The winds over the Inner Sea of Rhûn carried a cool fragrance, ruffling the vast blue waters into gentle ripples. White seabirds wheeled and cried above the marsh isles, where they built their nests. Along the green shores, purple heron-lilies bloomed in quiet clusters, their petals trembling in the soft breeze.
Kaen Eowenríel's host, the army of Eowenría, had pitched its encampment amidst the coastal woods to rest and mend. From the forest came the Avari Elves, bearing water and food for the weary soldiers.
In a small pavilion raised beside the sea, Kaen sat opposite a middle-aged Elf whose bearing held the wisdom of countless years. Through calm conversation, Kaen learned that this Elf's name was Felárdë, a being ancient beyond reckoning — one who had lived since the Years of Stars,when the Sun and the Moon hadn't yet risen. He was the chieftain of thirty-two Avari tribes, lords of more than five hundred thousand Elves dwelling around the Inner Sea of Rhûn.
Kaen sipped lightly from his cup of fragrant tea. "Lord Felárdë," he said, "to be plain, I am the King of Eowenría, far in the North. Yet I am also of the race of the Caladhîn Elves — kin to the Avari, Nandor, and Silvan tribes and by their voice I am hailed as High King. The number of my elven subjects is not fewer than those of your thirty-two tribes."
Felárdë's brows lifted in surprise. "In the First Age I too journeyed westward with my folk, reaching the realm of Beleriand."
"I learned Quenya and Sindarin among them, and even fought beside them in many of that Age's wars. Yet when Beleriand was torn by fire and ruin, no longer fit for life, I returned eastward."
"As for this 'Caladhîn' kindred you speak of, I confess I have not heard of such a branch. Nor do I understand why those Elves would name you their High King."
Kaen did not answer in words. Instead, a radiance began to bloom around him — silver, gold, and the faint shimmer of mingled day and night. It spread gently, falling upon Felárdë like the light of lost Aman.
The ancient Elf shivered, his eyes closing as he felt that holy power upon him, not the cruel might of domination, but the warmth of creation and grace.
Through the communion of spirit, Kaen shared with him visions: his own kingdom beneath the shining boughs of living trees; Elves laughing by silver streams; their hearts at peace, their arts flourishing.
"I love them," Kaen said softly, "as they love me. I am their faith and they, the beauty I must protect."
Felárdë drew a long breath, awe stirring in his gaze. Among Elves, greatness was not measured by strength, but by purity and spirit. The farther west one went, the higher the culture and grace of the Eldar rose, from the Avari and Silvan, to the Nandor, the Sindar, and the Noldor,at their Apex were the Vanyar
Beleriand, once the westernmost land of Middle-earth, had been the crown of that culture. The Noldor who had returned from Valinor, the blessed realm of the Valar, were deemed the highest among the Elves.
Felárdë himself had long ago journeyed there, and with the knowledge he had gained, rose in the long ages to become the leader of the Avari tribes in Rhûn.
Now, as Kaen's light touched him, Felárdë saw — within that brilliance — five radiant Trees. They shone like suns, their light driving away darkness; beneath their leaves, the Elves grew ever fairer and wiser, their culture flourishing anew.
Once, the Avari had refused the summons of the Valar, for they had never seen the Two Trees with their own eyes. But now Felárdë beheld something akin to that lost wonder. His lips parted in a whisper of awe.
"What a marvellous creation this is," he murmured.
Kaen smiled gently. "If you wish it," he said, "you and your people may come to my kingdom. You shall behold the Trees for yourselves."
Felárdë sighed, his expression wistful. "If it were possible, I would gladly lead my people to your realm. But these lands no longer favor us."
He spoke then of the plight of the Avari in Rhûn. Around the Inner Sea now dwelt the dark races of Men — tribes upon tribes, numbering in millions. The scarcity of food and land had made the Avari forests the envy of every dark clan, and countless conflicts had flared between them.
"We have lost many," Felárdë said bitterly. "Though we fight bravely, we cannot prevail. Our weapons are crude, bone-tipped spears and bows, without steel or armor. They are savages, yet they overwhelm us. Compared to them, we are the true strangers in this land."
The Inner Sea was the very heart of the dark Men's domain. Were it not for the Avari's isolation and for Sauron's endless wars, they would have long since been swept away.
"It is not that we do not wish to go west," Felárdë said quietly, "but I have been to the West, long ago. There is no place there for us anymore."
Kaen pondered in silence, then said, "Perhaps… I know a place suited for your kind."
Felárdë's eyes widened. "A place? What place, my lord?"
"The Fangorn Forest," Kaen replied. "It is the dwelling of the Ents — the Shepherds of the Trees. They are old allies of the Elves. In the elder days, the Elves taught them speech and lore. If you go there, I believe they will not turn you away.
"The Ents were wrought by Yavanna, Queen of the Earth, one of the Valar — guardians of the growing world. They are watchers of the forests, warding the trees from axe and flame. The Avari, too, are keepers of nature. To dwell together would be… fitting."
Felárdë's eyes gleamed with hope. "If the Ents would accept us, I would lead my people there without hesitation. But we know not their hearts and we cannot move our whole kindred on a mere hope."
"That is not difficult," Kaen said. From the clasp upon his armor he took a white gem, pure as moonlight, and breathed his power into it.
"When I return to my realm," he said, "I shall send word to the Ents. If this gem glows green one day, it means they have welcomed your request. If it turns red, they have refused."
Felárdë received the gem reverently, then rose and bowed deeply.
"You are a great king," he said solemnly. "I cannot bind my people to your service, yet I swear this: should your hour of need come, the Avari Elves will not retreat, not even one step."
Kaen inclined his head. He expected no oath of fealty, such was not the way of the Avari. Their numbers were vast, equal to the Woodland Realm itself, though far more primitive. His own kingdom was now composed of the Caladhîn; he had no time to guide another into the light.
Yet this act of kindness would not be wasted. When the darkness rose again, an ally, even one as wild as the Avari — might prove worth a kingdom.