Old Friends & New Friends




Mirilendilme reached Caras Galadhon, shortly after noon the follwing day, where she learned of the hunted company in more detail from the Elf Lords of the troop last night. It in fact was the Prince who was among them, the only Elf in a company of eight, and the Lord and Lady were informed of their blindfolding. Straight away the Lady sent the order to free their restraints, though the Lord Celeborn was worried. But Mirilendilme was not content to sit in anxious anticipation and wait for the new visitors. So, she made her way to Cerin Amroth, arriving late in the afternoon just as the visitors were preparing to move on to the high hall of the Lord and Lady. Haldir saw her when she approached. "Here, my friends," he said, "is another of our guests. She came with a small company of her own from the north not even three weeks ago." He proceeded to introduce the company to her.

"Greetings, friends!" she said, looking among them. "May you all find here a moment of peace amid your perilous journey. My name is Mirilendilme, daughter of Celebrimbor of Old, and of Melwen daughter of Malgalad."

"Celebrimbor," said Boromir. "The Ringmaker?"

"Yes," she said gravely, and Boromir only nodded and looked down to wander in his thoughts, and the rest said nothing. She saw Legolas, who was watching in surprise and wonder, and gave him a look of greeting. "Legolas," she said after a long pause. "What an honor to see a fellow countryman so far from home."

"Indeed," he said. He turned and explained to his companions, "Mirilendilme is of my father's court, though she came from Lorien long ago. So it seems to her country she has actually returned," he said and turned to her.

She simply smiled in reply, then turned to the Dwarf. She unhooked her sword from her side and held it planted as it were a flagstaff, and knelt before him. "Greetings my good Dwarf! Alas that the ancient strife remains between those of our kin! This will not do at all. May I say that no ill will did my father or any Elf of Eregion ever bear to those of your kin," she said, bowing, "the Dwarves of Khazad-Dum."

Aragorn smiled; and the rest watched in intrigue, glad that someone had come to offer such amends to the poor Dwarf. Legolas - whose forefathers, the Princes of Beleriand, had suffered the wrath of the Dwarves long ago - stood watching her in surprise, and looked over at Gimli in wonder. Gimli was cheered by her words. A flattered smile broke on the face of the Dwarf, who bowed in return and whispered, "At your service, my Lady!" The Elves who stood by were indeed surprised at this strange Elf who would humble herself so for the sake of a Dwarf.

A hobbit stepped forward suddenly and spoke. "Begging your pardon, my Lady," he said, "but whose fault was it anyway?"

For a long moment she was silent, taken aback by such an imposing question. But one of the others had quickly turned to hush him. At last she said, "Lord Took, I would not bother with such things, if this war is to be won. In truth, they were both wrong. Though if there is still need to assign blame, then blame I suppose would go to me. For it was my sire's forefathers who had cursed themselves and all the world with them." The hobbit dipped his head and stepped back.

"My Lady," said Aragorn. "I know all too well of carrying the burden of one's forefathers. But heed your own advice! If you are not to blame then you musn't then blame yourself."

Then she smiled softly. "Come! Enough of such talk in the open," she whispered, turning to walk ahead of them, "they are waiting. Lead on, Haldir!"

Legolas, changing the subject in his mind, stepped up to walk aside her. Though for a while they all walked in silence. At last he said quietly, "I did say I would be led back to you ere long, but this is not what I expected."

"Nor I," she replied. "But fate pulls us all in directions unlooked for."

"Well said!" he said softly. "Nor always unwelcome."

"Indeed," she replied, and said no more until after the Company's meeting with the Lord and Lady.