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Chapter Eleven: Nevrast
Turgon's contingent of Noldor was great and many followed the second son of Fingolfin to the lands he chose for a home. Many a Sindar elf also followed to join with the clans that made up his knew realm. Lord Gulsamel led the Sindar and Noldorian exiles quickly and safely on their passage from Mithrim to the lands called Nevrast.
The lands of Nevrast held beauty that only few places could compare. The vast marshes of the valleys were surrounded by the Ered Wethrin and Ered Lómin, the two mountain ranges of the area, and bordered by the great sea to the west. Great cliffs overlooked the sea along the entire coastline and they rose higher than the mere, Linaewen, and marshes in the plains to the east. At the point where the Ered Wethrin and Ered Lómin met the sea was where Turgon decided to start his city beside the mountain the Sindar had named Taras. Many Sindar elves already lived beside Taras and the coast so when Turgon and his group arrived, they happily took him as their lord.
The city was named Vinyamar and upon arrival, every ellyn and elleth, be they Sindar or Noldor, got straight to work to begin the birth of their new realm. Lord Gulsamel set out a week after they arrived, promising to return soonest with supplies and gifts of goodwill from his leader Lord Cirdan. He said that the news of Vinyamar's founding would be met well. To hurry his traveling and return, his family decided to remain with Turgon's people to help begin the founding of the city.
All was well in the hearts of the Noldor once more. Surrounded by new friends and a final resting place to call home bided well in their souls. The new city rose fast in those weeks; temporary homes were the first priority so that all could have shelter against the weather. As soon as temporary shelters were built, the beginnings of the real city were begun. Like Tirion and other smaller Eldar cities of the west, Vinyamar was to be built out of stone. Several of the Noldorian exiles had trades in masonry and joined together with a few of the Sindar who had taken a hand at the skill as well. A new mixture of the cultures began to blend in the artwork and architecture of the palace and surrounding shops and homes. It was expected that in less than a third of a year, Vinyamar would be finished and would join the rankings of great Eldar realms in the eastern lands. However, not all were at ease in their surroundings.
"At last, I have found you. I have been searching for you all afternoon," Glorfindel smiled as he approached Turgon.
The brown-haired prince stood at the edge of a bluff just outside of Vinyamar. The cliff overlooked the sea waves crashing upon the rocky coast below. Turgon turned to meet his friend with a matching smile after he heard his call.
"Have I been away that long?" he chuckled as he turned his gaze out upon the great sea once more. "Being a lord has a great many requirements I had not expected."
"Yet, you would not change your decision," Glorfindel said knowingly as he stood next to him and turned his own gaze out upon the blue water.
"Nay, I would not," Turgon said with a contented sigh. "It has been a wonderful change for all of us that came here."
"It has," Glorfindel said as he took his eyes away.
Turgon eyed the golden-haired elf at his side, "What burdens you, nilmo? You have been deep in thought as of late."
Glorfindel sighed, his friend knew him too well as he did Turgon.
"I do not know yet," he confessed. "But I feel my spirit yearning for journeying as it did for a time in Aman. There are new places to discover and see here in this world."
"We have yet to be in Nevrast more than a month to this day," Turgon said with some surprise. "Is it that uninteresting to you so quickly?"
"Not uninteresting," Glorfindel said with a short laugh. "I just wish to see what lies beyond these mountains and hills and further. I would ask for leave, if I may?"
"You need not ask me, Glorfindel, for permission to depart," Turgon said. "You are not obligated."
"But I am," Glorfindel answered. "I am your friend and a lord of your new royal court. I have a duty to you and these people."
"Then I shall have you travel as an emissary or diplomat of my realm to seek out new allies and bring back information for the court," Turgon said with an impish grin.
"Then I shall do so if you wish it of me," Glorfindel said with a chuckle at how well his friend had managed to come up with a reason for his leaving.
"I do," Turgon replied. "I wish to see you happy, not languishing in need to explore. Were you thinking of leaving on Lord Gulsamel's ship that sails in three days for Brithombar?"
"Do you wish to get rid of me soonest?" Glorfindel said in fake astonishment. "I did not know that my presence annoyed many, least of all you."
"That is not what I meant," Turgon shot back with a shake of his head. "It would be easiest to go on with those ready to depart than assembling a new traveling troop."
"True," Glorfindel said as he glanced up to see several white gulls fly overhead. "I had thought to travel to see Finrod in his new realm inland from the coasts. When he departed from Mithrim, he said we should meet once again soonest before too long a time passes."
"I would like to travel like you to these places someday," Turgon said, his gaze drifting idly back to the rolling waves. "But not yet, I am not ready."
Glorfindel eyed him uneasily for a moment, not quite understanding what Turgon meant for he knew it was something divine that kept him there.
"You still wait for her if she returns?" he asked quietly.
"Nay, not so much wait but I feel her," Turgon replied with a heavy sigh. "I can sense her lone spirit far away thinking of me for our binding was so strong. I left her in the sea's depths, which I cannot forgive myself for yet. I cannot bear to leave these coasts for now."
"I will no longer try to dissuade you from the notion that you were at fault for her death," Glorfindel said. "I see my attempts do not move your stubborn soul."
"Do not trouble yourself, Glorfindel," Turgon said turning to him. "She holds my will up high and strong so I can be there for Idril. I will do that for her since she no longer cannot."
"I understand, but I wish there was more I can do," he answered.
"Do as you will, and be true to yourself," Turgon answered as he placed his hand on Glorfindel's shoulder. "She would want it to be that way for you as would I."
"Then I shall set out with Lord Gulsamel's ship by week's end," Glorfindel said.
"That is good to hear," Turgon said. "We should go then to prepare you for your departure."
"A good idea," Glorfindel said as he turned to go, heading down the path he had come with Turgon following behind.
*
It was the eve before Glorfindel's departure and all the preparations had been made and were ready to be loaded onto the ship. Several items of trade would also be journeying along with the passengers on their way to Brithombar. Since the arrival of the Noldor to Nevrast and the building of Vinyamar, a great exchange of goods had begun to take place. Glorfindel had just spent the past three hours conversing with Lord Gulsamel concerning the route they were taking and the continuing course after landing at Brithombar. Now he was on his way to seek out those closest to him ere he departed early the next morn.
One of the guards had informed Glorfindel that Turgon was awaiting him at one of the parlor balconies in the main hall of the palace. Upon arriving, Glorfindel found Turgon as expected but he seemed to have disappointment written across his face.
"What is the matter, Turgon?" he asked when he came closer then noticed a letter in Turgon's hand. "What is that?"
"It is a message from Idril and Elrilya," Turgon informed him.
Glorfindel took the letter as he was offered it and began to read over it. The two young ellyth had taken a trip with several Sindar to the marshes in search of plants and flowers to cultivate closer to the city since the cliffs and mountainsides held little but shrubs and short grasses. They were planning on arriving home that same day but the letter was all that came. Turgon had expected they would return before Glorfindel left so that they could say goodbye. He did not send a correspondence to them about Glorfindel's decision due to the original plans. Now, according to the letter, it was not likely Idril and Elrilya would return to see him off.
"They have decided to extend their stay," Glorfindel said as he finished the final paragraph.
"It appears so," Turgon said with a sigh. "Would you like to delay the departure?"
"No, there are goods on board the ship that need a timely delivery or else they will spoil," Glorfindel said with a shake of his head. "Do not worry, my friend. I will not be gone for long. I am sure they will not be too dismayed at not seeing me off on my journeys."
"I hope not" replied Turgon. "Do not tarry for too long, we may forget you."
"I do not believe you will," Glorfindel laughed.
*
The sea air whipped the golden tendrils in front of Glorfindel's sight as the ship slipped out of the harbor. He pulled back the wayward strands of hair with his fingers as he scanned the shoreline. Aredhel and Turgon still stood on the dock among a crowd that had come to see the passengers off. Despite his words the night before, Glorfindel felt a small heaviness on his heart for not being able to say farewell to Idril and Elrilya. Somehow, he thought, I will make it up to them. He stood at the railing and gave one final wave to them as the dock slipped out of view.
Glossary
Nilmo: friend (male)
Nevrast: hither shores
Chapter Eleven: Nevrast
Turgon's contingent of Noldor was great and many followed the second son of Fingolfin to the lands he chose for a home. Many a Sindar elf also followed to join with the clans that made up his knew realm. Lord Gulsamel led the Sindar and Noldorian exiles quickly and safely on their passage from Mithrim to the lands called Nevrast.
The lands of Nevrast held beauty that only few places could compare. The vast marshes of the valleys were surrounded by the Ered Wethrin and Ered Lómin, the two mountain ranges of the area, and bordered by the great sea to the west. Great cliffs overlooked the sea along the entire coastline and they rose higher than the mere, Linaewen, and marshes in the plains to the east. At the point where the Ered Wethrin and Ered Lómin met the sea was where Turgon decided to start his city beside the mountain the Sindar had named Taras. Many Sindar elves already lived beside Taras and the coast so when Turgon and his group arrived, they happily took him as their lord.
The city was named Vinyamar and upon arrival, every ellyn and elleth, be they Sindar or Noldor, got straight to work to begin the birth of their new realm. Lord Gulsamel set out a week after they arrived, promising to return soonest with supplies and gifts of goodwill from his leader Lord Cirdan. He said that the news of Vinyamar's founding would be met well. To hurry his traveling and return, his family decided to remain with Turgon's people to help begin the founding of the city.
All was well in the hearts of the Noldor once more. Surrounded by new friends and a final resting place to call home bided well in their souls. The new city rose fast in those weeks; temporary homes were the first priority so that all could have shelter against the weather. As soon as temporary shelters were built, the beginnings of the real city were begun. Like Tirion and other smaller Eldar cities of the west, Vinyamar was to be built out of stone. Several of the Noldorian exiles had trades in masonry and joined together with a few of the Sindar who had taken a hand at the skill as well. A new mixture of the cultures began to blend in the artwork and architecture of the palace and surrounding shops and homes. It was expected that in less than a third of a year, Vinyamar would be finished and would join the rankings of great Eldar realms in the eastern lands. However, not all were at ease in their surroundings.
"At last, I have found you. I have been searching for you all afternoon," Glorfindel smiled as he approached Turgon.
The brown-haired prince stood at the edge of a bluff just outside of Vinyamar. The cliff overlooked the sea waves crashing upon the rocky coast below. Turgon turned to meet his friend with a matching smile after he heard his call.
"Have I been away that long?" he chuckled as he turned his gaze out upon the great sea once more. "Being a lord has a great many requirements I had not expected."
"Yet, you would not change your decision," Glorfindel said knowingly as he stood next to him and turned his own gaze out upon the blue water.
"Nay, I would not," Turgon said with a contented sigh. "It has been a wonderful change for all of us that came here."
"It has," Glorfindel said as he took his eyes away.
Turgon eyed the golden-haired elf at his side, "What burdens you, nilmo? You have been deep in thought as of late."
Glorfindel sighed, his friend knew him too well as he did Turgon.
"I do not know yet," he confessed. "But I feel my spirit yearning for journeying as it did for a time in Aman. There are new places to discover and see here in this world."
"We have yet to be in Nevrast more than a month to this day," Turgon said with some surprise. "Is it that uninteresting to you so quickly?"
"Not uninteresting," Glorfindel said with a short laugh. "I just wish to see what lies beyond these mountains and hills and further. I would ask for leave, if I may?"
"You need not ask me, Glorfindel, for permission to depart," Turgon said. "You are not obligated."
"But I am," Glorfindel answered. "I am your friend and a lord of your new royal court. I have a duty to you and these people."
"Then I shall have you travel as an emissary or diplomat of my realm to seek out new allies and bring back information for the court," Turgon said with an impish grin.
"Then I shall do so if you wish it of me," Glorfindel said with a chuckle at how well his friend had managed to come up with a reason for his leaving.
"I do," Turgon replied. "I wish to see you happy, not languishing in need to explore. Were you thinking of leaving on Lord Gulsamel's ship that sails in three days for Brithombar?"
"Do you wish to get rid of me soonest?" Glorfindel said in fake astonishment. "I did not know that my presence annoyed many, least of all you."
"That is not what I meant," Turgon shot back with a shake of his head. "It would be easiest to go on with those ready to depart than assembling a new traveling troop."
"True," Glorfindel said as he glanced up to see several white gulls fly overhead. "I had thought to travel to see Finrod in his new realm inland from the coasts. When he departed from Mithrim, he said we should meet once again soonest before too long a time passes."
"I would like to travel like you to these places someday," Turgon said, his gaze drifting idly back to the rolling waves. "But not yet, I am not ready."
Glorfindel eyed him uneasily for a moment, not quite understanding what Turgon meant for he knew it was something divine that kept him there.
"You still wait for her if she returns?" he asked quietly.
"Nay, not so much wait but I feel her," Turgon replied with a heavy sigh. "I can sense her lone spirit far away thinking of me for our binding was so strong. I left her in the sea's depths, which I cannot forgive myself for yet. I cannot bear to leave these coasts for now."
"I will no longer try to dissuade you from the notion that you were at fault for her death," Glorfindel said. "I see my attempts do not move your stubborn soul."
"Do not trouble yourself, Glorfindel," Turgon said turning to him. "She holds my will up high and strong so I can be there for Idril. I will do that for her since she no longer cannot."
"I understand, but I wish there was more I can do," he answered.
"Do as you will, and be true to yourself," Turgon answered as he placed his hand on Glorfindel's shoulder. "She would want it to be that way for you as would I."
"Then I shall set out with Lord Gulsamel's ship by week's end," Glorfindel said.
"That is good to hear," Turgon said. "We should go then to prepare you for your departure."
"A good idea," Glorfindel said as he turned to go, heading down the path he had come with Turgon following behind.
*
It was the eve before Glorfindel's departure and all the preparations had been made and were ready to be loaded onto the ship. Several items of trade would also be journeying along with the passengers on their way to Brithombar. Since the arrival of the Noldor to Nevrast and the building of Vinyamar, a great exchange of goods had begun to take place. Glorfindel had just spent the past three hours conversing with Lord Gulsamel concerning the route they were taking and the continuing course after landing at Brithombar. Now he was on his way to seek out those closest to him ere he departed early the next morn.
One of the guards had informed Glorfindel that Turgon was awaiting him at one of the parlor balconies in the main hall of the palace. Upon arriving, Glorfindel found Turgon as expected but he seemed to have disappointment written across his face.
"What is the matter, Turgon?" he asked when he came closer then noticed a letter in Turgon's hand. "What is that?"
"It is a message from Idril and Elrilya," Turgon informed him.
Glorfindel took the letter as he was offered it and began to read over it. The two young ellyth had taken a trip with several Sindar to the marshes in search of plants and flowers to cultivate closer to the city since the cliffs and mountainsides held little but shrubs and short grasses. They were planning on arriving home that same day but the letter was all that came. Turgon had expected they would return before Glorfindel left so that they could say goodbye. He did not send a correspondence to them about Glorfindel's decision due to the original plans. Now, according to the letter, it was not likely Idril and Elrilya would return to see him off.
"They have decided to extend their stay," Glorfindel said as he finished the final paragraph.
"It appears so," Turgon said with a sigh. "Would you like to delay the departure?"
"No, there are goods on board the ship that need a timely delivery or else they will spoil," Glorfindel said with a shake of his head. "Do not worry, my friend. I will not be gone for long. I am sure they will not be too dismayed at not seeing me off on my journeys."
"I hope not" replied Turgon. "Do not tarry for too long, we may forget you."
"I do not believe you will," Glorfindel laughed.
*
The sea air whipped the golden tendrils in front of Glorfindel's sight as the ship slipped out of the harbor. He pulled back the wayward strands of hair with his fingers as he scanned the shoreline. Aredhel and Turgon still stood on the dock among a crowd that had come to see the passengers off. Despite his words the night before, Glorfindel felt a small heaviness on his heart for not being able to say farewell to Idril and Elrilya. Somehow, he thought, I will make it up to them. He stood at the railing and gave one final wave to them as the dock slipped out of view.
Glossary
Nilmo: friend (male)
Nevrast: hither shores
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