31: A Dunharrow Yule

The plans for Yule went apace though the adults were somewhat lackluster in their enthusiasm given the circumstances. Yet, as the first bough of holly and ivy was put up across the lintel of the doorway leading into the main hall, the children all squealed with delight and asked to help. Their excitement and obvious joy was infectious and soon the adults entered into the spirit of things more fully.

Even Wídfara was able to help by entertaining them all with songs of cheer. He had a pleasing voice and knew how to use it to its best advantage. Aragorn also sang for the company as he helped with the decorating, drawing on his knowledge of the songs of both Elves and Men. He sang hymns to Elbereth and Yavanna as well as comic tales he had picked up among his own people and the Hobbits of the Shire, though he did not speak of them to the Rohirrim, saying only that the songs were commonly sung in the North.

Thengel and Morwen lent an air of solemnity to the business by moving among the off-duty guardsmen and refugee women who were helping with the decorating, passing out goblets of mulled cider or wine and speaking to them softly, asking after family. By the king’s order, the people who had camped below the Stairs were brought up to the keep now that the danger of plague had passed. It made for crowded quarters but no one really minded. Many of the guardsmen moved out to the Firienfeld, setting up tents for themselves. They, at least, were used to winter camping, though they welcomed the warmth of the keep whenever they were on duty.

The cooks were busy preparing what they could, based on what they had, which was little enough. They welcomed the meat the hunters had brought and were busy deciding how best to prepare it that would be in keeping with the holiday. In spite of the dearth of goods, the cooks proved themselves creative and soon enticing smells were coming from the kitchen, causing everyone to grin in delighted anticipation.

Given the crowded quarters, Aragorn made it a point to see to it that none suffered from the less than ideal circumstances. He asked Thengel’s permission to insist that none come to the table without first washing their hands and that a regular regime of baths be set up, especially for the women and children.

"They are the most vulnerable to any disease that may manifest itself in these crowded conditions," Aragorn explained. "Regular bathing and washing of hands before meals will help keep the possibility of disease down. The last thing we need is another plague."

To that Thengel agreed and so ordered it. The guardsmen grumbled a bit at what they thought was an imposition but obeyed their king nonetheless. The women all appeared grateful. Many of the children, however, looked rebellious at the idea of regular baths, but seeing themselves outnumbered by the adults, gave in with bad grace and much complaining. When Thengel threatened to cancel the Yule festivities if the children remained uncooperative, they quickly complied, even seeming to be eager to be washed, much to everyone’s amusement.

So it went and finally the decorations were all put up and the food all prepared. There was little in the way of gift-giving, for they had nothing in the way of material goods that could be used as gifts. It was Wídfara who came up with the idea that everyone should gift everyone else with a song, a tale or poem. Children were encouraged to present a play. ‘Gifts of the heart’ he called them and everyone agreed to the idea. Thus, during the next two days many were seen sitting by themselves or in small groups mumbling verses of songs or poems or going through their repertoire of tales old and new. Some few had instruments and had gathered together to provide music as their gift. Children huddled in odd corners giggling at one idea after another and then running to a storage cave where they could practice their skits in private, though Thengel quietly ordered one of the guards to always stand at the other end of the passage to ensure the children did not get into any trouble. The cave system was not extensive but the unwary could easily lose themselves in it and children tended to be less attentive than adults. Aragorn found it amusing to be standing on the parapet of the keep and watching as one of the guards on duty sauntered by softly singing snatches of one song after another as he tried to find just the right one to sing at the feast.

To make it even more festive for all, Thengel suspended the duties of the sentries on the wall for two hours so they could eat with everyone else and have the opportunity to give their ‘gifts’ to the hall and listen to the singing and storytelling as well. In deference to the children, the usual Yule ceremony was held shortly after sunset rather than waiting until midnight. Everyone worked to clean themselves up and to wear festive clothing even if it were simply a colorful swatch of fabric wrapped around a waist or a wreath of winterberries in their hair. Thengel and Morwen were seen speaking quietly with the cooks early on Yule day, but what was said between them was not known and most merely thought their sovereigns were discussing the upcoming feast.

Just as Anor slipped behind the horn of the Írensaga, turning the snows of the mountain blood red and the sky a dark purple streaked with gold and rose, all the lights of the keep were doused save one. This was a single coal taken from the main fireplace in the main hall and carefully kept in a metal container until it was needed for the ceremonies. Then, as the last gleam of light from the sun disappeared, all gathered solemnly around the king and queen and their children. Only the cooks were excused to keep an eye on the food.

Thengel looked out upon the sea of faces, all known to him by now and precious in his eyes, for they were but a remnant of his people and his heart ached for what was happening to his land. He admitted to himself that he had been loath to return to the land of his birth and would have been content to live out his days in Gondor as one of Ecthelion’s trusted advisors. Now, however, looking upon the children standing beside their mothers, their expressions at once fearful and hopeful, he knew that he would gladly give his life’s blood for the very least of them. They were his people and he was their king and he silently gave thanks to Lord Béma and the other Valar that this was so.

"Tonight," Thengel intoned with solemn joy when all were gathered around him, "we welcome the return of the sun and the vanquishing of the darkness. We give thanks to Lord Béma and the other Powers for this chance in the coming New Year to make amends for our failings and we pledge to become better people: better parents, better friends, better lovers, better sons and daughters, better Men whom the Creator has endowed with many Gifts to use or abuse. We have seen how the abuse of these gifts have led us here to Dunharrow. Let us pledge to use our gifts to restore our land to peace in the coming year."

He paused and went to where the bit of coal sat on a nearby table. He took the metal box carefully wrapped in thick cloth and paced to the fireplace which had been swept out earlier in the day and a new fire laid. He took tongs and lifted the coal out, handing the box to his son and then knelt to place the burning coal in the midst of the kindling.

"May this flame of the old ignite the flame of the new and give us light, hope and new purpose in our lives as we face the future with all the grace with which the Creator has endowed us."

Then he stood, replacing the tongs and all watched as the kindling slowly but surely caught fire and soon a bright and merry flame was burning and everyone cheered. Long tapers were thrust into the fire and soon the hall was awash with light as candles and rush lights were lit. Then Thengel and Morwen led in the singing of the traditional Yule hymn in praise of Béma and light. Afterwards they all sat down to the feast.

It was not much and not as plentiful as past feasts, but the cooks had outdone themselves and everyone praised them and enjoyed the dishes all the more, knowing that they could well have been in Edoras possibly starving or even dead. Thengel had sent some of the éored to scout the surrounding area between Harrowdale and Edoras, reporting any movements of troops or refugees. There had been none in the last few days and many wondered at the fate of their families and friends left behind perforce.

The children helped to keep the adults around them focused on the present rather than on regrets of the past or fears for the future. As they ate, Thengel called for people to begin presenting their ‘gifts’, beginning with the sentries due to return to their duty soon. The hall had been arranged so that the trestles were placed in a U-shape with an opening at the end nearest to the kitchen so the courses could be easily brought out. The only way in which the high table could be distinguished from the others was the fact that the king’s standard hung behind his chair, otherwise he and his family were sharing a table with Ashlind, her brother Aldred, and the woman Beornwyn along with Aragorn and Wídfara. Thengel had insisted and Morwen had concurred that this night at least there would be no protocol; all would sit where they pleased or fortune allowed.

Aragorn, in fact, had invited the three from Edoras to join him and Wídfara and they had shyly accepted his offer. Beornwyn, he knew, was all alone, and Ashlind’s son, Wulfstan, had been teething and was very restless. Aragorn had seen how worn both Ashlind and Aldred were from ministering to the fractious child and wished to relieve them of their burden by volunteering to hold the baby. He had concocted a soothing syrup that he blended into the bowl of hot oatmeal that was Wulfstan’s Yule dinner and fed the child while holding a conversation with Thengel on the proper woods to use for horse bows as opposed to hunting bows. The syrup helped to numb the pain the baby was feeling and soon he was looking and feeling much happier. His mother and uncle gave Aragorn grateful looks as they concentrated on their own meals. Morwen and Thengel exchanged amused smiles.

One by one, in groups or singly, boldly or shyly, people stood and moved into the center of the hall to sing a song, recite a poem or tell a story. Some danced and others played musical instruments. However good or poor their performance, all were highly praised by king and queen and thanked for their ‘gift’. None returned to their seats in shame and all felt honored by the fact that Thengel addressed each by name. The play that the children had devised, telling the story of Eorl the Young and Cirion of Mundburg, was well received and there was much laughter when young Théoden, playing Eorl, nearly hit one of the servers passing him with his wooden sword in his enthusiasm. The server, an off-duty guardsman, took it with good humor but threatened to hang the young prince from the rafters if he weren’t careful and Thengel laughingly said that he would supply the man with the rope. That set everyone off again and when the play was finally finished (with no further mishaps), everyone rose and cheered long and loud, much to the children’s delight and embarrassment.

Perhaps the most notable ‘gift’ was Aragorn’s telling of the tale of Túrin and the Dragon, a tale none but the royal family had ever heard before. The Dúnadan proved a gifted storyteller and all were enthralled by his power of evoking images with his words. Even the most restless child sat quietly, drinking in the tale with wide-eyed wonder. When he finished, Thengel rose after the applause had died down and gave him a bow.

"Never have I heard that tale told with such skill and power. You are truly a gifted storyteller, young Thorongil."

"Thank you sire," Aragorn replied with a bow of his own. "It is a favorite among the Dúnedain of the North and I heard versions of it sung in the Hall of Fire in Imladris. There are a few Elves in Imladris who remember that time and actually met Túrin. I think listening to their first-hand accounts helped me to make the story more real."

"Indeed," Thengel said as he resumed his seat. "Do the Elves have any song for the season that you would care to sing for us?"

Aragorn smiled and shook his head. "The Elves of Imladris do not celebrate Yule as such unless there are Mortals residing there at the time and in honor of their traditions they will do what they can to make the day festive. They do mark the solstice with solemn hymns and a quiet feast, though. Shall I sing one of my favorites for this hall?"

All signified agreement.

"This is a hymn to the sun which the Elves call Anor," Aragorn went on to explain. "It speaks of a time when no sun was in the sky and Beleriand was enthralled by the darkness of Morgoth the great Enemy."

"I thought Sauron was the Enemy," Wídfara said suddenly, looking confused.

Aragorn nodded. "In this age he is, but there was a time when Sauron was but a servant of Morgoth. When the Powers captured Morgoth and thrust him outside the Walls of the World, Sauron pretended to repent of his rebellion against Eru and the Powers but soon fell back into evil and replaced his master as the Dark Lord. Sauron was once numbered among the Maiar, but Morgoth was the greatest of the Powers ere he fell."

This revelation sobered the listeners but Aragorn merely smiled. "At any rate, this is a hymn in praise of the first rising of the sun and the victory of light over darkness."

Thengel nodded and the hall settled down to listen to Aragorn sing. He stood for a moment, his eyes half closed as he ran the words through his mind one time before singing:

     "Ae môr aer, i-ngiliath hílar nan aglar,

     An ab vôr hen, Anor athelitha.

     Anann i-amarth e-Goth ’wathrant Ennorath...."

Suddenly he stopped and a look of surprise crossed his face as he turned towards the main doors of the hall. It took a few seconds for others to understand what was happening and then they heard it: somewhere in the distance voices were raised in song, ethereal and otherworldly, beautiful beyond the ken of Mortals. The listeners dimly understood that the unknown singers were singing the very hymn Thorongil had been singing... and the voices were coming closer:

     "Ír iBelain ammen óner fael Anor a chaliad guil nîn.

     Girith nan estel, iArdhon nîr cân an ngell

     An ennas breith’ aur hain ar aglareb."

As the final words of the hymn were sung the great doors to the hall were flung open and six figures entered, throwing back their hoods. There was a collective gasp as all saw that five of the strangers were Elves, two of them so close in likeness to one another that none could tell them apart. The Elves stood there smiling but said nothing, obviously enjoying the shock their entrance had caused. Then, the sixth figure pushed his way forward and all could see that this one was definitely not an Elf. He saw Aragorn and smiled.

"Well, Cousin, aren’t you going to invite us to dinner?"

"Gilhael!" Aragorn shouted and soon the two cousins were embracing and there was much laughter and joy throughout the hall at this unlooked-for reunion.

****

Translation of the Elvish hymn sung by Aragorn and the elves:

O holy night, the stars shine with glory,

For after this night, the Sun will return.

Long did the doom of the Enemy overshadow Middle-earth,

When the Powers gave to us the Sun’s gleaming brilliance

     for the purpose of illuminating our lives.

A shuddering of hope, the weeping world shouts for joy

For there breaks out suddenly a new and glorious morn.