Come Together, Broken Things, and Grow by UnicornsInSpace

Chapter 3

506 of the First Age – The Havens of Sirion

The celebration for the return of Eluréd and Elurín was immense. There was no fine wine or honeyed bread, but the people made up for it with their high spirits. The melodious sound of elven singing filled the air, along with the rhythmic sound of human feet as they danced along the wooden floors.

        “So, how did you two meet?” Finduilas asked Idril, “I thought Gondolin was closed off to everyone but the Gondolindrim?”

        “Long story short, Tuor was chosen by Ulmo to be his messenger to my father, and this is why he was let into Gondolin,” Idril said, “We met in Atar’s court, as he was a special guest.”

        “A lovely story,” Finduilas said.

        “That is not dissimilar to how Mablung and I met,” Niënor said, “My mother and I were special guests of King Thingol. However, Mablung and I never interacted before our minor catastrophe.”

        “Minor catastrophe?” Idril said, “How intriguing. Would you mind explaining further?”

        “Not at all. Mama had gone with a few elves, Mablung included, to find my brother. I had snuck in, disguised, but they found me out and left me. Then who should come up to me, but Glaurung the dragon! I closed my mind from ósanwe at once, just like Queen Melian had taught me, and shot him in the eye with my bow. Beleg Cúthalion had taught me archery, of course. Glaurung started wailing and blowing out fire, so I jumped into the Teiglin. I broke my arm and hurt my leg, unfortunately, but I managed to get onto dry land somewhere downstream and scramble under some brambles for cover. And who should find me, but my own brother! It was strangely lucky.”

        “May I tell the next part of it?” Mablung asked.

        “Go ahead,” Niënor said.

        “Meanwhile,” Mablung said, “We get back to the hill where we left her, and she is gone. The place is scorched, too, it was a whole mess. So, we go around like crazy looking for her- and no one can find her anywhere. We thought she was dead for sure. But then we get word from Brethil a few days later that she was found, and that Beleg should come to Ephel Brandir to find her. Now, this was very odd. Queen Melian told him he would like the journey, though, so he obliged. Kind Beleg, heeds more to his heart than to his wisdom, but luckily he listened to Queen Melian. You know he almost went to rescue Túrin from Morgoth with Eöl’s cursed sword Anglachel? That could’ve been bad. Luckily, Queen Melian was able to talk him out of it… anyway, we receive word later that Beleg is staying in Brethil.”

        “Beleg was so flustered to see Túrin again,” Finduilas said, “It grew awkward very quickly when he found out Túrin and I were married, but I told Beleg we could share.”

        “And when you came to us in Doriath after… you know… it was so bittersweet.” Niënor said, “I was sad to hear of my brother and Beleg’s passing, but you and Radariel brought us so much joy.”

        “She is a dear. Quite a handful, too.” Finduilas smiled. “Looks like she is getting along with Lady Meleth, though. How wonderful.”

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        As Meleth was taking a break from dancing, and went to get some juice for herself, she noticed Radariel sitting off to the side with a morose look on her face.

        “Radariel, is something wrong?” Meleth asked.

        Radariel made no response. Meleth followed Radariel’s line of sight and saw that she was watching as Elwing and her brothers danced together.

        “Would you like to dance with them? I am sure they would not mind if you asked.” Meleth tried again.

        “No.” Radariel said, looking away from the siblings dancing. She sighed and buried her head in her knees for a moment. When Meleth did not leave, she looked up at her, and then looked away again.

        “I… I’m afraid they’ll be hurt because of me.” Radariel’s voice was sullen. “Because of what Ada did.”

        “What did your Ada do?” Meleth could not help but asking, the words fell out of her mouth before she knew it.

        Radariel looked at her again, and her dark eyes were somehow even more filled with sorrow.