Jaynaé Marie

Chapter V: The Fall of Dol Guldur (Pt. IV)

“Once the children were taken away, two guards approached me and bowed as I rose. I knew what they had come. I nodded and followed them away to a spacious garden where lantern lit paths led to monuments to the past. In front of a stone figure stood Aurëwyn waiting for me.

“Your Majesty,” she said. “You wished to speak with me.”

“So it is true,” I said. “You know the language of the elves.”

“Yes,” she said. “My grandfather learned it from his brother’s wife.”

“Arímë,” I said. “She was the cousin of my late wife Êlúriel.”

“I know,” she said. “My grandfather spoke of it often. He was proud to have an Elda in the family. He died when I was very young.”

“You have my sympathy,” I said softly, looking at the stone figure.

“You knew my husband’s ancestor,” she said. “His namesake.”

“I did.”

“What is it like to have lived for so long,” she asked.

“As any other creature,” I answered. “Only longer.”

She smiled and began walking down a path into a lower area. Curiously, I followed her. Beneath ornate stone arches covered in vine, I realized tombs surrounded us. She stood before one that had Arímë Gildúriel carved into the marble.

“I know you wanted to come,” she said. “To see her one last time before you leave tomorrow. If she were still here I am sure she would have wanted to see you again. Good night, Your Majesty.”

She smile once more and disappeared into the darkness of the palace. I stood alone for a moment looking at the face of the stone in thought—thinking of Nenduîl and Tárimë. I wish she could see how much they had grown. I had lived longer than I wanted and seen far more than I needed. I touched the stone. It was colder than the night but not without its own eternal beauty.

“I knew I would find you here,” I heard Fëaluin say from behind.

“Of course you would, Fëaluin,” I answered. “I am sure you convinced Aurëwyn to bring me here.”

“How else would you have found you way,” he asked. “Dale is different than it once was centuries ago.”

“All things are different than they once were,” I said. “Tomorrow will be different than today. What will never change is us.”

“You have changed greatly,” he said. “For the better, I must say. No longer the pampered son of a king. Now you are a father and a king.”

“I was never pampered. You have me confused with Elranduil.”

“No,” he said. “If I am not mistaken, you were quite a handful. That is what mother told me and Fínduin after spending a day with you.” . I looked at the tomb once more.

“Namárië, Arímë Gildúriel,” I whispered. “Pedathon i narn an Nenduîl and Tárimë.”

I turned away and walked with Fëaluin through the gardens and to our quarters in the palace.

**** **** **** ****

At dawn, the whole of Erebor and Dale had come to see us off. Thorin, Dwalin and Glóin stood before us beside Bard and Aurëwyn.

“It has been an honored with your visit,” Bard began. “Though I wish it had been under better circumstances, Your Majesty.”

“It is I that is honored,” I said. “You and Thorin have been the most gracious of hosts.”

Before another word was said, Bain and Durin ran to me.

“Must you leave now,” Bain asked.

“I am afraid so,” I said.

“Here,” Durin said handing me something. “This is for you.”

It was small dragon carved out of wood. For its size, it was rather detailed in its features.

“Thank you, Durin,” I said smiling. “I will treasure it always.”

“I know I will hear from you again, Your Majesty,” Dwalin said.

“I am sure of it,” Glóin said. “If I know my Gimli.”

“Then Legolas is in good company,” I said.

I mounted my horse and rode away beside Elranduil with Fëaluin and Nimlos close behind. As we rode out of the city gates there was much fanfare from men and dwarves alike. I looked forward to my return home, but for the first time, I was leaving a place I wanted to stay longer.

“I am going to miss them,” I said.

“Who are you,” Elranduil asked. “Where is my cousin? I have never known you to miss man or dwarf in you lifetime.”

“I missed Aûrvar,” I said. “He was pleasant from what I remember. Though few men I have missed, I was rather fond of Bard of Esgaroth.”

“I look forward to the day when we are at peace,” Nimlos said. “That has yet to come to fruition. Until that day, my concerns lie with our people in the south.”

“Never mind those once more facing the gates of Barad-Dûr,” Fëaluin said. “There is still darkness in that must be destroyed.”

“It will be,” I said. “I believe it will be this time.”

We rode the rest of the way in silence. Before long we had arrived at the gates of my palace. We dismounted and our horses taken away in time for Nenduîl and Tárimë to come running to me.

“Ada,” they said embracing me.

“You are home,” Tárimë said.

“Yes, I am,” I said. “Were you good?”

“I was,” Nenduîl said.

“So was I,” Tárimë said.

Looking at Eldôr’s expression, I was tempted to think otherwise.

“Uncle,” I said. “Are you well?“

“Next time, I am going with you. No matter where it is,” he said.

Elranduil laughed as he embraced his father. Nimlos led Nenduîl and Tárimë into the palace with Fëaluin.

“Any word while we were gone,” I asked.

“No,” he said. “It is starting to worry me.”

“I would think no word would be a good thing,” Elranduil said. “Perhaps there will be little need for another battle.”

“That will not happen,” Eldôr said. “Of all the glamhoth we killed, one was seen to have survived and made his way to Dol Guldur. If they were none left, he would have not gone back the way he came and maiming a few of our own. None mortally, thankfully.”

“Then we wait,” I said. “We will be prepared for anything.”

We walked into the palace together. In my hand, I held Durin’s little dragon tightly—my mind on what I knew was about to come.”–Excerpt from TKWR Book III: To Eryn Lasgalen by J.M.Miller 01-22-17

Aurëwyn takes Thranduil to the grave of Arimë. Little Durin gives Thranduil a gift before he leaves. Thranduil returns to Mirkwood to await his last call to battle. ⚔️