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yuletide in eryn carantaur

 

Part 12

It was a long, weary tramp back to the town.

As soon as they left the Forest, Eowyn asked Legolas to carry Melannen and, within moments, the child had fallen into fitful reverie, his little head resting upon the elf’s shoulder.

“What do you think happened in that house, Lassui?” asked Eowyn, softly.

“An Orc attack,” replied Legolas.

Melannen sighed, and shifted into a more comfortable position.

Eowyn waited until the elfling had settled again before continuing. “That makes sense—if his parents knew that it was coming, they would have tried to send him to safety. But there have been no Orcs reported in this region, Lassui. Not recently.”

“The damage was old, melmenya.”

“That is what I thought, too. But Melannen cannot have been wandering the countryside for—how long? Months?”

“Years,” said Legolas. “The beams were well-weathered.”

“How can that be?”

Legolas shook his head.

“Well, there was nothing to suggest that the parents did not survive,” said Eowyn, thinking aloud, “so I think… I think that we must take Melannen home with us, now, and send someone back to investigate more thoroughly—Orodreth, perhaps, and Camthalion. Yes, if Melannen’s parents are still alive they will be looking for him, and Orodreth and Camthalion will find them.”

By the time they reached the town darkness had fallen and the market square was filled with excited merry makers. Some of the stall holders had lit braziers, and were selling mulled wine and yuletide pies, or were roasting chestnuts.

Legolas and Eowyn, making straight for the tavern, worked their way through the milling crowd.

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Suddenly, there was a wooooosh, and a sharp crack, and a burst of coloured stars filled the sky before twinkling down to earth.

Melannen raised his head. “Fireworks,” he said.

“Would you like to watch them?” asked Eowyn.

The child nodded, but his eyes were bright with tears.

“Oh, do not be afraid, Melannen,” said Eowyn, gently rubbing his back, “your Gwanur Legolas and I—we are going to take care of you.”

 

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