Angsty Glorfindel fic! Get it while it's... angsty...

[elvenpiratelady]

I'm a firm believer in the 'reincarnated Glorfindel' theory, and after reading Unfinished Tales a fic like this was only a matter of time. I really should make a list of the rampant plotbunnies that are spawning in my head, so I can gain satisfaction by crossing them off one by one, but I'd never finish.

Title: Singing Gold
Author: Me!
Rating: General. Just a bit of angst.
Warnings: Nothing you can't read to children, if they're Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales nerds.
Summary: Glorfindel comes across a poignant reminded of the past while in Lothlorien.

He remembers the city, white-towered Gondolin of seven names, nestled in the valley of Tumladen like a jewel on green velvet cupped in a lady’s hand.

He remembers the fountains, the spray refreshingly cool amid the summer heat, sitting side by side with Ecthelion as they tell each other stories of the world.

He remembers Aredhel on horseback, galloping across the valley with her hair streaming, wanting to grow wings like the eagles and fly away.

He remembers Idril dancing, golden hair and silver feet, Tuor sitting a safe distance away and pretending not to watch, although the hope in his eyes cannot be hidden.

He remembers the trees…

…he does not need to remember the trees.

For the trees are here, more than he has ever seen before, their trunks smooth and white like the towers, and their leaves as golden as Idril’s hair. How did they come to be here? Has he dreamed the fate of the world? For a moment, he believes that he will find his city amid them. But in the next moment, he knows that they are surrounded by darker trees, just as darkness surrounded her…

He remembers war, the valley hidden in smoke and his white city burning, the orcs descending on them like a black wave. He remembers the long fall into darkness that is not darkness, but filled with flames.

The memories recede, but the trees remain. He leaves that grove and does not look back, but long after he is gone, the Valley of Singing Gold laments for Glorfindel of Gondolin.

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‘A description of Gondolin was to follow, of the stairs up to its high platform, and its great gate; of the mounds of mallorns, birches, and evergreen trees, of the Place of the Fountain, the King’s tower on a pillared arcade, the King’s house, and the banner of Fingolfin…’
(From the notes from ‘Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin’ in the Unfinished Tales.)

Comments

[dracoena.livejournal.com]

This is magnificent!

"Surrounded by darker trees"... a nice metaphor on fading.

And the glimpses of Gondolin! They are all sudden and poignant, especially Aredhel with her hair streaming. It´s sad when you remember what happened to each one of them.

And btw, love your warnings. Indeed, LOL!

[elvenpiratelady.livejournal.com]

Thankyou! I actually meant the 'surrounded by darker trees' to be a metaphor for Maeglin's dark thoughts surrounding Idril, but that's an equally valid point. It's nice when readers and writers get a different interpretation. I can understand why Aredhel would want to get out of Gondolin for a while after being cooped up there for a long time, but she gets into so much trouble when she gets out... and I really feel for Ecthelion.

Heh. If I have children, their first language will probably be Sindarin. :D

[dracoena.livejournal.com]

Ah. I thought he was comparing the Gondolin trees with the trees of Lothlórien. Never mind. :)

[elvenpiratelady.livejournal.com]

It could be that too. I'm open to suggestions.

[cat-empress.livejournal.com]

That's really nice. Just the right length, and just the right amount of poignant and moving.

[elvenpiratelady.livejournal.com]

Thankyou! I wasn't really sure about the length, it seemed longer in my head, but I think it's worked out well.