𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦

As winter struggled to give way to spring, with chilly but sunny mornings, life at the Gray Havens began to flow with a different air. The news of the war's end spread like wind through the branches of ancient trees, reaching every corner of the Elven lands. It was met with sighs of relief, tears of joy, and long, almost incredulous embraces. Gil-Galad's speech traveled from kingdom to kingdom, crossing lands and seas, carrying with it a promise of peace to all the creatures of Middle-earth.

Lasgalen felt within herself a conflicting emotion, a feeling divided into two opposite and irreconcilable halves. On one hand, it was wonderful to see life blooming again, children running carefree through the streets, laughter echoing in the clear air. Food abounded on tables, the people thrived, and for the first time in a long time, there was a sense of sharing and hope in the air. There were no more barred homes, nor lost looks into the void, weighed down by the grim thoughts of war.

Yet, a subtle anguish continued to reside in her heart, like a shadow that refused to dissipate. She was so used to living in constant alert, sensing danger around every corner, that the calm unsettled her. It felt unnatural, almost illusory, as if at any moment everything could crumble again. For this reason, she understood better than anyone else Galadriel, who seemed not to have fully accepted the King's decision.

To escape that unease, the blonde spent her days in the training hall, letting the sound of weapons distract her thoughts, or she would venture into the woods, seeking solitude among the leaves. She distanced herself more and more from others, unable to share with them the weight of that oppressive feeling.

She didn't know if her opinion on darkness would ever change.

A journey was approaching. The High King, accompanied by a small retinue, would travel the road to the flourishing Woodland Realm to celebrate the arrival of spring, when the starlight illuminated the nights of Middle-earth with its eternal brilliance.

Lasgalen asked Gil-Galad to allow Galadriel to attend the event. He, initially hesitant for fear that her presence might stir discontent, finally agreed.

She was excited. Not just for the event itself, but also because she would travel with Elrond and Daenor. She had only seen drawings of the Woodland Realm, read ancient tales, imagined its colors and the scent of its wind. Now, finally, she would be able to explore it in person.

Elrond, however, had already been there. And Lasgalen, who considered him a living encyclopedia, didn't miss the opportunity to ask him about every possible detail.

"King Oropher founded the Realm after surviving the War of Wrath. A Sindar who, eager to find a new home for his people, decided to lead part of them to the mountain of Amon Lanc, away from the ruins and shadows that the war had left behind."

Lasgalen listened attentively, almost holding her breath, and he couldn't help but watch her. There was something magnetic about the way her eyes lit up with wonder, as if the words he spoke were pieces of a mosaic she was building in her mind.

Every time he told stories of past eras, of kings and realms, he secretly hoped to spark that spark of awe in her. To be the one guiding her through those distant worlds was a privilege he cherished.

"They built a great castle" he continued, with an involuntary smile, almost pleased that she hung on his every word. "And since its birth, Greenwood has always been inhabited by the Sindar and Silvan Elves."

Lasgalen tilted her head slightly, squinting as if she wanted to imagine that distant past. He followed the movement discreetly, wondering, not for the first time, what could lie behind that gaze.
The Silvan Elves, descendants of the Nandor, were famous for their extraordinary skill with the bow and their craftsmanship. They created works of incredible beauty, weaving wood and gems, bringing forth artifacts of exceptional charm. But more than anything, they were known for their unbreakable bond with the forest: they didn't just inhabit it, they were a part of it.