Her spirit was waning with each passing hour. Somehow, Finarfin could sense his daughter's fight against the black breath. The battle seemed to wax and wane and wax again, slowly but steadily sapping her energy and life. Tears leaked from the King's azure eyes as his heart acknowledged the probability of losing his only daughter.
"It is obvious that they draw strength from each other. May we ease Artanis over slight so Celeborn can lie beside her?" The healer proposed gently.
"A good suggestion." Finarfin choked out. They gently slid Artanis sideways, mindful of her injured side. Then they guided the insensate form of Celeborn to rest beside his beloved wife. Finarfin would never forget the next tense, tortuous hours he sat praying and watching over the pair, nor his tears of thanksgiving and joy when he recognized the pale light engulf them, marking the moment of reconnection of their strong marital bond and the onset of a shared healing sleep.
"Elbereth be praised!" The healer exclaimed in awe as he and Manveru entered. The healer had expected to find a further decline in the gold and silver couple. Finarfin's seneschal was equally worried about his Lord and friend. "They have fought off this insidious foe together!" Finarfin was too emotionally overcome to reply, the tear tracks still wet on his cheeks.
"Let us chant the prayer of thanksgiving together," Manveru whispered as he grasped Aran Finarfin's hand. The three elves knelt and chanted thanksgiving and praise in choked, hushed voices.
Xxxxxxxxx
"How long will they keep him?" Beleford's voice wavered slightly. He held the Maiar bound to Lord Ulmo in fear and awe.
"I think they will summon us when it is time." Cirdan was puzzled for they had waited several hours, and there was no sign of the peredhel.
"We can not just leave him." Glorfindel protested.
"I see little choice." Cirdan rubbed at his beard. "We need to get back to coordinate the other fishing boats. Otherwise, our people will have a meager fare tonight. Fear not, Lord Ulmo and Ossë often summon me. I surmise they will return Elros when they see fit."
"The people will riot. Some already think the Valar have abandoned us to starve." Beleford predicted darkly.
"Gil-Galad assured me that he is sending as much food as possible. Elves are making do with much less."
"Elves can survive on less. But continual hunger leads to dissent and worse. Elros divulged that the lack of food was beginning to pit elf against elf. It is no different among men. Worse even - as we cannot go as long without sustenance. Already, the people question why Elros spends as much time as he does among the elves."
"You were with him. You attended the council sessions to plan for the planting season and negotiate equitable division of the food supply."
"I am not expressing my own opinion, merely stating the fears among our people. Now that Elros has disappeared, fear will multiply."
"I will bring him to your settlement as soon as he returns," Cirdan promised.
Xxxxxxxxx
"We are grateful for your aid." Lady Gellir bowed politely to the ancient Queen of the Avari. "I thank you again for your people's mentoring of my sons in the ways of the forest." The young elfling at Gellir's side eyes widened with the hope that she would someday be able to visit with the Avari.
"Finarfin and Gil-Galad have informed us of the dire need for lembas. We would do everything possible to prevent any elf from suffering from starvation. We are all one family. We are all children of Eru." The Avari queen tried not to laugh at the gaping elfling.
"May I present my daughter Aurmîr." Gellir smiled as her daughter executed a perfect curtsy.
"Please to meet you." The child scampered shyly.
"My daughter Lillanlai has accompanied us as well. Would you like to meet her?" The Queen spoke directly to the golden-haired child, who nodded enthusiastically. "Lillanlai?"
"Yes, Naneth?" The Lady Lillanlai politely greeted the stunned elfling. Her beguiling emerald eyes had seen many centuries. Yet still, she was but a child to her parents' millennia. During this long war, most Avari had not dared to bring a child into the world. Aurmîr, now just half-grown, was quite a curiosity. This exquisite child of Oropher would spur many of the woods to beget elflings of their own.
"Aurmîr, this is my daughter Lillanlai." The Queen smiled at the elfling's amazement. "Lillanlai this is Aurmîr, Lady Gellir and Lord Oropher's daughter."
"Delighted to meet you, Lady Aurmîr." Lillanlai made a sweeping curtsy as the child giggled endearingly. "Would you give me the honor of becoming my baking partner? We have a very important job this day. Many hungry elves await our lembas."
Xxxxxxxxxx
Dark, cold, and suffocating anguish – that was the fate that his heart struggled to defy. She could feel his spirit struggling and knew her presence was balm in this weary battle against the black breath. Yesterday, she had scolded his friend for sharing his strength with her injured son, for the weary, beleaguered peredhel looked physically ill. But whatever he had shared did seem to spark dear Erestor's healing powers.
"Has he stirred my Lady?" The Vanya Lord startled her from her thoughts. "Forgive me, Niphendriel; I did not mean to surprise you.
"Glorfindel!" She embraced him tightly as if his spirit would light inspiration in her own. "You have returned. Are your charges well?"
"We delivered Elros to the Maiar of the sea. If anyone can help him, it would be them."
"And Elrond? He looked most unwell when he visited."
"Visited here?"
"Yesterday for a brief time. Aran Gil-Galad called him away."
"They went to seek respite among the Avari."
"He said that Erestor was improving and would awaken soon."
"Was that his professional opinion?" Glorfindel smiled.
"It differed from what the healer here voiced, and yet they were happily surprised with Erestor's condition this morning."
"Most curious." Glorfindel and Niphendriel exchanged knowing glances. "The King would keep Elrond away from healing duties for the next yen to give his fea time to heal properly."
"That is wise." Niphendriel sighed. "The quieter of the sons of Earendil puts others well fare far ahead of his own. He has little understanding of his own worth. It worries me at times. I like to remember his joy and naivety when he visited us on Balar. He, Erestor, and Calimdriel enjoyed the simple pleasures of the beach, long dinners, and pleasant conversations under the stars."
"I pray this victory now makes those simple pleasures again possible." Glorfindel pulled his friend into a comforting embrace.
"SSSSSS," Erestor hissed as eyes fluttered, opening momentarily, then closing tightly from the sharp, bright reality. Gradually, they adjusted, and he met the familiar green eyes. "Naneth," he choked out hoarsely. Glorfindel quickly procured a glass of water.
"Ion-nin." She smiled and lifted his head slightly with one hand as she guided a glass to his lips with the other. "Small sips, dear heart."
Xxxxxxxx
"Elros!" Beleford's voice rang out in joy, and many followed him to see their future King. "Are you well? When did you return?"
"Only a few hours ago. It is good to see you, my friend. Cirdan told me about your loyalty and steadfastness. I thank you for looking after me during," he paused, wondering how to explain.
"Your illness." Beleford finished for him. "But you are well now? We were all praying for you."
"I am well." Elros smiled, realizing that illness was no longer something he needed to hide, for among men, it was common. Beleford later admitted that he had explained Elros' absence as a vague flu-like illness that the Maiar would cure.
"This calls for a night of celebration!" Some added joyfully. There was quick agreement among the folk who had settled near the Gulf of Lhûn.
"I do not want to squander our small supply of food." Elros protested.
"The Lords of the sea smiled upon us. The nets were full today." Riand joyfully announced to the cheering populace.
"First, I would hear of the progress towards a planting schedule. Then, I would not turn down a hearty meal. My ghost-like healers were not interested in food like we men require. They served rather paltry meals." Many laughed at the comparison.
Xxxxxxxx
"Exhale slowly," his Avari teacher chanted. You have communed much with the trees. Thank them and bade them farewell for a time." The mental exertion furrowed his young charges' brow, on which beads of perspiration gathered despite the cool temperatures.
"Child, reach out with your mind to greet the creatures that roam the underbrush." Time flowed slowly. The teacher monitored his charge carefully, noting when slight tremors shook Elrond's body. A deep voice startled them as the noble Avari King bent and grasped the peredhel's shoulders.
"Enough for now. Leave this exercise behind. Focus again on the song of the trees. Do you hear their call? Can you feel their concern?" The warmth and power of the elder elf engulfed him, drawing him back to the present.
"I am sorry, my Lord. I can not hear it." The young voice expressed a deep disappointment and defeat that concerned the Avari King.
"Nonsense young one. Mediation takes practice." The deep, comforting voice seemed to speak directly to his spirit.
"I can not focus. Not like you described."
"Each spirit is unique." The King watched in surprise as a tear trickled down the youth's cheek. "You may not experience it in the same way we do, for we do not hear the Maiar's song as you do. But the song of Arda underscores all life and encompasses everything around us, for the Valar wove the music that bound together and created Arda. Its untamed joy - fierce, deep, and stormy echoes through Eä, though now the noisy, wild songs of life's present forms obscure its mellifluous remnants. This song is woven with the music of the Maiar as well. Be patient. You must wait for the music to speak with your soul. Healing and strength will flow from it."
"What if I can not?" The shy question was laden with too many fears.
"We will guide and care for you. Healers can not heal themselves." The Forest Lord chided. "You must put aside your pride and feelings of inadequacy. Let us care for you. You have been injured. Such injuries surely hamper your senses. It is not a sign of weakness. It is an injury no different from an arrow wound suffered in battle. None would call the brave warrior weak because he had suffered such a wound. With time and patience, you too will mend. Time is what we Eldar have in abundance."
Xxxxxxxx
"Where is Elrond?" Elros urgently inquired as he approached the High King.
"Where are you manners?" The High King reproached him gently, earning an embarrassed grin.
"How are you, my most noble Sire Gil-Galad?" Elros bowed exaggeratedly.
"We are well, Lord Elros. The Queen is much recovered from her encounter. A visit among the forest dwellers did us both well. We thank you for your inquiry. We were glad you agreed with Cirdan and went first to visit with your people. They were very worried about their future King. " Gil-Galad returned in his perfected Kingly voice, although his eyes held mirth.
"Where is Elrond? They would not update me on his recovery. Their vague comments made me believe they are not mentoring him as they have done for me."
"Elros, come let us talk more privately. Indiriel and I have only just returned. Are you well?" Ereinion put his arm around his foster son and led him into the tent.
"Elros!" The Queen's eyes lit radiantly as she pulled the stunned peredhel into a hug. "You are well! Cirdan sent word that the Maiar healed you."
"They inflicted the damage. It was fitting that they repair it." Elros mumbled against the curtain of silver hair.
"They did not know. They did it unwittingly." Her eyes glinted with love and joy as she guided the wild dark hair behind his ear. "You are well!"
"My spirit has healed. They taught me to listen specifically for Ossë and Uinen's songs. Eventually, Eonwë will return and travel with us to Númenor." Elros' eyes flashed with excitement.
"You will be part of a Kingdom of Men. Free from the Eldar." Ereinion's words held no emotion, but he exchanged a sorrowful glance with Indiriel. The coming parting would be bittersweet. They loved Elros dearly. Ereinion had cherished contact with the second born, for their differences were to be celebrated. Elros was oblivious to their wordless conversation, so caught up was he in his experiences among the Maiar.
"Ossë is wild and rash." Elros shook his head as if to ward away an unpleasant memory. "I would not wish to incur his wrath. His wife is steadfast and methodical, her fire but slowly awaken but unerring once her mind is set."
"An odd couple," Indiriel lips curved wryly. "Strange to associate our incarnate leanings and emotions with these angel-like spirits."
"There are some things that we have in common but in other manners these spirits that helped the Valar shape the world are so foreign to be nearly incomprehensible. I consider myself to be a good judge of character. But it is beyond me to say whether the essence of the Maiar I encountered were benevolent or callous. Their perception," he paused unable to put his thoughts into words. "The Maiar are linked by the songs – their spirits gain strength and peace from their connection to each other. Previously, I had thought their songs were only for war, terrible yet beautiful. But their songs express a gamut of emotion and thought, like our own speech."
"You can understand this speech?" Indiriel blurted our in surprise.
"Only snippets. Perhaps ten percent of what is said. It seemed little enough to me, yet they were astounded that I could hear it at all, given how dilute our Maiar ancestry is. They who present themselves as so much above us had little understanding of us. Yet they knew enough to make a choice for us. If they do not understand what a peredhel is, how can they be sure that our destinies lie apart? Why should elves and men be separated? I sometimes believe that despite all their powers, they know little more than we do. And it scares me."
"They too are trying to live lives that Eru would approve of." Indiriel exchanged a long glance with her husband.
"But they too have made errors and mistakes, much larger than ours given their might." Elros frowned.
"Then give thanks to Elbereth that our potency is less, and focus on building on those traits and liberties that you cherish to form a society that prizes justice, freedom, and peace." Ereinion chided. "The war is ended. We have wrenched back control over our own lives now."
"And Elrond? The Maiar said they would not teach him as they taught me." Elros was heartened when he saw Ereinion stiffen.
"It was a point of contention for us when we accompanied Elrond to the forest." Indiriel intervened. "They did send one of Yavanna's attendants to help care for Elrond, but she stayed mere minutes. I, too, found her manner uncharitable."
"Callous even. Her assessment was that his death was not imminent." Ereinion amended. "But perhaps as you say it is a cultural difference. She charged the Avari to instruct your brother in techniques of listening to the remnants of the Ainur."
"She did not heal him!" Elros was livid.
"We pressed the issue too." Indiriel ran her fingers soothingly through the short dark hair. It had taken Ereinion days to calm down. "The only comment was that Elrond would live his life with little contact with the Maiar. It was decided that they should not interfere."
"More likely they were afraid of causing him further harm." Elros scoffed.
"We can not see all ends." Indiriel's strong faith in the Valar had given her the strength to persevere during the darker hours of her life. "Perhaps it simply reflects the needs of others. Many people depend on you to succor and guide them. You have not the time for a long convalescence. Yet among the Eldar, Elrond is counted as one of the youngest, having just passed the cusp into adulthood. He has not your duties and obligations. There is no reason he should not heal slowly and naturally."
"You are saying that I should envy him? I should not begrudge him this time?" Elros nearly laughed. "I doubt Elrond would agree with you. Would not one always choose the more expedient draught? Why prolong suffering? Does healing differ whether the process is slow or fast?"
"The Avari can tutor him in their ways and teach him the mysteries of the forest." Ereinion pointed out even as he silently thanked his wife for diffusing Elros' anger. "Few have such an opportunity."
"The forests are still unsafe."
"The Avari King is one of the elves who awoke in Cuivienen. He is wise and trustworthy. He has guaranteed your brother's safety and sends us regular dispatches about his well-being." Ereinion soothed.
"How long will he stay among them?"
"The healing process is slow as there is also the fatigue from the war and the added burden of his long healing duties. We are brainstorming ways to keep him away from healing for some years. His spirit will need time to heal and you both need time a respite from the trials and tribulations of war. But there are already small signs of recovery."
"How long?" Elros asked quietly.
"Perhaps a turn of the seasons," Ereinion paused at Elros' obvious dismay. "You have many duties for the upcoming planting season as well as settlement plans. When Elrond returns, you will undoubtedly be able to impress him with a rudimentary village."
"And ample food." Elros smiled at the thought. Ereinion poured them both a small glass of wine.
"To ample food and a cozy roof over our heads."
"My people will build our settlement much faster than yours!" Elros teased. Ereinion groaned and rubbed at his temples.
"Too many cooks." Elros laughed at the elven king quoting the old Edain adage.
"Your cooks are so entrenched in their ways that you might never reach an accord!"
"I hesitate to employ the weight of my office when a council should allow everyone to speak freely. But it may indeed come to that!"