The Wizard's Confession, part 2

Gandalf gave Frodo a wry look, and blew his own smoke ring.

"I went to the garden of Lórien, to farewell my Master and my Lady. There I saw Mirimë. Once she had been Yavanna Kementári's handmaiden, often gone to Ennor on errands for her Mistress. She had returned long ago, much saddened in her demeanor. It was then she changed her allegiance, at Yavanna's urging, to my Lady of Sorrows, Nienna.

'Ólorin, May I speak with you? I know of your errand to the East.'

I nodded. So we spoke, and she told me her story, how she had watched over a small group of mortals and fallen in love with one of them. I suppose I should have been shocked, for only Melian had made a match with one of the Children of Ilúvatar, so far as I knew. And opinion was yet divided over whether that had been a good thing or a bad.

Yet I was not surprised. The Mirimë I had known of old had been merry and generous of heart, and I could understand how she could love one who was of like nature. When she spoke of him, her voice was tender, and I knew she loved him still.

'I may have family there, Ólorin. We had children. I bore my Tûk six sturdy sons and six bonnie daughters. I know in my heart that some of their descendants must still live. If you can learn what has become of them, I will forever be grateful.'

This did shock me. Even Melian had but one child!

Although I was stunned, I promised to learn what I could, should my own task allow me the chance. I reckoned not that I would forget much of what I knew when I arrived in the West."