Full seventy years have passed since the breaking of the world and the beginning of the new age, the Second Age as the chroniclers name it. The Elves of Beleriand have established their new realm of Lindon in what remains of Ossiriand west of the Blue Mountains. The King Gil-galad has taken his seat in the port city of Mithlond, and his people have begun to explore the new lands and coasts. The Elves look upon these new and changed lands with wonder, and many scouts and explorers rise to the call of adventure.
For the House of Anorwë, these years bring changes and adventures as well. Carcírion is now a respected Captain of Ships and commands his flotilla, now grown to seven ships, on voyages of discovery and mapping the new coasts. Gilalaith, now a member of the Gwaith-en-Gelydh in her own right, serves as the Steward of the Hall, providing support and provender for the Lore-masters in their new hall in the town of Celondim-on-Lhûn.
Seregrían has risen in both rank and status, now being hailed as the lead archivist who reports directly to Master Nóremmatur and Mistress Gwathnim herself. Her friend Parfiolossë serves at her right hand, and the pair have spent the years not only rebuilding the archives but reorganizing and expanding them; for as each expedition returns with a new trove of lore and maps, the two archivists labor to grow the body of knowledge the Elves are building.
The only clouds on the horizon come from Hartagil and affect Seregrían sorely. The rebuilding of the Elven army requires anyone able to bear arms to do a term in service, and Hartagil’s martial prowess is sought in both training and deployment. The sisters are separated for many a day at their tasks and see each other rarely. But on one dismal and overcast day, the two sisters meet in Celondim and share their worries and toils.
“Are you enjoying your new rank, and your new wardrobe?” Seregrían asks as she tosses pebbles from the overlook into the river below.
“The same as you are, I would imagine,” Hartagil replies, “and I am surprised you emerged from your dungeons to see me.” Seregrían shoots a look at Hartagil, clad in the black and gold livery of the newly formed Twilight Guard.
“I’m as surprised as you are, considering you even agreed to meet today. I would’ve thought you were consumed by your time with your comrades – especially Maribar…”
“Oh, will you ever let that rest!? I have said it already, Maribar is a lieutenant of the Guard, and I am a chief scout – and as such, I am bound to orders – “
“Orders, she says! More like you’d run at his call with your eyes aglow!”
Hartagil falls silent, staring off beyond the river and when she speaks again, her voice is bitter. “I should have guessed you would be in this mood. It actually makes our parting that much easier, that I will no longer have to endure your petty jibes…”
“Wait, you – what? You’re leaving!? But you only just returned from that journey beyond the rivers, what’s happening?”
“Why do you think the Twilight Guard has formed? A new region is being explored; beyond the eastern hills lies a lake they call Nenuial, the Twilight Waters – and the Guard shall station there permanently. But since you are so eager to see me off…”
“You can’t, you mustn’t… I was hoping you’d be staying. Adar’s gone again on another voyage, and Naneth is so busy with her work at the Hall – oh, Hartagil, I was looking forward to time with you, truly I was!”
“And did you not think I wished the same? Strolling the markets, like the old days of Balar? Talking for days and nights on end? And it was fun, dressing in formal garb and attending the sunset balls, I miss that so!
“Now think on this, nethig nin – if the Lore-masters gave you tasks that took you away from Celondim, would you not obey out of respect and duty? And you think it strange, or cruel, that I might do the same? Would you have me diminish my honor, to accommodate you?”
“Yes! Yes, I would – because if it came down to it, I would do the same for you! Give up my own duty for the time spent with you – the sister I love!”
Both stand in stunned silence, broken by Hartagil’s tight-throated whisper. “I do believe that is the first time you said the words – Seregrían, you love me? My sister, truly?”
“Of course I do, you big, stomping, snoring idiot! I know we’ve never stopped looking for Thenidros and Thelyndis, but I would’ve hoped that just once, you would accept me as the sister I hoped I was for you. Hartagil, you love me? My sister, truly?”
For what seems an hour, neither girl speaks nor moves, just staring into each other’s faces while fighting back tears. Then in unison, they join hands and whisper with strained voices the Gwethnoss, the Bond of Family, ending with the bonding words:
“Now hearken all, and do take heed.
No blood is shared, for none we need.
Sisters in all but blood are we,
and sisters we shall ever be.”
