Elen Síla Lúmenn Omentielvo, Vala-iellig

By Shonushka Sen

What mettle molded through the lines of thy ungiving jaw-

Words of Aulë, in power spun, no hindrance to thy iron law

What work of the Valar art thou-brazen, fiery Southron maid?

The emblem fair of Estë bright, her seal upon thy forehead laid.

Raven tresses wrought of light, crown to grace a blackened queen

Ainur-song upon thy hands- tho' pale and soft it might have been

Randiriel, march-warden's heart! thy lips a frown of sorrows past

The dying light of Varda's boughs, fashioned to a lively last.

O tamer of the mammoth beast, strength to crush a mountain's bone

Stolen from thy father's feet, and struck to dark nights wept alone-

Treasured one of Manwë's steel, thy birth a sun of Greenwood great

Sweet nymph of Melkor, blown in flame-heiress to a mortal fate!

A piercing gaze of amber poured, the fletching of a gilded arrow

Two silver knives, thy Edhel-gifts, wide of blade, a pommel narrow

A mouth adorned in sable pitch, to suit thy head of inky night

Catch the darkness borne in blood and cry its name in ringing light.

Yavanna's seedlings seek thy feet, and by thy side they walk abroad

To touch the sunlight in thy hair, and grace thy flowered paths of sod

Vande-Vanya, Thranduil-born, hard soldier forged by fortune wise

Come, light this ray of hope within the beacon of thine golden eyes.