Book II: The Saga of Thranduil

Chapter XXII: The Death of Súlelenth

Legolas was gone—the son Êlúriel had given me and I tried desperately to protect from the world was now in that world vowing to save it from the shadow that had returned. I spent the days after his departure tortured with thoughts of losing him in many ways. It was not until Tarthôn and Aruilos returned from Rivendell safely did I found peace.

As I stood with Ëariâth waiting for Tarthôn with their daughter, Aradúlin, I began to notice how time had passed—Aradúlin had become a strikingly beautiful elven maiden with long deep golden red hair and grey eyes. She had been wed to Elendôr not long after his brother Êlenuil had wed Súlelenth and was the mother of a son named Aranduil—named for me and his great-grandfather Elranduil.

My household had grown but none would come from me. Legolas had left Mîráre behind and she became so distraught that her sister Ninyáre could not console her. In sadness, she left Mirkwood with her mother Tárwen for Mithlond. As I was my father's only heir, Legolas was mine but I knew he would never sit on the throne.

"Have you seen Súlelenth," Aradúlin asked. "I have not seen her for two days, nor have I seen Êlenuil. What do I tell Nenduîl and Tárimë?"

"They went to see her family in Dale," Ëariâth answered. "They should return before too long. They have Aranduil to keep them company."

I said nothing—for Êlenuil and Súlelenth had gotten my blessing to leave. Ardôr wanted them to stay but kept his objections to himself. I knew Elranduil had spoken to him as he had grown fond of Súlelenth as she reminded both of us of Êlúriel.

When we saw Tarthôn and Aruilos riding toward us with Elenadar and Elenatar, the mood brightened. As stable hands came for the horses, his wife and daughter met Tarthôn. Aruilos approached me and bowed.

"Your Majesty," he said. "All is well. Elrond sends his gratitude."

"How was it there," I asked. "Was it as beautiful as they say?"

"Very much so," he said. "We were fortunate to have met Elrohir and Elladan. You can imagine the trouble with having Elenadar and Elenadar present. I would think having two sets of twins did not sit well with Erestor or Lindir."

"Well, then," I said smiling. "It was best they left their sons with us. Four pairs would have driven them mad. Nimlos waits for you in the study."

He smiled and bowed as he made his way into the palace with his sister and mother. Tarthôn came to me quietly and stood before me, looking down.

"What is the matter, Tarthôn," I asked. "Do you miss Legolas already?"

"I do," he said. "But I worry how you will do without him here, Ada."

"I will do as well as I can," I said. "But you are still here and we will both greet him together when he returns."

He looked up and smiled. Even now, so many years after he was left in my care, he felt I did not love him as much as Legolas. Unlike Orísil, he never quite felt a part of the family.

"Tarthôn," I began. "Did you by chance see Elrond's daughter while you were there?"

"Yes," he answered. "As beautiful as it has been said. She is very much taken with Aragorn. I did not see him until the day we were to leave. There had come another man and one they call Gandalf and one of the dwarves that had come here before."

We started into the palace through the gates. I was curious about the dwarves—I remembered the ones I had met after the battle of Dale and had wondered about them.

"Tell me more," I said. "I am intrigued."

"I believe his name was Glóin," he said. "I recall he was there with his son Gimli. But there was a rather old creature there. He was there when we arrived. He seemed rather fond of looking at Legolas from a distance as to have known him."