Daeron looked up and sighed contently. What could be more beautiful than the night sky? When the faint light of the stars shone unhindered, with only pale gleam of the moon as their company. He even lived through days when sky was only lit by stars. Those days, were the most joyous and carefree. Girdle of Melian ensured their safety, for no foul beings, or any beings, could enter their realm without their ruler's consent. But now everything had changed.
He had never returned to his kin ever since he left Doriath. Instead, he chose to be a lone wanderer, lived only with provision from the nature. But, sometimes the minstrel went into Men's villages and cities, observing their actions. Having seen much, he, who once had the most unfavourable attitude toward the Followers, now felt compassion to them. Their agonies, which many times were denied by themselves, were clearly visible on their faces, and could not be ignored. Sometimes they wept over the loss of their possession, or pride, but they always had hope that tomorrow would bring better lives. Sometimes they would weep for the lost of the loved ones, the ones who went away to live apart from them. And for those who was taken by Death.
Death.
The word lingered heavily in the air. The War of Ring had just ended, with many victims from the Westernesses as well as the Easterlings. They died, and would not open their eyes again for eternity, for time that was only known to Eru Himself. Why? Why must there be two separate fates for the Children of Iluvatar? Had He made us all immortals or mortals, Daeron reflected, much pain and confusion would never have taken place. But His way was always inscrutable, even to the Valar.
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A clear voice of a girl suddenly awakened him from his trance. He looked down from the tree he was sitting on and his eyes struck on a beautiful little creature approaching him from afar.
She was young, barely above ten years old. Her hair was long and dark as the night sky. Running by her side was a little golden pup. She laughed and ran as her playmate chased her playfully. Though she was running, her movement was like a dancer dancing, graceful and musical, complying with the song of the wind. She was beautiful, with her reddish cheek as she panted in exhaustion after the long chase. Her smile was bright and childlike, unspoiled by the sins of the grown-ups. And in a very funny way, she reminded Daeron of Luthien. When Luthien danced, it was as if everything around her was pale contrasting to her stunning beauty, as if all was dark and she alone was bright. But this little girl, she brightened her surroundings by her presence, spreading joy to the air.
She halted and dropped herself onto the soft grass, panting in exhaustion. The pup jumped to her, and with a laugh the girl gathered it in her arms and tickled its belly. The little creature tried to free itself, but she wouldn't let go. They struggled on the grass with the girl still laughing, breaking the silence of nature with her musical voice.
The minstrel could not help but smile at the sight. His previous grim thoughts were expelled by the light-heartening view. Two innocent creatures of Iluvatar were playing, absorbing themselves into their small but joyous world, where laughter and happiness were the only feeling that existed .Until when could this innocence be maintained? Daeron pondered involuntarily. He let his guard down while he watched her playing. An ordinary mortal, a girl with a surpassingly enchanting aura, perhaps caused by her innocence and jollity. He certainly hadn't felt such gaiety for some ages. Loneliness was his only companion.
There was a loud crackling sound, as his hand accidentally broke the branch he was holding on to. The sound startled the young girl. "Who is it?" she asked, alarmed. She looked around. Her wary eyes swept around the surroundings to find the source of the sound. Daeron did not have the chance to evade being spotted. Or maybe he did want to be found. Her eyes struck on him, no longer innocent or jolly, but cautious and alarmed.
"Who are you?" she asked. "What are you doing here?"
Daeron smiled and jumped down from the tree. "Hullo, little girl. My name is Daeron. I am watching the stars. They are beautiful aren't they?" he said. "I assume you watch the stars too?"
The little girl nodded, still watchful.
"Where are your parents, little one? Why have they left you all alone in this field?"
"They are over there." She pointed her finger to the north, which was on her left side. "They are sleeping. I wake earlier so I can come here and play with Sniffy." She pointed to her dog, which was scrubbing Daeron fondly with its nose. He smiled and picked it up.
"She likes to sniff. Is that why you call her Sniffy?" Daeron said. The pup was now licking his face. Daeron put it down. It ran to her mistress, barking happily, and then ran to Daeron again.
She nodded. "Yes. Sniffy never gets along well with strangers. That is weird," she said, while patting the pup, which had run to her again. She looked to Daeron with careful eyes, scrutinizing him once more. "You don't look like a bad man."
"I am not." Daeron kept his smile and approaching the young girl.
"My parents tell me not to speak to strangers."
"You must not." He nodded in agreement. "But you mustn't go out by yourself either, especially not in the night."
"Mom will spank me if she finds out."
"Will she?"
"Not if she doesn't know. You won't tell her, will you?" She pleaded.
"No, I will not." Daeron smiled.
She smiled. "Thanks."
"May I know your name, little girl?"
"I am Inu."
"A pretty name for a pretty girl."
"Thanks. Hey, you are shining!" she exclaimed in amazement as she noticed how bright was Daeron's Elven glow enveloping his body. The girl was so excited she forgot that Daeron was a stranger. She approached Daeron, and touched his skin, examining his glowing skin. "Wow! More beautiful than fireflies… and you have pointed ears!" She said in admiration mixed with bewilderment. Her small hand reached out to touch his ears. Daeron knelt, letting this adorable creature to examine him.
"I will tell you a secret," he whispered to her ears mysteriously. " I am an Elf."
"You are? Like Elves in fairy tales?" her eyes widened in surprised. "No, I don't believe you. Elves don't exist."
"Ah, but they do, Inu. See? I have pointed ears and I am glowing." Daeron smiled. He wondered why he was so captivated by this young girl, and was desperate for her friendship. He hardly mingled with kids before, though it didn't mean he could not when he felt it necessary. Watching so many children throughout his long life, he had learned just enough of how to communicate with them.
"Yea." She touched his velvety raven hair now, amazed at the faint spark of starlight, which formed a halo around him. "You are so beautiful, Master Elf."
"You too, little girl."
"Not like you," she replied.
"Yea, because you are prettier, " he said honestly. Viewing her closely, Daeron could see sparks of fire burning in her dark brown eyes. Flames of her vitality and some other forces he could not yet discern. This little girl was not an average child, he thought, there are flames of strength and other potential I do not yet foresee.
"So, you are an Elf?" she asked again.
"Yes."
She smiled, very much convinced. But frowned again. "Where are your friends? Are you alone?"
"You are peceptive, little girl." Daeron smiled, liking the girl even more. "Now, it is a long story. Do you want to hear it?"
"Yes," she said enthusiastically. "Please tell me the story," she begged.
"All right. But not today. You must return to your parents now."
She twisted her mouth, displeased by his answer. Daeron could not help but laugh. He caressed her hair ere he said, "I just don't want your mom to spank you. Come here tomorrow. Afternoon," Daeron added the last word sternly, not wanting the girl to wander alone in the night again. "I will tell you everything you want to know."
"Promise?" she demanded.
"Promise."
"All right then. Good-bye, Master Elf," she said. Her face was again lit by her lovely smile.
"Good-bye, little girl. Be careful!" He waived his hand, responding to her similar gesture, as she ran with her pup back to the place where she had come from and disappeared from his sight.
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My deepest gratitude for Ithilwen who beta the story and gives me many insightful feedback.
I am sorry it takes so long for me to update. I am thinking of where this story will go. Thanks to Jillian Baade for remind me that there are people who are still waiting for this story. Expect update in about 2 weeks or so. ( I usually update once every 2 weeks).
