Arwil A young couple, a Noldorin Elf and a half-Noldor, half-Vanyar Elf, joined Fëanor's company in the Flight of the Noldor. They stayed in Arda through the ages, under different names in different regions. Little was known about them, only that they had endured more than most Elves who came to Arda. They lived in Gondolin, in Doriath… there was no permanent home for these wanderers, yet their love was strong. It was the year 3429 of the Second Age. A child was born to the wandering couple. They named her Arwil, because in her early years, she could sing before she could talk, she could play the flute before she could walk. Her mother knew this was the Vanyarin blood in her, and used to say, "May music be the air that you breathe, and the air around you." However, she looked like a Noldorin Elf. Arwil had dark hair, and dark brown eyes that shone. As a gift, her father made her a locket, with her parent's portraits in it, and at the back was engraved the message of Arwil's mother. For two years, Arwil wandered together with her parents, and visited places that she could no longer remember. Did she go to Lothlórien, as a child? She did not know. But on one of their journeys, they were leaving Imladris to visit her parents' friend when they were ambushed by orcs. She could not recall what happened exactly during that ambush, but the vivid image of her father fighting off orcs to defend her fallen mother was fresh in her mind. All was blank after that… A few days later, an Elf travelling to Imladris came across Arwil and her parents. Aleandra was her name. The Elf buried Arwil's dead parents, but when she realised Arwil was still alive, only unconscious, she brought the child back to Imladris. Aleandra's mother was the Healer of Imladris at that time, and together they treated her with care. Arwil's wounds were healed, but there was a sadness in her eyes that she could never recover from, for she had witnessed her parents' death at such a tender age. Aleandra raised Arwil as her own daughter, and made sure she had the happiest childhood. Nonetheless, Arwil was a quiet child, who had a very sensible mind. Once in a while, she would wake up at night with tears streaming down her face, knowing she had just dreamt of her parents' demise again. Then, she would play her flute until the sun rose. Her songs were quiet, almost ghostly, that floated through the air. Aleandra had no child at that time, so she would bring young Arwil to the House of Healing - where she was the Head of Healers after the departure of her mother. There were no young children to play with in Adab Nestad, so Arwil would sit in silence and fiddle with her locket. The Healers used to feel sympathy for her, and played with her whenever they could. Slowly, the shadow was almost lifted from Arwil's spirit, though the sadness remained. Aleandra had given birth to a child, and Arwil loved her greatly. She played with her little 'sister' who was named Aviravëa. When her sister was trying to master speech, Arwil would teach her to pronounce her name. Avi still could not speak Arwil's name, so she taught her, telling her that Arwil meant 'with air'. Avi was a bright child, and called her "Airy", which later became "Arry" - Arwil's nickname. She did not mind, since it was much easier for her little sister to pronounce. She would play songs for her sister to make her happy. It was a relief for Aleandra to hear that Arwil's songs were no longer as sad as when she first arrived in Imladris. Everyday, she would bring her sister to her mother at Adab Nestad. Arwil found herself more and more fascinated with the Art of Healing. Soon, when Avi was old enough to be on her own, she would spend her days in the library in Adab Nestad, or sometimes in the library of Lord Elrond. She read about most things she did not know - the outside world, and healing, mostly. She did not touch a book that told the story of the Flight of the Noldor. It pained her too much to read a book related to her parents just yet. When Arwil had come of age, she attended a class to join Gwaith i-Nestoer, the People of the Healers. Healing had become more than an interest - she loved it. She passed the test, and her mother rejoiced. Arwil made her way up the ranks of Gwaith i-Nestoer, and never regretted a day at being a Healer. She learnt much from her mother, who was more than willing to teach her and answer her questions. Aleandra had also adopted another sister, Tinessael, who was injured and brought to Imladris for healing. Of course, Arwil loved her youngest sister and played on the flute for her as well. Ness had lost her parents in a fight with the orcs, which Arwil related to perfectly. As she worked as a Healer, Arwil desired more and more to heal the wounds of this world. It infuriated her that the people of the world were injured, separated and killed by the yrch of Mordor. Hence, she dedicated herself to healing, to ease the hurts of Arda. The purple gem that now hangs on her neck is a symbol of her everlasting loyalty to healing, and a strong tool used to call back those who are lost in darkness. Back to the top Return to the front page of the book