The Great Sacrifice

To Fulfill One's Fate

When Cirdan the Shipwright greeted them, his face bore a satisfied smile. "At last our service in Middle-Earth is done, and we can return home to Aman."

He led them into the settlement, and showed them to their lodgings. Thranduil led Ari to a small chamber, where she lay down to sleep with their children. Thranduil and Legolas watched over them and were glad that it was over at last. They would sail to Aman soon and hoped for the mercy of the Valar.

In the next morning, Ari sat at the shore and watched how the elves busied themselves loading the numerous ships. They looked beautiful. Ari remembered Valinor and its beauty, and her heart beat faster. It was a memory that gave her strength. She looked over her shoulder when she felt a gentle touch. Cirdan sat down next to her, and smiled compassionately. He took her hand into his own, and peered into her eyes. He saw fear and sadness, as well as love and determination. She was brave and strong, even if she looked fragile and old. He admired her courage and sacrifice.

"At last we will return to our homeland. And this is your doing, my lady. I know of your plight."

A single tear escaped her eye, and Cirdan quickly caught it with his finger and held it up into the sunlight. It looked beautiful, glittering golden in the sunlight. He flicked his finger, and it fell into the waters of the gulf of Lune.

"The gulf of Lune is sacred," he began, "No tears have ever touched its waters. All who leave Middle-Earth from this port, rejoice at the thought of arriving in the Undying Lands. May your tear bear fruit, my lady. May the message of your tear reach the sacred shores of Aman. May your fëa find peace."

Ari wept and rested her head on the old elf's shoulder. They sat there for a long time, and Ari felt relief within her heart as Cirdan comforted her. Sighing deeply, she closed her eyes and listened to the waters of the gulf of Lune, their sound soothing the pain in her heart.

*****

Legolas walked with Ladrengilon and Gimli through the elven settlement and marveled at its beauty. It was truly ancient. They tried to use their time as well as possible, knowing that they would be sailing the next day.

Thranduil walked with his small princess towards the shore. Galion had told him that he had seen his wife there along with Cirdan. Thranduil, surprised, decided to join them. When Cirdan saw Thranduil walking towards them, he got up.

"You have to speak to Galion about what will happen," he instructed her before he walked to the direction of the ships. Tomorrow they would leave Middle-Earth, once and for all, never to return.

Thranduil sat down next to his wife at the shore, watching the small waves of the golf of Lune, as they gently floated back and forth.

"Many tales have been told about these shores," he said. "They are the passage to eternal bliss. A road which elves, once they have taken, rarely use again to return. It brings peace and happiness to everyone's heart." He turned his head to look at his wife. "Yet, my wife sheds tears on such a sacred place."

He looked at her and kissed her cheek, before he hugged her tightly. They spent the rest of the day together at the shore. At nightfall, Legolas and Ladrengilon joined them. Thranduil let Ari fall asleep in his arms. Instead of carrying her to their chamber, he decided that they would rest under the starry sky of Middle-Earth. The night passed peacefully.

*****

Ari watched on as the elves began to board the ships. Thranduil was a real king. He waited on the shore, watching as one ship after another departed, making sure that all elves had boarded the large ships. Finally he boarded the last ship himself, followed by Elrond and Cirdan. A strange feeling engulfed Ari's heart as she knew that her purpose had almost been fulfilled. Fate would knock at her door soon.