Chapter 9: More discussions among the Valar
"The time has come to address the elves regarding the matter of Mairon."
Manwë looked around at Námo, Ulmo and Nienna. The Elder King had dark circles under his eyes, and looked like he hadn't rested since Mairon had first disappeared. Which was over a week ago now. The other three Aratar nodded in agreement at his words. None of them looked happy about things, especially Námo. Manwë sighed, addressing the Lord of Mandos by name.
"Námo. Your brother and Estë are right. We have no choice but to bring those elves to trial for violating our peace. And their friends and family are already noticeably furious about their fellows being locked up by us. My Maiar have reported a lot of negative mutterings against us." Manwë gave another heavy sigh, wearily resting his chin in his hand. "Nothing but the cold, hard truth will impress them. Even Ingwë isn't happy with me right now; he's not visited Taniquetil since news got out about those elves being arrested. And they aren't even Vanyar. I fear we may have erred in waiting so long to address Mairon's return with all the elves. We should have made our stance on him crystal clear from the beginning."
Ulmo raised an eyebrow. The Lord of Waters had shocked everyone when he'd turned up to their meeting unannounced and before it was even due to begin, a grim look on his face.
"Even if we had, it might not have done any good. We made our stance clear to the Maiar several times. Look at what happened there."
Manwë just nodded.
"I know. It's bad enough one of our own seduced and manipulated the Elder into being involved with breaking our Peace by attacking someone under our protection. However, we still must bring those Elder who were involved to trial, and punish them. During that trial, I think would be the perfect time to show them a few hard truths. Especially as I am thinking of making those trials public. It seems the Elder need a reminder of who they are dealing with. As much as I hate doing it…"
Manwë trailed off. Nienna nodded slowly.
"That makes sense. It seems living here with us all these years has taught them nothing." The Valië sighed, closing her eyes briefly. "Where are you planning to hold these trials?"
Manwë smiled grimly, though the pain in his eyes was impossible to ignore.
"The Máhanaxar will be appropriate. They did break our Peace after all."
Námo's eyes lit up, evident even through his mask.
"Will I be allowed to pronounce their Doom to them?"
Manwë gave his brother Valar a withering look that had no effect. Námo didn't even flinch at the other Vala's attempt to intimidate him with his gaze. Manwë quickly gave up trying, even as he answered the question.
"Yes, but only within the perimeters I set up. I know you're furious over what happened, and you have a right to be, but it's not technically the elves fault. While those feelings had to have been in their hearts for them to be seduced to begin with, they were not the Mastermind behind recent events. They'll be punished, but with a severity that fits with their crimes."
Námo didn't look at all happy about that, but ceded to Manwë in good grace.
"Fine. But I hope I'll be allowed a say in meting out punishment. Mairon is mine."
Nienna's lips twitched at the possessiveness in her brother's voice. Námo took his responsibilities to protect those he was charged with the care of very seriously. Frankly, she was surprised he'd consented to even leaving Mairon to come to this meeting. No one else seemed to notice Námo's tone of voice. Manwë was too deep in thought. Ulmo looked troubled at the thought of what some of the Maiar had shown themselves willing to do. Nienna put a comforting hand on his arm (the Lord of Waters was sitting next to her), before she spoke.
"We have erred as well in this, by not realising the sheer level of hate Nehtartúra harboured towards evil." The Valië sighed, fresh tears trickling down her cheeks, evident even through the veil she wore. "The elves are a bit easier to read, though their habit of jumping in completely random directions still gets tiring. I, for one, think this is a good idea. We need to hold a public trial to make it clear to any elf who wishes to come watch why we are doing this."
"Why we are doing what, Nienna?"
Varda appeared in time to hear the last sentence. Having no context, the other Valië looked rather confused. Without a word, Nienna handed her a goblet of wine, indicating an empty chair next to her.
"We need to make it clear to all the elves why we are putting their fellows on trial."
Varda raised both eyebrows.
"That does make sense. Where are you thinking of holding these trials?"
It was Manwë who answered.
"The Máhanaxar."
Varda almost chocked on her wine. She looked disturbed.
"A public trial for an elf in the Máhanaxar? That's what you're planning to do here?"
Námo nodded, his expression carefully blank.
"Apparently."
Varda blinked a few times, processing this information. Finally, she spoke in a pained voice.
"The last time we did that, over half the Noldor accused us of tyranny, rebelled against us, and left Valinor."
Manwë sighed, looking up at them all.
"Yes, they did, and we don't want a repeat of that. But, I like to think we have learnt something from that event. This one needs to be handled with, how did Estë put it? ah yes, more 'eloquently'." Manwë made air quotes as he said those words. "We must make it clear beyond doubt why we're doing this, what the elves did wrong, and why they're being punished in this way. We need to establish that, because they live here, there are certain laws we expect all the inhabitants of Valinor to obey. All the elves need to know without a shadow of doubt what happened to cause this trial, and what the penalty is for these deeds."
Ulmo spoke.
"And just what is the penalty going to be?"
Manwë dropped his head into his hands.
"I have no idea. Last time, we meted out exile for the offending party; look at how well that ended. I do not want a repeat performance of Fëanor."
"Atar forbid." The others all chorused, before falling silent. A silence which stretched on for an uncomfortably long time. Eventually, Varda broke it.
"A suitable punishment will have to be decided by all fourteen of us, I think. And after we have heard the elves give an account of themselves. We cannot deny them that. Even Melkor was not denied that the first time, and his crimes were greater than theirs."
Manwë flinched at her words. The others all looked grim. Nienna spoke softly.
"That they were. That they were."
Without a word, Ulmo refilled his goblet. After he'd downed the whole cup in practically one gulp, the Lord of Waters spoke in a carefully even voice.
"That is the elves sorted, at least for now. What about Nehtartúra and his sister?"
Manwë stirred, blinking rather rapidly as he registered what Ulmo had said.
"It isn't quite the elves sorted, I'm afraid. I would like Mairon to be present at their trial as well." Manwë regarded Námo gravely, and with more than a little compassion. The Doomsman opened his mouth to speak, but a hand gesture from Manwë momentarily stayed his words. "I know you don't want to expose him to them yet, Námo, especially after his recent ordeal, but I hope you will see this is necessary. For all of us."
Námo frowned heavily.
"Perhaps you would be kind enough to explain the reason you want to put my Maia through such a traumatic ordeal?"
Manwë looked defeated.
"Fair enough. I thought, as we are making this a public trial, we should provide all the elves with the means of identifying Mairon for the future. That way, they won't be able to claim ignorance by not knowing who we are talking about. While they shouldn't be attacking anyone regardless, this way they wouldn't be able to claim ignorance. Which some of them may try and do."
Námo's outward expression didn't change. Nienna alone felt him frown heavily through their sibling bond, and spoke to him via ósanwe.
*Manwë has a point, Námo. While the elves shouldn't be attacking anyone, we all know how flighty and fickle they can be. And Mairon wouldn't have to be there for the whole thing. Just long enough so all can see him, and know who we are talking about. And we can do this right at the start of the trial to minimise the time he's needed. It will also put some of the outrageous rumours we have heard about to rest, which can only be a good thing.*
Námo was silent for a moment.
*It makes sense, and is actually one of the better ideas Manwë has come up with. It's just…Nienna. Does Manwë seem a little – off, to you?*
The Valië was silent for a long moment, as she thought that unexpected question over.
*Yes. Now you've mentioned it…he doesn't seem his usual self. He's very…hesitant, to do anything. More so then he ever has been before.*
Námo's mental frown deepened.
*So it isn't just me.*
Nienna was now also mentally frowning as she turned the conversation they'd all just had over in her head.
*No. He isn't acting like he usually does. You're right. Should I say something?*
Námo mentally shook his head.
*Not now. I'll have a chat with him in private at some point. It may be nothing. I hope it is, and I'm just reading into things that aren't there.*
Their whole conversation had taken less than two seconds. Looking at Manwë, Námo addressed the question that had been put to him.
"I see. That does make sense, but I cannot say yes or no to this proposal. It's up to Mairon to decide if he wants to do this, or not. I won't push him to make a decision. Moreover, I expect whatever decision he makes to be honoured. Mairon's mental state is very fragile right now, and he still needs to recover from what happened to him physically. He is at a tipping point, Manwë. And extra care must be taken to ensure he doesn't tip too far. I will ask him, and explain the reasoning behind the request. The rest is up to him."
Manwë nodded in acceptance. He looked vaguely disappointed, Nienna noted with a mental frown. Something was definitely off about him...
"Okay. Let me know what he says as soon as you can. I need an answer soon, so I can put out the word about when the trials are going to be held. We need to give the elves who live at distance enough time to travel here, or more problems will likely arise."
Varda agreed.
"Without a doubt. We must provide at least a week's advance notice, I think. That should be enough time for them to organise themselves, and travel here."
Ulmo spoke.
"Agreed. That should be more than enough time, especially if we keep the weather fair. Naturally at this time of year it's not the best, but I'm sure we can hold off any rain long enough so everyone arrives without being too soggy."
He looked at Manwë while he said this, and the Eldest nodded.
"Yes, we can do that."
He said no more on the matter. Nienna, who'd been silent for a while, suddenly spoke.
"When are we going to bring Nehtartúra and the other Maiar to trial?"
Everyone's expression grew grim at her words. Námo spoke first.
"That is a good question. And, more to the point, what are we going to do with them? Nehtartúra, especially, has a lot to answer for."
Manwë sighed again. His face was buried in his hands, and he suddenly looked very old and tired.
"I have no idea what to do with any of them at this point..."
Námo sighed in relief when he finally returned to Mandos. After the fruitless discussions that had gone on for hours, the Vala was relieved to return to the peace of his and Vairë's domain. The first thing he did upon arriving was check on Mairon, who he'd left with Olórin. Since his rescue, Námo had made a point to never leave the Maia without someone else being there. Just this morning, Mai had finally agreed to see his brother (he hadn't been ready to talk to him before now) but had wanted it to happen in Mandos. Námo had readily agreed, and after waiting a little while to make sure everything was okay, he'd left them to go to the meeting.
A meeting he still had very ambiguous feelings about.
Putting his troubled thoughts out of his mind for now, Námo smiled at the sight greeting him when he arrived in Mairon's room.
Mairon and Olórin were curled up together on Mai's bed, fast asleep. Olórin was spooning his brother, his chin resting on the top of Mairon's head. His arms were wrapped around the smaller Maia. Mairon's back rested against Olórin's chest, their hands entwined. Marta was, unsurprisingly, curled up nearby, also asleep. Though, judging by the ear twitch when Námo arrived, she was aware he was there.
However, she made no move to acknowledge him in any other way, which suited him. While they were kind-of friends now (in that she had stopped making his life hell and have him tiptoe around corners) Námo still wasn't sure how he felt about Marta. However, he was willing to compromise for Mairon's sake, and at least she didn't terrorise him now. Plus, the Maia needed all the love and support he could possibly be given right now. Especially from his chosen lord.
Looking after Mairon, making sure he was happy and safe, was Námo's job. And, so far, he hadn't been doing too well on the 'keeping him safe' department. While Námo knew, realistically, there was no way to have known what was going to happen for sure (even his foresight hadn't shown him anything until events were practically happening) he still felt he could have done better.
Should have done better.
As he watched the slow yet steady rise and fall of Mairon's chest, Námo reflected on the conversations he'd just had, and especially Manwë's behaviour. Something wasn't right with him, and Námo instinctively knew whatever it was did not bode well for the rest of them.
Manwë would be receiving a visit very soon, so Námo could see if he was okay. He might be their leader, but he still suffered from his own flaws, same as them all. He needed support and love from them (whatever he thought), just as much as they needed it from him. None of them were made to work alone.
Something Manwë frequently seemed to forget, even as he attempted to take the weight of the world solely on his shoulders.
Námo took a deep breath at that thought.
It would be an interesting conversation...
Hehehe. *rubs hands gleefully* Things are starting to happen...