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16. Wind-Singers Volume II: The Artifact; Ioristion, Cellindien, and others, in the aftermath of The Hunt.
Topic Started: Jul 11 2015, 07:39 PM (897 Views)
Ioristion

Chapter XX: A Commander Redeemed

He stood in the deeper darkest depths of the shadows nigh the doorway. He stood invisible in the shadows. Ioristion's heart wailed, for he reminded him of the Shadow that they had fled from, in the depths of Hadhodrond. He did not speak.

"How dare you return!" Ioristion cried. "How dare you!"

And then the voice trailed as if on a fair, yet foul wind, "Unto death and doom, I led thee......I, the living shade, that haunts thy Past............"

"What... who goes there?" Cellindien left Alcano's side to stand with Ioristion.
"I am not haunted, nor will I ever be again! Come forth!"

An eerie laughter sprang from the shadows, "So there she stands. She who betrayed my son..........."

"You were no father to him!" Ioristion shouted. "Nor to I, Scourge of the Ainon Cundan!"

"The Amath Naru cannot stand," the voice hissed, "The Son of Alcarin art as doomed as I.........."

"...Yucalwe," Cellindien guessed softly, then louder as she walked boldly towards the shadows. "Do not speak of doom here. Come forth!"

"So shall all of us be............. our tears, beyond account, have not yet ended........ nor shall they........I have wandered from the West unto the uttermost East................. nor have I escaped Their wrath.......... doom has dogged my steps......... and death, my path............"

Still Cellindien approached him. "Come out of the shadow."

"A grave poison entered my veins...... forced and tortured against my will.......... into my mind, my foe came......... dominating me...................... so many died on Himling..... so many died............. what was that sound? Nelyafinwe? Have you come again to watch me? Oh.... nay, he art with his brother. Well then............ I would tell him that he sadly failed, even across the lonely lands, to aid me............ He too, reminds me, of how I failed......... how the most noble prince of all...... perished in the flames.... because of me.......... and how he whom reminded me of him...... brave Macil........ perished because of me..........Are you certain that you wish for me to step forth, betrothed of Macil? What doom shalt I bear unto thee, I fear............"

Cellindien reached the shadows and paused. "Either you will step forth, or I will bring you hence. I fear no doom, for I bear a hope stronger."

Ioristion heaved a deep sigh, "It is uncouth for one of the Eldar to behave so rudely........... who taught you your manners, Thranduil of the Greenwood? Or was it Maeglin of Gondolin, or Eol of Nan Elmoth......... or was it..... your precious Guldrambor................"

Yucalwe stammered, "DARE YE NOT SPEAK THAT NAME! Forgive my loud tongue, betrothed of Macil........... a 'hope stronger,' you declare......................."

Ioristion quickly darted across the room and whispered in Cellindien's ear, "He mentioned a poisonous venom...... I believe we both encountered this, back at my father's House........... I fear he is not himself........"

Alcano reached down, carefully grabbing the Staff of Findekano off the floor, as he crept into the shadows, as he gripped it as tightly as he could, tip-toeing so that he could not be heard.

She nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, I had gathered as much... the cloaks, Ioristion." She removed her own as she spoke, then stepped towards Yucalwe, bearing it in her arms.

She saw his movement out of the corner of her eye and sighed. "Yucalwe, come..."

Yucalwe scowled in the shadows, "You amuse me, bearing the vanity of House Alcarin in thy arms......... Vanity and doom unto the ending of the final days........... his golden vanity ruined me......... or did it? My mouth ruined my reputation, at the Court of the High King....... reacting to -his- vanity...........yet in my own vanity..... what have I dared to claim...........

Ioristion spoke calmly and gently, a surge of confidence rising in his fea as he finally realized the true nature of Yucalwe's darkness, "You need not follow him. Come back, lest Guldrambor destroy thee. You have naught to gain from such shadows.............. come. Come to my sister......... take her hand and bury thyself in the precious gold.........."

Cellindien extended her hand to the elf. "It is vanity perhaps, from a point of view. I thought it as such myself... I still do not care for the color," she offered a smile. "But come, if it is vanity, prove it to be such."

There was a sound of the drawing of a sword, "You shalt not force me to forfeit my family's Honor! Vow-bound am I..... to regain what I hath lost. For my father's Vow, I served the Son of Feanor. For my father's Vow, I betrayed the Son of Feanor! For my father's Vow, I fled into the wilderness of the world. For my father's Vow, I........ saved the life of an innocent, whom I have lost sight of, because of my doom...... and before I lost sight of her, I led an entire contingent, in the name of my father's Vow...... unto death and doom.................. all to restore the honor that we lost, when High-King Finwe exiled us..... for the actions of my tongue, against he who is now named Auruiron.................." He slowly began to crack. "And yet.............. you would have me prove.................. by what? By touching it? ...........most amusing."

Ioristion sighed, "Yucalwe.............. Commander of old............ you should know that we have seen him........ through the Jewel............ he awaits you, in the West, as well as us.......... he ended my madness.......... will you not come forward?"

The Staff was raised, but Yucalwe raised his sword. He was careful not to graze Cellindien's hand. Rostoriel had stood in silence and confusion through it all, but now she approached with a torch. There stood Yucalwe, his sword blocking the Staff, gazing wildly into Alcano's eyes.

Alcano spoke triumphantly, "Rostor was my mother-brother.................. his blood runs throughout my veins................ my glorious ancestor, whom I shall not defame................ why do you blame yourself, for what the Enemy has done?"

Cellindien showed no fear, did not flinch at the bare blade. "He is a foolish sapling, but he speaks truth..."

Yucalwe laughed grimly, "So now I have a grand-nephew....."

Alcano blinked, "What do you mean?"

Yucalwe laughed ever louder and more insanely, "I named him as my son, the night before his death."

Cellindien's eyes widened, but she did not retreat. "Then take heart, for you have gained a family. Yucalwe..."

Ioristion spoke gently, "The time is nigh."

A light glimmered along the edge of the Staff where Yucalwe's blade now touched it. A voice came forth. Yucalwe's sword dropped to the floor when he heard it.

The voice spoke: "Son of Yuale............ I have failed you once............ but now I shall ne'r fail you again.................... alone I fell, against the Seven Terrors........ my banner bloodied, my body..... left beyond recognition........... but the West was merciful........... and our foe is blind to our true designs......... in remaining in this world."

Yucalwe dropped to his knees. His new silken black cloak that he had woven recently, lined with bloody-red, streamed behind him in a heap on the floor. He bowed his now-sweaty brow, his eyes anew with tears..........
"........Fi...Fingon.......... my......High-King............ I have failed you...... I have failed Nelyafinwe........" Yucalwe swished a vast fold of his dark cloak around himself, hiding his head in the deep-silken red lining, burying his face.

Cellindien hurried forward and knelt beside him, her hands reaching for the clasp of the dark cloak and gently slipping the golden over his shoulders.

Yucalwe felt his cloak-clasp come undone. He did not fight it. He felt the folds of the cloak fall from his shoulders, so that only his hands now clutched the fold within which he was burying his head.

Findekano smiled as he observed the scene, "With him, I have already conversed. He does not blame you....... why do you blame yourself........... do you not know? Thine Houses unified........... thy bonds renewed.......... shalt renew thy Vow within mine eyes..................."

Yucalwe felt the golden cloak touch him as it poured down his shoulders. He saw a flash of an instant, an image within his mind: the Dark Lord thrashing down Rostor, as he watched from the gaze of Cellindien's eyes. The vision burst. He quickly reached for a great fold of gold, dropping the black and crimson. He tossed his dark cloak across the floor, over the artifact. He buried his face in the gold, kissing it tenderly, kissing it as much as he could, as Findekano's words rang throughout his fea, "Thy Houses unified." And he felt the tendrils of the Shadow begin to lose their grip, his darkest fears and terrors of all Doom vanishing, as ever deeply, he clutched and kissed the golden cloak. He felt a sudden, excruciating, burning in his stomach, that coursed throughout his veins. He screamed as his skin appeared to shed wisps of smoke, as if it were aflame..................... and then it formed something....... a vision of a being with long, golden hair, a cloak as gold as that of Auruiron, lined redder than Yucalwe's............... but his face hidden from their sight, as he gazed away from then, for it was marred with shadow, "Gaze at me..... little Yucalwe....... beloved brother..... gaze at thy friend thine..... forever more..........."

Yucalwe shouted, "Nevermore!!!!! Wicked traitor! Nevermore!!!! Grave deceiver!!!! Nevermore!!!!"

Findekano said nothing, and his eyes were glowing with pity.

And the mirage of Guldrambor shouted, "Nay!!!!!!!................my Prince..... Amarthon hath poisoned thee.............. but before my vision hath shattered.............. the poison expelled from thine veins............. death and Doom shalt..... end thee........................"

He spread his arms aloft in golden beauty, ruby-red glory, as he suddenly spin, his cloak twirling and wafting on the air, faster and faster, to the highest pinnacle of its glittering, glimmering, gleaming rapture, as Yucalwe continually shouted, "Nevermore!" as he kept his eyes shut as tight as possible.

After a final shimmer, Guldrambor's hair and cloak became consumed by shadow, the truth beneath the veil of bright illusions. Naught but one flicker of light remained, veiled and hidden within dark shadows, his wretched fea laid bare before them.

Findekano himself now appeared, a bright light channeled, charging against the mirage of Guldrambor that had formed from the remnants of the now-expelled poison, that had finally fled from Yucalwe's veins, due to the cloak that Cellindien had placed upon his shoulder. And the darkness grew and struck back, but the light pushed forward, but then gave way, as the shadows grew, but then the light regained the higher air, and struck at the heart of the marrow of the wretched shadow that now simmered at the center of the room.

Nothing remained behind, not even a wisp of smoke.

Cellindien remained on her knees, her hand still upon the cloak on Yucalwe's shoulder. She was pale, but calm. "Yucalwe?"

Yucalwe turned, wrapping her in a deep embrace, clasping her tightly, ".............Finlos..................... forgive me................... I beg of you........." His eyes were glistening with tears. He rested his weary head tenderly and penitently on her shoulder, enclosing her with him inside her cloak.

She returned the embrace. "You are forgiven. The shadow has passed. Take courage."

The voice of Findekano spoke, "I hold thine Vow within fulfillment................"

And Yucalwe replied, "And may it be, that I shall ne'r hear the Call of the Sea...... even when near unto it........ until it has finally ended, that which I have begun........ there, when I sat beside him, in the Gardens of Lorien so long ago..........."

The Spirit closed his eyes.............. probing..... listening.......... and slowly, his eyes, reopened, "It has been ordained.............. stray not from thine path........ unto the West, we shall return.........."

And then Findekano vanished.

And after long moments of silence, Yucalwe smiled, "What is it again, that they call you now, Finlos?"

Cellindien smiled. "I am Finlos, and also Cellindien."

"Then let me be......... father, son, and brother............... father to the betrothed of Rostor.............. son, for because of you.... my life is reborn.................... and brother, for I shall protect you, to whatever end that doom may bring me..................... I shall not fail again."

"A great many roles to play, but I accept." She gestured to the others. "Behold, your family. I will not try to list the roles.... it is madness, through and through. Let the rebirth be of the highest importance."

Even Rostoriel smiled, "...............Yucalwe....... I, too, forgive you................ and an illumination has dawned upon me. You kept my brother, inexperienced as he was....... alive, even nearly through the final day of the War.............. and this is nothing to be ashamed of. The Song took him from me........... and now I know.... the Song shall unify us again..............and, because of you..... my husband lives............... you brought no Doom upon us."

Alcano reached down toward Yucalwe, who took his hand, as he slowly rose......

Yucalwe's gaze then fell upon the heap of his cloak on the floor, the artifact beneath it, "...........we have, alas, forgotten an important matter................. we should probe it further, but with care.................. for I fear what it may do."

Ioristion laughed, "Let it rest for now, my friend. Commander, what are your orders?"

Yucalwe smirked, "That we leave behind, for a time, this damp and murky basement."

Cellindien laughed. "You would call a place murky that has seen so much light?"

Yucalwe laughed with joyous mirth for the first true time in his life, as he briefly spun while golden silk surged around him in his flourish. He turned to Cellindien, gently re-clasping her golden cloak around her shoulders, laughing, "That is rather ironic......... come. I have not felt this alive since that fateful walk from Lorien's Gardens......... Lead on."

She brushed her fingers over the clasp, testing it to make sure the cloak was secure, then looked over her shoulder at the deserted jewel. For a moment she gazed, treasuring the moments it had given her. Then she nodded and turned back, ascending the stairs. She would meet him again.

Yucalwe's cloak had been worn and dirty. But Alcano looked down at it, and pointed. It was slick and clean in the torchlight. Ioristion held the torch as Alcano knelt, the now non-wrinkled, smooth, cloak rising. The Jewel gleamed beneath it.

Alcano gently remounted it on Yucalwe's shoulders, "You are blessed......... some Power has restored this......."

Yucalwe turned back, smiling as he gazed at the Jewel, "Yes..."

They all followed Cellindien, up into the daylight that streamed through the windows of the manse. Yucalwe had come because he had heard of Ioristion's journeys from Auruiron, before they had spoken ill words to each other in the hidden refuge in the woods of the Trollshaws. He had passed into the depths, his madness growing. But now, the world had changed. He emerged, free at least, from the darkness that had consumed his fea. His smile greeted the greater dawn on his horizon. His dark cloak now gleamed brightly, as a pleasant scent of roses filled the air.

Findekano had felt the Power touch the cloak. He bowed invisible, "Thank you, Lord Irmo............. the turning of the tides has finally begun." For Lord Irmo had solidified his powers through dreams and visions of the future, pondering each possible situation in which the Eldar and the Second-Born might be drawn to goodness. He did so long before the Valar refrained from their actions in the world. He did so at the bidding of Eru, through the words of Mandos. And none can say how much farther aid that the Valar ensured through their powers, as the Ents awoke once more in Fangorn, and as the powers of the Mirror were assured in the Golden Wood, as far-gazing at the Seat of Seeing upon Amon Hen, and the Palantiri, if any Stones yet existed in the world.
Edited by Ioristion, May 23 2016, 10:29 PM.
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Auruiron

Chapter XXI: The Feud Bursts

Auruiron had returned from the kin-refuge and found Ioristion pacing to and fro outside of his house. Ioristion told him everything that had occurred, plunging Auruiron into disbelief. He was both jovial that his son's madness had finally ended, mixed with terror and anger at Yucalwe.

But Ioristion said, "My beloved Ada, come, let us walk. I will help you maneuver through this."

And for once in his life, Auruiron finally obeyed without complaint. He watched his son's gold, outspread, pour down the hill behind him, as they walked beneath the emerald-green leaves of the trees. The sunlight flew through the trees, as they passed through light and shadow. The sunlight gleamed on Ioristion's golden, silky hair that poured down his shoulders, although it was never as long as that of Galadriel. They came to the place where Alcano and Cellindien had bonded but months before. The crystalline waters of the Bruinen flowed beside them, as if it, too, was a long and storied cloak that billowed its way to and fro unto the sea, the sunlight glittering on its surface, revealing all its ebbs and flows.

They sat down beside each other on the grassy hillside. They deeply embraced each other, kissing each other deeply on their warm cheeks, cuddling together. Auruiron was teary-eyed, "Welcome home....my son....."

Soon, their entire bodies were bathed in golden silk. Ioristion clung to his father's chest, resting gently. Their peace seemed to last for an eternity.

Then Ioristion said, "You must forgive Yucalwe."

Ioristion felt the darkness begin to flow around him. Auruiron had released his grip, forcing his son away. Auruiron turned silently and mounted a tall slab of rock overlooking the river, as he stood in the sunlight as if a King determining whether to make peace or war, his cloak and golden hair flowing behind him in their golden majesty.

Even Ioristion partly laughed to himself, He is always beautiful when he is angry. He heard the cloak flapping in the wind. Auruiron no longer felt the grace of Nienna in the cloak, for his self-pity and recalcitrance were welling in him.

Suddenly, he spoke in the rising tide of his tone: "Forgive....... Yucalwe..........."

Ioristion shouted, "Yes! Ada......"

Auruiron laughed grimly, "So the spirit of a High-King thinks that he can end an antagonism that is over several Ages long..... with a mere whim of his ghostly voice, much as our First High-King managed to form such an antagonism, within a span of mere moments."

"Ada..."

"YOU WERE NOT THERE!"

Ioristion kept silent, So this is what King Thranduil did unto my twin brothers............ pretty, prissy, and petty.

"You were not there....... when Yucalwe came to court that day, per usual.... with his father........... and how, all of a sudden, Feanor strode into the Hall, threatening Fingolfin by sword-point, and after that was concluded, and Feanor had departed, as King Finwe was weeping, all of a sudden, the chamber erupted into mad bickering. And then Yucalwe's voice became the loudest, including attempting to overpower our King's attempts to restore sanity, resulting in the exile of he and his father as examples, which silenced the rest of the chamber. They blamed -us- for our appearance, demeanor, and how they had come to despise how 'vain' we were, and then thousands of Feanorians perished in the wars, because Yucalwe had kept thwarting me...... oh, Makalaure protected me from him, and yes, Nelyafinwe often handled Yucalwe whenever he overstepped his bounds, but still...... and then the final harp-string broke when he wounded Cullasson in Doriath and then came to believe that I intended to murder those twins........your brothers..................surely you cannot expect me to change in this, thousands of years later....."

"Forgive me.....for he has changed, thousands of years later............"

"HE WAS A TREACHEROUS, SPINELESS!!!!"

"You know that he was not...... it was Guldrambor's doing, not his!"

"He fell placated to that being....."

"And Findekano has -rescued- him from that being........"

"Must we argue so soon, my son? So briefly after our joyous reunion?"

"I....I will not let you run away! If it were not for Commander Yucalwe, I would be DEAD!"

Auruiron became silent once more, the wind whipping his cloak and hair in a torrent of cycles.
After some moments, he continued his tirade,
"His maddening plots and grave foul schemes,
Ruined many of our plans and my dream
Of a unified Eldar of our land,
More precious than the golden gleams of sand,
And ever when my golden cloak took flight,
Ever was it obscured by his dark night."

Ioristion listened patiently, "But his dark cloak is bright and beautiful now!"

"I shall not thence believe it until I see it so."

"THEN COME AND SEE IT SO! My patience is wearing thin, Ada! I must leave, depart for these Leaves that I have vague memories of, from my madness. This whole dreadful dispute is rife to make me mad again! Oh Ada, Yucalwe had adopted Rostor, yes, -your- new son, the day before he died. Whether you enjoy it or not, our Houses are now unified: the Ainon Cundan and the Yualon. Bury this nonsense with King Finwe's bones, lock them away in Formenos, or in the charred ruins of the Thangorodrim, these horrid events that are now long past."

Auruiron suddenly chuckled, At least my son had lost his madness..... for ever did he identify with long-past histories.... "Fine! Let us go then and be done with it!"

Ioristion spoke solemnly, "I would not have us leave this blessed place..... until peace flows through our hearts as powerfully as that river."

Auruiron came down off the slab of stone, nodding. He tried to calm down, though his mind was a raging storm. He draped his cloak around both of their shoulders, as they turned, kissing deeply into the silk of each others' shoulders, their lips buried deeply within the cold, smooth folds, as Auruiron began to realize his errors, as the powers of Nienna began to arise through the cloak once more, flowing as if her tears from her pitying eyes, as father and son broke-down and wept. The sunlight glimmered through the glitter of their warm, wet tears, as if they had been blind, their sight restored. For Ioristion had been partly blind to his father's grief, and his father had been blind to the need to forgive. The wind billowed their hair in each others' faces as they laughed. And Ioristion caught a semblance of that young and passionate Noldo once again, the brightness and gaiety and mirth of Alcon of the West.

They felt a sudden innocence, as Auruiron felt his heart throbbing him toward forgiveness, and Auruiron thought back to that solitary ellon with raven-hair, and how he had conversed with Findekano on the matter. The thought struck him as deeply as a dagger unto his heart. He realized what he had done, the crimes of the rest of his omission, and ignorance. He had passed the task onto someone else, whom had become greatly instrumental in their lives. And yet, he had shirked his own responsibility in doing so. He had failed Yucalwe. His heart felt stung by the revelation of his failure. He had failed one whom could have been his friend and brother throughout the long years. The entire feud need not have happened. He was complicit in Yucalwe's errors. He finally realized that it was he, himself, who needed to ask forgiveness. And the wind billowed their cloaks as they flapped in the cool breeze, as they clung to each other tightly.

And then Auruiron followed his son back up the slope.
Edited by Auruiron, Sep 27 2015, 08:49 PM.
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Yucalwe

Chapter XXII: The Dark Grip of the Past

While Ioristion was with his father, Yucalwe was pacing to and fro in his chamber, the shadows of the past rising to haunt him. He did not know where the others were, but
they were probably in their chambers, for they had agreed to reconvene later in the evening, for they were wearied by their supernatural experiences in the cellars.
Yucalwe begin attempting to explore his new horizon, as if a child taking his first steps. But he did not forget the past. He fought the past. He longed to forget the
past. And longing, he felt as if the past was the jaws of a gigantic beast, rising to swallow him whole. He felt the cloak. It was strange not to feel it dirty, or worn by
time. He had re-sewn his cloak countless times, yet this was different. He wondered at it all. He wondered where Findekano was, for he much needed to speak with him. He
called for him, but he did not come. Yucalwe saw miserably on his bed, his head resting in his hands. He thought he heard someone knocking at his door.

Cellindien had retreated to her own rooms in the house as well. For some time she had only stood at the window, reveling in the memories of the past, both distant and very
near. She longed for Rostor, at one moment wishing desperately that she could simply turn around and see him once again, waiting for her with a smile and a flash of his
cloak. The moment drove her nearly to tears, but then she felt the brush of the golden cloak against her cheek, and she heard his voice echoing in her ears once again, and
she smiled. Oh, it was hard... but she was no longer alone, no longer afraid, no longer hopeless. Her family awaited her in a home that was.... if not quite safe, safer.
She smiled ruefully, then fondly. Rostor loved her, and he waited. It was just a matter of time, now. With that thought she turned from the window and went to the bath.
She emerged a short time later in a fresh gown, training garments left behind, her silver hair falling freely upon her shoulders. She had rested. Now it was time for her
to tend to her family. She paused outside of Yucalwe's door and knocked gently, listening for an answer.

Yucalwe lifted his head from his hands. He rubbed his eyes. He heard the knocking again. He heard the voices knocking. Knock, knock? I am he, the Telerin Elf, who drowned
when you shoved him off the ship.
Yucalwe slowly rubbed his sweaty forehead. Knock knock? I am he, the Doriathrim guard whom you stabbed before you turned traitor! Yucalwe
rose from the bed. Knock, knock? I am he, Maedhros, whom you betrayed, plunging into the depths of flames! Yucalwe reached the door. Knock, knock? I am Rostor, thy Macil,
son of thine! Who fell before the Ring!


Cellindien frowned and raised her hand to knock again. Perhaps the elf had gone out, but so soon?

Yucalwe's hand slowly reached for the handle. Knock, knock? I am thy friend, Amanuiron, who shall destroy thee.......... Yucalwe pulled the door open in a fury of haste,
staring into Cellindien's eyes in his disheveled appearance: his long, disheveled hair, and black tunic.

She jumped back as the door flew open, hand reaching for a sword hilt that was not there. A second later she realized her mistake, but remained a step back, wary.

"Yucalwe?"

Yucalwe tried to smile, "Forgive me....... I....... I cannot explain why...... I mean..... you may come in, if you wish....." Yucalwe sighed sadly and sat back down on the
bed, staring at her through the open doorway. He gazed into her grey eyes that beamed at him like stars. He tried to ignore the golden cloak. And yet, standing there in
her beauty, she seemed as if a Maia, coming to lead him away from the shadows that gnawed at his soul.

"I only wished to see if all was well. It seems it is not...?" Cellindien entered and drew nearer to him, stopping a few feet away. "Are you unwell?"

Yucalwe slowly nodded, "I know not what the son of Auruiron has told you of me.................... But I know of you............ Rostor had confessed everything to me and
I pitied him........... a pity that he never knew that you had survived........... instead, he followed me unto his doom............... I felt so innocent, not long ago,
and now............ the past ariseth to consume me......." Yucalwe closed his eyes, "Daughter, Finlos.......... betrothed unto my dead son. Oh why did I not order that
retreat but sooner.... oh why................ I fled from it. Long years I spent in exile, mostly in the land they now call Gondor, on the shores of the sea........... the
Enemy found me out.......... I was deceived, my own mortal allies betrayed me............ and the........" He was remembering the nightmares of how many men he had slain
in the grand arena of Umbar, though it had only occurred within his tortured mind. And then that memory folded unto his charge against the Easterlings of Ulfang, who had
betrayed the Feanorians when need was dire........... which led to Findekano's death. Yucalwe's head slowly fell back into his hands. He heard Cellindien's voice.

"Yucalwe." The words were spoken not with anger, but with sharp command. "Stop."

Yucalwe mumbled, ".............I....cannot.......they are..... relentless................. I can still see their eyes....... their pale, sad faces......... their
eyes.......... their eyes stare....at me.......... their eyes.................. Telerin and Doriathrim....Sindarin........Mirdain..............the Doom..... I fear.....the
Doom...."

"Open your eyes." Cellindien knelt before him, looking into his face. "Look into my eyes now. Look at the present. See your room, in the house of your family, who loves
you. Look, the sun shines beyond the window."

Yucalwe slowly opened his eyes, as he instinctively reached for his cloak on the far side of the bed. He gazed into her beaming eyes, her silver hair glittering in the
sunlight. Before he touched anything, he saw the moment, and he saw the moment clearly. Here there was life. The death of the past had vanished. Here there was love. The
darkness of his crimes had been long past repented. Here there was hope. And the gold gleaming on her shoulders..... he could no longer see it as vanity. He longed to
begin anew. He smiled, "Yes..... my daughter....... thank you........ you are right......................"

Cellindien remained there, kneeling. She smiled. "I am sorry... we should not have left you alone. I fear we have grown almost used to strange events."

Yucalwe's hand touched the cloak, slowing dragging it across the bed. "Yes...... most strange indeed..... thousands of years uprooted..... thousands of years..... somehow
fulfilled in a span of the Sun crossing the sky.........."

"There will be more." Cellindien stood carefully, gathering her skirts about her and wincing. "There... is always more in this family, you will find."

There was the sound of movements in the hall.

Yucalwe heard a voice that made his stomach initially start to churn, ".............he is here......." And Yucalwe hid within the red, pulsing darkness of his cloak. He had seen that darkness before. He had kissed that darkness, drawn outside of himself. He had heard that angelic, patient voice, Yes, my dear sweet friend..... rest within me......... my beloved little brother.... rest and dream freely..... The words haunted him, You betrayed........me.........Amanuiron........ you betrayed.......me.......Guldrambor............. He tossed the cloak away, as it sailed quickly on the air, in Cellindien's general direction.
Edited by Yucalwe, Sep 28 2015, 08:26 AM.
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Yucalwe

Chapter XXIII: Auruiron's Darkness

As Auruiron followed Ioristion up the slope, he remembered that icy hill that was difficult to climb, and Astarseron's fair hand reaching toward him, grasping him closely. He remembered Almareon's fair smile, his fair kiss on the cheek, his fair loyalty, his bravery in the wilds, the food that he had captured and cooked, the toils he had suffered, all for he, himself, Auruiron, and he recalled Astarseron's great wisdom, and he recalled how ever they stood by his side. And when he was down, wounded by a trapped foe, his brave brothers, bound by his Affirmation, had marched away to death and doom, on a desolate Isle. Makalaure's words had calmed Auruiron. The revelation by the river had calmed him. He had seen Yucalwe lurking about the kin-refuge, but he spoke little to him, and ignored him when possible, that deep, seething wound, festering in the marrow of his heart, turning his world, ever darker, darker, in the deepest bleakest night of shadow.

He recanted the words that he had spoken, so earnestly, to comfort his son. He had despised them by the time they reached the threshold. Auruiron tightened his grip on his sword-hilt, as they passed through the door.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXIV: Rostor the Red

The cloak sailed through the air. Distracted by the noise in the hall, Cellindien had no thought to deflect it until the red waves had fallen over her, covering her sight,
flooding her senses with rich crimson and silk. A soothing warmth and peace swept over her, but it was hard-pressed to battle the voices she heard. A young Noldo, eager to
become a warrier. The distant laughter of the Fountain Guard. Rostor. She fumbled for the cloth, stumbling into a nearby set of drawers and nearly falling before she
managed to free herself.

Yucalwe stared at Cellindien as she fought free of the folds, "Forgive me, I........"

"Rostor! Sararwa..." She staggered as the cloak gathered on the floor at her feet, pressing a hand to her head. "Your finery... my father... the Swordmaster. I..." She
blinked and looked about her, confused.

Yucalwe stared at her, "Rostor......... Swordmaster............... Gondolin............. it is strange. I tossed the cloak, for it reminded me of..........."

Rostoriel burst through the door, "You must hide yourselves, both of you, quick!"

Yucalwe blinked, "What is the matter now? Is he truly here? I knew that footfall....... yes, he is here."

Rostoriel shouted, "He comes!" She pulled the door shut and locked it with her key, then swiftly began searching for chairs with which to barricade it."

Ioristion's voice was heard, shouting: "Ada!!!!! You are mad!!!!! Have you forgotten our conversation!!!!"

There was a loud thud on the door.

It was followed by a barrage, the sound of a scuffle outside, and the sound of a body hitting the door.

Ioristion's voice could no longer be heard.

Rostoriel shouted, "Ioristion! My husband!"
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Ioristion

Chapter XXV: Blood of the Ainon Cundan

"No, t'was Rostor..." Cellindien fumbled for the wall with one hand, bracing herself against it. "T'was Rostor, the fool. Oh the fool..." She seemed to be in a daze, but
the thud on the door shook her and she fell silent, moving into a defensive stance.

There was no reply from beyond the door. There were sounds of running feet. Rostoriel quickly unlatched the lock, pushing the door open, slipping out, to find Ioristion
lying there unconscious. She whispered, "Quickly, both of you. Run to the rear of the House, and up the stairs. Oh IORISTION! I will tend to him, and contend with our
father......Go, now!!!"

"Ioristion...?" Cellindien echoed. She moved forward slowly, staring down at Ioristion. "Ioristion. Brother?"

Yucalwe seized her by the arm, "Auruiron has clearly gone mad, to do such a thing to his son, his Heir! Then again, my lord-father was also quite deranged. No matter, come
with me."

At the other end of the hall, there was a subtle flicker of a gleam of gold.

There was a sound of a harp. It was playing a solemn, depressed, despairing tune: The Noldolante.
Edited by Ioristion, Oct 5 2015, 09:11 PM.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXVI: Amath Naru and Yualon

With the harp came a terrifying voice, shouting, "Justice for Astarseron....... justice for Almareon......... for all the noble Feanorian blood thus slain.........
..........ye who art exiled, by decree of High-King Finwe, shalt perish for thy crimes............. for the ending of the day hath come, death art its
fulfillment..................and the sacred blood of the Noldor shall ever be washed clean! From the impure blood of House Yualon................."

And the minute Yucalwe's hand fell on Cellindien, she spun around with an angry cry, fist prepared for an vicious blow upon her apparent attacker. "Not now! Not ever!"

Yucalwe quickly parried her, "CELLINDIEN! AWAKEN! Awaken thyself to the present moment. Rostor is not here, nor is this Swordmaster of whom you speak! But who is here, is
he whom I hear became your father......... do you not hear his voice?"

"STAND DOWN! YOU SHALL NOT HAVE HIM!" Luingil loomed in her mind and Cellindien threw herself at the enemy.

And the wailing voice continued, "Son of Yuale, son of shadows, come unto me, Doombringer! Herein my voice, now freed from sorrow, rising within my power................."

Yucalwe tossed himself against the wall, so that she fell onto the floor. Yucalwe rushed back into the room, grabbing his sword, and darted to the left and up the stairs.

A shadow loomed in the hallway nigh the doors of the manor. A shadow that was bereft of harp and golden cloak. The music ceased. The song had ended. Now, only Ancalima
Calimmacil va Cano gleamed palely in the dim light that poured through the windows into the shadowed hallway.

Cellindien tried to follow, but in her confusion her gown tangled her feet, and she was left there, sprawled on the floor near to her brother. "...Father..."

And the shadow approached Cellindien. Rostoriel had already flung herself on the floor beside her husband and her sister, prepared to die with them. And Alcano was nowhere to be found.

Auruiron stared on the ground to see his children, brother and sister, lying before his fee: his son and daughters.

He cried aloud, "Thou hast brought this Doom upon my House! Son of cursed Yuale! You cannot hide forever. JUSTICE!"

And Auruiron pressed ahead, walking astride them, avoiding desecrating their bodies, for he thought them dead.

And the shadow flowed as he passed up the stairs.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXVII: Vengeful Justice

Yucalwe came out of hiding upstairs at the end of the shadowed hallway, "As usual, I can hear thy painful voice ever too closely........ you will never be the singer that
Maglor was! Bask as you may in his glory........... it is not thine!"

Auruiron laughed, "My voice shall be the last thing you shall ever hear."

They clashed. They clashed relentlessly, blow after blow. But no blade glowed blue today. They crashed into walls as they swung, their blades chopping into ornate
stonework.

Yucalwe smiled, "I do not seek to kill you....."

Auruiron shouted, "You shall perish, your cursed House shall perished, as I cast thee into Mandos!"

Yucalwe retorted, "You have brought this woe unto this sacred Vale. I do not intend to explicate thy blood to Master Elrond! I do not intend to be exiled yet AGAIN!" Their
clash resumed, up the next flight of stairs at the end of the hall, toward the roof.

Auruiron shouted, "Vile scourge! You might as well have perished with the likes of Maeglin and Eol!" Auruiron thrust madly with his blade.

Yucalwe laughed as he parried, "You have never truly changed, son of Alcarin. Ever the sharp tongue, of poorly thought-out verses!"

Auruiron stammered as he thrust, "And you, master poet of Tirion!" They charged further up the stairs, Yucalwe stepping backward and upward cautiously.

The combatants reached the roof. From afar, if any of the Elves of Imladris had seen it, they might have thought it a basic training match.

Yucalwe aimed his blade, "Quendi va Anor!" He spun into Auruiron's blade, shouldering it with his sword.

Auruiron clashed back, "You still mutter obscure prattle when you fight!"
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Ioristion

Chapter XXVIII: Kith and Kin

For several moments Cellindien truly lay as one dead, memories warring in her head. Then, she began to come aware once again. She had been thrown to the floor. No... she
had fallen. Luingil had... no. No, he was not there, only Yucalwe. And Rostor's cloak? No. She moaned. "Ioristion...?" Slowly she sat up, spying him and crawling nearer,
pressing a hand to his cheek. "Brother?"

Ioristion slowly opened his eyes, "We......we cannot abandon them.................... this....must....end......."

"My brother..." Cellindien cradled his head. "I do not know what has happened, I...." She heard the voices ring out and her eyes widened. "No, no, it cannot be. Ioristion!
We must go, I must go..."

Ioristion reached for her, "You would abandon your brother............your charge.... your honor?" His voice weakly gasped, "....this is Guldrambor's doing.............. the foe from whom we fled in Moria......... do you not hear me......?"

"They will slay each other," Cellindien gasped. She could hear the shouts, and the crashing. "I do not wish for this... my brother... your hurts... I do not wish to lose
you but..."

"The staff....." He gasped. "Findekano once told me....... that he had guided Yucalwe.........we need him..................Alcano.....where is

Alcano......................he has.....the staff......"

"And what of you?" Cellindien bent over him, her eyes sharper as she scanned him for injuries. "I will find him... but you must tell me that you will be well. Tell me!"
Her voice shook.

Ioristion's voice trailed up, "I will be fine........... save our father....... do not lose another one........... seldom does he behave in these foul ways....... it is

Guldrambor's doing, I tell you! He...........was it the poison? The bile that we encountered? I do not know...... but hurry!"

"Do not say such a thing," Cellindien gasped, paling. "I will go. Oh, Valar..." She rose and ran from the room, calling out for her nephew. "Alcano! Alcano, quickly! I
have need of you!"

Alcano, unbeknownst to the others, had sneaked down into the cellars. He heard Cellindien calling his name from above. He emerged from the stairs with powers in hand, the
artifact in his left, and the staff within his right.

Ioristion clutched the wall, slowly pulling himself to his feet, despite his aching limbs.

Alcano gasped, "What has happened?"

"Good, good!" Cellindien smiled at him, though she was pale and shook from horror and the force of the recent memories. "I cannot say. But there will be a kinslaying in
this house if we do not do something and quickly. I am sorry, Sapling, but come, to the roof. We will need you and what you bear."

Alcano nodded and pressed ahead with her.

She turned and ran back to the room, throwing Ioristion's arm over her shoulders. "We must go... I will carry you if I must, do not fear to lean on me." So together they
took to the stairs.
Edited by Ioristion, Oct 5 2015, 09:16 PM.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXIX: The Clash of Fathers

Yucalwe was careful not to shout, lest the Eldar here his voice. He stammered, "Son of Alcarin...... I have changed..... I do not seek to slay you..... I do not seek to
harm you..........."

Auruiron's eyes blazed with fury, "As you did not seek to harm my kith and kin, my blood?!"

Yucalwe sadly retorted, "It is of no excuse........ but it was the phantom of the bile of Guldrambor, that killed thy kin. And what floweth within your veins?"

Auruiron felt his side. There was naught to be seen.

"More deceptions!" He shouted. "Come, for we must end this!"

Yucalwe stammered, "Then you shall be the exiled Kinslayer!"

They clashed anew.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXX: The Madness of Feuds

Ioristion leaned on Cellindien's shoulder, watching step by step as they climbed.

Alcano heard the voices and the clashing grow louder.

And together Cellindien, Ioristion, and Alcano topped the stairs and entered on to the roof to see the two ellon engaged in battle. Cellindien faltered in a half-stance,

hands grasping for weapons that were not there.

Alcano turned to Cellindien, "Draw my sword from its sheath."

Ioristion nodded, "Look at those two...... and in this day and Age............ madness everywhere............"
He shouted, "I still live, Adar!"

"Madness..." Cellindien echoed, but she nodded to Alcano, drawing his sword and holding it before her. "Auruiron! Adar!"

Auruiron did not relent. Their blades clashed fast in their haste, back and forth, to the sides and to the front, in arcs and bows, but nothing made their combat cease.

"Ioristion..." Cellindien slowly eased her brother's arm off of her shoulder, letting him down on to the ground. "I must..."

She stepped forward, calling out again. "Adar! It is I, Cellindien!"

Ioristion shifted his weight onto Alcano's shoulder, as Alcano began to speak in Quenya, his eyes shut tight, his hands grasping artifact and staff firmly.

Auruiron shouted, "Stay back, children! Our feud shall be at its conclusion!"

Yucalwe shouted back, "I do not seek to harm you, son of Alcarin! Enough of this!"

Auruiron maintained his combat, "I shall do this for King Finwe....... for Maglor and Maedhros, and all the Noldor whom you betrayed......"

Yucalwe's eyes grew wide, "You betrayed them! You saved the lives of your two sons!"

"It shall be at an end, but not like this! Auruiron!" Cellindien stepped forward, more quickly, her heart pounding as she raised her blade. "Auruiron!"

Auruiron suddenly aimed his back to the edge of the roof, facing both his rival and his daughter, "I am surrounded by traitors....... dare you raise your sword at me!"

Yucalwe blinked, "Auruiron.............. from whence did our thoughts emerge..........."

Auruiron resumed the melee, "It matters not........ watch our thoughts conclude, at last.......... when I shall be free of thee, at last....."
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Ioristion

Chapter XXXI: A Dance of Gold

"Yucalwe, back..." Cellindien spoke quietly, attempting to move between them. Her heart pounded. She could hear the shouts of a swordmaster in her mind as she faced an
elven blade once again. "Auruiron, I will not strike you.... but I cannot allow you to harm another!"

Yucalwe nodded, "I am glad to see that at least you have regained your senses................."

Auruiron stared at both of them, "Fine, Finlos...... be his daughter. And meet the fate of all who dare to tread upon the honor of the Ainon Cundan!"
He charged, pushing his blade against her sword.

She parried and bounded back a pace, spinning the golden cloak about her in a dance she had thought long-forgotten.

Yucalwe sought to intervene, but did not wish to harm either of them. He studied their technique, searching for a weak-point in Auruiron's grip.

The fabric swirled and billowed, obscuring her form in a dazzling show, but she did not think of what she was doing, focused only on her goal... she must have the sword...

Auruiron moved to strike, but the brilliance that billowed before his eyes transfixed him, his grip weakening on the hilt of his sword.

Cellindien saw the weakness and spun forward, cloak flying above and around, entangling the sword and its bearer as she grasped for the hilt.

Auruiron felt the embrace of the sacred cloak, the stern warning of the West rising in his fea, as his bravado plummeted, as he lost hold of his sword.

And Yucalwe stared in awe and wonder, for here stood she, equal to Rostor in her skill, disharming their feud.

Auruiron fell onto the balcony-roof, staring upward at Cellindien, his senses slowly returning to him.

Yucalwe came nearby, pointing his sword down at him, "I declare this fateful discord to be complete......... it is done, son of Alcarin."

Cellindien panted, slowly stepping back, blades held carefully away from herself and the others.

Auruiron closed his eyes, expecting to die. He heard the clang of the blade as it fell beside him.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXXII: Drowning Pride

The voice of Findekano spoke within Alcano's mind, "I told you, my friend.............. they did not need my aid, not hither................... the greater strength lies
within the choice of virtue."

Auruiron kept his eyes shut. He saw their faces, his dead cousins...... they were smiling. "Forgive him, and seek forgiveness." The thought rang through his head as if a
tolling bell. "Forgive him, and seek forgiveness." His eyes, once ablaze with wrath, were now flowing with silent tears. "Forgive him, and seek forgiveness."

Auruiron moaned, ".......this was all madness............ why did I dare........ to...to.........."

Alcano slipped back down the stairs, depositing artifact and staff within the chamber of rest, two stories below. He did not wish for the artifact to interfere. As he
turned to run back, he sighted Yucalwe's cloak in a heap on the floor. He ran inside the room, grabbed it, and then charged back up both flights of stairs.

Yucalwe knelt beside Auruiron, "............can it end, now? May we finally become as brothers......?"

The gnawing pain of Yuale's words awoke the conflict within him, but his new longing for peace surged against that bloody tide that nearly drove him to thrust an arrow
toward Maglor's head.

Yucalwe did not struggle to smile as he cradled Auruiron's hand.

Ioristion, in the wake of Alcano's hasty departure, found that he could stand on his own. Aching, he knelt on the other side of his father, "Adar......"

Alcano returned, spreading Yucalwe's dark cloak upon Auruiron, who resisted and struggled, but gradually settled-down, as the feud that had for so long burned within his
blood, was laid to rest forever.

Auruiron's voice trailed, ".....I have failed my daughter.............. where is she..........."
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Ioristion

Chapter XXXIII: The Feud's Death- A Family Reconciled

Cellindien still stood where she had retreated, the two blades held loosely in her hands, tips resting on the ground. She was silent.

"....I have failed my son...... I have failed my daughter............ I have failed all...................."

Alcano whispered to Cellindien, "You may not realize this........ but from what I have ever heard.......... Auruiron would -never- have spoken those words. He was ever too
proud for them......."

Yucalwe closed his eyes, "I, too, have failed everything and everyone................life is lonely for we failures...................."

Alcano smirked, "Lonely save for thy failures' audience."

Ioristion gasped, trying to laugh, "No one in the histories ever will believe this..............the First No-Slaying."

Yucalwe smiled, ".................Do us a favor, son of Alcarin........ and save that sword-play for when we will actually need it! You can bore Guldrambor to death with
your...... pardon me, terrible battle retorts......."

Even Auruiron could not help but laugh. Cellindien was soon surrounded by laughing Elves.

Slowly the swords slipped from her hands and she fell down on to her knees, covering her face as laughter and tears intermingled.

Auruiron arose, walking slowly to Cellindien. He offered his hand, "I beg of you.......... forgive me..............all of you................and you, my
daughter............."

She gasped, trembling, but did not move from her place. "...I... forgive..." She cried out then, sobbing, and pressed her hands to her heart, eyes closed. "....Father....
oh, Father..."

Auruiron knelt down, enveloping her in a deep embrace.

But though it was Cellindien that Auruiron reached for, it was Finlos who curled within his embrace, and the sobs that shook her were the tears of Ages past. Cellindien
laughed for joy, in the salvation of two Fathers, and Finlos mourned at long last, for a Father who had fallen.

Rostoriel and Rirossel crept up the stairs. It had been silent for some time. They stood speechless as they observed the scene.

Yucalwe knelt beside Cellindien, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Father..." She whispered, face still buried. "My father is gone...." She let out a long, shuddering sigh and wiped at her eyes, realizing where she was and who was around
her. "I am sorry..." She tried to rise.

Yucalwe's voice trailed gently on the breeze, "You speak of......... Luingil..........of whom Rostor once spoke.........."

She nodded, pressing a hand against her mouth as the sobs threatened to begin anew.

Yucalwe's eyes glistened, "Rise into my arms............."

She obeyed.

Auruiron stepped back as Yucalwe embraced her tightly, as Yucalwe spoke: ".........your father of Gondolin may be gone........ but he is not lost....... None among us
truly are......... whether he survived, or is dwelling in the West......... many shadows are passing upon this day.................. let us live now, for this
day.......... is this not what you tried to teach me?"

"Aye," she whispered. She took a deep breath and lifted her head. "Thank you..."

Yucalwe clasped her right-shoulder, as Auruiron clasped her left, and Auruiron nodded as Yucalwe spoke: ".......no, thank you........... we are truly family now.........
finally, one House.............. the discord of the past, has ended."

And within Yucalwe's mind, far in the West, on Tol Eressea, the Maia turned away, leaving Astarseron and Almareon behind to sit with Rostor. Such was Alcano's dream. And deep within Auruiron and Yucalwe's hearts, they finally felt the passing of the darkest depth of grief, feeling the radiant forgiveness...... of the smiles of all who now awaited them, across the Sea.
Edited by Ioristion, Jun 13 2016, 01:50 PM.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXXIV: Recovery

Yucalwe gazed sadly at the ruined walls as they returned downstairs, dispersing into their chambers. And Auruiron and Yucalwe had switched cloaks. It was a new reality. They wished to gain some measure of comfort after thousands of years of turmoil. And so it was that Yucalwe finally rested himself deeply into the gold. It reminded him of Amanuiron, but he chose not to let this sting him further. He bathed his face in Auruiron's gold, resting finally in peace. He felt as if he was in Aman yet again.

And Auruiron braved the black, and found it consoling, resting in the deep-ruby red of its interior. He was glad their feud was over.

Ioristion, too, was resting peacefully. Findekano had vanished secretly, and no one ever realized it. For Findekano was confronting the spirit, Celevor, in the refuge beneath the Golden Bough.

They kept to themselves for the rest of that day, and slept peacefully that night.

They awoke to a new and brighter dawn. It was now June 7th, 3017. The days came and passed. Yucalwe rode away to the refuge, to tell his adopted sons, Abrazan and Ivordir, and their companions, what had transpired. Fareon and Lerinon were relieved to learn what had transpired with their father, but Yucalwe advised caution, to allow for wounds to fully mend. Fareon agreed, much to Lerinon's disappointment. They deigned it was best to remain with Inheroth and the men, and the others at the refuge.

The Feanorians who followed Auruiron across Eriador had been ordered to proceed directly to Eregion. They were one hundred strong, clad in wanderers' robes. Their families had remained at Minas Noldorion.

On June 13th, Yucalwe returned to Imladris with Melimwe. Naught much had changed, but the weariness was finally beginning to lift. Yucalwe had given a secret task to the men, but he spoke naught of it when he returned to the House of Rostoriel.
Edited by Ioristion, Oct 10 2015, 10:42 PM.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXXV: The Loudest Silence

Cellindien passed the days restlessly. Weariness tugged at her from every direction. Past and present mingled together, loss and blessing. When she escaped the house to train, she quickly found herself driven to return, to ensure that her family was well. When she returned, they would be resting and she would long to train once more. She was pacing the halls as Yucalwe returned, going from room to room as if to reassure self that every family member was still accounted for.

Melimwe's eyes beamed as they rested themselves on Cellindien. Yucalwe smiled, "I have returned..... is everything well? Did we have any surprise sword-fights or meddling with artifacts?"

Melimwe smirked at Cellindien on hearing Yucalwe's wit.

Cellindien looked up with a genuine smile as she spotted the two elves. The expression faded with Yucalwe's question. "Everything is well," she announced, in a voice that suggested it was not. "No surprise sword fights. No wandering. No missing persons. No artifacts, save for my brother himself." She sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I am worried sick."

Yucalwe sighed, "I do not blame you. From what I have heard, this house is worrisome. Let us hope to gain some measure of peace!"

Melimwe smiled, "........shall we sit somewhere? The road was long...."

"There is peace, apparently," She replied. "I simply cannot find it." At Melimwe's words Cellindien nodded hurriedly, looking somewhat abashed. "Please make yourself comfortable. Ah... may I bring you some wine?"

Melmwe shook his head, "Perhaps later."

Yucalwe smiled, "Agreed."

They turned left into the chamber of rest, where several pillowed resting places awaited them. Yucalwe and Melimwe quickly sat down alongside each other.

Cellindien followed after them, running a hand through her hair and grimacing as she discovered a leaf tangled within and tried to retrieve it. "I hope that your journey was profitable?"

Yucalwe nodded, "It was. Very much so. My son is well, as are my Gondorian guests. Did I mention him? A Southron child. He had been starving to death when I found him in my wanderings, raising and aiding him. He has grown very strong......Auruiron's sons are well. Everything appears well there. Now, I have learned something intriguing........"

Melimwe raised an eyebrow, "......concerning our dear friends?"

Yucalwe nodded, "I know not why Auruiron sent a hundred Noldorin Exiles into Eregion. But I........."

Melimwe hushed him, "Oh please, not again. We need to rest and recover. We'll have to trust in our lieutenants, and........ we should not be jaunting-off on some other vain journey into a desolate land!"

Yucalwe laughed, "Fine. Look at your face, Finlos, oh my goodness. Pray, let us not mention such a thing for several days. I can only imagine what it was like following that mad-"

Melimwe cut him off, "Yucalwe!!! I thought you had claimed that you had changed your ways!"

Yucalwe grumbled, "Right, right, I can no longer refer to them as 'mad, golden oafs.'" Yucalwe grimaced. Melimwe frowned.

As they spoke Cellindien gradually began to relax. Then she actually laughed. "But they are mad, golden oafs."

Melimwe sighed, "Now...... someone tell me of this...artifact....."

Yucalwe bantered back, "Now you are the one bringing-up such topics so tactlessly!"

Melimwe smiled, "Ask Cellindien. She knows from our time together in Gondolin that this is my chief area of expertise......"

Yucalwe bowed his head into his hands, rubbing his forehead, "Oh my......... that is enough. We need not further madness or maddening discourses......."

Ioristion peered into the room. Yucalwe glared at him. Ioristion vanished down the hallway.

Yucalwe smiled, "Alright....... why are you nervous, my dear? What worries you?"

Cellindien shook her head. "You two put me in mind of... no, I will not say it. As for the artifact, I will tell you... it remains where we left it."
She sighed. "As for what worries me.... this worries me." She made a broad gesture with both arms, indicating the house. "It is silent. Quiet nights, peaceful days. There is no trouble, nothing to interrupt my training. I try to sleep and wake terrified, certain that the silence can only mean the worst."

Alcano had returned the artifact to the cellars after the conflict had been resolved a week earlier.

Yucalwe nodded, "Listen....... come and sit beside me......."

"I cannot, I must......" Cellindien trailed off, taking a few steps to look down the hall. "Ioristion went by. It is odd that he did not speak to us. I should go and..." She started for the door.

Yucalwe sighed, "No, no, come back...... I waved Ioristion away. He is fine. You need not trouble yourself............ you need balance."

Melimwe nodded, "He is correct....... you appear quite agitated, and rightfully so, but you are burdening yourself too much! Come....."

"While the artifact remains in this house there is always the possibility.... although Rostor.... perhaps he should...." Cellindien's shoulders slumped and she sighed, slowly turning back to them. "Very well... I can barely think."

Yucalwe and Melimwe made a spot between them. Melimwe pulled his cloak from his pack and spread it out across them. Melimwe nodded, "We do this overmuch..... but it does bring peace in times of discord......"

Yucalwe nodded, "I have noticed this..... and what a fool I have been for thousands of years......."

Melimwe smirked, "Now, now, do not begin this again........... I tire of all your endless stream and springs of regrets from our long road together."

Yucalwe laughed, "And you have none, oh master of tact?"

Cellindien raised her hands. "Enough, enough!" But she was smiling.

Melimwe laughed, "Very well....... oh this is beginning to feel like olden times......... where is Saelbainor, and where is...."

"Tact, tact, TACT!" Yucalwe blurted.

Melimwe closed his mouth.

Yucalwe smiled, "Now then....... Cellindien, I know of your charge....... and it is beautiful. Ioristion is likely a fine brother.......... but now, he must learn, to care for himself as well, for you see........ what would happen to him, if he was ever lost, alone, and surrounded by danger?"

"Oh, be not so harsh on him, that will likely never happen," Melimwe smiled.

Yucalwe shook his head, "Let Cellindien respond, oh master of tactfulness."

There was a pause. "Have you both finished....?" Cellindien waited, then nodded. "I believe that my dear brother has approximately the same survival ability as a concussed rabbit."

Yucalwe smirked, laughing, "Which is why he must learn something, regardless of his father's wishes....... but slowly, gently....... he must regain what he has lost........ do you forget, that I had trained him? He was strong once, and capable....... he must remember........... know that he did not survive the Battle of Dagorlad or the Siege of the Dark Tower haphazardly........"

Melimwe nodded, "He was strong-er then, yes. But he was no warrior............ remember how oft we bickered, concerning how far he should progress?"

Yucalwe snickered, "And you kept your presence a complete secret from him, for over seven years...... I'll never know how you managed it. Some things seldom change.........Cellindien, we will need your help.........though you are likely sick of hearing that phrase."

Melimwe blurted, "Ten years, to be precise." He closed his mouth.

Ioristion's voice burst from the other room, "I hear the likes of you conspiring in there, and you did not maintain such secrecy, of course I saw you! I merely kept my mouth shut about it to make you feel better." Ioristion stormed away, laughing down the hallway as he fled.

Yucalwe was snickering, "Alright, Cellindien, we await you, and we shall not interrupt further." He glared at both Melimwe and the doorway.

Cellindien chuckled, leaning back against the pillows and massaging her temples. "Ai..."

Yucalwe smiled, "We will need to help him relearn what he has lost carefully............ and we cannot leave Auruiron's apparent followers alone in Eregion without further guidance......... ah, Auruiron the Well-Intended...... ever the poorest diplomat and organizer of forces....."

Cellindien cleared her throat.

Melimwe blurted, "Now you are doing it."

"So," the elleth raised her voice deliberately to discourage further interruptions. "You wish for me to train with him? I will be honest... before you had arrived I was attempting to convince myself to rejoin the patrols in the Valley."

Melimwe smiled, "Yes. Training with him will be beneficial. And....... I fear we shall need to press into Eregion.............."

Cellindien sighed.

Yucalwe nodded, "I fear that....... well, ........the artifact requires experimentation, due to its origin. What Alcano has told me regarding... you-know-who is quite good...... but I fear for what our foe could do with it, as he, himself, had crafted it........ although he was good at the time in which he did so...........We need to take this artifact back to a place of..... significant trauma..... and see what it does........ we need to find the ruins, where the Dark Lord had tortured my Master's nephew........"

Melimwe's eyes flashed, "You mean.... back in Ost-en-Edhil's ruins...... at the pinnacle......."

Yucalwe nodded, "From what I have heard, it did partly react when Ioristion initially dug-it-up......... but not further, because you fled from that land......"

"...And rightly so," Cellindien put in.

Melimwe closed his eyes, "We cannot trust it until we probe and understand its function....... all such powers, even the palantiri, were purposive......".

Yucalwe nodded, "Let us have Auruiron send a trusted bird to our friends who are already there, inquiring of their progress. The bird will take several days to fly to and from Eregion. It will give us time to prepare, and to rest, and for you to train Ioristion to some extent......."

Melimwe nodded, "Do not bother with him. I will pen the letter."

Yucalwe nodded, "And so.... that is settled...... now......" He stretched his arm behind Cellindien's shoulders, cradling her restfully. Yucalwe smiled, "Let us calm down............ it has been a trying time of late.......... I do not think we shall need to be joining any patrols......."

"There is always a need," Cellindien protested, but Yucalwe's arm was both gentle and firm, and there was no escape, seated as she was between the two ellyn. She smirked. "By 'we' and 'us' I assume you mean me.... very well." She leaned into his arm, hesitating for a moment before very softly resting her head against his shoulder.

Yucalwe smiled, "Yes... my daughter.... you have nothing to fear......if anything, the silence in this house is a welcome relief....... and.....well,"

Melimwe's eyes beamed, "Yucalwe........... I know how we shall lure Ioristion back into the fold.........."

Yucalwe raised his eyebrow.

The sound of a heartbeat, the warmth of a touch. All at once Cellindien felt a sense of comfort and calm settle over her, and before she could help herself she had curled up beneath the cloak, head pillowed on Yucalwe's shoulder.

Yucalwe bade Melimwe to hush, "Later......."

Yucalwe gazed at Cellindien and smiled warmly, closing his eyes as well.

Melimwe could not help but do the same. He no longer wished to think of long marches into the wilderness. He thought only of that image Yucalwe had planted within his mind, Cellindien, courageously confronting Auruiron, her cloak twirling in the air....... precisely how Melimwe had taught her the art............and Rostor was the final image in his mind as he drifted into the realm of dreams.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXXVI: The Lone Elf

Yucalwe and Melimwe awoke at mid-day, and parted for their own guest-rooms, leaving Cellindien behind, smiling as she slept comfortably.

At mid-afternoon, the front door opened. The being who entered was clad in worn traveling robes, his face concealed beneath a deep hood. He remembered back to that terrifying moment, when he had believed his spirit was fleeing from his body. His last sight had been that of Ioristion's weeping face, as he had felt the poison of the Enemy strike close to his heart, cold and cruel, as if he had been stabbed. His next sight was that of an elder Numenorean healer, his aged eyes glistening with life. "I have saved you," he had spoken. He remembered the healer fondly as he opened the door. Leaving the healer behind, with gratitude, he had journeyed to Edhellond, believing that Finlos, amidst the woe of war, would desire to sail into the West.

But Finlos never came, and the Nandor of Edhellond were of little comfort to him. But one being, who visited him in his dreams, as ever since Gondolin, aided him to withstand the storm.

As time passed, everyone who had known him had thought him dead, and Ioristion had been dragged away by Melimwe, due to his madness. They had never seen what became of the body. And all the while, while tales were woven of a horrific death, the lone Elf lived on. And he lived in sorrow of the memory of lost Finlos. He came close to cursing Doom itself, but the Maia who had visited him in his dreams ever calmed him at the last, preventing him from swearing terrible oaths. His hair had grown longer, but he had kept it knotted and braided, ever hiding it beneath his worn tunic.

When Amroth came to Edhellond, the lone Elf surrendered his long watch, and after receiving guidance, sought for old Lothlorien. In Lothlorien, he found not Finlos, but he was re-supplied with lembas, and a concealing cloak. He had used-up his Edhellond rations by the time he made it. He gave no report of Amroth, for he knew not his fate, nor ever spoke with him. The lone Elf remained in Lorien for a long time. He had left Edhellond before ever being aware of Yucalwe's presence there, though at times, he saw him, fearful of sighting terrible visions of the past. But Yucalwe never saw him.

In Lorien, after a time, the lone Elf wandered away, and as the Dwarf-Realm had been conquered by foes, he sought a southward journey. He had met an aged Ent in Fangorn Forest, who was not the most Elder Ent in the forest, and the lone Elf did not heed warnings of entanglement. He feared Fangorn less than he feared Moria. And the Ent strengthened and guided him, for his name was Lone Root. And Lone Root and the Lone Elf found much in common.

In time, the lone Elf parted from Fangorn, crossing Nan Curunir in secret, and whether Saruman the White was aware of his passage, no tale can tell. He crossed into lands of wild men. The wild men all feared him. And something in himself drove him northward, to old Eregion, where he wept long and miserably among the stones. It was there, in the ruins of his old manor, that he beheld a vision in which he stood before a mirror in a garden across the Sea, gazing across the Sea, toward Finlos, sighting her, expressing his love for her. He awoke from the vision to find himself surrounded by Noldorin Elves he did not know. These Elves demanded his identity, and he called himself a wanderer, and the perplexed ex-Feanorians discerned who he truly was. And the foremost among them told the lone Elf what had become of Ioristion.......... and who he had come to know.

The Lone Elf's heart felt marred, incomplete, and lost, angered at his fate, yet overjoyed at these tidings. But fell shades of fear dogged his heart, old sprites of shadow, the discord of Morgoth.
He remembered Imladris from the War so long ago, and climbed, day by day, alone, through the High Moor. He had requested to remain alone in his travels. He undid his braids and straightened his hair. Then he hid his face, once more, beneath his hood. He came down into the Vale of Imladris, step by step, following the directions of the Feanorian.

And so he came before the door of Rostoriel's House, and finding it open, stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

He paced into the chamber of living, and there, asleep in a place of rest, she lay. He sat on a chair opposite her, and sat there, his heart blossoming with relief and joy, dogged by pain. He stared at her peaceful expression in awe and wonder. He thought he saw her stir. He gripped his countenance in preparation. His face was still covered by his hood.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXXVII: Behind Red Silk

The Lone Elf desperately wanted to kiss her, to feel her love as he had dreamed for centuries. But he withheld his desire, awaiting her awakening. He kept silent, continuing to stare at her. He stared also at the cloaks around her, both of which seemed terribly familiar. He saw the gold, sparkling Melimwe, and the red and black, dark Yucalwe.

Cellindien sighed, slowly beginning to wake out of the most delicious sleep that she had enjoyed in months. Pleasant dreams, barely remembered, faded away as she gradually began to be aware of the sounds of the fire across the room. But something felt strange. She felt observed. All at once she was awake, alert. Her eyes snapped open and she bolted upright. Her eyes fell on the figure and she leapt to her feet, searching for a weapon. "Who!? Ioristion! Alcano!"

The former name was very familar. But the latter, he had never heard of before. A terrible thought struck him, but he gazed at her eyes, and found she was not betrothed to anyone other than himself.
He stood, slowly, saying nothing, his eyes glaring at her. He had waited for this moment for thousands of years, despairing finally of its arrival, and now he had forgotten what he wished to say, his countless imagined rehearsals. His voice spoke deep and low, "I am neither." He thought of how she had been alive for thousands of years, how in that time of peace, he could have found her, and ever did he scorn himself for having failed to do so. He was a failure, he told himself in his thoughts, he had been born in Doom and made to suffer in Doom. He had not chosen to follow Feanor. He had not sworn a pathetic Oath. And yet Gondolin had burned around him. And the discord of Morgoth had grown and festered, as he loathed the Valar. His only defense that saved him, from dooming himself forever, was the Maia of Irmo, and Macilon, who ever stood alongside the Maia, redeemed from his crimes due to his penitent death when Gondolin fell.

"No, clearly you are not," Cellindien growled, too angry to think on the voice. "For even the sapling would not act so... Explain yourself!" Her eyes searched the figure for weapons or any other sign of a threat, gradually raising again to the masked face. The intruder's eyes stared back at her. "This house has seen many threats and I... will not.... suffer..." She faltered, growing pale and gasping. "Now...? Here? I am not ready..."

The Ex-Feanorians had told the Lone Elf of their Quest, of Auruiron's commands, for he was both trustworthy and not part of the Elves of Rivendell. He began to piece together in his mind who she thought he was, and replied, deeply, "I am not he. Not he whom you fear........" The Lone Elf approached her, "I will take that cloak, and aid you in thy memories." He reached for Yucalwe's cloak.

"So he would say..." She trembled, unsure. She felt no darkness, none of the taint that had touched her before. She stood, motionless, as he took the cloak from her.

He draped the cloak around himself, and grabbed one of its folds, flipping it inside-out, so that the deep-red blazed before their faces. He lifted the fold before his mouth, and with his right-hand, he whipped back his hood, the rust-colored hair flowing behind him, framing his face, veiled by the red silk before his mouth.

And then, he slowly lowered the fold.

Rostor's eyes beamed, "For.................................thousands of years.................................I thought you were dead............ or raised by now, in the West, a surging sea standing in between us........................."
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Ioristion

Chapter XXXVIII: Beloved Unified

Cellindien was mute with shock. Their eyes met and once again she felt the touch of the bond that had begun to form between them so long ago. Her mind reeled and she could barely breathe.

"Rostor.... Rostor!" She stumbled towards him.

"I am no dream................... Finlos.........................................."

He gently spread-aloft his cloak, as he had been oft to do in Gondolin.

And Finlos ducked beneath it, quickly throwing her arms about him and pressing her lips to his in a long-anticipated kiss.

And Rostor's heart throbbed more deeply than ever before as they deeply kissed, all his pain and fear falling away from him, as he leaped into the moment that he never, ever, wanted to end. And there in their deep unity, embracing tightly, Rostor felt he had finally entered Eternity, beyond Arda.

Ioristion had heard Cellindien's voice. He had stood behind the doorway as soon as he had seen that hood fly backwards. He did not dare intrude.

His heard flew wide-open as he struggled to control his sanity: Rostor was alive. But how? The question burned him. He remained in hiding. Melimwe also came by, gazing in shock, and hid himself beside Ioristion.

As they parted at last, Cellindien found that she was weeping with -joy- and shock. She rested her head on her beloved's shoulder, unaware that they were being watched.

But in Melimwe's mind surged a deep, relentless, rising tide of hope.

Rostor cradled Cellindien in his arms, "My beloved Finlos..............I would rather die, than ever part from you again............"
Edited by Ioristion, Oct 15 2015, 04:35 PM.
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Ioristion

Chapter XXXIX: Command of Death and Doom

Rostor suddenly turned to find himself gazing into Yucalwe's stern countenance. He had crept into the room, not heeding Melimwe and Ioristion's whispered warnings.

"Then I... would die with you..." She laughed weakly, "For I shall never let you out of my sight again!" Suddenly Rostor turned away and she looked up, shocked by Yucalwe's appearance.

Rostor stepped away from Cellindien, drawing his sword from his sheath, "You...................."

Yucalwe gazed at him, "YOU HAD DIED! THE DARK LORD HAD STRUCK THEE NOW!"

Rostor balked, "So you would wish, Father! Thy Doom nearly slew me!"

Cellindien followed him, quickly placing her hand over his on the sword. "NO! I will have no more battles! Enough!"

Yucalwe gazed at him bitterly, "Thy doom is thine. I am but one player in it. I am relieved that you have survived............ but why lie, why hide, while we are tortured for centuries!!!"

"Father!" Cellindien gazed at him desperately. "...Surely he has a reason, surely. Rostor?"

Tears streamed slowly from Yucalwe's cheeks. Rostor declared, "Unhand me, my love. Do not call him father! He will doom us both..... he was a Feanorian! He followed Maedhros willingly! The Doom of Mandos afflicts all who ever follow him! Tell me, where are all our other comrades who perished, because of your advance, Yucalwe!"

Yucalwe laughed grimly, reverting to his previous self before the artifact had revealed its power, "Oh yes! I am the Dark Lord of Mordor, why, I am the Lord of the Rings! I struck thee down! Oh yes, brave son of mine, call me SAURON while you are at it!!!!"

Rostor quickly dropped his hand and blade, away from Cellindien's, and charged at Yucalwe. Yucalwe quickly drew his blade, and then he fell forward on the floor, unconscious, shocking everyone. Ioristion had clubbed him in a gentle place, to knock him unconscious without killing him. Yucalwe had been struck by the Staff of Findekano.

Ioristion gasped, "Rostor!"

Ioristion stepped over Yucalwe. Rostor tossed his sword on the place of rest and quickly embraced Ioristion, "Brother.................."

Yucalwe slowly stirred. Ioristion released his embrace, kicking the sword away from Yucalwe. Melimwe stood and watched it all in mortal shock, in silent observance.

Cellindien stood in shock, looking from Rostor to Yucalwe. The -joy- she had felt was fading, tainted with a hint of misgiving. Slowly she turned and knelt beside Yucalwe, assuring that he was not dangerously hurt. "Father...?"

Yucalwe slowly opened his eyes. Rostor yelled down at him, "Thy Doom shall take us all...... it is too late......"

Melimwe suddenly spoke, "If Doom is so cruel unto us, why, then, are you reunited with Finlos?"

Rostor gazed at everyone, dumbfounded, "..............I.........................................Doom could wrench her away from me in mere MOMENTS!"

Melimwe heaved a deep sigh. Ioristion sighed, "Once I was mad. I suppose it is your turn now, brother!"

"Rostor!" Cellindien admonished. "Art thou not ashamed? For it was you who dared me to be brave, to stand up under the Swordmaster! Have you lost your courage now?"

A light grew in the western part of the chamber, as Findekano reappeared, his time nigh the refuge beneath the Golden Bough having reached its conclusion.

Ioristion gazed at him in shock. Rostor turned, his senses failing him in the shock that now possessed him.

But, suddenly, Findekano vanished, all returning to as it was before.

Rostor rubbed his eyes, ".....who......?"

Ioristion stammered, "That would be the King who faced seven fell Terrors of Shadow and Flame, dying in the end, while the rest on the field shed unnumbered tears. Why he will not speak further to us, I cannot say. Rostor, where is the soldier whom I followed into battle without a wit or whim of care for mine own LIFE?!"

Rostor collapsed onto the floor beside Yucalwe. Rostor stammered, "........father............ I do not blame you................. and I would curse the name of Feanor, if I could............... the true reason behind our suffering..............."

Cellindien reached out to him stroking his hair. "There is no need for fear, my love... perhaps in time here, you will be able to see that. We must learn to move beyond old oaths and curses."

Yucalwe nodded, rubbing his sore head, ".............forgive me, my son................... I wished countless times, that I had rescinded that order.........to advance.................."

Rostor nodded, turning to Cellindien, "I wish that I could believe it so, my love............ but I cannot bear to see you hurt. I see this now.................... I could die, whether by this foe in the East or by some other fell turn....................... and you could die................... and that would make me die a million deaths.........................And so...................... let me, for now, regard you as a sister........................... our betrothal should not resume, lest we come, together, unto the West, where.................. alone, peace, can be assured.........................this world is far too deadly!"

"I would see you live, my love................." He was weeping bitterly. "I would see you live, than for Doom and death to sunder us again..................................."

Melimwe did not speak a word. Ioristion's eyes were widening with shock, as he petted the Staff, wishing Findekano would reappear with wisdom. But he did not reappear.

By now, Rostoriel and Rirossel and Alcano had heard the commotion, as they were stirring from their slumber.

"There is only one death," Cellindien protested. "And light thereafter, and there shall be no victory without risk......." She trailed off, listening to him in growing shock. ".....Rostor............ Rostor, I bear the same risk.... I fight, you must know this! ......After.............. so long........ you cannot......"

Rostor could not bear to gaze at her, "I do not forsake my love for you..................... nor our betrothal, but I..................................... we......................... we must wait...................................lest a far worse doom befall us."

Yucalwe closed his eyes, muttering, "Do not make the same mistake I made................... becoming a single wandered without any hearth or life or wife............."

Rostor stammered, "A lone wanderer!!!!! I was this as well, do not pretend that you are alone in it, father!!!!!"

Tears sprang anew to Cellindien's eyes and she sprang up from the floor, pressing one hand to her mouth. Then she spat out one word. "Coward!" She fled the room.

No one followed Cellindien. Rostor gazed at the others in disbelief.

When Alcano, Rostoriel, and Rirossel saw Cellindien burst from the room in tears, they did not say a word. They knew who it was who stood in there, and had overheard his words.

Alcano was quickly loosing his reverence for his "noble ancestor." Rostoriel had the mind to slap him. Rirossel did not think anything, for she could not do so.

Ioristion removed Rostor's sword from the place of rest and sat down. Yucalwe rose to his feet, trying to help Rostor to stand, but Rostor refused to stand. Melimwe sat in a nearby chair, meditating.

Yucalwe finally ushered Rostor over to the place of rest, where they sat beside Ioristion.

Cellindien fled all the way to her chamber, barring the door behind her before sinking on to the ground and giving in to her anger and grief.

Rostor felt helpless, as if the poison of the Enemy had re-entered his body, paralyzing him.
His eternity of longing, of seeking, had at last attained fulfillment, only to shatter in mere moments afterwards. He wished the Dark Lord had really killed him. A part of him wished the old Numenorean healer had not found him still alive.

All the long years of waiting seemed worthless. Yet part of him still hoped that she would return. His near-despair was evident in his eyes.

But she had no intention to do so, not then, in the bitter pain of the moment. For years she had battled dark enemies of the mind and body. The Ages had been bitter indeed, but time and the care and troubles of her new family had brought change and new life. Finlos had grown. Had she truly changed so much? Had Rostor? She needed time.

Yucalwe spoke, "..........I do not believe that all is lost, my son.................. I shall return." He stood and left the room, leaving the house, passing toward the river, to a place of meditation.

Melimwe nodded, "I do not believe that all is lost either, Rostor......... I am glad that you are alive................"
When Melimwe emerged from the chamber, he found that Rostoriel, Rirossel, and Alcano, had all stormed-off to their rooms, and that they were likely struggling with obtuse emotions and weeping bitterly in their chambers. He thought he heard them, and deigned it was best to find Auruiron, who had been walking alone in the Vale all day.
And so he left the house.

Rostor felt the world was falling away from him, piece by piece, gaping abyss by gaping abyss. He felt Ioristion's arms and cloak curl around him. Ioristion hearkened back to when they had fallen asleep in each others' embrace on the eve of the final day of battle of the Last Alliance, lying together on the ashen ground of Mordor, awaiting the arrival of their doom.

Ioristion's voice said, "My brother............. I will not abandon you........................... let us hope that all shall be better, after rest............................."

Rostor nodded, unable to smile, "Well, here we are again, my brother........................... only, I fear that doom hath already struck us...................."

Ioristion tearfully nodded, "Then let us await the dawn, once more, and hope that it shall blow away the darkened clouds of doom."

They fell asleep in each others' arms, trans-placed back to the eve of the end of the final charge of the Last Alliance. Gil-galad and Elendil were still alive in Rostor's memories, when memories became replaced by dreams, as consciousness faded into the realm of sleep.

Ioristion tried to reach-out with his thoughts one last time, "My sister.........." And then he fell asleep. He dreamed of the Maia pacing to and fro in the Gardens of Lorien in Aman in the West. He nodded, "Then I have permission......" And he turned to his Mirror, and saw Cellindien in her grief, "The time has come."
Edited by Ioristion, Jun 13 2016, 01:51 PM.
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