Ingwë Hears Dire News

< Previous     Kellinar Trevellion Sitting on the veranda just outside the Vanyar council hall, his eyes not seeing the grand vista before him, Ingwë Ingweron, High King of the Eldar elves, furrowed his brows in thought while pondering over the recent events.  Many months ago, by request of the maia Tilion, he delivered a letter to Olwë and to inform the Teleri Lords that his transportation back to Alqualondë had arrived.  As one of his Eldar kindred,  Ingwë always thought fondly of Olwë as a brother.  It was also a great excuse to see his dearest Teleri brother again, even though it would be but a brief visit. Quietly, Ingwë entered the room and was greatly alarmed to see such weight sitting upon Olwë's shoulders and abject worry marring his once serene and joyful face.  Ingwë quickly changed his surprised countenance to one of compassion and concern before he broke the Teleri king's troubled focus upon the fireplace flames.   He tried to comfort and insure his faith in Olwë as best he could, knowing that Olwë's mission was to gather as many Middle Earth elves who would heed his call.  This in itself was a daunting task at best. That brief meeting with Olwë brought to mind how he felt helpless to provide more aid to his brother or the missing Teleri at large.  Ever since he and the other Vanyar arrived to Aman after their long journey from the twilight shores of Cuiviénen many have never returned to the mortal lands, including himself.  Such incredible stories the returning elves from Middle Earth reiterated or sang about the last Age while they slowly migrated into the Undying Lands gave credence to the fact that evil still thrived there. Ingwë continues to contemplate the state of affairs occurring outside of Aman.  Now Alqualondë has moved back to the mortal lands.  He has heard nothing since about Olwë or the plight of the Teleri even from Lord Manwë.  Drumming lightly upon the precious crystalline table to which he sat next, Ingwë felt a stirring of unease, as if the very air around him was being disturbed by an unseen force.  Yet, that was not it....it was an internal feeling of discontent.  He had not felt this way since the War of Wrath at the end of the  First Age.......aaah, so long ago.  He wanted to participate in that battle and be by Lord Manwë's side with the other Ainur but was convinced by Manwë that  Aman would be unprotected.  So, he and those Vanyar that did not accompany the Ainur stayed on watch to guard Valinor. His contemplation was broken by the quiet entrance of a Vanya guard of Valimar who waited at a respectful distance before being summoned forward to speak by a small wave of his hand.  The guard swiftly approached, "Hail King Ingwë, I bring terrible news!  Two vanyars are dead!" "By the light of Eru!  How came this be?" Ingwë exclaimed with alarm and sat up attentively. "I do not know, My Lord, on their cause of death, but one was the fair maiden Linhröa, who was found near a patch of dark flowers in the forest of Valarinde.  The other is Rillë, who made it just beyond the northern gates of Valimar and died right after he told me about the flowers", the guard continued. "Neither appeared injured.  Although when a group of us went to retrieve the body of Linhröa, we all felt various degrees of illness so we hastened away as soon as we could". Troubled by the news, Ingwë looked intently at the vanya warrior and beckoned him closer.  He could sense the living essence within the guard greatly diminished.  "How do you feel?" Ingwë asked as the warrior knelt on one knee before him. "Very fatigued, My King, and near almost passed out before I reached the council hall", the guard replied, "and that has never happened before as I frequently bring reports to and from Valimar on a regular basis". Ingwë reached out with one hand, his palm only inches away from the guard's forehead, and in a rhythmic fashion, he  took a deep breath slowly exhaling.  His eyes calmly closed as IIngwë concentrated on the light energy within himself, swelling to increasing brightness and potency.  He gathered a infinitesimal portion of the same source existent from Arda and directed the luminous energy to flow through him into the warrior's body.  Then it was done. Lowering his hand and opening his eyes, Ingwë  peered at the guard, "and how do you feel now?" he asked. "I feel.....well! Thank you, My King", exclaimed the surprised Vanya as he stood up. "Very good" Ingwë nodded towards him as he silently felt grateful that his abilities had not lessened from disuse.  "I thank you for your report.  I shall seek the audience of Lord Manwë and let him know that something deadly has appeared in Aman.  By my request, please inform all to keep their eyes and ears open to any threats.  The death of our kin will be seriously and meticulously investigated.  Please keep me apprised of any news". Ingwë slowly stood up and inclined my head towards the vanya warrior and said, "May the light of Illuvatar always protect you".   The guard bowed then turned, and as Ingwë  watched his receding back, he wondered over the impression of darkness or shadow Ingwë  sensed while rejuvenating him.  He shuddered at that memory of something so alien - the antithesis of his own essence.  What in Eru has the power to destroy a child of Illuvatar from within? Ingwë now had more questions than answers, but he must first inform Lord Manwë about the deaths and find out any news about Olwë and his clan.  He quickly left the council hall and dropped by the kitchen to pick up some lembas and drink for his trek up Mt. Taniquetil to Manwë's palace.  As he walked the indiscernibly thin trail up the mountain, a plan was forming in his mind.  A daring plan that will involve a disguise and a way to reach lands he had not set foot upon in many millenniums.  > Next