Title: It's All My Fault [Elf Children Series]
Author: Mayetra
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Tolkien characters belong to the Tolkien Estate. Original characters belong to me. No profit is made from this story.
Timeline: AU after Childish Things
Author's Note: Special thanks to: Beryll, Osiris, Andrea and her young ones, and Izzy.
Summary: Orophin deals with more loss and the thought that he is somehow the cause.
*~*
53 Lairë * 170 T.A. - Caras Galadon, Lórien
Indigo eyes followed the progress of the small Elfling as he made his way slowly down the path. His steps were heavy and his shoulders slumped as if weighted down. Golden head owed which caused his long hair to fall forward and partial obscure his tear-stricken face. In his hand hung his constant companion, a small stuffed black cat. Galadriel said not a word but moved to join the small boy and took his tiny hand into hers. They walked sedately down the path, the elder Elf led the Elfling to a sunny spot next to a small stream that bubbled and gurgled merrily despite the boy's gum countenance. The stately Elf settled herself upon the verdant lush grass and motioned for her young charges to join her. After settling him onto her lap, she finally spoke.
"Your heart is heavy, young Orophin. Speak to me of your woes and, perhaps, I may help unburden them."
Blue eyes that swam with tears, which spilled past his dark golden lashes as he tilted his face up toward hers, regarded her with great sadness. His nose shone pink, evidence to the tears spilt before she had met him on the path. Hitched breaths caused his chest to heave and his lips to tremble. There was such despair written on his young face that Galadriel's heart constricted in empathy.
"I m-make people g-go away," Orophin stuttered between sobs. "F-first, Mommy and Daddy, and n-now." He couldn't finish his thought as his sobs overran his ability to form coherent words. He clutched Hwest to his chest so tightly that Galadriel was suddenly thankful it was not a real cat.
The lady's thought turned to earlier that morning when a small group of Elven families had left for the Grey Havens. A small blond female about Orophin's age, clinging to a small white stuffed cat had been part of the band. She had been smiling happily and chatting animatedly with the other children leaving with their parents. How could Galadriel explain to Orophin that neither his parents' nor his first childhood sweetheart's departures were his fault? How could she impress upon him the dangers Middle Earth still faced from a dark force that lay dormant and not destroyed, as popularly believed, without destroying his innocence? And, finally, like the balmy end of summer that heralded the onset of fall, so to the Elves were on the verge of their autumn on these shores. Soon more and more of their people would no longer be able to ignore the siren's call to Valinor. For a brief moment, she thought of sending the small Elfling to her husband and letting him soothe the boy's heartache, but she remember that he was in conference with Elrond. Orophin needed comfort now and it would be cruel to make him wait.
"Child, you are not responsible for anyone's departure. There are forces far greater than any here on Middle Earth that control these events." She paused to smile warmly at him as she wiped away his tears with the edge of her robe. Continuing, she said, "All that has passed has been preordained and you could no more have caused them, then I could move a mountain with my finger."
Orophin considered her words and seemed to accept them. The storm of tears slowed to a light drizzle and his breathing evened so he only hitched every third or fourth breath. His shoulders relaxed and straighten a bit. His death grip on Hwest loosened and Galadriel almost swore she saw a look of relief pass through his small button eyes. Still, his grief had not passed completely.
"But." he still couldn't bear to utter the girl's name. "She doesn't want to wed anymore." His face became pinched as he strove to push away the desire to collapse in hysterical tears again. "She's found a new sweetheart and he is going with her."
Galadriel had already foreseen that Orophin's heart would belong to an Elven maid with dark hair but she had thus far kept that information between Celeborn and herself. They had both seen no reason to shatter childhood dreams and had not interfered with the budding romance. The Lady of Lórien decided that now was the time to impart a bit of light on the subject.
"She was not your soul's mate, Orophin." Galadriel's voice was tender. She cautiously continued, "Another will come into your life and you shall know her the instant you see her."
Orophin took the lady's prediction seriously. Even the youngest Elfling knew of the lady's mirror. He sighed heavily, releasing his guilt and a good bit of sorrow by the act.
Without another word, Galadriel held the slight boy close and laid her cheek upon his silky hair. She softly hummed a lullaby content to remain until Orophin was ready to leave.
For a long, long time, Orophin sat in the comforting shelter of her arms before emotional exhaustion took its toll and he drifted off to sleep.
He dreamed of water, wildflowers, and a young maid with long, dark hair.
The End
53 Lairë * - 13 July
Author: Mayetra
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Tolkien characters belong to the Tolkien Estate. Original characters belong to me. No profit is made from this story.
Timeline: AU after Childish Things
Author's Note: Special thanks to: Beryll, Osiris, Andrea and her young ones, and Izzy.
Summary: Orophin deals with more loss and the thought that he is somehow the cause.
*~*
53 Lairë * 170 T.A. - Caras Galadon, Lórien
Indigo eyes followed the progress of the small Elfling as he made his way slowly down the path. His steps were heavy and his shoulders slumped as if weighted down. Golden head owed which caused his long hair to fall forward and partial obscure his tear-stricken face. In his hand hung his constant companion, a small stuffed black cat. Galadriel said not a word but moved to join the small boy and took his tiny hand into hers. They walked sedately down the path, the elder Elf led the Elfling to a sunny spot next to a small stream that bubbled and gurgled merrily despite the boy's gum countenance. The stately Elf settled herself upon the verdant lush grass and motioned for her young charges to join her. After settling him onto her lap, she finally spoke.
"Your heart is heavy, young Orophin. Speak to me of your woes and, perhaps, I may help unburden them."
Blue eyes that swam with tears, which spilled past his dark golden lashes as he tilted his face up toward hers, regarded her with great sadness. His nose shone pink, evidence to the tears spilt before she had met him on the path. Hitched breaths caused his chest to heave and his lips to tremble. There was such despair written on his young face that Galadriel's heart constricted in empathy.
"I m-make people g-go away," Orophin stuttered between sobs. "F-first, Mommy and Daddy, and n-now." He couldn't finish his thought as his sobs overran his ability to form coherent words. He clutched Hwest to his chest so tightly that Galadriel was suddenly thankful it was not a real cat.
The lady's thought turned to earlier that morning when a small group of Elven families had left for the Grey Havens. A small blond female about Orophin's age, clinging to a small white stuffed cat had been part of the band. She had been smiling happily and chatting animatedly with the other children leaving with their parents. How could Galadriel explain to Orophin that neither his parents' nor his first childhood sweetheart's departures were his fault? How could she impress upon him the dangers Middle Earth still faced from a dark force that lay dormant and not destroyed, as popularly believed, without destroying his innocence? And, finally, like the balmy end of summer that heralded the onset of fall, so to the Elves were on the verge of their autumn on these shores. Soon more and more of their people would no longer be able to ignore the siren's call to Valinor. For a brief moment, she thought of sending the small Elfling to her husband and letting him soothe the boy's heartache, but she remember that he was in conference with Elrond. Orophin needed comfort now and it would be cruel to make him wait.
"Child, you are not responsible for anyone's departure. There are forces far greater than any here on Middle Earth that control these events." She paused to smile warmly at him as she wiped away his tears with the edge of her robe. Continuing, she said, "All that has passed has been preordained and you could no more have caused them, then I could move a mountain with my finger."
Orophin considered her words and seemed to accept them. The storm of tears slowed to a light drizzle and his breathing evened so he only hitched every third or fourth breath. His shoulders relaxed and straighten a bit. His death grip on Hwest loosened and Galadriel almost swore she saw a look of relief pass through his small button eyes. Still, his grief had not passed completely.
"But." he still couldn't bear to utter the girl's name. "She doesn't want to wed anymore." His face became pinched as he strove to push away the desire to collapse in hysterical tears again. "She's found a new sweetheart and he is going with her."
Galadriel had already foreseen that Orophin's heart would belong to an Elven maid with dark hair but she had thus far kept that information between Celeborn and herself. They had both seen no reason to shatter childhood dreams and had not interfered with the budding romance. The Lady of Lórien decided that now was the time to impart a bit of light on the subject.
"She was not your soul's mate, Orophin." Galadriel's voice was tender. She cautiously continued, "Another will come into your life and you shall know her the instant you see her."
Orophin took the lady's prediction seriously. Even the youngest Elfling knew of the lady's mirror. He sighed heavily, releasing his guilt and a good bit of sorrow by the act.
Without another word, Galadriel held the slight boy close and laid her cheek upon his silky hair. She softly hummed a lullaby content to remain until Orophin was ready to leave.
For a long, long time, Orophin sat in the comforting shelter of her arms before emotional exhaustion took its toll and he drifted off to sleep.
He dreamed of water, wildflowers, and a young maid with long, dark hair.
The End
53 Lairë * - 13 July