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Chapter 11 A Song of Joy Angela Wagner
Upon
landing in Middle Earth, the fisherman helps Nereniel to make her way to a small village
where a kindly couple that knows of the fisherman, takes her in and clothe and feed her
and assist her in traveling to a nearby town in the land of Harlindon. When she arrives,
to her astonishment, people there know of who she is, as messengers of the King of Gondor
and Arnor have traveled across the land in search of her. And the couple that took
Nereniel in are from that day forward, blessed with good health, long life, and a loving
family.
Quickly,
preparations are made for her return to Gondor under escort of the King’s guards, and
on the way, Prince Theodran joins the party as an additional escort and he again asks for
Nereniel’s forgiveness for his not coming to Minas Tirith. They talk of many things
as she tells him of her journey. And while he listens attentively to her tale, she
understands that, being a learned person of royalty, he, as with most of the race of Men,
places little faith in the existence of the Valar and of the Blessed Realm, yet, he is
greatly gladdened that she has returned to him. Then, taking Nereniel’s hand and
looking deeply into her eyes, he causes wonder and thrill within Nereniel as he also
relates that he has refused the marriage arrangements that his parents have made, as he
has found his true love. For a long time, she had yearned to hear those words. And, so
Theodran makes his plea of Nereniel.
Bending
down on one knee, Theodran looks beseechingly towards her, "Nereniel, I no longer
want to be apart from you, and thus, I now ask for your hand in marriage, for you to
become my wife."
As
much as Nereniel has desired to hear these words, the many events that have taken place in
the past days has caused her to need some moments to understand and think on all that is
happening. With some confusion for not wanting Theodran to think any but of her love for
him, Nereniel attempts to respond positively, yet still allow her some time to fully know
of herself. Thus, she promises to give Theodran the answer to which he is hoping within
days, soon after re-uniting with her family. Theodran accepts her delay with patience
understanding her desire to return home.
As
they travel through Rohan in the following days, the Prince, who is soon to be named Grand
Marshall of the Riddermark, proudly shows Nereniel the Eastfold, where they will take up
residence in a great country estate, some distance from Edoras. Nereniel asks of Theodran
about her songs and as Theodran looks approvingly over the land, he explains to Nereniel
that as Lady of the Riddermark, she will have the best minstrels and songweavers available
for her entertainment.
And
Nereniel ponders this and other thoughts as they continue the journey and arrive finally
in Gondor. All seems so familiar as she approaches the city and she comes to know that she
has been gone for only the time she spent on the two boats and her return through Middle
Earth which was actually only several weeks, yet seemed like months if not years to her.
And
her family and friends are overjoyed to find that she has returned to them and they are
all amazed at the story she has to tell, but most discount her story as a dream, the woman
and the voices as nothing more than effects from an almost tragic experience and all just
assume she had washed up on some outer island that was of a not well known location. And
Nereniel did not try to convince others of what she knew to be true, as she was happy she
was back. And she gladly went into the waiting arms of her parents.
But
she did go later to her mother, and Naleth and Nereniel talk of many things and of her
father, Orodril. And both understand the other and are able to finally express the love
and respect they have for each other. And Nereniel continues to honor the husband of
Naeleth as her father as he is the only father she has ever known and loved. But there is
now a place in her heart for Orodril.
Yet,
Nereniel knows that she still has a decision to make and ponders greatly over the proposal
from Theodran, wondering why should it be taking any time at all. But, during her moments
in thought, Baragon requests to see Nereniel as he has been greatly worried over her fate.
Still having a fondness for him, which to her surprise increases upon seeing him, Nereniel
relates to him her story and to her astonishment, he believes her and has no doubt of her
story and is amazed, not because he is of a desire to humor her, but because he loves her,
a love where all things between lovers are accepted and true. Yet hearing of her meeting
with the Prince, Baragon acknowledges the decision that has seemingly been made and sadly
leaves.
And
upon his departure, Nereniel begins to understand the emptiness that has been in her heart
since first she related to Baragon of the attentions of the Prince. And how only moments
earlier he seemed to share her feelings as she told of her journey and how at each
adventure, his face reflected the joy and despair she felt as she made the journey. And
she looks at Baragon anew and Nereniel considers everything in her heart all the events of
the past months and she reaches a decision. And she is surprised as the decision is what
has been in her heart the whole time, only that she did not understand it.
And
thus, a message is sent to the Prince speaking of the lasting fondness that Nereniel has
in her heart for Theodran and expressing deep gratitude for what he had given to Nereniel
when she needed it the most, but in the end, declining his offer. And she seeks out
Baragon and tells him of her decision and they look at each other as only those who truly
care for each other can, as there is great love in their hearts for each other. And with
their embrace, the journey of Nereniel the Fair and all the things she was to learn has
come to an end. But the time of Nereniel is now to begin.
For
upon Nereniel’s return, the King had been informed and is glad as even though the
time of mourning had ended, the sadness still existed, for Queen Arwen had left for Lorien
and Legolas and Gimli were gone. And when Nereniel had rested, the King orders a great
festival for the entire country and requests that Nereniel sing some of her songs
especially those of a pleasant and cheerful nature.
…
And
at this festival Nereniel came in front of the people of the lands of Middle Earth, people
whose hearts had grown cold with sadness. At the center of this festival was the White
Tree of Gondor, now in full flower, and abloom in the Spring which had come across all the
land. And there, by the enduring symbol of the Kingdom, Nereniel began to sing, first some
of the familiar songs and the people listened and their spirits were lifted and they began
to feel a moment of cheerfulness and delight in their hearts and found it pleasing. And
they were all in wonder and remarked to each other that Nereniel’s voice seemed even
more pleasant and enchanting then they had heard before, if that were possible. And
Nereniel then sang the songs of the Elves, and Dwarves, and of the Ents, and Hobbits, and
of the lands and places she had journeyed to in Middle Earth. And all were delighted and
made happy to a limit few thought possible only days before.
And
then Nereniel the Fair, Col-Gliriel, the Golden Song Maiden, began to sing the Music of
the Ainur and Eldar that she had heard and practiced and remembered from on the Isle of
Meneltarma and even though it was barely more than only an echo of that Music, the people
of Middle Earth were struck dumb by the beauty and majesty and the awe and the loveliness
that was of that Music and was in that Music and was the Music. And as they listened, it
seemed that the very ground and air and all things around them both living and not were
filled with the Music.
And
the song she sang was of the earth and the sky and sea, as she had listened to the gentle
stream and the great trees, she had suffered the ocean’s fury and experienced the
splendor of the simple rock and stone. And also in that song was of when she had heard
death’s call and seen the grandeur of a place and time beyond death. And finally in
that song was of a love she had found and lost and of a love found anew. And each who
heard that song, also felt as if he or she alone had experienced each and all of those
wondrous and marvelous things.
And
while the people of Middle Earth still kept a small place in their hearts for the sorrow
of the passing of an Age, they were also lifted up as they understood they had been given
a glimpse of the Blessed Realm, which in truth, was a glimpse of Joy eternal, Joy beyond
the walls of the world, a Joy more poignant and more blessed than any grief they had ever
had to bear. And deep in the heart of an empty land, in a quiet city, far to the north,
the last of the participants in the War of the Ring to walk in Middle Earth, though her
part be small, also heard the Music and for that moment her heart was gladdened.
And
Nereniel the Fair lived to a long age, even longer than most and she was loved and honored
by the people of Middle Earth and she and Baragon, her husband, had beautiful children and
she taught her children and grandchildren and beyond, the songs that she knew and the
Music continued to be heard. Thus the golden age of Gondor and Arnor continued to
flourish.
And
so ends the Tale of Nereniel the Fair. ENDS
© 2004 Angela Wagner
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