Return to the Sea by daughterofshadows

The last leg of the journey

We finally found the elves! Well. One elf. But it's a pretty cool one, so it should count extra!

Also a fill for the Birthday Bash poetry prompt of March 14

The way north is long, far longer than Cúrandil expected. Night falls again, the second time since they left the kelp forest behind.

They breach the surface as the sun slowly sets and the water around them glows in a fiery gold. Overhead, the stars slowly become visible.

For a moment, Cúrandil tilts their head back and simply breathes. The air feels strange in their lungs after being underwater for so long.

In the distance, a whale sings. It reminds Cúrandil of the opening verses of an old walking song, and they begin to hum the tune. It is a song their father sang when they travelled, a melody so old that it may have accompanied their family since the journey away from Nen Echui.

Cúrandil sings themself to sleep and the stars almost dance in tune to their song.

The first rays of dawn tickle them awake, a gentle light creeping over the horizon. A gull drifts in lazy circles overhead, crying, urging Cúrandil to continue their journey. They dive underwater again, and swim on.

Sandy ocean floors merge into alien forests, where moss covers the ground and trees still grow as if they simply forgot to die or never noticed their land had drowned.

A faint magic tingles across Cúrandil’s skin as they pass into the forest. The wards that guard this place are ancient.

Carefully, they pick their way through the underbrush. If there truly is a place where their people live, it must be close.

They reach a small grove. The cottage that once stood here is crumbled now, but the orchard that grows around it still bears fruit.

Cúrandil plucks an apple from the tree and takes a tentative bite.

“They’re surprisingly good, aren’t they?”

Cúrandil whirls around. Further down the row of trees is another elf. She carries a basket filled with apples; her dark skin contrasted by a tail as golden as the leaves of the mallorn trees under which she once lived.

“Lady Nimrodel?”

The elf smiles. “That I am, my child. Though I am afraid I do not recognise you in turn. Come help me with these apples and I will show you the path home. Even now, the girdle of Melian is a labyrinthine place.”

Cúrandil joins her without protest. “I am not surprised you do not remember me. I was but a small child when we journeyed together. Duilin is my father, whom you may recall better.”

Recognition flashes across Nimrodel’s face. “Of course, of course! Your parents will be glad to see you again, I am certain. They have settled down near Mithrellas’ home. I will bring you there once we return to Menegroth if that is your desire.”

Cúrandil smiles. “I would like that very much.”

At last, the journey is over. They have come home.

Chapter End Notes

And if you have also grown to like this universe, don't worry! Cúrandil's journey may be over, but I have more ideas for this universe! Hopefully, I'll get a few more written for the Birthday Bash/B2MEM combi challenge