B2ME Day 28 - Letters by Erulisse

Fanwork Information

Summary:

B2ME Day 28 - Letters.  A letter written to be delivered in Valinor. 

Major Characters: Original Character(s)

Major Relationships:

Artwork Type: No artwork type listed

Genre: Drama

Challenges: B2MeM 2011

Rating: General

Warnings:

Chapters: 1 Word Count: 549
Posted on 29 March 2011 Updated on 29 March 2011

This fanwork is complete.

Chapter 1

Read Chapter 1

 

 

A Letter Home

My Dearest Ammë –

I still live, a fact that amazes me when I think of the deaths that have surrounded me since I left your side so many yeni ago. The dead march in legions behind my eyes; their cadence is marked by the sounds of anguish and lubricated by the tracks of tears. My beloved friends and family Turukáno and Laurefindel both, were cut down when our beautiful city, Gondolin, was destroyed; destroyed so thoroughly that no wall could rise above my waist, were I to return to that valley. Soon Ulmo’s oceans will cover Beleriand - would that my memories could also be so cleansed.

Those cursed stones continued to dictate our lives. They have been the destruction of the House of Fëanor. Atar followed his oath walking into the maw of darkness. He lived in various places with my brother, finally leaving Telperinquar behind as he left Findaráto’s kingdom. Father’s blood was spilled on the floors of Elu Thingol’s courtyard, while my Uncles and he attempted, once again, to recover a Silmaril.

Only three of us still live: Macalaurë, my brother, and me. Uncles Maedhros and Macalaurë invaded the Army of the West and slew still more elves to steal the final two Silmarils. Uncle Maedhros threw himself into the flames of the earth, holding grandfather’s stone to him. Uncle Macalaurë threw his Silmaril into the ocean depths and fled. None have seen him since.

I believe, having not heard otherwise, that my brother still lives. I hope that in the future we will be able to work side-by-side again as we did when we were young before the Trees died.

I have been invited to join the court of the current High King, Ereinion Gil-galad, the son of Findekáno. He has promised me a studio and much work, for they will be building a new court. I suspect that most of my time will be spent making clear glazing for window coverings, but I hope that I will also be able to work with colored glass soon. As you know, when I get depressed, burying myself in my work can help me climb back out into the world again. It is spring here, but in my heart right now it is still winter. I hope that the work the King has promised me will allow my personal spring to arrive.

Ammë, I miss you beyond words, but I made my choice on the docks of Alqualondë. Those who I loved, those who I followed, are all in Mandos’ Halls. I suspect that I also will only return to your arms through the tender ministrations of Lord Namó.

Merinwë is waiting for me to finish this. She is returning to Valinor under the pardon of the Valar and has promised to see my letter delivered to you. And so I close this knowing that I can never say in words how very much the memory of you at the doorway to our home has given me strength over these ages. Let the knowledge of my love carry you through the dire words I have written above, and know that although my body is not with you, my heart has never left your side.

I remain your devoted daughter,
Helyanwë

 

Chapter End Notes

 

A/N - I have used the Quenyan names throughout, even though in Beleriand, Sindarin names were used. This is because her mother is in Valinor and Quenya would be her language.

Please read and review.  Let me know if my words are hitting your fea. 

 

 

Comments

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Oh Merinwe is just a side character, enter stage left, exit stage right.  Just convenient to put a name on her rather than just call her a servant, or a messenger, or an anonymous friend.  Maybe you need to write her story? 

Thanks for the positives.  I have had different people focus on a variety of sentences in this short snippet and it has really made my day.  Thanks for reading and for reviewing.  I needed an up today and you provided it :-)

- Erulisse (one L)

 

It is very interesting to send a letter back to Valinor with the departing exiles. I wonder if that would have been often done. I am slow on the uptake. Your OFC is Curufin's daughter? I think I was a little confused because I tend to think of Celebrimbor as refusing to leave with Curufin and Celegorm once they were tossed out of Nargothrond, rather than of Curufin leaving Celebrimbor behind. No reason not to write it your way. I am also sure that there are lots of women included among the exiles whose stories do not make it into the history in The Silmarillion.

Yes, my OFC is Curufin's daughter, younger than Celebrimbor and specializing in glassworking with some metalwork.  Tolkien had a habit of concentrating on the men and glossing over the women, so having a female character just means he had an oversight - LOL.  The Silm states "In that time Celebrinbor the son of Curufin repudiated the deeds of his father, and remained in Nargothrond; yet Huan followed still the horse of Celegorm his master."  (p 208)  Therefore, I see them splitting apart at that time as I state in the letter.  There is no mention of Celebrimbor at Doriath, so I assume he no longer was with his father at that time. 

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, I appreciate each and every kernel of wisdom thrown in my direction :-)

- Erulisse (one L)

Thank you.  I've had a couple of positive comments on my poetic bend in this story.  She is an artist and I thought the vision was quite evocative.  Thanks for reading and reviewing, I just love it when stories write themselves, and even more when I get positive reviews.  Yippee! 

- Erulisse (one L)