Chapter Thirty-four: To Ithilien
Míriel was content now. She and Legolas were wedded, and their love for each other grew by the minute. The Prince proved to be a wonderful husband to her, and a perfect sire to Celoneth. He did not treat the child negligently because she was not his. Rather, Míriel felt Celoneth was greatly loved by Legolas even more than his children were when they were born. The Prince was raising Celoneth with much love in honor of Aerandir, and for the sake of his beloved Míriel.
One day, after several months had passed, and Legolas was walking with Míriel through the palace, the Princess turned to him.
"Legolas, there is something I wish to inform you." she said.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It is something important."
He led her outside to the gardens where no one would hear them.
"Ever since the deaths of my sire and Aerandir, southern Eryn Lasgalen has felt different to me. It is not as warm and loving to me as it once was." Míriel began slowly.
Legolas took hold of her hands.
"Of course not. You still grieve their deaths." he said gently.
She was silent for some time, looking at the bright, twinkling stars.
"Yet it is because of the deaths of my sire and Aerandir that I now feel estranged from here, Legolas. It seems I was doomed to a life of never ending grief and bitterness ever since I was born. The first taste of grief came when my dear beloved friend, Lúthien Tinúviel, was sent back as a mortal of her own choosing so she could spend the rest of her life with Beren, the Man she dearly loved. And I suffered greatly when she died. I loved her so very dearly!" she said.
"You knew Lúthien?" Legolas asked, astonished.
"She was my kin, Legolas. She was so very beautiful. I cannot describe her, for words do her no justice."
The Princess was silent for some time after that.
"Then when Doriath was plundered by the Dwarves, and the sons of Fëanor because they sought the Silmaril, I knew my second grief. My kinsman, King Thingol Greycloak, sire of Lúthien, was slain by Dwarves. As we fled, my mother was slain. And there I knew my fourth grief. But it was to last forever, for I was young then, not yet of age, but almost. My sire and I went to the mouth of the river Sirion with those who had fled from Doriath with Elwing. When Eärendil became friends with Círdan and he decided to build Vingilot, my sire and I accompanied him to the Isle of Balar. There I met Aerandir and we fell in love. It was not until centuries later that we met again here. And when we met again, a sadness came over me, for I remembered the first time I had met him, when we had just fled from Doriath, and Doriath is no more. Your mother's death I did not take lightly, either. And then I was tortured in Dol Guldur, which is perhaps the bitterest thing that has ever happened to me. And when Aerandir and I finally wedded, it was only to last less than a year! And then he was slain along with my sire at the hands of Falathar! And why? Because I did not love Falathar! He took his revenge on them! He betrayed my sire because of me! Everyone I dearly love is gone! Lúthien, my mother, my sire, and Aerandir! Staying here will be torture to me. For wherever I turn they will call me. This place is too full of their memories! I must get away. I have thought long of this. I cannot simply leave. I have a kingdom to think of now that my sire is gone. And yet when the answer came to me, I was astounded at why I did not think of it before. It is so simple, so very simple! Can you guess the answer?" Míriel told Legolas, a gleam in her eyes.
Legolas shook his head.
"I will give my kingdom to your sire. Then we are free to go wherever we please. So long as I stay here, the memories of my past will haunt me. What do you say, Legolas?" she said.
"I am not sure what to say, Míriel. If this is what you truly want to do, then I will not hinder you. It is your kingdom." Legolas replied.
"I do not know where to go, though. Eventually, I wish to sail to Valinor. Only there will I find peace. I have wearied of Middle-earth."
"I know of a place we can go to and be welcomed there. At the coronation of Aragorn I promised to return with some of my sire's people and dwell in Ithilien and make it fair and green. It is close to the Sea." Legolas said, drawing Míriel to him for a kiss. "Would that please you?"
The following day Míriel sent a letter to Thranduil explaining to him of her wish to give him her kingdom. She bid her messenger ride with all haste and not stop unless necessary. Then she gathered her people in a great hall to tell them of her decision. They listened silently and with much sadness in their hearts. They loved their Princess dearly.
"I know you are grieved, but I do not leave you because I do not love you. In my heart there is naught but love for you. It is only that I am weary, and my heart will break if I linger here." she told them. "I leave you in safe hands, for Thranduil is both a wise and just ruler."
Amorith and Giliath were saddened.
"We will come with you, hiril nín!" they cried.
Three weeks later Míriel's messenger returned from King Thranduil bearing a letter. The Princess read it to Legolas. In it, the King was grieved at learning that Míriel and his son were leaving to Ithilien, and more so upon learning the reasons why. He had accepted to take the kingdom, and swore to treat them with much honor.
'I will do so in memory of mellonen Gil-celeb.' he wrote.
So it was with heavy hearts that Legolas and Míriel began to prepare themselves for the long journey to Ithilien. Those Elves who could not be parted from their Princess were selected to accompany them to Ithilien. It was the same Elves who fled from Doriath with her sire. After a fortnight, everyone was prepared. On the eve of their departure, there was held a grand feast in the dining hall. There was much wine and singing, and a sad atmosphere was prevailing.
"I cannot believe the day is finally here." Míriel said later that night to Legolas as they lay in bed. "I am sad, yet happy at the same time."
"Think not of it, or you may change your mind, then regret it later on. I think it is best that we go. You are right. If you stay here, it will only be a matter of time before you will die of a broken heart." Legolas said.
The following morning, as the sun rose, the Elves of southern Eryn Lasgalen were taking fond leave of their Princess. There were many tears shed and much weeping. The Princess was not able to compose herself. At last, Legolas held his hand up for silence.
"Mellyn, it is time." he said.
Míriel dried her face and mounted her steed. Behind her were Amorith and Giliath. Celoneth, between the handmaidens, was strapped safely to a pony. She was a little over a year now, and able to stand. She was much her sire's daughter both in appearance and demeanor.
"Well, my people, may Eru protect you!" Míriel said.
"No i Melian na le!" they cried, as the company rode away.
Legolas and Míriel, along with their company, went first to Lothlórien. They were welcomed quite warmly by the Lord and Lady. Legolas was surprised to learn that Haldir was betrothed to Elenath, the niece of Lord Celeborn. Even Míriel did not know. She spent a good deal of time with Elenath, both women being akin. In her spare time, the Princess took to walking amidst the mallorn trees with her husband. Often, the Lórien Elves would find the pair by Nimrodel. Always Celoneth was with them wherever they went. Legolas made sure she was. And when Míriel was not with Elenath or Legolas and Celoneth, she was with Celeborn and Galadriel. The Princess knew Lady Galadriel, along with the other Ring-bearers, was getting ready to depart over the Sea.
After spending a fortnight in the Golden Wood, the Eryn Lasgalen Elves took fond leave of the Lord and Lady after Haldir's wedding to Elenath. They then set a southerly course towards Ithilien. They traveled at a modest pace, stopping only to rest. After twenty days, the high, white towers of Minas Tirith came into view. Legolas smiled broadly.
King Elessar and his beautiful Queen Arwen Undómiel, the Evenstar of her people, greeted the Eryn Lasgalen Elves as soon as they arrived in the White City. Legolas was pleasantly surprised to find Gimli, his dear Dwarf friend present as well. The two friends embraced warmly.
"And who may this be?" Elessar asked, looking at Míriel.
"Míriel eneth lín, Elessar." Míriel replied with a bow. "I am the daughter of Gil-celeb, as well as Legolas' wife."
The King smiled.
"I remember you now! Your sire allowed Legolas and I to search his kingdom when we were looking for Gollum. How is he? And, Legolas, I did not know you are wedded! My well wishes to you both!" he said.
Legolas and Míriel exchanged a silent look.
"He is dead. He was slain by Sauron's servant." Míriel replied.
"I am sorry to hear that." Elessar said.
Legolas and Míriel stayed several days in Minas Tirith as guests of the King and Queen. The Prince was often away with Gimli and the King. Míriel spent most of her time in bed, for her pregnancy pain had returned. Yet she was not alone, for there was Amorith, Forfirith, and Celoneth to keep her company, as well as Queen Arwen herself, who was a friend of Míriel. They had much to speak about together, for long years had passed since last they saw each other.
"Míriel, meleth nín, I am so sorry!" Legolas told her.
It was the night of the fifth day, and he had returned from a visit to Faramir in Ithilien with King Elessar. They had agreed that the Eryn Lasgalen Elves could relocate there in the woods.
Míriel smiled at Legolas through her spasms of pain.
"I should be at your side, yet I had to accompany Elessar to Ithilien. Everything is fine. We will leave tomorrow." he told her.
"I was not at all alone. Amorith and Forfirith were always with me. And Celoneth kept me entertained. The dear child is learning how to speak! Today she called me naneth! I cannot tell you how my heart fluttered to hear her say that word!" Míriel whispered softly.
Legolas removed his cloak and sat next to his wife. He had not seen her in six days, and his heart pined for her the entire time he was in Ithilien. He looked into her pale face and noted how much more beautiful she seemed to him. Her silver hair was splayed across the pillows. Her eyes roved over his face, noting the anxious look he had for her.
"I am glad you are back, Legolas. I missed you dearly." she said.
Then she lost herself in his passionate kiss and tender lovemaking.
The following day, the Eryn Lasgalen Elves were ready to make their final journey to Ithilien. They took leave from the King and Queen.
"Baren bar lin. Le hannon a tholel." Elessar told Legolas.
"Glassen, mellonen." Legolas replied.
They reached Ithilien two days later. Faramir greeted them. The Elves set immediately to work. Legolas and Míriel remained guests in Faramir's castle for nine months, while their new home was being made. It was agreed that the Elves of Ithilien would live in talans, like the Elves of Lórien. Just as word reached Legolas that the talans were ready, Míriel gave birth to identical twins, a son and daughter. They had silvery-blond hair. The son resembled Míriel, and the daughter resembled Legolas. They both had one eye that was blue, and the other eye was gray.
Sindarin Translation:
Baren bar lin. Le hannon a tholel: My home is your home. Thank you for coming.