Up, up, fair bride, and call
Thy stars from out their several boxes, take
Thy rubies, pearls, and diamonds forth, and make
Thyself a constellation of them all;
And by their blazing signify
That a great princess falls, but doth not die.
- Elsunn the Wise
Epilogue: A Light that Endures
April 65 Fourth Age, Edoras
There was a silence, long and deep, somehow more profound than any other silence in Princess Elsunn's life. She did not want to break it, because it felt like the faintest noise could undo the spell... would mean it was over. She did not want it to be, though all tales had to end.
Yet it hadn't. It just had moved on, changed more or less... because her grandparents had lived and carried on with their life. The story did not end – only the people who were telling it.
She took a breath and only then felt the lump in her throat, the tears in her eyes. She blinked to fight those tears and looked at her grandmother, the woman called Lioness, who had been watching her quietly.
Lothíriel Queen smiled, and then she began to speak once more.
"It was at the time of the Kin-strife that your grandfather was first called Éomer Éadig. During those days there was great wonder among the people, for his return did not seem a natural thing to them – not before the account of our journey south was recounted, and even after some mystery shrouded the tale. Of course, we never told them everything. Like he said to me, Rohan could not know the full truth, not as long as he lived. A king is always more than his own person – he is the representative of his people, the symbol of them... and to violate a king is to violate a people. The Mark had enough to deal with as it was. But perhaps now has come time for sharing the full tale. His long and remarkable life is the proof by which people will understand that the name of the Blessed was true and fully deserved – even after the south, or perhaps because of it", she started gently, regarding Elsunn with a bittersweet smile.
"Your grandfather was a man who in later years received many names. Great and beloved kings always do. Yet perhaps the most important name he was given, the most precise one, was that of Éadig... he was Blessed, much more so than he ever was tormented. Your grandfather was free. In time, he was happy too", Grandmother said and let out a small sigh, looking away as though into some distant years. It could very well be what she did see then.
"What about you, Grandmother?" Elsunn dared to ask. The old queen looked back at her and smiled slightly.
"You wonder if I was happy too? Truth is, I was. The years of my life were... well, perhaps they were not always easy. But I was a fighter, and I was a queen. And I loved your grandfather so deeply that even now I cannot fully explain what he meant to me. It has been a good life, and I have loved and known some wondrous people... my father and brothers, brave Éowyn and sweet Faramir, Aragorn and Arwen, my dear friends Ceolwen and Elfhelm and Éothain and Scýne who are now gone, Edelric and Alger and Arric... so many good memories are locked in those names and faces – memories any queen could cherish", she stated and regarded her granddaughter. "It is dangerous and difficult and it's heavy, being someone's hope. Having someone depend on you like that... it's a burden that could crush you. Or him."
"In the end, I think I did well. Perhaps it was because I loved him so much – and because he loved me unconditionally in turn. I believe I gave him hope, and what he gave back made up for all my doubts and fear", she concluded and folded her hands in her lap.
Again there was that silence, the one that felt like ending. Desperate to push it away for a little while more, Elsunn spoke, "Could you tell me about Silfren again?"
Of course she knew the tales about the stallion – she had seen him with her own eyes, and she knew how the story of the friendship between her grandfather and the horse had ended. But then, she had not grown weary of this tale. Grandmother smiled again.
"You know what is said in songs and tales of the mearas. Eorlingas believe they live as long as men do, and Silfren gave no reason to doubt the truth of this. He remained with Éomer through all the days of his life, and I do not suppose you could really say they were a master and a steed... they were friends, bound together by loyalty and love. Often he would roam freely on the fields of the Mark, and Éomer did not try to prevent it. I suppose that was why their friendship was so strong. For Silfren always returned from his travels and seemed to be glad to let Éomer ride him. Together they rode into many battles. And when I couldn't go with him, Silfren would bring him home safely", she said and leant back her head. Momentarily she sat silent before continuing.
"As you know, I was the only one to witness the parting of Éomer and Silfren. One night towards the end of his life, your grandfather asked me to come with him. Your father Elfwine begged to send a guard along, but Éomer would not listen. There had been peace in the kingdom for many years, and we allowed guards to follow us only as far as the edge of Edoras. From there we went out alone. It was a clear night and the moon was full, and we rode on the silver-painted plains together... it reminded me of a time long ago, when we were travelling together. I knew then it would be our last ride together, but I did not weep. After Edoras had fallen behind, Éomer dismounted. Long he stood there with Silfren, resting his hand on the stallion's neck – it looked to me like they were talking", Grandmother spoke, looking at Elsunn now. Her expression was bittersweet, as though she was remembering much more than just he last sight of the great stallion who was just as much of a hero of the Kin-strife as Éomer Éadig and Lothíriel Queen.
"At last Silfren tossed his head. It was his goodbye, I gathered afterwards. Then he began to trot, until it turned into a gallop, and he went... a mist had risen on the plain and he vanished into it, just like he once had appeared from it many years ago. Éomer stood watching him go and a little while more he remained there. When he had said his farewell he came to me, and I saw that he was crying. So are Eorlingas... their love of horses is not surpassed by many things. This I have seen many times during my time in this land. All the same, I never saw Silfren again, and whether he lived long after that night, I do not know. I suppose he returned into that dream he had first come from to help your grandfather. And when he was gone, Éomer did not ride another horse as long as he lived. But he did not have much time left in this world – he knew that too, and so he chose to free Silfren while he still could", said the old queen and fell silent. A shadow rested on her brow and she looked away, no doubt remembering the day her husband had left her.
She sighed heavily and lowered her eyes in grief, battling the sorrow that was her companion every hour of the day. Elsunn had known her grandmother grieved for grandfather deeply, but only now did she see the true extent of it, and only with such a love could come sadness so deep. To wind one's life with another in so profound ways... the goodbye would be that much harder. Grandmothe'rs dauntless spirit might make one forget it at times, but no one felt the loss of Éomer Éadig like she did.
Elsunn got up quietly and crossed the small space between them. She wrapped arms about Grandmother's shoulders, those which had carried so many burdens and remained unbroken. Now they felt fragile and thin, like her very life was fading.
"I miss him too, Grandmother", Elsunn murmured, though she knew her longing was but a ghost of the grief the old woman felt.
Lothíriel Queen looked up. Though there were tears in her eyes, she smiled.
"I know, sweetheart. It is not possible to forget and let go of people like him... even if he had not shaped my life in so tremendous ways, I believe he would have always been there close to my thoughts. And in the end, I would always have loved him. If he was blessed, so was I. For I have lived a wonderful life, and I had the love of the man whose like shall not come again", she said and shook quietly her head. She then looked at her granddaughter again and grief melted away from her face, though Elsunn knew now how deeply it was still present.
"It is very late, my dear. Perhaps we shall finish for the night? You see, we have many long days ahead of us, if you truly mean to write down this tale", said the old queen.
"Of course", Elsunn said and let her arms fall from around her grandmother's shoulders. Then, after hesitating for a moment, she spoke again, "Thank you for agreeing, Grandmother. I think everyone should know what you did. Our people should know how much they owe to you."
December 65, Edoras
Another night had fallen. Meduseld was in slumber, and Elsunn too had passed out in her armchair; in her lap and on the floor were piles of parchments, filled with scribbling. Lothíriel Queen knew there were many finished pages already, and the amount was growing with every day that her granddaughter took to transcribe the notes she had taken. The work was going very well, and hopefully they would finish some time soon.
Carefully Lothíriel Queen spread a blanket over her granddaughter's sleeping form. For a moment she stood there, looking at the girl. Elsunn had taken to this project so enthusiastically and her spirit had infected Lothíriel as well. She too wished to see it completed... and so she held on, though with each passing day also grew the weariness more profound than anything she had ever felt before.
And still she knew he lived on. His children and his children's children had inherited the same strength, same unyielding spirit which had helped him through the times of south and strife. Yet with them it was without shadow, and in Elsunn's case it was innocent. Elfwine was a king to carry on Éomer's legacy, Elfhild was every inch a queen in nature if not in title, and Elred was a builder and healer of men... blessed, as their father had been. And though she seldom showed it, now her love for them was mixed with something bittersweet, for in every face and every smile she saw the man she had loved beyond all measure of words.
I can hold on a little while more, she reminded herself silently. She looked around and knew leaving would not be hard, not when she knew what awaited her. Life had been full and it had been good and well loved. What more could one ask for?
With a sigh, she settled down in her bed and closed her eyes. If she lay absolutely still, she could imagine him there beside her... how his warmth felt like, and how his slow even breath filled the emptiness with the knowledge of togetherness. It was true: his life could not be torn from hers... he was with her, even now. And he would always be.
Perhaps it was not so long now that she would see him again. The thought of reunion made her smile... and through the grey rain curtain and beyond memory and dream, he reached for her hand.
I will see you soon, Éomer.
"Of Ednew and Éadig: The History of the Later Days of the House of Eorl". Excerpt by Wigmund, the King's scribe in Edoras, on the year 129 Fourth Age.
"So ends the tale of King and Lioness and their long journey. Among Eorlingas it is said their like shall not come into the world again, and Simbelmynë covers now their grave, where they have their long sleep – together, as they were in life. Yet this story of lions and hope and courageous hearts only ends in words that were put down here for the generations of future years, for the life of the fabled king and his queen did not end with the war or the peace they eventually made with their past.
The rule of Éomer King was long and blessed, and together with Lothíriel Queen he lived to see the Mark healed and prosper greater than any song could recall. Many years they lived, perhaps not always untroubled but in love and faith nevertheless, for theirs was a Light that Endures; and the deeds of their later years are remembered in other songs and tales that are not recorded here. Their marriage brought back laughter and life to the Golden Hall of the King, as their love gave healing to their people, and the shadows of troubled times dissolved in that Light. From their union House of Eorl grew strong and great again, and years of plenty have graced the Riddermark ever since because of the labours of Éomer Éadig and his wife Lothíriel Queen.
But like their granddaughter Elsunn writes, of all their deeds the greatest remain the life they lived and the love they shared."
When all is lost and winter comes,
I shall be your spring time.
And memory fades and wilts then,
I shall always find you...
I shall always find you...
- Laurel A. Rockefeller
THE END.
A/N: So, this is it. This is the end of A Light that Endures. I hardly know what to say and the only reason I am able to do this now is because I have a glass of wine next to my laptop. It is a bittersweet thing to let go of this story, because I have been writing it for over a year now, and I have invested much in time and emotion. It has been a work of love, really. Yet I have to confess that I never meant this to be so long. Certainly if I had known it would get this long, I would not have dared to start and work with the tale. But I guess I had just too much to say, and maybe my ideas were too massive for a shorter story. Be it as may, I am thankful for everyone who has sticked with me and the story all this time! Special thanks go to Talia119, MairaElleth, Jo, Thalia and Felion! Thanks for all your support and comments. I truly appreciate the time you have taken to write reviews and share your thoughts with me.
I am sorry it took so long to post the epilogue. Mainly this is because I have had a pretty hectic month, and also because it has been difficult to let go of the story. Hence, writing did not advance too fast, and even now I feel there are some things I could have done better about this epilogue. I hope you liked it anyway!
Like you may already know from A/Ns of Flickers and King and Lioness, I was meaning to take a break from writing, though I do have some ideas I may start to work on some time soon. However, I will continue with KAL until unforeseen future, and show you scenes from the life of our favourite horselord and his queen. Hopefully their kids will be making appearances too. So, if you are still unwilling to let go of the world of ALTE, go and check out my latest story!
I would like to thank you all for one last time. Hopefully we will be spending many more pleasant hours with Éomer and Lothíriel. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Quote in the beginning originally by John Donne.
Inspiration for the chapter: Howard Shore - Bilbo's Song
MairaElleth - Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. :) Indeed, many things are touched there. If you'd like to read more in detail, go and check King and Lioness! Your comments are always appreciated. Also good luck with your own story! :)
Felion - Thanks! I definitely mean to continue those storylines in KAL! I guess it's still hard for me to let go of these particular interpretations and storyline.
And it did make sense to me to bring them back to where it all started for one last time. Glad you liked that too!
Jo - Good to know I'm not the only one feeling weepy for these last chapters! It's sad to let go, but it has to happen.
Yet hopefully I will be able to show much and more in King and Lioness!
Thalia - Thy will be done! I must confess I'd really like to write about Elfwine as well. I'm pretty sure he'll be a frequent character in KAL soon as we get that far. :)
I'm also sad to end this, but all tales have to end sooner or later!
DanaFruit - They did really need their children to born, and it is good for them in every way. They're much happier for it. Also thanks so much for your compliment! When I read you thought so of my character interpretation, I had to blush! Anyway, I'm glad you liked them so much.
brandibuckeye - Thanks! It's nice to know there are so many willing to still follow Éomer and Lothíriel, and I'm more than happy to oblige. :) Thank you for reading!
Wondereye - Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. :) I thought it would be a good idea to bring him there for one last time. I think he was at peace after that visit.
Vilwerin - I don't want to finish it either, but all stories have to end eventually. Thank you for your support! Also I'm quite glad to know I managed to make at least someone cry with that chapter. :)
There will be more about them in King and Lioness, if you are interested!