By Colour and Song

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Author: Archeress of Silverbow

Rating; K

Summary; When the children of Dol Amroth can remember neither their history lessons or their heraldry, their teacher provides a musical way to manage the lesson




“So, the Vanya followed Fëanor and left Valinor while the Noldor stayed behind”

“No Elphir” The dark haired man shook his head “The Noldor followed Fëanor, the Vanya stayed behind”

“I’m confused”

“What about the banners? Do you remember those?”

The boy shook his head “No”

“Erchirion? Amrothos? Lothiriel?” Each child replied in the same way.

In desperation the harper asked “Did you remember the signature colours of the other races either?” More negatives. Adûnathôr sighed ruefully “Well, we shall have to go back to basics. He sat down at his harp and experimentally struck a chord “Listen then children…and listen well”. Taking a breath he began to sing;

Blue for the Noldor

The boldest of all

Those who must hunger

For the sea’s call

Gold are the Vanya

Those Noble and true

To these the Valar

Could still greet “Galu”

Green for the Woodelves

Who never did see

The light and the glory

Of the two trees

Red orange and yellow

For the Dwarves

Their colours do come

From the fires in their forge

And such muted colours

For those of Gondor

Pale with weeping

For those lost before

Bold white Felaróf

Of Rohan so proud

On red and green backing

With gold all around

Last are the Halflings

Those merry folk

Who enjoy drinking,

Dancing and many a joke.

Now these little people

Never get their due

So hear this well

Their colours are many

Vibrant and bright

Like a rainbow

Under the stars

Or a patchwork cloak under the sun.

“But what of the Dunedain? You don’t mention them” That came from Imrahil, who had been standing quietly in the corner throughout the song

Adûnathôr smiled sadly “None speak of the Dunedain in this realm my lord… But there are more verses relating to them.”

And tucked away in some wooded place

Far away and out of sight

Are the Dunedain

With sure sword hands and bowman’s sight.

Dark of hair and eye

These kin of Númenor

Tis said their leader should

Rule Gondor and Arnor

But speak not of the Northern Rangers

Within the Steward’s ear

For then his gold heart will turn black with rage

And death shall the teller fear

He finished with a sharp discord to indicate the warning then turned to his students, his voice sharp to hide other feelings from his vulnerable charges

“Now recite the colours of the Arda and Valinor”

Their responses went unheeded as his memory drifted back over the scenes and feelings the song had roused from his memory. Mentally he laughed at the foolishness of it all, learning history by colour. But then he sighed, if things continued the way they looked to there may be no colours left to learn. If Sauron grew strong again all the world could end in blackness, the very thing he’d seen his kind fight to prevent. And now there would only be one star capable of piercing the darkness for the children he taught… the mortal heir of Eärendil. He that had been called Thorongil… and would bear the green Elfstone into the sunlight once more, to see the rainbow of joy that would be all the realms in celebration…
To glory in all the colours of this world under Arien’s light.

Translations

Galu = A blessing (greeting)

Adûnathôr= West-son (Adûnaic name)