Chapter 1: The Ebb and Flow of Life
Tired blue eyes scanned the trees that surrounded them as the clopping of their horse's hoofs echoed in the eerily quiet woods. The young elf tightened her grip on the reigns and urged her steed on, shortening the distance between her and the other rider. The air felt cold and damp in this part of the woods and the shadows seemed longer and darker too. Her white steed gave a small whinny of protest as she prodded him on but quickened its pace, sending the golden strands of her hair blowing back out of the hood of her riding cloak. The young elf was fair, despite the dirt on her face and the brambles and leaves clinging to her cloak and dress. As she came alongside the other rider, she slowed her pace to match her companion's and remained alongside the larger black stallion.
"You alright Eldaline?" the rider asked as he turned and looked at the young elf.
He pushed back the hood of his own riding cloak and looked at her with a look of concern on his face. His icy blue eyes peered out at her from a mess of silver hair that was being tossed by the wind as they rode. His own face was dirty with several day's worths of grime and sweat, another smudge added as he wiped the back of his hand across his face, brushing back the silver locks from his face.
"I… I'm fine father," she said as she scanned the trees again, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the reigns tighter, betraying the fear that was gripping at her heart and mind.
She knew her father could see through her lies, but none would hold it against her for being on edge after what they had just been through. With a shiver, she followed alongside her father, Gilden of the Sindarin elves. She followed him along the path he had chosen for them as they made their way farther and farther from their homeland of Neverlast. Her mind began to lose focus as it drifted into memories as scenes from the previous days all played out in her mind.
She saw the hordes of orcs that seemed to spring from the trees themselves as they descended upon the village where she and her family lived in the farthest corner of Nevrast. Screams filled the air as the orc battalion ran through the small village. The males had fought valiantly to protect the women and children, but there were too many orcs and not enough warriors in the village. There weren't even that many people who called the area home, so the orcs had obvious just stumbled upon them by accident and decided to attack.
In no time at all, they had decimated the village, killing most of the women and children and capturing a few survivors. Eldaline had managed to survive only because the orcs had overlooked her hiding spot in the loft of their barn. As the invaders left the ruined village, Eldaline watched in renewed horror as they set fire to the houses, destroying everything. Eldaline escaped the barn at the last minute as it was consumed by fire and frantically began searching the village for her family. Everywhere she looked there was death. Bodies lay everywhere, homes were burning, carts and wagons were turned over and destroyed, and the orcs had stollen or slaughtered most of their animals. Eldaline felt fear grip her heart as she ran on, looking for her family, finding only death and destruction. She had to find where her family was hiding.
Her father had been out with the other men in the village, trying to fight off the attackers. Eldaline had been with him when the attack happened and he had sent her to the barn in the hope she would escape the orc's eyes. She didn't know where her mother and baby brother were, for they had been on their way to the market when the orcs had attacked. After what felt like an eternity of desperate searching, she saw her father on the other side of the village square. He was on his hands and knees next to a pile of rubble from the collapsed wall of a nearby dwelling. Her heart stopped for a moment as her feet carried her over to him. She stopped, frozen in her tracks as she was what her father was kneeling over- the still lifeless bodies of her mother and baby brother, laying there in the rubble. A cry escaped her lips as she collapsed beside her father, feeling his arms pulling her close as they both wept.
Her mother lay on her side, her back to the collapsed wall as if she had been trying to protect little Gaeagron from the danger. Eldaline stared at the face of her mother, remembering how just moments ago she was reminding her to stop by the smithy and ask about the new shoes for the horses. Now she lay there, cold and lifeless. Her eyes then drifted to the small bundle in her arms. Little Gaeagron looked like he was sleeping in his mother's arms, still and peaceful. Eldaline felt her breath catch in her throat as her heart seemed to pound out of her chest. Being an elf and somewhat still young in the eyes of her kin, Eldaline had never experienced death before, especially not the death of one of her own. And now she was experiencing more death than she felt was bearable. Great sobs shook her body and all she could do was cling to her father for dear life.
Eldaline shook her head, driving back the memories as a tear slid down her face. It has been three days since the attack. Three days since she had helped her father bury her mother and brother. Three days hard riding, and they were just coming out of the Woods of Nuath. Eldaline looked down and lightly ran her fingers over the small locket that she wore around her neck. It had been her mother's and inside was a small sprig of her baby brother's hair. Gently lifting the locket to her lips, she kissed it and then tucked it back under her tunic as they rode onward.
Their destination was the hidden elven city of Gondolin, the last refuge for elves in the region, to seek shelter there from Lord Turgon. Elves of the Noldor, Sindar, and other houses had long spoken of Gondolin and the sanctuary that he offered. Many had sought shelter in the protected city and some eventually moved on, settling in other areas of Beleriand; others, however, fell in love with the city and the people and chose to remain, calling Gondolin their home. Eldaline had heard of the protected city and the Noldorian elves that dwelt there and of the special protection that the fortified city had. Located deep in the Encircling Mountains, the city was hidden from the eyes of evil and was protected by the blessing of the Valar. It was invisible to evil eyes and even those who were of elf-kin or friends of the elves would find it difficult to find the secret entrance to the city.
They had nowhere else to go, so their path was set for Gondolin; and they still had at least another four days hard ride before they would reach the city. Eldaline took a deep breath, trying to calm her mind and heart as they rode on, barely stopping for fear of what evil forced might still be lingering in the woods.
Ten days after the orc attack, Eldaline and her father stood before the great Lord Turgon of Gondolin. It had taken them a full two days to find the secret passage of the elves that lead into the city. The doorway was concealed in a crag of the mountains and was blessed with elven magic, making it difficult for even one of their own to discover it without a great deal of effort. Upon arrival, they were met with guardsmen who seemed surprised to see two fair-headed elves entering the outer fortifications of the hidden city. Sindar elves were not unheard of in the city and a good many had sought shelter there throughout the centuries. But it was rare in those parts to see fair-headed elves, and those that did make their way to the hidden city usually did not stay long and it had been many years since any golden-haired elves had been seen in the city. Eldaline stood there now before Lord Turgon as her father pleaded their plight to the dark-haired lord and sought permission to dwell in the city for a time.
"Master Gilden, we are grieved to hear of the loss of your wife Ellyth and infant Gaeagron. We welcome you both to Gondolin and you are free to stay for as long as you need. We do not see many of our fairer kin and would enjoy your presence in Gondolin for as long as the Valar deem necessary."
Lord Turgon stood from his seat and walked over, taking Gilden by the hand and giving a kind smile to the young elf standing quietly. Eldaline forced a shy smile as her father spoke with Turgon. She said not a word, for though she was already older than one of the second-born could ever hope to live to, she was still young by the count of her people. Politics and such held no interest to her so she remained silent and the two males continued to converse. Eldaline lifted her gaze from the floor and scanned the room they were in once again. This time her eyes fell on one of the elves who had been standing silently alongside Lord Turgon.
He was tall, standing an impressive height that rivaled the Gondolin ruler himself. Long ink-black hair hung to his waist, standing in stark contrast to his ivory-colored skin. He wore a rich royal blue tunic embroidered with golden threads, brown trousers, and around his waist was strapped a long elven blade. Rich grey eyes stared at her, with a mix of curious wonder and regal aloofness. Whoever this elf was, he was someone of high standing among his people for upon his tunic was pinned the emblem of Gondolin, signifying him as one of the keepers of the city. Eldaline's attention was brought back to the two men talking beside her as she heard her name mentioned.
"Master Gilden, dear Eldaline, it is my honor to introduce you to my son, Malathar," Lord Turgon said as he motioned towards the dark-haired elf.
Eldaline watched in surprise as the tall elf walked over and stood beside his father. Seeing them side by side it was clear they were father and son and shared many of the same features. He gave them a small bow, locking eyes with Eldaline as he slowly stood up again. She stared at him, mesmerized by the light that seemed to shine from his eyes. At this close distance, she could see bright silver flecks in his eyes that seemed to shine like mithril.
"Malathar, I want you to take our guests to their quarters. Show them around and help them with any needs that they may have while they are our guests here."
"It will be my pleasure, Father," he said, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he saw Eldaline still staring at him. She felt her face flush slightly as she realized she had not broken her gaze from his. Turning her head slightly, she forced herself to pull her gaze away from the Noldor prince.
So it was, that in her first day in Gondolin, she met not only Lord Thingol of the House of Finwe, but also one of the few direct descendants of the Noldorian line, Prince Malathar. The following days were hard on Eldaline as she still deeply grieved the loss of her mother and brother. Her father too grieved deeply the loss of his loved ones. But with each passing day, the life and energy of Gondolin and its people began to heal their hurts.