Bits of Elven Glass by Himring

Interlude

In Dor-lomin

In Dor-lomin, Fingon steps out of his back door into the experimental vegetable garden. In the dreams of glorious rule that he dreamt while still in Valinor, he never expected that it would take quite so much time, effort and imagination just to try and keep everyone well fed throughout the year. Now he spends days with his troop of gardeners considering cabbage. Strategy sessions revolve around lettuce, carrots and parsnips, whole campaigns are launched in order to conquer the leek and the onion, and intricate tactical plans are devised for the growth of strawberries and blackcurrants.

Never mind—they are making progress. Increasingly, they are managing to adapt the horticultural lore they brought from Valinor to local conditions. They have benefited from Sindarin advice, although the Sindar never used to maintain fields and gardens so far north, and they have adapted to the seasons.  His gardeners have also made a few inventions and discoveries that are entirely their own. Winter will keep returning each year, a periodic reminder of the Ice and of the power of Morgoth, but it is easier to face such reminders with a full belly.

Fingon surveys the neatly laid-out beds and the well-raked earth with pride. He has great hopes for the coming year. Almost involuntarily, his hand steals to the green jewel pendant on the chain around his neck. He looks east for a moment and suppresses a sigh.