Day 9. Something about your brOTP
female brOTP- Melian and Galadriel.
In early versions of the Silmarillion Galadriel went over the sea with Melian early on and served her as a handmaiden. Just one of six thousand alternate canons on Galadriel that I can't decide if I like, but I like the idea that they sort of bonded over feeling Middle-earth was more exciting than Valinor. And certainly Melian more than shared Galadriel's "deep reverence for the Valar." (Did she judge Galadriel for participating in the rebellion though, I can't decide.)
Before the court of Thingol and Melian, in the throne room of Menegroth, entered for introduction the Sons and Daughter of the House of Finarfin.
Angrod, of course, had met with the King previously, and on being offered to stay as Thingols guests he had returned with his kin.
In first walked Finrod with Galadriel and behind them Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor.
As they stopped and bowed respectfully, Thingol gave them a formal welcome, and Melian's piercing stare watched them each in turn.
They were proud, she could tell, all five of them.
Their sister, Artanis, caught Melian's attention the most. She was proud even far beyond that of her brothers, but also clearly wiser, and her kindness was beyond that of even Finrod's. A light shone from her eyes that indicated she had the potential for great power rarely seen among the Eldar, and the way her hair reflected light that could only remind Melian of the light of the Two Trees in Valinor,especially Laurelin.
While Melian watched her, Artanis turned her clear eyes from Thingol to Melian's instead. In an instant Melian could see Artanis's fierce desire to rule and her ambitions of life in Middle-earth, her deep wisdom, and also of her love for her family, her people, and for arts. And oh, that power inside her. She could do great things if she wished, or terrible. Great, hopefully, if she learned to control it right.
Artantis would make a powerful ruler indeed, one day.
She mentally raised an eyebrow, giving Artanis a small smile. Artanis smiled back somewhat sheepishly and then quickly turned her attention to Thingol, who was finishing his speech. The five of them gave their thanks at his welcome, and thanked him for his kindness in letting them stay. Servants came to show them to their rooms and let them settle in, and Melian caught Artanis's eye again, giving her a warm smile.
At dinner, to Artanis's surprise, Melian invited Artanis to sit next to her. Her brothers were already seated on the other side of the King, so Artantis moved across from them to sit at Melian's side.
Melian seemed very interested in life in Valinor, so Artanis told her as much as she could without letting on to more recent events. Her answers about the Valar and the Maiar and how the elves settled seemed to satisfy Melian, anyway.
Briefly, Artanis wondered if she should indeed be pleased that Melian had apparently taken an interest in her. Hadn't she meant to come to Middle-earth to get away from the Valar, now only to attract the interest of one of the most powerful Maia?
There was something different about Melian than most of the Ainur she came across in Valinor, though. To say she was any less powerful or intimidating would be entirely inaccurate, but at the same time she seemed more interested in the lives of the Eldar and more among them than the distant Valar were.
So when Melian offered to tutor her on Middle-earth history and inviteed Artanis to come to her study later in the week once she has settled in, Artanis accepted.
'You are tempted by power." Melian told Artanis at the end of their first lesson, where Artanis had learned much on the history and lore of Middle-earth. "You must always be sure the power you seek does not lead you to evil; power is dangerous, no matter where it comes from."
"That is what my father always tells me." Artanis said with a hint of a smile.
"Then he is wise." Melian advised her. "How are you settling in here? It is quite different than Aman."
"It is." Artanis beamed. "It is wonderful!"
"Good." Melian smiled and began shelving some books she had spread on her desk.
"May I ask you something?" Artanis asked hesitantly.
"You may." Melian gave her a piercing glance; though Artanis was nearly sure Melian already knew what she would ask.
"Why did you choose to come here? I know why you chose to stay, but what made you come in the first place?"
"A few things." Melian said vaguely, and took a moment before expanding. "I was not the only one of the Maiar who visited Middle-earth on various missions from the Vala we serve; but I was one of the few to ask to come. I was not unhappy in Aman, on the contrary, but I had a desire to come here that I could not explain. I believe now that that was meant to happen so that I would be here at the right time; but then I only wished to come and see these lands for myself; I did not know what I would find."
"The Valar gave you all leave to come?"
Under Melian's piercing stare Artanis wondered what she perceived of the Noldor's current standing with the Valar, but when Melian did not go on, Artanis simply resolved to be more careful in the future.
"Long ago, yes. Many of us worked in Middle-earth, Vala and Maia alike. Yavanna and Oromë themselves came often."
"Are there others still here?" Artanis was glad that unlike the Valar, Melian seemed to actually be willing to answer all her questions.
"None that I know of, or at least none that did not go over to darkness. Certainly no others are openly active among the Eldar or have contacted me, but other than that I can not say for sure."
"Do you miss them?"
"I do. But I love what I have here; I do not wish to go back yet."
Me either. Artanis thought, and by the small smile Melian gave her she knew the Maia had read that in her face. Maybe she and Melian had more in common that she had first thought.