Gothmog: Here I am, my Lord.
Morgoth: About time, Gothmog. I want you to send some Orcs to Maedhros.
Gothmog: My Lord?
Morgoth: You killed Fëanor.
Gothmog: Yes...
Morgoth: (yells, impatient with Gothmog.) So Maedhros is now their leader,
so if I want to talk with the Elves I must talk to him. You idiot. Just give this to one of the Orcs in the party and tell that Orc to make
sure Maedhros reads it. Now go!
Gothmog: Yes, my Lord. (footsteps.)
Morgoth: This may play directly into my hands. Just the way I want it. (Lights come back on. Maedhros and a group of Elves are on stage: his brothers are there, along with some other Elves. It appears to be a council; all but Maedhros are seated, in a semi-circle.)
Maedhros: My father Fëanor is dead. I am the new overlord of the Noldor, and of the House of Fëanor. As such, I propose this to you: we attack Morgoth again. (All the Elves start to talk at once, protesting. Maedhros holds up his hands defensively.) Nay, hear me out! What worked on you may yet work on him. (The clamor stops gradually; Maedhros waits until it dies down.) He would not expect another attack so soon. Morgoth has sent emissaries to me, saying he admits defeat and would talk. And... (Maedhros pauses and smiles secretively.) he says he may bargain the return of the Silmarils. (The Elves look either excited or sceptical. Maedhros continues in a completely different tone.) I do not trust him. That is why we should attack. I say we go to the appointed place with an armed force. If he does agree to give us the Silmarils, we will not attack, but if there is treachery... (nods his head.) Who would like to speak?
Fingon: (Stands up) Maedhros, we should not endanger ourselves for this. It is better to let the matter lie now, than receive defeat and risk all, simply for the Silmarils.
Caranthir: (jumps up angrily, facing Fingon.) Silence, Fingon son of Fingolfin! Your house was ever full of gutless Elves! This opportunity is ripe; we should not waste it.
Maedhros: (sharply) Watch your tongue, Caranthir. Do not insult my friends. Now take your place again. (He glares at Caranthir, who sits sullenly down. Maedhros turns to Fingon.) Why do you say no?
Fingon: There simply is no reason to go. He will be treacherous no matter what we do, and he surely does not mean to give you the Silmarils. (He sits.)
Maedhros: I value your council, Fingon, but I have made up my mind to go. (turns away, to the rest of the Elves.) My brothers... (Maglor, Celegorm, Curufin, Caranthir, Amrod, and Amros stand up.) You shall stay here. (Maglor looks confused, Ceregorm, Curufin, Caranthir look outraged, Amrod and Amras surprised.) I need people to defend the lands around.
Celegorm: But the Oath...
Maedhros: (smoothly) You will still be helping with the Silmarils, for if we do not get them, and my force is... (for the first time he falters and looks unsure.) destroyed... (he takes control of himself.) There will then still be sons of Fëanor to continue the fight. (His brothers, all except Maglor, nod, satisfied.) Go now. (They SR except Maglor.) The rest of you will come. Bring some of your men. (The Elves leave, except for Maglor, who walks over to his brother.)
Maglor: I am coming with you. (Looks challengingly at Maedhros, as if daring him to refuse.)
Maedhros: You, of all my brothers, are the one who I wish least to come. (Maglor looks hurt, and Maedhros softens.) No, I do not mean it like that. It is because I would protect you from harm, not because I dislike you.
Maglor: As I would protect you. Let me come, for I fear some evil
will come, is coming. If you die, I would not wish to be here alone
and safe.
Maedhros: And what if you come, and we both perish? Celegorm
will rule the Noldor and our house. How long would they last then? (He laughs grimly at Maglor's look which shows his doubt as to the quality
of Celegorm's would-be leadership.) I agree. See why you are
needed here?
Maglor: (defiantly.) I care not. I would rather die with you then live alone.
Maedhros: (getting angry.) I will chain you myself rather than you come with me! (There is a stunned silence between them; Maedhros looks mad; Maglor, shocked and angry. As he ends his speech, Maedhros draws his sword threateningly.)
Maglor: (half draws his sword; his voice is a deadly, outraged hiss.) You...
Maedhros: (shaking himself, as if to wake up.) Brother, stop! (He sheathes his sword and puts his hands up defensively.) We are fighting Morgoth, not each other. Put your sword back! (Maglor does slowly) Maglor, I do not wish to force you, but you must stay here. The Noldor may need you.
Maglor: (reluctantly.) It is my duty, then, to stay. (he sighs deeply.) Very well. But I shall send some of my men with you as well. And take care of yourself; I will never forgive myself if you die and I could have prevented it. (Maedhros nods and exits SR. Maglor faces the audience.) I am troubled about this. There is something going to happen; I can feel it. I would go with Maedhros, but he is right...the Noldor may need a new leader soon. (He exits SL.)
Morgoth: (enters SL. Gothmog enters SR.) Gothmog, Captian of my Balrogs. I have a mission for you.
Gothmog: (bows.) My Lord?
Morgoth: Take your best Balrogs, five at least. I want you to meet that fool Maedhros at the appointed place. He decided to come, and is bringing a goodly sized number of Elves with him. (He grins evilly.) Kill them all.
Gothmog: Yes, my Lord. (turns to leave.)
Morgoth: Except... (Gothmog turns around.) do not hurt Maedhros. Bring him to me alive. Go now. (Gothmog exits SR. Morgoth mutters to himself.) This will be good. (He exits SL. Lights dim and come back on. Maedhros and many other Elves enter SR)
Maedhros: So we are here. But where are the emissaries?
Elf4: (Taps Maedhros on the shoulder.) What are those over there? (points off SL.)
Elf5: Those do not look like emissaries to me.
Maedhros: (loudly, squinting to see.) They...they're Balrogs! It is as Maglor feared (shouts.) Out your swords! We must fight! (He draws his sword; Elves follow suit. Gothmog and the Balrogs enter SL.)
Gothmog: (to other Balrogs.) Remember your orders. (At this point, Maedhros, and the Elves attack. The Balrogs appear to take no notice of Maedhros, save for fending him off; they do not attack him. Their efforts are concentrated on the other Elves. Some groups of Elves and Balrogs fight their way offstage. The other Balrogs kill their Elves and form a half circle around Maedhros, facing the audience.)
Maedhros: You attack me not?
Gothmog: (leers at Maedhros; he knows Maedhros cannot win) Not yet, little one. Not yet. (He advances slowly on Maedhros, who tries to dodge out of the L side of the circle. The Balrog, however, pushes him back; but Maedhros manages to keep his feet.) It is a useless battle you try to fight. I suggest you give up now.
Maedhros: I will not give in to the Dark Lord's pet!
Gothmog: (Roars furiously) Pet! I'll teach you to watch your lying Elvish mouth! (He jumps at Maedhros, who rolls under his sword and comes up kneeling on the other side. He is panting heavily, but does not back down. However, he does not notice the Balrog bringing his sword up until it is placed across the back of his neck. Maedhros freezes. Gothmog steps forward and places his sword point at Maedhros' throat.) Drop your sword. (Maedhros glares and complies, letting his sword fall to the ground. Gothmog gestures to another Balrog who steps over to Maedhros and binds his hands behind him. Gothmog taunts Maedhros.) You are such a coward, giving in so as not to die. Move! (He points SL. Maedhros looks furious.)
Maedhros: (does not move.) No. (Insolently, in return to Gothmog's taunt.) Kill me if you wish, but I will not go anywhere you tell me to. (Gothmog roars, pulls Maedhros up by his arm and pushes him at two Balrogs, who grab his arms and march him out. From offstage we hear him yell.) You will not win, Gothmog! My brothers will come to my aid!
Gothmog: (not to Maedhros.) No one can help you where you are going, Elf! (Other Balrogs enter.) The others?
Balrog: All dead, Captain.
Gothmog: Good. We go back to Morgoth now. (Balrogs exit SL. Lights dim, then come back on.)
Maglor: (enters with Elf6.) So it has come to pass; trickery from Morgoth and Maedhros is in his hands. It is as I feared. I must speak to my brothers about this. (turns to Elf6.) Could you send for them, please?
Elf6: Yes, my Lord.
Maglor: (yells, nearly.) Lord? (his voice becomes deadly quiet.) Why do you call me lord?
Elf6: (flustered) Well, as Maedhros is gone, you are now the overlord.
Maglor: (Yelling at Elf6 furiously.) Maedhros is not gone! He is simply... held up! Never speak of him as if he is dead again! And never say he is no longer the overlord in my hearing. Go.
Elf6: But with where he is now, he is as good as dead...
Maglor: Go! (Elf6 scampers out. Maglor calms himself.) Maedhros, I knew I should have come with you. Why did you not heed me? Iluvatar, let him stay alive and as unharmed as can be expected. Please. (Just then, the brothers enter SR.)
Curufin: We are here, Maglor.
Maglor: We must go to help Maedhros. Let us lay siege to Thangorodrim!
Curufin: Surely you do not believe we can rescue Maedhros by siege. More than likely, Morgoth will simply toss Maedhros over a cliff, or feed him to his wolves. That is, if Maedhros is not already dead.
Maglor: (fiercely.) I am sure that Maedhros is alive, and we must go to him. Who here disagrees? Who here would not attempt to save one of their own blood? For if any of you, the sons of Fëanor, will not come with me to Thangordrim, he shall be outcast from the House of Fëanor! So who comes? (His brothers speak as one.)
Brothers: I will follow you!
Maglor: We ride tomorrow. (He strides past his brothers SR and exits. The brothers follow. The lights dim then grow bright again. Maglor, his brothers, Fingon, and a few other Elves are standing SR.)
Amrod: So now we are at Thangordrim, what do we do?
Maglor: I will speak to Morgoth.
Amras: You?
Maglor: Yes. (He steps forward a pace. Yells.) Morgoth! I mean to talk with you! I know that you are aware I am here. Speak with me, or are you afraid?
Morgoth: (From off stage SL. Loud and booming.) What do you want, Maglor son of Fëanor?
Maglor: You know why I am here. Return Maedhros to us, or we shall besiege you in your fortress.
Morgoth: Of--
Maglor: And return him alive and unhurt.
Morgoth: Do this: leave Middle-Earth and go to Valinor. Forget this war forever and seek not to try to regain the Silmarils from me. Then shall Maedhros be returned to you.
Maglor: (turns to the other Elves.) What now? That is a thing impossible for us to do. If we did so, and Morgoth did indeed return Maedhros to us, which I doubt he will, things would still not be well.. Either the Everlasting Dark will come on us for the breaking of the Oath, or...(he pauses.) I fear that Maedhros, blaming himself for the Noldor's return to Valinor, may take his own life. It would be like him to do so. I cannot make this choice alone. What would you have us do?
Fingon: I think returning to Valinor would be advisable here.
Caranthir: (angrily) Easy for you to say, son of Fingolfin. You swore no Oath! You have no brother captive! And have you heard nothing we have said? I do not believe Maedhros will be released, no matter what we do!
Maglor: Maedhros is right- you do need to learn to hold your tongue, Caranthir. This concerns Fingon too. So do we stay, or do we go? (There is a silence. Finally Fingon speaks, softly.)
Fingon: It appears to be death for Maedhros every way.
Maglor: We stay then. (He covers his face with his hands and runs off SR. His brothers follow with the other Elves, except for Fingon.)
Fingon: (looking towards SL. Calls out.) Morgoth! We will remain in Middle-Earth!
Morgoth: Fine, then. See what price Maedhros will pay for your defiance!
Fingon: You would not-- (softly.) Yes, you would dare. (Maglor enters SR.)
Maglor: Fingon?
Fingon: Yes, Maglor?
Maglor: I cannot believe what I have just done. Condemned my own brother to torment and a painful death for jewels. Morgoth does indeed rule all.
Fingon: No, he does not. Not while we can still battle him.
Maglor: But have I chosen rightly? It does not seem so to me.
Fingon: Who can tell? Maedhros, I believe, would want us to stay.
Maglor: But would he stay if he were the one out here and I were in his place? I do not think so, and I would do the same for him .
Fingon: As I said, we cannot tell what is right.
Maglor: I must think on this. (Exits SR.)
Fingon: (to no one) Maedhros, you are my friend. I cannot just leave you here; we have known each other all our lives. I must save you somehow. (looks around.) It is quite dark here. Morgoth's dark. That may be useful. (exits SR.)