In An Age Before

by Phantom Bard

Part 298 posted, in which Helluin and the Riders of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý aid the Third Marshal Haleth in Rohan's defeat of the Easterling invaders. Brutal weather, disease, and failing morale play a part. Aldburg is no sooner freed of the eastern threat when tidings come of the Dunlending's invasion from the west. OCs galore as usual.

11. In An Age Before Chapter 11

In An Age Before - Part 11

This revision is being posted to address a legitimate concern from a reviewing reader, and clarifies a point pertaining to the fate of Maedhros and Maglor. The author thanks Calvusfelix for prompting me to hunt out this passage of dialog between Helluin and Vëantur and then add a footnote. Maglor is not dead, but Helluin wrongly assumes he is.

Chapter Nine

Upon Belegaer, the Sundering Sea - The Second Age of the Sun

'Twas now 23Gwaeron, (March 23rd), S.A. 600. In two and a half years the Nandor had launched three explorer ships and laid down the keels of three more that now lay abuilding in Edhellond. King Lenwë had been serious about seeking for the West again and his people had joined him in his hope. Helluin had taken ship on several voyages, for she had learnt much from the Teleri of Alqualondë. Yet the Nandor of Belfalas were already competent mariners and they took well to navigating the open sea. The problem was that none knew how far away lay Aman. In navigating by the stars, it had always been easier to determine positions north and south, whilst east and west were much more difficult to plot. Even worse, the world had changed since last Helluin had walked in Aman. The western lands of Middle Earth were now reduced, and the Valar had sewn the seas before the Undying Lands with shadows and isles of enchantment. Therefore the Nandor proceeded slowly, each voyage a bit longer than the one before, building up their charts and marking the known. On their seventh voyage, they made their first great discovery.

The wind had grown o'er the course of the day and now the waves stood at o'er two fathoms 'twixt crest and trough. The white ship with its sea green trim was tossed as her helmsman strove to keep her bow pointed into the oncoming waves. She was the King's Ship Aearben, (Sea Rider), measuring 100 feet in length, with a beam of 22 feet and a draft of 17. Her mainmast rose 32 feet, her foremast 24, and each held a square rigged top and main sail. In favorable winds her slender shapely hull could make 18 knots. In form she was similar to the craft of the Sindar of Mithlond, but all of those were built for runs about the coasts of Middle Earth. Aearben was now 200 leagues southwest of Edhellond upon Belegaer, and she had run into a storm.

O'erhead the sky was grey and clouds scudded low above the waves. Darkness lay about three hours away, yet already it felt like twilight was upon them. A couple leagues off the crew could see sheets of rain falling, and the wind had continued to strengthen. After consulting with the sailing master and the ship's seer, the captain had given the order to belay their course southwest, and so the sailing master had ordered the mainsails sails reefed and the jib set to windward, and Aearben hove into the wind, maintaining a little way to ride out the storm.

"Secure the hatches and rig for heavy wind and rainfall," the first mate ordered at a nod from the captain. The storm was approaching fast now. "Call in the watch," he yelled.

The crew scrambled to secure all openings in the hull against the coming downpour. Rawhide sheets were rigged to shield the helmsman, and safety lines were run down both sides of the deck. Secondary support lines were tied off to give added stability to the masts lest they be ripped from the hull, and failsafe lines were added to keep any spars torn free of the masts from whipping the deck like giant flails.

"Watch, ho!" The second mate called up to the crow's nest, "come thee down!"

Up on the small talan atop the mainmast, Helluin waved that she had heard and began her descent. The wind tore at her and she had felt it increasing to the point that she would have come down soon even without the order, yet she had stayed, feeling that there might be something yet besides the darkening clouds to see. Now she carefully eased herself through the talan's railing and began to climb down the rigging. She took a last look ahead into the wind and stopped dead. Had there been something? A single straight line atop the waves at the horizon for just a moment, gone in the next instant as the ship's roll brought her bow down? She couldn't be sure. The wave passed and the Aearben rode up the next…she crested, but nothing did Helluin see. If it had been the mast of another vessel, then that vessel was now itself below the crest of whate'er wave it rode. Only fortune had brought it into sight…brought both ships to crest at the same instant…if it had truly been there at all. Helluin couldn't be sure and she couldn't wait to make certain. She continued her descent to the deck.

Once there she made her way to the stern and took her position beside the helmsman. This was the foul weather watch station, and from it she would complete her watch in the storm. She peered ahead into the rain as it began falling, quickening to a torrent, and e'er she strove to get another glimpse of the phantom mast she might have seen. But now the sea was rolling even higher, the air was awash with spray and rain, and her visibility was greatly curtailed. As the tempest grew, she lent a hand to the helmsman, steadying the wheel against the surge. An hour passed, and then another. True twilight was falling.

Aearben rode up and crested another wave, the seventh, and a large wave it was, and there for a moment Helluin saw again the dark vertical of an approaching mast almost dead ahead.

"Ship ahead!" She yelled at the top of her lungs.

O'er the howl of the gale the captain barely heard her though he stood only a half-dozen strides away. He looked at her and she thrust out an arm, her finger indicating the direction. He nodded and followed her line of sight. At the next crest they both saw the mast, and they continued to watch it with every rise and fall as it came closer. It continued to grow in height, yet still they hadn't seen the hull 'neath it. Again and gain they rose and fell and with each sighting Helluin's estimation of the mast's height had to be revised. Soon she discerned that there were three masts, not just one, but they were almost perfectly aligned with her own position, putting the approaching craft almost dead ahead. And 'twas a large craft, far larger than Aearben…of this she was quickly becoming certain.

Another quarter hour passed and then finally she saw the hull. As Aearben rose she caught a glimpse of blue and gold. A few more sightings and Helluin guessed the ship no less than 300 feet in length, with 25 feet above the waterline compared to Aearben's 9. Her mainmast probably rose no less than 130 feet! To Helluin, she was a dreadnought.

At last, when 'naught but two furlongs separated the craft, Helluin was finally able to make out the device upon the standard that flew from her main top; a single rayed star amidst a field of dark blue above a white tree. In all of Middle Earth she had ne'er aforetime seen this heraldry.

The great ship was running before the storm whilst Aearben was bearing into it, but as she approached, the bigger vessel smoothly came about and rode parallel, standing off three furlongs, for prudence demanded sea room 'twixt ships in foul weather. There she held, skillfully matching Aearben and riding with her as the storm blew on through the night. With the dawn she was still there, and as the clouds passed and the rain failed, her decks came alive with the crewmen of the watch.

Aboard Aearben there was an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Could this be a ship of their sundered kin, the Teleri, sailing Belegaer from Alqualondë? The Nandor fervently hoped that 'twas so. Helluin alone knew that 'twas not. The Teleran ships were smaller than Aearben, and all that she had e'er seen were swan prowed and painted white. This was something else, an unknown vessel, and the work of some great maritime power equally unknown to her. With the crew, she waited.

In the second hour after Anar's rising, the ship broke topsails and maneuvered closer. Many mariners stood watching along her rails, whilst aboard Aearben the crew stood staring back. The captain ordered the helm to close to hailing distance with the stranger. Below deck, Helluin donned her armor and gathered her weapons.

Up close the strange vessel appeared even bigger. She dwarfed Aearben; indeed she was o'er three times their length and her main deck o'ershadowed the Nandor's by almost 20 feet. At thirty yards an officer called out through a speaking trumpet, hailing them in an unfamiliar language. Aearben's captain scratched his head in confusion.

Standing beside the captain, Helluin said, "sir, if this be truly a ship from Valinor, then by rights they would speak the High Elven tongue, yet their hail was not in Quenya. Still, perhaps I should try in Quenya anyway?"

The captain thought for a moment before nodding in agreement. 'Twas 'naught to lose by it.

"Hail and well met," Helluin called out in the High Elven tongue of Aman, "this is the ship Aearben, out of Edhellond in Belfalas. Explorers upon the Sundering Sea art we, and come in friendship and in reverence for the West. We pray thee name thyself and thy great vessel."

For a moment there was silence from the far deck, then a few cheers. The officer with the speaking horn called back in Quenya.

"Hail Aearben of Edhellond, this is Entulessë, ship of King Tar-Elendil of Númenórë, 'neath the command of Vëantur, Captain-Admiral of the King's Ships. We sail forth in exploration and rediscovery of the lands of our origins. We come in peace after many lives of Men, hoping to make contact with the High King of the Eldar upon the Hither Shores."

"Thou art the sons of the Atani," Helluin cried out, "of all Men, most renowned in the wars of Beleriand! That line all revere in Middle Earth, for of their courage came salvation for Mortal Lands. Aptly named is thy ship!" For Entulessë signified Return in the High Elven tongue. And thou shalt come again to the Hither Shores at last, Helluin thought.

And so 'twas that in the vastness of the Sundering Sea, the first contact was made 'twixt the Elves of Middle Earth and the Men of Westernesse, and amongst both crews there was great rejoicing. Soon it came to be known that all spoke Sindarin also, and in that language the captains conversed. Three days the ships remained together with much exchange of crews and tidings, and there many friendships were forged.

Now the crew of Aearben was wont to prevail upon the Captain-Admiral that he should come to Edhellond and meet with King Lenwë, but Vëantur was under orders to seek for the High King Ereinion Gil-galad, and he dwelt in Lindon. Yet Vëantur promised that upon his return, an embassy would be dispatched to Belfalas to meet with the king. Also, Vëantur brought charts to Aearben's sailing master, and these showed not only Númenor, but also the shores of the Undying Lands to their west, and in this all the Nandor rejoiced. Then, rather than sailing ahead, Aearben's captain turned about and sailed for home to convey his news and the precious charts to Edhellond. Soon another ship would sail, with greater knowledge, and perhaps come into the West at last.

During the time of their meetings, Helluin came aboard the ship of Westernesse and took counsel there with the Dúnedain. Tidings they told and tidings received and all were amazed at what the passing years had wrought. No less amazing to the Men was the fact that Helluin picked up their speech, the Adûnaic tongue, so quickly that in but a couple days she could make her mind known, if somewhat haltingly, in the tongue of Númenor. Ere the ships parted ways on the third day, Helluin made a request of Vëantur, whom she found to be a noble Man of great courage and irrepressible spirit, indeed an explorer much like herself. Thus when Entulessë sailed for Lindon, Helluin sailed with them, seeking to meet with those amongst the Eldar of Beleriand who still tarried in Middle Earth.

She bade the crew of Aearben farewell and charged them to express her thanks to King Lenwë, saying that she would come amongst them again someday, for life was long. The Nandor were sorry to see her go, yet they were high of spirits and their sadness o'er her departure was tempered by much good fortune. They would keep watch for her in the future and she would always find welcome in Belfalas.

"It hath been 'nigh on 500 years since I was last in this part of Eriador, Captain-Admiral, but at that time, the High King and the Eldar of the Falas had removed to Lindon, north and south about the Gulf of Lune," Helluin told Vëantur as they examined his maps of Middle Earth. She pointed out the site of the city she'd seen abuilding long ago. "Thereabouts the coastal water was shallow, with many shoals and no good anchorage for a ship of Entulessë's drought, but Círdan had been building a haven up the firth at Mithlond, here." She indicated the spot on the chart.

"T'would be a better haven, sure," Vëantur agreed, "yet my embassy is to Gil-galad and to him I must come if possible." With his typical decisiveness he outlined a plan after but a moment's consideration. "Entulessë shalt lay off the coast of Lindon 'nigh the king's city and I shalt dispatch a boat thither to come ashore. After presenting ourselves before the High King, we shalt request berthing at the haven of Mithlond."

"That would be well, Captain-Admiral," Helluin agreed, "and I would request thy company accept my presence in the party that makes first contact with the High King. I knew him long years ago and would meet with him again, and others who were with him."

She was thinking of Celeborn and Galadriel foremost, for those few of the Noldor who, like Galadriel, had chosen to remain in Middle Earth, were most likely to be found in Lindon with the High King.

"Indeed I hoped to include thee, Helluin," Vëantur said, "for we seek to renew the league of friendship and distant kinship that once stood 'twixt the Eldar and Elros Peredhel of whom my king Tar-Elendil descends. Thy presence would be a boon."

"Then indeed thy course and mine run together," Helluin said looking at the sea chart, "nearly due north from here. Círdan too I knew and would meet again."

"So be it then," Vëantur agreed, "for much would I reverence he who first taught shipcraft to the ancestors of my people, Tuor and Eärendil, and gave aid to those of Avernien ere its sack."

For a moment his eyes hardened with the recollection of that deed which had driven his ancestors from their homes in Middle Earth with much slaughter. Not in six centuries and more was the memory diminished amongst his people, for they had been betrayed by the Eldar of the House of Fëanor whom their mortal houses had once served as allies long afore. Yet 'twas not the first time, for Beren had been hounded, and Lúthien too, by the brothers, Celegorm and Curufin. Helluin read the thoughts in Vëantur's eyes and saw into his heart.

"Spend not thy energy in hatred for the dead, Vëantur," Helluin told him softly, "for by the treachery and avarice of the House of Fëanor did many suffer, Man and Elf alike. Not even the Valar favored their quest, and their oath brought all their lords to ruin. Not a single Silmaril did they retake to claim or hold, for of those jewels but one survived, and that in the hand of one of thine own. Upon the quays of Avernien did I slay Amrod and Amras, and in pursuit of Maedhros and Maglor did I hunt in Taur-Im-Duinath to recover their captives, Elrond and Elros. None of Fëanor's sons now live¹, Vëantur, and the work of their hands is lost save that which nightly graces the heavens. Be at peace, O Captain, for the grievances of thy house art redressed." ¹(This statement reflects Helluin's belief as to the fate of the last Fëanorians, Maedhros and Maglor, whom she last saw at the end of the War of Wrath ere they attempted to steal the Silmarils from the camp of the victorious Host of Valinor. She presumes them dead, though Maglor indeed survived. The only evidence she could possibly have had to the contrary would have been the recollections of Elrond, and all he would have been able to say was that he hadn't seen either of the brothers die. This would be negative evidence and proves nothing. Still, in all the years since the war, neither Silmaril was ever seen or heard of again. As they were lost, so too would it be reasonable to presume their bearers were lost as well.)

For a moment Vëantur looked at Helluin with an unreadable expression. Not 'til now had the length of life of the Firstborn truly been real to him; in the past it had been but a concept, a device in tales told. And from such a tale came a story he knew of the flight from Avernien, told and retold through the generations of his people in Númenor.

"Thou art the Ngoldo naruo luneto hendu of whom stories tell," Vëantur said, "the Noldo of Blue Fire Eyes who was the Avenger of Avernien. The first King of Númenor, Elros Tar-Minyatur spoke of thee with reverence."

Now 'twas Helluin's turn to look at the man. The blood of her own kindred had stained her hands whilst the fire of battle lust had consumed her.

"I came at the command of Ulmo himself, who appeared to me in Vinyamar," Helluin said quietly, "to aid in some doom then unnamed by the prowess of my sword. There I partook in a kinslaying. Noldor and Sindar fell by my hand, and I fell 'neath the Curse as I had not at Alqualondë long aforetime. Vëantur, 'twas necessary but most unpleasant, and yet I would do thus again should necessity force my hand."

Vëantur nodded his head and lowered his eyes. All his people held this Noldo in high regard for what she had done, yet none had perceived the distaste with which it had been accomplished. And yet again he was reminded of the great ancientry of which she partook, the eternal Life of the Firstborn, something beyond the true understanding of Men. The kinslaying at Alqualondë had occurred in the Age of the Trees, o'er 1,200 years aforetime if lore spoke true. Finally he looked back up to Helluin's eyes and spoke of the wonder and understanding that was just beginning to come to him.

"Some amongst my kin think they would cherish the unfailing life of the Eldar, for in short years ahead we art doomed to leave the world, to what end, none know. Yet now I perceive somewhat of the burden of sorrow and toil such a life as thine entails. Thou hast seen endless years of strife and war, the failing of dreams and the diminishing of hopes long held. At last I begin to understand the choice of Elros Tar-Minyatur, to be numbered amongst Men and to at last escape the bonds of Arda in hope of some better that lie'th beyond. Yet still I do not pity thee, Helluin, merely do I accept that to each kindred, both good and bad art, by Ilúvatar's design, encompassed within the doom of their kind. In despite of this my curiosity prompts me to ask thy age and such of the tale of thy years as thou would share, for the days upon the sea art still many ere we come to Lindon, and no such chance perhaps shalt I enjoy again."

Helluin sighed and thought of the things she could tell this mortal. Much t'would be heard, but how much could truly be understood? Unlike the Nandor of Celebrant or Belfalas, this Man of Númenor was by his doom excluded from such perspective as could apprehend all that the years taught. And yet, what harm could it do? Already he had expressed the acceptance of their kindreds' separate dooms. That in itself bespoke wisdom, and had not the Edain always worked to better themselves through their association with the Eldar in Beleriand? From what they had learnt in those days long ago they had built this very ship and now sought their old mentors in a friendship long sundered 'cross the sea.

Helluin looked across the table. Vëantur was a tall Man standing o'er a hand's length above a fathom, taller by some inches even than she, with the dark hair and eyes that she recalled from Tuor and those in whom the blood of the House of Bëor still ran. He was strong of hand and of will, a good commander, much loved by his mariners, and at home upon the sea. There was courage and nobility in him, as there was in all the Men of Númenor in the youth of that kindred, and like them he strove to better his lot. Within him lived the fire of the mortal kindreds that drove them forward, as if time e'er followed hard upon their heels, to seek for achievement ere their time passed. At the age of 73, he had risen to the command of all his king's ships.

"Vëantur, we art very different, and yet much the same," she began. "My memories go far back, yet not to the beginning, for I was born amongst the Host of Finwë, first King of the Noldor, after he led his people upon the road from Cuiviénen. In all I have seen," she paused for a moment to tally the years, "5,116 years of the sun, the greater part of which I passed in the Blessed Realm of Aman."

In Vëantur's eyes she saw the light of curiosity blooming and his concentration fixate itself upon her as if she had woven about him some spell to bind the mind. Not so very different, she thought again, for 'tis much the same light as brightens my own eyes. It drove me to wander even in the lands of Aman, and it drives me to exploration still, within the fences of Middle Earth. No, we art not so very different at all.

Entulessë rode the waves another fortnight, and the great ship of Númenor was fast upon the water. Under full sails billowing from her three tall masts she could make 24 knots. And during that time, Helluin held long converse with Vëantur, Captain-Admiral of the King's Ships of Númenor. Many were the hours they passed, speaking each to the other of the deeds they had seen and the tales they knew. For the Man, 'twas as if he had stepped forth into a dream woven from the lore of all the days of the West, and he saw in his mind's eye that which had come to pass long ere his kind first awoke in Hildorien, far to the east. For Helluin it encompassed the quickening of an infectious energy that was the birthright of the short-lived and drove them to master what of the world they could ere their years and strength failed. This indeed was what drove their love of Arda and their deeds, always hoping to leave behind at their life's end greater than what they had found before them at their births. Faced with a finite span of years, they became intrepid, willing to chance the outrageous, and in doing so, accomplished much in a short time.

The two found and treasured their common ground; as Helluin had realized, they were both possessed of explorers' hearts. More than this, they each found nobility in the other that brought forth a mutual admiration. And they were comfortable together even as they challenged each other's minds and spirits.

"Would that thou were of the Elder Kindred, Vëantur," Helluin said absently one afternoon as they sat conversing in the Captain's cabin, "for together we could share great adventures of discovery during years unending. In Middle Earth there art many shores and many lands, not just those upon Belegaer facing Aman. South lies a whole continent unknown, and rumor makes it that yet another lies in the furthest east, a mirror as it were of Aman itself, and from whence Arien rises each morn."

When she looked back she saw tears growing in the Captain's eyes and it alarmed her greatly for she realized that she had enticed him with that which could ne'er be, and in so doing had exposed a sorrow that had been growing in his heart.

"I…I am sorry, Vëantur," Helluin stuttered, "I spoke my heart's desire without thought, and in doing such a rashness have become little better spoken than Fëanor when he took his oath. I see that by my words I have done thee a hurt. Would that I could recall those words, my friend. I am sorry."

Vëantur wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and sighed. He knew full well that such a dream could ne'er be, for he was in the service of a lord he loved, and ere a season as it were had passed for her, he would be old and ready to lay down his life. And yet the dream fluttered, like a golden moth before his mind's eye, and no less desirable for that it could ne'er be. But, was it really the prospect for endless voyages in her company for which his soul cried? In silence he thought and delved deeper amongst his feelings for the truth. Yes, such a life would be all his spirit of adventure could conceive, but there was more towards which his heart yearned, and that too seemed impossible as well.

"Helluin, thy words bring me pain, aye, but the sweetest of acknowledgments as well, for by thy declaration thou hast claimed that thou would find my company desirable for an Age. And though I have not an Age, nor even to you a great span of years remaining, still my heart soars to think of what could have been were we of one kindred. Indeed I would still follow thee 'til my life's ending, forsaking the love of my kin and my duty to my king if thy love were given to me to fill that empty place within. In these last days I have come to know thee, and behind the heroic legend of my people I have seen a spirit bright with the thirst for knowledge and the discovery of the new. Such a spirit I have come to cherish, as I have not cherished any spirit aforetime. Say not that thou would take back thy words or deny the feelings they express. Were I of the Elder Kindred, upon this day I would cleave to thy heart for all the days to come."

For long moments neither said a word, but simply stared into the depths of each other's eyes. Outside the cabin the sound of waves lapping in a hissing rush down the hull could be heard, along with the wind's moaning whistle amidst the lines and the crisp snap of the sails. The boat's shifting as it rolled upon the sea was forgotten and indeed all the outside world faded for that time. In those moments Helluin recalled the feelings in her heart when she'd first met Arandil in Tirion, and that for lack of this very thing that she'd found in Vëantur, that love had died. And the feelings in her heart now? Warm with caring and excited by the spirit of the mortal Man who sat 'cross the table from her. Her heart was turned to him, and though he had not the span of years to match hers, still, would it not be better to hold what was, than mourn the chance lost should she pass it by? She thought of Lenwë, sitting in his halls, regretting through two Ages of the World the choice he had made, and longing for the West that he had ne'er seen. Helluin resolved that she would not follow in his steps. She thought of the choice made by Lúthien, and by Idril whom she had known.

And yet she could no more take Vëantur from his duty or his people or his king in good conscience. He had a life already and many depended upon him. Yet for the short span of his years, could she not join him in that life? Could she not enrich both their lives for those decades whilst his life lasted? 'Twas but a blink of the eyes to her; and she felt that 'twas a chance she did not want to miss. T'would be all the sweeter in her memories for having not been long.

"Cleave to me then, Vëantur, for I shalt cleave to thee for so long as thy life shalt last," she said with a smile that reached her eyes, making them flash with blue fire, for once not in anger, "and though the time may seem short to me, still it shalt be sweet. For even as thou accepts that Ilúvatar in His wisdom has laid different dooms upon our kindreds, so too shalt I accept that in His wisdom He has seen fit to bring thy spirit, kindred to mine, into a body not of my kin. Let us then explore together at the command of thy king, for in long years past I was a guardian of his forefathers' host, and I will again look to the welfare of the House of Tuor and Idril."

And hearing her words, Vëantur gave thanks to Eru that upon the seas of Middle Earth more than one of his prayers had been answered unlooked for. For he would come to Mithlond, the first of his people to do so, and he would come there coupled in heart with one of the Eldar's own as had been only twice in an Age before. He rose from his side of the table and came 'round it to where Helluin sat smiling up at him. Then, taking her hands he raised her to her feet and swept her into a tight embrace, feeling his heart glow as she wrapped her arms 'round him. In their first kiss he felt the tingling of a force he could only liken to the charge of a great storm upon the open sea, as if sparks of lightning had burned all about his lips and invigorated him with their divine energy. 'Twas a feeling he would come to relish for all the years of his life.

When the great ship came at last 'nigh the shore of Lindon, and from the deck the Men of Númenor first espied the city of the High King, none cheered so loud as the Captain did. Soon a longboat had been lowered, and amongst the oarsmen rode Vëantur and Helluin and several others of the ship's officers such as were to make up their king's embassy to Gil-galad. In short order the mariners hauled upon their oars, and soon the boat beached upon the shore. There awaiting them stood a deputation from the Elven King, and amongst these were old friends from Beleriand that Helluin had not seen in centuries.

She made the introductions all 'round, and then the party was conveyed to the city where the High King held his court. At the court she again made introductions, and Gil-galad seemed relatively happy at seeing her. There too were Celeborn of Doriath and his wife, Galadriel. Helluin was impressed at how the young daughter of Finarfin had grown into a queenly woman of the Noldor, radiant in her beauty, with silver-gold hair attesting to her Vanyar/Teleri heritage. For some reason Helluin still carried the image of the Elven woman in her bright-eyed and impetuous youth, eager for adventure in Middle Earth. 'Twasn't realistic, she knew, and she consciously tried to banish the image, but Galadriel was 2,520 years her junior and for some reason it persisted, much to her chagrin. 'Twas probably because they'd had…history.

"Five hundred times and more have the leaves fallen in Middle Earth since last we parted, Helluin," Gil-galad said as he came down from his throne to embrace her. "We have all hoped for this meeting through the years, and oft times wondered whither thy wanderings had taken thee. Perhaps thou shalt enlighten us o'er a meal this eve?"

"I would be glad to share a table and conversation with thee, Ereinion," she said using his birth name, "for indeed much has come to pass, and the most recent not the least."

Here Helluin cast her eyes to Vëantur who stood to the side and Galadriel noted her glance. A small grin curled her lips at the sight of the dour Helluin in love, and she nudged Celeborn in the ribs and nodded discreetly to direct his attention thither.

"About time, Artanis¹, my love," the once Prince of Doriath whispered to his wife, using her father-name as he often did in private. ¹(Artanis, Noble Woman, UT, HoGaC, pg. 231)

"And what shalt come of this union I wonder?" Galadriel whispered back, smirking.

Celeborn gave his wife a sidelong glance, hoping she wouldn't antagonize Helluin. He had seen this aforetime on the few occasions when the two women had come into proximity in Beleriand. Galadriel was sometimes wont to engage in competitiveness with the childless older Noldo, and he knew how proud his wife was of their daughter, Celebrían. The problem was that he didn't really understand Helluin even after all the years of the First Age, and quite frankly the stories he'd heard about her made him uneasy. He just couldn't understand the rivalry Galadriel had long felt for her in Aman, of which she had indeed confessed little.

So many of the Host of Finwë had been secretly smitten with the raven-haired commoner with the flashing blue eyes. And it had been all the worse for his wife that Helluin had been interested in none of them, preferring to endlessly wander the lands alone. Galadriel's youthful rivalry had been completely one-sided and ne'er resolved.

The young princess of the House of Finarfin had felt her own popularity and status challenged, irrational as that might have been, for she had always been a great beauty who had suffered no lack of attention. She even understood this, yet couldn't quite quash the old feelings of having to contest for her celebrity with a commoner who regarded her only as the daughter of her young friend, Prince Finarfin. But worst of all had been Galadriel's own confusing feelings towards Helluin.

There had been a day when she and her brother Finrod had come to Ezellohar at the evening's mingling of the lights. Thither Helluin had stood, naked and still as a statue 'neath Laurelin and Telperion, glowing with light and soaking in the radiance of their blended dews. It had been the most inspiring and exciting thing she'd e'er seen. A glance at Finrod's huge eyes had showed his appraisal to be the same as hers. Galadriel could still call the image to mind as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. She'd wanted nothing more than to join the other elleth, embrace her, and stand pressed tightly together as the Light of the Two Trees rained down upon them. Even from a distance she could feel the heat of the Lights mirroring the heat within herself. Yet for many reasons she had dared not. 'Twas humiliating since she'd thought she had come to dislike the pretentiously named Helluin Maeg-mórmenel.

Beside her, Finrod had been panting as hard as she herself. Galadriel had grabbed him by the collar and they'd fled Corollairë ere Helluin had marked their presence, but try as she might, she had ne'er banished the image from her mind.

Celeborn's attention was commanded by his wife's incredulous hissed whisper of, "is she taller than when last we saw her?" He blinked, not believing what he'd heard.

"How in Middle Earth could she be taller than she was aforetime?" He asked, wondering if Galadriel was finally becoming o'ermastered by her jealousy after not seeing Helluin for 500 years. Now he really was worried. Ere he could move or speak, Galadriel was striding 'cross the floor towards Helluin and the High King.

In a moment Galadriel was beside Helluin, subconsciously straightening her posture to retain her lessened advantage in height. From a distance, Celeborn choked. Helluin was now not an inch shorter than his wife, whereas aforetime, she'd been closer to a hand's width shorter.

Helluin turned from Gil-galad and smiled at Galadriel ere sweeping her into an awkward embrace, the slightest of grins curling her lips.

"By the Valar, Finarfin's little girl's all grown up," Helluin exclaimed as if this were a surprise, "I still can't believe the sweet young princess I remember from Aman is such a beautiful woman now." Helluin actually leaned in and kissed Galadriel on the cheek.

Celeborn cringed. Helluin's manner and comments were condescending, indeed mocking, all the more so because she'd ne'er taken Galadriel's rivalry seriously. Now here she was making light of a competition she'd ne'er participated in.

"Speaking of growing up," Galadriel retorted, eyeing the top of Helluin's head, "it seems someone besides me has had some growing up to do recently. How did that happen, my dear? Perchance 'tis love that has forced thee to complete thy extended adolescence?"

For a moment Helluin looked at Galadriel as if she'd lost her mind, then she recalled her time in Greenwood Forest and the strange sensations she'd felt after drinking from Oldbark's stream. This was the first time she'd been amongst any she'd known ere that incident. 'Twas the first time anyone could have marked a change in her. She glanced up and realized that now the height difference 'twixt herself and the Princess was almost nil. She smiled broadly.

"Well, Your Highness, 'tis like this," Helluin began as she put an arm 'round Galadriel's shoulders and spoke to her in low tones of confidentiality, "beyond Hithaeglir lies a land astride the River Celebrant," she said, knowing the other Noldo's weakness for silver. "'Twas a pleasant land indeed, but best of all, it hosted a forest of mellyrn trees as is to be found nowhere else in the west of Middle Earth. Some enchantment doth certainly lie upon that land, I deem, for by slaking there my thirst, o'er several years I discovered my height increased. Indeed I found myself not only taller, but increased in all dimensions." Here she smirked and inhaled subtly as she marked Galadriel's quick unconscious glance towards her breasts. "I am sure its effects upon thee would be the same as they were upon me, Princess."

"An enchanted stream in a mellyrn forest 'nigh Celebrant beyond Hithaeglir," Galadriel mused, cataloging this bit of intelligence as a gleam took root in her eyes.

Helluin could see the wheels turning in her head. Sooner or later the princess would end up visiting Lindórinand…she was sure of it. The beautiful slender blonde had always desired a more voluptuous figure. To aid herself in stifling the laughter she felt trying to escape, Helluin released the Princess and made her way o'er to greet Celeborn, whom she had noticed was watching her in an uneasy silence. The ellon had always been nervous 'round her, she recalled. In deference to this she approached him calmly, and when he relaxed, she snatched him in a bear hug and gave him a boisterous greeting.

"Celeborn, thank the Valar thou and Nerwen¹ art well! 'Tis good to see thee!" ¹(Nerwen, Man-Maiden, Galadriel's mother-name, a reflection on her stature and physical abilities being on par with male Noldor. UT, HoGaC, pg. 229)

To his credit, the Prince of Doriath didn't jump out of his skin, but his bulging eyes told Helluin that her surprise had indeed elicited a response. He choked and mumbled a greeting. Helluin released him and turned in time to catch Gil-galad shaking his head, a fugitive smile on his lips. Helluin offered him an innocent look. He had to clear his throat ere he spoke.

"My friends, both those newly met and those long sundered," here he gave Helluin a warning look, "t'would please me greatly to have all of ye join me at the evening hour in the Hall of Feasting, to celebrate our unions and reunions."

The High King looked at his guests. The Men of Númenor stood along one side of the room paying respectful attention. Helluin was doing a respectable job of suppressing whate'er mirth she'd found, whilst Galadriel was whispering furiously with Celeborn and was completely oblivious to them all. He supposed that 'twas a good beginning.

That night at the King's Feast yet more of the Eldar were present, for news of the arrival of the Men of Númenor had traveled fast. Círdan had hastened from the Havens of Mithlond, accompanied by Elrond who had been visiting there, to join Gil-galad's table. Both greeted Helluin warmly and did the Númenóreans honor. Indeed for Elrond, 'twas as a meeting of kin, for his brother Elros had been the first king, and their sundering still weighed on his heart. Tidings of his welfare were the first thing he asked about, and Vëantur gave him the sad news.

"Indeed thy brother has passed beyond the fences of the world, Elrond Peredhel," the Captain told the surviving Half-Elven, "and this but 58 years past. Tar-Minyatur ruled Númenor 410 years and saw our land become fruitful and his people living in peace. All revered him and looked to the guidance of his leadership with love. 'Tis now the tenth year of the reign of his great-grandson, Tar-Elendil, the fourth of the line of kings of thy blood."

"And so he was blessed with an heir to carry the leadership of his people forward," Elrond mused, "that is good tidings. I rejoice that he was able to elevate the lot of the Edain who suffered so much, yet were e'er courageous allies and stalwart friends. I miss him greatly still, yet I must accept that for him and for thy people, his choice was right."

"We cannot thank thee in any way that would balance our debt for the gift of thy twin," Vëantur said. "Our people loved their king, yet we cannot replace the love of a brother, nor the league of kinship that comes with blood. Our gain shalt e'er be thy loss, my lord, yet if there e'er be the need, our people shalt answer thy call in honor of our debt; future blood offered to pay for past blood received."

Elrond could only nod in acceptance. The Númenóreans were gracious and courteous in acknowledging the truth of the situation and offering their alliance. At the time he could not know that in long years ahead, the sons of the sons of these Men would indeed come to the aid of the Eldar, and would long be their most valiant and trustworthy allies.

"Tell me then of Númenor," Elrond requested of Vëantur and his shipmates. Thus began a discussion that lasted long into the night, and many listened to hear what had befallen the houses of their ancient friends.

At the same time, Círdan and Helluin were conversing, at first catching up on old times and later about the Nandor of Lenwë in Belfalas. Círdan related his tale of the building of Mithlond, of which Helluin had seen only the first beginnings. He recounted the voyages of his mariners and their discovery of the havens at Edhellond, where their long sundered kin met them in boats upon the waves and offered their crews gracious hospitality. Much had Círdan's people taught the Nandor, not the least of which had been the Sindarin tongue, as well as many improvements in their hulls and rigging. Helluin revealed the presence of another branch of the Nandor, those of Celebrant in the mellyrn 'nigh Anduin.

Many hours later as the night grew old, Helluin spoke of Khazad-dûm, and her revelations left the Eldar and Men amazed. None of those present had e'er visited Belegost or Nogrod, but by the Gonnhirrim's own admission these were like hovels beside a mansion. Helluin could only say that 'neath Caradhras, Fanuidhol, and Celebdil, well 'nigh all the land was undermined with their delvings, the extent of which she could only guess at even after 20 years in residence. She told of the mastery of their smithies and stone craft, the wealth of their mines, and of their virulent hatred for the Yrch. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that both kindreds dwelt underground in similar mountainous areas and had e'er of old been bitter foes.

Now Eriador had been little troubled by Yrch so far during the Second Age, but Helluin had found and fought them in the margins of the Hithaeglir and also in Greenwood. This was worrisome and bode ill for the future. Elrond, Gil-galad, and Círdan all felt in her tales the foreshadowing of darker times to come. Their worries, howe'er, were o'ershadowed by their wonder. Helluin had held converse with the Onodrim and even their wives! In so doing she had settled a long-standing uncertainty about their very existence, a point of debate that had persisted since the Elder Days. She had also met the Avari, those of the Quendi first sundered from all the Eldar present, and she was the only one who had e'er met with them since the march from Cuiviénen began. Indeed, none now dwelt in Middle Earth whose memory stretched back to those first days except perhaps some of the Avari. Elrond most of all longed to converse with them.

At some point during the night most of the Men dozed off, leaving the Eldar to their counsels. This caused them no discomfort. They merely had some of their household carry the fatigued mortals to apartments reserved for them where they could rest and sleep off the abundant wine that had accompanied the feasting. Now just ere dawn, Helluin and the other Eldar went to their rest as well, and Helluin came seeking the couch of Vëantur. And he, waking somewhat with her arrival, felt himself in a dream as she lay down beside him, and ere he slept again, that dream blossomed sweet.

The next day the Númenóreans returned to Entulessë, and they rode to haven up the Firth of Lune, 'til coming to Mithlond they dropped anchor. Upon that short sailing they had been honored to enjoy the company of the Lord Círdan, whose interest in their vessel made their time asail seem short indeed. In wonder did the crew survey the beauty that Círdan's people had wrought upon those shores, and in wonder did the Sindar look upon the craft of Westernesse. Several days the Men spent amongst Círdan's folk in league of friendship. Many were the tales told and much information about the sea was exchanged. Scribes worked to copy the charts of the Númenóreans, and the Númenóreans studied much that was preserved in the lore of Mithlond. But finally, with much well wishing and promises of swift return, Entulessë sailed for home, and upon her went Helluin into the west.

To Be Continued