Chapter IX: The Reckoning (Pt. III)The entry of Lúthien and Beren was nothing less than spect

Chapter IX: The Reckoning (Pt. III)The entry of Lúthien and Beren was nothing less than spectacular. From every corner of Menegroth, cheers erupted. I stood with Mîrwen as King Thingol and Queen Melian greeted their daughter on the bridge. Looking around, I saw a joy on the faces of the elves I had not seen in  years. They had embraced a new hope even as evil lurked in the shadows.Before my thoughts could wander further, King Things and Queen Melian approached us; their beloved daughter and her great love behind them. In the eyes of Lúthien—though her beauty had not faded—there was an inexplicable sadness.As we followed them into the Great Hall, the celebration continued. Once upon his throne, King Thingol and his queen inquired about their perilous journey. Beren had yielded nothing save the loss of his hand and the respect of King Thingol who seemed moved by his efforts for the love of Lúthien. Therefore, he gave to Beren his heart’s desire—the hand of his daughter.Suddenly, there was movement from the back of the room. It was Mablung and Beleg—their faces twisted in fear.“Your Majesty,” Mablung began. “There is an evil that has come.”“What are you saying,” Thingol asked.“Morgoth has many eyes, Your Majesty,” Beleg answered. “These are upon the head of a wolf.”Gasps of terror filled the air as I searched the room for Oropher. When I saw him, I could feel my heart find its rhythm again.“Do you know what is happening,” I asked my son as he approached.“I know nothing,” he answered. “My men have been directed to protect Menegroth at all cost.”I noticed that Thingol and Beren were walking with Mablung and Beleg toward the gates. Elmo ran behind his brother. I was too far to hear what one said to the other but I could see that Elmo was distraught. As Menegroth rattled with preparation for another encounter with the creatures of Angband, I began to understand the words spoken to me by Valdôr in a vision.Darkness will fall again upon this world and last many seasons.I followed the chaos to the main gates. I watched a party of hunters led by Thingol and Beren walk into the depths of the forest.“Made a bride only to become a widow,” a voice said nearby. I turned to see Galadriel.“You speak of Lúthien,” I said.She turned to me—her face stoic and her eyes set aflame with the knowledge of ten thousand years.“There are more brides than what you see, Orothôn,” she said. “Each one shall lose a bridegroom in this darkness before all is said and done.”She walked away slowly. I did not understand her words.“All there is left to do is wait,” I heard Êlengolas say as he placed his hand on my shoulder.“It would be nice if we knew what we were waiting for,” I said.“We are waiting for uncertainty,” he started. “It is what we are always waiting for; for better or for worse. There is nothing certain as we live. Only death gives certainty.”I found a brief solace in that moment. After a time of staring into the night, I headed to my chambers. My thoughts were dulled by confusion. What would come to us in the withering hours that would follow I knew would begin the fall of Doriath.–TKWRT Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by Jaynaé Marie Miller. 05-11-2021 -- source link

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