89: A Ceremony Revised

Arafinwë woke when he felt Sador stirring and smiled at his Ward. "How are you feeling, hinya?"

Sador blushed. "Embarrassed. I’m sorry... for what I said."

"I know you are," Arafinwë said as he rose gracefully from the ground and gave Sador a hand up. "Now, why don’t you go and bathe and break your fast, then spend the day with your anammë. Amarië’s Begetting Day is next week and I’ve decided to gift her with one of your exquisite vases. That blue glaze is especially lovely and will match the color of her eyes."

Sador gave the King a quizzical look. "Are you giving me a... commission?"

Arafinwë smiled. "Yes, I rather think I am. You will, of course, give me a family discount."

Sador sputtered at that and then laughed outright. "Anammë will have to be consulted, though. She’s in charge of the books. I’m still only an apprentice."

"There’s nothing only about you, child," Arafinwë said, taking the ellon into his embrace and giving him a quick hug and a kiss on the forehead before releasing him. "Now go, and I will see you this evening."

Sador went. When he arrived at Netilmírë’s workshop and told her what had happened with Lady Vána, she looked at him in amazement. "I’m glad that she was able to reassure you of your own worth, child," she said as they sat together in the small garden adjoining the workshop, drinking tea. "I feared the events on Tol Eressëa may have done more harm to your fëa than any physical hurt you might have sustained."

Sador nodded. "She made me see that I was of worth in Eru’s eyes just for myself, just for having been born, and not for anything I might or might not have done."

Netilmírë leaned over and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "I’m glad to hear that, child. You should never underestimate your worth in either Eru’s eyes or in mine."

The ellon blushed and then, with a sly look, told her about Arafinwë’s commission. She laughed when he got to the part about the ‘family discount’. "Family discount indeed! He has a lot of nerve that one. Well, I suggest you get to work then, my apprentice. If this is to be a Begetting Day gift to one who will one day be a princess of Eldamar, we will want it to be extra special."

So the two of them spent the rest of the morning happily discussing designs and which clay would be the best to use and how much glazing should be used. By the time Sador was ready to return to the palace they had all the details mapped out.

"I’ll begin in a couple of days," Sador told Netilmírë. "Atar still needs to deal with the situation on Tol Eressëa and will need my help with that."

Netilmírë nodded her understanding. "Yes, that is something that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Come when you have the time, inyo. I’ll have everything ready for you."

****

True to his word, Sador returned to the workshop two days later. During the intervening time he and Arafinwë spoke about Tol Eressëa and the situation there. Nothing conclusive was decided except that Arafinwë had ventured the possibility of a royal visit to the island after the New Year. Sador wasn’t sure that would be a good idea, fearing for his atar’s safety, but Arafinwë assured him that all precautions would be taken.

"Would it ease your mind if I tell you that I think you, Finrod and Glorfindel should come as well?" Arafinwë asked him. "Between the three of you, I can’t imagine being any safer."

Sador blushed at that, but was somewhat mollified. He vowed to himself that he would write to his gwedyr and tell them of Arafinwë’s plans. He did not trust the Tol Eressëans overmuch, not after what had happened to him. He wanted to make sure that no one else suffered what he had endured.

He spent most of the rest of the following week working on Amarië’s Begetting Day gifts. Gifts, because he had decided to add to the collection with a few pieces of his own, including a fruit bowl cleverly formed as a cornucopia, glazed in green and ochre in honor of Lady Yavanna. He had decided that this would be a joint gift between himself and his two gwedyr, for he rightly suspected that Finrod probably did not remember that his betrothed’s Begetting Day was nigh. Netilmírë approved of his designs and gently corrected him when he became too enthusiastic at the wheel at times.

"You are a gifted potter, child," she chided him with a smile, "but you are still an apprentice until I say otherwise. Now, start again and do it right."

Sador ducked his head and blushed, but did as his anammë told him, remembering to call her "Mistress" only at the last moment. Sometimes the dual relationship between them became somewhat confusing for him, but Netilmírë never scolded him for any lapses. He was careful though to refer to her only as "Mistress" whenever customers came into the shop. Their real relationship they kept to themselves.

When Amarië’s Begetting Day came everyone was most impressed by Sador’s work. Amarië even wept as she stammered her thanks and said how sweet that he and his brothers had thought to gift her jointly. Arafinwë gave Sador an appraising look, knowing full well that neither Finrod, who should have remembered, nor Glorfindel, who wouldn’t have known, had commissioned any such gift from their gwador. Sador only smiled at Arafinwë and mouthed ‘family discount’. No one understood why the Noldóran suddenly started laughing.

****

Later that evening, after the celebration, Sador followed Arafinwë into his study where they sat for a while in companionable silence sipping on a light yellow wine. Arafinwë was the first to break the silence.

"The Merendë Andohrívëo is in a little more than a week," he said, gazing out into the dark. "Did you celebrate it in Endórë?"

Sador nodded. "Yes, though not quite the way it’s celebrated here from what I’ve been told. There was a special significance to this feast for us because we were surrounded by the Darkness of Morgoth and there were times when the Light seemed far away." He paused to sip some wine. Arafinwë did not speak, waiting for the ellon to continue. "After the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, we developed a ceremony that included the battle cry of the Noldor, as well as the words of Húrin."

Arafinwë shook his head. "I am not familiar..."

"Before the battle, Fingon cried out ‘Auta i lómë!’, to which the warriors responded ‘Utúlie’n aurë!’. When Turgon made his retreat, the Men under Húrin’s command held the rearguard. Turgon’s last sight of Húrin was of the Man surrounded by a pile of dead orcs shouting ‘Aurë entuluva!’. Since then, those three phrases have ever been a part of the ceremony for this particular feast. It’s really quite moving. I wonder if they’ve continued the tradition on Tol Eressëa?" Sador looked pensive.

Arafinwë sat for a moment watching the play of emotions that crossed the ellon’s face as Sador recalled the ceremony with which he had grown up. "Perhaps we can incorporate your traditions with ours, yonya," the King finally said. "I think it would be a good idea for my people to be reminded of what happened in Endórë and how those events have impacted on their lives, little though they realize it."

Sador looked at the King in amazement. "Do you think they will appreciate the change in the ceremony?"

"Perhaps not," Arafinwë conceded, "but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do it anyway. It’s time the Amaneldi realize that what happened, however tragic it may have been, was a necessary consequence of all that had happened before. There are times when I think that the Valar were wrong in releasing Melkor from Mandos. Yet... I know that if that had not happened, you would not be sitting here with me and I cannot bear the thought of you never existing. Some sorrows are worth the price they exact when there is joy unlooked for afterwards, and you, child, are one of those joys for me."

Sador blushed but did not say anything, not sure what he should say. Arafinwë smiled gently at him. "Why don’t you tell me the details of the ceremony and then tomorrow we will speak with Axantur," he said, referring to the court Master of Ceremonies.

Sador looked up at Arafinwë and seeing the sincerity in the King’s eyes, nodded and began describing the ceremony. The two of them spent the next few hours discussing how best to incorporate the traditions of Endórë with those of Aman before they retired.

****

Axantur stared in dismay at the Sinda standing next to his king as Sador explained the change in the ceremony that was only a week away.

Arafinwë gave him a sympathetic smile. "I realize it’s short notice, but the changes are rather minor and occur only at one point in the ceremony. Everything else will remain the same."

The Master of Ceremonies nodded dispiritedly. He had always prided himself on his ability to ensure that all ceremonies within the palace ran smoothly. Now, he was being asked to throw out centuries of hard work on a child’s whim (as he saw it). Nevertheless, he recognized the look on Arafinwë’s face and knew that the King would brook no arguments, so he smiled as best as he could. "Perhaps you would be good enough to explain it to me again, so I understand perfectly," he said to Sador, mentally gritting his teeth at the thought of all the work he’d already put into the upcoming ceremony going out the window.

Sador happily went over the modifications again, either not recognizing or refusing to acknowledge the steely look in the other elf’s eyes, though Arafinwë raised an amused eyebrow at Axantur’s discomfort. He had thought the older ellon to be somewhat staid and unbending in making even the slightest changes in some of the ceremonies that the King was forced to endure. Arafinwë was not above exacting revenge on Axantur for all the tedium the Master of Ceremonies had put him through over the centuries.

This ceremony, at least, would be different enough to actually be fun, however solemn the occasion. But of course, it shouldn’t be solemn, Arafinwë reflected. Melkor had indeed been vanquished and Day had indeed returned to Arda. That was not to say that other evils would not appear, but at least this one great evil had been dealt with and all should rejoice in that and gladly.

"There is one other change I would like seen made," Arafinwë said when Sador had finished speaking. As he explained, Arafinwë was rewarded with a gasp of disbelief from Axantur and a gasp of amazement from Sador. The Noldóran smiled. Just the reactions he’d been looking for.

****

When Arafinwë explained his plans to Eärwen and Amarië that night during dinner, the Queen gave her husband a long-suffering look, rolled her eyes and bent over to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"You’re enjoying this too much, dear," she whispered in his ear. "I may have to punish you for that."

Arafinwë found his heart racing in an unexpected way as he struggled not to react to Eärwen’s words. His wife’s ‘punishments’ were... imaginative, to say the least, and he both dreaded and anticipated them. He would have to remember to tell the guards that they were not to be disturbed for any reason by anyone, not even by the Valar themselves. Not that the guards could do anything about that last, he reflected ruefully, but so far the Powers had seen fit not to make an appearance when he and Eärwen were...er... enjoying themselves. He hoped they continued practicing discretion.

Amarië’s reaction was less... evocative, though more typical. She frowned.

"I do not understand why we need to change the ceremony," she said. "It’s a lovely ceremony just the way it is."

"Yet, it only tells half the story, Amarië," Arafinwë said. "It’s time to hear the entire story, one that only Sador’s people have kept all these years."

Amarië gave Sador a measured look. "Is it really that important to you?"

Sador shook his head slightly. "I remember when Húrin’s son, Túrin, was brought to Doriath for fostering. We were playmates for a while until he grew to a man’s estate in the manner of the Secondborn years before I would reach my majority. I remember hearing tales of him and his tragic end. I was there when Húrin came to Doriath, broken and bitter, to be healed by Queen Melian of Morgoth’s malice." He looked at Amarië directly and his eyes were dark with inexpressible pain and anguish.

"We were besieged by Morgoth’s evil at every turn," he said with little emotion. "We were surrounded by Darkness and Light was a precious gift." He paused again, something in his expression easing and there was a look of wonder in his eyes. "I have seen Eärendil’s star in the sky since my re-embodiment. Gil-Estel he is called in the language of my people, the Star of Hope. I only wish I had lived long enough to have seen his first rising. That must have been absolutely glorious."

"It was, hinya, it was," Arafinwë said softly, leaning over to place a comforting hand on the Sinda’s arm. Sador smiled at him in gratitude. He turned back to Amarië.

"Morgoth is vanquished, but his legacy of evil did not die with him. Night has indeed passed and Day has come, but ever does Night come again and we are left with only the promise that Day will follow. We must never forget that. Aman may be blessed but it is not free of all evil, as recent events have proved. I think we need to remember that and this ceremony should help."

Amarië pondered Sador’s words for a moment or two, then nodded, looking pensive. "Yes, hanno, I rather think you are right."

Sador gave Arafinwë a surprised look and the King merely raised an eyebrow in amusement. It was the first time Amarië had called him ‘brother’. Sador found he couldn’t stop grinning.

****

The ceremony took place in the Paca Ñaltatilion, where the Silver-white Tree that was the image of Telperion stood under the Mindon Eldaliéva, the high white Tower of Ingwë. Though the High King and the Vanyar no longer lived in Tirion, the tower was still referred to as Ingwë’s Tower. A silver lantern was housed in the highest part of the Mindon, its light shining far across the darkling Sea and along the night-shrouded shores beneath the Pelóri. While the Tree did not shine with a light of its own, still there was a pale shimmering glow about it as Sador joined the royal family in the courtyard, a reflection, perhaps, of Isil now riding the midnight sky.

The night was cold and brilliant with stars. Earlier that day snow had fallen, blanketing the city in white silence until elflings were allowed out to dance in it, laughing gaily. Now, however, all was quiet. The courtyard had been swept clear of the snow and those standing there were waiting patiently for the ceremony to begin.

Arafinwë stepped away from his family gathered by the Tree and spoke to the crowd. "Tonight is the Merendë Andohrívëo, in which we celebrate the longest night of the year. Tomorrow, Light will return once more unto Arda in all its glory. Yet, darkness has its place and proper sphere, as well, and so we honor it tonight." Then he paused for a moment. So far, all had been said according to tradition, but what would follow would not be.

"We will not celebrate this ceremony as we have done in years and centuries past," he said quietly and allowed the soft murmur of surprise to continue for a space before raising his hand for silence. "It has come to my attention that there are other traditions that need to be celebrated tonight." He turned to Sador and gestured for the ellon to join him.

The Sinda did so, feeling suddenly unsure. It was one thing to talk about changing the ceremony, another thing to actually do it and this would be the first time he had ever led this part. There was an expectant hush among the elves as he stepped to the King’s side. He swallowed nervously before speaking and took comfort in Arafinwë’s presence.

"Before the great defeat that was the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, Findecáno, High King of the Noldor-in-Exile, cried out ‘Auta i lómë!’ and all who heard him responded with ‘Utúlie’n aurë!’ They hoped to defeat the Darkness that day, but Darkness defeated them instead. Yet, one there was, an Atan named Húrin of the House of Hador, who refused to admit defeat and served as the rearguard for Turucáno, King of Ondolindë and now High King, for Findecáno had fallen, allowing the surviving elves to escape. The last sight Turucáno had of Húrin was of the Man surrounded by a pile of dead orcs shouting ‘Aurë entuluva!’ even as he was taken alive to be Melkor’s prisoner for the next twenty-eight years."

He paused for a moment to take a deep breath. There was absolute silence in the courtyard. "We of Endórë honor the memory of that day when Darkness reigned supreme, for the hope that a Mortal gave us that the Light would return once again, as it finally did. Yet, though Melkor has at last been defeated, his legacy of evil still remains. Darkness may once again prevail, yet always there is the promise of Day to follow."

Then he closed his eyes and began to sing. The words were in Quenya and he had spent some time carefully translating them from the Sindarin of his youth. Yet, he only got as far as the first few words when suddenly the courtyard became too small for all of them as several of the Valar and Maiar appeared. In spite of knowing what to expect, Sador gasped at the sight along with everyone else. Manwë, Varda, Oromë and Vána stood beside him and Arafinwë in regal splendour, while the Maiar stood in a ring around the courtyard, some with swords of light in their hands. Sador saw from the surcoats that were worn by the Maiar that each of the other Valar had sent a representative. Manwë nodded at him and smiled.

*Begin the song again, child,* he heard in his mind.

Sador glanced at Arafinwë. The Noldóran gave him an almost imperceptible nod. He turned back to look at the crowd of elves standing there in shocked silence. Having some of the Valar and Maiar show up for this ceremony was the last thing anyone had expected. He was somewhat disappointed that Lord Námo had not made an appearance but decided it was probably for the best. The Lord of Mandos did seem to have a knack for dampening people’s mood with his presence. He took a deep breath and started the song again, but this time he was accompanied by the Valar and Maiar and the song took on a timbre of beauty that smote the hearts of every listener.

     "Utúlië i lómë ar orutúrie’n aurë,

     mal er sillúmen.

     Tule’n aurë ar auta i lómë,

     er entuluvas, ve aurë tuluva.

     Á tulë Aurë ar á orturë Lómë.

     Á lavë Cala orturë Mornië.

     Á lavë Estel orturë ilya."

As the last notes of the song died Sador was not surprised to feel tears running down his cheeks. He felt Varda lean over and gently wipe them away, giving him a brief, sad smile. Looking around he noticed that many there were weeping quietly. Then Manwë spoke.

"Darkness has indeed fled, my Children," the Elder King declared in solemn tones that nevertheless contained great joy, "yet never forget that it will come again. Remember this night and rejoice that the Fallen One is no more. Remember still the sacrifices that were made by your brethren from Endórë that this night might be celebrated in peace by you who are of Aman. Estel lemya, Híni Ilúvataro, qui himyalmë melmessë Eruo."

Then the Elder King and his entourage were gone, leaving them all feeling stunned. Axantur, standing to the side, had gone white at the sight of the Valar, not having truly believed that the Noldóran would be able to convince any of them to attend the ceremony, and to have the Elder King and his Spouse themselves attend.... Never had such a thing happened before and he stared at the Sinda standing beside the King and wondered. Perhaps the change in the ceremony had been a good thing after all.

****

Auta i lómë!: "The night is passing!"

Utúlie’n aurë!: "The day has come!"

Aurë entuluva: "Day will come again!"

Mindon Eldaliéva: Lofty Tower of the Eldalië, that was built by Ingwë when the High King lived in Tirion before removing to Vanyamar.

Paca Ñaltatilion: The Court of the Silver-white Tree. Ñaltatilion is the Quenya equivalent of the Sindarin Galathilion, the name given to the Silver-white Tree that was an image (a living tree not giving light of its own) of Telperion that Yavanna gifted to the elves of Tirion. Galathilion is the name given in The Silmarillion. The White Tree of Gondor is a descendant of this tree. The name means "Radiance of Tilion".

Sador’s song: "The night has come and has conquered the day, but only for this hour. The day comes and the night passes, yet it will return again, as will the day. Come Day and conquer the Night. Let Light conquer Darkness. Let Hope conquer all."

Orutúrië: present perfect tense of *ortur-: ‘to conquer’, reconstructed from the Sindarin orthor-.

Estel lemya, Híni Ilúvataro, qui himyalmë melmessë Eruo: "Hope remains, Children of Ilúvatar, if we (inclusive) abide in Eru’s love".