Erenien shut the book abruptly. She had come to the library, just to get out of her life for some time. First Age history had felt like a good option with the unnumbered battles and the valor of many heroes and heroines of old. The page she had just opened did nothing to her mood, if not worsened it. The Tale of Beren and Luthien was not something she was looking forward to reading. It had been months since she last met her 'Beren' in person, on that fateful morning. No. Not Beren. Her 'Aegnor' would be a better title. She had met him after that, a few times, on occasions of celebrations, when she caught glimpses of him singing.
The fragile sleep of that morning had been broken as Erenien was woken up with a kiss to her forehead.
***
Blurry eyes slowly focused on Thranduil, who had been sitting at her bedside, with fine lines on his usually perfect face.
"Happy begetting day, Ery," he tried to sound cheerful. It had been 25 years since Thranduil had found her in the forest.
"Get ready. You shall have many surprises today," he said as she slowly guided her to stand. "Let me begin with this." She looked in the direction of his extended hand. The dress which hung there was indeed beautiful.
"Thank you so much, Ada," she gave a half-smile and ignored the flash of pain in his eyes. He continued anyway.
"The pleasure is mine to have you as my daughter. You are Eru's gift to me." She smiled at this- a true smile. This eased some of his pain. His young girl had grown into a beautiful young lady. Pride swelled in his heart.
"Now I shall take my leave. Get ready. There shall be a fest this evening."
"Ada, I think we should not. We cannot feast and be merry when our kingdom is facing such a dark time."
"I know. But I cannot let this special day of you go unnoticed." His eyes and thoughts wandered off. She knew what was on his mind. She cannot be with him forever.
"Well then, we can have a small feast. Just the both of us and Legolas and Tauriel. Will that be alright?"
"If that is what you wish, then let it be so." He kissed her and left. She stared at the dress. It was undoubtedly beautiful. If only my mood was just as pleasant as this...
Begetting days were always a fuss as all the passersby showered their wishes. Once she had become tired of smiling and thanking, she had escaped to the library- her only refuge.
Soft footsteps echoed in the corridor. Estelor, the Loremaster, would be there soon; so would his assistants. She stuffed the book back on the shelf and went out. Without having a better plan, she found herself at the archery grounds. Arrows managed to find the dead center, though her mind was roaming elsewhere.
"Happy begetting day, Erenien." She spun around, startled, to see Feren standing in the doorway. Suddenly, he looked apologetic. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."
"It is fine. Thank you, Feren," she replied, face blank, and turned away to face the targets again.
"I heard your father is hosting a grand party tonight," he said, coming forward. She sighed and turned to face him as the arrow found its way to the center.
"No, there won't be any. We are currently not in a mood to party, are we?" She smiled ruefully.
He replied nothing, but managed a smile.
"Tell me, Feren, why are you here?" Erenien asked as she went to retrieve the arrows.
"I come on behalf of Laerdil. He wishes you a very happy begetting day," her hands paused on the arrow for a moment. She sighed and plucked the last one.
YOU ARE READING
The Eternal Starlight
Fanfiction"I cannot raise a child!" Thranduil said aghast. "What she needs is a mother and a father- a proper family," he sighed. "Maybe she has found them in you..." It was said that after the death of his Queen, the Elven king became bitter and cold. Everyo...
