Vaniel, My Heart

Vaniel, My Heart
Chapter 3 - Guests and Song
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 3 - Guests and Song

Imladris, the same day, hours after sunset....

That night, Vaniel found it hard to sleep, as she watched her mother dress for the welcoming banquet in honor of the Lady Undomiel's return to Imladris. But she was also doubly excited for with the Evenstar had come her mother's cousin, Rumil, and brother to Orophin and the great Marchwarden of Lorien, Haldir. And that meant that Rumil would bring news of his brothers. But she was most especially interested in news of Haldir, his feats and travels, for indeed was Haldir one of the very few of the Galadhrim who spoke Westron and had travelled beyond Lorien to the world of Men. Vaniel leaned back on the bed, her hands behind her head. She loved hearing the stories about the aristocratic Marchwarden, even though he was rumored to be icy and belligerent, and was the bane to many an unwary trespasser to the Golden Woods of Lorien. In her child's heart, Haldir was her Hidden Hero, and she longed for the day she could meet him in the flesh.

Putting thoughts of Haldir aside, Vaniel looked over at her mother, who was softly humming to herself as she dressed. A thought came to her.

"Mother?" Vaniel sat up in bed.

Eryniel turned a smiling face to her daugher. "Yes?"

Vaniel hugged her knees to her chest. Frowing in concentration, she began, "Mother, I've been thinking. If all the elves leave Middle Earth, who will care for the woods and cities of our people?" Golden eyes searched Eryniel's lovely face.

This was a question Eryniel had long dreaded and here it was at last. She sighed and came to sit by her daughter's side.

Gently taking her hand, she said only, "When that time comes, Vaniel, the Valar will see their will done. But right now you must go to sleep."

Vaniel knew there was much her mother wasn't saying, but she was tired and slipped beneath the soft sheets. Raising her arms to her mother, she was rewarded with a soft kiss and a fierce hug. Vaniel loved her mother's scent, delicate and mindful of flowers after a storm.

Kissing her daughter one more time, Eryniel smiled and caressed Vaniel's forehead, "Sleep now and perhaps tomorrow we may go for a swim."

Vaniel's eyes lit up and she smiled at her mother, then closed her eyes.

Eryniel watched the child for a few moments and then without sound slipped out of the chamber, her heart sad.

Taking a deep breath, she walked with determination showing on her face while inside her spirit cringed. What would she tell Vaniel? The child fully expected to sail to the West. How was she going to tell her beloved daughter that as half elven, the choice to travel the Straight Road was hers only? She and Elrond had discussed this issue many times, and both agreed that none, save Vaniel, should make such an irrevocable choice.

Yet, since the child had finally asked, perchance here was the answer she sought from the Valar. If she was old enough to ask, reasoned Eryniel, then she may be old enough to be fully told of her true ancestry although her parentage was still unknown.

Still lost in thoughts such as these, she allowed her feet to take her to the great banquet hall where she would soon offer her songs. Turning a corner, her ears caught sounds of the dinner well under way.

So lost was Eryniel in her own thoughts that her ears did not catch the soft sounds of the confident footsteps that approached her. She startled and jumped when a strong hand gripped her arm. Raising her gray eyes she found Rumil's face smiling down on her.

"Eryniel!" exclaimed the musical voice. "Cousin! 'Tis a fair day when mine eyes rest upon thee!" Clear blue eyes that danced with humor and affection smiled on Eryniel, and he took her hand and gallantly placed it on his arm.

Eryniel smiled, "Indeed, Rumil, 'tis good to see thee as well." Responding in the same formal manner her cousin used to greet her.

Stopping and turning to look at one another, they erupted into happy chuckles, Rumil warmly squeezing the hand on his arm.

"Tis been too long, Eryniel. Why come you not to Lorien? It has been far too long since you have set eyes upon that fair land." Slowly they walked to the banquet hall. As he expected, Eryniel snorted dryly.

"Imladris is just as fair, Rumil, although in ways different from those of Lorien," she quipped, arching a dark eyebrow in a fair imitation of their older kinsman. "And how is he, by the by? Wed yet?"

Taking the cue from her, Rumil laughed, "Nay, cousin! I wager no maiden would dare scale past his defenses." Rumil shook his head, worry for his brother reflected in the merry eyes.

"Not to mention his arrows." added Eryniel dryly.

"Or knives." Reflected Rumil.

"Has he still that Noldorin sword?" asked Eryniel innocently.

Rumil, feigning shock, arched an eyebrow and slowly nodded.

Laughing together they set off toward the banquet.

Soon, Eryniel's clear soprano voice rose toward the skies above Imladris and even the Valar were enchanted.

Key:

Undomiel = Arwen

Evenstar = Arwen

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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.