It's a far, far better thing I've done
than I have ever done before.
It's a far, far better rest I go to
than I have ever had.
(Tale of Two Cities)
Chapter 46
Farewell to a King
There was not a soul among them, among the villagers who had lived in Hope for most of their lives or among those who were entering Hope for the first time, that weren't surprised at the condition of the village. The newly arrived humans had all been told of the tragedy that had occurred there and had prepared themselves to be witness to all the ugliness the murderous slavers had left behind. But such was not to be, for the well-manicured pathways, white picket fences and well tended houses all looked as if those who had lived there had just stepped away for a few moments. It was only the dead gardens as well as the ten graves that gave any evidence that something else might have happened in this place.
While Halgar, with Edda riding behind him on his horse, sat and stared sadly at the scene in front of them, Aragorn signaled the human Captains to bring their people into the village and on to the assigned camping areas by the river. Aragorn looked at Halgar, then at his father, but after the elf Lord gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head, Aragorn nodded his head in acknowledgement then turned his own horse away to follow the others.
As the tired travelers passed by the ten graves, they paid silent respect, bowing their heads and wishing the ten valiant warriors a safe journey. Elrond stayed with Halgar, silently waiting for him to gather his thoughts and if he wished, to give voice to the grief that the elf Lord knew was in the young man's heart.
"I will miss them, Lord Elrond."
Edda slid off the horse and after squeezing his hand in encouragement, walked off after the others. Both the elf Lord and the young human dismounted and walked to the gravesite.
"I know you will miss them, Halgar, and it is only right that you do, for they were your kin, your friends and had protected you for a very long time. But they are gone now, and you can honor their passing and perhaps repay any debt you feel you may owe them for their sacrifice by being the best person you can possibly be. They gave their lives for you, and I think that is a good indication of what they felt in their hearts, for there is no greater way, no better way, that they could have shown the depth of their feelings."
Halgar reached up with his hand and slowly wiped a tear off his cheek, then spent a moment staring at his hand, acknowledging at long last the grief he had been holding inside of him for much too long. Then, as if that single tear had been a dam holding back a mighty river, he began to cry. He sank to his knees and bent over his mother's grave, his forehead resting itself on a soft bed of simbelmynë, while his hands grasped and ungrasped the rich soil beneath the fragrant blossoms. He emptied his soul then, crying out great, wracking sobs. Elrond knelt beside the man and put his arms around him as he had done for his own sons so many times when they had been overwhelmed by grief, and as Halgar continued to sob brokenly, he gently rocked him and whispered soothing words into his ear.
In truth, at that moment, Elrond was more of a father to Halgar than the young human could ever remember anyone else being and the simple act of caring was exactly what he needed. And on that night, under the watchful eyes of one of the brightest stars in the sky, the Star of Eärendil, the star of Elrond's own father, Halgar finally took the first step toward healing his heart.
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Legolas had gone to take a walk around the village, for Halgar was not the only being who had yet to come to terms with what had happened in the village of Hope. As he visited the places he remembered from his last trip, he found himself becoming more and more unsettled and haunted by the ghosts of his memories.
The memories of the raucous voices of the drunken slavers, the fear for his life, the physical and emotion pain that had been inflicted on him, and the mingled taste of dirt mixed with his own blood as the slavers had almost beat him to death, were waking up and tearing at his soul. He broke out in a cold sweat and his body trembled as he remembered the events and began to relive them in his mind. He jumped when he felt a hand being placed on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Legolas, it was not my intention to startle you. Are you not well?"
Legolas looked into the concerned grey eyes of his dearest friend and brother and smiled wanly.
"Yes, Estel, I am well. I'm just a little tired."
"Then come back with me to the camp site and enjoy a hot meal. Sometimes it is not good to be alone, my friend."
As he looked at the young adan, Legolas realized that of all the beings he was trying the hardest to hide his true feelings from, Aragorn was probably the one who understood his pain the best. He smiled and sighed. He never could fool his friend.
"I will be there in a bit, Estel. Right now I just want a few moments to myself, for there are a few memories that I wish to try and lay to rest."
Aragorn nodded his head in understanding and gave the Prince a hug.
"Just don't become too lost in those memories my friend. Remember that there are those who are more than willing to share them with you."
With a final nod to each other, Aragorn turned and walked back to the camp, leaving his friend to try and come to terms with what had happened to him in this place.
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The water could not sooth the wood elf, because like everyone else who had tried, it did not know what to say – what words to say – what song to sing, that would sooth the elf's heart. It did its very best, but even though it sang beautiful songs of peace, acceptance and letting go, the elf, sitting silent and alone on its shores, staring mournfully into the water, did not seem to be truly listening. The river then became sad as well.
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He had been standing in the shadows of the trees, watching the Mirkwood Prince for some time now. He frowned, for he could plainly see that there was something amiss, something he had been purposefully hiding when he had eaten supper with them some time before. Greyfell knew that Legolas was suffering from an emotional hurt that was devastating his heart, and he knew that it was a pain that if not shared with another, would eat his soul and leave nothing behind but a shell of what should have been. He stood where he was for a few minutes more, then having made up his mind, Greyfell went to summon someone who might be able to help.
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Anayah was grooming Elias and was alerted to the approach of another when the stallion's ears started flicking back and forth. Greyfell walked up to the two and after spending some time rubbing behind the stallion's ears, picked up a brush and began brushing the smooth, glossy coat of the horse while Anayah cleaned his hooves of the debris they had picked up on their journey. The two worked in silence for a time, but after a reasonable interval, when her friend had still not spoken, Anayah frowned.
"Your thoughts, Greyfell?"
The tall elf stopped brushing the stallion's coat and leaned against the horse's warm body for a moment as he thought about the best way to speak of his concerns.
"I was just down by the river." He resumed his brushing as he gathered his thoughts.
"And?" Anayah was becoming concerned for she sensed that her friend was unsettled about something.
Greyfell sighed.
"The Prince would like for everyone to think that he has been unaffected by this place and what happened to him here." He looked up at Anayah. "For a wood elf that can listen to music and draw comfort from all of creation, he is sitting just a bit too stiffly."
He sighed deeply.
"Your friend is losing himself to his memories, Anayah, letting their hold on his mind and heart strengthen with each passing moment. I do not know him well enough to offer my assistance and even if I did, he might not appreciate my intrusion into his solitude. However, he may just accept your company for you have a talent for drawing beings out of the darkness without showing them pity or feeling sorry for them. This is what Legolas needs – go to him, Anayah – he needs you. Go to him and be his friend."
Anayah looked off into the darkness, as if she could see her wounded friend sitting on the banks of the river. Then, having made up her mind, she handed the hoof pick to Greyfell and after laying her hand on his shoulder, she turned and walked away.
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"Legolas?"
Legolas jumped and turned his head then seeing that it was Anayah, held out his hand to her and helped her sit. After kissing him lightly on the cheek she leaned her head against his shoulder then for a time, the two silently shared the peace and comfort of each other's presence and unconditional support. It was finally Anayah who broke the silence.
"I still can't promise you that you will see the sun of a new day, Legolas, but I can still promise you that the possibility exists, that the sun will rise and with it will come new hope, and that, my friend, is still all that any of us have."
He reached out and put an arm around Anayah's shoulders.
"Why are you so good to me, Anayah Dúnedhel?"
She smiled.
"Because I'm bored and don't have anything else to do."
Legolas looked at her for a moment then burst out laughing. After awhile, when they had both regained their composure, Anayah looked at the elf sitting beside her.
"There is no dishonor in sharing pain with a friend, Legolas, and even though I was not the one that had your experiences, I can still vaguely guess at what it is that you are feeling at this moment. You might want to consider that your experiences in this place are waking up some extremely old and very hurtful memories – or maybe it is the other way around. Perhaps what you went through as a slave for the High-bitch …"
Legolas chuckled.
"Sometimes you can be so eloquent, Anayah."
"I know … but don't you just adore that part of my wonderfully rare and cheerful personality?"
Her eyes crinkled as she favored him with her "pixie" smile.
"Now hush. You're interrupting my deeply intelligent and well thought out remarks."
He just shook his head as Anayah continued.
"Anyway … as I was saying … perhaps your experiences in Hoth are waking up some old demons. Royal or not, Legolas, share your hurts with those of us who love you, for any one of us would be more than willing to share your sorrows with you."
She looked at her friend seriously.
"Do you promise me that you will at least consider my offer, Legolas?"
Legolas squeezed her shoulder.
"Aye, Anayah, I promise that I will consider your offer."
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"No. I can't."
"Yes you can."
"No."
"Yes."
"No. Anayah, he is an elf Lord - he could chew me up and spit me out in little tiny pieces without even thinking seriously about it. And he's your father! What if he doesn't like me?"
Anayah glared at the elf - with squinty eyes.
"Greyfell, just stop it. You are acting like an elfling - do you want me to send you to your room without dinner?"
The elf looked at Anayah, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Then, without warning, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to him tightly as he laughed nervously. When he heard some muted mumbling, he realized he was crushing the life out of her and loosened his grip, for he didn't want the elf Lord to take his immortal grace because he had hugged his daughter to death. Anayah backed up then, glaring at him and making a show of smoothing her hair back into place before speaking.
"I promise you, my friend, that you have nothing to fear from my father. He is truly an elf Lord without peer, a warrior of renown, a leader and guide of his people and the best healer on Middle-earth. But more than all those things, and most importantly, he is a loving father who has always proven that he has room in his heart for everyone."
"I know you are right, Anayah, and the time probably couldn't get any better for me to formally meet Lord Elrond, but I just can't make myself do it. Just look at me – I'm sick to my stomach and the palms of my hands are sweating – I'm a mess. Are all my introductions going to be this painful?"
With hands on hips, Anayah looked at the elf and shook her head.
"I cannot believe that you are this shy, Greyfell. You could look evil in the eye, every day while you lived in Hoth, but you are afraid to meet my father?"
She shook her head then made a show of brushing imaginary bits of dust off his tunic.
"There is nothing to fear from him, my friend. In fact, you would not now be so fearful of meeting him if you had seen him miss the top step in front of our house then slide most ungracefully to the bottom of the steps, on his butt, where he sat for a time, giggling like an elfling. That incident would have put everything into a proper perspective for you."
"I was not giggling, daughter."
Both elves turned to see Lord Elrond approaching them. He kissed Anayah on her forehead and clasped Greyfell's forearm in greeting.
"You were too giggling, Ada."
Elrond frowned mightily although the wink he sent their way softened the expression somewhat.
"I was definitely not giggling. I was merely giddy from the excitement of having cheated death once again for near-death-experiences can be quite horrific to an immortal!"
Greyfell burst out laughing and when he saw Elrond and Anayah look at him questioningly with identically raised eyebrows, he laughed even harder. Finally, the two of them began laughing as well.
"Well, Ada ... Greyfell ... I will leave you two now, for there is something I must do before it gets too late."
She smiled at her friend then whispered to him.
"See? I told you he wouldn't bite."
Kissing her father then Greyfell on the cheek, Anayah turned and disappeared into the darkness.
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Anayah walked through the camp until she found the tent where Raina and Hy were staying. After visiting with the two for a few minutes, she asked Raina if she could take Hy and Orion for a walk. Hy's eyes started twinkling and Orion immediately got to his feet, his whole backside moving back and forth as his tail wagged furiously. Raina kissed Hy on the cheek, scratched behind Orion's ears, and then the two turned and left the little camp with their elf-friend.
"Where are we going, Miss Anayah?"
"I am taking you to meet someone."
"Who?"
The boy was evidently having trouble containing his excitement and would have walked into a tree if an ever-alert Orion had not guided him around it.
"I am taking you to meet the one who gave you Orion."
"Really? What's his name? What's he like? Does he have children?"
"His name is his own, he is a wonderful friend and ..." Anayah's eyes grew sad for a moment. "Yes, Hy, he does have a child."
The boy could tell that they were no longer in the camp and kept turning his head as he listened to the night sounds around him. When he felt a slight breeze ruffle his hair, Anayah put her hand on his shoulder and brought him to a stop.
"He is here." Was all she said.
As Hy listened closely, he heard the sound of a horse shifting its weight, then heard the sound of feet touching the earth as the being dismounted. He could tell that whoever it was in front of him had knelt so he wouldn't have to look up at his voice. When the being spoke, his voice was deep and soothing, and right away, Hy knew he had nothing to fear.
"Hello, young Hy. I don't have long to visit, but I did want to meet Orion's new friend. Are you two getting used to each other?"
As if in answer, the dog turned his head slightly and licked the boy's hand and in response, Hy lovingly placed his hand on the dog's head.
"Yes sir, we are. Thank you very much for giving him to me."
He could tell that the man had turned his head toward Anayah.
"He is very polite."
Anayah kissed Hy's temple.
"He has a gentle spirit - he is truly special."
The man put his hand on Hy's shoulder.
"He is more special than you know, Anayah. Take great care of this young one, for the future is depending on him."
The voice was once more in front of him and Hy smiled.
"I have to go now, young sir, but I will trust you to care for Orion and love him all that you can. Will you do this for me?"
Suddenly, Hy threw his arms around the man's neck and gave him a quick hug before stepping back shyly.
"Yes sir, I promise that I will love Orion the best that I can."
He could sense that the man was smiling at him then he heard him walk back to his horse and mount.
"Goodbye for now, young Hy. Anayah, we will talk later."
A breeze once more ruffled his hair and Hy knew for a fact that the man was gone.
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Anayah had just left Hy and Orion in Raina's care when excited voices could be heard announcing the arrival of a great eagle. Quickening her footsteps, she almost ran to the middle of the village, the only place large enough for one of the large birds to land, getting there just in time to see her grandfather, Lord Celeborn, helping her Grandmother down off the eagles dipped wing. Anayah bowed deeply to Gwaihir.
"Lord Gwaihir. Welcome to Hope. I must say, you become more handsome every time I see you – are you married?"
Gwaihir's musical laughter filled the night air and brought smiles to the faces of all who heard it. Still smiling, he dipped his great head until one large eye was level with her head.
"A pleasure as always, young elf."
Wrapping her arms around his beak, she gave him a hug and a kiss then turned to greet her smiling Grandparents and for a time the three just hugged each other and indulged in some casual chatting to catch up on the mundane news and gossip of Lórien.
"Has the meeting begun yet?" Her Grandmother asked.
"No, Grandmother, it has not. Gandalf has not yet arrived."
As if on cue, the sound of a galloping horse could be heard and soon after, Gandalf and Shadowfax rode to where the three elves and the eagles were standing, and after greeting his Istar friend as well as the Lord of all horses, Gwaihir took off and was soon lost to sight. Two Lórien elves came to escort the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood to the meeting but when the two looked at Gandalf questioningly, he just told them that he wanted to smoke a pipe before he went to greet the others. Bowing their heads in acknowledgement, the two then left.
After the Lord and Lady had left, Gandalf started to fill his beautiful, hand carved pipe with the pipeweed he had become so fond of. Anayah waited silently although the wizard could easily tell that there was something on her mind. His eyes were twinkling as he blew his first smoke ring into the air and even though she was fairly squirming from the effort of letting the grey wizard have some time to himself, Anayah remained silent. Finally, after watching her bounce up and down for a time, the wizard took his now-empty pipe out of his mouth and began cleaning it.
"Speak, young elf, before you explode from the effort of trying to hold in all that energy."
Anayah play punched her friend in the arm.
"So ... tell me about the village." She smiled at her friend.
The wizard frowned as if puzzled by her question.
"What about the village?"
Anayah spun in a circle then stamped her foot in exasperation.
"You know." She said with a wink. "Nice job, by the way."
"Thank you."
Not to be put off by Gandalf's vague reply, Anayah looked at the wizard a moment - with squinty eyes - then tried again.
"Friends of yours?"
The wizard roared with laughter then put a companionable arm around the she-elf's shoulders and turned toward the house where the meeting would be held. He ruffled her hair.
"Just as snoopy as always."
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When Gandalf and Anayah finally stepped through the door of Halgar's house, they were met with bedlam. There were several different casual conversations in progress as well as much laughter as everyone patiently waited for Gandalf and Anayah to arrive. Finally, the time for the meeting was at hand and Elrond stepped forward, raised his hand to get everyone's attention and began the Council meeting.
"During the course of this night and this council meeting, we will help Estel, as the most direct kin, to decide what to do about the remains of his ancestor as well as the Elendilmir. The secret existence of the two still largely remains with those in this room and I cannot stress overmuch how important it is for this fact to remain that way.
King Thranduil and Crown Prince Legolas will represent Mirkwood in this matter and Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn and Haldir will represent Lórien. Halgar, the Legend Keeper, Aglarion as his inheritor and Lothur as worthy Second to Halgar, will represent the people of Hope, and Elladan, Elrohir and I will represent Imladris. Gandalf will represent "Western" interests, Captain Greyfell will represent the Dúnedain who share kinship with Isildur from afar, and Aragorn with Anayah as his Second in this matter, stand as kin.
At this council meeting, we will present Aragorn with the options he has to choose from in regards to the interment of his ancestor's remains as well as the King's crown. Aragorn, do you wish to begin by presenting your first thoughts on the matter?"
Aragorn walked forward until he was facing the others then cleared his throat before speaking.
"It has been decided that the responsibility for the remains of my ancestor, thought lost for over 3,000 years, now rests with me. It has been agreed by all that the responsibility of the Legend Keeper in this matter has been met and both the token and the mortal remains of the King have, for all intents and purposes, been passed on to his heir. To keep either my ancestor's mortal remains or the Elendilmir in this place would pose a significant and unnecessary risk to this village for it is inevitable that someone, someday, by chance or otherwise, will find out about the village and what it contains. It is not any being's wish to cause a repeat of the tragedy in which ten faithful and valiant beings lost their lives. In that regard, I believe that the question of whether the remains and the crown should be kept in Hope has been answered – they should not.
What then, should we do? Isildur cannot rest in the House of Kings where lies his father because he broke faith with the people when he kept the One Ring and while Elendil may have forgiven him for that act, his people more than likely have not, for too long have they lived in the shadow of Mordor."
He looked at the faces of elves and humans as they listened carefully to what he was saying and judged that they were all in agreement with what he was telling them.
"There is another consideration to which we all must give our most intense consideration and thought. The circumstances surrounding the appearance of both Isildur's remains and the Elendilmir would give rise to too many questions which must not ever be asked. These questions could very well lead to discovery that Isildur's heir lives – and Sauron must not ever become aware of that fact, whatever my future decision might be in that regard. Know only that I am not yet ready to assume the throne nor am I ready to handle the consequences should Sauron find out that Isildur's heir yet lives. Those are my thoughts at this time."
Elrond nodded and while Aragorn walked back to his seat and sat, the Imladris Lord once more walked to the center of the room then turned and faced his youngest son.
"Estel, your decision whether or not to become King not a burden you should carry or worry about at this time for this is not a day suitable for making such grand decisions. Focus your attention on what needs to be discussed and decided – today, just stand as blood kin."
Elrond had been well aware that his youngest son had been worried that an acknowledgement of kinship ties with Isildur would mean that he had to make an immediate decision on whether or not to assume the throne. The Lord also knew, as only a father could, that it would be many years before Aragorn would be ready to say yes or no to both the throne and the crown.
Elladan and Elrohir, following proper courtesy protocols, offered Aragorn the option of laying Isildur to rest within the boundaries of Imladris as did Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn of Lórien. After acknowledging the offer, Elrond looked at his much-too-pale daughter and frowned – something was amiss.
"Anayah, you have been much too quiet this night. Do you have thoughts you would like to share with us?"
"What about laying him to rest in his father's arms?"
She shook her head then laid her hand on her forehead as if it pained her. Sensing his sister's distress, Elladan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her, feeling her forehead, then kissing it lightly.
"What troubles you, sister?"
Not making eye contact with the others, Anayah sighed and as she did, her breath hitched as if she were about to cry.
"The sadness in this place draws much emotional energy from me – my apologies for my lack of control."
She sighed deeply before continuing.
"It is a very hurtful thing to me, knowing that Isildur spent 3,000 years in torment over what he had done, then redeems himself by saving Aragorn so that as his heir, Aragorn can hopefully accomplish what he, himself, could not. But that is not all, for now that it is all over, he still cannot be laid to rest in the House of Kings, where he belongs, even though he rose from his eternal rest to do what he could to put things back on the right path. It is not how such valor and selfless acts should be rewarded."
"His spirit is at peace and while those of us who still walk this fair land may put significance on the placement of his mortal remains, the man probably would not care where he slept his final sleep as long as due respect was paid to him."
"I know, Gandalf. I just wish he could lay next to his father."
"His father's arms ... his father's tomb."
Elrond had been thinking deeply about what Anayah had said earlier.
"Of course - Amon Anwar. Aragorn? What are your thoughts on this?"
Aragorn once more stood and faced the other beings in the room. He had heard and considered the words and offers of everyone who had spoken and had come to a final decision. He sighed.
"While Lórien is a beautiful and peaceful place as well as being a protected realm, as is Imladris, Isildur had no ties to Lórien, and though I appreciate Lórien's most gracious offer I must decline its acceptance at this time. Imladris is also an acknowledged realm of peace and even though it has always hosted the descendants of Númenor's first king, I must also refuse that particular offer of sanctuary for Isildur as well."
He bowed his head slightly and his Grandparents smiled in acknowledgement of the courtesy as did Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir.
"When Anayah said what she did about Isildur resting in his father's arms, she made a good point. Amon Anwar has always been a place of peace and until Elendil was removed and laid to rest in the House of Kings in Minas Tirith by Cirion, then Steward of the King, he had rested undisturbed and peacefully in that hallowed place. It is therefore my decision that the mortal remains of Isildur as well as the Elendilmir, will be laid to rest in Amon Anwar for the tomb of Elendil the Faithful would indeed be a fitting place for his son's final rest."
Without further debate, it was decided that those who would be making the journey would rest and recover their strengths and in three days time would escort Isildur to his final rest.
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Elrond had called an end to the Council Meeting and Anayah was getting ready to walk out of the door of Halgar's house when she felt someone take her arm. She looked up into the beautiful sparkling eyes of her Grandmother.
"It is a beautiful night for a walk beside the river, Granddaughter. Let us make this small journey together for I sense a disquiet in you that might be eased by a conversation between friends."
She kissed her Grandmother on the cheek.
"As perceptive as always, my Lady."
"Should we females be any other way?"
Anayah couldn't help herself and laughed. She had been in her Grandmother's presence for less time than it would take to drink a soothing cup of tea and already she was feeling better.
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Galadriel and Anayah walked arm-in-arm along the banks of the river, listening to the soothing music of the rushing waters and though they had come to talk, the two took advantage of the initial silence to recharge their spirits for there was still a sense of sadness about the village that could not be ignored by either sensitive elf. Finally, Galadriel turned to her Granddaughter.
"Anayah, you are going to make yourself ill with your worry. Tell me what it is that is troubling you and perhaps I will be able to give you counsel that would ease your heart."
Anayah hugged Galadriel and walked on in silence for a bit as she tried to order her thoughts.
"This whole adventure confuses me, my Lady, and I must admit that I understand nothing more clearly now than I did at the beginning. But most confusing to me, surprisingly, is my own place in what is happening. I have tried to understand it and have spoken to others of it, thinking, and apparently mistakenly so, that if I gave voice to my thoughts that they would become more clear to me. This is not so and I only grow more confused as more time passes, so please tell me why I have to suffer for a cause I do not understand."
When Anayah grew silent, the Lady turned toward her.
"Continue, please." Galadriel said gently.
"Why was I appointed as the champion of the future King? Why did you and the other elves throw me into the middle of a war, tell me that I'm supposed to protect the future King of Men and that I'm supposed to draw the Great Eye away from my brother so he has at least half a chance to live until the time comes for him to take the crown?"
"Anayah, I will do my very best to answer all your concerns so that your heart will be much eased by a new understanding."
Galadriel walked on for a few more moments then stopped and faced Anayah.
"Do you think that in the years before your brother takes the crown that Sauron will never figure out who the heir of Isildur is and more importantly where he is? Arda is only so big, Granddaughter. And do you think Sauron does not know the line of Kings as well as we do and that Elrond is brother to Elros - Númenor's first King - and is therefore kin to Isildur's heir? Do you think that he is not going to figure out that the heir is in one of the elven kingdoms?"
The two came upon a downed tree on the banks of the river and sat on it, taking off their boots and immersing their feet in the cool, river water.
"Sauron will wonder why the elder elves have stayed when most of our kind have sailed into the West. He will wonder and he will rightly conclude that we are protecting something of great value - or someone of great value. Sauron may be arrogant, Anayah, but he is not stupid."
Galadriel put her arm around Anayah's shoulders then leaned her head against her Granddaughter's, touching temples in compassionate support.
"The path you must walk, in its own way, will be almost as difficult and just as important as will be the path your brother will walk. Unfortunately, history can never know your name, Anayah, while the name of your brother as well as his valor will have a lasting effect on this place until the ending of all things. But know this fact above all else, Anayah, we love you, all of us do, and we will be here for you as much as we are able."
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When Anayah was on her way to her tent after she and her Grandmother had returned from their walk, she was intercepted by a pair of extremely excited twins. Anayah rolled her eyes and tried to walk in another direction but found her path of escape cut off once again.
"What do the two of you want that cannot wait until tomorrow?"
She stopped and with hands on her hips, glared at the two.
"Halgar and Edda are going to be married not tomorrow, but next day." The twins said in unison.
Anayah was glad that she had a quick mind for hearing the same sentence being spoken by two identical elves would have been very disconcerting to any being who did not understand the intricacies of twin-speak.
"Why so soon?"
The two sobered.
"We asked Halgar that very question. He said that they want to be joined before Isildur is taken away because he has been a part of their lives for so long, that it would only be fitting if he was present at the wedding of the last Legend Keeper. King Thranduil and Ada will bless their union, he will ask Grandmother to stand in for Halgar's mother and since Rahan started everything, he will walk Edda to Halgar at the beginning of the ceremony. Lothur will stand as Halgar's Second and Edda will be asking the same of you."
"Isn't love beautiful, brothers?"
"So when are you going to get married, sister?"
Anayah looked at the twins seriously for a moment before she answered.
"When all your hair falls out and you run around the borders of Imladris and twice down the main path while completely naked." She then turned towards her tent and continued walking.
Elrohir looked at his twin seriously for a moment.
"That's something we haven't tried before."
Elladan glared at Elrohir.
"Well ... we could leave out the hair falling out bit, brother."
Elladan glared at his brother one last time before quickening his pace to catch up with Anayah.
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The entire next day was spent preparing for Halgar and Edda's wedding. The women of the village found a beautiful dress for the young bride with matching ribbons for her hair. Young Hy would carry the traditional wine goblets in a velvet bag and Orion would have the wine flask tied around his neck by a colorful braided ribbon. After the vows had been exchanged, Lord Celeborn would serve the couple the wine, which they would then serve each other as a symbol of their love and devotion.
The night before his marriage, Halgar slipped unnoticed out of his house and went to visit the grave of Momma Cwén. Whatever was said would remain unknown to everyone and forever, although it was not hard to guess that he had asked for his beloved mother's blessing.
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Finally, the time for the ceremony to begin was at hand, and after Anayah had put Edda's hand on Rahan's arm, Edda looked up at the big Captain and with awe in her eyes said solemnly, "You are very tall."
Anayah almost choked and was hard put to keep herself from laughing and after she had turned her back on the two, had to take some deep breaths before she turned back to the human and the elf, semi-in control of herself. When Edda looked at Anayah questioningly, all Anayah would say was that she would tell her about it later. Then with nothing further to say or do, Anayah preceded the bride down the path to where Halgar waited, dropping the petals of wildflowers onto the ground as she walked.
Stopping in front of Halgar, Rahan put Edda's hand in his then bent down to whisper in Halgar's ear.
"Treat her well, human." He then winked at the man.
After King Thranduil and Lord Elrond had both given their blessings to the two, Elrond informed Halgar and Edda that the time had come for them to exchange their vows. Halgar kissed Edda's hands before he spoke.
"Edda, you came to me in my darkest hour, when I thought I had not the strength to take another step and you gifted me with both comfort and a measure of your own strength. Your first touch - the feeling of your warm hand upon my shoulder, is a memory I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life.
Thank you for consenting to be my mate - my wife. May I prove myself worthy of this grace every day and with every breath I take.
From this day to the ending of eternity, Edda, I pledge to you my loyalty, my support in all things and above all else, I pledge to you my love."
Edda smiled at Halgar with tears in her eyes.
"I lived the life of a slave and I was set free twice. My physical bonds fell away when the collar of servitude was removed from my neck, but when I first saw you in that tent, working so hard and tirelessly to ease a wounded soldier's pain, physical and emotional, my heart, free at last to love, almost stopped. If it was possible to love at first sight - I did at that moment, for I recognized instantly, the missing half of my soul.
From this day to the ending of eternity, I pledge to you, Halgar, my loyalty, my support in all things, and above all else, I pledge to you my love."
With the sharing of the goblets of wine, the ceremony was officially ended, and when it was, Gandalf's magic released 100 white doves from the nearby forest and while the newly married couple rushed off for some time alone, Anayah showered the retreating couple with fragrant rose petals of almost every color. When Greyfell looked at her questioningly, all she said was that the rose petals spell was the first magic Gandalf had ever taught her.
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By that evening, a wagon had been turned into a suitable transport device for Isildur's casket and with its finishing, all the preparations for the trip had been completed. Anayah had gone to visit Hy and Raina and she had explained to the young boy that she and the others would be leaving the next morning to take someone home but would be back as soon as she could. Hy tried very hard to be brave but tears rolled down his cheek in spite of his efforts and Anayah had a hard time convincing him that she would, in fact, be returning.
A side of venison had been cooked over an open pit and everyone was getting ready to eat when both Anayah and Greyfell walked up to the group with Anayah waving her hands to get everyone's attention.
"Elias and Greyfell's mare, Amarië, have pulled loose from their pickets. Did anybody see in which direction they went?"
Elladan pointed toward the river and after nodding her thanks to her brother, she and Greyfell took off toward the river at a run. When they found the two horses, Anayah froze in shock, as did Greyfell, beside her. She stood for a moment with her head at an angle, gazing at the scene in front of her.
"Wow. Ok. My stomach is now turning and churning in my body. I think I am going to leave now."
Without even looking at Greyfell, Anayah turned around and walked back toward where the others were now eating dinner. As she walked by everybody with a blushing face, her Guards and brothers called out to her but she waved them off and kept right on walking, talking about how she was going to go blind and how she was far too young to be seeing such things. When the same beings had tried to get a blushing Greyfell to tell them what had happened, the elf who had lived over 3,000 years and who had spent much of the last few years working for a madwoman, could only point towards the river while making futile attempts to get words to come out of his mouth.
Finally, Galadriel took charge of the situation and turning her head towards the river, closed her eyes then sent her elvish senses towards that place to see what had happened to cause two supposedly mature elves to act so irrationally. The others waited patiently for the Lady to finish her "quest." Suddenly her eyes popped open, then one of the oldest, greatest and most beloved of all the elves in Middle-earth, started to laugh so hard that her husband had to hold on to her to keep her from falling to the ground. When Galadriel had once more regained control of herself and had wiped the tears of laughter off her cheeks, she explained.
"I must apologize for my lack of control ... I believe that our Anayah and Captain Greyfell just came upon their babies making babies and were quite embarrassed, for such a thing was not and could not have been anticipated. If we do not make too much of this situation," she pointedly looked at the twins, "I believe both mothers will be just fine, just as Amarië will be fine in about 11 months."
"Wife," Lord Celeborn said in mock-indignation, "I am much too young to be hearing such talk."
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The somber funeral procession left Hope at dawn the next day. The elder elves and Gandalf used magic to hide themselves as well as the funeral wagon and if anybody would have had occasion to look in their direction, all they would have seen was a faint shimmer in the air and the far off sound of gentle voices, singing a sad song of farewell.
Upon their arrival, it was not difficult to find the stone stairs that led to the tomb but before they began their ascent, Elrond, Noldor Lord of Imladris and acknowledged Master of Lore, recited to them, pertinent parts of the Tradition of Isildur.
"Up these stairs let no man climb save the King, and those he brings with him, if he bids them follow him."
He motioned for Aragorn to begin the climb and after he had taken two steps, Anayah was motioned to follow him. Heir and sister were followed by the casket, carefully carried by the four Thurin Tirith and who, in turn, were followed by Halgar, Aglarion and Lothur who were followed by the rest of the elves. When they had all reached the top and had come to a level space on whose eastern end stood a raised mound, Elrond stepped forward once more and spoke the final words that Isildur, himself, had spoken on this spot over 3,000 years before.
"This was a tomb of Elendil the Faithful as it will be from this day forward, the tomb of his son, Isildur. Here the tomb shall stand, in the keeping of the Valar, while Middle-earth endures; and this place shall be a hallow that none shall profane. Let no man disturb its silence and peace, unless he be an heir of he who rests here."
The tomb itself was opened then Aragorn and Anayah walked inside and stood silently while the Guards entered and placed the casket in its final resting-place. The four Thurin Tirith then walked outside and stood at the tomb's entrance as Guards of Honor, while the rest of the elves filed in to witness the final part of the ceremony.
Halgar held the beautifully carved box containing the Elendilmir, waiting for the casket to be opened so he could open the box and let Aragorn take the crown from within. There was a communal gasp as the lid of the casket was raised, for inside was the body of a king who merely slept and it was a wonder to all that Isildur's body had not been touched by either time or the ravages of death.
There were many who wondered how this could be and it was Gandalf who came up with the best answer.
"Perhaps we were meant to see Isildur as we do now because it was necessary for us to make a connection between the myth and the man. Most of those in this tomb were witness to the spectral form of Isildur, as he appeared to them on the rise near Hoth. But now you see him as he appeared to his people – as a man capable of both strength and weakness. It is one thing to tell stories and record legend and lore, but it is another thing entirely to reach out and touch it with your hand – may we learn this lesson well. Isildur has regained his honor – now let him rest in peace."
Tenderly Aragorn removed the Elendilmir from its case and placed it on the brow of the King, then after a few moments of silent contemplation, the lid of the casket was lowered, then those inside the tomb, who had stood as witnesses to the interment of a King, silently turned and left.
The Elendilmir had finally arrived at the one place where she could rest undisturbed with the one who wore her last and whose struggle had become her own. It was the one place where there was truly peace of spirit, peace of mind and peace of heart ... where there could be true rest. Though the door of the tomb had been closed and nothing was there to invade the privacy and sanctity of that hallowed place, if one would have listened closely, they would perhaps have heard the slightest of whispers ...
Home ...
With that last breath - that last whisper - the beautiful white stone, the Elendilmir, acknowledged that her work was done. Isildur had been reconciled with his father and was now at rest, and his heir, Aragorn, had been gently nudged back onto the path he had always been meant to walk and in so doing, had been persuaded to accept his destiny, whether he realized it or not. He would face many trials and would have many self-doubts over the years, but in truth, his fate, to accept the station of High King of Gondor and Arnor, had been determined the moment he had stepped over the threshold of the tomb.
TBC
NEXT: Epilogue: The End - Part IV