19

How Much the World has Changed

Orophin proved harder to find than his brother. I believed that stemmed from a childhood filled with hiding from his brothers. Orophin had not been an easy Elfling to raise, and on more than one occasion, Haldir and Rumil had come to me for help. I was living at the Palace at the time, nursing Princess Minerva and Princess Morgana. At that point, Anastasia, Tatyanna, Alianna, and Eleanor were old enough to take care of their sisters, but I was thankful for the extra sets of hands that Rumil and Haldir provided, even if they did add another to the already unruly brood of princesses.

Orophin didn't understand why his parents had left. It took years for him to fully realize the truth, and in the meantime, Haldir and Rumil had become his substitute parents. It was a trying time for all of us, as it was after Haldir and Rumil came to me that Elevra had gotten sick for the first time. Then the events happened in quick succession: Lady Annaleise, my mother's sister, sailed for the undying lands, and my mother's brother, Breoglad, was felled by an orcish arrow. The original royal family of Lothlorien had been cut more than in half, starting with my mother. Only Everlas and Gladysis remained of their sisters, and Faolin and Celedrian of their brothers. By that time, Everlas was pregnant with her last two children. Nine months later, she was dead, and I was left to raise her children and deal with her distraught husband, while two kingdoms passed into mourning.

It was times like that that I hated being the oldest.

There was good, however, that came out of such a dark time. I met a human who lived in the forest like an Elf. He helped me deliver Everlas and Legolas, and gave me the strength to complete their naming ritual. The boy returned us to the Palace, with Queen Everlas in such poor condition that she could not be saved, and stood by me against the King when he tore into me for allowing the Queen to die. He stayed by my side, helping me raise the Elflings, until his death forty years later. It was then that I gave the human his last choice.

He chose to remain at my side. And until the very end, the boy that I met all those years ago will stay with me.

His name was Cassan Corrinson, but I didn't learn that until he had pledged himself to me. Three days after Cassan's death, a dappled wolf pup was born to the Alpha of my pack, Dire, in his and his mate's last litter. It became clear to me immediately what had occurred, and I named the curious, intelligent pup accordingly.

I sincerely wished that Cassan was at my side now. He offered a perspective that I got from none other—through the eyes of a human, made immortal.

"Orophin," I whispered, "Where are you, little cousin? Why won't you come out?"

He landed beside me, as blond as his brothers but obviously much younger, "Don't call me that."

"You'll always be 'little cousin' to me, Orophin. Tell me, why is it you no longer speak to Rumil? Is it because you blame him for Haldir's death?"

"Do not say his name, please, Myraneth."

"It is a pity that you should blame Rumil, who had absolutely no hand in Haldir's death. You did not know that he was unconscious then? Rumil received an injury seconds before Haldir's death that rendered him unable to move. And if you must blame someone, blame Saruman or Sauron. They are the true beings that have wronged you, not Rumil," I looked closely at my cousin, "Oh? Or this all because you blame yourself for this tragedy? In that case, I will tell you something someone told me when I lost my Mother. Death frees the dead but not the living—we cling, clutching the edge of a precipice above absolute darkness, over which falling is inevitable. Don't pity the dead, who have already fallen. Pity the living, the ones who are attempting to hang on, and above all, pity the ones who live without love. Orophin, I am pitying you right now, but that does not have to be the case for much longer. Go back to Rumil. I can see that he is really worried about you, and he is some of the only family that you have left. Hold on to that, for as long as you can."

"Myraneth, I can't go and see Rumil."

"Whyever not?"

"Just look at me, Myraneth."

He was right. He looked terrible, like he hadn't slept in months. But he did not look nearly as bad as Rumil, "Orophin, I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter. Come along. I want you to go make up with your brother, so that you can come and see how much the world has changed."

I stood swiftly, trusting him to follow me. He caught up in a second, "What do you mean, how much the world has changed?"

"Did you think that nothing would change after Sauron was defeated? Come, Orophin, you have missed much. I know Grandmother hasn't told you anything other than our family has survived. But don't you wonder what we've been doing since the war ended?"

"Of course I do. I knew that I could not face our family, though."

"Well, I hope you can break out of that, because in three days' time, you, me, and Rumil are leaving the Goldenwood for Eryn Lasgalen, where you will stay in the hospitality of King Legolas and Queen Everlas."

"Little Leaf is King now? And Little Star is Queen?"

"Like I said, you have missed much. But as I was saying, I will leave you and Rumil there in their capable hands, as I am continuing on to Andelage."

Orophin stopped short, "Why on Middle Earth would you be going to Andelage?"

I turned back to him, "Grandmother really hasn't told you anything of the outside world, has she?"

"Myraneth, tell me what I missed."

"I shall tell you, after you see Rumil again."

With that, Orophin was off like a shot, shouting, "RUMIL!" at the top of his voice.

I followed.

#####

"Rumil! Rumil, where are you?" Orophin was yelling when I caught up with him, "Rumil, please come down. Myraneth told me that if I see you, she'll tell me why she's going to go to Andelage!"

"Hush, little brother," the shadow that was Rumil landed behind his brother, "It has been too long."

Orophin spun on his heels and launched himself at Rumil. I couldn't help myself, I burst out laughing.

Rumil and Orophin looked at me.

"If that is how you react, Orophin," I laughed, "To the message that I am going to Andelage, then I wonder how you will react to the reason why I am going to Andelage."

"Tell us, Myraneth, do not keep us in suspense," Rumil's smile was happier than I had seen it since I arrived at the Goldenwood. His eyes were back to ocean blue.

"You promise that you will stay together, and I will tell you everything that you have missed since the end of the war."

"You drive a hard bargain, Myraneth."

It wasn't that hard. If the two brothers had really wanted to stay apart, then the promise of information would not be enough to keep them together. But as it was, they wanted to stay together, so my promise was enough of a pretense for them.

"Tell us," Orophin sounded like an Elfling, so much so that I couldn't help but smile wider.

"Well, I shall first tell you the reason I am going to Andelage. Let me finish before you interrupt me, Rumil, Orophin."

"I think we can do that," Rumil said, and Orophin nodded.

Again, I smiled, "I am going to Andelage because I promised my mate, Eryn, that I would meet him and our daughter, there, in order to meet his parents."

My revelation was met with absolute silence. I heard a leaf fall to the forest floor, one hundred and thirty-nine feet below us.

Rumil was the first to speak, "You have a daughter. And a mate. And his parents live in Andelage."

"His name is Prince Eryn Lasgalen, of Andelage. Before you ask, yes, he is a Fairy."

"No wonder you didn't come earlier," Rumil breathed, "It's hard to travel when you're pregnant."

"On the contrary, Rumil, I gave birth on the road. In the Wilds between the Shire and Imladris."

"What is your daughter's name, Myraneth?" Orophin asked.

I smiled, "She is the Lady Casanovia Etalianna Lasgalen. We call her Cassy for short."

"Casanovia, after Cassan and Silverfang's Grandmother and that story you loved as a child, Myraneth?"

"And Etalianna after Eryn's Mother, Queen Etalianna."

"I should—" Rumil stopped short, "We should like to meet her. And your mate."

"And you shall, soon enough, Rumil, Orophin. After you, Orophin, get some sleep, and you, Rumil, get something to eat. You two look worse than some of the starving peasants I saw in Gondor." Not that they were starving anymore, as Aragorn was a great believer in distributing the wealth.

Rumil and Orophin turned to look at each other—really look at each other—for the first time since Orophin had burst into the clearing a few minutes ago.

"By Valor, brother, what have you done to yourself?" Rumil gasped.

"As if you can talk," Orophin shot back, "At least I don't look like Estel's army of the dead. Tell me, what has food ever done to you?"

Bickering. Still, it was playful bickering. This was a throwback to how Rumil, Orophin, and Haldir had always interacted, and for that I was glad.

"You two both need a decent meal and a good sleep. Come, follow." I bade them to follow me, and we made our way out of the atrium.

#####

Black March covered the ground easily, taking strides that ate up the distance. I rode him bareback, without even a bridle. I was eager to return to my daughter.

Twelve hours ago, I had left Leaf and Star's Palace in Eryn Lasgalen. Leaving Rumil and Orophin behind had been hard, but I knew they were in good hands. The look on Everlas' face when she had seen them! They would never be left alone.

The trip from Eryn Lasgalen to Andelage was three day's ride, but Black and I would manage it in just under a day. Black rejoiced at the chance to run, and I let him choose his speed.

I thought back over the last few days. I had put Orophin under sedation immediately, and he had not been awake to witness Rumil throw up his first meal in Valor knows how long. But I had eventually gotten my cousins onto a more normal routine for sleeping and eating. The entire trip to Eryn Lasgalen had been successful, and Everlas would take it from there.

At the border of Andelage, I stopped once to relieve myself, as I hadn't stopped all day. I found a small stream and washed, changing out of my travel-stained garments and into a clean silk tunic and cotton leggings. Around my shoulders I wore my Lothlorien cloak, and I braided my hair over my ears in warrior braids. The rest of it I piled atop my head in a tight bun. Without a sound, I mounted Black March and trotted into Andelage.

Andelage was a small kingdom, north of the Lonely Mountain. Eryn had grown up in the Palace of Andelage in the South, where the climate was more temperate and on the closest edge to Eryn Lasgalen. I was ashamed to say that the Fairy race was much more tolerant than the Elves.

A magnificent creature landed on the path in front of me, and Black balked and reared.

It was immediately apparent that this was a Fairy, and it was also a Leyff Fairy. From his—for it was definitely a male—shoulder blades sprouted iridescent wings of the purest silver.

"What business have you in Andelage? Speak quickly why you have come!"

I was unused to this kind of speaking pattern. It took me a moment for me to realize he was asking my purpose.

"I am the Lady Myraneth Accolte, Firstborn daughter of Lord Elrond Half-elven, Lady of the Wolves, Dowager Princess of Andelage. I come seeking my mate, Prince Eryn Lasgalen, and my daughter, Princess Casanovia Lasgalen."

"My Lady, please forgive. Elves who come across our borders, it is my job to question."

I glared at him, "Only Elves? What of men, or dwarves? Are they welcome in Andelage without having to marry into the royal family?"

"Again, my Lady, please forgive. Since Prince Devlin was killed, border security of ours was tightened. The next Lady of the Wild, I should have recognized."

"What is your name, Guardian?"

"Guardsman is my official title, Princess, and Jonathan Allen my name is."

"Well, Jonathan Allen," The name was foreign on my tongue, "If you would leave me to my mate and daughter."

#####

Jonathan did not have a horse, but he was as fast as any Elven mount. He flew just above my head as Black and I cantered down a forest path. Before long, a huge Palace rose up in front of me. I pulled Black up short.

"Welcome," Jonathan said, "To the Palace of the Rising Sun, the domain of King Otoraan and his second Queen, Destimona."

When we entered the gate, it was as if every Fairy in Andelage had come to get a look at me. In the group, I saw mostly Leyff Fairies, with their rainbow of iridescent wings. In a close minority were the Seran Fairies, like Eryn. The Serans were slightly taller and had more decisive points to their ears, but my eyes were drawn to every Leyff Fairy's wings. They all seemed to know who I was, even if Jonathan hadn't recognized me.

A clear voice rose over the noise of the crowd, "NANNETH!" Casanovia cried.

My daughter came sprinting towards me, and I swung myself off Black. I did not care that I was surrounded by strangers. I only cared about my girl, and how much she had grown.

Cassy launched herself into my arms, babbling in Sindarian, "Mother! I missed you! Is everything okay with Cousin Rumil and Cousin Orophin? How are Leaf and Star? What about Uncle Danny and Uncle Ro? And Grandfather? Uncle Estel and Aunt Arwen? Aunt Eowyn and Uncle Faramir? Uncle Frodo and Uncle Sam and Uncle Merry and Uncle Pippin? You have to come and meet Aunt Myna. Ada says she is a Leyff Fairy, and sometimes she takes me flying! Don't worry, Momma, we don't go very high off the ground, and Ada is always below me. And Grandfather Tor is so nice to me, and so is Grandmother Destimona."

"Cassy, Cassy, you're babbling. Where is your Ada?"

"Myraneth."

I turned to face my mate. He stepped closer, so that he was almost touching me. I could feel everyone's eyes on us, examining Cassy and comparing her to both Eryn and I, trying to decide who she looked like the most.

I closed the distance between us, balanced Cassy on my hip, and kissed Eryn soundly on the mouth. Cheers went up around us, but I barely heard them. I was with my family, and no matter where we called home, that was all I needed.