South of the Sea of Rhun. July 12, SA 722
MAIRON chuckled to himself. The strength he had expended to get here faster had been all worth it.
His kinslayer pulled apart the Sinda's armor to reveal the inner tunic soaked with blood.
"You… you…" the words trembled on the Sinda's lips. He pushed and pulled away from the Noldo's hands, but Maglor ignored the young Sinda's protest as he ripped a piece of his own tunic and stuffed it over the gaping wound in Thranduil's stomach.
Knowing the Sinda's uncanny agility, Mairon realized Thranduil must have been affected by Maglor more than he had expected.
"I thought you a better warrior than that, Oropherion." Mairon scoffed even as his kinslayer tried to stifle the flow of the blood.
The Noldo sang the Song of Mending, his hands pressing down on the wound on Thranduil's stomach. The powerful and melodious voice resonated through the empty hall and stirred in Mairon's heart the memory of Valinor. And with the memory, a strange ache bloomed in his chest.
Mairon clenched his teeth and turned his attention to the Sinda.
"Have you forgotten, son of Oropher," Mairon said. "Sindarin armors may be made by the Dwarves, but it cannot withstand a weapon forged by the best among the Feanorians."
Mairon had already assessed the lethality of the sword Maglor carried. One of the few pieces of information Mairon got out of Maedhros was that Feanor personally crafted the weapons for his sons, each one unique and imbued with certain powers. Made and brought out of Valinor, the weapons Feanor made could cut through steel just like the black sword Mairon found at Gondolin.
Thranduil groaned again.
"Stay with me," Maglor said to the younger elf as he took a breath from singing the Song of Mending. He picked up the Sinda and got up even as Thranduil struggled to be free of Maglor's hands.
"Unhand me, you murderer," Thranduil said, his voice lacking the previous bite.
Mairon raised his hand gesturing Maglor to stop what he is doing.
Maglor turned to face the Maia. "I need to get him to a shade."
Mairon looked up at the sky. The afternoon sun here felt nice on his skin, almost hot as a volcano. Almost.
"There's no need."
As Maglor moved toward the building, Mairon touched Thranduil's head. The Sinda's head fell back, and his body went limp in Maglor's arms. Thranduil having Uluch's blood was useful at times like this.
"What did you do? What…" Maglor's voice trembled, his eyes filling with dread.
"Don't worry, Kano. Have you forgotten his ability to heal? I just knocked him out for a while so we could have some time to ourselves. Those fools who are chasing after you will be here any minute."
"What have you done to him?" Maglor looked down at Thranduil in his arms. "And what have you done to me?"
Maglor's face was terrible and had Mairon been anyone else, he would have lost his nerve, but he knew this kinslayer was within his grasp and could not move against him, at least not while Maglor had the bracelet on him. Still, Mairon's heart did a somersault at the look in Maglor's eyes.
The Noldo stood, his eyes burning, trembling as his muscles twitched. His mind rammed against Marion's command. Mairon tensed until he saw that the power of the bracelet held against the strength of Maglor's will.
With a smile, the Maia relaxed.
He had sacrificed a goodly amount of Uluch's blood into Maglor's bracelet. More than that, all the knowledge the Maia had gained from the use of blood and the collar on the Silmacils and the Wood-elves had been poured into the device.
In the month that Maglor wore the bracelet, Mairon had firmly established the connection to the Noldo. He had refrained from reaching into Maglor's mind, but probing had not been necessary. Unaware that Mairon was seeing into the window of his mind, Maglor, in his grief and sorrow, had forgotten that his windows were wide open. There had been no shutters and no locks. Wandering alone, with no one to mind for some time, the Noldo must have forgotten to keep his mind closed.
Still, without the bracelet to establish a connection, it would not have been possible. Mairon had worked on the bracelet ever since his spies reported an elf wandering the uninhibited plains between the Sea of Rhun and the Greenwood, traveling toward the sea. When he saw who it was, Mairon saw again the possibility of bringing the Noldor under his command. It was perfect timing, too, as he had been thinking of the need to have a powerful servant who he can trust to carry on his orders without his supervision.
With a flick of his hand, the torn piece of tunic stuffed into the hole in Thranduil's stomach flew away. The gaping wound had blood pooled in it. Mairon dipped his finger, fitted with a gold claw, and filled the hollow with the red blood.
"Open wide," Mairon said as he pushed the claw with Thranduil's blood into Maglor's mouth. All he needed was to feed him drops of the tainted blood and Maglor would belong to him for all eternity.
Maglor's face crumpled with disgust, but he stood there unable to refuse.
"Now, swallow it, Kano."
With satisfaction, Mairon watched Maglor grit his teeth. His jaws trembled as he tried to fight Mairon's command, but eventually, the Noldo's neck muscles moved.
"Good. Good." Mairon smiled widely, quite pleased when he detected no adverse reaction.
"Why did you make me swallow the blood?" Maglor gagged, trying to spit whatever remained in his mouth.
"How do you feel now?"
Mairon knew the effect would not be immediate. It was not the pure and undiluted blood directly from Uluch. Its potency depended on how much Thranduil had used the power given to him. The more Thranduil tapped into Uluch's blood, the more potent the blood would become.
And unfortunately for Thranduil, the more potent the blood, the stronger the power of Uluch's spell would become. Not that it would matter. Thranduil would not need his memories anymore although it would be quite interesting to see him left only with the memory of loss.
"Did you know, Kano, this Sinda has a very special blood?" Mairon pointed to the wound on Thranduil's stomach as the blood that had trickled down from the wound noticeably slowed.
"Do you see? He is already healing."
Maglor looked at the wound as if he could not believe what he saw.
"Inside him, there is Melkor's essence given by a she-dragon raised on Melkor's blood. You could harm him, kill him even, if you give him a mortal wound, but if he is given enough time to heal, this Sinda will recover quicker than any other, and survive what would have cost others their lives."
"How is this possible?" the Noldo asked, even as Mairon directed Maglor to follow him into the belly of the temple.
"As I told you, the dragon fed it to him."
"And why did you feed his blood to me?"
They went down long and wide stairs which led to a great hall with stone columns of varying heights lining the center. With a flick of his wrist, Mairon ignited the iron braziers on the top of the columns which flamed, throwing light into the dark hall.
"The blood will allow you to share in the power within it, to see and hear things as they really are, with the eyes and ears of an Ainur. Not with the full power that we have, but just enough of it to take you beyond your own limitations. But let's forget about the Sinda for a while. Let us talk about us."
"There is no us."
"Oh, but I disagree, Kano. You and I, we are a lot more alike than you think."
"I sincerely doubt that."
"But is it not true that you have done your best to be loyal to your family? You may not have agreed with what your brothers were doing, but you trusted them and followed them even though your heart warned you, have you not?"
Maglor's eyes widened.
"I know because I, too, trusted and followed to my doom. When I followed Melkor, he was a great Vala. He was powerful, and he had a plan. He offered me a world that could be shaped into perfection. But I have been deceived. The more I got to know him, the more I realized that what he wanted was to destroy the world, not better it. But I am not like that, Kano. I don't want to destroy the beauty of the world my fellow Ainur worked so hard to create and maintain."
"I don't believe you. You are responsible for the death of thousands, of Artafindë (Finrod) and his brothers. You tried to kill Beren and fought against Luthien."
"And I ask you, son of Feanor. If you were in my place, would you have done anything less? I gave my loyalty to Melkor. I was his lieutenant and responsible for protecting the Pass of Sirion. If your enemy came in disguise to pass through the area you have sworn to protect, would you have allowed your enemy to pass? If it was I who tried to pass through the gap you protected under your brother, would you have done less than I?"
"You are nothing like me. You are an enemy, the cruel hand of the Dark Lord who murdered many innocents."
"And are you any different, Kano? In the name of loyalty to your father and brothers, have you not murdered many innocents?"
Maglor dropped his eyes, lips quivering.
"The Valar had let me go at the end of the great war. If they thought I was evil, that I had dark intentions, do you think they would have let me go? You were at Eonwe's camp, were you not? You knew that I was also captured along with Melkor. But unlike Melkor, I was spared. If they thought I was dangerous to the people of Middle-earth, do you think they would have allowed me to go freely? Why do you think I wander, alone, in this world? I have given up doing Melkor's work. Instead, I try to do what I can. For this world and for the people in it. In my wandering, when I could, I have tried to share my knowledge, to find a way to better this place for all people. So many of them suffer in ignorance, unaware of the knowledge and wisdom that exist. I have taught Dwarves, men, and many Silvans, at least those who would listen. They call me the Great Sage. But as you know, your people are very judgmental of those who had once made a mistake. They have judged you as evil, as a monster, and they shunned you, and they are same with me."
Maglor remained silent as they walked past the stone columns, across the vast hall. They came to where the floor paved with stones ended abruptly into a steep cliff.
"If it is true that you are trying to do good deeds, why did you take us prisoners? Why did you take the Wood-elves? I heard there is a pregnant woman and her child among those taken."
Mairon let out a long sigh. "Wood-elves. They are the same Elves as you but are not like your kin. Their understanding is limited."
Maglor looked up, scowling.
"Let me explain. I don't know if you know, but Sindar have moved into the forest, a territory of the Wood-elves for thousands of years. And just as you and your people have noticed about the Sindar when you first arrived at this land, their understanding of the world does not compare to yours. The same is for the Sindar and the Wood-elves. It is hard for me to make them understand what I wish to teach. I am in alliance with the lord of the Wood-elves to help him help his people."
"None of that answers my question." Maglor's eyes were hard.
"Perhaps you should be patient." Mairon raised his chin. "I don't know what this Sinda told you, but it was not I who took those prisoners. It was the Silvan lord. But as usual, they assume I have something to do with it."
"A Silvan lord? I was told Orcs took the prisoners. Were they not under your command?"
"I can command the Orcs, that is true. Melkor bred them to obey him and all his officers. But I have not had Orcs with me for a long time. I have been living among men, but this Sinda will tell you otherwise. To him and to all your kind, once enemy, you are enemy forever."
Mairon sang a song of power and raised his hand. The ground trembled as a stone column rose out of the edge of the cliff. On the column, two chains were attached, each ending with a shackle.
"Put the Sinda down before the column."
Maglor pulled Thranduil closer and stepped back and away from Mairon.
"Do you think anyone thinks of you as a person? To them, you are a monster, Kano. Even to that child you carry in your arms. You want to save him. I can feel it. But has he told you who he is and where he is from? He is a child of Doriath. Did you know it was Thranduil's father and his grandfather who killed your brothers you lost at Menegroth? They were a son and a grandson to Olwe of Alqualonde. They probably held you and your brothers responsible and harbored a hatred of the Noldor. Remember how Thingol wouldn't even allow Quenya to be spoken at Doriath? As if all Noldor were evil? As if your people were not worth even talking to?"
Blood drained from Maglor's face. Through their connection, Mairon could feel the surge of grief, shame, and pain mingle in the Noldo. Maglor pulled Thranduil closer.
"But what do you want with him?"
"You still wish to save him. Why? Does it not bother you that his family was the killers of your brothers?"
"That may be true or that may be not. But I know you to be a deceiver, and what you say to me cannot be trusted. But I know he lost family and kin by the swords wielded by my brothers. By me. That I know to be true."
"So once a killer always a killer? Are you? You killed. Murdered your own kind. Are you still murdering your kind? Because of what happened almost a millennium ago, I should still call you a killer? The years you wandered, regretting what you've done means nothing, is it?"
Mairon gestured. The chains attached to the column wrapped around Thranduil's wrists.
"If my words, you cannot trust, then ask Celebrimbor, Curufin's son. He would tell you the same, that it was Oropher, Thranduil's father, who killed your brothers."
Maglor looked down at Thranduil, his eyes filling with tears, but he still refused to let go. "You still didn't say what you want with him."
"Why? Why should I tell you more when you think I am deceiving you? After all, I have worked for your enemy, so I am your enemy still, am I not? What would it matter what I say when you would not believe a word?"
"I want to believe you, but," the Noldo looked down his arm where the sleeve was blood-stained. "You trapped me. You are keeping me against my will."
"The bracelet is only temporary. Show me you could be trusted, and I will trust you. If it was not for the bracelet to stop you, would you have given me a chance to talk? And I am certain, the Sinda will fill you with all the evils he thinks I have done. And you will listen to him and not give me a moment of your time. But enough of that. The bracelet connects you to me, but it is also for you as well."
Mairon pulled up the sleeve to the bracelet on Maglor's wrist.
"Has this not given you comfort? Yes, it is keeping you here and connected to me. But it also gives you what you need, to ease your heart of grief so that you could stop running, and stop being alone. I meant it when I said we could be a family."
"I already have a family." The words trembled out of the Noldo's lips like the last leaves clinging on as the winter came.
"You mean, you had one. Who else is left? You have no one, Kano. Just as I am, you are alone." Mairon looked down at Thranduil still within Maglor's arms. "Let the Sinda go, Kano."
"If you are truly changed, let him go. He is not even a millennium old. Still young. And he has suffered. Let him go back to his father."
Mairon turned to regard the Noldo. "He and I, we have history. Once, I had offered him as I do you now. I offered him with my heart open, but instead of accepting, he tried to kill me. He would treat you no differently." Mairon walked over to the edge of the cliff and looked down at the ravine several stories down from where he stood. Underground steam rushed at the bottom. "Besides, did you not see how he tried to kill me? And with no provocation on my part? Am I not allowed to defend myself?" He turned back to Maglor. "And what do you think you could do for this Sinda? And even if you helped him, do you think he will be grateful? I know something about this elf, and I can tell you, he will want nothing to do with you, Kano. As far as Thranduil is concerned, you are the killer of his family and friends."
Mairon stretched out his hand to touch Thranduil, but Maglor pulled Thranduil out of his reach.
"I won't let you touch him."
"Won't let me? You are in no position to demand anything. And I do this to protect you." With a flip of his hand, the chain snatched the Sinda's body out of Maglor's hands, hanging the Sinda onto the column.
"And how could I believe you when you would hang this lad like this?"
"If he is free, he will kill you, or at the least, try to. I know your skills are superior to his, but even then, you will find that he is a handful. You may defeat him in the end, but you will not emerge unharmed."
"I won't engage him."
"That is not always up to you, Kano."
Mairon scrutinized Maglor. It seemed Thranduil's blood had no effect on him.
In the month's time that Maglor wore the bracelet, Mairon had firmly established the connection. He had refrained from probing Maglor's mind, but it was unnecessary. Unaware that Mairon was peeping into the window of his mind, Maglor, in his grief and sorrow, had forgotten that his windows were wide open. There had been no shutters and no locks. Traveling alone for a long time, the Noldo must have forgotten to keep his mind closed and locked.
Exposed he was, and under the influence of the bracelet, but the Noldo still resisted. Mairon admired Maglor's strength and knew he had made the right decision to capture him. Once the blood takes effect, the Noldo would belong to him forever.
But the effect of the blood seemed much too slow. The Maia narrowed his eyes. Did the fool of the Sinda not use the power at his disposal? Six centuries had passed since Thranduil carried the blood. How could he not have used the power since? He lived among the Noldor and competed against them. And Thranduil was proud. He would have wanted to win against the Noldor who were stronger and more powerful. Each time he went up against them, in order to win, Sinda would have had to tap into Uluch's blood.
But Maglor's eyes were clear. There was no waver in the Noldo's will. If the blood was potent as the Maia expected it to be, the Noldo should not question Mairon further, not when Maglor had the bracelet for more than a month now.
Mairon growled. He turned to Thranduil and ripped open the remaining armor off the Sinda's torso.
"What are you doing?" Maglor reached out to grab his arm.
Mairon grabbed Maglor's head, reached in through the connection, and knocked the Noldo unconscious. Maglor fell like a log where he stood.
The Maia stood over the fallen Noldo.
"The great Maglor, fallen." Mairon gazed down at the weather-worn outfits and the hair, matted and uncared for. The elf was beautiful still, but his face was lined with grief and worn with the weight he carried. "It seems you are less than what you were once." It made the Noldo easier to handle, but Mairon did not want a weak servant. He turned to Thranduil who dangled before him, his eyes closed.
With his golden claw, sharpened like a dagger, Mairon cut a fresh wound in Thranduil's pale flesh. The stab in the stomach was already mending.
Thranduil's eyes fluttered open with a groan as the red blood trickled down his chest. Mairon brought the claw where a drop of blood pooled inside the dent and brought it to his lips.
"You fool!" Mairon spat out the blood, then glared at Thranduil. "Six centuries and you have barely used the power she gave you?"
"What do you want, you Foul Slime of Morgoth?" Thranduil let out a growl, his voice weak.
"By now, I expected her blood to have multiplied and your memory to falter." Mairon grimaced. This he had not expected.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Thranduil glared at Mairon.
"I had planned to bleed you out slowly, but unfortunately for you, Thranduil Oropherion, you will not be much use to me alive at all. Your blood, taken out of you in current condition, is not potent enough."
The look on the Thranduil's face told him that the Sinda had no idea what he was talking about.
"Ah, you lowly creature. You do not know what Uluch had done." Mairon scoffed. "Of course, you would not remember. How could you when your body would have used her blood to heal the damage her spell would have caused you?"
"What lies are you spewing now, demon?"
Mairon grinned, ear to ear. "Lies? You will realize soon enough what you have failed to do." He thought back to what Kemik had said about Thranduil's knee. "Perhaps, I will have the human smash your knee again. That would force your body to tap into her blood. Unfortunately for you, you would not remember. It may be better for me to cut out your heart and squeeze out whatever drop of her blood that remains."
Thranduil frowned. And Mairon could not help himself.
"You really have no idea, do you, Thranduil? Let me enlighten you as you will not leave here alive." Mairon leaned into the Sinda so he could see him in the eyes. "Before Uluch fell, she laid a spell on you, but you don't remember it. You probably do not remember a lot of what happened at the Dwarven ruin. Do you know why?" Mairon chuckled.
The Sinda maintained a stony face, devoid of emotion, but Mairon had learned to read him well. The stiffness to his jaw was telling.
"She had decided to chomp away at your memory. Each time you use power more than what you were born with, you tap into her blood and each time you do that, she will take a chunk of your memory until you are left with only those memories you would rather forget." Mairon laughed thinking of it. "Living among the Noldor, competing against them, I thought you would have had to tap into her blood, you being just a Sinda and nothing more, but I suppose you were not placed in a situation where you needed to expend more power, have you? The Noldor have been remiss in their education. But do not worry, Thranduil. I will fill that void for you."
"I don't believe anything you say, Morgoth's foul mouthpiece. My memory is fine. I have used the ability to understand many tongues and heal any wounds I have received, but none of those things have affected my memory."
Mairon threw his head back and laughed out loud. "Oh, you don't believe me because you can understand other tongues and heal some puny wounds you received? Understanding many tongues and healing simple wounds are part of who we are as Ainur. That doesn't require much power and what they took from you is too minor for you to notice. Those things are simply part of who she is. But things that take great strength and will, like healing serious injuries," Mairon looked down at Thranduil's leg, "like that smashed knee, for example, require much more power, obviously more than what you have within you. Such healing should have taken enough chunk of your memory for you to notice. Did it not? No?"
"I don't trust anything you tell me. Nothing!" Thranduil ground his teeth.
Mairon raised his clawed finger. "I could give you a wound deep enough for you to require extra power to recover." The Maia let his claw slip across Thranduil's bare chest. "Unfortunately, you wouldn't remember. And I have to deal with Dernwulf before he gets out of hand." He patted Thranduil's face. "I'll be back before you miss me. And oh, be gentle with Maglor here. You must understand why he offered you to me. He and his family may have killed your family, but he also lost his brothers at your family's hands. It is natural for him to want revenge. Don't you think? Do tell him everything he asks, will you?"
Laughing, Mairon stepped away. As he passed Maglor, he glanced at the Noldo whose eyes were twitching. He was willing himself awake. The Maia was pleased. As grief-stricken as he was, the Noldo still had the strength worthy of his name.