Chapter VII: Darkness Falls (Pt. II)“Two faces at one time intimately attached to the folds of

Chapter VII: Darkness Falls (Pt. II)“Two faces at one time intimately attached to the folds of eternity forever linger in uncertainty.”Iarûr closed his book and put his quill aside. He looked at me—his gaze seemingly searching my soul for the answers to everything.“I will not ask you what you are thinking, Iarûr,” I began, turning to my work. “It is always something that brings with it self-reflection.”“For that, you should be grateful,” he said. “But today, my mind lingers on something less affirmative.”“You worry about the mortal,” I asked.“No more than I worry about us all,” he said. “Save what Queen Melian has seen and how best to put it down for future generations, I worry no more than usual.”“I am afraid to ask so I will refrain,” I said, smiling to myself.“Your curiosity is showing, Orothôn,” he said. “You do not hide it well.”“I cannot hide anything from you, Iarûr,” I said, looking at him. “I would do well if my thoughts could whisper.”“The world is changing, my friend,” he began. “Not for the better.”“Êlengolas said peace is a time for scheming,” I said.“He is right. No one schemes during a time of war. They are immersed in killing each other.”“Hence, the scheming,” I added.“Hence the wars that will come again to us.”I sighed—it was the only emotion I had left anymore. The thought of battle brought uncharted memories of death and destruction. They were things I did not wish to become commonplace.**** **** **** ****I left the repository to find my family. My desire to be near them was overwhelming. A feeling of dread ran through me like rolling fire—I knew this war would be unlike any other. Iarûr did not have to say a word—his eyes told me more than he could express otherwise. As I walked through the halls leading toward the throne room, they seemed darker than usual—the candlelight appeared to grow darker and the halls longer. The echo of my footsteps faded behind me as an eerie silence surrounded me.“Orothôn,” a voice said from a distance. I looked behind me and saw only darkness—an abysmal void of despair. The voice came from everywhere and nowhere. I said nothing as I continued on my way.“Orothôn,” the voice said again. When I looked before me, I saw Valdôr standing before me. I screamed and fell to the floor.“Valdôr,” I whispered.“Orothôn,” he said, smiling. “It is good to see you, my friend.”“You died in Ossiriand,” I stammered.“I did,” he answered. “You did not.”I knew then it was Valdôr. He reached down to help me up. He was as real as any other elf. When I was standing, I noticed the halls had returned to their regular appearance. Valdôr was still standing before me.“Are you a vision,” I asked.“I know you have them,” he started. “Though you keep them from Mîrwen.”“I do not wish her to know.”Valdôr gave me a smirk.“This is Mîrwen, Orothôn,” he said. “Do you think she does not know?”“I hope she does not know. Why are you here?”“You know well why I am here,” he answered. “The world is changing and not for the better.”“Iarûr said as much,” I said. “You heard him?”“Where I am, I see what the living cannot,” he said. “I know what Queen Melian has known from the beginning of time. Darkness will fall again upon this world and last many seasons.”“Then all is lost,” I said.“With darkness always comes light, Orothôn, Valdôr said calming. “There is hope.”“I am afraid waiting for hope is something for which I have little patience,” I said, frustrated.“Hope comes when it is ready,” Valdôr said. “It is not for you or anyone to command.”“Then why have any at all,” I asked.“Because it is the only thing you have more of than time.”I stared at Valdôr. His words were far more than I wanted to hear but I knew he was right.“My hope will lie in Oropher,” I whispered.“And his will lie in his son,” he said. “And mine shall be there by their side when hope again rises in this world, Orôthon.”Before I could say another word, my name was spoken by another voice.“Orothôn,” it said. I looked to see Eldôr standing before me in his father’s place with Amdir. “Are you feeling well?”I looked around and realized I was standing in the vestibule by the main gates.“I am quite well, Eldôr,” I answered.“Oropher was looking for you,” Amdir said. “He is in his chambers.”“Thank you, Amdir,” I answered. “I will be on my way.”Hoping they did not see me speaking with myself, I quickly left them and made my way to Oropher’s room.––TKWRT Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by Jaynaé Marie Miller. 9-13-2019Note to @staff : They are Orlando Bloom as Legolas and Lee Pace as Thranduil. They are wearing clothes. Duh. This is also a book excerpt.Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved. -- source link

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