A Road of Tears by Erulisse (one L)

[engarian.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Challenge: 2013 L Loss of Innocence
Format: Triple Drabble
Genre: Narrative Drama
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Characters: Glorfindel, Erestor
Pairings: None (yet)
Creators' Notes (optional): None
Summary: Sent to the refugee camp of Imladris by Ereinion, Glorfindel arrives and starts to settle in.




A Road of Tears by Erulisse (one L)

Erestor led Glorfindel down a darkened hallway. Although Elrond had only been in the valley since spring, having first stumbled across it while escaping orcs during a blizzard, it was obvious that thought had gone into the design of the main building. Glorfindel recalled the earlier conversation about founding a refuge and sanctuary for people and learning. Elrond was obviously planning to return if elves survived the upcoming battles.

"Here we are," his companion said. He took a key in hand, inserted and turned it. Opening the door, a blue light shone just inside the entryway.

Glorfindel's breath caught. "A Fëanorean lamp! How has one survived?"

"Actually," Erestor said as he closed the door behind them, "the lamp is due to your wife's skills. She's working in Ost in Edhil … or at least she was until a month or so ago. Our newest refugees are from that area and the tales they are telling - well, they're very bad."

Glorfindel shook his head. "Once again I forgot that Helyanwë is here, in this land, only a few days travel away. She was my wife, but now she is not. It is a difficult transition for me."

Erestor raised his eyebrow questioningly, a gesture he and Elrond seemed to share. "A glass of wine to ease the tale?"

"Wine may be mandatory for this tale," Glorfindel sighed and continued.

"So, I died and found myself in Lord Námo's halls." He shuddered, "I will not speak of that place. There, I was given a choice - to hold to my marriage bond, or to dissolve it completely. I knew the pain she was in from my death as well as the deaths of our children and I never wanted to subject her to that again. I chose to dissolve our bond."

Comments

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Hmm - I wonder if anyone asked Helyanwë what she thought of having their marriage vows dissolved?

[engarian.livejournal.com]

There's nothing prohibiting them from pledging to each other again, but I look upon Miriel as having started a trend (in a manner of speaking) and the Valar as finally recognizing that death changes people/elves. Bonds, when torn apart by violent death, can lead to madness, suicide, crippling depression, and other very serious mental issues - at least in my personal opinion (and my universe). I don't see it as a serious stretch to allow the reborn to have the right to make this choice.

- Erulisse (one L)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Yes - that makes a lot of sense to me.

[aearwen2.livejournal.com]

Oh no!!

I was looking forward to seeing a reunion between those two... :(

This one was a shocker. Love it when a writer makes one care about OCs and then pulls something like this. My shock and dismay tells me you did your job well.

Looking forward to the next installment.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

There's nothing to say that they could not meet in Imladris when she arrives as a refugee, and who knows- they may fall in love again. (Except for the small fact that Helyanwe doesn't survive the sack of Ost in Edhel in my universe.)

- Erulisse (one L)

[shirebound]

This story continues to be so interesting. :)

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you! *hugs*

- Erulisse (one L)

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I'm eager to know what will happen next. You have me intrigued.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

I'm eager too. Unfortunately I got sidetracked by a tornado in a bottle. However, that duststorm was only an inconvenience and I'll have a chance to continue this later today or tomorrow on my one day off.

I'm so happy you're sticking with me through all of the fall-da-roll. *hugs*

- Erulisse (one L)

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Oh, but so sad a reason to let a marriage go. But at least he now knows she is happily employed, even if she has known grief and tragedy again in her life.

I so hope you will be able to add more to this year's collection of tales.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Everything I read seems to imply that the dissolving of a bond through the death of one partner is an almost physical blow of great pain. I can see Glorfindel wanting to save his wife from having to go through that twice if he is once again brought down in battle.

Your encouragement has been instrumental in my continuing through with my goal of all 26 letters. I posted a new chapter last night and am working on the next. Thank you SO much!

- Erulisse (one L)

[nialoke]

Wow, this is an interesting take on the implications death and rebirth has for elves' marriage bonds. I was wondering how you would handle that, since your comments and writing seemed to imply that the direction this series may head is likely not a happy reunion of Glorfindel and Helyanwe...
I can see why a new approach to marriage and death might be needed after what happened with Finwe and Miriel, though I am surprised the Valar actually learned something apparently XD
That Helyanwe died in Eregion makes me truly sad, though T.T They were so close to seeing each other again...

[engarian.livejournal.com]

The "Laws and Customs" of HOME have always seemed a bit strict and unrealistic. Elves are certainly different than humans, and there are few humans who would link themselves to their spouse for eternity - some can't even make it with a single spouse for a decade! I think that Miriel forced the Valar to look at couples through a different lens and that they had to shift both their perceptions and their laws when elves started arriving in Mandos. Those who were reborn weren't exactly the same as they had been before their deaths, things had to change.

Just my opinion, of course, but a valid one, I think.

- Erulisse (one L)