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.

5 - Young Love - White Ships in Grey Havens

White mist rolled in from the land towards the Sea. The building surrounding the quay were grey and the rooftops painted in colours of red from the sinking sun. Upon a high tower there stood a man and a woman, both hooded in greenish grey cloaks and looking down upon the havens beneath them. A beautiful white ship had just set sail and now began its journey west as soft sounds of harps and sweet voices like bells ringing were carried up by the wind towards them.

The woman wiped away a tear that slowly descended down her pale cheeks while the man put a comforting arm around her. Softly and quietly she began to speak: "Can I allow myself to love him when it will mean to keep him from leaving with his kin?" The tall man beside her pulled back his cloak and sighed heavily in answer. His arm still upon her shoulder his face turned westward, his face weatherworn yet noble, he held himself almost kingly. Little reminded her of the boy she once knew, but she also had grown from teenager to woman. "There beneath the waves lies our home and with it times when it was not necessary to think of such things."

The woman removed her hood too and her long dark hair flowed down and waved behind her as the wind picked it up. Her green eyes searched the horizon and then lingered upon the boat beneath them as it passed the gates of the Grey Havens. "How many times have you stood here, Milord and asked yourself this question?" She turned to him and waited for an answer. He did not reply immediately, but thought long as his eyes followed the ship as it slowly drifted westwards and the sounds of voices slowly faded like the memory of a dream.

The light grew darker and blue lanterns were lit all about the city when he began to speak. "Too many times, my dear friend, but not yet enough. But believe me it is not your choice and I would give my life to prevent my love from suffering. If I could I would follow her – follow them – even if it was to be my death. But we cannot follow them. You know that, Rómeniêl, for you are of my kin." She nodded silently. Aragorn began humming and soon drifted into a sad soft song, singing of Luthien and Beren. Rómeniêl knew the song by heart and soon joined into the tune. So they stood for a while singing and watching as the sails of the ship faded into the horizon and vanished completely as the sun sank beneath the horizon in a last flash of light. Standing there it seemed as if the wind carried over sounds of the past, of bells ringing and laughter and singing, of white shores and bliss.

Rómeniêl turned to Aragorn and realised for the first time that their fate had not only been bound by the oath she had so long ago pledged, as all her family had or the friendship that they had since her childhood, but by something more. It was the memory of ancient blood running in their veins, a connection beyond understanding, a fate sung in songs before the beginning of time. "It is not our decision to make, my friend, is it? Can I go back and meet those I love and send them onto the ships? Could I bear it?" He smiled at her sadly. "You could try and trust me - I tried. It is not your decision to make, my dear." He removed his arm from her shoulder and left the balcony turning back and waving her to follow him, "Come now, this ship has gone. Today is no day for answers yet. We will be watching another ship leave someday, maybe to say goodbye to the last of the Elves. Maybe to say goodbye to those we love.”

4 - Young Love - Ereinion

Rómeniêl had grown into a young Dúnedan woman and had been sent to Mirkwood to learn of the ways of the Woodelves. Thranduil’s Halls were full of miracles for the young, dark hair woman and for the first time she had neither Estel in her wake nor her father keeping a watchful eye on his heir. She was allowed to make her way over the Misty Mountains over the High Pass and down into the valley of the Anduin to enter Mirkwood at the Elven Gate alone.

She craved to prove herself and for once not bother if Estel was the son of Arathorn and that she was meant to guard him and his secret. He was her age and they were like siblings. It seemed like a blessing when Elrond revealed to him that he was Aragorn and he sent him to Lothlorien. At least now she didn’t have to keep the secret of his heritage from him anymore.

Rómeniêl was hungry to learn more and wanted to see the world. She wanted to be free of the burden for once, which was a lot to bear for a teenager. Elrond and the White Council had decided that it would be best if Aragorn would learn to rely on himself, while she was to learn to stand her ground. Her father was reluctant to agree, but Gandalf and Elrond set her free of her duty ever since she had taken the oath. Every step over the High Pass eased her heart and let her mind work a lot easier. Her heart sang when she saw the Elven Gate.

Her father had warned her of the passage through the darkening forest, but she had barely set her foot into the forest when an arrow landed at her feet. Rómeniêl drew her bow and looked around. Another arrow landed just in front of her feet. This time she took time to look at it and saw that the deadly arrowhead was missing and instead a padded bundle was attached to it. Soft laughter was heard from above and she rolled her eyes. “Very funny!” She put her bow and arrow away just in time to find a young, dark haired and handsome Elf land right in front of her. He picked the arrow up and handed it to her. “Goheno nin, it was meant as a welcome. Are you Rómeniêl?” His voice was pleasant but with the slight singing tune and a heaviness which told her he wasn’t used to speaking Westron.

He picked up the arrows and handed them to her with a radiant smile. “Elen sila lumen omentilmo, Rómeniêl. Though I think it is your light that seems to shine upon our meeting.” Rómeniêl blushed.

She was surprised that someone expected her and even more at the unexpected compliment, but nodded. She hadn’t earned her name as a Ranger yet, and the Elves usually cared little for those names anyway. “Mae govannen, mellon. Though you acted only half a melon.” She teased him and it took him a moment until he understood the joke.

“Oh, aren’t you a witty one?” He crossed his arms and walked with her. “Your father sent scouts ahead and they told us to expect you. I am Ereinion.”

“You already know my name.” She smiled boldly at him and watched him closely.

Over the next weeks Ereinion became her shadow. He was always lingering about in the shadows of trees, between the foliage above or just happened to stroll across her path ‘by chance’. Rómeniêl and Ereinion constantly grew fonder of each other, yet he kept his distance. It was like a cautious dance between them. She taught him Westron, he taught her how to kiss.

One day they both sat in the grand hall, where Rómeniêl once more admired the stone carved trees and birds. The halls inside these mountains were like a living forest made of stone and she expected to hear the leaves rustle while the stone birds started to sing. Ereinion sat next to her, but his eyes were glued to her young, pale face and suddenly he took her hand.

She turned her head quickly and with mild surprise. They exchanged deep glances. “You know I would give it all up for you, don’t you?” He spoke softly and she swallowed. She had learned enough about the tales of Luthien and Beren, about Earendil and Elwing to know what he meant. “But Ereinion! You want to become Captain of the King’s Guard you said.” She looked at his hand holding hers.

He nodded and moved closer. “But I would give that up for you too.” She looked up into his dark eyes and flawless face. A face she had looked at often in admiration and love. Now she leaned forward and kissed him. They both jumped, even though only for a moment, then their lips met again.

Their kiss was interrupted by a quiet cough and the one of the king’s advisors looked down at the two of them with a raised brow. “Ereinion, the king is looking for you. Go see him at once.”

Rómeniêl blushed and looked at her feet, while Ereinion stood and bowed his head. “At once, my lord.” He turned once more and his hand gently ran over her face and cupped her chin to lift it. His dark eyes held her captive immediately and she forgot her worries when he smiled and leaned down to kiss her head. “Amin mela lle.”

It was easy to ignore the judgemental gazes the king’s advisor gave them when all she could see was Ereinion’s smile. So Rómeniêl just waved when he followed the advisor to see the king. They both couldn’t know that there weren’t many more days like these nor many more kisses.

Only when he was gone and she sat alone the realization came to her once more what his words had meant. She knew darkness was stirring in Barad Gularan and Dol Guldur. The huge spiders grew fatter and bigger daily. They both had their duties and they both knew that their love would not easily find approval.

The day passed and Rómeniêl had taken to walking through the gardens. She had no eye for the beauty of the flowers nor the sound of Elven voices that began to sing to the stars and the moon. Her mind was occupied with worries and she longed to see the handsome young Elf. She prayed to the Valar that he would come with good news, but then he suddenly stood next to a tree and his eyes gave away how heavy his heart was.

She ran to him without hesitation and ignored the curious gazes of the Elves in the garden. Ereinion’s strong arms wrapped around her and he looked down. “I will have to leave immediately. King Thranduil even wanted me to go without a good bye, but I couldn’t go without seeing you, Lirimaer.” He kissed her once more and then Ereinion took his leave heavy hearted and with promises on his lips that his vow to give his life up for her remained.

Rómeniêl wanted to run after her but a strong hand stayed her. One of the Rangers of the North stepped out of the shadow and stayed her. She was called to the Shire by her father.

The young Dúnedan woman left Thranduil’s Halls the same night. Her father like knew about her and Ereinion. She wasn’t sure how he had heard about her love to an Elf, but she was sure that she would earn a proper scolding.

She met her father when she came to the High Pass over the Misty Mountains. She prepared for the worst, but her father greeted her without scolding her and instead send her off with errands in the Shire to get to know the local folks better. His face seemed to older, worn and his stern gaze almost seemed softened when he looked upon his daughter. He even accompanied her to the Shire and never lost a word about Ereinion, although she knew that he had sent for her because of him.

Rómeniêl took up her duty among the Rangers of the North near the Shire, far away from Mirkwood and far away from Ereinion for a few years. Her father often sent her to Cirdan in the Grey Havens too. There she one day met Aragorn again.