Vaniel, My Heart

Chapter 2 - Vaniel by Sienna Dawn
Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work. Original characters are part of the story and owned by the author.

Vaniel, My Heart
by Sienna Dawn

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Chapter 2 - Vaniel

Seven years later, the Woods of Imladris, Summer, Third Age, Year 3009...

High over the branches of the gnarled trees the child squealed her delight, as she jumped from one branch to another, a swift moving elf close on her tracks. Suddenly, a pair of slender hands found her feet and dragged her down. Squealing and laughing in her joyous play, the child kicked at her captor's hands, only to find herself staring into bright gray eyes who stared into the child's amber gaze with kind, loving affection.

The elven female, called Eryniel, stood back and smoothed her gown, smiling at the dark-haired child before her.

" 'Tis time for study, Vaniel. I've let you run free these past days since the start of Laer, but now this time has ended."

Vaniel, seven years old and blessed with a strong constitution, raised herself in mock indignation, her brown curls dancing around her face. "But mother, I have already studied about all of the lands that border this realm! I speak Sindarin and Quenya, and Westron too. What more can my head hold?" Delicate brown eyebrows arched in exasperation.

Eryniel chuckled, "As much as you are told to study." She held out a slender hand toward the child, "Come, play has ended."

With a frown, Vaniel took her mother's hand and together they headed for the hidden waterfalls that marked the boundaries of Imladris, where still dwelled the Lord Elrond.

Eryniel sighed.

She knew that the time for the elves was passing and already many of her friends had set sail for Valinor. But Elrond still waited, as did Celeborn and Galadriel in Lorien, Thranduil in Mirkwood and Cirdan at the Grey Havens. She knew the hearts of many elves yet resisted the call of the Sea and lingered still under the bright stars of Middle Earth. But War was nigh on them again. The resolve of many Eldar lay shattered, so that they surrendered to the call and sailed beyond the shores of Middle Earth, leaving war and grief far behind them. But, she reflected, not all could walk away so simply, and some yet stayed, whether to fight the growing Shadow or for other reasons.

Eryniel looked down at the child who walked alongside her. That her heart could hold such love for this half-elven child was still a great mystery to her. A love so deep that it near consumed her at times. All of her efforts, her best plans and sacrifices were made for Vaniel, bound by her love for this little creature who had been thrust into her arms all those years past.

Having lost her husband in battle centuries before, Eryniel nearly faded from the grief of it. She had not succumbed to the loss, but believed her heart had long ceased to feel. And yet, came this child, from whence none knew, to melt the ice within her soul. She had poured her love and longing into the child, teaching her what was her only skill and gift to pass: music and song, for Eryniel was held by the elves to be one of the greatest singers of her people.

Eryniel loved this child, found by the Galadhrim and sent to Imladris by Galadriel. Everyone knew this was an unusual situation for the elves, the raising of a babe not their own, but had they not also fostered Estel? Just so, was the babe brought to Eryniel who had cared for and eventually surrendered her heart to the child who came to call her mother. Indeed, in everyone's eyes, and most especially to Eryniel, was Vaniel her own, her beloved child.

Happy and free did Vaniel grow, safe within the confines of Imladris, but ever mindful of the great evil wrought upon the World by the powers of Shadow. And as her seventh year dawned, Vaniel already was well versed in the many tales of Elves and Men. She knew their ancient legends, as well as their great feats. But no lesson was more beloved by Vaniel than those taught to her by her Mother, that of song and dance.

And it seemed to some that Vaniel's song pierced the heart of the Valar, for her lifeforce was hale and strong, her body lithe and graceful, her spirit kind and good. Yet all knew this too was the gift of her Mother's love, for the love of an elf is as deep as the oceans beloved by Ulmo. And it was Ulmo, whose call of the sea is heard in the music of the elves, who watched especially over Vaniel and her mother. For with great love comes even greater sacrifice.

All these thoughts entered the mind of Eryniel as she walked alongside her daughter, and she dispelled the pain that came to her heart when other uncertainties crowded her soul.

Reaching to fondly caress the top of Vaniel's head, holding hands, they quickly crossed a low lying bridge that led to the eastern end of Imladris. Passing the gates, Vaniel darted off to her lessons, for which she was very late. Still, she stopped abruptly and ran back to the tall, elegant elf. Eryniel dropped to her knees and caught Vaniel in a fast and strong hug, her heart brimming with the surrender of her love for her child. Placing a small kiss on her mother's nose, Vaniel darted away and in moments had disappeared inside the great hall of learning.

Sighing, Eryniel stood and walked to her apartments.

Key:

Laer = Sindarin, the period of Summer which spans 72 days and falls within our modern calendar of June 1st through August 11th.

Estel = Aragorn

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Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work.
Graphics copyrighted Cari Buziak
Banner artwork from Ophelia by JWW Waterhouse.