Awakening of the Elves

The tale of Elwin part 4 - All credits goes to J.R.R. Tolkien

Awakening of the Elves

as it told

Lindariël (of the Falmari)

in Tol Eressëa to Elwin the Seafarer

The tale of Elwin part 4

Elwin said; Tell me, Lindariël which is the oldest of all tales that you know?

Elwin saw how many different shades of silver glinted in her dark hair when Lindariël turned to look at the tale-fire smiling to herself.

Then she spoke;

I will tell you about the awakening of the Elves.

The very first thing I remember, it was that I slept deeply,

I remember floating in timeless space, as a memory or a thought, and

everywhere overwhelming brightness embraced me.

I remember I saw a glimpse of the face, very old and wise

and those luminous eyes appeared bottomless

as the universe itself.

I remember I heard a voice, so clear and high, said to me;

‘The world is, and so I am.

Thou beloved child of mine, now it is time

to wake up from thy sweet dreams!’

 

~The Years of the Trees 1050

To unknown I went, into the darkness I fell

and when I opened my eyes the very first time,

I saw a dark sky above me, and many glimmering lights

dazzled my eyes as I lay on the cool grass by the lake Cuiviénen,

and all this a voice inside me, gave the name.

By my side, many others stood up and

great wonderment shone in their faces.

All praised the twinkling lights in the sky,

and since then ‘the moment of twilight’

has been the dearest time to us.

 

O Elbereth, the most beautiful of all!

 

O Elbereth, A Gilthoniel!

We remember thou, heavenly Queen of Stars in eternal glory,

in distant lands in the West, where white Queen walks

under the stars, to shine more brightly than any other!

 

Oi Elbereth, A Gilthoniel! Muistamme sinut, tähtien ja taivaan

kuningattaren ikuisessa loisteessa, Lännessä kaukaisilla mailla

valkea kuningatar kävelee alla tähtien, loistaen kirkkaimmin

kuin yksikään toinen.

Oi Elbereth, A Gilthoniel!

Long and peaceful twilight passed on,

and still time went past us,

as I walked along

the shores of Cuiviénen.

The water was calm as the night,

and stars were reflected in its dark surface.

 

And we sang, sang many songs

which are now long ago forgotten,

one of them told about the time when the world was still young

and fair, time when the Firstborn came to Arda.

Belain na le! The Valar be with you!

 

One moment of twilight the Great Rider came,

Emissary of the West and Lord of Forests

Oromë himself, and his noble steed Nahar,

strong and fair horse, ancestor all horses of Arda.

Three ambassadors went with Oromë, to see the glory of Valinor

and when they came back, their eyes shone more brightly

than ever, and they told us the miracles of the rulers of the world!

 

So many of us followed Oromë in the West on the Great Journey,

some disappeared on the journey and some turned back

and never saw the light of the Two Trees,

or never heard the bells of Valmar.

In many songs and poems,

(now filled with sorrow for the first time)

we remembered them.

 

I, Lindariël of the Third Kind, went myself with my people

on the Great Journey and I have lived ever since

in Tol Eressëa or known as  the Lonely Island,

and I have walked in Eldamar in that blessed realm

wherein many rivers of Ulmo’s stream.

 * * *

Elwin sat quietly in place for a long time after Lindariël stopped speaking.

Lindariël spoke; ‘No man has ever heard this before you Elwin, who is friend of Elves’.

‘Guren glassui, then I am thankful my lady’, Elwin said.

 

Author's Note

All credits goes to J.R.R. Tolkien

Art By Ted Nasmith - At lake Cuivienen
http://www.tednasmith.com/

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing tale written dear Sarah. Myth and tale is my favorite. I like the characters and the situations described. Thank you for sharing the amazing story.
Coyote

[~Sarah~ Idríel The Fair]

I like myths and Tales very much. I am grateful to the one, who was a great storyteller, Tolkien himself. Thank you for your kind words mellon nin (my friend).

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this one and you are welcome dear Sarah.