Chapter 2
The years pass, Haldir teaches Ithil about sword fighting, hand to hand fighting, how to be invisible in the forest, how to track and hunt. She of course already has skill with the bow, but she also shows great proficiency with daggers. They take many trips into the forest, but Haldir always refuses to allow her to come with him when he and his brothers leave the borders to journey into other lands.
Finally she is 100 years old, coming of age in elf years. There are so few young elves anymore that when one does come of age it is cause for a huge celebration that should last for days. Everyone in Lothlorien is invited. Ithil spends the day getting ready, taking extra care in her dress and hair.
At last night falls and the time for the feast has come. The great hall is lit with rows and rows of candles; the tables are laden with as much food as they can hold. The guests all arrive at the same time.
Lord Celeborn himself says the blessing for the food and a special blessing over Ithil. The elves eat and eat and the drink flows. At last the feasting is done, for now. The tables are cleared away and the musicians start to play. There is much talking and laughing and the elves are having a grand time, as is Haldir and his brothers. Until at last it is mid-night, the special time, it is when the elf that is coming of age will take the step that marks them as walking from childhood into adulthood.
Everyone grows quiet; a garland of Lorien leaves is placed on the ground around Ithil. She looks up at the stars, and then looks at the faces around her and her eyes come to rest upon Haldir. Her face is beaming and he gives her a nod and a smile. Ithil lifts her foot and steps out of the circle. Everyone lets out a great cheer and stands to their feet.
It is elvish custom for the new adult to do something for the guests whether it is a song, or recite an epic poem; some would paint or show the crafts they learned. It is Ithil's turn and she walks over to where a harp has been placed in a corner.
She sits at the harp and pulls it onto her shoulder. Raising her hands to the harp she looks at Haldir for a second. His eyes are still upon her and his smile brighter than before. She holds his eyes for a second and gives him a small nod.
She starts playing, the music of the harp flows like water over the listeners. She starts to sing a song about a young elf princess who is in love with an elf prince. Their tale is so sad and so beautiful that soon tears are flowing down the cheeks of many of the guests. As she plays it seems as though the night itself pauses to listen. The wind stills and the birds fall silent, as does the crickets and frogs. Finally her song is done and the elves sit in silence looking at her. Suddenly they jump to their feet and clap and cheer her again.
The musicians start to play a light and happy song; Ithil stands up and starts to dance. Haldir cannot take his eyes off of her. At last he can hold it in no longer, he gets up and grabbing her by the hand he dances around the room with her. It seems as though the night will never end.
Early in the morning the festivity is still going strong, Haldir manages to sneak Ithil away from the other guests. The moon is still in the sky and it shines through the branches of the trees. Haldir leads her to one of the topmost balconies.
"Why are we up here Haldir?" Ithil asks.
"I want to give you your gift in private." He smiles at her and hands her a small box.
"Haldir what.?" She looks at him inquisitively.
"Just open it." He laughs. She takes the box and opens it. Folded within some soft white silk lay a broach of roses, rosebuds and leaves that has been carved from mithril.
" I made it for you, myself. The roses represent you opening from a bud to a full, beautiful rose."
"It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen Haldir." She said looking up into his face.
"You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen Ithil." He replies. Leaning close to her he places a soft kiss upon her mouth. Ithil raises her hand and caresses his cheek, she pulls his face close to hers and she kisses him back.
"I have loved you for a long time Haldir of Lothlorien."
"And I you." He replies.
They walk hand in hand in the moonlight
The years pass, Haldir teaches Ithil about sword fighting, hand to hand fighting, how to be invisible in the forest, how to track and hunt. She of course already has skill with the bow, but she also shows great proficiency with daggers. They take many trips into the forest, but Haldir always refuses to allow her to come with him when he and his brothers leave the borders to journey into other lands.
Finally she is 100 years old, coming of age in elf years. There are so few young elves anymore that when one does come of age it is cause for a huge celebration that should last for days. Everyone in Lothlorien is invited. Ithil spends the day getting ready, taking extra care in her dress and hair.
At last night falls and the time for the feast has come. The great hall is lit with rows and rows of candles; the tables are laden with as much food as they can hold. The guests all arrive at the same time.
Lord Celeborn himself says the blessing for the food and a special blessing over Ithil. The elves eat and eat and the drink flows. At last the feasting is done, for now. The tables are cleared away and the musicians start to play. There is much talking and laughing and the elves are having a grand time, as is Haldir and his brothers. Until at last it is mid-night, the special time, it is when the elf that is coming of age will take the step that marks them as walking from childhood into adulthood.
Everyone grows quiet; a garland of Lorien leaves is placed on the ground around Ithil. She looks up at the stars, and then looks at the faces around her and her eyes come to rest upon Haldir. Her face is beaming and he gives her a nod and a smile. Ithil lifts her foot and steps out of the circle. Everyone lets out a great cheer and stands to their feet.
It is elvish custom for the new adult to do something for the guests whether it is a song, or recite an epic poem; some would paint or show the crafts they learned. It is Ithil's turn and she walks over to where a harp has been placed in a corner.
She sits at the harp and pulls it onto her shoulder. Raising her hands to the harp she looks at Haldir for a second. His eyes are still upon her and his smile brighter than before. She holds his eyes for a second and gives him a small nod.
She starts playing, the music of the harp flows like water over the listeners. She starts to sing a song about a young elf princess who is in love with an elf prince. Their tale is so sad and so beautiful that soon tears are flowing down the cheeks of many of the guests. As she plays it seems as though the night itself pauses to listen. The wind stills and the birds fall silent, as does the crickets and frogs. Finally her song is done and the elves sit in silence looking at her. Suddenly they jump to their feet and clap and cheer her again.
The musicians start to play a light and happy song; Ithil stands up and starts to dance. Haldir cannot take his eyes off of her. At last he can hold it in no longer, he gets up and grabbing her by the hand he dances around the room with her. It seems as though the night will never end.
Early in the morning the festivity is still going strong, Haldir manages to sneak Ithil away from the other guests. The moon is still in the sky and it shines through the branches of the trees. Haldir leads her to one of the topmost balconies.
"Why are we up here Haldir?" Ithil asks.
"I want to give you your gift in private." He smiles at her and hands her a small box.
"Haldir what.?" She looks at him inquisitively.
"Just open it." He laughs. She takes the box and opens it. Folded within some soft white silk lay a broach of roses, rosebuds and leaves that has been carved from mithril.
" I made it for you, myself. The roses represent you opening from a bud to a full, beautiful rose."
"It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen Haldir." She said looking up into his face.
"You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen Ithil." He replies. Leaning close to her he places a soft kiss upon her mouth. Ithil raises her hand and caresses his cheek, she pulls his face close to hers and she kisses him back.
"I have loved you for a long time Haldir of Lothlorien."
"And I you." He replies.
They walk hand in hand in the moonlight