Chapter I
The Council of Manwë
Curumo stood next to the throne of his mentor, Aulë, in Máhanaxar, the throne room of the Valar. He, along with all the other Ainur, had been summoned to participate in a meeting called by Manwë. All of the Maiar were gathered near the thrones of their respective mentors, which were arranged in a great circle within the throne room. Because of Aulë's close proximity to Vána, Curumo was able to stand near his sister, Melian, who was a student of Vána.
When all of the Ainur were assembled, Manwë spoke. "It has occurred to me that we have wrongfully neglected Middle-earth in recent times. Though there are many among both elves and men who have made transgressions against us, it would not be right to let those who are good to continue to suffer at the hands of the Enemy. It appears that even without his master and critically weakened, Sauron is still too much for the Free Peoples to overcome. It is for this reason that we must now send three emissaries to Middle-earth to contest Sauron. Who will go?"
Curumo couldn't believe what he was hearing. After the deaths of Melian's husband and daughter, for which Sauron was not blameless, she sank into a depression for thousands of years. Now, after Curumo had lamented what had happened to Melian even after she had emotionally recovered, he had a chance to take rightful vengeance for the atrocities committed against Melian.
As he stepped towards Manwë to volunteer, Melian reached out and grabbed his arm. "You don't have to do this. I know you want to avenge my family, but Sauron was only indirectly responsible for what happened."
"All who have had a hand in your suffering must pay," said Curumo. "It was Sauron who gave Morgoth information on the Silmarils, the theft of which led to the deaths of Thingol and Luthien. All the others who contributed to the deaths of your husband and daughter have paid the price, and Sauron has evaded punishment for far too long. This is my one chance to destroy the last remnant of the evil that hurt you so much."
Curumo forced Melian to let go of him, and continued towards Manwë. "I will go," he said. "It would be a privilege to inhibit the Enemy in whatever ways I can."
Then, Alatar of Oromë's Maiar came forward and said, "I, too, shall go. I have gone into the far eastern parts of the world with my master in the past, and I have extensive knowledge of those places."
Manwë looked somewhat disappointed that only two had come forward. "Where is Olórin?" asked the Elder King. "I would have expected my wisest servant to volunteer. Where is he?"
Just as Manwë had asked that question, Olórin, clad in gray, entered the throne room. "Here I am, my lord," he said. "What is it I am volunteering for?"
"I would like you to to travel to Middle-earth to help the men and elves in their struggle against Sauron," said Manwë.
"Me? Go against Sauron?" The usually calm and mellow Olórin sounded doubtful. "I can't possibly do that. He is too strong for me, even without his great Weapon. No, no. I fear him greatly."
"Then that is all the more reason for you to go," said Manwë. "Besides, you will not be alone. You will have Curumo and Alatar to help you, and they are more than capable for this task."
Then, Yavanna decided to add her input. "I think it would be prudent to also send one of my people. If we are sending emissaries to protect Middle-earth, then at least one of them must care for the protection of the beasts and forests."
The Elder King sighed. Yavanna would never stop complaining about how the people of Middle-earth were going to completely decimate the forests for lumber, and she didn't understand that they were smart enough to replant trees to replenish their resources without someone telling them to do so. "Fine. Send one of your people if you so wish."
"Then I shall send Aiwendil," Yavanna said, looking very satisfied that she had, once again, been able to pester the King of Arda into appeasing her. Aiwendil of Yavanna's people then stepped forward to join Curumo, Alatar, and Olórin. Curumo couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed that he had to take someone who cares only for animals and trees.
Then, Alatar asked, "Can we then take one more with us? I would like to bring my friend, Pallando. We work well together."
"Of course," said Manwë, and Pallando, another of Oromë's pupils, joined the group.
"Though I had asked for three emissaries, we have five," Manwë said. "That will be enough, I think. These shall be the ones who will assist the Free Peoples, and you, Curumo, as the greatest and wisest of the five, shall be the leader."
Curumo, who was feeling absolutely ecstatic about being appointed the overall leader of the group sent to fight his sworn enemy, then asked, "Do you want us to capture Sauron? Shall we force him into submission with our full might? Shall we bring him back to Aman to be thrown into the Void with his master?" Curumo thought that the five of them could bring Sauron down together. He imagined his enemy humbled and weakened, left open for Curumo to destroy the last of his strength and at last avenge Thingol, Luthien, and everyone else Sauron had killed, directly or indirectly.
"No," said Manwë. "We already tried doing that to Morgoth. Although we succeeded, it was at the cost of the destruction of Beleriand. You are to advise and guide the people of Middle-earth. Your work must be subtle, and your true origins must remain a secret. You should appear as old men, aged in looks, but strong in both mind and body. You will be wizards of great, yet hidden power, and you may not reveal your full strength unless you yourselves are in imminent danger, and you are forbidden to lead by force and domination."
Curumo couldn't deny that Sauron's defeat wasn't worth much more damage to Middle-earth, but neither could he help but feel a bit disappointed. Olórin and Aiwendil, on the other hand, did not seem to mind, as they were somewhat predisposed to peace and diplomacy.
"Tomorrow, you shall leave for Middle-earth," said Manwë. "I will have the Teleri prepare a ship for you, which should be ready in the morning. Until then, you may rest for your journey. You are all dismissed."
