The Tale of Anwyn, Part Ten: Return To Thandor

1

To the people of Thandor who saw Anwyn and Legolas ride through the city of Cardhon one crisp morning, it was not a surprise that their long-lost princess had returned. The folk of her father's country knew how well Anwyn loved the realm of Thandor; the rolling hills, the swift rivers, the thatched brown houses, and especially the people that lived in them. However, they were surprised to see her on a jet-black horse, wearing a gown of shining white, the Elenmir at her throat, a clear jewel on her finger, and a beautiful Elven headdress. Some Thandorians even refused to believe it was her, noting the pointy ears and the fact that her companion on the snow-white horse was a noble Elf. Nevertheless, Anwyn greeted the stablehand, left him in charge of the horses, and went with Legolas to the Hall of Rhenion.2

A guard stopped them. "This is the house of the King," he said. "You must disarm yourselves and give me your names."3

"Rhûn, do you not recognize me?" Anwyn demanded.4

The guard searched her face. "Lady Anwyn? Is that you?"5

"I've come back," she said simply. "I wish to speak with my father."6

Rhûn was still quite surprised. "Of course, my lady." He swung the door open wide and held it for the Elves.7

The sight of her father and brother playing chess greeted her, and she smiled. "I have a message for you," she began, "from your daughter and sister."8

At once, Rohred's head snapped up, and he looked at the two figures standing at the far end of the hall. "Of Anwyn? Tell us! Come in!"9

Anwyn, with Legolas at her side, approached slowly. "She made it to Rivendell, Rohred, and she wants to thank you for the opportunity to fly." She stopped in front of her brother.10

"Anwyn?" he whispered in wonder. "It cannot be!" He saw her ears, and his face fell. "You're not. My sister was not an Elf."11

"No, the last time you saw her she was not an Elf," Anwyn began. "But her life force has changed."12

Rohred looked into her eyes then, and saw the face of his sister. "Anwyn! It is you!" He rose and embraced her. "And this is..."13

Anwyn beamed. "Father, brother, this is Legolas, son of Thranduil of the Woodland Realm. We met in Rivendell. There is much to tell, but..." She paused. "I have come to bring you back to Mirkwood, where Legolas and I are to be married."14

At this, Rohran started weeping. "Oh, Anwyn... oh, my daughter... what have I done?"15

"What do you...?" started Anwyn; but all her questions were answered when a pale-faced man stepped around the corner.16

"My lady," said Flanndred, smirking. "How good of you to return."17

Anwyn's eyes went from confused to worried, and she looked at Rohran, who was still weeping. "Father?"18

"I promised him your hand," Rohran began. "When you ran away, Flanndred accused me of sending you away to hide so the contract would not have to be honored. You know the penalty for this."19

"Death," whispered Anwyn, horrified.20

"I maintained that I did not bid you to leave," Rohran continued, "and since no one could find you and henceforth find out if you were indeed sent from Thandor, Flanndred and I spent long days arguing over how to solve the matter. We finally decided that Lord Denethor could be trusted to give us a fair decision. Of course, I figured that Denethor would rule in my favor, as Flanndred had betrayed him. But in his madness. Denethor decreed: "If ever the Lady Anwyn returns to Thandor or Gondor, she shall be wed to Flanndred, or Rohran of Thandor shall suffer death."21

"No!" shrieked Anwyn.22

Flanndred approached Anwyn, taking up one of her hands. "So when shall we set the wedding, my dear?"23

Fast as lightning, Legolas drew his bow, loaded an arrow, and pointed it straight at Flanndred. "Do not touch her."24

The Gondorian glared at Legolas. "And who is this?"25

"Legolas of the Woodland Realm. I'm the one who will be marrying Anwyn."26

"A woman cannot take two husbands," said Flanndred.27

"I'm not marrying you!" Anwyn spat.28

"Then your father dies," sneered Flanndred, drawing his sword and marching toward the king.29

"No!" Tears welled in Anwyn's eyes and rolled down her cheeks. At having to choose between her love and her father, all her strength and cunning left her. "Please don't make me choose..."30

Legolas took a deep breath. "You won't have to," he said. He drew the tearful Anwyn into an embrace. "It will be over in a moment."31

He turned then, and faced Flanndred with a resolute glare fixed on his face. "Let it be settled in the old way." He drew his sword. "Let us fight for her."32

Being one who could never allow his honor to be damaged by turning down a challenge, he drew his sword. "So be it."33

Forgetting all the courage she had possessed at Mirkwood and at Morgul Vale, Anwyn ran to her father and brother in tears as Legolas and Flanndred crossed blades. With all her heart, she wanted to hide her face and not watch; at the same time, she couldn't look away.34

Rohran, meanwhile, couldn't bear the situation. "Daughter, I'm sorry," he said to her. "It was not my place. It was not my decision. I never should have made this promise." He tilted her face so that she would look at him. "Stop this madness. Choose Legolas, and I shall go to the halls of my fathers."35

Flanndred's sword clashed with Legolas' sword, and they grunted and grimaced as they tried to hold each other off.36

"Anwyn." Rohran looked at his daughter imploringly. "Please. This is the only way."37

"I will not let you die," Anwyn whispered. "There has to be another way." She looked to the ground, up at Rohred.38

"I cannot make this decision for you, sister." His eyes were apologetic.39

Anwyn closed her eyes desperately. "Legolas, mela en' coiamin... may the grace of the Valar protect you." She paused, stood, and lifted her hands to the sky. "O Elbereth Gilthoniel, Maker of the Stars, I beseech thee: help us in this our hour of need!"40

And then something miraculous happened. The ceiling faded into sky and afternoon turned to midnight. At first the canopy was pure black; then stars, brighter and more brilliant than any Anwyn had ever seen before, began to pierce the sky.41

"Elbereth!" Anwyn cried out breathlessly, and lifted her voice in song. "A Elbereth Gilthoniel,42

silivren penna míriel43

o menel aglar elenath!"44

"Your sword," Legolas panted. "Draw your sword!"45

Anwyn ripped Ilmensil from its sheath, and it shone and glimmered in the moonlight. The Star of Eärendil pulsed and intensified, and a stream of starlight came from the Star to the tip of Anwyn's sword. She gazed at her glowing blade in wonder, then glared at Flanndred. "Be gone, snake," she spat; she thrust her arm out and pointed her sword straight at Flanndred, and a stream of white light shot from the blade and hit him in the chest, knocking him to the ground.46

Stunned, Flanndred said nothing for a moment, gaping at the raging Anwyn and the glowing sword she still held. For the first time, he caught a glimpse of her ears, and scrambled to back away from her. 47

"Witch!" he cried. "You're a witch... you're an Elven witch..."48

Anwyn began to walk slowly and threateningly toward him, swinging her sword in a circle and holding it in front of her, blade flat, hilt at her stomach. "You are banished from these lands, Flanndred."49

Flanndred was swiftly overcoming his fright, imagining how beneficial it would be to have an Elf-witch as his wife. "But the contract must be honored," he pointed out, tentatively getting to his feet, backing away even as he suggested this.50

Anwyn's eyes flashed, her sword glowed, and her wrath got the better of her. "Aure hyanda!" The light of the flame of Anor flooded the hall, and Anwyn backed Flanndred against a wall. "A witch indeed," she growled. "Suffer the sun." She touched the tip of Ilmensil to his breast, and he cried out in pain as the flame scorched his skin.51

"My lady... stop... please..." His face twisted. "Please," he begged. "Show me mercy."52

"Huine," Anwyn commanded, and the sword dimmed. Flanndred fell to the floor, gasping.53

"As you saved my life," began Anwyn, "I shall spare yours. May that scar stay with you as a reminder of the wrongs you have done to Lord Denethor, my father, and myself; and to all the others that you have scarred in your apathy and malice." She held his gaze, making sure he absorbed each word. "Now go to the stables, mount your horse, and leave my father's lands."54

Flanndred bowed, in awe of her power. Without words, he ran out of the Hall, never once looking back.55

Legolas watched him go. "It was only right for it to end this way." He turned to Anwyn. "You've always been capable of defending yourself. You've always been the one to make your own decisions."56

Anwyn looked up; the sky had faded and the ceiling had reappeared. "No," she told him, smiling. "There are other forces guiding us together, my love."57

Rohran stood and took the hands of his daughter. "Will you forgive me?"58

"I will," Anwyn assured him. "Will you come back with us to Mirkwood?"59

"I'll have the men prepare our horses," Rohran said. "But now, come. Let us sit and talk. I want to hear all about your adventures."60