Chapter 2
The halls were so bright they nearly blinded those that walked among them. Each door was bright and non-stop laughter resounded from behind them. The corridor wore on, the lights and laughter slowly fading into wails and impenetrable darkness. A black door awaited any who dared to open it; for anyone who dared to enter into the high-pitched wailing and the unavailing darkness. This door was the one a beautiful, weeping, raven-haired woman chose. She pushed her gray hood fully off her head, leaving the joyful reunions behind her with a steadfast and calm look upon her beautiful face. A glowing blonde haired male caught her arm before the shadows consumed her.
" Nienna."
The Valië paused, turning to gaze upon her fair and glad-faced youngest brother. His gray eyes darkened as they traced her flowing tears. He gently wiped them away with his thumbs, only to watch the rivers return to her cheeks all too quickly.
" Forsake your grief and go to Valinor where all is glad."
She shook her head, patting his hand as if he were a small child.
" I am inconsolable." She caressed his cheek lovingly. " Be at peace, Lórien. Go to your wife and those that need your joyful healing."
Her Vala brother nodded.
" As you wish, Nienna."
She watched him go, before closing the heavy black door behind her. She could see the fëar (Spirits) as they cried and wailed for peace. Those were they whom had just arrived in Mandos; for in those halls of death, she walked. They who had been entrapped in the Halls for a time understood their doom and merely wept softly. Her lips quivered and she tasted the brackishness of her tears on her lips. She stepped towards the threshold, hoping to comfort a newly fallen Elf.
She extended her hand.
" Welcome, good Elf."
No Elf answered. Instead, the soft utterances of healing drew the fëa back to its body. Nienna took a step outside, confirming that the spirit had indeed fled its fate.
" Galadriel, daughter of Finarfin, and her husband, Celeborn, are far too skilled in healing to be mere Elves."
Nienna turned, seeing her other, somber faced brother as he freed a soul and then another to seek their remade bodies in one of the glad rooms nearby. These were his halls and he answered only to Ilúvatar, though Manwë at times proved to be an unwelcome problem. Nienna took his hand, her tears ceasing to fall. She loved this brother dearly. He understood her sorrow.
" I remember Galadriel when she was named Nerwen. Twas before the Trees…"
Her wavering voice faltered, filling with tears again.
Mandos put an arm around her shoulders comfortingly, turning her towards the exit. He studied her as they walked.
" I remember also, but her heart is proud like Fëanor's." He sighed. "I have a job for you, Sister, given by Ilúvatar Himself."
Nienna glanced up, her heartache momentarily forgotten at the mention of her Lord.
" My ears are open."
" One Elf is to be released and sent back to Arda. You are to be his guide and to remain until decreed."
Nienna tilted her head, her chin jutting up in pride.
" I am demoted to a Maia position with this job." She muttered.
Mandos tugged on a piece of her jet-black hair lovingly.
" Do you serve Ilúvatar or yourself?"
Nienna sighed, hearing the truth in her brother's words.
" Ilúvatar. I shall obey Him only."
Mandos smiled grimly. He gazed at her sadly.
" How I wish this would lift your spirits! I would wish to see that smile light up your face and to see your tears disappear."
Nienna kissed his cheek.
" When I am rejoined with my Father, only then, I suspect, shall my joy return."
~*~
Mandos led Nienna into a bright room. Laughter resounded all around her as resurrected Elves reunited with family and friends, yet it only made her despair further.
*So many still seek this joy. So many still must die.
She wiped away a tear. Mandos motioned to the white robed, golden haired Elf sound asleep upon a bed.
" Glorfindel, the Balrog Slayer. He does not even know he is returned to his body." Mandos glanced at his sister, analyzing the situation carefully as he always did. " He died, not for his own valor, but for the safety of his people. He is pure hearted and fears only the darkness. His fear is justly put." Mandos added in an offhand tone. " He found his end in the deep."
Nienna sat on the bed softly, retaining an Elvin form. She gently caressed the pale cheek. Comfort flew through the Elf's tense body. Mandos shook his head slightly, watching the scene unfold.
*And she takes it upon herself. At what price is it worth that for these Elves, when she slowly loses part of her soul?
Nienna smoothed Glorfindel's gold mane upon the pillow.
" His name is true." She tilted her head. " Glorfindel, wake up. Wake up."
His eyes fluttered open slowly. He peered through the brightness, seeing only the beautiful face upon a body beside him.
" Where am I?" He asked, staring at her in amazement.
" You have just exited the Halls of Mandos." Mandos answered in a gruff tone.
Glorfindel's eyes strayed to the towering Vala only for a moment before returning to Nienna, apparently transfixed by her beauty.
" I am Nienna, Glorfindel. My brother and I seek an audience with you."
Glorfindel sat up, staring at his pale hands.
" They are whole." He touched his chest and then stood. " I am not broken."
Mandos smiled slightly in amusement at the Elf's enthusiasm and even Nienna's tears were kept at bay.
" You are as you were in Arda." Mandos toned in gravelly. " For to Arda, you will return."
Glorfindel froze, slowly looking at the somber judge.
" I am dead, or I was." Glorfindel pointed out.
" And in Eru, you rebirth into a new creature." Nienna rose, taking the Elf's hands. " I shall be accompanying you back to the shores you love and to the people you served whole heartedly. My purpose lies in that land, just as yours does."
Glorfindel bowed low, touching a solemn fist to his chest.
" I am honored, Lady Nienna. I am just a lowly Elf-lord."
Nienna waited until he straightened.
" You have Ilúvatar's favor which is no light thing. I am honored just as well."
Glorfindel could only stare as if she were his greatest foe. He finally inclined his head.
" Thank you, my Lady. You flatter me."
Nienna linked arms with both the Elf and Mandos to exit the room and Halls of Mandos.
" There is much we must still speak of in private."
~*~
Melaurë sat beside her son faithfully, tear stains dried on her cheeks. Two nights she had sat, awaiting any sign of life in her son.
*I am losing him.
She brushed a stray dark curl from his forehead with a slight smile.
*Just like his father's. It never stayed behind his ears.
A hand fell on her shoulder.
" You should rest."
Melaurë shook her head at Galadriel.
" I will not leave my son."
" I thought you might answer that way."
Galadriel handed the she-Elf a bowl. Melaurë glanced at it warily.
" Do you swear it has no sleeping toxin in it?"
Galadriel nodded.
" Aye. Tis venison stew. They slew it a few nights ago. This is all we will be having for a while."
Melaurë chanced a small smile.
" The great Noldor ousted from their homes, living on venison stew. Fingolfin would have a thing or two to say about this."
Galadriel nodded, a shadow flitting across her face.
" So would my father."
Elros poked a head in.
" Galadriel?" The two women sent him inquiring glances. " Círdan says you must see this. There are two Elves with Eönwë."
~*~
Ulmo had carried them to where Eönwë was camped by the shore. They had waited a day before traveling to the Elves. Glorfindel was nervous.
*How will they accept me?
He slowly dismounted, hearing the hushed whispers already. He extended a hand to the hooded Nienna. She pushed it back a bit to reveal her Elvin face. Eönwë seemed shocked for a moment.
" My Lady."
She sent him a silencing glance.
" I have orders, Herald."
Eönwë was properly subdued. Glorfindel extended his arm to Nienna.
" Shall we?"
Her eyes only lightened a bit, but her seriousness remained.
" Lead on, Lord Glorfindel. You know this land far better than I."