A Bedtime Tale

“Tell me about the brave King again Ammë!” the boy snuggled into his bed, eyes wide despite the late hour. His mother smiled at him, for she enjoyed telling the story almost as much as her son enjoyed hearing it. 
“Then lie down, and be still. You should be sleeping! If your father was here…” but she got under the covers with him, then began.

“He was not a King, not at first. He was a young Prince, tall and fair. He could make marvels with his bare hands; gems that shone with their own inner light, steel the colour of the sky. Anything he could imagine, he could make. The Valar themselves envied him…”
“Even Tintallë? Did the Star Queen envy his gems?”
She smiled. “No, Lelyafas, for she created the light of the stars themselves. She loved the work of his hands, yet had no desire for them. But the others? Well….”

“In time, the Prince found his Princess, and together they had seven beautiful sons. Then he created the greatest gems the world will ever know…”
“The Silmarils?”
“Yes Lelyafas, the Silmarils. He kept the gems safe from all who would steal them, sealing them away in his great fortress. All were glad, for their light was thence protected, but shone forth upon his brow at high occasions. The land flourished with every sight of those gems, and the people’s love for their prince grew ever more.”

“But there was a monster who sought to steal the treasures of the Prince. Tall as a mountain, dark as a cloudy night, he came to the doors of the fortress. But was our Prince afraid of such a mighty evil? No, with swift and mighty words, he drove the beast back and shut the great doors, sealing the monster outside. The people cheered for their Prince, who had cast the monster away.”

“But peace was not to last. From the darkness the monster came, marching towards the fortress of our Prince. But he was not there, he had been called away, forced to leave his fortress and treasures unguarded, save for the Prince’s father, our mighty King. But the monster came not alone but was riding an enormous black spider. They marched upon the fortress, their shadows threatening to consume everything.”

“Alas, the King fell, the Trees were consumed, and the mighty gems stolen. Our Prince was now our King, and though grief could have overtaken him, he remained strong. The Valar sat in silence, frozen by the darkness. But our King blazed with righteous anger and fury, and led our people on a great journey across the Sea, chasing the villain who had destroyed our peace. Some tried to stop him, but the King fought any he needed to.”

“He led our people to these wide lands, but the monster was waiting for him. He sent an army of Balrogs, a hundred strong, and they battled the King alone. With a heart full of love for his people, he struck the monsters down, one by one, but at last their fiery whips caught him, and he fell.”

“And though our King was no more, his spirit lived on in his people. The gems he created will one day be returned to his sons, and the people will never forget their brave King who gave everything for them. They will tell his story through the ages, and it will be a tale of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love.”

“Remember Lelyafas, in your heart burns the same brave light that once guided our greatest King. If ever you face a foe as terrible as our King, you will not run, but be brave as he once was. Now, to sleep."