In An Age Before – Part 45
At the verge of the mellyrn wood, thick trunks hid the forms of the two ellith. They stood together scanning the adjacent fields with their sharp eyes. From a short ways off, at perhaps a furlong's distance o'er a low rise, came a thin thread of smoke. From yet nearer came the buzzing of bees, and ere the land topped the rise, they marked that the native groundcover had been replaced by tillage of wheat. Helluin smiled,and with her friend, slowly moved from the border of the forest.
They moved forward carefully, but in plain view, finding a narrow path 'round the low hill that led to a gate in a fence of split rails, much as the one Helluin had seen long ago. There beyond it, 'cross a yard of clover and flowers, stood a thatch-roofed cabin of logs from whose chimney the column of smoke was rising.
"'Tis much the same as the home of Berlun and Grinda that stood close by here 1,500 years ago," Helluin told Beinvír, "and in it I see a way of life unchanged o'er many lives of Men. Glad am I to think that some distant son of my friends has found a home on his ancestors' land, planting and sowing again, tending his bees and milk cows, and perhaps raising here also the next generation of his kind."
"In this place thou find some sanctuary of the heart, my friend, for 'tis a tangible bit of continuity with thy fond memories of a time long past. It makes thee feel less worn by the years, I wager, for it should certainly do thus for me."
"Indeed so, and all the more do I treasure such after the war," Helluin said, "that such might again find their lives at peace and keep to their ancient ways despite all the change that has come. Yes, it does my heart good."
She recalled her moments of hysteria, whilst lying on the ground 'twixt the marked mounds of the graves of the couple she had known. Seldom had she felt more divorced from the world, from time, and from the transient nature of all others in Arda save the Eldar. Her sense of displacement had been strongly triggered by the evidence that, whilst exploring the mellyrn wood for what had seemed to her but a short time, she had missed the passing of her mortal friends. They had grown old in a blink of her eye, their lives had waned and ended in her absence, and she had ne'er really thought about it 'til confronted by their graves. Then she had been struck with regret.
"Berlun, the life of the Eldar, long as it is, becomes the repository of memories and sadness for those things dear that have passed beyond recall. Would that I had bid thee farewell, my friend." She had whispered on that day.
Helluin shook her head. The memories remained of course; their imagery undimmed and their impact undiminished. Such was the Life of the Eldar…immortal…and all to oft, lonely and introspective.
Thou art lost and long gone to thy rest, my friend. Yet thy people continue, and one day they shalt know me and my kind as but a memory, fading and finally forgotten with the passing years. Therein lies the undeniable strength of the Mortal Life. In thy children and their children shalt thou live 'til the end of days, whilst we of the Eldar fade. With such a survival strategy, thou who art weaker shalt surpass all that we have wrought, and come into thine own majesty one day, for time is on thy side, not against thee, whether thou believe it or not. Ilúvatar is wise far beyond the ken of his Children.
"Come, let us go," she said. Then with Beinvír beside her, she made her way from the cabin towards the banks of Anduin the Great. Soon they crossed the waters and stood upon the eastern shore.
"Thou sense not Huorns upon the border?" Beinvír asked, just to make sure, as she glanced nervously towards the edge of Greenwood Forest.
Beside her Helluin was carefully watching the trees. 'Naught moved save some birds flitting amongst the branches o'erhead. But for their calls and a whisper of breeze amidst the leaves, all was silent. It appeared to be 'naught but a forest at peace.
"I sense little of the watchfulness I noted aforetime," she said at last.
"Think thou that we should sing?"
"Nay. I deem that whatsoe'er watches o'er Greenwood remains some distance within. I feel no threat. Let us enter here and see what we may."
The two ellith walked 'neath the boles of the trees, Helluin watchful, Beinvír wary, but slowly relaxing as time passed without incident. It seemed to them that more sunlight penetrated the canopy than on their previous visit, and that the air passed more freely through the leaves. They saw nothing untoward, either of the olvar or the kelvar, and eventually they came to feel more at ease. The afternoon passed and they traveled some four leagues from the river ere evening fell.
"I should come first to Laiquadol, and there seek for Oldbark," Helluin said as they settled amidst the same quartz boulders where they had passed their first night with Celeborn and Galadriel…and the earthworms.
"I agree, though I suspect he shalt soon know of us from his own sources," Beinvír replied. "Was he not privy to word even from Lórinand aforetime?"
"Indeed so. The trees e'er gossip upon the breeze and bear tidings to ears that know their tongue. I seek Oldbark as one would any sovereign when coming as a guest unto his realm," Helluin said, "as a courtesy, and for sake of such tidings as he would share."
"Perhaps we should seek also the kingdom of Oropher whilst we art here, for he too is lord of a realm within Greenwood."
"Hmmm, perhaps we shalt," Helluin said as a calculating gleam took light in her eye to accompany the grin that curled her lips. At this, Beinvír nodded suspiciously. Her friend was planning something and she doubted that Oropher would enjoy it.
The night passed uneventfully, with neither the unearthing of nightcrawlers, nor the almost spiteful churning of the soil by the trees' roots. Indeed 'twas a peaceful rest the Elves had during the hours of darkness. When they arose the next morn, only minimal shifting of the nearby trees did they mark. None had wandered off or stalked about with pent up anger.
"Well, that was certainly a more refreshing repose than when last we tarried hither," Beinvír remarked as she folded her blanket of badger pelts. Only once during the night had she briefly risen from her 'dreams', and then only to pluck a large slug from her arm and shoo it away amongst the boulders. She had admonished it but briefly ere dismissing it, whilst it regarded her with eyes on stalks, for it had known no better.
Helluin nodded in agreement with Beinvír's words. For her part, she had rolled up onto an elbow once when a raccoon had come sniffling past their camp, preoccupied, searching in the leafmould with its snout. She had given it a warning glare and it had retreated a couple yards. Thereafter they had ignored each other and she had returned to her rest.
They continued walking east towards Laiquadol all that day. The weather was quite fair, for 'twas early Nórui, (June) and cooler 'neath the trees. At one point in the afternoon, even did they see a forest doe with her two young, walking at a distance 'cross their path. Their most constant companion amongst the kelvar of Greenwood was a mockingbird who flitted from tree to tree o'erhead, regaling them with the calls of every other bird in the wood. For her amusement along the way, Beinvír fell into a game of testing his repertoire.
The bird would whistle forth, producing the tune of a robin. Beinvír would then answer with the call of a bluebird. He then would mimic her note for note, winning a smile of approval. She would then whistle the notes of a nightingale's song and he would respond in kind. It went on thus for a while. When it came time again for Beinvír's turn, Helluin laid a hand upon her friend's arm to still her, and then performed the quick trill of a lis ince¹. The mockingbird tilted its head to regard her as if in question. Helluin repeated the call. The bird tried it out, only faltering slightly upon the final crescendo. Helluin again repeated the call. The bird followed flawlessly. Helluin gave another call; that of an ambale, (yellow hammer bird), and this time the mockingbird mimicked it on the first try. A few more did the Noldo teach to the feathered singer of Middle Earth, warblings from the throats of species native to the Undying Realm 'cross the sea. For a while thereafter the bird practiced his new tunes, seemingly proud of his enhanced repertoire, ere he flew off ahead of them to the east. ¹(lis ince, honey bird, = lis(honey) + ince(small bird) Quenya)
"I am sure that ere dusk, Oldbark shalt have heard the call of the west from the throat of that bird," Helluin said, "and he shalt mark it, for he misses 'naught that comes to pass within his realm."
Indeed 'twas just so. After passing their second night in the Greenwood, upon the granite outcropping whereat they had been o'errun by the spiders, Oldbark met them upon their path in the late morning.
"Hoooo-hooom. If it isn't Helluin called also Maeg-mórmenel of the Host of Finwë, and Beinvír of the Laiquendi friend and companion on the road of Helluin," he said whilst beaming down at them. "It is good to see you both again…and so soon."
Helluin smiled and Beinvír rolled her eyes. It had been 335 years.
"Greetings, my Lord Oldbark," Helluin said, offering a sweeping bow, "I am glad to see thee well. Thy forest seems at peace, and much happiness dost that bring me after the upheavals of recent years."
The Onod nodded and actually smiled at her sentiments.
"Much has come to pass in the lands beyond the forest's borders of late, or so I have heard," he said, nodding to himself, "and little of it good save the resolution. That miserable little outcast, Sauron Gorthaur, managed to bring some of his foulness to the west, I hear. I am sure you can give me all the details I should care to learn…perhaps later though. His story is ever the same at heart and I am sure I have heard right down to the core of his evil aforetime."
"Thou hast heard true," Helluin agreed, "for he brought death and destruction to Eriador, but was defeated in his war, though Celebrimbor was slain and all the realm of Eregion laid waste."
"So I have heard, um-hmmm," Oldbark said, shaking his head. "I have also heard he fled thy offer of combat at the end." He regarded her with a careful glance, but his lips hinted at a grin.
"What!" Beinvír exclaimed, looking at Helluin with wide eyes. "Thou hast said 'naught of this."
"Towards the end of the fighting things became somewhat…confused," Helluin hedged.
Oldbark chuckled. A look of disapproval shaded the Green Elf's features.
"Helluin, as much as any who fought, served to undo the plans of Sauron Gorthaur, young Laiquende, or so I have heard," Oldbark said to Beinvír ere he turned to Helluin and offered her a flick of an eyelid that might have been a wink.
Beinvír accepted his words with a chuff and a sigh, resolving to question her beloved more closely about the final battles of the war. Oldbark turned back to face them both.
"I have also heard tell that many of the mighty ones of thy kindreds have gone o'er Hithaeglir to some great council. Oropher grumbled long ere he went forth, dragging his son Thranduil thither at his side. Word has it that the nobles of Lórinand went thither as well," Oldbark mused. "Soooo, why have you come hither rather than thither, Helluin Maeg-mórmenel of the Host of Finwë, eldest of the Noldor upon these Hither Shores? Surely your counsel is valued?"
"Indeed it is not," Helluin replied.
"E'er it seems the king doth seek to distance himself from her, though she is the most widely traveled of them all," Beinvír said in irritation. "Few in Lindon harken to her, heeding her counsels only grudgingly, and then most oft in times of threat. To my eyes they art pompous and ungrateful, great ones though they be."
Oldbark regarded the Green Elf's anger with a knowing nod. Helluin sighed.
"I am absent from them save when I bear ill tidings thither," Helluin said. "Such wins me scant thanks at the king's court, and I deem the king regards me much as he would a storm cloud or a pestilential breeze. He hath come to question my wits as well, for I misplaced 82 years in his presence once upon a time, and e'er from of old has my battle fury discomfited him." She shrugged.
"Mmm-hmmmm, I see," said the Onod. "So instead you came to Greenwood to teach new songs to birds?"
"Indeed 'tis just so," Helluin agreed, "and by thy leave, I would show my friend the wonders of thy forest, now that it thrives in peace."
"We require no special welcomes," Beinvír added with a cautious glance up at the Onod.
"Oooh-hoooo now," Oldbark said, "it gladdens my heart to think that you wish to enjoy the forest for itself, and I believe I know you both well enough to expect no trouble to come of your stay…no new kingdoms or any of that nonsense. You are both wanderers after the fashion of Elves in the old days. Very well, you have my leave to explore to your hearts' content. Stay as long as you like; the forest will be here a very long time."
The two Elves bowed to the Lord of Greenwood, a gesture which seemed to kindle a light of mirth in his eyes, but he dipped his "head" to them in return. So began Helluin and Beinvír's stay in Calenglad i'Dhaer. 'Twas 3 Nórui, (June 3rd), S.A. 1710.
'Neath the trees of Greenwood the years passed in peace. Following Sauron's defeat, not an Orch or an Easterling was to be found in Rhovanion, and any who lingered 'nigh remained well hidden for many decades. Helluin and Beinvír enjoyed their travels, wandering as their fancy called them, east, west, north, and south. Despite some tension arising from Helluin's Noldorin identity, for a time they stayed as guests amongst the people of Oropher, who had settled in that time about the southern side of the Emyn Duir. The two found that people surprisingly numerous.
Though Oropher and his son were Sindar and had come thither from Lindon by way of Eregion, most of his subjects were Tawarwaith, Silvan Elves related to the Galadrim, for they had chosen to follow Lenwë when he left the Westward March. In this time of peace they guarded not their borders and had but little cause for wariness, and so many went hither and thither, following their hearts amidst the forest. Thus they lived much more the lives of Nandor than Sindar. Oft times Helluin and Beinvír would join with some company, wandering at liberty for a year or more ere returning to Oropher's halls. The lifestyle particularly appealed to Beinvír, being familiar from her home in Eriador and all the years amongst her own people. To Helluin, the company seemed at times too numerous for her more solitary nature, yet 'twas still infinitely preferable to city life.
Once King Oropher even joined them with a number of his household, straying far south for a season during the summer. The two ellith found him ne'er mirthful, for the weight of rule weighed upon him even whilst at ease, but he was more relaxed 'neath the sky than in his halls, able to smile, tell tales, and sing with a fine voice beside the campfire at night. And late on just such a night, he confessed that for him, such forays recalled his youth in Doriath long aforetime.
'Twas for just such purpose he had come east o'er the Hithaeglir. For many years he had sought a way to distance himself from the culture of Beleriand and the concerns of the Noldor, ("No offense intended, Helluin," he had said), in order to reclaim a mode of life he felt now existed only amongst the Moriquendi. He wanted to 'get back to nature', and live an unfettered life as had the Sindarin Elves in the starlit years. In return, Helluin had smiled and told him of the realm of the Avari she had once known to the north of the Forest River. Oropher's eyes had lit up at the mention of the caves of King Telpeapáro, for they renewed his memories of Menegroth, whilst times had still been good in the days of Thingol and Melian.
In her heart, Helluin found that she could hardly blame him for his attitude. Had she the choices to make again…for a moment she fancied herself remaining in Aman another 650 years, and then coming to the Hither Shores just as the Host of the West was returning from the War of Wrath. She would hath come to Lindon and then made a beeline east into Eriador. She shook her head, dispelling the idle fantasy.
Helluin found that King Oropher's son, Prince Thranduil, was still possessed of the light spiritedness of youth, being but 11 centuries old at the time. The weight of memories and the cares of rule had yet to burden him as they later would. As such, he still retained his curiosity. He oft asked her for songs of Valinor and accompanied her on a harp as she sang, his nimble fingers giving the instrument a lilting voice as he played, his eyes closed in rhapsody. Both father and son became fast in friendship with Helluin and Beinvír during that time, and the two were e'er welcome in their realm even when the days again became dark. So time passed.
'Twas a fine day in Gwirith, (April), S.A. 1847, when a mockingbird had flown down to alight on Beinvír's shoulder. The bird had hopped to and fro in excitement, drawn the Green Elf's hair through its beak as if grooming its mate's feathers, and even searched in her ear for lice. Beinvír had giggled at the tickling motions of its frantic beak. Finally it had seemed to recover itself, for it cocked its head and regarded her eye to eye ere it shifted its beady gaze to Helluin and recited all the songs she had long ago taught its foresire. It seemed that through many generations of eggs, the birdsongs of Valinor had been passed down verbatim.
Helluin listened to the recital, nodded in approval and prepared to teach the bird another tune, but it flew up onto a nearby branch on the southern side of the clearing they were sitting in. She and Beinvír had been taking their ease, enjoying the afternoon sunlight that dappled through the canopy of fresh green leaves, and admiring the hypnotic dancing rhythms of the breeze thusly made visible. They were in central Greenwood, roughly even north-south with the confluence of the Gladden River and Anduin, and about 35 leagues to Anduin's east.
The bird stared down at the Elves, recited for a second time its songs, and then flitted yet again a short distance south. There it stopped and stared back at them hopefully. When they simply stared back, it abandoned its perch and flew into their clearing, circling it twice at head level and producing a raucous scolding ere it returned to the branch on the south side. There it repeated for a third time its songs.
"'Tis clear enough it wants us to follow," Beinvír said with a sigh, "and here I was so comfortable." She rose to her feet. Helluin followed, picking up their travel bags.
"Whither dost thou lead us?" The Noldo asked. The mockingbird extended a wing pointing south, and then flitted again a short distance in that direction. "Thou art welcome to speak thy message plain, O Bird of Many Tongues," she added.
The mockingbird answered with a cacophony of various calls, all gibberish to the Elves' ears. It stared at them and bobbed its head and tail.
"It hath rhyme, but not reason," Beinvír said, appraising the bird's words. "Perhaps 'tis confused by a head filled with too many songs?"
"Perhaps 'tis the child of an addled egg," Helluin suggested less charitably as they followed the bird's flight south.
The mockingbird proved a relentless guide. Day after day they followed its chattering flight, and e'er it led them south-southwest. After waking them at dawn, leading them hence through the morn, and stopping to groom its feathers at noon whilst they supped. T'would then continue on 'til dusk. Upon the wing t'would snatch its meals, taking flying insects at unawares, and so it seemed to have little patience for the ellith's mealtimes, oft scolding them when they tarried in a glen to cook.
"A curse upon thy haste, O Beaky One," Beinvír chaffed one evening, "we have followed thee already thirty leagues and more. Pray grant us a moment's peace. Not upon bugs as thou dost can we sup." The mockingbird scolded the Green Elf more vigorously still.
"Indeed; still thy blathering at once," Helluin ordered, "else thou shalt adorn this night's pot thyself." She made as if to reach for the Sarchram.
The bird stilled its chatter grudgingly, puffed up its feathers in obvious indignation, and then glared at the Elves ere setting its head 'neath its wing for the night as darkness fell. In restitution, it roused them at the first rumor of Anor's rising. With groans and shaking heads, Helluin and Beinvír followed yet again.
Mercifully it seemed, their journey ended two days later. By then 'twas obvious to them that they were being led to Laiquadol, and sure enough, their feet trod the path to Oldbark's hall as the evening came down on 22 Gwirith, (April 22nd). There stood Oldbark and another Onod named Soursap. The mockingbird recited its songs one last time, seeming well pleased with itself, ere it took its leave.
"Um-hmmmm, 'tis the two wandering Elves at last," Oldbark said. "I see you have successfully followed my herald hither. Very good. Now do come inside. There is some news you should hear."
Helluin and Beinvír followed the Onod's beckoning gesture and passed within his wooded hall. They saw that all there was as it had been on their last visit; the encircling yew was as dense as e'er, the enchanted stream glowed faintly in the gathering gloom, and the upper heights of Laiquadol were thick with healthy green.
The two Enyd turned to face the Elves and set their "toes" in the edge of the stream. Oldbark gave Helluin a glance that she knew portended a serious conversation. She gestured Beinvír to sit with her. Helluin had no intention of standing through a talk that might last several days. After pulling out ground cloths and making themselves comfortable, the two ellith gave the Enyd their full attention.
"Now word has come to me of some changes in the world beyond the wood," he began, "and while such is not really my business, still I keep my ears open. Soursap here has come from Fangorn bearing word from yet further south."
The Elves looked at the other Onod and Oldbark paused. Neither Helluin nor Beinvír had really thought of the Onodrim trekking from forest to forest and crossing the lands 'twixt. Though there was no reason not to accept it, the thought had simply ne'er been considered.
"Now the reason I summoned you to Laiquadol is that Soursap's tidings concern the kindreds of Elves and Men, and so they may mean more to you than to me," Oldbark said. He nodded to the other Onod, bidding him speak.
Soursap drew himself up and cleared his throat ere he began. He presented his tidings in a manner reminiscent of a young ellon charged to recite his lessons before his tutor, for he stood upright and still, absent body gestures and all but the minimum of facial expressions. He even held his 'hands' behind his back.
"Upon the 28th day of Gwaeron, (March 28th), that being 26 days past, the whisper of the trees spoke to our lord Fangorn, bearing tidings from the coastal realm of Belfalas. It was declared that King Lenwë, long upon Middle Earth, had finally taken ship into the Blessed West, for he was at last able to commit the rule of his diminishing realm to others he deemed noble. With him went many of his folk and household; indeed, so many that their sailing comprised a fleet of 37 grey ships, all laden with Falathrim."
Helluin was amazed. She hadn't visited that land since late 1125, when she had met Falmandil and taken word of her first sighting of Mordor to Númenor. 722 years, Helluin realized…longer than the entire First Age. And it had been well 'nigh 1,250 years since she had been to the capitol city and visited the king's court.
So Edhellond now lay depopulated and bereft of its lord, she thought. Lenwë had gone 'cross the sea at last. She recalled the old Nando fondly, for he had shown her kindness and demonstrated a daring and inquisitive spirit. And for her, that visit had led to so much more; in Aearben, a ship of Belfalas, she had met Vëantur and sailed upon Entulessë. It had been her first trip to Númenor and the beginning of the marriage from which had come her only child. She smiled wistfully at the memories, and then noted Soursap eyeing her covertly and delaying the continuation of his report. She collected herself and gave him a nod to continue.
"King Lenwë only relinquished his rule after the remnant of his people declared their willingness to accept as their lord and lady, Celeborn son of Galadhon, Prince of Doriath, and Galadriel of the Noldor, Princess of the House of Finarfin."
Noting the jaw-dropped, blank-faced stares on the faces of his two listeners, Soursap again paused in his delivery. Helluin even managed to produce a soft gasp of surprise.
"Arriving with them in the year 1802 came their daughter, Celebrían, beloved of Elrond Peredhel," Soursap added, almost, it seemed, for shock value.
'Twas the first Helluin or Beinvír had heard of the budding relationship of their old friend. To his credit, the Onod betrayed nothing, not even allowing himself the merest hint of a smirk at their astonishment. Rather, he remained silent as the two ellith recovered and gazed into each others' eyes in silent communication.
How came this to pass, I wonder, Helluin asked, for ne'er were either of them great wanderers? What put into their heads the notion to come thus to the sea so far from both Imladris and Lórinand? Did Amdír tire of hosting them perhaps?
Perhaps they sought a land untouched by the war, Beinvír speculated in response, or perchance the sea longing came upon them? Surely Galadriel yet longs for the Undying Lands of her birth, and Celeborn to see them and his Telerin kin? For all we know, they could have been sent thither by the council. She shrugged.
True…we know all too little yet of their counsels to make sense of their reasoning. I know that long ago Galadriel sought to rule a realm of her own. It seems that she hath now inherited one, if only one bereft of populace. Yet still, strange to me it seems for them to have wandered so far, especially Celebrían, if she indeed loves Elrond.
Perhaps there is more, Beinvír said, the world is wide and more than Celeborn and Galadriel act within the Circles of Arda.
To this Helluin nodded, and the two broke their contact to again shift their attention to Soursap. Almost, the Onod appeared to have been waiting for them to harken to him.
"From the south coast comes yet further word," he declared, and Helluin rolled her eyes. "At the havens of the Númenóreans upon Umbar are great works of stone begun, for that settlement is now being raised as a fortress, with strong walls and sturdy gate, as if in preparation for war. Lond Daer too is reinforced. Word comes that since the war, the Men of Westernesse have become more stern of bearing, and their search for resources upon the Hither Shores is no longer for timber only. Now they seek metals and other sources of wealth, and they spend ever less time in aiding their kin east of the sea. Between the Dúnedain and other Men a darkening has taken hold, and those of Middle Earth perceive as less benign the presence of these mariners now than aforetime. Indeed it seems they are increasingly resented and in many places, even feared."
Now this news was disturbing to Helluin and Beinvír, not merely surprising as had been the words spoken aforetime. Indeed, they were hard pressed to believe it. In the past, the Men of Númenor had come amongst their sundered kin upon the Hither Shores with aid, and they had taken back to their island little more than timber for to build their ships, and stories to enrich their lore. Yet now 'twas said they came seeking wealth to enrich their treasuries, and conducted themselves more as prospectors? And in response, the Men in Mortal Lands had come to hold their presence less a blessing?
Helluin knew the strength of Númenor. She had seen it during the war and suspected that it had grown yet greater since. The Men of Westernesse could have long aforetime subjugated their cousins upon the Hither Shores had they taken it upon themselves to do so, yet ne'er in the past had they seen themselves as lords o'er their kin in Middle Earth. What could have changed them, Helluin wondered, and how far would the changes go? She was skeptical by reflex and searched her memory for some clue.
Ciryatur had been e'er faithful to the cause of defeating their Enemy. He had been both a great warrior and an able commander, but also, he had been a noble Man. Helluin had come to know enough of his mind to doubt that one such as he would seek to enrich himself at the expense of other free people. The sea captains she had known in the past, Vëantur, Falmandil, Ciryandur, and even Baragund of his Queen's Navy, had in their hearts not the desires of treasure hunters or conquerors. Their kings and queens, even Tar-Ancalimë with all her self-concern and disregard for others, had ne'er evinced any designs upon Middle Earth. Helluin reviewed her memories carefully. In the end, she could find only one that she felt troubling.
In 1601, she and Beinvír had come in embassy to the court of Tar-Telperiën the Queen. In Armenelos they had met the Queen's Heir, Minastir, Vëantur's latter day look alike, and from him, Helluin had sensed some envy for the eternal Life of the Eldar. She remembered feeling that here was one subtly displeased with his lot, who yearned for a fate beyond his kind. Yet Tar-Minastir had e'er devoted himself to aiding the Eldar and the free peoples of Middle Earth. At his behest the Númenóreans had practically rebuilt their navy in five years, and he had dispatched Ciryatur at once to save Lindon and all the Elven folk during the long-awaited war. He was a noble leader, a proven elvellon¹, and a good Man. Helluin wondered if he had made peace with his impossible desires, or if of them, some shadow had come to darken his spirit. She dearly hoped that such was not so, for where a king led, his subjects would follow, and as a father to his children, his life was an example to his people. ¹(elvellon, elf-friend. Sindarin)
The desires of Tar-Minastir, balanced against his later faithful performance and all the prior history of the Men of Westernesse left Helluin doubtful that such a change could have come o'er that folk. Yet whyfor would Soursap's tidings be false? She could only suspect that, having come of the whispers of trees, perchance they reflected the olvar's slow growing resentment of the Númenóreans' cutting of timber. They had done damage aforetime to the forests of Enedwaith. She could not accept the Onod's tidings outright.
"For myself I should see such change if indeed it hath come to pass," she said.
"Such as I know of the Dúnedain cast into doubt these reports for me as well," Beinvír agreed. "Shalt we seek confirmation of them with our own eyes?"
"Ere I believe in the avarice of Númenor, I must," Helluin answered. "E'er has that noble kindred been free of the Shadow. I shalt not believe untested that they art tainted."
"Then we shalt make our way hence to Lindon?"
"Nay, my friend. We shalt seek out an abode of Men, not their guest-quarters amongst the Noldor. We shalt go south, to Umbar."
Beinvír nodded her agreement and Helluin turned back to the Enyd.
"Many thanks I offer for thy summons and thy tidings. Indeed of great interest they have proven," she said. "Yet some doubts have I in light of past knowledge, and so I must seek after the truth of this matter. On the morrow we shalt make our way south down Anduin."
Oldbark and Soursap nodded to the ellith as they bowed to their hosts. Helluin's reaction was as they'd expected. Perhaps with her reputation and esteemed position she could influence those mortals somewhat, for the benefit of all.
Soursap looked up at the dark, night sky and muttered, "feels like rain…tomorrow or perhaps the next day."
To Be Continued