To Travel With Wings

Silnar was in Hópacala when the large ship pulled into harbor. The news was brought to her by a young Avari. Her heart became like a wild bird in her chest, eager to burst free. He was here! After all this time, he was finally within her reach. Gathering her skirts, Silnar rushed from the home of Minyatúr and ran as swiftly as she could to the nearby boats. Boarding one, she breathlessly ordered the direction of Alqualondë.

The Avari manning the boat rowed as quickly as nature would allow and had not even completely reached the shore before Silnar had leapt into the salt water and waded to the beach. Once her feet were grounded, she fairly flew to the docks. The ship had yet to unload and Silnar joined a growing crowd.

Beside her came Galadriel who eagerly awaited her husband and behind her stood Elrond and his dear lady, Celebrían. Silnar had never seen the couple so happy and so sad. The odds were great that their two sons would be aboard this last ship, but their daughter had long ago passed the boundaries of this world and gone where none knew save Ilúvatar.

Slowly, Eldar began to depart the ship, eagerly greeted by their loved ones. Galadriel, her daughter, and her son-in-law rushed forward to reunite themselves with their family. Silnar, however, suddenly hung back. She had no idea if Glorfindel would even wish to see her. Perhaps he had moved on with his life and chosen a mate? Silnar did not know if her heart could bear the devastation.

And then she saw the glint of sun on golden hair. He would be the only blond onboard. The Eldar of Imladris were mostly dark haired Noldor and the Silvan of Lothlórien and Mirkwood were typically silver haired; except for King Thranduil who had already come to Aman some time ago.

Gradually the crowds began to clear. Silnar watched surreptitiously as Glorfindel greeted Elrond, Celebrían, and Galadriel. The former Queen must have mentioned her because Glorfindel suddenly looked in her direction. His eyes widened noticeably and his mouth curved into a slow smile.

Silnar felt her heart race as he walked towards her, more beautiful then she could have ever imagined. Here, in this land, Glorfindel shone as he should have, a twice born Elda with the power of the Maia. Silnar sighed softly as she feasted on his golden beauty, the confidence with which he moved, and the power he radiated.

And then he was before her, closer then they had been for Ages. She would barely have to reach and she would feel the muscles of his chest, the sgth gth in his arms, or the smoothness of his face. She was afraid to though, frightened that if she touched him it would dispel this waking dream.

“Silnar, is this truly you?”

His sweet voice washed over her senses, bringing back sultry nights and sun kissed days. With a sigh she reached for him and he enveloped her in the strength of his arms, holding her like a lifeline.

“How I have dreamed of this day!” He whispered into her ear, kissing her vibrant head.

“I have wished for you so long, Glorfindel,” Silnar whispered back, pressing a kiss to his smiling mouth.

Glorfindel pulled back slightly to feast his eyes on his beloved. She had not changed so much in appearance as she had in presence. There was power now and no sickness was left to mar or weaken her. He was looking upon her as she had once been, before the War, before any of the heartache.

“Galadriel just told me that you have discovered your heritage. You are the daughter of Manwë. How terrible that our meeting must be tinged with such sweet sorrow.”

Silnar nodded bitterly, suddenly remembering who she was and what she could not be. Glorfindel smiled so sadly and softly caressed her cheek. There would be plenty of time to find a way around these new restrictions. “Will you do all of us the honor and take us to Máhanaxar? Celeborn has yet to meet the Valar.”

Slowly, Silnar nodded, and taking Glorfindel’s proffered arm, led the way to the Circle of Doom.

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Long after the Valar and the Eldar departed the Circle, Silnar remained, reclining in her father’s seat. For many years, Silnar had done her father’s bidding, taking her rightful place as his daughter and guiding the Avari in their new life. Despite some of the happiness she had been given, her life lacked the luster that everyone else enjoyed.

Silnar’s attention turned to the dark chair directly opposite of Manwë. Standing, Silnar approached it finding comfort in its dark beauty. Her father said it once belonged to Melkor, though he had rarely used it.

“Do not touch it, daughter,” Manwë intoned. Silnar turned to see the tall form of her father, muted in the growing darkness.

“That chair still carries the power of that cursed Vala. None may stray near it.”

The aura of the stone seat had suddenly become bitter and Silnar eagerly turned away from it for the light of her father.

“Thou art sad, daughter. Thy mother has said this is not the first time.”

“I am sorry, Father.”

“Why dost thou apologize? Thou hast done naught wrong.”

Silnar sadly gazed at her father whose blue eyes shone with grief at her grief. “I love him, Father. I thought that such a long time spent away would perhaps destroy the emotion, but it has only strengthened. My heart is breaking because he is so near and I cannot be with him.”

Manwë reached out with a hand and brushed away the diamond tears that trickled down his daughter’s face. “For a long while, daughter, I have spoken with thy mother and with Mandos. Before I tell thee of what, thou must understand some things.

“Whether thou wished it or not, thou art our daughter and of the Valar. Thy power is very great and only another Vala could ever hope to match it. This is why I cannot allow a match between thee and Glorfindel.

“However,” Manwë added, raising his hand to stall any interruptions, “I have spoken long with Varda and Mandos as well as Ilúvatar. We are all in agreement on the course that must be taken. Now all we await is thy approval.”

“I am listening,” Silnar whispered trying futilely to stem the eagerness in her heart.

“To be with thy Glorfindel thou must concede to hold no more power then he. Thy place would be amongst the Maia, and though thou would yet be the daughter of Manwë and Varda, thou could never be of the Valar. Will thou concede to this?”

Her heart bursting, Silnar did not have to even consider. “Oh, Father, yes! I will agree to this!”

“I had thought so,” Manwë murmured, his arms open for his daughter to leap into. Although he was sad that his daughter would not be counted with the rest of her family, his heart overflowed with her obvious joy.

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Several weeks later, Silnar and Glorfindel were joined in marriage. Silnar had never felt such happiness in her entire life. The two held the ceremony in Hópacala, surrounded by hordes of family and friends.

Minyatúr stood with his wife watching Silnar and Glorfindel escape the madness of the celebration for some private time.

“It is good that Silnar has finally found her other half,” he observed, pressing a light kiss to his wife’s brow. She smiled up at him and nodded.

“I agree, though I will miss her dearly. I hope that she will visit often.”

Minyatúr smiled. “Of course she will, my love, we are her other family.”

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And Silnar did visit often, each time bringing another bundle of joy. But the adventures of her many children are stories for another time. As for now, well, this story is finally concluded; the Lady of Lindon and her Balrog Slayer lived happily ever after.

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A/N: It is the end….of this story. I am sad to see it done, but more ideas are brewing so I have something else to work on now. Thank you so much to all of my faithful reviewers; On fanfiction.net: Daughter of Olorin(thank you for reviewing every chapter!), Simbelmyn(thank you for the kind words about my grandfather), and Sarah(thank you for your prayers). On Adultfiction.Net: Mirasaui(thank you), elflover(thank you), kyle(thank you for at least taking time to leave something), Teri(thank you), and steph(thank you). I hope everyone enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.


Preview (for those interested in what happens to Ingrel….)

Ingrel, daughter of Ingwë, departs for Middle-Earth with high hopes of seeking what she believes to be her destiny. She arrives at Imladris determined to find the Elda she has been dreaming of. And find him she does…until suddenly there are two! But in the dream there was only one! Ingrel is thrown into a whirlwind of confusion just activities in Middle-Earth are beginning to heat up. She has just arrived as Celebrían has departed and the land around her is going up in flames as a family is ripped apart by its personal tragedy. Ingrel must now decide if she will stay and discover which of the brothers her fate belongs to, or return to Aman where she will be forever safe and out of the clutches of the Enemy.

Look for “A Breath of Fate” coming soon!