In Uthenera Na Revas
It was the time of the Arlathvhen, the meeting of the leaders of the Dales, a time of celebration of a culture lost long ago, of putting aside the differences of tribe and clan, and uniting as one people for a day of reverence to the traditions of old.
Vhenaran, her faced marked in the Vir Tanadahl of Andruil, knelt in meditation and reverence, as she had before receiving her vallas'lin, awaiting the final judgment of the Keepers' council. Her request was a strange one- an ancient tradition no longer invoked, as the only eternal sleep the elvhen now entered was that of death. She wished to be guided into the Beyond, into eternal sleep, as the ancestors did.
The tainted calling ran deep and strong in her blood, but she would not allow herself to succumb to it. She was a strong and proud warrior, but she knew if she entered the Deep Roads a final time, her end would be needlessly violent and painful.
I wish to face my passage into the Beyond with some shred of dignity intact. she thought, keeping her eyes closed. For in life, I sacrificed nearly all of it.
It was truly a wonder that the Keepers were even deigning to hear her request, or even allow her into the arlathvhen. Tamlen's fate was blamed on her. Her skills were those of the shems who had driven them from their old homeland. Rumors of her willingness to consort with shemlens and flat-ears- of both genders- shamed her. As did the child she had lost so shortly after one of her lovers had passed beyond the Veil in slaying the archdemon.
It was to be me that day. You were to survive, to become King. Instead, you took the blow that was mine, the death in honor which was due to me. You shame me, shemlen prince. Alistair...
A hand was on her shoulder, and she opened her eyes- deep green as the darkest forest- to see Keeper Zathrian's second Lanaya looking down on her with pity in her eyes. "They are ready for you, lethallan."
She rose with a simple nod, and walked into the tent where the Keepers were gathered. She recognized them all, but only Marethari and Zathrian were deigning to meet her eyes. The others were content to ignore her presence, so it seemed. All the same, she was composed, bearing herself with a pride which had been lost within her for years because it was what she must do. The former Commander of the Grey could not be seen to be weak or vulnerable, after all.
Vhenaran could feel Marethari's eyes sweeping over her, seeing how the years as a Warden had changed her from their last farewell. Her skin had tanned even darker, being in the sun rather than in the shadows of the forest, her hair beginning to leach of its color, blonde fading far too swiftly for an elf into grey. Her complexion was still smooth, her body still taut, betraying her relative youth, but she carried now the demeanor and poise of great age.
"We have considered your request, da'len." Marethari stated, looking Vhenaran in the eye. "And we have decided to aid you. We shall lead you into slumber which will take you to the Beyond."
"Ma serannas, Keeper Marethari." Vhenaran replied, bowing her head in respect. "It is a better death than I deserve."
"I shall be the one to guide you through your final hours, lethallan." Zathrian stated, approaching the Warden. "I owe you this much for having both saved my clan and offered our people our own lands."
To this, the woman could only nod in response. She was prepared for this. It was her time. She followed Zathrian and Marethari's lead outside, towards the outskirts of the encampment. Lanaya stood by, a sapling bound to her staff.
Vhenaran knelt before the Keepers, looking up as Marethari held out to her a large leaf, which contained a liquid that shone in the setting sun like golden water.
"Drink of this draught, and know peace, da'len. Dareth shiral. May the Creators guide your path." Marethari murmured, offering one last pitying gaze to the child she had witnessed grow to womanhood.
Vhenaran drank from the leaf, and gently set it aside. As she waited for the effects of the draught to come forth, she reflected upon the life she had lead. Keeper Zathrian's voice reciting the Rites of Uthenera faded into a dull litany amidst it all.
"Hahren na melana sahlin..."
Ashabelath... the woman of many loves... She knows only sorrow. Mythal, protect me from Elgar'nan's wrath, that I may pass in peace...
"Emma ir abelas..."
Sylaise, forgive me, for I could not pass a child of our People into this world...
"Souver'inan isala hamin..."
Andruil, let my faithful following of your path lead me. I have never allowed myself to break. Not even in the end.
"Vhenan him dor'felas..."
Falon'Din, guide my steps. Lead me safely into the Beyond...
"In uthenera na revas."
Creators, I am so tired...
The herbs were working their powerful magic. Her eyes closed- they were too heavy with sleep to keep open. The siren song pulling at her mind, calling into her blood was falling now upon ears which could no longer hear it. Tension drained from her muscles, breathing and heart slowing to a final stop, and only then did consciousness finally forsake her, leaving her in the sleep from which she would never awaken.
The body was returned to the earth, a tree planted upon her resting place. There was a moment of silence, and then, the sapling was left to the stillness and peace of the forest, where it might grow strong on the heart of one who had truly shown u'suledin halamshiral- the will to endure alone until the end of the journey.