In An Age Before – Part 148
The experience of the funeral birthed a train of thought in Helluin's mind, and this she pondered as the company rode east. Ere the parties went their separate ways where the South Road led north to Fornost, Helluin petitioned for an audience with the king.
"My friend of old, it hath been my pleasure to greet thee again, though with sorrow at our loss," the king said. "Thou hast sought my counsel and I owe thee much for thy aid to my people, therefore I bid thee speak thy mind."
"Lord Araphor, I would beg a boon on behalf of those Edain who lived long aforetime, and perhaps in token of 'aught that their descendants may accomplish in days to come."
The king regarded the Noldo with a brow raised in question, for the nature of her request was not clear to him. Sensing his confusion, she continued.
"Of the origins of the Lady Lainiel we spoke years ago, and of her discovery as a babe amongst the slain 'nigh the Great East Road, Beinvír and I have told."
To this King Araphor nodded, recalling the strange tale he'd heard at Galor and Lainiel's wedding a score and eleven years afore.
"My lord, the Lady and her husband art mortal, and not of Dúnedain blood. Their failing years draw 'nigh and they shalt soon pass from Arda. Lord Galor shalt be buried with his ancestors in his family's plot at Celenhár. I believe the lady shalt be interred beside him. But the remains of her kin lie still in unmarked graves 'nigh the East Road. They were born in Beleriand in the First Age of this world, scions of the House of Baragund of Dorthonion, and to the remnant of their homeland, I feel it fitting that I should take them for their final rest."
For some moments the king was silent, pondering why one of the Eldar would be so concerned for the disposition of the remains of mortal strangers. Yet the desire to lie at rest in the land of his home, this he understood. Too, no little awe did he bear for these fallen who came of the First House of the Atani.
"What would thou have of me then, Helluin? Name thy desire, for I would honor these ancestors."
"In a few years I shalt beg passage by ship, and I deem it fitting that such sails 'neath the command of Men, not Elves."
To this the king nodded in agreement, and he called for pen and ink. Then upon a parchment he wrote an order for a ship of Arthedain to sail at call by Helluin Maeg-Mórmenel upon an errand on behalf of the crown. This he blotted and folded, and to seal it, he affixed in wax the imprint of the royal signet on his ring ere he handed it to the Noldo.
"Present this when the day comes, my friend, and by the grace of the Valar may they rest in peace."
"Thank you, my lord. Having buried them once in haste, I would amend that past. Hard indeed were their lives. They suffered much in their time and deserved better."
The king nodded again, now understanding the source of her concerns. She lived through the horror of those days…the Dagor Bragollach and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Little wonder then that she seeks to honor those who did likewise, for they lost all on behalf of her people.
For another handful of years the two ellith tarried in Celenhár, watching o'er Lainiel and Galor, and their children. In the year following the Lord Húngan's death, Galor passed on the lordhip of Celenhár to his son Galion. In that year too their first grandchild was born, a daughter whom Dúriel and Feredir named Beinvír, in honor of the Laiquende to whom the Rhudaurim owed so much thanks. 'Twas then 1514, and the King of Eriador was seventy-two. Of late he had begun to feel his age.
"I deem that I have some years left, my friends, but my son is now twenty-seven, a Man ripe for the lordship," Galor told Helluin and Beinvír as they sat together in the apartment at the rear of the town hall.
"And I should be happy to have some years of peace together, without the concerns of rule," Lainiel added, smiling at her husband. She was then sixty-six years of age.
"Of course I remain king 'til I pass, yet the office makes few demands," Galor said with a chuckle. After a pause, he smiled and added, "perhaps by the time of my death, Galion shalt indeed have a kingdom to rule." Again he paused, then offered the observation that, "more pressing now shalt be the succession in the office of loremaster, though Dúriel has come to love lore as much as healing."
"Aye, that she hath," Lainiel agreed, "and her time in Imladris has schooled her well in both."
She was silent for some moments, and the two ellith could see her attention turned within, as if to some fair memory. Perhaps the lady recalled her own first impressions of Rivendell, seen at the age of twenty-one and ne'er forgotten. Her daughter was now thirty and had journeyed 'twixt Celenhár and the Hidden Valley several times since childhood.
As if reading her mind, Galor said, "I should like to visit Imladris again, for there is still much in the library that I crave to read, and much conversation I would have with the lord of the valley. Beyond that, there is simply something comforting to the heart thither that I would feel again ere I pass. It hath been now fourteen years since our last visit."
"Fifteen," Lainiel quietly corrected.
And I imagine our friend would have the chart of lineage amended to make it complete and correct, Helluin said to Beinvír silently in a glance.
The year T.A. 1515 opened with a fine spring. Sun and rain came in welcome measure. Towards the end of Gwirith, (April), with warm weather, flowers in bloom, and the early crops planted, Helluin and Beinvír accompanied Galor and Lainiel on their journey east to Imladris. Now homesteads and a few hamlets lay in the lands south of the Great East Road, whither at their first coming, the two ellith had found only a cart track and mostly empty acres. The track had graduated to the status of a road, regularly traveled, that connected The Angle to points north. At its juncture with the East Road, a simple but comfortable inn had sprung up a few years past. Thither the company spent the night of 26 Gwirith.
Upon the 27th, the company rode at their ease, east along the road, enjoying the familiar scenery and thankful that 'twas safe now to do so. The month of Gwirith ended as the land about the road flattened, and all knew that their destination was drawing 'nigh. In the afternoon of 1 Lothron they rounded the curving turn through the cutting in the red sandstone cliffs, and thence crossed the open field ere coming to the Ford of Bruinen. To mortal eyes all appeared as it e'er had, placid, welcoming, and yet imbued with a heightened reality that was now familiar. The very sound of the water lightened their hearts, and after crossing, everything appeared crisper, more vibrant, and endowed with some subtle profundity impossible to describe. They stopped their horses ere climbing the further bank and simply rejoiced to breath, listen, and look about.
Thither Lindir found them. Standing at the top of the path leading down to the ford, he called out to them, saying, "suilaid, millyn nín.¹ Noha maer govannad lín ad.²" ¹(suilaid, millyn nín,greetings, my friends. suilaid(n. greetings, final vowel –a becomes –ai to form plural) millyn(n. friends, -e becomes –i and the final vowel –o becomes –y to form plural) nín(1st pers sing poss pro, my) Sindarin) ²(Noha maer govannad lín ad, 'Tis good to see you again. = no-(v. be, is)ha(3rd pers sing pro suff, it creates 3rd pers pres indic verb it is) maer(good) govanno-(v. meet) -ad(inf v suff, to meet, vern trans to see) lín(2nd pers pl pro, you) ad(again) Sindarin)
"Mae govannen, Lindir. Our thanks for thy welcome, meldir nín," Helluin replied, whilst Galor and Lainiel recovered from being startled out of their reverie to offer smiles and greetings of their own.
T'would seem almost as if he lurks in the flets 'nigh the ford, e'er ready to welcome visitors, Beinvír commented to Helluin silently, eye to eye.
Dispatched hither to greet us in timely fashion by the Lord Elrond, who has no doubt espied us for some time by the sight of his Ring, I wager, the Noldo replied.
"My lord Elrond would greet ye, my friends. Indeed, he sent me hither as though he were expecting ye," Lindir said with a wink. "I shalt be happy to lead ye hence."
'Tis as I suspected, Helluin muttered silently to Beinvír.
Ne'er shalt I grow accustomed to that, the Green Elf said.
"T'would be our pleasure to greet the Lord Elrond," Galor said. "Indeed I have looked forward to this visit for some years now."
"Thou art e'er welcome in Imladris, O Aran Eriador," Lindir said, offering a bow.
They followed Lindir from the ford and came to the house of Elrond shortly later. Leaving their horses in the able care of the Elvish grooms, they were conveyed to the study where the Lord of Imladris awaited them. As with the land about the ford, all seemed unchanged. The room, its furnishings, and Elrond himself appeared exactly as they had last seen them fifteen years aforetime. The Peredhel bid them be seated, and then offered goblets of a cool, pale wine, and white cakes topped with poppy seeds as refreshments, and these too were wholly familiar from past visits.
"'Tis good to see ye again, my friends," Elrond said. "I trust that Lindir greeted your company in timely fashion?" He asked this whilst casting a glance to Helluin, and his eyelid twitched in something short of a wink. She groaned and Beinvír rolled her eyes.
"Oh yes, my lord, he was quite amicable," Galor replied, having marked 'naught of the byplay 'twixt the Elves. "Indeed I have e'er found him so."
"Ye art kin and honored guests, and my people delight in your visits to the valley," Elrond told Lainiel and Galor, and not for the first time. "Stay so long as time allows, for ye art e'er welcome."
Galor dipped his head in appreciation of the Peredhel's welcome and said, "my lord, in thy library is much that I crave to read, and with each passing year, that craving has grown. In the Hall of Fire art sung many songs that I long to hear, and nowhere else dwell so many that I would share converse with. But more than all that, I am simply happy to be here."
"Aye," Lainiel added, "just being in this valley does a mortal heart good."
"Pray be settled then," Elrond said. "The same rooms ye stayed in upon your last visit art again ready for ye, and I would enjoy your company at the evening meal."
"T'will be our pleasure to join thee, Lord Elrond," Galor said.
Upon many nights thereafter, Lainiel and Galor shared their meals with the Lord of the Hidden Valley. Though the time since their last visit had been short as the Elves reckoned it, the events in Rhudaur were of interest to the Peredhel, and many additions to his histories were penned in the late hours after his mortal kin had gone to their sleep.
For their parts, Helluin and Beinvír relaxed and enjoyed the visit. In Imladris, the possibilities of any such threats to Lainiel and Galor as might have elsewhere required their vigilance were inconsequential.
In peace the days passed, and then the weeks, and soon months had fled, yet Galor and Lainiel were content. They no longer had pressing business outside the Hidden Valley. And both found much to occupy their time in Imladris. For the Lord Galor, no place else in Middle Earth offered so much to challenge his mind. His thirst for knowledge remained young even as his body aged. For Lainiel too, the learning of lore was a source of joy, for e'er she had sought to understand from whence she had come. The accounts of deeds done and of lives lived long aforetime were a balm for her feelings of displacement, for though she had found a place in the Third Age, she had been born in the First Age and was eager to know the time and place whereat her ancestors had lived. Too, no other place could have provided her such opportunities to further her knowledge of the healing arts, for no other place in Middle Earth had such a teacher as the Lord Elrond.
Thrice only did Galor and Lainiel leave the Hidden Valley thereafter. In 1517 they returned to Celenhár for the wedding of their son, Galion. In 1519 they traveled home again to celebrate the birth of Dúriel and Feredir's son, who they christened Berthir¹. Finally, in 1523 a messenger came to Imladris from Cardolan bearing tidings of the failing health of the Lady Eilianu. Lainiel and Galor rode to Húngan's mansion in a carriage to bid farewell to the adaneth who had fallen in love with and raised an orphaned girl seventy-five years afore. She had outlived her lord by eight years, giving up her life at the age of nine score and twelve. Lainiel appeared little younger than her mother, who was o'er two and one-half times her age. 'Twas a sad time, but she was comforted by many friends and her older brother Rochen, who appeared half her age. Seldom aforetime had the differences 'twixt the lifespans of the Dúnedain and the Men of Twilight been so starkly marked to the two whether 'twas for cause of joy or sorrow that they had left, after each sojourn 'twas to Imladris that Lainiel and Galor repaired, for there they had found peace. Ere the couple realized it, another half-dozen years had passed. 'Twas T.A. 1529. ¹(Berthir, Daring = bertho-(v. dare) -ir(masc. agent suff. n on v) Sindarin)
"I feel his life wanes," the Peredhel told his friends as they sat in his study in early Gwirith. He sighed and shook his head. The signs were clear to any healer.
"I too have marked the diminishing of his vigor, meldir nín," Helluin replied, "and that is not unexpected in a mortal Man of his years."
"Aye, yet still, I shalt be saddened by his passing," the Green Elf said.
"As will I, meldis nín," Elrond agreed. "As a short time shalt their abiding hither seem, yet I shalt miss his boundless curiosity and growing wisdom. He has become my friend."
A fortnight later they stood beside his bed, and having said their farewells, watched as Lord Galor gave up his life with as much dignity as any Dúnadan. He was then four score and seven years of age. Thereafter they comforted Lainiel and made preparations to bring their friend's body home to Celenhár. 'Twas 17 Gwirith, T.A. 1529.
'Twas a somber procession that made its way from the Hidden Valley upon the 18th, crossing Bruinen and taking the East Road. To honor the late King of Eriador rode the Lady Lainiel, Helluin, Beinvír, Elrond Peredhel, his sons Elladan and Elrohir, and in full armor, a dozen knights of the Noldor. After crossing the Ford of Bruinen they had traveled only a short ways ere they were met by a company of Rangers of Rhudaur riding patrol upon the road, and seeing the bier upon which lay a coffin draped in the red flag with the design of an elk in gold, they hardly needed to be told who lay within. In silence they formed up in columns ahead of the funeral wagon and rode as an escort. Ne'er aforetime had any King of Eriador such company upon the road.
In the afternoon of 22 Gwirith, the procession arrived at Celenhár and rode to the town hall. By then word had traveled ahead them and almost every person in the village had turned out to pay their respects. At their head stood Galion, Lord of Celenhár and his wife Eirien¹, with Dúriel and Feredir and their children, Beinvír and Berthir. There too were Lainiel's brother, Lord Rochen, Regent of Cardolan, his wife Calien,and many Rangers of the Red-Hill Country. ¹(Eirien, Daisy Sindarin)
The bier came to a halt before them, and the mourners from the Hidden Valley, along with the Rangers of Rhudaur and Cardolan, and the Knights of Imladris announced, "The King is dead!" and then, turning and bowing their heads to Galion, proclaimed, "Long Live the King!"
Thereafter Lord Galor lay in state in the town hall for a day, and late in the afternoon came a small detail from Arthedain, including king's heir, Prince Argeleb. The prince went alone into the hall and made his way to the coffin where he bowed his head and laid a bouquet of white lilies. Afterwards, he greeted the principal mourners.
"My lady, to thee I bear the sympathies of my father and our realm," he said to Lainiel, "for he recalls the hope and joy that your joining brought to the lands of Rhudaur. In Arthedain we all esteem thy late king's achievements."
Lainiel was then eighty-one years of age, Prince Argeleb was fifty-six and could have been mistaken for a grandson.
"Convey my thanks and the thanks of Rhudaur to thy noble father, Lord Argeleb. E'er was he a friend to my parents, and to my husband and myself," she said. "Come now, and I shalt introduce thee to others who would meet thee."
The prince bowed his head to her and followed as she led him o'er to a small group that was gathered 'nigh.
"Here is my son, the late king's heir, Galion, Lord of Celenhár and the thirty and sixth King of the line of Balar, with his wife, Lady Eirien. Here too is my daughter Dúriel, Lady of the House of Balan, and her husband, Captain Feredir. My lord, please meet my far-cousin, Elrond Peredhel, Lord of Imladris, with his sons Elladan and Elrohir. Last, here art my friends and guardians, Helluin of the Host of Finwë and Beinvír Laiquende, allies of thy house and mine since ere the founding of Númenor."
To each Prince Argeleb offered a bow and greetings, honoring each with the same respect that his noble father had demonstrated. Still, he couldn't completely hide his awe at the Lady Lainiel who had been born in Beleriand during the First Age, or the immortals of whom, no doubt, his father had shared some tales from personal experience beyond what the lore of the North Kingdom told.
"Lady Lainiel, years ago when my father returned from thy wedding, he spoke of his joy and hope for Rhudaur, but also of the sobering nature of that visit to his neighboring realm," the prince told the group. "I was then nine years of age, and to me, my father was the ultimate hero. Yet he spoke of meeting such as reminded him of his true place in Arda. This I could not understand at that age, for he was our king, the Heir of Isildur who had defeated Angmar.
Now I stand here with you, and though Mithrandir and the Ladies Galadriel, Celebrían, and Arwen art not, still I understand my father's feelings at last.
I have been from birth my father's heir, Prince of Arthedain, groomed for the rule of our kingdom, and oft do I receive the deference of our people. Yet I recall from early my father's admonishment, 'a prince of the House of Elendil thou art, and one day thou shalt rule this remnant of his realm. Forget not then, my son, that thou art a king of Men only, and not all Men. Above thee shalt be those whose rule is from of old, and those 'cross the Sea who have e'er ruled. As our subjects show thee due deference, so too shalt thou show like to those to whom 'tis due.' I feel I stand now in such company."
Here the prince looked each in the eyes with solemnity, and all could read there his sincerity. Then he pledged an earnest of his intent for future days, and oft were his words recalled by those who ruled after, so long as the Kingdom of Arthedain stood.
"I pledge to ye this day, that if by the grace of the One I should come to the throne of Arthedain, that I shalt discharge my kingship with all nobility and honor due the office, and act for the welfare of my people and all free peoples, to shield them from evil and the Great Enemy."
Then the Lord Elrond replied, "as art the Lady Lainiel and thy father, thou too art my far cousin, and I deem thee family. If times grow dark, remember that thou art not alone."
And Helluin said, "thou art kin to me as well, for thou descend from my daughter, Almarian vessë Tar-Meneldur of Númenor, and thou shalt have my aid at need."
The company spoke long o'er the evening meal, sharing tidings of Arthedain and the west of Middle Earth ere they parted in friendship and honor. Then, upon the 23rd, the people of Celenhár followed their late king's bier from the town hall to the village cemetery, and there laid Galor to rest in the plot of his family, the Kings of Eriador.
Now after all the ceremony and the celebration of the late king's life, the mourners parted ways and returned to their homes. With Helluin and Beinvír, Lainiel remained in Celenhár a fortnight with her son and daughter and grandchildren, and after, took her leave telling them, "Dúriel my elder child, take now this ring, for thou art henceforth the Lady of the First House. Now, by the grace of Lord Elrond, I return to Imladris, for I have made many happy memories there with thy father, and in that valley I feel at peace as nowhere else." Then, looking 'round the circle of faces of her descendants, she bid them farewell for that time, saying, "with all my love I wish ye good fortune, and with joy do I see the continuity that ye have brought to our family and our people. Be well then 'til next we meet, whether that be upon the Hither Shores, or at the feet of the Valar 'cross the sea."
Having buried her husband and passed on her hereditary charge, the aging lady of the First House mounted to her carriage, and on 30 Gwirith arrived in the Hidden Valley for the last time. Another five years she spent amongst the Elves, but in 1534 she felt her life ebb. She was then four score and six years of age.
"Through all my years ye have been my constant benefactors, and scarce would I have survived to enjoy a life so blessed had ye not found and succored me. By ye I was delivered to a new family and all that has come to pass since. Too, 'twas by your efforts that I discovered my identity, a purpose, and even love. No words can express my thanks to ye, my lifelong friends and guardians, teachers and supporters," Lainiel told the two ellith as she lay upon her deathbed.
"It has been our pleasure, meldis muin nín¹," the Green Elf told her, "and we deem thou hast used well thy days." ¹(meldis muin nín, my dear (female)friend Sindarin)
"Aye, we were honored to aid thee and the First House of the Atani," Helluin added, "and yet more, thou hast become our friend, dear to us."
"I find myself o'erwhelmed with thanksgiving to all who have become close upon these Mortal Shores, and to those 'cross the Sea who hold providence in their hands. Here at the end, I could not be happier. Now I look ahead with hope to that which lies beyond death, for after a life so blessed, I deem that 'naught but better waits ahead."
"In wisdom thy heart knows peace, for thou hast e'er rejected the shadow of fear. I doubt not that thou shalt find bliss beyond the world, for the Valar art gracious and in thy life thou hast no stain upon thy faith," Helluin said.
"Go then in joy wheresoe'er 'tis that the spirits of Men may go," Beinvír added. "We have no fear for thee. The One's grace was offered to Men long ago, and this thou hast accepted. We art grateful to have shared the years with thee."
And Lainiel, having escaped the Curse of Morgoth and the House of Iarwain Ben-adar, smiled at her friends and then looked into the blue of Helluin's eyes. Thither she felt herself ascending into a perfect summer sky, and just when that sky became the sky of the land which comes after, she knew not, only that with joy, but no trace of pain, she had gone beyond the mortal world to some further shore that was hers now to explore, but first, she would seek for the spirit of her beloved king.
In her room in Imladris, the two ellith, the Lord Elrond, and many Elves of Rivendell who had become her friends, mourned her passing and celebrated her life. 'Twas 22 Urui, (August 22nd), T.A. 1534.
"This chapter in the tale of Eriador has found its end, my friends," the Peredhel said to the two ellith seated 'cross his desk in his study. Their mood was somber, for all felt the loss of the woman they had known all her life.
"Though 'twas always expected, knowing aforetime eases her passing not at all," Beinvír said, shaking her head sadly. She had ne'er aforetime felt like a parent.
"She hath taken with her into the unknown a piece of the heart of each who loved her," Helluin mused, "and I hope the knowledge of that gives comfort to her own heart 'til world's ending."
The others nodded their agreement. The mortal babe they had found had grown dear.
"Upon the morrow we shalt take our leave, to bring her home to Celenhár, thither to rest beside her husband," the dark Noldo said, "and thereafter we undertake an errand to honor her kin."
At her declaration, Elrond gave the dark warrior a questioning glance. He felt some future lore in the offing.
"When we first found Lainiel's family slaughtered in Cardolan south of the Great East Road, we buried them in haste, the sooner to find succor for the babe," the Green Elf explained.
"Aye, we could not tarry then to do them proper honor," Helluin clarified. "The Lady Dúrrél, elder daughter of Baragund, and her family survived the final battles of the First Age ere they were taken by Iarwain. The heroism of the First House long aforetime has earned them better from we whose part they took, to their ruin. We shalt sail to return them to their ancestral home, and lay them to rest in that remnant of Dorthonion which the Valar spared."
Tol Fuin! Thou sail for Tol Fuin to bury the Lady Dúrrél and her family. Ahhh, my friends. Were I not the lord of a land and a people I would beseech ye for passage on that ship, for to partake of your voyage and see a place unvisited for two Ages of the world. I find that e're more oft do I crave to be as ye and make, rather than learn, my lore. Alas…only upon the first leg of your journey can I join ye.
"I shalt dispatch a messenger to Cardolan this night," was all the Lord Elrond said.
Upon 23 Urui the funeral wagon bearing the bier of Lady Lainiel set out from Imladris for Celenhár. Accompanying the wagon rode Helluin and Beinvír, Lord Elrond with his sons Elladan and Elrohir, Lindir, Erestor, the Lord Glorfindel, and a dozen Knights of Imladris in polished plate armor. As when they had accompanied the late Lord Galor five years aforetime, they were met upon the Great East Road by a company of Rhudaur Rangers whilst barely a league beyond the Ford of Bruinen. The detail commander approached as the rest waited at attention by the roadside.
"Thou bear the Lady Lainiel," he said as a statement rather than a question, "for we have had tidings from a messenger of Imladris met upon the Road yestereve."
"Aye, thou hast heard true," answered Helluin as he rode up to face her. "We return her to Celenhár to rest beside her late husband."
The Ranger nodded and deployed his troop as an honor guard ere all resumed their way. As he rode beside her a short time later, he offered, "my father remembers the lady and our late lord from the early days of his training, and many missions thereafter."
Helluin looked to him and asked, "pray tell me thy name, noble Ranger of Rhudaur."
He looked chagrined to have not introduced himself aforetime and answered, "I am Legindál¹ son of Leginbór, called also Nordir². ¹(Legindál, Swift footlegin(swift) + dál(foot) Sindarin) ²(Nordir, Runnernoro-(v. run) -dir(n on v masc agent suff, runner) Sindarin)
"Thy noble father we remember well," said the Green Elf who rode on Helluin's opposite side, "for 'twas his horn we heard when first he and his fellow soldiers came to us with aid against an attack by some Hillmen."
"They were but three, and we five, yet he feared not to stand with strangers against two dozens," the Noldo recalled. "Impressive to us were his courage and commitment. Later he became one of the three original Ranger Captains. Doth he still live?"
"Nay," Legindál said. "He passed four winters ago at the age of eighty-two."
The two ellith bowed their heads to honor their old friend. Later, as they continued their ride, they shared many tales of the first Rhudaur Rangers with the son of Captain Leginbór, and heard many tales of the later years, which they had spent in Imladris. Though vigilance was still required on the northern border, for almost a dozen years King Galion had ruled o'er Rhudaur in peace. He had remained close in counsel with his uncle Rochen, and still occasionally met with the Laiquendi and the Naugrim of Khazad-dûm.
The procession reached Celenhár on 28 Urui, and as aforetime, word had reached the village ahead of the company. Not only were well 'nigh all the townsfolk gathered in front of the town hall, but a riding from neighboring Cardolan had arrived only shortly afore. There were Lainiel's brother Lord Rochen, Regent of Cardolan, with his wife Lady Calien and a company of Cardolan Rangers. At the head of the assembled crowd stood Lainiel and Galor's children, Galion, Lord of Celenhár and the thirty-sixth King of Eriador with his wife Lady Eirien, and Dúriel with her husband Captain Feredir and their children Beinvír and Berthir. Drawn up in ranks and files to one side stood many Rangers of Rhudaur, whilst the Knights of Imladris dismounted and formed up beside them.
When the wagon came to a halt 'twas not a sound to be heard from the throng save the soft sobbing of some of the older villagers. In silence an honor guard of Rhudaur and Cardolan marched to the wagon and lifted the Lady Lainiel's bier, and then they turned and carried it into the town hall to lie in state ere the funeral. Thereafter the people filed past in a somber column, paying their respects long into the night.
Now upon the morrow, that being 29 Urui, T.A. 1534, the people of Celenhár and the guest mourners paced the lady's bier to the village cemetery, and thither eulogies were spoken and blessings said, and they laid Lainiel, last daughter of Dorthonion, to rest beside her beloved king. Upon the tall stone marking Galor's grave was scribed 'Galor son of Galion, Nelchaen a Lefnui Aran Eriador'¹, with the dates b.1442-d.1529, but upon Lainiel's marker, 'neath a rendering of the sigil of her house, was carved, 'Lainiel Hílil Dúrrél, Adaneth en Herth Erui Dorthonion'², with the dates b.F.A.-d.1534. ¹(Nelchaen a Lefnui Aran Eriador, Thirty and Fifth King of Eriador Sindarin) ²(Hílil Dúrrél, Adaneth en Herth Erui Dorthonion, Heiress of Dúrrél, Lady of the First House of Dorthonion Sindarin)
To Be Continued