Midsummer Prayer by Zdenka

Chapter 1

“Kharun,” the queen says, “pick me some flowers.”

It is midsummer, and the gardens of Armenelos shine in the late afternoon sunlight. Her youngest handmaid cheerfully runs back and forth, returning at last with bright eyes and wind-tossed hair and her hands full of red and golden flowers, large sunflowers incongruously mixed with more delicate blossoms.

Míriel gently clasps the flowers and stands facing Meneltarma. In utter silence, barely moving her lips, the Queen of Númenor recites the Erulaitalë prayer of praise. She does not know if she believes the words; her heart is empty and her spirit is weighed down with grief and fear. But she is queen, and this is her duty.

She waits, looking toward the distant mountain. No sign of an eagle; not even a songbird flashing through the trees. She turns away.

“Come,” she says, “let us go in.”

Chapter End Notes

Erulaitalë, the Númenórean midsummer festival, was one of three times in the year when the King (or Queen) of Númenor traditionally ascended the sacred mountain Meneltarma and spoke aloud in prayer.