In An Age Before – Part 153
Now after much thanks and many words of friendship, Helluin and Beinvír took their leave of Aslâm and the House of Gneiss. It took a full day to reach the East Gate of Khazad-dûm, so vast were those halls, yet in the morn of 13 Lothron, the two ellith issued from the Azanulbizar Gate into Nanduhirion. There, at the base of the gate stairs, stood the head of the Dwarf Road, whose far terminus lay on the eastern side of Calenglad i'Dhaer where it turned north towards Erebor and the Emyn Angren. Thus, they began their journey through Rhovanion to the Woodland Realm.
The west segment of the road was long familiar, for it followed the northern bank of Celebrant past the mouth of Nimrodel ere it turned north, skirting Lórinand's western border. For fifty leagues the road ran, crossing Sîr Ninglor at a ford upriver from the marshes of Loeg Ningloron, and continuing thence another thirty leagues to its junction with the East-West Road that came down from the High Pass north of Imladris.
Helluin and Beinvír tarried not upon the way, walking from shortly after dawn 'til the gloaming hour, yet storms forced them to stay their march upon the 17th, and again upon the 22nd, when heavy winds accompanied the torrential rains that fell from dark clouds resting low on the faces of the Hithaeglir. Many a fallen branch and even some flooding they saw upon the road on the following days. Despite these delays, upon 30 Lothron they came to the crossroads and turned east towards the Ford of Anduin, which they crossed on the 31st. In the evening of 2 Nórui they stood at the verge of the Greenwood, and thither they made a camp 'neath the outlying trees, intending to enter the forest in the morn.
Now following a meal of stewed rabbit and herbs, the two ellith took their ease and spent the early hours of darkness viewing the stars, whilst the embers of their trench fire provided a bit of ruddy light. All seemed at peace, yet a feeling of unease grew 'til 'round midnight Helluin and Beinvír sat up from their groundcloths of alpaca belly pelts and looked to each other, trading thoughts in silence.
Though Lord Oldbark is long gone from the wood, I deem we shalt soon be treated to the residue of his humor, the Green Elf declared.
So t'would seem, for a stench grows apace, yet absent is the whirlwind of the forced migration we witnessed aforetime.
Aye, 'tis a stealthier approach on this night. Alas, I was enjoying the beauty of the stars.
In the blink of an eye Beinvír knocked an arrow and fired into the branches o'erhead, whither her ears told of movement. Her shot was rewarded with a mushy thud, and then the fall of a large object through the branches. Finally, with a crash and a few moments of thrashing, a spider with a body the size of a kettle dropped a couple fathoms away. Well up amidst the canopy, the panicked scrambling retreat of several more such creatures could be heard.
"Huh…t'would think they'd be wiser after all the years contending with Thranduil's folk," Beinvír muttered as she held her bow, a second arrow knocked and ready to fly.
"Who knows the wit of a spider?" Helluin asked, her rhetorical query followed by a shout of, "…and stay lost," aimed in the general direction of the forest. She reattached the Sarchram to its clip, still scanning the dark boughs above for any lingering targets.
After extinguishing their trench fire, they moved their camp twenty fathoms out from the trees, for ne'er aforetime had either known spiders to attack beyond the borders of the forest. Indeed, being assailed 'neath the eaves of the wood was peculiar enough. Helluin and Beinvír sat up the rest of the night, carefully watching the forest and enjoying it not at all.
Anor rose the next morn, eagerly awaited and deemed somewhat tardy, as the two ellith grumbled o'er a meager breakfast of waybread and water. Within a quarter-hour they were ready to follow the Dwarf Road east into the Greenwood. Save for the carcass shot in the night, 'twas no rumor of the spiders.
"Ill-omened I deem my entry to the Woodland Realm this day," Helluin muttered as she strode past the first trees.
"Oh come now, meldanya. In times past we have been met upon the border by Yrch, Huorns, and the rumor of the Sorcerer of Dol Guldur. A few spiders should not be so off-putting. I am sure things will look up as we travel within the wood," the Green Elf said, a grin tugging at her lips.
"I am sure I shalt not cease to look up as we travel within the wood," a dour Helluin replied as she kept a watch upon the canopy, expecting more spiders at any moment.
The morning passed without incident as the two ellith made their way east. If 'aught differed from their last sojourn in the Greenwood, 'twas that the Dwarf Road was less well maintained, with trees encroaching more closely upon the curbs, many fallen limbs lying upon the pavers, and tangled branches hanging lower o'erhead. 'Twas not the growth of five hundred years, the span which had passed since Beinvír made her way from the Woodland Realm to meet Helluin following the repatriation of Inthuiril. Rather, it seemed to be the neglect of a few centuries at most. The soulmates wondered at this, but marked no certain cause.
Now their way continued thus for three days, or some seventy miles, ere they turned northeast through the woods on a path they'd used aforetime to reach the grotto in the foothills of the Emyn Duir whither the king held court. They thought it strange that they'd met none of the subjects of the Woodland Realm, and this seemed the stranger the closer they got. 'Twas 6 Nórui, and early summer was a fine season for wandering.
'T'would think at least a few would be traveling, what with the wedding but a fortnight hence," Helluin carped. She had sensed none of the wandering companies or sentries. "In the past they were only too eager to waylay and challenge us."
"Aye, 'tis strange that none have greeted us, whether with smiles or sneers," Beinvír agreed. "Perhaps they art wholly occupied in their revels?"
"Perhaps," Helluin said, wholly doubtful. "Still, we have seen and heard 'naught of lamps or bonfires, or merry feasting in the night. Indeed I mark 'naught but the cobwebs in the trees, and that somewhat the more the closer we come, huh."
Finally, upon the afternoon of the 7th, they came 'nigh the grotto wherein the court of the Woodland Kings had been held in times past. Still they had seen none of that folk, though the area had been quite populous in their memories, being one of the few permanent settlements. Instead, they found large numbers of unwholesome looking mushrooms, copious mats of webbing woven through even the lower branches of the trees, the ammoniacal stench of a concentration of spiders, and a plethora of egg sacks dangling from higher limbs. Worse, amidst those sacks they saw meals wrapped in webbing, pendant 'neath the boughs. By the accumulation of dirt and fallen leaves adhering to them, they deemed these to be old meals, creatures captured long ago and then sucked dry. 'Twas most disturbing.
"To a kingdom of spiders I deem we have come," Helluin said. "So whither have Thranduil's folk gone?"
"I know not, meldanya, though I doubt they have all been eaten," Beinvír replied.
"I agree, for the meals art not of Elven shape. Deer, birds, and squirrels have been abundant on the menu, I wager."
Yet even as she said it, she marked a webbed parcel that was indeed in the shape of a person, and worse, 'twas feebly struggling. The Green Elf followed the line of her stare and gasped in recognition of a prisoner.
"Arm thyself, meleth nín," Helluin said as she prepared to jump onto a low branch o'erhead, "we shalt soon have company, for I aim to raid the larder."
Quickly the Noldo climbed, 'til some four fathoms up, she came to the recently caught meal. Then, unsheathing her dagger and marking the glow of blue upon its blade, she slit open the webbing and peeled it back to reveal the face of an Orch, bleary-eyed, somewhat stupefied, and wholly terrified. When she had pulled away the wrappings from his upper body, she tied a line round his chest 'neath his armpits, and then cut his cocoon free.
"Struggle not and I shalt not let thee fall, for I have questions," she told him.
He nodded his understanding, and as Helluin began lowering him to the ground, an arrow from the Green Elf's bow whizzed past to find a target in the head of an approaching spider. Many more followed close behind, closing in with the fast, mechanical gait of the eight-legged as they charged amidst their webbing, and Beinvír continued shooting 'til Helluin and the Orch had reached the ground.
O'erhead they could hear the furious curses and threats of the remaining spiders, replete with accusations of burglary and murder, and oaths of retribution. Helluin couldn't resist reviling them with many a derogatory name, and casting several stones at them whilst threatening to fire their nests of webs. At this, the Orch chuckled. Eventually the battle of words trailed off as the spider retreated, and the two ellith attended to the prisoner as he recovered his equilibrium, his wit, and his wrath.
"Answer my questions, thosmaush¹, or I shalt kill and eat you myself," Helluin said in Orkish, which prompted a surprised expression from the Orch. ¹(thosmaush meatbag Orkish)
Predictably, he began by cursing and making excuses.
"Sha! Glad to choke you on my bones, pushdug. I was betrayed. Ashdautas vrasubatulûk!¹" ¹(Sha an interjection of contempt. pushdug dungfilth. Ashdautas vrasubatulûk One day I will kill them all. Orkish)
"Nar udautas," the Noldo said. "Why here, snaga?¹" ¹(Nar udautas Not today. snaga slave Orkish)
"Nar snaga, glob! Búbhosh gothstaz. Ushk Lob-hai, treacherous dug, skai!¹" ¹(Nar snaga, glob Not slave, fool. Búbhosh gothstaz Great beast master. Ushk Lob-hai Feed Spider-folk. dug filth. skai an interjection of contempt. Orkish)
"Why bring spiders?" Helluin asked. Here the Orch shivered and looked 'round as if he expected to be spied upon ere he answered in a whisper.
"Nazgûl urdanog, magas Lob-hai u maliburz.¹" ¹(Nazgûl urdanog, magas Lob-hai maliburz Ringwraith command, drive Spider folk to dark mountains. Orkish)
"When?" Helluin demanded, expecting to learn that the Nazgûl had returned to Dol Guldur.
At this the Orch looked confused, as if he didn't understand, but he answered 'naught and thus tried Helluin's patience. Indeed her patience was ne'er long with Yrch. Blue fire was kindled in her eyes and her hand crept to the Sarchram.
Seeing this, the Orch panicked and shrieked, "Dagulgijakpis! Kurvimzunn vadokrim plak?¹" ¹(Dagulgijakpis Bloodthirsty Demon Kurvimzunn vadokrim plak? Ten whores deaths old? Probably meaning ten generations of Yrch, or perhaps 300 to 500 years without a war. Orkish)
This took Helluin some moments to translate ere she shared it with Beinvír, and then it took the two of them some further moments to make sense of what he had said.
Thy title we heard aforetime from Elrond, but the rest? Beinvír asked.
The fear of worse than death was upon him, and I deem he tried to answer my question. 'Tis just that the Orkish tongue has some limitations.
At the questioning look from her soulmate, Helluin continued.
That language has no word for 'life', and no word for 'past', for they value neither. To the Yrch, life is just the time spent surviving and indulging their malice, as they art e'er preoccupied with self-gain and cruelty. Likewise, they value not history beyond recalling whatsoe'er aids them in surviving and advancing their interests.
So, 'ten whores deaths old' really means ten lifetimes ago?
Just so, and I deem that period long enough that the Nazgûl's command to populate the Emyn Duir with spiders was made during his last tenure in Dol Guldur.
The two ellith breathed sighs of relief at this, but it still left many questions. When they turned back to the Orch, he was staring at them in horror and chewing his nails.
"Zan-hai amal?¹" Helluin demanded, the blue fire again crackling from her eyes. ¹(Zan-hai amal? Elf-folk where? Orkish)
The Orch jabbed an arm out, pointing to the north, and said only, "shapolimlum.¹" ¹(shapolimlum River caves Orkish)
And now Helluin and Beinvír understood why they had met none of Thranduil's folk since entering the Greenwood, and why they had been met by spiders on the border. The Noldo shook her head. The entire kingdom of the Wood Elves had moved north to King Telpeapáro's old caverns since they had last visited the forest, and they'd had not a clue. She was reminded of discovering that the Avari had left Calenglad a century ere her last attempt to visit them, and Oldbark hadn't bothered to tell her because she hadn't questioned him properly.
With a groan she said, "t'would seem we art many miles south of Thranduil's realm, with a nation of spiders 'twixt us."
The Orch chuckled at their predicament, finally enjoying their company.
"Hoshat, dhomaj! Hazu augazlat,¹" Helluin threatened. ¹(Hoshat dhomaj! Silence, worm! Hazu augazlat I will eat your eyes. Orkish)
"We must away, meldanya. We now have far to travel. Ushak ta u Lob-hai,¹" the Green Elf offered, having memorized a few words. ¹(Ushak ta u Lob-hai, Feed him to spider-folk, Orkish)
Helluin smiled at her beloved's quick assimilation of the Orkish tongue and then began hoisting the Orch back up the tree. He commenced to kicking and protesting, but still half-wrapped in webbing, 'twas to little effect. Soon he was back where he had been found. Helluin cracked an arm's length of branch off the limb and crudely sharpened its end with a few strokes of her dagger.
This she presented to the Orch, saying, "here, in trade for thy answers, O great beast master."
Shortly later the two ellith were taking their course westward through the boles, intending to skirt the Emyn Duir to the west ere turning northeast. For this they depended on Helluin's memory of the way, a way she hadn't trod in 'nigh on 4,500 years of the Sun.
"I blame not Thranduil and his folk for seeking safer homelands," Beinvír said. "I just wish that someone had made mention of it ere we came hither."
"Aye," Helluin agreed. "Surely those in Lórinand know what has come to pass, and one would think that Elrond, being Wise, would know as well, loremaster that he is."
"I was thinking the same, and yet if such came to pass centuries ago, who would think to mention it now?"
With the groan, the Noldo nodded in agreement. "Old news is no news, whether in Arthedain or Calenglad."
O'er the course of the next ten days and 120 miles, they ruminated on their ignorance of current events, slew many more spiders, and leapt one narrow stream, but finally they began to hear birdsong and see spoor of animals. For the past several days, they had not seen cobwebs in the trees.
'Twas 17 Nórui when they met a company of hunters of the Woodland Realm. These were young, suspicious of strangers, and viscerally unfriendly to outsiders. The two ellith introduced themselves. When the Tawarwaith realized that Helluin was a Golodh, their demeanor chilled yet the more.
"Whyfor woulds't ye stay us?" Beinvír asked, addressing them in Silvan. "We enjoy the favor of the king, knowing him since the last Age. With honor did I take my leave of him 550 years past, after Helluin freed his betrothed from Dol Guldur. We come from afar to celebrate their wedding, a wedding of friends."
Her claims left them uncertain, for all knew of the incident with the Sorcerer, at least as lore. Because of this, their names too were known, but Helluin was the Mórgolodh, a 'nigh mythical evil who had bewitched their late king and led him to his death in war.
Fruitless I deem this, meldanya, Helluin said to Beinvír silently, eye to eye. We should take our leave of them with stealth.
T'would but needlessly upset them, the Green Elf replied with a grin, for they deem themselves stealthy.
The dark Noldo rolled her eyes, but remained where she was, listening as the Wood Elves debated amongst themselves. That debate continued, becoming e'er more heated, for to delay friends of the king could anger their monarch at what should be a time of joy, and yet, strangers were only grudgingly welcomed, even other Tawarwaith, and a Golodh, especially this Golodh…the prospect well 'nigh turned their stomachs. Their contention raged on, unabated and without resolution as the shadows shifted 'neath the canopy. Eventually even Beinvír began to lose patience.
Should they carry on much longer, I shalt expire rather than slip away, she muttered silently to Helluin.
Should they carry on much longer, I shalt be tempted to slay them all, proving beyond doubt what a threat my presence creates, Helluin replied. Beinvír giggled.
Eagerly shalt I aid thee in thy resolution of this conflict, O Helluin, Anguirél offered.
Finally, after the further half part of an hour, the two ellith did indeed slip away, and 'twas some time ere their disappearance was marked. An uproar followed, but by then they had covered 'nigh a mile. Thereafter they made sure to avoid any contact with the other companies they sensed in the wood, and so after another day's march, they crossed the Forest River on the bridge that led to the gates of the king's halls. There they greeted the door wards, naming themselves and stating their errand. The guards, unlike their more rustic and far-ranging comrades, recognized their names, understood their status, and admitted them, if not without misgivings. 'Twas 18 Nórui.
Helluin marked that much had changed since her last visit in S.A. 523, when she had found the caverns abandoned. Now she saw that improvements and beautifications in engineering and masonry had been added 'nigh the entrance, and 'twas the work of no few years, for all had been accepted by the natural surroundings of the forest, trees, moss, and ferns. Even the bridge they had crossed had not existed aforetime. 'Twas impressive indeed.
From the gates, a chamberlain conveyed them to the king's court and presented them before Thranduil and his counselors in a lofty and much expanded throne room of many tall columns. About the throne were set the seats of the king's counselors, including Inthuiril at the king's right hand, whilst before them lay an open area for the gathering of courtiers. Quite intentionally, the massive column backing Thranduil's throne created much the same impression as the great oak that had backed his seat in the grotto of the Emyn Duir. And thither, upon the throne of carved wood, sat Thranduil Oropherion, King of the Woodland Realm. 'Twas Helluin's least eagerly awaited meeting in millennia, and she remained subdued by her anxieties as she bowed to her old friend. Beinvír was far more joyous in greeting the king and his court, offering him a smile as she rose from her bow.
"Mae govannen, Beinvír Laiquende, 'tis a joy to greet thee again after so many years," Thranduil said. "Thou art e'er welcome in the Woodland Realm, my far-ranging friend. As thou hast seen, much has changed since thy last visit, but not the warmth my heart feels for thee."
"Mae govannen, Lord Thranduil," the Green Elf said. "'Tis my honor to greet thee again, meldir nín, and thou hast my thanks for thy warm welcome. I offer thee and thy betrothed my congratulations on the joyous occasion soon to follow."
Her words brought a nod and a smile from Inthuiril, who had been looking at Helluin with undisguised adoration.
Thranduil had risen from his throne to exchange bows and greetings with his guests, but now he came forward and stood before Helluin, and he took her hands in his own, looking steadily into her eyes as he spoke, for he recalled Beinvír's words from her last visit, and he understood Helluin's discomfort in coming to the Woodland Realm.
"Mae govannen, meldis ifant nín¹, though many years have passed bringing joy and sorrow, sooth I say that I bear thee 'naught but gratitude, and I welcome thee with joy as e'er aforetime," he said. "Five hundred fifty years ago did Beinvír speak to me of the guilt that torments thee. I wish thee to hear now from my own lips that I lay upon thee no blame for 'aught that came to pass in the war. For years ere we marched on Mordor, thou sought to aid us, and after, thou saved my beloved from the Sorcerer. Ne'er can I thank thee enough, Helluin, and if thy heart can feel what my heart feels, then thou shalt be freed of the weight which hath afflicted thee, for I would not have thee suffer on my account." ¹(Mae govannen, meldis ifant nín, Well met, my old (f.) friend, Sindarin)
As with the words of Aslâm in Khazad-dûm aforetime, Thranduil's words affected Helluin more than she would have expected. She fell to her knees before him, shedding tears of gratitude as she bowed her head to rest upon his hands, which she still clasped. 'Round them the counselors muttered in surprise and amazement, for it seemed their king had mastered the Mórgolodh.
After recovering herself, Helluin said, "meldir ifant nín, thy words mean more to me than 'aught that I can say would tell. Indeed thou hast lifted a weight from my heart, even if the sorrow that came aforetime shalt haunt me all my days."
"Sorrow is a part of life, meldis nín, and it visits itself upon us all," Thranduil said as he raised the Noldo to her feet, "but thy guilt for my sorrow need not be."
Thereafter, Thranduil adjourned the court for that day, and with his guests he retired to the withdrawing chambers adjacent to the throne room. With them went Inthuiril, whose greetings with the two ellith had been heartfelt and filled with friendship.
Helluin and Beinvír found her more mature, as expected after the passage of five centuries, but more than this, she expressed warmth of spirit and tranquility of mind. Her curiosity had not diminished, for she asked many questions regarding their travels, but 'twas tempered now, more apt to be a cause for reflection rather than rash action. Inthuiril's responsibilities within the realm had increased, for she was now a captain of the hunters and sentries, as well as a chief counselor of the king. In this capacity, she had won the sometimes grudging respect of her elders on the predominantly Sindarin council, for her heritage was mixed, both Silvan and Sindar, yet now her words were given serious regard.
Many tidings they spoke, including the tale that Helluin and Beinvír told of their visit to the Emyn Duir, the Orch they had questioned, and their battles with the spiders. The king and his betrothed blanched when they learnt that their guests had come 'nigh their old settlement at the feet of the Dark Hills, for those fir-covered slopes had become a place of terror. None of their folk had ventured thither in centuries.
"Even in the time of thy last visit to the wood, the encroachments of the spiders had been growing worse for some years," Inthuiril said. "Soon enough it became a constant battle. Finally, 'round 1090, we took our leave at last, for long aforetime our king had learnt of a better home for us." Here she shared a glance with Thranduil, both wearing smiles, and the love 'twixt them was plain to see.
"'Twas in the early 1700s of the Second Age that our guests first came amongst us," Thranduil told his beloved, (a time that seemed immensely long ago to her, she being now but 800 years of age), "and spent some seasons wandering with my father and me. In that time, Helluin spoke of a system of caverns 'nigh the Forest River, once populated by the Avari of King Telpeapáro, whom she had come to know in the third century of that Age. Those caves I remembered, for I know my father had long held them in his thought, recalling the realm of Doriath and the Halls of Menegroth of old. Thus, when the threat of the spiders became too great a distraction, I sent scouts thither, and after they reported the caves wholesome and unoccupied, I moved our people."
"Glad am I to see thy folk safe, O King. They have made this realm beautiful as well as secure," Helluin said.
"Many have been our improvements to this place, and much of the inspiration has come of those who dwelt in Doriath long ago," Thranduil said.
"I ne'er saw the majesty of King Thingol's realm," the Noldo said, "for my time was spent in Vinyamar and Gondolin." And in truth, she would not have been admitted in any case, for King Thingol had forbade entry to all but his kin amongst the Noldor.
"Whilst those realms art known to me only from lore," he told her, offering a smile as they shared the camaraderie of those whose length of memory fewer could claim with each passing year.
Eventually their conversation turned to other topics.
"Inthuiril, know thou that we have twice met thy sister in Lórinand?" Beinvír asked.
"Truly? I knew it not. Nimrodel was ne'er one for letters, save when attended by a scribe. How fares she?" Inthuiril asked.
"When last we saw her she was well, especially when attended by King Amroth who seemed greatly enchanted with her, and she with him," the Green Elf said.
"When last we heard tell of them, they had declared their courtship," Helluin added.
The king and the counselor both smiled at these tidings, whilst Helluin and Beinvír deemed it sad that Inthuiril had known 'naught of it aforetime. The two sisters lived not so far apart as to be sundered by distance, at least in their estimation.
"Surely thou hast had some word from her," Beinvír said, "for in Imladris, we heard that thou had sent her an invitation to join thy wedding party."
"We have heard 'naught from her," Thranduil answered, "and indeed since her leave-taking, we have heard only once from her, shortly after she had reached Lórinand in despite of great trials and hardships encountered upon her journey."
The two ellith recalled Nimrodel's strange and excitable comportment, and imagined such trials and hardships to have been 'naught but the rigors of sleeping in tents and enduring company upon the road that she judged ungenteel.
"And yet she felt great concern for thy welfare, indeed fainting dead away upon receiving our tidings of thy capture and liberation from Dol Guldur," Helluin said.
At this, Inthuiril laughed.
"In my youth, whilst still we shared the home of our adar and naneth, I recall her practicing her 'proper lady's arts', the blush, the pallor, and the swoon. Dedicated she was to perfecting her courtly manners and proper etiquette, the better to conform in noble company. I found it odd then, and indeed a part of me still does, for though we have dignity, we stand not so rigidly upon protocol. Yet perhaps 'tis not so in other realms?"
"In my recollection, 'twas mostly in the realms of the Noldor that such behaviors prevailed," Helluin said. Beinvír, remembering how bizarre Lindon had seemed to her, nodded her head in agreement.
"She would have fit in well at the court of Gil-galad," the Green Elf said.
At this, Thranduil began laughing, whilst Inthuiril grinned and shook her head.
Finally, Beinvír told them that, "we saw her not upon our journey hither, for we tarried not in Lórinand."
"Aye," Helluin agreed, "we came from Khazad-dûm with no abundance of time."
This claim brought questioning glances from Thranduil and Inthuiril, for neither had 'aught to do with the Dwarves now that their realm had moved so far north of the Men-i-Naugrim.
"Long they have been friends to us," the Green Elf explained, "and we sought their aid for such works that no others could provide."
"We have brought ye somewhat of the craft of the House of Gneiss, for to celebrate thy joining, my friends," the Noldo said.
This piqued the curiosity of the king and the counselor, and they attended her words with their full attention. Helluin opened her travel bag and withdrew two parcels, and these she presented to them. Thranduil and Inthuiril received them with care and proceeded to undo their wrappings. When finally the circlets were revealed, both regarded them in silent wonder for many moments, for they were exquisite in their crafting and compelling in their beauty. Such works were unknown in the Woodland Realm, and indeed only thrice aforetime had gems of equal subtlety been created, by Celebrimbor in Ost-in-Edhil, by Enerdhil in Gondolin, and by the hand of Fëanor in Aman.
Yet finally the two lifted the circlets, entranced by how the colors changed and the lights in the gems moved. Then, sharing smiles that grew from their love, the King of the Wood and his betrothed crowned each other with the work of Khazad-dûm, and then both bowed their heads to their guests in thanks.
To Be Continued