The Eye of His Dark Majesty

The BlackSmith

The cabbage and herb soup simmered to a boil on the stove, as I prepared the meat and fish. Grateful to return to the market and acquire the rest of the ingredients needed. Father was still working, and Ereclion was off on duty. I set the table and waited. I was used to a quiet house these last few months, but tonight the return of our soldiers left a joyous noise that blanketed our town. I prefer this noise.

The door creaked open and Ereclion stepped in — with Isildur, son of Elendil, at his side. My heart pounded heavily against my chest. I had crushed on Isildur since we were children. He was my brother's best friend, but in a way my friend too. I was glad to see him alive and I would be lying if I didn't think about him often while they were gone.

His features had changed from the last time I saw him. His jaw more prominent and pronounced, and his eyes had seen war. They were eroded and wise with experience. But his smile was still the same.

"Hello milady, it's good to see you" Isildur said making his way closer toward me.

"How many times have I asked you to call me by my name Isil. We're hardly strangers" I said smiling at him shyly.

"Well I almost didn't recognize you without your boyish looks and cinder ash all over your face" he said chuckling and sitting at the table in which I'd only set three places.

I didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or not but I grabbed another place for him. It was true I had changed as well. I worked as a metalworker at the blacksmith shop since I was 13. My hair was always cut short due to the risk of it being set on fire, and my face and nails were covered in charcoal residue. My hair grew surprisingly quick in the last few months and reached to my mid stomach. I developed into my features— my once round face, sharpened, and my brown eyes seemed to deepen with each passing year. The fairness of my skin took on a soft glow, and a hint of warmth colored my cheeks. Strangers would often comment on the quiet beauty I carried, though I never quite saw it myself.

When my brother went off to war, my father needed more help at the shop so I worked extra shifts. I fell asleep by the furnace one night and piece of metal had flown onto my leg and burned its way into my skin causing 4th degree burns. I was bed ridden for weeks in agony. My father couldn't afford to send me to the best healers but he secured a position for me within the castle when I did heal. He told me the shop was no place for a lady of society. I was to be a chambermaid for the Queen Regent Míriel.

For the last 3 months I had experienced the magic of the castle. I was finally able to support my family and afford decent meals and clothing. The Queen Regent was nothing but kind to me. Through the last few days she had been irritable to say the least. I suspected it had something to do with her father's decaying condition. Rumors about his death were speculating but she paid little to no attention to them as if to distract herself from the pain she had already felt. I empathized with her.

I was deep in thought when my father had walked in, smelling of charcoal and metal.

I used to love that smell as a child. I remember waiting for him all night until the morning when he'd come back brooding with seriousness exhausted from a days work.

Father stepped into the house and there he saw my brother standing in the middle of our kitchen. He stood in place for a while. It seemed to me like he'd seen a ghost but he walked slowly to my brother and pulled him in for a tight hug. He would never admit to Ereclion that he was worried sick about him when he was gone, but I knew.

"Beren, it's nice to see you sir" Isildur extended a hand to my father. In which my father extended his back. He always thought of Isildur as his second son.

"How's your father boy? It's been a while since he's visited my shop. Tell him I've got new materials for the armor" my father said patting Isil on the back and they went off chatting.

We talked all night about my brother and Isildur's adventures. The stories were fascinating and I hadn't realized I barely touched my food. I imagined myself fighting the orcs just like the men did. I imagined crossing great rivers and camping in the forbidden woods. But most of all I imagined getting out of here and seeing the rest of middle earth.

Towards the end, I began to clean while the men smoked their pipe cigars in the armchairs. Curiosity beckoned me to ask about the strangers that had come to Numenor.

"I saw two foreigners with you today. Who were they?" I asked my brother pretending not to care much.

"Oh right. The she-elf, Galadriel, made quite a scene today in front of Queen Regent Míriel. She demanded the Queen grant her passageway home with a ship and an army to which the Queen rightfully refused. The man, Halbrand, is from the south lands and escaped the wrath of the orcs. They met aboard a vessel that was ripped through by the ocean monster. We were passing them by and Elendil caught sight of them as they were unconscious side by side on a wooden shaft" he said looking over to me.

"It sounds like they had quite a dangerous journey. I've never met an elf before. How long are they staying in Numenor?" I asked.

"Until the queen regent advises them to leave. The elves are prideful creatures if you ask me, but lady Galadriel was quite a spectacular sight with the way she stood up for herself. It was impressive actually" my brother boasted.

"Like you'd ever have a chance. She was born thousands of years before your ancestors ever existed. Keep on dreaming Clio" Isiludur chimed in.

My brother put Isil in a headlock and they were fighting on the floor while I laughed hysterically. My father glanced at me and beckoned me outside.

I followed him down the steep hill that led to the sea.

We made it to a short cliff when he embraced me and kissed my forehead.

"Daughter, I have something important to share with you but you mustn't tell anyone not even Ereclion" my father urged, worry stricken into his old face.

"Of course father, I won't tell a soul" I beckoned, curious to hear what my father was so selective and secretive to tell me.

"There is an elf on our island now. Elves bring nothing but chaos to men. Promise me you won't get involved with her Morena" my father said hesitantly.

"What is this about father? You've always spoken so highly of elves" I wasn't sure what had gotten into him.

He hesitated again before speaking "Morena there is something I must tell you that I've kept from you".

A pit began to form in my stomach as I knew exactly what he was talking about. I think I'd known for a while. As a child I was taunted by my slightly pointy ears being called 'elfling'. Father always reassured me that I had a genetic mutation and that's all it was. Looking at him now I wasn't so sure.

"Please father tell me the truth for once" I urged.

"You ask about your mother often and I can tell you that she was beautiful. Her skin was as fair as yours. Her hair long and black like the night sky. She was born in Eregion, a western valley of the Misty Mountains. I was training with an elvish blacksmith as a young man when I met her. It was love at first sight and our relationship grew stronger in each passing day. But I was growing older and she wasn't. One day she was with child, and I was done with my training. The elven counsel found out and they banished me from their lands. Eight months later you were delivered to me in a basket woven with flowers and Mithril to protect you. I went back to see your mother but they had told me she sailed to the undying lands to be with the rest of her kin. I was heartbroken but I knew I had you. You are the greatest gift in my life Morena, and you look so much like your mother. I'm sorry I kept the truth from you I wanted to protect you" he said, eyes watering and mouth slightly ajar.

"Protect me? You made me believe my mother died after Ereclion was born. You never allowed me to ask about her. You allowed me to be taunted for years for my appearance and all the while she was an elf. Now that another elf has appeared on this island you mean to keep me from her. I wish I could forgive you father but I'm not sure if I can right now" I turned around quickly and tears escaped my eyes burning its way down my face. I walked off into the night. I needed space from everything.