6 - Young Love- Before the Dawn

Night had not settled over Rivendell, but there was an unearthly silence about the Last Homely House. Lamps were being lit and the otherwise so carefree Elves of Elrond’s household fulfilled their shores silently, no singing was heard and laughter had died this night. An odd assortment of Free People of all races and standing stirred still in Rivendell - packing polished weapons, adjusting gear and readying supplies for a journey,  sitting in silence or taking time to walk the paths in the beautiful gardens. Words were spoken in whispers and most of the conversation that went on was by glances and signs.

Finally the night had fallen and Rómeniêl had reached the destination she had been climbing up to while watching the people below. Her hands had clung to the sharp stones and her feet looked for hold on the smooth stones.

Her lonely slender figure stood upon the edge of a cliff that overlooked the valley and were the cold winds coming from the Misty Mountains covered the ground with a dust of white shimmering crystals. She inhaled the cool air and hoped that it would calm her down. This had been her refuge when she had had a temper in her youth, when she needed time away from the hard training and constant duty that was laid upon her shoulders by her father. Even her best friends did not know of this place where the upcoming scents and noises of Rivendell mingled with the cold winds of the Misty Mountains.

So she stood in silence and watched her friends and the members of an Elvish fellowship get ready to set out before dawn. To set out to the Grey Havens. Eagerly many had joined at first hoping to journey to a home none of them had seen and to be guided by this man who she once loved.

Now many of those below her would not find sleep this night and everyone seemed engulfed in his own thoughts and errands, knowing of the perils ahead and the need of secrecy. She herself now once more left to do what was her life and had been for what was the lifespan of common Men. Aragorn had travelled to Rohan and Gondor. Thengel needed their aid.

Rómeniêl focused on breathing and taking in the cold air that sent small wisps of clouds from her mouth. She closed her eyes for moment and it seemed a picture of a rising sun over lush rolling hills. She held Ereinion’s hand and he smiled, children playing around them. “Only a dream,” she thought to herself. It had been years since last they had seen each other.

Opening her eyes again she lifted them to the sky and the black darkness was filled with thousands of sparkling specks of light. Gathering her courage she looked down again as stepped forward and the tips of her boots were level with the edge of the small cliff.

The streets around the Last Lonely House began to empty as people tried to find rest. Only one small group was ready to set out and was leading their horses over the bridge that led out of the valley. The soft bluish lamps, the elegance of their movement and their gear gave them away as King Thranduil’s company.

This company was the one her green eyes followed as they filled with tears. She breathed deep to push them back and yet a tear rolled down her cheek. “Ereinion,” she whispered and the wind picked up her cloak and made her hair flow in the wind. It seemed as if the soft whisper had been taken along, because out of the crowd of hooded Elves a handsome dark Captain turned and looked back. His eyes searched the road, but he could not see anyone.

Her mind called out, yet her heart knew he would not be her home. Long years of solitude had made her duty easier and she had almost forgotten the pain that this burden caused when love was involved.

Even though he was so far away and she could not see his face clearly, she knew the burden of his own duty lay upon him as heavy on her. There had been no goodbye from her, but she could not say anymore, for she knew she could not let him go if she would now stand on the bridge below. It would be a foolish and selfish deed, up here she was herself.

Her reason told her that he had to follow the order of his king, she knew he did not leave light heartedly and that he had to do what had to be done for those in need. Yet her heart ached and in her dreams she wished him to come with her and stay. So many words unspoken between them, so many thoughts and emotions unshared out of fear for moments like this.

Still as stone she stood up there with her eyes following the Elven Captain as he turned back to follow the rest of the company. Her heart broke that moment and the tears began to flow freely as he began to catch up with the company that had walked ahead of him. She wondered when and if she would see him again. Her heart told her that this love could not be as it was perilous. She suddenly and abruptly inhaled, realising that for a moment her breath had stopped. She wouldn’t wait for him – he would not return to her arms. She wished for dawn.

As foresight stirred within her and the light of the stars reflected in her eyes, he turned once more looking back and lifting his head to the sky just before he was to turn around the last slope that led out of sight. This second a cold gust of wind picked up her cloak and hair again making it wave as if it wanted to give her away on her lofty hiding place. The Captain lifted his hand and waved and slowly Rómeniêl returned the gesture. She knew it was the last time her eyes would ever behold him.

Then he suddenly turned and was gone. Her hand sank down. Standing upon the edge of the cliff looking at the corner where he had vanished into the night, her heart and soul in turmoil, her body still as carved stone. Thus she waited until the first light touched the summits of the mountains around the still darkened valley.