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Chapter 9
Kandatuo
"Why should we go attempt to cross these mountains? What more could we want?" Lenwë's voice rang in my ears. It taunted me and filled me with such rage. Many hearts had cried out over the loss of our fellows, those who some sneered as Abari. It was troubling, for had we as people not been divided up enough? Must families continue to be torn apart?
"You who call those we left behind, Abari, perhaps they were right!" Lenwë said, staring out into the crowd with a fierce expression.
"What did they have right, Lenwë?" A ner shouted
"This land is plentiful with life. There are wonders to be seen here. Let us explore further this land," Lenwë argued. "I do not deny that this journey has been full of new discoveries but should we not take our time here?"
"Lenwë would have us split again," Karanisuri muttered in a stiff tone. I glanced at my sister. Karanisuri stood to my right, her expression emotionless. My brother Kantasulo's expression was just as still.
"Perhaps we should consider that the other clans were led to their doom," a ner shouted. There was a resounding chorus of agreement among the gathered crowd. It was a fear that still gripped the hearts of the Nelyar clan that we were being led astray, much like the missing Quendi during the time of the Dark Hunter.
The arguments began afresh, though most were in favor of going. Elwë looked disgruntled standing there with his arms crossed. Elwë raised his hand calling for silence. No one listened, and the voices swelled with tension as each speaker tried to drown each other out.
"Silence," Elwë roared after the arguments continued. Silence settled fast upon the crowd, and the gathered Quendi glanced at each other. None dared to speak in the light of their leader's anger.
"We will find no agreement amongst us." Elwë's expression was stern as his gaze moved carefully over those he could see. His expression melted into one of contemplation before he continued to speak.
"Many risings of the Wolf have come and gone since we have last seen our fellow Quendi. I wish to see my friends amongst the Tatyar. I know amongst you are those who have family who travel with the Tatyar and the Minyar. Thus, this is my decision, those who wish to stay can stay. I cannot force any to continue this path. Those who wish to go, we will prepare to go through the mountains. We will go that way." Elwë pronounced. Shouts of joy and dismay emerged from the crowd.
"Quiet!" Elwë shouted a few times again. Former Tir-e-Twaina whistled loudly, and the crowd settled down.
"Before we disperse, I must speak with the current leaders on the march. We will speak when the Hunter begins to rise so that you may have time to make your choice. If you choose to stay please select another leader to go in your stead. Pass the word amongst yourselves so that we may figure our needs for the crossing." Elwë walked away from the crowd with a storm upon his face.
"This is a relief," Kanatasulo said, gathering close with Karanisuri.
"I would have sought onwards even if Elwë chose to stay," Karanisuri said.
"I feel the same as you, yet I would loathe to tear Morlothyë from her family," I admitted to my siblings.
"I will see you later brothers, I must speak to my group and find out who wishes to go or to stay. I believe mine will all go," Karanisuri said, smirking.
"Of course, you have the bravest fools, Suri," Kanatasulo said. Karanisuri laughed and dipped her head in goodbye before she dashed through the crowd.
The next few risings were busy with meetings and numbers. Elwë once again sent scouts into the Hithaeglir to make sure the way continued to be clear. The people continued on as if they were unconcerned, and that goodbyes were not on the horizon. There were moments of desperation as families and friends clung to each other crying. Rumors were aplenty, insidious rumors that Elwë was leading us to our doom and that we would be lost in the mists, never to be seen or reunited every again. Nobody seemed to believe it, but people buzzed with it anyways. Perhaps it was due to the tension among us and sharp tongues who wanted to be angry at somebody.
It was not a surprise that Karanisuri's group was the first to be ready, followed by Kanatasulo's. I wanted to be with them marching first, but I had my duty to Elwë. I was a leader myself. The other groups quickly readied soon after. It was not long before the order of the march was decided, and my siblings would be the first to go through the mountains, finding their way to the other side carefully.
"I wish I was going with you," I said to Karanisuri. Tarakano stood off the side, giving us a semblance of privacy. He watched the Nelyar around us pack. My eyes darted back to my sister. Karanisuri placed her hand on her chest.
"You are never far from my spirit," Karanisuri said with eyes shining. My sister seemed so tall and strong as she stood, her back straight. When had she come into her own? It was hard to see her so grown up and taking on such responsibility. It seemed different from her leading own riders. I still remember her chasing after me as fast as her small young legs could take her. Karanisuri stepped back and slipped her hand into Tarakano's. The wind blew, mingling their hair, whispering of starlight and blood. The two of them stood out among the crowd of dark haired Nelyar.
"We will meet again. I trust in the path that is before us," Tarakano said, smiling to look at my sister. His expression was incredibly tender. Karanisuri nodded her head in agreement and offered up a smile of her own.
"Farewell brother," Karanisuri said and tipped her head in goodbye. Tarakano and Karanisuri turned away from me and began to walk towards the trail that lead into the mountains. They stopped and Karanisuri gave a shout. Their company fell into pairs before them. Kanatasulo and my other siblings came to stand beside me, except for Víloma. So much time had passed since I saw my sister and her husband. My siblings all looked so similar except for Cwîlneno whose golden hair stood out among the red hair.
"Karanisuri is different now," I said to my brother Kanatasulo, quietly watching the couple begin to ascend the trail in the Hithaeglir. It was well traveled, but I knew the deeper they went into the mountains, the more the trail would disappear into the mists. We all stood in the silence, watching the mists swallow up the party slowly.
"She is shaped by her experiences, by the Land of the Two Trees, and by her task as a forefront leader. Mother and father would very proud of whom she has become," Kanatasulo said to me after a time of silence.
"Yes, and I am sure Grandmother would too," my wife said. Morlothyë slipped her arm around my waist. I pulled her small frame against mine. I am grateful for her presence in my life. In profound moments like these, she was a source of strength. Kanatasulo stepped out in front of me.
"I need to gather my group for the ascent," Kanatasulo said.
"Take care, brother," I said. Kanatasulo stepped close and hugged me tight. He dipped his head in goodbye and moved over to his group, which contained the rest of my siblings. Morlothyë pulled away to take care of a ner who had broken his arm. All I could do was watching as my brothers and my sisters ascended into the mountains and disappeared out of sight. Another group was getting ready to the side, and I recognized among them some Palar-e-Rokasta and the Tir-e-Twaina. Elwë had chosen the most skilled to trek through first to make the path to the otherside.
"Father, it is time to eat," my son said. Though being parted was not new for me, it was still hard knowing they were going into the mists. Part of me feared they would be lost. It was the same feeling over the Quendi who disappeared to see the Two Trees. Marching behind my family had been fine, even with the destroyed landscape. It is never seeing them again that I am afraid of. It was the fear over the mists and that perhaps Karanisuri or someone would tumble down the mountains and be lost forever to us.
There was a long time before it was our turn. I facilitated between staring at the mists and keeping busy with preparing food with Morlothyë. The path would narrow the further you went in, so I had been told. I had never gone as far as the scouts. I was taught how to watch closely for the markings the passing Quendi would leave behind. Orosundova, I am so far from you now.
The ascent reminded me of the village I had help to found in the foothills of the mountains. The first part of the path was easy. As we ascended into the mountains, the mist became thicker. It was so thick it was hard to see several people in front of us. This was the reason for the long line of travel. It was to link each group carefully so no one got lost in the mists. The mists were a fearsome thing that I had encountered in my excursion. I never had gone as far as I was doing now.
There were no stars in sight. It was disquieting, as was the continued thickness of the mist. There was a silence in these mountains that went very deep. Sometimes the wind would howl like some creature in an eerie manner. Rocks would sometimes tumble as they break free and disturb the silence, and it would echo. There was no way to know when the Hunter had fallen or how many times the Hunter had risen. It was a long march with little stops except for brief periods for food and rest. I wanted it to end, and the march stretched on and on. We went up. Then we would go down or skirt along a cliff. Though I was the one leading my group, I was just following the back of another Quendi. We formed a line that must have stretched from one side to the other.
In the distance there was a shout that echoed and murmurs of excitement rose in the air. Soon song followed, and the mists began to lessen. There were more shouts in the distance and I knew the stars would soon be in sight. My eyes blurred when my sight saw the stars again. The Wolf was high in the sky. The journey was not over, but with renewed effort we continue to descend into the valley below. There was a great roaring fire in the distance.
"Kandatuo!" I heard my name shouted. I looked around for the voice but could not spot a red head or the golden hair that belonged to my family. Finally, I spotted a red-headed nes making their way over fast. It was Liraiwë. She stopped short for a moment, looking over me before she grinned.
"Karanisuri decided it was best to wait for all to descend before continuing on. She wished to discuss with Elwë the next move," Liraiwë said. "Morlothyë it is good to see you!"
"It is good to see you as well," Morlothyë said.
"Elwë is leading the last group," I informed my sister.
"He chose to go last? It is not too much of a surprise. We will wait! Come on!" Liraiwë said in a sing-song voice. She took off running and stopped short. She turned to us and waved for us to follow.
"Wait, Liraiwë," Morlothyë called out. Liraiwë stopped and turned around. Morlothyë spoke to several of the nesi quickly. She took my hand and ushered me forward. We weaved through the gathering of Quendi chasing after my youngest sister. Her red hair stood out among the shades of dark hair, and even those who, hair was like starlight.
"We can meet with the others later. We shall reunite with your family and hear from Karanisuri, hm?"
"That sounds like a good idea, my love. What would I have done without you?" I said in agreement. Morlothyë laughed and swept a gentle kiss across upon the back of my hand. Liraiwë lead us to where Karanisuri squatted on the ground. The ground was marked as a map. She was deep in conversation with various neri and one nes. One of the ner held a stick and was pointing at a particular line. There were several lines, though I did not understand what they all meant. The markings were different from what I had once used.
"We have noticed signs of former camps along this route," the ner with the stick said.
"I would suggest further excursions along this route then. Take several groups and explore for three risings of the Wolf. Does that sound fair," Karanisuri asked? She glanced around at the Quendi.
"It sounds fair. When shall we leave?"
"Rest for one Hunter and then head out. Elwë will not be over the Hithaeglir soon," Karanisuri said, her voice trailing off in thought.
"This sounds fine to us," the nes said. They all stood up and parted. Karanisuri looked at the map upon the ground, contemplating it.
"Suri! Look who I found!" Liraiwë said, excitedly bouncing on her feet. Karanisuri turned towards us and her stern expression turned into one of joy. She rushed forward and hugged first Morlothyë before hugging me.
"Morlothyë! Kandatuo! It is nice to see you! How was the trip through the mountains?" Morlothyë shivered at the mention of the mountains.
"It was scary. I never want to do it again," Morlothyë said venomously.
"I feel the same, but I would do it again if need be. What were you discussing," I asked?
"We are tracking where the Minyar and Tatyar went. They did wait for us but moved on," Karanisuri explained.
"They waited?" Morlothyë questioned.
"Yes, from what we have been able to tell. They are long gone. It is hard to tell with the passage of time through the mists, but I do believe they left before we even attempted to make the crossing," Karanisuri said.
"Then I take it that you are searching for their trail," I summarized. Karanisuri nodded in reply.
"Enough of this, I am sure you wish to relax. Seek me out at the next Wolf. I must confer with some others," Karanisuri said dismissively. Karanisuri strode away without waiting for Morlothyë or I to say farewell.
"Sorry about that, Kanda! Suri has been preoccupied with running the camp and figuring out where the others have gone," Liraiwë said in a hushed tone. "Do not worry! Kanata and the others are helpful as well, but Suri does all the organizing."
"I understand," I assured Liraiwë.
"I am sure you do! You helped run Orosundova, after all. Be prepared you may see little of her. They meet every morning for brief discussions. For serious and long discussions, much like the Council, they meet every five risings of the Wolf to discuss concerns. I am going to introduce you to the people who are overseeing the different activities of the camp," Liraiwë said. She led my wife and I to an area that was hushed voices and scratching across rocks. Food was important to life, after all.
I did not see much of Karanisuri like Liraiwë had mentioned at first. If she was not resting, she was meeting the various leaders. She would speak with the scouts, who continued to search for clues. Liraiwë hung around Morthlothyë and I for this reason. Karanisuri eventually roped me into helping her, so she could help scout. I helped camp's current leaders coordinate with the other leaders as more and more groups crossed over the Hithaeglir. We would meet at the beginning of the Wolf rising in the sky and just as it dipped below the horizon.
Elwë was the last to arrive. He was the last in line, in fact. With his arrival, Karanisuri and the scouts had already developed an idea of the direction that the Minyar and Tatyar took. Karanisuri forced Elwë to rest before telling him all that had come to pass. We remained there for only a few risings of the Wolf, letting those who were last to come over the Hithaeglir rest. Karanisuri and the other craft leaders had prepared food to continue. These few risings took to repairing any gear that had broken in the crossing. Then we took to marching along the route that was already prepared by Karanisuri's scouts.
It was very slow after a while, for the scouts had to search ahead and double back to make sure we were following the correct route. Perhaps you would think it is obvious, but the path that Arōmēz took was not straight. It curved around and over hills, through thick forests and sometimes around them too, and crossed streams and rivers. The march was as endless as the stars. We only had each other to reply upon. The Minyar and Tatyar were not there to urge us onward. There was no Arōmēz to speak to us and give encouragement. It was up to us, the leaders, Elwë, Olwë, Nolwë, Karanisuri, and so many others to encourage everyone and keep them on track.
It took time and when we came across more mountains (later to be called the Ered Luin) we almost gave up. We did manage to cross as a whole group without any more division. We finally stopped by a river. As soon as Elwë and the other leaders were satisfied that everyone was settled, we searched for the Minyar and Tatyar. It took sometime but once the initial contact and location was found out Elwë and many others with family among the Tatyar rushed to meet up with them. My family was among those rushing to meet up with the Minyar and Tatyar.
We had a tearful reunion with my family among the Minyar first. Then we went and visited father's Tatyar family feeling of relief we all had at meeting up was so strong. It was very obvious in the way to my mother, father, and mother's parents hardly let us out of their sight. Karanisuri relaxed in a way that I have not seen her relax. Laughter spilled forth easily from her as she chased around cousins and chatted away to Víloma.
"Where is Arōmēz," Karanisuri finally asked? It was the second rising of the Wolf since we had reunited with our family.
"Arōmēz left us to speak with his fellows. There was a matter of getting us all to Valinor," Grandfather Imin answered.
"Has he been gone long," Morlothyë asks? She tilts her head to the side, gray eyes lost in thought.
"Yes, for many risings of the Wolf. My favorite part of coming here is seeing the ocean," a nes of our family on the Tatyar side. Her hair is a rich auburn. It is not the vibrant red that is of my family's.
"Ocean?" Karanisuri perks up at the strange word.
"It is different from the Great Water! It is not very good to drink," a nes said with a disgusted face.
"The water waves," a ner said in awe. "It rises from itself and falls down upon the shore."
"That sounds... I do not have words. I would love to see this ocean," Karanisuri said.
"You have not seen it? I thought..." Víloma's voice was startled, then gazing at Tarakano and Karanisuri.
"We went a different way that I shall not speak of. Tarakano nor the others have seen this ocean," Karanisuri admitted.
"That would explain Ingwë's surprise and awe of the ocean," my mother, Lelyaldë, said.
"Finwë's as well, though he seems to not care for the ocean," commented a cousin. Rusco was his name, for red brown was his hair. He is a member of our Tatyar family and one of the few I am more closely familiar with. Rusco had lived in Orosundova with me.
"Let us seek out this ocean soon. How long does it take to get there?" Karanisuri asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Three risings of the Wolf," Sirylindo said with a small smile. "I think you will enjoy the music of the ocean."
"Father, Music?" Liraiwë gasps and looks at father.
"Yes. The very ocean is made up of music," Sirylindo said with a knowing smile.
"I am not sure of what you speak of. I did have to drag your father away from the ocean. He did not want to leave," Lelyaldë said teasingly. Sirylindo blushed at his wife's teasing.
"We should get back to the Nelyar," Tarakano said to Karanisuri. I would not have heard it except that Suri was sitting next to me.
"Hush, all will be well. They know how to survive, and we do not need to direct every action," Karanisuri assured.
"Suri…"
"No, Kano, let us relax. I have not seen my family in so long. Let me have my time with them." Tarakano sighed at my sister's reasoning before grunting an agreement.
"Then we shall go to this ocean and see for ourselves."
"Thank you," Karanisuri said, I could hear the smile in her voice.
"Shall we leave on the next rising of the Wolf, Suri?" Karanisuri turned to face me with a big grin on her face.
"Why, brother, I never thought you would ask," Karanisuri said in response.
"Oh, I cannot wait," Liraiwë said, jumping up from her seat. She spun around quickly with a laugh. Karanisuri and Víloma joined her, becoming a whirlwind of spun gold and red. With the rising of the Wolf we readied and left, bidding farewell to Finwë, Elwë and the others. In our excitement to see the ocean, or namely Karanisuri and the other Nelyar who went with us, we made it in a little over two risings of the Wolf. We made little note of the aspen, maple, and birch trees that we passed.
"We are incredibly close," Sirylindo told us.
"How can you tell," Cwîlneno questioned our father?
"Do you smell that?" Sirylindo stopped and looked at us. I inhaled deeply and it was a fragrant smell. It was sweet and somewhat reminded me of the pines that grew near Orosundova. I inhaled the smell deeply again. It was a beautiful scent. Sirylindo pointed towards a tree that looked like a pine. We all came to a stop as father began to point out the various characteristics of this pine looking tree.
"We are not sure what to call it. It has a very thick resin, much like the pines. It has much smoother bark than the other pines. The healers think it will be most useful as a balm," Sirylindo informed us. Father continued to lead us happily singing.
The smell hit us, my nose first. I have been by the Great Water, rivers, and streams but there was never a smell like this. I crinkle my nose at it, for it was not the sweet smelling pine or flowers of my forest home. There was one familiar smell, fish. The sweet smelling pine still clung to the air. Then, there it was, the scent that belonged to flowers as we drew closer.
Liraiwë made a slight dash and stopped before the flowers. It was a small scarlet tubular like flower that spiked. She bent down and inhaled deeply.
"It smells a bit like mint," she cried. Víloma and the other nessi stopped to smell and there was agreement between them. They continued to stop and smell any the flowers. There were several bushes that smelt like roses. Another spread of plants contained small little white flowers and some that were red bloomed. Some nessi disliked the strong smell that was crisp and strange. Our journey continued along surrounded by these powerful scents of fish, flowers, and sweet smelling pine. It was not long before we heard the sound of water.
Water is water and they have similar sounds. Streams and rivers are just the same, and yet a bubbling brook is different from a coursing river. The ocean certainly sounded like water, but louder than streams. There was a low, dull roar that at first sounded like the waterfalls near Minmbar. Instead of the constant roar of the waterfall, it was the lapping of the water upon the shore. It came and went.
We pushed through the last of the trees and came to a rocky shoreline. The water rose up over itself with white froth before slowly curling upon itself and crashing onto the rocks. I watched the ocean for a moment as it beat itself against the rocks. The water would splash up incredibly high, and sometimes it just slid over the rocks.
'Is the end of the world at the end of the ocean? Or is Valinor just beyond our sight?' I briefly found myself wondering in awe. There was a squawking noise and a white bird flew by. Others soon flew by, cawing at each other. Against the lapping of the waves dashing against the rocks, it sounded so natural. As my father had said, there was music to be heard here. Beyond the music, there was an eternal power here that demand respect. I briefly wondered what Elwë's cousin Nowë would think of this place. The ocean seemed to stretch onwards.
"It is so beautiful," whispered Sirylindo in awe. I glanced at my father, who looked entranced upon the ocean. His eyes were full of desire as his gaze moved slowly down the landscape. He pursed his lips.
"Look there is a sandy shore," Kanatasulo said, pointed where the rocks ended. He dropped his pack onto the rocks. "Race you Suri!"
"I will win before you," Tankatiro inserted before he too dropped his pack, scrambling over a boulder with ease. Karanisuri handed her bag over to our mother.
"Alala," Karanisuri cried out and hastened after Tankatiro.
"I am coming too," my son shouted, running after Karanisuri and Tankatiro.
"This is not fair!" Kanatasulo exclaimed. Víloma burst out laughing at her siblings and took off.
"You better move fast, or you will be the last one there," Víloma said in a rare moment of competition. Víloma followed after Karanisuri who fast approaching Tankatiro. Tankatiro jumped from one rock to the other before running down a long slab of rock. Kanatasulo gave a battle cry and took off after his siblings. The younger crowd dropped their bags and took off running after my siblings with happy shouts.
"Will you chase after them," Morlothyë asked me, her green eyes shining with happiness?
"No, they can run themselves silly. Hopefully they will stay away from the wet rocks closer to the shore," I said, watching my siblings grow distant. We picked up the packs that had been left lying all over the rocks and followed. There were some chuckles at the taunts amongst the children. The cares from the journey to this shoreline seemed to melt away as Morlothyë and I followed my family.
Karanisuri reached the beach first. Kanatasulo reached it second and tackled Karanisuri down onto the ground. A wave crashed over them and Karanisuri sat up, sputtering.
"Disgusting!" Her voice rang out as she continued to spit and gag. Kanatasulo spit water out to and laughed. Kanatasulo through his arm around Karanisuri and she stared at him for a moment before she too was laughing.
"Is the water that disgusting, Suri?" Cwîlneno stuck his hand down as a wave crashed upon the shore, soaking his hand. He licked one finger, and his expression became one of comical disgust.
"It is!" Cwîlneno cried out in dismay.
"Whatever shall we do for drinking water," a cousin asked, staring out at the water with concern?
"Do not worry," Lelyaldë said. "There is a lovely river and pond nearby."
After storing our packs away, my family was soon at play, running away from the waves and splashing each other as we waded in the water knee-deep. Cwîlneno and Liraiwë held up smooth rocks and picked up shells. They grew excited over a fire pointed creature that moved in one of the shallow pools by the rocks.
"I shall call this a starfish," Cwîlneno said, showing it off to the family.
"An apt name," an aunt agreed as if Cwîlneno was the wisest. After play and much song, my family decided to retire. Father and the others showed us the camping site. We washed, ate, and then the Elders divided the tasks among everyone to set up camp. It was only by chance that I saw Karanisuri and Tarakano slip away, back towards the beach. I let me curiosity overtake me and I followed them with stealth. They came to a stop where the river opened up to the ocean.
"Do you think Ullubōz can hear us," Karanisuri asked Tarakano. Ullubōz? The name seemed familiar, but I could not place it. The strange sound of was nothing Quendi.
'It must be one of the ayanûz like Arōmēz,' I thought.
"Ullubōz has never abandoned Aþâraphelûn," Tarakano said. Karanisuri sighed and kneeled upon the bank of the river.
"I hope all is well, Ullubōz. I hope you hear our voices. Please tell Arōmēz that we Nelyar have arrived and that we hope to see him soon," Karanisuri said quietly. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back, and she sang. Her song of thanksgiving flowed forth like a breeze. Tarakano joined in, strong and patient like the trees. Their voices danced playfully together as they honored, the trees, the water, and the stars. The song ended and Karanisuri sighed and stood up.
The water pulled back suddenly. My breath caught in my throat as it pulled together to form a figure that slowly emerged. The waters began to move back to the shore and I stumbled back with my heart pounding in my ears. The figure was taller than any ner I have ever seen. The figure's face was hooded by a clock that rippled and resembled ocean waves lined with seafoam. The figure's arms seemed to shimmer of blue and white like scales. Their chest, flat like a male, was covered in silver scales of a fish. The hood fell back and revealed the figure was definitely male. His eyes were of the deepest of waters. Strangest to me was that hair grew from his chin, and even stranger was that it was green!
"Ullubōz," Karanisuri and Tarakano said at the same time, bowing.
"Much time has passed since I have seen thee Karanisuri and Tarakano," Ullubōz greeted.
"My Grandfather told me that Arōmēz had left to speak with your kind in council," Karanisuri stated.
"We have much to discuss in the matter for which thee are to come to Valinor," Ullubōz said.
"Is there any decision as of yet," Tarakano questioned.
"We are close, but time flows different for us," Ullubōz confirmed, and his terrible deep gaze shifted to where I stood hidden among the foliage. "Who is behind you among the trees?"
Trembling, I stepped out and bowed as well, "I am Karanisuri's elder brother Kandatuo."
"Ah, I have heard much of you. Come closer," Ullubōz said. I walked over to stand beside Karanisuri with every step feeling as if a terrible weight was pressing down upon my heart. Ullubōz stared at me silently. His stare left me feeling like I was drowning.
"You Quendi are such a mystery and marvel," Ullubōz said at last, breaking the gaze. His voice quivered with such awe.
"Will you say that every time you meet one of us," Karanisuri asked?
"I will, for we Ayanûz had no part in your making. You are Atar's children as much as we," Ullubōz said.
"Atar?" I questioned, looking away from Ullubōz's abyssal gaze.
"Eru Ilúvatar is the one who created us. From Eru all has deluged from, the music, Eruhini, this very land. Arōmēz spoke of this to you," Ullubōz said.
"Yes Arōmēz did, but it seems so strange," I admitted.
"Sit, close your eyes and listen," Ullubōz instructed. Karanisuri and Tarakano did that without comment. They were so trusting as they sat upon the grass. He looked at me expectantly before I finally did. I closed my eyes and sat there on the soft grass.
"Relax and listen to the world. Listen to the world, to the silence and the sound. Take a deep breath and listen as the wind blows and the water caresses the shore," Ullubōz sang. His voice was deep and resonating. It seemed to echo and bury. It pulled at me like an ocean current carrying me away. A distant voice called out, and then there was music. Oh, such beautiful swelling music filling the whole world with life.
I would say it was words, but it was more like concepts. I drifted between strong and gentle pulls, feeling such unity in the diversity, seeing the order in chaos. I saw how life feed into death and death into life. The music slowly sharpened into words and into a presence, one that transcended all. The presence was neither male nor female.
Have you taken one time to close your eyes in silence and feel me? I created the world complete and beautiful for you, and that all you need and all you want shall be there. Yesterday, today, and even tomorrow, you will hear, or you will see me in every being and every one. You will feel me as the trees and as the quiet of the forest, as fearless as wind and as immovable as mountains. There I am beyond borders, beyond all that was and is, the truth and the life. I am All. My child, my child, I love thee.
I found myself slowly opening my eyes and staring up at the stars. I had fallen backwards during this strange experience. I felt drained and relaxed as I took a deep breath and another. I sat up to find Karanisuri and Tarakano smiling at me. Ullubōz was no-where to be found.
"Where did...Ullu...Ullub," I struggled to say his name.
"Ullubōz? He went back to the water. Ullubōz is the deep veins of the land. Through him, life has continued," Karanisuri said.
"Are all of his kind like that," I asked with a voice barely a whisper?
"Just like us, they are all different. Did you feel Eru?" Tarakano's voice dropped low as he asked his question.
"I think... I think I did. It was so beautiful…"
"It was pure majesty, an experience that goes beyond all words and thoughts," Karanisuri filled in. I trembled with powerful emotions that I could not name. Karanisuri hugged me and I finally noticed the hot tears falling down my face.
"Is that why you are so desperate to leave this land behind?" I finally proposed a question that had been bothering. My sister had shared her memories with me, but I never fully understood how she could be so eager to leave her life among the Palar-e-Rokasta behind. Karanisuri glanced at Tarakano expectantly. Tarakano sighed at this and answered instead.
"Yes and no. Being there, I could see peace and the land feels...it feels right. Pure. It would be better to say it is as if the Dark Hunter had never touched that land."
"It is a beautiful land and I feel such peace there. The Ayanûz have so much knowledge to impart to us as well," Karanisuri said, closing her eyes. "I want to have my children there."
Tarakano let out a strangled noise, "When were you going to tell me this?"
"Well, we were going to have children sooner or later," Karanisuri said laughingly.
"You knew what you were getting into when you married my sister Tarakano," I said to him. The silver haired ner turned his head to the side and sniffed in mock indignation. Karanisuri continued to laugh, and she smacked Tarakano playfully before he to began laugh. I glanced up at the stars. They were our lights, our guides, and always a source of comfort. Yet now, I feel a deeper peace than I have ever felt before. I looked back at my sister, who continued to banter back and forth with Tarakano. I was struck with a feeling, so suddenly, it stole my peace away for a moment. I knew somehow that time was flowing past us. There was something heartbreaking upon the horizon.
Closing Notes:
11.30.2021 - I did some quick housekeeping with grammar. It will need some more editing with grammar, and I probably edited some things I should not have. Yes, I am currently working on Chapter 10! Does that make you happy? I am doing some edits of grammar and a few minor edits of the story, nothing that will affect your understanding of the story and that you would have to go back and re-read, but this is to help me get back into the headspace of this story.
Races: Minyar are the Vanyar. Tatyar are the Noldor. Nelyar are the Teleri. Abari (Avari) are known as the Refusers, the ones who stayed behind and did not go to Valinor.
Character Note's: Karanisuri's father is Sirylindo a third generation descendant of both the Tatyar and Nelyar. Her mother is Lelyaldë a daughter of Imin and Iminyë of the Minyar. The order of birth for Karanisuri's siblings are in order of birth: Kandatuo, Kanatasulo, Víloma (Karanisuri's twin sister), Tankatiro, Cwîlneno, and Liraiwë (youngest sister).
The rest of this story will mainly follow Kandatuo, Karanisuri, and Víloma. There will be a few chapters here and there with the other siblings as you follow along where they split off and see the world and events through their eyes as they end up living apart.