Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's and the plot, everything else belongs to Tolkien and those who currently own the rights to his work.
Chapter 45 – The White Shores
Third Age
September 29, 3021
The waters stretched out to eternity.
Eruanna's hair and the hem of her dress danced in the breeze. She could hear the gulls crying and the roar of the waves as they kissed the shore in a rhythmic dance. The melody cried out to the depths of her soul. Its power was overwhelming.
Eruanna swayed slightly on her feet. She reached out for support and a strong hand took hold of her arm.
"Are you alright?"
Elrond's voice sounded far away. Eruanna could not recall how long they'd stood there together by the shore.
"I feel it," she whispered, not knowing if he could hear her above the din.
"The sea," he smiled slightly. He'd forgotten what it was like the first time.
"It calls to me," Eruanna lifted her eyes to Elrond's face. There was so much about the ancient Lord she would never understand. She knew he suffered from the longing…suffered for years, "How did you endure it?"
How? Elrond could not rightly say. He looked out across the sun-speckled water. The light danced upon its surface, shimmering, laughing. The waters, now, held a promise of peace. No sharp stab of pain. No aching heart. Mere months ago he would have been unable to bear this glorious sight; the pain and desire the sea kindled in him, the power he'd fought for so long.
"I made a promise, once, long ago," he said in answer.
"Not all of Morgoth's creatures were defeated. The Shadow will rise again."
"Perhaps," replied a voice a shade deeper than the first.
"I will not be here to watch over them," Elros' eyes rested on a pair of mortal children playing together in the sand. They awaited the ships that would carry them to Númenor. "My children will be as the children of Men, as I am now. I will not live to see them flourish."
"It was your choice,"the words had a bitter taste.
"Will you watch over them-for me?"
"Men are not my concern," the sharp reply could not hide the pain in Elrond's voice.
"My blood will flow within them, brother, and your blood as well. As long as they walk in this world, I will live on."
Elrond was silent a long time. He looked out across the sea towards Valinor and the isle made for Men. Despite his best efforts, he could not block out the laughter of the mortal children at play. Elros' children would be as fragile as these, and as fleeting. "I will watch over them in your stead, brother," he said at last, "until the Shadow is defeated or the world is at last remade."
And now, his promise kept, Elrond could finally give in. It was not a defeat, as some of the Eldar considered it, but a willing surrender to the will of Ilúvatar. It was the easiest decision the great Peredhel Lord had ever made.
Elrond tucked Eruanna's arm in his, offering her the same support her quiet presence gave him. "Come," he said, "the ship awaits."
Eruanna and Marilla walked arm in arm, passing time while the ship was loaded. The elves carried surprisingly little for a people who'd lived for many ages. The greater part of Elrond's house - the books, tapestries and heirlooms of the great houses were sent ahead long ago. Even Lady Galadriel brought only a few relics from her life in Middle Earth.
Eruanna's own anxiety lessened each time Marilla twittered nervously about life in Valinor. There was comfort to be had in listening to the chatter of other wood-elves. They were as fearful as Eruanna about the life that was to come.
Will we dark elves be treated kindly by the elves born in Valinor?
Will the Valar embrace us and teach us as in ages past?
Such were questions oft asked by the elves that accompanied Elrond and Galadriel.
And so, Eruanna listened kindly to Marilla, smiling and nodding when appropriate. Her gaze, however, wandered across the water and the elegant ship to the pier where many had gathered for the journey or to bid others farewell. Elrond and Galadriel stood a ways away, lost in conversation with Lord Círdan. They would board last, as was the custom. The wizard Gandalf was assisting Masters Bilbo and Frodo and Erestor was busy organizing the food and lodging for the journey ahead.
Eruanna soaked up every last detail of the city. She wanted to remember it all; the elegant towers, the beautiful sculptures and the sights and sounds of the elves leaving Middle Earth.
It was for this reason that Eruanna was the first to see him.
A tall hooded figure dressed in robes of the Haradrim approached the dock. It was obvious, even to half-elven eyes, that the being who drew near was not Man. His movements were far too precise, too powerful. It was an elf, no doubt, but something about him beyond the strangeness of his attire caused others to draw back as he passed.
No one said a word as the ellon walked up to the Lord of Mithlond as though they were old friends. He lowered his hood in one smooth motion, revealing a long mane of ebony hair and a face as young and fair as any that graced this shore. Eruanna watched the ancient shipwright's expression morph from mild curiosity to shock. Elrond and Galadriel were likewise startled by the vision of the ellon unveiled. Elrond clasped the Lady's arm tightly and she laid her hand upon his. It seemed to Eruanna that both sought proof they were not dreaming.
"Is there room for one more passenger, my Lord?" the ellon asked with downcast eyes. The voice was softly musical but laced with a surprising amount of fear.
Eruanna wondered if the ancient Lord had forgotten how to speak. It took several moments for Círdan to answer. "Of course," he said at last, "there is always room for one more."
The ellon bowed low to Círdan and then shifted his gaze to Elrond and Galadriel. He locked eyes with each of them in turn, placed a hand upon his heart and bowed before embarking.
A murmur arose as the ellon disappeared into the ship. Elves turned to their neighbors for explanation of the scene they'd just witnessed. Eruanna, however, continued to watch Elrond, the Lady and the Sindar Lord. Their troubled eyes held more answers than the gathered masses possessed.
Eruanna made her way uneasily along the length of the ship. She was not as sure of her footing on water as on land and she worried for spilling the contents of the bowl she carried. She stopped, finally, at a line of benches where one of the hobbits was reading. The halfling was not the cause of her stillness but rather the sound of a voice lifted in song.
A dark haired ellon stood at the stern, looking out over the sea towards Middle Earth. Eruanna could neither recall a voice more captivating nor a song so leaden with grief. It was composed in Quenya and spoke of a sadness more powerful than Eruanna had ever known.
"Who is he?" the hobbit asked her.
Eruanna looked thoughtfully upon Frodo Baggins before deciding on a response.
"I don't know."
It wasn't exactly a lie. Eruanna did not know the ellon who sailed with them now, but she had seen his face before. His image was captured by another artist's brush. Lord Erestor, Loremaster of Imladris had a great memory for detail, and the sight of this fair being bathed in blood was an image not easily forgotten.
"Are you going to ask him?" Frodo eyed the bowl of food hungrily, hoping perhaps that Eruanna would abandon courage and offer him the meal instead.
Eruanna did not answer. Instead, she moved closer to the figure and waited in silence until the song came to end. She approached him then, consciously allowing her footfalls to sound upon the deck. The ellon turned around before she came close enough to do him harm.
Piercing blue eyes halted her in mid-stride. There were more emotions within them then she could identify, though some were clear as the night sky…sadness, curiosity, suspicion.
Eruanna met his gaze evenly. "You have a beautiful voice."
A flash of surprise lit the ellon's eyes. He'd not expected kind words from her lips. "Thank you," he replied in a carefully measured tone.
Eruanna held out the bowl towards him. "You did not join us for dinner," she said by way of explanation, "so I brought you something to eat."
Again the ellon's eyes showed a mix of conflicting emotions. He seemed to watch her for signs of deception, some touch of malice in her eyes. Finding none, he took the bowl from her hand and assessed its content.
His eyes softened measurably. "You are very kind," he whispered.
The ellon's voice contained gratitude in a measure far greater than Eruanna thought she deserved. She shook her head. "It is only lembas and some dried fruit."
He lifted his eyes to her once more and Eruanna was acutely aware that the ellon was making a careful study of her face. It was unsettling, but she allowed it and tried hard not to show her discomfort. After a time, he spoke again.
"Are you Elrond's daughter?"
The surprise on Eruanna's face was probably answer enough but it was followed quickly by a burst of laughter she could not contain. No one had ever before mistaken her for Arwen Undómiel - fair Lúthien reborn.
"No," she answered, at last gaining control of her mirth, "but I was raised in his house. His daughter chose to remain in Middle Earth. She married the King of Gondor. "
Eruanna's laughter and gentle smile seemed to put the ellon at ease. His lips curled slightly in amusement. "Forgive me, you merely…you are like him."
Eruanna confirmed his statement with a small nod. It was an obvious mistake, now that she thought about it. There were only two Peredhel on board this ship and no one would mistake them for husband and wife. There was a moment of prolonged silence where neither was certain what to say. By Elven custom, they were both quite rude for not offering a name. But somehow, Eruanna could not bring herself to ask for his.
"What is your name, child?" the ellon asked before Eruanna could find courage to do the same.
"Eruanna!" a deep voice snapped before she had the chance to respond. Eruanna spun on her heels at the sound of Erestor's raised voice. She could see anger in his eyes and in the lines of his face, but it was not directed at her. Erestor looked right past her, his eyes fixed on the singer's face.
"Marilla needs your help below," Erestor told her, without averting his gaze.
Eruanna knew a dismissal when she heard one and was not foolish enough to argue now. "Yes, of course. Good evening," she added, before making her escape.
Erestor listened to Eruanna's retreating footsteps. He knew she'd be here, out of kindness or curiosity - probably both. He tried to suppress the anger that boiled just beneath the surface at the sight of this ellon, more out of fear of himself, than for any other reason. He knew the ancient one could see it, the violence so near to breaking free. It took ages of control for Erestor to calm the fury that threatened to overcome him, and with a great demonstration of will, he turned away from the source of his nightmares. He took two steps along the path of Eruanna's retreat but the thought of his child in this monster's company brought him to a halt. He did not turn, but spoke loud enough for the ellon to hear.
"Keep your distance, kinslayer."
It was both a threat and a promise… and Erestor's demon understood him well.
A large crowd had gathered to greet them. There were so many faces she'd never seen, plants and animals that were strange and foreign. But the lines of the city that stretched out in the distance were quite familiar. It was a great city of elves and its inhabitants welcomed them with open arms.
Eruanna clung to Erestor tightly as they weaved their way through the crowd. Left and right were families gathered, holding each other in mutual embraces. Eruanna was too small to see across the distance. Only Erestor's guiding hand kept her from losing her way.
"Eruanna!" a familiar voice cried out across the throng.
Erestor, tall enough to see over much of the crowd, led her to its source. They were nearly to the stone path when she saw two familiar faces. Eruanna had no idea how much she'd missed them until that moment. She released her hold on Erestor, and like a child, ran straight into their arms.
Haldor and Ithilwen held onto her as if they would never let go and Eruanna did the same. Tears of joy flowed freely down their cheeks.
"Let me look at you," Ithilwen clasped Eruanna's face, raining it with kisses. "You look so beautiful, so grown up, doesn't she Haldor?"
"She does," Haldor pulled Eruanna into his arms and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I am sorry we could not stay with you, child, but we are together now."
"All of us," Ithilwen added, turning her attention to another elleth who stood a few paces away.
Eruanna's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She'd always tried to imagine what her mother looked like, what features they might share. She'd secretly feared they would not resemble each other at all, but for Eruanna, seeing Irimë for the first time was like looking at brighter reflection of herself. They shared the same finely sculpted features, the same warm, intelligent eyes, but there was no doubt Irimë was an elf. She was taller than Eruanna and her hair and skin a shade lighter. She seemed to glow like the sun. Eruanna was not so fair or bright but it bothered her not. She recalled Aragorn's words as he spoke of the stars. Irimë and her daughter might shine at different intensities, but they were both beautiful to behold.
"Naneth?" Eruanna took two hesitant steps closer to the elleth.
Irimë nodded, unable to speak for the lump in her throat. She reached out her arms to the child she'd never known.
Eruanna's long lived fear vanished as though it had never been. She rushed into the elleth's arms and mother and daughter wept tears of joy.
"My baby, my baby," were the only words Irimë spoke as she stroked the smaller elleth's long hair.
They clung to each other for a long time before Irimë drew back. She lifted a hand and with delicate fingers traced the lines of Eruanna's face, committing it to memory. "I'm so glad you came," she said.
"So am I," Eruanna's smile shined like the sun. She hugged Haldor and Ithilwen again before realizing someone was missing.
"Erestor?" she looked back toward the crowd. "Where did he…," she spotted him some distance away heading back toward the ship. "Ada!" she cried, before running to catch him.
Erestor's heart broke at Eruanna's tender reunion with her mother. It was, for him, a double edged sword. He'd always prayed Eruanna would know her mother's love, but now that his prayer was answered, she was not his child anymore. It was obvious in the way Eruanna clung to Irimë that she did not need him. She had her mother now and her blood kin. Erestor forced back his own tears before they could escape him. He turned and walked away. Erestor always knew the day would come when he would have to give Eruanna back.
He was halfway through the crowd when he heard Eruanna's voice calling out to him. He turned around just as Eruanna reached him. She took his arm and pulled him back in the opposite direction.
"Where are you going? You haven't met my naneth."
Erestor tried to maintain his composure, but it was not easy with Eruanna's eyes upon him. "I thought you should be with your family," he looked past her toward the three edhil who watched from afar.
Guilt struck Eruanna hard at the sadness she saw in Erestor's eyes. She'd been so wrapped up in her own fear that she'd not considered Erestor's feelings. She'd forgotten how well the old ellon could hide his insecurities when he wished. That he revealed them to her at all spoke much of the love he felt for her.
"You are my family," she wrapped her arms around his chest as tightly as she'd done with her grandparents and Irimë, "please, come back."
A great wave of emotion swept through him with those simple words. They told him the only thing that mattered - he would not lose his daughter. Erestor wrapped Eruanna in his arms and held her until the world felt right again. When he looked down into her face she smiled and then took up his hand to lead him.
Erestor followed Eruanna through the crowd until he stood before Eruanna's grandparents. He'd met them once before, during their stay in Imladris. "Haldor, Ithilwen," he clasped their hands in greeting before turning to the elleth in their company.
Eruanna already stood by her side.
"Naneth," she said, by way of introduction, "this is Lord Erestor, high counselor to Elrond of Imladris. He is…," Eruanna stopped then, unable to speak the word she'd used only moments ago.
"Your adar," Irimë finished the sentence for her and reached out to clasp Erestor's hand.
The elleth smiled kindly up at him. It was a smile Erestor knew very well.
"Thank you for taking care of her," Irimë placed a kiss on Erestor's cheek.
Erestor's gaze shifted to Eruanna before returning to her mother. "She has been a blessing, a gift."
Haldor laid a kindly hand on Erestor's shoulder, and looked to Eruanna, "Would you both like to join us at the celebration feast?"
"I do not wish to intrude," Erestor said.
"Nonsense, you are family now, my Lord," Ithilwen answered.
"Erestor, please," he smiled in return, "and, thank you."
The crowd of elves was already beginning to disband by the time Erestor became acquainted with Eruanna's family. Groups of twos and threes began making their way to the city and the great celebration fete that awaited them. Eruanna listened to the chatter of the elves and answered the many questions posed by loved ones. When they reached the top of the hill overlooking the sea Eruanna cast one last glance at the ship. The dark haired ellon with the beautiful voice was the last to disembark. He drew down his hood before taking a different path, one that led into the heart of Valinor.
"Are you coming, Eruanna?" Irimë called to her daughter from further down the road.
"Yes," she called back to her mother and when she looked again to the great ship, the ellon was nowhere in sight.
Eruanna turned away from the sea, her sight fixed on the elven city and the long road ahead. The great mysteries of this new world beckoned her forward.
And she was unafraid.