Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 41- Across the Sea
(August 3, 2021)
Along the coast of Nevrast, a small group of individuals is waiting. Waiting for a boat. The group is made of some of the most powerful individuals in Arda.
After Morgoth was captured, he was eventually brought to the surface. The three Valar currently in Beleriand had brought the captured Dark Lord across Beleriand towards Nevrast. Now, they were waiting for an agreed upon transport to bring Morgoth across the sea Valinor.
As they watch, a small boat comes up to the shore, waiting for them. A mile out to sea waits the aircraft carrier John F Kennedy. It had been decided that it would be easiest to get Morgoth across the sea on the carrier than on another type of ship.
As the boat comes to a stop in the sand of the beach, Tulkas and Aule haul the crippled Morgoth up and haul him towards the boat. Morgoth is a shell of what he once was. The might Dark Lord is now bound in the chain he once wore, his Iron Crown beaten into a collar for his neck, and he is blindfolded and striped of his armor, leaving him but in rags.
Tulkas and Aule load Morgoth onto the boat. As they do, the wind picks up, and Ulmo himself rises form the sea, starting down at his defeated enemy. Once Morgoth is secured, Ulmo commands the waters to push the boat back out to sea. Ulmo then commands the waters to speed the boat towards the Kennedy, and causes the waters to also carry Tulkas and Aule across the water towards the carrier.
As the boat nears the carrier, the American piloting it is all too aware of the firepower trained on him right now. Fearful even now of Morgoth somehow getting loose, four escorting destroyers have their 5 inch guns trained on the boat carrying Morgoth, and three attack helicopters are hovering close to it, missiles and guns trained on the boat.
The boat finally pulls up alongside the Kennedy. At a command from the flight deck, cables are lowered down to the boat. Once the cables get down there, crew on the boat, assisted by a Maia, attach the cables to the chain Morgoth is bound in. Finally, the guy in charge of the boat gives a thumbs up, and the guys on the flight deck begin to hoist Morgoth up.
As Morgoth is hoisted on to the flight deck, the flight deck is silent. Hundreds of crewmen are assembled on deck, most of them armed with assault rifles, staring silently at Morgoth. As the Dark Lord is hoisted onto the deck, columns of water erupt beside the carrier, bearing Tulkas and Aule atop them and deposiitng them on the deck.
From the bridge, the captain of the Kennedy sees Ulmo resting in the water. The captain salutes the Lord of the Waters, who inclines his head before disappearing into the deep.
The captain moves back onto the flag bridge. "Alright. Helmsman, all ahead flank, left full rudder. Sst course for Alqualonde," he orders.
The Kennedy begins moving within a few minutes, turning west for Valinor. A dozen ships, including the carrier Dwight D Eisenhower, follow the Kennedy as she sets course for Valinor, all determined to make sure nothing goes wrong at this point.
(Anfauglith)
On the plains of Anfauglith, Major John V Meyer III looks down at the object on the table before him. A small, plain chest, in which rests the two Silmarils.
After Eonwe had brought the Silmarils up when Tulkas and Aule brought up Morgoth out of Angband's pits, it had been decided to hand them over to the Americans. Eonwe had urgent business, trying to bring in Morgoth's lieutenant, Sauron, and trying to discover where the two surviving Balrogs had fled to.
The plan had been Eonwe departed. The Silmarils had been given into the custody of General Meyer and the 1st Infantry Division. Meyer and the 1st would take the Silmarils over Hithlum and down to Nevrast, where they would wait until the battleship Wisconsin arrived, as she was currently engaging in a search and destroy mission to help destroy a small force of orcs that had escaped into south Beleriand. Once the Wisconsin arrived, the Silmarils would be brought aboard, and the battleship would ferry the jewels across the sea to Valinor.
However, Meyer had been confronted with a slight problem. The power of the Silmarils to burn the hands of someone unworthy who held them was now well known, and it was also known that they could do so even through a chest. Several US soldiers had actually felt themselves be burned by the Silmarils after holding them for a bit.
While the Silmarils could be transported in the back of a Humvee without anyone touching them, they would still have to be moved by hand at least a few times, and Eonwe had requested that someone be assigned to the personal escort for the jewels in case someone, even an American, tried to steal them. Meyer is currently trying to think over who he could trust to assign this task who would also not be burned by the Silmarils.
Right then, he hears a knock on the door of the tent he's using for his mobile HQ. "Enter," Meyer says. His XO comes in a moment later, followed by a major.
"General, Major Halstead," the XO says, and Major Halstead salutes Meyer.
"At ease, Major. What are you here for?" Meyer asks.
"Well sir, I heard about your little dilemma with the Silmarils and needing someone to personally guard and handle them. And I think I may have the solution," Halstead responds.
"Go on," Meyer says simply.
"Well sir, in my company, we have this one medic. A corporal by the name of David Gardner. He's a good kid. 21 year Oklahoma boy, Eagle Scout, raised on a farm, always into medicine. Joined the army right of high school in 2018 and asked to be trained as a medic. He's a really caring kid. Although he is fully rifle qualified and said he didn't have a problem with killing Orcs since they're not human, I only ever saw him fire his rifle a handful of times the entire war. He much preferred helping the wounded, even if he could be of use elsewhere. He also sticks close by his faith. Reads the Bible every day. Even in battle, he'd take a two minute break to read a passage. He'd also share his food with refugees if we picked any up. Trust me, General, this kid is a great kid. I've never met a more pure hearted person in the Army since the day I first joined. Believe me, if he isn't worthy to handle the Silmarils, there's nobody in this division who is," Major Halstead explains.
General Meyer ponders this for a bit. After several long moments, he says, "Alright. Bring him to me."
Major Halstead nods and leaves the tent. About ten minutes later, the Major returns, this time with Corporal Gardner. Both men salute General Meyer, and he waves it away, saying, "At ease. Relax, gentlemen."
Meyer walks up in front of Gardner and says, "Major Halstead had a lot of praise for you. Said you're a good medic, and damn good man."
"Well, Major Halstead has been known to exaggerate sir," Gardner says.
"Hmm. Modest too. I heard that in battle, you prefer to ignore the Orcs and help the wounded," Meyer says.
"Yes, sir," Gardner responds.
Meyer is quiet for a moment, then asks, "Do you think you're a good man, Corporal?"
"I try to be sir, but I know I can always do better. People say I'm a good man, but I think they flatter me. And without God, I wouldn't be near who I am today, sir," Gardner responds.
Meyer stands there, nodding for a few seconds, then says, "Alright, Corporal." Meyer then turns and walks over to the table where the chest lies. He motions Gardner over.
As Gardner walks up to him, Meyer opens the chest, revealing the Silmarils. Gardner almost gasps aloud as he beholds the beauty of the jewels. Meyer looks at Gardner and asks, "Corporal, do you know what these are?"
Gardner quickly recovers from his awe and says, "Well, those have to be those Silmarils I've heard talked about."
"Exactly. The 1st infantry has been given charge of the Silmarils, and we're supposed to take them back to Nevrast for them to be shipped back to Valinor. But, per orders of the Valar, we need someone assigned to be their handler and personal guard," Meyer says. He pauses, then says, "Major Halstead gave you a glowing review, and I can see now that you match up. Therefore, I am assigning you the duty of protecting and handling the Silmarils until we get them aboard the Wisconsin."
Gardner looks at Meyer in awe. "Really, sir?"
"Yes, Corporal," Meyer responds. He pauses, then says, "You will keep the chest on you at all times. We'll have you riding in the back of Humvee for the entire trip to the coast. At nights when we camp, you'll have your own tent with extra guards just in case. You are not to allow this chest out of your sight until it is placed on the USS Wisconsin. Understood?"
"Yes, General," Gardner responds. Gardner looks down at the chest, then slowly reaches out and picks it up. He looks down at the jewels before closing the lid. As he holds it, he shows no signs of discomfort, reassuring Meyer and the others that he is worthy to hold the Silmarils.
"Alright, Corporal. Wait here for your Humvee. Everyone else, send orders. Prep the division to move out," Meyer orders.
Within minutes, the 1st Infantry Division is assembling into a travelling formation, ready to begin the long march to Nevrast in their final duty of the war.
And, I'll end there. I hope you liked this one.
Next chapter will actually take us back to Earth. I'll be posting it immediately after this. Please leave a review, and stay tuned!