Tolkien Tales

Tithen Ha

The wistful winds floated off the virescent leaves of Taur en-Faroth and on their breeze, the heralds of all happiness and joy played their minstrely tunes. Love and laughter, joy and peace were celebrated by the spirits of the Nature, and even the far away Elves of Ossiriand and Falas smiled as they heard the twining songs of the air.

Finrod Felagund, one of the fairest of all the Noldor, in both feature and grace was to be blessed again by the Vala Varda. Once again she had seen fit to cause a star to come to earth in the shape of Elvish child. And Eru, far above the shining fields and highlands of Nargothrond, was smiling. For he too exulted in the birth of any child--Elvish, Dwarfish, Mannish, it mattered not to him.  As long as one more life was joyously entering into the Song of Creation.

But for Finrod Felagund, though his wife had delivered unto him three sons, the anxious fear which attended the birth of his latest child was something terrifying. Elvish ladies are not weak, but birth is that which will destroy the most of them. Some of them never see the Fading until they bear a child. The fear of this was ever before the children of Valinor. They had seen when Miriel, wife of Finwë, had faded and the child that she had borne. 

" You know, hanno, " A slightly taunting, slightly amused voice sounded behind the Elvish king, and he stiffed ere he turned to see those who had come to visit the new arrival should they arrive. " He almost appears nervous."

Another voice snickered, " Surely not, Curufin, he is Finrod, King of the Hall of the Narog, surely he knows no fear." 

Finrod fought for peace, refusing to allow the sons of Fëanor to destroy the calm which he had built around him though he knew that it was their way of distracting him, of trying to help him forget that his wife was in terrible pain and that his daughter had yet to arrive. And thankfully at that moment, to his relief, the doors opened and his crier announced, " Híril Tyelpiel( Daughter of Silver), Híril ó-Thargelion( Lady of Thargelion) to see her father, Finrod, Lord of Nargothrond."

Finrod rushed to behold his eldest, the daughter of the Trees, and then swiftly greeting her in Elvish, he pulled her into his arms. She stiffened under his embrace as she heard the screams of Árëquimellë( Lady of Day), and then turned to her. " Does it go ill with Amil(mother)?"

Finrod gave her a wry smile, " The Healers inform me that I shall never approach Fëanor in number of children that I am blessed with.  But far be it from me to approach Fëanor in any deed or action."

Suddenly another scream came again and almost instantly he saw her stiffen and then gaze at the door which held the new sibling soon to be born to the sons of Finrod. A question was in her eyes. He shook his head. The babe had not come yet. The healer would tell him.

Curufin and Celegorm chose then to make themselves known. They quickly approached the visitor, and taking no care for her gilded tresses, they shoved her into a passionate and hard embrace betwixt them.

" Hanno," she gave a faint gasp, " leithio nin (brothers, release me). You are suffocating me." 

" Our apologies, sister. I hope that our brother is still beside himself in love with you?" Curufin inquired while Celegorm removed the fur cloak that had covered her dress while traveling. 

She gave a quick nod, " Aye, he requires much jewelry as tribute from the Náucalië ( Dwarven Folk) and this he gives as tribute to me."

" As it should be for Telperioniel( Daughter of Telperion)" Celegorm snickered, knowing that their brother, the Dark, showed his love with gifts, and then they all stood still, Finrod in a pained position when they heard a terrible scream and a sickening silence.

Finrod leapt to the door and began pounding on it. " Healer! What has happened? Why is my wife silent?" 

Tyelpiel gave a small gasp and held fearfully onto her brothers-in-law as the Healer opened the door. " Hîr-nín(my lord), it is a girl. A beautiful sister for Hîr Haldir and his brothers."