A Word from the Author

This is the second story that I have written in relation to ‘The Lord of the Rings’. The first one, ‘The Lady of Fangorn Forest’, is my pride and joy. I spent many months working on that story. When I submitted it here, it was revoked because the main character, they told me, was a little Mary/Sueish. An acquaintance of mine persuaded me to post it on www.fanfiction.net. If you wish to read it there, you may.
After I got over my wound, I took up the keyboard once more and decided to write another story. I am not as proud of it as I am of ‘The Lady of Fangorn Forest’, but I do not hate it either.
The story opens up a year after The King ascended the throne. As in my first story, the main character is Elf Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Eryn Lasgalen, for he is my love. Gimli, The King and Queen are also in this story. Some of the characters have a much larger role here than they did in ‘The Lady of Fangorn Forest’, and others have a much smaller role.
I have placed direct quotations from my other story in this one. I also have used some elvish words. I have placed asterisks (*) in front of the elvish words I have used. I have not, however, provided the meanings of the elvish words. I think that they can be deduced or inferred rather easily.
It is preferable that you read or know appendix B, especially the end, of ‘The Return of the King’, for some of the information or ‘facts’ I have written comes from there, and you may think it is my creation.
Lastly, I would like to say that the name of the Elf-maiden I got from www.lotruk.com.
I have read the story countless times for spelling and grammar errors. If any remain, please forgive me. I hope that you will enjoy my story!

Namarie/Navaer!

Chapter One

The King Elessar looked out from the Citadel of the City. He sighed heavily and turned his head away. Beside him, his wife, Queen Arwen Undomiel, placed her fair hand on his shoulder. She spoke to him in a soothing voice.
“My lord, what troubles you so?” she asked.
“I have sent out messengers bearing letters to Legolas and Gimli, but they have not returned yet. It has been awhile since they left. They should have arrived a month ago. I wonder why I have not had any tidings from either of them.” The King told her as he sighed again. “I will wait a little longer ere I send out new messengers,”
That night, the stars shined brightly than they ever had done in many weeks. The King saw them and went outside onto a porch. He felt his heart become filled with a sudden gladness that he could not explain. To him, it seemed that the stars were omens.
“We shall see what the morrow will bring,” he said before he returned inside.
The following day dawned bright and clear. The sun shined brilliantly over the world. Elessar took heart and felt that this was a token of good tidings. Anxiously he waited for word of his messengers’ return. But morning passed and no one came.
“Lord, do not be anxious so. If there is to be any news, the day has not died yet. There are still many hours before night settles.” Arwen told her husband.
He smiled as he looked at her and replied, “True, Arwen,”
He had hardly finished his sentence when a man came hurrying up to him. The man bowed low and appeared quite excited about something.
“Speak, man!” Elessar cried. “Is there news?”
“Yes, my lord, there is news. A great company of Elves and Dwarves is coming into the City. The messengers you have sent are with them as well,” the man said.
The King’s face burst into a wide smile. He let out a great shout and rushed out of the chamber. Arwen followed him swiftly. They went out from the Citadel and down the steps. There was a great crowd of people that filled the streets, staring in awe and wonder at the great company that was coming slowly towards them.
Elessar instantly recognized the six foremost figures. Four were his messengers. A short figure with a very familiar gait and stride was walking alongside a tall mounted figure. They were Gimli the Dwarf, son of Gloin, from the Lonely Mountain, and the Elf Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood. King Elessar ran towards them with a smile.
“Ah, Legolas! Gimli! Long have I waited for this day! Welcome, welcome!” he cried as he embraced his two Companions.
Legolas and Gimli attempted to bow to The King, but Elessar stopped them with a wave of his hand. He shook his head as they looked at him in bewilderment.
“I do not wish for you to bow to me. We are friends. Think of me simply as plain old Aragorn,” he told them when Gimli started to say something.
“Welcome, Gimli son of Gloin,” Arwen said, coming forward.
“Queen,” said Gimli, bowing clumsily.
“*Suilad, Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil!” the Queen said to the Elf.
“Suilad, Queen Arwen Undomiel!” Legolas replied in elvish.
Then Legolas and Gimli brought forth their people that they had brought with them.
There were several hundred stout Dwarves, all clad in shining silver helms, with bright axes in their belts and large packs on their backs. They were staring around with wide eyes at the stone walls, clicking their tongues disapprovingly and speaking to one another in their own language. Some drew carts full of the tools needed for stone work.
Legolas brought many Elves from the southern region of his woodland home that agreed to go with their Prince and leave their land. All the Elves were astride proud and splendid white horses. The Elves were attired in green and brown. In their gleaming hair were flowers carefully entwined, and on their collars and belts green and white gems glinted. Their faces were fair, and their voices clear. All had bows slung on their backs, and some drew chariots behind them, filled with trees and many heavenly smelling and very delicate looking plants. Above them flew many bright beautiful birds, singing sweetly.
“These are elven trees that we will plant in many fair gardens. The birds flying above us have been following us since we departed. That is strange, though. For we have never seen them before. I have heard strange tales concerning bright colored birds, tales that say they belong to an Eldarin Princess, and that she brought them with her from Eressea when she returned to these shores. It is rumored that she dwells still. If that is true, then I desire to meet her. And if she dwells still, why do her birds, if they are her birds, linger? Should they not return to her?” Legolas said.
No sooner had he uttered his last sentence than the birds gave a cry as of farewell and wheeled away into the sky. King Elessar, Arwen, and Legolas watched them depart.
“They are off. Perhaps they are going to their mistress.” Arwen said slowly.
Gimli stepped forward and cleared his throat.
“My folk are very eager to begin working on your walls. If I may make so bold a statement, from friend to friend, we are utterly horrified by your walls! It is such a wonder that they have lasted such a long while! Why, our own children make better walls than these when they play!” Gimli muttered cautiously.
There was an angry murmur that ran through the crowd of The King’s people. How did the Dwarf dare to say such a thing? Did he have no manners?
“Off with his head!” they shouted.
King Elessar threw back his head and laughed loudly. His people stared at him in shock. Their King was laughing, as if he was enjoying himself! How could he do that?
“My dear Gimli, you are the most skilled Dwarf with your tongue that I have ever seen! Indeed, the Lady Galadriel spoke the truth about you in Lothlorien. Yes, your folk may start their work, but perhaps somewhere where no people dwell. That way the sounds of hammer and chisel will not bother anyone.” Elessar smiled.
He then summoned one of his men to take the Dwarves and lead them to the far end of the City’s walls where there were no houses.
“Wait! Do you wish to rest and eat first?” Elessar asked the Dwarves.
“Nay! We will eat later. We will rest while we work!” they cried.
Then The King, Queen Arwen, some Men, Legolas and all the Elves, and Gimli and some Dwarves went forth into the Citadel. The guests were bidden to seat themselves
in a grand hall as The King and Queen went to see to some things. They returned shortly with news that a great feast was waiting for them in the Dining Hall.
“I am so glad to hear that, for I am quite hungry and thirsty!” Gimli said.
All then went into the Dining Hall and took their places at a grand table. It was a long table, made out of pale green marble, that could seat several thousand people. Candles were set along the table, sending out flickers of pale light that danced upon the walls. There were many different types of food and rink. Gimli and the few Dwarves that were with him grunted happily. Legolas and the Elves smiled as they filled their plates.
“I had not known that you, my dear Gimli, have such an appetite as our dear merry hobbits!” laughed Legolas. “I believe you may rival them!”
All laughed merrily and enjoyed a very delicious feast. When they ceased eating, The King asked the Elves-who happened to be minstrels-to sing, saying that he missed elfish singing. They agreed with many smiles and harped and sang for a long while. Then when Gimli was just about to drop from his chair (he had fallen asleep), the Elf-minstrels stopped and all went forth from the Hall.
“I will have Gimli carried off to his chamber. Some of my servants are waiting to take you to your chambers.” Elessar said as they went into the corridor.
“I thank you, as well as my people. We will spend the night in the garden of the Houses of Healing, for we wish to see the White Tree and look upon the stars. For you know that we Elves do not sleep as you mortals do. We rest differently.” Legolas said.
“So be it. I give you my full consent. And was thinking about asking you if you wanted to do so, but you spoke it. Until the morning, then!” The King said.
Gimli was carried off to a chamber and laid carefully in the bed. The other Dwarves were shown to their chambers. Legolas and the Elves went to the garden and admired the White Tree before they began to sing as they looked upon the stars in the night sky.
The following morning was very beautiful. The people of the City awoke to many fair and clear voices. They found the Mirkwood Elves and their Queen Arwen sitting together singing softly in their own language in the garden of the Houses of Healing. The people listened with interest, for never before had they seen this many Elves, nor had they heard singing that was more beautiful.
“My people admire you greatly, Legolas, and all you folk of Mirkwood! They have never seen elves, excepting for Arwen and you, Legolas, when you were here shortly. I can tell you that they are very happy that you are here, and it will bring much joy to them when you have made fair gardens and this City is once more green and lush.” The King said as he led the Elves to the Dining Hall for breakfast, with Arwen beside him.
The Dwarves were already eating when they entered. Gimli grinned at Legolas over a full plate of food.
“I will pretend that I am not looking at your plate, Gimli!” Legolas smiled.
The day was spent outside in the garden. The King and his two Companions sat together in a far corner and recalled memories of their Quest, and wondered how the rest of their Companions were faring. Then The King turned to the Elf Prince.
“Tell me, Legolas, how is Mirkwood now that the Shadow has departed?” he said.
“It is well, and all my people are merrier than ever. Ai, Aragorn, the leaves on the trees are greener and shinier! In the nighttime, stars twinkle brighter! Yet, you seem not
to know that Mirkwood is no longer called Mirkwood. It has gained a much better name, a more fitting name. This new name is very dear to my heart!” Legolas replied.
“What is the new name?” Gimli asked curiously.
“Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. This name is closer to the original name of my home, Greenwood the Great, for my home received the name Mirkwood from Men when the Shadow fell upon it.”
“This is indeed a much fitting name, Legolas. I have always regarded Mirkwood as a very uncouth name for your home. But this changing of its name makes me feel that something great happened there.” The King said thoughtfully.
“There was a great battle under my beloved trees. There even was battle on the borders of fair Lothlorien!” the Elf said.
Both Gimli and Elessar jumped up at this. Their eyes blazed.
“Who dared to attack that fair land?” Gimli asked.
“Peace, my friends, peace!” Legolas said.
“How can there be peace at this dreadful news?”
After much urging, and a promise from Legolas that he would tell them the tale, Elessar and Gimli resumed their seating places. Yet they were looking quite angry.
Legolas took a deep breath and looked out at his people before he spoke.
“I knew that my people were being attacked, but the full story I did not learn until I had returned home, and even that I learned after much difficulty. At first, my father was very reluctant to speak of it. Whenever I asked him, he would find a way out of answering. Yet, he could not hide the many trees that were burned and scorched, nor could he stop our people who dropped me whispered hints as they passed me in the halls or in The Wood. First, I will inform you of my home, since that tale is shorter and much less bitter than the one that concerns Lothlorien.
“The day that we came up Anduin and fought in the Battle of Pelennor, an army of many great and terrible Orcs and goblins issued out from Dol Guldur. They fought my father under the trees. They set many fires and burned many trees. There was much smoke that filled both sky and air. My father ordered a large company of archers to counter the assailants. The battle was long and terrible. My father was victorious in the end and drove back the enemies. Many a fair Elf was lost, Elves who should now be running under their beloved trees and singing merrily under the stars! Alas, there is nothing that can de done to bring them back! May they rest forever in peace!”
Here, the Elf Prince stopped. He clenched his hands against his sides. The others saw that his eyes were burning. They watched him uneasily, having never seen him this angry before. At length, he calmed himself and sat down once more.
“The tale of Lothlorien and its attacks is much more bitter.” Legolas whispered.
“Attacks? There was more than one, then?” The King gasped.
“The first attack came four days ere my home was assailed. Orcs and goblins were the assailants, from Dol Guldur as well. The only grievous harm done -thank Elbereth!- was to the borders. The archers of Lorien proved a well match, for from their positions high up in the trees they could not be easily seen, especially with their concealing cloaks. After the first assault passed, a fresh one came on the same day my father’s realm was invaded. Oh, woe onto me that I was not there to help in protecting Lothlorien and my
home from the foul and cursed Orcs! I would have taught them such a lesson as before they could take a single step they would be lying dead!”
Legolas paused, and his eyes grew cold and glinted dangerously.
“The last assault came seven days later. Thrice was Lothlorien assailed, and thrice it countered and drove back the assailants! Do you know the reason why Lothlorien was not overcome? It was not due wholly to the valor of the Lorien archers, brave and valiant they may be, but to a greater and most powerful secret! ‘Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,’ This is but a line of a verse well known in Elven-lore. The Three are Nenya, Narya, and Vilya. Nenya, the Ring of Adamant, the White Ring, was given to Galadriel. That Ring made Lorien what it was, and it was Nenya’s power that kept the assailants from victory! If the evil Sauron had come himself, only then would Lothlorien have fallen. Speak of this to no one!” the Elf Prince whispered. “Then my father and Lord Celeborn met on our New Year’s Day and divided the land between themselves, the Beornings, and the Woodmen. That was when Mirkwood and Lothlorien were renamed.”
Gimli and The King sat silently. Their eyes were upon the Elf Prince, as if he himself was Sauron. They could not believe what they had just heard. It was awhile before any spoke, and Gimli was the first to break the uncomfortable and long silence.
“Dol Guldur? Was not the evil there driven out?” he asked. “Or did it linger?”
“The evil was Sauron, if you did not know. He abandoned Dol Guldur. Ten years later, when He had openly declared himself and gathered power in Mordor, He began rebuilding Barad-dur and sent a third of his Nazgul back to Dol Guldur to reoccupy it. Secretly, He sent many of his servants, mostly Orcs and goblins, there over the years.” Legolas answered his friend quietly.
Queen Arwen came swiftly to her husband’s side at that moment. She felt that something was troubling him. Yet, Elessar concealed his anger and smiled at her.
“I am well,” he told her.
Gimli and Legolas spent several more days together with The King. On the sixth day, Legolas went before The King in his court. He had come to take his leave.
“Elfstone, I must take leave of you now and your City. I desire to go to Ithilien. I will leave many of my people to plant gardens and tend to the City. With me shall go the majority of the Elves,” he told his Companion.
“I grant you permission to take leave. Yet, I had wished that you would spend more time with me.” The King said.
“Do not worry, for Ithilien is not far! *Namarie!” Legolas said as he left.
“Namarie!” The King called to him.
Legolas found Gimli with the Dwarves, rebuilding the damaged walls. The two Companions took leave of each other, promising to visit and send letters frequently.
Then Men brought forth the white horses of the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen, and some chariots. Legolas and his people mounted their steeds. The King, Queen, Gimli, a large amount of the people of the City, and the Elves that were to remain in the City, gathered themselves together at the First Gate of the City to see Legolas and the other Elves off.
With a final wave of his fair hand, Legolas urged Arod, his horse, forward. Behind him followed the Elves that were going to Ithilien. That gathered crowd all bade the Elves farewell in one voice and watched them sadly as they disappeared from mortal vision.

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