Chapter 3
The Fëanorian companies could tell they were drawing closer to Angband. The scenery was starting to change. Dark clouds hung over the sky and the terrain was becoming rocky with scraggly, dead trees. The remnants of a creek were flowing slowly down the hill to their left. Once, this would have been a beautiful place.
Maedhros called the companies to a halt before continuing to the next hill. "As most of you have probably observed, we are drawing closer to Angband. This is where our companies shall split. Maglor, take your company around to the east, Caranthir to the west. Send scouts ahead of you and when they sight the orc company, come to a halt. There you will wait for a signal to come if you are needed." Maglor and Caranthir nodded. "My company will follow me straight into Angband. Do not engage with the orcs unless you are forced to. Everyone take a short rest now before we move forward." As Maedhros finished his speech, his brothers walked over to meet him.
"You are sure about this, Maedhros?" Maglor asked hesitantly.
"Is anyone sure about anything?" Maedhros asked in return, leaving Maglor somewhat unsatisfied.
"I believe you are making the right decision." Caranthir tried to comfort his brother. "Even if something does go wrong, we have almost 3000 soldiers. We far outnumber and even farther out-skill the orcs. Whatever this comes to, we are a step ahead of Morgoth."
"I wish everyone could have your confidence, Caranthir." Maglor said before starting to pace nervously.
"No matter." Maedhros said. "What is done is done. We cannot back out now."
"Yes we can!" Maglor blurted. "Morgoth will continue no matter what we do. You think he is serious in this surrender? Why would he gather a company of 1500 with intentions to surrender?" he said trying to deter his brother one last time.
"I have no choice, Maglor!" Maedhros shouted, drawing the attention of a few of the warriors. More quietly he said, "I will not risk the lives of our brothers. I would not have bought you and Caranthir if it could have been avoided. If Morgoth is truthful in his surrender and in giving up a Silmaril, it is that much easier to keep you all safe. Don't you see? This is a chance I have to take." Maedhros turned away, trying to keep a tear from escaping his eye.
Maglor walked over to his brother, grabbing his shoulder and pulling him into an embrace. "I see." Maglor told him softly. "I wish it did not have to be this way, but I believe that I understand why now."
"Thank you." Maedhros said, pulling away. Facing his brothers again, he said, "We should go now."
"Don't worry, Maedhros. We will see you soon." Caranthir said. Maedhros turned to the companies.
"It is time to depart now. You all know your duties. Now, you shall perform them." Maedhros turned back to his brothers and said, "We will meet again," before he turned and started on his course.
Maglor had been walking silently, his company following behind him. He stopped in his tracks when he heard the sound of someone running towards them. It was the scout he had sent out. He is back too soon. Maglor thought. Something is wrong!
"Why have you returned so early? You certainly have not found the orcs yet." Maglor said, trying to think of another reason why the scout had come back already.
"I have, My Lord," the scout revealed with a panicked face. "And many more than we had assumed. The hills are crawling with them, just past that ridge." The scout pointed up ahead of them. The ridge was no more than a quarter of a league away. They were going come up behind Maedhros and block in the company.
Maglor turned back to his own group. "Turn around! We must go back the way we came and follow Maedhros' path. Make haste!" Maglor told them before taking off.
After what felt like an eternity, they had finally reached the point where the companies split and what Maglor saw shocked him. Caranthir was returning as well, company in tow.
"Brother!" Maglor shouted to him as they moved closer. "Have you seen the same as us?"
"If what you saw was three times more orcs than we have elves, then yes, we have." Caranthir stated worriedly.
"Maedhros is walking straight into a trap. A much larger one than we imagined."
"We have to warn him, if it is not already too late." Caranthir decided.
"Agreed. And if it is, then we shall do all we can to aid him." replied Maglor. "We must hurry to catch him." With that, they took off.
As the group came to the top of a hill, the sight before Maglor caused him to cry out. Thousands of orcs were surrounding a small group of elves in the middle. More than half of the company that started out was already dead. Maglor saw Maedhros's fiery red hair still fighting along one of the outskirts. He watched as four more elves beside his brother were cut down.
"Maedhros!" Maglor shouted before trying to run towards the skirmish. It could hardly be called a battle for the elves were too outnumbered. Maglor didn't make it far before Caranthir caught him and held him where he was.
"Maglor, we can't help them! We would only be killing ourselves." he said, trying to reach Maglor's common sense. Tears ran down Maglor's face as he watched elves be cut down one by one. He tried to wrestle free in a panick.
"We have to try, Caranthir! We promised!"
Caranthir held strong and eventually Maglor stopped fighting and sank to the ground with weak knees. Caranthir sat down with him, tears now flowing freely from his own eyes. They watched in horror as elf after elf was slain. How their brother was still alive, they did not know, but Maedhros was still fighting. Maglor held his head in his hands.
"I cannot watch. He is not going to make it out. Our own brother is going to be killed in front of us and we can do nothing to stop it."
"I know." Caranthir said with a weak voice as he held his brother.
When Maglor looked up again he saw nothing but orcs. Except -
"Maedhros!" he screamed, standing up quickly almost knocking Caranthir over. Caranthir stood up next to his brother. The redhead on the field looked up to them, his impeccable elven ears picking up his brother's cry. He had a sad look in his eyes. Maedhros was surrounded by orcs but they did not kill him. Maglor suddenly realized what was happening and took a step back.
"What is it?" asked Caranthir, not daring to take his eyes off Maedhros.
"They are taking him captive." Maglor croaked. "He will be a hostage."
The brothers watched in silence as Maedhros slew orc after orc as they tried to get close enough to grab him, but eventually the foul creatures grew too many for him. Maedhros was overtaken and his sword knocked from his hand. An orc hit him across the face and the redhead slumped over, no longer able to fight. Maglor watched as the orcs turned and started moving towards their fortress, one of them dragging Maedhros. Maglor turned and started walking the other way, knowing there was no way they would be able to help their brother right now. Caranthir followed him, and the company started back on their way to Lake Mithrim.
A/N: Plenty of angst in this chapter for you. Is it too much? How do you guys like the portrayals of the characters so far? Also, I know there hasn't been much from Maedhros's POV yet but I'lll get there. He's my favorite Fëanorian so he will get some love one of these days. Please leave a review and let me know what you guys think!
