Evenstar

...as nightfall in winter
that comes without a star...
evergreen, but never more
than a memory...
glory undimmed before the breaking of the world.

At the hour of sunset
walking alone in the woods
heart high, he sang, full of hope
and the world was fair...
And suddenly even as he sang
he saw a maiden walking on a greensward
among the white stems of the birches
and he halted amazed thinking that he had strayed into a dream...

Neldoreth
There Lúthien walked before his eyes
in a mantle of silver and blue
fair as the twilight in Elven-home;
her dark hair strayed in a sudden wind
her brows bound with gems like stars

Tinúviel! Tinúviel!
The elven-light in her eyes
and the wisdom of many days...
A meeting in the twilight of the trees.
And Estel elven-wise, a light in his eyes
when kindled few could endure

It came to pass, after perils and weariness
Estel was admitted to Lórien.
Arwen Undómiel was also there
Little changed, the mortal years passing her by...
Yet her face more grave and her laughter
now seldom was heard.
Now like an Elf-lord from the Isles of the West
she beheld him again after their long parting.
And as he came towards her under the trees,
laden with flowers of gold, her choice was made.

Undómiel
Thus the years drew on,
and victory could bring only sorrow and parting,
sundered by the Sea,
and a doom beyond the end of the world.
...but hope of joy for a while.
Onen I-Estel Edain, ú-chebin estel anim,
hope beyond hope was fulfilled.

At last, Lady Evenstar,
fairest in this world and most beloved,
my world is fading.
She was not yet weary of her days,
and tasted the bitterness of the mortality
that she had taken upon her.
The hour was made when we forsook
both the Shadow and the Twilight,
this doom we accepted...
The grace to go at my will,
And give back the gift.
The gift of the One is bitter to receive...
No comfort for such pain
within the circles of the world...
In sorrow we must go
but not in despair.
We are not bound for ever
to the circles of the world,
and beyond them is more than a memory

The light of her eyes was quenched
and she became cold and grey.
The leaves were falling and spring had not yet come,
when she laid herself to rest...
The passing of Evenstar.

                                                                     - Amy

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