Chapter 7 WS
The Healer.
Amanda is sitting in the bow of the ship, watching seabirds dive into the ocean as the sun sets. She seems worried, but smiles at me when I sit next to her. 'My father thinks we should take you with us to Valinor.'
She turns a worried expression on me. 'What would happen if I go with you? Could I ever come back?
'You could never return as time moves differently there. A few years in Valinor would be a mortal lifetime here, so you must break all ties to everyone you've ever known. On the other hand, you're lifespan would be increased enormously to many thousands of years although you will not become immortal.'
She stares, clearly very surprised by what I'd said. 'I have no one here,' she says at last. 'My mother will be satisfied by a letter, and I have no other relatives who'll care one way or the other, or any real friends. I really have no one except Maeglin, so I guess going wherever he does is about my only option. What will I do in Valinor?' she asks suddenly.
'What you wish. You would first need to learn our languages and ways, and settle in. My home is large, and always open to guests. So I have many guests, some of whom forget to go home!' Amanda laughs, amused by my having a house full of permanent guests. 'Or you could stay with my father, or possibly Maeglin's family would take you into their home with him as I should think he'll stay with his mother for a while. Once you've settled in, there are many things you could learn to do. What would you wish to do?'
She thinks hard for a minute, 'healing, I guess. I felt so helpless when Maeglin was stabbed, and I thought he'd die. I don't ever want to feel that way again.'
I nod, remembering all wounded people in Sirion after the Sons of Feanor had attacked, and that same awful feeling of helplessness was what made me study to be a healer. I can understand Amanda's feelings.
'Well, if you like, I'll consider training you myself. Of course, it remains to be seen if you have any talent for healing,' I reply.
'You would! That would be lovely!' exclaims Amanda. 'Thank you, Elrond!'
'I take it your decision is made, then, that you will accompany us?'
She nods, 'yes, I'll come. There's nothing here for me, except TV and I can live without that!'
'What's TV?' I ask curious, and Amanda bursts into laughter.
The Smith.
Elrond was finally allowing me to sit up, and maybe leave my bed today. Strange, how such a small thing brings such joy. So, I am thinking about taking the air above deck, when Mandy all but jumps down the stairs. She rushes to me, and only the sight of my bandaged shoulder stops her hugging me. In truth, I should have put up with the pain.
'Maeglin, guess what!' she says excitedly.
'You've caught a fish, no, a whale!' I laugh.
'No,' she shakes her head, golden hair flying.
'I'm coming to Valinor with you. I'm going to live for thousands of years, and be a healer!'
'Do Elrond and Earendil know this?' I ask, frankly astonished a mortal maid would allowed.
'Yes, of course they do. They said I've been invited for helping you, and to keep me safe, and to stop me telling people about elves.' It all seems so logical put like that.
'That's wonderful, Mandy. I would have been lonely without you,' I give in and hug her, ignoring the pain in my shoulder.
'I may not be with you much at first, as I think I might be punished for my deeds in Gondolin,' I warn her.
'No, Earendil told me all about that. Your punishment was the cave, and apparently it's over now. He also said something about facing those you wronged, so I guess that's considered enough punishment,' she says. 'Earendil also told me all about your betrayal, and the Fall of Gondolin? Is that right?' I nod, and she continues. 'I find it hard to think you'd do something like that.'
'I am not the same person, Mandy. At least, that' how it feels. I don't think I could do that now,' I say by way of explanation.
'Earendil said that too,' she states, satisfied, apparently.
'I was selfish and angry back then, and all I cared for were my wishes. If I could have forced Idril to wed me, I would have. How wrong of me that was!' Mandy is looking puzzled.
'Who is Idril?'
'Earendil's mother, my cousin. She is tall and graceful with golden hair and deep blue eyes and she's very beautiful, and kind and sweet-tempered. I loved her very much back then, and it was to protect her, and also to be given her as a reward that I betrayed Gondolin. Now I would speak to my uncle, the King, and urge him to abandon Gondolin, not hold my tongue as I did then.'
Mandy nods slowly, 'but it seems you've learned from mistakes. Perhaps your imprisonment in the cave was to make you learn?'
'Very likely,' I nod. I stare at Mandy for a moment, wishing I could read her thoughts. I speak to break the silence, 'Elrond says I can get out of bed if I like, but I want to go up on deck. Could you help me up the stairs, Mandy?' I blush at the thought of asking my lady friend to help me up the stairs, but I doubt I can manage by myself yet.
'Of course I'll help you, but first, you better put on some clothes,' she laughs and hands me some clothing before leaving the small room. It takes me a long time to pull on my breeches and a shirt but I am not going to ask to be dressed like a small child. At last I am ready, and call softly for Mandy. She is back with me in a few moments, and I lean on her as I walk, still weak from my wound. She is stronger than I thought, and soon we are on deck; the sea breeze feels so good on my face. Then it hits me like a slap in the face, something I would never have believed that could happen to me: the sea longing. It is worse than I'd thought possible, and the pain drives me to my knees. Mandy kneels beside me and calls for Elrond, but he is already on his way.
'Easy Maeglin,' he says as he now supports me on the other side. 'It will ease shortly, and you will feel better.'
I watch the waves, and strangely I do begin to feel better, and Elrond leaves Mandy and I alone, saying we would be dropping anchor soon, and he would go to help his father.
Mandy stays with me, holding me, and we watch the sun sink slowly and I kiss her head softly and feel a strange rush of tenderness for this mortal maid who will follow me to another world.
The Sailor.
Vingilot sails smoothly as usual. Not because as many believe because of the enchantments of the Valar that enable her to fly but purely because of good workmanship. She is a perfect example of the shipwright's craft.
We sail into the lee of a beautiful island just as the sun sets. Lush tropical plants come down almost to the water's edge, and from the abundance of birds flitting among the trees it is very likely there is fresh water too, and that if fortunate, because we need to refill our water barrels.
I look over at Maeglin and Amanda sitting on the port deck, and wonder: how will Amanda deal with living in Valinor? Should mortals dwell there? I know my father often feels the differences from Middle-earth quite keenly.
Still, for now I want to know if Amanda would like to come ashore with me. Elrond has already refused, saying he doesn't want to step foot on mortal lands. Personally I think he'll change his mind by morning!
The sun sets quickly in these tropical mortal lands, and the summer evening is warm and pleasant. Maeglin seems to have recovered from his earlier sea longing and I prevail on my son to sing. Trained as he was by his Feanorian foster-father his voice is excellent, and so is his choice of song, a happy song of the days of Valinor he and I never knew; before Morgoth killed the two trees.
I know my limitations, and my voice is not good, nor are most of the songs I know suitable for a lady's ears anyway. Maeglin too refuses to sing; although I know from my childhood he can, saying his chest is still too sore. I was a bit sorry, for I remember Maeglin singing the most wonderful Dwarven songs. I will ask him again when he's healed.
Amanda now suggests a game. She picked up some of the things that were lying in Maeglin's cave before we left, and she brings out a cardboard box and opens it. Inside are several things, tiny figures, a flat board with drawings on it, and dice, and what she explains is fake money, and two stacks of cards. 'It's called Monopoly, and the object is to own everything. Maeglin know how to play, so we'll teach you,' she says.
I fall out of the game soon, but it's more fun to watch anyway. Maeglin too, falls to Amanda's greater experience with the game, leaving Elrond to play her. It's hard to imagine my son was the leader of a hidden elven community through two ages but of course in peaceful Valinor I hadn't seen the more ruthless side of Elrond. It comes out now, in the way he slowly strips Amanda of all her fake money and property all the while smiling cheerfully. It's the mortal blood, I think.
'You've beaten me properly,' laughs Amanda, as we put the game away. She yawns and I realise how late it is by the moon and stars, so despite her protests, Elrond and I insist she should go to bed. 'You too, Maeglin. You need rest to fully heal,' said Elrond in his best stern healer's tone. So it was we all retired, leaving investigating the pretty island until tomorrow.
Author's Notes: My idea of a mortal's extended lifespan in Valinor means that I think a mortal under the Valar's protection in the undying lands would basically live until they wanted to die, and I can imagine that would take a while there.
Also, next chapter, the Island, Mandy writes her letter, and Vingilot sets sail for Valinor!
The Healer.
Amanda is sitting in the bow of the ship, watching seabirds dive into the ocean as the sun sets. She seems worried, but smiles at me when I sit next to her. 'My father thinks we should take you with us to Valinor.'
She turns a worried expression on me. 'What would happen if I go with you? Could I ever come back?
'You could never return as time moves differently there. A few years in Valinor would be a mortal lifetime here, so you must break all ties to everyone you've ever known. On the other hand, you're lifespan would be increased enormously to many thousands of years although you will not become immortal.'
She stares, clearly very surprised by what I'd said. 'I have no one here,' she says at last. 'My mother will be satisfied by a letter, and I have no other relatives who'll care one way or the other, or any real friends. I really have no one except Maeglin, so I guess going wherever he does is about my only option. What will I do in Valinor?' she asks suddenly.
'What you wish. You would first need to learn our languages and ways, and settle in. My home is large, and always open to guests. So I have many guests, some of whom forget to go home!' Amanda laughs, amused by my having a house full of permanent guests. 'Or you could stay with my father, or possibly Maeglin's family would take you into their home with him as I should think he'll stay with his mother for a while. Once you've settled in, there are many things you could learn to do. What would you wish to do?'
She thinks hard for a minute, 'healing, I guess. I felt so helpless when Maeglin was stabbed, and I thought he'd die. I don't ever want to feel that way again.'
I nod, remembering all wounded people in Sirion after the Sons of Feanor had attacked, and that same awful feeling of helplessness was what made me study to be a healer. I can understand Amanda's feelings.
'Well, if you like, I'll consider training you myself. Of course, it remains to be seen if you have any talent for healing,' I reply.
'You would! That would be lovely!' exclaims Amanda. 'Thank you, Elrond!'
'I take it your decision is made, then, that you will accompany us?'
She nods, 'yes, I'll come. There's nothing here for me, except TV and I can live without that!'
'What's TV?' I ask curious, and Amanda bursts into laughter.
The Smith.
Elrond was finally allowing me to sit up, and maybe leave my bed today. Strange, how such a small thing brings such joy. So, I am thinking about taking the air above deck, when Mandy all but jumps down the stairs. She rushes to me, and only the sight of my bandaged shoulder stops her hugging me. In truth, I should have put up with the pain.
'Maeglin, guess what!' she says excitedly.
'You've caught a fish, no, a whale!' I laugh.
'No,' she shakes her head, golden hair flying.
'I'm coming to Valinor with you. I'm going to live for thousands of years, and be a healer!'
'Do Elrond and Earendil know this?' I ask, frankly astonished a mortal maid would allowed.
'Yes, of course they do. They said I've been invited for helping you, and to keep me safe, and to stop me telling people about elves.' It all seems so logical put like that.
'That's wonderful, Mandy. I would have been lonely without you,' I give in and hug her, ignoring the pain in my shoulder.
'I may not be with you much at first, as I think I might be punished for my deeds in Gondolin,' I warn her.
'No, Earendil told me all about that. Your punishment was the cave, and apparently it's over now. He also said something about facing those you wronged, so I guess that's considered enough punishment,' she says. 'Earendil also told me all about your betrayal, and the Fall of Gondolin? Is that right?' I nod, and she continues. 'I find it hard to think you'd do something like that.'
'I am not the same person, Mandy. At least, that' how it feels. I don't think I could do that now,' I say by way of explanation.
'Earendil said that too,' she states, satisfied, apparently.
'I was selfish and angry back then, and all I cared for were my wishes. If I could have forced Idril to wed me, I would have. How wrong of me that was!' Mandy is looking puzzled.
'Who is Idril?'
'Earendil's mother, my cousin. She is tall and graceful with golden hair and deep blue eyes and she's very beautiful, and kind and sweet-tempered. I loved her very much back then, and it was to protect her, and also to be given her as a reward that I betrayed Gondolin. Now I would speak to my uncle, the King, and urge him to abandon Gondolin, not hold my tongue as I did then.'
Mandy nods slowly, 'but it seems you've learned from mistakes. Perhaps your imprisonment in the cave was to make you learn?'
'Very likely,' I nod. I stare at Mandy for a moment, wishing I could read her thoughts. I speak to break the silence, 'Elrond says I can get out of bed if I like, but I want to go up on deck. Could you help me up the stairs, Mandy?' I blush at the thought of asking my lady friend to help me up the stairs, but I doubt I can manage by myself yet.
'Of course I'll help you, but first, you better put on some clothes,' she laughs and hands me some clothing before leaving the small room. It takes me a long time to pull on my breeches and a shirt but I am not going to ask to be dressed like a small child. At last I am ready, and call softly for Mandy. She is back with me in a few moments, and I lean on her as I walk, still weak from my wound. She is stronger than I thought, and soon we are on deck; the sea breeze feels so good on my face. Then it hits me like a slap in the face, something I would never have believed that could happen to me: the sea longing. It is worse than I'd thought possible, and the pain drives me to my knees. Mandy kneels beside me and calls for Elrond, but he is already on his way.
'Easy Maeglin,' he says as he now supports me on the other side. 'It will ease shortly, and you will feel better.'
I watch the waves, and strangely I do begin to feel better, and Elrond leaves Mandy and I alone, saying we would be dropping anchor soon, and he would go to help his father.
Mandy stays with me, holding me, and we watch the sun sink slowly and I kiss her head softly and feel a strange rush of tenderness for this mortal maid who will follow me to another world.
The Sailor.
Vingilot sails smoothly as usual. Not because as many believe because of the enchantments of the Valar that enable her to fly but purely because of good workmanship. She is a perfect example of the shipwright's craft.
We sail into the lee of a beautiful island just as the sun sets. Lush tropical plants come down almost to the water's edge, and from the abundance of birds flitting among the trees it is very likely there is fresh water too, and that if fortunate, because we need to refill our water barrels.
I look over at Maeglin and Amanda sitting on the port deck, and wonder: how will Amanda deal with living in Valinor? Should mortals dwell there? I know my father often feels the differences from Middle-earth quite keenly.
Still, for now I want to know if Amanda would like to come ashore with me. Elrond has already refused, saying he doesn't want to step foot on mortal lands. Personally I think he'll change his mind by morning!
The sun sets quickly in these tropical mortal lands, and the summer evening is warm and pleasant. Maeglin seems to have recovered from his earlier sea longing and I prevail on my son to sing. Trained as he was by his Feanorian foster-father his voice is excellent, and so is his choice of song, a happy song of the days of Valinor he and I never knew; before Morgoth killed the two trees.
I know my limitations, and my voice is not good, nor are most of the songs I know suitable for a lady's ears anyway. Maeglin too refuses to sing; although I know from my childhood he can, saying his chest is still too sore. I was a bit sorry, for I remember Maeglin singing the most wonderful Dwarven songs. I will ask him again when he's healed.
Amanda now suggests a game. She picked up some of the things that were lying in Maeglin's cave before we left, and she brings out a cardboard box and opens it. Inside are several things, tiny figures, a flat board with drawings on it, and dice, and what she explains is fake money, and two stacks of cards. 'It's called Monopoly, and the object is to own everything. Maeglin know how to play, so we'll teach you,' she says.
I fall out of the game soon, but it's more fun to watch anyway. Maeglin too, falls to Amanda's greater experience with the game, leaving Elrond to play her. It's hard to imagine my son was the leader of a hidden elven community through two ages but of course in peaceful Valinor I hadn't seen the more ruthless side of Elrond. It comes out now, in the way he slowly strips Amanda of all her fake money and property all the while smiling cheerfully. It's the mortal blood, I think.
'You've beaten me properly,' laughs Amanda, as we put the game away. She yawns and I realise how late it is by the moon and stars, so despite her protests, Elrond and I insist she should go to bed. 'You too, Maeglin. You need rest to fully heal,' said Elrond in his best stern healer's tone. So it was we all retired, leaving investigating the pretty island until tomorrow.
Author's Notes: My idea of a mortal's extended lifespan in Valinor means that I think a mortal under the Valar's protection in the undying lands would basically live until they wanted to die, and I can imagine that would take a while there.
Also, next chapter, the Island, Mandy writes her letter, and Vingilot sets sail for Valinor!