5 | The Edain

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"For the valour of the Edain the Elves shall ever remember as the ages lengthen, marvelling that they gave life so freely of which they had on earth so little."

― J.R.R. Tolkien from Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth

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Location: Ondolindë, North Beleriand, Middle Earth

Time: 458 F.A

Three years since the darkness of Morgoth began to increase in Beleriand.

Everyone in the city could sense it, and it irked many who never felt such anxiety and worry of evil coming at their doorstep.

Perhaps like Elemmírë, who sensed it well, who heard much of the deaths of many of her king's kin. One had been Turgon's father: Fingolfin who had met the dark Vala head-on and duelled the mighty Ainu. However, he too fell before the dark lord but not without inflicting damage on Morgoth's form.

So many fell before as the Siege of Angband broke and what the battle had been named truly broke fear amongst them. Dagor Bragollach lost not only Fingolfin but also Angrod and Aegnor. At that moment, the crown of the Noldor was passed to Fingon: the eldest of Fingolfin's children who now ruled Hithlum along with the Edain who dwelt there. [1]

Most of the Edain in Dorthonion began to move East of Beleriand, with most stumbling upon the scouts of Ondolindë and more moving to Dor-Lómin in Hithlum. As for Elemmírë, it was her opportunity to learn more about the other race of Eru. [2]

Her curiosity about the secondborn was probably because of two Edain who arrived in Ondolindë just a couple of weeks ago.

The Edain...were a curious bunch. Elemmírë had read records of the three main houses of the Edain, which was hardly considered a collection with the little amount that was even corresponded between Ondolindë and Dor-Lómin. However, word of the two young Edain from the House of Hador from Dor-Lómin would be the gossip of the entire city. Even when King Turgon himself tried all his best to hide their presence from everyone, a word from court would not be kept in for that long. [3][4]

And it wasn't clearly hidden in how they entered the city, two eagles of Manwë flew in the skies of Tumladen before landing at the King's Square. During that time, she had been in the library, going through reports of new pathways and encampments near the Fen of Serech and the best way to create an accurate set of maps when she heard whispers from outside. [5][6]

Elemmírë leaned out of the window to see the eagles, mouth out in awe at them before she hurried back in and instructed the other acolytes to return to their work. Decades passed and she was amongst the senior members of the loremasters, enabling her to pull in her own students with the aid of Ingolmo.

That evening, she asked Glorfindel if he knew why the eagles had come to Ondolindë and even he did not exactly know the reasons, only knowing that two of the Edain had arrived. When her eyes lit up in shock, her brother immediately regretted ever speaking about it before quickly changing the subject.

Well, he wasn't going to stop her from pursuing knowing about them. Reading about them wouldn't be as good compared to actually talking to them, or at least seeing them in appearance. So, she did what she hated the most: and that was attending royal court balls.

Most of the time, Elemmírë did everything she could to dodge formal outings, even excusing herself that one of her acolytes needed help in translating several texts from Quenya to Sindarin for them or that she had hurt herself running up the stairs when she and Idril went stargazing.

But Hestondur – their lovely household governor – was not having it. He was a strict and stiff elf, with Vanyarin descent and perhaps more Noldorin characteristics than even Glorfindel and her. 

But even then, without him: The House of the Golden Flower wouldn't be as grand and standing as of now. He kept the house stable and secure, aiding her brother in reports and plans whilst Glorfindel was out in scouting missions or training. He would make sure the staff was in order and kept everything running. Not only that, but he would also keep her in check and be a proper Noldorin lady.

As much as Elemmírë didn't like the proper and fancy lifestyle, she had to be thankful for Hestondur at least caring for both of them.

However: she did not like being forced to go to balls. 

Glorfindel wasn't overly fond too and only went since Ecthelion would be there (and would mostly keep himself entertained by talking to his soldiers about their tales outside the city). Ecthelion held his own house, so he had his own matters to resolve so he couldn't exactly stop her from dying out of boredom. 

Idril was of course always around and kept Elemmírë occupied with King Turgon's request as his advisor. (Glorfindel was still not pleased with Turgon's use of her skill but bit it back for the sake of not upsetting the king.)

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Half an hour in, Idril had been whisked away to talk to one of the ladies from Egalmoth's house and she was left standing in the ballroom looking like the loneliest elf ever.

'Give me a book on the lands of Doriath and Dorthonion and I will actually enjoy myself,' Elemmírë thought to herself in annoyance. 'Why did you even agree to this? You could have easily found the Edain during the king's public hearings.'

It was as if the Valar had heard her pleading that she felt a figure bump into her, the skirt of her dress drenched in red wine. As she glanced up, she found the rather tall Edain wearing a panicked expression on their face. His rugged and squared features seemed so foreign to her.

His hair was another matter, for the light striking the surface made it look grey despite it being blonde. Their murky blue eyes bulged as he hurried out, "My lady, I wasn't looking where I was going. I apologize—"

Instead, Elemmírë waved her hands and wiped the rest of the front of her skirt. She reassured him, "It's alright. I happened to not be fond of this dress at all." She formed a teasing smile at the young Edain. "But my governor insisted that I would wear the colours of my house instead. You did a good job for my excuse then."

The Edain was surprised by her cheerful tone, perhaps expecting her to snap at him or go incredibly cold at him. But she was neither a stifling old Noldorin elf nor a proper lady.

He nervously smiled back. "I see," He then questioned her attentively: "And what colours do you prefer, my lady?"

Well, at least this Edain had the courtesy to continue a conversation, as Elemmírë responded honestly to him, "I happen to prefer red. It's such a bold and bright colour." She continued, "Though white or silver does catch my eye. For they are the colour of the stars."

'Red is also the colour of the Fëanorians, and it won't be good when you're also one of the advisors of King Turukáno,' She told herself.

Soon, the Edain seemed to calm at her expense of tone, his shoulders relaxing as he then questioned back. "And what of the sun? Your hair matches its colour."

Elemmírë, ignoring all propriety, chuckled as she brought her fingers through her hair. The laughter rang around the great hall, noticing a few eyes turn to her before they returned to their own conversations. Though to the ones who knew of her, they would be more interested to listen into the king's loremaster conversing to the Edain.

She explained to him, "It however clashes with the colours of my house." She gestured to the now stained dress. Hestondur was going to have a word with her when he finds out. "Though my brother does adore the sigil we have."

They continued their conversation, with the Edain asking of her sigil and what it stood for. Elemmírë was glad to explain for it, explaining that the flowers grew around the city as well as the valleys outside the walls themselves. They spoke of her house, and her brother's position amongst the other houses, though leaving more important bits as she knew that despite being kind: this person was still an outsider to their city.

Even after all of that, Elemmírë immediately realised she never got to know his name.

He smiled kindly, nodding his head in politeness. "Húrin, my lady."

It was no other name she heard of, and certainly not Quenya nor Sindarin despite his good use of the Sindar language. She bowed her head in return of respect: "Elemmírë." Pausing, she then changed the topic, "If I may ask, what is life out there like? Outside Tumladen? I am a loremaster to the city and the king. I would like to record some details on what it is genuinely like outside Ondolindë."

Húrin, for the most part, seemed to lift with the sparkle in his eyes, before responding: "Then you have asked the right person. For I know truly little and yet too much of the Middle Earth."

The entire time she spent with him, she listened to Húrin's time in the forest of Brethil, raised with his uncle alongside his younger brother Huor. Elemmírë had only seen a glimpse of the other brother during the evening, perhaps more accustomed to spending time with the younger elves who were invited with their houses. She knew that Húrin, despite appearing her age, was only eighteen by years, a young man in comparison to her own long span. [7]

And yet out of all of it, the Edain were strong to tackle the dangers outside Tumladen. Their culture was small though growing, with their own language which Elemmírë kept in her head for her to take notes later. Húrin said that he only knew of Sindarin and not known of Quenya, and thus Elemmírë explained that King Thingol banned the use of Quenya throughout the Sindar and has come to be known as the common language. Which for her, was a shame. She adored the elven language that was spoken in Aman, and only those of the Noldor spoke of it.

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They didn't realise they had been speaking for an hour that Húrin excused himself to seek his brother. Elemmírë thanked the young man heartedly for the talk and watched him disappear in the great hall. From the corner of her eye, and despite not fully taking care of her sight – she noticed a shadow pass around her.

Maeglin stood behind her shoulder, overlooking his face over her as he came to face her, "You should not be mingling with those...engwar." [8]

There was distaste in his voice, and she refrained all she could not to glare at the son of Aredhel. Even after so many years, Elemmírë's hope in proving her subconscious wrong was a failure. Maeglin had never been on her good graces no matter how they tried to interact with one another.

And the very first reasons were their opinions of the other races outside Ondolindë.

"Firstly, I suggest you watch your tongue, Lord Lómion for we are in court." Elemmírë eyed him, calmly speaking. "And secondly, as a loremistress, I am abided to learn of all things outside of the city."

Maeglin glanced for a second to where Huor and Húrin were leaving and spoke, "You won't know much of them." He said in a bored tone, "For what they are worth, they are hardly special. The Eldar are immortal and strong. The secondborn age and wither and die and they draw sickness and disease. It is not worth the time to discuss matters of them."

Again, she refrained to roll her eyes and grit her teeth. She would not be bent in any way because of his ignorance.

"You forget those of the House of Bëor and of Andreth. She was amongst the wisest and known to be close to Findaráto, ruler of Nargothrond and held the love of Ambaráto." Elemmírë told him clearly, "Not only that: you also have Haleth who held her own house and led men and women to battle." [9][10]

He then questioned back in spite, "And yet, where are they?" Maeglin gestured, "They do not roam the earth no longer. Death is what stops them from reaching power. You didn't see what happened in the battle. So many of our kin died because of Morgoth. Fire, burning all."

His dark eyes bore into her's, and she did all she can to subtle shield her mind from his own. She didn't know if Maeglin possessed the same talents like his father, but she wasn't going to make the mistake of not making the precautions.

And even then, she knew what his words were trying to make her feel. It was something she saw in Maeglin. How his words could twist minds so subtly that those who did not realise would follow on. It was something Idril had mentioned, an irking feeling in the back of her mind whenever her friend encountered his cousin around court.

"If you are trying to intimidate me, you aren't doing it well," Elemmírë spoke, a tone of warning in her voice.

Maeglin, to his audacity, chuckled softly. "I'm not." He warned her, "I'm telling you the truth."

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Time: 472 F.A

"Brother, let me come with you," She pleaded to him as she clamped her hand onto his wrist.

They were heading down to the front of their house, many soldiers and servants bustling around them as they continued their work. Some were aiding to place their armour whilst others passed on their spears and swords.

Her brother, on the other hand, was already dressed and equipped. His golden armour and chainmail complemented the dark greens of his tunic and breeches. His hair was now braided back, ears poking from the side as his face turned to her in a stern expression.

Glorfindel shook his head and told her, "Elemmírë. This is not some hunt we are going to."

She wanted to scream in frustration at him; her head was about to burst into a fury at his response. "I am old enough to come with you! You should know that I am capable of handling my own!" Elemmírë argued, her hand not gone from his wrists as she clenched them at her sides.

Her brother was stopping her from doing what she should have been doing, and that was protecting their people and their land from the forces of Morgoth. There was aid needed for the union of all houses of the Noldor, and they would march to Angband to push them back as far as they could.

And this was today.

He asked back loudly, "And what of our people? You would abandon them if both of us perish?" Glorfindel realised that his voice rose, and he exhaled in frustration. Carefully, he took her hand in his, telling her: "I apologize for being morbid, nésa. But I cannot risk you dying under the hands of the enemy. Our followers need a leader. And you will protect our house when we are gone."

Staring up to her brother, she ground her teeth. Her eyes began to sting as they watered, blinking them away. Her brother was going to another battle, another battle despite how to sort it had been since Dagor Bragollach. She didn't want him to go, neither Ecthelion. How would she know they were alive? How long will they be gone?

If she went with them, she would know these things. She would be by their side, trained enough alongside her magic to drive the forces away.

But a battle against true evil: she had yet to fight them yet.

In the end, Elemmírë leapt up – wrapping her arms over her brother's shoulders as she hugged him tightly. Glorfindel embraced her with the same force, nestling his head over her shoulder as the two siblings shared their last embrace.

They then parted, looking at each other one final time.

"Please come back alive." She whispered up to him, never leaving his gaze. "Please promise me."

A tear slipped down his cheek, his fingers brushing her tears off her cheek. Slowly, he pressed his lips up to her temple in a shaking motion. For once, he was afraid to leave her. Glorfindel murmured, "I promise you, nésa. I will return."

Swallowing the bile that rose to her throat, her eyes averted to the side to see the dark-haired ellon waiting by their side. Elemmírë walked over to him and brought herself to hug him as well.

Ecthelion returned the gesture, his hands awkwardly brushing the top of her head.

When she pulled back and glanced up at him, she said: "And you, promise me you'll come back as well."

A kind smile rested on his lips as Ecthelion bowed, "Of course, Mire."

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[1] - Dagor Bragollach: Battle of Sudden Flame, occurred in 455 of the first age, where the Siege of Angband fell and the deaths of Fingolfin, Aegnor and Angrod.
[2] - Dorthonion: A forested highland region in North Beleriand where Angrod and Aegnor ruled.
[3] - Dor-Lómin: South-western part of Hitlum, first colonized by the Noldor and then the Edain - the House of Marach to then Hador took over.
[4] - House of Hador: Those of the Edain to cross Ered Luin into Beleriand and settle in the North. Members include Hador, Hurin and Huor.
[5] - Tumladen: The Valley of Smoothness and the name within the Encircling Mountains where the city of Gondolin was built.
[6] - Fen of Serech: A marshland between Dorthonion and the Ered Wethrin. Lays north-east end of the Pass of Sirion.
[7] - Brethil: A forest between the rivers Taeglin and Sirion and where Hurin and Huor grew up. It is also where the grave of Hurin's children lay.
[8] - Engwar: 'The Sickly', a Quenya term for the race of men and basically an elven insult.
[9] - House of Beor: First House of the Edain and those who settle in Dorthonion. Members include Beren, Bregolas and Andreth.
[10] - House of Haleth: The Second house of the Edain and include Haldan, Brandir and Haleth.

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A/N: Second update for today (and technically for this week). We finally meet Hurin and Huor who would then have Tuor, Turin, Urwen and Nienor. We also have Dagor Bragollach and Nirnaeth Arnoediad coming up next which will then cover up to the Fall of Gondolin. 

How I always see it was that Elemmire only learnt of humans by word and this then began her respect for them once she meets Tuor. But her growing love and true aspirations for them won't be embedded until Elros and Elrond arrive and she loves Elros' people when Numenor is created.

As for Maeglin, his dislike for them (on my interpretation) is due to his upbringing and basically being raised so shielded from the rest of the world. Despite his dislike for his father, Maeglin, unfortunately, followed this opinion and would eventually end up as his doom.

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Edited: 01/05/2022