Elemmirë is, was, and ever will be the brightest and most magnificent of all the stars of night sky, he thought, but then again, Makalaurë is quite biased on the matter.
Brilliant as Elemmirë the star is, it pales in comparison to his Elemmirë, his dear betrothed. Separated by a vast sea, family and of course, the Doom, it is nigh an age since their sundering. Makalaurë has simply stopped counting, it hurt less this way.
Yet every night since they formed their confederation in East Beleriand, Makalaurë found himself alone on the peak of the Himring, gazing upon the star of her namesake and reminiscing, and pondering.
Is she waiting for him?
He knew very well that nothing good will come of his nocturnal rituals, yet as fresh as the searing pain is, it brings him a sense of hope and purpose.
Makalaurë remembers the first time heet her, he was only 30 summers old. His family was out on a picnic by the river separating the Two Trees. Makalaurë perched himself up on a branch of Laurelin, strumming Stars of Cuivienén on his new shiny harp he received for his nameday, and quietly began to sing.
Well into the second verse he heard another voice join him, far too sweet to be any of his brothers, and far too youthful to be his parents. Without stopping he glanced around, and finally located her, a girl his age with mirthful eyes similar perched against Telperion. Their eyes met, their little duet in perfect harmony and lost in music, the trance was unfortunately quickly broken as he felt Tyelkormo climbing up to him and pulling his tunic for attention. When he looked back, the girl was gone.
He did not see her again until a score of years later. Their next encounter marked the beginning of their rivalry. Her name, he learned was Elemmirë, the youngest daughter of Ingwë, King of the Eldar. She was renowned for her musicianship among her people, the Vanyar. At this point, Makalaurë was too gaining his place among the greatest of the Ñoldorin musicians.
He, admittedly in his years of youthful arrogance, was struggling to keep awake in the recital. Just as he started drifting off from the boredom of awaiting his turn, a new performer came up and began her song. He was immediately roused from his daydream upon the first pluck of the harp, and his eyes snapped open upon her voice. It was her, the girl from the Trees... and she's as good if not better than he is... and she's beautiful.
He found himself for the first time in the recital, unable to move, being fully entranced by her music.For the first time, as he arose to the recital stage, he played with all his heart, having discovered a worthy equal.
Those were simpler times. Their followings and fans grew greater as the years passed, competing for the place of the greatest bard of Arda. Their skills increasing manifold each year at the much anticipated High Feast, before the Ainur and all of Eldamar. Their mutual rivalry and admiration blossomed to friendship, to passion and love.
Albeit, a love forbidden, or at least that's they thought. The taboo union of Finwë and Indis was an unapproachable topic. The faithful Ñoldor mourned the loss of their beloved Queen Míriel and prideful Vanyar resented the relegation of their Princess Indis to a 'second' wife of Finwë. And not to forget, one loses the good graces of the Valar in speaking out against their folly. His father Fëanáro can only hope to appeal to Eru All-Father in Arda Unmarred.
The news of their betrothal was received with frowns and pursed lips. Makalaurë and Elemmirë believed once they get married, in time they will be accepted and receiving blessings.
Only, that day never came. The Darkening of Valinor ended up Ingwë ordering all his people, the Vanyar, to remain in the their homes on the Sacred Mountain. Forcibly separated, the loss of the Two Trees marked the last of their duet.
No matter the inaction and sanction against pursuing Morgoth by the Valar, the Ñoldor must march, to reclaim the Light and the lands given to them by Eru from the clutches of darkness and evil.
Makalaurë thought about his Star at Alqualondë,when beset by the treacherous Teleri at the bidding of their masters. He thought about his Star when Ńamo pronounced their doom. He thought about her in the Battle Under the Stars, the Glorious Battle and the Battle of the Sudden Flame. He wondered if he will survive to see her again and if she is waiting for him.
That's completely ignoring the uncomfortable fact that between them an Oath and a Doom.
Yet despite all that has happened around him, Makalaurë is hopeful whenever he looks up in the sky, when he sees Elemmirë. Deep down he fully believes, they will be together again.
Tomorrow, the battle will commence.