Chapter 339: The Most Beautiful Elf, Lúthien

Chapter 339: The Most Beautiful Elf, Lúthien

"Although I don't believe you can succeed, if you ever need help, you can come to me.

The elves of Menegroth have never seen humans before, so they might not be as friendly toward humans as the elves outside."

Galadriel nodded, raised her head, and turned to walk toward the barrier.

"Follow me. Melian has temporarily granted me the authority to open the barrier."

George also smiled and nodded, following Galadriel.

The Noldor elves once lived in Valinor, and from the mouths of the Valar, they had long known that humans were the second children created by Eru Ilúvatar.

They once believed, due to Morgoth's instigation, that the Valar had confined the elves to Valinor just to make way for the humans.

Later, upon learning the truth and seeing in Middle-earth the newly born and weak humans, they naturally developed an affection for them.

The Noldor elves had always cared deeply for humans and had passed on much knowledge to them.

However, apart from Thingol, the Grey Elves had never been to Valinor; the rest had lived their whole lives in Middle-earth, completely isolated from the outside world.

They only knew that there existed a race of humans outside but understood very little about them.

Thus, most of the Grey Elves looked down on humans, seeing them as short-lived and weak.

In the original story, when Beren and Lúthien fell in love, Thingol strongly opposed it, believing that the lowly human Beren was not worthy of his daughter.

To prevent his daughter Lúthien from being with Beren, he set a condition: Beren would have to retrieve a Silmaril from Morgoth in Angband before he would allow the marriage.

This was essentially meant to make Beren give up or go to his death.

This is also why Thingol was unwilling to send troops or allow the Grey Elves to communicate with the Elves of Dorthonion.

Because Thingol did not believe humans possessed any magic worthy of sharing with the Elves.

Once inside the barrier, a lush and vibrant forest appeared before George's eyes.

Thanks to Melian's divine power, the land here was like spring all year round, with all kinds of adorable little animals leaping through the trees, showing no fear of humans.

"I'm going to speed up—do your best to keep up!"

Galadriel leapt onto a tree trunk and began to move swiftly between the trees with incredible agility. Her graceful movements were unhindered by her long gown.

Elves, in general, had far superior physical abilities compared to humans. Besides magic and smithing, they also had extraordinary vision—each one a master archer.

Galadriel carried the blood of the Vanyar, the Noldor, and the Teleri, excelling in all areas. In terms of overall strength, she even surpassed her three elder brothers.

So her previous words were not mere boasting.

"So he fell behind already? I thought he was supposed to be impressive. I'd better slow down and wait for him."

After speeding ahead for a while, Galadriel realized George was no longer in sight. Assuming he couldn't keep up and had been left behind, she slowed down somewhat smugly.

When her two brothers came before, they had praised George, this human, to the skies, which stirred up her competitive spirit. She wanted to see just how capable a mere human could be.

"Princess Galadriel, there's no need to slow down. I can keep up."

Just then, a voice called from above her.

Looking up, she saw George flying overhead, a pair of pristine white wings spread behind his back.

"You—you can fly?"

Galadriel stopped, standing on a tree trunk, her eyes full of astonishment as she looked at George.

Hovering in front of her, George replied with a hint of surprise,

"Didn't the two princes tell you? I was only able to assist the Crown Prince in time because I can fly."

"O-of course they did... I just forgot."

Galadriel let out an awkward chuckle.

"Since you can fly, then carry me. I'll guide the way. That'll be faster."

At the banquet hosted by Thingol in Eglador, she had heard her brothers boasting about how powerful George was, trying to impress Thingol. She hadn't been convinced.

She thought they were just trying to persuade Thingol to send troops by exaggerating human abilities.

So she hadn't paid much attention and left to amuse herself.

All she knew was that George had led the humans in helping the Elves, securing the central defense line and repelling Morgoth's ambush. She didn't know the details.

"My pleasure!"

George lowered his altitude, wrapped his arm around Galadriel's waist, and carried her above the treetops, continuing forward under her guidance.

It was Galadriel's first time flying, and she looked visibly excited. In a cheerful mood, she began guiding George through the realm of the Grey Elves.

Though Galadriel's magic was formidable, she didn't possess flight magic.

In fact, in Middle-earth, aside from divine beings like the Valar and the Maiar, and a few winged creatures, no other races possessed the ability to fly.

Otherwise, the Noldor Elves wouldn't have had to slaughter the Teleri to seize their ships when leaving Valinor.

So this was Galadriel's first experience flying.

"Wait a moment—fly that way. I think I saw Lúthien!"

After about half an hour of flight, an unusual city built in the heart of the forest came into view.

This city, built entirely from intertwining, living trees, was at least ten times the size of the Elven city of Dorthonion.

This was the Grey Elves' city—Menegroth.

But just as they were approaching Menegroth, Galadriel suddenly had George change direction.

"Lúthien is Thingol's most beloved daughter. If she speaks on your behalf, it's unlikely he'll send troops, but having the Grey Elves participate in a magical exchange at your school shouldn't be an issue."

Lúthien was Thingol's daughter, which technically made her Galadriel's aunt. But among the Elves, aside from parents, they generally addressed one another by name. Even when she saw Thingol, she just called him by name.

And although she was Lúthien's niece, their relationship was more like close friends.

Elves do not age, so a three-thousand-year-old and a two-thousand-year-old would look no different.

Hearing Galadriel's words, George was moved. Flapping his wings, he flew toward the meadow Galadriel had pointed out.

At that moment, in the center of the meadow, an Elven maiden was dancing gracefully.

Her gown was as blue as a cloudless sky, and her eyes gray like starlit dusk. Her cloak was embroidered with golden flowers, and her hair was as black as shadow at twilight.

Her radiance and beauty were like the sunlight on leaves, the sound of a clear stream, the starlight above the world's mists.

Even George's gaze began to blur for a moment.

"A woman this beautiful actually exists in the world..."

Galadriel had already struck him as breathtaking, yet Lúthien was many times more beautiful.

The most beautiful elf in Middle-earth—without a doubt.

(End of Chapter)