Chapter VII: Darkness Falls (Pt. I)One afternoon not long after my son and I wondered about Lú

Chapter VII: Darkness Falls (Pt. I)One afternoon not long after my son and I wondered about Lúthien’s comings and goings, I was with Mîrwen taking a walk through the forest. The day was cool; the only warmth came sparsely from sunbeams finding their way to us between the infinite branches. It was a rare occasion for us—a moment away from the duties of the court—but it was Orowen that gave us a not toward a pleasant distraction.“It is a beautiful day,” Mîrwen said. “How long it has been since I have been outside Menegroth.”“Remind me to thank your mother for allowing such an excursion,” I said. “I know how engaged Queen Melian keeps her ladies.”“Her mind lies elsewhere this day,” she answered. “She is concerned about her daughter.”“The Queen has learned of her wanderings,” I asked smiling to myself. “It was only a matter of time, I suppose. Nimeithel could not keep up with her.”“As it has always been,” she said. “I have it on good authority that the princess cast a spell over someone.”“You know of Daeron,” I asked, surprised.“Daeron?”“He is smitten with her.”“Perhaps,” Mîrwen began. “But Lúthien’s heart belongs to another.”“Do you know the name of this elf,” I asked.Mîrwen stopped abruptly, her face drained of its color.“What is the matter?”“Her love is not of the Edalië,” she murmured. “He is a mortal man. One of the Atani as Iarûr calls them.”It was one of the lore come to life. The rumors from the East proven true. I became both frightened and fascinated.“I know King Things will not be pleased.”“He is furious,” Mîrwen said. “His anger will not be abated. That is why Mother dismissed us from our duties.”“Why?”“This man has been sent for.”We looked at each other—one searching for the soul of the other.“Whom di they send,” I asked.“No one,” she whispered. “Lúthien went after him on her own.”I looked toward Menegroth. The fortress loomed over Doriath with a watchful eye. I knew those eyes would turn inward; its gaze harsh in judgment.“We need to return to court,” I said. “Now.”Mîrwen nodded as I took her hand and walked home as quickly as we could. I nearly stumbled at the bridge but managed to maintain some composure. As the gates opened, the vestibule leading to the throne room was replete with Elves trying to catch a glimpse of the Atan. They stood silent as the voice of Thingol filled every hall. It was thine I heard another voice. Holding Mîrwen’s hand tighter, we slowly made our way through the crowd. Once within the doorway we stopped at the moment the Atan held aloft a ring that shimmered green. The court whispered among themselves.“He is Beren, son of Barahir,” Êlengolas whispered to me. “He has the heart of the fair Lúthien but has yet to win the confidence of the king.”“When did he arrive,” I asked him quietly as King Thingol and Beren continued to speak. I could see Queen Melian and Lúthien were troubled.“Not long after you and Mîrwen left,” he said. “I can say this meeting has not left Daeron unamused.”“I would think not.”As Thingol handed down his command to the brave but disheveled young man, I glanced around at the faces of the elves. I tried to read their expressions but many remained stoic as Beren accepted his challenge for the hand of his beloved. Even I knew this was a futile bargain for Thingol would never allow anyone to take his daughter to wife he deemed unworthy—no matter his bravery.At that moment, the elves parted to allow Beren to take his leave. The young Atan came into view. There was nothing remarkable about him—he looked like one of us, save for his ears. A determined look he had on his face as he made his way through a sea of curious elven onlookers. His countenance was noble; his gentle eyes glancing in our direction. He nodded toward us as he left the throne room and departed Menegroth.“Should he live to see us again,” Êlengolas began. “I pray I am alive to see that day.”“How do you mean,” I asked, perplexed.“He seeks to claim from Angband that came from Valinor by way of Morgoth. The victor of the Noldo at Dagor Aglareb has done nothing to keep evil at bay.”“We are at peace,” I said.“Peace is a time for scheming in Angband,” he continued. “I am afraid this will bring about the wars of the ages.”We said nothing more. Mîrwen looked on in despair as she embraced me. I had lived to fight again.––TKWRT Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by Jaynaé Marie Miller. 8-21-2019Note to @staff : This is Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn. Duh. This is also a book excerpt.Images: ©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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