Chapter Eight: Lady Galadriel's Words Pondered
Gil-celeb, Míriel, and Aerandir stood together watching the armies of Lothlórien and Thranduil as they departed. When they were beyond sight of even the Elves, the trio went inside. The King turned to Aerandir.
"What did those last words of the Lady mean?" he asked, as soon as Míriel left the two elven-men.
Aerandir hesitated.
"Can we speak privately?" he said.
Gil-celeb nodded.
"Tell me now, Aerandir, what the Lady's parting words mean." the Elvenking said.
Aerandir took a draught from his intricately carved golden goblet before setting it down onto an ornate wooden table. He inspected his King's luxurious sitting chamber, noticing tapestries depicting Doriath, in its former glory, hanging on the walls.
"Doriath was once great," King Gil-celeb said quietly, following his captain's line of vision, "when aran Elu Thingol was its lord, and Melian of the Maiar its Queen. The Girdle long protected us, but it fell because of Elu's desire for the Silmaril Beren and Lúthien took from Morgoth's crown. I spoke against this, when Elu told Beren to take a Silmaril from Morgoth in order to wed Lúthien. Fëanor's sons were quick to move against any who possessed a Silmaril, and their oath was treacherous, binding them to their word. Long did Queen Melian and I counsel him, but he harkened to us not. With his desire of setting the Silmaril in the Nauglamír, the Neckalce of the Dwarves made for Finrod Felagund, brought to him by Húrin, the greatest of the works of Elves and Dwarves were brought together as one. Yet it also proved his ruin, for the Dwarves lusted for the Silmaril, and they slew Elu Thingol, the only Sindar who beheld the Light of the Two Trees. After that, there were many battles. Several were between the Dwarves and us Elves, and the most grievous, to my mind, was when Fëanor's sons came to regain the Silmaril. Míriel and I fled with Elwing and those who accompanied her to the mouth of the river Sirion."
Aerandir sighed.
"There is truth in what some of the Sindar say, claiming that the Noldor's return to Middle-earth from Valinor was disastrous. For only when they came did we fight amongst ourselves." he mused.
"There is some truth." Gil-celeb said. "Yet we came here not to pass our judgement on what is now very ancient history. What has happened occurred, and nothing we say or do now can alter it. We are alone, as you requested from me, to speak of the Lady's words."
Aerandir sighed again.
"It began the day we took over Dol Guldur. After I buried my two dear companions, Silvorn and Daeron, I walked among the few remaining trees. Feeling a presence, I turned and saw the Lady of Light behind me. She asked me to tell her what troubled me, so I did." he began.
He then proceeded to recount to his King everything he had told Lady Galadriel. Gil-celeb listened intently, asking questions only when necessary. Aerandir ended, looking troubled.
"What did she reply?" Gil-celeb questioned.
"Many wise things." Aerandir replied.
"The Lady utters naught but wisdom. What was the most important thing she told you? From what she said today, it seems to me she spoke to you in regards to something she said to you previously."
"Verily, you gather much from what little one does or says in your presence. You guessed quite close to the truth, for she was referring to something she told me. Among the things she told me was, 'I understand your grief, Aerandir. He is not the first who has become a traitor. Yet it is that which makes you suffer most: that he is of your flesh and blood—your brother…It is one thing to be betrayed by your enemy, quite another by someone so close, such as a brother.'
"She even looked into my future at my bidding, though she seemed reluctant to do so. 'You shall wed Míriel, though not for long. You will be parted from her, and it is this parting that shall bring the end. Do you think this is the end, Aerandir? Quite the opposite. The beginning of the end has only started, and before her tale of woe is over, her heart will break several times'. When I asked if Míriel will live, the Lady replied, 'She will live, and in time her heart will be healed. Do not turn away all whom you may judge to be a rival, for through them is the key to heal the bitter past'. I have forgotten none of this." Aerandir concluded.
Gil-celeb lay back against his seat. There was much to deduce from the words he heard, and Aerandir's doom was among them. He was concerned, too, about his daughter's fate.
"Goheno nin, hîr nín. I should not have informed you of anything. Grief I have brought you, and troubles to your mind. Just as all of your woes disappeared, I recreated them." Aerandir said hastily.
"You did nothing of that sort, my dear Aerandir. On the contrary, the Lady told me something very similar, so I have been busy thinking. First, though, let us ponder what she told you. 'Though all may seem peaceful, the end is approaching fast', and, 'Do you think this is the end, Aerandir?' to the end of those words. To me, they appear to be related. What say you?" Gil-celeb told him.
"That was the first thing that came into my mind when I heard the Lady today. It sounds like a warning, almost as if she is saying, 'Do not let this destruction of Dol Guldur deceive you. Falathar bides his time. Dol Guldur is only the beginning, though you hope it is the end'. Then I think of the beginning of those words, 'You will be parted from her, and it is this parting that shall bring the end'. It seems to me my parting from Míriel will start a chain effect that ends with her healing."
"It is hard to ponder any one sentence of the Lady's words without tying it with everything else. What troubles me the most is, '…and before her tale of woe is over, her heart will break several times' because the Lady said on the day she arrived that the end will come as a surprise to all, even to Míriel, though she will lose what is most dear first."
"You are correct," Aerandir said heavily, "all of her words are connected. What troubles you troubles me. I wonder how we shall be parted. Will there be a quarrel? Will she find that her heart is not turned to me any longer? Will Falathar slay her?"
"Lady Galadriel said she will live. I fear something greater than that. You are not the only one she shall lose." Gil-celeb said.
"'Her heart will break several times'." Aerandir said instantly.
"I fear, Aerandir, that you will be slain. And I as well. Falathar will slay us." the King exclaimed suddenly.
"'She will lose what is most dear first'."
"'She will live, and in time her heart will be healed. Do not turn away all whom you may judge to be a rival, for through them is the key to the bitter past'." Gil-celeb said slowly.
The two elven-men stared at each other.
"Thranduil." Aerandir breathed. "He is the one who will heal her."
Gil-celeb shook his head.
"I think not. Listen carefully to the words. '…through them is the key to heal the bitter past'. I think not Thranduil, but another in his realm. My heart tells me so." the Elvenking said.
"Who may that be?" Aerandir said, eyebrows cocked.
"I know not."
Aerandir sat in his chair, stricken speechless. He had come to relieve his mind, but now he only worsened his troubles. And not for himself, but for his beloved aran as well.
"How terrible I am!" Aerandir cried. "I have just ruined what little days remain for us!"
"You have not, Aerandir." Gil-celeb said, rising to his feet. There was a strange light in his eyes, and a new pride stirred in his voice as he spoke. "In fact, only a fool would consider what we just realized as doom. By learning this, we have gained an advantage. Our time, from now on, should be spent enjoying life to its fullest. I shall order Dol Guldur's destruction tomorrow, and spend my time serving my people well. To me, there is no greater pleasure than the happiness of my people."
Aerandir looked at him in admiration.
"And I," said the captain, rising and standing next to his beloved King, "I shall spend my days with Míriel, your daughter. Eru alone knows of the love I carry for her within my heart. I cannot tell you what the sound of her voice does to me."
"I know, for I felt the same when her mother, Elenath, dwelled with me. She was from fair Ossiriand and died in Doriath, when Fëanor's sons came. I miss her." Gil-celeb said.
"Much love I have for thee." Aerandir whispered, embracing him.
"And I for thee. And Míriel. Go, Aerandir, for she awaits you."
With a deep bow, Aerandir left Gil-celeb. He was surprised to see that evening had set. Time had passed by quickly for him.
Aerandir found Míriel in their enclosed garden, standing next to the fountain. She was clad only in her under-dress, which was tight, revealing all of her curves. Aerandir's breathing quickened.
"Míriel…" he said, touching her white shoulders.
She responded by leaning back against his chest and placing her slender arms around his neck. Gazing up into his eyes, Míriel smiled at him as he encircled her waist with his strong hands.
"I waited long for you." she said softly.
"I was busy, my dear." Aerandir told her.
"I thought you left me." she persisted.
"Of that I am incapable." he answered.
Míriel twisted her body so that she faced Aerandir. His heart was pounding in his ears now.
"Truly?" she whispered.
Aerandir lost himself in her sweet scent. It was like wine to his sense of smell, and he inhaled it deeply.
"Truly." he said at last, brushing away her stray strands of hair.
She smiled at him, fluttering her eyelashes seductively. Aerandir felt his heart melt. He ran his hands up her body until they were upon her face. Míriel bit his cheeks, enticing him to kiss her. Playfully, he denied parting his lips to her, so that she was forced to nip them, moaning softly as she did. Her lust for him was overwhelming.
Still Aerandir did not relent to her desire. An idea came to the Princess. She released her hold from around his neck and began, very slowly, to unbutton the front of her under-dress, taking great care in revealing her breasts to Aerandir. He moaned, and she stopped.
"Go on," he urged, his fingers straying to the buttons.
She pushed his hands away gently, pretending to pout. Aerandir laughed, reaching towards the buttons once more. Míriel was ready, and she turned around. There was a pause, then—
"Míriel…"
She spun around quickly. There stood her husband, unclad, arms wide open. Míriel threw herself into him, hands about his neck. She felt Aerandir's tongue in her mouth as her under-dress slid off of her. Gently, Aerandir laid her onto the grass, feeling her body's warmth. Her eyes were closed in ecstasy, her breathing in short gasps as he made tender love to her. When at last they finished, clinging to each other while riding out their orgasms, Míriel whispered softly, "Gerich veleth nín."