Curse of the Noldor.
Chapter 1 Himring
Yes, we were cursed, we of the Noldor, and my family particularly. Ah, so you've guessed: a Feanorian I am, one of the infamous Seven Brothers, sons of an equally infamous father.
But which? Listen, and I shall tell you, and along the way you will hear a tale too. It might not be that pleasant, or even that interesting, but it is at least true, as it is true we were truly cursed.
We had arrived in Himring unexpected and unaccompanied, my brother and I. We had been turned out of Nargathrond in a most embarrassing way. All because that silly girl preferred to marry a mortal and to follow him on his quest to retrieve a Silmaril, one of OUR Silmarils, and because our foolish cousin Finrod became involved, and died. Orodreth chose to blame us for Finrod's death and cast us out. So we rode to Himring.
Our brother received us into his home, his eyes full of unasked questions. Maglor was there too, visiting as he often did, and he fussed over us both, asking most of the questions Maedhros as yet, did not.
To our surprise, there were a number of mortals living within Himring as Maedhros' vassals. I avoided them, as they were either beneath my notice, or inclined to make nuisances of themselves. I was quite surprised to notice a number of these mortal warriors in my brother's service were women!! Did they not have homes, husbands, children, who needed them? No, explained Maedhros, these ladies had lost their families in the struggle against Morgoth, and now they fought in the place of dead husbands or fathers.
We ignored these mortals, my brother and I. Recent events hadn't helped me to think well of these people and I found their rougher manners unsavoury, even as I found myself gradually drawn to observe them. Maedhros had finally persuaded us to tell him why we had left Nargathrond, and we didn't lie. It would have been pointless for sooner or later someone would have told our eldest brother the truth.
So yes, we told. We told of capturing Luthien, and holding her against her will. We told of our exile from Nargathrond, and how we had encountered Luthien again, this time with her mortal lover in tow. We had tried, tried so hard to stop Luthien from throwing her life away on this pointless quest to help Beren fulfil his impossible vow. We pointed out that Finrod and his handful of followers had died for nothing, and anyway, how could two succeed where armies had failed? And we tried to tell Luthien that if Beren was successful we were Oath bound to take the gem from him by whatever means necessary.
Maedhros and Maglor listened silently, and then when we done, Maedhros spoke, 'The Oath has stirred again. It is woken, and we must expect to take action soon. So, four of us are here, three remain to be gathered, for I feel we must discuss our actions, and possible options as soon as possible.'
Maglor it was that berated us, though, for our unchivalrous behaviour to a mortal and a woman, until Maedhros bade him stop, asking if perhaps Maglor thought we should have aided those who would steal the Jewels no less than Morgoth had, and that shut Maglor up. He stalked off in one of his rare ill humours, and locked himself in his private chambers with his harp. That I could understand, seeking comfort from his Craft.
Our brothers left us alone for two days, and we kept much to ourselves again, although I found having nothing to do very wearing on my temper. Then it was that Maedhros received a messenger from Caranthir, and quickly despatched the messenger home again with orders for Caranthir to immediately come to Himring for a family counsel.
I was minding my own business, sitting in Himring's great Hall, writing up my recent experiences at Maedhros' 'request' when my oldest brother interrupted me.
'You are bored, are you not, brother,' he remarked.
'I am, yes,' I agreed.
'I have a task for you, if you want it,' said Maedhros, reaching out for my diary. I shuddered slightly, for he used his left hand of course, the right being absent. I often wondered how my red haired brother could bear such a marring of his hroa. I doubt I could.
'I wish for you to find Ambarussa for me, as you know at this time of year they move about much hunting.'
'Yes, I know. But what if they're tucked away in that secret hideaway of theirs? Personally I think they're slightly mad, disappearing for months hunting where no one can find them!' I glared at Maedhros, 'besides what makes you think I can find them? They're far better at hunting and woodcraft then I, and I'll likely never find them!'
'At least try, Curufin! Please? I have reasons for not asking Celegorm to do this.'
'Very well, but I still don't know how I shall find them!' I grumbled.
There was a small group of people playing some silly game seated just to right of Maedhros and I, some of them mortals. One woman was watching, not playing, and she appeared to be listening to our conversation. I caught her looking at me, and glared back, which did not deter this woman at all. In fact she stood up, and walked towards me, and once she stood in front of me, she spoke, 'My Lord, I happen to know where your youngest brothers hide themselves.'
'And how does a mortal know that,' I sneered at my most arrogant.
'I rode far one spring, uncaring where I went or what happened to me, as I was mourning my husband who was killed by Orcs. I happened upon your brother's secret camp one evening, and they allowed me to stay a few days until I had recovered my strength. Then I accompanied them here, as I had vowed to avenge my husband's death, and it is known widely that Lord Maedhros accepts such as myself into his service.'
I did not bother to answer her, and she turned to Maedhros and smiled, 'I would be happy to be Lord Curufin's guide,' she said bowing.
'Why should I need a guide?' I asked, 'you could just tell the way!'
'No, my Lord, I cannot. For I promised Lords Amrod and Amras to never reveal the location of their secret place, but that I might, if sufficient reason existed, guide trustworthy persons there.'
I scowled at that, and stared pointedly at Maedhros who merely smiled and said, 'Curufin, this lady is Fianth; she is of the Haladin, and a valiant warrior. Many are the Orcs who have fallen to her blade on our excursions to rid these lands of such foul creatures.'
I sulkily greeted the lady, and looked her over, from top to toe. She was quite tall for a mortal female, and powerfully built, in fact she looked strong and capable. Her clothing was similar to the mortal men who were curiously watching us, and her long light brown hair was tied in loose knot at the back of her neck. She stared at me from the brown eyes so common in mortals, and I had the feeling that this woman was no happier to guide me than I was to be guided by her, and that the only reason she had offered was loyalty to Maedhros.
'My Lord Curufin,' she bowed to me, and I abruptly indicated she should sit. I looked at Maedhros, who had not shifted his gaze from my face and I knew I had no choice but to accept this woman's offer of guidance.
'How many ride with us,' I asked at last.
'None, you go secretly and swiftly. Two will very likely not be noticed where a large number would be much more easily seen.'
'And when?'
'Tomorrow if you can.'
I looked at Fianth from under my lashes; she seemed unconcerned at such a swift departure. 'I will be ready, Lord,' she said to Maedhros.
'At dawn then,' I snapped.
Fianth rose and left, and I found Maedhros looking at me with a most peculiar expression on his face.
'She will not slow you down, you know. As you should know I would not send her with you if I did not consider her capable of this task.'
I scowled, and bade my brother goodnight, for I would need to be rested to depart early. As I strode from the Hall to my rooms, I could see no sign of my guide, in fact the only person about was an elvish servant, and I spoke to him concerning horses, and the packing of gear. Confident I could leave all in his hands, I took to my bed, and although I knew I needed rest, it evaded for much of the night, as I was so angry. A mortal female to guide me!!
Chapter 1 Himring
Yes, we were cursed, we of the Noldor, and my family particularly. Ah, so you've guessed: a Feanorian I am, one of the infamous Seven Brothers, sons of an equally infamous father.
But which? Listen, and I shall tell you, and along the way you will hear a tale too. It might not be that pleasant, or even that interesting, but it is at least true, as it is true we were truly cursed.
We had arrived in Himring unexpected and unaccompanied, my brother and I. We had been turned out of Nargathrond in a most embarrassing way. All because that silly girl preferred to marry a mortal and to follow him on his quest to retrieve a Silmaril, one of OUR Silmarils, and because our foolish cousin Finrod became involved, and died. Orodreth chose to blame us for Finrod's death and cast us out. So we rode to Himring.
Our brother received us into his home, his eyes full of unasked questions. Maglor was there too, visiting as he often did, and he fussed over us both, asking most of the questions Maedhros as yet, did not.
To our surprise, there were a number of mortals living within Himring as Maedhros' vassals. I avoided them, as they were either beneath my notice, or inclined to make nuisances of themselves. I was quite surprised to notice a number of these mortal warriors in my brother's service were women!! Did they not have homes, husbands, children, who needed them? No, explained Maedhros, these ladies had lost their families in the struggle against Morgoth, and now they fought in the place of dead husbands or fathers.
We ignored these mortals, my brother and I. Recent events hadn't helped me to think well of these people and I found their rougher manners unsavoury, even as I found myself gradually drawn to observe them. Maedhros had finally persuaded us to tell him why we had left Nargathrond, and we didn't lie. It would have been pointless for sooner or later someone would have told our eldest brother the truth.
So yes, we told. We told of capturing Luthien, and holding her against her will. We told of our exile from Nargathrond, and how we had encountered Luthien again, this time with her mortal lover in tow. We had tried, tried so hard to stop Luthien from throwing her life away on this pointless quest to help Beren fulfil his impossible vow. We pointed out that Finrod and his handful of followers had died for nothing, and anyway, how could two succeed where armies had failed? And we tried to tell Luthien that if Beren was successful we were Oath bound to take the gem from him by whatever means necessary.
Maedhros and Maglor listened silently, and then when we done, Maedhros spoke, 'The Oath has stirred again. It is woken, and we must expect to take action soon. So, four of us are here, three remain to be gathered, for I feel we must discuss our actions, and possible options as soon as possible.'
Maglor it was that berated us, though, for our unchivalrous behaviour to a mortal and a woman, until Maedhros bade him stop, asking if perhaps Maglor thought we should have aided those who would steal the Jewels no less than Morgoth had, and that shut Maglor up. He stalked off in one of his rare ill humours, and locked himself in his private chambers with his harp. That I could understand, seeking comfort from his Craft.
Our brothers left us alone for two days, and we kept much to ourselves again, although I found having nothing to do very wearing on my temper. Then it was that Maedhros received a messenger from Caranthir, and quickly despatched the messenger home again with orders for Caranthir to immediately come to Himring for a family counsel.
I was minding my own business, sitting in Himring's great Hall, writing up my recent experiences at Maedhros' 'request' when my oldest brother interrupted me.
'You are bored, are you not, brother,' he remarked.
'I am, yes,' I agreed.
'I have a task for you, if you want it,' said Maedhros, reaching out for my diary. I shuddered slightly, for he used his left hand of course, the right being absent. I often wondered how my red haired brother could bear such a marring of his hroa. I doubt I could.
'I wish for you to find Ambarussa for me, as you know at this time of year they move about much hunting.'
'Yes, I know. But what if they're tucked away in that secret hideaway of theirs? Personally I think they're slightly mad, disappearing for months hunting where no one can find them!' I glared at Maedhros, 'besides what makes you think I can find them? They're far better at hunting and woodcraft then I, and I'll likely never find them!'
'At least try, Curufin! Please? I have reasons for not asking Celegorm to do this.'
'Very well, but I still don't know how I shall find them!' I grumbled.
There was a small group of people playing some silly game seated just to right of Maedhros and I, some of them mortals. One woman was watching, not playing, and she appeared to be listening to our conversation. I caught her looking at me, and glared back, which did not deter this woman at all. In fact she stood up, and walked towards me, and once she stood in front of me, she spoke, 'My Lord, I happen to know where your youngest brothers hide themselves.'
'And how does a mortal know that,' I sneered at my most arrogant.
'I rode far one spring, uncaring where I went or what happened to me, as I was mourning my husband who was killed by Orcs. I happened upon your brother's secret camp one evening, and they allowed me to stay a few days until I had recovered my strength. Then I accompanied them here, as I had vowed to avenge my husband's death, and it is known widely that Lord Maedhros accepts such as myself into his service.'
I did not bother to answer her, and she turned to Maedhros and smiled, 'I would be happy to be Lord Curufin's guide,' she said bowing.
'Why should I need a guide?' I asked, 'you could just tell the way!'
'No, my Lord, I cannot. For I promised Lords Amrod and Amras to never reveal the location of their secret place, but that I might, if sufficient reason existed, guide trustworthy persons there.'
I scowled at that, and stared pointedly at Maedhros who merely smiled and said, 'Curufin, this lady is Fianth; she is of the Haladin, and a valiant warrior. Many are the Orcs who have fallen to her blade on our excursions to rid these lands of such foul creatures.'
I sulkily greeted the lady, and looked her over, from top to toe. She was quite tall for a mortal female, and powerfully built, in fact she looked strong and capable. Her clothing was similar to the mortal men who were curiously watching us, and her long light brown hair was tied in loose knot at the back of her neck. She stared at me from the brown eyes so common in mortals, and I had the feeling that this woman was no happier to guide me than I was to be guided by her, and that the only reason she had offered was loyalty to Maedhros.
'My Lord Curufin,' she bowed to me, and I abruptly indicated she should sit. I looked at Maedhros, who had not shifted his gaze from my face and I knew I had no choice but to accept this woman's offer of guidance.
'How many ride with us,' I asked at last.
'None, you go secretly and swiftly. Two will very likely not be noticed where a large number would be much more easily seen.'
'And when?'
'Tomorrow if you can.'
I looked at Fianth from under my lashes; she seemed unconcerned at such a swift departure. 'I will be ready, Lord,' she said to Maedhros.
'At dawn then,' I snapped.
Fianth rose and left, and I found Maedhros looking at me with a most peculiar expression on his face.
'She will not slow you down, you know. As you should know I would not send her with you if I did not consider her capable of this task.'
I scowled, and bade my brother goodnight, for I would need to be rested to depart early. As I strode from the Hall to my rooms, I could see no sign of my guide, in fact the only person about was an elvish servant, and I spoke to him concerning horses, and the packing of gear. Confident I could leave all in his hands, I took to my bed, and although I knew I needed rest, it evaded for much of the night, as I was so angry. A mortal female to guide me!!