The beginning
My centuries long endeavor is nearing its completion and my heart sings in anticipation, hoping the form of her fana appears. She has been elusive, hiding and fearful of all creatures having a hand on her grievous wounds done all those centuries ago. Large parts of her old self are now in the Pourer’s care, riddled with scars, bloodied treasures and distant memories eroding in seawater and time. But some of her essence remains, broken and in a lesser state, but still linger on, having attached itself to the remaining river in Forlindon region.
There I have healed the forest around it, cleansed scars in the landscape from old settlements, tendered nature to my best of abilities, making it a sanctuary for those who desire to live here. Sadly the population in these lands are dwindling for each passing of the sun and where once glorious and grand armies marched and sang, magnificent cities and harbours were built, there is now only a growing silence and serenity like the days of old. But I do not mind, these are the elements needed to replenish and make her strong to prosper again.
Still there is work to be done and my errant moves me towards the western side of the Ered luin mountains, where the naucalië have neglected their task. Instead of dealing with the lesser offspring of Ungweliantë, they are still hounding metal and stones from the foundations of their homes. Pointing out their responsibilities is an ungrateful and most likely unsuccessful task set to pursue. Their stubbornness is a trait impossible to overcome, even for the mightiest, so I will cleanse these lands free of these unwanted children to the light eater, with my own fire.
And with fire I scattered and destroyed the nest of these pests, those wicked creatures preying on anything that can get into their webs. Their webs, their lair and themself are set aflame and I feel no remorse doing the deed of killing these beings. They scutter in all directions, fearing my fire, fearing me. They climb, they burrow underground, they screech in despair but to no avail. My flames get them all and their dark spot on these lands are in the end removed.
The last necessary task is done and I head towards the river, to a particular spot of it, where the water has a green clear hue. I have spent ages searching for the right place and then cultivated it, with round delicate stones, lilies of golden color and formed a clearing around it, so the star can shine and reflect themself upon the river which flows slow and delicate.
Waiting for the right moment, at the twilight when the warm and enchanted colors appear in everything, I slowly reach out my arms in front of me and start to sing with a gentle tune…
Where be you hiding river maid
Come forth, come forth’
sings the birds of the forest.
We call on the daughter of a glittering river of gold.
Come forth, come forth’
the river has been blessed.
Your ancient name of old, was never told.
Come forth, come forth’
no need to be distressed.
The world has been cast into a new mould.
Come forth, come forth’
rise our beloved Sirelaurë
rise caretaker of old,
rise’ rise’ Sirelaurë ennòna!
The last sentence I fill with my entire force and love, but still gentle as the wind and I wait… But to my delight I notice the water in the river starts to stir. Slowly at first in small circles, then carefully it increases to larger circles before hundreds of smooth water droplets arise and form itself into a shape. The formless shape twirls around slowly and for each turn the shape becomes more and more clear, forming itself into a resemblance of an elven female, but still something else, something more.
she turns around one last time...
She turns around one last time and comes to a stop, facing me and smiling, with a voice sweet and deep and filled with wisdom, she speaks. “Caretaker and awakener…” she pauses before continuing: “You have done me a great boon, that cannot be rewarded enough.” She moves closer to the riverbank where I stand, seeming to float over the water. “Ask off me anything and I will grant it, if I can.”
I stride towards her and into the shallow river and do not stop before I stand in front of her. “Rivermaid of a river in golden light, I only wish you good health, to prosper and become what you once was.” I hesitate before I continue… “And that I can have your friendship, if you are willing, because friendship is not something you should grant easily.” She seems to measure me for a long time, before replying. “You are right, friendship is not something I grant easily Caretaker, and despite the great service you already have done, you must do more, before you can earn that.”
I hold my tongue and await her thoughts of the deeds she will bestow on me. She turns around and looks at the stars who are awaking. “You must seek out others of my kin and tell them my story and help them as you have helped me.” She turns to face me again. “Do that Caretaker and I will grant you friendship.”
I smile and nod at her words, before we together walk back to the riverbank, where we both sit in a deep conversation the entire night, adressing things none in this world could hear.
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Copyrights
Both graphical art pictures have images that belong to the artist Anna Steinbauer. They have been mixed with ingame screenshots and edited by me. Link to her website and art: ArtStation - Anna Steinbauer
The story and the poem is written by me.
For those who are unfamiliar what this is about, you have read how Eonweion has healed an old water spirit from the river Rathloriel. This river used to be a part of the Beleriand and is known in the legendarium as the river where Beren had thrown the dwarfs gold into, after he had killed them and reclaimed Nauglamir. The Nauglamir was a famed piece of jewellery and was the reason for the first strife between elves and dwarfs. There are more tidbits in the story, but I leave that to the readers to explore.
