Written for the "Communication" challenge series on the Tolkien_Weekly LJ community.
The Teleri Befriended Her
Speech
Elwing had learned the language of the Blessed Realm from Galadriel and Idril, but when the fishermen of Alqualondë greeted her, it felt suddenly clumsy on her tongue, and she feared that speech between them would be impossible. But when she spoke the name Elwë Singollo, their faces lit with wonder, and she found herself being ushered through the gem-strewn streets of Alqualondë to the airy, sprawling palace of Olwë – so different from Menegroth's vaulted caves.
He embraced her with tears in his eyes, unheeding of the sand and salt clinging to her damp skirts. "Child, how came you here?"
.
Filled with Pity and Wonder
Sign Language
The arrival of Elwë's great-granddaughter was greeted with wonder by the people of Alqualondë, and with confusion. They wondered if her sudden arrival was a sign – and if it was, what did it herald?
Elwing barely noticed, entranced by the jewel-strewn, open city, free from walls and fortifications, and filled with carefree song and laughter. None but official guards carried swords, and even they were never truly wary.
Olwë looked at her with surprise and pity when she expressed her dismay. "There is no need for walls, child, for what threat there once was is long passed over the Sea."
.
They Listened to Her Tales
Drawing
They listened to her tales of Beleriand avidly and without interruption – until she tried to describe Menegroth. "It was dug into a great hillside beside the Esgalduin, and carved with the aid of Naugrim from the Blue Mountains…"
"Naugrim?" repeated Olwë's son, brow furrowing.
Elwing blushed – of course they would not know! – stammered a description. "They are the Stunted Ones, but strong and clever with their hands, and they're – hairy…?"
But in the end paper and graphite was called for, so that Elwing could attempt a clumsy drawing so that her hosts might understand what, approximately, a Dwarf looked like.
.
Lonely and Afraid
Body Language
They learned quickly to speak carefully in front of Elwing, this strange young woman from across the sea. A careless word about the past or even about the sea would cause her to seemingly shrink, retreating within herself, and fleeing to the easternmost shore, where she could be found hugging slender arms to her stomach, searching the horizon for a glimpse of something from Middle-earth.
Other times she could be found at some high window looking toward the Calacirya. She said lightly she was used to watching the West, waiting for her husband. The look in her eyes spoke differently.
.
Eärendil was Long Time Gone
Mind Reading
Elwing stood atop one of the towers of Olwë's palace, from which she could glimpse the Calacirya and the Sea, and felt just as she had back in Sirion – only now she strained toward both East and West for a glimpse or even a glimmer of thought. But her sons were too far away across the Sea or in Mandos, and her husband with the Valar lay beyond her reach as well.
Or perhaps she had not the power to cast her mind abroad, being only a lesser daughter of Melian the Maia and Lúthien Tinúviel, undeserving of such skill.
.
Eärendil Returning Found Her
Writing
Word of Eärendil's return preceded him, through messages from Tirion, written in flowing Tengwar script that was somehow different from the letters Elwing had learned in Beleriand, though perhaps it was only the hand that drew them.
"It seems your husband has caused quite a stir in Valmar," Olwë said. "Long was he in council with the Valar."
"Then they did listen to him!" They had not risked everything for nothing. Surely now the Valar would act – would march against Morgoth.
When Eärendil reached Alqualondë at last, Elwing practically flew from the palace across the gem-strewn streets to embrace him.