Chapter 3: A Maia's Revenge-part 1

A day or two earlier.

"Brother, this is sheer madness! Getting those younger Maiar involved with your plans was risky enough. Getting the Children involved won't end well for anyone!"

Nehtartúra's orange eyes blazed, as he glared at his sister.

"How else am I to pull this off? I dare not risk getting more Maia involved. Besides, the elves agreed to this of their own free will. All it took was a few choice words whispered in a few certain individual's ears among the returned Noldoric exiles, to have them practically fighting each other for the privilege of seeing Morgoth's Chief lieutenant destroyed."

Roimewen glared right back.

"Have you lost your reason? There's no need to get the Children involved with this! It's a very bad idea that I cannot condone. No good will come out of it, mark my words."

Nehtartúra's lips were pressed so tightly together, they were a thin line. His bright orange eyes blazed with a hatred that caused Roimewen to take an involuntary step back.

"What difference will it make?" He hissed. "I've said time and time again I don't care what happens to me, so long as our family is avenged. I'm running out of time to have that happen. I need more help, and I can't trust any among the Maiar not to tell the Valar. Those elves who I've recruited, however, hate the Valar. They won't betray us to them."

"Us? What makes you think I'll be there?"

Nehtartúra looked at her in some shock.

"Won't you? I thought you agreed to be with me the whole way."

Roimewen's voice was like ice.

"That was before you decided to lose all reason. Now, you are on your own. I refuse to be a part of this. Brother. It has gone too far."

The look of shock on her brother's face was almost gratifying. At least for a moment. Then, a rage and fury the likes of which she'd never seen overtook his features. In seconds, Roimewen was on her back on the ground, her brother looming over her, teeth bared, snarling.

The female Maia froze in fear, staring at this – creature – in absolute shock.

"Nehtartúra? What are you doing?"

The creature on top of her snarled.

"You'll regret the day you decided to betray me."

Before Roimewen had a chance to process what he meant, intense pain erupted in her lower stomach. Screaming in agony, her cries were abruptly cut off as the air left her lungs, due to a punch aimed just under her ribs. Trying to shed her fana and flee, the Maia found, to her horror, this creature was holding her mind in place, preventing her from fleeing in that manner. As the pain overwhelmed her senses, panic the likes of which she'd never felt before setting in as the assault continued, Roimewen desperately prayed for help, not knowing who she was even praying to.

Suddenly, a power the likes of which she'd never felt flooded through her. Roimewen channelled it at her crazed brother, willing him to stop. A pained scream met her ears, as the pressure holding her down lessened. At the same time, the hold on her mind loosened. The Maia instantly thought herself away, without even looking to see what she'd done.

She just wanted to get out, away from this monster who'd consumed her only remaining brother.

Without making a conscious decision, Roimewen thought herself to one of her hideouts not even Nehtartúra knew about. It was small cave nestled in the foothills of a remote part of the north-east Pelóri mountains, not too far from the forests of Oromë. It's located, however, being half-way up a sheer cliff-face, made it inaccessible if one didn't know precisely where it was. Leaning against the rough rock wall, Roimewen trembled in shock, horror, and not a little fear and pain. Finally, as her panic subsided, her mind started to process what had just happened.

Her own brother had attacked her.

Her own brother had attacked her.

Simply because she'd told him she thought bringing some of the elves in to help exact revenge on Morgoth's lieutenant too risky and stupid, and had refused to be a part of it.

Undermining Sauron's position here was one thing. Though, so far everything Nehtartúra had attempted to do had failed. Even luring the younger Maia away from others, directly attacking him, and then spreading untrue rumours about it afterwards to try and turn others against him, had failed. Roimewen might not have agreed with everything her brother did, but had let it go, helping when she'd felt like it. She fully believed someone should pay for what had happened to their other brother, and the suffering they'd all gone through. However…

Even Sauron didn't deserve to have that sheer level of hate and rage levelled at him. Not when his only crime (as far as Roimewen could tell) was having served the dark Vala. Many had done so. As her heartbeat started calming down, Roimewen swallowed, realising the decision that lay before her. Either keep quiet and let things play out as they will, or go to the Valar and tell them what had happened. Either path would end in disaster for both her, her brother, and those others who'd gotten involved.

Looking at her options, the Maia realised with despair she'd been deliberately blind, allowing her own desire for revenge to cloud her judgement. Up to now, she'd justified her actions to herself by the fact she wasn't directly involved with everything Nehtartúra did. She hadn't planned anything, (though she'd helped out with much of it), and thus felt she was not truly responsible for anything that happened.

Her injuries suddenly flared in pain, causing the Maia to gasp and double over. However, the physical pain was nothing to the pain in her heart from her own brother having attacked her. Roimewen was now forced to admit she was in the wrong just as much as her brother. She had, just like Urunírë, broken the Valar's trust, condoning others to do the same. Punishment for that, she was sure, would be less lenient than what had happened to Urunírë.

Not that she could think of anything worse than been given to the Lord of Mandos to serve him. Maybe she would be locked up in Mandos like Melkor had been? The Maia shuddered in pure fear as that thought crossed her fëa. Though she knew she deserved it, she would do anything to avoid that fate.

A soft thought suddenly whispered itself across her fëa.

*Would you really do anything?*

Roimewen cowered against the wall, trying to shake off the feeling of shame and self-loathing at her own cowardice that voice had awoken. She instinctively knew who was speaking to her, and didn't want to hear what he had to say. She was not going to the Valar to have them punish her.

*Do not be so arrogant, my daughter.*

Roimewen glared at the roof.

"I am not being arrogant. I am being prudent. If the Valar find out what I've done –"

The thought was gentle, yet commanding.

*Even if you do not tell them, do you really think they will not find it out from someone else?*

The Maia started, that thought not having occurred to her. Gritting her teeth, the Maia spoke roughly.

"Leave me alone, Atar."

The presence that brushed against her fëa was sad.

*Very well, my daughter. If that is what you want. However, know no matter what you do, your part in this will be found out. Do not think your brother will not rat out everyone involved to try and save his own skin. His hatred of everything evil, and his desire for senseless revenge, has blinded him to aught else.*

Before the Maia had time to get angry, Eru's presence was gone, leaving her feeling surprisingly weak and shaky. Sagging against the wall, the Maia placed a hand protectively over her aching ribs, as she unwillingly thought on what her Atar had said.

He was right, of course. No matter what happened, she was doomed. And she deserved nothing less for her actions (or lack of them). As for her brother…

Nehtartúra was heading down the path of no return. No matter what she did now, he would be severely punished by the Valar. She couldn't stop it. All she could do was try and have him stopped before he went too far.

To do that, she would have to face the Valar, and own up for what she'd done.

After debating with herself for several days about what to do, Roimewen finally made her decision.

Present.

The Valar were silent as Roimewen finished speaking. All had heard her perfectly, despite her words having been mostly addressed to the ground. Most were shocked. Both at what they'd been told, and by the fact Eru had intervened in such a direct way. Even among the Valar, he rarely interfered with their free will decisions. Unless those decisions would prove detrimental to them and those around them in absolute ways.

Manwë was the first to speak, regarding Roimewen coldly.

"You did the right thing coming to us, but you are still in deep trouble. Do you know precisely what your brother plans to do?"

The Maia shook her head, refusing to look up.

"Nay, my lord. I just know several elves are involved now, along with a couple of the other Maiar. And I know Nehtartúra wants to do something that will have long-term ramifications. That's all I know, my lord."

Varda's voice was just as cold.

"You don't know when, or where?"

The Maia shook her head, refusing to look up. Manwë frowned.

"Look at me, Roimewen. That's an order."

After a moment, the Maia obeyed. Even though it was obvious she didn't want to. When she made eye contact with the Elder King, she gasped and stood stock still, frozen in place by the force of his gaze. After a long minute, Manwë blinked, and the Maia stumbled back, practically ending up on her knees. She didn't attempt to rise, her eyes back on the ground. However, now she was trembling uncontrollably, and her eyes were blank and unfocused. Regarding her dispassionately, Manwë spoke.

"You truly do not know what your brother plans to do. However, you are no more innocent in this then he is. Námo?"

The Doomsman did nothing visible, but moments later two of his Maiar appeared. They looked identical, down to their dark hair and eyes, grim expressions, and even with the armour and swords they each wore. They gave all the Valar deep bows, before turning to Námo.

"You called for us, my lord?" Tindómon asked.

Námo gestured to the white-faced and trembled Roimewen kneeling next to Oromë. The Vala hadn't moved since they'd arrived.

"Take her to Mandos; keep her under guard until further notice. Yúcalion," Námo turned to the other Maiar, whose grim expression was set in granite. "See her wounds are treated. No one is to have any contact with her but you two."

Both Maiar nodded respectfully in understanding, before each taking hold of one of the female Maia's arms. Without even an acknowledgement of the other Valar, the two thought themselves and their charge away. That sorted, Námo looked at Manwë. His eyes were blazing.

"Roimewen might not know exactly what her brother is planning to do with my Maia, but what did she know?"

Manwë looked grim.

"What she did know, is the names of the two younger Maiar her brother coerced into helping him…"

Lómindil started, almost falling out of his tree, when Námo suddenly spoke to him via ósanwe.

*Where's Mairon?*

The dark-haired Maia caught hold of the closest branch, hauling himself back up, before answering.

*Around. I think he and Marilwë are hiding together. Why the concern, my lord?*

Námo's answer was short, and to the point.

*One of Oromë's Maiar wishes him harm.*

Lómindil swallowed.

*None of Oromë's Maiar are with us.*

*He roped two others into helping. And one of them is with you. Where is Sámotára?*

Lómindil eyes widened.

*Hiding. We all are. We're playing hide-and-go-seek. I don't know precisely where he is. My lord, why don't you contact Mairon direct?*

Námo sounded worried, to one who knew him well.

*I have tried. He's not responding.*

Lómindil's eyes widened further.

*That…is not good. Marilwë!*

Moments later, another presence brushed across his mind. This one radiated confusion.

*Lómindil? What's wrong?*

*Mairon is in danger. Where is he?*

There was a brief pause, before the female Maia replied.

*He's nearby. We couldn't find a hiding spot big enough for us both. Sámotára offered to show him a few good spots – *

Lómindil's face lost all colour, and he felt Námo's anxiety sky-rocket. Before he could say anything, however, the Vala took command of the conversation.

*Marilwë, find them. Sámotára wishes Mairon harm.*

The female Maia's confusion and fear could clearly be felt. But, she didn't question her lord, hurrying to follow his command. However, before she could take more than a few steps in the direction they'd gone, a mental scream seared through their heads. It was cut off as abruptly as it had started, leaving both Maiar reeling from the onslaught of emotions. Námo abruptly broke off their mental contact, appearing in front of Lómindil moments later. Grabbing the still-reeling Maia, he thought them to where Marilwë was. The female Maia was standing stock still, in too much shock to even register what had just happened.

However, Lómindil understood it well enough. Looking at Námo in horror, the dark-haired Maia spoke.

"That was Mairon screaming, wasn't it?"

Námo nodded grimly. Gently cradling a still-shocked Marilwë, the Vala spoke.

"Yes. And I now cannot sense him at all, not even his last position. Which either means he's deeply unconscious, or his bond with me is being blocked." The Doomsman looked even grimmer. "Which, as Sámotára is now involved, is a very real possibly. He has learnt a thing or two from my brother already, despite not having been with him for long."

Lómindil swallowed, suddenly feeling nauseous.

"What do we do now, lord?"

Námo looked at him with his bright silver eyes. Even though they were masked, the Maia could still see the fire burning in them. A fire that didn't bode well for whoever (or whatever) had taken Mairon.

"We find him. Lómindil. I want you to gather everyone and take them back to camp. I'll send Nécanyellë and Ambariel to help you keep things in order, and escort them all to the Máhanaxar. Tindómon and Yúcalion are a little busy right now."

Lómindil looked troubled; and his nod was a reluctant one.

"It shall be as you say, my lord. Will we hear what this is all about then?"

Námo nodded grimly. Gently picking up a still stunned Marilwë, the Vala made to depart.

"Yes. I will explain what I know there."

Finally, we have progress. But I was not expecting Daddy Ilúvatar to make a guest appearance at the beginning…shit must really be about to hit the fan.

...

A/N Thank you for all the lovely feedback and comments! This story is also on Ao3 now for those who prefer reading stuff over there.