Safe!

I am safe, thankfully..but I have not managed to escape the migraines. Because of that I haven't done as much writing as I had hoped, so I am putting up a really short piece today, and will try and post the second part of The Fire and the Sea tomorrow. I will also try and get my e-mails and PMs replied to tomorrow. Sorry yet again! :(

Safe.


(Disclaimer: All belongs to Tolkien, except any mistakes.)

With many thank to Ellie for beta reading and encouragement.

Early thoughts upon the release of Melkor from imprisonment


It was not through fear, but through great desire for the light of the Trees that those who are now our kings led us hence. No cowardice was it on any of their part, no yearning to flee the land of their birth. It took of courage to make that long, slow journey into the uttermost West, with the dark clouds of the ruins of war still obscuring the northern stars. Yet the fact remains that, here, in Aman, the Eldar are safe.

So why is there now this disturbance – this calling to council of lords?

What is there for any to fear? Surely Manwë knows well what he is about in granting Melkor pardon?

There has been talk. Some who made the great march, who remember life under the starlit expanses of lands to the east, speak again of their memories. Some say that Melkor’s deeds are beyond forgiveness. Vala though he is, they trust him not at all! King Ingwë, King Finwë; they trust him not at all!

Yet Manwë Súlimo, he is King of the whole of Arda - he understands most clearly the purposes of Iluvatar, the wise do say. We can ever put our trust in him.

My parents speak but rarely of the time before they came to Eldamar. Nevertheless, others speak openly of the shadow-shapes that walked the hills above Cuiviénen, of those of their kin who were ensnared by the servants of Melkor, never to be seen again. Arnónë did tell me the tale of her own father, of his disappearance into the woods on a hunt from which he never returned. Though she, her mother and her brothers made long search, never were they to know what had befallen him.

“We dared not venture far abroad to hunt or to explore,” she told me “Though we could be light of heart in our youthful innocence, there was also the creeping fear of the dark Rider that the Quendi once lived under.”

“Mayhap it was true of the Avari, but our people are brave of heart!” I protested. “All three kindred are far from craven!”

“You know not fully of what you speak, my lady,” she answered. “Those born in Aman understand not what it was like to dwell in the Hither Lands. There was a dread that could griped the very fëa until doubt and mistrust - seeing in the shadows threats that were not there - weakened even those amongst the strongest. Why, many of our people fled when first they beheld Oromë! They fled from his presence into the deepest darkness, and were lost to us. Deceived they were by the lies put abroad by Melkor, that they knew not friend from enemy.”

“But the noblest were not deceived! Not those of great courage – not Finwë! They were ever drawn to the light!”

I dounderstand what she says. I trust not Melkor myself. But what have I to fear? Melkor is still under guard, still confined to Valmar, is he not? The Valar watch him most closely. And I trust our king’s judgement in most matters; his ability to lead us aright in whatever situation comes upon us. I trust also to the subtle mind and might of his son. Though none of us are a feared of the unknown, here in Aman we are safe! My sons are safe; I am safe – I who take of rest in the arms of Curufinwë Fëanáro.