The Tale of Anwyn, Part Five: Mirkwood

1

"My lord," said an Elven guard, "there is a lady here who says she is the woman who is promised to Legolas."2

Thranduil raised an eyebrow. "Bring her," he commanded.3

The guard bowed his head and went out to the hall, returning with Anwyn.4

"What is your name, my lady?" asked Thranduil, marveling at the beauty of the woman who stood before him.5

"I have many names," she began. "Once, I was known as Anwyn of Thandor. Now I am called Anwyn Silmarwen of Imladris, Daughter of the Stars, Tinúelena of Lothlórien, Lady of the Starlight, daughter of Men, kindred to Elves."6

"So you are the Starlit Lady," Thranduil said. "Yes, word has reached me that you are betrothed to my son. Arwen has told me much about you." He smiled. "Come, sit. Let me hear your tales."7

She obeyed, taking the throne nearest Thranduil. "Arwen Undomiel was here?"8

"Yes," he replied, "paying her last visit before sailing away to the Undying Lands."9

Anwyn was in shock. "Arwen is leaving Middle-Earth?"10

"She, and much of her kin," Thranduil answered. 11

Anwyn looked down at her hands lying in her lap. "The Evenstar has lost hope," she said softly. "Vanya sulie, mellonamin."12

"You were close to her, I see," said Thranduil.13

"I was," Anwyn replied. "But we have more important matters to discuss, my lord. The Lady Galadriel has sent me here to warn you that Saruman is sending a party of Uruk-hai to destroy the Woodland Realm."14

"How would she... ahh, the lost seeing-stones," Thranduil mused. "Galadriel must be in possession of a palantir."15

"She sees many things, my lord, even unaided."16

"Yes... the Lady of the Wood is wise. And I trust that what she tells is true." He rose, fixing his gaze on the guard standing at the door. "Maidhion. Find Valandil, and tell him to prepare for war."17

Maidhion bowed his head. "Yes, my lord."18

"And Anwyn, my daughter; I shall have you shown to Legolas' chambers. As Mirkwood is home to Legolas, let it be home to you. You are a princess of the Woodland Realm now." He rose. "I must now go speak with my general. If you'll excuse me."19

Anwyn nodded, and as Thranduil left, a handmaiden came in to attend to her.20

"Vedui," greeted Anwyn. "Mani naa essa en lle?"21

The handmaiden bowed her head. "Lomewen, arwen en amin."22

"Lomewen," repeated Anwyn.23

"Yes, my lady. I am here to take you to your chambers." She picked up the small bag that Anwyn had dropped beside the throne in her hurry to speak to Thranduil. "Come."24

Anwyn followed Lomewen down a long hallway until they came to a wall of smooth, polished grey stone with a rounded door of glossy white marble. There was an intricate carving of a tree on the door, and above the door, in shining white letters, it read: "MELA ~ NOSSE ~ KAANE ~ ESKADOR." Lomewen opened the door. "After you, my lady."25

Upon stepping inside, Anwyn gasped. She was standing in the living quarters, a room lit with several candle-lamps and wall sconces that Lomewen was busy lighting. Etched mirrors and beautiful art adorned the walls, and in the very center of the room, ivy wound itself around four white marble pillars that made a square for a bed of tiny white and pale pink flowers. In the center of the flowerbed rose a gray fountain, spilling calm water over three tiers. Past that was a set of three marble archways, graced with sheer white curtains that were tied back to give a view of the terrace. Enchanted, Anwyn stepped out onto the terrace. The back part of it was covered by a half-dome of intricately carved marble. A divan with two curved arms and no back sat under the canopy, a sign of rest among the leaves that were skittering across the stone in the gentle breeze. She rested her hands on the railing, looking out into the forest. There was a courtyard cut into the tall, dark trees, scattered with white and gold flowers and a bubbling stream that wound through the grass and out into the trees. A fountain that matched the one in the center of the living quarters stood as the centerpiece, only this one was larger and held a shining white gem in the center. 26

"Is that..." Anwyn trailed off, looking back at Lomewen, who had joined her on the balcony.27

"A Silmaril?" finished the handmaiden. "No, it is not. This gem is the Shaeleuthil. It was wrought by Melian as a gift for her nephew's wedding. Galadhon passed it on to his son Celeborn at his wedding to Galadriel, and they gifted it to Celebrian at her wedding to Elrond. But after Celebrian passed into the West, Elrond could not bear to keep it in Imladris, and Celeborn could not bear to keep it in Lothlórien; so it was presented to Thranduil, so that it would remain among the Elves. Thranduil set it in the Ektele en' Lina until the day came when Elrond could take it across the Sea to Celebrian or until he could pass it to one of his children."28

"The Fountain of Song," Anwyn repeated, in the Common Speech. "Why is it called that?"29

Lomewen only smiled. "Sing," she said.30

So Anwyn sang the verse she had written for Legolas back in Rivendell. "Cormamin lindua ele lle, melamin31

Taur'quessir, me'a e' tumba huine32

Amin harmuva onalle e' cormamin...33

Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva,34

Cormamin niuve tenna' lye omentuva."35

It was silent for a second after Anwyn's song. Then the gem lit up with a brilliant light, and from the fountain came the most magical music that Anwyn had ever heard; it seemed to fill the whole forest with light for a brief, shining moment. 36

"That's amazing," Anwyn breathed.37

"Some say this kingdom is lost," Lomewen began, "that we dwell in a wood that is haunted by remnants of the Necromancer. But the sunlight still finds places to stream in through the leaves, and someday, when Sauron is defeated, there will be no more fear." She smiled at Anwyn. "I know that you and Legolas will bring light to this dim place." She paused. "Is there anything else I can do for you, my lady?"38

Anwyn shook her head. "No. Thank you, Lomewen."39

Lomewen bowed her head. "The tailors will be here shortly. Thranduil has ordered for dresses to be made for you." She bowed her head again, and left.40

Intent on exploring, Anwyn went back inside the chamber, pushed aside the sheer white curtain in the archway to her right, descended three shallow stairs, and found herself in the bedroom. A huge four-poster bed sat against the left wall, graced with white curtains of the same material that covered the door. It had a white headboard carved with Elvish designs and quilts and sheets of a fabric so soft and so smooth that it felt like silken fog. Sconces and a chandelier added light to the room. On the wall opposite the bed, a bay window was set into the wall, framed by the flowing white fabric that was so prevalent in the room. A curtain of ivy hung in the corner; curious, Anwyn pushed it aside to find cascades of the green leaves climbing up the gray stone acting as a backdrop for a pool of water that sat three steps down into the floor. Iron candlesticks-- some taller, some shorter-- stood surrounding the back of the pool. 41

Breathless with the beauty of it all, she passed through the ivy curtain again and went to the mirror that stood in the opposite corner. Her reflection looked her in the eye; her face was scratched, her hair knotted, her shirt torn. She had dwelt in three lands, been a mortal and an Elf, and now, finally, she was home.42