Day 19- Something about your favorite chapter/episode/moment
This was really hard, for whatever reason. I have a few favorite moments, but nothing I could think of enough to write about. I think most of my favorite moments to imagine are things that aren't even slightly touched on in the book; Melian and Thingol's wedding, the births of Elrond and Celebrían's children, Elrond and Celebrían's wedding, Elrond and Celebrían being reunited in Valinor, when Celeborn gets to Valinor (WITH the twins, don't even try to tell me they chose mortality,) Lúthien and Beren have some pretty good moments in the story. Arwen meeting Elros and Lúthien is great, too.
( I imagine Elros devotes everything to taking care of Arwen and her family, after everything Elrond did for his descendants, and because he surely misses Elrond as much as Elrond misses him, and Arwen is a piece of him. And I imagine Lúthien and Arwen became close friends right away, despite their age difference. I think Beren and Aragorn got along really well, too.)
But the one my brain wanted to write today was this, which I couldn't not do because I always want to write Lúthien and can't think of anything.
This is one of my favorite and least favorite moments (what isn't, in the Silm, everything is like YAY HAPPY ENDING except 12 people died and 20 more kin are separated forever and we don't even know what happened to some,) because in the chapter you're rooting for Lúthien and Beren, but you also know what this means for Melian, and for Thingol.
It is said of Melian that "none... were more skilled in songs of enchantment." and from what we see of Lúthien, (putting Morgoth into an enchanted sleep, moving Mandos to pity the one and only time that ever happened,) she certainly seems to have that gift too.
(you'd expect me to be able to write a happy fic for this prompt but nope.)
"Lúthien, Daughter of Melian. " Vairë stood before her, as a sort of welcome, when Lúthien became aware of her surroundings.
"Lady Vairë" Lúthien nodded her head in a bow, properly, before wondering what the proper Ainur greeting was, instead of the Elven one. Vairë smiled down at her anyway.
"It is good to meet you, though under the circumstances less, so I am sorry for that." Vairë told her kindly. "You remind me much of your mother."
"Did you know my mother?" She tried to remember everything Melian had ever told her about the Valar, but she couldn't remember hearing as much about Vairë as many others.
"Everyone knows Melian." Vairë told her remotely. "Did you ever wonder why she served both Vána and Estë?"
Now that she thought about it, Lúthien realized she never had wondered; it was not common for Maiar to serve more than one Vala, though it was not unheard of. She shook her head.
"Usually it is clear which Maia should serve where, as their natures line up with a certain Vala's teachings. Your mother had many talents; she could have served nearly anyone. All were drawn to her singing, and Vána and Estë both begged her to dwell with them, and fill both their gardens with her song, so she did."
Lúthien wondered why Vairë was telling her this; if she meant to distract Lúthien from her purpose, or if she knew it and was trying to help her. She looked searchingly into the Valier's deep eyes, but she found no answers there.
"What can I do?"
"I hear you take after your mother." Vairë started, still cryptic, and Lúthien tilted her head, having no idea what she meant.
"In some ways." She answered. "What do you mean?"
"No one below Eru, Ainu or child, could ever remain unaffected by Melian's song. I hear you, too, have that gift, and you may be able to use it."
Lúthien thought of Morgoth, bent on destroying her and Beren, falling down from his throne in slumber as she sang. She was unsure, though, what power she could have over Mandos that would be of any use.
"What do I need to do?"
"Tell your story. Do what you came to; ask to be granted a reunion with Beren, and you may find what you seek. But beware! For this will not come without tribute,and in doing so you may find that you can never set foot on Valinor, or among the Ainur, ever again, and think about what you are giving up."
Lúthien closed her eyes tightly, but she knew what she must do.
"You could be happy here, Lúthien." Vairë told her softly.
"Not without him." Lúthien answered and turned her thoughts to Beren. With those words in her mind she entered the hall where Mandos sat, ready to sing him whatever it took to change his mind.
I think Melian felt somewhat betrayed by Lúthien receiving mortality; by Lúthien, and by the Valar she had known who allowed the decision to happen. But I also think she understood, seeing the parallels between herself and Thingol, and I think she agreed with Lúthien's decision in the end, even if caused them both much grief.