Middle-earth Journeys

After parting with Pansi, Joren, and Dominolon on the training grounds, Fëandra wanted to visit Master Kemendur’s magnificent gardens to see the many improvements the gifted horticulturist had implemented during the years of her absence, and to show Elrohir the beautiful koi pond that had been one of her favorite places within the perimeter of the fortress. Once they stepped into the gardener’s magical domain, it seemed to Elrohir that the years fell away from Fëandra as she darted from place to place in Kemendur’s lush paradise, exclaiming with almost childlike enthusiasm over the beautiful and unusual new specimens the Master had acquired and reveling in the bounty of flowers of all shapes and sizes and colors, the aromatic fragrance of the large herb garden, and the profusion of fruits and vegetables of every description.

As always, the juxtaposition of Fëandra’s imposing physique and warrior’s ferocity with her whole-hearted appreciation for the beauties of the natural world and the astonishing gentleness that lit her from within delighted and amazed her husband. While Elrohir reveled in Fëandra’s strength and boldness, what thrilled him even more was the unexpected tenderness she could evoke from his heart, which he had long thought completely hardened to love. Watching her unabashed pleasure in the beauty of the gardens was every bit as electrifying to his senses as watching her prowess in battle.

Suddenly, Fëandra dashed up to take the dark-haired warrior’s hand and pull him eagerly toward the back corner of the garden, where the koi pond was sheltered by a tall stand of ferns and rare succulents. She completely ignored the little bench that had been provided for visitors and sank to her knees at the edge of the pond, closing her eyes and gently touching the surface of the water with her fingers. Almost immediately, the exotic ornamental fish with their magnificent lacy fins swam to the surface to flit beneath her fingers like giant aquatic butterflies, and Elrohir drew in his breath at the beauty and endless variety of colors and patterns on display.

Fëandra was surprised to see the wonder on his face and asked, “Have you never visited the pond on one of your journeys to the Woodland Realm?” He grinned and replied, “Oh, yes, many times. But ordinarily the fish are very shy, unless you happen by at the time Master Kemendur feeds them, and even then they will only flit to the surface long enough to snap at a bit of food and then disappear back under the lily pads. You will have to bring Madë and Lindariel and Joren here to see this, my love. They will be entranced . . . as I am.”

Merry wrote: Am I the only one, or are there many women like me, or even a few?