| Welcome to Leaves of Laurelin. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. We hope you'll enjoy your time here. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| 16. Wind-Singers Volume II: The Artifact; Ioristion, Cellindien, and others, in the aftermath of The Hunt. | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 11 2015, 07:39 PM (892 Views) | |
| Ioristion | Jul 11 2015, 07:39 PM Post #1 |
|
Prologue Months had passed since Cellindien and Ioristion had returned to Imladris. Many joyous memories had been shared. But slowly, a shadow grew within Ioristion's heart. It was now mid TA 3017. A fold of molten gold silk brushed gently on the cold, hard marble. A barefoot slipped ahead lightly on the tiles. The walls were shrouded in shadow. He found he could see in the dark. The glimmering rays of light shot forth from tiny crevices in the wall. He cracked at the broken marble with his staff. Flecks of marble fell like dust. Then he clawed at the shards. He cut his hand. It began to bleed. Blood stained the marble. He did not flinch. He grasped the jewel with his bloody hand. The light hid the blood. He covered hand and jewel with his cloak, and turned away, silken folds swishing behind him on the floor. He felt his hand slowly heal inside the cloak. He felt the dampness of the Vala's pitiful tears. He sat in the shadows and waited. He felt the bleeding stop. He let the cloak fall, unveiling the light. He clutched it against his chest, energy flowing through him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Far away to the east, a small light flickered in the midst of shadow. The eyes within the shadow, concealed, fell ablaze within his anger. It was extremely far away from him, and he felt it. He knew it. It was as small as a wasp's stinger. It stung his heart. He cried aloud. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alcano awoke in a hot sweat. He brushed his copper-colored messy hair aside, black in the nightly darkness. His sheets and nightly garments were damp and sweaty. He was wearing a dark crimson, silky tunic. He had dreamed a frightful dream. He ran to his father's chambers. His father was absence, his mother asleep. No, I shall not disturb her... I must find him at once and stop whatever mischief he has fallen into. He searched the house from top to bottom. Whether or not Cellindien was in her room, or had returned to her other chambers elsewhere in Imladris, he did not check. Only one place remained. He ran into the shadows of the basement chambers, sighting a dim light ahead of him in the warm darkness. Fear froze his steps. He looked for his sword. He had none. He cautiously stepped forward, as the light grew brighter, his shadow growing taller. He peered around the corner, his eyes blinded by the light. There sat his father hunched over the jewel. Alcano bolted. His father raised his hand. Alcano paused, gazing at him in terror, "Ada!" Ioristion strangely smiled, "Come, my son. Cloak with me." Alcano gazed at him strangely, "What do you...?" "Hide within my cloak, and touch the jewel." "This is madness...." "Alcano, my son......" Alcano sniffed the air. The air was strangely pleasant. He could not even smell his own sweat. He felt cold, his skin drying. He obeyed, sitting beside his father, hiding within the molten-golden folds. He reached toward the artifact. His finger-tips touched it. He felt himself drift into a dream-like state. Yet he felt conscious, awake. He turned toward his father. Ioristion sat wistfully with his eyes shut. Alcano grabbed the artifact and tossed it across the floor. The light faded, then fell dormant. And darkness filled the room. He heard his father's voice, "What..... what have I done?" There was a torch ahead of them, and a voice, "My husband.... what are you doing at this late hour?" Her light fell on the artifact. She gasped. Not touching it, she led them quickly back upstairs. Alcano returned to his room, smirking. Ioristion sighed. Rostoriel muttered, "I am far too tired to scold you.... we shall save that for the morning. Wait till Fin- Cellindien hears of this....." Ioristion rolled his eyes. He still felt pleased with himself. Edited by Ioristion, Jul 12 2015, 04:31 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 12 2015, 03:03 PM Post #2 |
|
Chapter I: The Widow Rostoriel returned to bed, deeply sighing, "My husband has truly lost his mind..." He has ever lost his mind. Why have I not hated him, as Numenorean wives would have? Why did I wed him... because I loved him... and he has never returned from the war. The War took him, the war took him, cursed be the darkness that took him, cursed be the darkness that took him, cursed be the shadow that took him from me..... he was my husband, I loved him.... I truly love him.... and he is gone, he is gone, namarie, he is gone.... namarie, gone... namarie....... will we ever meet again? He is gone, I have lost him, I thought I found him, thought Finlos brought him back! And Rostor, oh my brother, I have lost him.... my brother, my beloved brother, my poor, lost brother, who seldom listened... who seldom listened, who seldom thought to listen, to hearken to me.... he is gone, forever, gone, evermore, gone, will he ever return, will he ever return from the West? Nevermore shall he return. Nevermore. He is lost............. and my husband is lost... She broke into tears, her face hard, coldly stern. And I should have been with them.... my sister is fond of battle, why, Finlos, I mean, Cellindien, she trained for war, I... am a sot, because all Elven maids are sots, hiding in their wine, hiding in their dressers, hiding beneath their hair, hiding in their manors, or in their gardens, or at their stoves... what have I done? They are gone. One returned, but he is gone. He needs.... he needs... he needs me to be strong, to be good for him, but who is he? Where is he? IORISTION! ARE YOU TRULY GONE, FOREVERMORE?! She had shouted inside her mind. She sat down on the bed and cried, burying her head in her hands, rocking back and forth as she sat, weeping streams of tears slowly, down her cheeks, washing her hands, salting her eyes. Her eyes burned as she sobbed. Edited by Ioristion, Jul 12 2015, 03:35 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 12 2015, 03:59 PM Post #3 |
|
Chapter II: Mother and Son Alcano did not go to bed. He turned toward his parents' chamber of rest. But Rostoriel slept alone. He had placed his father asleep on his resting place in his study. Alcano rushed over to her, as she cried. She gazed up, her eyes burning through her tears, "Oh my son... my beloved son... my beloved..." Alcano embraced her as she sobbed on his shoulder. He began shedding tears himself, "I know mother, I..." "No, you do not know! You are young, you do not know..." "Have I not been raised without my father, have you not kept me from him?" "To protect you! Oh my beloved boy... how I strove to protect you from him... from his madness..." "You did..." "Did you touch that orb?" He bowed, "I did.........." Rostoriel buried her face in her hands again, "Then you are lost, with him! Have I lost another? You will charge with him to the East, and you will die! I'll lose you, my beloved boy, my child, my.... as I lost your uncle and... your father..."' "I must go, and you did not lose him, he is here, with us, we had cured him...... he had walked the lanes and trails in bliss, he had explored the pine-wooded hillsides, he had sat beside the flowing waters of the Bruinen, he had strode with us, attended tales in the Hall of Fire, he had sparred with your sister, my aunt... and my grandfather's arrival...." "Had plunged him once more into madness! Oh why did he come...... forgive me, my son.... you should not have to hear this..." "I must, my beloved mother....... I must.......... and I must bring him back." "He is lost.... forever lost..... ..... get the wine." "Mother, I do not think...." "Is this not what we poor elf maidens, left behind on the road to war, must do? To drown our sorrows!" "It will do no good.... and nor will it respect the vineyards....." "What are vineyards or farmers or any, to my grief?" "Do not fall into the discord... I do not want to lose you too...." The discord. The words fell deeper than the beating of drums in shadows. She clutched at her chest, grasping her amulet, till it threatened to breach the skin of her palm. She looked down at Alcano, who had fallen from her embrace, now sobbing on her knees as he knelt. She gently began to stroke his hair, more tears streaming. Then he looked up, into her glistening eyes. She muttered, "Forgive me..." Alcano shook his head, "Nothing to forgive.... come, you must sleep, gaze at something......." "Then I will gaze... into your eyes......" And she woke up the next morning with cramps in her knees. And he woke up with a headache, his knee muscles ached. And he slowly stood, "I am going to find Cellindien....." Before she could reply, he had left the room. |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 12 2015, 04:24 PM Post #4 |
|
Chapter III: Madness Reawakens Ioristion awoke. He felt the gold fabric, saw it shimmer in the morning sunlight through the windows of his study, where many a decaying tome sat yellow on the shelf, its ripped bindings sagging. I must have it.... they have hidden it from me, but I must have it.... that Jewel is more precious to me than a Silmaril...... it empowered my mind, and I must have it..... it gave me dreams..... I thought I saw him again........... it is mine, we found it, but I knew the spot, my father should have given it to me, he thinks it is his, by right, it is mine... my inheritance, am I not his Heir? It was given to him by Yucalwe, by Amanuiron....... who is now, that which plagues my heart to terror, such a foe, I shalt defeat, bringing Justice to Rostor's fallen corpse..... I must turn it against him, it is mine, he gave it to us, before he fell, ha! Amanuiron shalt defeat Guldrambor! And I shalt plot it............. we are sorcerers, we are...... mine enchantments against his force..... mine preservation against his power.............. but I shalt out-master him.......... I should seek counsel from the Istari, for they are Maiar....... I know who I must seek, for counsel, against this foe......... Maia of Aule against Maia of Irmo........ why, I have heard he hath studied the old Noldorin ways..... Curumo..... Curunir............ Saruman the Wise! He shalt aid me..... I must seek him.................... Why, I can imagine what he will say to me, I need not travel, on dirty roads through Dunland... why, the artifact alone, I shalt commune with him! Through dreams................ why, I can conjure forth a dream right now....... And he did worse. He imagined all of it. Ioristion envisioned himself passing up the dark, obsidian stairs, his cloak of molten gold streaming far behind him, billowing up the stairs. And there Saruman stood, leaning on his obsidian, dark staff. He waved in greeting, gazing down at him, with his dark, cold eyes, as dark as coals, "I have foreseen your coming. And I welcome thee to Isengard. Come hither, Elf-lord, that I may speak with thee." Ioristion paced across his room with excitement. He had never seen or met Saruman, but had heard tales spoken of him. And his imagination sung, his thought-construct born from memories of the tales... And he envisioned himself ascending many flights of carpeted stairs, into a throne-room in the tower. And he knelt before the Maia. Saruman motioned him to rise, "Speak unto me, Elf-lord, what troubles you." And then I would tell him everything. "That is quite a tale you have woven, Ioristion. Is your father Ancient Lore? Did my libraries birth you? Or are you named as such, for your propensity for learning? Much you can learn with me, Ioristion. Wisdom can flower within you, why, I would even force Master Elrond, nay, Celeborn of Lorien, to respect you with awe! Come, let me tell you how you shall defeat this 'Guldrambor,' as you so name him. Let me find an enchanted Staff of mine that I find little use for, hither in this Tower. And there are other treasures........ to help us find your foe's precise location. I would go with you myself, but I have been in the far lands of the East before, with two others of my order. They did not return, but we found no trace of one such as this 'Guldrambor,' as you so name him. Come, for I wish to quiet thy anguished spirit, evermore....... that you may find him, and fear him, nevermore...." Ioristion smirked. He felt even more pleased with himself, to think of such a plot. He would not propose it to his wife. Cellindien would think him even more mad. But it would entice his son. And the voice of Saruman spoke once again in his imagination, "A son you have..... do you not? I am glad that he is here, for there is much that I can teach him..." Ioristion left the room, in search of Cellindien. Edited by Ioristion, Jul 12 2015, 04:26 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 12 2015, 04:43 PM Post #5 |
|
Chapter IV: Sisters As Rostoriel sat befuddled in her chamber, Rirossel stepped into the room, fanning her raven hair behind her as it flowed down her shoulders. She was wearing a crimson silken dress with a purple, velvet shawl. Her eyes beamed with compassion as she beheld her sister. "My sister... what has happened?" "He found your 'lovely little hiding spot.'" "How? I had buried it in the wall." "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE BURIED IT DEEPER!" "There is no need to yell." "Is there not? Auruiron returns from out of the blue, admonishing his son, my husband, for attempting to live a normal elvish life! Then his brothers work on him, trying to persuade him that this foe must be faced, brave Fareon. I do not know where that Inheroth was, he, at least, appeared to have some measure of courtesy, as did his brother... Lerinon is as mad as my husband! Heir of Doriath indeed..... I have had enough deranged Eldarim lurking around this household.... and now I hear Auruiron...... he is returning from those mysterious Leaves of Laurelin for yet another visit! Where was he lurking? With Macalaure of course, the whole reason my husband and I are stuck here, why we cannot yet cross the Sea, as if we ever good, while those mighty Valar-" "STOP IT!" Rirossel's eyes glared, a simmering glance. Rostoriel hushed as she noticed Rirossel's livid, angered face. Rirossel approached her, "You should feel blessed to have a husband... and a son..." Rostoriel gasped, "You have no idea!" "Oh, no idea. Of how oft thy heart hath pitied thyself from Melkor's discord?" "Do not speak that foul name within this house, and if you must speak it, then speak it proper and be done with it!" Rirossel stormed out of the room, seeking Cellindien. Edited by Ioristion, Jul 12 2015, 04:44 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 12 2015, 04:53 PM Post #6 |
|
Chapter V: Darkness' Agony Rostoriel simmered. The house was empty. She sat, a deepening frown upon her cold, hard face, her eyes glaring. Neither the sunlight through the windows nor the sound of the songs of sparrows brought comfort to her angered fea. She suddenly stood, marching to the study. Her husband was gone, but his cloak of gold was left behind. And her cloak of crimson was in the drawer. She had washed and let the breeze dry it the day before. She returned to her chamber, grabbing the cloak, whipping crimson silken beauty around her shoulders as it fell in shining, billowing folds. Then she grabbed her husband's cloak, whipping it above the crimson. Gold fell onto crimson and intermingled, fabrics flowing as if rivers streaming... She marched down into the basement, the cloaks billowing. She scowled as she closed the door behind her, shutting away all light. The darkness surrounded her as she groped her way ahead, slowly, through the shadows. She felt something cold at her feet. She reached down, cradling the artifact in her hands. With all of her anger and might, she tossed it against the marble wall. It did not shatter. It bounced back across the floor, light slowly growing. She gazed at it in terror as the light grew. She felt curiously attracted by it. She touched it, began petting it smoothly. She went to where her husband had sat the night before. It glowed and gleamed, its true color now difficult to discern, whether ruby or diamond. She billowed the cloaks around her. She billowed them over her head, hiding in her self-made tent, the fabric shimmering in the light of the enrapturing artifact before her. She pressed it against her chest. She felt soothed for the first time in ages. She had forgotten this feeling. She began to shed hot tears, cradling the light against her chest. She found that she could breathe. She sat alone in the shadows, as her possessiveness grew. She fell asleep, gazing inside the light. Darkness lurked and clawed around her. You have hidden my husband in the depths of madness.......... within you, I shall find him, and bring him home....... She kissed the jewel. Edited by Ioristion, Jul 12 2015, 05:25 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 13 2015, 07:39 PM Post #7 |
|
Chapter VI: A Noontime Run Cellindien ran swiftly as she exited the maze of trails surrounding the Last Homely House, giving one last push in the day's run. She had been lax in her training lately. Today she was holding nothing back. Alcano had run through the artisans' forums and towards the Last Homely House. He had not yet searched the trails, but he had run to Cellindien's room, where she had often spent her time alone. But she had spent quite some time with the family, attempting to save Ioristion from himself. Ioristion, meanwhile, had sought the same place, but he realized he had forgotten his cloak. He mumbled and perturbed several Elves nearby and continued on his way, before plunging into further vascillations concerning Saruman. Rirossel had just left the manor. She looked down the road and saw someone running at a fast pace. She caught a glimpse of the sun shining on silver hair. She ran to meet her. Rirossel's eyes were glaring, "Cellindien.... Cellindien.... my sister...... I....." Her eyes were stressed, staring at Cellindien, indicating the worst. Focused as she was, Cellindien didn't recognize Rirossel until they were almost upon each other, and as her sister called out she came to a stumbling halt and bent over to catch her breath with her hands on her knees. "R-Rirossel? ...Ai.... What is it now?" Rirossel bowed, "We failed..... our brother found the artifact..... his madness has returned..... Rostoriel is furious and grief-stricken, but your brother and your nephew are running somewhere in the Vale causing mischief." Alcano, meanwhile, had found Ioristion, standing in a stupor, while other Elves clearly avoided him. Alcano began guiding his father home, while Ioristion protested, and Alcano sighed, muttering "Now where is my aunt hiding...." Cellindien stared at her for a moment, still breathing heavily. "I would beg you to tell me that you are jesting, but your eyes say that you are not. ...I am only one elf... how can I continue to do this..." Rirossel clasped her hand, "You are not only one elf.... I have not lost my sanity, have I?" She tried to muster a smile. Cellindien gave her a bemused look. "I... am one elf. As for sanity, who am I to judge. Lead on, sister. I will do what I can." Rirossel sighed, "Forgive me... I can see you have been running, and are tired..... likely in need of water...... come, shall we walk inside?" "A swim would be best, but somehow I think that luxury will elude me..." Cellindien took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "There. I am ready." |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 13 2015, 07:40 PM Post #8 |
|
Chapter VII: Found and Lost They passed through the door of the house. Rirossel turned into the room to their left, peering around the corner, "Sister....?" There was no answer. Rostoriel had left the room. Cellindien followed after her. "Another missing person?" Rirossel sighed, then shouted aloud, "Rostoriel?" There was no response. Rirossel sighed again, "Please, sit down in yonder chamber. I will search for her." "As you wish." The upstairs rooms were empty. Rirossel continued to shout. No reply came. She heard a door downstairs. And Cellindien, listening, only grew more concerned. She rose and began to pace, hoping that it would ease her weary muscle and anxious thoughts. Alcano burst through the door, Ioristion hanging off his shoulder. He heaved and held him as they maneuvered clumsily, stumbling into their chamber of rest on the left. Cellindien spun around at the sound of them entering and hastened to join them. "Ioristion! Alcano, what has he done now?" Alcano sighed, "We have searched everywhere for you...." "Apparently not" Ioristion muttered, "I must visit the Istari! Saruman the Wise!" |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 13 2015, 07:41 PM Post #9 |
|
Chapter VIII: A Missing Sister Cellindien cursed softly under her breath. "Is the artifact hidden now? Do you know how long he was with it?" Alcano shouted, "No you will not! Oh Valar....." Alcano bowed at the mention of that name. He continued, "Ada has been uttering such nonsense ever since I found him beyond the artisans' forums, muttering to himself in some stupor. Oh, he found the artifact last night." Ioristion smiled gleefully, "The White Wizard shall find our foe for me, through his powers!" Alcano closed his eyes in embarrassment, "Not every elf-lord can simply saunter about wherever he pleases, certainly not to beg at the door of a Wizard in a savage land far away!" Ioristion sat down on the pillows, gazing madly at them, "I am as powerful as he......" Alcano's jaw dropped, "He made me touch it.... its even worse...." Rirossel ran into the room, "Rostoriel is not upstairs.... I wonder if she also left the premises?" "May the Valar have mercy..." Cellindien stared at Ioristion. "This is worse, much worse than he has been before..." At Alcano's words she whipped her head around. "You?! Alcano!" Alcano nodded sheepishly, "Well.... he was so alluring.... it called to me....." Rirossel's eyes glared, "Wonderful. Now both of them are insane......" |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 13 2015, 07:41 PM Post #10 |
|
Chapter IX: One Place Remains "And now Rostoriel..." Cellindien groaned, putting a hand to her head. "I cannot be in three places at once. Alcano, please, for me... you must stay here, stay with your father. Do not listen to anything, only this... you must touch nothing, and keep both of you safe. Please, Alcano." She rested a hand on his shoulder, looking deep into his eyes. "Do this." Alcano nodded. "Touch nothing! Listen to no voices!" She repeated. Alcano nodded, "I will not." Rirossel's eyes suddenly glared, "The basement! The artifact! We have not yet searched there yet!" "Good." Cellindien turned to Rirossel, but the elleth spoke before she could and her heart sank. "No, not Rostoriel also. Rirossel, I will go. Stay here. Your brother needs more than Alcano." Rirossel protested, "I think we can trust Alcano..... you may need help down there..... if she is there....." - Cellindien shook her head. "Your sister is strong of will, but I will carry her away if I must. Alcano may need help." Rirossel nodded gravely. |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 13 2015, 07:42 PM Post #11 |
|
Chapter X: Grief's Madness Cellindien nodded once in reply and fled the room, sprinting through the hallways, down cold, marble steps, through several chambers. She knew the halls well enough now, had spent many hours in them with her family. But now, once again, she found herself fighting a grave threat in those same halls. She entered a distant room and saw her sister sitting alone. "Rostoriel!" Rostoriel stood, a strange smirk on her face, her cloaks billowing behind and around her. She had hidden the light beneath the folds of her cloaks. "Mae govannen, my sister...." Cellindien approached her warily. "Rostoriel, why do you wear that cloak? It is not intended for you." "It is mine and my husband's.... for we are one. But he is lost.... only I remain..." "Ioristion is not lost. His spirit remains, though it can be misled. Where is the artifact?" Rostoriel stammered, her tone rising, "It belongs to me, now! Too long have I suffered without such bliss... such happiness.... such beauty.... and it is mine again." "Such bliss is no true bliss when your husband lies alone in his chamber. You know where your heart truely lies, sister." Cellindien took another step closer. "We have both suffered, Rostoriel. But what you have seen is not truth." |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 13 2015, 07:43 PM Post #12 |
|
Chapter XI: The Powers of Lorien Rostoriel turned her head awkwardly from side to side. Then she leaped toward Cellindien, spreading aloft her silky wings, the blinding light filling the chamber, as she bore down on her, pressing the artifact against her, entangling her in the cloaks, "You shall see for yourself, my beloved sister!" Cellindien was on guard and recognized the action just in time to fling her hands up in defense, catching hold of Rostoriel's wrists and pushing the artifact away from herself. The cloaks surrounded her and as she tried to step away she tripped, catching her feet and falling backwards. Rostoriel bore down on her, down onto the floor, shoving the light in Cellindien's direction yet again. Rostoriel had a surprising strength, Cellindien realized, no doubt enhanced by whatever it was she had seen. She gritted her teeth and fought back, rolling over so that her sister was beneath her and she had better leverage. "Rostoriel! Stop!" Rostoriel kicked and fought, thrusting the artifact upward. She was unable to move the rest of her limbs, entangled in her cloaks. Never before had Cellindien found herself in such a battle with an elleth. The movements were weaker, but with strange angles and she found it surprisingly difficult to resist as Rostoriel fought back. "Sister, stop, you must-!" The sudden upward thrust caught Cellindien by surprise and the object of their struggle struck her solidly in the jaw and sent her sprawling to one side Her vision went white. She felt something smooth beneath the fingers of one hand, but it seemed far away. All she could do was stare into the light until it shifted, and there was Rostor. He did not see her, though she stood but a stone's throw away. He was gazing into something... a wide, shallow basin. And somehow, she knew beyond all doubt that it was truly him. Her voice was silenced. She could not speak, but she reached out, and he turned. Recognition lit his eyes and... Cellindien lay senseless on the floor of the chamber, the artifact resting beneath her left hand. |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 18 2015, 08:08 PM Post #13 |
|
Chapter XII: Madness Rising Upstairs, Alcano sat beside Ioristion, who gazed ahead. Ioristion stammered, "Nay! I shall not believe it! Elrond lies! A Silmaril is hiding... to fulfill that cursed Oath! In the Vale, in the rocks, in the hill-sides, in the caves.... Caves! Caverns! Ashen.... ashes...... falling..... Tower Dark, rising!" He felt the old fear again. The glorious ranks standing side by side, shields abreast, swords tall and pale, pointing at the shadows that obscured the stars. Their war-torn cloaks streamed behind them, their battered, bruised arms ached as they stood. And there were men there, the majesty of Numenor rising with the Noldor. Yucalwe had stood, tall and terrible, his cold gaze piercing the Gates of Barad-dur. But it was not his Doom to face the Eye. Alcano yelled, "Will nothing cure you from this madness?! Ada!!!!" Ioristion persisted in his diatribe, "Behold, I see thee, foul Dark Lord, Great Eye! Thy spired helm, thy spiked sword, thy tallest blades, mace-spikes! Hold! Hold! The golden-arrow hold! Nay Yucalwe, not charge! Nay commander, not now! They are dying..... dying...... dying........" Ioristion remembered how he turned, how he saw Rostor. His crimson cloak of silk, ash-strewn, flowed behind him, his dusty hair blew. His eyes stared ahead undaunted. His heart tightened with his sword-grip. As soon as the Dark Lord reached the end of the bridge, they charged. But Ioristion fell himself tumbling backward, hands grasping, pulling him down by his cloak. Then all went black in the chaos that followed. Rirossel suddenly sprinted to the entrance to the basement. Ioristion persisted, "Nay! We won! Victorious! And I shall meet Saruman, he shall honor me!" The imagined voice of Saruman echoed in Ioristion's mind, "You shall be great. And together, we shall defeat thy foe." Rirossel's pace quickened. She had heard sounds of harsh movement beneath the floor. Ioristion stood, whipping his cloak around flamboyantly, "I am... he, glorious hero, glorified veteran.... victory was mine! Ah, the glory of our banners, the sun how it shined upon our armor!" His fell memories had vanished, replaced by the resplendent parades of the Eldar, the sun shining on their faces, their clean, silky hair flowing in the wind, their billowing cloaks of velvet and silk streaming, their banners shining, flapping, and their armor emblazoned as they marched abreast across green hills and fields, across streams and rivers, through forests of chestnut, ash, and birch, and then into the fertile lands between the Baraduin and the Hoarwell. Alcano had covered his ears. Ioristion stammered, "Faeleth, beloved mother, received justice. Where is she? She is making supper....Why, she is with my Lord-Father now. Auruiron embraces Maglor..... Affirmation fulfilled! Another victory! And my brother, Elurin, Prince of Doriath! Ha, Elrond, thy history art wrong!" Rirossel ran back, nearly out of breath, "Quickly, make haste!" Edited by Ioristion, Jul 19 2015, 02:49 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 19 2015, 02:54 PM Post #14 |
|
Chapter XIII: Into Deeper Shadows They all ran to the basement, Ioristion still muttering about heroic charges. They descended the stairs into the shadows, but Rirossel had grabbed a candelabra. And in all the tumult Cellindien stood in silence, surrounded by light. It was like a dream, and not quite like a dream. Rostor waited there, so close, so alive, and she thought that she took a step forward... held out a hand... The light of the jewel was strong. They reached the chamber. Rostoriel appeared to be entranced. Cellindien was unconscious, grasping the jewel. Alcano shouted, "Quickly!" Rostoriel squirmed and reached, "Nay, it is MINE! I TELL YOU! MY PEACE IS MINE!" Her mind flooded with memories fell and terrible, Gondolin ablaze around her, Lords of Shadow and Flame tall and terrible with their flaming whips, thongs reaching to pierce and rip away the flesh, forcing the blood to flow, staining the stairs and streets, the screaming of elven maidens perishing, and of warriors failing, haunting the dying air, darkness rising. Then Tum-laden fell, the Hithglaer rising, Hadhodrond far away beyond the mists and smoke that made many cough and gag, streets and plazas once more ablaze. Yrch charging, and death, death, death.... how Faeleth perished in her husband's arms, how the land was torched, holly trees aflame across the ridges and plains. She buried her face in Ioristion's cloak tenderly, kissing it deeply, as she cried remembering her husband's madness. Alcano sighed, "And now it falls on me and Rirossel. Quick, let us attempt to wake Cellindien." And as Alcano reached down to touch her, he touched the jewel, mists rising in his mind. Rirossel grabbed Cellindien's hand, kneeling, and rubbing her forehead gently. Edited by Ioristion, Jul 19 2015, 02:55 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 19 2015, 03:10 PM Post #15 |
|
Chapter XIV: Across the Sea Alcano closed his eyes. His felt his heart-beat, steady and strong within his chest. He saw a figure approaching, running toward him. The figure appeared through the mist, crying, "Finlos! Finlos!" Alcano suddenly found that he could rub his eyes, conscious of the fact that he had closed them. The mists slowly began to clear, gathering at their sullen feet. A light was shining above them, a light toward which they dared not stare. His hair flew billowing down his back in magnificent tresses, shining in shades of red, orange, and gold, emblazoned in the light. His cloak billowing down his back beneath his hair, silken crimson, glimmering in waterfalls and rivers and streams of light, flowing and gathering in deep pools at his feet. And his face was crying. Rostor stared at him, "You are not Finlos.... I saw her, staring at me. But I know who you are, for I have watched you from afar......" Alcano bowed, "My glorious ancestor......." He bowed down, kneeling before Rostor's feet, kissing his cloak, burying his head in deep folds of fair-scented silk. Rostor lifted Alcano's chin gently with his right hand, "Not so glorious.......where is she? She whom I saw running toward me in the mist, my dearest beloved Finlos..." Alcano shook his head, "She is Cellindien now, virtuous and true, mother, sister, and sister-mother. And she is strong.... her heart bleeds for you..." Cellindien's brow furrowed beneath Rirossel's gentle hands. She was running now. The light had faded and mists had obscured Rostor from sight, but it seemed that she could still hear him. She had heard him... she had heard him quite clearly. Rostor smiled as he wept, "Her name is fair, As silver hair, That crowns her brow, As all should bow. Her face is light, Snowy, bright white, Her shoulders crowned Resplendent gold, Her face ne'r frowned, Her heart is bold. Now come my true Beloved son to me, As son to her, As son to me, To my sister And brother be, The same truly. When flames fall far, Thine eyes shall shine Among the stars." Alcano enveloped Rostor in a deep embrace, "Take my eyes....... my lips...... all of me....." Their hearts pulsed together as they embraced, a surging river of memory flowing between their minds. Alcano buried his warm lips in Rostor's pale, cool, cheek, and then he fell once more, burying his lips in the cool, smooth silk that gathered at Rostor's feet. |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 19 2015, 03:14 PM Post #16 |
|
Chapter XV: A True Reunion Alcano, grasping the artifact, arose, approaching Ioristion. He embraced his him. Rostor spoke, "My little brother..." Ioristion raised his voice, "No....no.....no........ you died before me.... you died in my arms......" Within the mist Cellindien was becoming ever more lost. She was Finlos, and her love, Rostor, was near, and he loved her. That was all she knew, though the white fog threatened to swallow her. He was there. She knew he was, and she walked forward, calling for him. "Rostor! Rostor!" And Rostor said, "Protect my love." And Ioristion felt Rostor's warmth of love pulsing in the heart of his son as they embraced, as Ioristion caught a glorious glimpse of the Uttermost West. But then Ioristion only saw Rostor, a beautiful being with beaming eyes standing beside him, clothed in white. And Ioristion deeply kissed the tears that flowed from Rostor's eyes as they fell gently down his cheeks. He did not mind the salty taste. It did not disturb him. And he buried his lips in Rostor's cheek, as he returned the gesture. And then Ioristion kissed Rostor's cloak, as Rostor enclosed his wings around him, as Ioristion stared into the red, warm, darkness. The dream felt real. He did not physically pass through these motions with Alcano in reality. Alcano shoved the artifact at Ioristion's chest. Ioristion felt as if he had been swimming deep, in a vast abyss, until this moment. He closed and reopened his eyes. Ioristion uttered, "Many of us perished on that fateful day, my beloved brother.............." Rostoriel tossed and turned in the anguish of her tortured memories as she writhed on the floor, kissing the cloak of Ioristion. And pity sang in Rostor's heart, as he and Alcano reached down. Rostoriel opened her eyes, for a flicker of an instance, she believed she saw Rostor's smiling face, his arm reaching for her. And she wept, "My brother!" And the voice of Rostor replied, "Protect our son." Rostoriel stood, embracing Alcano. Rostor felt the warmth of her embrace. The light within the artifact slowly faded, as Ioristion clutched at it. And then the light went out. Alcano rubbed his eyes, and turned back to Cellindien. He knelt down on the floor beside her. Edited by Ioristion, May 23 2016, 01:21 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 19 2015, 03:22 PM Post #17 |
|
Chapter XVI: Madness' Death In Arda, Alcano leaned-over gently. Alcano found himself reflecting on the Last Alliance. He saw Elves.... countless ranks of Elves..... Elves he had never known before in all his life....... the memory of the scent of ashes rising in his nose. Tears came to Alcano's eyes. Alcano found himself leaning forward, kissing Cellindien gently on the lips, deeply. But his heart did not throb. For he remembered who he was. He quickly withdrew his face, ashamed of himself. But Rirossel, her mind sailing in a sea of confusion, shook Cellindien to wake her. Ioristion turned, to see Rostoriel gazing at him with widened eyes. He reached for her, she grasped his hand, "Forgive me.........." Ioristion frowned, "It is I, who should seek forgiveness.... I, who sailed the darkest seas of grief........ who watched my comrades fall. What year is it? I have scattered memories......... and many more, that do not seem sensible to me..........." Rostoriel shed hot tears, rising into her husband's arms, wrapping his cloak around him, ".......Welcome home, my beloved love.............. the war is long since over............." And Cellindien came awake in a confusion, the room a blur about her and her head aching even as she felt a warmth in her heart that she could hardly contain. "...W-Where...." The word was stammered out in the ancient High Tongue. "Where...." Rirossel helped prop-up Cellindien, "You are safe now....." |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 19 2015, 03:24 PM Post #18 |
|
Chapter XVII: Visions Lifting Cellindien stared at her in confusion, then broke into a blissful smile, still in the old language. "You look so much like him..." Rostoriel turned, her husband releasing his grip as she turned to kneel beside Cellindien, enveloping her in a deep embrace, "My beloved sister..... I have hurt you..... forgive me...... I beg of you........." Alcano stared at the wall in confusion, stunned. His eyes were watery. He found himself reflecting on the glory of Eregion. And then he saw the Misty Mountains give-way to a vale encircled by tall peaks, green, fertile fields rising atop a central hill, rocky and steep, and there he beheld a white city, tall and glorious....... And he saw Melimwe, Saelbainor, and even Sararwa, there lurking within the ocean of his mind. Caught up by yet another familiar, but unfamiliar face, Cellindien hesitantly returned the embrace. "Sister?" Now in Sindarin, as she drew Rostoriel closer to her. "Sister... oh, my sister..." Rostor gazed into the mirror once more, passing a whisper, "You are Alcano, son of Ioristion and Rostoriel.... my nephew...... our minds became as one..... remember who you are, always....." The voice seemed faint and distant, as soft as a whisper. Then it faded away. Alcano rubbed his eyes. Cellindien rose from the floor, gently bringing Rostoriel with her. "Come my lady, there is no need to sit on the floor..." Alcano's words caught her ear and she turned to look at him suddenly. "Alcano...? Sapling?" She looked around the room, as if just now seeing the other occupants. "What has happened?" Ioristion approached Cellindien, "My sister........ dark hath been my road since Minas Anor....... a vast, churning sea of storms, my mind....... and there is no Silmaril held by Master Elrond in secret. And there are no treasures buried beneath every stone. And I was not a glorious hero...... but a lost cause, who nearly was lost forever.......In the fury of my mother's death, I rashly charged........... come, where is........" He turned toward Alcano. |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 19 2015, 03:25 PM Post #19 |
|
Chapter XVIII: I Am Your Son Alcano turned around, his mind confused, "W....where......... I saw ashen clouds..... a charred land...... I saw Eregion.... its spires shining.... I saw a vale.... enclosed by mountains..... fields leading to a city of white stone.... upon a tall hill......... yet I was never there......" He girded himself, "I am Alcano, your son......... and yet, I saw.... I saw.... I thought......." Ioristion stared at the artifact resting on the floor in the dim light of the candelabra, "That jewel..... is as powerful as a Palantir of legend........ and I fear, as dangerous........" Rostoriel's heart beamed, "And who are you to spout wisdom as mirovar from a flask flowing into a silver basin?" The words made Alcano's heart throb, "Where....... is the mist......" Ioristion shook his head, "What mist, my son?" Rostoriel turned toward Cellindien, "This is all strange....... what happened when you touched the artifact, my sister?" But Cellindien ignored her, instead holding her hands out to Alcano, a look of sadness and understanding upon her face. "Sapling... it has passed. Come." For she had guessed, or nearly guessed, what he had seen. She had found what she had sought for so long... perhaps it was that Alcano too had found the object of his search, and it had not been as he had hoped. |
![]() |
|
| Ioristion | Jul 19 2015, 03:26 PM Post #20 |
|
Chapter XIX: Leave the Jewel Alcano approached her, embracing her, "Oh Cellindien....... I have something that I wish that I could tell you..... though it confuses me...... but I cannot tell you..... because the West commands my silence........." Alcano stared at her, stunned at his own words. Ioristion smiled, "I heard the words, 'Protect my love.'" "Then keep your silence, Alcano, I know what I need to know." Cellindien smoothed Alcano's hair before letting him go, and laughed at Ioristion. "You are mad, brother. I need no protection." Ioristion smiled, "No, I am not mad. Not anymore......... oh Rostor! Macil! You who spoke from my son's lips! Oh...... what power, how.... in this jewel alone?" He shuddered as he heard a voice approach from the doorway: "Leave the Jewel!" Yucalwe frowned deeply in the dying light. Edited by Ioristion, May 23 2016, 01:19 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Wind-Singers · Next Topic » |







12:43 AM Jul 11