Arisen by daughterofshadows  

Beginning

They gather around bonfires on the beaches. Refugees from Doriath and Gondolin come together with those who have lived along the shores all their lives, sharing in the warmth of the flames.

Perhaps the beach is a strange place to crown a High King of the Noldor, but Ereinion can think of nowhere better. It is only fitting that the dunes on which he played as a child become the cradle for his kingship.

As he kneels before Círdan, Ereinion watches the shadows dance across the sand, black tendrils reaching for him.

For a moment, they drag him under, press him down into the sand.

But he is king now, and so Gil-galad rises from the grasp of Ereinion. The scion of kings has become a king himself.

Middle

They have broken the siege on Imladris. After three long years, the valley can finally blossom into the harbour Gil-galad knows it can be.

Elrond will make a fine vice-regent, even though Gil-galad regrets leaving him behind.

He is a king first and foremost, and few have tried to look past that to find what is left underneath. Elrond is one of them, and Gil-galad will miss him, will miss being seen.

But Elrond is not the only friend who will forever remain in the East.

Gil-galad looks out over the ash-covered ruins of Ost-in-Edhil. If he squints, he can almost pretend it is snow.

End

His spear lies shattered beside him; his skin burns. The world grows dark around him.

This is the end, he knows, but in his mind, he is back at the beginning.

Back on the beach, with the bonfires and the grasping shadows.

This time, he lets them drag him under.

And the waves carry him west, across the ocean, to a place where he can be Ereinion once again.

Leave a Comment