Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, setting or plots of the Silmarillion or any other related works by Tolkien.
Enjoy!
Chapter Four
376 F.A.
Over the course of the evening the storm had calmed. The howling of the winds outside had died down to a far away sound. Sequestered away close to the great hearth, Andreth sat together with her aunt.
Adanel sat across from her, bouncing a gleeful Beren on her lap. The severe exhaustion of her taxing pregnancy was nearly completely gone. Her son was giggling, grabbing widely with his pudgy hands for his mother's long hair.
Andreth couldn't help but smile at the simple bliss on Adanel's face. However, deep inside her she felt again the old bitterness rise again. Frustrated she forced these unwelcome feelings back down. Adanel did not deserve her scorn…
Nor did Geldir.
Sighing softly, she turned her gaze to the hearth. Watching the flames would calm her emotions and empty her mind.
Since her friend had departed at the beginning of this fall, she felt increasingly lonely and isolated. She couldn't blame Geldir. She had left to wed someone from the House of Malach. Amleth or Amlach, something like that…
Geldir had been so happy when Adanel had offered her that proposal.
Andreth could have expected this to happen. Geldir was older than her, of marriageable age and had always wished for a family of her own.
At the announcement Andreth had mostly felt joy for her friend… with maybe a little sadness at the prospect of Geldir leaving. But as the weeks went by and fall had shifted into winter that sadness had turned into anger and frustration. And in especially lonely moments she couldn't help but blame those people she held dear.
Geldir for leaving and Adanel for arranging it.
Pushing these insidious thoughts aside she focused on the flames licking across wood and brick walls of the hearth. They seemed to dance on top of the logs, rising up and down in an unfathomable rhythm. Finally, as the heat began to burn in her eyes, she had to avert her eyes and blink away tears.
'Yey! Rida! Rida!'
Beren's excited squeals pulled her attention back to Adanel. The older woman flashed her a small smile before turning back to her son.
'You want the Rider's song? Hip, Hop?'
'Hip! Hop! Hip! Hop!'
He began to bounce impatiently up and down.
Adanel's laughter rang clear as she grabbed him to keep him from falling off. Then she began to sing, all the while bouncing her knees in a steady rhythm, imitating the gait of a horse.
Recognizing the melody, Andreth allowed herself a smile. She caught Beren's joyful eyes and began rocking back and forth in time with the rhythm, humming along.
'Hip! Hop!
His cloak goes speckle, speckle,
Ridding out in all his mettle.'
Hip! Hop!
looking far and wide
For game of every hide!
Hip! Hop!
The Rider's out to hunt
and he found the runt!'
At the final line of the song Adanel grabbed Beren firmly at his sides tickling him. His excited laughter and squeals filled the hall.
Andreth grinned widely at the pair. She used to love this play-song. She vaguely remembered pestering her father for it, same as Beren did now.
Even though Adanel's clear voice was nothing like the deep gruff one she remembered, every time she heard it, she couldn't help feeling a little more at home. The song reminded her of a time in which she had known without the shadow of a doubt that she belonged. That nobody would ever send her away...
Before Beren could start demanding the song anew, the door slammed open and her uncle marched in. He still wore his heavy winter cloak, dusted with white powdery snow, his pants were stained from riding and his boots left muddy footprints behind. Seeing her husband's serious expression, Adanel immediately calmed Beren down with a few soft shushing noises, before looking back up.
'You met with the messenger. They brought ill news.'
Her calm voice made clear that she was not asking a question.
Andreth looked on, feeling confused. She had no idea what messenger her aunt was talking about.
'I did.'
Belemir did not continue immediately.
He sank down on one knee greeting his son with a tired smile, ruffling his brown hair with a large hand. Beren's small rosy face opened wide as he smiled brightly at his father. When Belemir finally started to speak again he didn't look up but kept his gaze firmly on the small boy on Adanel's lap.
'The news they brought are not bad by themselves. They speak of victories against the enemy. However, I am worried about what they do not say.'
For a moment a heavy silence hung between the couple.
'Tell me.'
'They spoke of the Haladin's victory at the Gelion and Ascar last fall. They fought for seven days before receiving support from the Eldar Lord of Thargelion. Together, they drove the orc hordes back to their fetched master.'
Adanel frowned.
'This is what worries you so?'
Belemir looked up at his wife before slowly letting his gaze trail over to Andreth. Nervously she locked down to her feet.
'I think we better continue this conver-'
'No', Adanel's firm response seemed to startle Belemir as much as it did Andreth.
'She is old enough. Let her listen.'
Belemir nodded slowly, acquiescing to his wife's demand before mustering Andreth critically. She couldn't help skirming in her seat under his stern gaze.
'Very well.'
He stood up from his kneeling position and took a seat next to his wife, stretching long tired legs out in front of him.
'They speak of a victory but leave out why the Haladin are on this side of the Ered Lindon. Nor do they address the fact that they were waylaid in the first place. Nor that they were trapped between the Gelion and Ascar, only being saved by the Eldar after seven whole days.'
Confusion filled Andreth, hesitantly she asked:
'I don't understand why this is so worrisome… I mean there was a battle, but everything worked out in the end, didn't it?'
Unexpectedly Adanel was the one to answer.
'This means that the black foe is capable of sending his forces far south.'
Belemir nodded sombrely.
'Orc raids have been steadily increasing over the last decade. And obviously they have grown a lot bolder to accost our brethren so far south into elven territory. There are even rumours of spies being send out to live among us.'
His face morphed into scowl, before he said:
'The Eldar promised us their protection. They call it the Long peace. But considering how many orcs seem to be slipping past their so-called siege…'
He trailed off at the stern look Adanel gave him.
With visible exhaustion he rubbed his hands over his face, before standing again. he gave his wife an apologetic look.
'I'm filthy and tired, Adanel. Let us speak off it another time.'
Her gaze turned soft again as she nodded.
Silently waiting until Belemir left the hall, Andreth fidgeted with the fabric of her skirt, while Adanel turned her focus back on little Beren. As his parent's attention had turned away from him during the conversation, he had become drowsy and seemed barely able to stay awake.
For a moment after the door fell shut the silence lingered, until Adanel broke it.
'Andreth'
At her name she looked back up at her aunt.
'Last week I received a letter from your father.'
Andreth forced her face to remain still, hiding the unease underneath.
'He shares a lot of your uncle's worries. I think it will soon be time for you to return home.'
Unable to contain her shock, she blurted out:
'He asked for me to come home?!'
She couldn't help cringing internally at her own shrill voice.
'No, but he did not have to. It was clear from his concern for you that he wishes to see you again. It would be best for you to return sooner rather than later as travel is becoming more dangerous and I've taught you most of the skills you need to become a wisewoman.'
'So, you done with me and sending me away?!'
Her voice cracked at the last word. Blinking away tears she stared past her aunt, not wanting to meet her gaze.
Adanel was sending her away. No wonder, now that she had a child of her own why should she care for that of another? Why should she want her here?
Pushing out a shaky breath, she forced herself to let go of those insidious thoughts.
When a cool hand fell on her shoulder she flinched. She hadn't noticed that Adanel had stood up and walked over. Beren was softly snoring in her arms completely oblivious to his surroundings.
'Oh, Andreth. I'm not sending you away. I'm offering you an opportunity to go home to your family.
But if you wish to stay you can.'
Not trusting her own voice, she could only nod.
'I know that being send here so young was not easy. But please don't hold it against your father. He only wishes the best for you… And even if you cannot bring yourself to forgive him, don't forget your siblings. I have kept you long enough. You have a right to know them. Please, do not let this keep you separate from them!'
She barely managed a weak smile, as she nodded again.
Adanel pushed her hair back from her forehead before placing a gentle kiss on top of her head. She smiled down at her.
'I'm putting Beren to bed now.
But… think about it. You do not have to decide yet. Travelling during this season is to risky anyway. Should you wish to return you can do so coming spring.'
Carefully regathering little Beren in her arms Adanel turned away and walked to the door, all the while humming a soft melody.
Andreth kept her gaze trained on the flames. They had nearly died down, only flickering dimly over the wood in the hearth.
At the low thump of the closing of the door, she could barely contain her sob.
Frustrated she pushed down her tears, rubbing the sleeve of her dress over her eyes. Breathing in deeply, she tried to keep her emotions from running wild.
Adanel was right she should think about this calmly.
During the first few years she had cried many nights wishing pointlessly that her father would show up and reveal that it had all been a mistake. That she could go home.
As time went on and he hadn't shown up, she had found herself wishing that he would have send Beril away in her stead.
At thoughts of her sister she forced herself to dig back through her long-buried childhood memories.
She vaguely remembered a time in which she had carelessly run through her father's house, causing mischief. At the beginning her brother Bregor had been her constant companion, they had played pretend and spun wild tales of brave warriors fighting evil monsters and chasing noble elven princesses through a mystical forest.
As time went on Bregor had started learning weaponry.
After that she started playing with Beril.
She missed her brother, and despite the bitterness toward her sister she found herself also missing her.
Maybe Adanel was also right about them.
Maybe she should go... home.
It was strange how despite having spent near to half her life in the house of Belemir and Adanel she had stopped referring to her father's house as home.
Forcing herself to take another deep breath she made her decision.
At this point Andreth is about 15 y/o, Beren is 2 y/o.
The song is loosely inspired by a German children song called "Hoppe, Hoppe, Reiter" (Hoppe, Hoppe, Rider) in which you bounce a child on your lap while singing until you pretend to drop them at the final verse. "Dann macht der Reiter – Plumps" (Then the rider makes – thumps)
This time around there are actually a few vocabulary words to explain.
House of Malach – one of the houses of the Edain (humans), Adanel originally was a member of this house
Amleth or Amlach – you can probably find these names somewhere in a family tree of the Malach, but in this case they do not designate a specific member
Haladin – the House of Haladin, or as known from now on the House of Haleth, after Haleth who after her father's and brother's death took up arms and became the chieftain of her people
the Gelion and Ascar – two rivers towards the east of Beleriand, the battle where the Haladin were besieged by orcs is often referred to as the Gelion-Ascar stockade
the Eldar Lord of Thargelion – this of course is Caranthir
Enemy, black foe (and every reference to a vague adversary) – Morgoth/Melkor
Ered Lindon – the Blue Mountains separating Beleriand from the rest of Middle Earth
The Long Peace – the 400ish time period during which the elves besieged Angband