Burning by feanorusrex
Fanwork Notes
Created as part of the Silmarillion40 event.
Fanwork Information
Summary: Arien's experience following the death of the Trees. Major Characters: Arien, Varda Major Relationships: Genre: Poetry Challenges: Rating: General Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn This fanwork belongs to the series |
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Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 207 |
Posted on 27 September 2017 | Updated on 27 September 2017 |
This fanwork is complete. |
Burning
Read Burning
I.
I am like the fire
that comes from wet wood,
smoky and dull.
Evil has taken away
Laurelin
And Telperion.
I mourn
as much as Nienna and Yavanna.
But their tears
and song
bring forth two fruits.
And my sorrow gives
Nothing.
Fire is no good for healing
only for destruction.
And I am too weak
and too far away
to destroy Morgoth.
II.
I am alone
smoking and scorched.
Varda finds me
She is made of stars and darkness,
comets and void.
Everything in the heavens.
“Arien,” she says,
extending her hand.
Constellations twinkle on her fingers.
“Come with me.”
I come.
You cannot refuse a thousand galaxies.
My fiery hand does not burn hers.
There is no air for fire to burn
in space.
III.
She leads me
to the dead skeletons of the trees.
Besides them rests
a boat,
beautiful.
Containing the fruit of Laurelin,
glowing
with the light of a tiny candle
compared to my tree.
Yet,
it is the last part of Laurelin left alive.
I will protect it with all the fire in my body.
Varda knows this.
“Take this vessel into the east, and return from the west,”
she tells me.
I know what to do.
How to control this ship.
When to depart. When to return.
I was born for this.
VIII.
I walk towards the vessel
eager, like flames licking at straw.
The voice of Laurelin
calls to me
Arien.
When I touch the fruit,
it is white hot.
Sparks fly from my hands.
And I burn brightly
again.
I am the flickering of a torch in a cave by an explorer,
a candle lit in a sacred ceremony.
I am the fire burning on the hearth of every home,
the billowing fire of a dragon’s breath, destroying.
I am
the sharp flare of a match.
I am ready.
The moorings are cut,
falling away.
The ship lifts off
and
I
fly.
(1) Comment by Dawn Felagund for Burning
This is one of my absolute favorite pieces in the collection. I fell in love when I first read it--it was one of the first sent in as well--and loved it more when I reread it today when it was posted. The imagery is just stunning: the simultaneous inadequacy and potential of Arien's fire, Varda's hand with the constellations at her fingertips, the fruit a mere candle flame. And then the ending, in the style of a Celtic boast, indeed speaks of one who is soaring.
Beautifully written. Bravo.
Re: (1) Comment by Dawn Felagund for Burning
This is so kind, thank you so much!!
(2) Comment by hennethgalad for Burning
almost biblical ! i think Tolkien would approve...
"she is made of stars and darkness"
"constellations twinkle on her fingers"
well done !
Re: (2) Comment by hennethgalad for Burning
That's honestly one of the nicest things someone has ever said, thank you so much.
(3) Comment by Hrymfaxe for Burning
This is amazing! You are painting images with your words and I see it all so vividly. :D Thank you for sharing.
Re: (3) Comment by Hrymfaxe for Burning
Thank you!
(4) Comment by oshun for Burning
Lovely! Great job. Full of gorgeous images.
It is reminiscent in cadence of a medieval oath--or at least one that may exist in my imagination. Hey, that's why the genre is called High Fantasy. Very nice work!
(5) Comment by Robinka for Burning
This is terrific! Beautiful imagery and an interesting form. Thank you for sharing :)
(6) Comment by Lyra for Burning
Breathtaking. I love this glimpse at Arien's personality -- her despair, the sense of being "smoking and scorched", the way she describes her world, then the joy as she recovers her sense of purpose, "born for this", describing herself in terms of lights that suddenly split the darkness. And then - she flies.
Absolutely stunning imagery and perfect use of words. Bravo indeed!
Re: (6) Comment by Lyra for Burning
Im so glad that you liked reading this!
(7) Comment by Independence1776 for Burning
The imagery here, especially in the last section, is breathtakingly beautiful.