In Twilit Wood

As Aragorn, called Elessar
Walked under woodland eves,
Above him shone the Evenstar
Through silver linden leaves.

Its light fell on Undómiel
Lord Elrond’s daughter fair.
O Elbereth Gilthoniel!
A wind was in her twilit hair.

He knew not this, so he had cried
`O Lúthien, Tinúviel!’
Upon the green her walk had died
And turned to him Undómiel.

She said to him, `O son of Men,
`I thought I walked alone.
`But yet the name of Lúthien
`Has never been my own.’

`I Arwen, called Undómiel
`Would ask to whom you cry.
`Does the spirit of Tinúviel
`Dance hidden in my eye?’

And Aragorn, young Elessar
Replied, `’Tis you I see.
`Tinúviel I took you for,
`You can be none but she!’

She laughed in voice of silver bell
And cried, `O son of Men!
`By Elbereth Gilthoniel,
`I am not Lúthien!’

`But if you please, then kindly tell,
`From whence it was you came.
`Who calls to me `Tinúviel!”
`And what might be your name?’

`Fair Elf,’ said he, `beside Bruinén,
`Was I, Eléssar, born
`To Arathorn and Gilraen.
`My name is Aragorn.’
`I come from of the Dúnadain,
`But sooth, there’s fear in me
`That all the honours of my line,
`Are worthy not of thee!’

`O Aragorn, O Elessar,’
Undómiel replied.
With twofold of the Evenstar
Reflected in her eyes.

`Then you and I are kin, although
`How near I cannot guess.
`For in my veins does lifeblood flow
`That’s shared with Westernesse.’

`I Arwen, called Undómiel
`Am born of Elrond’s line.
`And all that’s his in Rivendell,
`Is truly also mine.’

`My brother Elrohir you’ve seen
`And mighty Elladan.
`The sons of Elrond and his Queen,
`The Fair Celebrían.’

`O Elbereth Gilthoniel!’
Cried Aragorn to she.
`O Arwen, fair Undómiel!
`Please do not jest with me!’

`My home has been maný a year
`In this fair Valley free.
`But never did I see or hear,
`A hint that you dwelt near to me.’

`Wonder not, O son of Men,’
Whispered Arwen then to him.
`For I have lived in Lórien,
`Among the Galadhrim.’

`I danced beneath the mallorn high,
`By singing Nimrodel.
`And many years have passed since I,
`Last walked in Rivendell!’

Eléssar looked with shining eyes
Upon her standing there.
The wisest of the Old and Wise,
The fairest of the Fair.

`O Arwen, my Undómiel!
`Your father guards you true,
`For all the wealth of Rivendell
`Is nothing next to you!’

And Aragorn, young Elessar
Had loved her evermore,
For she was Arwen Evenstar,
The fairest maid on Hither Shore.