Chap 5: The Council of the Valar.-Part 1

It was with a sense of expectancy that Nerdanel entered the room that Ingwe led her to and, with a bow and a curt farewell, left.

It was a room like no other, for it seemed to be one with the clouds, and she felt lighter and airier, and unwary all at once. But this did not dull her senses, rather, it made her feel keen and cunning, as though she were really mistress of herself when she was so very far from it.

Now, this room that Nerdanel found herself in was the most secret hall of Judgment that any elf had even set foot in. It was this same room that Curunir was adjudged to be corrupted and malicious, sentenced to damnation in the Silent halls forever untilb his repentance. But not all this room's history was sorrowful, here too was Olorin adbjudged to be worthy of the position of Head of Order, the order of the Istari in Middle Eabrth.

Though Nerdanel only found out much later, this was also a judgment. One of a most solemn kind, the first judgment in which the Valar and all their subjects had to take part in since the death of Miriel Sirinde. She was to be her husband's representative, a position too important to be rejected by her, therefore, they gave her no choice.

Uncertainly, she sat on the only chair in the room, for though it was of magnificent proportions, it was bereft of almost any furniture, and besides the chair, there was only a stern looking panel with iron benches behind it, as would be in a criminal trial.

Nerdanel shivered unconsciously and waited.

For hours it seemed that nothing was going to happen, and she was just going to make a dignified exit when she suddenly became conscious of a breeze, which was odd because there weren't any windows in the room.

But it wasn't breeze, she realized excitedly, they were spirits, and though they were invisible, they seemed to rustle quietly and gently, and two of them whispered soothing words over her flaming fear and rest.

Melian and Olorin.

So, these were the Maiar, the wonderful spirits, beautiful and glorious to behold, terrible in their wrath and mighty in their laughter. And most powerful in their sorrow.

There were maybe two dozens of them, and some wore their physical forms with ease while some wore hoods over their faces. Most appeared to her invisible, but they rushed around her like waves in the sea, and they comforted her.

Mightier than these were the Valar.

Their robes rustled as they entered, or rather, appeared, for there was no clear way for them to enter with the door closed.

First came three women, one with hair long and rich brown, as the earth in its fertility. Her dress was short and a deer trotted innocently at her side. Some spirits bowed before her, Nessa, they called her.

Next came Vana. Nerdanel had heard much of her from Melian and knew enough to recognize her. Her hair was long and golden, and distantly Nerdanel could hear the singing of birds, heartfelt and beautiful, but far away.

Behind her was Este, and of her too Nerdanel learned much of. Her face was white and pale, but she was not sickly, and her eyes spoke of refreshment and arousement, as from a great sleep. Her gown was long and silver, enchanting, and would have put Nerdanel in a state of dreamy daze were it not for the arrival of Nienna.

Nienna was a tall figure, in grey, and her robes of velvet. Her skin was pale, as that of death, but she was not ominous, in fact, Nerdanel admired her. Her face was not glistening with tears, as Nerdanel had been taught to expect, but it was a silent weeping that is borne of deep and boundless thought and selfless sorrow.

She spoke not but her long white arms were hidden by her grey robes, she stood tall and proud and her movements were graceful and lither. Her face was covered by a hood, and it was only her hair of ebony, darker than twilight and untroubled by mists than Nerdanel caught a glimpse of as she stood along with the others.

Varda came on Manwe's arm, yet their faces were not seen as they were cloaked by black and blue respectively. But Manwe looked once directly at her and it seemed that all the power in Arda could not hold the noble and holy spirit that was in him. Varda she saw not at all, but her figure was taller than anyone she had yet seen, and her lines were graceful.

Vaire came on Mandos' arm next, her fingers Nerdanel noticed especially, long, thin and nimble, even then they had been fidgeting with the folds of her robes.b

Aule came next, with Yavanna on his arm. They both were hooded and well cloaked but Aule, strangely enough, held a hammer in his hand and the air about was singed as though he had just come from the all too familiar forge.

Orome came, with his famed horn at his side, in tunic if green and brown. He was not hooded and his eyes were dark, as though accustomed to anger.

Tulkas then arrived, with golden beard and merry face, and laughter was in his eyes and no malice or hate.

It was almost impossible for Nerdanel to not notice Ulmo's arrival as the air immediately smelt of sea breeze and sea spray, the foam of the proud crested waves and the immeasurable depths of the deepest seas of the world.

After all the Valar were lined up like mightily carved statues, made by no earthly hand, stood at the walls of the room, dark and rather gloomy in there cloaks and robes, it was apparent that the meeting should start.

All except Mandos.

It seemed that the Doomsmen of the Valar had settled himself on the high bench that stood above the panels with the Maiar spirits.

Nerdanel was suddenly very conscious of her position at the centre of the large room, being stared at by every single divine spirit in the room.

This was ridiculous of course, but it helped to ease her nerves to think that she was being purposely irreverent by not displaying any signs of fear or awe.

But, she mused, the time when anyone really loved and revered the Valar was Ages past. Now, they were fearfully spoken of as objects of great power and strength, capable of great and terrible things. Few now existed that dared to describe the Valar personally.

Her brief reverie was broken by a loud thudding that enveloped the expanse of the room with its sound.

" The trial of Feanaro Curufinwe Finwion, shall commence."

I've decided to post in two chapters, it turned out to be too long to post all at once.

My description of the physical features of the Valar was scrapped finally because I wasn't brave enough to attempt anything like that.

I left the description of Nienna mainly because I feel that she is such an interesting character, and I think she is a whole lot more than a weepy woman.

I have another story up, Withered Leaves and The Weary Road (which is its prequel), go check them out.