Ulmo always watches. He is always there. From the core of the earth to the rivers that run through it, he sees all, feels all—knows all. He watches the Elves, and the Elves pray to him as they pray to no other, knowing that he will always be there for them, because he favors them. I am not sure when I began referring to myself as Ulmo.

I never had a form but the simple crashing of the waves, the energy released through rain, floods, the life that waters everything else.

Ulmo has been through many things.

The blood of all of the Elves, drained through the earth, dripped in water—I have it all. They are all within me, all trapped within me.

I remember everything.

He remembers every drop of red.

Their blood is my blood. Their sorrows have been countless.

He watches them suffer, and he suffers as well, unable to do anything unless Manwë instructs to do so. Ulmo wishes to bring them back to Aman, to have all of them repent and promise never to take up arms. But I—he—who is he? the lord of the waters? the lord of the sanguinolent waters, blood-stained, tainted, ruined?—I know that they will not listen to me. Of the Valar though he—no—I may be, and pray will they to me in times of great need, but I cannot take from them their free will.

Ulmo is now powerless to help them as they slay themselves thrice over and allow their own blood to pour into his. I am now bound to them.

And when the Elves die, so will I.


Okay. I realise that all of these changing of past tenses will probably make you cringe. A lot. Your third grade grammar teacher is probably rolling in her grave right now. I hope you'll know why I decided to use both interchangeably.