Bedtime Stories by lindahoyland

The Darkening of Valinor.

Written for "The Darkening of Valinor" prompt. 

“Ada, you’re home!” cried Eldarion as his father appeared in the night nursery. He sat up straight in bed. “You missed the eclipse, it was such fun.”

Aragorn planted a kiss on his son’s forehead and gestured to the nanny to leave. “I didn’t miss it, ion nîn, I watched it in the Pelennor Fields.”

“Why couldn’t you have watched it with Naneth and I?” Eldarion pouted.

“Some of the people were frightened,” Aragorn explained. “As King, it was my duty to reassure them.”

“I wasn’t frightened at all,” said Eldarion. “Naneth’s maid was, though, she said it was like the darning of Valinor. What’s that Ada?”

“The Darkening of Valinor,” Aragorn corrected.

“What’s the Darkening of Valinor, then? I know Valinor is where the Elves and the Valar live, but why do they want to live there if it’s dark?”

“I had come to tell you a bedtime  story  while Naneth feeds your sister and puts her to bed, but the Darkening of Valinor is a scary story with an evil monster best kept for the morning.”

“I’m a big boy now, I don’t get scared. I wasn't scared at all of the eclipse. I like monsters too!”

Aragorn sighed and settled himself on the foot of the bed, disturbing the nursery cat who had been sleeping there. The cat gave him a baleful stare and started to groom herself.

“Very well,” said Aragorn. “I hope you do not have nightmares, though.” He remained lost in thought for a moment, remembering when Master Elrond had told him his story and wondering how much he should tell Eldarion. He absent mindedly stroked the cat as he began. “Long, long ago there was no sun and no moon and Valinor was illuminated by the light of two beautiful trees.”

Eldarion looked sceptical. “Two trees? How could they be tall enough to light everywhere?”

“They were magical trees and that was a different age,” said Aragorn. “Ask Grandfather Celeborn when he next visits, as your Grandmother Galadriel remembers the trees.”

“Oh.” Eldarion lapsed into silence.

“One day, the King of the Valar, Lord Manwë , held a great feast and all the Valar and the Eldar were invited. The Enemy in those days was Morgoth and he was even more terrible than Sauron. He devised a wicked plot as he hated both the Valar and the Eldar.”

“Why?” asked Eldarion.

Aragorn had to think for a moment. “I suppose because he was jealous of them. They could make beautiful things and he could create nothing.”

“So what happened?” Eldarion demanded.

“Morgoth asked an evil giant spider called Ungoliant to help him against his enemies. Ungoliant helped Morgoth reach the Two Trees by shrouding both herself and her ally in magic webs of pure darkness. Ungoliant drank the sap from the Two Trees and with it ,their light, after Morgoth wounded them with his great spear. The trees withered and died and Valinor was plunged into darkness.”

“For how long?” asked Eldarion.

“Fifty long years while by the light of the stars alone, the Valar created the sun and moon from two fruits that Lady Yavanna and Lady Nienna managed to save from the Two Trees.”

“What a long time it took them!” said Eldarion.

“I doubt fifty years is very long for the Valar,” said Aragorn. “That time is known as the Long Night, though.”

“What happened next?”

“That is another long story for another day, ion nîn,” Aragorn said firmly. “It is time now for you to sleep.” He dislodged the cat, which had settled on his lap and rose from the bed and tucked the covers firmly around Eldarion.

“Ada?”Eldarion’s voice trembled a little.

“Yes, dear one?”

“Could anyone destroy the sun and the moon like they destroyed the Two Trees?”

“The sun and the moon are quite safe, ion nîn.”  Aragorn smiled at his son and walked towards the door.

“Ada?”

Aragorn turned back to face Eldarion’s bed. “Yes, ion nîn. What else troubles you? I warned you this story might give you nightmares.”

“I’m not scared, Ada. I told you I’m a big boy now. I just wanted to ask you if you’d take me riding tomorrow."

"I will if the Council meeting finishes in time and if your tutor says you have worked hard at your lessons. Would you like to ride across the Pelennor Fields?"

There was no answer. Eldarion was already asleep. Aragorn made to extinguish the lamp. His hand faltered slightly as he thought of the Two Trees. He glanced out of the window at the moon shining serenely in the sky. He extinguished the lamp and went to join Arwen and his baby daughter. It had been a long day.