A/N: Please people review! It lets me know that someone is actually reading this!
Dining Upon Light
Nahar was gone before I could blink. I thought that I was saddened by their leaving me alone with these exalted powers, but in my heart of hearts I knew that I was not sorrowful in the least and that in my time alone I could learn much from the Valar.
"Now little one, Orome has told us much of your people and your way of life, but we would like to hear of you from your point of view," Manwe said.
For long time after I spoke to the Valar telling them all the things of my people. How the stars were the first sight we beheld. Of our joy in speaking, naming things, and singing. How the water of Cuivienen seemed to speak also, but not as beautifully or as powerfully as the sea which Ingwe, Finwe, Elwe, and I had passed over. I also told them of our people who vanished into the forests never to be seen again. How we believed that a Hunter would come and take them away and do atrocious things to them. And how this was the reason for many of the Quendi fleeing at the approach of Orome. At this the Valar were grieved and Tulkas spoke.
"Why did you believe that a hunter would take them away?"
"Because there was nothing else to dispel this belief. Not until Orome came and showed himself to be a kind and benevolent power. After that we did not believe in a Hunter who would harm our people, yet the mystery of what happened to those we lost has never been solved."
At this the Valar looked to one another and fell silent. I felt they knew something that I did not.
"My Lords and Ladies, do you know what happened to my people?"
"We can only guess to what happened to your people from what we already know. But as to a sure answer we have none," replied Nienna. Her tears seemed to have increased.
"Please continue Laurelothwen," spoke Manwe.
So I continued with my tale. I spoke of what happened Orome's coming and of all that he had done for us. I also spoke of the fires in the east, the distress of Cuivienen, and of the trembling of the earth. I did not ask what caused this, for I believed to know the answer. For if these powers were so beautiful and glorious now, I dared not imagine what they could be like in an hour of wrath. I also spoke of Orome's choosing of ambassadors and of our journey to Aman, which led us to the present. By the time my tale was done Laurelin was waning and Teleprion was waxing.
"Your tale has told us much that Orome could not tell daughter. We thank you. But you must now be tired for it has been nearly a day since you arrived," said Manwe.
"My handmaid will show you to your lodgings, which have been prepared for you. Tomorrow we will discuss what you would like to do during your wait for your people," spoke Varda.
Her words were true for I suddenly felt very tired. A feeling which I had not often felt. I bowed before the Valar and they departed from the Ring. Only a maiden of my size was left. She looked like Varda only to a much lesser degree. She approached me with a smile. I wondered if she had been in the Ring the entire time and if others like her had been here.
"I am Ilmare, handmaid of Varda. I am to see to you for a time. If you will please come with me, your room has been prepared for you in Valimar."
She began to walk from the Ring and I hurried after her.
"Where is Valimar and what is it? Orome never spoke of it," I said.
She gave a soft laugh that if stars could laugh that is what they would sound like.
"Why Valimar is the City of the Valar and it lies right outside the Ring. The Valar dwell here when they wish to all gather. Have you not seen it? Or have you been so blinded by the glory of the Valar and the Trees that you could not see it?"
"I suppose your second question is the answer. But what of you? Are you a Maia?"
"I see that Orome has spoken of us as well to you. And yes, I am. There are many of us and we all work as assistants to the Valar. We are like them to a lesser degree.* But you will probably only see a few for we like to work behind the scenes so to speak. Here we are! This child is Valimar, the City of the Valar."
And so it was. Nothing had I seen like it before in all my life. The streets were of crystal. Everywhere was the sound of bells; domes rose to the sky, the buildings seemed not to have been built, but to have sprung up from the ground. Some were like plants that had formed structures while others were of alabaster or obsidian and studded with jewels that I had never seen before and had no name for. As we passed through the city it seemed that it was divided into different sections for the Valar. Some of it seemed like Nessa for it constantly changed, like a dance. While others seemed doomed to stay where they were forever like Mandos. But still others were there yet not there like Lorien. In each section I saw who I guessed were also Maiar working and running errands for the Valar. Many of them seemed like their Masters and Mistresses, only like Ilmare, less. Ilmare had passed through many sections before we came to an area of the city that reminded me of Varda. She led me into the center of this area and into a large building of rose quartz with images wrought of diamonds in its walls. We passed through a short hallway before entering courtyard with a garden of lush orchids. There was a deck that encompassed the upper level of the courtyard. In the center of the garden was a crystal clear pool with brilliantly colored fishes swimming playfully. And with her feet dangling in the water sat Varda. She was smiling as the fish swam circles around her feet. She was my size now, but no less magnificent than when she had sat in the Ring. I was rather surprised for I did not believe that I was going to be in the presence of any of the Valar till later.
"Laurelothwen of the Eldar has arrived my Lady," Ilmare announced as we entered.
"Thank you Ilmare. Please go and bring some food back for our guest," Varda requested without looking up from the fish.
Ilmare gave a short bow and left. I was alone with the greatest of the Valier. I did not know what to do so I stood there and waited for Varda to speak again.
"Come Laurelothwen and sit with me."
I was hesitant at first, but her tone was welcoming and seemed more like a request then a command. I walked over to her and sat cross-legged a little ways from her. Her light spread out in all directions and I sat just at the edge of it. I could feel her greatness come from that light and I loved it as much as I loved and, to an extent, feared her. Still I did not speak. It was at that moment that Ilmare returned with a platter of fruits and vegetables. All of it looked delicious beyond words. Only some of the food I had seen before, but many were unknown to me. In the center of this platter were three large golden fruits, the fruit of Laurelin. Ilmare came and sat in the space between Varda and myself, placing the tray between all of us. We waited for Varda to eat of some of the food before we too began to dine. Once again I was hesitant for I did not know which of the fruits to eat first. I finally took an apple and ate. It was not like any apple I had tasted before! It was the same as other apples, yet amazingly different. My thoughts must have been on my face for Varda laughed.
"You seem as though you have never tasted an apple before Laurelothwen," she said.
"I do not believe I have before my Lady. It is like and yet unlike the apples I have eaten before and I do not believe I have ever truly tasted an apple before now."
"That is the way everything is in Aman Laurelothwen. Everything here is sacred, including that apple, and because of that everything is to its fullest, good," explained Varda.
And Varda's words were true. The things that were familiar were greater and it felt that I was eating each for the first time and the things that were unfamiliar felt familiar. Each fruit seemed to restore my energy and it wasn't long before I was as strong again as ever. Varda told me the names of the different fruits and I was glad to learn from her.
"You learn even more of the olvar from Yavanna when and if you choose to learn from her," Varda said.
"I wish to learn form all the Valar my Lady! I wish to know everything that they can teach me. I have been thinking my Lady that I would like to learn while I await my people here, but I do not know who I would like to learn from first."
Varda laughed. "You are very eager to understand and you are fortunate. You have forever to learn from what we can teach you. I am certain you will excel as a student."
"There is also something else I wish to ask my Lady, why have I been honored to stay with you?"
"I requested it. There is something that I perceive in you Laurelothwen. I see something great. You are loved by your people and that love will send you far along with your own will which is great."
By this time all the fruits and the bread had been eaten save the three fruits of Laurelin. Varda took one in her hand and motioned for Ilmare and I to do likewise. I reached out for it. The fruit was light and hot like fire. But when I took it, it did not burn. It was like holding fire.
"To the Children of Iluvatar. May many long and glorious years of bliss come to pass with their future arrival," Varda toasted.
"And to the Valar," I added, "For inviting us to live in bliss and fellowship with them."
With that we all ate of the fruit. It was like dining on light. So delicious and pure, never had I tasted of anything like it. It traveled through my entire being and I felt like a creature of light.
"The fruits of Laurelin are the greatest that have ever been devised," exclaimed Ilmare.
"Are the picked from her?" I asked.
"No, they fall from Laurelin during her waning and are gathered by attendants. They are eaten only on special occasions," answered Ilmare.
"You must go and sleep now. Ilmare will show you to your room. Tomorrow we will return to the Ring to decide what you wish to do," said Varda.
I thanked Varda and followed Ilmare from the courtyard to a room on the second floor. It had a window that looked out upon the Trees as well as one that faced to the north where the greatest mountain of the Pelori stood. The ceiling seemed to be enchanted instead of the light of the Trees which was everywhere, the light of stars shone down from it. I recognized the Butterfly within the stars. A large bed with silken covers awaited me. Once again I felt very tired and the bed looked very inviting.
"Sleep well Laurelothwen," said Ilmare before she left the room.
I climbed into the bed, not even bothering to take off my clothes. I was asleep before I my head fell upon the pillow.
TBC
*Pretty much a DQ (direct quote).
Dining Upon Light
Nahar was gone before I could blink. I thought that I was saddened by their leaving me alone with these exalted powers, but in my heart of hearts I knew that I was not sorrowful in the least and that in my time alone I could learn much from the Valar.
"Now little one, Orome has told us much of your people and your way of life, but we would like to hear of you from your point of view," Manwe said.
For long time after I spoke to the Valar telling them all the things of my people. How the stars were the first sight we beheld. Of our joy in speaking, naming things, and singing. How the water of Cuivienen seemed to speak also, but not as beautifully or as powerfully as the sea which Ingwe, Finwe, Elwe, and I had passed over. I also told them of our people who vanished into the forests never to be seen again. How we believed that a Hunter would come and take them away and do atrocious things to them. And how this was the reason for many of the Quendi fleeing at the approach of Orome. At this the Valar were grieved and Tulkas spoke.
"Why did you believe that a hunter would take them away?"
"Because there was nothing else to dispel this belief. Not until Orome came and showed himself to be a kind and benevolent power. After that we did not believe in a Hunter who would harm our people, yet the mystery of what happened to those we lost has never been solved."
At this the Valar looked to one another and fell silent. I felt they knew something that I did not.
"My Lords and Ladies, do you know what happened to my people?"
"We can only guess to what happened to your people from what we already know. But as to a sure answer we have none," replied Nienna. Her tears seemed to have increased.
"Please continue Laurelothwen," spoke Manwe.
So I continued with my tale. I spoke of what happened Orome's coming and of all that he had done for us. I also spoke of the fires in the east, the distress of Cuivienen, and of the trembling of the earth. I did not ask what caused this, for I believed to know the answer. For if these powers were so beautiful and glorious now, I dared not imagine what they could be like in an hour of wrath. I also spoke of Orome's choosing of ambassadors and of our journey to Aman, which led us to the present. By the time my tale was done Laurelin was waning and Teleprion was waxing.
"Your tale has told us much that Orome could not tell daughter. We thank you. But you must now be tired for it has been nearly a day since you arrived," said Manwe.
"My handmaid will show you to your lodgings, which have been prepared for you. Tomorrow we will discuss what you would like to do during your wait for your people," spoke Varda.
Her words were true for I suddenly felt very tired. A feeling which I had not often felt. I bowed before the Valar and they departed from the Ring. Only a maiden of my size was left. She looked like Varda only to a much lesser degree. She approached me with a smile. I wondered if she had been in the Ring the entire time and if others like her had been here.
"I am Ilmare, handmaid of Varda. I am to see to you for a time. If you will please come with me, your room has been prepared for you in Valimar."
She began to walk from the Ring and I hurried after her.
"Where is Valimar and what is it? Orome never spoke of it," I said.
She gave a soft laugh that if stars could laugh that is what they would sound like.
"Why Valimar is the City of the Valar and it lies right outside the Ring. The Valar dwell here when they wish to all gather. Have you not seen it? Or have you been so blinded by the glory of the Valar and the Trees that you could not see it?"
"I suppose your second question is the answer. But what of you? Are you a Maia?"
"I see that Orome has spoken of us as well to you. And yes, I am. There are many of us and we all work as assistants to the Valar. We are like them to a lesser degree.* But you will probably only see a few for we like to work behind the scenes so to speak. Here we are! This child is Valimar, the City of the Valar."
And so it was. Nothing had I seen like it before in all my life. The streets were of crystal. Everywhere was the sound of bells; domes rose to the sky, the buildings seemed not to have been built, but to have sprung up from the ground. Some were like plants that had formed structures while others were of alabaster or obsidian and studded with jewels that I had never seen before and had no name for. As we passed through the city it seemed that it was divided into different sections for the Valar. Some of it seemed like Nessa for it constantly changed, like a dance. While others seemed doomed to stay where they were forever like Mandos. But still others were there yet not there like Lorien. In each section I saw who I guessed were also Maiar working and running errands for the Valar. Many of them seemed like their Masters and Mistresses, only like Ilmare, less. Ilmare had passed through many sections before we came to an area of the city that reminded me of Varda. She led me into the center of this area and into a large building of rose quartz with images wrought of diamonds in its walls. We passed through a short hallway before entering courtyard with a garden of lush orchids. There was a deck that encompassed the upper level of the courtyard. In the center of the garden was a crystal clear pool with brilliantly colored fishes swimming playfully. And with her feet dangling in the water sat Varda. She was smiling as the fish swam circles around her feet. She was my size now, but no less magnificent than when she had sat in the Ring. I was rather surprised for I did not believe that I was going to be in the presence of any of the Valar till later.
"Laurelothwen of the Eldar has arrived my Lady," Ilmare announced as we entered.
"Thank you Ilmare. Please go and bring some food back for our guest," Varda requested without looking up from the fish.
Ilmare gave a short bow and left. I was alone with the greatest of the Valier. I did not know what to do so I stood there and waited for Varda to speak again.
"Come Laurelothwen and sit with me."
I was hesitant at first, but her tone was welcoming and seemed more like a request then a command. I walked over to her and sat cross-legged a little ways from her. Her light spread out in all directions and I sat just at the edge of it. I could feel her greatness come from that light and I loved it as much as I loved and, to an extent, feared her. Still I did not speak. It was at that moment that Ilmare returned with a platter of fruits and vegetables. All of it looked delicious beyond words. Only some of the food I had seen before, but many were unknown to me. In the center of this platter were three large golden fruits, the fruit of Laurelin. Ilmare came and sat in the space between Varda and myself, placing the tray between all of us. We waited for Varda to eat of some of the food before we too began to dine. Once again I was hesitant for I did not know which of the fruits to eat first. I finally took an apple and ate. It was not like any apple I had tasted before! It was the same as other apples, yet amazingly different. My thoughts must have been on my face for Varda laughed.
"You seem as though you have never tasted an apple before Laurelothwen," she said.
"I do not believe I have before my Lady. It is like and yet unlike the apples I have eaten before and I do not believe I have ever truly tasted an apple before now."
"That is the way everything is in Aman Laurelothwen. Everything here is sacred, including that apple, and because of that everything is to its fullest, good," explained Varda.
And Varda's words were true. The things that were familiar were greater and it felt that I was eating each for the first time and the things that were unfamiliar felt familiar. Each fruit seemed to restore my energy and it wasn't long before I was as strong again as ever. Varda told me the names of the different fruits and I was glad to learn from her.
"You learn even more of the olvar from Yavanna when and if you choose to learn from her," Varda said.
"I wish to learn form all the Valar my Lady! I wish to know everything that they can teach me. I have been thinking my Lady that I would like to learn while I await my people here, but I do not know who I would like to learn from first."
Varda laughed. "You are very eager to understand and you are fortunate. You have forever to learn from what we can teach you. I am certain you will excel as a student."
"There is also something else I wish to ask my Lady, why have I been honored to stay with you?"
"I requested it. There is something that I perceive in you Laurelothwen. I see something great. You are loved by your people and that love will send you far along with your own will which is great."
By this time all the fruits and the bread had been eaten save the three fruits of Laurelin. Varda took one in her hand and motioned for Ilmare and I to do likewise. I reached out for it. The fruit was light and hot like fire. But when I took it, it did not burn. It was like holding fire.
"To the Children of Iluvatar. May many long and glorious years of bliss come to pass with their future arrival," Varda toasted.
"And to the Valar," I added, "For inviting us to live in bliss and fellowship with them."
With that we all ate of the fruit. It was like dining on light. So delicious and pure, never had I tasted of anything like it. It traveled through my entire being and I felt like a creature of light.
"The fruits of Laurelin are the greatest that have ever been devised," exclaimed Ilmare.
"Are the picked from her?" I asked.
"No, they fall from Laurelin during her waning and are gathered by attendants. They are eaten only on special occasions," answered Ilmare.
"You must go and sleep now. Ilmare will show you to your room. Tomorrow we will return to the Ring to decide what you wish to do," said Varda.
I thanked Varda and followed Ilmare from the courtyard to a room on the second floor. It had a window that looked out upon the Trees as well as one that faced to the north where the greatest mountain of the Pelori stood. The ceiling seemed to be enchanted instead of the light of the Trees which was everywhere, the light of stars shone down from it. I recognized the Butterfly within the stars. A large bed with silken covers awaited me. Once again I felt very tired and the bed looked very inviting.
"Sleep well Laurelothwen," said Ilmare before she left the room.
I climbed into the bed, not even bothering to take off my clothes. I was asleep before I my head fell upon the pillow.
TBC
*Pretty much a DQ (direct quote).