Disclaimer: The characters and settings belong to JRR Tolkien and I make no
profit from this writing.
Thank to Itarille and Nerdanel for beta reading
- Enjoy -
*Eol's story*
I passed over the last mountain pass. I was weary from my travels. I rode in haste for eight days with little rest so that I might arrive home swiftly. I reached my shadows in Nan Elmoth at nightfall. I felt secure under my own trees once again. While approaching my home I heard voices speaking in the forbidden tongue. I peered cautiously from the trees and saw the firelight glow upon the faces of my wife and son. They laughed merrily, the tongue of the Noldor was rolling off their lips.
Confusion filled me. I had supported both my wife and son for many years. I had brought home beautiful jewelry from my travels for my fair Aredhel and now as Maeglin grew to the statue of a young man, I had taught him all that there was to be known in the trade of craftsmanship. Yet while I am away they are purposely disloyal to me. They defy my wishes as if I don't exist.
Feeling betrayed and angry, I stormed from the bushes and in the tongue of the Teleri I yelled, "I make haste to be home three days early. I took only the rests that I truly needed on my journey. Yet I arrive home to hear my wife and son deep in conversation about the Noldor and speaking in the forbidden tongue!" My thoughts were pounding through my head. I walked towards Aredhel and threw her against a nearby tree. "How long have you been teaching our son these dreadful words? How long is it since you decided to forgo your loyalty to your husband?"
I turned and Maeglin's eyes bored into me. An uneasy feeling took over my body. My hands felt clammy and I turned back to look at Aredhel. Her face was white with fear. I felt confused, I was never good at expressing myself through words. I dipped into my bag and pulled out a necklace. The golden chain shimmered in the light of the fire. The intricate designs of the dwarves were beautiful. While placing the necklace around Aredhel's neck, she remained as still as a stone statue. She did not breathe nor did she look me in the eye. "Forgive me," I whispered as I kissed her cheek. She quickly pulled away from me and Maeglin rushed over to her side. I felt unwanted and foolish. I turned and walked into my house, my footsteps echoed through the empty rooms.
While unpacking I heard the muffled sound of Aredhel's tears and the quiet voice of Maeglin soothing her. For so many years I had pretended that I understood them. I lied to myself and told myself Maeglin was ever thoughtful, I ignored the fact that he was bearing everlasting sadness. The spark of joy that was in the faces of Aredhel and Maeglin around the fire was rare when I was home. It had been years since I had seen Aredhel smile like that; I wish she would more often. I knew I was the cause of her torment, if only she could understand my reasons. I wished to express my feelings of devotion to her. But it's impossible, the words get mixed up and I choke over my feelings.
Later that night Aredhel and Maeglin walked in hand in hand. Aredhel kissed Maeglin on the cheek and whispered something to him. I could not understand her words, but I assumed it was in the tongue of Noldor. I could not bring myself to face my actions so I silently slipped outside to the fire to avoid talking with Aredhel. The ambers still glowed as I sat down and let the heat penetrate into my body. While placing another log onto the fire something gold caught my eye. Realizing that Aredhel had thrown the necklace I gave her into the fire despair clouded over me. I could no longer escape with jewels; I had to confront her and heals our wounds with words. If only I could make her understand the joys of Nan Elmoth, and let her see that I truly love her. I continued staring at the fire until the last ember lost its heat. The darkness consumed me as I sat deep in thought throughout the night.
Thank to Itarille and Nerdanel for beta reading
- Enjoy -
*Eol's story*
I passed over the last mountain pass. I was weary from my travels. I rode in haste for eight days with little rest so that I might arrive home swiftly. I reached my shadows in Nan Elmoth at nightfall. I felt secure under my own trees once again. While approaching my home I heard voices speaking in the forbidden tongue. I peered cautiously from the trees and saw the firelight glow upon the faces of my wife and son. They laughed merrily, the tongue of the Noldor was rolling off their lips.
Confusion filled me. I had supported both my wife and son for many years. I had brought home beautiful jewelry from my travels for my fair Aredhel and now as Maeglin grew to the statue of a young man, I had taught him all that there was to be known in the trade of craftsmanship. Yet while I am away they are purposely disloyal to me. They defy my wishes as if I don't exist.
Feeling betrayed and angry, I stormed from the bushes and in the tongue of the Teleri I yelled, "I make haste to be home three days early. I took only the rests that I truly needed on my journey. Yet I arrive home to hear my wife and son deep in conversation about the Noldor and speaking in the forbidden tongue!" My thoughts were pounding through my head. I walked towards Aredhel and threw her against a nearby tree. "How long have you been teaching our son these dreadful words? How long is it since you decided to forgo your loyalty to your husband?"
I turned and Maeglin's eyes bored into me. An uneasy feeling took over my body. My hands felt clammy and I turned back to look at Aredhel. Her face was white with fear. I felt confused, I was never good at expressing myself through words. I dipped into my bag and pulled out a necklace. The golden chain shimmered in the light of the fire. The intricate designs of the dwarves were beautiful. While placing the necklace around Aredhel's neck, she remained as still as a stone statue. She did not breathe nor did she look me in the eye. "Forgive me," I whispered as I kissed her cheek. She quickly pulled away from me and Maeglin rushed over to her side. I felt unwanted and foolish. I turned and walked into my house, my footsteps echoed through the empty rooms.
While unpacking I heard the muffled sound of Aredhel's tears and the quiet voice of Maeglin soothing her. For so many years I had pretended that I understood them. I lied to myself and told myself Maeglin was ever thoughtful, I ignored the fact that he was bearing everlasting sadness. The spark of joy that was in the faces of Aredhel and Maeglin around the fire was rare when I was home. It had been years since I had seen Aredhel smile like that; I wish she would more often. I knew I was the cause of her torment, if only she could understand my reasons. I wished to express my feelings of devotion to her. But it's impossible, the words get mixed up and I choke over my feelings.
Later that night Aredhel and Maeglin walked in hand in hand. Aredhel kissed Maeglin on the cheek and whispered something to him. I could not understand her words, but I assumed it was in the tongue of Noldor. I could not bring myself to face my actions so I silently slipped outside to the fire to avoid talking with Aredhel. The ambers still glowed as I sat down and let the heat penetrate into my body. While placing another log onto the fire something gold caught my eye. Realizing that Aredhel had thrown the necklace I gave her into the fire despair clouded over me. I could no longer escape with jewels; I had to confront her and heals our wounds with words. If only I could make her understand the joys of Nan Elmoth, and let her see that I truly love her. I continued staring at the fire until the last ember lost its heat. The darkness consumed me as I sat deep in thought throughout the night.
