If Ever Two Were One...
9. Author's Notes
I will be adding to this as the chapters are added. I've opted for this rather than footnotes which might distract from the flow of the story. I will attempt to give the meanings and etymologies of names and words borrowed from Old English. I am no expert on this, so if anyone notes anything which is incorrect, please let me know so I can fix it.
Thank you!
~Nessime
*******
I've taken the title of this story from the first line of Anne Bradstreet's To My Dear and Loving Husband
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Of all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that many rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so perservere,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
***
Chapter Notes
Chapter 2: The Familiar Stranger
(1)Ænlicdene - a slight modernization of Ænlicdenu - 'beautiful valley'
(2) The Dwimmer's Dance - This is my little "Thank-you" to Dwim, the evil purveyor of nuzgul! (grinning wickedly)...It's really based on a tune called Black Donald's Dervish but I don't think the "Whirling Dervishes" were around in M-e. ;-)
Chapter 3: Go From Me
(1) borrowed from Mary Stewart's Merlin in 'The Last Enchantment' - song based on the Anglo-Saxon poem 'The Wanderer'
(2)Cénewind - 'boldwind' - Rodor's horse
Chapter 4: A Family Gathering
(1)Nightwing - from OE Nihtfiðere ( lit. 'night-wing') - Edrys's black mare
Chapter ?: (untitled)
(1)brýdcéap - in Anglo-Saxon culture this was paid to the bride's family by the groom to seal the pledge to marry. It was not seen as purchasing the bride; rather it demonstrated the groom's ability to support his future wife. It was also thought to have deeper spiritual connotations.
(2)brýdgifu - this was the bride's dowry, given to her by her family, and was untouchable by her husband. It's purpose was to ensure, in the event of her husband's death or divorce, that she and her children were provided for.
(3)morgengifu - The morning gift, traditionally given to the bride by the groom on the morning after the wedding. This was hers to keep and use the entirety of her life.
(4)Hunta - Anglo-Saxon for "hunter" (a very original name for a wolfhound :p)
Thank you!
~Nessime
*******
I've taken the title of this story from the first line of Anne Bradstreet's To My Dear and Loving Husband
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Of all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that many rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so perservere,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
***
Chapter Notes
Chapter 2: The Familiar Stranger
(1)Ænlicdene - a slight modernization of Ænlicdenu - 'beautiful valley'
(2) The Dwimmer's Dance - This is my little "Thank-you" to Dwim, the evil purveyor of nuzgul! (grinning wickedly)...It's really based on a tune called Black Donald's Dervish but I don't think the "Whirling Dervishes" were around in M-e. ;-)
Chapter 3: Go From Me
(1) borrowed from Mary Stewart's Merlin in 'The Last Enchantment' - song based on the Anglo-Saxon poem 'The Wanderer'
(2)Cénewind - 'boldwind' - Rodor's horse
Chapter 4: A Family Gathering
(1)Nightwing - from OE Nihtfiðere ( lit. 'night-wing') - Edrys's black mare
Chapter ?: (untitled)
(1)brýdcéap - in Anglo-Saxon culture this was paid to the bride's family by the groom to seal the pledge to marry. It was not seen as purchasing the bride; rather it demonstrated the groom's ability to support his future wife. It was also thought to have deeper spiritual connotations.
(2)brýdgifu - this was the bride's dowry, given to her by her family, and was untouchable by her husband. It's purpose was to ensure, in the event of her husband's death or divorce, that she and her children were provided for.
(3)morgengifu - The morning gift, traditionally given to the bride by the groom on the morning after the wedding. This was hers to keep and use the entirety of her life.
(4)Hunta - Anglo-Saxon for "hunter" (a very original name for a wolfhound :p)
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
