Ascent by Elleth

[elleth]

B2MeM Prompt, Card and Number: G48 - Innocent (Archetypes), a Mountain/Mountains (Person vs. Nature)
Format: Drabble
Genre: Character Study
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Implied canonical character death
Characters: Tar-Míriel
Pairings: N/A
Summary: Tar-Míriel ascends Meneltarma.

I would be foolish to claim innocence - perhaps, with eyes of mercy, complicity by idleness. Turning from harm to myself at the expense of my people, who suffered in my stead as my husband and his monster - or the reverse? - took my island.

I must hope, as the Pillar of Heaven is falling, cutting my feet bloody climbing toward the fire at its top, that Eru has the mercy to acknowledge my willing sacrifice for my people, that I will be enough in death as I have never been in life.

At least this is a fire of my choosing.

Comments

[moetushie]

Ouch, that hurt.

[elleth]

Sorry! (But I am glad that that's the takeaway... not a light drabble after all.)

[grundyscribbling]

Poor Tar-Míriel. Excellent drabble!

[elleth]

Thank you! Poor her indeed, but it's interesting to keep trying to make sense of her.

[nienna324]

This is fantastic! Very fitting!

[elleth]

Thank you so much!

[narya_flame]

Oh my heart. Beautiful, Elleth.

[elleth]

Ahhh, thank you! <3

[hhimring]

So she's trying to make good what she sees as an omission by sacrificing herself? But also trying to regain agency?
Compelling.

[elleth]

Yes to both (and also contrasting her death with the sacrifices in Sauron's temple in the last line)! Thank you, Himring!

[oloriel]

This is lovely and very convincing and thus, utterly heartbreaking. Well done!

[elleth]

Ahh, thank you, and sorry to break your heart! <3

[oloriel]

That's OK, it was cathartic. <3

[shirebound]

Oh my, this is beautifully written.

[elleth]

Thank you so much!

[kayleearafinwiel]

Oh, poor Miriel! Yes, a sacrifice of her own choosing. *shudders*

[elleth]

Yeah... though grim as her situation is, it also feels like she's returning (at least by the degree still possible to her in that situation) to Númenorean tradition of abnegation. I hadn't considered that when I wrote this last night, but...

[erulissedances]

Wow - such power in such a few words.

- Erulisse (one L)

[elleth]

Thank you - and such kindness in yours!

[zdenka]

Poor Miriel -- she seems to have such despair and bitterness. I really like this.

[elleth]

Thank you so much! You're spot-on with her feelings! <3