Categories > Books > Lord of the Rings > Eternal
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Chapter Thirty-Nine: Somen
Time had passed quickly for Glorfindel and Elrilya in the bliss of their new home and before they knew it, the day of their binding came to pass on its thirtieth year. Elrilya's presence made Gondolin that much more comfortable during Glorfindel's stay. The growing city was no longer a place of business to oversee anymore but was finally becoming home. Having an entire house to themselves was daunting at first, having been accustomed to only having a bedroom, adjoining sitting room, and a bathing chamber.
Not long did it take for Elrilya to add her charm to the decorative interior. With Glorfindel's help and insight they had made themselves a cozy abode that was not overly lavish but not too simplistic either. The sitting room had a couple of sofas, armchairs with lamp tables, and flowing drapery sprayed out in front of a large fireplace, which made for a wonderful entertaining area. Paintings adorned the walls of meadows and green hillsides very much like that of Valinor from which they came. A cooking nook nearby the small dining area allowed for intimate, quiet meals to be prepared and enjoyed when communal dining in large company was not desired.
However, the master bedroom was certainly the preferred and much loved hideaway for the couple. A grand sleigh bed carved and built out of warm cherry wood stood prominently opposite another, smaller fireplace. Soft linens threaded in the looms of the Sindar slid comfortingly and smoothly against the skin when sleeping or lounging. A magnificent doorway of large wooden doors with square panes of glass covering most of their lengths to let in all of light Anar offered. On the other side of the doors was a long, open balcony that faced the west and had two comfortable lounging chairs and a matching table for outside meals if they wished. Many a late afternoons they found themselves enjoying the rays of Anar as the round, golden orb disappeared below the Crissaegrim mountaintops.
A settled life with their home and being able to stay with each other for a few decades of time rather than a ten year period every so often as had been custom for a while. Glorfindel would be leaving soon to return to Vinyamar to finalize the last preparations to bring Turgon's people to their waiting city. It was also near time for Elrilya's begetting day and Glorfindel wanted to give her a gift but he did not wish to give her materialistic presents like that given by other spouses he had seen. The perfect idea came to him one day when Glorfindel spoke with one of his soldiers and the timing worked well to his advantage.
On the eve of her begetting day and after finishing his duties for the day, Glorfindel took a detour on his way home. He knew by the time he arrived home, Elrilya would be there, no longer attending to her own post. He found her preparing their evening meal in the cooking area when he arrived and, smiling to himself, Glorfindel wondered at the expectation of surprise he had in store for her.
"Elrilya," he called to her from the open archway into the kitchen.
"Mara sinyë, meldon," she greeted, glancing up from cutting vegetables. "The meal should be done in less than an hour."
"I have a gift for you," he said, staying slightly in the archway. "For tomorrow."
"You did not have to get me anything," she said walking toward him.
They had agreed years before that the best present they could give each other would be to commemorate any special days in the presence of the other. However, Glorfindel felt like spoiling his love this year. As Elrilya came closer to him, he brought out his arm he had kept behind his back. The way her eyes lit up was all the thanks and joy he needed to keep him happy for many years to come.
"He is beautiful!" Elrilya exclaimed as she took the little gold-bronze puppy in her arms. "What is his name?"
"I thought we could choose one together," he said, his eyes flashing intensely as his whole soul heartened as it usually did whenever he knew Elrilya was happy.
"Thank you," she said, kissing him tenderly.
*
Days passed without thought and barely a season's change was marked in the hidden valley where time seemed to stand still. It had seemed like their thirtieth year from binding had come quickly but when their thirty-fifth had passed and the fortieth well on the way, Glorfindel realized duty called to him as the day of Turgon's arrival to Gondolin came near. The golden lord would be making one final journey to Vinyamar to escort his king to the city he had envisioned building almost a century before.
The day of Glorfindel's departure dawned warm and clear one summer day and he awoke to find himself not wanting to leave the paradise and harmony he was with in bed. Elrilya's warm frame was curled into his embrace, the contours of her body molded against his own. Glorfindel's arm was wrapped around her and held down fast by her own. Sunlight filtered in through the semi-drawn curtain, laying a slice of light over their intertwined bodies covered by a thing sheet.
Elrilya shifted in her sleep, sighing as she pressed her bare, round bottom against his groin. Glorfindel grumbled to himself as he stretched out but sighed with a touch of minor annoyance when his foot hit a heavy obstruction. He glanced at the end of the bed to find Váremo stretched across the bed's width. Despite picking up training fast and well, Váremo never bothered listening to Glorfindel's rule that he could not sleep on the bed. The canine was many years old but since his lineage was that of the long-lived, courageous hounds of Valinor, Váremo was still very much a puppy. Softly prodding Váremo, Glorfindel encouraged the drowsy pup to hop off the bed with a lazy groan then watched as he plodded sleepily through the opening in the curtain, through the open door, and out to the balcony to sleep in the sunlight.
Turning back to Elrilya, Glorfindel pulled her tighter against him as he snuggled his face into her hair, breathing in the reality of her close to him. She began to stretch as consciousness soon pulled her out of her sleep and held fast to Glorfindel's arms that held her. He drifted a soft kiss across her lips as she turned her face to see him.
"Mmm... it is too nice here with you," she said. "Do you truly have to leave?"
"One must awaken sometime," he responded. "Especially when one must go to fetch the King to see his city."
"Turgon can wait a mere few days more," Elrilya said, turning to face him and laying her head upon his chest.
"I fear that is not possible," Glorfindel chuckled. "His latest letter to me showed his great eagerness in seeing what has been accomplished here."
"That I could tell when he first gave me my assigned leave to come here," she said with a sigh. "He seemed almost envious!"
"Not surprising in the least," Glorfindel smiled as he settled beside Elrilya. "Though he shall see soon what he has wanted for so long."
*
"Everything has been packed and stored into the wagons," Glorfindel said as he approached Turgon. "We are ready to leave when you are."
Glorfindel watched his friend quietly as the Noldori king's eyes scanned the horizon, seemingly searching or communing with an unseen presence. They stood at a precipice along the cliffs of coastline near Vinyamar not far from where the large host of Turgon's citizens and his family waited to start on their journey. Even many of Fingolfin's own people had decided to join their king's son to the hidden city as well as many of the Sindar in the surrounding regions, creating a large host for the grand city. All were anxious to depart; even the king himself, yet here he stood longingly looking out over the seemingly unending sea.
"I believe I am now," Turgon said with a sigh, taking one more glance over the water. "Mara mesta, Elenwë."
With one last exhale; he stepped away with a weight upon him. Turgon took his horse from Glorfindel, who held the steed along with his own. The two elves both effortlessly mounted and headed toward the great troop waiting.
"My heart does not wish to leave this place but I know it is for the best and meant for a reason," the king said to Glorfindel. "Even she seems to tell me to leave this shore... away from her."
"Do not worry, Turgon," Glorfindel assured him. "You will meet her again one day."
"I know," he said. "Yet I still feel as if I am abandoning her once more."
"Nay, you are not," Glorfindel assured him. "She would want you to do what you must, even if it meant you would leave her behind."
"Elenwë would put her faith in the words of Ulmo if he spoke to her," Turgon replied. "That is why I must do this, not just for her but for the Valar who have come to me."
Glorfindel nodded sympathetically, "Though, I do not understand why Ulmo would wish for you to leave the helm, armor, and weapons."
"The Valar are strange in their ways sometimes," Turgon said. "He told me it would be a sign one day when one bearing what I have left would come before me."
"Odd indeed," Glorfindel agreed. "I hope we may learn its purpose soon."
The two sped up their cantering horses as they neared the head of the troop, taking them on to the hidden city.
*
The dark passage of the cave soon opened up before them to sunlight and Turgon beheld the sight of Ondolindë, Gondolin, the city of his dreams and design. The sudden brightness blinded them all but as they began to become accustomed to the day, the sparkling white walls and towers of the city came into view. It was even more majestic than the king thought he could ever have envisioned. Waterfalls of cascading crystal blue water fell from the heights of the white walls to form rivers that spread out along the valley floor. The green grass plains of the valley opened up before them welcoming and inviting around the city and spread out wide around the final group to pass through on its way to Gondolin.
"You have made me happier than you could ever imagine, Glorfindel," Turgon said as they led the group down the road leading to the city gates, watching the line of citizenry ahead of them file in under the archways. "Well done indeed!"
"Do not thank me," Glorfindel said. "I was not the only one laboring in making this happen."
As they finally entered the city, the crowds of those already abiding there came out to greet them and cheer for their beloved king for creating a wonderful place for them to live out their lives. Turgon felt a merriment rise within him as he noticed Elrilya run up to Glorfindel's side, being pulled up by her beloved into his waiting arms whereupon he gladly bestowed an unchaste but loving kiss. However, Turgon's heart sobered a little though he tried not to show it on his face as he was reminded of the words Ulmo spoke to him before his departure from Vinyamar.
"'Thus it may come to pass,' he said, 'that the curse of the Noldor shall find thee too ere the end, and treason awake within thy walls. Then they shall be in peril of fire."*
* Excerpt from Tolkien's The Silmarillion, "Of The Noldor In Beleriand", page 126
Glossary
Somen: away to another place
Mara sinyë: good evening (Quenya)
Váremo: one who protects (Quenya)
Meldon: beloved
Mara Mesta: good bye (Quenya)
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Somen
Time had passed quickly for Glorfindel and Elrilya in the bliss of their new home and before they knew it, the day of their binding came to pass on its thirtieth year. Elrilya's presence made Gondolin that much more comfortable during Glorfindel's stay. The growing city was no longer a place of business to oversee anymore but was finally becoming home. Having an entire house to themselves was daunting at first, having been accustomed to only having a bedroom, adjoining sitting room, and a bathing chamber.
Not long did it take for Elrilya to add her charm to the decorative interior. With Glorfindel's help and insight they had made themselves a cozy abode that was not overly lavish but not too simplistic either. The sitting room had a couple of sofas, armchairs with lamp tables, and flowing drapery sprayed out in front of a large fireplace, which made for a wonderful entertaining area. Paintings adorned the walls of meadows and green hillsides very much like that of Valinor from which they came. A cooking nook nearby the small dining area allowed for intimate, quiet meals to be prepared and enjoyed when communal dining in large company was not desired.
However, the master bedroom was certainly the preferred and much loved hideaway for the couple. A grand sleigh bed carved and built out of warm cherry wood stood prominently opposite another, smaller fireplace. Soft linens threaded in the looms of the Sindar slid comfortingly and smoothly against the skin when sleeping or lounging. A magnificent doorway of large wooden doors with square panes of glass covering most of their lengths to let in all of light Anar offered. On the other side of the doors was a long, open balcony that faced the west and had two comfortable lounging chairs and a matching table for outside meals if they wished. Many a late afternoons they found themselves enjoying the rays of Anar as the round, golden orb disappeared below the Crissaegrim mountaintops.
A settled life with their home and being able to stay with each other for a few decades of time rather than a ten year period every so often as had been custom for a while. Glorfindel would be leaving soon to return to Vinyamar to finalize the last preparations to bring Turgon's people to their waiting city. It was also near time for Elrilya's begetting day and Glorfindel wanted to give her a gift but he did not wish to give her materialistic presents like that given by other spouses he had seen. The perfect idea came to him one day when Glorfindel spoke with one of his soldiers and the timing worked well to his advantage.
On the eve of her begetting day and after finishing his duties for the day, Glorfindel took a detour on his way home. He knew by the time he arrived home, Elrilya would be there, no longer attending to her own post. He found her preparing their evening meal in the cooking area when he arrived and, smiling to himself, Glorfindel wondered at the expectation of surprise he had in store for her.
"Elrilya," he called to her from the open archway into the kitchen.
"Mara sinyë, meldon," she greeted, glancing up from cutting vegetables. "The meal should be done in less than an hour."
"I have a gift for you," he said, staying slightly in the archway. "For tomorrow."
"You did not have to get me anything," she said walking toward him.
They had agreed years before that the best present they could give each other would be to commemorate any special days in the presence of the other. However, Glorfindel felt like spoiling his love this year. As Elrilya came closer to him, he brought out his arm he had kept behind his back. The way her eyes lit up was all the thanks and joy he needed to keep him happy for many years to come.
"He is beautiful!" Elrilya exclaimed as she took the little gold-bronze puppy in her arms. "What is his name?"
"I thought we could choose one together," he said, his eyes flashing intensely as his whole soul heartened as it usually did whenever he knew Elrilya was happy.
"Thank you," she said, kissing him tenderly.
*
Days passed without thought and barely a season's change was marked in the hidden valley where time seemed to stand still. It had seemed like their thirtieth year from binding had come quickly but when their thirty-fifth had passed and the fortieth well on the way, Glorfindel realized duty called to him as the day of Turgon's arrival to Gondolin came near. The golden lord would be making one final journey to Vinyamar to escort his king to the city he had envisioned building almost a century before.
The day of Glorfindel's departure dawned warm and clear one summer day and he awoke to find himself not wanting to leave the paradise and harmony he was with in bed. Elrilya's warm frame was curled into his embrace, the contours of her body molded against his own. Glorfindel's arm was wrapped around her and held down fast by her own. Sunlight filtered in through the semi-drawn curtain, laying a slice of light over their intertwined bodies covered by a thing sheet.
Elrilya shifted in her sleep, sighing as she pressed her bare, round bottom against his groin. Glorfindel grumbled to himself as he stretched out but sighed with a touch of minor annoyance when his foot hit a heavy obstruction. He glanced at the end of the bed to find Váremo stretched across the bed's width. Despite picking up training fast and well, Váremo never bothered listening to Glorfindel's rule that he could not sleep on the bed. The canine was many years old but since his lineage was that of the long-lived, courageous hounds of Valinor, Váremo was still very much a puppy. Softly prodding Váremo, Glorfindel encouraged the drowsy pup to hop off the bed with a lazy groan then watched as he plodded sleepily through the opening in the curtain, through the open door, and out to the balcony to sleep in the sunlight.
Turning back to Elrilya, Glorfindel pulled her tighter against him as he snuggled his face into her hair, breathing in the reality of her close to him. She began to stretch as consciousness soon pulled her out of her sleep and held fast to Glorfindel's arms that held her. He drifted a soft kiss across her lips as she turned her face to see him.
"Mmm... it is too nice here with you," she said. "Do you truly have to leave?"
"One must awaken sometime," he responded. "Especially when one must go to fetch the King to see his city."
"Turgon can wait a mere few days more," Elrilya said, turning to face him and laying her head upon his chest.
"I fear that is not possible," Glorfindel chuckled. "His latest letter to me showed his great eagerness in seeing what has been accomplished here."
"That I could tell when he first gave me my assigned leave to come here," she said with a sigh. "He seemed almost envious!"
"Not surprising in the least," Glorfindel smiled as he settled beside Elrilya. "Though he shall see soon what he has wanted for so long."
*
"Everything has been packed and stored into the wagons," Glorfindel said as he approached Turgon. "We are ready to leave when you are."
Glorfindel watched his friend quietly as the Noldori king's eyes scanned the horizon, seemingly searching or communing with an unseen presence. They stood at a precipice along the cliffs of coastline near Vinyamar not far from where the large host of Turgon's citizens and his family waited to start on their journey. Even many of Fingolfin's own people had decided to join their king's son to the hidden city as well as many of the Sindar in the surrounding regions, creating a large host for the grand city. All were anxious to depart; even the king himself, yet here he stood longingly looking out over the seemingly unending sea.
"I believe I am now," Turgon said with a sigh, taking one more glance over the water. "Mara mesta, Elenwë."
With one last exhale; he stepped away with a weight upon him. Turgon took his horse from Glorfindel, who held the steed along with his own. The two elves both effortlessly mounted and headed toward the great troop waiting.
"My heart does not wish to leave this place but I know it is for the best and meant for a reason," the king said to Glorfindel. "Even she seems to tell me to leave this shore... away from her."
"Do not worry, Turgon," Glorfindel assured him. "You will meet her again one day."
"I know," he said. "Yet I still feel as if I am abandoning her once more."
"Nay, you are not," Glorfindel assured him. "She would want you to do what you must, even if it meant you would leave her behind."
"Elenwë would put her faith in the words of Ulmo if he spoke to her," Turgon replied. "That is why I must do this, not just for her but for the Valar who have come to me."
Glorfindel nodded sympathetically, "Though, I do not understand why Ulmo would wish for you to leave the helm, armor, and weapons."
"The Valar are strange in their ways sometimes," Turgon said. "He told me it would be a sign one day when one bearing what I have left would come before me."
"Odd indeed," Glorfindel agreed. "I hope we may learn its purpose soon."
The two sped up their cantering horses as they neared the head of the troop, taking them on to the hidden city.
*
The dark passage of the cave soon opened up before them to sunlight and Turgon beheld the sight of Ondolindë, Gondolin, the city of his dreams and design. The sudden brightness blinded them all but as they began to become accustomed to the day, the sparkling white walls and towers of the city came into view. It was even more majestic than the king thought he could ever have envisioned. Waterfalls of cascading crystal blue water fell from the heights of the white walls to form rivers that spread out along the valley floor. The green grass plains of the valley opened up before them welcoming and inviting around the city and spread out wide around the final group to pass through on its way to Gondolin.
"You have made me happier than you could ever imagine, Glorfindel," Turgon said as they led the group down the road leading to the city gates, watching the line of citizenry ahead of them file in under the archways. "Well done indeed!"
"Do not thank me," Glorfindel said. "I was not the only one laboring in making this happen."
As they finally entered the city, the crowds of those already abiding there came out to greet them and cheer for their beloved king for creating a wonderful place for them to live out their lives. Turgon felt a merriment rise within him as he noticed Elrilya run up to Glorfindel's side, being pulled up by her beloved into his waiting arms whereupon he gladly bestowed an unchaste but loving kiss. However, Turgon's heart sobered a little though he tried not to show it on his face as he was reminded of the words Ulmo spoke to him before his departure from Vinyamar.
"'Thus it may come to pass,' he said, 'that the curse of the Noldor shall find thee too ere the end, and treason awake within thy walls. Then they shall be in peril of fire."*
* Excerpt from Tolkien's The Silmarillion, "Of The Noldor In Beleriand", page 126
Glossary
Somen: away to another place
Mara sinyë: good evening (Quenya)
Váremo: one who protects (Quenya)
Meldon: beloved
Mara Mesta: good bye (Quenya)
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