AliciaFI want to thank you for reviewing. I had been especially down about these last few chapters because I had thought they were some of my best so far and I just wasn't hearing anything. I was seriously beginning to doubt that I should continue it. However thanks to you I will continue. This update should satisfy your need for a Morgoth fix. Hope you like it!
By the way, how close are you with Morgoth? Do I really want to know? Never mind, don't answer that question.
AnnamariahI was reading "Welcome to Rivendell Mr. Anderson" the other day and I saw that they sang a song to you about being faithful as to reviewing. I am not so creative unfortunately, so I will say this "I dub thee Princess Faithful Reveiwerness!" I hope you like titles. By the way everyone "Welcome to Rivendell Mr. Anderson" is one of the best stories I have read on the whole site. Check out and let me know what you think!
Copper Arrow : You were right about Maedhros, he says you have him pegged. He thinks you're name is really cute and he's going to have Curufin make a Copper Arrow for him to hang in his bedroom. I am sooooo jealous!
Guadalupe"Did you ever know that you're my Hero!" I know I have the worst time keeping those stupid words straight! Please have some pity on me, the last few weeks at school have been very, very draining! I think the beauty of Tolkien's work is that you begin to wish that you were human…..I mean I am glad that I am a human! Hehehehehe little slip there, it only happens every hundred years or so. Oh darn it! Twice in one day? What is wrong with me? And you should know by now that I never give out the plot before hand!
a random reviewer : Thank you for this priceless little bit of encouragement like all the others it came at just the right time. I really need to know that, besides if Erestor keeps giving me such a hard time about updating this regularly I will go insane!
Annie789: Don't be so cocky Missy1 I may just kill Ron off to show you whose the real author of this fic! Just kidding! I have these little power glitches every once in a while. Grin! Keep reading!
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The twisted wreckage was smoking and steaming as the firemen directed their hoses at it and allowed the powerful streams of water to soak what was left of the taxi and semi-truck. The chief shook his head at the sight as the policeman in charge came up to him and said "Those poor jerks never had a chance did they. God! You'd think after a while these people would know how to drive!"
"Yep, you know I never something go up so darn quickly! I mean the car had to be loaded with fuel for such a blaze!" the chief said as he directed the next car passed the wreak.
"Do you think it was the fault of the taxi driver or the semi guy?" asked the officer next as he pulled out a pad and pencil stub.
Scratching his head the chief said "That's what I can't figure, I mean you would think that some guy who drove for a living would have some sense then to swerve into the on-coming lane! Ah, these idiots leave a bad taste in my mouth!"
Just then a red SUV drove up and parked, the doors flew open and two men came out one red hired the other blond. They stopped at the sight of the burnt out cars and the chief swore under his breath. Turning to the officer he said "This is the part I hate the most, telling the family!"
He strode up to the two men who still stood with their mouths open. Bill turned as the chief came up and said, "Excuse me officer is that…..that the taxi?"
"I am afraid so, I am sorry son."
"Didn't anyone make it?" Bill asked unwilling to believe his ears although he was sure that he had heard right the first time.
"I am afraid we lost them both, it was out of control when we got here. I am really sorry." the chief said. He looked at the disbelief on the mans face and saw the other walk slowly toward the wreak, judging form his youth it must be his son.
"Look, everyone needs to stay away from the wreckage till we clean up all the glass and things so if you want to get you son out of there…." the chief advised but he trailed off as he met the eyes of the man. His eyes were brimming with bright drops, and his chin s he fought to hold back his tears. He shook his head and the blond bangs fell over his forehead and hide his eyes he turned away and called out, "Atar, they need you to leave because they need to clean the area for tragic."
But the kneeling figure didn't move, Bill went to his father and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Come on Atar, we have to get back to the house. We've done all we can."
"It's not that William, look!" Maehsos held up a pair of wire rimmed glasses, the lenses unscratched and the glass perfectly whole and sparkling. The Steward laid them in his son's palm and said, "I think he's alive."
"Oh my god!" Bill whispered.
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Finally the bustle and flurry of the day was drawing to a close and the elves all over Himring were settling down with their letters and bundles that Maehsos had brought with him from Hithlum.
Maedhros was shut up in his rooms pouring over the dispatches that had come from Fingolfin and Aradan's men were strangely silent as they read letters from their wives and children at home. Aradan himself was bragging about a new addition in the form of a new nephew to his brother's family.
"Oh gods! As if you needed another reason to talk about your family." one of them groaned and threw a pillow across the room at him.
Aradan deflected it and laughingly said, "Just because you're jealous of my remarkably good looking family is no reason to complain Jaden. Besides I have heard you speaking quite highly of you own boys back in Hithlum so you have nothing to say about my pride."
The merriment went on into the night as Maehsos and Aeroniel walked along the battlements deep in happy conversation about Daeron and Alassë's binding.
"..and then the geese got loose and run through the tent nipping and honking at the guests as they went. I can tell you that Alassë was on the verge of tears; and Daeron the verge of laughter when Fingolfin jumped about three feet in the air when he was nipped in the seat by a goose!" The two laughed and Aeroniel held her side saying "Oh my goodness Mae, I haven't heard of anything so ridiculous or so funny in months! I have to stop laughing my side is killing me!"
Maehsos lead her to the steps that ringed the battlements and sat beside her and she sighed
"Oh that is so hilarious! I wish I could have been there."
"They wish you were there as well, but they send their warmest greetings and this letter."
Aeroniel frowned and said accusingly, "Maehsos you never told me that she wrote, you big fibber quick let me see it!" she reached out but the Steward held it out of her hands and said "By no means will I hand over this letter now! I will not have you attention for a least the next day if I give this to you. It's a very fat letter and I have no doubt extremely long and full of interesting news that I am sure you have no desire to hear."
"Go on Mae let me have it! I'm dieing to hear from her, besides if she meant that letter for me you have no right to withhold it!" she stood and wrestled the letter away and tripped Maehsos feet out from under him as he tried to stand. He landed with a bump and she tucked the letter in her apron and turned in a second to face him her hands raised in defense position.
For a split second shook showed on the Steward's face at the calm calculating expression on Aeroniel's. She blinked and looked from his face to her hands and slowly lowered them with a sheepish grin.
She offered Maehsos her hand and he shook his head, a few strands of the red hair flying annoyingly into his eyes. "No way am I going to take your hand for help, not after seeing how you dispatch of your enemies! Well, now I am afraid of you Ronnie how about that!"
"Maehsos don't be silly, I am sorry about that but the last few weeks I've been training with Maedhros and his various trainer to learn how to defend myself and I acted like I normally would when someone is trying to keep something from me." she watched him picked himself up and dust off his tunic.
"I hope I didn't hurt you?" she said hesitantly.
"My dear Ronnie you would have to do much more then knock me down to do any real harm. After all I am not an orc, if I was I would worry then. Since you have your letter go ahead and read I won't mind as long as you mention anything she says about my good looks."
Aeroniel smacked his arm lightly as she sat beside him and opened the letter. Maehsos was right it was a long and interesting letter, and fat because a packet of seeds was reposing inside.
Opening the package she breathed in the scent and smiled saying "Poppies and ferns my favorite. That was thoughtful." She scanned the first page and broke into a laugh saying "Maehsos Alassë says that if you are waiting to hear compliments you need to find yourself a wife!"
Maehsos looked mildly grumpy and said airily, "Of course she can speak because she's married already. Move on to something more interesting then that, will you."
Shaking her head she went back to the letter ad read, she lips moving along as she read. Maehsos sat watching her as she read and thought it was too long since he had visited and that he would not let so much time go by again before he would visit. Her hair was long and loose down her back, her face was more mature then he had ever seen it. Her hands were thin as always but there was a more rugged work worn look to them, she was living harder here then ever in her life but it seemed to be good for her.
Her eyes were lit as she drank in the information from her friend, but something was in the letter that disturbed her, her brow winkled and she bit her bottom lip a little. However just when he expected her to turn to him and confide her trouble she folded the laid it aside saying brightly, "Now let me tell you all my news of what goes on in the household of the eldest Feanorian."
And so it went as the sun disappeared behind the horizon and the moon rose Maehsos learned all the sordid details of a day in the life of Himring. He was puzzled and a bit confused at Aeroniel, she was always so open about her troubles that he was worried that he had perhaps done something to squelch the friendship.
"..and I suppose that he'll ask her to bond with him fairly soon. He doesn't seem to realize that everyone knows their in love and won't be surprised by the announcement at all. What do you think of it?" she asked suddenly.
"What! About what?" he said sitting up a little. Aeroniel rolled her eyes and said "About Nessima and Arbellason getting married of course!"
"Oh, well it's wonderful news to be sure. I suppose that I should have expected it someday….." he trailed off at her expression that said she wasn't paying this line.
"Must I be perfectly honest Ronnie?" he asked whining a little like an elfling.
"Perfectly." she answered flatly, arms crossed and slippered foot tapping on the stone.
"Very well, if you promise to do the same for me." he coaxed, she nodded and he tried to restrain a smile at her confidence.
"Then my chief concern lies with the fact that you are hiding everything of importance from me, and it hurts my tender elven emotions deeply. Now what is it that Alassë told you that cooled your cheerful spirits so quickly?"
Aeroniel was caught and she knew it, she sighed and said "You tricked me Maehsos and that's hardly fair."
"Yes, but you already said you would be honest. You did not say that we had to be fair as well. Now 'fess up, as the children would say."
"Alassë said that Fingon is going remarkably well, and seems to have found some footing in his life and settled down to training with the soldiers again. That is all, and nothing more needs to be said."
"Honest?"
"Completely."
"Then what is it about that news which makes you bit your lips and furrow your lovely ivory brow in displeasure?" he asked delighting in the surprise on her face. She sighed and picked at an embroidered flower on the edge of her apron before she stood and walked to the battlements looking down on the rocky terrain. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and without turning said, "Sometimes when I stand here, I feel as though my voice will carry around the world and reach anyone I pleased.
"When I first came I would stand here every evening and say goodnight to you all. I know is sounds silly, but there were times when I thought that I heard you reply. Not in words but in feeling, as if all your good wishes were silently wafted to me over the miles." she spoke softly, shyly.
"And at times, I…I know this will sounds very odd, but at times I can feel…. know how Fingon is doing. What he's thinking about or doing, I know it just as I know you're sitting behind me. Unseen, but present."
"During the months after we left it was like a continual ache that wouldn't disappear it was with my always. But it was bitter sweet, I mean I could still feel him near me.
"And now..?" Maehsos encouraged.
"Now…I feel as though he's slipping away, I can't feel him in the same way anymore. Where I could feel his joys and sorrows before, there now stands a kind of shield or wall that blocks the way." She turned and smiled a little sad smile and continued, "And now I know why, he is doing very well now. He is at home and with the men, training as he always did before…and I…..I know it's selfish Mae." She paused.
"Go on dear, it will do you good to talk about it." Maehsos said.
"It just that I afraid in his new happiness that he is…that he will forget me. I can't bear the thought of it. And I feel utterly selfish because I would not have him linger in pain over me."
Her last words were so quietly spoken that Maehsos' keen hearing barely caught them. Aeroniel still stood with her back to him and he couldn't tell whether or not she was crying. But she turned to him and said, "Aren't I silly sometimes? Now enough about that tell me all I want to know about you and I will have done with it. You never did say much about your family. I know that Nessima and Alassë are your nieces and Lady Bet…that woman is your aunt. But I don't remember you ever really telling me about them."
Maehsos shrugged stiffly and said "There isn't much to tell, besides the fact that the girls and Bethriel are just adopted relations. I was adopted by Bethriel's brother Arandur after the Burning of the ships. "
"Your parents died?" she asked gently.
"No, but the two sons of Arandur did die, and seeing that he needed someone to look after him, so I did. As you may guess, Bethriel wasn't fond of me, but then I didn't really feel much toward her. I mean she is a splendid woman, yes, but she was cold. In any case I helped and so that is all that matters."
Aeroniel smiled at the elf as he lent back on his elbows against the steps and looked into the starry sky above. His blue eyes seemed black and with the joint starlight over head the twin expression of it was magnified in his eyes. He still continued to wear his bright carrot red hair back from his thin face, and every once and a while the he would reach up and flick back the stray hairs. He lent back with the weight of his slender frame balanced on that of his left arm and again Aeroniel remembered the day when he was nearly killed by the terrible spider.
"Mae," she said suddenly.
"Hmm"
"How…how old are you? I mean really, without any sidetracks and sidesteps. How old are you?"
Maehsos did not turn to meet her gaze, rather he sat up a bit and took her hand in his cool elven one and said "Ronnie, you must know I have reasons for keeping that to myself. But I will tell you that from where I come, you don't see the stars as we do here. No, we look down on them from above and see them as little pinpricks of silver against a swirling cloud of changeful black and indigo."
As he spoke the Steward had come to stand beside the young woman and his whole being seems to brighten to a simmer as if it became transparent and one with the starlight around him. For a moment he seemed to grow and magnify and Aeroniel turned her eyes away in fright. When she looked again he was as he ever been calm and serious. He continued.
"Here I see everything as you do and yet, yet I am not as you. The difference of our race is not what I speak of, but rather the difference in our beings."
"I don't understand you. How different? What do you mean look down?"
Maehsos tightened his hold on her hand and covered it with his other to warm her own chilled palm. Never did he look away from the star light overhead, but simply spoke,
"Aeroniel…..Anna, you came to us from the sea. A little girl who had lost her way, and yet I never asked you of your home and time. I do not judge you by your birthplace, but by your heart. I ask that you do not seek to know me more then I say. It is not given to me to tell you of who and what I am. Know that in time all things will be revealed and you will know, my sweet young woman."
And then as they stood there and the dawning of what he had just said came to Aeroniel, a great gust of wind came with the stinging touch of wind driven snow, and they made for the shelter of the castle.
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Sauron paced his small office space, the lights again extinguished. He paced and hit his leg against the chair hard and swore under his breath as the chair was suddenly and inexpiably consumed in flames. He jumped back and stood close to the wall his eyes wide and afraid as the room around him disappeared and he found himself, as himself in the throne room of his master.
"Ahhh, Anatar, my fair servant. How wonderful to see your handsome face once again. Have you any news for me?" the silky smooth voice of Melkor came through the room as a heavy perfume. Sauron swallowed and force a smile on his face and held up the leather portfolio.
"Yes, my Lord. I have the information that you desired."
A thin wraithlike wisp of smoke coiled around Anatar's Beautiful throat and a gentle tug pulled the leather folio out of his hands. The Maier looked around the room at the turning and twisting shadows.
In the narrow throne room the thick black marble pillars closed the Maier in; and the continual coiling and uncoiling of Melkor's pet snakes unnerved him as well. They serpents twined themselves in and out of the pillars and flicked their long forked tongues in his direction. Melkor thumbed through the portraits and halted at the portrait of Maehsos beaming face.
"Anatar…you never mentioned that he was there. Now that wasn't very intelligent was it?" Melkor's voice was calm and quiet his words smooth as glass. Anatar was more afraid then ever, he nervously cleared his throat and said, "I wasn't sure he was there my Lord. I never saw him and it doesn't matter, we have the location of the children."
Melkor gave a low chuckle and turned the remaining pages back and looked down at the two innocent children on the page. He touched the smiling face of the girl and his finger traced the golden crown on the boy's brow. As he did so his hand shook and suddenly he tore the page between his fingers. His eyes glowed red and a wolfish grin of rage covered his face.
"Anatar, I am now pleased with you, not at all."
"But..my Lord I have brought you the information you wanted. What have I left under? Show m the error of my ways I will seek to correct it."
Melkor was across the room in a moment with his hand around the Maier's throat and breathing down his neck saying." See what you missed in this …..pictures. See with my eyes and know what you have lost!"
Sauron's vision swam and little bursts of light dissolved into a view of the portrait, truly the children were there, but not in a forest glade. Where the trees and forest had lifted their proud heads the eyes of all the Valar looked down and the words of Manwe's Doom was written on their lips. It was terrible and condemning, a searing fear ran through Sauron's being so strong that it was like unbearable pain.
"Please my Lord, I see…I see it." he whispered. He hit the floor with a thump and Melkor returned to his throne the remaining Silmarils bound in his rough iron crown.
"Now that you know what you're facing perhaps I can depend on you for more appropriate action. If not…." he trailed off.
"I quite understand my Lord, I promise that it will not happen again."
"And have you dispatched of the woman and the man?"
"I have taken care of the man, but I have yet to discover the whereabouts of the woman. If he is protecting her then it may take some little time." Anatar said hesitantly.
Melkor laughed and said "And I know you will do it. If you are slow you are usually dependable. No wonder Aule trusted you so much. Oh! I see the mention of your former slave driver still affects you. Do you wish to return to your slave hood Sauron? You know that I will not hold you back if you truly wish it."
Sauron swallowed and fingered his collar buttons briefly. "I have no such wish your supreme imminence."
Melkor smiled again and toyed with the serpent that was coiled by his side.
"No," he drawled, "I thought not."