The Tale of Anwyn, Part Six: The Battle Under The Trees

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"Gurth gothrim Tel'Quessir!" cried Thranduil. "Leithio i philinn!" 2

The Elves of Mirkwood that were lined on the ramparts of the Wall of Oropher shot arrows into the hordes of Orcs that growled ferociously at them as the beasts of Saruman charged at the soldiers on the ground. The Uruks that accompanied them shot a volley of arrows in retaliation; one arrow pierced Thranduil's armor, and he was carried into his dwelling. So soon, Anwyn thought. If they can so easily pierce the armor of the king, what can they do to us? Among battle cries and screams, the Elves whipped their curved blades into the front lines, slowing the rush of the enemy. 3

Anwyn was among the Elves on the ground. When Thranduil had shown reluctance to allow her to fight, Anwyn had pointed out that she was now half-Elven, a shield-maiden, and a resident of Mirkwood, who just happened to be engaged to his son. He relented, and allowed her to strap on her armor and join the fight. Seeing the giant beasts of Saruman had put fear into the heart of the princess, but with Ilmensil at her side, she regained confidence and was ready to defend her new home. 4

The Uruk-hai and the Orcs were making their way through the lines of Elves, and closer to Anwyn; she held Ilmensil in front of her, and a ray of sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of leaves and illuminated the tip of her sword. 5

"Caela ie'lle!" shrieked Anwyn, and thrust her blade through the chest of a charging Uruk-hai. 6

The battle raged: ruthless, relentless beasts against fiercely determined Elves. Anwyn found herself fighting beside a tall, muscular Elf, coolly wielding a blade in each hand and slicing Uruks down left and right. There was a growl behind her, and she was lifted off her feet by a snarling Orc. "This one's a princess," he growled to an Uruk-hai. 7

"We treat princesses no different," he replied, lifting his blade; just as he was about to strike, the Elf whom Anwyn had noticed before stuck him in the back and sliced off the head of the one holding Anwyn captive. But before she even had a chance to gasp out a 'hannon le,' an arrow breezed past Anwyn and struck him in the breast. 8

"Valandil!" cried an Elf, and turned on the Uruk that killed him in rage. 9

"Who was that?" Anwyn hollered at the nearest Elf. 10

"Our general," came an answer. 11

"Who's to lead us now?" 12

"The prince." 13

But Legolas was gone. And Anwyn knew what that meant. It was she who had to lead. She looked around; the Uruks were raising ladders, but the sharp-eyed archers of Mirkwood were shooting the ropes down. She had to think, and it was pointless for the Elves to waste themselves on the ground while she was formulating a battle plan; they had a much better chance behind the Wall. So she cried her first command: 14

"E'a i'annon!" 15

And the great doors opened, and soldiers flooded back into the defense of the Wall as a line of Elves fought off charging Uruks. 16

Once inside, Anwyn fled upstairs to Thranduil's chambers and burst in. "How is he?" 17

"Unconscious," replied one of the Elves attending to the king. "Where is Valandil, my lady?" 18

"Dead," replied the princess. "One of the soldiers told me Legolas is next in line to command." 19

"And in his absence, you are to command the army," said the Elf. 20

"Then let us assemble the lieutenants," Anwyn said. "I have a plan." 21

Shortly thereafter, Anwyn was standing in front of twelve lieutenants. "We will wait for night," she began, "when they will be the most vulnerable. I will--" 22

"Most vulnerable?" exclaimed Astalohtar. "Orcs thrive in the darkness." 23

"Let me finish," Anwyn said firmly. "We will wait for night, when they have set up camp and are not expecting attack. I will come out as a diversion with a company of ten soldiers. The twelve of you will lead the rest of the Elves in forcing the Uruks and the Orcs into the triangle of land that is surrounded by the Forest River, the Enchanted River, and the Narrow. You will come at them from the trees; you know this land better than they do. When you have forced them into the triangle, you shall set the ground afire. The ones that run into the river and make it across, you can shoot with arrows." 24

"That still leaves me wondering why they are vulnerable at night," Astalohtar pressed. 25

"Shut the windows," commanded Anwyn, and the two guards standing by did so. Anwyn drew Ilmensil and held it in front of her. "Aure hyanda!" she cried, and the sword became golden and glowing in the princess' hands. The room was flooded with sunlight. "Huine," she commanded, and the light faded. She looked straight at Astalohtar. "Does that answer your question?" 26

He bowed his head, humbled by the power that Anwyn wielded. "Yes, my lady." 27

And so as the king of Mirkwood lay unconscious and his son was leagues away, the people of Mirkwood looked to the woman who had been there not even four days. As the sun set, legions of Elves snuck out of the walls and into the trees, waiting for their princess to give the signal. And just as Astalohtar was about to charge on his own, the grand doors of the Wall of Oropher opened wide, and out stepped Anwyn, dressed in her armor with Ilmensil in a sheath on her hip, flanked by five soldiers on each side. 28

"It's the princess," growled an Orc, nudging one of his comrades. 29

The leader of the Uruks stood up and squinted. "What do you want, woman?" he snarled. 30

She stopped within firing range. "Your head," she spat, and drew Ilmensil. The blade was already glowing dimly, mirroring what little moonlight found its way through the trees. "Aure hyanda!" 31

A ripple of distressed cries rang out from the Orcs, and as they ran, the Elves came out from hiding and shot volleys of arrows, hitting many of the confused and upset beasts. The Uruk-hai, though not as affected by Anwyn's blinding light, were still disconcerted, and Anwyn saw this. "Aim for the Uruks!" she cried. "Aim for the Uruks!" 32

The Elves obeyed Anwyn's command, firing rapidly into the army, and began to drive them in the direction of the triangle of land Anwyn had spoken of. Several torches were lit as they approached the area, and as the Elven soldiers surrounded the enemy soldiers, they threw the torches into the midst of the Orcs. As Anwyn planned, the blaze was deadly to the Orcs, but destroyed none of the rest of the forest, as the rivers acted as a barrier. The Orcs that attempted to flee were slain, and at dawn, the Elves stood victorious. 33

*~* 34

Upon their return to the Wall of Oropher, the Elves were greeted by a conscious Thranduil at the gates. He went straight to Anwyn. 35

"Maidhion tells me that you are to thank for this victory," began the king. 36

"It was not me alone," Anwyn replied modestly. "Your soldiers fought bravely and wisely." 37

Thranduil smiled. "Come, my daughter, and tell me of your ingenuity." He offered an arm to Anwyn, and they went inside. 38

Huor, another of the lieutenants, stared in wonder after Anwyn. "Who is she?" he asked his comrade Angrod. "Where did she come from?" 39

"I do not know," replied Angrod. "But in my eyes, her name is Authiel, battle-maiden of Mirkwood." 40

*~* 41

"As we sit here tonight, free from Orcish scum, we have one person to thank," Thranduil was saying, standing at the head table, his glass raised in a toast. "I would like to dedicate this banquet to not only the victory in general, but to Anwyn Silmarwen of Imladris, Daughter of the Stars, Tinúelena of Lothlórien, Lady of the Starlight, daughter of Men, kindred to Elves, and the one who is promised to my son Legolas; for she is the one who took charge in our hour of need and devised a plan to defend this realm." He smiled down at Anwyn, who was seated to his left. "To Anwyn." 42

"To the Lady Anwyn," a chorus of voices repeated, and drank as the King sat. 43

Anwyn stood then, recognizing it to be her turn to speak. "Thank you for your kind words, my king, but victory belongs to the soldiers of Mirkwood. Without their bows and swords, I would have been nothing to the Orcs." She raised her glass. "To Mirkwood's warriors." 44

"Our warriors." 45

As Anwyn sat, Astalohtar, who had earlier been promoted to general, rose from his chair. "Lady Anwyn is too modest," he told the host of Elves. "She leaves out the fact that without her sword, without the Flame of Anor that she wields, without the plan she came up with, we would still be dying in front of the Wall. She has saved all of us, and shown unbelievable strength for a woman in battle. Therefore, to the twelve lieutenants who she commanded, she will always be known as Lady Authiel, the battle-maiden of Mirkwood." He raised his glass. "To Lady Authiel." 46

Angrod rose, raising his glass. "To Lady Authiel." 47

Huor followed. "Lady Authiel." 48

One by one, each lieutenant rose and lifted his glass to the princess who had saved the kingdom. After the last lieutenant had risen, King Thranduil stood. 49

"My lieutenants have named you, Authiel of Mirkwood. May you be strong in battle and healthy in life." He raised his glass. "In honor of the Lady, once again, let us drink." 50

*~* 51

After the banquet, Anwyn retired to her room, slipped into a nightgown, and went to sit on the cushion in the bay window. It was the first time since arriving in Mirkwood that she hadn't been worried about the battle, and so her mind was clear to think about other things. She was first filled with thoughts of Arwen. Has she boarded the ship to the West yet? thought Anwyn. How can she leave? Has she lost hope so easily? Then, thoughts gravitating toward Legolas, a tear rolled down her cheek. Where is he? What's happening to him? Is he in danger while I sit here in his place, waiting? 52

There was a knock at the door. Anwyn brushed the tear away and went to the door. "Lomewen," she greeted the handmaiden. 53

Lomewen bowed. "My lady. I came to see if you needed anything." 54

"No, Lomewen. Thank you." 55

"Are you alright?" Lomewen asked, seeing the redness in the princess' eyes. 56

Anwyn smiled weakly. "I'll be fine." 57

"My lady?" 58

Anwyn quietly went back to her window seat, trying to hold back her tears. "I just... I feel so alone," she whispered. "I left my family in Thandor. Arwen has left me for the Undying Lands. Legolas has left me for war. I'm in a strange realm, and all of a sudden I'm the hero for hundreds of people I do not know." She sniffled. "It's so hard." 59

Lomewen looked at her with sympathy. "My lady, I know you had to leave Arwen, and I'm sorry for that. But Legolas will return to you. I have faith in that. And if you need someone to talk to... you can always come to me." 60

"Thank you, Lomewen," Anwyn sighed. 61

Lomewen stood. "Quel esta," she said, then bowed and took her leave. 62

Anwyn watched her go, then climbed into bed and under the covers. She looked at the empty pillow next to her. "Quel kaima, a'maelamin," she whispered, and closed her eyes. 63

*~* 64

Anwyn stayed in Mirkwood for a time, wandering in the gardens, writing, and learning the ways of the Wood-elves. She made friends with Astalohtar and his wife Caladwen, and spent a great deal of time at their abode. Astalohtar also taught her the secrets of bowmanship, and as she was a quick learner, she swiftly became a talented archer. Lomewen became her new companion, and they put faith in each other, telling the stories of their lives, sharing hopes and dreams, laughing and singing together. But even with her new friends, Anwyn longed to see Arwen, Legolas, and even her father and Rohred at home. 65

She had become an Elf in the time she was in Mirkwood, in every sense. Galadriel's potion had not only given her eternal life, but turned her completely into an Elf; her ears had grown to gentle points, and she moved with grace and ease wherever she went. She felt the life of the Eldar within her, making her stronger, more tranquil, more intent on seeing the ones she loved again. And in the month of Sulime, she made her final decision. 66

*~* 67

"What do you mean, you're leaving?" Lomewen demanded. 68

"I have heard talk that there is a host of Elves and Men, which includes the Fellowship, marching on Morgul Vale," Anwyn said calmly. She had gathered Lomewen, Thranduil, Astalohtar, and Caladwen in her chamber to tell them of her departure. "I'm growing restless, and I feel useless. I cannot just sit here and do nothing." 69

"You have done your duty," Caladwen pronounced. "Stay here, and wait for Legolas." 70

"They march on Morgul Vale," Anwyn said. "Who knows... who knows if he will come back?" She was suppressing tears. "Please understand. I have to leave." 71

"Don't leave, my lady," Lomewen pleaded. "We need you here." 72

"No, Lomewen, you don't," Anwyn told her friend. "You got along fine without me. You'll be able to go on." There was silence for a moment after, as though they were beginning to grasp her need to leave. "You do understand, don't you?" 73

Astalohtar slowly nodded. "Yes, Anwyn, I see it. It is your path to fight at Morgul Vale." 74

"Astalohtar," Caladwen gently reproved. 75

"She must do this," Astalohtar told his wife. Then, to Anwyn: "Wait here. I have a gift for you." He ran out of the chamber. 76

"We'll miss you, daughter," Thranduil said. 77

Lomewen approached her, tears in her eyes. "You were my first quel mellon," she told Anwyn. "Please, take care of yourself." 78

Anwyn embraced her friend. "Everything will be alright," she reassured her. "I'll be fine." 79

"You shall have the fastest horse in Mirkwood," Thranduil decreed. "When you are ready, go to the stables, and I will see that Amrod has Meldon prepared to take you to Morgul Vale." 80

Astalohtar came back through the grand doors carrying a coat of mithril, which he presented to Anwyn. "A fitting gift for the Lady Authiel," he smiled. "May it protect you." 81

"Thank you, Astalohtar," Anwyn replied, taking the mithril. 82

"Do be careful, my lady," Caladwen cautioned. "I wish to see you in Mirkwood again." 83

"I will come back," Anwyn pledged. "And I will bring Mirkwood's prince with me." 84

*~* 85

And it was in this way that Lady Anwyn left Mirkwood, riding hard on the back of the fastest steed that Thranduil owned. It was, in fact, one of Legolas' horses, a lightning-fast, jet-black thoroughbred named Meldon. She survived on lembas and water day in and day out. During the long days, she thought of bringing hope back to Arwen, thought of showing her father and brother what she had become, thought of proudly returning after the battle to Lomewen and Astalohtar. However, she mostly thought of Legolas; she imagined being in his arms again and returning with him to Mirkwood. But everytime the good things ran through her head, she realized that the opposite could happen: Sauron could prevail and all that she had gained would be lost. And so she drove Meldon harder. She had to get to Morgul Vale.86