Note: Thanks goes to my dear friend HaloFin17. Her editing prevented some embarrassing mistakes; but moreover, this second chapter wouldn't exist if it weren't for something she said to me after the last chapter; her idea was that Maglor should sing at Arwen's wedding. I didn't get that far, but perhaps (hopefully) such a scene will be part of another part in the Lingering series.
The Fellowship set out on Hrívë 25[1]. The dwarves kept Bilbo company for a few more days, then they, too, left.
With all of them gone, it was only a matter of time until Maedhros and Maglor would prepare to set out as well.
"Would you not rather stay here?" Elrond asked them. "You would be safest here in Imladris, which the enemy has still not found a way to enter. Do you not think that Sauron will raise up his armies against the free peoples to deal them a mighty blow?"
"I believe that that is exactly what he will do," Maedhros replied. "And he has not forgotten us. Yet you ask from us what you would never do yourself: abandon your people. Do not ask that of us, ion-nin!"
Elrond bowed his head. "Right you are, Adar. It was shameful of me to ask."
"Not shameful, for you spoke out of concern for us. You know that we cannot do as you bid. Should Ennor be doomed and the quest fail, my brother and I will fight Sauron in a battle those to the West—should they ever hear about it—could truly call great, and, if it does not succeed, a second Nirnaeth Arnoediad[2]."
"You speak of a very dark future, Adar," Elrond said. "I have had no premonitions that this is what is to come."
"And even if you did, it would likely be too late. I have said that I cannot and will not abandon my people. Should it come to it, I ask you to think of the greater good for Middle-earth rather than one settlement. If it comes to it, let us be and concentrate your forces on where they may save more people than in the desolate north. But come, we should look into all possible futures and think of how we can work together and prepare for each of those scenarios."
They retreated to Elrond's cabinet, where they lay down a map and together considered all strategies that the enemy might resort to that they could think of; and they thought of how they would best stand against him. Long into the night, they planned. Erestor, Glorfindel, the twins and Maglor joined them at some point, and they all would have missed the evening meal altogether if Lindir had not arranged for something.
"We should have done this while the dwarves were still here," Erestor said, not without frustration of not having thought of this days earlier, when the dwarves were still present.
Maglor shook his head. "I doubt they would have been very receptive to our counsel, or been very open about their own numbers, how much they know about the enemy or their human neighbours. Send them a messenger bird, if you like, advising to prepare. Though I'm sure that they are already doing that."
It was long into the night when they finally broke up. Maedhros fell into a quick sleep, but dreamt of the Ring preying on the Fellowship. Maglor's dreams were no more pleasant.
The brothers granted themselves another week's rest. Then they gathered their men and packed their gear.
On the day of their leave-taking, there was a surprisingly large crowd that wished them well. Perhaps the elves had become accustomed to them over the years; or perhaps they wanted a united elven folk in the face of the enemy, with two of the oldest and strongest Noldor steadfast in the battle against Sauron. Whatever their reason, Maglor found himself touched.
However, of the great crowd it was Arwen who received the most of his attention.
"If the quest fails, you must go to Valinor," he told her.
"Even if Aragorn dies, I will not live forever," she replied. "My choice is already made, and I will not beg to rescind it."
"Even so, Ennor will be no place to live."
"I can fight," the dark-haired lady said. "If Frodo and the Fellowship do not succeed, my sword will join that of my brethren. But if the quest succeeds and I go to the White City of Men to marry Aragorn, you must promise me something."
"Which is?"
"I wish for you and Nelyafinwë to be at my wedding and for you sing for the celebration of my marriage. It is a selfish thing, but I want the grandest voice in Arda to be heard in my future home."
"There are more selfish desires than that," Maglor laughed. "I will come gladly, and so will Nelyo."
"I will do what?" Maedhros appeared suddenly next to them.
"Come to my wedding when it is held in Minas Tirith," Arwen told him.
'When', not 'if'.
"That I will do gladly indeed," Maedhros replied.
He kissed Arwen's forehead. "Be safe," he said.
"You as well," she replied, embracing him tightly and pressing her cheek to his shoulder. She was a tall elleth, but Maedhros' height she did not reach.
Then the brothers also warmly parted from the twins.
Elrond and Glorfindel accompanied them a day's ride out of the valley, where they said their farewells away from others. Glorfindel bore his eyes harder into Maedhros' than before, and his hand gripped the redhead's arm tightly.
"Utúlie'n aurë," he said.
"Auta i lómë!" Maedhros found himself replying.
'The day has come' Fingon had shouted when his brother Turgon came to their aid in the Battle of Unnumbered tears with his army—Glorfindel among them. 'The night is passing' the fighting elves had shouted in reply, believing—in vain—that now they would defeat Morgoth. Glorfindel and Maedhros could have exchanged more fitting words, or said something that was not tainted with false hope.
Of course, this was not the first time that they faced certain war and an uncertain fate. To this day, they had prevailed. Yet millennia had also taught them that during such times of war, immortality was suddenly worth little. Scores of elves, friends, acquaintances, brethren and enemies had gone before them.
They were not the type to be cowed by darkness or evil, quite the opposite. This was why, in times such as this, on the brink of war, they had cause to reassure one another. As warriors, they understood each other at least.
They left it at that, tainted words and all.
1. Foreyule 25 by the Shire Calendar, or December 15 according to the adjusted Shire Calendar.
2. Nirnaeth Arnoediad, The Battle of Unnumbered Tears; took place in 472 of the First Age; it was the last big battle of elves, men and dwarves against Morgoth; Maedhros and his brothers took part, his cousin Fingon, High King of the Noldor at the time, died in it; the elves and their allies suffered their greatest defeat
Author's note:
I only recently realized again that I have become so involved in the Silmarillion that I forgot that not everyone knows it that well. I mix Sindarin and Quenya names and use some Elvish expressions, which I know may make it harder to read the stories.
I use the Sindarin names like Maglor and Maedhros in the third person limited narration because they are used most commonly in the Silmarillion. Most elves who were born later or are not very friendly with Maedhros and Maglor also use them.
The brothers use their Quenya names when speaking of each other or addressing one another; it is assumed that they usually, or even always, speak Quenya with each other. Those who respect them and care for them also use their Quenya names. Maedhros is called "Nelyo" by Maglor, a shortening of his full father-name "Nelyafinwe". All of Fëanor's sons except Curufin preferred their mother names, which is why I use those, with the exception of Nelyafinwe for Maedhros. I decided not to use Maitimo because my idea is that Maedhros, even if only for a while, did not like to be called "well-shaped one" after his hand was cut off. Maedhros' nickname is Russandol, which may occasionally be used.
I would greatly appreciate it if you, my readers, could let me know whether you even find it difficult to follow the series and if you have any suggestions on how to make it easier.
Elvish used:
Adar = father
Ion-nin = my son
Penneth = little one
Arda = world
Ennor = Middle-earth (thus excluding Valinor and Númenór)
Imladris = Rivendell
Elleth = elf-maid