A short chapter. Hopefully it will lighten your hearts.
Chapter V
Heart and Hope
It was that day where two lovers met on this very Hill, the Heart of Lorien, for the woods sing to me of Tales about Doom and Hope, Love and War. My mother gave her love to my father on this very day, and my father gave hope to all Men and Elves and beings alike. And now I look to my mother for hope. I don't know exactly why though. I guess the possibility that my mother, one of the only Eldar Elves among Middle-Earth, still lives helps relieve this pain that has been tormenting my heart for so long now. I long for the company of the Elven kind. I fear only loneliness can destroy me now.
It was that day so long ago
when true love was awakened
When skies of blue and stars of gold
where ever lighting the path behold
In thy Hill of Cerin Amroth,
the Blessed Heart of Lorien
two lovers plighted their troth
appointing the Doom of Men.
The wind blew providing Evenstar a cool breeze. She kneeled beside her mother, holding one of her hands. Kissing the top of Arwen's hand, Evenstar spoke in an Elvish tongue. "In your hand I place my heart that once belonged to you." She places the angel-like Elessar into her mother's palm and closed her hands. "You gave up your heart long ago only to live in torment and loneliness. Take this now and let it heal you. Let it show you once again what joys and wonders could be discovered. That life is worth living for. With hope that you still live, I shall give hope for the Elven dwellers of Middle-Earth. Heed my wishes now." Closing her eyes momentarily, she began an Elvish hymn:
Yirihar hiolem. Hanava ronala hintim. Niharin erumidal siriola liennin. Avianin, Undomiel!
At that exact moment, the breeze grew warmer and both Arwen and Evenstar were surrounded by a glowing white aura. Evenstar's hair blew back as did Arwen's. Suddenly, at the bottom of her foot, elanor and nimphredil began to blossom. Mallorn leaves fell once more, and the unimaginable happened. With blinding light, Lorien lit as bright as the moon and it was once again, a living city. Then suddenly, a pain was lifted from Evenstar's chest and her heart rejoiced at the touch of her mother grasping her hand. Evenstar rose then, with her mother's hand in hers. Evenstar caressed her mother's face and was surprised to see her mother move her right arm to hold the hand that was upon her face. And then, it happened. "Si it miollin?" Her mother spoke. Evenstar quickly embraced her mother, who then opened her eyes and smiled up at her daughter. "Yes, mother, tis the morn. You've been asleep for quite some evenings now." Evenstar looked into her mothers eyes for a moment. Both joy and pain hit Evenstar as she did. She saw all her mother's dreams in the blink of her eyes. But she did not want it to ruin this moment, so instead she smiled and helped her mother sit up. "I've missed you, mother." Arwen smiled at her daughter, who now seemed to pose so wise and mature. It occurred to Arwen just how lovely her daughter was. "And I've missed you, little one. I see you've found your hope. I feared in my dreams that you would never come to this point. But I have faith in you. How was it you've managed to find me?" Evenstar blushed, remembering her earlier encounter. "Fate, mother." Arwen looked into her daughter's eyes, realizing the truth behind it. "Your source of faith came from an unexpected encounter." Evenstar nodded, frowning, she replied "Aye, mother, and a very pleasant one." Arwen held her daughter's hand. "Why then do you frown if this encounter was pleasant?" "Because I fear my fate will be the same as yours if I move any further. I do not wish to live in loneliness as you did." Arwen laughed then. "Dear child, my life with your father was well enjoyed. I wouldn't take back my choice even when I knew my fate. You cannot change your life to be. You can only live life to it's fullest and do what you can to enjoy it with the people whom you love." Evenstar smiled at her mother and rose. "Come mother, we cannot linger here long. A war brews and we must return to Rivendell." Though Arwen did not rise. "You are tired, mother? Can you stand?" Arwen nodded. "That is not what holds me, child. I cannot leave this land. Aye, you have woken me from my sleep, but I have bound myself to thy hill of Cerin Amroth till my love will once again return to me." A burden was put upon Evenstar again. She shook her head, and with a soft tone, she spoke "That time is far from near mother, mayhap even unreachable." Arwen stood and held her daughter's hands. "I have hope that my love will return to me, just as you have hope that our Elven-kin will once again dwell in Middle-Earth. Both hopes, as you know, are far from reachable, but if your heart is there, then there is a way. Do not lose hope, ever." Silent tears fell from Evenstar's pale face. With a sigh, she resigned. "My heart is there, mother, just as yours is. I will return to you mother, but for now I must return to Rivendell and do what has been prophesized." "Aye, child. You will return, I do not doubt that, but what is to be of this new found friend of yours?" I glint of jest grew in Arwen's face and Evenstar smiled and laughed a joyous laugh. "That is not of me to know for I hardly know the man." "True, that is, dear daughter, but you cannot avoid what is to be your fate. Go now. Return to me when you succeed. My heart is with you." Evenstar bowed before her mother, Queen of the Elves, then left to find her companion. "Mornië utúlië." Arwen whispered in the air. Believe and you will find your way, Evenstar heard her mother say.