The Other Child:  Ithilien, Fairest of the Westlands

Note:  A great many thanks to the Encyclopedia of Arda, http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/, which is the most incredible resource for all things Tolkien!

Between the great Anduin and the desolate lands of Mordor stretched the green oasis of Ithilien, renown for its flowering meadows, pine-draped cliffs and waterfalls.  Behind the refuge of Henneth Annûn, aptly named the Window of the Sunset, were stationed garrisons of soldiers who made their fortress in the many caverns behind the falls, as they had done in the days of the War.

The shadows of Mordor dissolved, many pioneers from Gondor had sought the woodland havens to settle in Ithilien.  Their lord Faramir dwelt near to Henneth Annûn, in a sunlight valley in Emyn Arnen, the range of hills that divided northern and southern Ithilien.  Here he held court in halls fair to look upon, with many windows and terraces opening onto gardens in the style of Rivendell.  It was here, on a fine evening in May that he spoke with his neighbor, Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of the Silvan Elves. 

"And how are your people settling, my friend?" he asked as he poured the Elf a goblet of wine.

"Well enough, I think," replied Legolas. "There is much to be done, especially in the South where the Fords of Poros sustained heavy fighting with the Haradrim.  But there are few scars the skills of my people cannot mend."

"It is well for us that it is so, Legolas.  I am content with our camps in the North, but I am concerned for our southernmost settlements."

"You yet fear the Haradrim, despite the King's treaties?"

"They have ever been our foes, and Ithilien is a sweet prize indeed."

"Your soldiers and my archers are more than a match for them, my lord."

"Perhaps, but I am a student of history.  In the days of the Kings, the great general Eärnil defeated the Haradrim beyond the Fords and went on to victory over the Wainriders in the North in the Battle of the Camp.  I am named for the son of King Ondoher, who fell in that battle.  Nine hundred years later, the Steward Túrin and Folcwine of Rohan defended the Fords; Folcwine lost his sons in the fighting.  It is a bitter place and a weak link, albeit our armor is stronger thanks to your efforts."

"My archers now dwell near the Haudh in Gwanur, where the great mound honors the sons of Folcwine.  No enemy shall pass them."

"Yet since their defeat, we may assume the Haradrim are thirsting for revenge," said Faramir.

"We have scoured the land thoroughly but there are still colonies of Orcs hiding in the deep places of the earth.  These, too, pose a threat to our peace."

"I am more concerned about the Men who walk abroad in the light of the sun.  The Haradrim have always been our enemies and there are tribes of Easterlings that Alatar was never able to entreat. The Battle of the Camp was a fierce two-prong assault, led by the Haradrim and the Wainriders.  Our enemies have never forgotten this defeat, nor, I suspect, their alliance of old."

"You anticipate a similar assault, my lord?"

"Perhaps.  The Haradrim and Easterlings will never be our allies, however many treaties we may make."

At that moment the Lady Éowyn entered, shaking her fair head.  "It is not for me to avoid the topic of war, yet I fear you dwell too much upon it, my lords.  I would have you speak of healing, and of the spring growth already evident in Ithilien."

Faramir lovingly took her hand.  "It shall be as you wish, my love."

Éowyn turned her fine eyes upon Legolas.  "Surely we must speak of love as readily as we do of war.  Is the Lady Dolressa in your company, Legolas?"

The Elf blushed slightly.  "Aye, she is."

Faramir laughed.  "You have been betrothed forever, my friend!  Truly it is the longest engagement in the history of Middle Earth!"

"My kindred are long-lived, Master Faramir.  We see no reason to rush into these matters…"

"Rush in?  Sir, it has been eight years since the Company of Nine marched from Imladris!"

Éowyn hushed her husband good-naturedly.  "Dearest, you must not harp upon our friend.  Such jests only drive him further from his vows!"

Legolas laughed self-consciously and excused himself.  As he left the hall, he gazed up into the starry night.  Why did he postpone his nuptials?  Dolressa was lovely and they had the blessing of their parents.  It was a matter he would attend to presently, he told himself firmly.

Legolas proceeded on the path to his camp and had not gone far when he heard a splash.  Wondering which of his kinsmen were abroad, he followed the sound.  Then came another splash and a distinct curse, in a decidedly female voice.  Now he was intrigued and silently crept to the edge of the river. 

A figure stood before him, up to her knees in water as she held up her skirts from getting wet.  Long curling tresses hid her face from him, but everything else he saw suggested great beauty.  He coughed slightly, causing her to look up.  He smiled involuntarily - her face was no disappointment.

Her eyes opened wide.  "Oh, it's you!" she cried simply, dropping her skirts in surprise.

"Er, yes, it is… and you are…?" he asked as he extended his hand to her.  Shyly she took it and stepped to the bank, the hem of her skirts sodden. 

"Don't you recognize me?"

"Would that I did," he replied earnestly.  "I would not forget a face such as yours!"

She blushed scarlet at this and said, "I am Rebecca."

Legolas thought for a moment, then his eyes flew wide.  "The little ward?"

She smiled.  "Aye.  I suppose you've not seen me since I… grew up."

"No indeed!  It's a pleasure to see you again," he hesitated awkwardly, then asked, "What were you doing in the pool?"

She laughed, a soft, musical scale of notes. "Oh, how embarrassing!  I usually wear trews, you see, but here I am in skirts because we were to meet Prince Faramir but Radagast grew weary and we decided to camp for the night further upstream, and I went exploring and I spotted a speckled trout in the pool when I…" she became aware that she was speaking without pause and that he was still holding her hand.

So did the Lady Dolressa, who appeared at that moment upon the bank with Legolas' kinsmen, Haldir and Tessel.  "Here you are, dearest!  You are done with your dreary meeting, then?"

Legolas released Rebecca's hand.  Now it was his turn to flush, and flush he did.  "Er, yes.  Yes, indeed, I have."

"And who is this?" she asked, a certain ring to her voice warning Legolas to tread cautiously.

"Why, this is Rebecca, ward to Aiwendil the Brown."

"My, it's the little girl!  How do you do, sweet one?"

Rebecca had never heard that term of endearment with resentment until that moment.  She looked at the other Elf, who put forth his hand eagerly.

"I am Haldir, second in command to Prince Legolas," he said, shaking her hand warmly.

Tessel pushed past Haldir and embraced Rebecca in a brotherly hug.  "Can you imagine it, my lord?  This is the skinny little thing who used to bruise her knees on the bark of our beech trees!  How you have grown!"

Rebecca smiled widely.  "Well met indeed, Tessel!  How does King Thranduil get along without you?"

"He has sent me along with his son, to keep an eye on him!  So far he's been little trouble…"

"So far!" laughed Haldir.  "My lord Celeborn has sent me on a similar mission.  We expect great things of you, cousin!"

Legolas laughed.  "I shall do my best to live up to your expectations.  But come, Rebecca, where is Aiwendil?"

"I left him far up the river from here.  He was greatly fatigued by our journey from Imladris and is waiting for his supper."

"Well, let's find him and give him more suitable accommodations!  My people have made a great settlement here, not far down the river from Henneth Annûn; you shall be our honored guests!"

It was agreed that Tessel would go with her and retrieve the wizard.  Haldir was eager to join them and did so with pleasure.  Legolas noticed that he followed Rebecca very closely. 

"How nice it will be to have a child in our camp," said Dolressa as the trio disappeared into the forest.  She took Legolas' arm firmly and led him away.

"Indeed," agreed Legolas, albeit he would by no means have called Rebecca a child now.

They found Radagast snoring soundly on a bed of soft pine needles beside a quiet eddy in the river.  "By my beard!" exclaimed the wizard when they woke him.  "What is one of the Galadrim doing in these parts?"

Haldir laughed.  "The same as my comrade from Eryn Lasgalen," he replied.  "We are here to help Prince Legolas with the restoration of Ithilien."

"Ah, so.  Then Ithilien will truly become once again the fairest of the Westlands.  But come, let us hasten to your camp for I would delight in a meal and a warm bed!"

They proceeded along the path beside the river, scrambling down the difficult and rocky trail near Henneth Annûn, much to Radagast's discomfort.  The river grew calmer as it flowed away from the falls, yet the roar of falling water could still be heard, reminding Rebecca of Rivendell.  The Silvan camp was very much like Thranduil's kingdom, a blending of cliff and forest, with well appointed caves opening unto a series of ladders and flets throughout the trees.  Radagast said this was in the style of Lothlorien; Rebecca thought they were lovely.

Haldir led them beneath the boughs of a hall of mighty oaks, where the Elves had set up a great dining table.  Here sat Legolas, who hailed Radagast with great cheer.  "Aiwendil!  You have come at last to my halls!"

"Aye, and I hope I shall find them as hospitable as your father's," he said, cocking a bushy eyebrow as he doffed his pointed hat.

"Indeed!  We keep at least one barrel of Dorwinion wine for occasions such as this!"

At his request carafes of the wine were produced.  They made themselves comfortable at the long table beneath the canopy of oak trees, whose branches laced above them and enmeshed the stars.  Torches were lit; minstrels came forth with their harps and lutes.  Rebecca inhaled deeply; the air was redolent with pine and the wine was heady.  She was delighted to be enjoying Silvan hospitality instead of camping on pine needles beside the river.  She forgot that the hem of her dress was damp as she leaned back in her chair and beamed at Haldir, who continually engaged her in conversation.  Tessel laughed at his comrade and the evening was jolly.  Rebecca was so content that she didn't mind that she could not overhear the Prince's conversation with Radagast.  In fact, she was enjoying herself so much that she failed to notice when the Prince glanced her way.

Tessel and Haldir were discussing trees and their merits.  Tessel preferred the native beech of Eryn Lasgalen whereas Haldir naturally promoted the mallorn.

"We shall plant both here, cousin, and see which provides for the better flet!" exclaimed Haldir.

At this Rebecca laughed merrily.  Legolas looked over again; her laughter was like a birdsong and drew his attention. 

This greatly displeased Dolressa. After a particularly musical peal from Rebecca, she turned to Radagast and remarked pointedly, "It is so pleasant to see the girl enjoying herself!  It truly gladdens the heart to see a child at play!"

"Indeed," agreed Radagast, well aware that the lady's heart was far from glad.

"My people have several camps throughout Ithilien and are hard at work," said Legolas, continuing their discussion and trying to steer clear of Dolressa's pique. 

Radagast nodded.  "Much effort is needed to heal the wounds of the Enemy."

"That is so," agreed Legolas.  "Even now, my comrade Gimli and folk from under the Mountain are hard at work in Minas Tirith, repairing its great gates with mithril and beautifying the stonework of the city."

"Then Minas Tirith is in good hands and the King could ask for no better," smiled the wizard.  "The folk from the Mountain are sturdy and true, renown for their craft."

"Indeed," said Legolas.  "I hope to welcome Gimli here after he has completed his labors.  While the Elves have no need of masonry, Prince Faramir and his people would appreciate their handiwork.  There has been talk of restoring Osgiliath."

"Splendid!" exclaimed Radagast.  "These are glad tidings.  A great new age of Arda has begun."

"For a time," replied Legolas, a trace of melancholy in his soft voice.  "But all passes, Radagast, for such as us."

"All things pass," agreed Radagast.  "Yet what goes before paves the way for what will come, until the end of days.  No step is in vain."

"Perhaps," sighed the Elf.  "I am well pleased with our work here in the woods, yet my heart is ever called to the Sea."

Radagast nodded.  "The yearning of your people has been awakened in your heart, my friend.  There is naught for it but to endure."

"Yes, I suppose," replied Legolas, studying his goblet of wine.  "But we must speak of lighter things," he said at last.  "What are your plans, Aiwendil?"

The wizard shrugged.  "Circumstance directs our steps, Rebecca and I.  We work, we wait for signs, and we work again.  At present our endeavors lead us here."

"Why is that?  Are you to help us with the restoration of Ithilien?"

"As best we may, yet we are on another mission, my friend.  We are seeking the Entwives.  We have come from Rivendell, whose archives have pointed us in this direction. Many centuries ago they dwelt in the plains to the Northwest and we must follow their trail, as old and as cold as it has become."

Legolas shook his head.  "Then your trial is much greater than mine, Aiwendil, for my heart tells me they are no more in Middle Earth."

"That may be, or may not be.  Only time and toil will tell.  Yet search for them we must, for it is written of old that Middle Earth cannot be wholly renewed until the Ents are strong once again."

"It has been many years, even in the reckoning of my people, that there have been Entings.  Your quest seems to me impossible."

"Many things may seem so without being so, Legolas.  Who would have thought that the sedentary Ents could have been stirred to such wrath as to destroy the works of Saruman at Isengard?  Yet mobilize they did, and observe the results!"

Legolas smiled.  "I wish you and your ward well, Aiwendil, and if the assistance of my people will avail you, you shall have it."

"I thank you, Legolas, and I accept your offer.  I am delighted to meet a member of the Galadrim here; there are none in Middle Earth who have a finer knowledge of the lore of trees.  I beg you to lend me the services of Haldir."

"I shall do so," replied Legolas, glancing towards his cousin, who was in animated discussion with Rebecca and Tessel.  "It seems he will be well pleased to accompany your ward," he added as he watched Haldir closely.

"Indeed," smiled the old wizard.  It gladdened his heart to hear Rebecca laugh; too often was she somber.  "Of what do you speak, Rebecca?"

"We talk of trees, sir," she responded as Tessel refilled her goblet.  Our friends cannot agree on the perfect forest."

"That is easily answered," said Legolas.  "The best forest is the one which you call home."

"Yes, my lord, but each Elf claims a different home – Eryn Lasgalen and Lothlorien."

"Nay, Ithilien is their home for the present!" laughed Legolas.

"Aye, and I say it needs mellryn," insisted Haldir.

"It already has beech, and that is enough!" cried Tessel.

"What say you, lady?" asked Legolas, leaning his elbows on the table and smiling at her across the candlelight.

She glanced at the boughs overhead.  "I like the oak, sir, for it is both sturdy and beautiful in all seasons."

"Ah, but you have not seen the mallorn when its leaves are golden and its boughs are full of flowers!" protested Haldir.  "We shall travel to Lorien, lady, and hear your opinion then!"

"First you must complete your work in Ithilien, cousin," Legolas pointed out.  "Aiwendil is in need of your assistance."

"Only too gladly!" cried Haldir, albeit he directed his smile at Rebecca and not the wizard.

"It's settled then," said Radagast, rising.  "And now, my lord, we must retire for we mean to meet with Faramir on the morrow."

"A pleasant evening," said Legolas with a bow.  "My steward will show you to your quarters."

Rebecca curtseyed and followed Radagast and their guide.

Many eyes watched them as they departed; those of the men were smiling.  Those of the Lady Dolressa were squinting with disapproval.

"A happy meeting!" beamed Haldir.  "Who knew the hinterlands would offer such company as this?"

Dolressa sniffed.  Legolas laughed at his cousin.  "I am pleased you find us to your liking!  But truly, Haldir, you are to aid Aiwendil and it shall not be an easy task he sets for you."

"A mallorn has flowered in our midst, cousin!  What care I of hard work, if it be in her presence?"

Tessel rolled his eyes and seized a fresh carafe.  "You should go easy on the wine, friend.  You are drunk enough, I think."

"Nay, Tessel, I am only rejoicing in a pleasant turn of fate.  It was with regret that I departed Lothlorien to supervise our cousin in this distant frontier and now I find it full of charming diversion!"

"Do not let such charm as there is divert your diligence," intoned Dolressa.  "The wizard will put you to the test."

"Aye, and Haldir shall not disappoint!" exclaimed the Elf, raising his goblet in a toast.

"Perhaps I should assist Aiwendil as well and chaperon this whelp," suggested Tessel.

"No, I need you on the southern border," replied Legolas.  "We must undertake a great deal of forestry there.  But I shall join your party, Haldir, on its first day.  We shall examine Faramir's maps and acquaint Aiwendil with the terrain as best as we may."

Dolressa looked mutinous.  "Surely you have other matters of import to attend; Haldir is an able guide."

"That he is, my love, but he does not yet know this land as well as I.  I have been in Ithilien these five years and can guide our guests in their first steps.  I should like to be present when they discuss their ideas with Faramir tomorrow."

With a decided "hmpf," the lady rose from her seat and left the hall. 

Legolas sighed but opted not to follow.  The feast was well underway and he was its host.  So he told himself as he poured another goblet.

Tessel did likewise and shook his head.  He would not speak to his prince on something as personal as his lady, but he sensed all was not well.  He believed Dolressa's pride was rivaled only by Fëanor of old.  He avoided the subject and asked, "What is it that Aiwendil seeks, sire?"

Legolas sighed and leaned back in his chair.  "You are familiar with Entish lore?"

"I am," said Haldir.

"Very well.  There is an old passage from the Valaquenta – how does it go? 'When the Children awake then the thought of Yavanna will awake also and it will summon spirits from afar to go among the kelvar and the olvar and dwell therein and be held in reverence.  These Eldest will guard the forests and the gardens of Middle Earth, and their fruit will blossom in a land renewed.'"

Haldir nodded.  "My people know these words; they are older than our forests in Lorien."

"So spoke Manwë of old.  These are the words that guide Aiwendil.  He is a Maia of Yavanna and it is his lot to build bridges between the kelvar and olvar and the free peoples.  To truly succeed in this mission, he must locate the Entwives so that Middle Earth can be fully renewed." 

Haldir frowned.  "Then his lot is not a happy one, for the Entwives are gone forever from Middle Earth!"

Tessel nodded.  "We have had no word of them for these thousand years, at least.

Surely we would have heard of them in Greenwood if they had passed that way."

"Aiwendil believes the trail leads here," replied Legolas.  "But I fear it is a dim trail indeed.  It may be that you are right, but he will keep to his work until there is no hope left."

Haldir sighed.  "Then you have set an impossible task for me, if I am to be his guide."

Tessel laughed.  "How quickly you forget your mallorn, my friend!"

"Nay, it is only that I am loathe to disappoint her!" cried Haldir.

"We have faced worse tasks in our day," said Legolas.  "Let us comb these woods as best as we may.  The land speaks in many tongues and can provide clues no matter how many ages have passed since they were made."

Haldir and Legolas continued to discuss possibilities.  Tessel grew silent and pondered the stars peeking through the boughs overhead.  He did not envy Haldir's assignment, and a sense of melancholy overtook him.  For many years the Entwives had existed only as legends.  To seek them now seemed folly indeed.  Yet seek they must to fulfill Yavanna's promise, for the renewal of Middle Earth was at stake.

Next:  Into the Woods, Again