Sigilion's Story

This is just a small bit of background for Sigilion's story. - Mirfain (posted with permission of Tuxedo Elf)

For those of you reading 'Sigilion's Story' by Lady Mirfain, this is
a brief look into the past of Carthôlion and Andernilion, from
Andernilion's POV.

Title: An Ordinary Elf
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Rating: PG
Pairing: Carthôlion/Sigilion implied
Summary: Andernilion tells of his past with Cartholion.
Feedback: Yes please!


An Ordinary Elf

My name is Andernilion and I am 1,120 years old. I was born in
Lothlórien just six years before my brother Carthôlion. When I say
brother, we are not related by blood. Our families lived in
neighbouring talans and Carthôlion and I grew up together. We did
everything together, lessons, play and later, military training. We
saw each other through adolescent crushes and the inevitable
heartbreaks.

When I was only 80 and Carthôlion 74, we feared we would be parted.
Carthôlion's parents were older than many and had grown restless. Now
they were talking of sailing west. It was a difficult time, they
wished for the peace of Valinor, but worried for their son.
Carthôlion had not yet passed his first century - he had no wish to
sail and I had no wish to let him go.
It was my father that provided the solution. Carthôlion's parents
would remain until he was 100 - then they would sail and he would
come to live with us. I was delighted and so was he.

All went as planned and his parents actually sailed in his 102nd
year. I loved having him living with us - we were both going through
training and it was comforting to have him by my side. I always
wanted to have him by my side.

By the time we were 200, we had passed our training and were setting
out on our first patrols. We were a great team, both proficient in
combat, though Carthôlion was the true archer, while I excelled with
the knives. Our fears of being parted by separate patrols were
thankfully in vain, as our captains realised that we worked best
together.

Shortly after I turned 300, my parents announced that they too had
decided to sail. I was a little upset, but not that surprised - I
knew they had been thinking about it frequently for the past few
decades. They left not 10 years later, while Carthôlion and I
remained in their talan.

Such was the closeness of our relationship, that some wondered if we
were more than just friends and brothers. But our relationship was
never like that. Where love was concerned, we helped each other -
setting up dates, distracting those who might not approve and
discreetly leaving the other alone when need be. We were never
jealous of each other's lovers - we knew a part of our hearts was
always with the other.

Do not think we never fought - we did. Oh, did we! I had fallen
behind once in training and was publicly humiliated by our trainer,
who used Carthôlion as the perfect example. I was furious and that
night we had a huge row. He walked out and I didn't see him for three
days. Those were the most miserable, lonely days of my life. When he
came back I was so grateful I vowed never to anger him again. It's
not something I have entirely kept to, but we have never fought like
that since.

For some years our life fell into a comfortable pattern of patrols,
quiet evenings and the occasional date. It was a good life and we
were happy. But all good things come to an end, as we learned
painfully all too soon.

We knew where the orcs were and that we went out specifically to
destroy them. We were armed and ready, Carthôlion and I side-by-side
as usual.
If only we had known another contingent of orcs had joined them in
the night, things might have worked out differently. I will never
know.

As soon as we attacked, we realised what a terrible mistake we had
made. We were greatly outnumbered and despite our skill, we were
losing the battle. Desperate, some of us chased as many orcs as we
could into their cave, hoping to corner them.
It was all going well at first, they fell swiftly to blade and bow
and we hoped that we might win after all.
Then the orcs panicked.
They knew by then that they couldn't escape and orcs were never ones
to go quietly. Those far enough away from us turned their weapons on
the stone walls, bringing them tumbling down.

I looked to Carthôlion and he nodded. We turned and ran, no sense in
dying needlessly if it could be avoided. We ran towards the exit,
well aware of the orcs on our tail and the falling rocks.
We had almost made it when, dodging a large rock, I stumbled on a
boulder on the ground. I fell awkwardly, hitting my head hard on the
side of the cave. I knew there was an orc almost on top of me, but my
head was spinning and I couldn't move.
Carthôlion was almost out, he hadn't seen me fall and I was glad that
he would live.
Then he looked back.
I saw the horror on his face as he turned and ran back to me. He
reached me just before the orc, hauling me to my feet.
"Go! Go!" He cried, almost pushing me out. "I'll be there in a
moment!"
Concussed and confused I stumbled out, into the waiting arms of
another friend. I turned my eyes to the cave as more stone fell,
praying that my brother was well.

Agonizing moments past, each one seeming to last an age. Then at last
a flash of movement caught my eye and I saw him running towards us.
That was when the rocks fell.

I remember screaming as he was lost from view, buried under the
rocks. I fought against the arms that held me, trying to get to him.
Eventually they lost their grip, desperation lending me strength and
I ran to the rocks, trying to dig him out. Others ed med me, though
we were sure he must have been killed.

I cried when I saw him, broken and battered under the rocks and I
knew I would not recover from this loss. But the Valar were watching
over us that day - for he was not dead. Still, he was badly injured
and it was a long, slow journey back to Lórien.

Long days by his side followed, my own injuries were minimal, but he
had suffered greatly. He had many broken bones and sharp rocks had
cut into his face, leaving long scars down one side. Luckily, his
vision was undamaged. His right leg though, was crushed. The Lórien
healers did their best, but it was hopeless. Carthôlion was left
unable to walk unaided and in much pain. I blamed myself, though he
always told me I should not. But I could not help it; I hated to see
him suffering.

Eventually it was decided to send him to Imladris, to see if Lord
Elrond could help him. It would be a better place for him anyway,
Lórien was limiting to one who cannot run and climb. I went with him,
determined to watch over him.

I liked Imladris, though it was a far cry from Lórien. Carthôlion
felt the same and I was glad that at least it was easier for him to
get around. I ignored much of my own desires, giving all my time to
him. The operation he was to have was not guaranteed to succeed and
it was a time of great tension.
That tension was relieved, though, by a little firecracker named
Faerfaen. The orphaned elfling wormed her way into his heart and
before very long he had adopted her. I was glad, for she was a much-
needed balm to his heart.

Then he met Sigilion, a border guard. For the first time, he fell
head over heels in love. This was no casual liaison. I was glad, for
he had found someone who truly loved him, despite his injuries. His
future, though still uncertain, looked brighter. He urged me to take
some time for myself andid did - I joined the Imladris guard. It was
strange to patrol without Carthôlion by my side, but I knew I would
have to get used to it.

Now we wait for the operation that could change everything. I pray it
goes well, Carthôlion is a warrior and it will be terribly hard for
him to accept that he will never fight again. I try not to think of
the other possibility - that we could lose him to Mandos. That would
be more than I could bear, not to mention it would destroy Sigilion.e hae has given his whole heart to my brother and I fear he would not
survive the heartbreak. Faerfaen too, would be greatly affected by
his loss. She has seen much death in her short life and it was
Carthôlion that healed her heart.

No, we cannot lose him. I will pray to the Valar every day to watch
over him and lend him strength. He has much to live for and I swear I
will remind him of that every day. I owe it to him, for he is my
friend, my family, my brother.

THE END