Chapter 10: Maglor's Explanation
To be sure, things did seem to be perfect. Gilraen was happy, Grandmamma Anarrima was happy, Gilraen's parents were out of debt and getting back on their feet, the weather was lovely, and Feanor and Nerdanel were pleased with their sons' progress in lessons. But Lumenna still wasn't totally content. Ever since she'd gotten this job, she'd had two main concerns: Gilraen's poverty and Maglor's silence. The former she'd solved. The latter was still a problem.
It was mid-May, only until two weeks until summer began and Lumenna got a few months off. She couldn't deny that she was looking forward to it. Back when she was younger, she lived for the summer— three months of freedom, staying up all night, and flirting with various of Alqualonde's eligible teenage bachelors. Those days were over, but Lumenna still loved summer more than any other season.
"I guess I've never really grown up," she thought out loud, gazing out the window of Feanor's extensive library.
"That's what I kind of figured."
Lumenna nearly jumped out of her skin and whirled around. Maglor stood behind her, leaning against a bookcase. He stepped out of the shadows. "Sorry if I surprised you. I didn't know you were in here."
"That's all right, I'm fine," said Lumenna. "What brings you here? This isn't exactly a much-visited spot."
"Exactly. My brothers are driving me crazy and so I decided to come in here. They avoid this place like the plague." He stopped, seeing the look on Lumenna's face. "What's so shocking about that? You know what my brothers are like…oh, you're surprised that I'm actually talking, aren't you?"
"Actually, yes, I am," said Lumenna. "I was under the impression that you didn't have a lot to say."
"Just because I don't talk much doesn't mean that I don't have anything to say," said Maglor. "You're smart, you should know that."
"So why is it that you don't talk much?" asked Lumenna. "If you don't mind me asking."
Maglor sat down with a sigh. "I find my life is a lot easier if I just keep my mouth shut. Ever since I was five I've been getting myself into trouble by saying the wrong thing."
Lumenna remembered Maedhros saying how when Maglor was five he'd made their tutor quit. She sat down and leaned forward eagerly. "Why, what happened when you were five? I've been wondering that for ages."
"You were listening to our council, huh?" said Maglor. "No, don't apologize. I would've, too.
"Back when I was five, we had a teacher named Lady Quesse. She was very blond and very pretty, and Maedhros and I both adored her. Problem was, she had no creativity. For her, straying from the prepared lesson was a horrible sin.
"One day she was teaching a lesson on subtraction, and made the mistake of asking me, 'Maglor, if I have five apples and I take three away, how many do I have?'
"'Three,' I said.
"Lady Quesse shook her head. 'No, I have two.'
"'But don't you have the three you took away from the five?' I asked.
"Lady Quesse apparently decided that it was hopeless to try to teach me anything and quit the next day. Ever since then I've spoken as little as possible. It's just easier for everyone."
Lumenna raised an eyebrow at him. "So you're going to let one obviously underqualified teacher turn you into a mute?"
Maglor looked up. "Pardon?"
"That Lady Quesse was completely daft to quit just because you gave her an answer that was unusually insightful for a five-year-old," said Lumenna. "Is that the only reason you're so quiet?"
"Well, mostly," said Maglor. "It's partly Dad's fault, too. He's never really approved of me."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not like my brothers," said Maglor. "I'm not athletic, I'm not a smith, I'm not even that smart. I don't do very well in lessons. I hate hunting and riding. I think forgework is dull. I'm useless."
"There's got to be something you're good at," pressed Lumenna. "No one's utterly useless."
"Well," said Maglor thoughtfully, "I do have a pretty good singing voice. But what good is that going to do me? It's not exactly the sort of thing Noldorin princes are supposed to be good at."
"Let's hear it."
"Hmm?"
"Sing something. If you're any good it doesn't matter that it's abnormal."
"Um, okay," said Maglor. "Here goes…" He leaned back in his chair and started singing.
Lumenna stared at him. She hadn't thought it was possible for a fourteen-year-old boy to have a voice like that. She also realized that this was what she must have overheard that cloudy December day. But one thought was prominent in her mind: This kid was absolutely incredible.
"That was amazing," she said when he had finished. "And your father thinks that's useless?"
Maglor reddened slightly. "Er…he doesn't know, not really. I never told him I was interested in music because I figured he'd be disappointed in me."
"Well, you'd better tell him now," said Lumenna. "This is something he should know about."
"Oh, no, I couldn't!" said Maglor. "I'd be terrified. I always have trouble talking to Dad."
"Fine, then, I'll tell him myself," said Lumenna determinedly. "Believe me, Maglor, keep practicing and one day the entire world will know your name."
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"Good afternoon, Lady Lumenna," said Feanor, looking up from his desk. "How can I help you?"
"I need to talk to you," said Lumenna. "About your son Maglor."
"What about Maglor?" asked Feanor. It occurred to Lumenna that this was Feanor's usual attitude towards his second son in all respects. What about Maglor?
"He tells me that you don't really approve of him, because he's not like his brothers," said Lumenna. "And you said yourself that he isn't interested in anything that you consider useful. Am I right?"
Feanor looked rather bewildered. "Yes, I did say that. But what does that have to do with anything?"
"What it has to do with anything, Lord Feanor, is that you're wrong. Just because Maglor doesn't act like his brothers doesn't mean he's a waste of time. The boy has incredible musical talent, and you should be encouraging him, dangit!" Without meaning to, Lumenna banged her fist on the desk. Feanor gave her an odd look.
"You obviously feel very strongly about this, Lady Lumenna."
"Yes, Lord Feanor," said Lumenna. "Sorry to lose my temper like that."
"Don't worry about it. I like a teacher with guts. You've made your point very clear, and I promise that I'll do my best to encourage Maglor from now on. Will that do?"
"Definitely. Thank you."
Lumenna was halfway up the stairs to her room when she realized what had happened. The Sons of Feanor liked her, Feanor and Nerdanel approved of her teaching methods, Gilraen had a good home, and Maglor had regained his confidence.
She'd won!
Note: And one day, the entire world did know Maglor's name. But it wasn't exactly in a good way.