Title: Of Love and Loss
Author: Leaonna
Disclaimer: Plain and simple; I own nothing of Tolkien Enterprises. I'm just merely someone who loves to write with his great stories as inspiration.
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Prologue: The Tale of Voronwë and Lasbelin
All the world seemed silent, as it had been for over 1000 years since the new age began. The Dark Land was dormant, as were the evil lands surrounding it, purified after Morgoth was defeated and exiled to the Void. Middle-Earth had been rebuilt, though shaken terribly by the War of Wrath. While many of the Elves had long ago answered the summons of the Valar to return to Valinor, those that did not go back established their realms in which to live their immortal lives. And although it seemed that there would be peace for a time, the few servants of Morgoth that survived the war gathered forces with whom they could to witness the birth of a new evil. The time of peace would swiftly come to an end.
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Leagues away, the Elf-maiden Lasbelin rode in a hushed manner with her brother Arion at her side, apprehensive to break the tranquility of the heavily shaded forest in which they traveled. They had just returned home from visiting their mother's kin in Lórien, and the quiet was welcome, yet perplexing. But Lasbelin and her brother were not nearly at the borders of the vale, and that explained the soundlessness; their people did not wander often, and those who did would not go further than Amon Lanc. Lasbelin and her brother Arion rode for some time like this in the dimming light, weaving through the trees of silver birch and mallorn until they at last reached the outer borders of their village of Nuorn, embedded in the forest of Mirkwood in Rhovanion. Unhorsing himself, Arion brought his fingers to his lips and whistled softly but shrilly. Moments later two Elves of the Guard appeared, walking towards Lasbelin and Arion with smiles upon their faces.
"At last you are here," one said as he grabbed for each steed's reigns. "We had hoped for you some time during the day. Your father awaits your arrival."
"You must forgive us. It has been near an age since last we saw our kin of Lórien and it seems we did not have the will to leave." Lasbelin lowered her hood and smiled at the two Elves in front of her. They were Eldamir and Dorlas, two of her brother's friends and comrades from the Guard.
"You are forgiven, my lady, as always." Eldamir said playfully in his deep, wise voice. "And how did you spend your time in Lórien?" The elder approached her horse and held out a hand to help her down.
"Very well, I thank you." Lasbelin responded lightly with a smile. Eldamir had always been as a second father to Lasbelin. He was among the aged of the Elves, but young at heart and understood her well. Lasbelin slipped soundly to the ground from her saddle and went to Dorlas, embracing her dear friend that she sorely missed.
"Welcome home. It is well that you did not tarry in Lórien, for I fear we all would have missed you both dreadfully!" He remarked with a laugh. "Come. A feast has been prepared to welcome your return and the coming of new sect of the Guard. We shall tend to the horses."
Then with a last bow to Lasbelin and Arion, Dorlas and Eldamir led the horses away to the shelter in the trees, while Lasbelin and her brother continued forward on foot. The woods were darker now and they walked on with naught but the moonlight shining barely through the tree boughs. Winding their way deeper down through the woods and into the vale, they came upon Nuorn and then finally they arrived at their home. There they rested themselves and dressed more appropriately. Soon after when they entered the great hall, they were received with a feast, as promised by Dorlas. As her mother and father rose from the table and embraced her and Arion, Lasbelin looked about at those gathered in the hall as she parted from them. Her father, appointed as Lord of Nuorn by his brother King Thranduil, greeted those gathered and apologized for the lateness of his children. While he did so, Lasbelin caught the eye of an Elf she had never seen before dressed in the green garb of the Guard. His face captured her, though she knew not what it was about it that did so. Yet she perceived him a handsome fair, with light brown hair and piercing dark blue eyes framed by long lashes.
Short after did she have a mind for little else, for no other could compare to him. It was seemingly so the same for the Elf of her thoughts, who was named Voronwë. Although he had lived in Nuorn for several years, the lady was in Lórien and he had not set eyes on her until now. He was entranced with Lasbelin from that very moment; tall and fair, the fairest among her people. There was something captivating about her that he could not name, but he could see through her to her good soul. Days passed, and Lasbelin was all that Voronwë could think of. He wondered if he would meet her again, or if she would simply disappear back to the land of her father's kin. Yet while wandering among the fair houses of Nuorn, he came upon Lasbelin walking in the lush courtyard of her home, seemingly deep in thought. She was arrayed in blue and, not to his knowledge, thinking about him. Voronwë approached her cautiously as one would advance on prey, and to him she seemed a glowing light dimmed by the dark of her mantle. She heard no movement, yet felt his eyes upon her, and turned quickly with a soft gasp, and their eyes met in a clash of blue and gray. The sudden contact with her set Voronwë off, for he only meant to watch her there, lost in her thoughts.
"I startled you, my lady...I am sorry," he had said taken aback, and made to leave the way he came, but Lasbelin quickly held a hand out to stop him, for she much wanted to speak with him.
"Perhaps if I learned your name I would not be so startled," Lasbelin responded, as Voronwë turned and took a step towards her. He told her his name, and apologized for coming upon her unannounced.
"You must think me foolish," he said.
Lasbelin smiled, not taking her eyes off Voronwë for a moment. "I think you many things, but none of them are foolish." she replied. They spoke in this manner for quite some time, until the hour grew late.
"Forgive me," Voronwë reluctantly said at length. "I do not wish it, but I must bid you good-night. I am sure the sun will greet us soon and my duties begin tomorrow."
"You may call upon me when you are able. I take joy in your company." Lasbelin responded with a smile, and though both were unwilling, they departed.
In the following weeks, Voronwë and Lasbelin would walk in the forest just outside Nuorn. They soon came to have a favorite clearing in which they would sit and pass the time in each other's company, talking of everything and sometimes nothing at all. One day while walking amongst the trees, Voronwë professed his love and admiration for Lasbelin.
"My lady Lasbelin, I have thought on you with growing affection since I first beheld you. Have you not thought on me?" he asked her.
"I have." She replied quietly. Although Lasbelin cared for Voronwë greatly, she felt in her heart that she was not yet ready for love. She told him this, but he was more inclined to her, and from that day on, Voronwë courted Lasbelin and did not leave her side unless by his duty of the Guard. Many of the Elven women called upon Voronwë, but he desired no one else and would have no other but Lasbelin. Their courtship turned into a great love, and it was thirteen years later that the two walked together in the woods just after he had returned from an errand to his homeland of Lindon. Voronwë brought Lasbelin a fair gift of a diamond stone necklace that belonged to his mother.
"She bid me give it to you in hope that it will soon be a wedding present," he told her with a chuckle and a hint of a serious tone. She smiled broadly and turned so that he could place it around her neck. It fell perfectly against her heart. They stood close to one another, Voronwë caressing Lasbelin's cheek and gazing at her as though it has been ages since last they saw one another.
"Your eyes are as beautiful as the sea after a storm," he said to her, and she smiled in wonderment.
"Have you seen it, the sea?" she asked in intrigue. Lasbelin knew what the sea did to those who have looked upon it; it brought wonder and enchantment to their hearts, sometimes with peace, and sometimes with restlessness to always sail the vast currents.
Voronwë nodded. "Many times."
"I would love to look upon the sea that enchants so many, and to hear the white gulls call to me."
Voronwë laughed softly. "And you will, Lasbelin. You will." He kissed her brow, and in that moment, Lasbelin was fully willing to accept him.
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Author's Note:
Well, there's the prologue. :D Please read and review and tell me what you think so far!