Chapter Eight: Of Love and Light
The return trip to Imladris was as happy as the trip to the Shire. Cali had quickly hidden any hint of sadness from everyone, even though we all knew it was there. All except you of course, which I'm sure was her goal. All that mattered to her was that you were happy.
During the next few years you were taught your letters, notes and scales. Some of my fondest memories of this time were of listening to you learning our songs. Your small sweet voice somehow made all the old songs new and fresh, and even more beautiful. You were eight years old, and already you had enchanted me.
It was around this time that you met Jolonna. She had been living in a part of Rivendell away from us and had recently moved closer. Elrond had asked for her to be an emissary to the Dwarf Kingdom and wanted her to be close by during the planning.
I wasn't surprised that you became friends with her so quickly, and I was happy that you got along so well, but I couldn't help feeling the way I did towards her. She was a Dwarf. I knew that, no matter how elvish she looked. I know that many Elves feel hostility towards Dwarves, but don't rightly know why. I did. I was there.
When I came to Middle-Earth from the Blessed Realm I was no older than you are now. I found my way to Doriath and was welcomed by Thingol as one of his kin. I witnessed the recovery of the Silmaril by Beren and his marriage to Lúthien. I also witnessed the slaying of Thingol and the sacking of Menegroth at the hands of Dwarves. I had just lost my parents a few years before, and then my extended family was also slain. Suffice to say a hatred for Dwarves grew swiftly within me. I knew this young maid had absolutely nothing to do with that, but old prejudices die hard. I just avoided speaking with Jolonna and guarded my tongue in her presence.
You spent a lot of time with her, when she wasn't busy with Elrond. She was much older than you were, of course, but most of your friends are older than you anyway. Several months later she had to leave, and you were quite sad to see her go. I don't think you really understood why she went, but knew that it was something important. Norín was there, however, to help you get over your loss.
Norín was born a few months after you were. Since Cali was good friends with her mother Anja, it made sense that you two would grow up together. The two of you would often disappear together, only to be found several hours later digging in Elrond's garden, or playing games with the horses in the stables. Often we would have to separate the two of you for getting into so much mischief, but of course, the second you were reunited you'd be right back at it, uprooting flowers to see how they grow.
The summer of your tenth year we decided to take you camping. It was something Cali had always wanted to do with you and it seemed that you were finally old enough. Tyssa, Hallath and I came along, as well as Norín who got permission from her mother.
We traveled to a nearby lake about half a day's journey from Rivendell. It was lined with trees and filled with fish with a gorgeous view of the sunset. We camped by the shore and lit a fire, which you and Norín were utterly fascinated by. We all decided it best not to show you how to make your own just yet.
Cali had endless fun teaching you how to fish, which took almost a whole day. It was several hours before you would even touch the worm. After you learned how to, it was all you wanted to do. That accomplished, she tried to get you to swim. You would have none of it.
Norín already knew how to swim and so was out in the water chasing fish and diving for rocks. You were led into the water up to your knees, but as soon as the water began to rise to your waist you ran back to shore. Apparently you had inherited your father's fear of water.
"Come in, Mélanyë," Cali called to you from the lake, "It's no different than a bath!" You sat yourself down by the shore and shook your head silently. Cali finally decided to let you be and swam instead with Norín and Tyssa.
I watched from a few feet away as you sulked- knees up and bottom lip out. Even in such a dreadful mood you were the cutest thing I'd ever seen. Suddenly you jumped up onto your knees with a gasp.
"What is it?" I asked. I'd thought you may have been stung by something, but instead you were looking intently into the water on the shore and pointing. "Look!!" you cried. I came closer and saw that you were pointing at a school of tiny silver fish feeding on the algae around the shore. You soon forgot all about your fear of water and began looking for other creatures in the water, all the time going deeper and deeper in. When you got too far you would again run back to the shore, but Cali winked at me. At least you had gone in by yourself.
That evening we all ate our meal while watching one of the most spectacular sunsets I ever remember seeing. Clouds had moved in during the day and partially hid the sun, causing every shade of blue, purple, pink and orange possible to present itself. The horizon began to darken to a deep purple when we heard the first thunder.
The rain was small at first. A few drops here and there causing gentle ripples on the surface of the lake. At the first crack of thunder Hallath and I moved everything under the shelter of a low tree, including ourselves and all of you. Just as we got settled there was another loud rumble in the distance followed by a bright flash of lightning. You were already spooked by the thunder and hugging Cali tightly, but when you saw the lightning you were immediately in tears. She tried to comfort you as best as she could but you were absolutely terrified. Every rumble and boom in the distance began new waves of fright. Cali herself had always enjoyed thunderstorms, revelling in the magnificent display of the power of Manwë and Ulmo, but it was hard to enjoy it when you were so frightened. In the end, however, you cried yourself to sleep.
The storm continued on far into the night and Cali, desiring to walk with Tyssa in the rain, had left you with me. The thunder had died down, but the rain came down in heavy drops. There was the occasional rumble in the distance, but save for the sound of the rain on the leaves, all was quiet. It was dark also, for not only had the fire died out but the clouds had hidden the stars from us. It was all I could do to make out your small form in front of me. Norín, I knew, was a few feet beside you in her own peaceful dreams. She had fallen asleep in Tyssa's arms, watching the lightning dance across the sky.
There was a sudden fierce crack of thunder that made even me jump in surprise. You woke immediately. I could only imagine the terror you felt in that moment- jolted awake by a loud terrifying sound, only to find yourself alone in pitch dark. The wailing was almost immediate. I took you in my arms as fast as I could and tried to soothe you before you woke Norín as well. You calmed down when you heard my voice.
"Lindir? Where's ammë?" Your little voice was so high pitched with fear it was heartbreaking. You clutched at my arm as if you would fall without me and buried your face in my chest. "She went with Tyssa for a walk, melda," I said as I rocked you back and forth. You relaxed in my arms and I stroked your hair, hoping to lull you to sleep. Suddenly you tensed up again.
"But the wolves," you said suddenly, "There were wolves!"
"What are you talking about?" We had never told you anything about wolves or any other dangerous creature. It was absurd that you would even know about such things. And a little frightening.
"I saw them!"
"In a dream?" You nodded frantically and I hugged you tighter. Just then Cali came running through the trees towards us.
"I heard crying, are you alright?" She took you from me and hugged you tight as you cried in her arms. Several minutes later you were asleep, and then I told Cali of your dream.
"That doesn't make any sense, I never told her anything about wolves. How would she know about them?" I shook my head. We had all agreed to not tell you of what we do, of the need to protect our land and of the evils that dwelt in Middle Earth. Cali had wanted to keep your hobbit innocence with you as long as possible, but it seemed at that moment an impossibility. Somehow you had found out, and it would soon be time to explain.
The next morning dawned clear and fresh. The clouds had moved on and the birds were singing from every tree. You woke and remembered nothing of your dream or the terror of the night before. Explanations seemed to have been put off for now.
That day we were finally able to coax you into the water. Little by little you walked in holding Cali's hand. When the water reached your shoulders she picked you up and gently lay you in the water, as if she were putting you in the bath. You began to squirm in protest, but soon you were under the water and you finally saw that it wasn't so bad after all. You were soon being taught how to hold your breath and to swim on your own.
Everyone was amazed at how fast you picked it up. It wasn't just swimming either. Everything you were taught you learned quickly, a trait you must have inherited from your father. By sunset that day you were swimming as if you'd known how all your life, laughing and giggling the whole time.
I too had been swimming most of the day, and by evening I was seeking out a place where I could rest and meditate. I found a spot a little way off from the camp by the shore and there I sat and began to center myself. All was quiet save for the gentle rippling of the water.
"Lindir?" I hadn't heard you approach, but I knew you were there; I could smell the wild berries on your hands.
"Yes?" I said, attempting to not break my concentration.
"I want to play."
"So go play."
"But I want to play with YOU!"
"But I'm busy now."
"What are you doing?"
"Meditating."
"No you aren't, you're talking!" I sighed. You were right, of course, my concentration had been broken the second I'd heard your voice. Nevertheless, I attempted to get it back. I had a few moments of silence before you'd had enough.
"Lindir?" I didn't answer. My goal was to show you that I really was busy and I wanted you to learn how to entertain yourself. Apparently, you're a quick study. "Lindir? Lindir? Lindir? Lindir? Lindir? Lindir? Lindir?"
"WHAT?" I said finally. I allowed myself to laugh too. Several minutes had gone by and you were still calling me. I wanted to see how long it would take you to get tired of saying the same thing, but I was the one who got annoyed first.
"I want to play," you said quietly. You wanted to look like I'd hurt you, but I saw the little grin that you didn't yet know how to hide. Then I got an idea.
"Mélanyë, come here." You flashed me a puzzled look but didn't move. "Come here, come on," I said. The little grin widened. I reached out and dragged you to me by the ankle, causing you to squeal in delight. "Now, sit." I said. I crossed your legs for you as mine were and held your hands in a comfortable position on your knees.
"What are we doing?" you asked. "Shh...close your eyes," I said. "I want you to learn how to meditate." You turned your head around.
"Why would I want to do that?" I turned your head back straight and sighed. "Because then you'll know how to be quiet." You turned around completely and sat. The lesson was apparently over.
"But I don't want to be quiet, I want to play!" I sighed. The great Lindir, champion of the Teleri, defeated by a little halfling. I gave in.
"All right," I said, "we'll go play!" You were immediately standing up and pulling me up off the ground. Before I knew it I was being led towards the camp, and whatever games you had in store for me.
We were out for a month, enjoying the outdoors and each other's company. Just as autumn began to hint at its arrival, we returned; some of us a little older, all a little wiser.