Chapter VII: The Arrival of Thûlë
“That evening, there was a grand feast in the dining hall to celebrate Legolas’ safe return home. It had been a long time since my household felt whole again as the servants served us the freshest delights prepared for this occasion.
Nenduîl and Aranduil sat as close to Legolas and Gimli as they could; eagerly asking them about their adventures. The hall was filled with life as it was when I was young and my father was king. Though I sat in his place, I felt as I had before the wars took so much from our kingdom.
“Thinking again,” Nimlos said leaning across Aramír. “You should be listening to Legolas. He’s had quite the adventure.”
“I will speak with him later,” I said. “As it is, he has the ear of Nenduîl and Aranduil.”
“They have been following him all day,” Aramír said. “He rather enjoys having an audience.”
“Just like his mother,” Nimlos said. “I remember she would tell me and Nenloth about adventures when we were young, though hers came from her imagination as though they were real.”
I laughed softly remembering Êlúriel. Seemed not long ago she was telling me of her childhood or spinning a tale about our life together. As I watched Legolas and Gimli from a distance, their engagement with the children of the court brought memories of Êlúriel in the garden with children. I was a sad but pleasant thought.
“If you will pardon me,” I said, rising.
The room fell quiet and the court stood to bow to me. I left the dining hall and made my way to the garden. It was a calm evening—nothing but the song of the night sung by the nocturnal chants of the woodlands creatures large and small.
Light of dim lanterns cast shadows down the winding paths as I sat amidst them on a bench deep in thought. It had been so long since I had been accustomed to a peaceful night I wondered what it was like in other cities across the world.
“Ada,” a voice said. “Is something the matter?”
It was Legolas. I shook my head.
“Nothing,” I said. “Just found myself wanting to think. Why are you here?”
“For the same reason,” he said sitting beside me. “So much has come about, there has hardly been time to own's self. Now that I am home for a time, I want to remember how it was before I leave again.”
“You are leaving,” I asked. “You have just arrived.”
“Not quite yet, Ada,” he said smiling. “You will have me for a time. Though I hardly think you wold notice with Nenduîl and Tárimë at your side.”
“They are growing up,” I said. “Soon they will not need me anymore as they once did.”
“That is not true,” he said. “They will always need you. I still need you. Time has changed many things, but the heart is not one of them.”
“I suppose you will accompany Gimli to Erebor to see his father,” I began. “I know Glóin will want to see his son as much as I wanted to see mine.”
“Of course,” he answered. “Tarthôn wishes to join me, if he may.”
I nodded. It was good to see my sons doing things together once more.
“Gimli was given sovereign over Aglarond and wishes to lead his people there to settle. I wish to see the world.”
“You were always the wandering kind,” I said. “You know I will not stand in your way. It is your fate and yours alone. Mine is here with my people. It always has been and always will be.”
“For now, just be my father,” he said.
“I will forever be your father no matter where you are,” I said. “I am glad for that.”
Legolas and Gimli remained with us for a week before they set out for Erebor with Tarthôn. Their plan was to stay the same amount of time there before leading dwarves through the Rhovanion and onto Aglarond. It seemed a fleeting moment I had my son again, but I had no fear for him now. The world was born anew and many would go seeking what there was to see of it.
I thought many days on what Galadriel said to me. I knew what she what she meant. I had two callings—both struggling within for dominance. Should I stay in my kingdom or make the journey my ancestors never completed into the west. There were hundreds of reasons to leave but only one to remain—Êlúriel. I wanted to lay beside her for eternity. My time in this world was coming to an end but to which end would it come?
I felt there was time enough to think on this; I felt a much better use of my days was to spent with Nenduîl and Tárimë. I had given them each a horse of their own—not realizing they had grown near the height of Legolas at that age. They were no longer children.
One day, I had decided to go riding with them along with Aranduil. Nearly my height now, he started to look much like a true Sindarinwa prince. We had traveled quite a distance—stopping only for Tárimë to pick flowers for her chambers.
When we returned to the stables, we dismounted and walked toward the palace.
“Ada,” Tárimë began. “What do you think of Fëandil?”
“You mean the son of Arawë,” I asked attempting to remember him. “Why do you ask?”
“She has eyes for him,” Nenduîl said teasing his sister. “It is no secret to anyone.”
“Especially to Grandfather,” Aranduil added. “I am surprised he has not said anything to you.”
“Tarthôn has been away often, Aranduil,” I answered. “He only returned from Gondor recently. Is it true, Tárimë? Are you fond of this young elf.”
“No,” she lied. “That is preposterous, Ada. He is as troublesome as these two.”
“I know better, Tárimë,” I said. “You have never been one to hide your emotions from anyone.”
“His face does not displease me,” she said giving her brother a stern glare. “I suppose he is adequate.”
“Adequate,” I said. “If you think he is adequate, then I suppose I should think so as well. Whenever you find him more than adequate, tell me so I may speak with him.”
Aranduil and Nenduîl could not help themselves but to laugh all the way to the front gates when we were met by Ëarmîr.
“Go your way,” I said to them. “Ëarmîr wishes word with me.”
They continued on their way as I approached Ëarmîr.
“Someone wishes an audience with His Majesty,” he said to me.
“Why has Fëaluin sent you to tell me,” I asked.
“I come to you on my own,” he said. “Fëaluin awaits in council.”
We entered the palace and made our way to the throne room. I noticed a tall creature standing quietly in the center of the room. I ascended to my throne as I felt his eyes following me.
I noticed he wore the long robe of a wizard—of the Istari—the color of grey. He had long hair the color of silver with withering skin the color of a winter sky. He approached me, his eyes a deep hue of sky at the end of day.
“Do I know you,” I asked. “You remind me of someone.”
“Mithrandir, perhaps,” he said. “He is no longer the Grey Wanderer as he is known as The White Rider.”
“Thûlë,” he answered, “And I have come quite a long way to see you,” he said. “From Mithlond.”
“May I ask why you have come?”
“As I have said,” he answered with a smile. “I have come to see you.”
I looked down upon him from my throne. I rose and walked down to meet him.
“Why have you come to see me,” I asked.
“It was time,” he answered.
I looked around the court—it had grown shallow and empty. It had become a shell of its former self. I looked to Ëarmîr who stood quietly next to Fëaluin.
“I know,” I said. “I know why you are here.”
“Oh, yes, Thranduil,” he began smiling. “I have heard much about you. You are beyond lore. You are of the ages that this world has seen over centuries. I arrived with Mithrandir in the Second Age and remained in the Havens and watch him sail into the west. He said I should await you there, but I knew I would remain there for another age should I do such a thing, so I came to you.”
“You saw my son, then,” I said. “Legolas?”
“Indeed. He left with a certain dwarf I believe. Gimli, son of Glóin.”
“Did he say anything,” I asked. I was hoping he did not say something that would touch my heart or break it for the mention of his name brought to me every moment I had with him since the day he was born.
“Yes, Thranduil,” he said smiling. “Peda aranon od Eryn Lasgalen, adar nîn, Thranduil Tárisil Oropherion, ernil od Eryn Lasgalen tolant na vedui sí Mithlond.
I knew there were tears in my eyes but I did not care. My son was safe and I missed him greatly.
“I am afraid I have no words,” I said. “I miss my son.”
“He misses his father,” he said.
“How long will you be with us,” I asked quietly.
“Until it is time for me to depart, which will be in five days. I hope that I will not leave this place alone.”
“Please escort Thûlë to where he may rest his head,” I said.
Fëaluin led him away. Before I could say a word to Ëarmîr, I turned to see Nenduîl.
“Ada,” he began. “Are we leaving Eryn Lasgalen?”
I looked to see Tárimë as well. Nenduîl looked much like me as Tárimë looked much like Êlúriel. I did not know the answer to his question. I was numbed at the thought of leaving.
“Something the matter,” Tárimë asked. “You are not yourself.”
“I am not myself, Tárimë,” I said. “Go to the gardens, I will come to you later. I must have a word with Ëarmîr."
They left quickly, giddy with anticipation of seeing me again.
“Galathil left you here to make sure that I would leave for Mithlond.”
“Yes,” Ëarmîr said softly. “You would not leave otherwise.”
“How would anyone know what is in my heart or my mind,” I said as anger and sadness began to rise to the surface.
“Thranduil,” Eldôr began. “Calm yourself.”
“I will not calm myself,” I said. “Do not presume you know me! Any one of you! It is my life and my choice! If I want to remain here in my kingdom, it is my choice! There is no life for me without Êlúriel. Whether I stay here or live forever there, there is no life without her.”
I stormed away toward the gardens hoping Nenduîl and Tárimë would bring me peace as they often would. I felt a light breeze carrying the scent of Êlúriel. I felt my heart fill with joy for the first time since Legolas had returned to me after the war. I stopped at the railing and began to remember my youth. My friends. Everything seemed to return again as it once was. I knew what I had to do. I saw Eldôr approaching me from the court calmly.
“They have grown into beautiful elves,” Eldôr mused. “I know what you are thinking, Thranduil. I have known you since you came into this world.”
“I know, Uncle,” I said. “Perhaps that was the reason for your return."
“What will you have us to do now,” he asked quietly.
I never let the twins out of my sight. I seemed hypnotized by their frolicking.
“Send forth the rest of our people into the Havens and sail home,” I said. “The time as come. Nenduîl and Tárimë will sail. And so shall I go.”
We said nothing more as we watched the last of the elven children to grow up in Endor. and led them away to the old pool where I once played in my childhood. I knew I would have to tell Nenduîl and Tárimë that we were going home.
That evening, I requested Ëarmîr to send the twins to my chambers. Eldôr had the court ready themselves to leave Eryn Lasgalen forever. With hurried excitement, what was left of the elves of the last elven kingdom prepared for the journey home.
When the familiar knock came to the door, I took a deep breath.
Nenduîl and Tárimë came in slowly—uncertain what was about to happen.
“Please, have a seat,” I said. They sat on the edge of my bed in unison; their eyes focused on me.
“Are we leaving Eryn Lasgalen, Ada,” Tárimë asked..
“Yes,” I said. “We are leaving and we will never return.”
“Never,” Nenduîl asked. “Why can we not return home?”
“We are going to a new home,” I said. “Far away from this world. It is a place of eternal youth and beauty where we will live forever.”
“We do that here,” Tárimë said. “Why can we not do that here?”
“Because we are elves,” I said. “Unlike any other creatures we are. Our time here must end so the rest of this world may continue. I know you will miss Eryn Lasgalen, but where we go will be far more beautiful.”
“Where you go, we will go, Ada,” Nenduîl said.
“We love you, Ada,” Tárimë said.
“I love you, too,” I said.
I embraced them, my heart heavy with the thought of leaving but glad knowing I will be with them for all eternity. When I released them, they were smiling.
“Now, go prepare yourselves. We leave at week’s end.”
They nodded and left me alone. I looked around my chambers remembering every moment of my life that took place within its walls. Memories were the only thing I would take with me—they were all that I would need.”--––Excerpt from TKWR Book III: To Eryn Lasgalen by J.M.Miller 05-19-17.
Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.
