Yet Were Its Making Good, For This by LadySternchen  

---

A Home

---

The day was balmy, with a soft wind caressing the grass of the glade they all sat in. Daeron’s flute and Galadhon’s harp sounded from among the branches of the trees they both perched in, alongside many others of the court. Mablung sat by the roots of one of the trees instead, occasionally catching a nut that Beleg dropped from above, cracked it open between two stones and shared the sweet kernel with one of the Queen’s birds.

In the middle of the glade, Lúthien danced. Flowers sprang beneath her feet as usual, and all around her, fireflies whirled like stars.

It was funny, Mablung mused as he watched her dance, that despite having long been grown up, she still had the air of a child that saw wonders everywhere, that rejoiced in life itself. He wondered if that would change once she found her mate. If, indeed, she would ever do so, for she did not seem to lack anyone in her life. On the contrary, she rejoiced so much in the freedom of body and spirit that Mablung wondered if bonding would not just make her downright unhappy. After all, she was loved so deeply by all the kingdom -and most of all by her parents- that she certainly never lacked affection. And with Daeron by her side, she had a faithful and steadfast companion who accompanied her through all that life might throw at her.

A shadow of pity passed over Mablung’s heart as he thought of the minstrel. It was no secret that Daeron had long loved Lúthien, loved her in a very different way from how she loved him, which was as a brother. Mablung sighed deeply. He could relate very well to Daeron’s heartbreak, and yet he had never approached him, never spoken to him of their shared experience. Beleg was the one to befriend Daeron, and to console him. 
Well, Beleg at least has experience in such talks, Mablung thought wryly.

Mablung was torn out of his thoughts by the royal couple entering the clearing, and he swiftly rose to greet his king and queen. One look at their grave expressions made all merry thoughts vanish from Mablung’s mind instantly, to be replaced by a feeling of dread. They had just bade farewell to the lord of Belegost and his people, so it must be something they had learned from the Naugrim that so worried them, and Mablung tried to think what news those might have been.

Clearly, others than he had noted, for the music ceased, and Lúthien walked over to her parents, concern written clearly in her features. Elu, looking around at all the suddenly serious faces, smiled.

“There is no need to look just so worried. Not so grave are our tidings, though you all judged our hearts rightly- a council shall indeed be needed. The sooner the better, and as I see that we are indeed complete- yes. Let us not waste time, and address the matter now.”

They all gathered again about them, and at last the Queen spoke.

“The Naugrim speak to us of fearful whispers, carried to their halls from their kin that dwell far in the east. They tell tales of shadows that still haunt the lands beyond the Ered Luin, and creatures creeping through the crevices of the mountains…”

“Orcs?” Beleg asked, aghast.

Melian shook her head, saying: “That I do not know, but it seems likely. They may have long since passed away from these land, but my heart tells me that this peace will not last forever. For a while only was Melkor chained, and I fear that we have not seen the last of him and his creatures. We must think, therefore, of means to keep ourselves safe, and be prepared.”

“The lord of Belegost indeed gave me an idea, when he marvelled at our living freely in the woods, without any dwelling. They themselves live in fortresses under the mountains that cannot be assailed lightly. So when the Naugrim return, I will ask them to counsel us in the building of a like abode.”

It was plain from Elu’s tone that he was not asking advice, but merely informed them of a decision he had already made.

“Last time I looked, we were Eldar, not Naugrim, who live in caves?”

Elmo stood beside Mablung with his arms crossed, frowning at Elu, and many nodded in approval, glad that Elmo had voiced their concern so openly, unhindered by courtesies.

“Surely no elf can truly live underground in the darkness for long?” Beleg added, and again many nodded their approval.

“You shall see. Certainly, we shall not dwell in underground halls forever, but it is still prudent to have a place to flee to, should evil befall. As it surly will befall, for I do not doubt the forebodings of my Queen.”

“Nor are the halls of the Naugrim dark caves.” Lúthien came to her father’s aid, somewhat to Mablung’s surprise. He would have thought that she above all others would object to giving up their wandering life in the forests.

“Indeed. They tell stories of fires and lights, and many mirrors like water. A fair place their cities are, I think, at least if their tales are true, and I see no evidence to the contrary.” Galadhon added, looking at Elmo. “Though however fair, I guess nothing would get you nor Nana to make their house underground?”

Elmo shot his son an annoyed look, but then started laughing nonetheless.

“True. And many others with us.”

There was mirth also in Elu’s eyes as he said: 
“We shall find a solution for all those restless spirits that would not be restrained. Yet still the day may come that you will thank my foresight, little brother.”

“I hear you…” Elmo said sceptically, scowling a little as being dressed thus before all the court “… but your words still have to be proven.”

“I shall be glad to be proven wrong, Elmo.”

The king again let his gaze wander from one face to the next, silently offering any of them the possibility to add their counsel. When his eyes met Mablung’s, Mablung nodded his approval. He did not find the idea of living like the Naugrim at all appealing, but they were right. Cuiviénen was but a faint memory now in his mind, but he still well remembered the dread of the Shadows that hunted in the woods, and if they were to come upon them again, then a safe place would be of immeasurable value.

As the crowd started to dissolve, Elu beckoned Mablung to his side, along with the members of the royal house, and Daeron and Beleg. Before Mablung had had any chance of asking what this was about, the King bade them follow him, leading them through the wood to the banks of the river, and then up the slopes of a rocky hill. It was a treacherous ascend, with many loose rocks on which to slip, and the river rushing far below. Mablung wondered with some unease in the pit of his stomach if one would actually survive the drop from the sheer cliff. Maybe. But that would be of no use whatsoever, as the gushing waters of Esgalduin would then take whoever was lucky -or unlucky- enough to survive. He did not have too long to dwell on his fear, for Elu soon said softly: 
“Here!”

Mablung looked and saw that they stood above a fissure in the ground, just broad enough for an elf to slip into, which Elu now did.

“What…”

“Just trust me!” came Elu’s voice from within the rock, and by the way it echoed, Mablung knew that the fissure must open into something like a cave below the surface.

They followed one by one, all with expressions of great doubt on their faces, but as Mablung’s feet at last touched the ground, he was amazed. There was just enough room for them all to stand, but he could tell just by the sound of the echo that this was a whole system of interconnected caves that stretched deep into the hill.

“What is this place?” asked Elmo in a hushed whisper.

“Be quiet.” Elu answered softly. “And listen.”

For a while they all stood in silence. Mablung could hear running water, probably little underground brooks that made their way down to Esgalduin below.

“The wind…” Daeron said suddenly, and there was an almost tender note to his voice that showed how moved he was.

Mablung listened, and then he heard it, too. 
The wind is playing its own music, he thought, as if the caves were its pipe.

No matter in whose face he looked, they all mirrored his own awe and wonder. Daeron and Galadhon, the musicians, looked most touched of all, for both had tears in their eyes, and Melian smiled as if she heard tidings in the music of a long missed friend.

“This is going to be the place of our city.” Elu stated at last, rather unnecessarily, as they had all guessed as much already.

“How did the Naugrim know of this place?”

“They do not, or at least it was not them who told me. I always knew these caves existed. You see… they were long ago discovered by two friends, who both stole away from their duties to have some time alone. Very inquisitive lads they were, too.”

Elu’s voice shook as he spoke, and Mablung understood at once, as did Elmo and Beleg by the sudden look of pity on their faces.

“See, when I visited Finwë for that last time, we undertook one last adventure. He had heard of strange music on one of his scouting trips through the forest, music that seemed to come from the hill itself, so naturally we went to investigate, and thus discovered these caves. We spend a view hours here, listening to the wind and the water, and here it was that we parted, also. I never thought this would be our last farewell.”

Elu could not hide the tears that glistened in his eyes, and Mablung’s heart ached, too. Not only out of pity, but also out of longing. He missed Finwë dearly as well.

“Oh Ada…”

Lúthien put her arms around her father, hugging him tightly, and Melian too laid a consoling hand on Elu’s shoulder.

“No, don’t feel sorry for me, it is perfectly fine. I would not change my fate for anything, you all know that. But do we have an agreement that this is indeed the right spot for us to make ourself a home?”

They all nodded in unison.