"Lantern Tag" A Bedtime Story Retold By Lamaenon Alagacharnion

This tale was told to me when I was still a little too young to grasp the true scale of the story behind the making of Arnor and Ithil. What I share with you now, is the version my Father told me until I was old enough to understand the tale in it's true form and length. I hope you enjoy it. ~ Lamaenon Alagacharnion ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I remember once I had asked my Mother, "Why are Ithil and Arnor in the sky at the same time? Why is it only daytime when they share the sky and not both night and daylight at the same time?" My Father had laughed, and coaxed my grip away from my Mother's skirts. I had been eagerly tugging them to get her attention, being only waist high to her frame. She gave me a fond smile as he spoke. "Let your mother be little Minnow! Let her make supper, and I shall awnser your question. Hush now and listen well, for I shall tell you this tale only once. No more, no less." I climbed into his lap after he settled into the rocking chair and asked him, "You know why Arnor and Ithil share the sky Ada? Yet how it is still daylight?" The chair began to move and strong archers arms were around me. To keep me from sliding away as he chuckled, "Well my Son, in the beginning, there were only stars-" "So the stars made the Valar??? They must have good team work!" My Father threw his head back and laughed, even though I had accidentally interrupted him. Once his laughter had died down he explained to me, " Nay little one. Hahahaha. I should have been more clear. I meant that in the beginning there were only stars to light the sky. No Ithil or Arnor." "No Ithil or Arnor at all???? Not even little ones?" "Nay my son. Not even little ones. I digress. The Valar planted a tree, and on this tree grew two fruit. Arnor and Ithil. This tree was taller than any other. Arnor and Ithil saw the fruit of normal trees fall off the branches, and roll down hills." " 'Ai what fun that would be! To chase one another down the hill in such a way!', Thought Arnor. However, Ithil pointed out, 'It is such a long way down! We would squash ourselves if we fell from such a distance!' " "The dreaded Valar Morgoth overheard their plight, and asked Arnor and Ithil, 'I could not help but overhear that you wanted to come down from the highest of boughs to play. If you like, I could persuade the Great Spider Ungoliant to help you down. She could carry you up once more after you have played.' "Arnor and Ithil thought this a delightful idea, 'Could you? Would you? Oh please oh please! We do wish to play tag so greatly!!' The two of them said to Morgoth." "Unbeknownst to them, Morgoth had grown jelouse of the light of the other Valar, growing to despise them. So he convinced Ungoliant to poison the great tree with her fangs. Slowly, the great tree died. The once sturdy trunk that held up Ithil and Arnor, weakening, and bowing until the great trees branches touched the ground. With Arnors light no longer held up, the world became dark. Just as Morgoth had wanted." " Yet, so excited were Ithil and Arnor, that they left the branches of the great tree in a dash, and chased each other through the stars! Arnor's light no longer showed the way, and they bumped into a great many stars, even knocking some clear out of the sky! This is why some places in the night sky have more stars than other parts." At This point I had grown curious and asked, "But Adar, you said Arnor and Ithil were on the ground. How did they knock stars from the sky?" My Father spoke once more, "Arnor and Ithil are both very large my son. Bigger than Lothlorien." I thought the notion ridiculous. "What?! They cannot be! My hand looks bigger than they do in the sky!" My Father laughed again, "Aye, your hand does look bigger, but that is only because you are right here. Ithil and Arnor are very far away. So they look smaller than they truly are. The Valar discovered Morgoths plot to spread darkness and banned him from their home. The Valar were also extremely angry with Ithil and Arnor for being so careless in their game of chase, and knocking so many stars from the sky. As punishment the Valar put Ithil and Arnor at the top of great lamp posts to sit inside great lanterns. One lamp post on either side of the sky. These posts were far enough apart, that only one of them would be seen in the sky at a time." "Dry your tears little minnow. There is a happy ending." My father wiped away my tears. I had been saddened by the thought of two close friends not being able to see one another anymore. "There is?" I asked. My Father held me close to him with a smile as he spoke softly, "Aye my son, there is. The Valar are kind, and forgiving. Which is why every now and then, they will let Ithil out of her lantern, so she may go play chase with Arnor as he travels across the sky. They only let Ithil out to visit Arnor, never the other way around. For they both need Arnors light to see where they are going as they play. That is why Arnor and Ithil are sometimes seen to be sharing the sky, but only during the daytime." I looked to my father, eyes now dried of tears and asked, "that does explain quite a lot, but now I have a new question. If Arnor and Ithil are fruit.... But self aware enough to want to play.... On that basis, would it not be cruel to eat my grapefruit for breakfast tomorrow??" My Father gave me a look. One that garnered no nonsense. "Arnor and Ithil were magical. Your breakfast is not. You shall eat your grapefruit tomorrow, and you shall eat your turnips tonight at dinner. You will also not forget to thank your mother for the meal. Am I understood Lamaenon?" "Aye Ada." "Good. Go wash your face and hands. Supper is ready."