We Two, From the Wars (by Himring)

[hhimring]

B2MeM Prompt, Card and Number: O72: If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love you very much. (Card 115: The Late, Great Mary Oliver); G54: hwesta "breeze" (Card 186. Tengwar)
Format: double drabble
Genre: vignette, friendship
Rating: PG
Warnings: Reference to canonical lost battle
Characters: Beleg, Mablung
Pairings: n/a
Creator’s Notes:  I've only used the translation of the name of the letter from the Tengwar prompt. Also written for the following quotation from the SWG's Love Actually challenge:"But the Sindar had the fairer voices and were more skilled in music, save only Maglor son of Fëanor, and they loved the woods and the riversides; and some of the Grey-elves still wandered far and wide without settled abode, and they sang as they went." ~ Of the Return of the Noldor
Summary: After the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, Beleg and Mablung arrive back in Doriath.

Ten more very cautious steps—and Beleg felt it. Mablung, less confused by fever, but even more deeply exhausted now, felt it, too. He halted, looking around.

‘Beleg, we’re home,’ he said, wonderingly.

Around them, the beloved beeches of Doriath rose again, protected by the Girdle, which was now safely at their backs.

‘Yes.’

All the darkness and unspeakable loss were still out there and would need dealing with. But here the menace carried on that newly penetrating northern breeze was stopped. Beleg was back in his wood and it remained inviolate.

Even on the very edge, they were home.


Beleg saw the same relief reflected in Mablung’s eyes. Mablung would be all right. He had succeeded in one thing; he had brought Mablung back alive. He would find healing among their friends in the March Wardens’ camp, while Beleg would find the messengers he urgently needed to send, back in his element among trees and people he trusted.

Menegroth was another matter. He would have to go there himself.

A small bird caught his eye, unobtrusive in the leaves’ shadow, until it had moved. A nightingale—and he realized that, of course, the news would be ahead of him.


A/N: I hope the emotional bond between Beleg and Mablung is coming through sufficiently, as per prompt; I've written previously about them, so for me it's very much there. I've also incorporated a Tolkien Weekly prompt (reflection: eyes).

Comments

[erulissedances]

Two characters I hadn't thought about for a while. It's wonderful to rediscover characters through the works of others.

- Erulisse (one L)

[hhimring]

Thank you, I'm glad you rediscovered Beleg and Mablung through my drabble!

[kaja_lakoka]

Of course, the news would be ahead of them, and each an every tree would be glad of their return :)

The bond is there.

Very, very nice. Thank you!

[hhimring]

I'm so glad you liked it!
Yes, all the trees rejoiced and their friends, too!
Thank you very much!

[senalishia]

Ooh, I love the nightingale. I could definitely feel the caring between these two

[hhimring]

Thank you very much!
I'm glad you liked the nightingale!

[nialoke]

Oh God, I love these two! The sense of their care for each other and their relief to be home is very palpable here, and is giving me warm feelings, too :3

[hhimring]

I'm glad the sense of their care for each other is palpable!
Thank you very much!

[zdenka]

I enjoyed this -- a quiet moment after danger, and the trust and camaraderie between them. It's effective by itself, but it becomes even more moving in the context of your other fics about these characters (especially "He had succeeded in one thing; he had brought Mablung back alive.") I remember Beleg agonizing over not being able to save Hurin.

[hhimring]

Thank you very much!
Yes, I was thinking of Hurin, when I wrote that. And also of Haldir and the Haladin.