Stretching from the foothills of the Grey Mountains in the north to the North Undeep in the south, and from the east edge of the vale of Anduin to Erebor, there lies a vast forest named Mirkwood, Taur-nu-Fuin, or Greenwood the Great of old. The Forest River cuts through the forest's northern end from its source in the western Grey Mountains, joined in the centre by the Enchanted River which flowed north from the Mountains of Mirkwood. Through the northern quadrant of this hoary weald runs an ancient Old Forest Road and along this wooded way merchants and travelers fare. By no other path do common folk journey across this forest realm, for it is said that these woods are… occupied… by fierce Wood Elves and huge bear-men and, worse yet, by the monsters and spirits - all lurking back among the dense green foliage, in the shadows, in the shade. And of the merchants and travelers, caravans and groups, riders and walkers who pass this way, seldom do any stray far from the road, but instead they hie along its length till they are quit of these looming, foreboding woods.
Even in winter when the leaves are fallen and nought but desolate trunks crowd 'round and exposed branches slash at the sky, even then the woods are filled with trepidation, perhaps more so than in summer, for the barren tangle then looks dead and grasping, as if its harsh woody claws would seize any living fool within reach and rend him asunder.
With its whispered reputation it is not surprising that common travelers are apprehensive when passing through the forest; one of its names is, after all, Forest of Great Fear, so called because of the dark unease permeating the vast forest. Some say these woods are indeed warded by the Walking Trees and spirits and giant spiders and other creatures of lore and legend, all with arcane ways of turning aside those who are unwelcome - and woe betide the unfortunate soul who ignores the warnings and intrudes too far into this shadowy domain, for he will never be seen alive again… or so it is said.
In spite of the lore and legend, here it is the Wood Elves dwell, here in Eryn Galen, for the Elves know the truth of these woods. This Tawarwaith were in origin Teleri, and so remoter kin of the Sindar, though even longer separated from them than the Teleri of Valinor. They were descended from those of the Teleri who, on the Great Journey, were daunted by the Misty Mountains and lingered in the Vale of Anduin, and so never reached Beleriand or the Sea. They were thus closer akin to the Nandor of Ossiriand, who eventually crossed the mountains and came at last into Beleriand. They hid themselves in the woodland, but they still remembered that they were in origin Eldar, members of the Third Clan, and they welcomed those of the Sindar who did not pass over the Sea but migrated eastward at the beginning of the Second Age. Under the leadership of these they became again ordered folk and increased in wisdom.
There for long centuries Tatharion lived, the defender of the forest, guardian of all things natural and pure. For millennia, the Wood Elves have lived in this state of harmony, lying in wait and hidden from the prying eyes of the wider World. And there he met Galdrien, the Silver-haired lady. She was a Grey-elf that escaped from Menegroth's palace before the Second Kinslaying, and she wandered in the wooded places of the world. It was the song of her that smote the ears of Tatharion. Iluvatar had set a seed of music in the hearts of all that kindred and it blossomed after very wondrously, but now the song of Galdrien was the most beautiful music that Tatharion had ever heard, and he strayed, seeking in the dark trees whence it might come. After a while as it seemed to him he came upon Galdrien lying in a bed of leaves gazing at the stars above her and hearkening also to birds. Now Tatharion stepping softly stooped and looked upon her, thinking "Here is a fairer lady even than the most beautiful of my own folk" and bending further to touch a tress of her hair he snapped a twig with his foot. Then Galdrien was up and away laughing softly, sometimes singing distantly or dancing ever just before him, hiding in the forest. The next day he desired only to see the silver lady, but she was not far, for she had remained nigh at hand and watched over him.
More of their story I know not, save that in the end she became his wife.
