Chapter 17
The shore was lined with people, many of whom held weapons. At the pier stood Prince Imrahil with his sons and knights about him. He saw Mithlhach from afar and bestowed a smile upon her. She smiled back but when other people noticed her there she found it difficult to smile. They were expecting some great disaster and clearly thought she was the cause of it. Mithlhach ignored them and looked instead to the ship in the distance. At the helm there seemed to be a flame but beside it shone a white light like that of a star.
"What do you see?" she asked Lindil.
"A man it seems," he said, "With great flames about his head and in his eyes. Beside him...no, the light beside him has disappeared behind him and I can no longer see it."
"Do you think it is a fire demon?" she asked.
"I cannot say," he replied.
The ship was approaching fast with bellowing sales. The strong wind made it difficult for many to stay on their feet and Mithlhach saw with mild amusement a few people topple backwards. The ship finally docked and the flame haired man stepped ashore.
"See!" cried someone, "He has come now because she is here! Woe to us!"
"She summoned her fire demon father and he is now here!" shouted another.
The man turned his fair face upon them and smiled. He looked both young and old at the same time. Many ages of wisdom sat upon his brow and many years of pain reflected in his eyes. But his eyes were so bright that no one could look into them and many turned away. Only Mithlhach did not look away as he drew near the Prince.
"Forgive my arrival here," he said to Prince Imrahil in a low gentle voice and although he spoke softly, all heard his words, "I hope I have permission to walk upon your land."
"Do not speak so," replied the prince, "It is good to see you again, Lhachatar, you are most welcome."
Lhachatar turned his face to the people holding weapons and did not seem convinced by the prince's words. But he knew Prince Imrahil was sincere for none of the knights held a weapon of any kind.
"Well," said Lhachatar loudly to the ones who had shouted when he arrived, "You are wrong if you believe I have come to bring woe upon you or that I have been summoned. But what else you said is the truth."
Lindil looked at Mithlhach and for the first time he saw wonder in her eyes as she looked upon her father. He had returned. She had clutched Lindil's arm involuntarily when she saw Lhachatar and now as she hurried towards him, she dragged Lindil along with her. Lhachatar watched her come, he also saw the looks of loathing many threw her way and was saddened.
As they neared him, Lhachatar smiled for he saw in his daughter the look of her mother. To Lindil's surprise Mithlhach was looking straight into her father's eyes although, even for Lindil his eyes were too bright. Lhachatar's face seemed to grow old before their very eyes and the flames about his head calmed somewhat, gradually resembling red curls rather than flames. As Mithlhach stood before him, the light from his hair made her hair seem as though it was on fire as well.
"My daughter," said Lhachatar, taking her hand.
She looked up into his eyes and saw the fiery pained eyes from her dreams and suddenly understood that they only searched for her to watch over her. In her dreams there had been fondness in those eyes overwhelmed with pain so much so that she had hardly noticed it. Only now, when she saw the same eyes in which the love overwhelmed the pain, did she realise what she had missed.
He put his arms about his daughter and held her close, making her feel as though she was inside sunlight, warm and safe. Drawing her away he took her hand again and his smile broadened as he saw the ring.
"So it has been returned to you," he said, "For a few days I had thought you lost to me until I learned that the ring was on his dead hand and not yours," he shook his head, "Had I been able to come sooner, my son would be alive. But he had my foresight, he knew his death would be coming soon. All is the way it was meant to be. If only he was not so adverse to my presence I would have given him a token from myself, for me to watch over him by."
"Then my ring truly is a part of you," said Mithlhach, finding her voice.
"Yes, my dear," he replied, "It is a gem I fashioned from my flames so that I may always be with you and watch over you while I was gone."
"But why did you go at all?"
"I was not meant to be here," he said and the smile left his face, "Yet I came and made myself a home in Dor-en-ernil. A maiden made her way along the mountainside every evening and a swan guided her steps. She was your mother."
"Dor-en-ernil?" interupted Mithlhach, "But grandfather said you met her in the misty mountains."
"Now why would she have gone there? You know how your grandfather is easily confused. He must have muddled the two mountains because my Red Chamber is there.
"As I was saying, unbeknownst to her, a band of Orcs had inhabited the mountains and were watching, despising her trespass. It was not long before they attacked. Their noise drew me out of my place in the mountains and when I came upon them, the maiden was fighting them off with a staff. Her skill was admirable but she could not deal with them all. I slew the Orcs with one blow and the maiden was left standing among their dead carcasses in confusion. It was then that I realised that she did not have the sight of her eyes and my admiration for her grew.
"I explained to her what had happened yet she still seemed suspicious. The swan led her back home and I followed at some distance to insure her safety.
"From that day on I looked for her as she came for her walks (though now she came with her father) and we spent the evenings deep in discussion. My love for her grew but when those in Valinor heard of it they immediately called me back. Love for a mortal is forbidden but my love was reckless and I would not yield to the summons. Your mother, Hiriluin, returned my love and we were thus wed. For a few years all was well. There was only one problem.
"Although the brightness of my eyes caused her no discomfort, the fire of my hair was of too intense a heat for her, so I would travel to the misty mountains and shed my hair in a cave. A cave that came to be known as the Red Chamber for the light of my hair bathed the walls in a scarlet light.
"Soon, however, the people of Dol Amroth began to be suspicious of me. They believed me to be a spy of Sauron despite the efforts of Prince Imrahil and Hiriluin's parents to convince them otherwise. Then, after two years, the Valar sent spirits to take me to Valinor to be punished and I went willingly."
"Why?" asked Mithlhach.
"As the years went by, living with me made your mother become weaker. Mortal life is far too delicate to be under the constant light of a Maiar. When you were born after your brother, you had inherited too much of my fiery spirit for your mother to bear and she died. Such pain I felt, I cannot describe. I had lost the one thing I had ever held dear. From that day I no longer cared what became of me. It was then that I understood why my love had been forbidden. It was then that I returned to Valinor, a captive.
"Before I left, I gave a gem to your grandparents to be kept near you at all times. Your brother, however, found the fire in my eyes too painful and my mere presence caused him to cry. I could not have stayed, even had I been permitted to.
"All these years I have faced my guilt and pain alone. Stealing moments with my children in their dreams though you remembered not a thing when you awoke. It was through the ring that I became linked to you, aware of many of your doings. Aware that you were growing up independent like your mother but reckless like myself. A great malice was waiting to defeat you and I tried to warn you in your dreams but as always you did not remember. I knew you would deal with the threat but you would also bear much hurt.
"Therefore, I spoke into the mind of another. Someone who could heal your hurts and curb your temper for long enough to keep you safe until I could return."
He then turned to Lindil.
"For long you have wondered what caused you to stay beside Mithlhach," he told the elf, "I but whispered once in your heart, beckoning you to stay with the ring, and it was enough for you to do so. Yet once she lost the ring there was nothing holding you to stay but your own regard for her. I cannot thank you enough."
"I could do no less," said Lindil, "You call her Mithlhach, but what is her true name?"
"Mithlhach, is her true name. The one I gave her. The one I whispered to your mind when you saw her. Yet I believe the people here call her something else. 'Tis not important. She is and always will be my Mithlhach. I learned of the first attempt on her life when I beheld two fiery arrows shooting into the sky and so I pleaded with the Valar to let me return. They saw that I had suffered enough and that is why you see me here now.
"Lindil, I said earlier that I could not thank you enough. But perhaps it would please you to know that I have explained all to Nimril and she holds not a thing against you. In fact she eagerly awaits you on the ship."
Lindil's fair face lit up and he almost forgot to utter farewell before he sprinted towards the ship where Nimril stood waiting for him, smiling at him from the prow. He now understood that what had appeared as a star from afar was in fact his beloved Nimril.
"My dear friend," he said to Mithlhach, "Forgive my haste."
"It is forgiven," she said, "But before you go I must give you something. A token of my friendship."
From her bag she fished out a carved wooden box. She had carved it herself with little reminders of their adventures to Dol Amroth. Their meeting at the troll shaws, the dragon, the spiders, the boat, the tiring climb over the mountains and many more. On the lid was a symbol of a sword and an arrow side by side within a ring.
"Open it," she said.
Inside was a silver ball but it encased a glass ball that was visible from either side as though the glass ball was an eye and the silver, the eyelid. Light could pass through one side to the next. As it did so the inside shone like fire for within it curled a lock of her dark hair.
"May man and elf meet again one day," said Lindil with a smile.
"And soon," said Mithlhach taking his hand, "Farewell, brother."
"Farewell, child. There is but one thing left unexplained."
Mithlhach looked at him with raised brows.
"How come you to be so short of stature?" asked Lindil.
"My grandfather was from Bree," she replied, "And the folk there are not over tall as it is but my grandfather was shorter than most because his mother was a hobbit."
"Your great grandmother was a hobbit?" exclaimed the elf, "Surely you jest!"
"I surely do," she said with a smile.
Lindil laughed and squeezed her hand.
"I shall miss you," he said.
"No you shall not," said Mithlhach, "You shall forget me as soon as you reach Valinor but my gift will serve as a reminder to you of Mithlhach, the grey flame."
"I wish I had something for you to remember me by."
"I shall never forget you, my dearest friend. Now make haste or Nimril will come here to scold me."
The sheer mention of her name made him anxious to leave so he did so after giving Mithlhach a brotherly hug and uttering a hurried farewell to the dwarves, the men and Lhachatar. She watched him hasten across to the boat and leap gracefully into it to embrace Nimril. Smiling, Mithlhach looked at the dwarves.
"Well, my friends. Will you stay and break fast with is?"
"No, my dear," said Sarin, "We must also be on our way. Business to take care of up North."
"Oh dear," said Merin.
"Oh hush. I have been assured it is genuine."
"Need I remind you that you were assured both times before and led us on a wild goose-chase," said Corin.
"Another hunt for treasure?" asked Mithlhach.
"As always," said Sarin, "We cannot return to Erebor empty handed."
"Ah," said Lhachatar, "The three dwarves who were searching for my Red Chamber. Now why were you so anxious to find me or it?"
"Only to bring poor Ohtarwen's mind to rest," said Merin, "And also in the hope that you could direct us to some of that worm beast's hoard."
"Then you are at the right place," smiled Lhachatar, "For most of that hoard is now in the mountains you see to the East."
The dwarves were, quite obviously, much delighted and after extracting from Lhachatar the exact whereabouts of the riches, they thanked him many times, said a cheerful farewell to Mithlhach, assuring her that they would visit her again soon, and loaded themselves into their cart to leave.
"How fitting that you should hold dear the children of Aulë," remarked Lhachatar, "When I am one who serves him."
"You serve Aulë? Many of the people here believe that you serve Sauron and Morgoth," said Mithlhach.
"Many people here," he said quietly so that only she could hear, "Are fools."
She chuckled and looked towards the ship bearing Lindil out to sea. He saw her from afar and waved, as did Nimril. She waved back and turned to Lhachatar once more.
"What happens now, father. Do you stay?"
"Not for long, I fear," Lhachatar answered, "And only if the Prince allows."
Prince Imrahil was standing near them with his sons and replied warmly that he did indeed allow. Amrothos, however, was looking in some confusion at the ship as it drifted away into the mist. He was drawn from his pondering when Lhachatar addressed him.
"Forgive me, young Amrothos," he said, "I fear I caused you many a restless night, troubling your mind in my search for Mithlhach. You were one of those who had held the gem, therefore, only from you could I acquire details of her whereabouts."
"I do not hold that against you, sir," replied Amrothos, "How could I, when it was I who took the life of your son."
"Do not judge yourself so harshly," Lhachatar replied, "You did what you felt was right. There is no malice in your heart. Now take me to him, dear child. I wish to look upon the face of my boy."
So Amrothos led Lhachatar to the tomb and Mithlhach followed. Lhachatar wished to see Himthol alone so Mithlhach and Amrothos waited in the courtyard for him. Mithlhach sat at the bench and looked at the fountain while Amrothos wandered aimlessly. He had been wearing his helm when he had stood with his father but now he removed it and held it under his arm so that his hair blew about his face. He walked stiffly for the wounds in his back still caused him pain and he had bandages around his wrists. He stopped finally near a wilting plant and his dark grey eyes rested on it sorrowfully. When Mithlhach looked up at him she suddenly remembered the dream she had of him standing at the edge of the cliff and although he shed no tears she felt a sudden unexplainable urge to comfort him.
"I do not blame you," she said.
She spoke so suddenly, breaking the silence, that it took him a few moments to comprehend what she had said.
"For what?" he asked.
She stood up and went near him but she did not look him in the face.
"For Himthol's death," she said, "You spared him pain and for that I am grateful. There was no guarantee that the king could have saved him or that he could have even reached him in time."
"That means more to me than you shall ever know."
"I know you meant no wrong. Not the way I killed Ohtar. Had he not attacked Lindil I would not have stabbed him but the fire would have burned him to death eventually. Such is my gift," she added, touching the wilting plant gently, "It leads only to destruction and death."
"I'm sure that is not true," said Amrothos.
He held her hand against the plant as he spoke and she looked up at him with a grim smile.
"But it is true," she said.
"Now you know that your father is not fell, why do you still see yourself this way? Your "gift" does good and you have helped many in your life, with and without it."
He spoke with such fervour and looked at her so reassuringly that she found herself believing him.
"You must be greatly fatigued," he said, "I hear that you have not slept all night. Perhaps you should rest a little before breakfast. There is a room beside Lothiriel's. You remember where her room is do you not?"
"Yes. Where is she?"
"She has gone to Rohan with my eldest brother, to acquire some horses. I believe she has taken a liking to King Eomer."
Mithlhach chuckled and remarked that Lothiriel always did have a partiality for golden hair. She further added that she would rest later once she had spoken to her father to her heart's content.
"As you wish," said Amrothos, "Please excuse me, however, for I feel the need for some rest myself."
"Think nothing if it. After all you have suffered these past days, you need some time to recuperate. Rest well."
Amrothos smiled, his heart much lightened, and went to the staircase leading to his bedchamber. Mithlhach was still looking after him when Lhachatar appeared.
"How strange," said Lhachatar, "That plant you hold is so much out of sunlight, I am surprised it would have grown at all let alone to such an extent."
Mithlhach look down and saw that the plant that had before appeared withered was now green and lush with new leaves beginning to unfurl. She looked at it in astonishment and then back towards Amrothos' staircase.
"Is something amiss, Mithlhach?" asked her father.
She smiled at him and looping her arm in his, led him to the castle's gardens.
"Not anymore, father," she replied.
The End
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the end but an epilogue may follow if you have any questions or something needs explaining still, so do let me know. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it.)
