A/N: This chapter hails from the book of Lost Tales Part 1, under "The Hiding of Valinor".
The woes of the Noldor were temporarily forgotten, and the malice of Melkor seemed but a distant dream. Only the occasional shudder of the Earth proved he was at work on what Eru only knew, and the blackened mound where the Trees once flourished served as a reminder.
But today Manwë had little thought for that rebellious Vala, having spent most of it on him for the past ages he'd been under his care. The anguish of the Noldor did not reach him, either, because instead of being at his side, the violet, gossamer figure of Varda stood on the far side of the chamber, with her elbows resting on a window sill. She turned when she sensed Manwë's stare on her, and he met her eyes with a loving gaze.
Now with the sun lighting most of Arda, the sky was a lively blue, and Manwë watched in delight as the clouds passed over Taniquetil and let in rays through the wide stained-glass windows. He was at ease for the first time since the Noldor had departed from Valinor, and he settled back into his silver throne, his hands spread over the armrests and the sapphire rings on his fingers sparkling in the light.
But the peace was short-lived. An all-too familiar rapping came at the doors to the chamber, and after he granted permission to enter, they opened before Eönwë. The Maiarin herald was dressed all in white, save a blue sash encircling his waist and the same sapphire emblem sewn onto his chest and shoulders. His cape brushed the floor as he strode in, his long golden hair radiating like the sun.
When he stood upon the tiled mosaic in the center of the floor, he bowed his head. "Someone is here to speak with you, my lord."
"Someone" was a vague title, and the Vala tried to read Eönwë's face to know whom he meant. But the Maia hid nothing, and all he detected in his face was genuine surprise.
"I have them waiting outside the Máhanaxar," he added, communicating there was more than one visitor. "The Valar have already been summoned there to discuss the paths of the heavenly lamps. We may come and join them now."
Manwë nodded and rose from his seat, holding a hand out to Varda. "Let us go, my dear."
The spirits dwelling in Taniquetil stood against either side of the entrance hall, each bowing at the sight of Manwë and Varda. Eönwë smiled at them as he passed by, smoothing down his hair.
Upon reaching the bottom of the steep road leading down the mountain, the two Valar and their escorts stood on the hills overlooking the golden city of Valmar, and just before that, the ring of seats reserved for the Valar on occasions of council.
There on the green lawns danced the Eldar who had chosen to remain in the land of Aman. Manwë had observed with great sorrow that the Eldar had been most adversely affected by the exile of the Noldor, but despite all this, they put aside their troubles and greeted the couple with great mirth.
Manwë laughed when the Eldar set down a long tapestry for him to walk upon. As soon as Varda stepped on the rich fabric, many of the Elves bowed before her.
"Elentári, lady of light," they said in reverence.
"The stars radiate with joy when they shine on the beauty of the Eldar," she answered them.
The lord and lady of Aman entered the circle of gathered Valar. Manwë took his place at the head and Varda came to sit beside him. All the chairs were occupied except for the one belonging to Námo, who had not yet arrived.
Aulë sat on his right, and on his face Manwë could see no sign of anguish caused by the Noldor, for his industrial mind had already moved on to its newest creations. The smith thoughtfully stroked his bushy red beard, a clear indication that he was devising some invention.
Yavanna and Vána sat together, their faces turned away from the blackened mound where the Two Trees once stood. The two Valier were singing softly, Yavanna with her eyes closed and Vána placing a comforting hand on her arm.
Tulkas wore bracers on his wrists and was sweating profusely as he stomped towards his chair next to Aulë's, no doubt coming from a match of some sort.
Just then, the low neigh of a black horse announced another arrival. A cloud of shadow hovered above the steed and its rider. Wordlessly, Námo slid off its back and went to take his seat farthest from the circle. His horse joined Irmo's dapple-gray, and Oromë's white steed, Nahar, grazing in the plains of green grass.
Oromë polished the weapons in his belt while he waited, and beside him Nessa watched the prancing Elves with glee, her bare feet itching to get up and join in their dance. Ulmo alone was not restless, his expectant stare poised at Manwë. Only a few of the Maiar had come to watch, most of them from Taniquetil.
Once Manwë finished looking everyone over, Varda reached across and took his hand with a smile. As part of the introductory rites, Vána stood up and sang the first few verses of a song.
Before the onslaught of complaints against Tilion could begin, Eönwë entered the circle, leading three strange figures. He moved off to the side of the ring to let the Valar observe the visitors.
They appeared old, as only mortal men were intended to look. Each of the three men had a white beard: the first had the shortest, the second's slightly longer than his, and the third possessed the longest beard of all. They were dressed in plainclothes, with nothing extraordinary about their appearances. Most of the Ainur had not chosen such a semblance to wear, and Manwë could make no recognition.
But they bowed before the circle of Valar and seemed to know exactly who they were. Tulkas leaned his elbow over the edge of his chair and viewed the visitors under raised eyebrows.
All this was done in silence, for Manwë had the first word. "Who might you be? Certainly none of you reside in Valinor, for I know all who do."
"We are craftsmen," they answered simply. "I am Ranuin, here is Danuin, and there is Fanuin. If your lady and lordships are permitting, the three of us will offer up our services to begin a great undertaking that shall improve the efficiency of the new lights, sun and moon."
Manwë glanced at Aulë, hoping for an explanation, but the smith was just as confused as everyone else. Now the lord of Aman began to suspect this was some mischief of Melkor, not being content in only disturbing the peace of Valinor and destroying the Two Trees. He had been unusually quiet as of late.
Tulkas seemed to be thinking the same thing, for a suspicious gleam came into his eye. "What is this really?"
"All will be made known, once we are given leave to begin our works," they answered cryptically.
The Vala of Sport glanced around the ring to see if anyone was falling for this.
Aulë had grown interested. He leaned forward in his chair, but Yavanna shared the suspicion of Tulkas, and she gave him a look that made the smith sit back at once.
"Benign works, or ill?" Manwë inquired.
"We don't know what that means," the old men said.
"Your offer is appreciated, but not needed. You may go back to Angb- oops, I mean wherever it is you come from," Tulkas told them.
Manwë studied the three figures critically. "All in favor, raise your hand," he instructed the members of the council.
Aulë reached back as if he were stretching, and then he put up his hand, so that it could have gone either way. Ossë sat under Ulmo, and he watched as the Vala hesitated to decide. Instantly the Maia's arm shot up. But a moment later, when Ulmo shrugged and lifted his arm, Ossë's went back down.
Námo raised his hand in favor. Nienna sat with her eyes closed, her lips moving to silent words as she thought. Irmo gazed off, blinking sleepily.
Eönwë started to take count, glancing up and then scribbling down names.
"Ok, that makes eight, including my lord and lady. Eight also, for those who oppose, including some of the Maiar."
"Eönwë," Manwë spoke up. "You get a vote."
"Oh." He blushed, trying not to let the pressure of being the deciding vote show on his face. "Then we have nine total for yes."
"Then it's decided. A room shall be set aside in Aulë's house for our guests, since they identify as craftsmen."
Aulë's face lit up and he instantly leapt to his feet. "Come with me! Make yourselves at home!" he eagerly invited them.
After the three men settled in, they went right to work. When 12 hours had passed, Danuin went out and announced he was finished with his work; and nothing was heard from them for 28 settings of the sun, when out came Ranuin, announcing that he too was finished; and even longer still was Fanuin in completion of his work, for he only emerged after many cycles of both the sun and moon.
After this had happened, and the Valar were still confused by the intentions of the three men, they called a meeting and summoned Danuin, Ranuin, and Fanuin. Before the latter arrived, the Valar spoke quietly among themselves.
"They are dwelling in your house, Aulë," Manwë said. "What is your impression? What are they working on?"
The smith scratched his head. "I don't know. They have never shown me their crafts."
Tulkas narrowed his eyes. "That is suspicious. I don't like it."
"They are very secretive," Varda agreed, "but I don't think we will learn anything if we attempt to spy on them. We should ask these questions directly."
"Varda is right," Manwë said. "We will question our guests as soon as they arrive."
But the old men seemed to know what the Valar were thinking. They did not wait for their hosts to inquire of them, and after bowing curtly before the members of the circle, they got right to the point.
"Now that our work is finished," Ranuin began, "we desire to reveal it to you. If the Valar will meet us on the Outer Sea, near to the Door of Night, they shall observe the product of our efforts."
A murmur rose from the circle of Valar, and disagreements began over whether to believe their offer. Only after Manwë assuaged the doubts of the wary and convinced the reluctant the old men should be allowed to finish what they labored so diligently for, did a serious discussion begin regarding who would meet the men outside the Door of Night.
"I will go, of course," Manwë volunteered. "Who will come with me? Ulmo?"
"Yes, certainly," Ulmo replied. "It is often I go to the Outer Sea."
Aulë raised his hand. "I will also accompany you, Manwë. I am eager to learn their crafts."
"And I will go!" Tulkas said. "You may have need of my protection."
For several seconds the remaining Valar sat in silence, until Irmo alone began to fidget. "I have a desire to see the western edge of this vast sea," the Vala of Dreams spoke up. "So I will come too."
The others turned in their chairs to regard him with surprise.
Manwë nodded. "What about you, Námo? Do you care to join us?"
The Vala of Doom smiled at his brother, as if he foresaw something Irmo did not. He laughed with a voice hollow of emotion. "No, thank you."
The silver-haired Vala narrowed his eyes suspiciously at him.
Thus, it was decided that Manwë, Tulkas, Aulë, and Irmo would meet the old men on the edge of the outer sea. The Valar arranged for a ship with the Teleri in Alqualondë on the morning they had planned for departure.
On the dawn of that appointed morning, the lord of Aman was accompanied by Varda, who walked beside him in a shimmering white gown that flowed past her ankles, a tiara of diamonds set within her dark locks, resembling stars in the night sky. Her attendants and Manwë's formed an entourage behind their lady and lord, escorting Manwë on his way to Alqualondë.
Eönwë stepped hurriedly after him, carrying provisions in both arms. "Perhaps my lord should not go and leave us defenseless, especially if these men are not whom they say."
Manwë turned around, smiling fondly at the Maia. "You are too suspicious, Eönwë- that makes us no better than Melkor."
Seagulls squawked and circled overhead, taking turns diving into the bay. When the company of Taniquetil arrived at the sand-covered shores, Tulkas, Aulë and Irmo were already standing by the ships, waiting. Tulkas was pulling on his arms to stretch them, and Irmo fought to keep his head from falling on his chest. Only Aulë looked to be fully awake and prepared.
"Why must we depart so early?" Irmo complained, wrapping the fine cloths of his robe tighter around himself.
"Don't you have some herb you can take?" Tulkas asked him, holding out a hand and wiggling his fingers expectantly. Irmo gave it a dismissive glance and shook his head.
The Teleri working on the ship came running down the ramp once the Valar entered the busy port. The Elves wore aprons over work tunics, their long hair tied out of exerted faces.
"All is ready, lords! This here is our finest vessel. You have our word that it will keep your travels smooth and yourselves secure while out at sea."
"We cannot thank you enough," Manwë told them graciously, shaking each of their hands. "Do not hesitate to ask anything of Valmar."
Aulë had gone ahead to inspect the boat in the shape of a swan. He felt over the painted wings, rubbing his hand where the wood had been chiseled off. He set one of his legs on the boat to test his weight. When that was satisfactory, he crouched on his knees to get a good view of the keel.
The shipwrights watched him with a confident smile. The chief among them Aulë came and set his hand upon. "An excellent specimen indeed!" he commended.
The smith gave the OK to Manwë, and the latter bid farewell to Varda. With Eönwë beside him, he climbed the ramp into the ship and brought down either foot on the polished deck. Then he turned and accepted the pouch of various goods, should he have need of them, that his Maia was offering. Eönwë gripped the Vala's hand tightly before pulling away with much reluctance. He bowed his head and stepped down the ramp to stand beside Varda on the shore.
Manwë sat at the prow, dressed all in white like a swan. Aulë boarded next, followed by Irmo and lastly by Tulkas. The latter gripped the sides when the boat wobbled. "Are we sure this is safe?"
"Yes," Aulë confirmed, slapping the starboard side. "She is seaworthy." He waved to the Teleri shipwrights with an appreciative grin.
"Tulkas, stop shaking the boat!" Irmo cried, his face beginning to turn pale.
"I don't know what to do!" he shouted back. "I've never been in one before!"
Manwë leaned over to observe a stream of bubbles on the surface of the sea. Ulmo's head soon appeared within a breaking wave, his turquoise eyes glancing over the ship's occupants. A second later Ossë joined him, bobbing on the water and holding to the stern.
"I will lead the way, and Ossë will steer you after me," the Vala of the Sea said, flashing his Maia a warning glance that seemed to say, "Don't mess up!" before submerging once again.
Ossë harrumphed in response. Nonetheless, he swam underneath the boat and created a swell to move it forward. Tulkas reached for the oars and got to work.
The farewell party on the dock called out well-wishes, and the Teleri threw flower garlands at the ship once it pulled out of port, leaving the Bay of Eldamar behind. Once they changed course, the inlet curved sharply away from view, the white boats and gathering crowds replaced by encircling cliffs. With Tulkas rowing, and Ossë driving the boat from its stern, the vessel journeyed swiftly over the waves of the Shadowy Sea towards the west.
Manwë's hair blew in the ocean breeze, but the rest of him remained motionless and serene as he viewed the Enchanted Isles emerging out of the mist. Irmo was slouched to the side, closing his eyes and looking unwell. Aulë sifted water through his hands, admiring the different colors reflecting under the sun and disappointed when the liquid escaped between his fingers.
Silver-colored fish leapt beside the boat on the white ocean spray. Sweet music reached their ears on a breeze going west. Aulë pointed to the approaching shores of Tol Eressëa. "Look! I did not know any of the Elves still remained on that isle?"
In the distance, Eldarin musicians sat cross-legged on the rocks, playing their pipes.
"That is a song the Teleri play!" Manwë recognized. "It must be an older composition than we originally supposed."
The island's white-sand beaches began to fill with Elves, consisting of their children and elders alike. They called out to the passing boat, jumping and moving their arms to attract the attention of the Valar. Some of the more adventurous waded up to their chests in the water to come near the craft.
Tulkas frowned. "Why are they calling Ossë's name?"
"No reason," the Maia quickly answered from the back.
The Valar stood and waved to the Elves, who cheered and clapped until the boat gradually drifted out of their sight. Even when the Isle was no longer visible, the singing voices of its inhabitants lingered on the wind at their backs for long afterward.
Some color had returned to Irmo's cheeks. He wordlessly pointed down at the waves. A group of sea turtles breached the surface, swimming along their wake. The Vala stretched out his hand and lightly grazed the top of their shells. On the other side of the boat, Aulë fell back with a startled laugh as a school of dolphins leapt out of the water one at a time, uttering squeaks and excited chirps before splashing back into the warm sea.
"How wonderful is Eru," Manwë said with a content smile.
Light raindrops sprinkled down from the sky. The puffy white clouds took on a grayish hue, and the ocean breeze blew colder on their faces. Thunder boomed somewhere close by.
"It seems a storm is brewing," the Vala observed with some worry. "Ossë-"
"Turbulence coming up!" Ossë warned, staring ahead with his clouded blue eyes.
Manwë broke out of his pose and whipped forward, gazing at the frothing waves rising to meet them. "Ossë! No!"
Usually the Vala's thunderous voice was enough to fill the rebellious Maia with sense, but today must have been one of his worse days with Ulmo. Manwë had little power here, after all.
The Maia's head ducked beneath the waves, leaving the Valar to face the oncoming waves alone.
Tulkas strained his muscles to combat the raging waters, and Manwë jumped down from the prow to shield himself. Aulë sat nervously in the middle, and Irmo had fainted on the deck. His body slid in between the benches with every tilting of the bow.
The boat slammed into the first wave, and the passengers jolted up as tons of sea water came crashing over their heads. Once it steadied, Aulë picked up Irmo and slung him over his shoulder as if the slender Vala weighed no more than a sack of wheat. He secured him with a rope, tying him to the mast to keep the other Vala from flying overboard. Then he grabbed a bucket from the supplies stashed at the stern end and began tirelessly scooping water out of the boat.
Manwë peeked out behind his cloak and stole a glimpse of the storming sea. "There's another!"
"There's several," Aulë warned, reaching up to lower the sails on account of the harsh winds. He hugged the ship's mast to keep it upright, lest the wind and waves cause it to splinter.
Fortunately, this time the ship rose over the wave before it could break, thanks to Tulkas's frantic rowing. The Valar raised their heads in relief, only to cry out again as the wave immediately following the last started to fold.
"OSSË!" Manwë's voice boomed, just before the boat went under.
Sunlight filtered through the receding storm clouds, shining into the eyes of the boat's passengers. They were soaked to the bone, chattering their teeth against the mild breeze.
Aulë was still pressed against the mast. He finally relaxed his grip to hobble stiffly over to untie Irmo, and he carefully laid him across a seat.
"Excellent craftsmanship," Aulë muttered, glancing around the intact ship.
Tulkas picked his head out of a puddle of water on the floor of the boat, gasping for air. He realized one of the two oars was missing, and he hurried to fish it out of the water.
Manwë stared glumly at his sopping-wet robes. He removed his hood and raised his head, squinting at the bright sun overhead.
The sea surrounding them was completely flat as far as the eye could see, giving no indication of the tumultuous storm they had battled mere moments ago. The clouds fled from the sky, headed east, leaving its blue color unblemished.
Ossë floated in front of the boat, almost as still as the water. His eyes widened fearfully, like the possibility that he might incur Manwë's wrath had never occurred to him.
"Look, lords! We're almost there!" he shouted, hoping to shift their focus.
Up ahead, a boat holding the three old men was bobbing patiently on the thin waters, waiting for them.
Beyond that, the sky was lit with a great multitude of colors, golds and reds and pinks and oranges, glowing bright against the dark clouds of dusk. The stars shed their pure white light from the dark blue and violet heavens directly over the sea.
"I wish the others could see this," Aulë sighed.
Between the boat of the old men and that of the Valar, Ulmo glowered at Ossë, who sank further into the depths to avoid his lord's glare. "I am so sorry, Manwë. I-" he started to apologize.
But the other Vala temporarily excused it, raising his hand to cut him off. "There will be time for retribution when we return to Valinor."
"It looks almost all of you made it," Fanuin greeted, his smile faltering into a look of concern when he noticed Irmo sprawled over the ship's side.
"Now we can reveal our handiwork to you!" Ranuin said excitedly. "Lord Manwë, open your hand."
With some uncertainty, and the eyes of the other Valar close upon him, Manwë brought out his hand.
"Lord Ulmo, the sun has come to set- try to send her through the Doors of Night," Danuin bid suddenly.
Sure enough, Arien in her flaming glory was descending to be taken by the Lord of the Sea. When he tried to receive her, however, he found that no matter how hard he pushed and strained, the golden vessel would not be moved.
Danuin set what felt like a heavy rope in Manwë's hand. "You may now have control over the movements of the sun."
The Vala closed his fingers over the invisible rope, and when he pulled, the sun flew back into Ulmo's arms, and when he cast it forward, she passed through the Doors of Night.
Now Ranuin came to place another rope in Manwë's hand. "You may control the path of the moon."
Lastly, Fanuin handed over his craftsmanship. "This one holds the most power, for with it you can control the interactions of the sun and the moon, and moreover, the passage of time. Therewith we present to you the day, the month, and the year."
Manwë held them all together in his palm. The ropes felt heavy, but it took very little of his strength to manipulate them. He clenched his hand tightly so they would not slip out.
He raised his head, a question forming on his lips. Yet the other sea craft had vanished, and with it the three old men. The open water around the single remaining boat was entirely vacant. The Valar sat quietly, listening to the creaking of their wooden boat bobbing up and down on the waves.
Tulkas and Aulë searched the faint evening light for some trace of them, but the Valar were left there alone, gazing in wonder at the night sky.