The leaves were long, the grass was green,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinúviel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering.
~The Lay of Leithian~
The Fellowship of the Ring
Yavannië
I
Right honoured and beloved liege lord, I greet you well.
I pray that this letter finds you in good health and that the realm continues to prosper under your wise and careful stewardship.
I thank you for your letter, which I have but lately received, the roads being as they are at this time of year. Be assured, my lord that I am honoured and indeed, very pleased with your most kind and excellent proposal for the union of your house and mine.
My elder daughter, as my lord knows, was wedded in the summer, and only the younger, Finduilas, now remains by my hearth. She is the dearest of all my children – dearer perhaps than even Lúthien was to Thingol - for she is good and fair and wise beyond her years, and I would give much to see her blissfully wedded to one worthy of her beauty and endowments. You must think me a doting father indeed, to be lauding thus the virtues of my own child, but I believe that you and your noble son will not find me much off the mark should you meet in the flesh the jewel of my heart.
It will do me great pleasure to entertain you and your son here at my Hall - in truth, you and yours are welcome in Dol Amroth at all times, and never more so than at Mettarë. I hope that you will join us in our feasting, for unlike the people of Minas Tirith, we keep it in the old way, after the fashion of the Eldar from whom the first of my line was sprung. It will be my honour to then present my daughter to you and the lord Denethor, and if they are both willing, they shall be wed in due course, and with the grace of the Valar, be blessed with much joy and fruitfulness.
I await your reply eagerly, and in the hope that you and the lord Denethor will honour us before long with your presence.
Written from Tirith Aear, Belfalas, this first day of Yavannië, TA 2975, by my hand,
Adrahil son of Angelimir, your humble liege-man and Prince of Dol Amroth.