Tianwen·Magweth Pengolodh

Received a cold reception, but Idril still sought his advice.Some of these councils took place while Tuor was still under our tutelage.I vividly remember how these two men met for the first time.Tuor was reciting a passage, when suddenly he caught sight of Idril, and as she passed, her white bare feet loomed under the skirts of summer's blue.His voice dropped to silence.I cleared my throat, he came back to his senses, and continued to read.Over his shoulder I saw Idril cast her bright eyes on Tuor when he looked no more at her, while he sat reading a tale he had lately written for us, a tale of a green elf The story of Beren and Lucien.Seeing this expression on her face, an indescribably undisguised expression, I strongly felt that I was doing something wrong, and I quickly turned back to study the book.

Idril began to schedule her visits when Tuor came, and she lingered awhile before she went, and once or twice even asked to sit in on his lessons.Tuor was not for the faint of heart.As soon as he realized that her attitude was more than thoughtful kindness, he paid her some small compliments.He later told us that his idea was that since he couldn't control his heart anyway, it would be better to just talk about his admiration.She responded to his compliments more than sheer politeness required.Tuor frequented the halls of our library even after he had satisfactorily completed his studies.At that time, it had become a place for their high-sounding tryst.They would sit and talk for hours, always having something to say to each other.She coaxed him to tell what had become of the world beyond Gondolin, and told him respectfully of her youth in Valinor.No doubt, they also said a lot of other intimate words.I remember the two of them to this day—they sat together under the pretense of reading a thick book together; There was never a cold moment, the voices of the two sounded alternately, and the changing rhythm was like the left and right pages of a book.

In this way, between the tall stone bookshelves and the ink-stained desks, they lived in privacy, and at a certain moment, they agreed to be engaged.As a scholar, I find this more charming than the wedding that followed.There were banners, flowers, and feasts, as usual, but we city-dwellers wondered how Turgon would agree.Only one elf woman had ever married a mortal before that, and a most unusual fate befell them both.It is said that Turgon still feared the messengers of Ulmo, and gave up his daughter as a sacrifice to appease the Valar.And it was said that Tuor was a mortal, and would soon die by our standards, leaving Idril then, daughter of Turgon.Those who were hopeful said that perhaps this was a sign that Turgon would at last consider Ulmo's advice, the first step in breaking the barriers of Gondolin.

On the whole, such rumors appear to be unfounded.The situation in Gondolin remained largely unchanged.Marriage often changes lives, and Tuor is no exception, but it also changes the lives of us scholars.As the consort of Idril, Tuor began to participate in court affairs and formed his own noble family.Rúmil was more often present at the king's councils.I became a clerk again, and then, by bad luck, I was conscripted to work a winter in Angharbar, an iron and coal mine.

Idril herself went through the changes that women go through.Soon after the marriage, she became pregnant.She continues to handle politics as Princess Baicheng, which shocks some even more than her unusual wedding.I was one of the few people who discovered why she persisted in this role.

It is a matter of course for a princess to summon the clerk from time to time, so she came to the library and summoned me by name.She seated me in the window seat where she used to sit with Tuor, and said, "I need your help. Wise scholar, can I trust you to keep your mouth shut?" I was bewildered, but told her I will work for her.She told me to bring all the maps of White City I could find. (Most people who come to the big library, we just point them to where to find the materials they are looking for. But for Idril, I will fetch the materials.) A simple map is not enough, she wants to see the whole city Those detailed engineering blueprints and tentative questions about foundations, drainage and tunnels really challenged my knowledge.Finally, I asked her why she took such care to learn about this.

Idril answered me without taking his eyes off the map: "Let's say—purely hypothetical—that in order to guard against some unforeseen disaster, it would be best to construct an escape route out of Gondolin. A tunnel. A Is it possible for someone who is familiar with the labor and resources of this city? From the process of building Gondolin, it seems possible, but the workers..."

"Princess," I answered, "it is absolutely possible. Because of Angharbar, almost every strong elf man in the city is capable of digging rocks. We have all learned how to mine, whether we want to or not. I myself have recently spent some time in the mines. Are miners needed for this project?"

Idril's voice was soft, as if she was asking for tea: "If this needs to be done secretly, can someone who has access to Baicheng's financial records make some adjustments so that the labor time of the workers can be used to provide the necessary information? Tools or something?"

I was shocked to the bone: "Do you want people to forge the king's records to cover up this secret project? Princess Idril, why?"

Idril put her hands on her stomach, looked into my eyes and said, "If Gondolin should fall because of my father's pride, I could face my own doom, but I cannot bear the suffering of my children. Would you not Do your own relatives have such a plan?"

I have to admit I will.

"It must be done, and I believe it must be done in secret until the need arises; so that those who for their own reasons might prevent it, never know of its existence." Her cornflower-colored eyes watched Looking at me, bright eyes met my surprised eyes, "You can help. Can you?"

In this way, I joined Idril's group of cautious and secret rebels.The risks I'm taking for this are enormous.If I were found to be abusing the king's resources, I would say it was for my own benefit in order to protect Idril's secrets.I don't know what kind of punishment I will receive.Whatever it was, it was sure to jeopardize Idril's project.I try to be as careful as possible.

She gave me a list of those she trusted—Rumil was included, of course, and the number of handmaidens was quite a number—and I set to work.Call a city worker from here, and a cart from there; match allies on Idril's list with people who have worked in Angharbar and know stonework; For traces of food, they dug deep underground for several days.I requisitioned these from several nobles who were also secret allies of Idril.

Idril's tunnel was dug under a gazebo in a garden in the north of the city, under the pretext of digging a new well.Facing the north wind, the garden was not generally depressed.The scale of the project is such that I am very concerned about what kind of catastrophe she is foreseeing.According to the plan, the tunnel will extend a certain distance under the Tumladen Plain.I did everything I could to urge my family to prepare for disaster without saying anything.They agreed that the fires in the city were horrendous, and that it made sense to have the necessities ready for escape, but they made fun of my sudden apprehension, which I didn't mind as long as they listened.

This secret work was not yet finished when Idril's son, Eärendil, was born.When I went to Idril's place as an upright clerk assisting Princess Wangcheng, I met the baby.Countless legends tell that Eärendil was a beautiful child from childhood.Tuor happened to be there too, and he was smiling at his sleeping son.This scene of father and son made me suddenly realize how little difference there is between elves and mortals at this stage of life.

Eärendil grew rapidly, noticeably faster than most Elven children.Like his mother's prudence, it was a blessing in the coming years.

****

Alfwine waited until he was sure the story was over, and said, "I wish you knew what in Tuor attracted Idril to him."

"Isn't that the secret that every man wants to know, so that he can win the person he desires? Some people say that it all depends on love at first sight, if not, then there is no hope. understanding."

"Which one do you think is more real?" Alfwine asked eagerly.

"I've seen both of them cultivated to fruition." Pengolod saw Alfwine snorted dissatisfiedly, and raised his hands, "What can I say? I'm not young anymore. As the saying goes, I I've seen everything."

Hearing this, Alfwine couldn't help laughing: "Those of your tribe who feel that their marriage has no good results... It sounds like something will happen to Romenna. Is there anyone who is angry because of Idril's choice?" Talking bad about her?"

"Yes, but why bother? After all, the result was good. Eärendil the Blessed was born, and he was the one who drove the Venkilot--Losinzir, as you say here. You Behold, behind the branches of the walnut tree, the star of Eärendil is seen, riding on the