Dreams of Power [ Lord of the Rings x Silmarillion ]

Hall of Leaves

When Legolas retrieved him in the morning, he was smiling widely. “Come, Aderthon. Breakfast awaits!”

Aderthon hurried after the elf lord. His stomach growled harshly. His small dinner the night before had worn off and all he wanted was food. Legolas led him down a different path than the night before and they came to several flower patches. In the patches, a maiden was tending to the buds and blossoms.

Aderthon was amazed by her grace. She flew like a butterfly from flower patch to flower patch, tending to the blossoms. As she did so, she sang a song so smooth and melodious it nearly put a spell on him. Her blonde hair cascaded down her skin, past her shoulders to her chest. It shone like strings of gold. Her pale skin was flawless and her eyes sparkled like azure crystals.

With a step forward, Aderthon had only eyes for this Silvan elf maiden. Legolas, behind him, shook his head with a smile on his face. He knew Aderthon would find Amon Loth beautiful, like he had fifteen years ago, but he had not expected his friend to become so enamored so quickly of a maiden.

“What is her name?” Aderthon asked, at last taking his eyes from her and turning back to Legolas.

He smiled. “That is Nimwing, Defender of Amon Loth. She was a great warrior of Mirkwood during the War of the Ring. Even battled a Nazgûl.” *

“Truly?” Aderthon watched her again with newfound appreciation. Not only was she gracefully beautiful, but she could fight, too. He could only imagine how capable a warrior she was to have survived a battle with a Nazgûl.

Suddenly the woman laughed as an elfling ran over to her and threw her arms around the maiden. Aderthon wondered who the child was.

“Nimwing,” Legolas called over to her, walking past Aderthon and, approaching her, gestured behind himself to his friend. “I would like to introduce you to a good friend of mine. This is Aderthon, son of Elrohir and Míril Fëanoriel, nephew of King Elessar.”

Nimwing stopped what she was doing, still holding the little girl in her arms, and flashed a kindly smile at the half elf. “I am honored, Lord Aderthon.” She gave a slight bow.

“The honor is mine, my lady,” he joined Legolas and bowed deeply to her. Looking at the elfling, he smiled. “And who is this?”

“This is Eregiel, daughter of my good friend Laswen.” Nimwing laughed and put the little elf down as she squirmed. “She doesn't enjoy attention.”

Aderthon chuckled and watched the elfling flee from the group, hiding behind a flowering tree that cast shade on the flowers beneath it.

“Would you join us for breakfast,” Legolas all but insisted. “We have much to discuss.”

Aderthon and Nimwing both looked at him in surpise but she nodded. “Of course, my lord.”

Nimwing looked at Aderthon as they walked. He was quite attractive, and she had heard tales of his prowess in battle. He had been a hero in the Battle for Arnor, and was the son of Prince Elrohir and Lady Míril, heroes of the War of the Ring.

Legolas led them on to the large feasting hall of Amon Loth. It was small compared to other Great Halls Aderthon had seen, but he supposed Amon Loth was a similarly smaller settlement. Legolas went in front, Nimwing beside Aderthon behind the elven lord.

“You battled a Nazgûl?” Aderthon finally broke the silence with her. “Which one?”

“The Easterling.” She smiled at him. “I heard later that your father Elrohir vanquished him once and for all on the Battle of the Pelennor.”

Aderthon drew himself up. “Indeed, my father often regaled us with the tale as children.”

Legolas opened the door to the feasting hall. “This is the Hall of Leaves.”

It was an airy building, with many windows and lots of light. A fire roared near the far wall, and cooking pots and spits were suspended over the flames. A good many tables sat around the Hall of Leaves, and Legolas led them to one close by. The three sat down, Legolas gesturing for a young elf to bring food.

“Nimwing, Aderthon is here on a mission from King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom.” He began by addressing the elf maiden. “He requests that I select a member of Amon Loth to live in Minas Tirith as an emissary.”

“And you wish it to be me, my lord?” Nimwing’s eyes went wide as she realized what he was saying.

Aderthon found himself unable to keep his eyes off her own sparkling blue ones. She was perhaps the most beautiful person he’d ever seen.

Legolas nodded. “You are one of my most trusted followers, Nimwing. You served my father in the War of the Ring, fought beside him.”

“I was but a foot soldier. It was Carmegil who did most of the work.” She objected to his praise immediately.

Legolas chuckled. “I know, I know. Yet somehow I feel this is right for you.”

Aderthon spoke up. “We would be glad to have you in Minas Tirith, my lady.”

“You learned much from Carmegil,” Legolas continued. “You know how to deal with the difficult, and you are well learned, more so than most of our people.”

“There is no need for flattery, Lord Legolas.” Nimwing smiled. “I will do as you ask.”

Legolas and Aderthon both looked pleased. The half-elf for two reasons. On the one hand, he was glad to have found someone for Aragorn, but selfishly he was also glad because it was Nimwing. All he wanted was to get to know her now.

Food was brought by soon enough, and the trio spoke logistics. Aderthon also spoke to Legolas in particular about the death of Barahir, and the birth of Elboron’s new son. He told them both of the looming threat from Rhûn's be Queen, and gave Legolas the hobbits’ messages.

“I should visit soon,” Legolas sighed. “Pay my respects to Faramir and Eowyn. Will they be staying in Minas Tirith?”

“I would assume,” Aderthon nodded sadly. “The Lady is not doing well, I fear. Perhaps the Houses of Healing will help her.”

Legolas nodded. “One can only hope.” He turned to Nimwing. “Lady Eowyn was an honorable warrior during the War of the Ring.”

“Is she not the one who vanquished the Witch King?” Nimwing nodded. “I have heard stories of her. Tis a pity that the lives of Men are so short.”

“Yes it is,” Legolas nodded quietly. He turned then to Aderthon. “What of the dwarves? Is Aragorn sending a messenger to them?”

Aderthon nodded slowly. “Yes and no. He intended to send Elboron like me, but then baby Barahir was born.”

“A wonderful thing to keep him from his task,” Legolas reminded the half-elf.

Nimwing sighed, finished with her meal at last. “I really should begin packing.” She stood to leave.

“Would you like assistance?” Aderthon asked quickly, standing as well.

Nimwing smiled at him and nodded. “Why not.”

Legolas laughed to himself as the two of them bid farewell and left the Hall of Leaves. He would never have foreseen this. He had already decided on Nimwing as the emissary weeks before Aderthon arrived. Of course Aderthon would fall head over heels for her.