Chapter Three: The Truth About Thunderstorms

The sky seemed to be split in two by the tremendous flash of lightning. Thunder rumbled through the air as the small, golden-haired elfling burrowed deeper under his blankets. He whimpered, fear wrapping its cold fingers around his heart. No amount of teasing would stop little Glorfindel from admitting his hatred of thunderstorms. He hated everything about them: the thunder, the lightning, the rain, and the wind. Not too long before his father had died, he had taught his son a song about storms. He couldn't remember the song, and that fact made him feel very guilty. What would his father think of that?

Glorfindel slowly poked his head out from under the blankets. The thunder growled menacingly and Glorfindel shivered as he slowly slid out of bed. His thought traveled to the monster under his bed and he swallowed nervously. The monster could grab his ankles, pull him under the bed, and eat him any second now. Glorfindel whimpered in fear as he quickly grabbed his toy owl, Hwesta, and hurried from his room. The corridors were dark, except for when lightning flashed across the sky. His footsteps seemed louder than they actually were as he walked towards his naneth's room. He knew she would be tired, but he really wanted to climb into bed with her. There was no doubt in his mind that she would let him do so. The thunder rumbled as the rain slammed against the windows and the walls. Glorfindel was sure that if the small house was alive, the rain would be hurting it.

As soon as he reached the door to his naneth's room, he put his hand on the doorknob and paused. Should he really wake his mother up because of the storm? It was only a little bit of noise and it was probably only scary because he was small. Lightning suddenly tore the sky apart and thunder seemed to shake the very foundation of the house, causing Glorfindel to shriek and fling open the door. His naneth jolted awake and sat up as the door slammed against the wall. Glorfindel scrambled onto his naneth's bed and clung to her.

"What's the matter, penneth?" She whispered as she gathered him into a warm embrace.

"The storm." Glorfindel whimpered. "I do not like the thunder and the lightning. And the rain is hitting the house so hard that it would hurt the house if the house were real." His naneth smiled, love making her heart swell. She pulled her son onto her lap, content on holding him close. Glorfindel was so precious to her and thought of losing him was unbearable.

"Do you remember what Ada told you about the thunder and the lightning?" She asked him. Glorfindel shook his head. He felt guilty for not remembering.

"No. I'm sorry, naneth. It's bad for me to forget about things Ada taught me. It's like forgetting Ada." He sighed.

'I'm sure your Ada would not mind." His naneth replied, love coloring her words.

"What did Ada tell me?" Glorfindel pressed. His naneth smiled.

"You know how the thunder is very loud?" Glorfindel nodded, completely immersed in what his naneth was saying. "Well, that is because the Valar are dancing to their favorite music in the heavens. They are holding a big feast to celebrate life."

"Are they singing too, naneth?" Glorfindel whispered, curiosity and awe evident in his voice. His mother smiled lovingly.

"Yes, little one. That is the wind, the voices of the Valar raising their voices in perfect harmony as they sing along to the songs that the musicians are playing. The songs celebrate life and unending happiness." Glorfindel's eyes were now wide with wonder. He had never imagined that the thunderstorms were the result of something wonderful taking place in the heavens.

"And what about the lightning, naneth? And the rain?" The little elfling asked.

"The lightning is what happens when the Valar light their big fires so that they can cook all their food. And the rain is the tears of the Valar."

"Why are the Valar sad? I thought they were celebrating." Glorfindel said in confusion.

"Oh, the Valar are not sad. They are happy. Their tears are tears of joy. They are rejoicing because the life they have created has not yet faded, and will not for quite some time." Glorfindel nodded. The storm was not so scary anymore. In fact, it was not scary at all. The storm was a celebration. And as he and his naneth settled down in the bed next to each other, he envisioned the halls of the Valar. He tried to picture the Valar dancing and singing, the food and the giant fires. Glorfindel fell asleep with a smile on his face, curled up against his beloved naneth, Hwesta hugged to his chest.

Penneth- Little One

Hwesta- Breeze

Naneth- Mother

Ada- Father