Exploring Westernesse [ Lord of the Rings x Silmarillion ]

Soaring

Golden light streamed in through the open window in their bedroom, illuminating the room so it was too bright to sleep. The light in the Blessed Realm seemed somehow more pure, as if the light in Middle Earth had been tainted and they hadn't even realized what was missing.

A bird, chirping loudly to a tune they didn't know, was the final straw that woke the couple. Elrohir rolled over and faced his smiling wife. She looked at him lovingly, her eyes full of adoration.

"Good morning, melda," he said quietly, voice gruff as he used it for the first time in hours.

Míril chuckled, planting a kiss on her beloved's lips. "Good morning."

The bird they had heard earlier continued his song, but it seemed closer. Elrohir sat up suddenly, as in surprise he noticed that the big blue bird was now sitting in their room on the back of a wooden chair.

"Hello, good sir," Elrohir smiled in amusement.

Míril turned over in confusion before she noted the bird. She sat up and stood, slipping on some clothes so she could get a better look at it.

"It has a note attached to it," Elrohir told her as she changed into a white dress. "It's from Eldir."

Míril laughed as she brushed her brown hair. Of course her brother would use a messenger bird. She felt the tight knots in her hair slowly smooth as she worked the brush through them. "Well, what does it say?"

Elrohir opened the letter and cleared his throat in mock dramatics. "This is a formal invitation to join myself and a companion to attend a party at the house of Finrod upon Taniquetil this afternoon. Please be at the docks by three. Fancy dress encouraged."

"Another party," laughed Míril. "My brother sure does seem to enjoy them."

"I wonder who else got the invitation?" Elrohir began strapping on his boots and looked at Míril. She had slipped into her nicest white dress and done her hair back in her fanciest braid. He stopped. "You look stunning as always, my love." He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

Míril thanked him with a chuckle before she too slipped on some comfortable shoes. "It is almost three. We should be going."

Once both had placed their new white cloaks on their shoulders, they bounded down the stairs of their house and out the door. It was clear and only a handful of fluffy white clouds sparkled the blue sky above. Elves wandered Tol Eressëa cheerfully and took little notice of Míril and Elrohir making their way towards the docks.

"Míril!" Eldir shouted to his sister and waved the couple over. Beside him stood an elven woman, her blonde hair combed and braided elegantly. She held Eldir's hand.

"Míril." He nodded. "Elrohir. Meet my wife, Ruivë of the Vanyar."

She smiled widely and bowed to them. "It is such a pleasure to finally meet you both! Eldir talks about you often."

Míril was stunned silent but then she grinned and all the fear left Eldir's face. "The pleasure is ours, Ruivë! It is good to know my brother has not been alone all these years."

Elrohir agreed. "It is an honor to meet you, lady Ruivë." He bowed deeply before her.

"None of that," she laughed. "Come, come! The others have already gone ahead. Lord Finrod and Lady Amarië will be expecting us soon."

They boarded the boat, the ladies gingerly stepping on in their beautiful dresses. Ruivë's dress was a pale blue, pale as ice. It floated in the wind and was overlaid by a sheer darker blue lining. In her hair was a blue morning glory pin.

"So the party is upon Taniquetil?" Míril began asking her brother and his wife many questions. "Where… where Lord Manwë and Lady Varda reign."

"Indeed," Ruivë nodded. "Though not quite where the Valar make their dwelling place. Finrod and Amarië have a house near the Vanyarin palace. Mindelossë, they call it. The Tower of Snow."

"How does one climb Taniquetil?" Elrohir looked somewhat concerned. "Surely it would be impossible."

Ruivë and Eldir laughed. He replied after, shaking his head. "Nay, one does not climb. The young Eagles give us rides."

The couple looked shocked but excited. They dismounted the ship upon reaching the docks at Tirion. Taniquetil was nearby, as anyone who looked at the horizon could tell, but a twenty minute walk through Valinor to the place where the Eagles would take them from. Again, Míril was taken aback by the glorious beauty of Tirion.

When they arrived at the Eagles' landing, Míril and Elrohir stopped in their path. For before them was an eagle so large it dwarfed even the great eagles of the Misty Mountains. Its beak was golden, and its massive eyes a dark brown like it's feathers. Majestically perched there on the ground, it was facing Elladan and Maglor.

"My… lord…" Míril breathed quietly as it seemed to be speaking to Maglor. Speaking.

"Come, children," laughed the great Eagle, turning in the direction of the newcomers. "Your party is starting!"

Eldir and Ruivë pushed Míril and Elrohir forward until they had joined Maglor and Elladan.

"Good morning brother," nodded Elladan in somewhat of a sarcastic tone as if to say "what the hell is going on."

Míril watched in awe as Ruivë climbed up on the Eagle. "Thank you, Isilmo, for taking us today."

"My pleasure, Lady Ruivë." The Eagle, Isilmo, bowed his head to her and turned to the others. Maglor and Eldir followed her but the three half elves stood unsure. "Oh do not be frightened, children. I won't drop you."

Elladan at last laughed and through his hands up. "Very well, good sir. Very well!"

He followed the others onto Isilmo. Míril and Elrohir made to follow him. As Míril put her hand on the Eagle's rich brown feathers, she smiled. "Thank you, sir."

"My pleasure, Lady Míril."

As soon as all were situated, the Eagle turned his head. "Hold on tight!"

He flapped his wings with great effort. At last the air under them began to rise and slowly they made their way into the sky. Míril was in complete awe. The wind whipped across her face and she grabbed for her husband's hand in trepidation. But she enjoyed it very much. The world around her faded away, the world age knew was left behind. Instead everything was tiny and it was just her and the sky.

After a good twenty minutes of flying, Isilmo landed gently on a large outcrop of the mountain. It was snowing around them now, but it did little to influence their high spirits. After all, they had a party to attend.