AN HEROIC LOVE
Chapter Two
A Reunion in Tirion
In Tirion, city of the crystal stairs, the House of Finarfin prepared to greet the Sindar Prince. Galadriel his wife harbored a smile which told one and all that she had been expecting him and was mirthful at the news of his coming.
One hundred twenty seven years past, the High King Finarfin of the Noldor and his wife, Earwen had welcomed their daughter home. She alone of their children remained and the reunion of parents with daughter after millennia was filled with great joy. Altáriel she was to her parents and it was with pride and shame and much gratitude that she had finally thrown off the ban of her return and sailed home.
It is said of the elves that they are never-changing, that the world shifts around them and it is their lot to remain constant. What is said is not true. For Altáriel had changed. Relieved of the burden of Nenya and the rule and defense of her realm, repentant and forgiven, reunited with her parents and daughter, the Lady of the Galadhrim had become as a re-born elf. Joyful and full of mirth, she had cast off the forbidding disposition she had maintained for so long and traveled throughout Eldamar, her starlit eyes and graceful countenance welcomed by all.
So it was she bided her time, and with her parents expectantly awaited the coming of her husband.
Celeborn sat astride the sinewy white meara which had been provided and pondered the events of the past few days.
Once they had disembarked and the Teleri King had welcomed them, Cirdan had taken them to a guest house where they were fed and provided a comfortable, if unadorned, room for the night. He had been slightly taken aback by his first meeting with his distant kin at Alqualondë. He had somehow conjured in his mind that they would be different than he and was surprised to find they were more alike than not. Surely, he loved the forest and they loved the sea, but in appearance and wisdom and general character it pleased him to discover that he so easily felt such a strong feeling of kinship.
Celeborn hardly had time to fathom the changes wrought in his circumstance. While he felt welcome in Alqualondë, he had lived in Endor all of the years of his long life, and while glad of his choice to sail, was at once strangely uncertain of his place in this new world. Ever patient, wise and abiding, this was a strange feeling for him.
He was, of course, anxious to see his wife. Though their bond had been strong, in later years she had been burdened and full of sorrow and yearning. He knew not what to expect and this disconcerted him. He knew also that his visit to his daughter would be bittersweet, but for this he was prepared.
The Sindar Prince had been glad to leave Alqualondë for he was ever of the woodland and reveled in the lush greenery that lined the path westward through the Pass of Light. He tried to envision the light of the two trees as it spread through the pass outward and found his imagination bereft. As many times as Galadriel had told him of the beauty of Laurelin and Telperion and their bright light shining, he could only see what was before him and for that he was glad. One less thing to lament amongst the rest.
Thranduil, Haldir and his brothers and most of the Silvan newcomers had ridden with Celeborn thus far, and now they reached the crossroad where their paths would diverge. Thranduil and the Silvan folk took the road southwest which led to the Woods of Oromë while Celeborn and his escort rode due west ever nearer to the Noldor capital of Tirion.
They rode a few leagues more and then up a narrow pathway and over a rise. Nothing he had ever seen had prepared him for the sight now before his eyes. The fair city gleamed incandescent as it rose over the hillside. Made of shimmering pearl, the towers and domes, porticos and canopies sprang from the cliff sides while all below them was green grass and moss.
Intricately carved into its buildings were scrolling frescoes and the archways and pathways were made of crystal. Here and there a tall tree or copse was placed and the whole sight was of green and gold, white, and silver glass.
Ethereal singing could be heard rising up from the valley and winding its way through the city. His eyes rose to the topmost tower. Here he saw the Mindon Eldaliéva and its great silver lamp and in the small courtyard below it rose Galathilion, the sacred White Tree and of a sudden, his cares washed away. This was the tree from which Celeborn, his namesake was sprung and then Nimloth of Numenor and from Nimloth, The White Tree of Gondor. He at once saw the long life of Arda and beheld it origins, thought of his granddaughter and traced backward to Celebrían then to Galadriel his wife. He also thought of Elrond for a moment, his admiration for the Peredhil burgeoning.
He scanned the tall buildings and felt his breath catch and heart quicken at the sight of the tall elleth clad all in silver on the topmost balcony. He felt her mind brush his.
"Welcome home, amaelamin – my beloved." She said and he felt warmth wash over him, the sweet sound of her voice beckoning him ever closer.
He urged the meara to a trot and when he reached the arched fishes that encircled the front gate, he stopped. As Celeborn alit, a few stable hands appeared and took charge of the horses.
Unhindered by formal robes for he had worn only a white tunic and grey breeches, he began winding his way through the crystal paths and when he reached the glassine stairs, began taking them two at a time. Undignified, he thought with wry smile, but it did not worry him. His mind was set on the reunion with his wife and that was all. "Amaelamin," she had called him and his mind he answered her, "Meleth-nin – my love."
He reached the top of the stairs and entered the courtyard and was speechless at the sight before him. There stood Galathilion, the White Tree and Galadriel his wife beside it, and he had never in all his days seen a sight more beautiful. Her smile was as radiant as all of Varda's stars and then she stepped forward, and opened her mouth to speak.
"So," she said archly, "You have come."
"I have," said he.
Coolly waiting a few beats as if taking his measure, she then launched herself forth and fell into his arms.
It is said of the elves that they are a reserved people, who run neither hot nor cold. That they withhold much of themselves so as to last an eternity without expending their life's energy. This is not true.
For in that moment, Celeborn and Galadriel unleashed all of the unspent feeling and yearning of nearly five thousand years and clung and clutched and tears fell and then there was laughter. Bright and sparkling, their unmitigated joy resounded through the courtyard to the palace beyond.
Finarfin and Earwen had obliged their daughter's wish to meet her husband alone, but compelled by their happiness, joined them and watched as husband and wife were reunited. Seeing them over Galadriel's shoulder, Celeborn hesitated and drew himself up to his full height, regaining his dignity. Stepping forward while retaining his wife's right hand in his left, he bowed to the King, touching hand to head and then heart.
The King smiled, looked briefly at Galathilion and then at Celeborn and said,
"You are well named, Lord Celeborn. And with your coming you complete our house and bring great joy to Altáriel and so to us. How find you fair Tirion?"
"It is well," replied the Sindar Prince, "Nay, more than well. It is beautiful beyond my reckoning. But in truth, I am more enchanted still by the sight of my Lady. For it is with her that all is enhanced, and the city shines all the brighter for her presence in it."
"To a father and mother, no words are more well spoke and received." said the King, and added,
"Have you yet had the pleasure of drinking the wine of Yavanna's gifts?"
Celeborn thought for a moment and then replied,
"My answer is both yes and no, for are not Yavanna's gifts manifest in Middle-earth as well? But no, I have not as yet tasted the wine of Aman, for I did wait to indulge until I could share it with my beloved."
"Come then," said the King, "Let us drink to your coming and the completion of our house."
And so to a canopied garden they went and shared the fruits of Yavanna's vines and Galadriel's laughter flowed through the air enveloping Celeborn and for the moment, he was content.
Earwen had not been silent throughout the conversation and here and there her words had sounded as flowing water to Celeborn's ears. Ah, he remembered. Of course. For she was the daughter of Olwë, Teleri King of the sea-elves, and his distant kin. It was then he recognized the likeness between her and his daughter, Celebrían. It was not all from him the silver hair came, and eyes grey-blue like the sea. He glanced at Finarfin and then at Earwen before resting his eyes on his wife. It astonished him that in all his years he had considered her Noldo, though he knew of her heritage. In truth, was not her father the King of that kindred? But in the King he saw the golden hair and ageless eyes of the Vanyar and in Galadriel the wealth of all three – Vanya, Noldo and Teleri. He had begun to see things more clearly of late and wondered if the magic of Aman had begun its work on him, but decided to put such thoughts out of his mind and let the bliss of Valinor and his wife's presence wash over him.
Finarfin's voice interrupted his thoughts,
"Tell me, Lord Celeborn. Will you stay?"
Galadriel answered, "Father, he has only just arrived. We have much to discuss ere that decision is made. But we will three days hence make the journey to Imlothien. Celebrían has longed to see her father. And, I deem, her father yearns to see her."
"Yes, and to see Elrond Half-Elven, also. I bear letters and gifts from his sons and his grandchildren. Also, I bear witness to their lives and their passing."
Galadriel turned and with understanding, replied,
"So it is as I foresaw. All is well, herven-nin – my husband. We will together impart this news and stay some days after, for they will know sorrow and perhaps we may offer some comfort."
"I have much to esteem in our Peredhil son-in-law," said Celeborn. "I would have him know it and much more besides."
"Well," said the King. "You have many things to consider and we shall take counsel again ere you leave. Come, heldinya – my Lady, let us walk and leave our daughter and her husband to their reunion. Lord Celeborn, we rejoice in your presence amongst us. To see Altáriel shine all the brighter gladdens our hearts and for this we are grateful. We have prepared a feast of welcome for this evening, and until then, will take our leave."
Galadriel stepped forward and gently took her father's arm.
"Father, ere you would go, I would ask your assent on a matter of great importance to me."
"I can deny you nothing, meldanya – my dear. What is it?"
Though addressing her father, she looked straight at Celeborn.
"Altáriel I was and shall always be to you and to mother. But henceforth I would be Galadriel in our lands as that is my husband-name, and I wish for no other."
"Like Olórin become Mithrandir, my fair daughter?" he replied with a laugh. "So shall it be." And then turning to Celeborn, said,
"Elrond Peredhil will surely be glad of it. Our grandson by marriage has begun the task of teaching Sindarin to our Quenya speakers and also the reverse. A grand undertaking to be sure, but has been met with much success. In the end, are we not all the Quendi – speakers? Now dear Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, we will take our leave. Until later."
As the King and Queen left the garden, Galadriel beckoned to Celeborn,
"Come herven-nin – my husband, let me show you to our chambers, for I wish to welcome you most personally."
"How fortunate," answered the Elf-lord with a chuckle, "For that is my inclination as well."
Laughing, the Lady of Light led the Silver Tree inside and no more is said of their reunion, but that it was blissful.
For the next several days, Galadriel delighted in escorting her husband on forays throughout the city. The gifts of the Noldor were strongly evident in the abundance of establishments housing craftsman and scholars and as the midway point between woods and sea, north and south, Tirion was also Aman's center of trade.
The pair spent much time in conversation. Galadriel recounted her journeys in Eldamar, from the Vanyar city of Valimar, south to the Woods of Oromë and west to the Gardens of Lórien. For many years she had lingered in Lórien and had been succored by the soothing waters and healing dreams of Irmo and Estë. It was there that she was cleansed of her sorrow and purged of her shame. And it was from there she emerged as the contented elf she now was.
She had also witnessed such healing for others, including Frodo, the hobbit. She had been heartbroken to see such a noble hero so shattered and she exalted at his mending. Samwise and Bilbo had also experienced the garden's enchantment for all that came to Lórien in Eldamar were soothed and restored according to need.
Celeborn told her of Endor, of Eryn Lasgalen and the establishment of East Lorien. He told her of Ithilien and the reclamation of Khazad-dûm and the restoration of Annúminas in the north. He told her of their granddaughter, Arwen the Queen and of Elessar's success in rebuilding the kingdom. He told her of Elladan and Elrohir and of their ultimate choice. And he told her of their great-grandchildren, nine in all.
Galadriel told Celeborn that while she abided in Lórien, Irmo had graced her with visions of her family across the distant sea. She had been granted brief glimpses of the twins and their sister and she had even fleetingly seen Celeborn in East Lorien and then Imladris. Of these visions she told no one, but this is how she had known he would sail and of the news he would bring.
Together they planned for the journey to Imlothien and then south. Celeborn was anxious to see his daughter and eager to visit the vast woodlands of Eldamar. They would make no decisions on their ultimate dwelling place until they returned and they informed Finarfin of their plans.
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