The Lady of Battle

*Disclaimer: All hail! King Tolkien of Arda!*


Prelude

Reminiscence


It was the same magical place she had always found peace. Since her ancestors had helped found the long legacy that was her family. This was her place; a place of refuge. Always were these trees in full bloom and their colors were rich in brilliant hues only seen in what was Gondolin. Golds, silvers, reminiscent of the power only held within the first trees of Arda.

Her father had built this place; raised it with his love as he had his children. And like her father this place spoke to her. This garden and her family fed each other the peace needed in such times.

Unmistakably, there was a humming power felt here that enveloped her at the precise moment she entered. Although it fed her whole family, her father had sensed when she was a very young age, that she and these trees which shone with the light that was once shone brightly by the trees of the Avathar, had a bond; even surpassing his own connection to these magical trees.
And it was easily concluded that Orome, Lord of Trees, had blessed this sacred place, blessing her family with the keep and care of the truly magnificent life-force these trees illuminated, and truly blessing her with a gift even the firstborn marveled at.

It was for this reason that her father, on her second nosta ( birthday) ceremony which was held in this sacred place, gave her the name Melisalda, (Lover of Trees), as was custom for the father to give the second naming later in life. And on this day the city rejoiced in the beauty of this silver-eyed selda. And as the elves of this realm gathered to be witness to the magical blanket of solemnity, which this elfling emitted, the force between this elfling and the trees lifted the spirits of Gondolin. The harmony between this child and the trees was overwhelming.

Her father, advisor and right hand of the mighty march warden of Gondolin, and soldier and defender of this mighty realm, would return daily, even if for only a moment to bless his daughter with his magical smile and bright eyes which lovingly showered her with the only love more powerful than these trees enveloped her with. His smile, of which her mother hadn't seen nearly as often as his eldest daughter, was a trademark not likely seen by any other outside their home.

She was seated under Tulka, The largest tree in this place of peace with her head leaned back upon its trunk. She had named it accordingly for it was indeed the strongest and most steadfast of them. And the counsel they provided each other was something she had come to require daily. For even though she was their solemn defender and protector, the first Nis(female) in a small line of Neri(males) in her heritage to be handed down this honor, she required counsel from Tulka, something she sought from no other. A characteristic she and her father shared. But especially on this day, was she ever unnerved.

Her coming of age was this Laire(summer) and as was custom she was to be betrothed. She had known this day would come but had feared it just the same. She had always done what she was told and had never shown disagreement even as an elfling. This morning marked the first time she had ever disagreed with her father and it weighed heavily on her heart. For her heart had already been given.

Her sorrow enveloped her as she remembered the harsh words between them. She hadn't had the courage to tell him her hearts longing for she surely knew he would oppose the match. And even though she knew he had strong confidence in her judgment, she knew she would not be able to look him in the eye and state that it was good judgment of mind and not her heart and passion leading to this pairing. She knew that in her love's presence her soul needed him as she needed air to breathe.

Her mother had been eagerly preparing their home for the celebration; a night of recognizing the maturing of a young selda. And she knew he would be there in the crowd. And her heart sank.

"Melmë cuilenyo..."(Love of my life)

She closed her eyes. Remembering the day he proclaimed his love for her. She hadn't known he endeared her. She was young and had not known any love but her father's and the trees. That day, by the river he changed her life forever. Falling to his knees, proclaiming his love for her; she hadn't known that the March warden's champion harbored passion for anything but battle. How could she have known? For he harbored his feelings as well as she.

"Nán núrotya."( I am your servant)

A sign escaped her as she melted back into Tulka's embrace. It was his passion destroying her and setting her free. It was his passion that would set her father against the match and yet it was this passion that pulled her to him. A passion that her father had given witness to as being reckless.
"He is brilliant in battle but has no control over himself." Her father had said this many times in her presence. And her heart had withered a little more every time.
"He is of age but is still young."

"Haryan maurë tyen, tye melan." (I need you. I love you.)

His voice had quivered at this moment of revelation and when he looked up into her eyes, silver met silver and she knew at that moment.
"Lavan, Lavan tyen. " ( I yield. I yield to you) Her only reply as she dropped to her knees and grasped his hands as they stared into each others eyes. And there by that river they spoke without speaking. For they knew when they touched that it wasn't necessary. For she held the power of the Avathar in her breast and needed not to speak out loud but instead allowed her feelings to pass through him like a spout of warmth.

{I wish I had kissed him}

A thought which popped in her mind as fast as his heart had claimed hers. A kiss that could give her the strength to endure a life without him.
{But he would not dishonor me. And for that, I know he loves me.}

But she would not cry. Crying was an action that just didn't exist in her lineage. Her ancestors were known for their strong control and mysterious nature, which was mesmerizing even to the eldar.

But displeasing her father was as unbearable as a life without her love. She would not do it. And for that reason, that day by the river was the last time she allowed them to be alone together. He had tried in subtle ways to ask for conference with her but she would not comply.

It was only once that he had sought her out and asked her will.
"Nai ni canuvatye." ( I am yours to command) He had spoken those words and when she looked into his eyes she knew he spoke the truth. He would. He would do anything. If she commanded, he would love her from afar.

And she commanded it.

" Nai ni canuvatye." (If it is your command) Had been his response and she knew he would obey. It was a characteristic he possessed which she had counted upon. He was a Hesto (captain) of Glondolin. He would follow the orders of his leaders and as her servant he would obey her.

His face had shown no emotion upon hearing her words and she knew then, that they would have truly been well matched if only for their ability to control their emotions. He had bowed and turned and as she watched his retreat she felt rage rise inside of her.
{Why always so obedient}

At that thought their was a large noise from the west side of the realm. A sound unlike she had ever heard. It had jolted her out of her reverance and she startled at the significance of the loud intrusion.
{What could possibly make that noise? Only the Valar themselves could stir such a force.}

At that, she leapt up and started to make her way out of the garden as fast as her gown would allow. She had not been wearing her usual training garments since the celebration was only an hour away.

Her gown flowed freely behind her as she made her way onto the stone street and headed toward the nearest tower in order to see what had occurred. As she ran, elves began to come into the open, from their homes and places of work; all visibly stunned by the sudden sound. Suddenly she heard a voice and the cry of the cities' warriors.

She halted in mid-stride. Trying to discern if what she was hearing could be true. Many guards stood still along the streets. All became quiet as they tried to listen to what was happening outside the walls.
"Qualmë cotumolmen!" (Death to the enemy!)
Upon hearing this battle cry, she sprung into a sprint and seeing this, the guards snapped back and followed.

Once she reached the tower she climbed up and what she saw would haunt her dreams forever...TBC