Day 26: Something About Parents
Melian and Thingol.
It couldn't have been easy raising the first and only half-elf half-Maia.
(Lúthien is about human equivalent to four, maybe would that be 10 or so for a her? Really little, anyway.)
"She didn't mean it." Thingol told Melian. "Elflings throw tantrums all the time; they never mean the things they say. Lúthien loves you."
"I know." Melian answered with a sigh. "I do." It had only bothered her so much because Lúthien had hit right on her biggest insecurity as a mother: that being a Maia somehow made it less possible for her to be as fit to raise a child than if she were of a race that was meant to have children.
"You're a wonderful mother." He told her. "Besides, this is Lúthien! Who else could manage a half-Maia child?"
He brought a half smile from her with that.
"You are right; I know. Let us sleep, I know it will all be better in the morning." She kissed his cheek and blew out the candles, but Lúthien's words still rang through her head.
"I hate you!" She had shouted. "You're the worst mother ever, I wish I weren't here and I wish I wasn't half-Maia in the first place!"
It had started just as an everyday argument as any child might have, and Lúthien had always been wilder than normal elflings. She had been arguing all night, that she didn't want to take a bath, or wear a certain nightgown, or go to bed on time, but it was when Melian mentioned her lessons for the next day (including Maiar teachings, making them longer than the lessons for her elf-peers,) that Lúthien had really gotten upset, and Melian had been forced to let Thingol take over.
She had just begun to drift off when a small knock on the door awoke her and Lúthien ran in, tears streaming down her face.
Melian had picked her up in an instant.
"Lúthien, dear, what happened; what's wrong?"
"I didn't mean it, Nana, I'm sorry!" She hiccuped. "I didn't, I promise!"
"Oh honey, I know." Melian hugged her closer and Lúthien went on hurriedly.
"I had this nightmare you were gone and… and I realized I never…I love you Nana, you're the best mother anyone had ever." She finished tearfully against her mother's shoulder.
"I love you too, Lúthien. More than anything." Melian whispered comfortingly, rocking her, and Lúthien squeezed her tighter. "And never worry; I am never going anywhere."
"Promise?"
"Of course I promise." Melian kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair.
"Ada, can I sleep here tonight?" Lúthien turned her face towards Thingol, who was watching them quietly.
"Sure." He smiled and leaned to kiss her as well.
She asks you because she knows you'll never deny her anything. Melian mentally laughed to him.
She's right. He grinned.
They settled Lúthien between them. She was still clinging to Melian, which was different, as she usually clung closer to her father when she had nightmares.
"I love you, Nana." She whispered again, her fingers tangled in Melian's long hair.
"I love you too, dear."
"And I never wished I wasn't part Maia, I love being part Ainur." Lúthien informed her, murmuring against Melian.
"Good." Melian smiled.
"I don't really mind learning extra things." She was starting to sound sleepy, now that she was through her list of apologies. "But will you teach me more singing and powers instead of history? Will you sing now?"
"We shall see, history is important too." Melian said gently. "What do you want to hear now?"
"Make up a new song." Lúthien requested, and Melian laughingly agreed, though it was really just her own variation on a very old elven one that she ended up singing. It did not take long for Lúthien to be sound asleep.
Feel better? Elu asked her mentally.
I wish it hadn't taken this for me to, but yes, much. Melian smiled tenderly at Lúthien in her arms.
Good. She was right, you know, when she said that you were the best mother anyone has ever had.
Melian rolled her eyes.
Being a Maia has nothing to do with it; no one can comfort her or teach her or make her laugh like you can.
Except you.
Melian added.
Maybe.
Definitely. Now do I have to sing you to sleep too so I can have the last word on this? Her eyes sparkled and he almost laughed out loud, but stopped himself in case he woke up Lúthien.
No. Good night, meleth. He kissed them each on the cheek and wrapped an arm around them both.
Good night. Melian smiled peacefully, following her family into sleep.