No Return to Cuivienan?

(776) The Passing of the Elves (Sindarin lyrics with translation) - YouTube

 

Author's notes: 

 

(We are a small group of friends who have been playing and writing together for over twelve years. We have no associated kin, though some are in Enyalie, but are all originally from Vanimar.)

 

The majority of stories are derived from in game (Live??) RP and are uploaded in chronological order. Others are done through (Non-live??) discussion and exchange of ideas. 

 

Those with the prefix 'Wanderings' are older stories from almost three years ago, just involving Estarfin and Danel. Some of these are only recently being written up. There are also several backstories from both Estarfin and Danel which mostly take place in the First Age. Leaving Thargelion , Memories of Doriath, and First Encounter being a few.

 

Many of the pictures have shorter stories attached to them.  

 

I am adding another note, as my use of a Quenya word has been mentioned. I only occasionally use any elvish, as I think it can make a story harder to understand, plus my own grasp of Quenya and Sindarin is extremely basic. The few words I do use are 'Meldanya', Quenya for dear one or beloved, 'Ner' Quenya for adult male (Nerri plural)  and 'Nis' for adult female. (Nissi plural.) 

Occasionally I use Elleth and Ellith plural, and Ellon and Ellyn plural if someone is speaking in Sindarin.

 

Both Danel and Estarfin were raised with Quenya / Exilic Quenya as their native tongue. They both 'think' in Quenya, and tend to speak it when talking just with each other. It does not say in Tolkien's works if or when the son's of Feanor stopped using Quenya, although it certainly changed in form from the original spoken in Valinor, and was not a language allowed in Doriath by King Thingol. 

 

Note added 30/10/24 All RP and writing is based in a pre-Fellowship of the Ring time. We are assuming it to be around 3-7 years before Frodo departs The Shire. As such, there are many hints at troublesome times, even war ahead, but not everything is out in the open.

 

This Chronicle is now rather large. We like to keep our stories together rather than have a multitude of smaller Chronicles, so a breakdown guide will soon be added. 

Update added 30/6/25. Summary.

Early Years

This cycle of the story nears completion, although another will follow straight on. 'No Return to Cuiveinen' is basically about Estarfin and Danel finding each other again, and deciding how to move forward with their lives. Two young children, both born in Thargelion, and both in some manner attracted to each other never got chance to really talk, or really know each other before their home was destroyed. It was chance encounters here and there, deliberately trying to watch each other, and in Estarfin's case, being reprimanded for it. They liked what they saw and what they found out, but they didn't rea;;y know each other. Both were joyful of spirit at that time, and a future together was possible, with Estarfin setting off on his first Commission by Caranthir, in the hope of impressing Danel and catching her eye, while she was on few years stay with her cousins, part of the people of Ambarussa. He parents had promised their support for her seeking to know Estarfin better when she returned. 

She returned shortly before the Dagor Bragollach. Estarfin did not return, being caught up in the fight around Barad Eithel, with the people of Fingolfin. 

Danel's mother and both of Estarfin's parents perished in that war.

~ ~ ~ ~

Amon Ereb

 

It was some time before Estarfin, and his mentor Forodhir, returned East and found the ruins of their old home. They sought the rest of the survivors encamped at Amon Ereb. 

Danel and her father were among those survivors. Both had feared the other was slain, and the rigours of survival had them from searching overmuch. Then, when Estarfin, now full grown, appeared before Caranthir, Danel was overjoyed. Alas, Caranthir took his name from him, and banished him, for losing all of Thargellion's major armour smiths in defending the folk of Fingolfin. Danel was horrified, and protested strongly, causing a rift between her and her 'cousin' Caranthir, which never fully healed. Estarfin went into exile. 

~ ~ ~ ~

The Wars.

 

Danel was kept away from battles as much as possible by her father, and Caranthir, while they lived. That 'reminder of his mother' was enough for him to try and keep her out of direct danger. So she spent the Nirnaeth Arnoediad with a few hundred others, while the rest of those at Amon Ereb marched to battle with Morgoth. Although she did not know that at the time, Estarfin forsook his exile and joined Caranthir's troups again, wrecking considerable damage on the enemy and earning back his name and another, 'Yarehtar', or 'Bloody Spear'. Though both knew the other yet lived, there was no time to start a relationship, and both were busy in different places. 

Danel was patient, for she could do nothing to change matters. Caranthir had tried sending potential suitors to visit her, but she would have none of them. Although they still had never really spoken at any length, everything she heard of Estarfin only made her more determined to wait for him. In addition, her father was now speaking very encouragingly. He was a Captain himself, and had witnessed Estarfin's courage and determination. "If ever the war ceases, I shall try my best to ais you in your dream, daughter.' 

That did not happen. Instead he was to lie to Danel about Estarfin.

~ ~ ~ ~

The Lie

 

Perhaps the most defining moment of Danel's life was when her father told her Estarfin had been slain. The truth was, that in the face of a Kinslaying which he knew both he and Estarfin would be involved in, he sought to protect his daughter. That she did not damn herself by following them to Doriath. The only way he could think of doing such was by telling her her dreamed of warrior was already dead, else little would stop her from pursuing unto death. 

Danel had heard the words, believed her father, yet her heart always told her otherwise. "Permit me to follow with you," she had asked her father. "For my eyes are darkened and little joy can the future bring me. For I will have no other, and never bare any children."

Her father had refused, suggesting a different course. "Your cousins still ride with the folk of Ambarussa. They do damage to the forces of Morgoth. Join with them, daughter mine, and do what harm you may. You are trained for battle, and now I fully encourage you. I cannot be in two places. My sword shall sing alongside our Prince. Let yours sing for me against the orcs and goblins"

She agreed. So it was her father met his death, as did her Prince, in the tunnels of Doriath. Estarfin survived. Danel survived. 

~ ~ ~ ~

 

The War of Wrath to the Meeting in Imladris.

 

WIP.

 

 

 

 

 

     (The Craft of the Firstborn Children of Illuvatar. by Estarfin)

 

 

Born in the lands of Prince Caranthir, Carnifinde (Danel) and Estarfin grew to adulthood in a time of relative peace and prosperity. To some extent their early lives were sheltered, and although they knew of battles their people had already endured, it was from talking with elders, or from reading books. All that was to change with the Battle of Sudden Flame, the Dagor Bragollach. Neither life would ever be the same; for Carnifinde, her dreams of a possible future with Estarfin were shattered. Though the two were born within a few years of each other, and raised in the Citadel at Lake Helevorn, and surrounding areas, they only actually spoke together a few times. Naively thinking they both had the Ages of Arda before them, Carnifinde never spoke with Estarfin of her interest or hopes. What Estarfin thought, she assumed only he knew. 

 

 

(Caranthir, by Miyota)

 

 

Shortly before the Second Kinslaying, knowing that both he and Estarfin would be among those of Caranthir's folk called on to make the assault to reclaim a Silmaril, Carnifinde's father told her that Estarfin had been slain. His intent was that she should not attempt to join those departing Mount Dolmed for Doriath. And Carnifinde believed him, and grieved.

 

 

 

    (Thargelion by Estarfin)

 

And so it was that she and Estarfin lived through the remaining years of the First Age, the Second Age and much of the Third. Both were involved in notable events, but never the same ones. Her wanderings and his reclusiveness ensured they did not meet again until 3018, in Imladris.

Since then their friendship has grown, though both can be of perilous mood at times. Fire meets fire, and neither are as they once were. Time has taken much from them both, and neither hold any of the Valar dear save for Tintalie, Elbereth Starkindler. Both still hold strongly to their Noldorin heritage. After Carnifinde's short absence from Imladris, without letting Estarfin know why she was traveling West, the two old Noldor are reunited again and travel new paths that may, or may not, bring them chance of the past they lost, and alter the doom they face.

 

 

 

    (To what end will this course lead us? by Estarfin)

 

 

Now they are accompanied by a friend dear to them both; the lively Silvan Elf, Parnard, who has sworn to aid the Noldor in all that they do, little knowing what this may mean.

 

 

 

  

('Cousin' Parnard. by Estarfin)

 

 

Belegos of Gondolin is often kept away from the company of his friends by his present duty. On an ongoing and rather secretive mission, he joins them when he can, and tries to keep an eye on them from afar. 

 

 

 

(Belegos of Gondolin, by Estarfin)

 

Filignil and Yrill are both close friends of Danel.

The first is from the folk of Celegorm, born in Hithlum, and later sent by him to his brother's lands of Thargelion, to watch over an unknowing Carnifinde. They have only come to know each other in very recent years, though have struck up a firm friendship, and sometimes enjoy sharing past memories. Filignil is, unknown to most, another who took part in the two kinslayings in Beleriand. 

Yrill is from Ost-in Edhil, her family being followers of Celebrimbor. Originally a student of Danel's, studying lore, the young Huntress was one of those who survived the fall of Eregion, and eventually made her way to Imladris. Although Danel spent much time in the forming Elven refuge, aiding its construction as best she could, Yrill was mostly with the scouts and guards. She has been left with an unquenchable hatred for orcs. Now she has joined her former tutor at Numenstaya. 

 

The Hobbits

Oddly enough, some of the Elves have made the acquaintance of a few of the Bounders of Tighfield. Initially after they themselves were (unwisely) attacked by a group of Brigands, they have occasionally given aid, though not advice, to their Halfling neighbours. Tolbold Tatersfield is their chief contact. 

 

 

 

The Dagor Bragollach. The event that saw the breaking of the Elven Leaguer and the destruction of lives and hopes and dreams. 

 

 

     (Jovandarkart at Deviant art.)