Fate's Unbidden Decree

… written for LiveJournal’s 50passages challenge.

Title: Fate’s Unbidden Decree

Fandom: J.R.R. Tolkien – The Peredhil

Characters: Elrond / OFC

Prompt: # 017 (“The Sun dipped and vanished, and as if at the shuttering of a lamp, black night fell.”)

Word Count: 2030

Rating: R

Summary: A chance encounter results in the unexpected engagement of one’s heart… though not for a destined spouse. ‘Tis to be of a different kind. A love that would come to haunt him.

Disclaimers: Tolkien is the consummate artist and Middle Earth is his chef d’oeuvre. I hold his work in highest regard and as such would not presume to unlawfully use his literary creations for profit. I am only borrowing from his imagination… for the pleasure of expounding on his already established genius.

Author’s notes: This story originates from an idea that came to mind over two years ago. It was meant to be the prologue of a novella but has metamorphosed into something else since my interest in slash. Now it stands alone as a doorway to an interesting possibility… for which I haven’t quite hashed out all the details, though it’s definitely progressing. I included a part of the poem I had written for the original fic as it remains relevant. Warning: some “fantasy-related” content. Most importantly, I’d like to thank Eressë for allowing me to use her pen name (back in March 2004… wonder if she remembers) in this tale. My little tribute to her astounding talent.

Dorwinion, Rhûn
Second Age

O! Behold the hardships of a woebegone maid,
Gaiety abound ere love’s acquaintance be severely repaid,
For a more grievous blow could not have been so dealt,
Neither by sharpened sword nor poisoned lance, were it to be felt,
Than that of the decree upon her person unjustly laid.

There it was again… an eerie whisper floating across the gentle breeze, unperceived by most common folk yet blatant and ever so haunting to the attuned ears of those gifted with a particularly keen audition. The melancholic tones deftly picked their way through the clearing, traversing the bordering woods and spreading beyond. Each plaintive note seemed woven from feelings of anguish, sorrow, trepidation, bitterness and utter despair. Merging as a whole, they verily produced a melodious sound, though none could mistake it for anything other than a lament. As they basked under the sun’s invigorating rays, even the trees were not oblivious to the tainted undercurrents hindering the usually quiet wind’s passage. Affected by the apparent suffering of a nameless being, their branches and leaves involuntarily quivered with concern. The normally resilient foliage now wilted under the strain of this new malaise, its vibrant coloring revealing signs of fading. Possessing an acute sense of hearing, the foreign traveler quickly ascertained the dismal vibes and immediately set out to discover their origin.

~ ~ ~

She sensed him long before her heightened vision discerned his lean form emerging from the forest’s natural shelter. Surprisingly graceful for one so tall, he all but glided across the open glade, still unaware of her close proximity. The unsuspecting stranger was momentarily subjected to a thorough appraisal by unseen eyes.

Surefooted stance. Confident demeanor. He exudes strength and radiates unequivocal wisdom.

His lithe figure was covertly assessed, eliciting a satisfied smile from the onlooker.

Rather handsome… ‘tho ominously so.

She hesitated at this latter observation.

Must be wary. Ought to tread this path carefully… else all is lost.

Taking a deep, calming breath and collecting her thoughts, she focused all energy on her inner sentient abilities. Reaching out to his nearly exposed core, she proficiently sorted through the varied strata of his psyche.

Complex individual. Indeed powerful! But not a threat.

Confident in her judgement of the outlander, she determined that it was time to reveal herself.

~ ~ ~

Upon leaving the woodland’s provided concealment, the foreigner took immediate notice of the prevailing silence. Having abruptly descended over the clearing, it hung in thick layers of an almost palpable disquiet, rendering all nearby creatures into a state of unease… all, except him. As he cut through the dewy tallgrass, his sodden robes clinging to his booted calves, the stranger felt the unusual disturbance and knew something was amiss. However, he could not fathom the reason behind such an occurrence. Slowing his pace and reducing his strides to short, resolute steps, he studied his surroundings. Contrary to his first notion of the lush, green expanse stretching before him, he now realised that the soil was not level. In fact, it was strewn with hillocks that unfolded some distance yonder. Atop the foremost knoll, an unexpected sight greeted the curious pilgrim. Variously sized standing stones arrayed in an intricate pattern beckoned further exploration. But compelling as they were, he ignored the mysterious sacred ruins, his attention riveted on the shape materializing out of the shadows.

A vision. It had to be. He blinked… once… twice. She was still there, standing no more than a few feet away. An enchantress. Her unworldly beauty bespoke illusory traits. He must be hallucinating. He couldn’t possibly be dreaming?

“This is no dream. Nor am I a figment of your imagination.”

A goddess. No mere mortal possessed such a dulcet voice. It had a distinctive, characteristic sound. Its complex vibrations comprised both musical quality and hypnotic timbre.

“Your reasoning is commendable, yet do not let it deceive you. Though I am no earthly being, I cannot proclaim myself a deity.”

Taken aback by a tardy realisation, he was left speechless. She had the ability to read his thoughts. If not a god, then what race had the power to invade another’s mind?

“I am descended from an ancient race; fae people. In Dorwinion we have dwelt peacefully since the older days.”

“Thence legendary myths are true; you are a faerie,” he stated, finding his voice.

“Something akin to that, yes,” she conceded, imparting him with a bemused smile. Extending her hand, she invited him to follow. “Come.”

~ ~ ~

They walked in comfortable silence for some time, neither wishing to break the peculiar bond that inexplicably linked them together. Eventually, they ascended a hill overlooking a lush valley abounding with rows of homogenous bushes. As they descended into the dale, a closer inspection of the landscape proved to be a pleasant discovery. No mere shrubbery, this! Indeed, they had sauntered onto a plantation of grapevines. Albeit Dorwinion was famed for the quality of its wine, little else was known of the mysterious land. ‘Twas not by chance that the dark-haired voyager traveled the northeastern coasts of Rhûn; his thirst for knowledge had long ago summoned him to journey in the East of Middle-Earth. But then, rumors of exquisite gardens hidden in a remote region, lying in the vales of the River Running, had drawn his interest. Therefore, along the Celduin he voyaged until the smell of the salty tang emanating from the nearby Sea of Rhûn had overwhelmed his nostrils… almost there.

However, this morn, something had distracted him from his course. He glanced down at the graceful hand still holding his own, their fingers entwined in an intimate manner. It astonished him that he would be willing to engage in such familiarity. Amiability had never been a prominent trait in his character, nor had closeness ever been a requirement in his life –ever since that dreadful day. In fact, he prided himself in his capability to remain detached, even aloof, from other people. What was it about this mystical creature that awakened so profound a desire to connect with her? Who was she? Daring to violate the reigning peaceful quiet, he boldly voiced his query.

“I would have your name,” he declared as they skirted the vineyard, branching off down a narrow path delimited with lovely, unlit lanterns.

“Forgive me. I must deny your request for I bear claim to no name. Alas, it has been forsaken,” she admitted with underlying sadness.

Halting abruptly, he turned to face her. Seizing her shoulders in a firm yet comforting hold, he searched her eyes, wordlessly entreating her to negate this tragic avowal, only to find himself momentarily distracted by her reciprocate stare... and just as soon realise that he was lost. Never had he been transfixed by so piercing a gaze. Such exquisite coloring! It was like beholding priceless gemstones! How could he not have noticed before? This beguiling woman truly was a rare beauty... and manifestly vulnerable at that. Her unwavering regard disclosed untold suffering, kindling a sudden need to shield her from danger or pain. It dawned on him that she was likely the author to the melancholic tune he had heard earlier. His brow furrowed with concern.

“It would be futile to gainsay your suspicions. Your sagacity precedes you; I felt it even before contemplating your imminent arrival in the glade. Though my heritage allows me to pass unnoticed when deemed essential and conceal my emotions from the outside world, I have not the heart to hide any truths from you.” Withdrawing from his grasp, she turned her back on him, reluctant to fully expose her grief.

Sensing her transient need for space and understanding the necessity to preserve one's pride, he kept his distance. Feeling helpless, he watched as she attempted to regain her composure. “Whom do you mourn?”

“I weep for the fate that has been ordained upon my person. A deleterious calamity to be certain! One wouldst presume that some measure of providence would be allotted to the one who dared show defiance opposite the Almighty,” she declaimed, her anger prevailing over the abiding sorrow. “They know not the meaning of forgiveness. They care not for the purpose of my actions. They only seek justice, whether unfairly dealt or not.” These last words were spat out with plain vehemence.

Her companion was beside himself with dismay. “What motive does the Divinity proclaim warrantable for condemning you?”

Her whispered reply was well-nigh inaudible. “Love.” Glancing over her shoulder, eyes locking with his, their steady gazes mingled in an amalgam of unfolding sentiments: surprise and heartache; bewilderment and loneliness; frustration and bitterness; compassion and defeat; worry and acceptance. “Forbidden love... between an immortal and a god.”

Fearing the worse, he was nevertheless determined to know the outcome of this drama. “And the penalty for your transgression?”

“The verdict has been heralded and my days are numbered; the countdown has already begun. In less than a twelvemonth, my life is to be snuffed out like a flame bereft of oxygen, my spirit left to wander between nirvana and perdition. I am to be made an example in hopes of discouraging such a disobedient streak in others.” Notwithstanding the gall he felt in light of this unfairness, he was not surprised to note her chin rise in determination as she articulated the specifics of so dire a fate. He could not help but feel admiration for this maid. Despite the wrath, dread, sense of betrayal, ruefulness and various other emotional stages surely endured as a result of this tragedy, she remained unfaltering in her fortitude against irreversible consequences. If only there was something he could do to help. Was it still possible for the decision to be overruled? He did not doubt the probability of success in obtaining an audience with The Powers; those odds were assuredly in his favor. Unfortunately, he knew that his efforts would be in vain, as history -and personal experience- clearly attested. The Valar seldom countermanded a primary judgement.

A delicate touch to his right cheek pulled him out of his musings. She stood directly in front of him, her expression entreating him: “Please, I beseech you not to summon Them on my behalf. It is done. Though I yet grieve, I have accepted this new destiny. It would be best for me to start living every moment as if ‘twere my last and,” lightly tracing the contour of his jaw with deft fingers, she graced him with an enticing smile, “value each opportunity presented to me.” Before he could word a reply, she slipped both arms around his neck, pulling him into a rapturous embrace. His mind struggled against his heart, striving to maintain some degree of wits about him, but it proved to be a hopeless battle. She had bewitched him. How else could someone of his power and stature be so easily ensnared?

~ ~ ~

The sun dipped and vanished, and as if at the shuttering of a lamp, black night fell. Her lover lay in a moonlit bed of crushed flowers, having dozed off into a peaceful repose. As she peered at his naked form through heavy lids, tears of relief marred her face. She had made the right decision. Having wandered into the gardens earlier, engrossed in each other, their passions unchecked... she had benefited from this rare opportunity. He was unique. She recognized him to be special. He would play his part adequately. If not out of love, he would do so out of duty. Indeed, he was the perfect choice.

“You have breathed faith into my soul,” she whispered. “I shall ensure to recompense such a boon in full.”

He had thought her a solitary spirit; he spoke fact. She had always preferred solitude. Eressë... so he had dubbed her... a new name for a new life -or, at least, what was left of it. Eressë... its meaning called out to her... *alone*.

Perhaps before, but no more.

She sighed in contentment, nestling against his warm body. She would have to make a point of asking him his name...

Even though that bit of knowledge is already mine to hold... my Peredhel prince!