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 a 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 firstborn 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 knowing 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.
**** **** **** ****
It was not until later I would have a moment to speak with Mîrwen. My mind lingered on what Valdôr and Êlengolas had said and I had questions she could answer. As I entered our home, Mîrwen and another elleth were trying to dry Oropher after his bath. When he saw me, their task proved futile.
“Ada,” he said running to me. “We saw a wilwarin!”
“You did,” I asked as he leaped into my arms.
“Yes, and it went up,” he said pointing upward barely missing my nose.
“Amareth,” Mîrwen sighed. “Please.”
The golden-haired maiden rose up and came to retrieve my wet sone from my arms. I sat in the corner watching them prepare Oropher for the night—with great trouble. I tried to keep my amusement to myself but was given a sharp glare from Mîrwen. When Oropher was in his nightclothes, Mîrwen stood up and motioned for me to follow her outside as Amareth put our son down.
“I see my struggles amuse you, Orothôn,” she said beneath her breath.
“On the contrary,” I said trying not to laugh. “I found our son’s exuberance entertaining.”
Mîrwen gave me such a look, I could feel the point of a blade run through me.
“What have you done save wonder about with Valdôr and Êlengolas.”
My mood began to turn as dark as hers.
“What I did was learn what you failed to tell me, Mîrwen.”
“What have I failed to tell you,” she asked. “You are my husband. I tell you everything.”
“Except that we are not leaving this world.”
She looked puzzled as she sat down on a seat I made for us.
“I do not understand.”
“You did not know Círdan had left seeking Elwë?”
“No,” she said. I could tell she was telling the truth—she looked worried.
“Valdôr told me that Elwë lingers in this world and your father knows where he resides.”
He has said nothing to me nor a word to Mother.”
“Nothing to Galadhon or Galathil,” I asked as I sat down beside her.
“I would not know, but they do not seem to know any more than I do.”
“Forgive me,” I whispered. “I am sorry I doubted you.”
She smiled.
“You are not sorry about my trouble with our son.”
“How could you think I would find that amusing?”
“Orothôn.”
“Perhaps a little,” I said. I kissed her. “Very little.”
Just then, Amareth emerged from our home.
“Oropher is sleeping, My Lady,” she said.
“You are dismissed for now,” Mîrwen said. I will call upon you at his rising.”
She bowed to us and left swiftly.
“Might I inquire about his maiden?”
“You might,” Mîrwen began as she rose and took my hand. “For now, I wish to spend some time with my husband.”
I followed her inside. Behind a divider, she paused to kiss Oropher’s forehead as I prepared for bed. Shortly, she appeared on the opposite side of the divider and joined me. I took her in my arms.
“I am afraid, Orothôn,” she whispered.
“What frightens you?”
“I fear what comes,” she answered. “What will become of us should we linger in this world?”
“Tell me what you see,” I said. Her eyes were filling with tears and her lips quivered.
“Darkness and death,” she said crying softly. “I do not want to live in this world without you.”
“I would never leave you and Oropher,” I said wiping her tears away. “I could never leave you, Mîrwen.”
“Not on your own,” she sobbed. “Someone will take you from me.”
I held her closer—desperately trying to console her.
“Mîrwen,” I whispered. “Please.”
She looked into my eyes as she tried to smile for me. Our lips met between wisps of anticipation.
“Orothôn, take these thoughts from me.”
**** **** **** ****
As we lay in each other’s arms, I could not help but feel something stood watch over us. I slowly turned my head.
“Ada,” Oropher said loudly enough to startle me.
“Whisper, Oropher,” I said.
“Ada,” he repeated softly.
“Yes,” I asked.
“What are you and Nana doing?”
“Resting,” I answered. “What are you doing?”
“Waiting for you to stop resting,” he said smiling.
“Oropher, how long have you been waiting for me and Nana to stop resting?”
He paused to think as I began to worry.
“Not long,” he said. “Just now.”
I sighed deeply and reached for my robe nearby. As I rose from bed, I quickly replaced the linens with the robe. I looked to see Mîrwen quietly resting motionless. I picked up Oropher.
“What are we to do,” I asked him.
“I am hungry,” he said.
“So am I,” I answered placing him on a table as I reached for my clothes. Once I was dressed, I noticed my son was still in his nightclothes I looked around when Mîrween appeared holding a neatly folded shirt and trousers.
“Looking for these,” she asked.
I said nothing as she began to dress Oropher. Not long, Amareth entered and bowed.
“Go with Amareth,” she instructed Oropher.
Obediently, he jumped down from his perch and left with our lady.
“Mother said I required ladies to attend to our household,” she began as she embraced me. “Amareth was appointed to the task of caring for Oropher.”
“All well and good,” I began. “Why would you require ladies?”
Mîrwen’s cheery expression melted away as her gaze fell to the ground.
“What are you keeping from me,” I demanded.
“We are expected to dine with Father and Mother,” she said.
She looked toward the door. “Enter.”
Four elves entered—two maids and two men. In a whirlwind, they separated us and went to work dressing us. When they were finished, they bowed and left swiftly. Without noticing what I was wearing, I became spellbound by Mîrwen’s beauty. She wore a long white dress with silver detail that seemed like the stars above us. Upon her head was a circlet of silver. It was then I realized my attire resembled hers and I, too, wore a circlet.
“Shall we leave,” I asked.
She nodded and we walked into our world. No sooner had we left our doorframe did elves appear on either side of us begin bowing. They had created a long path by which to follow. As we came closer to its end, I noticed Elmo and Orowen overlooking their court. Beside them stood Galadhon and Galathil with their spouses. Dressed in white and adorned with silver, they proudly awaited us to arrive. At the very end stood Iarûr, Valdôr, Êlengolas and Finëar and their spouses. We stopped before Elmo and Orowen and we bowed reverently.
“Come, let us dine,” Elmo said smiling.
We followed them to an elaborate dining hall within an enormous thicket. Lanterns from branches shone as stars come to earth. Once seated, elves brought to us fantastic dishes I had never tasted until that moment. There was much merriment for a time when the atmosphere was interrupted by a single voice.
“Where is Elwë?”
It was Mîrwen. All fell silent.
“Pardon,” Elmo asked.
“Where is your brother, my uncle? I know he remains in this world.”
Orowen looked at Elmo—her stare felt around the table.
“It is true, Mîrwen,” Elmo began. “He remains here but for good reason.”
“What good reason could there be,” Orowen asked angrily.
“Father, “ Galadhon said. “We are not to leave this world?”
Elmo stood up and looked around at us. I saw sadness in his eyes.
“He is my brother,” he said softly. With those words, he left us. Orowen quickly went after him as Galadhon whispered to me from across the table.
“Celebriel is with child again. I had hoped one of my children would come int the other world, but now it is not to be.”
Celebriel took his hand. I rose from the table and made my way into the eternal twilight I had awakened. It was still—no breeze blew. I heard voices near the home of Elmo and Orowen. When I saw them, I hid behind a tree.
“You could not tell your wife of your plans,” Orowen asked.
“I had to know the truth,” he said, his voice distraught. “I needed to know where he was so that I might convince him to leave with us.”
“He will not leave this world, Elmo,” she said. “This you know too well.”
“How would I know,” he asked. “I do not have your gift of foresight, Orowen.”
“Nor do you have the gift of hindsight! You will condemn generations of the Eldalië over one lost soul that you know will never join the other that he has forsaken.”
“How would you know what is in his heart,” Elmo growled.
“What is in his heart is not you or Olwë,” she answered. “We both know he remains for love but glory as well. That will bring a darkness that will plague this world. If you wish to brave such folly, you will do it alone!”
“Please, Orowen,” he begged. “I cannot bear the thought of eternity without you.”
She paused a moment—she sensed my presence but said nothing of it.
“I will remain as long as you wish,” she said. “For as long as it takes to convince Elwë to leave this world.”
“Should I fail,” Elmo began. “Then I will leave this place with you and our family. You have my word.”
Orowen nodded as Elmo kissed her hand and made his way toward the banquet.
“Come to me, Orothôn,” she said.
I slowly came from behind the tree and approached her.
“Forgive me,” I whispered
“What have you done to ask for forgiveness?”
“I do not know,” I said meekly.
“You are the bearer of kings, Orothôn,” she said to me. “Perhaps there is hope for this world even as I shall not see it. For this, I am glad.”
She kissed my cheek and smiled. I bowed to her and she turned from me and entered her home. I felt light-headed and heavy-hearted. What I had heard left me with dreams I could not find hope to have.
I made my way toward home alone—the path I once took was empty and dark save dim lanterns from elven homes. I stopped when I noticed Oropher at play with two little elven boys. Eldôr I recognized but the other was new to me.
They seem mesmerized with the nature of darkness and its wonders that years had taken for granted. I stood watching them for awhile—their innocence replacing my fears.
“Thinking,” a voice said to me. It was Galathil. “Mîrwen said I would find you wandering in thought.”
“I have found myself doing that more than usual.”
“So have I,” he answered. “Often after my son had found his sleep and all is quiet. That is him with Oropher and Eldôr.”
“What is his name,” I asked.
“Amdir,” he said proudly. “I am afraid he is rather quiet for his youth and his manner far older. Nothing like me or my brother.”
“He seems to be doing quite well with Oropher.”
We watched as they laughed and romped as if in another world all their own. I wondered what their lives would be growing up in this world with the lore of another told to them as myth. I found a sense of peace in the darkness for a moment. It was safe for now.
© 2015. “The Kingdom of the Woodland Realm Trilogy—Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen” by Jaynaé Marie Miller. All Rights Reserved.
The Kingdom of The Woodland Realm Trilogy 