A Mingling by cuarthol

Of Silver Stars and Golden Sun

Ilwen, wife of Ingwë

Long she had dwelt beneath the stars of Middle-earth, upon the shores of Cuiviénen which sparkled blue with its own soft light.  She was born to the Minyar: the firsts, the chieftains, the fair Elves with golden bright hair.

Before the Darkness had come, she had walked upon the earth, soft with green mosses and tiny flowers.  Before the dread had fallen, she had delighted in song, dancing in meadows and forests.

The day the shining Hunter came, she had not fled but felt drawn to his light.  Beautiful and terrible he had seemed to her, and yet she felt no danger though dangerous he could be.  Rather she lifted her hands to him, eager to know him, and she wept for joy at his touch.

When the three emissaries were chosen to follow him, her beloved was among them, and it grieved her to be parted.  Uncertainty settled in her heart as she watched him go, praying to the Queen of Stars for his safe return.

And when he returned, the light of the West in his face, she knew she desired nothing but to dwell herself in that Blessed Land, the queen of their people.

Gwidhil, wife of Orodreth

Long she had dwelt beneath the stars of Middle-earth, upon the shores of Mithrim, which her mother said reminded her of her own childhood long ago.  She was born to the Teleri: the thirds, the singers, the sea-Elves, long after they had left the shores of Nen Echui, the waters of their awakening.

Before the Darkness had returned, she had walked upon thick beds of pine needles amongst the little flowers that grew in the north.  Before their Enemy had brought ruin, she had sung, dancing with delight in the waters.

The day the bright-eyed Noldor came, she felt wary of them.  Proud and stern they seemed to her and she hid herself in the hills.  Dangerous they felt, and dangerous they could be, driving the Orcs before them in terrible wrath.  Though she was glad of their protection, she was not eager to know them.

When the moon first rose with the coming of the second host, she watched them in awe.  Many of her kin who had remained hidden in the hills were drawn to those who arrived then, bringing, it seemed to them, the lights of the Valar to their shores.

There was one among them she felt drawn to more than all the others, a son of princes, his hair like the newly risen sun.  She felt love blossom in her spirit as she gazed upon him, and with kindness and gentle words he won her heart.  With him, she would dwell until his death, and bear the last King of his people.