Title: A Second Choice 10

Author: Amber

Beta: Oli
Rating: PG
Characters: Elrond, Glorfindel
Disclaimer: I just borrow Tolkien's characters; I make no money off of them. Oli also provided the name Ellaf for me.
Timeline: Fourth Age Aman
Summary: Elrond discovers he has another choice.

Oromë waited until the garden was empty before he moved out of the trees and further into the garden. He had been sent to observe Glorfindel to assess his well-being after his attack and was doing a recheck when he overheard the meeting. What he had overheard caused conflicts within him that he did not know how to handle. Finally, he decided that he needed to report to Manwë. He had been sent to spy and learn news of the rebellion, now he had to take news of possibly another rebellion taking place. Something inside of him told him that maybe this second rebellion needed to happen. He somehow suspected that the others may not agree with him.

He arrived at Taniquetil to find all of his brother and sister Vala waiting. Manwë had decided that his report could happen before all and decisions be made then and there.

"What have you learned?" Varda asked him.

"The rebellion is being provoked by the dark Maia in the north. They have chosen to promote the ideas coming from Elaff against Elrond and the other people of Middle-earth," Oromë explained.

"Elrond?" came the surprised inquiry from Aulë. "I thought we had dealt with that situation?"

"Not all is as it appears," Namo answered. Looking to Manwë for permission to explain, he continued. "We have used Elrond as an unknowing accomplice and spy. We needed the information and he was in a position to obtain it from us with the proper setting provided."

"He has not turned to follow Melkor then?" Nienna asked to be sure.

"He will never follow Melkor but do not think him incapable of causing trouble," Oromë told them.

"Of what do you speak Oromë?" Manwë asked as he had picked up on this ones confusion.

"I went and kept an eye on Glorfindel like you asked," he said. "When Elrond woke, he at first tried to push Glorfindel away but not because he loathed him. Elrond is trying to find a way to protect Glorfindel. There is trouble brewing of another nature that is a greater threat than the elven rebellion."

"What could be a greater threat than the rebellion to the peace of Aman?" Yavanna asked.

"Aman's defeat by an army controlled by Melkor," Oromë told them as he looked at Namo.

"Why the searching look, brother?" Namo inquired. He was sensing that he was not going to like what he heard next.

"Explain yourself," Manwë ordered.

"Elrond and Glorfindel talked for some time in the gardens before he left," Oromë continued. "Elrond told Glorfindel who was leading the rebellion and why so he could pass the information on to us. Then he asked a series of questions that led to a revelation to me that leaves me unsettled. Namo, tell me about the Hall of Children."

"The Hall of Children?" Namo asked in surprise. "It is the Hall that houses all of the fëa of the firstborn who died in Middle-earth before reaching their majority. Why?"

"Have any ever been released from the Halls?" he continued.

"No they haven't," Namo said as he hung his head sadly. "These fëa are damaged beyond my ability to fix despite what I try. I have come to the conclusion that only Eru can do this and assume this will happen at the breaking of the world."

"There are others who believe differently," Oromë stated. "Elrond told Glorfindel that the dark Maia plan to use these fëa to create a dark army that the elves cannot defeat."

This information caused an uproar among the Vala as they considered the implications of this information. Manwë let the others go on for several minutes as he considered the news before stopping them to ask questions of his own.

"Oromë," he began as the others silenced themselves to listen. "Is there any other information for us or is this most of it?"

Oromë was hesitant for a minute. He knew he would tell them but he was finding himself in agreement with Elrond's ideas despite not knowing everything.

"Elrond does not know yet how the dark ones plan to retrieve the fëa from Mandos," he told the others. "He plans to wait until after that to retrieve the fëa from them, and send them on to Glorfindel."

"Then what?" Manwë encouraged as he sensed there was more.

"I am not sure. I believe Elrond will stay with the dark Maia for a time. Elrond and Glorfindel plan on taking the fëa to a sanctuary the elves of Imladris are presently building in the southern mountains," he said quietly.

"Why are they not returning them to the Halls, Oromë?" Namo asked irritated.

"They do not believe the fëa belong there, or that we know how to properly heal and provide for them," he answered.

There was a minute of shocked surprise before Namo responded menacingly.

"So Elrond has been corrupted enough to believe that he knows better?" he asked. "And you seem to agree?"

"Namo," Manwë warned. "Hear him out."

"He brought up some good points when he explained to Glorfindel," Oromë told him. "Galadriel and Celeborn agreed to a certain extent when Glorfindel talked to them. They thought they were possibly underestimating the work involved, and some of their logistics but that the plan had merit."

"So we are facing a second rebellion and theft?" Namo asked. "Planned by not only two we rewarded, but by at least some of the so called wise elves of Middle-earth."

"Actually, maybe a third fraction to deal with also," Oromë informed them.

"A third fraction?" Tulkas asked. "When did we lose such control of Aman?"

"Oromë?" Manwë asked in way of getting an explanation.

"I sense that the elves of Middle-earth will divide into two groups," he explained. "Elrond and those who agree or understand what he is doing on the one side; and others led by Cirdan who will not agree because the plan involves Elrond."

"Have we done Elrond that much damage by choosing to use him as our spy?" Varda wanted to know.

"I think this is a prejudice left over from what he endured in Endórë," Ulmo said entering the conversation. "I have sensed Círdan's prejudice for Elrond before now and have learned from my trips inland that it is shared by many. His choosing to be one of the Firstborn, then having the audacity to many and sire children and spreading his so called taint, offended them."

"Sadly, his mother's attitude toward him and the knowledge of it does not help matters," Irmo put in.

"Back to the matter at hand," Namo pressed in an acidy voice. "Exactly what did Elrond say that led you to believe that he might know better than me?"

"He stated that since we do not produce children, we cannot possibly know how to properly raise, nurture, and discipline an elfling's fëa," Oromë explained. "He gave examples that make sense to back up his beliefs."

"Such as?" Manwë asked intrigued despite himself.

"He stated that it was a grave mistake to put all of the fëa into one Hall together," he said. "And he said that he could feel that ones who were tainted were tainting others. Both he and Glorfindel said they could sense the age of fëa and how long they had been there. I was left with the impression that the fëa feel neglected and are angry."

"Is that all?" Namo snapped as his methods were brought into question.

"That and one of your Maia is making everything worse," Oromë said. "Elrond has no indication that he has turned his loyalties, just that he does not agree with your methods either, and is confusing and stirring up the fëa in a misguided attempt to help them."

"They sensed all of these problems from being in the Hall only a few minutes?" Namo stated. "I wonder who is being misguided now? And to think you would believe one who would stab his own brother."

"That is enough Namo," Manwë told him. "None like it when their methods are questioned in such a way but that is no reason for taking it out on Oromë."

"You're right," Namo conceded as he took a deep breath. "I apologized Oromë, and to everyone for my attitude."

"You are forgiven," Oromë said with a smile. "You should know that the stabbing was Glorfindel's idea. He told Elrond to use his healer's knowledge and not hit anything vital that would cause him to bleed out before being found. They needed a pliable alibi for Elrond's escape to keep his standing with the dark Maia and prevent suspicion."

"Why do I sense Ada's hand in that?" Varda said as some smiled and agreed with her. "Devious, but well planned."

"You said the elves of Middle-earth will break into two groups?" Tulkas asked for clarification. "They have already broken into three groups not counting this group of Glorfindel's."

"If the elves of Aman band move against those from Endórë, the elves of Middle-earth will band together into one group against them," Oromë explained. "They have fought together and intermarried too much to do anything but band together."

"Oromë is right in that regard," Ulmo explained. "The division will not come until Elrond's plan comes into the equation. Even then, they may stay as on group. They may not like Elrond, but they respect him and acknowledge he is a good leader."

They further discussed matters until everyone had a clear understanding of the situation. When everything had been settled between all, Manwë came to a decision.

"I will take the matter of the fëa to Eru," he told them. "Continue as you are doing things for now until we receive an answer. I will assign one to watch the Maiar who are assigned to the Hall of Children. We will see if anyone is stirring up trouble, and for what reason. I want watches put on Elaff, and Cirdan, and a list of their primary followers. Oromë, take Tulkas and hunt in the northern regions again. Do not hunt Elrond but do not jeopardize his place among the dark maiar either. He is not following Melkor as of yet and until I know for sure what is going on, I will not put our source of information in peril. We need to be more diligent in protecting those from Endórë before we have a civil war break out. There are few in Aman who can stand before their swords and survive despite what Ellaf and his followers think. I will have my eagles keep a watch on this sanctuary of Elrond's also."

After the others had faded away, Manwë appealed to Eru for guidance.

Celeborn sent many of his March wardens, under Haldir's command, to New Imladris as they were calling it. Galadriel had arranged for the craftsman, taking only a few families from different locations to keep from arousing suspicion. In an unexpected move, Celeborn went around and gathered up a group of children from Middle-earth whose parents resided in Mando's Halls, or had not sailed. He sent these along with the March wardens in an attempt to help Erestor ensure he had planned for all that would be needed, and to keep the children from the turmoil. Healers that Elrond had trained himself were also quietly dispatched to the sanctuary with their families.

While they were waiting for the next round of requests to come from Glorfindel, Celeborn and Galadriel made the decision to approach Thranduil. It took little discussion among them to realize that Elrond might have inadvertently shown them a way to defuse the situation here in Aman. Soon, they were meeting with others to plan realms of their own to the west. Even Cirdan agreed that the plan had merit and contributed to the discussions.

They planned realms where their families could live in peace. They split themselves into various groups according to their divisions in Middle-earth. There were only those from Imladris missing. It was at this point that many realized that something else was going on. Claiming that Elrond was responsible for the disappearances somehow, many called for his blood. Cirdan calmed them saying that the Vala would take care of Elrond, but that they must not divide themselves. Celeborn and Galadriel remained neutral on the subject. Glorfindel made no comment at all when it was noticed that he was the only former resident of Imladris still around.

Elaff saw that the Vala were doing little more than offering admonishments to his plans as they were slowly carried out. He had proven Ingwe's inability and unwillingness to become involved. He had already been able to pass bills through the different realms barring those presently on Tol Eressëa from leaving the island. He had arranged with the merchants to bleed them dry of their precious money and items by increasing prices caused by tariffs and carefully placed taxes. He had been able to ensure the passage of a bill that ensured that only Aman born teachers and Loremasters could educate elflings to ensure that the history of Middle-earth was distorted and destroyed. Overall, his rebellion was working well.

Now he decided was the time to take his plans to the next level. He decided to neutralize the youth and young adults of the Edorians by taking those who resided in Aman proper out in small groups. He planned to have them drafted to work for five years for the state to supposedly teach them responsibility to the realm. A similar plan was in place for those born in Aman but the conditions were to be vastly different. Amanians worked in public offices to teach them civic duties. The Edorians would be little more than slave labor assigned to the different fields and mines. Any who resisted their 'duty' would be detained in camps forcibly if necessary.

When the decree went out for the draft, there was much grumbling. The eldars of the Endórë chose to inform their people to ignore the draft. They sense that separating their young people from their families would lead to trouble. When none showed up at the draft stations, Elaff order his troops to go door to door rounding up any youth they saw regardless of age. Soon there was fighting as parents fought to keep their children. Many were injured, some seriously but none were killed. It gave Elaff the excuse he had been looking for to force the hand of the kings against the Endorrians claiming that another Kin slaying had to be prevented.

The Vala felt their hands being forced and stepped in to prevent bloodshed. They ordered all elves to stay in their homes while they tried to calm the situation. A cry went up from the Aman born that they were innocent. A return cry went up from those born in Middle-earth that they were the victims of greedy Amanians. A third cry of peace went up from those reborn, but it was ignored from both sides. When the plans of the Endórë born to build new realms of their own were revealed, Elaff and his people were furious. They appealed to the Valar saying they and not the tainted should be gifted such lands. Then Elaff made his first mistake. He taunted the Valar, asking how they could favor those who had done nothing but cause bloodshed and death. He accused them of being no better that Melkor if they agreed to give the lands to any but Amanians. He turned his back on the Valar claiming they would solve their own problems and ordered the captured children brought to Tirion.

Elrond watched from his place among the dark Maia as the upheaval began. He had avoided being caught in the many hunts now being conducted by both Oromë and Tulkas but just barely. Several times he was injured by one or the other but always he was allowed to escape. What remained of his group moved further west until they were near the outer boundaries that were guarded by Nienna and his Eärendil. Elrond felt uncomfortable being so close to the gates but it was not noticed as several others were also feeling this way.

Elrond listen and gathered all the information that he could. It was only rarely that he had the opportunity to it pass along. When he was near one of the Valar, he took the opportunity to pass what he knew on to them. When that was not an option, he used the tiny thread of the bond between him and Glorfindel. This was very taxing for him over such a distance and he had to be able to hide his weariness afterwards. Twice, he came close to giving himself away but was saved by interference from a Maia who preferred the form of a large white wolf. He began to think that maybe she was another who was not dark, but did not reveal his stance yet.

After his brother's attack, he was not sent into Tirion again. They understood that the two would not be able to work together and kept Elrond in the mountains. Instead, the dark Maia began to pick Elrond's brain about what would be needed to raise the fëa. He gave them what information he could and provided the plans for a fortress to raise the fëa in. When he was assigned to help build it, he was given a whole new series of lessons on how to use powers that lay dormant until then.

As Elrond became proficient in his power's use, the dark Maia began to notice the different limitation that had been placed upon him. They began to speak against these limitations and the darker among them tried to entice him to declare for their side by promises of full powers. Elrond acted like he was interested but wanted to wait until later to take advantage of the situation. They allowed him to stay neutral for now as they worked on gaining the declared allegiance of others like him but Elrond knew his time was limited now.

Soon the fortress was built and the waiting game began. Elrond watched from afar as civil war brewed in the east despite the attempts to stop it. When Elaff made his move to enforce the draft, then taunted the Valar about the new realms, the Maia gathered. Elrond had no time to warn anybody as they left for Mando's Halls. He still had not learned how the fëa were to be released and could only hope that he could warn his people before showing up on their doorstep.

Elrond and his wolf friend were placed with the group entering the Halls by the dark maiar. They alone of those gathered for the theft had not pledged their loyalty to Melkor and the maiar thought to force their hand by their participation. As the Valar were distracted by Elaff, Elrond could send no warning that would not be picked up by someone in the dark group. He was uncertain of his wolf friend's true loyalties but knew that he had no choice but to depend on her help if they were lucky enough not to be separated. It was a chance he would have to take.

He was surprise when they walked right up to Námo's Halls without being disturbed. One of the older ones explained that the Halls were designed to keep someone in, not out. Also, as they were Maia, they did not alert the inhabitants the way one of the firstborn might. He was astonished when he and his wolf friend were chosen as the ones to enter and open the pathway.

"It is why we have not pressed you to declare for our side. The building will sense that you are not one of us and let you pass," the eldest explained. "Once you two have entered and opened the building, we can follow."

Elrond nodded his head in understanding and followed his wolf friend to the entrance where the door easily opened for him. Propping it open, he kept going in a direction that would lead them towards the Hall of Children. He was surprised when he encountered no one and decided to take a chance. Leaning up against one of the walls, he directed a thought to it. He told it to let the Maia inside know about the dark maiar's entrance and to be careful. He knew not if his message would get through, but it was worth it to try. Looking behind him down the corridor, he saw the line of dark Maia following.

Leading them through the passageways, Elrond finally signaled that they were just around the bend from the Hall. He had already let the dark Maia know that the Hall was guarded so was not surprised when three others rushed forward and shot repeated energy bolts into the four Maia guards. Then, everyone was rushing into the Hall and trying to gather the fëa. They began leading them out with the older fëa helping the younger along. Elrond and his friend did a final quick search before following as the last ones were led out. As he passed the downed Maia, he quickly checked their injuries. One was still conscious, so he took a chance and left her with a quick set of coordinates that gave the location of two different fortresses the dark maiar had built. Then he headed towards the exit.

As they came past the corridor leading to the Hall of Dark Maiar, Elrond saw that their numbers had been increased greatly. These dark maiar were still in spirit form and he shuddered as he considered what their incarnate form would be. What scared him more was the power signatures coming from them. These maiar were truly old and many had been enhanced with a part of Melkor himself. Elrond knew that he was now out of his depth and that he would never be able to steal the elfling's fëa away with these additions to their group.

As he came to the door, he was surprised to see Selem trying to stop them by herself. He had known she would be somewhere in the Halls, but had hoped she would not make an appearance. She would be no match for the released maiar by herself. When she saw Elrond, she became angry and decided to target him.

"You traitor," she screamed at Elrond as she shot him with a bolt of lightning.

Elrond was so surprised by her actions that he did not move away in time and took the bolt directly in the chest. Crumpling to the floor, the last thing he saw before darkness enveloped him was four of the released maiar attacking Selem with fire bolts of their own. As Selem crumpled to join Elrond on the floor, the lead Maia order Elrond's wolf friend to carry him as he picked up Námo's' daughter and carried her out into the night with them.

As the Valar showed up in force to stop the coming bloodshed, Elaff ordered his troops to begin firing on those from Middle-earth who had stormed his detention center. He had ordered all of the youth collected placed in a big oil storage warehouse in Tirion for easier management. He had not foreseen that their parents would not only defy his orders, but fight to retrieve the offspring that had been taken. As the first arrow was loosed against them, the Endorians decision to patiently wait for the Valar to fix things disappeared. Once again the warriors of Middle-earth would fight to defend themselves, and assure their way of life.

As more armed warriors stormed the warehouse, Elaff's archers began to fire from the roof. They were surprised when most of the warrior's armor deflected the blows and the warriors kept coming as if nothing had happened. The archers fired again with no results before they began to panic. Taking advantage of finding material and barrels of oil stored on the roof, Elaff's troops began firing flaming arrows at the attacking warriors. Then someone decided to try and pour the burning oil down onto the troops below. This finally had a reaction as several of the warriors from Middle-earth caught fire. As they watched the warriors aflame below drop to the ground and roll, they thought they had found an idea weapon. They were surprised when most of the injured regained their feet and turned to fight again.

Some of those defending the warehouse began to realize they were fighting a losing battle. They were angry and decided to ensure that the youth below would not return to their families or become warriors to fight against them. They ordered holes to be made in the wooden warehouse roof and began pouring oil and other flammables down into the warehouse atop of the storage casks and youth below. As the opposing warriors began to storm up the outside stairs to the roof, flaming torches were thrown down the holes and the warehouse and those in it went up in flames.

The Endorians abandon their fight as they concentrated on rescuing their children. The screams of the burning youth filled their ears as Oromë appeared with his Maia and blasted the front of the warehouse apart. The Maia began bringing the burning elflings out as Estes appeared with her healers to treat them. When the fire was put out and all retrieved, it was discovered that 14 youth had died as a result of burns on top of the 20 archers of Elaffs. Another 57 elflings had suffered burns, many seriously. The horror of the situation drove the then neutral reborn into the Middle-earth camp.

As the warehouse fire was being cleaned up, a mental cry shrieked through the air to the Maia as their brothers and sisters in Mando's Halls came under attack. Then came an anger filled mental shriek from Selem as she attacked and was in turn attacked herself. Leaving the elves to finish dealing with the remnants of the warehouse fire themselves, the Ainur rushed to the Halls in an attempt to head off a greater crisis. They arrived to find the Hall empty and the defending Maia either unconscious or badly wounded. Horror swept through all as they learned that the Hall of Dark Maiar was empty.