The twinkling lights danced in the bright eyes of young Eliriael and the night air caressed her cheeks with warmth as she stood on the city wall awaiting the first brush of sunlight in the dark. All around the young elf was merriment and laughter for it was the night before the Gates of Summer in the city of Gondolin. Today, she would be allowed to stay late into the night dancing and celebrating while the elves gathered to watch the rising of the sun at dawn.
Her father held her up in his arms and she wrapped her arms comfortingly around his neck. It was rare to see him out of his uniform and laughing readily in the company of his friends and family. He was relieved from his duty this night while others stood watch, and Eliriael guarded him jealously.
“How do you ever leave your precious jewel at home and come stand watch with the rest of us, Alyatirmo?” Ceurtiron asked, laughing, as he eyed Eliriael. He was her father’s friend of many years and another warden of the Wing. “She seems unable to part from you, and you from her,” he continued to jest. Alyatirmo laughed in return and Eliriael smiled cheerfully.
Ceurtiron leaned towards her. “Will you dance and sing for us as the sun rises, just as you did the year before?” Eliriael beamed excitedly and nodded. Her mother stood beside her and responded to Ceurtiron, “I had her wear her best dress tonight, knowing you would ask as always.” Ceurtiron laughed, pleased.
Eliriael glanced around her, feeling the mirth and joy of all the elves gathered along the wall, seeping into her heart and pouring forth in her own expression. She listened carefully, enjoying the music of the bards in the background while everyone continued to talk amongst themselves.
Suddenly, she sensed a slight tremble and falter in the melody of the atmosphere and her ears heard it audibly in the music soon after. The bards had ceased playing in the middle of their song and silence spread along the wall. For a moment, all was still. Then it seemed to Eliriael as if a pebble had been thrown into peaceful waters and the crowd rippled with movement and panicked voices.
Her father had tensed in the silence, but now he was alert and already holding her closer, whispering quickly to her mother. She understood nothing, but felt the shift in rhythm as the music of her surroundings changed almost to a fast-paced march. All around her, quick words were exchanged and fell into a current of low voices – a subdued melody restrained from complete discord by everyone’s efforts to remain calm and controlled. The hurried footsteps beat out a rapid tempo in the background, urging her own heartbeat faster.
Her father now looked at her with a tense smile and stern eyes. “Eli, go with your mother.” Turning to her mother, he said, “You must find Lady Idril and go with her to the Hidden Passage out of the city. I will help gather the rest of the Wing.”
Her mother seemed to hesitate, looking at her husband sorrowfully. Eliriael grabbed the front of her father’s tunic. “You will come with us?” Without understanding the situation, she sensed enough to fear and pleaded with her father. “Please, come with us!” She grasped her father’s arms tightly and tugged. He shook his head slowly and then hugged her tightly. Her father kissed her forehead quickly, whispering words of love, before embracing her mother. As if afraid to linger any longer, he suddenly turned towards the other gathering soldiers and was lost in the crowd of elves rushing in all directions before Eliriael could protest anymore.
“Where is he going? Why will he not come?” she asked desperately.
Her mother smiled comfortingly down at her. No matter the situation, her mother’s face always shined with a bright expression. Elrinarë was well remembered and favored by all who received her healing for her undying smile. “We must part ways with your father for now. He will rejoin us later,” she said calmly. Her mother held her hand and led her through the crowd of elves, away from the wall and toward the streets of the city. “Eli, keep your eyes and ears open for there is danger in the city. We must seek Lady Idril so that I may tend to her and secure her way through to the Hidden Passage.”
Eliriael ran behind her mother as fast as she could for a couple minutes when she began to hear explosions and screams erupt in the distance. Her mother listened a moment, then quickened her pace, turning corners rapidly. But soon, the darkness and sounds of battle seemed to be pressing closer to them from all directions. Every path they took seemed to be blocked, for her mother led them through different streets, but continued to stop short and turn away at the sight or sound of something evil before them.
Suddenly, as they ran down a narrow path, the sound of heavy approaching footsteps reached them from nearby. Her mother looked about them anxiously. “Eli, in here!” she whispered. They had found themselves before a healing house and entered, shutting the door behind them without a sound. Her mother lifted a finger to her lips in a gesture to be silent and they listened carefully while retreating further into the building. Eliriael’s heart beat loudly in her ears, like a deep drum, as she heard a loud indistinct voice outside in the street, barking orders. The voice was too foul to be that of an elf.
