Category: Lord of the Rings
Rating: T
Couples: Elrohir/Melkor, OC/OC and the canon ones also (some only in mention)
Warnings: Slight Slash; Not so slight AU; Blood; Angst
Chapter: 20
Copyright: Most Characters and Places © By Tolkien; Some characters and plot © by me
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„You have no business here, dwarf." The words of Thingol were laced with venom.
„Say you, King Elf. I say otherwise." His eyes were blazing. „ you know not the full meaning of this, but I do."
„You do?" Estë echoed.
„I do." The dwarf turned to her. „Sisteria"
A jolt of recognition went through the Valar at that name.
„How?" The word was no more than a breathed whisper.
"He told me."
"Enough." Manwë looked upon all that were present. "We shall discuss this in private."
Since no council room was designed to hold a hundred, now one of the dining rooms was filled with Elves, Valar and one dwarf.
"So please, would you tell us the truth? The complete truth?"
Vána sighed. "Very well, the truth. I shall begin at the beginning then: even before the Ainulindalë, the music of the Valar, when Eru had yet even to create the Ainur... He created the Guardian. Although he did not create him like that at first, he later became that. He was a being only visible to the eyes of the strongest. And although he was a creature bound to our word, he became our friend. When the first of us descended into Eä, he followed them. When Melkor betrayed us he became our guardian, for in physical strength he was unmatched. Later he was joined by a female version of himself, who became his wife. They were called Tumaran and Iphine."
"The dragons we're fighting?" Thranduil asked incredulously.
"Exactly those."
"They betrayed you?"
"Not exactly." The deep timbre of the dwarf filled the room. "It was the other way around I'm afraid."
"What?"
"One of our betrayed them, at which they turned from us." Yavanna whispered. "In this case, we were the traitors."
"What happened?"
"I was afraid." The anger was gone and replaced with guilt when Manwë spoke. "I was afraid they would turn from us and in that fear I caused them to do just that."
He let his head fall back, unwilling to look at any one. "They were husband and wife and – like most couples – they begot children. Seven of which there were four sons and three daughters. I feared the consequences that could come from that. So I killed all seven of them."
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"We cannot afford discord now."
"Can we afford to work together with him? He broke the only oath the Valar had to swear by Eru."
"The other thirteen have not."
"The two greatest however have. Galadriel does have a point."
"Do you not recall what the dragon said? We will need their strength."
"For what? Apparently they are both beyond the Valar."
"And what of the Dragons and Balrogs who turned your forest into a giant bonfire, Oropher?"
"When they are killed, they rise from their ashes."
"Beyond the Valar as well. Glorious, simply glorious."
"Sarcasm won't get us anywhere, Elladan. And where in Eru's sake is your brother?"
"With Melkor."
"Again!"
"Yes, he wished to try and pry some details out of him."
"And that could work?"
"Well, they are on very friendly terms."
"Very friendly? More Lovey-dovey..."
"..."
"What? I am his mother, not blind."
"You don't seem to mind."
"If he is happy, I am."
"Hannon le, Naneth."
"Elrohir, back so soon?"
"Yes."
"And? Could you find something?"
"Yes."
"Well, what is it?"
"The more detailed version of what Manwë told us."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"When Eru first longed for company, he used the four elements to forge it: The treasures of the Earth, all kinds of metal, he used for the body. Water he used to give him grace, Fire became his breath and Air his domain. He was invisible to all eyes, except for those we now count among the Valar. For many years he was their champion, keeping the Evil of Melkor at bay. But he became lonely, he desired a mate. Eru, wishing to reward him for his services, granted him one. For many years they fought and lived together. But then they were gifted with children and as those children grew, so did the fear of Manwë. And at one point it grew so great that he, while the parents were away, slaughtered the children. Both Tumaran and Iphine never forgave them that, and after attacking them, traveled to Middle-Earth where they disappeared until now." Elrohir told his stunned audience.
"And the dwarf?" Glorfindel asked at length.
"That Melkor himself knows not."
"Knows not or wishes to tell not?" Slight Sarcasm tinged the words of the Chief Councilor of former Imladris.
"Knows not." The Second son of Elrond defended the Vala.
"No discussion." Celeborn cut Erestor short. "At least not on this subject. We must decide whether to remain in this alliance or not."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
It was a few hours later, that when Celebrian walked her mother's gardens she stumbled across the dwarf.
He was enjoying the sight and smell of her mother's pride: Her snow-white roses.
"Forgive me, master dwarf." She joined him.
His cat-like eyes looked into hers, before he answered. " For what, my Lady? You have more right to be here then I."
"This is true." She gestured he should follow her. After seating herself on one of the many stone benches, she studied him. "You are no ordinary dwarf."
"In what way?" A amused twinkle appeared in his eyes.
"You look different than any dwarf I ever met."
"I am different, daughter of Galadriel, very different. You will learn in this war, that nothing may be what it seems. Iphine and Tumaran are not dragons by design, but by will. They are as flexible in their guises as Prince Legolas is skilled with the bow."