#nimeithel and valdúril

Chapter II: A Son is Born (Pt. III)

“I was resting in bed alone—Mîrwen left to attend her mother as she often would. I was lost in thought of nothing in particular when I heard quiet chatter nearby.

“This is my room,” a voice said. “I sleep here. They sleep there.”

“Mine, too,” another voice said. “Your ada is still in here.”

I slowly turned my head toward the voices. I saw two little heads coming towards me.

“Oropher and Eldôr,” I said softly. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“I am showing Eldôr my room, Ada,” he said looking up at me.

“It looks like mine,” Eldôr added.

“I can imagine,” I answered. I felt myself trying not to laugh at their curiosity. They were starting to grow quickly in this world under starlight—yet they seemed oblivious to the skies under which I awakened.

“May I ask why you are not with your mothers?”

“Nana is away,” Oropher answered. “She is with the others.”

“They are with the elfling,” Eldôr added.

I thought myself for moment. I could count on my fingers the newborns.

“Do you speak of Nimeithel,” I asked.

“No,” Oropher said teasing me.  "The new one.”

“There are two,” Eldôr said. “Remember?”

“Yes,” Oropher nodded. “Two elflings.”

“Might I enter,” asked a voice from outside.

“Enter, Valdôr,” I said.

“I see you have visitors,” he said as he entered. “Eldôr, your mother has been looking everywhere for you.”

“I am in here,” he answered.

“I had not noticed,” his father said. “Off with you.”

“And you as well,” I said to Oropher.

They ran out quickly.

“Were you looking for me?”

“Really, Orothôn,” Valdôr began sitting nearby. “There are two elves I can find at any moment if need be and neither one of them is my wife and son.”

“I hear there are newborns,” I said sitting up.

“Yes, Celebriel has had a son,” he said. “Valdúmîr a daughter.”

“Oh,” I said with a smile.

“Not a word,” Valdôr scolded. “Êlengolas cares not he now has two daughters; only that they are the most beautiful elflings he has ever seen.”

“Of course,” I answered. “Have you see either one?”

“I have Galathil,” he said.

“Galathil?”

“Yes, Galadhon named him after his brother at the behest of his wife.”

“They are close,” I said. “None closer I have seen.”

“Nor I,” Valdôr said.

I could tell something was on his mind.

“What are you to telling me,” I asked.

“Iarûr has said our time is nigh,” he whispered. “We are not long to leave this land.”

“And this displeases you, Valdôr?”

“That is not my concern,” he answered. “What concerns me was how he said it. As to say peril was upon us.”

He turned away as I rose to dress. When I was done he turned back.

“You know Iarûr has known things we will never comprehend, Valdôr. He would never lead us astray.”

“I know,” he added. “But that brings little comfort. Not since we long left Denethor behind.”

“Come, let us find Êlengolas,” I said.

He rose and we walked outside making our way toward where Êlengolas resided with his family. He was outside holding his newborn daughter while his first born pulled on his leg.

“I want to see,” Nimeithel said.

She was beautiful—her hair nearly white and her complexion just as fair.

“Quiet,” Êlengolas said. “You will wake your sister.”

“Might we have a look,” I asked

He proudly showed us a tiny bundle—barely a feature to behold waiting for time to reveal them.

“She is beautiful,” I whispered.

“I want to see,” Nimeithel cried. I bent down and picked her up. She gazed in wonder at her new sister.

“What do you call her,” Valdôr asked.

“Valdúril,” Êlengolas said. She takes after her mother as Nimeithel takes after me.”

Nimríel came out of Êlengolas’ dwelling.

“Give her to me,” she said.

Êlengolas carefully handed over his daughter to her as I put down the other. They went inside as we walked away.

“You told Orothôn of Galathil,” he asked Valdôr.

“I have,” he answered.

“He told me what Iarûr said,” I added.

He stopped abruptly and looked at me. His eyes seemed locked on me—his face stoic.

“So you have heard we will leave this place soon?”

“Yes.”

“Did Valdôr tell you why?”

I looked at Valdôr.

“I thought it wise for you to tell him, Êlengolas.”

“Tell me what,” I asked. I started to fear the answer.

“Círdan has moved on from here,” he began. “He left alone—the others remain with us.”

“He left without a word,” I asked.

“Yes, but not without direction.”

“Elmo believes he will lead us to Elwë,” Valdôr said.

“Do you know for certain,” I asked.

“Eäros said he is very close with Elwë,” Êlengolas answered. “If anyone would know where Elwë can be found, it would be Círdan.”

“But if he has gone, how will we find either of them,” I asked.

They looked at one another as to know the answer would frighten me.

“Elmo knows where his brother resides,” Êlengolas said. “He remains tethered to this world.”

“He waits for us, then,” I  asked.

“No,” Valdôr said. “He waits for no one.”

“I do not understand,” I said.

Êlengolas looked toward the west.

“We are about to come into his kingdom.”

He looked at me and I knew we would never see Eldamar.”–TKWR Trilogy Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by Jaynaé Marie Miller 4-20-2018

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.