Past, Present and Future - Linda Hoyland
Mar. 8th, 2013 09:05 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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b2memB2MeM Challenge: Good and Evil
It is said that the towers of Emyn Beraid were not built indeed by the Exiles of Númenor, but were raised by Gil-galad for Elendil, his friend; and the Seeing Stone of Emyn Beraid was set in Elostirion, the tallest of the towers. Thither Elendil would repair, and thence he would gaze out over the sundering seas, when the yearning of exile was upon him; and it is believed that thus he would at whiles see far away even the Tower of Avallónë upon Eressëa, where the Masterstone abode, and yet abides.”
Format: 500 Word FLF
Genre: general
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Characters: Aragorn, Elrond
Pairings: none
Summary: Elrond teaches Aragorn about his heritage
With thanks to Raksha
“They are fair indeed to look upon!” Aragorn exclaimed as the White Towers appeared on the horizon.
“The tallest of them, Elostirion, houses a palantír, which your forefather Elendil used to look back towards where Númenor once was,” Elrond told the young man.
“Why should he do that?” asked Aragorn. “His home was now here in Middle-earth. I cannot understand his desire to look back to a land lost to the sway of Sauron?”
“There was much good as well as evil in Númenor,” said Elrond. “It was a fair isle indeed and would be still had not Ar-Pharazôn usurped the throne and been beguiled by Sauron’s lies. You are yet young, Estel, and eager to see more of the world around you. When you grow old, you will long for where you enjoyed the happy memories of your youth. Much as I love fair Imladris, there are times when I yearn for Beleriand where I was born. Númenor might be long sunk beneath the waves, but it is where your ancestors dwelled for many generations, an entire age of the sun. Númenor is as much part of your heritage as the Ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil.”
Aragorn looked incredulous but fell silent. He gazed at the White Towers for a few moments. “That might well be,” he said at last. “It still seems strange to me, though, that Elendil should build this tower when he had new lands to rule.”
“Ah, but it was not he who build Elostirion, Gil-galad built it to ease his homesick friend’s heart. It was an Elven gift to Elendil.”
“A fair gift indeed,” said Aragorn, though he still looked unconvinced.
“Today we shall climb to the topmost chamber,” said Elrond. “There you can look out upon the lands of your longfathers and I will teach you how to use the palantír.”
“I foresee little need of such skills. I would much rather look forward. Halbarad tells me Orcs have been spotted near Bree. I should be with my men fighting the enemies that assail us this day, or hunting with them for food for our people before winter sets in. I cannot let my people starve. I only came here at your bidding, as you told me it was important that I visit this place with you. ”
“I understand your impatience, but my heart tells me that you will have need of this knowledge. Sauron grows ever stronger. Great evil threatens these lands, as once his Shadow lengthened over the Land of Gift. Estel, you will need all the lore I can teach to strengthen you for whatever trials might await you. When times are darkest and the need is greatest, it is to you that Men will turn.”
Aragorn bowed his head. “I shall heed your counsel, Master Elrond. I know not if I have the strength to be so great a leader, but I vow I will fight against the Shadow until I draw my final breath.”
It is said that the towers of Emyn Beraid were not built indeed by the Exiles of Númenor, but were raised by Gil-galad for Elendil, his friend; and the Seeing Stone of Emyn Beraid was set in Elostirion, the tallest of the towers. Thither Elendil would repair, and thence he would gaze out over the sundering seas, when the yearning of exile was upon him; and it is believed that thus he would at whiles see far away even the Tower of Avallónë upon Eressëa, where the Masterstone abode, and yet abides.”
Format: 500 Word FLF
Genre: general
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Characters: Aragorn, Elrond
Pairings: none
Summary: Elrond teaches Aragorn about his heritage
With thanks to Raksha
“They are fair indeed to look upon!” Aragorn exclaimed as the White Towers appeared on the horizon.
“The tallest of them, Elostirion, houses a palantír, which your forefather Elendil used to look back towards where Númenor once was,” Elrond told the young man.
“Why should he do that?” asked Aragorn. “His home was now here in Middle-earth. I cannot understand his desire to look back to a land lost to the sway of Sauron?”
“There was much good as well as evil in Númenor,” said Elrond. “It was a fair isle indeed and would be still had not Ar-Pharazôn usurped the throne and been beguiled by Sauron’s lies. You are yet young, Estel, and eager to see more of the world around you. When you grow old, you will long for where you enjoyed the happy memories of your youth. Much as I love fair Imladris, there are times when I yearn for Beleriand where I was born. Númenor might be long sunk beneath the waves, but it is where your ancestors dwelled for many generations, an entire age of the sun. Númenor is as much part of your heritage as the Ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil.”
Aragorn looked incredulous but fell silent. He gazed at the White Towers for a few moments. “That might well be,” he said at last. “It still seems strange to me, though, that Elendil should build this tower when he had new lands to rule.”
“Ah, but it was not he who build Elostirion, Gil-galad built it to ease his homesick friend’s heart. It was an Elven gift to Elendil.”
“A fair gift indeed,” said Aragorn, though he still looked unconvinced.
“Today we shall climb to the topmost chamber,” said Elrond. “There you can look out upon the lands of your longfathers and I will teach you how to use the palantír.”
“I foresee little need of such skills. I would much rather look forward. Halbarad tells me Orcs have been spotted near Bree. I should be with my men fighting the enemies that assail us this day, or hunting with them for food for our people before winter sets in. I cannot let my people starve. I only came here at your bidding, as you told me it was important that I visit this place with you. ”
“I understand your impatience, but my heart tells me that you will have need of this knowledge. Sauron grows ever stronger. Great evil threatens these lands, as once his Shadow lengthened over the Land of Gift. Estel, you will need all the lore I can teach to strengthen you for whatever trials might await you. When times are darkest and the need is greatest, it is to you that Men will turn.”
Aragorn bowed his head. “I shall heed your counsel, Master Elrond. I know not if I have the strength to be so great a leader, but I vow I will fight against the Shadow until I draw my final breath.”
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