Prayer
By
Ninnaras
Celebrían wife of Elrond was journeying to Lórien when she was waylaid in the Redhorn Pass and her escort scattered by the sudden assault of Orcs, she was seized and carried off. She was pursued and rescued by Elladan and Elrohir, but not before she had suffered torment and received a poisoned wound. She was brought back to Imladris, and though healed in body by Elrond, lost all delight in Middle-earth, and the next year went to the Havens and passed over the Sea.
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
'Til we see the light?
The wind blows my silver hair softly around my face as I stand on my balcony. I cannot sleep; I can never sleep anymore. The hellish memories coming back to haunt me in my dreams, yet sometimes there is something else, something that has become the only balm to soothe my troubled mind. I turn my eyes westward.
"You should be resting Gailrin," My husband's gentle voice floats to me on the night air.
Wrapping my arms around my body I turn to him slowly. My beloved husband, who so desperately wants to heal me of all my pain and fear. I would let him, but darkness has descended so completely on me that even his light cannot penetrate the shadow which surrounds me.
" I would sleep, but I would find no rest there," I whisper quietly. It is true, whether from the nightmares or from the visions of the sea, I find no peace in sleep.
His expression turns sorrowful, "I wish you would let me help you Celebrian" he says, so softly I can barely hear him.
He speaks of that which I will not show him. Many are the times over the centuries we have walked the path of dreams together; now I will not even let him into my mind. I cannot let him see the full extent of what was done to me. So much pain my beloved has borne over the centuries, I will not add to it.
I am so weary, so very weary. I turn back to the balcony and close my eyes, allowing the wind to caress my face. I feel him come behind me and rest his forehead against my shoulder.
"You would leave then, take the path of the sea," he asks. I feel him kissing the back on my head, carefully avoiding the welts there that have not healed.
I sigh gently, listening to the gentle lullabies of then winds, trying to find some words to explain to my beloved husband why I cannot stay.
Hush, lay down your troubled mind
The day has vanished and left us behind
And the wind whispering soft lullabies
Will soothe, so close your weary eyes
"You would have me stay, becoming a mere shadow of who I once was, a memory of the woman you loved," I have to know. Even though I feel I would die should I stay; I would do so if he asked.
At this he broke into anguished sobs, "No, no," he gasps, " I would have you find peace and healing, even though it would not be here, I would see you smile and laugh again!" He slowly lifts my chin so I meet his tearful eyes, " I would see the light return to your eyes Heryn vuin, I would see the stars return to my Celebrian's eyes," he finished.
"Gen melin herven, gen hannon" I whisper, tears now filling my eyes. He is letting me go.
"Ce prestannen, I would be killing you if I made you stay Gailrin," he replies gently, smiling weakly through his tears.
Together we turn to face the West. I allow the tears that have been clogging my eyes to finally fall down my cheeks. I wish I could stay, truly I do, but my delight in Arda Marred has vanished like the shadow of a dream. I take no pleasure in the world around me; it has been tainted in my vision.
"Ir bedithach?" he asks, his eyes never straying from the horizon.
"Soon, but it will not be forever herven, we will meet again on the Blessed Shores when it your time to come home." I say, trying to offer comfort where none can be found.
"We will never part again," he answers, pulling my hands to his lips and kissing them softly before leading me gently to my bed, "Now rest, dream of white shores herves"
I slip softy under the covers and lay my head on the silken pillows. Tonight I will let my fea fly over clear waters and unblemished shores. I feel Elrond's weight on the bed behind me and relax into him; something I have not done since my ordeal.
"Oltho vae herves," He whispers in my ear.
I smile softly. I am going home.
Sleep, angels will watch over you
And soon beautiful dreams will come true
Can you feel spirits embracing your soul?
So dream while secrets of darkness unfold
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nothing is mine Lawyers! All Tolkiens.
Translations:
Gailrin- Lady Crowned With Stars
Heryn vuin- Beloved Lady
Gen melin herven, gen hannon- I love you husband, Thank you
Ce prestannen- You are tormented
Ir bedithach- When will you leave?
Herven- Husband
Herves- Wife
Oltho vae - Dream well
