Sorry this chapter took a while. Hope y'all enjoy it!
"Ungo was not incorrect. You do walk quite slowly. Comparatively". Tar-Mairon said in a matter of fact tone as I struggled to walk fast enough to keep up. My legs were burning from how far and how fast the pace is.
"Compared to what?" I asked. He really didn't need to walk that fast.
"Compared to almost every other one of the children I've come across. Excepting dear Airawende of course" He explained patiently. He doesn't explain things in an insulting way, but I somehow feel as if he thinks I'm stupid or something.
"Children? We aren't children. I'm 20" I countered trying to ignore the burning in my calves. This is really like exercise. I felt a flash of annoyance when he started laughing in response. "That's not the age of a child" I said sulkily in response scowling at the floor.
"Even the ancient Eldar are children to me" he slowed down to catch my gaze.
"How old are the Eldar?" I said trying not to take any kind of disbelieving tone. He stopped and gave me a considering look which I returned meekly.
"Older than the sun and moon" I let out a half gasp and half laugh. Maybe they were really crazy here.
"That's impossible" I insisted baffled "the sun is nearly 5 billion years old plus the moon is much older than the earth. Science tells us!"
"Science tells you? What else does science tell you Haldamire? Where did you learn this science?" He asked his eyes brightening with dancing flames. Thankfully it didn't seem like a violent dance.
"Uh, the science in… I don't know the word, but it is like where the teacher taught us but with many students. It tells us a lot? We have to classes in science and writing and other subjects" I said puzzled trying to explain school. What does he want to know about science?
"So you and Airawende were educated then. If educated incorrectly." He started walking and I followed.
"How old are you?" I pushed completely baffled at his strange beliefs about the sun and moon.
"Haldamire, I am ageless by the timeline constructed by children. I helped sing the universe into being". I tripped and caught myself on the wall. Totally impossible. I shook my head trying to process what he told me. This had to be some kind of lie.
"That's not possible" I argued sliding down the wall staring ahead blankly thinking about everything.
"I assure you, Haldamire, it is quite true" He smiled looking down at me. I didn't even notice he had turned around and came back to me.
"I don't understand it. Sang? The universe isn't musical? I want to go home where things make sense. What are you if you sang the universe into existence? How can you like hurting people if you created things? Are you a demon?" I put my face into my hands trying to connect anything and everything I knew and praying he wasn't going to answer yes to the last question.
"Haldamire, come with me to see the wolves" he held out his hand. I hesitated a moment looking at it, but then allowed him to pull me up. "There are things you will never be able to comprehend about the universe and the music. I won't bother trying to explain this to you at such a young age. Pain is how the universe is ordered, it is instructional. Dare I say it can be intriguing at time to witness the effect it has on mind and body on being tied into physical forms completely. Such a delicate complexity to test. Did you try to run again after having had your leg broken? You don't need to answer, I already know. Haldamire, the children describe demons as beings who revel in destruction. I am no demon, I revel in the creation and structure of order. Pain is a tool to bring about a superior structure. An enjoyable tool at time, but still a tool. Though by your definition Airawende might be with a demon" My eyes widened at his explanation and I felt lightheaded at his description of Gothmog.
"Will he destroy her?" I breathed out quietly terrified.
"I don't think so. He found the limit she can reach sanely. He doesn't want a destroyed toy this time" He responded pushing past a doorway and descending into a dark stairwell.
"This time?" I choked out feeling out the wall and carefully taking the steps one at a time. Then the stairwell suddenly brightened as torches lit up around it. "Did you do that? What else can you do?" I asked.
"Forget Airawende for now. I did and I can do many things. I can teach you how to do many things as well Haldamire. If you swear yourself to me" I descended the stairs faster trying to keep up.
"Didn't we already at that hall place?" I asked breathing laboriously as the stairs flatted out to another hallway.
"I would have you swear yourself truly and willing before teaching. We are here" He motioned to two orcs standing in front of two doors. Big, but not as big as the doors in the great wall.
"Are all the wolves in there?" I asked excited, but apprehensive.
"Of course not, Haldamire, most wolves roam the fortress and surrounding land. This is where the mothers and pups are."
"Baby wolves" I asked excited. "What's Ungo doing there?"
"I sent for him to meet us there." He explained as the orcs opened the doors. I could hear yips and snarls as the doors opened. It sounded like there were hundreds of animals in there. I followed him in looking around for Ungo.
"Ungo!" I cried seeing his fur winding through others to approach us.
"Stay with Haldamire, Ungo. I have things I must do" Tar-Mairon ordered.
"Yes, master" Ungo's tongue lolled out as he sat watching Tar-Mairon disappear.
"Still alive, I see" Ungo stood up and wagged his tail. He was so big for a wolf. I reached out my hand slowly and touched his shoulder fur before petting him.
"Did you think I would not be?" I asked looking around at the cavernous room. There seemed to wolves running around and playing all over. Most of them smaller then Ungo and some really small. They must be the baby wolves.
"You can never truly know what goes on the minds of the Maiar. Trying to predict their actions oft comes with disastrous results" He nudged his head in my chest and rubbed.
"Oh?" I felt lightheaded. Maybe Ungo knows about the sun and moon. "Can I ask you something? Did Tar-Mairon really sing the universe into being?"
"You question it?" Ungo sounded disbelieving and offended. "He did help create. He created us too. I know not much of the song, but I know he is a part of it and a singer of creation" I frowned thinking about his response. What if it was true? How did Airawende and I end up here? If Tar-Mairon wasn't a demon, but Gothmog was then why are they together? Nothing makes sense. I was shaken out of my reverie as something collided with my legs. I tipped over and barely caught my balance hanging onto Ungo. He snarled and snapped several times a bundle of fur. No, two bundles of fur.
"So cute!" I exclaimed picking one of them up. It was two tiny baby wolves. "Don't scare them" the little bundle of fur wiggled and then tiled its head up and licked my cheek. "What's your name?" I asked enthusiastically.
"He's too little to have learned speech" Ungo huffed annoyed.
"look at this one. They must be friends" I crouched down petting the second one which had sat next to me.
"Littermates" Ungo corrected sniffing over them. I sat down setting the one I was holding in my lap and the other one quickly climbed over my leg to join him. I felt myself smiling, but it felt so alien. I can't even remember the last time I smiled so happily like this. One of them started kicking the other running his legs over his belly. I laughed when the one getting pummeled quickly flipped over making the top one fall off. I felt Ungo lay down next to me and watch the two pups. I leaned on Ungo, but then he quickly moved up to stand making me have to catch myself on my arm.
"Ungo" I complained.
"Master returns." Ungo explained shaking out his fur. Sure enough Tar-Mairon was returning. He was so tall that he was easily spotted. Despite the wolves being as tall as horses. I clutched the wolves to myself unwilling to let go. This was so unfair. It hardly felt like we spent any time here. I gave Tar-Mairon my most convincing face and pleaded with wide eyes. He was over here too fast from where we spotted him approaching. He leaned down and pulled one of the wolves out of my grasp.
"No..o" I whimpered sadly.
"I thought you had more sense than Airawende" Tar-Mairon said setting the puppy down and tilting up my face with his hand under my chin. He was ripping away the small little happiness that I had so soon. I gripped the remaining wolf puppy tight in my arms immediately loosening at the pained yip. I tried to blink away the moisture appearing in my eyes.
"Tar-Mairon, please. Can we stay longer?" I said imploringly. He angled my face up higher at an uncomfortable tilt in my neck.
"Give him to me" He ordered releasing me and holding out his arms. I looked down and reluctantly gave the pup over to Tar-Mairon. He patted my head and I scowled looking away so he didn't notice. Ungo nudged me and I stood up rubbing his ears trying not to cry. My throat was closing up making it difficult to speak. I looked over at Tar-Mairon who was looking over the wolf. He peered into its ears and mouth. He even let the pup nibble on his finger.
"You may take him with us Haldamire, but know you are responsible for teaching him. If he falls behind others his age then he will die and you will be punished for wasting resources" Tar-Mairon said setting him down my arms. I stared at Tar-Mairon in disbelief. I felt almost giddy with excitement, but also a bit nervous. I am sure I can teach him, but what does he mean resources and why would he have to die. I must teach him tomorrow.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I exclaimed giddily looking over at the puppy. I felt dread in my heart at the penalty for failure, but I wanted this too badly.