Chapter 17
In the gardens of Lórien, beyond the passage of mortal time, Meereen's consciousness basked in the vast, gentle soothing influence of Esti. The scars of battle, the piercing pain of the body, the exhaustion of the soul, melted away like ice melted by the warm sun. Esti's thoughts, like a clear stream, continued to flow through his heart: "Child, your very existence is a mystery, a strange note that breaks the established melody. When you first landed on the land of Middle-earth, the light of your soul illuminated the gaze of Valinor."
Milin felt a shock. He had always thought that he had hidden it well, but it turned out that he had been discovered from the very beginning?
"Mandos, the master of fate and the halls of the dead, was the first to sense your unusual presence." Esti's voice was filled with a hint of nostalgia. "In his tome, which records the beginning and end of all living things, the chapter about you ends in a mist that is impossible to peek into. The fate of all humans has its end, but the thread of your death is elusive and difficult to trace. This unknown makes him uneasy."
Mandos's uneasiness? Meereen imagined the majestic and cold Valar being confused by him, and it felt a little incredible.
"So he reported this to Manwë Sullimo, Lord of Airs and Winds, the Lord of the Valar. Manwë summoned all of us Valar to look upon you, the visitor from Beyond the Music."
The scene of the Temple of the Valar emerged in Esti's mind: the Most High Manwë sat on his throne, his eyes seemed to penetrate time and space; the powerful Tulkas clenched his fists; the figure of Ulmo, the ruler of the sea, was like a deep whirlpool; Yavanna, the mother of the forest, looked concerned; Aulë, the god of forge, was silent and thoughtful; Oromë, the hunter, had eyes as sharp as an eagle; and she and her husband Irmo exuded an atmosphere of tranquility and dreams.
"An argument arose, Oromë, the swift hunter, who considered you an uncontrollable variable, a 'heterodox voice' that could disrupt the grand design. He advocated taking you directly back to Aman and placing you under the strict supervision of the Valar to prevent your power from bringing unforeseen disasters." Estë's thoughts conveyed Oromë's determination at the time.
"But Ulmo, master of the ocean who is well versed in the flow and tolerance of all things, spoke differently. He said, 'When water encounters reefs, it stirs up waves and opens up new channels. We have not yet understood the nature of this otherworldly soul, so how do we know it is not a blessing from an unknown place? To capture it rashly may be the real disturbance. We should be patient like water and observe carefully.'" Ulmo's thoughts carried the depth and tolerance of the sea.
"And I," the goddess's thoughts were filled with soothing power, "see your confusion and kindness. A soul lost in a foreign land, ignorant of this world, yet possessing the power of healing and life. This power itself is neither good nor evil; it depends on how it is used. If it is imprisoned by fear, it may only push it into the arms of darkness. I advocate guidance, not imprisonment. When you are lost or your power is coveted, I will provide the necessary shelter and guidance."
"Manwë listened to all voices, his wisdom like the everlasting winds that encircled Aman. Finally, he pronounced his judgment: 'Ulmo's patience and Estë's guidance are more in keeping with the free will bestowed upon all things by creation. We shall observe, not interfere. Let him bear his fate in Middle-earth, and the Valar shall watch and lend a hand where necessary.'"
So that's how it is, Meereen suddenly realized. No wonder he always felt that there was a gaze watching him from the dark, no wonder he could hear that strange hum that seemed to come from the depths of the water. That was the gaze of Ulmo and the observation of the Valar.
"So... the sound of water I heard..." Milin couldn't help but speak. Although he didn't have any actual "sound" here, his thoughts were extremely clear.
A faint smile appeared on Esti's peaceful and beautiful face.
"That is Ulmo's will whispering to you through the flowing water, sensing the ripples of your soul. He is always watching over you, child."
Esti said nothing more, simply holding Meereen's consciousness's hand gently as they strolled through a garden of indescribable vitality and profound tranquility. Exotic flowers and plants blossomed with an otherworldly brilliance, massive trees with branches seemingly composed of star-like veins, and a tranquil lake reflected the eternal Milky Way. Meereen, observing all this, recalled the garden he had lovingly tended in Gondolin, a garden he had once taken so much pride in. Now, it seemed nothing more than a humble flowerbed.
As they wandered, Esti's thoughts flowed gently, recounting the grand poem of creation—the Great Music of the Ainur. Countless Ainur songs mingled, composing the world's blueprint in the void, some harmonious, some clashing, ultimately blending into a magnificent symphony. Then, Eru, the One God, ignited the secret fire with His will, bringing the music to life, creating Arda—the world itself, and the many creatures that inhabited it. Elves, Men... their destinies each had their place in this grand symphony.
Meereen was immersed in this creation myth, feeling the vastness of the universe and the smallness and strangeness of his own existence. He was an independent note outside the music, but was also woven into the web of Arda's destiny.
I don’t know how much time passed. Time was meaningless here. Meereen felt an unprecedented fullness and peace. The fatigue of his soul completely dissipated, as if he was injected with new vitality.
Esti stopped and faced him again. Her compassionate and profound gaze seemed to penetrate everything. "It's time to return, Meereen. The sun is about to rise. There are people waiting for you, and there are realities for you to face. Remember not to despair. Just as your friends have never given up on trusting you, please trust them too. Your path may be full of uncertainties, but you are never alone."
Her fingertips touched Milin's brow again, and a warm and resolute strength was infused into her. "With this blessing and courage, go back. Reveal your truth and embrace your bond."
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