Chapter V: The Coming of Time (Pt. II)The walk to Menegroth was one of mourning—our heads bowe

Chapter V: The Coming of Time (Pt. II)

The walk to Menegroth was one of mourning—our heads bowed in silent procession. My thoughts were many; blurred by tears and heartache. How could I face Lothluin? What would I say to Valdôr’s son?

“How did he fall,” I whispered to Êlengolas. “How did Valdôr fall?”

“Bravely,” he whispered back. “That is all anyone needs to know.”

“What do I say to Lothluin,” I asked.

“Why is it your burden to bear, Orothôn,” he asked. “Let those that witnessed his death tell his wife and son.”

“You,” I asked. “Were you there?”

Êlengolas sighed deeply.

“I was,” he started. “It is my burden to bear. My daughter wed his son. Even now, I do not know if this ware will make either of my daughters widows but I have seen it make many—not the least of those, Lothluin. But I will do what I must. Valdôr was one of my dearest friends.”

I could hear him trying to hold back tears as spoke. I could not imagine what he had seen and I dared not ask him. We walked the rest of the way to Menegroth in silence. As we made our way toward the bridge, the distant sounds of howls and screams seemed to further destroy any hope we had left.

Galathil started to lead the few survivors of Ossiriand found alive—a small mingling of a few strong men, maidens and several elflings—toward the gates. We prepared to cross behind when a light illuminated the darkness from out of the West. King Thingol and Elmo ran through the soldiers to see. It was a flickering light with plumes as dark as a starless night rising into the Heavens.

“What is this,” Elmos asked his brother.

“It is the end of all of us,” King Things said. “Into Menegroth!”

We made our way across the bridge and through the gates as quickly as we could. Once inside, the ladies came to us frantically. In the confusion, Mîrwen found and embraced me.

“You returned,” she said.

“Yes, I said, dropping my sword. “I am one of the few.”

She looked at me—her eyes filling with tears as she followed my gaze to Êlengolas speaking with Lothluin. She fell into the arms of Valdúmîr. Mîrwen turned away.

“Is there word from the borders,” I asked.

“None,” she said. “I cannot bear the silence.”

I said nothing as my concern turned to Oropher. I knew we would both die of despair at the loss of our son.

“Go to Lothluin,” I said. “I will see you in our chambers after a while.”

Mîrwen nodded. I kissed her forehead and made my way down to the armory with the others. As I took off my armor, I somehow began to want to return to it. I sat down beside it on the wooden bench the length of the room. I felt a sensation foreign to me—a weakness ran through me and I desired to sleep as a newborn elfling. Êlengolas sat beside me looking as weary as I felt.

“How is Lothluin,” I asked. Even my voice felt tired.

“I know not her thoughts but her heart is broken,” he answered. “She waits for word of Eldôr with Valdúril. His return will give her hope.”

“It will give me some hope as well,” I said. “I know where he is, Oropher is not far. They are closer than brothers.”

“I believe they will return,” Êlengolas said. “They are too headstrong to die. Especially Oropher.”

I laughed—it seemed a lifetime since I had.

“True,” I said. “Oropher can be stubborn.”

“That is why I allowed him to marry Nimeithel. I knew with him she would always be safe.”

I smiled at Êlengolas. I put my hand on his shoulder.

“They will return.”

**** **** **** ****

Once I was bathed and dressed properly for court, I made my way towards my chambers. I thought of all the things I had seen in battle and wondered if there would come a time when such things would become only memory. When I reached the main hall, things were much quieter—only a few elves lingered near the gates. I turned to go to my chambers when I saw Iarûr and his wife Nimríel outside Finëar’s chambers.

“Is something the matter,” I asked. It had been some time since I heard from Finëar or his wife Nenduriel.

“You have nothing to fear, Orothôn,” Iarûr said. “Finëar is fine if but a bit rattled.”

“He was appointed to assist Iarûr in chronicling the war,” Nimríel said. “He has just returned from the western borders of Doriath.”

“Is that not where Oropher was sent,” I asked.

“I do not know,” Iarûr answered. “But I have not heard from my other chroniclers of yet. I suspect they will return soon.”

“We can only hope,” I said quietly. I continued on my way.

When I came to my chambers, I entered to find Mîrwen with Nimeithel.

“How are you, Nimeithel,” I asked her. She looked frightened though I knew the reason why.

“I was with Lothluin and my sister,” she began. “I cannot imagine how it must be to lose a husband.”

“And you will not know,” I said. “Nor will Valdúril. I know they will return.”

“Why are you so sure,” Mîrwen asked. “Is there word?”

“I know Oropher,” I said attempting to sound hopeful. “He is a strong and formidable warrior.”

“What evil did you see,” Nimeithel asked. “What evil will Oropher face?”

I did not want to tell her in fear of frightening both of them.

“They are strong, but he is stronger,” I said.

They stared at me—their eyes cutting through me like a sword through an orc. I could see my answer was less than acceptable.

“Orothôn, tell us what you have seen,” Mîrwen demanded sternly.

“What I saw I cannot describe in words you would understand,” I answered. “These creatures are beyond explanation.”

Nimeithel began to cry as Mîrwen comforted her. I felt guilty for saying anything at all. I sat down on the bed and watched them from across the room. The true horrors of Ossiriand were still fresh in my mind. I began to doubt my son would return. A knock came to our door.

“Enter,” I said, still deep in thought. It was Galathil.

“Orothôn, come,” he said.

I rose from the bed, looked at my wife and Nimeithel and feared the worst. We left quickly without a word. Once in the hall, we began walking swiftly toward the Great Hall.

“My son,” I began. “Is he dead?”

“I do not know,” Galathil began. “No one knows where he is.”

I stopped abruptly. Galathil motioned to me.

“What do you mean no one knows where he is?”

“He left his post,” he said. “Or that is what I was told.”

“What you were told,” I said angrily. “Who told you this?”

Galathil came to me.

“Amdir was with him and Eldôr at the start. Come with me, Orothôn. You may ask him yourself.”

I nodded and we continued on. Once we reached the hall, I realized a few elves had started to return from the borders. We found Amdir among them with his wife Anadriel.

“Go to my mother,” Amdir whispered to her. “I must speak with Father.”

She nodded and left us.

“What do you know of Oropher,” I asked.

“He left us not long after we were attacked,” he began. “He and Eldôr followed Aúrion to the southern borders.”

“Aúrion,” Galathil asked puzzled. “Was he not with Círdan in Eglarest?”

“No,” Amdir answered. “He came with Eäros. He collapsed by the gates.”

“What was he doing in battle then,” I asked.

“It was not fighting,” he said. “He was looking for anyone to go with him back to Eglarest.”

“With the blessing of Thingol,” Galathil asked.

“I do not know,” Amdir answered. “I only saw Oropher and Eldôr leave with him. Whether they were able to pass beyond the border I cannot say.”

I felt fear and anger—fear for Oropher’s well-being and angry at his actions.

“I need to find my son,” I said to myself.

“Where would you begin to look,” Galathil asked. “You have barely ventured anywhere save Ossiriand as it is. The Queen will not allow you to pass for such a journey. Not while those creatures remain anywhere near.”

“Then how would Aúrion get into Doriath or lead anyone out,” I asked, my voice growing louder. Before I could say another word, Celeborn entered excitedly.

“Ada,” he yelled, looking for Galadhon. He saw us and ran over. “Uncle, where is Father?”

“I have not seen him for some time,” Galathil told him. “Perhaps he is with your mother. What is wrong?”

“You must come outside,” he said. “There is something in the sky.”

“In the sky,” Amdir asked. “Are you mad, cousin?”

“Galathil saw it, too,” he answered.

“What is going on,” Elmo asked coming to us. “Celeborn, what are you going on about?”

“It is in the sky,” a familiar voice said. We looked to see Oropher standing with Eldôr.

“Oropher,” Amdir said smiling as he went to him. “Where have you been?”

I just stood there in disbelief.

“I told you they would return,” Êlengolas said as he passed on his way outside.

Oropher walked over to me and embraced me.

“You came home,” he whispered. “I knew you would. Come, see.”

I was too relieved to scold my only child. Out of curiosity, I made my way into the darkness. The world had changed. A faint light illuminated the earth with an ethereal glow. Without a thought, we walked beyond the gates and westwardly until we could see the light from what we would call the moon—rising slowly at the farthest point beyond where we had awakened. The faint sound of horns was heard and the rumblings that once shook us in tear seemed nothing compared to what would come to us not long after.

Images: ©2001, 2002, 2003. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. All Rights Reserved.