III O Eledhrim a Hadhodrim (1)
Legolas bowed his head and lowered himself to one kneein a gesture of respect. Fingalas and Gimli quickly followed his example. After a brief moment of silence, they rose again, facing those who stood to welcome them.
The Lady Galadriel was even more luminous in her beauty than Legolas and Gimli had beheld her in Lothlórien more than a human age ago. Her flowing white gown was adorned only by a few silver-shimmering stars wrought into the hem of her sleeves and the neckline, and upon her long golden hair there was a wreath of small white flowers. As she stood there, welcoming the travellers, it seemed that the cares and sorrow of an entire world had fallen from her slender shoulders. And yet, even her radiant smile could not altogether hide the sadness deep down in her clear eyes, a sadness that spoke of loss and grieving for places and people once cherished.
Behind her, up on the steps, stood the Lord Celeborn, like his lady unchanged in appearance by the years but for a trace of sorrow in the ageless, wise face framed by silver hair. Next to him, robed all in white, there was a tall old man with a long white beard, leaning on a staff made of polished white wood. Piercing blue eyes flashed from underneath bushy eyebrows; but these eyes were twinkling with humour, very much like those of Turlond the harbourmaster who had gone to stand next to him. Up another step behind these two, but in respectful distance to the Lord Olwë on his throne, stood an Elf of lordly demeanour. His long hair was the colour of gold streaked with silver, and his proud stance indicated a high rank. Yet his mien was not entirely welcoming, and the expression on his stern face darkened almost imperceptibly when his eyes met those of the dwarf.
Gimli, however, paid no heed to this thinly veiled disapproval. His gaze turned towards the three remaining Elves, and his heart grew heavy.
Tall and erect as in the days when he was Lord of Imladris, Elrond stood. On either side of him, two dark-haired Elves, so alike each other that it was impossible to tell which was which, acknowledged the travellers in a silent greeting. Handsome and youthful were their faces, but their grey eyes spoke of deep sorrow. Yet the twins' sadness paled beside the grief that was etched into their father's noble features. Lines that had not been drawn by age framed his eyes and lips, and his expression was that of someone who had lost what was most precious in his life.
Legolas recalled how, after the burial of King Théoden, he had seen the Lord Elrond coming down from the hills outside Edoras, where he had taken leave of his only daughter. The pain in Elrond's eyes had shown only too clearly how hard it had been for him that Arwen had chosen the short life of a mortal, putting her love for Aragorn, the King Elessar, above that for her father, though the choice had cost her more dearly than any words or song could ever express. Legolas saw the same pain again now in the Elven lord's face, but it was deepened by the knowledge that Arwen's doom had been fulfilled. The memory of a bitter moment came to Legolas, a memory of a grey autumn eve not long ago, when he had watched the Evenstar turn awayand disappear into the shadow of deserted Lothlórien; and his thoughts turned to the gem that he carried hidden inside his tunic.
Now was not the time. There would be a quieter moment, later.
The Lady Galadriel spoke, repeating her words of greeting. "Welcome, dearest friends. This is a glad day for all of us, even though it be tinged with bittersweet memories." For a brief moment, her glance rested on Elrond, and her eyes spoke of deep compassion and shared grief. Then she turned to Gimli. Her smile was an echo of evergreen grass and flowers, golden elanor and white niphredil, growing on the hill of Celin Amroth.
To you most of all, Lord of Aglarond, I say well met. I honour your presence here in the Blessed Realm, and your courage for making this journey which none of your race has made before, or will ever make after you." And with those words, the tall, beautiful Elf lady stooped and knelt before the bent figure of the dwarf, taking his hand and touching her white forehead to the brown, gnarled knuckles.
There was an audible gasp, but it did not come from the dwarf. Gimli stared at the golden head bowed before him, stunned, at a loss for words; and when he did speak, his voice nearly failed him. "My lady, please… no. I do not deserve such honour."
Galadriel looked up, and Gimli could not tell whether he was blinded by the brilliance of her gaze or by his own tears. "Yes, Gimli son of Glóin. You do." The lady rose to her feet again. "You do, for your part in bringing down the Dark Lord, liberating from a great evil your world, which was then mine, too. You do, because with your arrival here, all the free peoples of Middle-earth have sent a representative to the Undying Lands. Eärendil came to these shores long ago, for the Men; the three Ring-bearers came, for the hobbits. And now you have come to stay here, sealing for ever the friendship between the Eldar and the Khazâd." (2)
There was a long silence in the great hall, interrupted only by the gentle sound of a carillon ringing in the distance. The dwarf had cast down his eyes and was fighting to regain his composure. Legolas put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. Finally, Gimli drew himself up and heaved a deep breath.
"My lady, I am but a clumsy old dwarf and lack the skill to express my feelings, which indeed cannot be put into words. I thank you a hundred times for your grace and kindness. Now that what I saw in your mirror has come true, I can truly say that I have achieved everything my heart has ever desired." Gimli's voice broke, and he could not continue. Legolas's hand slipped from his shoulder, and the Elf stared at the dwarf, a look of utter surprise on his face.
Galadriel's smile deepened. "Be at peace then, dear friend." Then she turned Legolas. "Do not feel slighted, Legolas Thranduilion. I asked Gimli not to share the prophecy with anyone, not even with you, for in those dark days much was still hidden from me; I could not tell where your roads would take you, and indeed which would be your friend's decision if and when the time came."
Legolas's glance went from Gimli back to Galadriel, and after a briefhesitation he inclined his head. When he looked up again, it was as if the sun had chased away a cloud of distress from his fair face.
"I bow to the superior wisdom of the lady of the Galadhrim. I know well the love my friend bears for you, and I will not compete for it." His eyes strayed to meet those of the tall, stern Elf in the background, and held them for a moment, before he continued speaking to the lady. "My deepest thanks, híril nîn (3), for this welcome, and for opening my eyes to the value of true friendship."
"You had the courage to look past ancient prejudices, Legolas, and you have been richly rewarded." Galadriel's gaze came to rest upon Fingalas. "I know that you have shared your experiences, and I see that your openness bears fruit. Be welcome, Fingalas Thranduilion." Fingalas bowed his head and put his hand to his heart. For once, there was no trace of mischief in his face when he raised his eyes again, but only awe.
"Hannon le, hír nîn Often my brother and Master Gimli have spoken of your beauty and your wisdom, but their words fell far short from the mark. I am honoured to be included in your welcome."
The lady smiled and stepped aside, looking up towards the Lord Olwë, who had risen from his throne. The ancient power that emanated from the lord of the Teleri was most striking, and even though his regard was benign, he commanded respect with just the slightest look or gesture. He inclined his head in a gracious gesture and addressed the travellers in a deep, melodious voice. To their surprise, he spoke in the Westron speech, although the words seemed unfamiliar to his tongue.
"Let me add my greetings to those of my grand-daughter Galadriel. Welcome to you, sons of Thranduil, last of our kindred to reach these shores. Although it is a sad thought that the time of the Eldar on Middle-earth has now truly come to an end, we can take consolation in the knowledge that the servant of Morgoth has been vanquished, never to return." The lord of the Teleri looked across to Elrond and his sons, and his face grew soft with compassion. "Tell me, Legolas Greenleaf, can we put trust in the wisdom of the Apanónar?" (4)
Legolas held the probing gaze of the dark blue eyes without faltering, and his voice was firm when he answered. "Tancavë, hérnya. (5) The new king of Gondor has the grace and knowledge of his ancestors, both Elves and Men. There is peace in his realm, and friendship with the neighbouring lords." He shifted his gaze, and though still in reply to Lord Olwë's question, his words were now directed at Elrond. "I am sure that King Eldarion will continue his father's wise reign, and pass on the legacy to his sons, and his sons' sons, ensuring peace in Middle-earth for many ages to come."
Lord Olwë nodded thoughtfully. "May it come to pass as you foresee it. Whatever ill the peoples of the Outer Lands will face in times to come, it will be of their own making; let us hope that therefore they will find the means and strength to conquer it." With that, he released Legolas from his intent look and turned to Gimli.
"The Lady Galadriel has told me many things about you and your people, Lord of Aglarond. Whatever doubts I may have had upon first hearing her request to obtain permission from the Valar for your journey, they have been silenced by the valour I see in your eyes, and the love I perceive in your heart. In the name of Aulë, may you be at home here in Aman, Master Dwarf. "
Gimli bowed deeply, and his voice was gruff when he answered. "My humblest thanks, my lord. Forgive me if I do not find the words befitting such a generous reception." The lord of the Teleri smiled, and resumed his seat on the throne, nodding to Lord Elrond who now stepped forward.
"Mae govannen, mellyn nîn. We meet again at last. Welcome to you, too, Fingalas Thranduilion." Elrond's voice was firm, betraying no emotion. "You must be tired from the long journey. There will be time to speak, and to remember, when you have rested."
Legolas put his hand to his heart and felt on his skin the cool touch of the jewel he carried inside his tunic. "My lord, as you wish. I cannot speak for my companions, but I need no rest, for walking upon the soil of Aman is like waking up from a long sleep and seeing the dawn of a new life." He hesitated, not quite certain how much he should say in the presence of so many spectators. But the ache in Elrond's eyes commanded him to speak. "I carry a message that has been both a burden to my heart and an honour to bear, and I will gladly share this with you in private whenever you wish."
"I do not deny that I much desire to learn aught you can tell me about my daughter, and my grandchildren whom I never beheld. If you are indeed not too weary, let us retire to my quarters, while your companions may rest in the chambers that have been made ready for them, if they wish." With a slight effort, Lord Elrond took his gaze from Legolas and turned towards the tall Elf behind him. "Forgive me, Thranduil. It is not right that I should keep you from welcoming your sons any longer."
The stern-faced Elf gave a curt nod of acknowledgement and came down the steps to face Legolas and Fingalas. For a moment, they regarded each other in silence. Then Thranduil, once king of the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen in Middle-earth, spoke.
"It has been a long wait," he said. "I am glad you are here at last, ionnath nîn." (6)
Legolas smiled. "So am I, Adar."
He reached out and put a hand on his father's shoulder. Thranduil hesitated for a brief moment, clearly not used to demonstrations of affection in public; but then a smile broke through the grim expression on his face, softening the finely chiselled features and bringing out an extraordinary resemblance between father and sons. He put both his hands on Legolas's shoulders and clasped them tightly. Then he turned to his other son and repeated the gesture. Fingalas grasped his father's arms and held them.
"We have come home, Adar. And we brought a dear friend."
"So I see." Thranduil turned to the dwarf, and though his voice was polite, it had lost the warmth it had displayed brieflytowards the Elven brothers. "Welcome, Lord Gimli." He paused, and it was obvious that his words cost him some effort. "It seems I still have some things to learn about Aulë's children, things which my sons already know, showing greater wisdom perhaps than I possess. May your arrival here in Aman be a new start for you and I, too."
Gimli crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked up at the tall Elf. His expression was inscrutable. "My Lord Thranduil, I appreciate your open and gracious words. I trust that you will find, faster than your stubborn son here, that the dwarves have more to offer than trade with gold and gems, and a stiff neck for Elves to complain about."
Thranduil stared at the short figure, taken aback. Then, ever so slowly, his lips started twitching upwards, and he inclined his head slightly. "I take it that that was my first lesson. I thank you, Master Dwarf."
Gimli acknowledged this with a nod. Legolas exchanged a glance with Fingalas, and then turned to his father again. "Hannon le, Adar." His eyes were full of relief, and gratitude.
"Now that we have decided that it is always possible to make new friends, how about greeting very old ones?" Everybody turned around to the white-robed, white-bearded figure who had spoken these words. A broad smile gave his lined, ancient face a youthful look, and the old wizard he had once been was brought back. Gimli was the first to answer. "Gandalf!" The old man raised an eyebrow. "Gandalf? Hmmm… there is only one still here who calls me by that name. I shall have to get used to hearing it more often again." He glanced around at the company, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "I say, we have kept these poor travellers standing around for long enough. With your permission, my lords and lady, I would like to offer to be their guide and accompany them to their quarters so they can rest, and I can listen to their stories sitting down and sharing a pipe with my old friend Gimli here."
There was a low sigh from the Lord Olwë on his throne. "So be it, Mithrandir. If you feel the need to poison the air with that strange habit you brought with you from Middle-earth, do so, but not in my presence, or indeed in my reception hall." He rose from his throne. "Go then, and rest, my friends. We shall meet again at the banquet tonight."
The lord of the Teleri nodded to the small group and left them, followed by Turlond who muttered something about finding his unfaithful bird again. Fingalas turned to Gandalf. "Like my brother, I do not feel the need for rest. I should like to go back to our ship to see that our crew is well taken care of."
Thranduil caught the look that Legolas cast at Elrond and the twins, who, like the Lord Celeborn, had kept silent in the background throughout the entire time. "I will accompany you, Fingalas."
So Thranduil and Fingalas left, and Gandalf with Gimli. Celeborn spoke at last. "Forgive me, Legolas, for not having added my words of welcome before. It was not for me to speak, nor is it now; I shall leave you with those who have a right to listen to the tidings you bring." He turned to go, and the Lady Galadriel was about to follow, when Elrond put a hand on her slender white arm. Finally betraying some emotion, he said in a quiet whisper, "I would ask for your company, Altariël, for you loved my daughter as if she was your own child." (7)
Celeborn and Galadriel exchanged a look. "Very well, kinsman." Celeborn bowed, and left them. Elrond turned to Legolas.
"Let us go."
(1) O Eledhrim a Hadhodrim Of Elves and Dwarves (Sindarin)
(2) khazâd dwarves (Khuzdul)
(3) híril nîn my lady (Sindarin)
(4) apanónar Afterborn (Quenya)
(5) tancavë, hérnya yes, my lord (Quenya)
(6) ionnath nîn my sons (Sindarin)
(7) Altariël Galadriel's name in Quenya