Chapter VII: Darkness Falls (Pt. IV)Building continued for what seemed an eternity. Whenever I was i

Chapter VII: Darkness Falls (Pt. IV)Building continued for what seemed an eternity. Whenever I was in the library, Iarûr would tell me what the princess Lúthien thought of her new chambers. Nothing and no one could persuade Thingol’s mind to reconsider—not even his Queen. Oropher said very little other than Nimeithel’s own displeasure with the future arrangement. Rather than spending their time with Lúthien together, her ladies were split to cater to her by night or by day. Nimeithel and her sister Valdúril were assigned the day while, surprisingly, Galadriel was given the evening alongside Níndi.When construction was completed, there was little fanfare made as Lúthien entered with her mother, Orowen and all their ladies. We wondered how all of them could fit into what appeared to be a rather small space. When Mîrwen returned one evening, she told me the chambers were quite spacious. Hírilorn was a mighty tree with high branches nearly as thick as its 3 trunks. There were guards to protect them all—though I knew better.Things returned to again to order. One evening, when Lúthien was at dinner, I could not help to notice how forlorn she seemed. She barely ate a thing even as she would engage with her parents solemnly. After dinner, while in our room, Mîrwen seemed agitated.“Is something on your mind,” I asked, removing my coat.“Did you see the princess,” she said from behind her dressing screen. “She was completely miserable.”“Her father sent her beloved on what can only be called a death sentence then locked her away inside the elaborate chamber of a great tree to keep her from chasing after him,” I said. “How happy could she possibly be?”She came out from behind her screen and sat on the bed.“I feel just horrible for her,” she continued as she was watched me remove my shirt. “I wish Uncle would listen to reason.”“His daughter is his greatest treasure,” I said sitting beside her. “He only wishes to protect her.”“Would you do such a thing to your daughter?”“I have a son,” I said.“If he were your daughter, then?”“Mîrwen, we have a very handsome son but I could never imagine him a daughter—not without laughing hysterically.”Mîrwen glared at me.“I am being serious, Orothôn,” she said.“So am I,” I answered.“I know nothing of mortals, but I hope he returns for Lúthien’s sake,” she said.“Hope is all anyone can have for now,” I whispered as I kissed her lips gently.Before we could become swept away, there came a knock on our doors.“Enter,” I said, furiously, My anger cooled when Eldôr, Amdir, and Oropher entered.“What is it,” I asked, standing before them.“She is gone,” Oropher said.“Who is gone,” Mîrwen asked.“Lúthien,” Amdir answered. “She slipped away into the night.”Just then, dressers appeared with my clothes.“How does ones slip away from an impenetrable fortress,” I asked.“Apparently, quite easily,” Eldôr said softly.When I was dressed, I turned to Mîrwen.“I will return,” I said.“I know,” she said, kissing me.We left quickly for the throne room. By the time we reached the main vestibule, there were soldiers on their way out of the main gates. We continued into the main hall where Elmo spoke with the king as he sat on his throne in despair. Galathil and Galadhon met us.“How did this happen,” I asked Galadhon.“No one saw a thing,” he answered. “One moment she was there and the next she was gone.”“Love will find a way,” Galathil said softly.“Love,” Thingol shouted from across the room as he rose from his throne. “What do you know of love? What do any of you know of love? I love my daughter—my only child who has left me for a mere mortal she has barely known a tenth of her lifetime! You, all of you, you will find her and bring her to me. I do not care how long it takes.”Broken, he left the room leaving Elmo in his stead. He approached us, his face stoic.“I do not expect anyone to spend a lifetime searching for Lúthien,” he began. “Just do what you can and return him when you need rest. We have plenty of soldiers to go beyond these borders if need be.”“What will we do if she cannot be found,” Galathil asked.“Find her,” Elmo said and left us to our task. We searched everywhere to the borders of Doriath with no sign of Lúthien. The princes of the realm returned empty-handed. Other soldiers journeyed beyond Doriath—some would return while others were lost to time.–TKWRT Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by Jaynaé Marie Miller. 10-5-2019Images: ©2001, 2002, 2003. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. All Rights Reserved. -- source link

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