~Melian and Galadriel see disturbing images in the water.~

oOo

Galadriel (The Rings of Power)

Forebodings

It was the first day of the month, and the appointed hour for Queen Melian's regular water call with her daughter. Lúthien lived in Ossiriand now, many leagues southeast of Doriath on an island in one of the many rivers coming down from the Blue Mountains.

Galadriel emptied a pitcher into her silver bowl, and when Aerneth felt Lúthien think her name she sang a few words to start the spell. Soon a beautiful face formed in the water.

"Are you well? How is the baby?" Melian sounded worried. As if her daughter might die any day, now she was mortal.

"I am fine, Naneth." Lúthien smiled, and disappeared out of the picture. When she returned a small face was beside hers. "There, Dior, look at your grandnana. Say hi to Grandnana."

"Da." The baby pointed a chubby hand at the queen. He showed all signs of taking after his father both in looks and race.

"Ai! Hello my love, such a big boy you have become," she cooed.

Aerneth and Galadriel respectfully moved back, allowing the queen some privacy.

When Melian had finished her call she looked demure. "I wish so much I could hold him in my arms."

The others tried their best to comfort her. Galadriel put her arm around her shoulder, and Aerneth chatted cheerfully about how healthy the boy looked, and how living on a river island must be similar to her own happy childhood by the sea.

Despite their different backgrounds and ages, the three ellith had grown closer the past couple of years, when the queen had had to rely on their water powers to keep in touch with her daughter. With her own farseeing she could only look, not speak – hers were internal, mental images, not working well as a form of communication.

Only the queen was present during their calls, Thingol had not spoken with his daughter even once since she left Doriath. The king prefered to spend his time in the treasury, admiring his Silmaril.

"Are you busy tonight, or might we continue with the mirror some longer?" asked Melian after a while. "I worry about the upcoming war and the sons of Fëanor. Maybe the water can show us something of the future."

"I do not mind trying." Galadriel took the silver bowl, a few drops spilling over the edge as she moved it closer. Her gift lay in calling forth visions for whomever held the mirror, images of their past and future. Only Aman beyond the western shore was closed to her scrying abilities.

Aerneth decided to stay as well, the war Melian had mentioned worried her too. It had become known outside Doriath that Beren and Lúthien had taken one of the Silmarils from Morgoth's crown, and Maedhros, eldest of the sons of Fëanor, had decided to attack the Dark Lord and retrieve the final two. He had gathered a huge union of both humans, dwarves and elves. All over Beleriand preparations were afoot; weapons being forged, plans drawn up, warriors honing their skill.

Maedhros had sent emissaries to Doriath as well, wanting the king to return the Silmaril to him and his brothers, who claimed it rightfully belonged to them – it was their father Fëanor who had created them after all. Queen Melian had counseled Thingol to hand it over, but he refused, already much affected by the brilliance and power of the gem. He had also refused to aid them in their planned attack against Morgoth.

Many in Menegroth now feared another kinslaying over Thingol's Silmaril; it was rumoured Celegorm and Curufin were plotting to kill him and take it if they survived the war.

The mirror was ready. Galadriel whispered her spell and peered deeply into the waters. When she had finished, her face was very pale. "I have ill tidings. Never before have I seen such bleak visions."

"Tell us," said Melian.

"I saw Morgoth sending a huge host of orcs south of his realm, led by a dragon. My nephew Orodreth was slain and the city of Nargothrond taken over by the fell beast."

The queen's eyes widened. "Let me see." She leaned over like her friend had done, but very soon she withdrew, sadly shaking her head. "Doriath will fall," she whispered. "I saw Thingol wearing the Silmaril in a necklace, and he was slain over it by a dwarf." She turned to Aerneth. "You should look as well. I hope yours is a less daunting future."

Aerneth took the mirror with shaking fingers, anxious and not really wanting to watch.

First she saw a swirl of dense smoke, and when it cleared a familiar city appeared. Eglarest, her home. It was burning heavily, its once proud walls and stone buildings broken and cracked from the armada of siege machines surrounding it.

The angle was from a bird's perspective, and she could see that the entire Falas region was swarmed over with orcs and warg riders. They were killing and chasing elves, torturing their captives and doing unspeakable things with the ellith.

With a strangled cry Aerneth turned away, no longer able to watch the gruesome scenes. Her parents... were they among the captives? Would her mother be ravished like that? "We cannot let this happen," she wailed, tears pouring from her eyes.

"Hopefully it is only a possible outcome," said Melian.

"Aye. Maybe," said Galadriel, but she looked worried. So far all the visions in the mirror had either happened already or come true later.

"Is there no way to persuade the king to join the war?" asked Aerneth, still shaken. "With Doriath on his side, maybe Maedhros has a better chance of winning. Morgoth could be stopped."

"I will talk to my husband, but I fear it is useless." Melian sighed. "He has sworn never to help a son of Fëanor, as you well know."

"I will talk to my husband too," said Aerneth. "He can tell the other march-wardens what we saw. They hated to be left out of the last war against Morgoth, I am sure they will want to fight in this one."

"Celeborn and I had already planned to join anyway," said Galadriel. "My cousin Fingon will be leading the western host of the union."

"I wish I knew some fighting like you. I will hate to be alone here if Thranduil goes to war."

"You should go with him anyway, your water magic could make a difference. The western host will march north along the Sirion and many battles might be fought near water. And then there is your ability of communication too, you could help the different units keep in touch and coordinate their attacks."

When Aerneth hurried home, she felt a mingle of apprehension and hope. Was it really possible for the Union of Maedhros to defeat Morgoth and all his balrogs, wargs and orcs? Not to mention his fire-breathing dragon. Or would the horrible visions come to pass anyway? She had to hope they could be hindered, she just had to.

Should she do what Galadriel suggested and go to war herself as well? She wondered what it would be like to meet all those monsters, see them attack other elves. Perhaps see Thranduil get hurt or even killed. The thought was terrifying, and made her realise she really did care about him still. However bad their marriage was, she did not want to lose him.

She had reached the home cave now and went inside. Oropher came to meet her with a scowl.

"Thranduil will be home soon and there is no supper. Where have you been?"

"Out. Obviously." She removed her cloak, it was late in the year and Menegroth was chilly.

"Mind your manners, young elleth!" He took a step forward, piercing her with his icy glare. Aerneth forced herself to meet it calmly, hiding how much he still intimidated her. She had not forgotten how easily he had raised his hand against her before, and despite Thranduil's promises to protect her she feared it could happen again.

"I have met with Queen Melian."

That mollified him; ambitious as he was, he encouraged her friendship with the queen. Aerneth let out a breath of relief when he returned to his books in the sitting room.

She had just prepared a meal of smoked venison with reed roots when her husband returned. Aerneth was eager to speak about what she had seen in Galadriel's mirror but knew she had to wait until they had finished their supper. Oropher was of the opinion that eating was to be done in silence, and talking saved to after.

Aerneth hardly tasted the food, feeling too nervous to have any appetite. Oropher as usual took his time, sipping his water, chewing every piece of meat a long time before swallowing. Finally he was done, and she could tell her news.

"I was with Galadriel and the queen today, and we saw some disturbing things in the water. About the future." She commenced to describe all they had seen.

"All the elven cities of Beleriand in the hands of the enemy?" asked Oropher, frowning. "It sounds highly unlikely that Doriath would fall. We have the Girdle protecting us and the city is hidden."

"The mirror has never been wrong before, but we are hoping we can change the future."

"Change it, how?"

"By persuading the king to join Maedhros' Union. Increase his strength."

"If there will be an attack on our realm, we cannot leave it unguarded." Oropher rested his chin on his folded hands.

"Not unguarded, but–"

"What do you think, Thranduil?" Oropher interrupted.

"The Girdle was breached twice before, and Beren who did it first was only a human. It is certainly possible Morgoth could do it too," he mused. "I do not like this."

"Aye. Doriath falling! Grave prospect indeed. You must share the news with your captains, and I will find Amdír and seek an audience with the king."

"Melian is already speaking with the king," said Aerneth.

"Trying to dictate what he should do, no doubt," he huffed, shaking his head. "You did well to tell us about your visions, but now you ellith must leave this matter to those who are adept at war strategy." His tone was patronising, and with that he and his son left the table.

Aerneth collected the plates to wash them up, nearly fuming with indignation. She wished she dared speak back, make her father-in-law understand that ellith were not stupid just because of their sex. Or at least that Thranduil would take her side once in a while. But that was wishful thinking.

In addition, she did not like the turn the conversation had taken, with both Oropher and Thranduil mostly concerned about their own city's safety. Would they really prefer hiding back here while the world around them went to pieces?

It was very late when Thranduil returned, and Aerneth had almost fallen asleep.

"What did they say?" she mumbled drowsily.

"Well... we came to no conclusion, but I am sure the discussion is far from over. We – the march-wardens – want to go to war, but our king worries it will bring unwanted attention to our people. He has a point, actually. What if Doriath's fall will be caused by our joining with Maedhros, instead of prevented by it?"

"But what about the Falas and Nargothrond? You would sit on your hands and just watch them burn? Allow my home to be demolished and my people taken by orcs?" Aerneth was wide awake now, feeling annoyance build up.

"It's pointless to discuss my opinion, I can only do what my king and captains command me."

"Galadriel and Celeborn are going, and I will go with them." She said it with more conviction than she really felt.

He stared at her in surprise. "What?"

"Someone has to do something, and I can help. I am sure you have not forgotten I saved you with my water magic."

"No Aerneth, you are not going!" He grabbed her arm as if she was on her way already, his dark eyebrows drawn together.

His reaction only made her more determined. "Am too." She tried to match his frown with her own, pushing down a voice that said she was acting immaturely.

"You cannot go. It's..." He paused. "Adar needs you here if I am away." His grasp was painful now. She realised his frown was not of anger as she had first thought – it was one of worry.

"You are hurting me."

He instantly dropped her arm and retreated, obviously trying to regain his self-control. When he looked at her again, he had assumed the glass face she hated. She wanted to punch him in it.

"I would rather you stayed here. But you do as you please." He turned away.

Aerneth tried to glare a hole through the back of his head. Yes, she would do what she pleased, and if he was leaving she would too.

But what if he had to stay? Would she really go to war without him? She had hated being separated from him before, but with their strained relationship now... maybe it would be a relief to leave.

Adar needs you.

She wished Thranduil had needed her. That Oropher's wellbeing was not his first concern.
Sure, last time they left the ellon alone it had not worked out very well, but he had been broken with grief then. There was no reason to believe an adult of several centuries could not take care of himself and manage his own housekeeping.

"Your ada needs no babysitter," she said sourly.

"That is not the only reason." His back was still turned. "War is not for ellith."

"You mean Galadriel is an ellon? Or your female march-wardens, ellyn too?"

"They are exceptions."

"You know... You are starting to sound just like your adar." She could not hold back the scorn from her voice. Maybe it was Thranduil that needed Oropher, not the other way around.

"Goodnight Oropherion," she said to his back. She noticed him stiffen, but he did not reply.

❈ ❦ ❈

A/N:

Communication is the key... Aerneth and Thranduil would benefit from marriage counselling. Too bad it was not invented yet...

Image Credits:

Galadriel from the upcoming show Rings of Power on Amazon Prime