"Some dwelt age-long in the Vale of the Great River", by Himring

[hhimring]

B2MeM Prompt and Category: Initial prompt no. 22: ...but the water before them was dark, with only a few curling wisps like steam among the reeds by the bank. (Fellowship of the Ring, “A Conspiracy Unmasked”)
Format: Drabble (100 words)
Genre: Gapfiller
Rating: Teens
Warnings: reference to character death
Characters: Denethor of the Nandor (later of Ossiriand) [Request to tag mod: please check newly created character tag.]
Pairings: n/a
Creator’s Notes: I transferred the scene of the B2MeM prompt from the Brandywine to the Anduin, as Oshun’s new bio of Lenwe speaks of the Nandor dwelling by the Anduin before they left for Ossiriand and the current Tolkien100 prompt happens to be “The Great River”.
Summary: Denethor decides to lead his people west into Beleriand.

The water of the Great River was dark. Wisps curled up like steam among the reeds by the bank where Denethor crouched, listening for sounds of attack. He had argued with his father ever since rumour of Thingol’s kingdom had reached them. Denethor wished to go and see; Lenwe would have none of it. Yet now that his father lay slain by one of the fell beasts from the North, Denethor found himself loath to leave the Anduin. But his decision was made: he would gather his people and lead them west, to what safety he could find for them.

Comments

[kayleearafinwiel]

Oh, I really like this! :)

[hhimring]

Thank you very much, Kaylee!

[zdenka]

The tag looks fine to me!

[hhimring]

Thank you very much!

[heartofoshun]

I love the concept! Gives an explanation for what happened to Lenwe and how Denethor decided to go to Thingol. Thanks for tipping me off to it, wouldn't have wanted to miss it.

[hhimring]

Thank you! Glad you like it! As you point out in your bio, we just don't know, but in this situation it seems a likely way for this to have played out, doesn't it?

[heartofoshun]

It definitely works for me.

[sasha_honeypalm]

I was wondering recently what had happened to Lenwe. You're probably right.

[hhimring]

Well, as Oshun says in her bio, the one referenced above (which is well worth checking out!), we really aren't given a clue. For all we know, Lenwe simply got fed up with leadership or went off to sulk somewhere.
But if it went as I describe it here, I think it might be a good explanation for what happened subsequently, both Denethor and Thingol's friendship and the Nandor's attachment to Denethor.

[ex_mithrial116]

A very believable scenario. And one bit of creativity leading to another. Loved it.

[hhimring]

Thank you very much!
I always find Oshun's bios thought-provoking and it's not the first time one of them has inspired a ficlet!

[independence1776]

Lovely!

[hhimring]

Thank you very much!