AUTHOR'S NOTE I hope you guys are enjoying this story! The translation of Rae's name came from one of my reviewers (Amanda Pal) on "Immortal Night" (the first in this trilogy). I looked it up later and she was right.
DISCLAIMER Believe it or not, Tolkien's characters belong to his estate, not me.
…
January 3, Year 3021 of the Third Age
Soon, I was back in the Royal Chamber of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. "Mae govannen, Raélowen Mirimë," Galadriel greeted me.
I bowed. "Thank you, my Lady. I have come – "
"You have come seeking answers," Galadriel said. "You want to know why the child in your arms is of one race while you are of another."
Nodding, I replied, "Yes, my Lady."
Galadriel motioned for me to follow her up the stairs. I did without question. She stopped before a mural of Ëarendil sailing the Heavens with the Silmaril on his brow. "Raélowen, do you know who this is?"
"It is Ëarendil the Mariner."
Galadriel nodded. "He was one of the greatest Elves of the world. His child was Elrond of Rivendell, and his child Arwen Evenstar."
"I know."
"Elrond was also the child of Elwing, who was the grandchild of Beren and Lúthien Tinúviel. Do you know their story?"
"Beren was the man who saw the Elvish maiden Lúthien dancing in the woods and fell in love with her," I recited. "They together rescued one of the Silmarils from Morgoth's crown. But since Beren was mortal, when he died, she faded and was granted the choice to be mortal and die with him." I sighed and looked back down at Aara. She was gazing around the chamber with wide eyes. "But what does any of this have to do with my daughter?"
"Arwen Undomiel is now mortal. One day, she will die. And by that time, the Elves of Middle Earth will be long parted." Galadriel cast a sorrowful eye at Ëarendil's image. "But in her children will forever run the blood of Beren, Lúthien, Ëarendil the Mariner, and the ancient Noldor through her mother, my daughter Celebrían."
Galadriel gently stroked Aara's dark gold locks. "Your daughter has the same destiny. She carries the blood of a warrior in her. The single Elvish warrior from a sacred alliance that has saved our world."
"The Fellowship," I murmured.
Galadriel nodded. " Legolas Thranduilion was the single Elf in the Fellowship of the Ring. His legacy is worthy of remembrance. This child will carry him and you into the future of Men when you are both long gone."
Tears gathered in my eyes and I nodded. "I always knew she was important."
Galadriel laughed softly. "I know this will not be easy. Aara is partially Elvish as well. She has the blood of the Eldar, which will slow her development. You are familiar with the Númenóreans?" I nodded. "They too had Elvish blood and were blessed with long life. Aara will live years past Men, but one day she will die."
I sighed. "I am proud of my daughter then."
Smiling, Galadriel led me back down to the front of the Royal Chamber. "I believe your old dwelling is suitable for you, the child, and your husband when he arrives."
"Thank you."
The ancient Elvish lady leaned toward me, a conspiratorial look in her eye. "And there is another in Lórien proud of her new child."
…
I tried to keep the tears from my eyes as I stood in Emeriel's darkened room. "Do you know why?" I asked.
Colindor and Emeriel shook their heads sadly. "Lady Galadriel thinks it may be because I grieved so strongly during the War," Emeriel said.
"You were sick with it," I muttered. She nodded.
"It is my fault," Colindor said bitterly. "It was not my duty to ride with the Rohirrim. I should have stayed with you."
Emeriel rocked her tiny son softly. "It's not your fault, Colindor. We've been through this already. You did what you felt you had to."
It broke my heart to see them like that. Quietly, I excused myself and left the house. Calíme found me soon after. "Did you seem them?" she asked.
I nodded. "Their son – "
"Melion," Cali supplied.
I smiled. "'Son of Love.' He is so small."
"He is sick."
Sighing, I fell into step beside her. "It doesn't seem fair. Emeriel and Colindor were supposed to have the perfect life. A baby born so ill doesn't fit."
Calíme laughed joylessly. "In some ways, you are still so very human, Rae. Perfect lives do not exist even for the Elves."
I'm sure I blushed. "Will Melion recover?"
Calíme looked sad. "He will live, but it will take many, many years for him to reach full strength."
"Oh."
"We need to be there for Emeriel," she said. "She needs our support now, not our sympathy."
I nodded. "Shall we go to see her again?"
"Not now. She and Colindor must first deal with their pain. We will give them time."
"Okay." I tried to put my friend's misfortune from my mind. "How are you, Cali? The world is so different now that the War is over."
"I am good. Life has been kind to me."
"Oh really?"
Calíme blushed. "Yes. You'll meet her later."
I laughed. The world almost seemed normal again.
…
Legolas arrived in Lórien in early February of 3021. Galadriel and Celeborn welcomed him warmly into Lórien, where he had not been since the journey of the Fellowship. Aara was happy to see her Ada again and I was too.
Once everyone in Caras Galadhon had welcomed Legolas and Aara had fallen asleep, we were alone again. He stood by the door and gazed at me. "It's been a long time since we've been in this room."
"Mmm," I agreed. "February of 3019, exactly two years ago. A lot's changed since then."
"Yes it has." Legolas smiled softly. "Do you remember our last night here?"
Oh yes, I did. "Maybe you should remind me."
In an instant, he had his arms around me. But I broke off his kiss. "But Legolas, we have a baby now!"
"She's asleep."
"And I do have neighbors with Elvish hearing."
"They didn't hear us last time."
"We don't know that."
Legolas dropped his arms. "We don't have to if you don't want to."
I cast a quick glance at the open balcony. "To Mordor with the neighbors," I said. Legolas grinned and I lost the rest of the night in his arms.
…
We spent the spring and summer happily in Lórien. I was surrounded by my friends and loved ones. But as the summer waned, more and more Elves departed for the Havens.
Regardless of all that had happened, my friends were content to remain in Middle Earth. Aara and Melion grew slowly and Melion's illness did not get any better. Lórien was fading and we all knew it. We waited for the day that we would leave Lórien behind for Ithilien, never to return. Of course, I never really expected to return after I left for Rohan the first time.
It was August when the end finally came. The Elves were all leaving. Emeriel, Colindor, and Calíme came to Legolas and I. "We aren't ready to leave, Rae," Emeriel said. "We ask your permission to journey with you and live in your colony in Ithilien."
"Of course!" I said immediately.
"All Elves will be welcome in Ithilien," Legolas added. "Please spread the word that there are alternatives yet to the Undying Lands."
I put my arm around my husband's waist and leaned toward my friends conspiratorially. "I think he's afraid that no one will come," I whispered. It elicited a hurt glare from Legolas, but I just laughed and kissed him.
Word spread quickly throughout all of Lórien. It was surprising how many Elves decided to remain in Middle Earth. Among them, my old friend Orophin and Lady Galadriel's maiden Andrial were following us to Ithilien.
Then, one day Lothlórien was empty. The Elves silently waited in Caras Galadhon, waiting to leave with one of two groups. The light that had shone around Lórien, the one I had been aware of as Elvish magic my whole life, had faded.
Legolas and I, Prince and Princess of Eryn Lasgalen and now Lord and Lady of Ithilien, stood in the presence of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Galadriel smiled at me. She pointed to the evening sky. "Raélowen, do you see that star?"
I looked. A small star shone brightly near the horizon. "Yes, Lady Galadriel."
"That is who you are."
"I don't understand."
She laughed. "Your name. You were brought to us under the light of the Lion Star, that one above. I chose to call you Raélowen – Lady of the Lion Star."
I looked back at the sky in wonder. Galadriel laid her hand atop my daughter's head. "Now your child has been named after the dawn, as she is the dawn of the future. The cycle is complete."
Aara clung to my leg. I looked down at her fondly, then bowed my head. "Namaarie, my Lady."
"Namaarie to you as well, Raélowen."
No other words were spoken. The two groups departed and left Lothlórien empty and dark. I never returned.
…
Mae govannen – welcome or well met (Sindarin)
Namaarie – farewell (Quenya)
