In An Age Before – Part 23
Chapter Twenty
Lindórinand (Lórinand) - The Second Age of the Sun
For the first time, Helluin approached the mellyrn forest other than from Khazad-dûm, and her welcome was somewhat less warm than what she'd become accustomed to. Indeed, having heard a company moving stealthily to surround them for some time, Helluin finally bid Beinvír halt so she could announce them. Ere she could do so, they were greeted with two-dozen drawn bows and the grim eyes of the Tawarwaith staring down the shafts of their arrows at them. Helluin groaned in exasperation. Beside her, Beinvír gulped.
"Greet now thy kin," Helluin muttered.
"Who art ye that come'th hither unsummoned, unto the realm of Lórinand," the company's leader asked, "speak ere we shoot thee."
"I am Helluin, a Hunter of King Lenwin and Gôrgbu of Drúwaith Iaur," Helluin said with a straight face, "and with me come'th Beinvír of the Galadrim¹ of Eriador. I have the leave of thy lord to walk these lands, and for my friend shalt I vouch before his throne." ¹(Galadrim, Green Elves, Sindarin. Close equivalent of Laiquendi, Quenya. Corrected in the LoTR rev ed as Galadhrim. For this story, I will use the corrected name only for the people of Lórien, once that name comes into use.)
"Thou hast been long away, Helluin of the Host of Finwë, and much has come to pass ere last thou walked 'neath the mellyrn," the company leader said grimly. "King Lenwin rules here no longer. Hunter and Gôrgbu thou may be, still must thou be taken before our Lord Amdír for his judgment. Thy voucher of thy friend is for 'naught. Now surrender thy arms and come thither."
"Guess they weren't impressed with thy titles," Beinvír whispered to Helluin as she handed o'er her bow, quiver, short sword, and knife.
"What has become of King Lenwin and Lady Calenwen?" Helluin asked a border guard as she handed over her own bow and quiver.
"They art gone fore'er," was his terse reply. Another guard stepped forward to take her sword.
"Draw my blade and I shalt gladly bath in thy blood," Anguirél said. The guard gasped in horror at the black sword's malevolence and his hand shook as he gingerly held the scabbard at arm's length after Helluin handed it to him.
"What say the Cirth upon thy weapon," a third asked as he reached to take the Sarchram. He neither spoke, nor read Quenya. "Be it a charm of Valinor, or some pretty frill of the Noldor perhaps?" He asked with a touch of sarcasm.
"It says in Quenya of Tirion, 'One ring that flies to find them. One ring to send them all unto the Void and in its darkness bind them.' A pretty trifle indeed," Helluin told him.
"Deliver thyself unto me," the Grave Wing offered in her cold voice, "and I shalt spare thy fëa from Mandos' Halls 'til world's ending."
The Nando dropped the ring as if it had burnt his hand. Seeing this, Helluin mirthlessly asked, "surely thou fear'st not the cold of the Void whilst standing here 'neath thy golden trees? From the windows of the house of Nienna I have seen the Void and there was 'naught to fear…save fear." Helluin regarded him with an intensity that made him cringe.
Thereafter the guard wouldn't touch the ring, but trembled in terror as he carried it thickly swaddled in a cloak whose folds he suspended from a short length of rope. His precautions gave Helluin grim delight; some small recompense for their treatment.
The border guards led the two travelers northwest through the forest, and crossing Celebrant, they passed into Egladil, or the Naith. A half-mile north of its banks they came upon the site whither the Nandorin city had been of old. The telain there were deserted and the paths o'ergrown. Soon after, to Helluin's surprise, they came to a new city, more compact and closer to the Hill of the Great Tree.
This city had been itself built upon a hill and 'twas circular, surrounded by a fosse, or dry moat, and within that by a dike upon which rose an encircling palisade. Now rather than being built of wood or stone as in other places, this palisade was a continuous, impassible berberis hedge, tall, dense, thick, and thorny. The wall it formed o'erlapped at its ends to form a short corridor behind the only gates, and these faced just west of due south. To cross the fosse, one walked o'er a bridge that joined the corridor with a paved, encircling path. This ran from south to north along the outer edge of the fosse on the western side of the city. A single small stream ran out through a deep cutting in the southeast.
Within the palisade hedge stood countless large mellyrn trees, a dense enclosed tract of forest. No doubt all the branches were filled with aldar opélille and rope walks.
Helluin took all this in with a warrior's eye. 'Twas a more defensible position, but nothing in comparison to the fortifications she had seen elsewhere. Indeed 'twas of feeble construction when compared to Ost-In-Edhil or Lindon. On the other hand, the hill was covered with elevated shooting positions and filled with many archers. T'would not be easily taken, save by fire or a long siege. For all this, 'twas a welcome sight. The sooner to come before the new king and straighten things out, the better, Helluin thought. And at least the air rang with song as evening fell and the lamps were lit, for many voices rose to greet the stars. Ere they passed 'cross the bridge o'er the fosse, the leader of the guard company brought them to a halt.
"'Tis Caras Galadhon, city of Lórinand and of King Amdír," he said with pride. "Thou shalt come before him this eve after we sup." Helluin nodded to him.
"I am impressed that so much has been achieved since last I came hither. Thy city's trees art mighty, and I have been absent but 250 years," Helluin said. "Tell me, I pray thee, how long has passed since King Amdír began his reign?"
"Our prior lord, King Lenwin was slain in 1187 of this Age, and thereafter for some years were our people bereft of lord. Down Anduin passed Lady Calenwen in the following year, seeking the realm of Belfalas, to bear thither tidings to King Lenwë and beseech him for passage into the West. In 1203 came Lord Amdír and his son Amroth from the people of King Oropher in Greenwood. Lord Amdír was known to us aforetime when he came hither with the company from Eregion. He was well liked by all and liked well our lands. After several years amongst us, the people beseeched him to take the throne and govern our realm. He hath done much for us since."
"And in his time was Caras Galadhon built?" Beinvír asked, looking in wonder at the trees within the palisade.
"Indeed so. In 1209 did we begin abuilding. By 1225 most of our labor was done save the growth of the olvar, and they have thrived indeed with water and light and song. Great was our fortune that hither dwelt such mighty trees, and hedges so quick of growth once given Anar's light after the digging of the fosse. By Yavanna we art truly blessed."
Helluin and Beinvír both nodded in agreement. The city was little more than 150 years old, yet its trees had surely stood long aforetime, for their life's tale and growth bespoke many hundreds of years. But the hedge had matured admirably in the light newly made available when the land was cleared for the fosse and the path beyond it. With these tidings and impressions, they crossed the bridge and passed within the gate.
The company made their way uphill towards the center of Caras Galadhon by a footpath well worn in the soil and partially paved with natural stones. 'Neath the trees the air was cool, and it seemed a breeze continuously rustled the golden leaves whilst only intermittent breaths had blown in the forest outside the city. The air itself carried the mingled scents of many kinds of flowers that joined the notes of many songs to sweeten the evening with sound and smell. Hither and thither lamps winked on amidst the boughs, showing forth from telain at many different levels. Ere they had covered half the distance to the city's center, they could see a growing luminosity well above the ground.
When they had neared the hill's crown, the company of border guards stopped 'neath a great tree, whereat a platform had been built barely off the ground above the exposed roots on one side of the trunk. 'Twas o'erhung by a sloping awning that rustled in the breeze and was lit within by many lamps. Thither tables were set, and benches, and there were places for many to be seated and to dine. Thither the company delivered Helluin and Beinvír, and they set their weapons into a cabinet to one side. Then, after taking seats, the company was offered a varied fare by servers who came from a kitchen in the rear.
Helluin and Beinvír had been seated far apart, and they were provided with bread and cheese, ripe fruit, and roasted meats on skewers marinated in a flavorful glaze of many spices. There was pale, chilled ale and a full-bodied red wine. They were allowed to eat and drink their fill as did the company, but Helluin drank only sparingly though she ate with gusto whilst keeping an eye on her friend.
Beinvír had been constantly looking about, trying to ingest every available image and commit all to memory. To her the city was strange; more comfortable than a city of stone could e'er be, but far removed from the camps 'neath the stars to which her people were accustomed. 'Twas a welcome yet subtly disturbing blend of what was, and was not, to her, a familiar life for Silvan Elves. Hither, though they were still surrounded by nature, they were far from being a wandering company; they made nature 'do things', ordering it according to their desires. They imposed their will upon their surroundings rather than accepting their surroundings as they were. And the Lórinandrim were far less stealthy than her people, though still more so than the Sindar or Noldor. She would know their presence, had known it long ere the guards had appeared, (indeed even Helluin had), and she could as easily have vanished from their sight and remained undiscovered. She was tempted to leave now, had been tempted to do so when they'd demanded her weapons, but she didn't want to jeopardize Helluin's 'mission', and she wanted to see more.
"Art thy borders constantly in jeopardy?" She asked the guard seated beside her.
He was a young ellon¹, perhaps younger than she herself, dark-haired and slender, of average height, and he finished swallowing a portion of meat ere he answered. ¹(ellon, generic term for a male Elf. Sindarin)
"Alas, yes," he said, shaking his head sadly, "since ere I was born have Lórinand's borders been at risk from many foes. Oh, 'tis not the siege of open war; nay, 'tis rather a permanent threat of incursion, for the most part by Yrch and Easterling Men. I fear it shalt always be thus."
"How horrible," Beinvír said, "in a land of such beauty to be e'er unable to enjoy it freely and at ease. I should find it tiresome ere long."
"Indeed 'tis tiresome as thou dost say, yet what is there for it but to preserver? I know 'naught of any other way. Indeed few of us do anymore. Is it not thus also in thy land?"
"Nay, 'tis not," Beinvír said with certainty, "or at least it hath been otherwise for many ennin¹. Enemies art few and but poorly ordered, and they pose little threat. My people go mostly about the land in companies, lingering when it suits them, traveling as their fancy calls them, and tarrying ne'er in one place more than a season or two. We wander as is our wont, and as has e'er been our way, even ere the breaking of the old lands to the west." ¹(ennin, a unit of 144years of the sun. Sindarin)
"But dost thou not miss a home?" He asked in surprise.
"Nay, Eriador is my home, well 'nigh all of it, or the good parts at least, such as I favor. I should not build something at no need lest I become tied to it and thence be obligated to defend it. I should soon come to resent it and burn it myself."
"Thy ways seem very strange to me," he admitted, looking at her curiously.
"And thine to me," Beinvír replied, taking a sip of wine ere she continued. "Dost thou not wish to see many lands?"
"Nay, Lórinand is my home. Indeed I should be uncomfortable elsewhere were I to go thither…and I should miss my people."
Beinvír sat chewing a mouthful of bread and cheese. She had come to the conclusion that the Lórinandrim were city folk, as much as e'er were those of Ost-In-Edhil. Yet the Lórinandrim too were Nandor. For some reason it seemed particularly improper to her.
"Dost thou know of my friend, Helluin?" Beinvír asked.
"I am sorry, but I find thy friend terrifying and strange. Her gaze leaves me ill at ease, and e'er she comes and goes through many years. I have heard tell that she first appeared from Khazad-dûm, 'nigh on a thousand years ago, upsetting the late king with many fell tidings. I know she is wise after her people, but I understand her not."
"She is much as art my people; a houseless wanderer of many lands with many friends in many places. She is also a warrior as thou art, but as my people art not. She is wise yet oft confused, brave yet also fallible, dour and outrageously funny, and in her company I have seen many wonders."
"But does she not scare thee?"
"Nay, I fear her not, for she hath e'er sought to protect and support me. She hath become dear to me and I find that I love her. I understand that many of her kindred feel great disquiet o'er her battle rage, and many deem her a dark force in their midst. Yet is not the dark of night as necessary as the light of day, and doth not Ithil shine with Holy Light in its manner as surely as doth Anor? In Helluin lives a spirit to confront the enemy with ferocity such as to make him quail, and this, as much as bright swords, I deem necessary. The dark days ahead shalt prove me right, even as did the dark days of yore. No other enemy so fierce had the soldiery of Morgoth, nor shalt the minions of Sauron. Yet I worry greatly for her when her travels take her into danger. And she hath seen such as I shalt ne'er see, indeed such as no longer exists to be seen, and done such as even all others of the Amanyar dared not."
"Indeed so? I had thought all the Noldor were such as she," he said, muttering in addition, "though in truth the only other such I have seen behaved far more strangely."
Beinvír felt something amiss in his words, something that set off an alarm within her. Yet 'twas something she could lay not a finger upon with certainty. She filed away the thought for later contemplation. And she would have to discuss it with Helluin. In reply, Beinvír chose to refer to physical rather than behavioral characteristics.
"Nay. Of all the Noldor, she alone hath blue eyes."
Even as she finished that sentence the company leader came with two guards to take her and Helluin before the king. Straightaway they left the dining pavilion and made their way uphill towards the great light at the city's center. Soon it became clear that this light emanated from a talan high in the massive branches of the central mallorn. Thither was set a hall of white wood, and to Helluin it bore a close resemblance to that of King Lenwin in the old city. Unlike that older hall though, rather than walking a rope to reach this one, they climbed a stair that wound 'round the trunk in a spiral of many steps, passing smaller telain at several levels where were gathered many Elves. From these, rope walks led off into space, into the darkness 'twixt telain in adjacent trees, whither yet more of the Host of Lórinand dwelt.
The climb took some time, but finally they reached the top. There upon the high talan stood the Hall of King Amdír, ringed all about with many lamps; indeed, Helluin thought, 'twas bright as day. The doors stood open, and from within came many voices raised in song, and yet more speaking one to another or in groups. Here the king held court, yet 'twas also the scene of merriment and lore telling, not business only as in Lindon or Ost-In-Edhil. The less formal atmosphere was typical of the Nandor, and King Lenwë's hall in Belfalas came to mind. Here many threads of thought flowed through many conversations, all proceeding at once, yet if propriety required, all would cease and in silence attend their king. Just such befell as a herald announced the company to the court. This was done in a formal manner following the single peal of a silver bell.
"My lord King Amdír, and all thou lords and ladies, hither in honor of the law art brought before this court, two found wayward upon the southern border. They declare themselves thusly, Helluin of the Host of Finwë, and Beinvír of the Galadrim of Eriador."
Here the guards ushered Helluin and Beinvír forward, through the throng that parted for their passage, and towards a figure seated on a high-backed chair carved of white wood washed in gold, almost indistinguishable, in Helluin's opinion, from that of King Lenwin. The throne was set on a low dais of a single step, and as in the old city, 'twas ringed by the seats of the king's counselors. King Amdír was older than Lenwin had been, and he was a Sinda rather than a native Nando. Like some born into the Sindarin royal house, he had golden hair, and grey eyes which hosted a fugitive light, as there was not amongst the Nandor, and this trait was as much felt as seen. Helluin had known such aforetime amongst some refugees of Doriath. Amdír, she suspected, had come of that realm, or perhaps his parents had, for that background conferred a light, not of the Trees, but of the power of Melian the Maia that had long suffused that land. 'Twas the legacy of the Imperishable Flame, yes, but come through a different source than Helluin's people, who had sought their Light in the West. Now when she and Beinvír stood before his throne, Amdír rose to greet them as was the custom.
The two travelers bowed to the Lord of Lórinand as etiquette dictated, and he nodded to them in acknowledgment of their obeisance. When they looked up he held their eyes, speaking thus in silence mind to mind.
Welcome to the renewed Land of the Singers. Helluin, 'tis long since last I saw thee in Lindon at thy landfall with the Men of Númenor. I recall thee, for who would not, though I doubt thou marked me amidst the throng at the feast of Gil-galad. I honor thee and would beseech thy counsel in a matter that has arisen of late.
Beinvír, glad is my heart to meet again one of the Laiquendi. To Doriath came many of thy people long ago, and thither were they welcomed by King Elwë Singollo and Melian the Queen. I welcome thee hither now, for who am I, the lesser king of a lesser realm, to do 'aught but as did those greater aforetime?
Then Beinvír bowed her head in respect at his fair words ere answering.
And I am most honored by thy gracious welcome to thy realm, I who art but the younger daughter of a wandering people. E'er thankful art my folk for thy people's succor in their time of need and fear. Glad I am to have come hither to thy beautiful land.
And Helluin answered the king, saying, my thanks too for thy welcome, O King. Long indeed it hath been since that day in Lindon, and many paths have we each walked since. Whatsoe'er aid of counsel I can give shalt be thine, even as I was honored to aid in Avernien, the people of Doriath long ago.
Then to all at court King Amdír proclaimed, "the welcome of Lórinand do I extend henceforth; to Beinvír, thy long-sundered kin out of Eriador, and to Helluin, who has served this realm with honor aforetime. In friendship they have leave to come and to go, and to follow their hearts so long as their deeds break not the law. This is my judgment." 'Round them, many murmured in accord.
The court went back to its music and its conversations, but chairs were brought for Helluin and Beinvír, and they sat before the dais to share tidings and hold converse with the king and his counselors. Wine and seeded cakes were served.
Helluin noted that amongst Amdír's counselors sat one younger but like unto the king in face; Prince Amroth, the King's Heir, she realized, handsome as his father, but perhaps more emotional, more a servant of his heart. She nodded to him in greeting and saw him gulp self-consciously. She offered him a smile. Amongst the other counselors were many she had seen aforetime attending King Lenwin, and she met the eyes of each, acknowledging each in turn. Beinvír smiled at them and they at her as though charmed, and this too Helluin noted with a grin, especially the long looks given her friend by Prince Amroth, who returned again and again to her eyes. The king cleared his throat ceremonially to draw their attention ere he spoke.
"I have a matter in particular which begs for thy counsel," King Amdír said to Helluin, "and indeed thy appearance is most timely. I host other guests of less amiable disposition, whom, alas, I have been forced to restrain. Indeed these art known to thee as they art to me, though to me less than thou." He seemed quite nervous and indecisive, wringing his hands and swallowing theatrically.
Helluin cocked her head in question, whilst Amdír simply appeared uncomfortable.
"Who art these prisoners thou hast had to restrain?" She asked, more than curious now.
"Indeed they art not prisoners, not truly," he said with a sigh, "say rather they art guests who have become unmanageable. A once noble couple undone; she striding hither and thither about the land in a frenzy, seeking out every stream within the wood; he following with failing patience and fraying temper, and both ranging too oft 'nigh the borders for prudence's sake. I had but little choice then save to confine them upon a high talan 'nigh to hand, so to curtail their comings and goings ere some sense was made of their tale. That tale is very odd, and indeed thou art named amidmost in it. In truth, Helluin, I know not what to do."
Helluin had listened to his discourse and began to suspect that she knew exactly of whom he spoke. She could scarce constrain her snickering. Beinvír's eyes flicked back and forth 'twixt her friend and the king in confusion.
Helluin leaned o'er and whispered, "'tis no doubt Galadriel…she hath cracked at last. Poor Celeborn." Beinvír gasped and Amdír shook his head sadly.
"Indeed 'tis just so," he confessed. "Celeborn was for a time my lord, and Galadriel…." Here he simply threw up his hands. "I feel much as a child locking away his parents in their chamber, but their behavior…they refused to cease endangering themselves, and now my folk have become gossip mongers. Gil-galad would be wroth with me if peril befell them, Celebrimbor as well, for he is enamored of the Lady. I insisted on their restriction, and they, (or she at least), have taken to reviling me for it at every visit. Atop this, (as it were not enough already), their daughter, Celebrían, accompanied them hither in their exile from Eregion and now sees me as an arch villain. Indeed she refuses to attend my court. I have come at last to my wit's end, Helluin. What shalt I do?"
Amdír presented himself so lost and plaintive in his turmoil that Helluin could no longer retain control of her mirth, and she guffawed aloud to the shock of all seated 'nigh. 'Twas some moments ere she mastered herself, and then, after wiping tears from her eyes and schooling her features, she apologized with apparent sincerity and offered her counsel, after which the king was much relieved.
"Thy pardon I beg, O King. Indeed I am not fey, merely amused at a jest run far out of all proportion." Here Helluin again had to stifle an outburst lest her demeanor degenerate into hysterics. "Thou remember the feast of Gil-galad in Lindon and the audience held ere it, when with the Dúnedain of Númenor I came to the High King with tidings? Indeed at that very audience was I accosted by Galadriel; she was wroth with me for the crime of rendering the less her advantage o'er me in height. Whither came her preoccupation with such, and with me in particular, I know not, save that 'tis a long held affectation. Indeed I fell to temptation and fabricated thence a tale; (a tale she came wholly to believe t'would seem), blaming my crime upon a stream enchanted that doth run in thy land. Were she to drink of it, (I told her in confidence), she should increase her stature in all respects."
By now the king and most of his counselors had wholly lost their dignity and sat with mouths gaping, though as yet none had laughed. Only Beinvír giggled, familiar already with the tale from Helluin's explanation of Galadriel's behavior in Ost-In-Edhil.
"But thou hast made of thy princess a buffoon," said one in shock.
"Thou hast lied to one of a royal house and caused her to endanger herself upon a fool's quest," accused another.
"Surely she shalt be wroth with thee fore'er," Amroth said nervously.
"By what glamour or enchantment did'st thou convince her of thy increase in height?" An elder counselor asked, failing not to perceive more truly than his fellows that indeed a mystery lay afoot. Helluin had known this ellon aforetime from King Lenwin's court.
Helluin groaned. Were she to confess the true source of her secret, most of the Lórinandrim would run thither to Oldbark's hall 'nigh Laiquadol and he would have no peace. The Onod would be wroth with her and Helluin indeed feared his wrath far more than Galadriel's. He shalt surely send Huorns for me, she thought, and ne'er after shalt I be safe 'neath branch or leaf. I should be forced to seek refuge in Khazad-dûm, or Mordor, or yet further still, to Númenor perhaps. All 'round, many eyes bored into her in anticipation of learning some great and hidden secret of their realm.
"Come now, Helluin, for months I have been saddled with the profits of thy humor," King Amdír said, "is there indeed a stream in the forest of Lórinand such as has the virtue of increasing one's stature? If so, then I should know of it. Thou spent many decades exploring these lands 'tis said."
Helluin had expected such a question and now formulated a response based on plausible deniability. She couldn't lie outright, and indeed she sympathized with the king's plight.
"Nay, O King, none of which I know. Such was only a location bethought long ago in a moment's fancy, based upon the princess' affinity for thy trees, in those moments when the whole charade seemed but a folly quick to pass. Indeed I deemed all memory of my words would die ere the morn in the face of other tidings of greater import." Like thy smirking o'er my newfound love for a mortal Man, Princess Artanis, Helluin thought.
King Amdír nodded to Helluin, having detected no lie in her eyes, and if he were a bit disappointed, he was willing to put it from his mind in order to deal with his difficult guests. Not so his counselor, who alone amongst them all seemed to notice that Helluin had not truly answered his question. Helluin regarded the vulturine gleam in his eyes and wondered if he couldn't be convinced to take a fall from a rope walk later that night. She decided to ignore him, and indeed the topic might have finished, had not one long familiar to her come in timely from duty upon the northern border and learnt of her appearance. He, desiring to see again his old friend, had come at once to the court, and at that moment presented himself at the dais with a bow to his lord. Helluin perceived his arrival at her back, though not his identity.
"Ahhh, Haldir, my friend, welcome," King Amdír said, "hither art Helluin, whom thou hast long known, and her friend, Beinvír, newly welcomed to our realm. Come, bring thyself a chair; rest thy feet and join us."
Of course etiquette dictated that Helluin and Beinvír rise from their seats to welcome the new arrival to their company. Just in time, Helluin thought in amazement as she stood and constructed a smile of greeting, he hath not seen me since ere last I went to Greenwood for a draught. Ah well.
"Hail and well met, Haldir, noble guardian of the northern border," Helluin said, extending her forearm and clasping his in a warrior's greeting, "'tis good to find thee safe." Keep it simple and short or I shalt brain thee, she commanded silently, eye to eye, as she gave his forearm a vigorous squeeze. Haldir's eyes widened at her demand and the pressure on his arm, then slid upwards noting that she now o'ertopped him by more than a handswidth. He choked once and then gulped ere he stifled his shock and amazement, but he stuttered unaccountably when he spoke.
"Uh, h-hail, and umm w-well met, Helluin of the Host of Finwë. 'Tis good to see thee returned in such…fine health?" Helluin rolled her eyes, (thankful her back was to the others), hearing him in her mind's ear saying, was that okay? And whyfor art thou now taller than when last we met? I thought the ravings of Galadriel but the words of one too long sundered from the West, or perhaps acutely sea longing-sick, but…
Enough! Now greet Beinvír and then sit down…thank you, Helluin said silently.
"Greetings, Beinvír, and welcome to the realm of Lórinand," Haldir managed to say. He was so off balance at the whole exchange that when Beinvír offered her hand, he lifted it without thinking and gallantly kissed her knuckles. This brought him a cold look from Amroth that confused him further still. And if that wasn't enough, from Helluin he heard…
Now sit thee down already and speak not further of this topic, or so help me…
"Well, Haldir, we find that Helluin has the key to unlock the mysterious behavior of Galadriel and Celeborn," Amdír began. "As the result of some jest in years long past, it doth seem the Lady believes herself losing her advantage in height o'er Helluin and seeks after a stream enchanted for to equalize the matter." Helluin gave Haldir a warning glance, a hint of fire flickering in her eyes.
Haldir looked at his lord in amazement after hearing his words, then at the circle of hungry faces yearning for a secret and hoping to partake of such a fair magic. Indeed one old counselor looked well 'nigh feral. Last he looked to Helluin beside him, upon whom he felt a dangerous mood growing. Now indeed the brave warrior wished himself far afield upon the north marches, whither 'naught but Yrch companies threatened.
"The key I find bizarre enough to fit the lock, and both suited to a door through which the wits have fled. I have long examined the north, my lord, and others the west, east, and south. 'Naught of any enchanted stream have we found in this realm." Haldir shrugged as if dismissing the notion.
"Thy words carry weight, Haldir," the king said, "for whilst Helluin spent some decades surveying these lands, thou and thy brothers have spent centuries and more. If thou know'st 'naught of an enchanted stream than none do. I shalt put it from my mind henceforth."
Haldir nodded to his lord and then asked, "for thy guest's madness hast thou discerned the cure? Their behavior and assertions have much gossip whelped…"
"Bah! 'Tis but delusion founding a quest of fools; 'tis 'naught for it," Amdír said with a wave of his hand. "Helluin shalt go to them with explanations upon the morrow and then all shalt be well." Here he looked pointedly at Helluin. She nodded her acquiescence to him, reminded of 'naught but the very same mannerisms in Gil-galad.
"Of course, O King," she said, and clenched her jaw. T'would be a morning in hell.
To Be Continued