Siren Song by polutropos

Siren Song

So spoke Maglor, the bard of wandering ways, long-suffering: ‘I will tell you now of the jewel’s song, and how I was nearly lost to madness on my journey West.

‘Escaping Ossë’s wanton rage, I lay upon the deck of my well-built ship, fashioned in ancient days by Men of Westernesse. By some power greater than that god the waves had been laid to rest, and I looked out upon the vast fields of blue.

‘Suddenly: a dome of light rises like an island of blended gold and silver. Tears unbidden spring to my eyes at the memory of that light and I am struck with wonder. Surely, it is the jewel I cast away so long ago now shining from the depths at my passing! 

‘Then, as if from the heart of the light, a voice calls to me: “Macalaurë,” it cries, “Poet of renown, brave warrior, greatest minstrel of the Noldor! Hearken now!”

'Enchanted and emboldened, I take up my oar and break the water with eager strokes, hastening to heed the Silmaril’s call.

'“Thou hast returned for me at last!” the voice sings tunefully. The light engulfs me in shimmering white. “Come, come, reclaim what is thine. Courage, Canafinwë! Coward thou has been, haunting the mists and dropping thy vain tears in the thankless sea. Now thou comest for me, who cast me away–”

‘"Silence!" I cry in answer, for wise with the wisdom of long sorrow, I know the voice as a deception for my torment. ‘I am no coward, nor a stranger to lies!’

'The light trembles and the voice wavers. I take my chance to challenge it with a song of my own. As I sing my pain and regret, I weave between words of hope that I will yet reach Western shores where all might be forgiven and forgot. Fair winds blow from the East, setting the water dancing in concert with my song.

'Slowly, I am borne by the mercy of cloud-gathering Manwë who rules on Taniquetil,  as the isle of light is smoothed away, its song smothered, by my song and the rhythm of the waves.'

Chapter End Notes

Readers may recognise borrowings from Homeric language as well as lines directly from The Silmarillion.

It's been a hot minute (~10 years) since I read Greek, so Emily Wilson's translation of the siren episode was the main inspiration for this piece.