"Adar nin!" The High King turned in surprise at the familiar voice. He was just in time to see his daughter abandon all pretenses and protocols and run towards him. King Finarfin turned away his seneschal with a wave and smiled at his child.
"Artanis." He embraced her, reveling in the joyous moment of reunion. "I thought families were not coming until next month."
"I came as soon as I heard your troops had established a camp." The uncharacteristic waver in his daughter's voice caught Finarfin off-guard.
"Come, my tent is here. Celeborn is well and leads a contingent with Oropher. They should arrive within a few days. " He dismissed his guard as they entered the tent and turned to focus his full attention on his normally brash and ethereal daughter - this far too perceptive and oddly powerful daughter.
"Word of Rúmdir's death caused great grief. How does Oropher fare? His wife was beside herself with sorrow. Friends are caring for her."
"There is no greater sorrow than to loose one's child." Finarfin whispered as his arms encircled this last remaining child.
"You are well Adar?" Her voice echoed clearly in his mind. What had she suffered when her brothers' passed from this world? Only now did he begin to understand her stubborn desire to accompany them in battle. Only now, as his fingers wiped the silent tears from her cheeks, did he understand what it cost her to remain behind. How much did his beloved Eärwen suffer back in Tirion?
"I am whole and well sell-nin. Do not fear." He guided her to sit on the corner bench and pulled her into his arms as her sobs grew in intensity. Finarfin sent a prayer of thanks to Eru that he was one of few people to whom his stalwart daughter would reveal her feelings. "Do not fear. I have survived Morgoth's onslaught with the help of the Valar."
"You could have easily died. Just as they." Artanis halted.
"Please share with me your memories of your brothers. I would hear everything. The good and bad, as well as your pain at their end." He bent and kissed the perfect golden head. Suddenly he saw her grief with clarity. "You felt their pain and their passing, though you were far away." Slowly, sometimes in whispered words and sometimes in mind-speak, Artanis shared stories of Finrod, Angrod, and Aegnor, even as she lamented Angrod's and Aegnor's death at Dagor Bragollach. Uncle Fingolfin had challenged Morgoth to single combat following the carnage at Bragollach but had died there too.
"What of happier times?" Finarfin urged softly. His own cheeks were wet too. She relayed how she and Finrod had entered the realm of Doriath and met King Elu Thingol and his Queen, Melian. She spoke of her first meetings with Celeborn and smiled at memories of her brother establishing the stronghold at Nargothrond. But his excitement at meeting the first men – the kin of 'Bëor The Old' turned quickly into tales of war. Tales of how this friendship had evolved from the bravery of Barahir of the House of Bëor to Finrod's oath of abiding friendship were interspersed with her anguished perceptions of Finrod's suffering and death in Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
"Why must such tales of love and hope and beauty always be interwoven with suffering and despair?"
"I know not why, my daughter. But I pray that the future will bring only joy." Her father's tears mixed with her own as she spoke of Angrod's and Eldalótë's joy of becoming grandparents as their son Orodreth and his wife Lairiel welcomed a tiny Ereinion into the world. There were joyous visits with Finduilas and Lairiel at Nargothrod. She laughed at memories of the young princess' wit and unusual intelligence even as she wept for the horrors that Tarest, Orodreth's seneschal, had relayed of her grandneice's demise. Dear Finduilas had suffered terribly before her end.
"They are in Mandos' care now. They are safe from all harm."
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
The silver Lord turned to survey his contingent. They were the second group to decamp and head towards the sea. Three groups including King Gil-Galad's force, the Edain lead by Elros, and a small group of survivors from Himring would yet follow. The land bore terrible wounds from the war, as did most of the soldiers. At his left, Oropher spoke softly with his eldest son Thranduil. Celeborn held back a tired sigh and focused on the bond to his beloved. She was whole and well. He could feel her anticipation at their reunion.
"Will I ever feel whole again?" He thought as a tear slipped unbidden from his eye. He concealed a move to brush the wetness away by running his hand through his short hair. The silver locks had been singed by dragon fire and his neck still itched terribly. Luckily the burns on his back were healing well. Noenri had given him a cream to prevent scarring, which he consistently applied, for he would not want his wife to look upon burn marks. Galadriel had lost two of her brothers to the fires of Thangorodrim. Again more friends had been lost to Mandos. He turned to Oropher. His cousin had girded his grief away and concentrated on his three remaining sons: Thranduil, Andapher, and Oroduin. His wife and daughter awaited them. Together the family would mourn their lost son. He had long observed the strength they drew from each other. "Would that you were here, Adar!" Celeborn silently lamented. Most of his immediate family had perished in Doriath.
"Celeborn!" Chided Oropher. "Watch that you do not fall from your horse. I do not want to explain to your Lady wife how you slipped from the saddle so near to your reunion."
"I thank you for your concern, Oropher. I intend to return home whole." Celeborn raised an eyebrow wryly. His visage betrayed nothing of his inner turmoil.
"I do not think any of us return whole." Oropher confided quietly as he took in the bleak landscape. His turned suddenly. His keen eyes seemed to pierce through his cousin. "You are no exception."
"Reconstruction will not be easy."
"It has never been before." Oropher agreed. "But at least now the world is free of Morgoth as well as the sons of Fëanor. Most of the kinslayers reside in Mandos." Celeborn nodded grimly in agreement. They had both tried to persuade their beloved Elu Thingol against allowing a Silmaril into the realm of Doriath. But Elu Thingol's decree ended the discussion. How many kingdoms destroyed and how many lives lost to the lust of Fëanor's children for his bauble, albeit a powerful one?
"Healing of souls and hearts is the more difficult task." Celeborn leaned over and gently placed his hand on Oropher's arm in a gesture of support. Rúmdir, one of Oropher's dear sons had passed into Mandos' care nearly a year ago. The upcoming anniversary would not be a happy event. "How are you and your sons?
"I will tend to my family to make sure all of my children recover." Oropher's voice wavered slightly. "Others lost everything dear to them."
"We will never forget those who died to free these lands of Morgoth. Together we will tend the forests and aid nature in the reclamation of the sites scarred by this war. I predict that few of the Sindar will chose to sail. Our lives have always been here. This is our home." Several tears slipped unbidden from Celeborn's eyes. For the war and the great upheaval had truly scarred these lands. No elf was unmoved by the earth's open wounds.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"There will not be much time between the last arrivals and the winter solstice." Galadriel noted. "We must plan a festival that will inspire hope in all."
"Why do I fear that you use the royal we?" Her father lips curled upward. "I do not think you will accomplish much after your husband arrives."
"One can certainly accomplish multiple tasks when one sets their mind to it."
"While we will forever grieve the death of your brothers," Finarfin stated solemnly, although his brow rose slightly. "Grandchildren would ease the sorrow while we await their release. There is still time before I must sail home."
"Incorrigible." Her voice was stern but her eyes twinkled. "We pray often to Eru for such a blessing."
"Then I shall add my prayers to yours." Her father grasped her hand in support at the unexpected admission. She turned away momentarily to regain her bearings.
"Come, we must plan the winter solstice festival to ignite a fire in those all the bereft souls who have given too much for this victory."
Xxxxxxxxxxx
The refuge camps along the sea swelled with returning armies. Finarfin returned first with the Noldor from Aman. Ingwion came next, leading the Vanyar. Nearly a week later, Celeborn and Oropher arrived with their contingent.
"Naneth! Aurmîr!" Oroduin cried in surprise. His brothers turned and moved on mass to greet their Mother and sister. Tears streamed uncontrollably down Andapher's cheeks as he pulled his younger sister into a hug.
"How did you get so tall, little sis?"
"Naneth says she will plan a celebration for my majority." Aurmîr blurted out. Her brother's laughter at her childlike pronouncement caused her to blush.
"That's still over nearly twenty years away!" Andapher pulled her braid teasingly. Months ago, they had buried Rúmdir under a great oak well removed from the battlefield. Family was precious, of that there was no doubt in any of their minds. Thranduil stepped in front and pulled them all into a communal hug.
"Ion-nin!" The Sindarin beauty choked back sobs as their tears mingled with hers. "Thank Eru you have returned!" Oropher quickly joined them and the large family wept for their beloved Rúmdir even as their prayers of thanksgiving swelled together. They had lost but one from their family.
"So many others had suffered much more grievous losses." Thranduil thought sadly. His friend Elrond immediately came to mind as he mused silently. "Now Elrond would lose his brother and would be bereft of all family. Dear Eru," he prayed, "please protect my family and prevent such heartache from befalling the house of Oropher." It was imperative to look out for each other, as beleaguered warriors oscillated between exhilaration at the winning of a long war and debilitating anguish and grief at the terrible toll that had been paid.
"We must celebrate our reunion." Oropher announced as he kissed his wife's straw colored hair. Over her head he could see another joyous reunion of his cousin Celeborn and his golden lady.
"Come beloved." His wife called. "Aurmîr and I have anticipated having everyone together. We have readied a great tent for the whole family." She whispered hoarsely as Oropher kissed away teardrops from her cheeks. The house of Oropher moved on mass towards the celebration.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"Do not hide from me." She pleaded breathlessly as his kisses and caresses grew more tantalizing. Her hand slid through his too short hair down his perfect torso. "I can share and bear your hardships and heartaches. But.." A moan slipped from her lips. "I could not bear to ….." The barrier to their minds slipped open. She sent silent support back to her beloved as the heartbreaking images of war flooded back through their link. Flames of destruction descended from winged dragons in the sky. Memory of the pain flooded him but she sent memories of their passion to supplant it. This complete melding of minds was a special gift married elves worked hard to achieve.
"Would that I could have supported you more."
"To know that you were safe from harm kept hope in my spirit." His gentle voice swelled inside her. "I would rather you never again wield a weapon with need, my Lady of Light."
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"We should reach the main refuge camps in four days." King Gil-Galad moved among his warriors instilling hope as he gave orders and instructions. His Seneschal, Tarest, accompanied him and took notes on the situation.
"The food shortage is driving tempers up." Tarest advised softly. The elder elf had served High King Orodreth at Nargothrond.
"Have we not designated most of the whole foods for the Edain?" Gil-Galad questioned.
"Yes, my Lord, but it is still less than they have been used to. Elves are grumbling about the meager ration of lembas as well. Just the smell of whole foods causes many to salivate."
"There will be more to share once we reach the camps. But even there, food is not plentiful. All of the Eldar have agreed not to share lembas with men. We dare not take food from them unless we are prepared to go against that rule." Gil-Galad noted as they crossed into the elven healing tents.
"My King." Healer Merwen's eyes widened and he bowed at Gil-Galad's unexpected entrance.
"Is Master Noenri available?" The chief healer was often summoned to the King's tents for council. It was unusual that the King himself visited the healing tents.
"I will go find him." Merwen stuttered, blushing at the inept speech that had left his lips.
"It is not urgent and I would take time to greet some of our injured." The King informed him. Tarest hovered near, watching with growing awe, as the King visited the injured. The young King had an air about him that inspired hope and loyalty from his people. It was nearly an hour later before Master Noenri appeared, an hour in which Gil-Galad had brightened the lives of countless wounded.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit my King?" The elder healer eyes were slightly glazed and accentuated by dark circles. His skin was pale and slightly translucent. The job of a healer under battle conditions drained the mind, body, and spirit. There was much wisdom in the decree that healers eschew weapons.
"You do not appear to be following your own protocols for rest Master Noenri." The King said gravely, which instigated an uncharacteristic laugh from the eldar healer.
"Similar to you, Sire." Noenri wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes and sat down. A junior healer brought cups of steaming tea. "The healers from the west will need training in how to deal with the psychological after-effects of war. You are not unaware of their tendency to look down upon elves from our lands. They will loathe the idea of asking for our assistance."
"I have found Aran Finarfin most open minded. Perhaps he and his daughter the Lady Galadriel can be of assistance."
"A mild chamomile." The junior healer interrupted awkwardly. He placed the tray on the table and bowed politely.
"I have rotated my healing staff regularly for their health and well-being. There are but a handful that have toiled in triage and surgical units for the entire campaign."
"You are one of those." Gil-Galad raised his brow as he sipped gratefully at the brew. "I expect you to rest and recover your strength."
"I would also place your young charge Elrond in this category. You must be very proud of him. For his young age, he shouldered much pressure and responsibility in the Edain's healing tents. He is there, even now, doing rounds and has more than risen to the challenge while doing double duty as a warrior. He is beyond exhaustion in mind, body, and spirit and has no experience dealing with the rampant battle fatigue that we will be facing."
"And now the peredhil will face the consequences of their choices." Gil-Galad rubbed at his temple. He was returning home to his beloved. His heart swelled with joy at the upcoming reunion with Indiriel. What were the peredhil returning to? "How do you suggest we help them?"
"You and Queen Indiriel adopted them years ago. That bond will be all the more important as they slowly come to terms with their looming separation." Noenri sipped at the brew. "It pains me to know the last of King Elu Thingol's descendents are bereft of close kin. I believe they both secretly hoped that the end of the war would bring a reunion of sorts and not further separation."
XXXXXXXXXXX
Cast of Characters:
Finarfin – High king of the Noldor in the West
Earwin – his wife
Sons Finrod, Angrod, Aegnor (all in Mandos)
Galadriel his daughter – also known as Artanis Nerwen
Celeborn – Galadriel's husband
Lord Manveru, Finarfin's Seneschal
Tarwatirno, Finarfin's chief healer.
Niphendriel (her husband died defending Elrond's mother)
Erestor (her son)
Calimdriel (her daughter) betrothed to Orodiun
Gildor (lord of a wandering group of Noldor)
Ivorchith (one of the Gildor's warriors)
Ereinion Gil-Galad and his wife Indiriel
Tarest – Gil-Galad's Seneschal
Noenri - Gil-galad's chief healer
Silsilalda – a healer under Noenri
Laeste – (was Ereinions nursemaid when he was little and also took care of Elrond)
Cirulian, a Teleri guard in the service of Gil-Galad
Glorfindel – a reborn hero who saved Earendil's life when Gondolin fell.
Herutaurë – The Lord of the Forest, King of the Avari, one of the first elves to awaken
Lady Lillanlai – The Forest Lord's daughter
Kalmë – an Avari guard
Earendil & Elwing – peredhil (half-elves) now departed for the west
Elrond Earendilion
Elros Earendilion
Braigsûl Elrond's willful horse
Lord Oropher
Lady Gellir - his wife
Thranduil – their eldest son
Orodiun (betrothed to Calimdriel)
Andapher
Rúmdir – died during the War of Wrath
Aurmîr – their daughter and youngest child
Vanyar elves – most reside in Aman, save for a group that came to help in the War of Wrath.
King Ingwë Ingweron "The Chief of the chieftains", resides in Valinor on the slopes of Taniqueti
Ingwion – son of Ingwë, led the hosts during the War of Wrath
Orondo – Captain of one of the Vanyar patrol
Ulcále – a Vanyar warrior
