The Woe of a Maiden Who Loved Legolas

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In the time of the War of the Ring, there lived in Minas Tirith a maiden of great beauty and even greater voice named Amcar the Beautiful. So beautiful was she that in time of peace and war, men from all over Gondor would come to pay her homage and beg her hand. She accepted their homage with grateful humility and sang them sweet songs in her beautiful voice but her hand she kept saying, “The only man I will love is one who is at least equal to me in beauty and music.”

Alas! There was no such man in Gondor or all kingdoms of men. So it was that she remained unwed, singing her songs to bring a glimmer of light even in the darkest hour. Then came the fateful day when the fields of Pelennor hosted the great battle between the Men of the West and hosts of Sauron, and Amcar was there, soothing the sick with her songs, giving hope to the weary. O how grand it was when her voice finally rose in the song of victory when the host of Gondor and its allies carried the battle, turning the tide of war!

Little did she know that her joy would soon lead her to woe, for the war brought to Minas Tirith, Legolas son of Thranduil the Elven King of Greenwood. Great was his beauty, sweet was his voice, and he caught her heart with nary a word. Thus began her woe.

Long did she try to woo him with sweet songs and sad sighs, but Legolas looked upon her with admiration and sadness, just as he would upon a beautiful flower that will fade all too soon. Yet her love for him did not subside, and she sang in the dark,


O beautiful prince with sun kissed hair

O brave prince with eagle eyes

O bright prince of the woodland elves

O blind prince see me will you not?


In the light of the day when all was glad she walked the streets under the black shadow of love unrequited singing,


Keeper of my heart

Holder of my soul

Give me but a little

Of all that is you


Long she prayed to all the Valar, but none had the power to turn the heart of the Legolas the Elf to Amcar the Beautiful. Those who were wise begged her to turn away, saying that King Elessar was a man with no equal and Arwen a half-elf who could choose a mortal doom, but she was not so great and Legolas not free to choose the doom of men even if he should desire it. They told her to find another and make a happy home, but she refused. Singing,



One heart I have to give

One soul I have to share

One man only will I love


So it was that her days darkened and her nights lengthened. At last, she could bear the pain no more. Thus she climbed to the pinnacle of the Minas Tirith dressed in virgin white and sang her swan song,


I loved thee dearly

I loved thee truly

I loved thee in vain


Thus ended Amcar the Beautiful, the maiden of Gondor who loved Legolas in vain.

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Author’s Note: Thanks to Lady Legrace for Beta reading. This is re-interpretation of the Greek myth “Lovers Leap”. Basically the great poet Sappho of Lesbos fell in love with a ferry-man who was blessed by Aphrodite with never ending youth and great beauty. He didn’t return her love, she jumped off a cliff. Review please. Thanks.