Till end of Time

I ran down the narrow alley-ways of Gondolin. The bright light of the houses blinded me as more elves than in a long time moved to the main plaza. From the distance I saw the two trees. One made from silver and one from gold. Maybe Lord Turgon had them made to mock the Valar.

But I am not sure.

My father always told me, that when Turgon sent him and the others out and they wrought Gondolin within fifty years, that those trees were made in memory of Laurelin and Telperion, the trees that had given the light.

I wondered why everyone was so excited and squeezing myself through the masses I tried to get into the first rows. I had to tear on my simple dress to free myself from being caught between the palace guards. I recognized Inglor of Nargothrond marching with the Lord of the Fountain and the Lord of the Golden Flower to the center.

Horns were blown and Turgon himself strode out, waving to us, his subjects. That merry mix of Sindar and Noldor that lived so hidden in the valley of Tumladen. His black hair flew in the wind. His blue robes sparkled from all the gems that had been wrought into them. And beside him, the most beautiful elleth ever known. Idril, Idril Celebrindal, only daughter of the masterr and object of desire of all the mighty Lords of Gondolin.

But as many ever had courted her, she seemed to be like her aunt, the white lady, who had not wed either, at least from what we knew. My mother was Idril's chambermaid and sang the sweetest songs about the elleth we all adored.

But something in the scene in front of me startled the large audience of elves. I caught only a slight movement behind the guards of Turgon.

"I wonder why he has summoned us today?" Ecthelion whispered quietly to Salgant who stood beside me. Salgant shrugged and motioned with his head to keep eyes forward to whatever was coming.

And Turgon spoke of times that had passed and how long it has been since someone found the way to Gondolin. And he reminded us once more, that leaving the town was forbidden and punishable by sentence of death. An ellon behind me exhaled and I recognized Lord Turgon's's executioner.

More than once, the Gondolindrim had cast unhappy elves over the dark cliffs of the Caragdur . At least in death they were free to leave Gondolin. Only one had been allowed to leave but she never returned. Lord Glorfindel had lost Turgon's own sister, who had been granted permission to leave. Ever since he grieved for her, since he had loved her so much.

Looking at his stern face this day, should have told me, that something strange had happened, something that would change our lives forever. Glorfindel had taken his position right next to Turgon after bowing deeply.

The midsummer sun was warming our faces and once, for a rare moment, the constant wind in the valley stopped. I focused my eyes on Turgon and gasped when he suddenly stepped to the side. There she stood. Motionless and beside her was one, that seemed to be her kin or at least closely related to Turgon.

The lady, the white lady had returned. The elves around me started to sing, to praise the safe return of Aredhel. I could not hold my tears back, even though I had never seen her before. Only the songs about her I remembered, the ones my mother had sung to me throughout my childhood.

And Aredhel waved to the gathered crowed below her and the cheering became deafening. The happiness that flooded through the inhabitants of Gondolin was overwhelming for all of us. And then she stepped forward and her hand caught the arm of the young ellon beside her.

His hair was black, like the feathers of a raven, his eyes were dark but bright and his skin was light like the ivory tusks that Turgon had in his palace.

Aredhel stroke over the beautiful cheek of the ellon and raised his hand. Everyone became quiet, we wanted to listen, what she was going to say.

"This is Maeglin - my son!"