#cirwen

At first Lalwen is upset with her assignment; she dislikes being sidelined and is still in denial about the extent of her injury and its limits on her desired exploits. Still, she obeys her King. Aldaron—known now as Galdor—follows her and a small retinue to Eglarest.

She settles in to her place at the Havens and has a pleasant time, despite her dissatisfaction. Only when she attends Galadriel and Celeborn’s wedding, held just outside the Girdle of Melian to accommodate both their relations’ attendance, does she understand the importance of maintaining a good relationship with the Sindar of the Falas.

Though Thingol exchanges pleasantries with Fingolfin, Lalwen sees clearly now that the Noldor will find little aid or friendship from the Sindar of Doriath. The Sindar of Mithrim have proved steadfast allies already; the Sindar of the Falas will be crucial to bring to their side also, for the Iathrim under their isolationist king would prove unhelpful in times of need. Lalwen returns to Eglarest with a better attitude toward her assignment, and truly sets herself to her task.

During the Dagor Aglareb, Lalwen insists on fighting alongside the Falathrim against a band of orcs who broke through the broader Noldorin defenses, but her old injury acts up and she is almost killed in the skirmish. Círdan saves her life on the battlefield, and Lalwen is forced to finally accept the reality of her disability in full.

Over the next decade, Finrod visits the Falas while constructing Barad Nimras. While there, he helps Círdan redesign and expand portions Eglarest and Brithombar, and spends time with his favorite aunt.

At some point, rumors of the Kinslaying at Alqualondë reach the Falathrim, and Círdan is deeply troubled by what his Noldorin friends and allies may have done. He asks Lalwen about what happened, and, knowing it would be unwise to tell the truth (especially without Fingolfin’s approval), she evades, admitting there was a fight but omitting any deaths.

Círdan and Lalwen grow closer as friends, spending much of their time together. Lalwen also befriends Hithaer, Círdan’s sister, but not long afterward, Hithaer marries Aranwë, one of Turgon’s followers, and moves to Vinyamar with him.

Eventually the truth of the Kinslaying is discovered by Thingol, who in his anger issues a Beleriand-wide ban on speaking Quenya. Lalwen scoffs at the thought that he can rule the Noldor, and though Círdan has often been sympathetic to her and her people, he is also furious about the murder of his kindred and especially that Lalwen lied to him.

Hurt and guilty, Lalwen returns to Barad Eithel to be with her people and her family. While there, she observes her nephews Fingon and Maedhros become increasingly bold with their “secret” relationship, and remarks to Fingolfin that she would expect them to wed soon if she didn’t know better. (They are already married.)

Eventually, after a few years of exchanging letters, Lalwen returns to the Falas and reconciles with Círdan. She apologizes for her deceit, reassures him that she herself is not a Kinslayer, and they mend fences. Círdan does not officially condone the use of Quenya by those Noldor who dwell in his cities, but he does not enforce the Thingol’s ban, either.

Daeron visits Eglarest and overhears Quenya being spoken. He confronts Círdan about not enforcing the ban and urges him to oust Lalwen from the city, blaming her for Noldorin indiscretions. Círdan assures him that he will rectify the situation, but has no intention to do so. Learning that Círdan lied for her, Lalwen is struck by how close they have become, and realizes that she may be falling a little bit in love, something she never thought would happen.

Turgon and his followers leave for Gondolin. Hithaer’s husband Aranwë and their son Voronwë are among those who depart, but she does not accompany them, instead choosing to return to Eglarest and be with her brother, who comforts her in her grief at separation from her family.

Upon learning what little information can be gleaned about Turgon’s hidden, isolated city, Lalwen grows deeply concerned about Aredhel, who went with her brother. She knows that for all Aredhel’s love for Turgon and Idril, such confinement will chafe at her, and Lalwen worries for her fate. Círdan comforts Lalwen, also; privately, Lalwen accepts her love for her friend, and begins to suspect (and hope) he may love her too. They linger in mutual pining for some time.

Near the end of the Long Peace (though they do not know it), Aegnor visits Lalwen, seeking her advice and hoping it will be better than his brothers’. He is in love with Andreth, a mortal woman of the House of Bëor, and is torn on what to do. Finrod and Angrod both discourage such a relationship, but yet his love remains. Lalwen counsels her nephew to follow his heart, and Aegnor, who sees her and Círdan’s mutual attraction, challenges her to do the same. Nevertheless, nothing (yet) changes between Lalwen and Círdan.

When the Dagor Bragollach breaks out, Lalwen feels powerless to help her kindred. Círdan wishes he could help the Noldor, but he is focused on defending his own people and shoring up the defenses of Brithombar and Eglarest. Any Falathrim who had dwelt in outlying settlements are forced to flee to the Falas’ sister cities, swelling their population and increasing Círdan and Lalwen’s duties as the effective co-rulers of Eglarest and Brithombar.

When news comes of Fingolfin’s death, Lalwen is struck low with a deep, consuming grief. She blames herself for not being present in Hithlum to dissuade him from his despair and foolhardiness. Círdan comforts her, devoting himself to her care as much as he can given his duties. Eventually, he confesses his love for her, and Lalwen reciprocates. They enter into a quiet courtship.

Fingon is crowned High King of the Noldor. He sends his children, Gil-galad and Erien, to the Falas for safekeeping, where Lalwen and Círdan foster them. Círdan sends aid to Fingon when orcs break through Hithlum’s defenses, and Morgoth’s forces are repelled.

News comes but once from Gondolin this whole time: Aredhel has died at the hands of her mysterious dark-elf husband Eöl. Their son, Maeglin, dwells in Gondolin. Lalwen grieves her niece’s death and attempts to contact Turgon, but receives no further word from him.

Lalwen and Círdan send aid to the Union of Maedhros and Fingon: two companies of spearman and as much supplies as they can spare. Gil-galad and Erien demand to accompany them and support their fathers, but they are still too young and are refused.

The Union is betrayed, and the Nírnaeth Arnœdiad ends in tragedy. Fingon is slain, leaving the kingship uncertain, for Gil-galad is too young for the crown and Turgon has retreated back to Gondolin, abandoning the rest of the Noldor. Círdan suggests Lalwen could take up the throne, but she refuses, never having wanted that burden, and believing she could better serve as an unofficial regent to Gil-galad as he comes into his own.

In the aftermath of the Fifth Battle, Morgoth attacks the Havens of the Falas. Brithombar, Eglarest, and Barad Nimras are destroyed. Círdan leads survivors to safety upon the Isle of Balar, where Ulmo and Ossë hold back the forces of evil.

Lalwen remains with him. At this point, though she remains a proud Noldo princess, she is all but irrevocably joined to the Falathrim and is beloved by them. In that light, she and Círdan make their relationship public, and they are privately betrothed.

In one of his first military exercises, young Gil-galad (under Lalwen and Círdan’s supervision, and with his sister’s support) reclaims the land around the Mouths of Sirion. A second haven is established, Arvernien. In the aftermath of this victory, Lalwen and Círdan publicly announce their engagement.

Turgon breaks the silence surrounding Gondolin, sending the first of seven messengers to the Havens asking for Círdan’s help in building ships to sail to Valinor to beg aid of the Valar. Though Círdan and Lalwen doubt this gambit will work, they agree, for it is better than doing nothing. Círdan’s work begins. Erien finds herself a capable ship-builder under her foster-father’s guidance.

As the other six mariners trickle in to Sirion and each depart on their doomed voyages, Lalwen grows increasingly bitter about Turgon’s distance.

The final sailor to arrive is none other than Voronwë, Círdan’s own nephew. He is eager to reunite with his parents, and discovers in horror that his father Aranwë is not there: early on in the first journey to Gondolin, he had changed his mind and turned back to be with his wife, but was slain in the wilderness. Not until now did Voronwë and his mother Hithaer discover the truth, for each thought Aranwë was with the other.

Despite that tragedy, there is great gladness upon the Isle of Balar for at least one day: Lalwen and Círdan are finally married! Yet the very next day, Voronwë departs in the seventh of Turgon’s ships, and Hithaer despairs that he will ever return, parted from her again so soon.

Ulmo comes to Círdan in a dream and warns him of Nargothrond’s impending doom. Círdan sends Gelmir and Arminas, two Noldor who dwell with the Falathrim, as messengers to Orodreth with a grave warning.

Yet the warning is ignored, and soon Nargothrond falls. Orodreth and his daughter are slain; the hidden kingdom falls; and his queen Amathluin leads survivors to the Havens of Sirion. Among them is Celebrimbor, the son of Curufin and Lalwen’s great-nephew, and she welcomes him gladly despite his father’s misdeeds.

Thingol is slain by dwarves, and not long after, the Sons of Fëanor descend upon Doriath and destroy the kingdom. Doriath’s king and queen are murdered and their twin sons lost, and those Iathrim who survive the ruin are led to the Havens of Sirion by their remaining lords: Galadriel, Celeborn, and Oropher. With them is Elwing, only three years old and carrying the heavy burden of the Silmaril.

Lalwen quietly departs Arvernien for Balar, and does not return, not wishing to stir up further resentment against the Noldor among the Iathrim who dwell there. Celebrimbor and his cousins Gil-galad and Erien go with her, but Círdan splits his time equally between Balar and Arvernien.

Gondolin falls, and Turgon is slain. Idril and her mortal husband Tuor lead survivors to the Havens, which are now officially divided in leadership. Though any free folk are welcome in either Haven, Arvernien is now ruled jointly by Amathluin, Galadriel and Celeborn, Oropher, and Idril and Tuor, and is composed mostly of refugees from Nargothrond, Doriath, and Gondolin. Balar is ruled by Lalwen and Círdan, as it always has been, with their fosterlings Gil-galad and Erien as deputies, and is mostly composed of those who originally called themselves Falathrim or Mithrim Sindar, with a few Noldor scattered amongst them.

Voronwë is miraculously reunited with his family, having survived a near-drowing in his attempt to reach Valinor and become Tuor’s guide and dear friend in Gondolin.

The remaining Sons of Fëanor dwell in a fortress upon Amon Ereb, the last true stronghold in Beleriand. They do not yet know of Elwing’s survival and the Silmaril’s location, but everyone in the Havens fears the day when it becomes known.

Lalwen and Círdan observe the peredhil children Elwing and Eärendil growing up, and watch their foster children Gil-galad and Erien come into full adulthood. Musing together on life, death, and hope, they decide to have a child together, despite the danger surrounding them, for when else might they have a chance for such joy amidst sorrow?

A year later, Ilverion Meldinkë (known later as Ilfrin Littleheart) is born to Lalwen and Círdan. He is doted upon by all and showered with gifts. His foster siblings swear to protect him always, Voronwë is so charmed by him that he relocates from Arvernien to Balar, and Lalwen and Círdan have never been happier, despite the darkness of the world around them.

Yet darkness persists, and grows more dangerous. While out hunting and fishing, Hithaer is killed by orcs, who press ever closer to the Havens. Círdan and Voronwë mourn her, and Lalwen comforts them as best she can. This is Ilverion’s first taste of loss, but it will not be his last.

Though he grows slower than the peredhil, Ilverion still considers Elwing and Eärendil his friends, and he has a place of honor at their wedding. Lalwen and Círdan are alarmed at how young they marry, but Idril and Tuor do not seem concerned, and so they say nothing. Yet Idril and Tuor then depart Middle-earth forever, leaving their son and his new wife.

Elrond and Elros are born to Elwing and Eärendil. Once more, children bring great joy and light to the survivors at the Havens, but Eärendil’s heart is turned ever toward the sea. Círdan assists Eärendil in the building of Vingilótë, though he cannot imagine of Eärendil could leave his sons when they are yet so young.

The Sons of Fëanor learn of the Silmaril and demand it from Elwing, who refuses. Círdan and Lalwen do their best to prepare for what may come next, but their “interference” is not welcomed by the council of leaders in Arvernien.

The Third Kinslaying destroys Arvernien. Two Fëanorions die, as does Amathluin of Nargothrond and many, many others. Eärendil is away; Elwing dives into the sea and disappears with the Silmaril; and Elros and Elrond are kidnapped by Maedhros and Maglor. Círdan and Gil-galad arrive too late with aid, and are horrified by the devastation.

(Lalwen weeps for the boys she used to love turned to monsters and murderers; of those few surviving Finwëans, only Celebrimbor can understand her pain.)

What survivors of Arvernien that remain are led by Galadriel, Celeborn, and Oropher to the Isle of Balar, which has now become the last remaining free settlement in all of Beleriand. The Sons of Fëanor (and their captives) roam the coastline. Refugees from the ruin of Beleriand still trickle in to the last Haven, but they are few and far between, and mostly mortal Men, not elves.

The Star of Eärendil rises, and sensing both hope and war on the horizon, Gil-galad at last officially claims the High Kingship of the Noldor. His foster parents, his sister, and young Ilverion are all very proud of him.

Ulmo visits Círdan in a dream and warns him of the coming of the Host of the Valar. Círdan, Lalwen, Gil-galad, and the leaders of the Sindar take counsel, and somewhat hesitantly agree to reach out to Maedhros, Maglor, and their followers to form an alliance, for war is on the horizon, and no matter their atrocities, the Sons of Fëanor still hate Morgoth more than aught else. Maedhros is receptive, but tensions are high; yet it is discovered that Elrond and Elros yet live under the Fëanorions’ care, and there is great joy upon Balar.

The Host of the Valar land upon the shores of Beleriand, driving back the forces of Morgoth. The united leaders of Beleriand greet their new allies and push back against the assumption that Arafinwë, Ingwion, and Eönwë will take full control of the war effort.

After centuries of pain and grief, Írimë Lalwendë is finally reunited with her brother Arafinwë Ingoldo. Despite everything, she is still his big sister, and she vows to herself that she will not fail him as she has failed so many others.

The War of Wrath begins, and rages for decades. Círdan is a great tactician in battle, finding a grudging respect for Maedhros’ equally brilliant mind. Gil-galad and Erien are at last allowed to fight for their people and their family, though they keep their distance from Maedhros. Lalwen’s disability prevents her from fighting on the battlefield, but she sticks close to Arafinwë’s side nevertheless. Ilverion remains on Balar, still far too young to fight, and resents that he is not allowed to help out.

Exactly 100 years after the fall of Fingolfin, Lalwen follows Finarfin into battle despite everything. She does not intend to fight, only observe, advise, and heal, but when she sees a mighty troll bearing down upon her little brother, she cannot stand idly by. She rushes to his aid, saving him and dying in his stead.

Círdan is overcome with grief. He sends Ilverion to live with Voronwë, who dwells alone on the far shore of the Isle of Balar now that Tuor and Idril have left. Voronwë becomes a foster father to Ilverion, and Círdan recommits himself to winning the war in his fallen wife’s honor.

The War of Wrath at last is won. Morgoth is defeated; the last sons of Fëanor meet their tragic ends, taking the Silmarils with them; Beleriand is destroyed. Voronwë and Ilverion choose to sail to Valinor and find peace, but Círdan remains in Middle-earth, knowing in his heart that he shall be the very last elf to sail. He leads what remains of the Falathrim and any who would join him to a new haven on the shores of the new westernmost coast, where the Havens of Mithlond shall stand for thousands of years. They dwell under the protection of Gil-galad and make their own peace as the Second Age dawns.

Only in the Fourth Age, as the time of the elves comes to a close in Middle-earth, does Círdan finally, finally sail home, Lalwen’s faithful servant Galdor with him as well as Celeborn.