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| 15. Wind-Singers Volume I: The Hunt; Cellindien and Ioristion search for artifacts in ruins across Eriador | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 23 2014, 08:00 PM (1,310 Views) | |
| Ioristion | Jul 12 2014, 12:24 AM Post #21 |
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Chapter XXI: The Choice of the Quendi Ioristion listened patiently. Cellindien gazed into his eyes, "I have remained in Imladris for centuries... nay...millenia. I have seen countless elves sail... I never felt any desire to join them. How could I face the Undying Lands with the secrets I held?" Ioristion seemed puzzled, ".....secrets?" Cellindien sighed, "My past. My true name and history." Ioristion also sighed, "Oh, the Gondolim are revered there..... they even sent Glorfindel back to help us..... ...you can still escape....." Cellindien nodded slowly, "Brother, you have shown me how to see past that time... I can see beauty once again. But just as I saw the beauty in the stars... I truly felt pain in the ruins... in seeing them deserted, knowing that I could not defend them all. That is what I mean, when I wonder how you can have hope... I begin to wonder... But I am ashamed to admit it." Ioristion placed a warm hand on her shoulder, "We have lost many things, but we have also gained many things. These halls are not ruins. We must defend what we have, and not overstretch ourselves to include what we cannot." Cellindien looked at him, "You will stay then, no matter the risk?" Ioristion withdrew, "But what am I saying. The scourge of the Enemy may cover everything. But even if it does, I would rather die fighting. I would rather die dragging Guldrambor to the abyss, so that Findekano can cast him through the Door of Night. I would do this, even if all came to shadow. I am bound by my father's Affirmation, to restore Maglor unto the West. And I will keep it, or die trying." Cellindien wrapped her arms around herself, looking pained. Ioristion returned his hand to her shoulder, "Or Men may rule, reclaiming all the old ruins. And a King may sit again upon his throne, with the White Tree in bloom, the banners of the King flying high over tall Annuminas, and the ruined realms restored, no longer ruined. And the Dunedain rangers transfigured, into valiant princes, and the Dark Lord falling, his tower collapsing, his armies scattering in defeat. This, too, may be. Can I depart, and fail to aid that chance?" Cellindien still looked pained, "I would not fault you." Ioristion became even more solemn, "How could I live with myself, if I betrayed everything........ what happiness would I find....what could I find......on Tol Eressea, if I were to arrive there too early....... I would be looking east, wondering...... day after day..... imagining what might have been............But I will not fault you............ if you want, I can ride with you to Mithlond, even right now if you wish..... Cellindien looked at the floor, "I... do not know... forgive me, Ioristion. I am uprooted." Ioristion's tone became gentle, "You have suffered greatly." Cellindien gazed into his eyes once more, "As have you." Ioristion smiled, "I, too, am uprooted...... Well, maybe our decisions will become clearer soon. Come, I would show you something." Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:11 AM.
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| Ioristion | Jul 12 2014, 12:25 AM Post #22 |
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Chapter XXII: A Dance of Trust They walked back down the stairs and across the chamber of meeting, through a hall, and into a gigantic chamber. It was filled with book-shelves, map-tables, feasting tables, and strange mounted suits of armor along with tapestries. More of the strange orbs from the West were there as well. Across the chamber was another tower-room, with a table and more book-shelves, and a chest. Ioristion smiled, "I would teach you what you have not been taught. Come, look into this chest, and search for a gown." Cellindien did not seem pleased at the thought, "I cannot wear a gown...!" She hesitated at the door. But the voice of Findekano rose softly and gently, almost as if a whisper: "But you can, my dear...... you can learn..... place down your sword and shield......" Cellindien slowly turned and returned to the room. Ioristion rubbed his eyes Findekano...... you do always seem to appear at the opportune moment." He smiled. Findekano retorted, "Hush, Ioristion. She must make her own choices, and you cannot make them for her....." Cellindien took some time before coming out in the gown, bare-footed. It was shining white with a lace of gold. Ioristion smiled to see her so, "My dear sister, you look beautiful." Findekano nudged Ioristion to leave the staff on the map-table. Cellindien looked nervous, "I... feel ridiculous..." She hugged herself nervously. The voice of Findekano rose again, "Fear not, my dear... it is the other world you have not seen." Ioristion smirked, "I know how to help you to relax.... Here is a glass of old Ossiriand wine. Try it, you will not be sorry that you did." Cellindien was still nervous, "I do not drink... my father..." She looked at the glass but hesitantly took a sip. Ioristion raised his glass to his lips, then swallowed slowly, a surge of warmth flowing through his body, with a hint of grapes. "Well.... how do you feel?" Cellindien looked at him, "The familiarity of home... mixed with fear... but it is comforting, somehow." Ioristion hung his cloak near the candelabra, "Let me show you how to dance." Cellindien took another sip, closing her eyes and savoring the taste before looking up and nodding slowly. She carefully set her glass down out of the way. Ioristion smiled, "Let me take your hands. Step twice to the left, then once to the right." Cellindien stumbled after him, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips despite herself. They danced for what seemed to be hours, improving slowly. Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:11 AM.
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| Ioristion | Jul 12 2014, 12:25 AM Post #23 |
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Chapter XXIII: The Decision Awaiting By mid-day, their legs were tired. Ioristion grabbed his cloak, then went to sit on the map-table to rest. Ioristion fingered the head-piece of the staff laying on the table behind them. "You did great." Cellindien smiled softly, "I do believe I stepped on your feet one time for every year in my life. And I enjoyed it." She smiled widely. She raised an eyebrow at him, "There must be a loophole in there somewhere." Ioristion smiled, "There is. You must make your own choices. I will love you as my sister, whether you sail to the West, or face the shadow." Cellindien sighed heavily, tracing the a trail of golden embroidery across her skirt with her fingertips, "And if I choose not to choose... to take the time as it passes?" Ioristion sighed deeply, "It is unavoidable. If we return east, even by simply passing the Tower Hills, there will be no turning back, until either he, or we, are defeated. It....it is the way of things..... and if we........ wait!" Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:12 AM.
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| Ioristion | Jul 12 2014, 12:26 AM Post #24 |
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Chapter XXIV: The Shade of the Doom Something startled Ioristion to his feet. The shadows grew dark. The room became veiled in shadow. Cellindien hastily reached for a weapon and quickly stepped back towards the wall when she realized that she has left them behind. "Ioristion!" A shade rose from the center of the floor, "And so I have found you at last, High-King. And how quaint to see thou with such... an audience...." Ioristion quickly grabbed the staff off the table. Findekano revealed himself, "Begone from this place, grave evil! You cannot pass here!"' Cellindien ran for the room as Ioristion seized the staff. She retrieved her weapons and sprinted towards her brother, placing herself between him and the sorcerer. The apparition of Guldrambor mocked them, "Thy powers are great, High-King. And what have we here! A brave martyr. Thy father shalt fall, Ioristion. Allow me to prove it to thou........" Findekano shouted, "No.......... you will not........" Cellindien struggled to draw her sword. But it was too late. Cellindien fell to the floor, stricken with an unnatural sleep. Ioristion cried, "NOOOOOOO!" The Spirit of Findekano approached him, "Now I may attempt to save her." Ioristion quickly tossed his cloak over her, in the hope that the blessing of the Vala Nienna may yet save her. Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:12 AM.
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| Ioristion | Jul 12 2014, 12:26 AM Post #25 |
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Chapter XXV: A War of Wills The plains were dark and the night was cold. Guldrambor's laughter could be heard... everywhere..... The city was burning. A grave evil yawned before her, near a great fountain. But something was wrong. Ecthelion was not there. Gothmog prepared his horrid axe of flame, his shadow yawning over the entire square. The Balrog swung. Cellindien... Finlos... struggled to keep her feet, coughing as her lungs burned from the heavy smoke. She could see no one... her commander was gone... the regiment disappeared. Then, she saw It. Terror struck her and she felt as if she had been turned to stone. It had seen her... there was nothing she could do. She could not defeat the Swordmaster... she stood no chance against this. The axe descended and she stood there... unable to move as it fell. Guldrambor heard her thought, seeing him in his mind. There was a great explosion of fire. Where once was shadow and burning skin, was now pale, fair, with long tresses of elvish hair. Now it was Luingil swinging his sword. Remembered pain blossomed in Finlos' body. The sword would not stop. Luingil would never stop. She would die. And then suddenly there was a sword in her hands and she was bringing it up into position, dropping to her knees. Guldrambor gasped, but his blade scratched her. Then the blade was parried as a young Elf, crowned with majesty, with gold woven into his long tresses of raven hair, and the valiant eyes beneath his brow, parried him, and then stabbed him as well. Guldrambor revealed his true-form, his pale bald head and rotten teeth, and his robes of black. And he howled, "My blade hath wounded. My nightmares shalt harm her, even across the Sea. Not even Manwe can save her. Only my defeat, and this thou shalt never do. My gift to thou, Ioristion, and to thy father. In the East I shalt await thy Doom." Findekano's Spirit rose himself to a powerful height, "And thou shall not roam free ever again. I shall personally cast you into the Door of Night." Guldrambor laughed, mockingly, "You are powerless, oh Fingon the Valiant!" Findekano was undaunted, "Not for this. Sing, Ioristion. Sing to the Great Song. Sing!" And Ioristion began to sing the Battle Hymn of the Noldor as a light grew around Findekano, blinding all in the room, and a long, wailing, scream was heard as Guldrambor fell away, vanishing into nothingness, leaving a small pool of something black beneath where he had stood. Ioristion knelt by Cellindien's side, attempting to wake her. Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:12 AM.
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| Ioristion | Jul 12 2014, 12:27 AM Post #26 |
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Chapter XXVI: The Choice is Made Cellindien lay alone in her thoughts. Pain tore at her, but she could do nothing. Unable to move she curled in on herself, crying out within her mind to the one person whom she dared to trust. "Ior...ist...ion...!" Ioristion saw her attempt to stir, and rubbed her shoulder, waking her, "Hush, hush. It is over now. He is gone." Cellindien's eyes flew open and she sat up, her body reacting to its freedom before her mind could fully catch up. "Brother..." Findekano smiled, "Forgive me, my dear....... I did everything I could to fend him off........ but I do believe we have found his weakness....... and he knows it..... he fears it...... that is why he is fleeing, and will not return into these halls.......you are safe here, now. More safe than you will ever be, lest you sail West......" Her eyes fell closed and she slumped forward, breathing heavily. Ioristion whipped the cloak around them, embracing her closely, tears streaming down his face, "Sister..." Cellindien struggled to speak, "He has... wounded me. Luingil... no... Guldrambor." Ioristion became even more upset, "He.......how...dare..he......steal.....the...choice....away........" His angst and shock turned into righteous anger, "And now we have no choice. We must defeat him!" There was a rising wrath in his voice, "We will defeat him! I will hunt him through every desert! Through every dark crevice in which he hides, this I..." Findekano stilled his tongue with his calming voice, "Ioristion..... do not make the same mistake that Feanor made. Calm yourself. You do not need an oath." Ioristion stopped speaking, embracing Cellindien with greater fervor. Cellindien did not return the embrace, lifting her head and looking up at Findekano. "My father has saved me." Findekano sighed, "But he was not your father." She shook her head. "My father has saved me. His oath undid him and has caused me millenia of suffering... but had he not caused me pain... I would not have raised my sword." Findekano gazed at her in shock at her words, nodding. Then he disappeared. Cellindien gazed into Ioristion's eyes, "Ioristion... were you hurt?" Ioristion gazed blankly at the room, and at the distant table in the tower, picturing their fair young faces, their silken hair and their beaming eyes, as they drew their newly-forged swords for the first time. When he heard Cellindien speak, he said, "Macil? Forgive me............." More tears fell as he held his embrace, even while it was not returned. "And it seemed at last that there were two musics progressing at one time before the sea of Illuvatar, and they were utterly at variance. ...The other... essayed to drown the other music by the violence of its voice, but it seemed that its most triumphant notes were taken by the other and woven into its own solemn pattern" (The Silmarillion) Then Cellindien turned to him and wrapped her arms about him, holding him gently. And then Ioristion looked over his shoulder, and felt a strange feeling: he felt as if Macil now stood there, smiling, not with an envious smile, but with a smile of approval. And he thought back to that fateful day for the first time since it had occurred, as he gave him his last taste, his final touch, his last scent, his final gaze, and his final words to hear, as he curled his cloak around him, sobbing desperately, as he had kissed in finality on his cheek out of respect, honor, and love, as his spirit flew through his body and beyond the Tower of the Sun, across the snows of the Ered Nimais and across the Sea into the Uttermost West. Ioristion looked at him from within his mind, his long reddish-rust tresses of silky hair, his shining eyes, his youthful face, and he was not afraid, for the face he saw now smiled. He looked at Cellindien, her shining silver hair, the silken dress that he had given her, her arms embracing him, her shining eyes, and he began to feel her pain, as the sword of compassion stabbed his heart: "My sister...." Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:12 AM.
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| Ioristion | Jul 18 2014, 08:54 AM Post #27 |
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Chapter XXVII: The Sacrifice Ioristion remained in her embrace, but a righteous fury was steadily rising within him: "I will not let him harm you again! Wait.... what is......" *he pointed to a dark spot in the middle of the floor. Shadows seemed to flow from it.... and towards it....." "What...?" Cellindien stared at the mark in growing horror. "I feel... that is the evil I felt, before. I felt unsafe, but I could not say why..." In the darkness it seemed as if the floor had yawned into a dark abyss of immeasurable depth. It began to grow, steadily, slowly. Ioristion whispered, "I could not save you, Macil. But I can save her." It seemed to Cellindien as if dark hands were reaching out to her from the abyss, grasping hold of her. Her left shoulder suddenly went cold where the sorceror's blade has scratched her and she groaned, closing her eyes. "Ioristion... we must leave." She repeated her words from earlier. "It is not safe here." Ioristion grasped her firmly, "There is only one way this must end." He kissed her cheek, deeply, and then moved to stand, facing the shadow. He turned, and his cloak remained clasped around his shoulders. "It is I you desire, Guldrambor! Let her go, take me!" Cellindien's mind was dark. The dreams that had taken hold of her as slept were coming forth once again, mingling with the waking world, but Ioristion's words and actions were clear enough. "...No! Ioristion, you fool, do not...!" She reached out, blindly at first, then with more certainty as her fingers caught hold of the cloak. Ioristion began to feel himself falling backward. He threw his weight forward, but his cloak was long, and he slowly fell to the ground before him. He began to crawl, grasping the floor with his hands, pulling himself forward. "Ioristion!" Cellindien felt her mind becoming more clear as she realized what he intended to do.Suddenly she was crawling forward, taking firm hold of the cloak, the darkness around her fading as she put her entire focus on the task at hand. "Ioristion, you must stop! We cannot win this fight... we will gain nothing by your throwing yourself away. Ioristion!" Pain stabbed at her heart but she held on, holding him back with every ounce of strength that she could muster. Ioristion thought of unclasping the cloak, but his arms were bound, attempting to push himself forward on the floor. Then he began to feel the floor gaining way as he was dragged away from the abyss. He ceased to struggle, and unclasped the cloak. Then he began to crawl again. "Every day of my life, I have received......... now.....I....must.....give.............their....lives.....deserve....that....much.........I should....have....died.....an Age ago! The cloak came loose in Cellindien's hands and she fell backwards with a cry, her hand falling upon the hilt of her discarded sword. Shadows were intruding on her vision, but her mind was clear. Her brother, the one whom she was charged to protect, was mad with guilt. She had to stop him, and by any means necessary. Silently she lifted the weapon, turning the blade away. And Barad-dur stood before Ioristion in the dark corner of his eye. He charged along the causeway, in front of Gil-galad Elven King, in front of Yucalwe, his commander, out of Melimwe's reach, his savior, and in front of Macil, his brother. He gazed at Sauron, undaunted in the shadow of his burning, lidless Eye. He still crawled forward. He was now inches away from the black abyss. Suddenly, a voice whispered in Cellindien's ear: "You will not reach him that way, my dear. Do you see where he left the Staff? Quick. A madness has taken him, an inverse of the madness that held him. I must penetrate his mind..." The sword dropped from Cellindien's hand and she was on her feet. She fell over the step as she searched for the table but continued on her hands and knees, grasping the Staff. "Findekano, you must hurry, I cannot stop him..." And as Ioristion's left-hand touched the shadow, and the vision grew, his head was hit by the tip of the Staff of Findekano. A solitary figure walked before him, surrounded in a great light, and Sauron became enshrouded by shadow. The light made war on the shadow and the shadow on the light, the shadow sucking the light away, and the light growing despite the shadow. Then it all exploded. Ioristion felt something pull him backward. Then he awoke, several inches from the shadow, his hand in excruciating pain. He fought to contain himself, but something in him seemed to cry aloud against his will. Cellindien fell to her knees at her brother's side. /Another brother fallen, and by your hand./ "No, never!" She bent over him as he cried out, clasping his hand and drawing it to her heart. The poison burned her. "Brother. Brother, listen to me. We must move away. We must leave, Ioristion." Ioristion attempted to stand, but struggled. And with his right-hand, he grabbed the cloak, throwing it over his left. The poison was still there, but it stabilized, halting its advance. When he took the cloak away, it began to slowly crawl up his wrist. He painfully reclasped it, wrapping a fold on his left-hand and wrist, grasping it tightly. "There... the cloak... keep it." Cellindien clenched her jaw as another wave of pain struck her shoulder, but she stood with him. "Good. Good... now... away." Ioristion gasped in pain, "No...." He came to her left, "Take...my...right-fold....cover....your.....shoulder..........we....must...reach.....the....basement........library.......my...father's...account....two...years....ago.......we...must...learn....how...Laurefinde....cured...him...." Cellindien could not protest as he placed the cloak over her shoulder. "Now... now... you speak... sense." The firelight was becoming ever more dim and red and she staggered as she followed him. They climbed slowly and treacherously down the dim steps into the shadows. The library was dimly-lit in the shadowly distance. The Feanorians had entered after them, lighting torches throughout the fortress. They came to Ioristion's desk, "Search the shelves. Look for TA 3017, near the beginning of that volume. It should be there." Voices and footsteps echoed in Cellindien's ears as they entered the library. Forms slipped past her in the darkness, and she could no longer determine whether they were shadows or true elves, servants of Ioristion. A cure was being sought after, but her eyes were of no further use, and her strength was coming to an end. "Brother." The word was little more than a whisper. She had done what she could for the one under her protection. "Brother... live on... you must defeat..." Darkness rushed up to meet her and the dreams took her once more. And Ioristion moved quickly to cover her more fully with the cloak, but it fell from his hand. The shadows began to move even faster. Soon, his entire body was engulfed. The Feanorians outside the Tower began to see the darkness they had not seen in nearly two years. They feared it gravely, and several went in search for the Laurelin refuge, searching for a being of great power who could aid them. They knew in their minds the Elf whom they now sought. But as they began to run, they turned back, seeing a sight they had never seen before. There was a great flash of light in the world of the spirit as a great power moved with a speed that did not cease, the light taking the form of a giant Eagle, piercing the shadows and driving them away. And a great light dispersed the darkness, the poison evaporating throughout the Tower. Then all was silent as the light was sucked into one solitary object on the ground, alone within the chambers of Ioristion. Ioristion slowly opened his eyes. He shook Cellindien, attempting to wake her. Cellindien's eyes opened slowly and she pushed herself into a sitting position, looking around in a daze and rubbing her shoulder. The pain had vanished. "Something has happened....... now where is the...." The thought stabbed Ioristion's heart. "The Staff! Quick!" He ran up the stairs as fast as he could and back into the main chamber, to find the staff lying in the middle of the floor. He rubbed it, he touched it, he moved it, he cried aloud "Findekano!" But could hear nothing in reply. Cellindien followed him slowly. In her heart she had already guessed what had happened. Before waking, her last thought had been of an eagle of fiery gold, shattering the walls of darkness and banishing the last shadow. The pain had eased, and she had come awake to find Ioristion hale beside her. She said nothing as she went to his side. Ioristion wanted to cry. But he remembered Findekano's words: he was bound to the Staff. And he knew an immortal spirit could not be destroyed. Weakened, after the excertion of great strength, but not destroyed. He rubbed the Staff gently, "....I....know not how long he nursed that strength of spirit......he will, or....cannot speak....." Cellindien turned away abruptly, putting her hands over her face. Another sacrifice... another loss. "No more." "No, my sister..... he is still here.... he will speak again. He is resting....... he saved us...." "At such a cost." Cellindien looked up, and her eyes were cold as ice. "The next casualty will not be ours, brother." But Ioristion was not daunted, his heart surging with hope: "Three days. I will give him three days to speak again. If he does not, then you are right, and all is hopeless. But I have found the light in the shadows. They overtook us, and yet here we stand. There is someone we will, however, need with us...... and he is not far away from here." And then a question dawned in Ioristion's mind: How did he see all of this, as if from a bird's eye view? All went black. Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:13 AM.
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| Ioristion | Sep 6 2014, 07:29 PM Post #28 |
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Chapter XXVIII: Lost in the Shadows- Finding the Light Ioristion passed into his deepest sleep, his subconscious closing-in around him. And as he wandered on darkened roads, he sighted a figure, standing tall, wearing a beautiful that billowed behind him in majestic plumes. He wore silver and crimson. "Macil!" "My little brother..." Ioristion ran to embrace Macil, "How is it that we can speak?" Macil smiled, "The Lord of Lorien is aiding us, through dreams. Do you remember your promise?" It came to Ioristion, the memory of his promise, and he nodded. Ioristion nearly wept for joy, "Then you also are released." "We do not have a large amount of time." "Why is the Lord of Lorien aiding you?" Macil smiled, "Because it is, in great part, your task to find and subdue his former servant." Ioristion girded his resolve, "I will do this." Macil laughed, "How fares my sister?" A cloud passed across Ioristion's face, "I...I... do not know." Macil smiled warmly, "You will find her... now come, let me aid you in your resolve." Macil wrapped his cloak warmly around Ioristion, embracing him deeply. Macil kissed him on the cheek out of respect, and Ioristion returned the gesture. Macil's voice became slow and difficult to grasp, "Remember.... tell Finlos I love her.... we shall be as one once more.... when all has ended......I am her Rostor....." Then, he slowly opened his eyes. Ioristion slowly regained consciousness. His eyes became fixed on the one who had saved him, as his sight and vision returned to his chamber in Minas Noldorion: "Melimwe...!" Edited by Ioristion, Feb 18 2015, 06:57 PM.
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| Ioristion | Sep 7 2014, 08:06 PM Post #29 |
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Chapter XXIX: Remembrance Ioristion's mind drifted to a shared memory in the distant past. He recalled how they had ascended the Hollin Ridge. A swift wind blew from the Misty Mountains, and the light of the sun was warm upon their shoulders. Macil stood silently, his silken red cloak billowing in the wind, shining in glorious red plumes, shining and flickering in the light of the sun. He unclasped its holding straps, but kept the neck-clasp fashioned. The cloak billowed in even greater plumes, shining and shimmering, flying in the wind. His hair of rust also flickered, billowing behind his back. And Ioristion's cloak of gold also billowed, flapping in its golden rapture of bursts of fluttering, graceful fabric. The cloaks intermingled, dancing together as the wind blew. They flickered and billowed on each other. Then Macil began to sob. "My brother, why do you weep?" A growing concern grew on Ioristion's face. Macil wept, "For my lost love, I weep." Ioristion embraced him, "Who is your lost love?" "Finlos. Finlos of Gondolin. I lost her in its fall." And Macil wept on Ioristion's shoulder, as Ioristion folded his massive cloak around him, and over their heads. Macil wept into the fabric, his tears becoming joined with those of the Vala. Tears began to flow from Ioristion's eyes. Both wept, the wind whipping their cloaks above their heads, the light of the sun falling on their weeping faces. Macil mustered up a smile, "I am glad that you are here with me, my dear little brother." Ioristion's heart felt warm, "My dear, older brother." Then Macil kissed him on the cheek, and Ioristion in turn, "You may yet find her again." And Macil smiled, "I used to billow my cloak for her, it pleased her, it made her happy." Then Ioristion laughed as they fluttered and flapped their cloaks like eagles' wings, the wind blowing through them, as they played with their fabric. Their tears slowly dried on their cheeks, and they lived in the moment. Ioristion tried to grab the end of Macil's cloak, but he whipped it past his legs and then flipped it o'er Ioristion's head, as Ioristion flipped his own back and then forward, also over their heads. And they slowly sat down and leaned on the grass of the hill, and Ioristion lay his head on the cloak, pressing against Macil's chest. They held each other for a long time. Then the wind blew their cloaks again and they were distracted. Then Ioristion's mind returned to the more recent situation. His gaze returned to Melimwe's patient eyes once more. Edited by Ioristion, Feb 18 2015, 06:58 PM.
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| Ioristion | Sep 12 2014, 08:13 AM Post #30 |
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Chapter XXX: Sorrowful Revelations: Rostor of Gondolin Melimwe studied Ioristion's dazed eyes, "You still seem strange...." Ioristion finally came to his senses, "What happened, uncle?" Melimwe's voice was calm and gentle, "A grave darkness consumed you both..... you were fading..... rest at ease, for it is gone....." Cellindien stirred beside Ioristion, slowly opening her eyes. "Ioristion.... the poison...." And then she heard Melimwe's haunting voice: "It is no more........ Finlos......." Cellindien had begun to sit up, turning to search for brother. At the sound of Melimwe's voice she gasped and fell back on to the pillows, a deathly pallor taking over her features. "...Melimwe.... no, no, it cannot be... it cannot be... they all perished!" Melimwe deeply sighed with traces of grief, "It was my own doing.... and Saelbainor's.... to allow you to fall this way...... he ran, longing to see the horrors of the fall of Doriath, in the aftermath of Maeglin's foul treachery against the city..... I gave chase, believing you to be safe..... but we lost you...... and..................." Ioristion's eyes became wide with horror and sorrow: "My sister..... my dear sister..... something is becoming clearer..... I saw Macil...... and....and... and....... he bade me to tell you.............. Melimwe! What was his original name, he would not speak!!!" And Melimwe uttered slowly with resistance, "............Rostor.............of....the.....Harp......of.....Gondolin......." Cellindien tried not to think of him, "Maeglin... Saelbainor.... do not speak those names! It was so long ago! Everyone is dead.........." Melimwe's eyes began to glimmer with launching tears, "Did Ioristion not tell you?" Cellindien gasped and threw her hands over her face. The voice of the Feanorian touched her heart, roused memories that she had hidden away for fear of the pain. "Rostor! Oh, Rostor...!" Ioristion's voice trembled, "Melimwe........you are meaning to tell me........ the one he told me to convey his love........ is my new sister........... Macil....... her beloved....... Macil.......he told me..... his last sight before the Dark Lord struck him...... was the eyes of his lost beloved......." Cellindien heard Ioristion's words, but she pushed them away, focusing instead on Melimwe. "Melimwe... where is he, Melimwe? You... you have survived. And he....? He has found someone, perhaps.... no, no, he is dead... but you are here.... he..." Melimwe tried to control himself, "It grieves me to inform you, that Rostor thought you were thrashed to the death by Gothmog at the Fountain. And he wandered in near-despair, till he found Celebrimbor. So he reported to...... Ioristion..... His lost-hopes..... he thrust them into Eregion, a new Gondolin......... These, too, were thrashed..... when the Dark Lord struck Celebrimbor down and set the realm to ruin......" Cellindien echoed his words, as if in a daze. "He reported to Ioristion.... he was in Eregion...." Melimwe solemnly continued, as if an ambassador of old to deliver fell tidings, but the ruse swiftly fell to pieces. He was heart-sick: "Rostor's name.... it became..... Macil...... and in retaliation, formed an order...... Ioristion had filled part of his gaping soul...... the other part, the greater part..... he tried in vain to have it filled..........and....." Melimwe struggled to hold back tears. "He marched with Gil-galad Elven-King and all his order....... and they held the siege for seven years.... in the land of Mordor where the shadows lie......." Cellindien's face hardened with pain, "Macil. The name struck her like a staggering blow. Macil, the companion of Ioristion. Macil, whose.... death...." Melimwe began to recite from an ancient Lay: "And long ago, he rode away. And where he dwelleth none can say. For into darkness fell his star. In Mordor where the shadows are."............ Ioristion's eyes burst into tears, his voice deep, between a baritone and a whisper, and all the while trembling with grief: "And he died in my arms..... in Minas Anor......." Cellindien spoke in a near whisper, her expression dark with horror. "Rostor." She drew in a shuddering breath. "I did not know him... oh...." Then something, some other power, began to possess Ioristion: "Before I awoke to your eyes, uncle, I beheld a vision: Maeglin was there. Macil was there. I think it was in the West....... he bade me to say......: 'Remember.... tell Finlos I love her.... we shall be as one once more.... when all has ended......I am her Rostor....' I asked him how such this could be so......... he told me...... it is through the power of Lorien himself.............." Cellindien remained motionless on the bed, one hand pressed against her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks. Then Ioristion sobbed, "oh Macil.....Rostor........I WILL AVENGE YOU!" Ioristion tried to jolt his body off the bed, but fell backward....... Melimwe was also shedding silent tears...... Cellindien attempted to rise, using the frame of the bed to support herself. "Air... I must... the eagles... it is too hot, I cannot breathe...." Ioristion reached over...... embracing Cellindien....., "Let us weep together........ and fear me not.... for we are brother and sister...... and he alone in all that exists is your betrothed........... so it will be........ forever....... I know......we...will....defeat....he...who....cursed....him......... he waits for us in the West........ when this is done........" The Spirit of Findekano revealed himself, gliding near Cellindien, cooling the air in the room. Cellindien struggled to control her feelings, "No.... no, I have no right to weep...." She attempted to push away from Ioristion but eventually settled into his arms. "...Thrice I failed him......" But the gentle voice of Findekano came rising on the air, as if the voice of a consoling elder: "Fall not into greater madness........ my dear.......... for your betrothed, I doubt not your brother's words, loved you more than all the world..... and he does still......" Cellindien shouted, her voice becoming softer as she spoke, "As I loved him! As I... I...." She broke down and began to weep in earnest. "... as I love him now.... could it be.... Ages have passed...." Findekano's voice surged forth as if from a gentle poet, "Rest softly in your brother's arms..... for your beloved chose him of all the Eldar...... to be so...... your Rostor waits for you...... in the West...... if your brother's dream be true...... I sense that it is...... for there is a great power in the air within this room....." Cellindien's voice rose slowly and yet steadily toward resolve, "He waits... I will go to him. I will finish my tasks here... and then.... then I will go to him." Melimwe smiled, "And so we shall....... I long to avenge his death on Guldrambor myself......... or this adversary will haunt our dreams forever....... and Rostor cannot have this be so......." Ioristion slowly began to stand, "The last of Eregion..... shall bring justice for his brother......." And Findekano smiled, "I believe you have regained your mind at last....... but keep that eccentric side to yourself as well....... there are things buried in Eriador that may yet aid this task..... and the return to the West, where Rostor awaits us......" Cellindien stood with him, and there was strength and hope in her eyes, though the grief was still fresh. "And I too will fight, for Rostor. For everything that we have lost, for the hurt that the Enemy has caused, but also..." She smiled softly through her tears. "...also for the sake of the future." Ioristion's eyes beamed, "Yes... we shall......" Then a thought struck Ioristion. He froze. He remember Rostoriel, Macil's sister, who had loved him in the Second Age. He wondered if she was still in Arda. "Cellindien...... stay here with Melimwe....... there is something I must do in Mithlond.... something I can only do alone......." Edited by Ioristion, Jul 28 2015, 08:33 PM.
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| Ioristion | Sep 12 2014, 10:11 PM Post #31 |
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Chapter XXXI: Reunification and Resolve Cellindien remained in grief and was resting. Ioristion was soon re-united with his brothers, who were shedding tears of mirth and -joy- when they saw he had finally overcome his madness. Lerinon approached Ioristion, "My brother......" They embraced each other deeply. Lerinon fell to Ioristion's feet and kissed them, slowly rising, burying his head in his chest. Ioristion smiled, "Oh Lerinon..." They embraced each other for a long time, and then with Fareon as well. Rostoriel's heart fluttered and she smiled warmly. Then the horn was sounded and the Feanorians came marshaling from their homes and into the central throne-chamber of Minas Noldorion. Ioristion prepared himself with several guards, explaining that the time was come to enact their last Quest in Middle-earth. Lerinon sat to the left of the throne and Fareon to the right. The gates opened and all stood as Ioristion marched into the chamber, processing slowly, his massive, billowing cloak of gold flowing behind him, its train held by his guards as he ascended the stairs, and draped it beautifully down the stairs as he sat upon his father's throne. All sat. Ioristion smiled, "I am freed from madness this day. Your Heir has returned. This past night, a grave foe, did assail us in my chambers. Not all was cleansed in truth from our Royal House. But it is staunched and defeated at last. We have survived the Shadow. This Guldrambor who has hounded our House for centuries, who has sought our complete destruction, since the days of Finwe Great, our High-King, this Guldrambor who dares to march against us, this Guldrambor who marshals unto his wicked self at this precise moment, plotting to avenge his wicked griefs upon us..... upon him, war, I thus declare...... upon him, I declare, our enmity.......... may the wrath of the Valar fell upon swiftly....... may Doom thrust upon him, gliding on swift-wings......... ere our swords and our resolve shall follow it!" They all applauded. Then Ioristion took up the Staff of Rule of Fingon, and smote the floor with it, its base hitting the floor with a mighty thong. He held the Staff up high, "So thus are we now resolved in truth. Let any hither who wish to deny My claim unto this Throne, ye shall behold, For we shalt gather forth in Lindon thence, At the ruins of the Capital, where Ruled he, Gil-galad our shining High-King. Who else will through noble blood or birth so claim, Where art Master Elrond to seize the Crown? Let him take it and lead if he so wills, Until that time is my sovereignty declared." They all applauded. He rose and stood, placing the Staff to his side, "My Princes..... my brothers.... now attend me." Lerinon and Fareon each took a corner of Ioristion's cloak, spreading it across the chamber as if vast wings of gold, and then they draped it across their own shoulders, moving inward, until they were within arm's reach and side by side. Ioristion grasped their outward shoulders with his arms, while they stretched the cloak across themselves, till they were all wrapped within it, "This is our resolve. We brothers three. We now are one. Against our foe, we so declare, our unity." They all applauded. Ioristion smiled, "This is our resolve. We, the future of our House. For live anew, against our foe, we are one." They all applauded. Ioristion smiled, "We shall meet once more hither, before we go, a fort-night from the morrow. Then shall we march forth against our foe." They applauded and bowed. Then Ioristion dismissed them. Ioristion turned to his brothers, "We must soon tend to -our- sister's needs." Lerinon and Fareon nodded. Ioristion motioned and they rose, to begin their journey toward his chambers. Edited by Ioristion, Jul 28 2015, 08:33 PM.
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| Ioristion | Sep 15 2014, 09:32 PM Post #32 |
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Chapter XXXII: Ascending the Stairs As they climbed the stairs, Fareon and Lerinon held his cloak and trailed behind him. Fareon sighed, "Oh brother, how can you claim the Crown, when you are not entitled to any position as such?" "Doth thou question my great sovereignty?" "Thou hath seemed to falleth from one madness into another. Art thou bewitched?" Lerinon laughed, "Fareon does have a point..... you are not Gil-galad's son, nor are you Master Elrond, who will not claim the Crown." Fareon snickered, "We are his uncles. So we would be next in-line." Ioristion turned, "Yet you did not claim it. So I have done so." Fareon sighed, "Why should any claim it? -It- has not existed in three thousand years!" Ioristion laughed, "It exists again now." Lerinon sighed, "A King is not a King without recognition on part of all his subjects." Ioristion pointed, "And then, therefore, you are an infant child left starving to death by Celegorm's good servants." Lerinon's mouth dropped, "Why you...! I miss your madness already!" And all the while they ascended the spiral stairs, draping the train of Ioristion's golden cloak of silk. They reached the top and Ioristion broke free from them, storming across the floor, "And thou wouldst name thy King insane." Fareon sighed, "My brother, I fear thou art bewitched indeed. Gil-galad Elven-King is dead. Master Elrond, who alone has proper title to the Crown as so recognized by our customs, has not forfeited the Crown, but rather, has merely refused to take it up. You cannot claim such a title. Why, they all applauded you downstairs because nothing such as this has occurred for a dreadful number of months of boredom. It was a mere spectacle for them. They were happy to see that you had recovered. Their applaud was not an assent to any such reign." Ioristion merely gazed at him, "We need resolve. We need something to unify our spirits against the Enemy." Fareon sighed again, "I know... but so long as this "reign" remains hidden from public knowledge, and extends unto only those members or loyalists to our House. And nothing more." Ioristion solemnly nodded. Lerinon snickered, "I do believe thou hast forgot one small detail: your father still doth yet live, and art lord of our same House." Ioristion's mouth dropped wide. He had forgotten his father, "Fareon! Quick! Announce to all downstairs the entire ceremony, aside from..." Fareon smiled, "Nay. Our father will not mind. To rally those Feanorian spirits after all of these thousands of years was good. You are High-King of the Ainon Cundan and nothing more. And so long as Auruiron, Ada, is Grand-High-King, we have naught to fear." Lerinon snickered, "Oh alas for these stiff-necked egos! Should pride not befall a fall?" Ioristion laughed, "My dear brother, pride is not resolve." Lerinon laughed even louder, "Finally! A normal statement! You are coming out of it!" Fareon laughed. He had never laughed so hard in millennia. Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:14 AM.
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| Ioristion | Sep 16 2014, 09:13 PM Post #33 |
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Chapter XXXIII: A Rivalry of Majesty Lerinon scoffed, "I am far more majestic than you, my dearest brother. High-King indeed." Ioristion stared him down, "Thou art most heartily mistaken my, dearest brother for whom I thence care!" Ioristion fanned out his cloak, and his luminescent skin shimmered with it as he stretched it from arm to arm, "My majesty cannot be thus undone." The light of his fea shimmered down his legs and danced with his feet. Lerinon grabbed the sparkling silver of his cloak, "We shalt see, my dearest brother, we shalt see." He then fanned out his own cloak in billowing crimson and silver and the light of his fea danced along his arms, making his cloak glimmer. Their robes glistened in the light. Fareon's mouth dropped and he covered his face, "Oh brother..." They stood as stars of gold and silver as Ioristion remembered one of Rostor's tales. He began to spin, his shimmering being flowing around him, bright, as the blossoms of Laurelin. But Lerinon became Telperion. Waves of gold and silver silk billowed in large domes and flapped as the wings of eagles. They soon had spun and crashed into each other, landing into a huddled mess on the floor. Fareon kept his eyes covered. He wanted no further part in this mischief, "Oh come now, the both of you! You are both over five thousand years old! How does such behavior befit your presumptuous titles?" Ioristion laughed, "I am as young as I can remember." Lerinon also laughed, "And you have made me feel so." Fareon sighed, "Oh here we go again..." Ioristion embraced Lerinon deeply, enclosing him in his golden silk, "Forgive me, my brother..." And gold became overwhelmed with silver, "Forgive me... my dear Ioristion... I am glad that you are well..." They held their embrace, kissing their cheeks out of respect, and Ioristion buried his own head in the silver and crimson of the cloak of his brother as Lerinon buried his head in Ioristion's gold. Fareon came down onto the floor with them, joining in their brotherhood, embracing both beneath his wings of silken green. After what had seemed an eternity had passed, Fareon smiled, "Good. Now up, depart from the floor! It is time to recall how old we are." They stood and then they all could not withhold their mirth and laughter. They calmed themselves. Ioristion decided to seek Cellindien alone. Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:14 AM.
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| Ioristion | Sep 30 2014, 07:28 PM Post #34 |
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Chapter XXXIV: A Sorrowful Reunion Cellindien paced back and forth silently. She pauses at one end of the room to hold out her hair, inspecting the silver ends solemnly. "Feathers, Melimwe...." Melimwe smiled, "Feathers.... I remember well......" Cellindien went into shock, "He told you, then... But I am no far-sighted eagle. How could I have missed him?" Melimwe sighed, "You did not seek him then... he was of the distant past. But he missed you. Though he did not admit it. I knew not the truth until I witnessed that day... When he thought you had perished, he vanished from my sight. It was fortunate that Yucalwe found him, and Celebrimbor sought to rebuild what was lost......" Cellindien sighed heavily, tears springing anew from her eyes. She wiped at them wearily, then moved to sit on the bed. "Ai..." Melimwe's face was shadowed, "Oh what I could tell you of that realm...... Its domes were of gold, with mighty spires..... the crimson banners of the Noldor blowing in the breeze........ Schools and great libraries and roaring forges' fires...... And nigh to it, something that would have made Maeglin envy in grave jealousy......... I tread through Hadhodrond where the Naugrim dwelt. Its mansions and halls and caverns were vast......." Cellindien remained in sorrow, "But it was not Gondolin... not our Tirion." But Melimwe smiled, "But it was still strong. The Hithglaer were as majestic as the Tum-laden.... And the groves of holly...... ridges crowned with countless berries...... it was a sight......' But even this came to an end. It broke Ioristion's father's mind for many years. But it made Rostor hot with wrath. For you see, it was all that he had left....... And instead of bolstering Lindon, he sought justice........ he would have throttled the Dark Lord's throat if he could......" Cellindien closed her eyes, shaking her head. "It is not right. He should not have been left like that! What of his family?" Melimwe did not cease, "His family...... he lost both of his parents in Gondolin. He had two sisters. One of whom is still living. The other perished in Eregion.' The one who is living wed Cullastor, son of Cullasson of Himring. And she was preoccupied with her husband's fate.... for Cullastor marched with us as well....... I thought that Yucalwe was right. I thought..... it is my fault.... I could have withdrawn him from...... from the front...." A tear passed down Melimwe's cheek. Cellindien gasped, looking up at him. She saw his tears and her expression softened. "I trust... that you did what you could. You always did..." Melimwe pressed on, "Ah, but Rostoriel............. Ioristion's betrothed........ Your beloved's death was the second, final, and fatal stroke that ruined his mind. Ioristion lost both mother and beloved in that Fall........... But he was not there. He was in Lindon at the time. They were to return to Lindon in a month......" Cellindien flinched at the word 'death' and unconsciously moves her right hand over her heart. Melimwe continued, "So he did not witness it............ the blow was harsh. Rostoriel had tried to comfort Rostor, but to little avail....... for he was broken without you...... and Ioristion seemed to reach his heart more than his own sister..... And Rostoriel admired this..... and so they bonded.......... Now brother and sister......... await sister and brother.......... oh if it were only so simple to cross the sea today.......' Cellindien looked at him sadly, "I do not know how you can speak of such things so lightly. I beg you, do not mention what cannot be had... It is too soon for that." Melimwe's eyes glistened with sorrow, "My dear........ dear Finlos....... Cellindien......... all four of you are as if my children......................... not lightly.........do...I... speak.....but............ contained.............................." Another tear fell down his cheek. "As contained as my inspiration........... who trails Ioristion through his Staff..............." Cellindien sighed, "If I could leap from a cliff, as they said Elwing did... and fly.... I would leap, Melimwe... but for Ioristion..." Melimwe sat next to her, placing his comforting arm around her shoulder, kissing her on the cheek, "I love you as if you were my daughter, Finlos......... do not seek to leap........ for of all things, Rostor would want you to be strong.... Now there is something that I must tell you...... First of all, he died not in vain............. as strange as this may sound, there was one stroke of pride....... He gazed upon a Court, the finally Court he ever saw. There was a fountain in its midst. Beyond which, a Citadel, and a tall, white tower. Minas Anor.... Tower of the Setting Sun....... now Minas Tirith........ and there, today, a White Tree stands in that Court..........And..........." Another tear fell, "Gondolin still stands.......... in Gondor, it lives........... Men are tending the tree that we once did tend.......... and he protected it..........If he had met any death, what death could better than this be? Not to have died in Gondolin in flames, or by Maeglin's hand, or by the Balrogs that he thought had slain you.............. but there, with the waters running, flowing in the Fount.......... and the banners flowing in the breeze.......... He bade Ioristion to do something that may frighten you......." Cellindien wiped the tears from her cheeks with trembling hands as he spoke. Melimwe's voice became even more solemn, "His last wish, his desire before he died........ to have kissed you one more time............ and............. he," Melimwe began to cry in earnest, "bade Ioristion to find you...... to kiss you for him........." Cellindien gazed at him strangely, "...Another surprise... Melimwe, perhaps it would be better ...." She trailed off as he continues on. "He will seek to do it. Its his duty, he believes............ for he loved Rostor as if his own brother..... and he in turn...... He did not remember it.......... For his madness ruined his memories. When you brought him back..... it all slowly returned......' You need time. I will restrain him for you. He probably does not even know, how to tell you...... Be merciful to him........ be merciful.......... it is as if he is a child........ yet again....... and yet not....... he has to re-orient himself....... Rostor would be laughing, you know. For Rostor tasked Ioristion to find and care and comfort you. And now it seems the tables have flipped!" The last floodgates of memories broke through and Cellindien slumped forward silently, her shoulders shaking. She recalled every minute, every touch, every kiss, every ride through the grassy vale and every time they had shared cloaks. They had stood on the heights together in the fierce winds, as the eagles swooped past. Cellindien could barely manage a whisper. "H-he would... laugh... but I cannot, not yet." Melimwe did not relent, "Let Ioristion share his cloak with you, as he once did........ let him kiss you on the cheeks, as he once did........... Rostor would have it so...... it would not be infidelity on either of your part....... He wished it, Finlos........ he wished that his brother care for his beloved as if a sister......." Cellindien could not bear it, "Enough. Enough, Melimwe. *She raises her head and struggles to regain control over her voice." Melimwe paused, "Forgive me....... I never had any tact with such things, not even in the old days......." Cellindien laughed then, though it was weak and half a sob. "You had no tact, for someone who claimed to be such a counselor. The feast.... really.... it was fitting that you had to clean the garden!" Melimwe laughed, "Yes..... yes..... well, things are as they are. Now, there is something you would not believe...... your mother was Telerin, from Doriath, yes? Well...... Ioristion's twin brothers downstairs............... Auruiron found them in a certain forest abandoned by certain servants of certain Feanorians........ History has deemed them dead of starvation, alone, and completely lost.' But here is where the thesis of despair now ends! You see....... Fareon...... is Elured........ and Lerinon..... is Elurin......... Sons of Dior, King of Doriath, son of Beren and Luthien, daughter of Thingol the Great........ and Melian the Wise......" Cellindien gave him a strange look. "My mother was not..." She shook her head then, deciding that she does not have the energy to correct him. Instead, she was distracted by his next words. "Raised as Auruiron's sons........ and Ioristion's brothers......." Cellindien laughed, "You jest." Melimwe pressed on, "Well no matter, I am certain you must have heard the story. Nay, I do not jest. Auruiron trailed those servants, waited until they were out of sight, and absconded away with the princelings. And to the sight of the rest of the Elven world, they appeared to be simply Noldorin. You see, Auruiron was not yet wed at the time......... and he longed for sons......." Cellindien stared at him, slowing raising a hand to her head and resting it against her forehead. Melimwe continued, "Some may call it greed...... and others, empathy....... I believe he sought to protect them from the Sons of Feanor." Cellindien was disturbed, "A desire for sons...." She had a stricken look on her face. Melimwe did not get it, "And here they are. Your skepticism is understandable, even Fareon does not believe it...... Lerinon is more akin to Ioristion in his studies......" Then he remembered Luingil, "My apologies......... I was not thinking clearly......" Cellindien became hysterical, "Sons, sons, sons! Hidden nobility, hidden identities..." Melimwe calmed her, "Be at peace. There is no one here to harm you. He cannot reach out of Mandos' Halls with his sword to touch your neck...... here....." Melimwe slowly rubbed Cellindien's neck, back and forth, gently..... Cellindien shuddered, then gradually began to relax under his touch. "Tact, Melimwe, tact... I think that... it would be best if I stayed here for a time... alone." Melimwe smiled, "My tact was in politics, not familial affairs...." Melimwe smirked. Cellindien breathed deeply, then stood to walk with him to the door. Melimwe was struck with thought, "Shall I keep Ioristion at bay?" Cellindien gazed, "Yes. No. No, if he wishes to join me I will not turn him away..." Melimwe smiled, "Very well. Rest well." Cellindien nodded gratefully, taking a minute to lean upon the doorframe as he departed. Melimwe passed Ioristion down the stairs, "Now listen, Ioristion..... she is feeling a need to be alone....... she needs time......." Ioristion did not relent, "I must see her in any case....." He pressed forward. Melimwe sighed. Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:14 AM.
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| Ioristion | Sep 30 2014, 07:57 PM Post #35 |
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Chapter XXXV: Confronting the Past Ioristion came to the door, "My sister......" Cellindien closed her eyes, running her fingers through her hair wearily. She looked up, startled, then relaxed again as she recognized him. "My brother." Ioristion smirked, "May I enter?" Cellindien sighed, "A strange question to ask... the house belongs to you." Ioristion was puzzled, "That need not stifle respect........" Cellindien withdrew, "No... I apologize... I... I am....." They heard the Ghost of Findekano's voice: "In need of resolve....... Picture it again within your minds." Ioristion shouted, "I hear you!" Findekano's voice bellowed, "Approach the orb........... the one your father brought from Aman......" Ioristion contended, "But it is not one of the seven, my High-King!" Findekano's voice flew, "Yet I will make it so......." Ioristion did not question further, "Come, my sister....." Cellindien seemed to be struck dumb by the sudden appearance of the High-King. She stood, indecisive, searching her memory. Something did not seem right. Ioristion's voice broke through her daze and she stumbled forward unsteadily. Ioristion folded his cloak around Cellindien's shoulders as well as his own, holding her back as they gazed. They heard Guldrambor uttering his curse upon Rostor nigh Gondolin. Then, Cellindien cried out as they heard the curse, trembling as the sight transformed into Barad-dur. "NO!" She tears her eyes away from the sight and moves between Ioristion and the orb, anger and pain marring her features. Findekano's voice wailed, "I know that it is painful, but you must look." Ioristion spoke solemnly, "Forgive me, my sister, it is for the best. Our Enemy will use these memories to destroy our minds if we do not confront them." Cellindien kept her eyes focused on Ioristion, and though she was angry it was not at him. "Ioristion... are you sure that it is wise...?" Ioristion nodded, "Yes. We must. It pains me, too, to my very core! But we must. Or our Enemy will drawn us in a sea of unending nightmares, for all eternity! As he nearly did unto us this past night. The poison..... remember the poison...... and this was only a mere extension of him...... if we face him in person..... he will be stronger....." Courage blossomed in Cellindien's heart, "I recall the poison. Very well...... Findekano...." Findekano smiled from afar, "Find your resolve and look. Know that your beloved would wish it so." Their gaze returned to the orb: Sauron swung the mace. Rostor fell backwards....... they move into the chamber in the Houses of Healing....... Ioristion begins to tear..... as they relive Rostor's death...... his final words...... Ioristion's grip on Cellindien's shoulder increased, and then gradually relaxed. Cellindien swayed, her lips soundlessly forming Rostor's name. Cellindien reached up to place her hand over Ioristion's, speaking in a soft tone that was almost a chant. "He is safe. He is healed. He waits." Ioristion shouted, "We must defeat him. He will ruin everything if we do not...."' Cellindien did not speak. She was not distraught, as before, merely silent. Ioristion embraced Cellindien, shrouding her in his cloak and in his arms, "My sister....." Cellindien nodded, "I will need a short time... to rest, to prepare..." Ioristion nodded, "I will as well.... Findekano?" The spirit had vanished. Ioristion suspected that he smiled. Ioristion sighed, "Yes... and tell me when you desire for my promise to Rostor to be fulfilled, when the time is right....." Cellindien turned to look at him. "Who can say what battlegrounds we may come upon in the future....? I would have what my beloved wished for me." Ioristion bade her, "Close your eyes." Cellindien smiled, but did as she was told. Ioristion joined his lips with hers, slowly, and then withdrew as he could feel his heart tempted to pound more loudly, "Rostor's wish is now fulfilled........ his last kiss bestowed to you....." Ioristion wondered, "And yet, it is not his last. For he awaits us in the West, as well as my beloved.......... now wait a moment's instance...........!!!!!!!!!" Ioristion suddenly began to laugh hysterically, "Why...... this was..... not Rostor being serious..... he...he........." Ioristion recalled one second of Rostor mustering a smirk when he bade Ioristion to make his promise. Ioristion laughed, "In his last moments, even....... he still gave one last humorous gasp......... why do you not remember, how he jested?" Cellindien remained still, raising her fingers to her lips as he withdraws and keeping them there as she recalls Rostor and their time together. She quirked one eyebrow as Ioristion began to speak, bewilderment slowly turning to amusement as she realized what he was saying." Ioristion laughed, "Oh Macil...... you even managed one more jest before your time of waiting......... you knew you would kiss her again one day, you!" Cellindien began to laugh, "He... jested. Ioristion, you -silly- fool! *She laughs freely, shaking her head* You will pay for the kiss, I do not doubt it!" Ioristion laughed, "Well my mind was asunder, so of course I did not pay attention to his slow, barely mustered, and struggling smirk!" Cellindien could not help herself, "You thought... you thought...." She was laughing uncontrollably now. Ioristion smirked, "Well, maybe he intended to use that as a motivator, knowing how..... sentimental I am..... I should have known! He whipped the cloak over their faces and off. Cellindien laughed, "Enough! Leave it as it is.... oh...." She pushed the cloak away, laughing. Ioristion did not stop, "Now you shall learn where I learned it from!" He twirled the cloak. Cellindien smirked, "He did it better." Ioristiom began spinning and dancing as Rostor did of old. His cloak formed vast golden domes and trickling streams of silk that dazzled the eye. Then he stretched his arms with his cloak, and leaped around Cellindien, embracing her once more, and taking a strand of her hair and stroking it, "Feathers.... eh?"' It was a familiar spectacle, yet an unfamiliar one. Ioristion leaped and danced and Cellindien simply laughed, shaking her head. When he returned to her she raised one eyebrow, still grinning. "Don't be ridiculous. Do they look like feathers to you?" "Rostor told me that story," Ioristion smirked.' Cellindien laughed, "I can't imagine what you're talking about." Ioristion smiled, "Oh my sister....." He kissed Cellendien on the cheek, "I feel.......... invincible...... I cannot quite explain it........ I feel as if I could thrash Morgoth's Iron Crown to the floor with my own hands....." Ioristion looked at the ceiling and the walls, "Thank you Findekano. My resolve is filled unto the brim." Cellindien laughed. "Then maybe we should stay here a few more days. I'll have your brothers run you around the house a few times.... yes, thank you, Findekano..." She looks up with a rueful smile. "Now I ask that you bless my sword and my shield.... for I foresee that there is a fool I will need to protect." Ioristion smirked, "Ah ha! Now I understand...... the last cloak that Auruiron washed in the spring of the Vala........ the one in case of emergencies, should one be lost....."' Ioristion ran to a chest in the corner, and draws it forth: large, long, beautiful, and as majestic as his own. "This now belongs to you. It shall protect your thoughts....."' Ioristion whipped it around and over Cellindien's shoulders and clasped it. Cellindien sobered, her eyes widening as the fabric rests on her shoulders. "Ioristion... are you certain that this gift is yours to give? These cloaks are precious..." Ioristion turned to see a shocking sight. Auruiron was standing at the door, "I would not have it any other way. Makalaure has told me of you, Cellindien." Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:19 AM.
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| Ioristion | Oct 12 2014, 05:43 PM Post #36 |
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Chapter XXXVI: The Reunification of Father and Son Ioristion gasped as he saw none other than his Ada. He stood in the doorway with his glimmering white robe, his golden cloak streaming behind his hair of gold. Auruiron's eyes watered, "My son......" Tears streamed down Ioristion's face, "I have finally come home......... alas that I ever departed........." Cellindien stared in astonishment, one hand resting on her throat near the clasp to the new cloak. Auruiron shook as he approached, "Your.......madness........ are you not going to search the walls for buried treasure?" Ioristion smiled warmly, "Ada.........." Auruiron fell to his knees, his eyes in tears of joy. Ioristion crouched down as they embraced. They held their embrace for a long time, rocking back and forth. Auruiron kissed his son's cheek and he kissed that of his father. Ioristion turned, pointing, "She saved me........... she brought me out of it........" Cellindien was silent. She realized then the true gravity of Ioristion's past madness and steps back, allowing the two some measure of privacy. "No... I did little enough..." Auruiron smiled, "When I heard the two of you were endeavoring to scour the ruins of Eriador, I made certain that a bird followed you. I...I... gathered you would return here........... tell me how it happened. Tell me how three thousand years.......... later.............." Cellindien shifted uncomfortably, drawing reassurance from the golden cloak until she recalled that it was her previous owner that now stood before her, Ioristion's father and the lord of the house. What could she tell him that would satisfy? "I do not know what to say," she answered honestly. "Except that my brother and I..." she hesitated, unsure if he would approve of their familiarity. "Ioristion and I seem to have been set on this road for a purpose. If something I have done has helped him, then I am glad for it." Ioristion embraced him even tighter, "Ada...... we confronted the past....... it set me free....... we are brother and sister now......." Auruiron smiled, "Which is why I would not have this any other way. Melimwe told me.................... everything............Finlos............. not only do I welcome you beneath this roof............ I adopt you, if you would have it so." Cellindien tensed slightly, standing a bit taller than the moment before as she wondered what Melimwe had said. Surely not the whole tale? But even if he had... ai, he had. Cellindien closed her eyes against a sudden rush of emotion. To release her fear of Luingil was one thing... to accept a father.... another. "My lord....... you are very gracious....." "My sword shall n'er touch your neck, my mouth shall ne'r chastise you, nor swear any foolish oath, that would so dare to harm you. You have my word...................." Cellindien trembled. "I would accept you, my lord, with gratitude... but I fear that my heart and tongue will betray me... I am not sure that I can call another...." "I know your fear........ for mine was frightful as well." Auruiron recalled the terror in his eyes of watching his father charge menacingly in the First Kinslaying. Cellindien kept trembling, "He was... torn... my lord. Though I believe that he wished to love me." They stood still for a long time. Then, Cellindien stepped forward to stand beside Ioristion. Ioristion smiled warmly, "My sister........" Auruiron smiled, "Come here..... our son..... our daughter...." Ioristion stood, reaching for Cellindien's hand. Cellindien hesitated. Fear waited just below the surface... a word or a touch away. She could battle it, for Guldrambor... but the same fear awaited where there was no danger. Cellindien closed her eyes. The sound of a knife being pulled from a sheath echoed in her ears. "Ioristion," she whispered. Ioristion took her hand, grasping it firmly. Cellindien took a deep breath and walked forward with him. Auruiron's eyes gleamed, "You both are children of prophecy. Brave daughter of Gondolin, I extend my offer yet again." Fareon approached behind Auruiron, "I second it." Then Lerinon as well, "I third." Cellindien felt faint as she stood there, near to each who spoke. Love and the offer of a family... she had denied it in the past... but now? She remembered Findekano's words, as if he spoke in that very moment: "You are Cellindien, daughter of the Noldor... the daughter may live life to the fullest..." She took a deep breath. "I accept...... Adar." Ioristion "......now we are truly sister and brother......."' Cellindien smiled. "We were brother and sister in heart before.... and that is what matters." And Auruiron smiled, and in his loving arms, embraced them both. Edited by Ioristion, Jul 28 2015, 08:40 PM.
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| Ioristion | Oct 20 2014, 09:36 PM Post #37 |
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Chapter XXXVII: Bonds A month of celebrations and resting slowly passed them by. Auruiron studied his newly-adopted daughter from a distance. He had learned everything from Melimwe. Finally, he decided to reveal the history of his House. He greeted Cellindien in the main hall: "Le suilon, Cellindien." "Le suilon, Adar." Cellindien nodded politely at him, then continued walking, reaching up to adjust the flower crown on her head with a slight smile. Auruiron smiled, "Tell me, what has Ioristion told you of our House?" Cellindien stopped in surprise, not expecting to be addressed again. She turned to face him. "Pieces, here and there... why do you ask?" She reached up to touch the crown again, nervously this time and wary of a potential test. Auruiron bowed his head, "He has told me you have come to know one named Makalaure..... and he also told me of a particular honored High-King who shared the truth of his identity with you...... is this not so?" Cellindien replied, "It is so." Auruiron nodded, "Come, and sit beside me. I have a tale or two to weave for you." Cellindien looked over her shoulder in the direction she came from. She seemed to have something else on her mind, but at Auruiron's command she approached him and took a seat. Auruiron smiled, "I do not doubt that Melimwe has already told you much: of King Finwe, the Houses of the Guardians, the rivalry between Ainon Cundan and Yualon, and of his past before he came to know you in Gondolin, yes?" Cellindien remembered, "He did speak of it. It was important to him, I believe, for when he did speak he seemed to be living in a different time." Auruiron nodded, "It was indeed. The Light of the Trees...... their horrific loss..... the painful Exile, but before these things, there was splendour..... mirth.... and joy...... when there was no Enemy to fear upon our minds...... we were free......" Cellindien replied, "I cannot imagine such a time... it is no wonder that he dwelt on it so." Auruiron smiled, "I was sitting in the Courtyard of Tirion, upon which the Court of Gondolin was apparently based...... oh would that I had seen it...... even so, I was sitting, struggling with a little harp...... I was of an extremely youthful age........ and then he saw me. He aided my fingers upon the strings. Then he took his harp, and we played, and began to sing.........our songs unified, enveloping our fea'r..... we were as if one voice, with his the stronger note........ Maglor, son of Feanor...... Canafinwe......and when his father coaxed him into that worst of traps, and he did bellow that horrific oath....... my voice replied on yonder hill, and the voices of my household joined me....... we affirmed that we would save Maglor from the consequences of his oath......." Cellindien started as he spoke of replying to the Oath. A wary look appeared in her eyes, though she remained seated. Auruiron bowed his head, ...but for all of our efforts in the First Age, the Dark Lord and the Doom brought it all to pieces........ I even fought him on the shores of Sirion, in the aftermath of the third horror......... he let me live..... we parted in friendship, but in deep sorrow..... and after I saw the light of the Silmaril vanish beneath the waves..........I did not wish to surrender hope...... and so I remained, waiting for him....... I even left several of my household behind within these very walls, and dwelt in Eregion for a time, teaching our youth of our past........ and this realm, also, collapsed gravely.........I remember one ellon...... his hair was beautiful, silky, and of a rusty-hue....... I know now who he was........ he was very bright........ but I was as grief-stricken as he, when the realm fell and my wife perished...........but the fire in me became quenched by fatigue and misery, nothing but.... my affirmation remained..... and so I enclosed myself in the tower in my chambers, plucking my harp, and ever watching the sea...... I sent Melimwe to ensure my rash son's survival, your brother..... for you know full well that he marched to war, and came back with his mind broken........until somehow, between the two of you..... he is now miraculously restored to us....." Cellindien remembered, "The two of us... and Fingon." Auruiron seemed to fall into a trance of memory, "And eventually, I encountered an elven sage from the elder days, who told me of a voice upon the wind...... and I followed it, with a friend, north, and the Enemy that you have faced plagued me with nightmares, and I fled into the icey wastes alone, and as I was near to despair and ready to throw myself into the sea, I heard the voice..........and there I found Maglor, we sang again....... we followed the shores of the sea homeward..... and in the warmer climes, the poison struck...... but with great aid, we were spared, and we thought the poison was eradicated......... forgive us....... alas that we were wrong...... I am relieved that Findekano was here, and Melimwe to stop the poison...... What they have told you is true. I journeyed east with Makalaure and settled in a hidden refuge nigh Imladris, and here we are.....I was gravely vain...... I did not notice the plight of Melimwe and others....... and for that I have since atoned...... and there in Imladris, by the Bruinen........ we sang and heard the Song of the World through the waters...... and I apparently fell into a trance and spoke not with mine own voice...... and it was revealed that we shall return to the West one day, once this shadow is lifted......... and so it all was not in vain after all........... even still, I will not force you to the Affirmation as I did my sons........ it was cruel of me to do that to them in the first place......" Cellindien was quiet for a few moments before replying. The flower crown on her head seemed to be forgotten now. "The Affirmation... has it not now been fulfilled?" Auruiron smiled, "Yes...... it has...... Only the Enemy remains between this moment and our return to the bliss of the West....." Cellindien fatefully replied, "So the meaning of the Affirmation, in this moment.... is in our choice to defeat that Enemy." Auruiron smiled, "Yes...... come, let us embrace...." Cellindien dauntlessly replied, "Then I also will join in that Affirmation." Auruiron bowed his head, "Then it is so...... Ioristion has told me of your mutual quest...... we shall send you forth tomorrow....... but for now, come, my daughter........ you look beautiful in that cloak...... come, for I am prepared......." Cellindien stood and approached him. Auruiron continued, "On first-contact only, upon touching the cloak..... as I am certain you have experienced with Ioristion...... the power is in the ability, for one brief moment.... to see several glimpses into the memories of another.... Come, do not be afraid." Cellindien hesitated for a brief moment, then let her fingers brush against his cloak and closed her eyes. She saw Light, first. It was strange, unlike anything she had ever seen, ethereal and beautiful. There was the sound of singing, of harps, and a smiling face... Makalaure, though his eyes were light with youth. Cellindien breathed deeply and slowly released the cloak. Auruiron touched her cloak, and his mind envisioned shadows..... the feeling of a sharp blade slicing the rear of his neck...... the sound of heavy-breathing...... Luingil's fiery eyes, and then a great light appeared...... he was on a hillside...... and there stood Rostor in all his beauty...... Auruiron released and opened his eyes. He did not speak. He reached for her and completed the embrace, enveloping her in his arms, spreading his cloak around her...... he held her close, kissing her on the forehead and on the cheek, and then he spoke: "I have seen things of which I shall not speak...... my daughter..... I love you.... you have nothing to fear here....." Cellindien did not move as he placed his arms about her. She was dazed by the beauty she had seen, but as he kissed her and spoke she sighed, seeming to come awake once more. She returned the embrace then, relaxing in his presence. "I.... I know, Adar. Thank you." They held it for a time, and Auruiron brought forth his harp. He played peacefully and softly. Then Auruiron smiled: "Very good, my daughter.... now go and rest yourself. Meet your brother and I here in this hall on the morrow. Rest well." "Rest yourself also." She smiled, removing her crown and holding it out to him. "And take this, Adar. One of the ellith among your servants gave it to me in jest... I believe they had made a wager. I took it simply to see their faces... but if you should wear it..." She gave him a suprisingly mischievous grin. "I cannot imagine what they would think." Auruiron laughed and smiled, taking the crown, "I am certain of that." He placed it on and left the room. One would have heard laughter coming from the other hall. The servants could scarcely believe their eyes. The rumors were true...... he had changed for the better. Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:19 AM.
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| Ioristion | Nov 4 2014, 10:30 PM Post #38 |
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Chapter XXXVIII: Phantoms of the Last Alliance Several more weeks had passed, and Ioristion's mind and heart burned at the thought of his original quest. He decided the time had come, though he loved his home, and did not wish to leap blindly into the dark future that lie ahead. He retained some of his deranged self, although his mind was cured. He hid himself in his cloak from night to night, feeling the soft, cool touch the the fabric upon his lips and cheeks. At dawn, he announce his intentions to his father, and his desire to press forward alone. But Auruiron would not have it so. Ioristion hid his intentions from Melimwe, Fareon, and Lerinon. Auruiron summoned all of the community of Feanorian survivors who had remained behind in Arda in that one strange hope that Maglor may one day return. They gathered in their great hall. Auruiron processed forth in all his golden majesty, and sat upon his throne. "We are gathered thus to make known our adoption of Cellindien, our daughter, and to set forth thus thence with our Heir, upon their Quest to seek lost and ancient powers, with which to thwart the vile schemes of our foe. Come forth, my son, the floor is thine." Ioristion processed before his father, and stood before them all: "A grave evil dared to seek to strike us down. But now it is no more!" The crowd applauded. You say, 'Ioristion smiled, Upon this day, we set forth. Prepare yourselves, for you may yet be called to march unto the East. Our foe broods, for now. There is still time. Come, stand by my side, my sister." Cellindien approached and stood at his side. She did not speak and her face was impassive. As Ioristion saw his brothers and uncle entering the chamber slightly late, he announced: "Let all who oppose us tremble, ere we depart. Until we meet again, namarie!" Cellindien echoed him, "Namarie!" They hastily processed out of the great hall and through the doors. Their bags and supplies were packed with their horses at the stables. Melimwe approached, "You are certain that you would press forth alone?" Cellindien replied, "We are not alone." Fareon shook his head, My brother, your return to us was most wonderful, but will you not require our aid?" Lerinon echoed him, "How can we let you forth, the twain alone?" Ioristion sighed, "My brothers, it is necessary. We must face this task alone. Keep well our Ada, until our return. Farewell." They rode past the gates of their fair home, and left the homesteads behind them. They rode through green hills and pastures nigh the Gulf. To the east stood the Tower Hills, ancient and ominous. Then they came into forests of blossomed trees. Soon, they found themselves on a great road leading east, "Oh Falathlorn fair..... alas..... farewell..... I recall this road....... I set forth east upon it long ago........ long was my sleep before I returned....." Ioristion's eyes seemed dazed and dreamy. They rode onward through more green fields, circling north of the Tower Hills, and they came down into the Shire. As soon as Ioristion saw signs of life, he whispered: "We must not be seen. Our first direction is to the east and north." They rode carefully below the dwarven bridge and crossed the shallow waters of the Rushock Bog. They followed the northern cliffsides eastward, until they entered into the northern woods. They saw ancient pillars in the distance. They approached and dismounted their steeds. As Ioristion approached, his hand struck a vibrating and sticky chord. He quickly drew a dagger and cut it. It whipped back sharply, but he jumped backward and nearly tripped. As he looked up, the seemingly invisible strands of webs became visible. He sighed, "I sense something strange...." They proceeded carefully. They found a strangely carved ruin of a foundation of a building. Cellindien wondered, "Now where did this come from...?" Ioristion knelt down, "There seems to be a hidden inscription........ Ah..... this was one of the outposts....." Cellindien frowned slightly, "But whose?" Ioristion remembered Melimwe's sobering history lectures and sighed, "Ancient Arnor....." They continued slowly, and then between two pillars, a mighty web appeared. Ioristion sighed, "That web is thick." He noticed a break between the pillars, the trees, and the hillside. He jumped the gap between them and avoided the web. But Cellindien was not afraid. She carved through it sharply with her sword and pressed forward valiantly with her shield. Ioristion smirked. He followed the cliff-line and began to study small rocky alcoves beneath the cliffs. As he searched, he heard Cellindien: "Did you see it...?" Ioristion looked quizzical, "See what?" Cellindien pointed, "The tree." Ioristion stared at what appeared to be a normal tree at first glance. Then, its branches shook, seemingly of their own will. "A fascinating grove......" Cellindien still gazed, "And awake...." Ioristion returned to his searching, and then he saw it: "What is this..... an engraving..... A chest...... beneath it........ and a scroll within the chest....." Cellindien was still preoccupied with the tree, watching every movement of every bough, "Who woke you....?" Ioristion examined the parchment closely, "It appears to be a map of the old North Kingdom. This was a supply-outpost..... on a route that stretches...... north to Annuminas....." Cellindien replied, "I doubt that it is useful. Others have clearly been here, despite the current residents." Ioristion's eyes became dazed and dreamy again, "I have seen Annuminas...... Rostor saw it as well.......... There may be things hidden there...... I will save this map. It may prove of use later." Then Ioristion looked above and all around him, "These spider-webs...... we should leave. The tree will be fine." Cellindien eyed the size of his pack doubtfully. They departed from the ruins in haste. Ioristion took care to jump the gap again. He did not want his robes and cloak to be caught in spider webs. Soon, they had left the ruins behind them. They stood not far from the webbed pillars. Ioristion sighed, "Let us rest for a moment." Cellindien replied, "Are you sure that this is the best place?" Ioristion's eyes dazed dreamily, and blanked. He seemed to be lost in contemplation. Cellindien paced nearby, keeping an eye out for any wandering foes. She to a stop, frowning as she watched him. "Ioristion?" She wondered how to ask if he is mad. He did not seem different from the last time they traveled together, and it concerned her. Ioristion finally blinked, "I am quite sorry... did you say something?" Cellindien continued to wait, firing arrows into the encroaching spiders until he spoke at last. "Ioristion, I am nearly out of arrows. What came over you? Keep watch... I must retrieve them." Ioristion shook his head, "I do not know. I began to remember..........." Cellindien replied, "You are alert now?" Ioristion nodded, "Yes....." Cellindien nodded and retrieved her arrows under his watch, then continued on. They rode onward between the cliffs and the forest. Ioristion began to fade in and out of consciousness. "I..... Mac.....il...... yes, yes........ this way......" Ioristion muttered, "I can hear the marching......" Cellindien's concern grew and she rode alongside him, ready to catch him if he should fall. Ioristion sighted an ancient fortress atop one of the cliffs. They rode along its winding path and entered. They dismounted and Ioristion sat down to rest. He pointed, "Look north! The first hill of Evendim......" Cellindien sat with Ioristion. "Brother...?" Ioristion bowed his head, "I am sorry, my sister...... my memories overpower me....." Cellindien saw his weakness, "You are not healed. We should return...." Ioristion muttered, "I have not consciously tread these stones since....since..... they were not ruins. They were living....... this tower once stood tall, it had six stories..... and a beacon-torch at its peak.....Its watch held guard for leagues upon leagues of forest......... and now it is naught but this bare platform......" He sighed, pulling forth the scroll. He gazed at the map, and saw nothing a golden star marking their location. Then his eyes beamed wide, "I see it....... narya andurinel.... naraur.....maltelen......" Cellindien waited patiently, sitting down a short distance away. A gleam of gold could be seen beneath the stone, as handles appeared. Ioristion exclaimed with delight, "Of course! Our kin must have aided them in the construction of this realm......." He pulled forth a golden star, etched with jewels, "What wonder......... a star from Tol Eressea...... a gift, perhaps? To Numenor........ yes, it must be so! Or perhaps our kin from Lindon...... nay, I am uncertain. This is a good find." Cellindien gazed at him confused, "From Tol Eressea? How can you know that?" Ioristion smirked, "I said perhaps our kin in Lindon...... it is definitely of Elven origin. There is something strange....... And why on this map..... why this outpost....... perhaps time will reveal further. Come, my sister." Cellindien reached out to touch the star, feeling the chill of the metal. "It is beautiful, if nothing else..." Ioristion smiled, "Indeed it is...." They remounted their steeds and continued, pausing to rest in several stretches as the days passed. They avoided the towns of hobbits and reached the Baranduin River. They followed it into the Barandalf and then turned northwest, and they sneaked past Dwaling and came upon the old northern road through Men Errain. They were in southern Evendim. There to the right of the path stood several ruined walls. Ioristion rode first into the ruins, and gazed out beyond them, "The third outpost.... Those are the northern Bree-land forests in the distance, and a desert leading nigh the Baranduin...." Cellindien was solemn, "When you last came this way...." Ioristion bowed, "Yes.... he was with me....." Cellindien looked around, "I heard you speak his name as we neared the last outpost. It is strange, but though I came the same way, I barely remember these lands..." Ioristion smiled sadly, "This was once a large hall, with red carpets..... we feasted here.... There were golden closets lining the walls....." Cellindien slowly began to remember, "And elves. Far too many elves..." They rested for a time and spoke little. Ioristion finally arose, "Alas....... we should continue, lest the sorrows of the past forever ground our steps....." They rode up the winding sandy path that wound high nigh Glirost, the fourth beacon, and Tham Laegmon would have answered it. They gazed below as the path could be seen winding down the southern hills of Nenuial for leagues, and there in the distance stood Annuminas. Ioristion shook, "A haunting sight........ oh......... the Capital....... the balcony where we stood and embraced........oh......." Cellindien reacted at the same time, "This place I remember..." She closed her eyes and pressed her palm over her heart. Then she turned away quickly, "We will have many shared experiences to recall, one day..." They rode down the winding paths and gradually made their way down to the road through Men Errain. The Tombs of the Kings yawned nearby. Ioristion had curious thoughts. He wondered if anything of great value was hidden within them. Then he remembered Melimwe's words concerning the Dunedain. He changed his mind. They passed into the old gates into the Capital. The city appeared empty and desolate. They climbed past Gwaelband and reached Garthadir, and turning north, they came to the site of the old manor of an Arnorian Lord with whom Ioristion and Macil had dined on their journey to their last war together. They came to where the balcony once stood. Ioristion's dreamy eyes flashed back and forth between moments of time, "We stood here once....." Cellindien gazed at the drowned domes and docks below, "It as if all the life was stolen, down to the very stones..." She began to speak almost wistfully, "I wonder... did Gondolin look this way... as it sunk beneath the waters...?" As Ioristion's memory uttered, "My brother," his mouth uttered, "My sister......" Then he embraced Macil in his memory, and he embraced Cellindien deeply, kissing both her and him on the cheek, his real sister, and the shadow of his past. Cellindien returned his embrace, but her eyes were distant, "I hope that this journey brings more hope than pain, in the end." Ioristion smiled as he regained his senses, "It may yet...... my dear sister.... it may yet...." Cellindien gazed into his eyes, "I know the truth that we hold on to... our hope. But even so, each day is hard, is it not? It is hard to remember life in a ruin. We should rest among others soon, brother. Fareon and Lerinon were correct... it is not good for us to be alone." Ioristion sighed, "Oh who will aid us now.... the rangers all appear to be east......." Cellindien wondered, "What of their families...? Surely they cannot have left them alone?" Ioristion sighed again, "They are also to the east some place.....Even so, they would not desire for us to search Annuminas.... and besides, if anything of value did lay hidden here.... the rangers would have known, and brought anything of note to their Chieftain...... or to the Lord of Imladris." Cellindien breathed out a sigh of relief, speaking softly to herself: "... I am glad. To sleep on a cliff of stone... no, it would not be wise." They re-mounted their steeds and rode out of the city, and Men Errain passed them by as ghostly as it had appeared. They made their way all of the way to the High King's Crossing, pausing in awe of the Colossus, and then rode across and north, to Candaich, and then turned east. They crossed an old bridge and entered the isle of Tinnudir. It was deserted, but small piles of wood spoke of recent Dunedain activity. They paused nigh the gates of the great Keep. Ioristion smiled, "We shall rest here, for now." Edited by Ioristion, Dec 24 2014, 10:20 AM.
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| Ioristion | Nov 19 2014, 06:52 AM Post #39 |
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Chapter XXXIX: In the Chamber of Elendil They passed into a great hall of men, to avoid the rain. They climbed the ruined steps, pressing forward into the darkness. They entered a large, moist chamber. They followed the way around the central pool, and found the hidden resting places of the Dunedain. "Ioristion," *Cellindien walked around the room, inspecting the furniture and running her fingers over the top of a table. "Ah... signs of life at last. This place is well kept-up... barely any dust to speak of..." Ioristion smiled, 'Yes... apparently so.' He began to glance at the maps on the table. We have three directions to consider in our search. To the north, where my father sought Makalaure. To the east, where further ruins of Arnor lie. Or, to the south and then east, into Cardolan....... Cellindien shook out her cloak and hung it over the back of a nearby chair before sitting down as he searched the maps. "I follow, as you know. But I fear that this rain will only turn into snow and ice if we continue north for long." Ioristion nodded gravely, "And yet..... the frozen wastes are empty. These are dwarf-ruins, according to my father.... but all of these have been searched. My brothers utilized all of them as places of refuge in their search. Lerinon is wise.... and if they found anything of power, we would have these objects now in our possession..... he has not spoken to me of them, if they exist. There is little up there at all that is worth our attention. Now, the Dunedain guard the North Downs..... they have searched them all, no doubt.... And to the southeast, in Cardolan of old...... there are the ruins of their capital...... where most fear to tread......" Cellindien raised an eyebrow at this.* "Most?" Ioristion nodded, "Most mortal men, not even the Dwarves hold those Downs in high regard." Cellindien laughed a little, "That sounds like a perfect place for us, then." She stood suddenly. "Will the rain continue long, do you think?" Ioristion sighed, "I am not certain." He rubbed his arms. "It is cold in here....." Cellindien looked back up at him in surprise. "Does your cloak not provide enough warmth...? Perhaps if you wore clothing that was more suited to travel..." She sighed. Ioristion then appeared to fade once more into a dream. Cellindien's eyes grew wide, "Ioristion...? Ai..." She looked around hurriedly, shaking out a musty blanket left behind by a ranger and draping it around his shoulders. But then he came to his senses and shook it off, as if he had pretended to fade. He wrapped his arms and cloak around her and kissed her on the cheek yet again, his warm lips cooled by her cool and consoling face, "I cannot tell you how blessed I am..... to have a sister. You are my sister. Never forget this." Then, for the first time in months, he remembered Rostoriel and Alcano, his son. "....we have both suffered from grave loss, and yet...... there still may yet be hope in the darkness." He released her, and placed the cloak on his shoulders yet again. Then he faded, and Cellindien could not respond to him. Edited by Ioristion, Jan 1 2015, 05:56 PM.
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| Ioristion | Nov 19 2014, 07:26 AM Post #40 |
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Chapter XL: Across the Northern Downs Ioristion awoke at dawn and the rain had stopped. They passed through the old and sandy ruins near the ruins of the ruined Keep. They barely passed nigh the southern portion of the isle of Tinnudir when Ioristion began to fade again. "...I dream..... I...." And then he was transplanted into a dark and foreboding memory. His father angered, and torturing his victim.... his victim, Yucalwe, of their rival house..... who grimaced, wickedly....... the darkness.... the same foreboding darkness as within his chambers..... reaching toward him.... He moaned, barely gasping, "My sister...... my sister...." Something was amiss... had been for some time, but now Ioristion worsened before Cellindien's very eyes. She sprang forward, dropping to her knees at his side and gathering him in her arms. "Brother, Ioristion! Brother, Ioristion!" His eyes barely opened, "No, father.... no no father... no no no, do not............" She wrapped his cloak more tightly about him, looking about quickly for any sign of a foe. "My brother, listen to me! Whatever you see... it is not reality... awake!" "My.... sister........" He slowly recovered his strength...... regaining consciousness..... "Ioristion... what has happened....? We have faced the past." Why were they still accosted? Was their foe even now drawing nearer? Cellindien closed her eyes, a thought and strain of music coming to her mind. She took a breath and began to sing. Ioristion struggled to speak, "It was on this island.... that my father faced him...... the poison originated..... I understand now..... we came upon this spot by error........" And Cellindien sang, "A Elbereth Gilthoniel... o menel palan-diriel... le nallon sí di'nguruthos! A tiro nin, Fanuilos!" Ioristion smiled, the pains of memory departing him, "Thank you....." He propped himself up, turned, and embraced her, with a long, deep kiss on her cheek, "My dear sister..... let us depart these lands." She returned his embrace, but not his smile. "Yes... and with as much haste as we can. Come... if you can stand." He felt her familial embrace, and thought of his betrothed. He would kiss her, he reasoned. He would deeply kiss her. And he would embrace his son, for the blood of Alcon and Macil flowed within him. But not in the presence of Cellindien. He thought back to the old Second Age, when the flowers and holly bushes blossomed throughout the blooming fields and hills of Eregion, its ridges and terraces, as the sun warmly shined on golden domes and spires. And how they wept for Macil's near despair. And as they wept, they kissed, and they knew that they were meant for each other. But not in front of Macil's eyes, nay...... for his sake, and for his long lost Finlos, they abstained to display their love within his presence......... He mounted his horse. They had placed their horses under safer ruins in the rain. They had slept on fair patches of taller grass, and grazed in the fields of the Isle. Ioristion and Cellindien rode hard, between the ruins of Ost Forod and the estates to the south, past Candaich and the statue of the Four Kings, and past the Colossus. They made their way through foggy and strange fields along the road, until they reached a lonely tower, and crossed into the fields of Fornost. There was a deep dread and sense of danger upon the air. They rode hard and fast along the crumbled road through the barrows and reached the Greenway. Deadman's Dike loomed to the north, the vast gates of Fornost yawning before them. They pressed onward still, and passed into fairer pastures and greener lands, and they rested briefly at Minas Vrun. They rode through day and night and day again, speaking little, and pausing for several times of rest for the horses beside still and tranquil waters. They crossed the old footbridge over the river and made their way across vast fields to the pinnacle of a large hill, and sighted a grove beneath them. They descended the hill, and passed into Meluinen, and began to hear the voices of Elves singing. They found the refuge of Lin Giliath. Relieved to find some of their own kin, they dismounted, and Ioristion exchanged friendly words with the stablemaster, who in turn took their horses to be housed for the night. They passed into a cluster of buildings, "We should rest here for now......" Cellindien looked at him, "How do you feel?" Ioristion smiled, "Better........ and you?" Cellindien reflected on the past several days, "I feel more at ease, though I did not feel the threat as you did. I wonder if perhaps the poison did some hurt to you that was never fully healed." Ioristion shook his head, "I do not know..... we shall yet see......." Cellindien's eyes glowed with concern, "I feared for us leaving on this journey alone, but especially now... you do not seem ready to fight. But there is time to speak of that later... go... rest. I wish to watch the stars for now." Edited by Ioristion, Jul 28 2015, 08:35 PM.
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12:43 AM Jul 11