- Chapter Two - A New Dawn for Reniolwaith - Part One - A New Dawn for Reniolwaith by Aldalin
- Chapter Two - A New Dawn for Reniolwaith - Part Two - A New Leader by Liwurien
We had survived Dagor o Dol Dinen. True to our word, given at the Council of Celondim, we marched beside edain, naugrim and periain to stave off the yrch invasion in the North Downs. Led by Hiril Aldalin, we left the survivors of battle to recuperate at Esteldin and made our way with other Eldar to the haven of Lin Giliath in Meluinen where the sweet waters would restore our depleted energies.
On the night of Tuilë 1 (29th March 2008) beneath a starry sky with Ithil shining down upon us, we gathered around a campfire in the company of Elidir and Nethiell of Eldar I Silelen, Cironael of Friends of Old and our dear friend Vallandur (though he seemed troubled and stood back smoking his pipe, seemingly in reflective thought). No sooner than we had arrived, Medriana – brave though she was on the battlefield – had no energy remaining, not even to eat and curled up beneath some grapevines for a well-earned sleep.
Those of us of Reniolwaith that remained awake to see in the new day were Aldalin, Fennas, Gildin, Galvathaltion, Majno, my husband Serathuil and myself - Liwurien. Both Fennas and Galvathalion bore some wounds from the battle and Celebhir had done what she could whilst we were in Esteldin – time will heal, it always does. She remained there to tend to the wounds of the edain.
We whiled away the hours discussing the events of the previous days leading up to the battle itself and sang songs of what we hoped would be in the days to come.
It was shortly before Anor awoke from slumber that I noticed Hir Gildin studiously looking around at the faces of those gathered then, he got to his feet and sought the attention of Hiril Aldalin which was not easy as she herself seemed troubled by Vallandur’s distance and took a moment to realise that Hir Gildin was addressing her. Once he had not only her attention but that of all of us around the campfire, he delivered a speech that none of us were expecting yet we were all to become grateful for.
“It has been a momentous day, for I Reniolwaith, and for the Firstborn. After a long slumber, we have awoken, and once again shape the destiny of this Land. However, none of this would have come to pass had it not been for your wisdom and foresight, Lady Aldalin.”
As he spoke there were murmurs of agreement from all present in addition to quiet protests from Aldalin herself who felt that it was Hir Gilrandir of Eldar i Silelen who gave orders in the main battle and that she just did what she could to advise. Despite her protests, Gildin continued on.
"Not only has she led us to victory, but also we sit here unscathed after the battle. There are not many in these lands who could have done so… save perhaps at Mithlond or Imladris.
Today has lead me to a clear conclusion. As the darkness grows, we are all drawn to the light, and today that light was you Lady Aldalin. It is now as clear as the coming of the dawn that you are the one who should lead us through these dark times...
And so, if my Kin so permits, I wish to hand over leadership of I Reniolwaith to you, Lady Aldalin, Ithilgalad.”
As Hir Gildin looked to each of us for approval, we rose to our feet as one – even Galvathalion who was clearly in some pain to do so. Hiril Aldalin sat in stunned silence for some time and for a change did not know what to say! After she had absorbed the portent of what had just occurred she too rose to her feet and promised that she would not let us down. Hir Gildin was not yet finished for there was one thing left to do. Taking a velvet pouch Gildin stepped forward and pressed it into Aldalin’s hand whilst explaining its contents thus:
“My Lady, Mistress Saeladriel could not be with us this day, but has fashioned this brooch as a token of your stewardship. She named it Ithilgalad, Moonbeam, and it is wrought of mithril. May this always remind you of today, and your victory.”
Finally, as Anor rose and Ithil moved to slumber, Hir Gildin confirmed that we as a kin were in agreement and spoke as one in the decision before kneeling down before Aldalin. We all gladly joined him in doing so confident that, although she would now carry the hopes and cares of many upon her shoulders, she would bear the burden with the best interests of Reniolwaith in her heart.
On the night of Tuilë 1 (29th March 2008) beneath a starry sky with Ithil shining down upon us, we gathered around a campfire in the company of Elidir and Nethiell of Eldar I Silelen, Cironael of Friends of Old and our dear friend Vallandur (though he seemed troubled and stood back smoking his pipe, seemingly in reflective thought). No sooner than we had arrived, Medriana – brave though she was on the battlefield – had no energy remaining, not even to eat and curled up beneath some grapevines for a well-earned sleep.
Those of us of Reniolwaith that remained awake to see in the new day were Aldalin, Fennas, Gildin, Galvathaltion, Majno, my husband Serathuil and myself - Liwurien. Both Fennas and Galvathalion bore some wounds from the battle and Celebhir had done what she could whilst we were in Esteldin – time will heal, it always does. She remained there to tend to the wounds of the edain.
We whiled away the hours discussing the events of the previous days leading up to the battle itself and sang songs of what we hoped would be in the days to come.
It was shortly before Anor awoke from slumber that I noticed Hir Gildin studiously looking around at the faces of those gathered then, he got to his feet and sought the attention of Hiril Aldalin which was not easy as she herself seemed troubled by Vallandur’s distance and took a moment to realise that Hir Gildin was addressing her. Once he had not only her attention but that of all of us around the campfire, he delivered a speech that none of us were expecting yet we were all to become grateful for.
“It has been a momentous day, for I Reniolwaith, and for the Firstborn. After a long slumber, we have awoken, and once again shape the destiny of this Land. However, none of this would have come to pass had it not been for your wisdom and foresight, Lady Aldalin.”
As he spoke there were murmurs of agreement from all present in addition to quiet protests from Aldalin herself who felt that it was Hir Gilrandir of Eldar i Silelen who gave orders in the main battle and that she just did what she could to advise. Despite her protests, Gildin continued on.
"Not only has she led us to victory, but also we sit here unscathed after the battle. There are not many in these lands who could have done so… save perhaps at Mithlond or Imladris.
Today has lead me to a clear conclusion. As the darkness grows, we are all drawn to the light, and today that light was you Lady Aldalin. It is now as clear as the coming of the dawn that you are the one who should lead us through these dark times...
And so, if my Kin so permits, I wish to hand over leadership of I Reniolwaith to you, Lady Aldalin, Ithilgalad.”
As Hir Gildin looked to each of us for approval, we rose to our feet as one – even Galvathalion who was clearly in some pain to do so. Hiril Aldalin sat in stunned silence for some time and for a change did not know what to say! After she had absorbed the portent of what had just occurred she too rose to her feet and promised that she would not let us down. Hir Gildin was not yet finished for there was one thing left to do. Taking a velvet pouch Gildin stepped forward and pressed it into Aldalin’s hand whilst explaining its contents thus:
“My Lady, Mistress Saeladriel could not be with us this day, but has fashioned this brooch as a token of your stewardship. She named it Ithilgalad, Moonbeam, and it is wrought of mithril. May this always remind you of today, and your victory.”
Finally, as Anor rose and Ithil moved to slumber, Hir Gildin confirmed that we as a kin were in agreement and spoke as one in the decision before kneeling down before Aldalin. We all gladly joined him in doing so confident that, although she would now carry the hopes and cares of many upon her shoulders, she would bear the burden with the best interests of Reniolwaith in her heart.
