[The Silmarillion] Romimus

Chapter 109 Chapter 109

Of course, Romimos deliberately teased Vespa. Although she felt that it is not impossible for ordinary people with mediocre talents to learn a language within a year, Romimos never really hugged Vespa. With such high expectations, in addition to Vesper's almost illiterate cultural background, the horrific elf language learning environment in Númenor now obviously added a lot of obstacles to them.

From the National Public Library to the small bookstalls in the bazaar that sell all kinds of scriptures and booklets, you can’t find any dictionaries, materials, or even a piece of writing related to Elvish anywhere in this island country. Not to mention finding someone who could speak Elvish and dare to speak it in public.Vespa only dared to sneak to Romimos in the middle of the night after all the work of the day was over, and practice pronunciation and conversation with the smallest volume; practice reading and writing Elvish The materials are also compiled and written by Romemos. Although she has tried her best to use the simplest and most popular words and grammar to express, but occasionally she accidentally throws out a long sentence of three and a half lines. It was so dry that I stared blankly for 5 minutes (then chose to jump over and look back).

For most people, learning is a boring thing, and Vespa's learning path is destined to be more tortuous, lonely, and even dangerous than ordinary people's. Not only that, but there is no reward in sight.

But what made Romemos quite impressed with her was that even though the progress was slow and difficult, Vespa never really gave up on the challenge, although there were some who threw away the pen and shouted "quit and quit" When I made angry words like this, but after a while, I still pouted and picked up the things again and copied the words stroke by stroke.

Maybe this is the power of love, that's the only way Romimos can explain it.

However, even though Vespa had worked so hard, when she finally plucked up the courage to meet Isildur again, she still failed again.

"He recognized me again!" Vespa buried his face in Romemos' knee, feeling hopeless.

"I told you a long time ago that the difference between the two of us cannot be made up by just speaking a few words of Elvish." Romimos didn't raise his eyelids, but seeing Vesper's mournful look, On the look of his face, he still asked one more question, "What happened?"

"Well, things went smoothly at the beginning." Vespa was dejected, "I was late for a while, and I saw him immediately after entering the hall. He was sitting in a corner, and there were only three or two people around him—you You know, most of the nobles are reluctant to get too close to Prince Anduini's family. After a while, those people also walked away. I thought this was a good opportunity to say hello, so I went over to him and said: 'Good evening'……"

"Wait, stop for a moment." Romemos interrupted her, "Why are you going to say hello?"

This question stopped Vespa immediately. She opened her eyes and thought about it for a long time before she could speak with confidence: "I was thinking at the time, I must not let him see who I am again. I am afraid that he will be like me again." As before, I said something that I didn't understand at all when I came up. Instead of doing that, I might as well take the initiative to preemptive strikes."

Romemos looked at her with loving eyes like looking at a little fool.I don’t know where Vespa’s self-confidence comes from. After all, Isildur was born in a noble family and grew up in a crowd of ghosts. If he really became suspicious of Vespa, Vespa would still think about it. Dominate in front of him?

"With your brain, it's no wonder you don't reveal your secrets." Romemos poked her forehead with his finger, "If you don't go by yourself, Isildur may not want to talk to you, but you are better, as if you are afraid that you will not be recognized. Hurry up and move forward."

"Well, as soon as I saw him at the time, I couldn't think about anything. At first, I just wanted to take a look at him. When I really saw him, I thought about it again. I would be satisfied if I could say a word to him."

"Yeah, when you really talk, you should think again, if you can hold his hand, you will die without regret." Romemos laughed at her, "Forget it, there is nothing you can do if things have come to this point .And then? What did Isildur say?"

Isildur looked at "Romimos" inexplicably.

"What do you want to do?" He was puzzled at first, and then his eyes suddenly became vigilant, "What are you doing here? What ulterior things are you and Sauron planning? The rumors that have been circulating around recently have nothing to do with you. Can't get rid of the relationship?"

Great, he didn't recognize her!Vespa was overjoyed in his heart, and quickly held his breath to concentrate, and continued to imitate Romemos's usual appearance with [-]% concentration - the movements should be dignified and elegant, the expression should be half a smile, and the most essential thing is that the eyes must be well grasped. Two points for coolness, three points for teasing, and four points for carelessness, and finally, in a low voice that is unpredictable and has seen through the world of mortals, he said slowly: "It's nothing, I'm just a little bored recently, so I came here to have some fun and relax."

Isildur's expression at that time was as indescribable as that of Romemos now.

Isildur looked around and lowered his voice: "Why do you keep speaking Elvish?"

"Eh? Because..." Vespa stuck.If she had to find a reason for her speaking Elvish, it would be that she couldn't wait to prove to Isildur that she could speak Elvish, but even Vespa realized that this reason was too stupid to say, so he had to be stupid. In the end, "Because I want to say, can't I?"

Isildur smiled softly: "Strictly speaking, it's really not allowed. Ten years ago, His Majesty the King has clearly prohibited anyone from using the Elvish language in Númenor, don't you know?"

"So what if I know? If I want to, can Farathon's ban control me?" Vespa sneered pretentiously, "And why do you accuse me? Obviously last time you yourself—"

Vespa's voice stopped abruptly, but the words that had been spoken were like splashed water, which could not be taken back even if one wanted to.

"Oh, last time." Esildur nodded, "It's been almost three years since we last met, how time flies, Miss Vespa."

Romemus let out a long sigh. "I'll help you if I can," she said, "but if I can't use my brain, there's nothing I can do."

Vespa puffed his mouth and comforted himself: "It's okay, I was too nervous this time. I will definitely not make such a low-level mistake next time."

"Wait, do you still want to have a next time?" Romemos felt that the woman in front of him was incredible, "How did Isildur react when he saw you? According to what you said before, he shouldn't have found out You are still disappointed after being with me, thinking that you are hopeless, and never caring about your business again? You still want to see him after this? "

"Isn't that my worst idea before?" Vespa stuck out his tongue, "But Master Isildur's heart is more kind and tolerant than I imagined, although he still doesn't believe what I told him about Luo Min and the rumors. Not the same words at all, but I thought he was quite pleased when he found out that I had learned the Elvish language. He praised me for being brave, saying that few Numenoreans dared to risk the truth now, and maybe I don’t now. I know what is correct, but I have already got the key to it, which is probably what it means... Oh! By the way, he also said that he would give me some books written in Elvish when we have a chance to meet next time!"

Of course, what Isildur said didn’t stop there. For example, Isildur also warned Vespa to learn Elvish language from Romimos, but don’t blindly believe every word of that witch, try to be as good as possible. It is better to keep a distance from her.Even if Vespa didn't tell the truth about these words, Romemos would have guessed about seven or eight points, the old-fashioned way.As for sending Vespa's book, half of the reason was to help her learn Elven language, and the other half was also because Vespa's only source of knowledge about elves was Romimos, who would be led astray.Romimos also flipped through those two books later, one is the love story of Beren and Lucian, who shocked the world and wept ghosts and gods, and the other is Turin Turumba, the hearer and the sad listener. The tragic life of tears, the story is nothing new, and it is hard to say if the standpoint is not objective, but the level of words and sentences is really suitable for beginners of Elvish language.

However, what surprised Romemos was that these two books were, in her eyes, at best, simple reading materials for bedtime fairy tales for five or six-year-old children—well, Turumba’s deeds may not be suitable for bedtime reading ——This actually aroused Vespa's great interest in the history of Middle-earth.

Another surprising thing is that Miss Naquili is actually a hidden scholar of elfology.One day, Vesper complained to Romemus in a low voice that her writing was too slow, not as fast as she could read, which made Romemos very dissatisfied—"Now reading is not as difficult as it used to be. Are you good at it? I worked hard for hours and you read it in 10 minutes, how dare you complain?!" It happened that Naquili passed by at this time, and Romemos and Vespa understood her character , although she was not worried about being reported by her, she never expected that the other party would ask lightly: "What do you want to see? Maybe I have it there." Then he casually took out a A thick volume of information on the history of elves.

Romemos knew that there used to be loyalists in Prince Forosta's family, but Naquili didn't look like a pro-elf faction at all, at most she could be regarded as impartial and indifferent to either side, in fact she did admit it The reason why I collect and read those elven documents is just to get creative inspiration from them, and I am not a devout loyalist.

Vesper doesn't give a shit about royalist loyalists, it's pie in the sky for her, and it wouldn't happen again if Naquili didn't threaten to delay her normal rehearsal for reading this stuff Lend her a book, and she can stay up all night with a candle in bed.

Yet Vespa did not derive as much pleasure from those books as she had hoped, or, to put it another way, she gained almost as much pleasure from reading as she lost from reading them.It's not because she started pretending to be deep after reading a few books, but she can't be as heartless as before, and she can easily be amused by a vulgar joke with no nutrition for a long time. The others also laughed that she has become more and more fond of being alone in a daze recently.

"Romi." One day, Vespa stopped Romemos and asked her sullenly, "Do you say that all the things written in the book are true?"

"I think most of them should be, but there must be fictional and exaggerated parts." Romemos was a little puzzled, but he replied, and explained, "Although I have lived a long time compared to you mortals. , but it’s impossible to be there in person for everything that happened in history. In fact, in the first era, I stayed in Gondolin most of the time, and I didn’t go out much at all.”

"Is it true that Ru also really exists?"

Romemus did not answer immediately.

She understood why Vespa suddenly had such doubts. Recently, rumors have been rampant among the people of Númenor, and there is a growing trend, including some people claiming that Iluvatar is actually just one of Vala's fabrications to deceive mankind. Names, in fact, don't exist at all - think on your toes from whom these rumors are being spread.

Romimos guessed early on that Sauron would play tricks to further deepen the rift between the Numenorians, elves, and Valar, and even encourage most Numenorians to turn to believe in darkness. Unexpectedly, Sauron would go so far as to directly declare that Iluvita did not exist at all.

Unlike Sauron, although Romimos also betrayed Aman and joined Angband, she didn't want to be an enemy of Vera, let alone Eru.For the father of all things, Romimos still retains a little awe and love, just like rebellious children may question their parents who contradict them when they grow up, but this does not mean that they have no affection for their parents.

Does Iluvatar really exist?Of course, where else would she, Sauron, Morgoth, and all the Ainu come from?

But if Romimos answered Vespa so honestly, wouldn't it be a blatant slap in the face of Sauron?

"Do you want him to exist?" Romimos asked Vespa.

Vespa sighed: "Yes, I hope he exists."

"why?"

"Because..." Vespa hesitated for a moment, "Because compared to Melkor, I still hope that the creator of human beings is Eru, unless the stories in the book are all false. fabricated to deceive mankind."

Romemos couldn't hold back, and twitched the corner of his mouth with a half-smile.

Ha, Melkor!Creator of mankind?Sauron really dared to brag.It is more reliable to say that Melkor is a human being created by Aoli. At least the dwarf can be seen as a human being except that he is a little sturdier and has a little more hair.

Vespa went on to say: "But if those things really happened, and Melkor really represents the complete darkness as written in the book, then how can there be such a good person as Romini among his followers? "

Romemus paused for a moment.

"First of all, I'm not as good as you think, Vespa, but you haven't had the chance to experience it for yourself." In fact, she has been planning to assassinate the king of Numenor and even destroy the entire Numenor kingdom. What will be the look on Vespa's face when that day comes, Romimos thought. "Secondly, the reason why I turn to Melkor has nothing to do with what you said about light or darkness. To be honest, I don't care about it at all. I am willing to trust Melkor simply because I think he may be more important to me than Vera. A better choice."—Though the fact that the only thing Melkor is better than Valar may be is that he only takes a few hundred years to fall.

Vespa was speechless: "But compared with Vera and Melkor, why is Melkor better?"

"I think this varies from person to person." Romemos said, "If you have ideas, ambitions, and are smart and strong enough, you may be able to find your own place in Angband, but I don't deny it." For ordinary people who just want to live a stable life, they probably still believe in Villa’s way of living more comfortably.”

"Is belief free to choose?" Vespa asked. "At present, it seems that human beings are either the children of Yiru or created by Melko, but if I prefer to choose the belief that is contrary to the facts... ..."

"Then even if I put the facts in front of you, wouldn't you change your mind in an instant?" Romemos pointed out sharply, "You will only try to collect more evidence to consolidate what you believe, and doubt the so-called Fact. Because I can’t prove that it’s a fact. Whether it’s the question of whether the world really exists, or who created human beings, I can give an answer that depends entirely on my mood, and you can’t believe it or not. There is no other choice but not to believe. Do you think it is impossible for me to lie to you? Or do you think that what I say must be the truth? If you believe in every word of mine, then what is your belief? The truth, or the hope in your heart, or me?"

Vespa was silent for a long time.

"According to you," Vespa asked after a long time, "is there anyone in this world who can be completely trusted without doubt?"

"Not for me." Romimos looked calm, "There is nothing that cannot and should not be doubted."

"Even that supreme existence?"

"Even He," replied Romimos.

"Why?" Vespa asked, "Why do you doubt him? And why can you doubt him? Human beings doubt because none of us has ever seen his shadow with our own eyes, and experienced his inability. The words are great. But you were once a member of the gods, even if you don’t want to tell me, but you actually know the truth, and you must understand His supremacy far better than us, why do you still have doubts?”

"I have never doubted the existence of Ru, and I am not doubting the greatness of the one who created all things." Romemos said, she pondered for a short moment, "What I doubt is whether he is completely correct and not Being doubted. I didn’t intend to doubt Him. I once hoped that I could become a completely devout believer in Him, so that I could avoid many troubles and anxieties. But I couldn’t, I couldn’t fully understand Him, And I can’t trust Him without asking why, so I can only doubt Him.”

"But if even the Supreme cannot believe it, where can we get all the answers?" Vespa asked despondently.

"Why can't human beings find the answer with their own strength?" Romimos proposed, "In my opinion, the most important thing is to be able to control the destiny in our own hands, and it does not depend on who the creator of human beings is. rather different."

"Like Turin Turumba, the ruler of destiny? But even if he is as brave as he is, he failed in the end. Can human beings really control their own destiny?" Vespa shook his head pessimistically, "Besides, the answers to some questions It can never be found by human beings, such as our final ending—death.”

When it comes to death, Romemos has nothing to say, because she really doesn't know where humans go after death, and she can't personally experience the fear of death.

"Regarding this point, maybe I'm not qualified to make irresponsible remarks on human beings." Romemos considered his words, "But no matter whether human death is a gift or a punishment, until the day when you really have to face it , the answer to this question can never be verified. In other words, it has no effect on your life before your death."

"But that's a kind of hope." Vespa retorted, "especially for a little person like me who has no hope in life, if there is no hope even after death, then what is the meaning of life? If you haven’t been born, at least you don’t have to suffer the pain of being alive.”

"Then we come back again." Romemos said, "Since you believe because of a hope, why don't you just choose the person who can give you hope more? The truth is not so important For, even if the rumors about Melkor were true, he would not give you hope."

"If I had never heard of those rumors, of course I could believe Yiru and Vera without hesitation, but now that I have doubts about Him, I cannot believe without reason." Vespa Looking at Romemos sadly, "Romimos refuses to help me strengthen my faith."

"Are you dreaming? I am a faithful believer of Lord Melkor," Romimus opened his mouth and said, "It is fair enough to give you complete freedom of choice without encouraging you to join us. I persuaded you to fall to Vera?"

Vespa spread out sleepily on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, until Romemos thought she was not going to talk anymore, she muttered sullenly: "Sometimes I really I wish I had never read those books." Seeing that Romemos didn't respond, she continued on her own, "Before I read those books and knew nothing about these things, I never had to think about these issues, nor There will be no such boring and inescapable troubles.”

Romemos didn't even bother to give her a look: "If you don't want it, I can help you erase the memories you think are redundant."

"Gah? You can still do this kind of thing?"

"Want to try?"

"No, no, no, I'm just saying something angry." Vespa immediately faltered.Although I have never heard that Romimos has this ability, but who knows how many strange things these gods can do.

"The refusal was pretty quick. I thought you had to hesitate. After all, you just complained about how much harm those books have caused you." Romimos raised his eyebrows jokingly. , "But things are often like this. In fact, people who are sober often do not feel happier than people who live in a daze. But once they are sober, even if they are suffering, they will not want to go back to the past when they were numb and drifted with the crowd."

"So that's the case!" Vesper looked suddenly enlightened, "Luo Mi is amazing, I can't think of something that sounds so profound."

Romemos choked on her: "Then what are you thinking?"

"I don't think as much as you do." Vespa chuckled twice, the look of bitterness and hatred on her face disappeared, replaced by a kind of pleasure that was half intoxicated and half touched, "I I just thought, the stories in those books are so wonderful, and those people and elves are so charming. If I just forget them like this, then my tears in bed will be in vain. So even if it’s like It doesn't matter if they don't exist, and it doesn't matter if the people and things in the book are all fake, because when I read them, I really feel that they all happened for real. If the world after death is really scary, lonely, nothing but torture and emptiness If there is nothing else, even ordinary people like me who only have a boring life can still recall their magnificent lives in the story. Thinking about it carefully, I chose to come to Alando at that time, maybe I just wanted to experience and sing about the lives of those people in the script .”

"I thought you were here to make money and find a sponsor." Romimos didn't show any face.

"Of course the most important thing is for money." Vespa said confidently, "But I also really like singing and dancing. Although I can't compare to Ilfarin, who is crazy about acting, but besides him, who else loves this job more than me?" work?"

Romimos can't refute this point. Although Vespa never hides his utilitarianism, except for the abnormal human being Ilfarin, and Naquili, the invisible lady who has mines at home and is purely here to pursue her dreams. , even if you are the tallest among the dwarfs, you will never find another person who has the talent and passion for drama like Vespa.

"If there is a day in the future, I can see the plays adapted from those stories on the stage, and I can even go up and act in person-anyone can play, they are all so good." Vespa looked forward, " I have no regrets."

Given the current attitude towards the Eldar in the Kingdom of Númenor, Vespa certainly only regarded this as a good wish deep in his heart, and usually only dared to talk about it in front of Romimos.

Who would have thought that this day would actually come.