AN: HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! And yes, it is barely after the ball has fallen, so yes, I am a tad hyper, but ah well. Here's to 2011!
Chapter Seventy-Six
(everything is spoken in Elvish)
~ Elessar ~
The woman was . . . breathtaking. It was obvious that she was more than a simple Human, or even an Elf. She was supernatural, different, unique. Even her appearance itself was different – her face, her expression, her stance. She had dark and long tresses that flowed about her like river water around wave-polished stones, and a bright silver girdle graced her beautiful figure and elegant robes. She carried the light of the Undying Lands about her, and it was obvious that she was more than she seemed.
In other words – she was either one of the Maia or the Valar.
"I will not hurt you, child."
She spoke, and it was like a thousand birds singing when she did. I felt the urge to cry when she stopped, for it was so beautiful. . .
I could see that I was not the only one falling prey to the spell. Aragorn was having issues blinking. Haldir's breaths were shallow and stunned. Kiria was frozen at my side. Tinúviel's jaw was actually open and had been open for quite a while. Eldarion was shaking his head slowly as though trying to clear the hallucination. Even Arwen was blinking furiously, as though she couldn't put two and two together.
Legolas, however, seemed not to be fooled – if only because Estel was trembling at his side.
He shot to his feet. "Who are you?"
The harsh tone he used, such a contrast to his own musical voice, jolted us all out of the cloud of disbelief and awe.
But the woman wasn't fazed.
"Legolas Thranduilion of Greenwood the Great," she murmured, as if surprised yet not surprised at the same time. "I should have known. . . But then again, as she is the one you have chosen, perhaps I should not be so surprised. . . You have always surprised me, though, and no doubt will do so again."
Legolas's eyes showed his confusion, but then he slipped an arm around Estel's waist and repeated the question, unyielding as adamantine.
She laughed, and it was as though a thousand children were crying out in joy.
"You know me," she said mysteriously. "You all know me."
She glanced around, and I think she could see that there was not a single glance of understanding in any of our faces, and laughed once more. She crossed her arms, smiling at all of us, and I got the sense that perhaps Legolas was a bit overreacting. . . But maybe that was just her spell on me, still active. I could still feel it.
"I was once queen of a domain from which your line started," she said slowly. "I am Melian, Queen of Doriath."
~ Eldarion ~
The words rang in my ears.
I am Melian, Queen of Doriath.
Everyone fell back into their states of shock, even Legolas and Estel. We couldn't help it. Her spell on us was so strong . . . and her claim was so . . . unimaginable. Queen Melian the Maia was said to have returned to Valinor with the death of King Thingol and her daughter, Lúthien Tinúviel, to mourn forever the loss of those she loved most.
And yet . . . And yet it made sense.
Somehow, it did.
"How?" I asked, finding the need to ask stronger than awe.
Queen Melian smiled sadly. "I lost my daughter to mortality, yes, but I am not bitter about it, son of Elessar. . . In fact, I find that the best way to spend my time is to . . . go along with what she desired. She chose mortality. The best I can do, then, is to watch over those she loved, in turn, and protect them . . . including you and your father."
"Protect?" my father repeated incredulously.
"I cannot interfere with all matters," she countered. "But I can watch over you, and offer what guidance I can."
Estel looked up sharply. "Like urging me to jump?"
She inclined her head. "You listen well, child, and always. Your faith is strong."
"Jump?" Legolas looked at Estel, his blue eyes creasing in concern.
Estel faltered under the intense stare of Legolas. "When I . . . Before I came here . . . I heard a voice urging me to jump, to be free. . . I didn't think about it until now. . . I did. . . It was how I got here."
Queen Melian nodded, and then straightened and uncrossed her arms. It was obvious that she was now done with questions.
"Now. I did not come for mere amusement. I do not reveal myself to my descendants for nothing. . . I have come because of what my lords and ladies, the Valar, had ordered me to come. They feel it is time. You have acquitted yourselves admirably, and I must confess that you have impressed me. . . Indeed, you have accomplished much with little – all of you. And so, our decision is thus: You are all to be given the Choice."
Silence.
"The what?" we all asked.
"The Choice. The Choice that is given to all Peredhel, when the time is right. . . And now it stands before all of you."
There was silence again, and this time much longer, as we endeavored to try and understand that. After all, it wasn't everyday that we met an ancient Queen, or learned that we were to be given a chance at the Choice between mortals and immortals, Elves and Humans.
"Why?" Estel finally asked.
Queen Melian looked at her, and it seemed her gaze softened just a bit. "Because the blood in you is just as well as the blood carried by those you are descended from. And because you have done what many could not have, with very little at your disposal," she answered. "We believe that you deserve it. All of you."
She turned to my father.
"Lord Elessar," she said. "Lady Kiria. You are the oldest, and so I turn to you first. You know of the Choice before you, so please, make it."
My father stared. It was not until my mother spoke that he stirred.
"Eärendil clove to Elwing in the times before, so know I cleave to you," she murmured. "Do not be afraid to choose what it is in your heart, Elessar, for I will choose as you do and we will walk the same fate."
My father looked at her, and smiled, and kissed her on the cheek. His eyes were wet with unshed tears as he said, "My heart, like Eärendil, has always belonged to the fate of Men, Queen Melian, and it is the race of Men that I Choose to be joined with now and governed with at the end of time."
"It is my choice as well."
Queen Melian inclined her head. "It is done."
Then she fixed her gaze on me, and I felt more than heard her say, "And you, Elessarion?"
"I – "
Then I caught sight of Aragorn and Arwen. Arwen had placed her head on his shoulder, but Aragorn wasn't responding; he was staring straight ahead, sorrow engraved on his face. I knew why – we all did. Arwen had chosen mortality for him, and much as he loved her, at the same time he wished she had chosen otherwise.
I shook my head. "I do not choose, Your Majesty."
Queen Melian regarded me with cool eyes that flickered with interest. "And why is that?" she asked, so softly I barely heard it.
"I wish to allow my choice to go to Aragorn Arathornion."
Aragorn started, half-rising. "Eldarion, do not – "
I held up my hand. "Listen to me, Aragorn, please. At least as one of your subjects, if not one of your own." When he finally nodded reluctantly, I continued, "Queen Melian, even if I were to Choose, I would Choose to be with Men, for my heart, like my father's, lies with that race. But I will fall with Men anyways if I do not Choose, and so I do not. But, you, Aragorn – do you want Lady Arwen to languish here alone? I think it would be wiser for you to take my Choice, for I think it will be of greater use to you than me."
Aragorn looked extremely confused. "Whatever do you mean?"
I glanced at Queen Melian.
She understood.
"The Valar only allow for one return of the Choice in favor of the other," she explained. "And you, Arwen Elrondiel, returned the Choice when you decided to travel to the Grey Havens as your father asked. You are not mortal, whatever you believed, for now you are joined to the kindred of your father."
"No! No, that can't be!"
Arwen's lovely face was distressed – no, that was too light a word.
Her face was devastated.
Queen Melian looked at her. "You cannot escape your faith, child," she said gently. "I am afraid that your destiny is set. You cannot change it now."
"No. . ." Arwen sank back into her chair, her eyes filling with tears, her voice trembling almost as much as her body.
"Aragorn," Queen Melian said. "Make your Choice."
Aragorn looked from her to Arwen to me, and then her to Arwen to me, and then again. Finally, he said, "I can?"
She blinked. "He has requested, and so it shall be."
"I wish to be joined with the Eldar."
"And so it shall be," she said gently. "But as you are a King, Aragorn, I am afraid it is not that easy. . . When your reign is finished, you may indeed sail to the Undying Lands – and only then will you gain immortality. We will not risk immortality falling into the hands of anyone save those who are devoted to traveling to Valinor and joining the rest of your kin."
"Understood," Aragorn agreed, inclining his head. "And thank you. More than you can imagine."
Queen Melian smiled at me. "Well chosen, Elessarion."
~ Tinúviel ~
Queen Melian turned to me next.
"Tinúviel Elessariel," she said quietly, and my name had never sounded more musical. "Your Choice?"
I glanced at Haldir.
He turned to look at me at the same time, and I could see the same hope and love in his eyes that I felt rising within me, powerful, building, and full of every emotion I had ever known. This was the chance of a lifetime.
"Elessariel?" Queen Melian prompted.
"Why me?"
"Because you, like everyone else in this room, have lived what it means to be a Peredhel, and you have earned the right to Choose." She hesitated, and then said in a lower tone, "If anything, child, you are just like my daughter. Do not try and think yourself unworthy. You have earned this. You all have?"
I glanced once more at Haldir.
"Haldir?" I whispered.
He gripped my hand, gentle yet firm at the same time. "Choose as your wish, meleth."
I knew then what I would choose. "Queen Melian . . . I would ask to be joined to the Eldar . . . please."
She smiled. "It is done, child. . . And I do not begrudge you, if that is what you fear. If anything, I thank you, for allowing some part of my daughter live on as she could not. . . Yes, thank you . . . my child."