A/N: Because fake Tolkienese wouldn't be complete without Appendices and footnotes.

PSA: I see from my stats that quite a few people are skipping the Epilogue (because I've been an over-eager little goat and posted two chapters at once). So, do go back and read the Epilogue if you haven't. Off you go. It'll make the heartstrings go twang!

THE LINDEN TREE

Appendix A

NOTE ON THE TEXT

The tale as presented here was reconstructed from Bilbo's notes. It seems that Bilbo decided not to include the material pertaining to Thorin's wife in the Red Book of Westmarch. Perhaps Bilbo felt that the matter was a private one, and that it would be indelicate to mention it in his account of his adventure to Smaug's mountain. Or perhaps he merely thought it irrelevant to his retelling of the important events surrounding the Quest for Erebor.

Other sources are all but silent concerning the events narrated above. No trace of the lady of the Mark is to be found in the archives of the Lonely Mountain (and well might one assume that the Dwarves were only too eager to omit any reference to her in their records, when they abandoned the settlement at Ered Luin and returned to Erebor). The genealogies and histories of Rohan kept in the library at Brandy Hall mention her name and year of birth, but little else.

The most extensive account of her life, beside that given in Bilbo's notes, is found in one copy of the Thain's Book kept at Rivendell. The original Thain's book was a copy of the Red Book made in Gondor at the request of King Elessar; where it received corrections and appendices. The Rivendell copy of the Thain's Book, however, differs in several points from the other documented manuscripts, and includes material that is not found elsewhere; it is likely that it was copied, and supplemented, in Rivendell, either through the inclusion of another source (now lost) or – and this is more likely – with information supplied by Elrond himself, or by learned guests at his court. Elrond may well have known of Thorin Oakenshield's predicament, as Bilbo's account claims; and indeed, it cannot be ruled out that Bilbo and Elrond discussed the matter further during the Hobbit's long sojourn in the Last Homely House.

This version reads as follows:

'[…] After the battle of Nanduhirion, the Orcs fled the Misty Mountains. Many made their way across the plains of Rohan to the White Mountains in the south, and preyed on the people of the Horse-Lords; and the land was troubled by raids for many years thereafter. King Brytta, being concerned for the welfare of his people, desired to strengthen the ancient stronghold of Helm's Deep. And so, on the advice of Gandalf, he sent for the help of the Dwarves; and among those of Durin's folk that came to the Mark was Thorin Oakenshield. The Dwarves laboured in Rohan only one summer long; but with their aid, the Eorlingas were able to hold the Orcs at bay. (1)

King Brytta had a daughter; Helmwyn was her name. She was a shieldmaiden, after the manner of the women of the house of Eorl; and Thorin loved her, for she was fearless and high-hearted. When the time came for Thorin to return to Ered Luin, Helmwyn vowed to hang up her sword for his sake, and to cleave to him; and they were trothplighted, though they had to wait several years until she came at last to his halls to wed with him. They dwelt together in contentment; but Helmwyn, being a daughter of Men, was short-lived, and long it could not be until she died, and Thorin was left childless and heartbroken.†

Durin's folk mined, and crafted, and traded, and they began to thrive once more. But the ring preyed ever on Thráin's mind, and dreams of the Dwarves' lost wealth made him restless and distracted. At last, Thráin went forth to reclaim the realm of his fathers; but misfortune pursued him on the road, and at last he went missing, and his companions searched in vain for him. And so Thorin sat in Thráin's chair and ruled in his stead, a king in all but name; for he was ever mindful of his duty to his people. But care and grief lay heavy upon his shoulders, and he smiled seldom; and though he was still young by the reckoning of Dwarves, his hair was touched with grey. […]'

The Rivendell manuscript includes this note:

† It is not known what befell Thorin's wife. Most who have lore concerning these matters believe that she shared the fate of all the Secondborn, and that her spirit passed beyond the confines of this world. But some say that she may have been admitted into Aulë's halls. It may be that Mandos granted her this boon, on account of her son; for though he had not lived long, he was half of dwarven race, such as there had not been before, and it may be that Aulë took pity on him, and did not wish to part him from his mother. (2)

(1) Note how the women are never given any credit in the histories.

(2) Evidently there was some disagreement on this matter among the scholars of Elrond's house.

It is entirely possible that Helmwyn stood before Mandos, and railed against the inflexible decrees of the gods that kept the kindreds asunder, and spoke of exceptions being made for the sake of mixed couples when Elves were involved, and complained at length of arbitrary rules and unjust privilege. Perhaps she sat at the foot of Mandos' throne, and vowed not to budge until Thorin Oakenshield joined them, and had his say. Or perhaps it was that her tears moved Mandos, and her entreaties not to be sundered from her beloved husband. Or perhaps still, it was that she clasped the shade of her son to the shade of her bosom, and sang to the little soul to soothe his fears. It may be that Aulë smiled on her stubbornness, and claimed her as one of his own, and begged this grace of Iluvatar, that she and her son might abide in the Halls of Waiting, and be reunited with Thorin Oakenshield when he too came thither.

But that is merely speculation; and the question must remain unanswered.