Anárië Mardiel Of the House of Ecthelion   Anárië was born in Gondolin in the year 459 First Age, 51 years before the city fell. Her birth came to pass on a calm, beautiful morning in the house of Ecthelion of the Fountain, Warden of the Seventh Gate. Her father was partly Vanyar, and had chosen to go with the Noldor because of his friendship with Ecthelion and Glorfindel. He even became a member of the Golden Flower later on; his name was Alcahallo Quingalíre, meaning 'tall ray of light of the singing bow', as he was fair to look upon and his bow was deadly. Anárië's mother was the daughter of Ecthelion himself, and possessed the dark hair and grey eyes of the Noldorin race; Naimëlomë she was called, 'lamenting twilight', and Lírëtingilya, 'twinkling star-song', as she was born on a starry night and her voice was beautiful. Anárië was a joy to all of the House, and many said Ecthelion's burden of leaving Valinor and his wife's passing fell off his shoulders. From an early age the young elleth showed great love for singing, and the name she chose for herself was indeed Lindëwendë, 'singing maiden'. Her father had named her after the Sun, for her hair shone like it, but her mother, being one of the High Elves gifted with foresight, named her Ohtarárë, 'warrior of the sunlight', to symbolize what she would become in life. Her childhood and later on youth were joyful, spent in singing, practicing her skills in warfare* and dancing in the gardens of Ecthelion's house. As she grew older, and drew towards the age of maturity, her beauty grew. True, she would never reach the beauty of Lúthien or Idril, but she was beautiful beyond measures of normal ellith. For she was slender and tall, graced with the beauty of both Vanyar and Noldor. Her hair was like gold, long and wavy. Her dark green eyes were deep and lovable. Her limbs were white, her gowns were soft and enchanting; she could move with such ease that one thought she could disappear if she willed. But there was a harsh tone around her, a noble air, and her heart could not be claimed. Many tried, all failed. They said she was a block of ice dressed in gold, but she only laughed and continued on her road. Then the time turned, and the year 510 came to pass. Maeglin betrayed Gondolin and Morgoth's hordes invaded it. The singing maiden followed her mother and Idril down the hidden path out of the burning city. They wept, for Ecthelion had fallen, killed by Gothmog the Balrog in the fountain of the King's square; Alcahallo had fallen, defending the King with his body; Turgon had fallen when his Tower had. The women and children and some warriors fled through the mountains. But luck was against them; a Balrog hindered their escape. And soon the refugees wept over one more death; for the fair-haired lord of the Golden Flower, Glorfindel of Gondolin had fallen, defending his people. Tuor and Idril pressed on, away from the wreckage that used to be their home, away from the dead. Anárië was 51. The refugees made it to the mouth of Sirion, where the refugees of Doriath and Nargothrond had but a small time before established a community. There Anárië and her mother found a home with Idril and Tuor and their son Eärendil. They boy and the young elleth soon became fast friends, and many a time did she sing him to sleep. Years went on, and life by the sea went peacefully; Eärendil had grown to be a man, and took to wife Elwing the Fair, daughter of Dior, son of Lúthien. And the refugees of Gondolin wept again, for Idril and Tuor finally left the shores of Arda Marred, and set sail to sea. Then grief struck again; for the sons of Fëanor found out that with Elwing abode the Silmaril, and attacked the community. Long and hard was the battle, but the refugees of many kingdoms were no match for the Fëanorions. So they fled, leaving behind them the twin sons of Elwing, Elrond and Elros; Elwing threw herself into the sea.** Gil-Galad and Cirdan were to late to save the town, but were able to take what remained of the Elves to the Isle of Balar just a few miles out to sea. Anárië and a close friend, Tarien, had made it to the island. But Lírëtingilya had fallen, trying desperately to save the twin boys. Another grief was so mirrored in the dark green eyes of the singing maiden. Gil-Galad and Cirdan put heads together, and it was decided that the Elves would go back to shore with the last Noldor King. The maiden and her friend decided to stay with Ereinion, as many other of the Noldorin refugees. In the year 583 the War of Wrath took place high up in the North and Morgoth was defeated and cast into the Void. The First Age of Arda Marred came to an end. Anárië was 124. In the beginning of the Second Age she helped with the establishment of Lindon, and took up the job of head trainer for the King's army, and lived in content, if not happiness, for many years. Then, in the year 32, news reached Lindon of Númenor, the Isle of Edain, and it's first king, Elros. And then Elrond reached Lindon and Anárië rejoiced that her mother's death had not been in vain. So she learned of the choice of the Peredhil, Halfelven. And for some time the singing maiden was at peace. Centuries passed and all was well and quiet in the world. Too quiet, it seemed to Gil-Galad and the elleth had to agree. But the peace was interrupted by some Haradrim men, who took the Singing maiden and Tarien into slavery to the South. From there, only Anárië returned, for Tarien had taken to wife a woman of Haradrim, and they had both perished. Then, in the year 1200 news reached Lindon of Annatar, Master of Gifts. He had entered Eriador, and had gained trust of Eregion and its smiths. Anárië's heart grew uneasy; something spoke against this man. Elrond and Gil-Galad denied him entrance to Lindon. So they waited and feared what would come to pass. News of great improvement in smithing came, and Ereinion was troubled; Elrond foresaw grave things. In the year 1590 the Three Elven Ring of Power were forged, and others followed. Then disaster occurred: 10 years later, Annatar revealed himself to be Sauron, right-hand servant to Morgoth, and forged the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, establishing his stronghold in Mordor. Almost a hundred years later, 1693, war erupted between Eregion and Sauron. Elrond had been right, and grave things followed. Eregion burned; Anárië marched with Elrond to try and save what could be saved. But they were too late, and could only retreat with the refugees. They retreated with Elrond; Anárië witnessed the foundation of Imladris, and there witnessed the major events of the Second Age; the coming of the Nazgúl, the fall of Númenor, the foundation of Arnor and Gondor. When time came she marched in the army of the Last Alliance under the banner of Gil-Galad. And there, upon the slopes of Mount Doom, she witnessed the fall of Sauron in the year 3441, and another end of an Age. Anárië was 3565. The Third Age of Middle Earth began and many events followed it, one of them being the coming of the Istari. It was then that Anárië befriended Gandalf and Radagast, and gained distrust towards Saruman. From Imladris she watched as Sauron returned, and the king of Arnor fell. She helped the Lords of the Valley maintain the line of Isildur, as all else did, and rejoiced upon seeing Glorfindel again. Durin's Bane was released in the year 1980, and fear filled Imladris. But it weathered all. News came that Minas Ithil had been transformed to Minas Morgul; that the last King was lost, and the Stewards took up the throne. But then all went silent for many years, and the Watchful peace began. But peace was not to be, for Sauron returned to Barad-Dûr, and the White Council was formed. Fear spread across the lands, and the lady Celebrian set sail to sea. Imladris weathered the long winter, and Anárië again took up her weapons, for the orcs of the Misty Mountains began to multiply. She served under the banner of Elrond for many a year before Aragorn the Second was born and brought to Imladris. She knew of the Battle of 5 armies, and of the slaying of Smaug. Unease grew again in her heart. Imladris grew wary and closed its borders; Vilya protected them, and few ventured out. But Anárië kept in touch with Gildor Inglorion, and knew of the coming and goings outside the peaceful haven she had come to call home. Then it was revealed that the One Ring had been found, and the Great Years began. Laebeth founded the Host of Imladris, a permanent group of soldiers to protect the Valley, and Anárië served under her for long, before becoming First General herself. On the 25th March 3019 Sauron finally fell, and a great burden was lifted from Arda. But alas, the passing of the Elves too came to pass, and their beloved Undómiel was lost, married to Elessar Telcontar II of Gondor. The Lord Elrond sailed then; but although she held great love and respect for the Peredhil, Anárië's quest had yet to end. Long ago, when she had stepped under Laebeth's service, she had sworn and oath. To protect, breathe and even die for the inhabitants of Imladris. Although many had indeed left with their Lord, there were some who remained behind with the twin brethren Elladan and Elrohir, and some of the remaining Galadhrim ventured there later, under the guidance of Celeborn. Thus, she bid farewell to her Lord and friends, those that set sail, and pledged her oath to the brethren and the King of Gondor. For long into the Fourth Age she preserved the knowledge of the Eldar, for she was a wise scholar, as well as a bard and warrior. Hers was the name 'Mardiel', 'Daughter of Arda', and 'Tindomiel', for she found greatest delight in the time of morning twilight. Then at last, when King Elessar passed away, and she had safely escorted Queen Evenstar to the Golden Wood, Anárië's time in Middle Earth was drawing to a close. She had no oath to perform under Eldarion's rule, nor did she owe anything more to any of the still-remaining, wandering Elves. Also, evil had been rooted out, thus her task was fulfilled. So she turned her faithful steed Thunder westwards, and aided Legolas in the building of his ship. With the last ship ever to set sail across the Sea, the Daughter of Arda finally broke the chains that bound her to this world, and was never again seen by mortal eyes. A portrait of her remains still within the empty halls of Imladris; hung next to the portraits of Laebeth, Lilu and other Generals in the Army Halls; one of her legs resting on a stone, a bow is in her hand, an arrow notched, but loosely left to point at the ground. The wind tousles her long golden locks, and a determined gleam is in her dark green eyes. Thus she walked throughout the eras of Arda, and thus her memory remains. And in the morning twilight, when the nightingales take their leave, and Arien barely sets sail, a gentle wind blows the curtains of the rooms astray. And there, in the now empty gardens of Imladris, sits a young elleth with knee-long golden hair in a simple white gown, and her voice falls through the wind and rushing of Bruinen into history… * Anárië's mother was Idril's confidant, and knew of the princess's fears ** Her loss was great, even though the Silmaril was saved later on and put onto the sky. Back to the top Return to the front page of the book