My shop has been linked with the ruling house of Gondor for generations; that being the Steward’s House of course. So I was honoured, but not surprised, to be asked to repair and clean the crown before the coronation. And what a task that was. When our new Steward opened the box I cried in shame for my own people; that such a treasure had been left to decay, unremarked. I had to set my whole workshop to restoring it and we only just managed in time for the coronation.

It seems the Steward told His Majesty of our work and it was only a few days after the celebration that I was summoned to the Citadel. The Elessar wanted something special to mark a feast today; a salt cellar for the high table. I was nervous, for Lord Denethor had been a hard taskmaster, with a temperament that could switch from ice to flame within the space of a breath. Not so The Elessar.

The Steward – the new one that is, Lord Faramir – led me to a private chamber rather than the throne room. And the king bade me sit at table with him. That I should be invited to share bread with my king! Never had I dreamed to be granted such an honour and yet there we sat, surrounded by plates of white bread and cheese, sipping fine wine while he spoke and I drew.

A member of the fair folk and a dwarf also joined us, even the wizard for a while, and we talked the whole morning, for The Elessar wanted certain things incorporating within the design. I did not understand why at first, and the elven prince had to sketch for me the shape of the flowers, for I have never seen or heard of Niphredil.

When I returned to my workshop the dwarf followed, offering the solution to a problem that had vexed me in the design. The waterfall, running into a river that winds about the piece from the very top to the sea at its base, was the most challenging feature. It seems that the valley where both King and Queen were raised has many waterfalls and The Elessar wished to honour his lady thus.

I intended to try and craft it from silver but Master Gimli offered to send for one of his folk. Soon the dwarf Davin assured me that he could carve it from blue crystal and he did not lie. When I saw it, but a day since, I had to reach out to touch, so real did it seem. The gemstone was carved and polished to form waves that ranged from near invisibility to deepest blue, and seemed to change with each mood of the light.

All of my studio contributed their skills, from master craftsman to journeyman and lowly apprentice. For such a work as this we would normally toil for months, or even years, but we had scant weeks. And yet, had we taken longer I do not think we could have done better for it was made with willing hands. Ours was the first royal commission for the new House of Elessar Telcontar.

At the very top I planted the White Tree, in full blossom, symbol of our people since before their arrival in this land. Once again, it was the dwarf who assisted, sending for mithril, the true silver, to create it. Never had I worked with such a material. It felt almost alive beneath my fingers, delighting to be cast and chased. And yet, once formed, it was as hard as tempered steel.

About its roots Davin carved crystal cups for salt and my apprentices created golden spoons. We had just enough time to have the handles enameled, so they were finished with a blue cornflower. Hearing that the King weds today and who it is he weds I can understand better the imagery. It is a consequence of my work that I know many of the symbols of the ancient houses of Numenor but it was Prince Legolas who explained the rest just hours ago, for they belong to Elvenkind. He told me that this was the symbol
for an elven queen of old, Idris Celebrindal, ancestress to our new Queen.

Along the banks of the river we set slender golden Athelas leaves and delicate silver Niphredil. The fine shapes of both leaves and flowers took great skill and it was not a task I dare trust to my apprentices. Poor Halin took on the job and, even now, I can see in my mind’s eye all the tiny pieces spread upon his table. At least the apprentices could help to solder them to the finished cellar or he would be working still.

The flowers were symbol of Luthien the Fair, an ancestress of both King and Queen. It is said that our new Queen is as fair as she, although I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing her. Were it not for tales of the King using Athelas to heal those afflicted at the Pelennor I would never have considered placing it upon the cellar, for my people considered it a weed for generations. Although when I assessed it with an artist’s eye I had to confess that the long, slender leaf was a pleasing shape that I look forward to using again. Whether Halin would agree with me is another matter.

The ship, its sail emblazoned with the six pointed star, I knew from children’s tale. For this was the ship of Earendil the mariner, who sails the night sky still. It seems he also was ancient ancestor of both King and Queen. We are truly blessed to have the return of a royal house with such a lineage. I placed it upon the river for I wished to distinguish it from the nine ships at the cellar’s base, based on those in which Elendil brought the men
of Numenor to our shores. Davin carved crystal salt dishes to sit within each. The two which foundered the dwarf helped me to set disappearing into the crystal waves. How he achieved it I do not know and he will not reveal the secrets of his craft. I can hardly blame him for we goldsmiths hold close our own secrets, but what would I give to become his apprentice for a few years?

I would have embellished the piece further; with Elendil’s shattered sword perhaps or the ring of Barahir. But the Elessar drew his blade, Anduril, that he said was forged by elven smiths from the shards of Narsil, and told me he needed no other reminder. But he did ask me to make a small change when he saw the cellar nearly complete. There are some may find it a little disrespectful to the symbol of Gondor but the King said that when considered upon it, it was the most important part.

And then the periann from the guards said he wanted an addition to that change. Well, I knew he was a friend of the king as well as a guard, but I wasn’t about to make changes to such an important piece without the King’s approval. I sent a message to The Elessar, and when the page returned with his note I could scarce believe it. The lad said that His Majesty had laughed long and hard and the note he sent back simply said, “Do it!” I would have questioned further had it not been signed and sealed.

The Ringbearer would not pose for my pen but I believe I caught his likeness in mithril well enough. So beneath the white tree there now sits a small figure smoking a pipe, with an open picnic basket at his side.

Now it is finished and a servant is filling the last crystal salt cups. I can hear the crowd cheering outside and a part of me regrets not being there to see my king bound to his lady. But this is my gift to them and it is enough. I must leave. The doors will open in a moment for The Elessar to escort his fair bride, our new Queen to their wedding feast.

Long may they reign in honour and love.