Vaniel, My Heart

Vaniel, My Heart
Chapter 35: Chapter 35 - Back to Imladris
by Sienna
Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work.

Vaniel, My Heart
by Sienna Dawn

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Chapter 35 - Back to Imladris

Spring - 40 years later.....Fourth Age of Man

Spring came early that year and the robins were soon at their nests. Flowers bloomed in radiant colors and trees reached upward for the golden light of the sun. Rivers rippled merrily and the earth was once again verdant and vibrant.

Nestled beyond a deep valley, past a wide waterfalls that was nearly dry, there lingered the last vestiges of a long forgotten elven realm. A place called Imladris by the elves and Rivendell by men.

Here still dwelled the spirits of the elves, now that Lothlorien had permanently faded and the remaining elves of Eryn Lasgalen were beginning their exodus to the West, no longer able to resist the call of the Sea. Nearly all of the Eldalie had sailed for Valinor, save a very few with strong ties to the World. Some would sail in the years to come, and some would put off the inevitable for many generations, while others would see the dawn of the age of man permanently forsaking the Undying Lands.

Vaniel and Haldir had not yet sailed for the West, uncertain if this was their time or not. Gone was the early anxiety, for they now realized that the Valar would grant them access to the Straight Road. Yet, something stirred the couple to remain still a while longer beneath the stars of Middle Earth.

What they waited for they knew not, but soon the remaining Eldalie came to realize that with the fading of Lorien also came the fading of Eryn Lasgalen.

Then word came to the elves that Thranduil was taking the Straight Road for Valinor, although his son Legolas still remained.

Several years after the departure of King Thranduil, the great forest, Greenwood, once called Mirkwood and then renamed Eryn Lasgalen, became empty and soon faded. That same year King Elessar passed from the world and his Queen, Arwen Undomiel, journeyed to what remained of the lands of Lothlorien and there laid down to die. Soon after this, Prince Legolas Thranduilion set sail for the West, taking with him the dwarf, Gimli. Elrond's sons, Elladan and Elrohir lingered for a while, but the death of their old friend, King Elessar, and beloved sister, Queen Arwen Undomiel, saddened them and soon after they too took the Straight Road never to return to Middle Earth.

The world was changing rapidly losing the magic of the elves as their time closed upon Middle Earth.

But not all of the elves departed and some still remained, too enamoured of the lakes and rivers, the mountains and dales, the stars and the skies of their beloved Middle Earth. And so they resisted the call, lingering still in the world, seeking the last of elven refuges in the world: Imladris.

Like many of the remaining eldar, Vaniel and Haldir longed to dwell within the protective magic of elven realms, without having to sacrifice their stay upon Middle Earth for they were not yet ready to take the Straight Road to Valinor. And so it came to them one day to take the roads and rivers that led to Imladris, and there with their son, did Vaniel and Haldir make their home.

Here had the last remaining elves come, trickling in at first, sad to see the fair land slowly fading. Some, disheartened, left, never to return to the hidden valley, while others remained in the ancient realm, and through the sheer force of their will, stayed the fading of the ancient city.

For Vaniel, Imladris held bittersweet and melancholic memories and often she would traverse the woods about the great comely house, Myrrdin by her side, watching the child at play within the same groves and clearings she had once loved and frolicked upon. Though Haldir watched her with a careful eye, she did not show signs of sadness and soon another child was given to them, this time a sweet daughter whom they named Eirien Evendim, Evening Flower, for she was come into the world in the lateness of the night, strong and hale, when the asphodel blooms 'neath the silver frost of moonlight.

After a time, Imladris began to flourish once more, its artisans returning to their work, crafting elegant works of art, music, poetry and architecture. Not long after this the land began to bloom again, losing the touch of grey that had begun to spread as it faded, regaining its ancient vibrancy. Everyone worked hard, contributing their part as their skills allowed, but none worked harder than Haldir and Vaniel, who tirelessly sought to recapture the elegance, power, magic and majesty of the ancient realm founded by Elrond. Within the first ten years of their arrival, Haldir and Vaniel succeeded in restoring the ancient elven gates of Imladris and a great portion of the city, reclaiming it back from the earth that had nearly swallowed it whole . Soon, the waterfalls began to flow again, its clear and sparkling waters flowing past the ford of Bruinen. Trees and forests regrew and returned to the world; mists cleared; and the animals of the forests came back to their old homes.

Imladris was returning, pulled back from the brink of nothingness.

Eventually, word spread out among the eldar that Imladris had been spared and had not faded. Once again, as in former times, were there elves coming and going into that fair land.

But to Men, Dwarves and Hobbits was Imladris lost, for their eyes could not and would not find the road to the hidden valley. The elves of Imladris wished to keep their home secret from the eyes of those who would destroy it. Hard the elves worked to keep their fair realm hidden and to this end they diverted the waters of the River Bruinen at the Ford itself, digging deep trenches and troughs so that the river would follow a new westerly course that wound its way behind the woods and meadows of the High Moor, where again would the waters of the Bruinen fork and join itself once more as it marched upon its southwardly course. In this manner did Imladris and all of its lands, valleys, groves and dales become an island. And so was Imaldris concealed by the power of the elves, whose magic enshrouded the island in whirling mists that only a fair member of the Eldar may pierce to enter.

As the years passed so did the elves of Imladris remove themselves from the world of Men, only occassionally visiting their cities and then with great secrecy.

Imladris, removed from the world was still within it, was but eventually lost and forgotten by Men, who only remembered the ancient realm in legends and songs. As the generations of Men passed, seasons came and went, empires rose and fell, kings were deposed, queens enthroned and civil wars fought. Imladris passed from legend to myth, and from myth it was elevated to the mystical and soon the bards sang of a forgotten realm, covered and protected by the mists of time; an island where winter's frost was kept at bay and the touch of death was unknown.

Sometimes, hardy and adventuresome souls sought Imladris and braved the Misty Mountains, now called the Black Mountains by Men; searching for the entry to the ancient immortal realm. But never did the mists of Imladris part for those who did not belong there, and ever were the Valar watchful over the elven lands.

But within its borders Imladris lived on, strong and vibrant, its elves at times venturing forth to the world of men, and there they came to teach or observe, as was their wont, always returning to the safety of their island on Earth.

Here did Vaniel and Haldir raise their children, until their first born, Myrrdin, left Imladris one day to seek his destiny in the world of Men. With his parents remained Eirien Evendim, the Evening Flower, until she matured, married and tired of the world, along with her family, sailed for Valinor and left Middle Earth forever.

Yet, Haldir and Vaniel remained in the world, loving their lives in Imladris, becoming recognized eventually as the Lord and Lady of that fair land, that in the legends and songs of Men came to be called Avalon.

But of the affairs of Men were the elves, for the most part, ignorant.

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