#the sundering of the elves

Chapter I: Awakened (Pt. II)

“Above the coursing breeze blowing across the waters came the rising of voices. I noticed  Mîrwen had taken hold of my hand. It was the first time I had noticed how beautiful she was—the light of ten thousand stars shone in her eyes. I could not turn my gaze away—finding her beauty without equal among all others to me. She smiled at me.

“You are beautiful,” I said finally; my voice startling me when I first heard it. It was deep and resonating and I feared it wold frighten Mîrwen but she was not afraid.

“So are you,” she said softly—her voice to me was a melody I would forever be drawn.

We looked around as we stood among others as we—wandering in the paradise beneath the stars that cast their light as reflection and shadow upon the stillness of the lake by which we were born.

We were approached by one with long golden hair and grey eyes with a maiden at his side with dark golden hair longer still.

“I am Iarûr,” he said. “This is Nimríel.”

“There are many here before us,” I said. “Where do we settle?”

“Beyond here,” he began. “There lies a greater pace whispered among us yet none have dared wander.”

“There are many of us,” I said. They seem quite contented to remain here beside the waters.”

“Why not,” a voice asked. “I have found little reason to venture elsewhere. What do they call you? I am Êlengolas.”

“Iarûr,” he said to him.

“Where has Valdôr gone,” I asked.

“Not far,” he said. “His wonder has taken him among the hosts. There are many but by name we are not all the same.”

Nimríel seemed distant at those words and Mîrwen comforted her away from us as she instinctively knew something we did not.

“If there is a home beyond this place, let time tell us the way we should go,” I said. “For we were awakened her by the creator of the stars.”

We delighted in this and returned with our beloved wives to the shores where our kin had gathered. I lay beside Mîrwen gazing into starlight for a time without end. There was a peace I only knew that I would long for in the coming of days when the echoes of night would bring an evil that would extinguish the light of hope.”–TKWR Trilogy Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by J.Marie Miller 6-23-2017

Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.

Chapter I: Awakened (Pt. I)

“It was when I learned to speak that I could tell the story of our kin. I had awakened as Orothôn beneath the stars on the shores of Lake Cuiviénen. I took as my wife Mîrwen, one of most beautiful of the eldalië. The night was our home and it was lit with unimaginable wonder that in time would show itself to be as evil as it was good as time began its journey with us.

It was Mîrwen that made known to me my face. I was tall and had long golden hair with grey eyes filled with specks of blue. It would not be known to men until the coming of day. My countenance would not shine until the first rising of the moon.

As we began to rise, I found Êlengolas—standing to my stature with hair as mine but whose eyes were as cold water—clear and endless. With him was his wife Valdúmîr. Unlike many others, her eyes had had a color I would one day know as the color of the sky during the day and long white hair.

None of us wanted to leave the place of our awakening but as we pre prepared to to go to what we knew was more glorious, I met Valdôr and Finëar. They were as me and Êlengolas in stature and appearance—long golden hair and eyes of grey. Valdôr had for a wife Lothluin whom appeared far different. She was indeed beautiful but her long hair was darker than a starless night; her grey eyes had flecks of gold. Finëar had taken for a wife Nenduriel. She well was not as the others. Her long hair was the color of the earth and her eyes were blue and green.

Together, walked closely together until we were stopped. I realized then there would come into this world may things that would change it forever.”–TKWR Trilogy Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by J.Marie Miller 6-5-2017

Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.

Chapter I: Awakened (Pt. V)

“I love you,” Mîrwen whispered to me at long last.  

I had found myself staring at her face while she rested for a time.

“I am glad,” I said. “I love you, too.”

“Are you as happy as me,” she asked.

“I am not sure,” I said. “I do not know how happy you are.”

She kissed me tenderly and I felt a quaking run through my body.

“I am extraordinarily happy, Orothôn,” she said quietly.

“Then I am afraid I am far happier than you, Mîrwen.”

She smiled—her eyes seemed to sing to mine a love song only I could hear. Our gaze seems to take us away to a paradise beyond what was promised until it was disrupted by an elven maiden I did not recognize coming into our sanctuary. 

“Many pardons,” she said. “I was set by the Lady Orowen.”

“Nárwen,” Mîrwen said. “You have not yet met Orothôn. Nárwen is the wife of Galathil.”

I nodded uncomfortably as I had not risen to cover myself properly.

“I was present at your joining,” she began. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” I said softly as I tried to keep myself covered.

“What does mother want,” Mîrwen asked.

“She only said to send for you and your husband,” Nárwen said. “There are whispers among the Eldalië. I do not know what they are saying but it must be of great importance if it concerns Elwë.”

“Tell my mother and father we will come shortly, Nárwen,” she said, her voice trembling.

Nárwen bowed and left quickly.

“You are worried,” I said.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I know what is on the lips of the Eldalië.”

“Do you wish to tell me,” I asked.

“You have seen one whose sadness lingers in your mind even now,” she answered, as her gaze on me felt chilling. I did remember the maiden with pain in her eyes.

“The one that walked with your mother,” I said.

“She is Taurëa, wife of Lenwë,” she said. “Their son is Denethor. He is close to my brothers. Not all is as it seems, Orothôn. Not all of the Eldalië wish to go beyond the mountains.”.“Êlengolas spoke of that,” I remembered. “Long before we left the shores of Cuiviénen.”

“Many of us did leave,” she said. “There are some that remained. Something has hardened the heart of Lenwë causing discord between father and son.”

“I can see how that would pain Taurëa,” I said thinking.

Mîrwen took my hand and kissed it. She looked at me; her eyes full of tears.

“What will become of us, Orothôn,” she asked.

“Whatever comes, we will face it together,” I whispered as I kissed her forehead.

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

Once we were ready to leave our sanctuary, we emerged to an eerie calm. Nothing seemed out of place. Couplings surrounded the trees as we made our way to a sparsely occupied place where my new household held audience. When we were noticed, Galadhon approached us with another elf close behind.

“Orothôn,” he began. “I do not believe you have met Denethor, son of Lenwë.”

“No,” I answered, bowing to him. “It is an honor.”

“For me as well,” he said gleefully, turning to wife. “Lady Mîrwen, you are looking more beautiful than before. Love agrees with you.”

“And with you,” she answered. “May I inquire about Arethuil?”

“She is with Mother,” he said, his demeanor changing. “Both are with Orowen.”

“Then I shall join them,” Mîrwen said. “I will leave you to your ways.”

Galadhon and Denethor bowed as she left my side. I felt lonely—even with Galadhon standing beside me.

“Come, Orothôn,” he said. “As one of us, it is your right and obligation to attend council.”

We made our way toward a clearing the forest where I could see Elwë, Elmo and Lenwë sitting with other elves—Galathil among them. As we grew closer, we heard discussions.

“We must leave as quickly as we can,” Elmo said. “Beyond these mountains above us lies our path to Eldamar.”

“I do not understand why we must hasten westward on hope alone,” Lenwë argued. “If it was of urgency, we would have followed Ingwë, Finwë and your brother Olwë beyond this wood.”

“Our minds are our own, Lenwë,” Elwë answered. “This much is true. But we are not alone. As the chosen of our people, it is to them our thoughts must belong.”

“Whatever is decided,” Galadhon said. “May it be soon as Celebriel is quick with child.”

“That is wonderful, brother,” Galathil said upon our approach. “I am proud for you.”

“This is cause for celebration,“ Elwë said smiling. “My dear brother has started a legacy. May it last the ages.”

As we gave our blessing to Galadhon, I could see Lenwë fuming to himself. 

“Enough,” he finally said. “I will give you my decision upon our audience next.”

He stormed away, het his son did not follow. After moment of silence, a voice broke through the tension.

“So, my first born son is to become a father,”

It was Orowen with Taurëa, Nárwen, Mîrwen and two other maidens with whom I was not familiar.

“Yes, Nana,” Galadhon said as he took the hand of one of the three.

Celebriel was an elf of great beauty—her flawless skin was kissed by golden tendrils that fell effortlessly to her waist. The one Denethor went to was Arethuil—equally as beautiful with long golden hair and eyes clear as water. They seemed lost in each other; as they were the only ones in the world. Mîrwen approached me with a smile on her face.

“Arethuil, have you met Orothôn,” she asked. “I know Celebriel has yet to do so.”

They bowed reverently as Taurëa came to me.

“You are Orothôn,” she asked.

“Yes, My Lady,” I answered nervously.

“I see many great things that will come from you. A great many things.”

I had no words to say—her presence was overwhelming as Elwë’s.

“It is good to see you, Taurëa,” Elwë said.

“You are too kind, Elwë,” she said bowing.

“Where has Lenwë gone off to,” Orowen asked. “Was he not with you? Elwë? Elmo?”

“He was,” Elmo said. “He has taken his leave for a time.”

“You must go the way of the Eldalië,” Taurëa said. “No matter what may come of us.”

“What are you saying, Mother,” Denethor asked concerned.

“Your father has made his decision,” she said. “I will remain with him as his wife.” 

“You know these things to be true,” Elwë asked her.

“I know my husband, Elwë. I have made peace with the part of him that will not be moved. For better or for worse.” 

“Then I shall stay with my parents,” Denethor said angrily.

“No,” Taurëa answered, “You will go forth beyond the mountains as it is your destiny.”

Taurëa looked around—as to remember something long lost.

“When you leave,” she began. “Do not return to look for me.”

She turned away and left briskly in the direction of her husband. The she was gone, everyone seemed like they were searching for words to say.

“Go your way for now,” Elwë said. “Soon we shall depart for Eldamar."––TKWR Trilogy Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by J.Marie Miller 2-1-2018

Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.

WILD WOOD: All they knew of the Powers from the West were vague, frightening rumors. When they heard that most of their kin had left to follow the Hunter, the Unwilling mourned.