A Deed Unforgiven by LadySternchen  

Flashback- Nimloth

The great gates of Nargothrond were intimidating alright, as was passing through them and into the great caverns. Nimloth had never been underground, and she was rather sure that she did not like it very much. It felt like freely passing into the maw of a great monster.

And the people. People who gazed at them curiously. They would surely greet her, and expect her to talk to them, and she most certainly did not feel like talking. Not in the slightest.

Then suddenly, a woman stepped away from the crowd, a baby riding on her hip, a baby, moreover, that looked just about as overwhelmed as Nimloth felt.

And oh, wasn’t he the sweetest little thing?

“Galathil!” the woman called, bestowing a one-armed hug upon Ada “Oh, I am glad to see you. But what news do you bring? What happened?”

Nimloth glanced up as well, and saw how sad he looked. She did not like it. She did not want Ada sad.

“We lost, Lúthien. We ELVES lost. Morgoth has won and now lays waste to all the free realms of Beleriand. Eglarest and Brithombar have fallen- no, dear, do not despair, Círdan is alive and has lead all who could escape to the Isle of Balar. Elmo and Thônwen are among them, and Naneth. But Celeborn and I just could not go without you, and Galadriel longs to be with Orodreth, so we came here instead. And a good thing that is, as I see you have not bothered to tell us about your little one!”

“I am so glad you are safe.”

The woman smiled now, and quickly glanced at Nimloth before she went on:
“And before you start to complain about me not telling you about Dior, I cannot recall any message coming from you about your little one, either?”

Now Ada grinned as well, which was good. Nimloth had learned already that whenever the grown-ups jested, things were not too bad.

“I suppose you might be right there. Well, then an introduction is clearly in order.”

He placed his hand gently soon Nimloth’s back, shoving her ever so slightly forward.

“Meet my daughter, Nimloth. Nimloth, this is the Lady Lúthien, my cousin, of whom I have told you so much.”

So this was the famous Lúthien. Nimloth had not imagined her to look so normal, given that she was the daughter of a Maia. She was nothing like Uinen, with her hair of seaweed and shells and her skin the colour of the ocean. No, Lúthien really looked more or less like an elf.

And then Lúthien laughed, and her laughter seemed to lift all wariness from Nimloth. Maybe Nargothrond was not as bad a place after all?

Even better, Lúthien now sat her baby down in front of Nimloth.

“Only good things, I hope? Anyway, well met, Nimloth, and welcome to Nargothrond. Now, this little fellow here is called Dior. He cannot talk very well yet, but he loves playing chase. I am sure he would be thrilled to have you join him, if you were interested?”

Of course Nimloth was interested. She extended a finger to tickle Dior, who squealed in delight, and toddled off with surprising speed.

Excellent.

Nimloth only faintly heard Ada’s half-hearted protest as she tore after Dior, something about greeting the king first.

But the king would surely still be there after she and Dior had finished playing.