Chapter Five: Return to Gil-celeb's Palace
Aerandir stared after his brother, cursing him under his breath. Gil-celeb came shortly afterwards.
"He escaped." Aerandir said bitterly.
Gil-celeb sighed and clasped his hand.
"There is naught to be done." he told him.
Aerandir nodded.
The two Elf-men returned to the others.
"The agent escaped." Aerandir told them.
"We have defeated him!" Thranduil boasted.
"So I hope." Aerandir sighed.
After making sure there were no remaining prisoners, Lady Galadriel laid bare Dol Guldur's pits and threw down its walls. The gathered Elves cheered happily.
"The Shadow has passed!" an Elf cried. "The Shadow has passed!"
Aerandir glanced quickly upwards. True enough, the Shadow that lay over Mirkwood disappeared. The sun shone bright and clear. The fair voices of the Elves rose in song.
"What about the slain?" Aerandir asked.
"They must be buried." Lord Celeborn said. "Much honor they gained. Hiro hyn hîdh ab 'wannath."
It was with sad hearts and many tears that the Elves set about the grueling task of burying their friends. First there was the separation of Dol Guldur's army from the Elves, and some were hardly distinguishable due to their grievous injuries. Many a sad farewell and lament Aerandir witnessed, which included him burying his two best captain friends.
"I cannot take anymore!" he cried when he finished, throwing up his hands, tears cascading down his face.
He withdrew from the battle area, walking between the few standing trees. Sensing a presence behind him, he turned and saw Lady Galadriel. Her beauty awed him: golden was her hair and white her skin. He sank into a bow.
"Rise." she said, into his mind.
They walked together, side by side.
"Tell me what troubles you." she told him.
Aerandir found that Lady Galadriel was able to read his thoughts, so that he did not need to speak. He felt much more relaxed and comfortable this way. No one would be able to overhear a single word.
Not knowing where to begin, the captain of southern Mirkwood's army recalled to mind the earliest memories. He told Lady Galadriel of the days when he and Falathar were dwelling in the Haven of Brithombar, under their lord Círdan the Shipwright, how they spent years mastering the skill of mariners until they were successful.
"We would spend months at sea at a time, going on countless voyages. There was strong love between us." Aerandir reminisced. "When our Haven was sacked, he fought very bravely and valiantly and even saved my life. I often wonder why Falathar changed."
"And he sailed with you, Eärendil, and Elwing to the Bay of Eldamar." Galadriel said quietly. "Ai, that I might behold it again!"
Aerandir grew silent, for within the Lady there stirred a great memory and longing.
"I understand your grief, Aerandir. He is not the first who has become a traitor. Yet it is that which makes you suffer most: that he is of your own flesh and blood—your brother." Lady Galadriel continued. "I am of the Noldor, and treason and betrayal was ever our greatest fear—betrayal from amongst ourselves. The cause of that is not related to this, but the fear and pain is much the same. It is one thing to be betrayed by your enemy, quite another by someone so close, such as a brother."
"Then it is as I felt. You know." Aerandir said.
She turned and looked at him, her eyes penetrating his soul.
"Thoughts of others I can read, though I have done this mainly to the Dark Lord. Your King informed me of Falathar the moment he knew, fearing Lórien would be assailed. Long years passed before that occurred, and Falathar found us ready. For I spent much time perceiving Sauron's thoughts, and Falathar's, desiring to know the reason for his betrayal. Not only for myself, but for Gil-celeb mainly, for his realm was the most vulnerable, and Falathar is his subject. Not all that I know comes by reading minds, for not every mind is open to me, and not every open mind I read." she told him.
"Tell me, can you foresee my future?" Aerandir wondered.
The Lady was silent, as if reluctant to do so.
"You shall wed Míriel, though not for long. You will be parted from her, and it is this parting that shall bring the end. Do you think this is the end? Quite the opposite. The beginning of the end has only started, and before her tale of woe is over her heart will break several times." she informed him slowly.
"Will she live?" Aerandir asked quickly.
"She will live, and in time her heart will be healed. Do not turn away all whom you may judge to be a rival, for through them is the key to heal the bitter past."
Aerandir stood unmoving as the last words were spoken. He felt they were important and memorized them. Then the Lady Galadriel released him from her gaze, and bowing quickly, he returned to his King.
"There you are! I sent after you. Where were you?" he exclaimed.
"I was speaking with the Lady." the captain replied in a low voice.
Gil-celeb nodded in understanding.
"Well, shall we return home?" he called.
The Elves mounted their steeds. With a last parting glance at the mounds where their slain friends lay, the three armies left Dol Guldur. The freed prisoners were with them, astride the horses of the dead soldiers. Aerandir was silent the entire way. Quickly they passed through the cavernous tunnel, riding wide-spread again, but this time much speedier and with less riders, for the prisoners were not large in number. When they emerged, Gil-celeb sent forebears to his palace. He knew Míriel was very anxious.
"What do you intend to do with what remains of Dol Guldur?" Lord Celeborn asked Gil-celeb.
"I was thinking of that. I am not entirely sure. I thought of rebuilding it." Gil-celeb said. "Thranduil, have you any council?"
Thranduil turned in surprise.
"Dol Guldur is in your realm and troubled you more than me, though fairly recently it assailed me once, and Lórien thrice. I say we should all agree on what to do with it since it troubled us all." he said.
"You speak truth, hîr nín." Aerandir said.
"If our opinion is to be known, Dol Guldur should be destroyed." Lord Celeborn said.
"That is my opinion as well. For it came from the Dark Lord and caused our realms, Gil-celeb, to fall under the Shadow. It is impure, and should be destroyed." Thranduil agreed.
Gil-celeb was silent as he thought.
"True, indeed. So be it, Dol Guldur shall be destroyed! For too long has it been a source of trouble and pain for my realm." he affirmed at last.
"And shame." Aerandir added, in an undertone.
Lady Galadriel caught his eye.
Swift and hard rode the armies upon the woodland path. Now that the Shadow was gone, the forest's beauty was unveiled. The leaves glistened like emeralds, and the branches and boles gleamed brightly. Birds sang in the treetops, and the air was fresh. Southern Mirkwood, most affected by the Shadow, was restored to its former glory.
As evening was about to set, Aerandir saw with great joy the gates of Gil-celeb's hidden underground cavern-palace. Gate-wardens, posted to keep a lookout for the armies' return, gave a great shout of joy upon sighting them. They opened the gates quickly.
In rode the armies, soldiers smiling in triumph. Horns were blown and flowers thrown at them as they dismounted. Families united with their loved ones, and friends happily embraced each other. Warm greetings were exchanged by all, and soft laughter was plenty.
Gil-celeb's people did not ignore the armies of Lothlórien and northern Mirkwood. Thranduil was lifted high into the air, much to his embarrassment, while Gil-celeb's subjects embraced his people. Even Lord Celeborn suffered himself to be carried as Lady Galadriel smiled. None were ignored that day. Oaths of friendship and love were sworn between the three elven realms.
Aerandir was congratulated and thanked by many. He searched endlessly for Míriel in the gathered crowd, but he could not find her. At last, he dismounted, and looking towards the palace, he saw her.
She was clad in silver, with a tiara of mithril upon her head. There was a large and beautiful smile upon her face, and her eyes shone brightly. Her silver hair shimmered. She came towards Aerandir. When she stood before him, she inclined her head slightly. He immediately sank into a low bow.
Aerandir took hold of her hands, noticing that Míriel kept her gaze lowered. He raised her head slowly with his hand, looking at her questioningly. Míriel slowly smiled. Aerandir, not able to control himself any longer, kissed her passionately. Her arms went around him as cheers and clapping exploded around them.
"I returned." Aerandir told her.
"You kept your promise." Míriel whispered.
As they turned to the crowd, Gil-celeb held up his hand for silence.
"Friends from far and near, we are gathered here, on the eve of our New Year, to celebrate many things. First, and most importantly, the Enemy, Sauron, has been at long last defeated! The Shadow that has covered our fair land is gone!" he called.
The Elves cried, "Elbereth!"
"Long have we been troubled by Dol Guldur, but never more! Its army is vanquished, its evil master has fled!"
He was answered with more cheers.
"And, though I come to it lastly, it has been on my mind for many centuries, ere Dol Guldur came into existence. My people, you know of the love between Aerandir and your Princess. I stand now before you, calling you to be witnesses to this most blessed event!"
Taking Míriel's right hand in his, he laid it in Aerandir's hands.
"Míriel, my blessings!" Gil-celeb cried.
Overcome with emotion, the Princess turned her face away from the crowd. Yet Aerandir took her gently in his arms and stroked her face before kissing her again. The crowd burst into applause.
"There is a feast." Míriel told her sire.
"Tolo, mado a sogo uin mereth!" Gil-celeb said in a loud voice.
The Elves went happily to the feast. Thranduil stopped long enough to congratulate the newly wed couple. At last, only Míriel, Aerandir, and Gil-celeb remained standing outside the palace.
"Gerich veleth nín, adar!" Míriel said, amid tears of happiness.
Sindarin Translations:
Hiro hyn hîdh ab 'wannath: May they find peace after death
Tolo, mado a sogo uin mereth: Come, eat and drink of the feast