Many Journeys by Elleth

Not on Hope Alone

Idril, Ecthelion, and the matter of Gondolin's sustainability.

"Fish in the fountains, and water fowl. The lady Mŷlluin’s suggestion, in fact, but you will not want to take it up with the Harp, I am certain." Idril grinned at Ecthelion, who had already begun murmuring darkly to himself about filtration systems and waste water. She glanced at her notes and across the table, where the Lord of the House of the Fountain sat. "From the House of the Tree: They added the proposal of a closed cycle of waste water, mulberry orchards and silkworm cultivation; the waste will be used to nourish the trees, larvae and moths may be fed to the fish and fowl, and we will have silk for clothing as well as fish and poultry. The orchards are to be planted on a specific layering of soils to purify the water and return it to your fountains. Imagine, Lord Ecthelion – functionality and your aesthetics combined!"

Beside her, Aredhel laughed as Ecthelion muttered a good-natured, but ill-worded retort. “You are certainly proving that all this city needs to be sustainable is proper thought, Itarillinkë, but you always took delight in that.”

"Well," said Idril, laughing in turn. "For one thing I do not believe that the Lord Ulmo would have guided Father to Tumladen if it were impossible to sustain us in isolation, and sustain us well. Imagine! The very mirror of Tirion, and us chewing on breadcrusts?"

"We cannot subsist on hope or fish alone, Princess," Ecthelion remarked.

"Nor on fountains only. There are more suggestions, but they all come in the same vein, and we will need to come to decisions soon; the architects are waiting for final proposals to begin their designs." She reached for Ecthelion’s hand and patted it. "I am not asking to subsist on hope, Lord Ecthelion. I only ask you to share it."