19. Daeron's Flute

'Why?' she whispered. 'Who called you here?'
'Why have you come? I have tried to teach
'Myself philosophy, fortitude, strength
'To leave the past in peace, to live
'On the wave that washes me foaming forward.'
'But no! Now, the wave withdraws,'
'My daughter, delight,
- 'eclipsed where you stand,' -
- 'occluding my sight.' -

'Why? Why have you come?'
- 'If only my heart -
- 'and my hope were numb!'

'Why? I wonder too,' he told her.
'I have walked by the waters where seabirds circling
'Call in raucous chorus on the edges of the world.'
'At night there were nets of stars strewn
'Across the combers, and the bare beaches
'Were grey glimmers before my feet.'
'And I thought of Lúthien, but her name brought nothing
'To mind but memories washed out like echoes
'Of a whisper in a dream. It seemed so strange.'
'And I thought of thee, and walked through woods
'Where fireflies flickered like amber eyes,'
'And wondered why I thought of thee.'
'Then the king called, asking me make music
'Fitting for thy daughter's name.'
- 'I rose, and left the waterside,' -
- 'and came.' -

Her stare softened. 'I am honored, for
'Thy music could move the stones themselves
'To dance, or drive the waves to weep.'
'My thanks for thinking of my daughter
'And of me.'
- `What now? For surely more -
- 'Weighs on thy heart than harmony.' -

'Alas, I do not know,' he said.
'Nèhaléni, my soul is strange to me,'
'As if around me mountains moved,'
'Assuming strange, fantastic forms.'
'It would please me though, to hear thee play
'My flute.'
- He stammered, stopped,' -
- 'Irresolute.' -

Nèhaléni lifted up her eyes,
Met his, that held and framed her face
Like mirrors mixing grief and grace.
She fumbled at her neck, pulled out his flute,
Then played with gentle arts
- music to heal -
- immortal hearts. -

He stood unspeaking, features fixed,
Half-lost, half-lured, half-grieving yet engrossed.
Her fingers flexed, and she trilled a tune
Whose glory in immortal art
- recalled the joy -
- of lover's heart. -

He swayed unspeaking, caught in chords
Arranged to etch in sharp relief
A love transcending loss and grief:
A love portrayed in Elvish art,
- whose beauty eases -
- broken hearts. -

With sudden sob his lips unlocked,
Moved mutely, as if reading runes
Inscribed in stone, that told a tale
Of secrets sought, of answers earned,
Of life renewed, of love returned,
And then he wept
- for griefs released -
- he long had kept. -

She swayed unspeaking, caught in cords
Whose framing harnessed hope and fear.
She might with music move his heart
Past sorrow's end,
- Yet only he could help -
- Her own heart mend. -

Slowly he restored his self-control,
Straightening, stepped back. Many minutes
Lapsed. He laughed. 'Mandos must
'Enjoy a joke! The hollow hills
'Still echo every tone and trill
'So that the city stands silent, serenaded
'By the music you have made. Come!' he called,
His hand held out. 'Some place more private
'Would be wise!'
- She took his hand, and walked with him, -
- In blank surprise. -