Númenor

A quick piece of flash fiction, inspired by a real life story

We were the nerds; that was what brought us together. Fantasy was always more compelling than mundane reality. We shared our passions, our book discoveries, enthused about obscure details, fell down rabbit holes together. Others rolled their eyes; to them we were away with the fairies.

Our other escape was music. She had the voice of a nightingale, I was drawn to heavy guitars. Every free moment in school drew us to the music block. Together we would write our stories into song, bringing the mystical old world vibrantly to life. Too vibrantly for some; they said we should focus our talent on classical styles. But classically-trained as we were, our expression needed more powerful wings.

We finished school, found collaborators and built our band. From small local bars we graduated to larger clubs, travelling further, eventually touring the country. We gathered around us other believers, those willing for a couple of hours to suspend disbelief and accompany us to Númenor. Tales of elves and great men of old were the foundation of our tribe. The future looked bright.

But harsh reality hit us hard with effective dictatorship leading the country to war. I would be called to fight, not a fantasy battle, but in pursuit of ambitions of a cruel man. I was of age, but have no will to fight, least of all against our own kin for a cause I cannot espouse.

So we fled, under cover of a gig across the border. At night we left it all behind with only what we wore and carried on our backs – I her Beren, she my Lúthien. We dreamed of a future unknown, an island surrounded by sea.

We found that isle, and those who believed in our craft. Once again we stand on stage, building a new faithful citizenship of the land we have dreamed into being. For what is any country but a group who share an imagination that it represents something real?

The motherland betrayed us, but Númenor was loyal. Our fantasy nation has become our salvation and provided us a real future.