Star of Hope
Chapter 1
"She is gone," Maglor watched as Elwing glided away from the cliff, "With her is father's jewel."
"I know that, brother," Maedhros almost shouted in frustration, "I too, have eyes if you need to be reminded!" He turned around from the cliff and kicked a stone. "We have failed again." He added a little softer.
"Let us stop this madness Maedhros. It has brought us nothing but pain and guilt. Nothing good has come of it," said Maglor. "The twins have died, only the two of us are left."
"Madness?" Maedros turned and glared at his brother with hatred. "You call this madness? Are you calling our father mad?! The Silmaril belongs to us Maglor, to us only!"
"'Twas father who created it not us."
"And as his sons it is our right. We swore a vow to take it back even if we take it forcibly and that vow I shall never break! And you brother should remember that!" Maedhros shouted, pointing accusingly his brother.
"What I did, I regret it." Maglor said, his voice impassive. He stared at his brother and walked passed him without looking behind. He stopped when his brother spoke but still not looking back,
"I…I am sorry, Maglor, I did not mean to…" Maedhros apologized, hoping that Maglor would look at him and everything will be forgiven.
Maglor looked down, "I am tired, brother," and walked away without looking at his brother.
Maedhros was about to speak again when he heard a wail. Maglor had heard it too for he stopped in his way. Maedhros looked at the fallen city from on top of the cliff. It sounded like a child. He wondered how clearly he could hear it when there was noise everywhere. He listened carefully and spotted where the sound had come from. It was from the house on the foot of the cliff, Elwing's house. He furrowed his brow and called after his brother, who was already making his way to the house, "Elwing's child!" He sprinted down.
But Maglor was already there, exploring the house as he entered. He first entered a small library. There was a table by the window over looking the sea. The books were neatly placed on the shelves. Maglor approached the table and gazed out on the sea. This must be Eärendil's study, he thought, looking over at the diagrams and sketches of ships laid out on the table. No doubt, this is his workplace.
There was also a map hanging on the wall. It was a map of Beleriand. There were some marks on it, probably drawn by Earendil himself. He reached out for a book but was interrupted by a loud crash. He almost leapt from his position and headed to the direction of the noise. He walked up the stairs; his hands already holding the sword's handle and quilt. He slowly approached a door, and listened to confirm that the sound was indeed coming from that room. His suspicion was answered by a soft sob. He barged in the room, knocking the door open, with his sword drawn. Maglor's jaw almost fell open as he saw who the enemy was. There were two children in front of him. One was looking at him furiously hugging the other one, who buried his head in his brother's tunic, sobbing quietly. They were twins. Maglor stood there gaping at the children, his sword at hand. He was rendered speechless. Silence fell over the room until one of the children spoke to him,
"You are scaring my brother with your sword," the child said, stroking his brother's head.
"I apologize," Maglor regained his composure but now awed by the child's courage. "You are brave. Are you not afraid of me? Your enemy?" Sheathing his sword and knelt down, looking at the child's eyes. The child did not answer. He continued, "You are Elwing's sons?" The child just stared at him, eyes full of hatred. Maglor sighed, "Do not worry, I will not harm you?"
"Why not?" said the child. Maglor was surprised. "We are your enemy, you said so yourself, so why not kill us?"
Maglor struggled to find an explanation. "I know not what to make of that question." Maglor shrugged, "But I assure you, children, I will not harm you. I come in peace."
"Can we trust you? You have killed our friends, our people," said the child, grey eyes focused on the elder elf, as if it can bore a hole. "And you drove Naneth to her death!"
Maglor shifted uncomfortably, "How…"
"We saw you," said the other child, staring at him, eyes red in crying. "We saw everything in the window. You killed her!"
"I…" Maglor clenched his fist, anger and guilt swelled inside of him,"I did not kill your mother."
"You drove her down the cliff!" cried the first child, tears running down his cheeks.
"I did no such thing. We told her to give us the jewel; we did not mean to let her fall. She cast herself down the cliff with her own consent, not ours." Maglor explained, how is he going to tell them that their mother was turned to a bird, "She did not die. She was saved by Ulmo."
"She lives?" asked the second child, hope in his eyes.
"Yes, though she was turned to a bird. I told you she still lives." Assured the other child, wiping his brother's tears.
How did he know? Maglor shook his head disbelievingly, Save that for later. "What are your names?"
"I am Elros," said the second child. Maglor turned his attention to the other, who was still shooting daggers at him. "This is my brother, Elrond."
"Elros, Elrond, I am pleased to meet you…" before he could finish, Maedhros came barging in, sword drawn. "Valar, Maedhros! Put your sword down, you are scaring the children!"
Maedhros sheathed his sword albeit reluctantly, seeing his brother's piercing gaze. "Carry one; we will take them with us." Maedhros picked up Elros, who sobbed and swung at him with all his might, he drew the child nearer to his chest, ignoring the kicking feet and swinging arms. Elrond was already kicking the elf as hard as he can; demanding that let his brother go. "Maglor, picked this stupid child!"
"Maedhros, what are you doing? Put the child down!" Maglor protested.
"I told you to pick up the child before I will hit him!" Maedhros barked at his brother, fury rising in his head. "Now!"
"Elrond, come," Maglor said softly, picking up the crying child.
"Let go! Let go of me!" shouted Elrond. "Elros!"
"Quiet, young one," Maglor comforted the child in his arms, "Elros will not be harmed, I promise you." Maglor sighed heavily as Elrond seemed to relax in his arms.
"Tell your brother to stop struggling!" Maedhros half-shouted in exasperation.
"Hand him to me." Maglor offered. He shifted Elrond into one arm and placed Elros in the other arm. As soon as the brothers were reunited, they hugged each other, Elrond, comforting his brother in singing a soft tune, something that their mother had sang to them before. Maglor was touched by the love and affection shown by the twins, it reminded him of the relationship he had with his brothers but now only two of them remained. And their once jolly features turned into grim and vengeful looks.
"Hurry, we leave this place," Maedhros commanded, "I will order some elves to prepare there things. They come with us."
"Maedhros, what do you intend to do with the children?" Maglor demanded, leading his brother to his tent as they camp for the night.
Maedhros ignored the question. "How do they fare?"
"After what you did, I am surprised that they still stand," Maglor snapped, "Of course, they do not fare well! Their parents are out on the sea, one knew not of what happened to his people, and the other turned to a bird. They are separated from their kin. How would you feel if you were in their place?"
"Is there nothing we can do?" Maedhros asked softly.
Maglor remained silent for a few moments before speaking, "We must try and earn their trust. That is the least that we can do if not they will fade." Maglor turned away and left his brother.
He quietly approached the spot under an oak tree where the sons of Earendil slept, curled together for comfort and exhausted from the travel. There was an elf leaning against a tree, keeping watch of the children. He was whistling a nice slow tune, looking at the sleeping children in amusement.
"Good day, Thindel." Maglor moved to sit beside the elf, stroking the twins' dark heads tenderly.
"They remind you of Amrod and Amras, do they not?" asked Thindel. Maglor nodded, the other elf smiled, "They too remind me of my sons, though mine are not twins."
Maglor chuckled softly as not to disturb the twins from their slumber. "I like you, Thindel. You have had experienced with children before and I believe you are well suited to watch them until we arrive in Himring, if you agree?"
"I will gladly accept it, my Lord," laughed Thindel, "They are two adorable Peredhil and it would be an honor to watch over them."
"Thank you, mellon, I thank you."
AN: I'm back finally... For those who read my other fics I'm sorry to say that it would take quite sometime yet before I can update those because right now I am experiencing a writer's block. While trying to think what to do next chapter all these other ideas for another story pops up in my mind and everything's just so... ARGH!...chaotic! Oh, well... I hope you enjoy this.
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