S.A 100
As they returned to the settlement after many years, Orneth and his family felt a sense of awe and wonder. The settlement still stood as a testament to the fortitude and strength of its builders. Unfinished swords still lay on benches beside forges, as if the workers had only paused for a brief respite. Further north, the farmlands remained pristine, and the seeds of apples and cherries that had been planted long ago had blossomed into towering trees of beauty. Time seemed frozen in an eternal moment. But when they looked to the East, they saw that everything had changed. The once-great valley that separated the mountains was now swallowed by water, and the grand naugrim halls that had once stood proudly were reduced to ruins, shattered by earthquakes and time. Despite the devastation, the majestic mountain range still stood tall, as if serving as guardians of the land. Beyond the mountains lay lands that had long since vanished, buried deep beneath the earth. The settlement no longer sat perched on a large hillside, but had been rebuilt by the survivors along the shore. The water that had breached the valley was now known as the Gulf of Lune, and the settlement had been renamed Mithlond. Under the guidance of Círdan, the survivors had come together to rebuild their home and create a fleet of ships that sailed between Middle-Earth and Aman. This place had become a beacon of hope, a shining example of the resilience and determination of those who refused to give up. Orneth understood the dilemma of the Eldar - the opportunity to finally have their peace and leave Middle-Earth had presented itself. Yet, the decision to leave or stay remained difficult. Orneth, along with the rest of the house of Mannamo, still lingered east of Mithlond, debating the best course of action.
Lord Mannamo and Marilo aided their brother and uncle Elarion by the docks, assisting the souls that were leaving Middle-Earth for good. Lady Lanyarë and Orneth worked as vendors in one of the crafting halls, creating small gift bags of tea extracted from Ash, Holly trees, and apple trees, and carving out small figures from the remaining wood used by shipbuilders, learning much from Alcarinien, the Nandor healer. Mantaro met Alcarinien in secret, thinking no one knew, but everyone did.
Meanwhile, Manyamë was restless and yearning to travel to the east to see more of the world before they would go to the west. Mannamo, however, disapproved, wanting to keep his family together until they left Middle-Earth. As they observed the workers by the docks from a distance, Manyamë expressed her sorrow at the departing travellers. Orneth listened patiently before responding, "Isn't Valinor where we will all meet eventually?" Manyamë replied, "That is what they say, but when? My father is not going to leave yet; he always mumbles about having something undone. I do not want to wait. I want to see more of this world while it is still peaceful." Orneth observed Manyamë's impatience and restlessness, and asked, "So what do you have in mind?" Manyamë looked at Orneth and proposed, "Orneth, why don't you join me on a short adventure? Let us leave and travel to the lands of the east."
Manyamë was lost in thought and Orneth watched her friend, noticing the furrow in her brow and the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. After a pause, Orneth spoke hesitantly. "We have a heavy workload, and I cannot leave Lady Lanyarë alone," she said. Manyamë nodded, showing her understanding. "I know," she said, smiling. "You have a lot of projects to tackle. Is there anything you cannot do?" Orneth blushed at the compliment. "I have always loved the woods and the opportunity to repurpose neglected wood," she replied. Manyamë looked thoughtful. "Perhaps it is my restless spirit that is yearning for something more," she murmured. Orneth regarded her friend curiously. "I have seen someone wearing a blue hooded cloak several times. Is he the reason for your desire to leave?" Manyamë's expression changed suddenly, her gaze intense. For a moment, Orneth wondered if she had overstepped. But Manyamë's gaze softened, and she shrugged. "I meet many people, and I don't remember this person. Anyway, I must go now!"
As Manyamë left, Orneth felt that something was wrong. It wasn't until she reached the stables that she realized that Lia, Lady Manyamë's white horse, was missing. She told Lady Lanyarë, who seemed unsurprised. "It was only a matter of time," Lady Lanyarë said with a sigh. "I have tried to dissuade her many times, but she is as stubborn and fierce as her father." Feeling the tension rise, Orneth excused herself and went to the Enclave. There, she found comfort in the company of Feawing, a trusted confidant who had always been there for her. "Maybe your calling is to be here for Lady Lanyarë's family right now. But always remember that you also have your own family to look out for," Feawing said. Orneth felt a pang of guilt at the mention of her own family. They were lost in Doriath and Sirion, and she had not come to terms with their loss. Feawing gave her a glimmer of hope. "Never give up hope, my dear. Speaking of hope, I sense that someone special is keeping you here. Marilo, isn't it?" Orneth blushed, feeling exposed. She could not deny her feelings for Marilo, but he saw her only as a sister. Feawing chuckled. "I don't think he sees you as a sister, Orneth. He cares for you deeply, but he's not the one for you. I see someone else, someone of your own kindred."
Orneth couldn't help but feel intrigued by Feawing's words. She wondered who she meant?, and whether she would ever meet him. For now, all she could do was focus on the present and be there for Lady Lanyarë's family, even in Lady Manyamë's absence.
All pictures are AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
