Notes: mostly a fluff piece set between the beginning and the end of the First Age. Any fan of Tolkien will know that it will get a bit hairy. Sorry to be so busy at work. I know I owe a lot of responses.
25) Vacation – Year of the Sun 302 Lairë (Summer)
Morelen
The caverns of Nargothrond were no less magnificent to return guests than they were the first time that they visited. The great gates were constructed of Mallorn wood, bound with volcanic glass called Laen, which was stronger than steel and could only be cold forged into shape and dyed by experienced smiths. Within the surface of the Laen were images of Valinor and of the Valar, etched into the smooth glassy surface and colored to appear almost real. Here, only two guards manned the gate. It was, after all, a time of peace and prosperity. They were dressed in armor that almost looked more organic than metal, with scales that looked like green leaves and chainmail that looked like vines and flowers, all painted to perfection.
Beyond the gates was a massive foyer in the form of a cavern that was full of shops and vendors from all over Beleriand where even dwarves and humans bartered and traded with the elves as sunlight streamed down through shutters from openings above. One could not truly call it a cavern as it was more of a work of art with high, vaulted ceilings and pillars that were made to look like Mallorn trees, massive with thick trunks that rose to the top of the cavern. They were carefully shaped and painted down to the finest detail, including the leaves and flowers. The walls themselves were a rich mosaic of tiles, depicting the lives of the elves; singing, dancing, children and gardens as fountains let water flow down the tiles into pools where colorful fish swam.
The company of Fingon's riders strode through the bazaar, looking at the wares of the vendors, from textiles to jewels to food and drink. "I never get tired of this place," Morelen said as she felt a roll of silk with her fingers. She was dressed in simple riding breeches and high boots with comfortable forest green cotton tunic.
"Two silvers," the Sindarin vendor told her. "I could absolutely see you in a gown made from this fine silk." The woman was dressed in green and yellow with jewels woven into her brown hair. Morelen was having some difficulty adjusting this new type of economy now that dwarves and men were part of it. Barter, service and a sense of community were the norm before, and all members of the community had their needs met.
"Silvers? Ummm, I'll have to get back to you," Morelen answered cautiously, not really understanding how it worked. Apparently, you gave metal coins to vendors for products. The whole thing was perplexing. Nearby, Notaldo, Lireno and Hurinan were sampling hunks of roast beef and chicken pushed onto a stick.
The dwarven vendor took their coins and declared in a gruff voice, "This is the finest Naugrim recipe, one that dates back to my grandsire. Oh, I can tell you like it. How about one for the lady? You'll love it or my name isn't Cragstone." Notaldo handed the Cragstone a handful of coppers, and the dwarf held out a meatstick to Morelen, a toothy grin showing through his thick black beard.
She gnawed off the first hunk of beef and nodded, her eyes opening wide. She quickly bit off the next bit of chicken and then a hunk of red pepper. The sauce was divine with the hint of pepper and sea salt. She tried to say something, but her mouth was full. Notaldo chuckled. "What she means to say is that it's very good. Thank you, Cragstone. I'm sure we'll be back."
The dwarf smiled again and pointed to a barrel at his kiosk and then raised the lid. "And you'll be needing something to wash that down with, am I right my good elves? I have here the finest ales and brews from Nogrod, all made by our brewmaster, Razzak Beastbrand."
Morelen peered into one barrel, seeing the frothy liquid. Having always been a wine drinker, she scratched her head. "What is this? What is that foam? Is it healthy? What kind of grapes made this?"
Cragstone's face twisted in horror, his mouth open and his eyes narrowed. "Oh no. Oh no no no. No grapes. And yes, dear girl, it is very healthy. This, my lovely, is a pale ale, the best in Beleriand. It will stiffen your beard and put hair on your chest."
It was her turn to show horror, and she touched her chin and chest. "I have no wish to stiffen my beard or have hair on my chest," she said indignantly.
Notaldo laughed out loud. "Why not? I'm sure it would be of benefit." She slapped him on the chest.
Cragstone dipped a mug into the ale and handed it to her. "The finest hops, malt and yeast have gone into this. I, myself, soaked the barley and added the herbs. Please, dear girl, give it a try. The first one's free. If you don't like it then I'll give a free one to your friends."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously and smelled the brew. It had a slightly bitter aroma mixed with a smokey scent of oak. She tried a small sip and swirled it around her mouth. She caught a hint of citrus.
"No no!" Cragstone said, gesticulating wildly with his hands. "Don't sip, guzzle! It's no good unless it's dripping down your beard!"
Morelen nodded and then drained the mug, gulping the ale down. She let out a burp. "Oh yes. Very tasty!" She blinked hard and wobbled on her feet. She felt more than a little lightheaded. She reached down and put her hand on Cragstone's head. "I never realized that dwarves were so…dwarfy and this hair on your face! Astonishing."
Notaldo gently pulled her away. "She gets that way every time we come here," he said apologetically. "But this is the first time she's met a dwarf so please excuse us. We'll take three mugs please."
They paid Cragstone and took their mugs, then rejoining the company. Even Fingon and his wife, Elaris, had come and followed behind his father Fingolfin. They had come to discuss the Siege of Angband with King Finrod and to lay down long-term plans to contain or defeat the Dark Lord. When they caught up, Fingon looked back and grinned. "I see Morelen has sampled some dwarven drinks. She gets this way every time we come here," he told Elaris, who chuckled. Elaris was the picture of elegance with dark hair pulled back into a braid, eyes full of wisdom and look that spoke of courage and intelligence. The couple and the High King were dressed in blue and silver robes, trimmed in gold with silver stars patterned on the silk.
Fingon stepped away from his wife for a moment and approached the four riders. He nodded with a smile. "Captain Notaldo, I wish to commend you in your command of the Telepta Company. Though we miss Ruscano dearly, you rose to the occasion and your leadership gives me comfort." He looked at Morelen. "And how are you holding up? You went through a lot."
She gave him a wan smile. "I am doing well, my prince. I still wrestle with what happened with Ruscano, but your words have been of great comfort to me, and I remain faithfully in your service. The Telepta have been my rock for which I am deeply grateful."
He patted her on the shoulder and then shook Líreno and Hurinon's hands. "Know that one day we will see Ruscano in the Halls of Mandos and we will all rejoice together in the Undying Lands. I wish to say that you are all a credit to my company and I thank you. I also look forward to seeing you on the Coron Mittarion field soon, all of you," he said with a hint of mischief.
Morelen gasped. "I didn't know that you played, my prince."
He gave her a wry half smile. "I dabble from time to time. It was very popular in Eldamar. I've heard that you've gotten quite good over the years. I'm sure you could teach me a thing or two. Now, all of you, enjoy the city once again. My father and I have matters to discuss with King Finrod. We will be here for at least a fortnight and I do not wish to see you until then," he added in a conspiratorial voice that told them to go and explore. Morelen took the hint and dragged Notaldo and the others away.
The captain looked at the rest of the Telepta. "Off with you all! You know where to find me if you need me, but you won't need me."
They strolled through the bazaar, admiring the stonework and mosaics, eventually finding their way to the quarters for visiting dignitaries. Morelen burst into her room, brimming with excitement and anticipation. Even the rooms were elegant with bushes and vines along the walls, making the rooms appear to be part of a forest. A series of mirrors set in tubes brought a level of sunlight into the room along with some enchanted lanterns, giving the area an almost ethereal feel. Her eyes were drawn to a fountain and flower garden in one corner, where water flowed down a tiled wall to a pool which fed the garden. The colors were amazing with petals of red, blue, yellow and silver. She dropped her pack on the floor next to a dresser that appeared as if it were the trunk of a tree and then leaned over the garden and inhaled deeply.
"I never tire of this place," she told Notaldo as he shut the door. "There's always something new and exciting, but I love the sense that it will endure for all eternity." She plucked a yellow and orange flower and put it in her hair. She gasped as the stalk grew a flower back almost immediately.
He tossed his pack next to hers and then took her in his arms. He nuzzled her neck and took a deep breath. "Mmmm, the smell is definitely wonderful," he murmured as he guided her to the bed.
Morelen looked up at the ceiling of the room, which was painted in hues of blue, purple and black, depicting the sky at dusk. She noticed the stars, which twinkled as if they were gems in the sky. There was something about stars that she couldn't quite place. Perhaps her mother fancied them. She then gazed into Notaldo's eyes and smiled vacantly. She could see herself in this quiet and blissful life until the breaking of the world. His hands brushed her body and she sighed in contentment.
Hours later she lay in his arms, breathing softly as Notaldo fell into a meditative state. These days she always seemed to wear him out. There was a deep hunger inside of her that never seemed to be satisfied. Was her father, Fëatur, like this? Perhaps in some ways. His desire to stop Morgoth was always focused. Beyond that, he seemed to be content with who he was. She never stopped thinking about who her mother, Yavëkamba, was. What was she like? Was it she who loved the stars? Did she have the same driving ambition to be the best and to control her surroundings? Some of these urges went against what her father had taught her, but many times she couldn't help it. She tried to put a finger on this gnawing feeling within her, but it was useless. Perhaps it would reveal itself in time.
She stroked Notaldo's hair and nuzzled the crook of his neck. And what was this? Was it love? She was not entirely sure. Any elf couple would have been wed by now, but that was not what she wanted and Notaldo seemed content with the way things were. There were still so many things to do and see. Her soul yearned to fly and travel to the four corners of Middle Earth. It was then that she missed the south: the giant trees, the colorful birds, fishing with Lyrin by the lake and learning the Lȗth i Fȃn, the song and dance of forest dreams from Lysa. She felt restless again and quietly extricated herself from Notaldo and went to the bathroom to get a towel.
As she wrapped it around herself, Notaldo called out in a groggy voice. "Hey, where did you go?"
"I want to go to the pools in the grotto. I just feel…feel…I don't know. I could use the company if you're up for it."
He shuffled out of bed and wrapped a towel around his midsection. "I'll invite Líreno and Hurinon if you don't mind."
She nodded with a smile. "Of course." She threw some snacks into a bag, and they went to round up the others. The four walked down the winding path to the great grottos of Nargothrond, second only to those in far off Menegroth. Morelen had always wished to visit there, but, for some reason, the Noldor were not welcome. Soon, she could hear the roar of waterfalls and could feel the rise in humidity as a mist of water created a rainbow. She led the way to a secluded spot where a pool of steaming water bubbled. Every time they came here, she would claim this spot for her own.
Morelen had become more confident and assertive over the years and was no longer ashamed around her friends. She let her towel drop and noted Líreno and Hurinon's surprised reaction to her as she slid into the hot water. She lingered above the water for a moment, making sure that they saw her body. Morelen began to realize her allure to others and found that she liked the attention. Where that feeling came from she was unsure. Was it just the adolescent rebelliousness of an elf? Or was it something that was inherited from her parents? This, she could not say though she knew that it was manipulative. She let the bubbles flow around her body, inhaling deeply of the scent of water and flowers.
Líreno slid into the pool uncomfortably, trying to keep his eyes off of Morelen. "So, it's been a while since we saw your father. How is he doing?" he asked, seeming to want to talk about something…anything.
Morelen dipped her head under the water for a moment and then wiped her face. "I get occasional messages that he is well. They formed a great alliance in the south between The Guild, the Three, the Enclave and what was left of the Confederation. They call it the Luingon Alliance. He is worried about the growth of the Court of Ardor though."
Hurinon narrowed his eyes. "The Court of Ardor?"
"A group aligned with Morgoth. My father once worked with them, but he saw their evil and escaped. My mother is still part of their group, but she is really against them. She gives him information about their plans and movements."
"That is a dangerous place to be in," Líreno added seriously. "Are you not worried?"
"I am, very much so as is my father. He says that there is nothing to be done as she feels the need to fight Morgoth from the inside."
"Am I to understand that you've never met your mother?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Never. I only have my father's description of her. He says that she is kind and gentle and looks like me."
Hurinon nodded. "That makes sense since, I have to say, you don't look much like Fëatur, his blond hair and all that."
Notaldo looked at her. "Kind and gentle…yeah, no, I'm not seeing it," he said, and she splashed water at him.
She smirked and a question came to her. "And what about you all? Other than Coron Mittarion, a love of different brews and neglecting your armor, I really know very little about you all. Certainly not as much as I would like."
Líreno shrugged. "All of us lived in peace and bliss in Eldamar. We served Fingolfin and learned the ways of defense from Eönwë. When Finwë was murdered by Morgoth, we rose with our king and left the Undying Lands. We survived the Grinding Ice and have fought in many campaigns. Do I miss Eldamar? I do, but our lives are here now, and we are the masters of our own destiny in Middle Earth."
Hurinon nodded in agreement. "I would love to travel south with you one day and see those lands. What can you tell me?"
"It's a wild, untamed land," she began, sweeping her hand in front of her face. "It can be hot and humid with torrential rains and swift rivers. The birds are different there, colorful and smart, able to mimic speech with near perfection. And I hear that monstrous beasts called Oliphants roam the jungles."
"Amazing!" he replied. "Truly wondrous."
"I grew up with The Three, Noldor from the House of Fëanor, though they have always been kind and patient, unlike what I know of Fëanor. Lyaan taught me the sword and bow and his wife, Lysa, taught me music and dance. I often practiced with their son, Lyrin. They live on a mystical compound called Ty-Ar-Rana, constructed by the Vanyar as they tarried on their journey west."
Líreno passed mugs of Cragstone's brew around and they all drank. Notaldo drank heartily and then wiped the froth from his lips. "Friends for life!" They all downed their mugs.
Morelen lay back onto a seat that reclined into the water, letting the bubbles flow around her bare form. As an elf, to her, life was eternal and unchanging. They would always journey to Nargothrond and enjoy its wonders. She would always remain in the comfort of her world, clear and confident that that it would always be this way, undying and everlasting.
