Disclaimer: The characters and settings belong to JRR Tolkien and I make no
profit from this writing.
- Enjoy -
*Eol's story Chapter two*
I sat by the fire, the cool air enclosed around me. For the first time the darkness became suffocating, my sprits sunk into the lowest despair. My wife and son had betrayed me. Slowly I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
I awoke hours later and wandered aimlessly through the woods. I climbed up hills and passed over trickling brooks. The recognizable woods of Nan Elmoth became a maze. I could not escape it and return home. I did not want to speak with my son again, I knew I would be to rash and I would damage our relationship even more.
I came to a small clearing, my memory jolted. This spot in the woods seemed to carry a lighter atmosphere. I sat down and suddenly my memories flooded back into my body. This had been the place when I had first saw Aredhel. Her white graceful body weary from her helpless travels and her face was so delicate and divine. My mind became bewitched by her beauty and I desired her more than anything. She was fairer than any jewel I could craft. Before Aredhel I was content to create beautiful metals but now she brought more meaning to my life. I could not let her go, for I would go insane. I needed her, my metals couldn't bring me that same passion.
I hurried back to my home, and I rushed inside. Aredhel and Maeglin were just about to eat, I sat down. Silence filled the room, and I felt awkward, like I was intruding on something. "I did not know you were planning on joining us. I did not plan enough food for three." Aredhel spoke to me with a monotone voice, she did not show any love but she did not show me hate.
I hadn't eaten a proper meal in days, yet I replied nonchalantly, "I'm not hungry." I turned to go to my forge. "Son, when you are finished would you come join me in the forge. I have learnt much when I was away." Afraid to accept a refusal from my son I headed to my forge without awaiting his answer.
I light a fire and began to gather my tools. I found some beautiful silver which I had traded from the dwarves. Soon after Maeglin joined me. He said nothing, but that wasn't abnormal. I wanted to start a conversation but my mind couldn't find anything worthwhile to say. An hour passed, we continued working side by side like parallel lines in silence. I could see that Maeglin was becoming frustrated with the sword he was making. I took the sword from him and attempted to correct him. I looked up at eyes, he was staring out the small window of my forge. "Are you even listening to me Maeglin." I commanded.
"Yes father" he answered. He turned away from the window. Why was my son obsessed with light? I didn't understand, the one thing that I despised he made a point of loving.
I felt my frustration rise in my throat, why couldn't we have the perfect father-son relationship. Suddenly I yelled out at him, "If you insist of opposing everything I like leave now and end your bitter suffering" Maeglin's eyes looked at me with confusion and fear. He turned and seized the opportunity to escape the forge. I regretted those words the second they slipped off my tongue, little did I know what ideas they would later provoke. I tried to call him back but it was useless, he heard my pleas but he ignored him. I knew I had to leave again tomorrow for Nogrod, for feast of the dwarves.
I approached Aredhel that night, "Please forgive me, I must leave tomorrow ere dawn comes. But await my return for I will home for many days, I will not let myself be consumed by the metals in my forge." Aredhel gave me a half smile, her face sent joy throughout my body.
"You must sleep then, if you insist on waking so early." I nodded and turned towards our room. I was disappointed in her response but the smile on her face had brought back hope. I would go to the east but I would surprise them and return early, maybe that would bring another smile on her face.
****
A fortnight later I returned to the woods of Nan Elmoth, throughout the entire journey my heart had been aching for my family. True to my own promise I returned a week earlier than I had originally told my wife and son. I gathered all speed after I passed though the borders of my realm, some dark void urged me on.
My footsteps echoed as I walked through my empty house. "Aredhel, Maeglin" I called out, but my voice was answered with silence.
I stormed outside my house, one of my servants lingered outside, "Where did my wife and son go!" I commanded, my voice was rising with my anxiety.
"They went to seek Celegorm and Curufin sons of Feanor in Himlad. Two nights have passed since their departure."
"You despicable creature! How dare you let them wander free when you know my wishes. They were to abide within the borders of Nan Elmoth, shunning all sunlight." I threw him on the ground at the trunk of a nearby tree in my fury.
Without another word I mounted my horse and headed for Himlad. I rode in haste driven by my hate for the Noldor and betrayal by my wife and son. My memory wandered to my last moments with Aredhel before I left, she had smiled at the notion of my return. The joy which I felt then was now replaced with confusion and anger, had she been planning to leave and merely mocking my ignorance or did she truly smile at the thought of my return. The sun rose over the horizon but I did not stop because of the light, my mind and heart drove me forward, I had the right to reclaim what once was my own.
- Enjoy -
*Eol's story Chapter two*
I sat by the fire, the cool air enclosed around me. For the first time the darkness became suffocating, my sprits sunk into the lowest despair. My wife and son had betrayed me. Slowly I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
I awoke hours later and wandered aimlessly through the woods. I climbed up hills and passed over trickling brooks. The recognizable woods of Nan Elmoth became a maze. I could not escape it and return home. I did not want to speak with my son again, I knew I would be to rash and I would damage our relationship even more.
I came to a small clearing, my memory jolted. This spot in the woods seemed to carry a lighter atmosphere. I sat down and suddenly my memories flooded back into my body. This had been the place when I had first saw Aredhel. Her white graceful body weary from her helpless travels and her face was so delicate and divine. My mind became bewitched by her beauty and I desired her more than anything. She was fairer than any jewel I could craft. Before Aredhel I was content to create beautiful metals but now she brought more meaning to my life. I could not let her go, for I would go insane. I needed her, my metals couldn't bring me that same passion.
I hurried back to my home, and I rushed inside. Aredhel and Maeglin were just about to eat, I sat down. Silence filled the room, and I felt awkward, like I was intruding on something. "I did not know you were planning on joining us. I did not plan enough food for three." Aredhel spoke to me with a monotone voice, she did not show any love but she did not show me hate.
I hadn't eaten a proper meal in days, yet I replied nonchalantly, "I'm not hungry." I turned to go to my forge. "Son, when you are finished would you come join me in the forge. I have learnt much when I was away." Afraid to accept a refusal from my son I headed to my forge without awaiting his answer.
I light a fire and began to gather my tools. I found some beautiful silver which I had traded from the dwarves. Soon after Maeglin joined me. He said nothing, but that wasn't abnormal. I wanted to start a conversation but my mind couldn't find anything worthwhile to say. An hour passed, we continued working side by side like parallel lines in silence. I could see that Maeglin was becoming frustrated with the sword he was making. I took the sword from him and attempted to correct him. I looked up at eyes, he was staring out the small window of my forge. "Are you even listening to me Maeglin." I commanded.
"Yes father" he answered. He turned away from the window. Why was my son obsessed with light? I didn't understand, the one thing that I despised he made a point of loving.
I felt my frustration rise in my throat, why couldn't we have the perfect father-son relationship. Suddenly I yelled out at him, "If you insist of opposing everything I like leave now and end your bitter suffering" Maeglin's eyes looked at me with confusion and fear. He turned and seized the opportunity to escape the forge. I regretted those words the second they slipped off my tongue, little did I know what ideas they would later provoke. I tried to call him back but it was useless, he heard my pleas but he ignored him. I knew I had to leave again tomorrow for Nogrod, for feast of the dwarves.
I approached Aredhel that night, "Please forgive me, I must leave tomorrow ere dawn comes. But await my return for I will home for many days, I will not let myself be consumed by the metals in my forge." Aredhel gave me a half smile, her face sent joy throughout my body.
"You must sleep then, if you insist on waking so early." I nodded and turned towards our room. I was disappointed in her response but the smile on her face had brought back hope. I would go to the east but I would surprise them and return early, maybe that would bring another smile on her face.
****
A fortnight later I returned to the woods of Nan Elmoth, throughout the entire journey my heart had been aching for my family. True to my own promise I returned a week earlier than I had originally told my wife and son. I gathered all speed after I passed though the borders of my realm, some dark void urged me on.
My footsteps echoed as I walked through my empty house. "Aredhel, Maeglin" I called out, but my voice was answered with silence.
I stormed outside my house, one of my servants lingered outside, "Where did my wife and son go!" I commanded, my voice was rising with my anxiety.
"They went to seek Celegorm and Curufin sons of Feanor in Himlad. Two nights have passed since their departure."
"You despicable creature! How dare you let them wander free when you know my wishes. They were to abide within the borders of Nan Elmoth, shunning all sunlight." I threw him on the ground at the trunk of a nearby tree in my fury.
Without another word I mounted my horse and headed for Himlad. I rode in haste driven by my hate for the Noldor and betrayal by my wife and son. My memory wandered to my last moments with Aredhel before I left, she had smiled at the notion of my return. The joy which I felt then was now replaced with confusion and anger, had she been planning to leave and merely mocking my ignorance or did she truly smile at the thought of my return. The sun rose over the horizon but I did not stop because of the light, my mind and heart drove me forward, I had the right to reclaim what once was my own.