Chapter 3 - Arreion

The world was enveloped in the deep shades of gloaming. Leaden cloud veiled the moon, and the light of the few visible stars seemed dimmed. Tinuial wept silently. Her anguish could not be bourne, and no choice was left to her. She had to leave. So overwhelmed was she by her grief that she could barely see for tears, and her body shook with sobs. The air seemed heavy with the cloying scent of loss and decline. Doom closed in about her. She longed to follow Durthol, and yet she knew not whither he had gone. She paced her dark chamber, caught in confusion. Every voice of inner reason spoke against her departure. For this land was fair, and safer than any place else that she knew of. Here dwelt all those whom she loved, and how could she abandon her brother and sister without misery and remorse? There would be no security or comfort for her past the borders, and death stalked the darkness of the wide lands beyond. Now the notion of death did not strike fear through her heart, and yet she did not wish to end her life. That would be no escape, for Tinuial knew that her grief would pursue her beyond the ends of the world. She began to pack her things, for she had already decided what course of action to take, though her mind was still in conflict. She knew little of the lands beyond Nargothrond, save that they were perilous, though in this hour she feared nothing.

She left her chamber and made her way to the back door, where she hoped to leave without being seen. Every room and hallway of the bright dwelling was filled with beauty and memory, though all was now stained by grief and bitterness. This fair house had become loathsome, like a broken mirror looking out onto the past. She must find new happiness, if there was any to be had in this world, and if fate willed it. She was clad in a thick grey mantle which blended softly into the gloom, and she passed into the night like a whisper of the wind. She took one last look at the house atop the green hill, and hesitated for an instant. A tear fell down her pale cheek as she thought of Thaliondil and Annariel. Yet they could not keep her from her doom. For in any case, her mortality would take her from them soon enough, and in one way or another she must leave them forever. With a shaking voice, she whispered into the darkness:

'Farewell, brother and sister of my heart. You would not have me leave, yet leave I must, or fade and die where I stand. May you both find joy and hope, and may you both forgive me.'

She turned then from the place she called home, and stole into the shadows, never to behold this land again so long as she lived.

Annariel stood motionless upon a ridge of the hills, staring into the dark heavens with tears in her beautiful eyes. She was not far from home, yet the shadows veiled her sight and she did not mark the shrouded figure of Tinuial as she departed. Annariel awaited the arrival of Arreion, her lover. They had first met in this very place when they had been children, and on that bright day they had promised themselves to each other. Annariel ceased to weep as she remembered it. The world had been radiant on that day. The azure sky had been aflame with shimmering sunbeams, and all the land was a luminous haze of light. Though her bright beauty was now hidden by the shadows of dusk, and the glory of that day had long since faded, her love remained, and the heart of Annariel ever belonged to Arreion. Even as she recalled the distant past, Arreion emerged from the deep shadows before her. He was tall, and strode with effortless dignity over the rough terrain. His golden hair was drawn back off his face, and his grey eyes were bright and piercing, like cold starlight mirrored upon a steel blade. He bore a bow and quiver. Annariel ran to him, and held him in her arms. And so they met, two silent figures shown up by the faint starlight.

Annariel told him of all that had befallen, as they stood together in that high place, and she wept once more as grief overcame her, for despite her words, in her heart she knew that Durthol would not return. Arreion held her close to him, though he could think of nothing to say. Suddenly, a swift breath of wind descended upon the earth. Wisps of cloud were torn and dragged across the sky, and the moon shone out for a time. The brilliant white light fell upon Annariel's face, and her yellow hair shone and glimmered like burnished gold. Arreion smiled sadly.

'Fear no darkness, or sorrow.' He said at last, and his voice was low and soft. 'For the light which you possess can be neither dimmed nor quenched. All the world seems to have changed since the day when first we met, and much sorrow has befallen, yet you remain the same. Your mirth and beauty shall never fade, so long as this world lasts.' He took her hand in his, and she smiled amid her tears.

'It is our love that lends me strength,' She whispered. 'It is many years since first we plighted our troth. Promise me that you love me still, and shall never turn your heart from me.'

'I could not cease to adore you, for we are one,' he gazed into her blue eyes. 'My heart is bound to yours, and our fates shall be ever entwined.' Sharp gusts of wind glided upon the atmosphere. Annariel's hair flailed in the wind like the frantic wings of caged birds, and her mantle, deep blue as the depths of the ocean, streamed out behind her. She shivered, and met the gaze of Arreion. His eyes were curious, for they did not change, but remained ever keen and sharp. They held no malice or bitterness, and yet betrayed nothing of what lay behind. Arreion had ever guarded his innermost thoughts, and what he felt at any particular time few could tell. Annariel drew her eyes away from him, and looked towards home. She wished now to find her brother and sister, for they needed all the comfort she could give. Taking the hand of Arreion gently, she strode off in search of Thaliondil and Tinuial.

Thaliondil knocked softly on the door of Tinuial's chamber. The door was slightly ajar, and the pale moonlight spilled out into the hallway. His face was no longer as grave, and yet a distant desolation was in his gaze, as though he carried all the world's grief behind his clear grey eyes. Hours he had spent alone in despair, but soon his thoughts had returned to his sisters, and he felt ashamed for thinking only of himself. He was girt now with a sword which had belonged to Durthol in the days of his youth. Thaliondil had discovered it, discarded upon the floor of his father's chamber, and vowed now to carry it always in memory of his father. It was a bitter reminder and a cold comfort to him, but he thought it his duty to keep it. He passed his hand across his brow, brushing his black hair from his eyes, and he knocked once more on the cold door.

'Tinuial?' His voice echoed through the empty house, but there was no answer from within the chamber. Thaliondil thought this strange, for his sister seldom slept at this hour, and was often wakeful far into the night. He pushed the door open, and started as he beheld many of his sister's belongings strewn across the stone floor, and some objects broken, which she had dropped in her haste. He saw clearly what had befallen, for he knew his sister well. He turned, and rushed frantically through the house seeking for her, and he sped finally into the courtyard. There was no sign of Tinuial, yet she could not be long gone, for barely two hours had passed since he had seen her. Caught for a moment between wrath and despair he remained rooted to the spot, until his thoughts were interrupted by a cry from Annariel. She called to him in her high voice, broke away from Arreion and ran lightly across the courtyard towards her brother.

'Are you well?' She asked breathlessly, breaking the deathly silence.

'Tinuial is gone.' He said. Annariel gasped in disbelief, and her face dropped. Arreion strode up behind her, his heels clicking softly against the hard stone. Like a tall spectre he seemed, the moonlight reflecting upon his solemn grey eyes. Thaliondil regarded him coldly, but spoke no word to him.

'Whither has she gone? Did she leave any sign or token?' Annariel demanded desperately.

'She left no sign, and I know only that she is gone.' He replied morosely.

'We must find her!' Annariel cried. 'Come, let us call for her in the woods!'

'She will not reply even were she to hear us! She does not mean to return, that much I see.'

'Arreion is a huntsman!' Annariel turned hurriedly to him. 'You can find her trail and lead us to her, can you not?' Arreion hesitated for an instant, as though unsure of how to reply.

'I can attempt it, though I make no promises.' He said at last. Thaliondil glared at him, for it was clear to him that Arreion withheld something.

'You are unwilling!' He growled, 'Do you wish to condemn Tinuial to death? For she cannot survive alone!' His eyes glinted with aggression, but Arreion remained unmoved.

'Perhaps her departure is for the best. It is her own decision! Her death is not certain in any case, and none can forsee what may come to pass.' Arreion spoke calmly, and his voice was hushed.

'You speak as though you want rid of her!' Thaliondil advanced forward, and his tone was none too soft.

'I wish the girl no harm,' he argued smoothly. 'I can aid you, and yet I fear that evil would come of it.'

'Speak plainer!' Thaliondil insisted. 'For I am in no mood for riddles!'

'Small benefit have the Eldar gained from their dealings with the race of Men! The two kindreds are separate, and should be kept so.' His conflicted gaze almost seemed to illuminate the shadows.

'I shall waste no more time exchanging words with the likes of you!' Thaliondil spat fiercely. 'I go in search of my sister, with or without your aid.' He started off away down the hill, but Arreion called after him.

'Very well - I shall do all within my power to find Tinuial.' Yet as he spoke a gleam of sorrow came into his profound eyes, and he seemed deep in thought. Annariel gazed at him as though trying to see his mind and penetrate the secrets hidden therein. Yet as ever she could see nothing beneath the surface of his stony grey eyes, and the air of dark mystery which had ever surrounded him remained untouched and inexplicable.

'You should remain here, my love.' He said gently to Annariel, and the glint had vanished from his eyes. 'Until we return with your sister.'

'I shall not be left alone here.' She replied, 'For this place is no longer fair to me, and in any case I would be more use alongside you. There is little love between you and my brother, that I know, and there must be one among you to keep peace!' Annariel darted inside to fetch a lantern, and emerged moments later holding it aloft, her eyes glimmering coldly in the strong light.

'Make haste!' Thaliondil cried impatiently from the darkness. He had started off alone, but awaited them now some way down the hill. Arreion sighed in exasperation as Annariel took his arm and gently steered him downwards. He spoke then under his breath as they walked.

'It is true, Annariel, that your brother and I are anything but friends. Yet I say to you that this is through no fault of mine!' Annariel laughed merrily. No grief or horror seemed ever to touch her, and as a divine image of glory and splendour she now appeared to Arreion, as the light she bore fell gently upon her laughing face and her bright glistening hair. He smiled, but abruptly turned his face away as though some other thought had occurred to him, and his mind was momentarily stolen from the maiden at his side. He breathed deeply, and began to search for signs of Tinuial.