Of Firwen and Eldanur

Of Firwen and Eldanur

On a day in the month of Yavannie, Firwen Estelon, eldest daughter of Lord Elessar, rose early and went to seek her brother, Eldarion. Running down a hall, she was not paying attention, and bumped into something as she rounded a corner.

Jumping back a step, she looked up into the amused eyes of her father, who had been speaking with Captain Faramir. Dropping a quick curtsey to the two men, she inquired,

“Ada? Where has Eldarion gone?”

Her father smiled, knowing the close bond that existed between brother and sister, barely a year apart.

“I do not know, Lissaer*, but he is likely gone to Osgiliath with the guard.”

Murmering her thanks, Firwen ran down to the stables.

Firwen nudged her horse into a canter and headed towards Osgiliath. The city was all but deserted in the early morning. She knew that if her brother was on guard duty here, she should not disturb him, but she did not want to be in the city on a sunny day like today. The sun did not shine often now, as Middle-Earth was headed into winter. And the Anduin looked so inviting.



A fallen tree, caught on the edge of the riverbank, caught her attention. Smiling with delight, Firwen sat on it, letting the current press gently against her feet, and exulting at the sun shining on her back for the first time in days.

On impulse, she let the cloak that covered her shoulders fall back, onto dry ground. Firwen glanced across the river, towards the wooded groves of Ithilien, and did a double-take. Upon the opposite shore was a figure clothed in white so brilliant, he seemed to glow like the sun itself. Firwen lept from the log in alarm, ducking behind her horse to refasten the heavy cloak that covered her silver-blue gown.

Chancing a second, wary look across the river, Firwen was surprised to see the apparition staring back at her, equally astonished.

“Who….who are you?” Her voice was barely above a squeak, but the stranger –he was an elf, she was sure - heard anyway.

“ I am Eldanur of Imladris. And who are you? If I knew not better, I would think that Nienna herself had come to Middle-Earth, for you are as beautiful as she.”

“Firwen. I am Firwen,” she murmered, turning away and blushing. Feeling strangely embarrassed, Firwen lept upon her horse and rode away, leaving the Elf staring after her.

“So that is the daughter of King Elessar,” he remarked, though there was noone to hear.

*Sweet One.