"Naneth! Naneth, I see it!" 

Almárëa's call brought them all hastening up the hillside. The rolling grey-green land of Evendim swelled upward beneath the horses' hooves, and over the crest of the hill the royal party caught their first glimpse of Annúminas.

Built beside and outward onto the waters of Lake Evendim, the city of Annúminas was a wonder to behold. Restored to its former glory by Aragorn in the days following the War of the Ring, the realm's northern capital rivaled Minas Tirith for beauty. Causeways and parapets of pale limestone spanned the rocky shoreline, capped by towers of blue-grey shale that gleamed like polished steel in the setting sunlight. Annúminas was guarded by both the steep hillsides surrounding it as well as a tall, narrow gate across the single road through the rocks. There was no need for protection upon the lake-side, and so the city spread its splendor outward. Towers were built upon the little outcrops of rock and islands across the lake, and each was connected to the main city on the shore by banner-laden bridges. The flag of Gondor flew proudly from the spire of the tallest tower, fluttering in the breeze as if to beckon Arwen and the others onward. 

Lake Evendim itself was no less of a wonder than Annúminas. Stretching on nearly fifty miles to the north, its far shore seemed barely a blue haze on the horizon. So crystal clear were the waters of the lake that the roots of the outermost towers were easily seen rising from the rocky bottom. This far north it remained cool even during the summer, and so the crispness of the late May air made the lake seem even more pure and bright. Great hills of stone rose from the shore of the lake around its southern and western sides, and to the east a vast forest of black pines rustled peacefully in the breeze. A pair of loons - their black and white feathers stark against the rosy evening sky - flew honking overhead, and at a distance the mating call of a bull moose could be heard. 

"Annúminas at last!" exclaimed Faramir. "Never before have I had the chance to see our northern capital, and now I lament that I have waited so long to make the journey! There is a timelessness to this place that speaks to my very soul." 

Arwen smiled. "It is the blood of old Númenor that speaks to you, mellon-nin. For here on the shores of Lake Evendim dwell any remaining descendants of that mighty nation who do not call Gondor in the south their home."

"I think it may just have been one of the proudest days of Aragorn's life, the day he was able to bring together the scattered Dúnedain of Fornost and restore them to their ancestral city," added Legolas. 

"Indeed it was," said Arwen, remembering how Aragorn's eyes had shone when his old friends and fellow rangers had met him for the first time, safe and together in their new home. 

"How will we reach the gate from here?" asked Elboron. Sure enough, from the shores of Lake Evendim it seemed there was no direct route by which to reach the channel through the rocks beyond which Annúminas' gate lay. 

Eruthiawen laughed, and beneath her her horse Dior cantered cheerfully. "There is a passage that begins on the far hillside, marked by an ancient oak tree before the road widens. Come! I remember the way!" 

Elboron, Almárëa, and Eruthiawen were quick to ride out ahead of the group, their riding cloaks and horses' tails fluttering behind them before they disappeared into the tree line. 

"So much for a dignified arrival as one party?" teased Faramir as the young folk left them behind. 

"Perhaps," said Legolas. He leaned forward subtly on Arod's back. "Or.....?"

Before Faramir even had half a chance to reply, Arwen had already surged forward down the trail, her horse racing to catch up with the children. Her bell-like laughter echoed back to Faramir and Legolas. 

With a sigh, Faramir chuckled and shook his head. "Well, after you it seems," he said to Legolas. 

"You had best keep up, Steward, else you're likely to miss the path to the gate entirely and be left to wander the wilds of the north!" 

Watching Legolas and Arod gallop down the lakeshore after Arwen, Faramir leaned forward to pat Áre's neck. 

"You and I are getting too old to have to keep chasing after children and elven-folk like this, my dear fellow." 

Áre snorted in agreement. With nothing else for it though, Faramir urged his horse onward toward Annúminas. He found the others waiting for him at the bend in the road beyond the old oak tree, and after sharing a laugh they all wound their way through the rocks to the city gate together.

OoOoO

They were greeted in the main Commons - a great oval courtyard at the head of which stood the towering Royal Halls - by the Governor of Annúminas, Lord Derufin. A grandfatherly old statesman with a short beard whiter than new snow and pockets seemingly always full of honey drops, Derufin was a great favourite with the children of the royal family. Not as spry as he once was, he now leaned on a cane as he bowed to kiss Arwen's hand. The twinkle in Derufin's eye was as bright as ever though when he came to Almárëa. 

"Well now, this cannot be my beloved lady Almárëa, can it? Our youngest princess was but a child when last we met, and before me now I see a young woman!" 

Never one to hold back, Almárëa skipped straight past protocol to hug Derufin and kiss his cheek. She grinned from ear to ear when it became clear that she and Derufin were nearly the same height. 

"We've missed you, Lord Derufin! Oh, it's been so long!" Then Almárëa's smile turned cheeky. "Don't you have a present for me?" 

"Ha!" Derufin tipped back his head and let out a laugh. "That's right, always angling for something sweet from this old man, weren't you? Very well then, my dear lady, here is your present." 

Almárëa took the offered honey drop eagerly. "The honey never seems to taste quite as sweet in Gondor as it does from the hives of Evendim," she declared.

"Lord Derufin, it is with great pleasure that I introduce our dear friend and Steward of Gondor, Prince Faramir of Ithilien. And here is his son by the Lady Éowyn, Elboron. You of course remember my daughter Eruthiawen and Legolas, lord of the elves of Ithilien?" Arwen made all necessary introductions and re-introductions as they stood mingling in the Commons. 

Derufin bowed to Legolas and Eruthiawen both, kissing Eruthiawen's hand as he had Arwen's before turning to Faramir and Elboron. "I have heard your names many times before in King Aragorn and Queen Arwen's correspondences, my lords. It is my honour to meet you in the flesh at long last." 

"As we have often heard of you, Lord Derufin," said Faramir. "Minas Tirith has nothing but praise for your excellent governorship of Annúminas. Now that I see your fair city, I say the praise is more than well merited." 

Such words made old Derufin blush, and he waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense, nonsense, I merely mind the shop, such as it were, in between such times as our King and Queen are able to make the journey north." Then a strange look came over Derufin's face, and he winked at Eruthiawen. "Speaking of journeys and presents, there is something of a surprise here for you as well, Lady Eruthiawen. Or rather, someone."

"A surprise?" asked Eruthiawen, looking puzzled. "Who?" 

Arwen's sharp hearing alerted her to the presence of another, stepping out from behind one of the hedges ringing the Commons. It was thus that she saw Prince Hakon before he had the chance to announce his stealthy arrival. 

"Your Majesties," he said, his soft, rich voice as unmistakable as his thick black hair and broad shoulders. He was clean-shaven - unlike previous visits to Minas Tirith to take part in the Harvest Tournament - revealing a strong jaw and charming smile. Approaching the group where they stood, he stopped and bowed respectfully even though he himself was also royalty. His single-shoulder cloak of royal blue - trimmed in gold and bearing the heraldry of Dale - swished as he bowed. 

"Prince Hakon!" Almárëa all but shrieked, even as Eruthiawen's grey eyes widened and Elboron sputtered. Faramir and Arwen glanced at one another, caught off guard. One quick look confirmed that neither of them had known to expect the Prince of Dale at Annúminas.

"My lord, I-" Smoothing the front of her riding gown, Eruthiawen regathered her composure near instantaneously. "We had not known you would be joining us here. You must forgive us if we are a little surprised at your presence." 

"Indeed," said Arwen, caught somewhere between amused and apprehensive. "What brings you here from Dale, Prince Hakon? Unexpected or not, you and the lords of the Lonely Mountain are always quite welcome in Annúminas." 

Hakon smiled. "For that I must apologize, Your Majesty. You see, I am here entirely without invitation. I took it upon myself to make the journey from Dale to Evendim after hearing about your family's upcoming visit through my correspondence with Princess Eruthiawen. Hopefully my presence here is not an unpleasant surprise, my lady?"

"No, not at all," said Eruthiawen. "It must have been a long road all the way from Erebor, and so I am very grateful of your coming. I trust the passage along the Ered Mithrin was not unduly difficult?" 

"No amount of difficulty could forestall my wish to be here upon your arrival, my lady." 

Almárëa and Elboron stood to one side while Eruthiawen and Hakon exchanged pleasantries, both wearing vaguely peeved expressions. It was a shame, Faramir thought to himself, that Hakon and Elboron had somehow managed to become unwitting rivals in this three-sided game of love. Under any other circumstances, he imagined these young people would have all made very fine friends indeed. 

At the edge of the group, Legolas chuckled and turned aside. When Arwen sent him a questioning look, he explained. 

"Seeing as you have a guest to entertain, I thought perhaps to take this opportunity to go pay my respects to an old friend."

"Ahhhh." Arwen smiled knowingly. "You mean the Wise Woman of the Dúnedain, Mistress Gelwin?" 

"Mistress Gelwin?" Lord Derufin suddenly alerted to the conversation between the two elves. 

All plans of a stealthy exit now thoroughly ruined, Legolas cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes, the very same. She does still reside here in Annúminas with her folk, does she not?" 

A shadow passed over Derufin's kindly face. "I am sorry to be the bearer of ill news, but no, Mistress Gelwin no longer lives in Annúminas. Much honoured and respected though she was, the Wise Woman was very old. She died peacefully in her bed this past winter." 

"Ai...that is a shame," said Almárëa sadly. "Old Gelwin always told such interesting stories." 

The subject of the Wise Woman's passing was remarked upon by the younger folk, and then set aside for discussion of plans for all the riding, swimming, hiking, and general fun they would have throughout their stay in Annúminas. Lord Derufin had several matters of state that required royal attention since Aragorn's last visit, and was quick to request Arwen and Faramir join him in the Governor's Office before dinner. The initial surprise at Hakon's presence likewise wore off quickly enough, and the Prince of Dale even suggested that he, Elboron, Legolas, and Faramir all go out hunting on the morn. Even as Elboron agreed, he noticed that Legolas had drifted away and was wandering off toward the tall rings of hedges that surrounded the Commons. 

Quietly excusing himself amidst the noise and chatter, Elboron jogged after Legolas. The elf moved somewhat aimlessly, and it took a few odd turns before Elboron realized that he was headed for a walkway that faced out over Lake Evendim. 

Laying his hands atop the polished railing, Legolas stood for a moment looking out over the shining surface of the lake. Then, to Elboron's surprise, he let out a deep, heartfelt sigh. His golden head hung low, his face downcast even as a blue heron flew gracefully overhead. Uncertain, Elboron approached cautiously. 

"Legolas?" 

Seeming to realize only now that he had been followed, Legolas straightened. He did not turn though, and remained facing the lake when he answered. 

"The others will be wondering where you are, Elboron." 

"They'll wonder the same about you," Elboron replied. He drew near enough to stand beside Legolas at the railing. "Are you...alright?"

Legolas passed a hand across his face, and it was then to Elboron's shock that he realized the fair elf was actually crying. Legolas was trying very hard to hide it though, and so Elboron obligingly looked away to gaze out over the water as well. 

"Yes...or rather, I will be, in a moment. You needn't have followed me, Faramirion." 

"It was the news about the Wise Woman, wasn't it? You said she was an old friend?" 

Legolas sighed again, and it was some time before he answered. "She was that indeed...and would have been more, if I had been willing. Simply put, she is...was the Andreth to my Aegnor, if their story had not been altered by the tragedies of war." 

"...She loved you?" 

"Yes, for a time." 

Elboron could not help but press Legolas just a little further. "And for your part?" 

This time the silence stretched on for so long, Elboron began to fear that he had gone too far and offended the proud, private elf with his presumptuousness. He was just about to begin making his apologies when Legolas spoke in a low, soft voice. 

"Gelwin was only a child...but for all her earnestness she carried an old soul. Did I love her in the manner which she once dared to hope for, so many years ago on that moonlit riverbank? ...No, I did not. And yet I did love her, in my fashion, as one might love a tender spring blossom that will inevitably wilt and fade with the coming of autumn. And now...alas, bright one! Winter has divided us eternally, as I once cautioned you that it would."

These last words Legolas did not seem to speak directly to Elboron, but rather to the shining water's surface and the sky beyond. Sensing that company was not what Legolas wanted in this moment, Elboron left the railing and turned back toward the Commons. As he walked away though, he reflected on his own heart, filled with yet unspoken wishes and yearnings. 

Legolas meanwhile remained where Elboron left him. Long he gazed out upon the face of Lake Evendim, watching as the first stars came out and were reflected back in the glassy mirror below. When the elf at last rejoined his companions that evening in the grand dining hall, no one would have noticed anything had ever been amiss. The death of one old woman in a city home to seven thousand mortals was an event of little import; a footnote at most in the unfolding history of Middle-Earth. The Wise Woman who had been Gelwin, daughter of Galdir*, was forever remembered though, the memory of a human girl-child with elvish braids in her hair and love in her eyes carried evermore by one who was destined to outlive time itself. 

OoOoO

*Gelwin is an original character who was first introduced in 'Starting Anew', Part 2 of GreenScholar Tales' LOTR fanfiction trilogy ('The Last Elf Queen of Arda' - 'Starting Anew' - 'Seeds of the White Tree'). Legolas first encounters Gelwin as a twelve-year-old child, one of the Dúnedain of whom Aragorn leads as chieftain in the woods of Fornost. Her story arc began as something of a comic relief; her childish crush on Legolas quickly garners both the amusement of the Dúnedain and Legolas' deep chagrin. Over the years that Legolas spends in Fornost though, Gelwin grows from a child into a young woman. When she at last confronts Legolas with her feelings and offers him her heart, he realizes that the time has come for him to return home to the Woodland Realm, and so he rejects her. The two part ways in mutual affection and understanding though, and I have always wanted to write a final conclusion to what I felt was a surprisingly poignant story of self-reconciliation, tragic irony, and love.