ever."35

"Nor I you," he told her, moving to sit near her. He looked deep into her eyes. "I would bind myself to you, Anwyn, without hesitation or failure. I would rather spend one lifetime with you than eternity alone." He paused. "I choose a mortal life," he declared, gazing intently at the lady who stood before him.36

"There is no need for you to give up your immortality," said Anwyn, pulling the Elenmir from beneath the folds of her dress. "I have the life of the Eldar now, gifted to me by the Lord and Lady of the Wood."37

"You are a vision," breathed Legolas. He brought his hand up to touch the gem Anwyn wore around her neck. "I still give you my vow, Lady, that I shall give myself to you with steadfast devotion."38

She met his gaze. "And I give you my vow that I shall give myself to you with unending love."39

And so it was that Legolas of the Woodland Realm and Anwyn Silmarwen made their pledge to each other; and amidst the fountains and streams of Lórien, Legolas took the Lady of the Starlight for his own.40

*~*41

Later that night, Anwyn nestled into Legolas' arms, letting her dress flutter in the gentle breeze.42

"I can hear the fountain," she whispered. "How does the light become the water?"43

"It's light from the moon and stars, enduring light captured by the Elves in past Ages." Legolas ran his fingers through Anwyn's hair, a gesture of love that was helping lull the princess to sleep.44

"Do you think Galadriel is a prophet? I don't know so much about the time to come," she murmured; and she was asleep.45

*~*46

The next morning, Anwyn awoke, entwined in the arms of her prince. She watched the sunlight, which was filtering through the leafy canopy in brilliant rays of gentle warmth. The water in the fountain sparkled in the dawn's lucence, and Anwyn quietly remained, taking in the beauty of this sanctuary.47

Legolas soon awoke, and seeing how comfortable and content Anwyn was, continued to hold her, staying silent so he did not disturb her serenity. Anwyn sensed that he was awake, and turned. "Morning," she murmured.48

"Morning," he replied, smiling down at her. She turned back to the sunlight, and they sat in silence for awhile longer.49

"They will be wondering where we are," Anwyn pointed out. "We should go." She made to arise, but Legolas did not move his arms. 50

"We should stay," he said.51

"They will all be worried," pressed Anwyn.52

"Our roads from here are both going to be lonely," Legolas said, then dropped his voice to a whisper. "Let's enjoy this peace together, just you and I."53

In her heart, Anwyn knew that she could stay there forever, so she relented. "Until they come to pull us apart," she replied, smiling up at Legolas with starlight in her eyes.54

*~*55

Just before the Fellowship departed, Anwyn sought out Galadriel.56

"Anwyn," Galadriel pronounced, before the princess could speak. "You wonder at my wisdom. For that is why you have come to me this morning, is it not?"57

"Yes," Anwyn replied.58

"What is it that you want to know?" she asked.59

"I want to know... I want to know what it is that I can do," Anwyn said tentatively.60

Galadriel closed her eyes, opened them again. "I see you want to join the Fellowship," she began. "That is not your road, my lady. Do not tell Legolas, for he will worry. But his father in Mirkwood is going to need help; Saruman is sending an army to destroy the Woodland Realm."61

Anwyn was hushed. "Oh, no."62

"You must go to Mirkwood," Galadriel told her. "Go to Thranduil. Tell him you are his son's betrothed. And help defend the country which is now yours."63

"But what can I do?"64

"You were a good soldier before," the Lady of the Wood replied. "You will be a great soldier now. Help them fight. Share with them your passion for country." She smiled. "And I have one last thing for you. When Gandalf passed, he left something to me, which I am going to pass on to you."65

What gift from Gandalf could Galadriel possibly think I am worthy of? wondered Anwyn.66

"Draw your sword," instructed Galadriel, and Anwyn did so. Galadriel closed her eyes and touched the tip; Anwyn watched in wonder as the sword glowed with golden light, then dimmed as Galadriel took her fingers away. "You now have the power to wield the flame of Anor, young Tinúelena. You will face much darkness, and you must defend yourself and your people."67

Legolas then stepped into the clearing. "Pardon me, Lady," he said, bowing his head. "I just wished to bid Anwyn farewell one last time."68

Galadriel smiled. "I was hoping you would be here. Come, join your hands."69

Smiling, they did so.70

"I give to you both the blessing of Lórien." She gave them two rings, which they slipped onto each other's fingers. "Hold fast to love, for it will keep you breathing along the way. And do not give in to fear. You shall be together again."71