Chapter 27 – “Echoes”

“To what do we owe this honour?” Aragorn was leaning back in his seat, one leg stuck forward and a grin on his face.

“I was waiting to return this to Lady Pen-ii.” Halladan held up the pot with the powdered tree bark inside it. “She was kind enough to give me some for my headache.”

“Lady Pen-ii the healer?” Elrond laughed.

Penny gasped, though there was a smile on her face. “Are you mocking me, Lord Elrond?”

“No, no!” He held up one hand by way of apology, even as he continued to chuckle. “No, indeed, Pen-ii.”

“I did not wish to intrude,” Halladan said, “but Gandalf insisted.”

“Of course, my boy!” Gandalf clapped him on the shoulder, pulling him into the room as he closed the door behind him. “After all, were your father alive, he would have been top of the list to be here with us, I suspect.”

“Indeed he would have been,” Aragorn agreed. “And he was entirely frank with you, Halladan, about Lady Pen-ii and her situation. Perhaps I should have invited you.” He inclined his head a little. “Forgive me, will you not?”

“Oh, I do not think Lady Pen-ii would have benefited from my presence,” Halladan replied matter-of-factly. “We have only just met, after all, and besides which, it was you she needed to speak to.”

“I did ask if you would like to be here, do not forget,” Penny pointed out.

There were slight raised eyebrows and exchanged glances at that which, even if Penny did not see them, Halladan certainly did.

“I think Lady Pen-ii was a little nervous about this meeting,” Halladan explained hurriedly, “and we had just been discussing… Well, I had just explained to her that my father had told Arvain and me all about her situation.”

“But of course, but of course.” Gandalf was all affability and smiles. “No need to explain, it is entirely understandable.”

“Halladan did say it would not be appropriate for him to be here uninvited,” Penny added, now a little worried by Halladan’s reaction that her having been so bold as to try and invite someone to a private audience with the King (even if said person was the eldest son of one the King had loved dearly) was a gross faux pas. “He reassured me you were not angry and that I had nothing to worry about.”

“No, indeed.” Legolas was smiling. “I trust we have allayed any fears you may have had in that regard?”

As Penny nodded and thanked him, Aragorn rose from his seat.

“Well, if you will forgive me, Pen-ii…” He headed over to a small table between the two balcony doors to place his goblet on a tray there next to the jug of fruit juice and water. “I had better go and see what missive Prince Imrahil has sent me that is so important someone saw fit to try and push their way past our gallant sentry.”

“Thank you once again, your Majesty.”

“Not at all. I meant all that I have said, and I would ask you to think deeply on everything that has been discussed here. It may take a little time for you to accept it, perhaps, but know that we have spoken in earnest, all four of us. And as for your question just now, well, let us wait and see, shall we? Get to know Minas Tirith a little before you decide on anything. I shall instruct one of Arwen’s ladies-in-waiting to befriend you and introduce you to those of the court you did not meet yesterday.”

Penny was not at all sure she liked the sound of that, given what little she had seen and heard of the ladies of the court so far, but she smiled pleasantly enough.

“I thank you, that would be most gracious and kind of you.”

“Good. Well, that is settled, then.” He beamed. “Mithrandir, would you mind? If this is news of the Southlands, as I suspect it might be, I could use your advice.”

“I will be along presently,” Gandalf assured him.

Elrond and Legolas also made their excuses and left, but not before Elrond had kissed Penny gently on the brow and Legolas had kissed her hand. Legolas also told her that he had no qualms discussing anything of their trials and she had but to ask or broach the topic and he would happily talk to her about it for as long as she wished. She thanked him warmly.

“I know, Lord Legolas. After all, it was you who had to speak of the Paths of the Dead to the kuduk, was it not? Given a certain person could not bring himself to do so, much to his chagrin…”

Legolas blinked at her for a moment and then laughed out loud.

“Quite so, Pen-ii. Yes, indeed!”

Still chuckling to himself, and with a shake of his head and a grin, he left the room.

Halladan caught Gandalf’s eye and murmured something about waiting outside for Penny. He shut the door behind him.

“As you know, I have to go and hear what news has come from the South, Pen-ii, so you will perhaps forgive me if I cannot talk with you in private for any length of time at present. I hope this small meeting has helped you a little, though?”

“Yes. Yes, it has, Gandalf.”

And it had. It helped enormously to have been reassured they bore her no ill-will and to hear it from them in person. They had also sought to assuage her own sense of guilt. However, while she appreciated their efforts and would long reflect on their words, it would take some time for what they had said to sink in or for her to accept them. No instant cures for that. Her brain understood what they had said completely, but overcoming irrational, instinctive, emotional responses was not as easy as it seemed.

“Good. I am glad.” He paused, looking down at her. “I know there is much you would ask me. I can sense it even if I did not know to look for it. Do not look so surprised, Pen-ii.” He chuckled. “Do you think Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn and I have not talked about you? You have questions. I am not sure I have the answers. … Ai, do not look so downcast.” He lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. “I did not say I do not, only that I was not sure. You must not worry so. When you are ready, then find me and talk to me. I will give you my undivided attention and answer you as best I may.”

“When I am ready?”

“Oh, I think you have more than enough to think over at the moment. You have only just arrived here in Gondor, after all, and with all the excitement of yesterday on top of it. Wait a few days till you feel more settled. Or longer if you feel you need to. After all, I quite understand that whatever answer I may have for you would be a lot to take on board, perhaps. That is all I meant.”

She nodded. It was a fair suggestion, and she was still not sure she really wanted to hear the answers, or at least not if they were what she feared most they might be. It briefly flitted through her head that perhaps Gandalf knew that, that he was giving her time to perhaps get her head clearer and in a better position to accept whatever answer he may give her, good or bad.

“Now, I must attend the King.”

She followed him out of the door. There was no sign of Pippin, only Halladan leaning up against the door frame. He straightened as they appeared.

“All done?”

“Yes, thank you, Halladan. Could I ask you to escort Lady Pen-ii to wherever it she intends to go? In this labyrinth of corridors I am sure she would otherwise-”

“But of course, Mithrandir. You did not need to ask, I was about to offer to do precisely that.”

Gandalf nodded his head, pleased, and made to head off.

“Gandalf…”

He stopped and turned to look at Penny.

“Just… thank you. It is good to be able to talk to you once more.”

“Any time, my dear. Remember that. Any time about anything. You only have to track me down.”

He seemed to look at her for a second longer than might be necessary, and it made Penny momentarily uncomfortable. No sooner had she noticed it, however, than Gandalf had bidden them farewell and was heading off down the corridor at a brisk walk.

“So,” Halladan said slowly.

“It was very kind of you to wait.”

“Well, I promised I would, did I not?” He smiled.

There was a brief pause as they walked slowly down the corridor together.

“I told you that you had nothing to worry about,” he added.

Penny nodded. “They were all very kind and understanding. Even though I think some of the things I was saying to them were probably incredibly foolish.”

“I doubt that, Pen-ii.”

There was another brief silence, though not an uncomfortable one.

“Where were you thinking of spending the rest of the afternoon? I am not sure where everyone has disappeared off to, though I dare say we could find them easily enough.”

“I had not really put any thought to it, in all honesty.”

“Well, I could show you a little of the city if you would like.”

“I would like that very much.”

“Oh, and here.” He handed her the jar. “Thank you. I already feel much improved.”

“Glad to hear it.” She grinned.

They had made their way down the staircase and were just passing the door to the throne room when Penny hesitated for a moment.

“I would like to see it. Not now, obviously, since they are busy in there at the moment, but at some point.”

“I am sure that could be arranged. You will be here for a couple of weeks at least.”

“Yes.”

Penny said nothing about the possibility of her staying a heck of a lot longer than just a couple of weeks. She did not really want to think about what it would be like to still be here in this completely new environment with all her friends gone north. Well, not all her friends, but the King and Queen would have enough to do, surely, without bothering with her…

“A coin for your thoughts?”

They had just stepped out into the bright afternoon sun.

“Oh, nothing terribly much.” Penny forced a smile.

Halladan glanced at her for a moment but did not press the issue. No doubt it was something related to whatever had gone on in the meeting.

There would be a few hours till supper, and Penny, though she did not like to admit it, was feeling a little drained by the meeting. She was still in recovery, really, and the emotional stress on top of the long day of the wedding the day before, let alone a morning of hard physical labour of washing clothes, was beginning to take its toll.

Halladan was an observant sort, though, so he only took her on a gentle tour of the upper circle, stopping at points where they could look out through the walls to point out areas of interest in the circles below. After a little while, he insisted she go and take some rest.

“There will be songs and tales this evening after our repast, I do not doubt. With this many elves in the place, it is inevitable. Dancing too, I suspect. Besides which everyone is still in high spirits with the wedding. Best you go and rest now and then you can enjoy some of it at least.”

“Do I really look that exhausted?”

“Well, no,” Halladan conceded. “But, I can imagine you are still feeling under strength given your recent illness.”

Penny knew he had a point and admitted defeat. She thanked him for the kindness he had shown and let him walk her to her door.

‘Such chivalry,’ she thought, grinning, as she climbed the stairs to her chambers. ‘Being walked to my door and chaperoned by some tall, dark, handsome warrior. I could get used to this.’

Supper was more akin to that which they had had that first evening of their arrival, though there were plenty of cold meats no doubt left over from the previous day’s feasting. The King and Queen were there, and several Gondorian nobles. Afterwards many more Gondorians joined them and space was made in the huge Hall of Feasts for a little dancing if people so wished, though tables and benches were left also. People milled about in the Hall and the courtyard outside, chatting, singing, reciting poetry or ballads, and generally having a high old time.

Throughout it all, Penny was aware that, even if she had not previously noticed how burdened she had been, she certainly realised it now in retrospect. For the first time since she came to Minas Tirith, she felt she was relaxed and more at ease.

Not completely, though. There were enough injured men around to remind her of what she would willingly forget. Being asked to dance by a Dunadan with an eye-patch was a tad unnerving, but she steeled her resolve and accepted graciously. She also managed to look him in the face every time he spoke to her without staring at the patch and wondering what horror lay underneath it. Given the still livid scar stretching into his forehead and his cheek from either side of it, she dreaded to imagine.

Halladan, as ever, kept himself at one remove from any levity, she noted. In particular he would brusquely stand up and stalk off if anyone started singing or telling tales of the War, be it the battles or particular warriors, whether living or dead.

She was more acutely aware of Halladan doing so, for obvious reasons, but it was also clear he was not the only one. There were a few sullen looking individuals ranged about, though most of them seemed to be trying to put a brave face on it all. The benches and tables served as good cover and they could sit and watch from a distance without feeling like they were letting the side down completely. The majority were clearly recovering from terrible injuries with part or the whole of a leg or arm missing, or their faces scarred.

Halladan seemed most at ease armed with a jug of ale and a pipe out in the open. Often Penny would come out for some air and spot him, sometimes alone, but more often with one or two fellow Dunedain sitting and smoking in silence alongside him.

In contrast, Arvain seemed most comfortable in the loudest company possible, invariably with a small crowd of young ladies simpering after him. She wondered if he had always been that way or if that was his way of escaping his memories.

The two brothers could not have been more different.

“Has Halladan always been like that?”

Penny was sitting outside on the steps with Lindir.

“Like what? A bit of a loner? Yes, in some ways, but that is also the way of the Dunedain of the North, do not forget. They spend long weeks or even months alone in the wild, so they have to learn to be happy with their own company. They are also a people who never say ten words where one will do.”

“Indeed.”

Penny remembered those first few nights in Middle-earth with Halbarad. He would stare for hours into the fire, sucking on his pipe, seemingly content with the darkness and the silence.

“Arvain is very different, though.”

“Ah, well, he’s still young. He takes more after his mother in many ways, and is very different to Halladan, it is true. When their mother died… well, I think Halladan felt some of the burden of looking after the family, as the eldest son, even though he was little more than a boy himself in some respects. It was he and Halbarad together looking after the other two in his mind, I think. He and his father were very close, which is not say Halbarad was not close to Arvain or Hirvell, but he and Halladan had a very particular bond.”

There was a silence.

“Grief takes people in different ways, Pen-ii. Halladan will find his way, I am sure of it.”

“I think Arvain is worried about him.”

Lindir looked at her, surprised.

“I overheard them last night. They… well, Halladan was a little drunk and they were arguing.”

“Oh, brothers always argue. I always argued with mine.”

Penny stared at him. “You have a brother?”

“Did I not mention him to you? We fought on the Dagorlad together. Of course, I was a very young ellon at the time.”

Penny thought that was an odd thing to say. Why tell her his brother had fought at the…?

Unless…

“Was he killed?” she asked tentatively.

Lindir nodded. “Many were, Pen-ii,” he replied, his voice quiet. “It was a terrible battle.”

“I-I am so sorry, Lindir.”

“Oh, do not be sorry, Pen-ii.” Lindir smiled gently. “I will see him again, and soon, I hope. When I sail West I shall meet many whom I have long yearned to see once more.”

For a moment, Lindir’s gaze was drawn to the far distance and his smile broadened a little, as if lost in memories that were very dear to him. Penny wondered if he was still thinking about his brother. Somehow she suspected he was not, though she was not entirely sure why she felt so certain.

“What are you two doing sitting out here? You should be inside! There is some lovely singing going on. Oh, it is so wonderful to have the elves here. Not that the people of Gondor have not shown us much hospitality and kindness, but the place seems so alive and bright with you all here.”

Merry was positively beaming as he spoke. Lindir and Penny let him drag them back inside.

The singing was indeed lovely, though things were far less formal than they had been at the wedding, with people milling about, talking and laughing even as whatever song or performance was taking place. If it was a performer who was known or considered to be particularly gifted, or it was a song or story that was well loved, then the Hall would fall quiet for the duration, but otherwise there was a constant hubbub of socialising going on.

As for what Merry had said about the city seeming more alive than it had in a while with such beauty and nobility walking its streets, it seemed he was not the only one to make such a comment. Indeed, already the elves were having a not dissimilar effect to the one they had had in Rohan. Admittedly, the situation was not nearly so acute, given the level of skill of the healers of Minas Tirith, as well, of course, as the healing hands of the King and the lore and skill of an elf and a Maia on call to boot, but even so there were many hurts still to be cured, and not all of them physical or immediately apparent.

When Mireth had gently woken Penny from her nap before time to wash and change for dinner, she had explained she had been to the Houses of Healing at Elrond’s behest to see if there was anything that they could help with, any cases that had defeated the healers where elvish skill might serve.

“It is not as bad as in Rohan, but there are still some in bed, others who are newly returned to that place.”

“Newly returned?”

Mireth had nodded.

“Wounds that have reopened, or failed to heal properly. If someone tried to save a limb when it should have been cut off at the first, well…”

Penny had stared at her open-mouthed. They were still removing limbs! And the only anaesthetic to speak of would probably be to get horribly drunk and bite down on something, she assumed. She had shuddered in horror at the thought.

Thus even here in Gondor the after-effects of the War were still being keenly felt. People were still dying, if in far fewer numbers. To have the elves here, with their ability to bring comfort and joy just by the light in their faces was considered a blessing indeed.

A page appeared at the side of Penny, informing her that the Queen was asking for her.

“At last! I have been hoping to catch you all evening, Pen-ii!” Arwen smiled warmly. She patted a seat next to hers, insisting Penny sit next to her. “The King told me all about this afternoon,” she whispered quietly into her ear, taking her hand in her own. “I am glad. I hope it has eased your heart a little.”

“It has, Arwe-… er, Your Majesty, thank you.”

Arwen laughed gently. “It will take just as long for me to get used to, I do not doubt.”

Eleniel leaned over. “I keep calling her Arwen, too, Pen-ii. I am not sure the ladies approve.”

There were murmurs of protests from some of the ladies-in-waiting nearby.

Arwen and Eleniel introduced Penny to those she had not already met. One, a young woman about Penny’s age, called Meresel, was to be her guide. She smiled pleasantly at Penny and said she would look forward to it.

Lady Sidhwen was there, however, and looked less than pleased at the idea that Penny was about to become a regular amongst the ladies of Gondor for the duration of her stay.

“Ah, Lord Faramir. You have met Lady Pen-ii, have you not?”

“I have indeed, Lady Eleniel.” Faramir graciously inclined his head, and Penny returned the gesture. “She is the lady who knew my brother, and spoke so warmly of him.”

Lady Sidhwen looked intrigued. “You know Boromir?” Her Sindarin was fractured and the accent thick.

“I knew him, yes,” Penny replied.

“Knew.” Lady Sidhwen smiled thinly as she corrected herself. “Sindarin not strong for me.”

“Oh, I did not mean it as a correction, I was just replying,” Penny said hurriedly.

It was clear Lady Sidhwen did not follow all of what she said, however, since Meresel translated for her. She nodded and smiled, but Penny somehow felt that she did not believe Penny meant what she had said for a moment.

“Not all ladies speak Sindar,” Meresel explained, herself making a few mistakes. “The men learn. We do not. Learn by ear only.”

“It is not often used outside of academic or diplomatic circles,” Faramir explained. “Thus, of course, the women are not as fluent. Many do not speak it at all even among the nobility.”

“Indeed?” Penny could not keep the tone of astonishment out of her voice. “Women are not educated?”

“Of course they are!” Faramir laughed. “Most ladies can read a little. Some can even write.”

Penny glanced round her in some surprise that this was considered sufficient ‘education’ that even most noblewomen were only semi-literate. She found Eleniel regarding her with a ‘well, I am just as perplexed as you’ expression on her face, Arwen looking vaguely amused at Penny being so obviously taken aback, and the ladies-in-waiting looking a mixture of awkward, defiant or even on the edge of outrage.

“A lady has no need of books,” Lady Sidhwen said loudly in Westron.

“I love books,” Penny retorted, a smile on her face and shrugging her shoulders. “I was educated for many years. From the age of three to the age of twenty-one.”

“Really?” Eleniel was impressed, even if many of the ladies of Gondor looked non-plussed or even amused by this idea.

“I like books,” Meresel chipped in. She gave Penny a soft smile and Penny returned it. Perhaps this would be a friend in amongst the lions’ den. “I borrow from my brothers. Read their books.”

“Lady Meresel here is a rare prize in Gondor,” Faramir said, smiling. “She is a boon to her husband, and a wonderful mother.”

Penny blinked. This woman was married and with children! She looked about her own age!

“Children?”

“Two. Two boys.”

“Oh.”

“You?”

“No, no. I am not married.”

“Really?” Now it was Lady Meresel’s turn to look surprised.

“A charming young lady such as yourself? For shame!” Faramir was being very chivalrous, Penny decided.

“Well, I think ladies marry when they are a little older than we might expect where Lady Pen-ii hails from, Faramir,” Awen explained. “If the women are busy learning to such a late age, it is not surprising, perhaps.”

“They must be great scholars.”

Faramir was not being facetious. Or not that Penny could tell, at any rate. The sniggering that erupted amongst the women left her in a little doubt, though.

“I would not go that far,” Penny mumbled.

“Ellith are learned in many skills,” Eleniel chipped in. “We make no distinction in such things, as I am sure you know, so we are as educated as the males amongst us.”

“We learn things that will help us to be wives and mothers,” Meresel replied. “Running a house, cooking, sewing… Many things. And we do learn little. Not like the poorer in Minas Tirith. We do speak little Sindar.”

“You do not speak Westron?” Lady Sidhwen seemed at pains to point out Penny’s failings. Penny wondered how old she actually was, since she seemed to appear younger and younger every time she opened her mouth as far as she was concerned.

“No. I little learn,” Penny replied falteringly, so proving herself to be as poor a Westron speaker as Lady Sidhwen was a Sindarin speaker.

“Which reminds me,” Arwen interrupted. “Lord Erestor said to inform you that your lessons would begin again tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, no,” Penny groaned.

“You do not wish to learn Westron?” Faramir grinned. “Well, I will admit I think Sindarin the fairer language.”

“I find it difficult, that is all. It has taken me long enough to learn Sindarin.”

“You did not speak Sindarin either?” Faramir seemed intrigued. “Ah, yes, King Elessar did explain your situation. You were found lost and wandering, is that not so? By Lord Halbarad, Lord Halladan’s father?”

Penny nodded, aware that, as Faramir’s words were translated amongst the ladies who could not understand them fully, the whispering and nudging had increased a little.

“A good and noble man from what I hear,” he said more quietly. “I am sorry I never got to meet him. If his sons are anything to judge by, however, I can only imagine…”

Which provoked a sudden flurry of interest from the ladies of Gondor who began, all at once, to declare that the Dunedain were indeed very noble, brave and most handsome individuals (“Arvain especially,” one dreamy-eyed maiden sighed). There was even a muttered comment about Halladan may well be noble but could do with being a bit more sociable. Faramir rounded in the direction of the speaker.

“Have a care, ladies,” he said sternly. “Halladan is a man after my own heart, and I consider him a true friend. He has suffered much, as I am sure you well know. He is entitled to his grief, and you should not judge him for it. Nor is he the only one to find his losses hard to bear. We could name a good dozen at least or more who are here in this room who have been changed by what they have seen and what they have lost. Indeed, have we not all been changed in some way?”

There were a few ashamed blushes at that, mainly among the younger women who shuffled awkwardly and avoided Faramir’s stern glare. The older women tutted at them and shook their heads.

“Oh, I think they only meant that they have noticed that he is young, brave warrior and they would wish to have him dance with them and sweep them off their feet the way his brother has.” Arwen smiled knowingly at the ladies of the court as she said this and Penny noticed the colour on some of the maidens’s cheeks turned a shade deeper.

Ah, so Halladan had his admirers from afar, did he?

She smirked.

At the same time she also felt vaguely irritated on his behalf. She might have only known him for a day or two, but she got the distinct impression that silly chits of girls were the last thing Halladan would be interested in. But then, who was she to say, after all?

“I think you will like Meresel,” Eleniel said as they walked back to their chambers together. Mireth was with them and several other ellith who were lodged in their building.

“I hope so,” Penny replied. “Some of the ladies of Gondor seem… well… er…”

She did not know how to say ‘complete bitches’ in Sindarin, which was perhaps no bad thing.

Eleniel laughed. “I know what you mean. Trust me, Arwen will quickly deal with any nonsense. I am not sure they have the measure of her yet. There will be quite a shock for one or two at some point in the future, I suspect.”

Eleniel seemed to find this highly entertaining. Clearly Arwen, for all her quiet wisdom, did not suffer fools gladly. Penny almost hoped something might happen where she could witness it because it would be quite amusing to see some of the condescending cows put in their places.

Lady Sidhwen for starters.

Penny was not sure exactly what she had against her, only that she disliked her almost instantly. That said, she had the distinct impression the feeling was mutual, so she did not feel too guilty about it. Her simpering over Arvain at the wedding had already left Penny distinctly underwhelmed given she had been so obvious about it. Not only that, but Penny suspected she was exactly the sort of fickle trollop that, if she thought someone more eligible might be available, would drop Arvain in an instant for all her fawning over him. She had always loathed women like that. Judging from the general way most of the ladies of the court behaved, though, Lady Sidhwen was not unique by any means. All in all, it made the prospect of staying in Gondor indefinitely even less favourable as far as Penny was concerned.

As they were getting themselves washed and undressed, Penny mentioned Lindir’s brother, explained she had not even realised he had one.

“He never mentioned him before. I can understand if he finds it difficult to talk about.”

“Oh, it will not be that, Pen-ii,” Mireth replied. “Lindir misses him, of course, but long overcame his loss. You have only known him a short time, do not forget. I am sure it simply never came up before, that is all.”

A short time? Well, I suppose to an elf it would be a short time. To Penny it already felt like a lifetime in some ways.

“Besides, so many fell on the Dagorlad, it is perhaps unsurprising you have not caught up with all those who were lost,” Eleniel said quietly.

There was something about the glance Mireth threw her, kindly and sympathetic, that made Penny pause. Eleniel saw her quizzical look.

“The ellon I loved fell in that battle,” she explained. “I never had the courage to tell him how I felt before he left, and then…” She stopped and smiled sadly. “He may not have returned my affection, I do not know. It is perhaps foolish of me to have waited all this time.”

“Not at all.” Mireth took her friend’s hand in hers. “You know what Lindir and Naurdir said about him – that he seemed to take a special interest in you. I feel sure he felt the same way, and when you see him once more he will tell you so, and tell you how the thought of you had him champing at the bit to leave Mandos as soon as he might.”

Eleniel smiled gratefully, and Mireth hugged her. Penny came over and sat on the cot next to her.

“I’m sorry, Eleniel, I had no idea…”

“Do not apologise, Pen-ii. As Mireth said, many fell and many young ellyn in particular. I am not the only elleth who was bereft of her love so young. Perhaps it was harder for those who were betrothed or newly married, indeed I am sure it was.”

“Well, yes,” Mireth murmured. “Look at Lindir.”

“Lindir?”

Mireth and Eleniel exchanged a glance.

“You must not tell him we told you, Pen-ii, indeed it might be best never to mention it unless he does, but…” Mireth glanced at Eleniel uncertainly for a moment before she continued. “Well, I was still very young when it happened. I knew her, and she was a good friend of Eleniel’s …”

Mireth hesitated again as Eleniel rose and crossed over to the window, staring out into the night sky.

“Eleniel, if this is going to upset you…”

“No, it is perhaps better Pen-ii knows since she does not already. I would rather she hear it from one of us than perhaps say something unwittingly.”

“Mireth is right, Eleniel. Perhaps she can wait until we are alone.”

“Really, I am not upset.” Eleniel turned back to them and they could see she was smiling, if sadly. “She was my friend and I miss her, but I will see her soon. As will Lindir, and his loss was greater.” She looked at Penny. “As you have no doubt guessed they were betrothed. Indeed, they were only a month or two away from their marriage when it happened.”

“She died. I can guess that also.” Penny realised that this was upsetting, but there also seemed to be more to this than she could immediately surmise.

There was a pause.

“Pen-ii has anyone ever mentioned Lady Celebrían to you?” Eleniel asked at last. “Why she sailed?”

Penny was dumbstruck. Celebrían was rarely spoken of, but when she was, it was in terms that made it clear she was much loved and much missed. Her capture and whatever horrors she may have suffered were never spoken of or even hinted at, however.

“I know her story,” she said slowly and carefully. “Or the barest details, at least.”

Mireth and Eleniel seemed surprised.

“I know she was captured by orcs in the mountains, and that despite Lord Elrond’s best efforts to heal her, she could not bear to remain here.”

Eleniel nodded. “She was not travelling alone, Pen-ii, as you would not doubt assume. Meluieth was a close companion of Celebrían. The two had much in common. She… she did not survive the attack.”

“I remember when they brought back her body,” Mireth said very quietly. “Lindir was so distraught. He would not speak for days.”

A heavy silence fell for a moment.

Penny opened her mouth to say she was sorry (again), but the words seem woefully inadequate. She was still struggling to find something appropriate to say when she realised Eleniel had left the window and was now standing in front of her. Eleniel held out her hand and Penny took it.

“Thank you. I know what you would say or would try and express, and I thank you for it. Do not feel sad. She is with Mandos and at peace. Whatever she suffered, it was quick, or so they said. Do not feel shy to speak her name, either. They fought honourably and hard against their attackers, even if they were overcome at the last. I am proud to have had her as a friend, and I look forward to seeing her again.”

She released Penny’s hand and sat on the floor next to Penny, her head resting back against the cot mattress.

“It may be Lindir will himself speak of her to you one day,” she continued, “but he rarely mentions her even to me or others who knew her well. Not because it is too painful so much as that he is content that he will see her again and to remember her quietly by himself is enough. He is at peace. If you can understand that…”

“Yes, I can understand that.”

And she did. Even if she had never experienced such a thing herself.

It seemed strange to think of elves affected by grief, given their immortality, and yet she had seen their reaction to the death of the elf on the borders of Imladris. Loss was as real to them as to a mortal in many ways.

There was little more to be said after that. Penny was glad she knew, glad she had not got round to asking a question that had been niggling at her for a while now: why Lindir was unmarried and had he really never found the right elleth for himself.

‘Poor Lindir,’ she thought to herself as she fell asleep. ‘Poor Lindir and poor Eleniel.’

It just went to show that much had been lost thanks to Sauron long before this current War and that the elves, perhaps even more than the mortals involved, knew just how much.

Author’s Note:

I just wanted to say a few things about these plotlines for Lindir and Eleniel. Both have been in my head for a long, long while and I’ve just been waiting for the right moment for them to come out and Penny to be told about them.

I do not see either of them (Lindir and Eleniel, that is) as being unique particularly. As I have tried to have people point out to Penny on various occasions (not that she needs telling) the War of the Last Alliance was long and vicious (12 years, if memory serves?) and many fell. Mirkwood was particularly hard hit, of course (one third of its army lost and its king), let alone the fall of Gil-galad, High King of the Elves. Lindir and Eleniel are only two of many who would have lost fathers, brothers, sons and lovers in that battle. My apologies to those who have long pleaded for Lindir and Penny to get together (or even Lindir and Eleniel) – it was never my intention. He will remain like a brother to her and sail West and see his love once more.

As for the Celebrían element: it is not at all unreasonable to presume Celebrían would have had ellith with her – both as companions and as the nearest thing to ladies-in-waiting – let alone warrior ellyn. In fact I would say you’d have to come up with a very good reason as to why that would not be the case. Given she was captured, it can only mean the rest were all either slaughtered or captured with her. That only she is mentioned as having been rescued, I have taken poetic licence and made it that most were killed and only a few captured of which she was the sole survivor, though really it’s anyone’s guess (other than Tolkien’s, obviously).