Disclaimer: I do not own the amazing world or the characters that inhabit it...
Chapter 5: Shock to the system
Nelyo dismounted his horse with ease, handing the reigns off to a stable boy. His ride out in the brisk morning air had been refreshing. Frost gleamed in the pale morning light and birds twittered in the trees. Not many were awake at this hour so Nelyo relished every moment of solitude. The peace however was not to last. Nelyo hadn't even taken off his heavy riding cloak when a stressed servant hurried up to him.
"The lords Finderáto and Turukáno arrived while you were out and are now waiting for you to return," the servant bowed as he delivered the message.
"Where?" Nelyo sighed. Just what he wanted this morning: dealing with two of his cousins.
Finderáto was tolerable if not overly cheerful, but he had been closer with Makalaurë, so Nelyo felt a little awkward around him without his younger brother. Turukáno, on the other hand, was a real problem. Since the rejoining of the Noldor hosts in Arda, Turukáno made no effort to hide his scorn and distain towards the sons of Fëanor. His only contribution to any given conversation with his cousins tended to be biting remarks accompanied by glowering silence. It was unusual that it was these two who came over. Typically it was Findekáno who visited the Fëanorion camp, occasionally accompanied by his younger sister Irissë.
"They are in your office with my lord Curufinwë," the servant reported. Nelyo felt the blood drain out of his face. Even back in Valinor, Curvo and Turu didn't particularly like each other. Nelyo hurried to his office, desperately hoping that open war had not resulted from Turu and Curvo sharing the same room.
When he arrived, he was mildly surprised to see everything was still intact and neither that Turukáno nor Curvo were sporting injuries from a tussle. Curvo stood stiff as a board behind Nelyo's desk glaring at Turukáno. Turukáno was warily returning the glare from where he stood behind Finderáto. Finderáto stood awkwardly between the two, acting like a buffer and looking like he would rather be anywhere else in all of Eä. They all looked over in surprise and relief when Nelyo burst through the door.
"Nelyo! You're here at last!" Finderáto moved to hug his cousin, then dropped his arms as he remember protocol, "I mean, your highness. I'm sorry. I keep forgetting…"
Nelyo waived aside Finderáto's apology and gave his easy going cousin a hearty embrace, much to the displeasure of both Curvo and Turukáno.
"What brings you around the lake?" Nelyo asked, dropping all formality. His weary smile was greeted by Finderáto's brilliant one.
"Nolofinwë and Findekáno have requested your presence. They say it is urgent."
"Why?" Curvo snapped, speaking for the first time now. Turukáno stiffened at his acerbic tone, hand straying to his sword hilt. Finderáto's smile faded and was replaced by a sad look. Not for the first time did Nelyo realize how similar Makalaurë and Finderáto were; they faces were so expressive that it was often hard for them to hide their thoughts.
"They want to discuss it with you in person," was Finderáto cryptic responded. Nelyo waited for a moment, but the golden haired Elf refused to elaborate.
"I'll come," Nelyo decided when it was clear no more information was forthcoming, "Meet me down at the stable in a few moments."
Finderáto and Turukáno both nodded their assent before leaving the room. Curvo remained behind, glowering at Nelyo.
"Why are you going?" He demanded as Nelyo opened a trunk a began rummaging around for things he would need.
"Because they are our kin. They obviously need something desperately for them to send Finderáto and Turukáno," Nelyo responded pulling out a small satchel with writing instruments. He didn't know what he was need for, so he was going to be prepared for anything.
"Yes, but you have no idea what they want. It could be a trap. You didn't think it was a trap when you sent Maka and look how that ended," Curvo snarled. Nelyo stiffened at the mention of their missing brother.
"I don't think they are going to kill me, if that's what you're worried about," Nelyo slammed the chest lid with a little more force than necessary. Curvo open his mouth to protest.
"Don't even think about charging in after me as some misguided attempt for you to be a hero. If you haven't received any word from me in seven days, you can send Moryo to investigate," Nelyo commanded his younger brother. Curvo's face was a murderous scowl, but he didn't protest Nelyo's wishes. Nelyo swept out of the room leaving Curvo to stew in silence.
Ten minutes later, Nelyo, Finderáto and Turukáno had started out on the long ride around Lake Mithrim. Not for the first time did Nelyo wish the camps weren't so far apart. The sun had melted away most of the frost and made the air a chilly, but pleasant temperature. Finderáto rode next to Nelyo chatting halfheartedly about mundane, everyday life while Turukáno rode behind the two of them watched Nelyo's every move like a hawk. Nelyo wasn't sure which made him more uncomfortable: emotionless Turukáno's open disgust and hostility or cheerful Finderáto's unusually subdued and mildly depressed body language.
The closer they got to the Nolofinwëon camp, the higher tensions rose. Finderáto had ceased talking altogether and now sat somewhat hunched in his saddle looking forlorn and incredibly small. Turukáno wore his cold mask once again he sat stiffly in his saddle. His ire was hidden carefully from view, save for his eyes which still glowed with wroth. Nelyo rode awkwardly between them, feeling less and less comfortable.
By the time Nolofinwë's banners came into view, Nelyo was resisting the urge to turn around and gallop back the way they'd come. Turukáno seemed to sense his unease and rode up on his other side, hemming Nelyo in between his two cousins. They rode through the camp and came to stopped in front of a small tent. Nelyo was confused. This was not the royal tent, nor a tent belonging to any of his kin. Finderáto quickly dismounted and strode into the tent. Nelyo went to follow, but before he could enter the tent, he found his way barred by Turukáno.
"For the record, I don't think you should even be here," Turukáno hissed in a low voice, his eyes flashing, "You don't deserve to see him. First you left us, then you left him. Have you no shame?"
"What are you talking about?" Nelyo was thoroughly confused.
Before Turukáno could answer, Finderáto reappeared out of the tent followed by Findekáno. Nelyo did a double take of his favorite cousin. Findekáno looked worn and tired, lines of stress standing out starkly on his pale face. Nelyo felt concern pooling in his stomach.
"Finno, what happened?"
Findekáno didn't answer but motioned for them to go back in the tent. It took Nelyo's eyes a moment to adjust to the dim interior. When they did, Nelyo noticed his uncle sitting on a low stood next to a cot piled high with blankets. Nolofinwë only looked marginally better then his oldest son. Before Nelyo could again ask what was going on, Nolofinwë moved aside, revealing the figure on the bed. Nelyo froze, staring in disbelief at his brother's body.
Makalaurë lay motionless in the bed. He was pale and gaunt with papery skin stretched taught over his bones. His cheeks were sunken and flushed unhealthily with fever. His hair was unevenly chopped near his jawline. What really caught Nelyo's attention were the bandages. They were crisp and white, though some places were spotted with old blood. They encompassed his neck and peaked out from under the blanket that was pulled up almost to his shoulders.
Dazed, Nelyo stumbled over to the bed. He was almost afraid to touch his long lost brother. Makalaurë looked fragile enough that a single touch might shatter him.
"Where did…. How did you…..How bad is it?" Nelyo asked, stumbling over his words in his shock. Findekáno hesitated before answering.
"Bad," Findekáno's voice was soft, "They healers are surprised he is still alive. He lost a lot of blood when I cut him free."
"Cut him free?" Nelyo regretted the question as soon as it left his mouth. Findekáno's face twisted in a look guilt and sorrow.
"He…. Morgoth chained him to the front cliff face of Thangorodrim. I couldn't break them. I had to… I had to…I'm sorry..."
Findekádo trailed off as he pulled back the blanket. The damage he was referring to quickly became apparent. Makalaurë's right arm was bound to his bandage wrapped chest. His shoulder was grossly swollen and his hand was gone, cut off halfway down his forearm. The stump of his arm was tightly wrapped and the bandages were stained with fresh blood.
"What happened? Please tell me," Nelyo begged. The look that Findekáno gave him, made him feel sick.
Character's Quenyan name:
Nelyo/Nelyafinwë/Maitimo/Russandol = Maedhros
Makalaurë/Kano/Kanafinwë = Maglor
Tyelko/Tyelkormo/Trukafinwë = Celegorm
Moryo/Morifinwë/Carnistir = Caranthir
Curvo/Curufinwë = Curufin
Pityo/Pitafinwë = Amras
Turukáno/Turu = Turgon
Findekáno/Finno = Fingon
Finderáto = Finrod
Nolofinwë = Fingolfin
Irissë = Aredhel