The Identity Quest--Chapter 2

Chapter 2

With the Wood-elves

As they rode into the forest, Melda sensed that this forest was different from any she had ever seen before. The trees were dark, and they overhung the path threateningly. Mirkwood deserved its name, she felt. The wood was frightening, as though it was unwholesome.

They traveled through the forest for several miles until they came to the Wood-elves' fortress. The fortress was impressive, with tall towers and many arrow slits. Melda heard many tales of this place from her mother, both about Tolowen's own experiences and those of the companions of Thorin Oakenshield on his last quest.

When Thorin's companions had come to Mirkwood, they had become lost in the forest. They stumbled across a group of feasting Wood-elves, and Thorin was captured. The other 12 dwarves and Bilbo were so bewildered that they didn't notice Thorin was missing! The remaining dwarves were captured by giant spiders, some of the evil inhabitants of the forest, but Bilbo saved them. In the end, the Wood-elves found and captured them as well. Bilbo had a magic ring, which he had picked up in the Misty Mountains, that would turn the wearer invisible. He used it to avoid being caught, then later helped all his dwarf friends, including Thorin, to escape.

Melda's mother, Tolowen, had gone to the fortress many times before. She usually went there for several weeks every spring, but this year she had not come back. Melda could tell that her father was worried, but she did not know what she could do to help him. She hoped, however, that her mother would be there; that seemed the only cure to his worry.

As they came up to the gate, the sentries hailed them, saying, “Who goes there? What is your errand?” Ranfea answered, 
“I am Ranfea. I come looking for my wife, Tolowen. This is my daughter, Melda.” The sentries conferred together for a moment, then one said, 
“You may enter; I will take you to the king. I am Thalion. ”

They entered through the great gates of the palace, which shut by magic behind them. Melda was awed by the splendor of the palace. It was built of stone, with wood on the inside of the walls. The stairways were beautifully carved out of wood, and the doors to the Elvenking's chamber were inlaid with precious jewels and metals. Two guards stood on either side of the doors; they opened the doors as the group approached.

The Elvenking was arrayed in magnificent, flowing robes. His beech throne was exquisitely carved, with birds and deer fashioned into the wood. It was bordered in gold and silver, and inlaid with jewels. Everything here seemed to radiate wealth and beauty.

When he spoke, it was with a higher voice than a Man or a Dwarf, but he did not seem young. His hair was silver with age, yet he was as spry as one just come to manhood. “Welcome, Ranfea. It is long since you entered these halls. What brings you here?” asked the Elvenking. 
“Lord Thranduil, I come seeking my wife, Tolowen. She has not yet returned to the camp of the Rangers, and she should have been there five days ago.” Thranduil frowned. 
“I will ask and see if any have news of her. Meanwhile, I ask that you partake of our hospitality.” Ranfea accepted, and together he and Melda went to the feast.

The Wood-elves laughed and sang. Elves, especially Wood-elves, are merry; they have a fondness for feasting and song. Ranfea, however, was inclined to be silent. He was worried about Tolowen, and he was in no mood for laughter and song. “What should I do if she is not here?” he asked himself. “Take Melda back to the Dúnedain with me? Or leave her here with the Wood-elves? I cannot raise her on my own; she would stay with one of the others if need be. She would be a strange child in a strange house. But here, she would be safe for the most part, and able to meet her mother's kin. After a few years, she could go to the Dwarves in Erebor. Then she would be able to live with all three kindreds she is descended from. And...” He closed his eyes, deep in thought. “She will have to make a choice. Tolowen told me that the Valar told her she must choose between Elves and Dwarves. She chose the Elves, since she had lived with them for most of her life; she had never really met a Dwarf. Tauriel had left her with a Wood-elf friend before the battle, and that friend raised her. Melda must have the chance to see more of the world, so that she will not pick blindly; I suspect she will be asked to choose soon. And she must choose from three races, not just two.” Ranfea was satisfied; if the worst came to the worst, Melda would be provided for.

Melda was excited. “Elves,” she whispered to herself as she entered the hall. It was her wildest dreams come true. These were not short, fat toy-makers; these were tall, slim, sprightly creatures, with bows, swords, and knives. Wood-elves' laughter was like a stream rippling over stones, or the wind among the trees, smooth and flowing. It was contagious; and Melda soon found that she was laughing, too. However, she heeded her father's warning, and kept hold of herself.

Ranfea and Melda ate their fill; there was plenty of good food to be had. Bread, butter, venison; all was there. Wine, too, there was in plenty. The Wood-elves feasted well and often.

Songs were sung, tales of great deeds done long ago were told, and all made merry. Elves have a seeming endless appetite for songs.

Ranfea sighed. All this reminded him of meeting Tolowen at that feast, so long ago. She was very young by the standards of Elves, only about 20 years old in mind, though by Shire-reckoning she was about 40 calendar years old. Her hair was waist-long, black as a raven's wing, and it glistened in the starlight, and her eyes were like deep brown pools. Melda had her mother's eyes. “Where is she?” he wondered. “Surely I would have news of her by now if she was here.”

After the feast the Elvenking beckoned to Ranfea and Melda. His face was more grave than before, and he spoke slowly. “I have news of your wife; it is not good. She was with a party of Elves in the woods when Orcs attacked. It was a large force, and several Wood-elves were captured,” he said, and then paused. “Your wife was also.” He held up his hand. “We did all we could to find the Orcs once we had news of this, but by then it was too late. The survivors did not reach us for a whole day. Also, they said the Orcs were headed deeper into the forest. We followed their trail. It went towards the far edge. It did not take long to find where they went.”

He paused again. Ranfea voiced his thought aloud. “Dol Guldor. They went to Dol Guldor, with the prisoners.” His voice was empty, as though he was too stricken to express his grief, and his head was bowed.
“Yes,” said the Elvenking. “Our scouts followed their trail nearer to that evil place than we have ever dared to go. There can be no doubt about their destination.”

Ranfea raised his head, and his eyes were red. The look on his face was so terrible to behold that Melda stepped back in alarm. “I will rescue my wife, if she still breathes,” he said. In his voice there was enough determination to shift a mountain. Melda was worried. What might her father do in his madness? And what would happen to her mother? Tolowen might already be dead or worse.

Together she and her father went to a guest room. “Melda, I must go rescue Tolowen, even if it takes me a hundred years. You must live with the Wood-elves for a time, but make sure that you do not stay forever. You must also visit Erebor, and learn about the Dwarves; you belong to them as well. I will ask Legolas* to look after you,” Ranfea told her.

Melda was rather excited about the prospect of growing up with the Wood-elves (and the Dwarves, but they sounded much less exciting), but she was worried for her mother and father. “I'll miss you” was all she could manage to say.

The next morning, Ranfea left. He told Melda goodbye, and that Legolas would look after her. Then he was gone, and Melda was with the Wood-elves.

She explored the castle. It had many rooms, lots of storage, and dungeons, where Thorin and Company had stayed until Bilbo had saved them with his ring. Melda had heard the tale often from her mother. There was also the great dining hall where the feast had been held.

*This is not the Legolas from the LOTR and Hobbit movies. This Legolas is from the book. He is very mature, being a couple thousand years old.

The Wood-elves went on a hunt, and Legolas took Melda along. There were about ten Wood-elves, and two children like herself. Melda was feeling rather lonely, so she decided to at least attempt to make friends, even though she was feeling very shy. “Mae govannen,” she said shyly, coming over. “Mae govannen,” they responded, and everyone looked at each other like so many owls. 
“My name is Melda,” she said. 
“Mine is Galadhmir, ” said a tall girl with very long, brown hair. Her eyes were a startling blue. 
“Mine is Galenloth, ” said the other girl. She was not as tall as Galadhmir, but her hair was just as long. Her eyes were green. They were both as slender as Wood-elves, and they both had the pointed ears of the Wood-elves, but Galenloth was rather short for a Wood-elf.

Just then, Legolas called Melda over. “The hunt is about to begin,” he said. Melda got on her horse just in time.

The hunt was exciting, but Melda was struck by how very gloomy and cheerless Mirkwood seemed. The sun could not reach the forest floor, and the trees seemed menacing. The feasting-place of the Wood-elves, however, was more cheerful. Stumps were used for seats, and the tree-branches made a beautiful canopy over the grass; a stark contrast to the remainder of the forest!

Melda ate her fill and joined in the merriment. One Wood-elf began a song on the harp; others joined in. It was easy to lose one's self in the gaiety and revelry, but she heeded her father's warning. “Where is he?” she wondered. “Is he among Orcs? Men? Rangers? Elves?” She had no way of knowing. Just then Galadhmir came over to her. 
“Mae govannen,” she said shyly. “Do you want to join myself and Galenloth?” Melda went with her. They found several stumps close together, and started talking about their families. 
“My mother, Tolowen, was just recently captured by Orcs. My father, Ranfea, is attempting to find her,” Melda said. 
“My mother, Tinca, and my father, Elodun, are both part of the palace guard, ” said Galadhmir. “And my mother, Calmire, lives in the palace as well. My father, Tharir, is in Erebor. He is a Dwarf,” finished Galenloth. 
“My mother is half Wood-elf, half Dwarf, too!” exclaimed Melda. “Really?” asked Galenloth. “Who were her parents?”
 “Tauriel the Wood-elf and Kili the Dwarf,” answered Melda. Both Galenloth and Galadhmir were surprised. “Your mother's parents are rather legendary! ” said Galadhmir. 
“But be careful about mentioning the name of Tauriel,” added Galenloth. “She is not popular with the Elvenking, even fifty years later. He believes she betrayed her own kindred by going to help the Dwarves against orders. And he does not quite approve of my mother's marrying a Dwarf, though he says nothing openly.” Melda sighed. 
“Thank you both. I will remember that about Tauriel,” she said. “But do you ever fight with each other, since Galenloth is half Dwarf and Galadhmir is a Wood-elf?” They both laughed. 

“We only met two days ago,” said Galenloth. “I had never been far from the cellars before, except at feasts. My mother has always worked in the cellars.”

Galadhmir broke in. “Where does your father come from, Melda?” she asked curiously. 
“He is one of the Dúnedain, ” Melda answered. “That is where I have grown up, until now. ” Galadhmir and Galenloth both stared at her in wonder. 
“So you are partly Wood-elf, partly Dwarf, and partly Ranger!” said Galadhmir softly. 
“Did you wander much? Or did you stay in one place most of the time?” asked Galenloth.
 “We wandered far and often. It was rare for us to stay in one place for more than a week or two, ” Melda answered. 
“Was it difficult, always being on the move?” asked Galadhmir. “In a way,” Melda said. She was lost in thought for a moment. “But then, it was interesting. New places to explore and new paths to find.”

They continued talking until Legolas came over and called Melda to him. The hunt was returning home to the fortress.

That night, Melda fell asleep contentedly. At last, she had found friends! With the Dúnedain, she had never had a friend. Her mother had been gone for half the year, so she had helped her father to cook and clean. When her mother was with them, she had helped her mother with the housework, and learned how to sew, cook, prepare skins, and things of that sort. She had never really had time to even want to make friends.

In the morning, there was a feast. Melda was feeling rather shy. Few Wood-elf children were there, but many adults. Wood-elves love feasts, merriment, and all things related. Melda retreated to a corner, and found another girl there. She looked about Melda's age. 
“Mae govannen,” Melda said shyly. 
“Mae govannen,” the girl responded. “My name is Melda,” Melda said. 
“Mine is Linwen,” said the other girl. She had golden-red hair slightly more than shoulder-length, green eyes, and ears like an Elf; but she was not much taller than a Dwarf. *

*Dwarves were about 5 feet tall, and Elves were about 6 feet tall as adults. Linwen was about 5' 3.

The two looked at each other for a minute. “There are a lot of people here,” said Melda, desperate to break the silence.
 “Yes,” agreed Linwen. “I am not fond of crowds. Are you?” 
“No,” answered Melda. “I have never seen so many people in one place at the same time before, and it is rather overwhelming.” Linwen was a bit surprised. 
“Never?” she asked. “Have you ever seen one of the Wood-elves' feasts before?” 
“No,” said Melda. “My father is one of the Dúnedain, and my mother never took me along on one of her visits to the Wood-elves before.” Linwen nodded.
“I am half Wood-elf as well. My mother is Ariara, King Thranduil's sister. My father is Frerin, the brother of Thorin Oakenshield,” she said.
 “He is? Then we are related!” Melda said. “My mother's father was Kili, Thorin Oakenshield's nephew. He was the son of Dis, Thorin's sister.” 
“That makes us...first cousins once removed, I believe,” said Linwen. “That sounds right, ” said Melda.

Melda and Linwen talked for some time before Linwen was called away by someone else. Melda couldn't see Galadhmir or Galenloth, so she found a seat and ate more food. Wood-elves were excellent cooks.

Melda went contentedly to sleep that night. “Now I have made three friends,” she thought. “And found second person who is also part-elven. I had no idea there were any besides myself who were part-Elven at all!”

End of Chapter 2

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