A Sense of History: Straight Road
The next in a series of articles about ships passing to and from the West, Simon uses "The Fall of Númenor" to attempt to arrive at Tolkien's reading of the exordium to "Beowulf."
Elwing's last moments at the Havens of Sirion. Written for Zdenka at fic_promptly on DW, picked over excellently by GG and the Lizard Council. Many thanks.
Elwing does not want to die, but her feet are tired of running, from Doriath to the Havens to stand caught between the window and the Feanorians seizing her sons to extort the Silmaril. She knows they will fail to show mercy even in victory – but the crashing sea beneath promises to rob them of all, Silmaril, success, and sweetness. It will gift her sons' deaths the barest meaning.
"Grant me wings," she whispers in final thoughts before the plunge, to spite and turn the tale of Maedhros' flight. Rising, she never expected the Valar to heed her.