A dark tale of Nan Elmoth. Featuring Eöl, Aredhel and... someone else.

Possession





Go on, child, chase her. Watch her footfalls, be silent as you move in the dark. Follow the white-winged bird as she flits through the hanging shadows. Does she not draw you, dark one, with her light?

She is lost, and weary, she seeks rest. See how she lies, cradling her body between the tree roots? See how she sleeps? She is unwary, perhaps, her eyes are heavy, and they close, careless for her safety. She does not know the perils of this land. The lady in white sleeps in innocence within your forest, oblivious to what may creep in the shadows.

Will you approach her, my little one? Look, she stirs in her sleep, the night becomes cold. Would you not comfort her? Here, wrap her cloak more warmly about her. Yes, now she will sleep soundly, while you are close by. Keep watch over her, for you would protect her, would you not? My child, my son with the skilful hands, you will keep her safe. Guard her with a sharp watch.

Who is she, you ask? Fortunate are your days, my little smith. I have brought you the Princess of the exiles, fair Aredhel white-lady, to be your wife. You dreamed of an elf-woman to be your own, did you not? Deep-seeing you are, elf, but not more than I. Do you not desire her? Aye, that I can read in you. Take her. She is my gift to you Just as we forged the twin swords together, my apprentice, I have readied it that you may forge a bond with her. But wait a moment longer, here in the dark, for she shines with her own light, and the light is perilous to you, is it not?

-- Now! Approach, but be wary.

She lies so still. Does she truly sleep? There is no flicker of her eyelids now, no soft breathing to be heard in the night.

Are you afraid? Do you fear her?

Perhaps she wanders deep in dream, or perhaps her fëa has fled her body, choked and constricted by the starless dark. Has she sipped the poisoned water of the Spider's Vale, and now falls down into darkness, to die bright-eyed and trembling as a fevered deer, lost in the woods? Perhaps she is a phantom of my kingdom, seeming fair and living but insubstantial as a shade?

No, she merely sleeps, do not be afraid. Spell-drenched was her draught, she will sleep for many hours, if you wish it. Go on, take her in your arms, for she will belong to you. This bond shall last until the end of Arda, as was spoken by the One, and her people live by these laws, the fools, no better than babbling children. Will you not use it to your advantage?

Revenge, I hear you whisper. Yes, revenge it shall be. Betrayers, usurpers, kinslayers, you call them this and rightly. And now, the child of their King, within your grasp?

Yours. To do with as you see fit.

Her eyes are wide and frightened, and she questions you, dark stranger of the night. What will you say?

"My lady, I am Eöl, and you have strayed beyond the boundaries of your land. This forest is perilous by night, and not safe for such a fair traveller. Come with me. You may spend the night at my home, in the heart of the forest."

So trusting, foolish as all the exiled ones. So fair, so lovely, as your wife, even if she does not know it yet.

"This I will willingly do," she says, smiling graciously. "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Eöl."

Watch her! She is under enchantment, she will follow you tonight, and bear you a son ere the year is over. This is my gift to you, elf of the mines, although you do not know the giver... All your ways will lead back to me, Dark Elf. The chains of captivity are always stronger than the fragile bond of love. But enjoy your prize, while she is yours, for you are forever mine.

End