It did not take long for Súlwë to become accustomed to life in Menegroth. He was introduced at court under Nimernil though whenever he was with Oropher, he was called Súlwë.
The peace of the next few years gave way to the creation of the Elven Realms from the West to the Havens of Círdan to the East where Ossiriand for the fruit of life again. The darkness in the North seemed to have been silenced; as was told to us by Angrod. In the time of peace, I wondered if Oropher would start a family, but he remained more determined to wait. He knew better than I that this peace would not last.
When the sons of Fënor, Fingolfin, and Finarfin invited King Thingol to join them in the Feast of Reuniting, he decided against it even as the remaining elves of Ossiriand quickly accepted. He sent Daeron with Mablung in his stead. Iarûr told Êlengolas that it was to without complaint. Daeron did not wish to go but he was bound by duty to the king.
When they returned, Daeron spoke to no one but Thingol and the Queen. The court did not think on it long and the routine of daily life went on. On one occasion, I was with Oropher, Eldôr, Amdir, and Súlwë outside the palace. It was a crisp day—with endless blue skies; the sun beamed upon us with a subtle warmth over a gentle breeze. The waters fo the Esgalduin sparkled as the aquatic creatures created ripples made golden by the sun.
“What was it like in Alqualondë,” Amdir asked Súlwë.
“Before the battle, it was unlike anything you have ever seen,” Súlwë said. “It seems a lifetime since then. I wonder about my family. They must think I perished.”
“Did you know well the sons of Finarfin?”
“Yes, of course,” he smiled. “Their father married my sister Eärwen. There is a maiden among them. Her name is Altáriel. She was most beloved by my sister. Like her, she is the only girl of brothers.”
“She was left behind, then,” Oropher asked.
“Not her,” he answered. “She is quite headstrong. She is here with her brothers.”
“I wonder if we will ever see them,” Eldôr wondered aloud.
“Perhaps,” Súlwë said. “If only to visit their kin. Olwë, Elwë, and Elmo remain very close if only in spirit. I heard many tales of the journey even though like my sister I was born in Eldamar.”
“You did not miss much,” I said as I remembered Cuiviénen.
“I would like to see our home across the sea one day,” Eldôr said. “Father spoke of nothing of it all my life as if he had been there. I want to know if it is real.”
Amdir hit him in the arm.
“How can it not be real,” he asked. “Súlwë just came from there.”
“Is there more than Alqualondë,” Eldôr asked Súlwë.
“Yes, of course,” he said.
“Then I wish to see if the rest of it is real.”
We continued along the way when Súlwë suddenly stopped—his face frozen in a cold stare. We looked to see a group of elves walking toward us. As they came closer, I realized I had never seen them before. Most of them were fair-haired. Among them was the most lovely of elven maidens.
“Who are you,” Eldôr asked, taking a defensive stand with Amdir. “You are in the kingdom of King Thingol.”
One of the elves came forward to protect the most regal of them.
“It is alright, Legolas,” he said to his guard, motioning him to stand down.
“Many apologies for my companion. My cousin thought it best to send us with protection. I am Finrod, son of Finarfin. These are my brothers Orodreth, Aegnor, and our sister.”
“I am Altáriel,” she said. “You may call me Galadriel.”
They bowed to us.
“You are the one that sent Angrod,” I said.
“I did,” Finrod said. “He told us great things about His Majesty’s generosity.”
“How is Angrod,” I asked.
“He is well,” he answered. “He is attending to his uncle Fingolfin just now.”
“Come,” Oropher said. “I am sure His Majesty King Thingol will welcome you at Menegroth.”
Finrod smiled at us. We turned back toward Menegroth.
“It is good to see you again, Nimernil,” Galadriel whispered to Súlwë. “So far from home. My mother must miss her favorite brother.”
Súlwë said nothing. As we approached the bridge, we were met by Mablung and Beleg. Mablung greeted us.
“Finrod,” he said. “Good to see you again.”
“You as well,” Finrod answered.
“Legolas Greenleaf,” Mablung began. “What brings you so far away from your lord?”
“Turgon wished his cousins to have safe passage into Doriath,” Legolas answered.
There seemed an uneasy tension between them. Nonetheless, the remained cordial.
“You have done well,” Beleg said. “Shall we?”
We followed them across the bridge and into the gates of Menegroth.–TKWRTBook I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by Jaynaé Marie Miller. 6-16-2019
Note to @staff: This is a book. The photo–from a movie: See copyright information. Duh. Galadriel is fully-clothed.
