Amon-thon. June 26, SA 722
THRANDUIL leaned into the low-lying branch. Lord Istuion left early in the morning, unwilling to wait out the rain that has started last night.
"I hope the rain does not become heavier," his father said next to him.
"Why was he in a hurry to leave? I barely had any time to talk with him."
Thranduil thought back to the flash of unease he felt last night. It was brief, but the dead silence reminded him of that time he first felt the trees hold their breath. That incident showed him a glimpse of the Orcs at the village of the Green Elves north of Lindon. But unlike the north of Lindon, Greenwood was free of Orcs. Perhaps he was overreacting based on a bad memory. He had opened his mind to the trees, but he heard and felt nothing after.
"His granddaughter." His father broke into Thranduil's thoughts. "The young lady left with her companions without waiting for Durion's warriors. With all the things that went on in the forest recently, he is worried about her."
Little Demon. "Why aren't these young ones be mindful of their safety?"
His father's lips quivered. "You are one to talk."
"At least I can take care of myself. Besides, I would have had more time with him if it weren't for her."
"Never mind that. Istuion invited you to his home at Dorwinion for the coming winter, if you are up to it."
"His vineyard? How far is it?"
"Some hundred leagues from Amon Lanc. But by the time we arrive at home, it will be near winter. You should be able to ride through the forest. And outside the Greenwood, it is rolling hills and occasional woodland. Still, it would be near a month of traveling at an easy pace."
"Father, I traveled six months through Eriador. A month is nothing to me."
"Or just a few days sailing down the River Celduin if you stay here until the end of Fading. Istuion will send the boat back for you if that is what you wish to do."
"Sailing may be shorter, but it is over 30 leagues to the River Celduin from here. Don't I have to go on foot from here?"
There was a river that originated from Amon-thon and flowed down to Celduin, but the river went over several waterfalls. And unlike the rafts those armed men brought, Lord Istuion's boat was much larger and could not be carried up and down the valley. Thranduil was told the boat was moored at the mountain river just before it fed into River Celduin where it widened enough to accommodate the boat of that size. And the path from Amon-thon to the mountain river was thick with trees that did not favor the use of horses.
"Besides, what would I do here until the end of Fading?"
"Lord Laegir, I believe, hopes you will stay for a time at Amon-thon. Perhaps to get to know his people or train his archers."
"Is that what he wanted to talk to me about? He invited me over to his talan this afternoon." Thranduil glanced away. "Is that what you want me to do?"
"Son." His father turned to him, locking eyes with him. "Do so if and only if it is what you wish to do. There will be a time when your duty will demand you to do things whether you will it or not. But that time is not now. Take all the time you need, my son. Do what your heart tells you."
Thranduil looked into his father's gentle eyes.
Is it really all right?
His father smiled like sunlight in the summer morning and nodded, his warm hand padding his shoulder. Thranduil's chest filled with warmth when a bell attached to the rope ladder rang, announcing a guest.
"Are you expecting someone?" his father asked.
"Just Aron. He should have been here before you."
Galion climbed up to the talan, showing only his head above the talan floor.
"My lord, Lady Faniel is here."
"Indeed?" His father's eyes widened slightly, followed by the curling of his lips.
Thranduil shook his head with a shrug of his shoulders. He did not expect her, although ever since the day they danced together, he saw her almost every day in one form or other.
"Well, I must oversee the preparation for the return trip." His father grinned as he turned to the entrance to the talan.
"Please, father, stay. At least until Aron gets here." Thranduil gave his best imitation of the pleading eyes.
"I wish I could, son, but I really must get going."
Oropher turned to the young lady when she stepped onto the talan. "Faniel, good to see you again. I must be off, but please have a pleasant stay." His father beamed him a smile, then left, leaving Faniel and her attendant alone with Thranduil.
"I…ah…baked some bread and dessert," Faniel said. "Where is Lord Aron?" She glanced around the talan. "I thought he would also be here."
"He is on his way." Thranduil prayed Aron would be here soon. He was late as it was.
Faniel's attendant set the table with tea service and a plate of dessert, then jumped up. "I forgot the bread you packed for Lord Aron, my lady. I will be back. It will only take a few minutes." She climbed down the rope and was gone even as Faniel protested.
Suddenly, only two of them were left at the talan. And the gray rain that misted the forest all morning intensified, covering the small space with an aqueous veil.
The sky darkened and the amber lights hanging at the eaves of the ceiling flickered on, throwing golden light into the seeping silence that settled between Thranduil and the young lady.
Thranduil wondered what he should talk about. Aron had told him he must learn to speak more. But he did not know what to talk about.
Surrounding the talan like silver silk, the rain thickened. And this space, usually airy, began to choke him. Thranduil pulled at the neck of his tunic. He ransacked his head but there was nothing he wanted to say to the young lady.
"Your attendant, shouldn't she be back by now?" Thranduil could not tell how much time had passed. The sky was thick with layers of gray clouds.
"She just left, my lord." Lady Faniel who sat silently for a while perked up. She poured tea and passed a cup to Thranduil. "She must be delayed by the rain. How about Lord Aron?"
Thranduil shrugged.
"Should be here soon." He hoped and prayed as the walls of rain tightened around him, tighter even than the underground cell the Noldor had placed him that one time in Lindon. Thranduil's hand automatically reached for the necklace. It was hard to breathe here, even as the scent of chamomile and mint from the tea graced the talan with their scents. Who said the herbal scents were relaxing?
"Would you like another cup?" Faniel offered when he returned the empty cup.
"What would I do with it?"
The lady blinked. "Pardon?"
"Ignore me." Thranduil sighed. Of course, she was not Lalaithwen who would have laughed and would have retorted without blinking an eye.
Where are you, Aron? You better come right now, damn you.
"Would you like to try the honeycorns, my lord? I baked them myself." The young lady gestured toward the acorn-sized concoction on the plate. "I've been learning from Mistress Glineth. I made mine to look like peaches."
The honeycorns, Doriathrin sweets made with light dough filled with fruit paste and glazed with honey, were shaped like miniature fruits. But most of the time, they were shaped like large acorns, thus the name. It was said that the honeycorns tasted like a lover's kiss.
"She told me your mother used to bake them for Lord Oropher."
"What would you know about my mother?"
"My mother knew Lady Arinariel when they were in Beleriand, and she said the lady was kind and wise."
The rain seemed to fall harder. Thranduil looked up at the sky which was murky and gray.
"And she taught my mother and the other ladies how to bake, the way Queen Melian taught her. Especially after Lady Elwing married and left, she took some of the young ladies from the noble houses and taught them herself. I suppose she was preparing them for you…"
The elleth went on, and Thranduil wondered where Aron was. It was good that she started to talk. It meant he didn't have to. He was uncomfortable when she was silent, but now that she was talking, his muscles relaxed. Her voice hummed along with the showers of rain drumming on the leaves of the trees.
Unfortunately, once Faniel started to talk, she went on and on about mundane things that were of no interest to him. He just nodded, the way he would when Aron was around. Aron usually made these situations easier to handle by doing all the talking. All he had to do was nod and smile occasionally. But his nodding seemed to encourage her to talk even more. As she droned on, Thranduil found it hard to hide his yawn.
The steady fall of the rain mixed with her even tone of voice lulled his mind, filling with hazy mists. If it wasn't considered inappropriate, he wanted to lie down. He propped his head on one fist and he gazed at her, his mind wandering the dreamy landscape of his mind, one foot struggling to remain on the rain-enclosed space, the other on the formless world of dreamland.
"…and the honeycorns, ... taste…"
Honeycorns. Yes, he wanted some. He was getting hungry.
"...a lover's kiss…"
Blinking away the lethargy, he straightened. "Perhaps, I'll have some." Thranduil leaned in.
She stopped talking and fluttered her eyes rapidly. Her face was the red of the sinking sun.
"Pardon?"
"You know, I would like a taste."
The lady swallowed. Thranduil wondered why she seemed suddenly lost for words. He stretched out his hand.
"You… want me to?" she pointed to his side. "Now?"
"You are right there." Why would it be so hard for her to toss him some?
"I… I didn't know you would… so suddenly." She glanced around.
"Why would you not want to?"
"I do. I mean, no. It's just… I've wondered, yes, but," she shook her head. "It is just…" she played with her hands, glancing away again. "Do you like me enough to want to? I would… if it is what you really want…"
He frowned. "What is liking anyone has to do with it? I mean, you don't need to like me to have them, do you? Who doesn't like them?"
"But, that seems so… You've…" she swallowed. "With many?"
"I had my share, I suppose. It is hard to have just one. Once you start, you have to have more. Don't you?"
Faniel's face turned pale. "I admit I had a few here and there, but I wouldn't just… I mean, we didn't even hold hands yet."
Thranduil scowled. "Why do you need to hold hands? That is ridiculous. Never mind. I will…" Thranduil moved over to where she sat next to the table laden with the baked goods and reached.
The young lady jumped up from where she sat, her eyes wide. "I… I don't want to. Not like this. I… I would like the chance, but I am not some desperate elleth you can just…" she waved her hands in front of her, "whenever you want to. Please excuse me."
"What?"
"Sorry I am late." Aron stepped onto the talan just at that moment. He was soaked.
Faniel swept past Aron, then rushed down the ladder without another word.
Aron knitted his brows. "What happened? What did you do, Thranduil?"
"Me? I didn't do anything. I just wanted some honeycorns. She was so terrible about handing me some, and after offering them to me."
"That makes little sense."
"Exactly." Thranduil shook his head. "Women are strange creatures."
East of Ash Mountains. June 26, SA 722
MAIRON leaned down on the horse and scanned the valley below him. Ahead of him lay rugged, broken peaks of gray as far as he could see. To the east of him was the hazy greyness which he knew to be the Sea of Rhun.
The temple he used as his place to test the Elves was located deep under the errant root of the mountains located south of the Sea of Rhun. He had never been to the temple himself. Dernwulf conducted all the experiments under Mairon's guidance. The Maia only needed the results.
But this matter with Maglor and Thranduil required his personal touch. He could not afford this matter to go astray. And he did not trust anyone to handle the dragon blood.
Looking toward the west, Mairon gauged it would take another month of travel until he reached the temple. Mairon chose this place to meet Kemik instead of going directly to the black land Dernwulf mentioned so that he could be at Maglor's side sooner rather than later.
He was still curious about the volcano. But if the Noldo was to wake before he reached him, there was a possibility, however unlikely, that Maglor may slip through his fingers. He had promised himself that he would leave nothing to chance. Besides, Thranduil would come from the mountains of Greenwood. This location was closer to having both Thranduil and Maglor together.
The light of the day was waning, but he did not need rest. The men and the beasts, however, did. Even now, he could feel the fiery breath of the animal on which he sat.
Behind him, the seven warriors he had brought with him waited silently.
"We will camp here for the night and ride out before sunrise."
The seven jumped off their horses in unison and prepared the camp. Mairon glanced up at the rocky cliff several feet above him. He needed a private place for his communication with Dernwulf.
Leaving the men to prepare for the night, Mairon flew up onto the ledge of the cliff as easily as if he was going up a step. From this height, he could see farther. He first turned south to the Ash Mountains where he could see the first few mountaintops of the long mountain range.
Mairon wished he could see through Kemik and Dernwulf's eyes as easily as he did the Orcs and the crows. Unlike the Orcs who were tied to him ashis thralls, connection to Kemik and Dernwulf was possible only because of the device they wore. There must be a way to dominate them totally, but he still did not know how.
"Show me," Mairon said as he reached into the crows he had watching the progress of Kemik and his men.
He saw Kemik and his men make their camp. And as they moved away, gathering firewood and some to hunt, Mairon saw one of the two brothers move over to the wagon with a pitcher of water. Mairon knew him to be the younger of the two mercenary brothers. He had seen them interact with Dernwulf.
Suddenly, the image blurred, then the connection was lost. Mairon reached into his power to look toward the west where Kemik's campsite lay. It was too far even for his power to reach it. But under the fading light, he saw that clouds were dark all the areas north and west. It was raining there.
Mairon sighed. Rain was water, and water was Ulmo's element. And where there was water, his power faltered.
No matter. Kemik was on his way, and that was all that mattered. Still, it was good that he followed his instincts and had the younger brother's woman captured. Before employing the mercenaries, he had their backgrounds checked for useful information. What had his master said? The more you knew about them, the more you could find a use for them. Or something on those lines.
Mairon looked toward the west. It had been a while since he thought of his master. Once, Melkor had been his world. But, now, he was alone in this world. There was no one to rely on except himself.
Mairon let power course through him and ignited a flame to rise. He reached into Dernwulf.
"You have the Sinda?" he asked once Dernwulf's bowed form showed through the flames.
"Forgive me, my lord." Dernwulf held his head down and Mairon could not see his eyes or see into his mind.
Mairon flexed his fingers. Dernwulf may shut him out of his mind, but the Maia could tear into it if he so wished. The golden device that he had graced the lower creature made that possible. But Mairon took a long slow breath instead. For now, it was important to keep the image he had established with Dernwulf.
"Grimshod's men failed to deliver the son of Oropher."
"And? I do not care who failed to do what. I want the result, Dernwulf. Or is this the best you could do? And where are the other Sindar you promised me?"
"I have a group of Sindar in mind, but," Dernwulf looked up, then kneeled on both his knees. "Please, my lord, I just need your assurance that they not harmed, that once you have what you need, they sent back home."
"And when have I ever harmed them, Dernwulf?" Mairon was fully aware that Dernwulf allowed the test subjects to return to the forest once they were experimented on. "Have I not allowed you the full control knowing what you did, even when they could have compromised us?"
"They not compromised us, my lord. I kept them blind and asleep all the while they captured. They not seen anything and not understand the speech of men, so knew nothing. I felt it safer to return them, rather than allow their absence to leave questions in others' minds."
Mairon had been careful with how the Elves were used. He never fed them the blood as he knew now that most Elves could not handle the dark power it contained. Only special ones survived, and he knew which kind they were. Besides, he didn't have enough blood to spare. And it had been important to establish that he would not do anything permanently harmful to the Elves.
"Whether they would place us in danger, I have given you the full control. I have given you my trust. Yet, you question me?"
"Please, forgive me. The group contains a newborn babe. I just… I can't have the child harmed."
"Of course. I wouldn't want that either. I am not some monster, Dernwulf. It will only be a perception of danger on the part of the parent that I wish to see. You know how the tests are set up. Control the men. Then there should be no danger of physical harm on anyone. If I recall, it was the men you procured that caused those problems you had. But enough of that." Mairon massaged his head. His patience had limits. "If you do not wish to participate, there are others who are willing to take your position."
Mairon glanced at Dernwulf as the creature clenched his hands.
"There… there is a group of Sindar and Silvan traveling to Dorwinion. A young Sindarin woman among them recently gave birth, and her father is a lord among the Sindar, close to Lord Oropher, I have been told."
Mairon's ears perked.
"The Sindarin lord? What is his name?"
"Lord Istuion."
Suddenly, the dark cloud of anger that swirled inside Mairon cleared.
"Istuion? Lord Istuion of Doriath?"
Mairon had once thought Istuion was a mere guardian to Thranduil, but having observed them together during that trek north as cadet officer Gelir, he had seen the attachment between them. Thranduil rarely showed any respect to the other elders, but Istuion was always an exception.
"His family and the attendants are on their way to River Celduin where they will take a boat to return to Dorwinion. I have the lord's daughter and the newborn."
"Lord Istuion?"
"He is delayed because of the meeting of the lords."
"I want him." If they captured Istuion, Thranduil would not be far behind; Mairon was certain.
"He is dangerous. I don't know if we can capture him alive. But we do not need to concern ourselves with him. You will have his daughter and two additional Sindar, the child's nurse and the nurse's mate, who is a lieutenant leading the group. Then you will have all the pairs you have wanted."
Mairon had requested parent-child, wife-husband, and sibling pairs. Preferably among the Sindar. He needed to test the power of the dragon blood over the bonds that he did not understand.
"And Oropher's son?"
"If Sindar taken, wouldn't they send out their warriors? Even if they don't, I have someone on him. It is a matter of time, my lord."
Mairon wasn't so sure. And he needed Thranduil sooner, not later.
"And how do you plan to take those Sindar? If the Elves have a boat, it is made with the knowledge from those Sea Elves. Once in their boat, those rafts men call boats cannot catch up to it."
"I already have the three people and the babe. The men who failed to capture the young Sinda are standing by."
"How about the rest? Does not the new mother have her husband with her?" Of what he learned about the Elves at Lindon, a couple who had a child always stayed together.
"Her mate's a Silvan. As you have the Sindarin couple, you do not need him. I have a plan to lure him and the other hunters away from the group we need. Rest need not be touched, my lord. And as they warriors, I thought it best to avoid confrontation."
"Do as you see fit." Mairon allowed his power to encircle him so that Dernwulf could discern a little of Mairon's true self. "I expect you will deliver, Dernwulf. Too many failures, and I would have to rethink our alliance. Do you understand me?"
Dernwulf's face paled before he lowered it to the ground. "I will not fail, my lord. You have my word."
Mairon smoldered the flame and the image of Dernwulf disappeared along with it.
He looked down at the valley.
He understood now what made him move the Orcs he had originally meant to send to Dernwulf to the Greenwood forest. They were now near the eastern edge of the Greenwood. It was good that he had followed his instincts.
Knowing what he knew of Istuion, Mairon knew Dernwulf was right to fear attacking the Sindarin lord. But if he cannot have Istuion, the chance that Oropher would send his son to find Istuion's daughter was slim. By now, Oropher would know that men tried to kidnap his son.
For Oropher to allow his son to chase after the abducted Sindar, it would have to be a much bigger matter, and one not involving the men.
Mairon reached into the minds of the Orcs he had reserved at the edge of Greenwood.
There is a group of Elves gathered near River Celduin. Find them and show me. Do not reveal yourselves.
Mairon wanted to make sure the Orcs would not harm the ones he needed for his experiments. But once that was done, he will have his Orcs kill everyone there. Messier the better. And none can make a scene messier than the Orcs. If there was a bloody carnage, and it was the work of the Orcs, Sindar will deploy their warriors, especially as it involved other Sindar. And Mairon was certain Thranduil would lead those warriors.
"If you can't capture them, have them come to you." Mairon smiled.
Dernwulf, however, would be horrified. But, then, he would never imagine that Mairon had anything to do with the 'unforeseen tragedy.' In fact, Dernwulf would probably blame himself and despair. More darkness would only mean Mairon could exert more power over the weak creature. It would be a win-win.
North of Black Lands. June 26, SA 722
GRIMWINE looked up at the sudden drizzle. What started as a fine mist turned to consistent spray. The Northman looked down at the elf, still sleeping. Could anyone sleep this long without a food or drink?
He had secretly come by to check on the elf whenever no one looked. When he could, Grimwine moistened the Elf's mouth. Maybe there was some magic that kept the Elf alive, but Minstrel had begun to look gaunt. And no matter what Shoddy said, the Elf helped him. Grimwine could not just sit and watch.
"Hey, Minstrel? Are you listening? It is raining. We have been traveling for days now. Are you really all right? They tell me you don't need food or water while you sleep, but I worry. What can I do? If there is anything I can do for you…"
Grimwine sighed. It was probably useless. Minstrel had been sleeping for the past twenty days. If he didn't wake all that time, what would change now?
The Northman pulled away the rope he had been slackening bit at a time whenever no one was looking. He only wanted to make the Minstrel more comfortable.
"Nobody is bothered whether you are tied or not anymore, so I think you'll be more comfortable without this." Grimwine pulled a blanket over the elf, just in case.
Then, he poured a bit of water over the Elf's lips again and wiped the stray drops with his sleeve. Having done all that he could, Grimwine turned away when his arm was snatched back. Surprised, Grimwine turned to the Elf. The Minstrel's eyes flew open.
Ulmo (Quenya. Pourer)—Vala of the water, known as the King of the Sea, Lord of the Waters and the Dweller of the Deep. Among all the Valar, Ulmo provided most assistance to the children of Eru. In power and majesty, he is considered third, next only to Manwe and Varda, the king and the queen of the Valar. Ulmo believed Elves should be left free in Middle-earth, but when the Elves were in need, he was the one who aided them the most. Both Melkor and Mairon feared Ulmo and avoided bodies of water when they could, as did all their dark servants.
A/N: Next to the stars, Elves loved the water the most. I suppose because they could hear the echo of the Music of the Ainur in the water, but I think also because through water Ulmo provided some protection against the evils of Melkor.