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Chapter Three: Tarsa mà Erumar
After a long discussion filled with many assurances, Glorfindel was successful in convincing Elenwë to allow Idril to go on the journey to the Two Trees of Valinor. Especially because it turned out every Eldar was invited to come. Elrilya's family, like every Noldor in Tirion, had already been planning on departing for the festivities and were glad to hear that the noble family of their daughter's friend would be coming as well. Elenwe was also so kind as to allow Glorfindel to take Idril and Elrilya to leave earlier than many planned to leave so that they could visit the vast gardens.
Upon the arrival of the main host of the Eldar at Valmar, it was discovered that the long banished elf lord Fëanor, had decided to make an appearance since Manwë had invited him. It was time for Idril's grandfather, Fingolfin, to reconcile with Fëanor over the drawing of Fëanor's sword on him several years before. In front of the entire company of Noldor, Vanyar, Valar, and Maia they took an oath to each other as true, full brothers in heart. At the moment of this oath, the silver and gold light of the trees mingled and shone brightly. The Eldar present broke out into song, hailing the nobles.
Suddenly, a shadow passed over the Blessed Realm and the light of the trees darkened as it was sucked away by an unseen force. The singing ended and silence overtook the Eldar seated at the feast. All became dark as the light disappeared from sight and the mountain Taniquetil was an island of firelight amidst the sea of darkness. The cries of the Teleri on the far away shores rose up in the quiet air and it was chilling to the bone to hear. Then the Valar observed the shadow escaping quickly to the north out of Aman and they knew that Melkor had taken the life and light of their blessed trees.
Days later, tidings arrived that the shadow had passed the halls of Formenos where Finwë, the father of Fëanor, Fingolfin, and Finarfin, dwelt as a banished king of the Noldor. There he had been slain and Melkor disappeared with the precious jewels, the Silmarils. These precious gems that Fëanor had crafted contained the lasting light of the trees within their depths. It was then that Fëanor damned Melkor for his evil deeds and named him Morgoth. Great mourning was taken at this time and many were frightened of the days to come and in this state the Noldor and Vanyar returned to Tirion in the darkened twilight.
Standing on one of the high walls of Tirion, Glorfindel looked out from the ramparts toward where the mountain passes once were filled with light but were now dark with a fog of darkness. Suddenly, he felt a soft touch on his arm and turned to see Elrilya at his side. In the firelight of the torches upon the nearby walls, her eyes were bleak and sad but she looked upon him imploringly. He knew why she felt as such.
Ever since Melkor and Ungoliant, the spider witch, had defiled the Blessed Realm and destroyed the Two Trees, he had become extremely reserved and unresponsive. Everyone on the journey back to Tirion had noticed how he was being unlike himself and many of his kin were wondering about his well-being. The recent events had stricken him deeply within his soul and he could not help but feel a sense of deep loss as he walked alone on his way back and upon his return to Tirion.
"Are you doing all right?" she asked.
He attempted to bring a smile to his lips but they only quaked at the effort. Despite wanting to feel alone for the time being, he could not push away the caring face and worried tone she had in her voice. Glorfindel knew that she sought to help him in anyway she could, even if they were small endeavors. His close friend Turgon had already visited him that same night but could not come up with much to say in order to salve the pain within him because of his own grief that lay in his heart. Yet, Glorfindel felt touched by this young elf-maiden whom he had barely known and who had a seemingly uncanny ability to reach out to others because of an inner perceptiveness or empathic ability stronger than any he had come across.
"I am fine," he conceded, though he could tell that it did not quell her searching eyes as he felt her gaze upon him.
However, Elrilya seemed to realize that there were no words that could be spoken to him for the time being and so she remained silent. She then turned her gaze to follow his own out across the valley to where darkness crept upon the lighted city. The fog seemed to want to strangle the struggling light of Mindon high above them.
They stood for a long time together upon the wall in silent repartee while feeling comfort in the other's presence. Glorfindel breathed in deeply and he caught the scent of her hair from beside him. He closed his eyes, letting himself reminisce in the fragrances of a sweet mixture of holly and heather. It reminded him of a time of greater innocence and comfort among the Eldar, one they may not see for a long time, if at all.
"Glorfindel?"
He opened his eyes and turned his head to look into her blue eyes, "Yes?"
"Do not worry," Elrilya said reassuringly. "If we remain strong and steadfast in our beliefs and memories, a better day will come."
Her words surprised him for a moment but he did not let it show. He did not respond but he realized she somehow understood that he had accepted what she had said. He did not know it; though, Elrilya had meant it own for her own sanity. To see one of the greatest and strongest in heart of the Eldar she had met in her short life lose hope, then all the Eldar were lost. And yet through her, Glorfindel felt that one of the younger generations of Eldar still could bring the Eldar to that new hope and renewed beginning.
"We are in uncertain times, indeed," he said with a touch of sorrow. "I knew a horrible event would befall us by Melkor's hand but I wish it had not been in this way."
"None of us did," she answered. "I fear though this might be only the beginning of many heartaches but I feel there will be some goodness that comes out of it all."
"Maybe," Glorfindel said as he hung his head low. "May the Valar help us."
"I pray and hope that they will watch over us carefully through these times," Elrilya nodded.
Glorfindel nodded a moment in response then looked to her huddled close to him in the unsettling darkness.
"Come, it is becoming late," he said as he took her arm in the crook of his own. "I will walk you home tonight. It is the least I could do for your kind company."
The two walked slowly once more in silence as he took her home. Though she mostly led the way to her home since he did not know the way, Glorfindel was glad they went at the slow gait they took. He suddenly did not wish to be alone anymore. The longer she stayed on his arm, the more he felt anchored in the reality that those like Elrilya and Idril could support the Eldar in their quest to survive through harshness such as this.
Once they reached her destination, Glorfindel released her arm and gave a slight bow of his head.
"Thank you and have a good night, Elrilya," he said as she nodded her thanks to him and slipped inside her abode.
He turned to walk away but was caught by another noise of her return.
"Glorfindel!" she called to him quietly.
He came back to her, wondering what might be on her mind.
"I just wanted to say thank you," Elrilya said.
"For what?" he questioned.
"Taking me to the gardens and the Two Trees before..." her voice trailed off as she tried to finish.
Glorfindel took her hand and held it between his two palms.
"It was my pleasure, vinya quen," he said quietly.
Though, he did not smile, she could see his eyes twinkle from a moment of remembered bliss before he led her back to her doorway.
After she was inside, he then turned and took his time to unhurriedly make his way back to the main halls of the noble families.
*********
Glossary
Tarsa mà Erumar: trouble in heaven
vinya quen: young one
Chapter Three: Tarsa mà Erumar
After a long discussion filled with many assurances, Glorfindel was successful in convincing Elenwë to allow Idril to go on the journey to the Two Trees of Valinor. Especially because it turned out every Eldar was invited to come. Elrilya's family, like every Noldor in Tirion, had already been planning on departing for the festivities and were glad to hear that the noble family of their daughter's friend would be coming as well. Elenwe was also so kind as to allow Glorfindel to take Idril and Elrilya to leave earlier than many planned to leave so that they could visit the vast gardens.
Upon the arrival of the main host of the Eldar at Valmar, it was discovered that the long banished elf lord Fëanor, had decided to make an appearance since Manwë had invited him. It was time for Idril's grandfather, Fingolfin, to reconcile with Fëanor over the drawing of Fëanor's sword on him several years before. In front of the entire company of Noldor, Vanyar, Valar, and Maia they took an oath to each other as true, full brothers in heart. At the moment of this oath, the silver and gold light of the trees mingled and shone brightly. The Eldar present broke out into song, hailing the nobles.
Suddenly, a shadow passed over the Blessed Realm and the light of the trees darkened as it was sucked away by an unseen force. The singing ended and silence overtook the Eldar seated at the feast. All became dark as the light disappeared from sight and the mountain Taniquetil was an island of firelight amidst the sea of darkness. The cries of the Teleri on the far away shores rose up in the quiet air and it was chilling to the bone to hear. Then the Valar observed the shadow escaping quickly to the north out of Aman and they knew that Melkor had taken the life and light of their blessed trees.
Days later, tidings arrived that the shadow had passed the halls of Formenos where Finwë, the father of Fëanor, Fingolfin, and Finarfin, dwelt as a banished king of the Noldor. There he had been slain and Melkor disappeared with the precious jewels, the Silmarils. These precious gems that Fëanor had crafted contained the lasting light of the trees within their depths. It was then that Fëanor damned Melkor for his evil deeds and named him Morgoth. Great mourning was taken at this time and many were frightened of the days to come and in this state the Noldor and Vanyar returned to Tirion in the darkened twilight.
Standing on one of the high walls of Tirion, Glorfindel looked out from the ramparts toward where the mountain passes once were filled with light but were now dark with a fog of darkness. Suddenly, he felt a soft touch on his arm and turned to see Elrilya at his side. In the firelight of the torches upon the nearby walls, her eyes were bleak and sad but she looked upon him imploringly. He knew why she felt as such.
Ever since Melkor and Ungoliant, the spider witch, had defiled the Blessed Realm and destroyed the Two Trees, he had become extremely reserved and unresponsive. Everyone on the journey back to Tirion had noticed how he was being unlike himself and many of his kin were wondering about his well-being. The recent events had stricken him deeply within his soul and he could not help but feel a sense of deep loss as he walked alone on his way back and upon his return to Tirion.
"Are you doing all right?" she asked.
He attempted to bring a smile to his lips but they only quaked at the effort. Despite wanting to feel alone for the time being, he could not push away the caring face and worried tone she had in her voice. Glorfindel knew that she sought to help him in anyway she could, even if they were small endeavors. His close friend Turgon had already visited him that same night but could not come up with much to say in order to salve the pain within him because of his own grief that lay in his heart. Yet, Glorfindel felt touched by this young elf-maiden whom he had barely known and who had a seemingly uncanny ability to reach out to others because of an inner perceptiveness or empathic ability stronger than any he had come across.
"I am fine," he conceded, though he could tell that it did not quell her searching eyes as he felt her gaze upon him.
However, Elrilya seemed to realize that there were no words that could be spoken to him for the time being and so she remained silent. She then turned her gaze to follow his own out across the valley to where darkness crept upon the lighted city. The fog seemed to want to strangle the struggling light of Mindon high above them.
They stood for a long time together upon the wall in silent repartee while feeling comfort in the other's presence. Glorfindel breathed in deeply and he caught the scent of her hair from beside him. He closed his eyes, letting himself reminisce in the fragrances of a sweet mixture of holly and heather. It reminded him of a time of greater innocence and comfort among the Eldar, one they may not see for a long time, if at all.
"Glorfindel?"
He opened his eyes and turned his head to look into her blue eyes, "Yes?"
"Do not worry," Elrilya said reassuringly. "If we remain strong and steadfast in our beliefs and memories, a better day will come."
Her words surprised him for a moment but he did not let it show. He did not respond but he realized she somehow understood that he had accepted what she had said. He did not know it; though, Elrilya had meant it own for her own sanity. To see one of the greatest and strongest in heart of the Eldar she had met in her short life lose hope, then all the Eldar were lost. And yet through her, Glorfindel felt that one of the younger generations of Eldar still could bring the Eldar to that new hope and renewed beginning.
"We are in uncertain times, indeed," he said with a touch of sorrow. "I knew a horrible event would befall us by Melkor's hand but I wish it had not been in this way."
"None of us did," she answered. "I fear though this might be only the beginning of many heartaches but I feel there will be some goodness that comes out of it all."
"Maybe," Glorfindel said as he hung his head low. "May the Valar help us."
"I pray and hope that they will watch over us carefully through these times," Elrilya nodded.
Glorfindel nodded a moment in response then looked to her huddled close to him in the unsettling darkness.
"Come, it is becoming late," he said as he took her arm in the crook of his own. "I will walk you home tonight. It is the least I could do for your kind company."
The two walked slowly once more in silence as he took her home. Though she mostly led the way to her home since he did not know the way, Glorfindel was glad they went at the slow gait they took. He suddenly did not wish to be alone anymore. The longer she stayed on his arm, the more he felt anchored in the reality that those like Elrilya and Idril could support the Eldar in their quest to survive through harshness such as this.
Once they reached her destination, Glorfindel released her arm and gave a slight bow of his head.
"Thank you and have a good night, Elrilya," he said as she nodded her thanks to him and slipped inside her abode.
He turned to walk away but was caught by another noise of her return.
"Glorfindel!" she called to him quietly.
He came back to her, wondering what might be on her mind.
"I just wanted to say thank you," Elrilya said.
"For what?" he questioned.
"Taking me to the gardens and the Two Trees before..." her voice trailed off as she tried to finish.
Glorfindel took her hand and held it between his two palms.
"It was my pleasure, vinya quen," he said quietly.
Though, he did not smile, she could see his eyes twinkle from a moment of remembered bliss before he led her back to her doorway.
After she was inside, he then turned and took his time to unhurriedly make his way back to the main halls of the noble families.
*********
Glossary
Tarsa mà Erumar: trouble in heaven
vinya quen: young one
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