Chapter 18: Roimewen's trial

Roimewen did not so much as twitch, standing stock still and looking straight ahead at nothing, while Námo laid out the charges against her. Charges that included conspiring against the Valar's will, conspiring to hurt another Maia, as well as aiding and abetting others to do these things. When Námo asked her how she answered the charges, she spoke promptly, and without emotion.

"I plead guilty to all those things."

Manwë spoke.

"Do you have any defence you wish to put forward? Now is the time to do so."

The female Maia shook her head.

"No. I know what I did was not good. However –" she looked at Manwë challengingly. "I do not regret any of it. I regret what my brother turned into, and the fact he attacked me, but I do not regret any of my actions. Punish me how you will; I really don't care."

The staring match continued for some time, but eventually the Maia had to look away. Manwë then silently conferred with the other Valar for a few moments, before Oromë stood up.

"Why did you do it, Roimewen? In what way did I fail to the point where you did this?"

The female Maia shrugged, apparently unconcerned.

"Someone must pay for what Morgoth did. None of you seem eager to make any steps in that direction. Instead, you allow those who betrayed you and your trust to live here with us, free from consequences. Meanwhile, those of us who have remained loyal to you all these years, go unheeded and unheard. We just want to avoid a repeat of what happened last time you were too soft in meting out punishment on evil."

No Valar gave any outward reaction to her words, though none were unaffected by them. Manwë felt his sense of failure to those around him rise again, while Oromë mentally closed his eyes in psychological anguish. Námo, whom was completely blank to all the others Valar, suddenly spoke to them.

*As her about her other brother, Gothmog. This story is not the whole truth.*

Manwë gave the Doomsman a piercing look, before mentally nodding and turning back to the Maia.

"If those are your reasons, why did your brother do what he did?"

Roimewen shrugged, a slight sense of unease entering her bearing.

"You'll have to ask him that. I have no idea why he wanted to go after Sauron so badly."

The Valar shared looks. They had purposefully kept all the culprits separate since the events, and none of them had any idea in what order they were being tried. Roimewen clearly did not know about Nehtartúra's confession, nor that he'd been sentenced to stay with Nienna until he re-thought his attitude somewhat.

Time to shatter that illusion, Manwë decided, and get to the real reason Roimewen had done this. While her story made sense and was plausible, like Námo, the Elder King was not buying it as the whole truth.

"So you conspiring to hurt one who is under our protection has nothing to do with your other brother? Because Nehtartúra gave a very different story."

Horror, and sudden fear, flickered through Roimewen's eyes, even as her voice remained steady.

"Oh really? What did he say?"

Manwë looked her dead in the eye.

"That he wanted revenge for the fact your other brother Kosomot turned his allegiance to Melkor and abandoned you. He said you wanted revenge for those same reasons, and that you blame Mairon for what happened?" Fourteen pairs of eyes now bore into the Maia, whom was looking rather pale. "Despite the fact he had nothing to do with it, apart from also happening to have served Melkor for a time. Wanting revenge is all good and well, but why take it out on someone whom has already made amends, and is under our direct protection? Why rebel against us as surely as Melkor did?"

Manwë's gaze and tone were glacial. Roimewen's complexion was now practically white, and she gave a nervous swallow as Manwë continued.

"You are either past the point of insanity like Nehtartúra, or have other reasons for doing what you did, like Melkor. One way or another, we will find out what we want to know. It will be a lot easier for us all if you give us that information willingly. Now, why did you really do it?"

The female Maia did not answer right away. When she did, her voice was croaky, and barely a whisper.

"You've already tried him."

Manwë gave a single nod, not removing his foreboding gaze from her face.

"We have. He gave us all his reasons. Now, we want to hear yours. The real ones."

Roimewen swallowed.

"I – he-he was my brother. He left us. His loyalty to that monster was more important than his twin brother and younger sister. I-I-I –"

The Maia let out a broken sob.

"The last conversation I ever had with him, he told me he didn't care what we did, but he was not staying here to be shackled and restrained by the self-righteous Valar any longer. His words. I tried to dissuade him, not understanding what he meant, but his mind was already made up. Initially, I thought he was bluffing, and would come back once he realised Melkor was just as incompetent as the rest of you. But then – he was right."

Tears leaked out of Roimewen's eyes as she looked at her feet. For a moment, the only sound in the Máhanaxar was her chocked breathing. All fourteen Valar could have passed for statues as she continued talking; even their unreadable expressions were frozen as if carved out of stone.

"Melkor – he was worthier then any of you will ever be. I disillusioned myself about you for many Ages, believing you were right, even after you let Him go, and he caused Fëanor's madness and all that followed. However, that illusion was thoroughly shattered when you not only allowed Sauron, his second-in-command whom did unspeakable things on his orders, back into Valinor, but placed him under your protection with no punishment for what he did. By your own actions, you have proven you can't be trusted to know who is and isn't a threat. The Darkening…I never want to even risk going through anything remotely like that ever again."

The female Maia, swallowed, before giving Manwë a challenging look.

"You wanted the truth; you have it. Punish me how you will. I really don't care anymore. It's too late for regrets, not that I regret anything but what Nehtartúra turned into. Maybe I was in the wrong with my actions; maybe I wasn't. Either way, I have lost both my brothers to your incompetence." Several tears trickled down the Maia's face as she said this. Roimewen made no attempt to wipe them away. "I am past caring about what happens to me."

The Maia bowered her head and closed her eyes, clearly waiting for the Valar to pronounce her sentence to her. Looking around at the other Valar, Manwë spoke, his mental voice full of pain.

*Once again, my incompetence and arrogance has come back to bite me. Roimewen has good points for doing what she did. I – haven't exactly being a shining example for everyone to follow and trust.*

Ulmo gave Manwë an unimpressed look.

*That is still not an excuse for what has been done here. Roimewen still broke our trust, condoned the actions of another who conspired to hurt one under our protection, and is not the least remorseful for any of it. All she regrets is the fact her brother hurt her. You can't let any of this slide, Manwë. If you do, that will be proof to her that everything she believes about us is true.*

Manwë looked at him.

*About me you mean. The rest of you just followed whatever I decided. And I rarely even asked for your input, or listened to your concerns. I'm not even sure I should have a say in her punishment –*

Varda mentally slapped him across the back of his head. Hard.

*Manwë Súlimo, I cannot believe this rot I am hearing from you! Yes, you have made mistakes, same as we all have. Yes, you are to blame for what happened with Melkor afterwards, but we all have made some questionable decisions in our time. This self-flagellation stops NOW. I don't care what you have done; the past is the past and even we cannot change what has already happened. However, the future we can influence and shape. Now, either grow up and act like the leader you are, or formally step down and appoint someone else to take your place. But, for the sake of all our sanities, make a decision! This cannot go on.*

Everyone sat there in shock as Varda ended her tirade by glaring angrily at her husband. If they hadn't been speaking mind to mind, and not moving for the benefit of the Maia before them, she would have had her hands on her hips and comets shooting from her eyes. Even Manwë just sat there, stunned, at her angry outburst, staring at his beloved like she'd suddenly grown a second head. Yavanna was the first to speak.

*She has a point. One Valar moping around in self-pity is quite enough.* The Queen of the Earth gave her husband a look that made Aulë suddenly appear very interested in his hands. *We do not need Manwë to do the same. Especially not now. Not if we want to avoid anyone else getting hurt.*

Irmo spoke.

*Well, if that's sorted, what are we going to do with Roimewen? She needs to be punished in some way, and it must be in proportion to what she did. If I may make a suggestion, I have an idea?*

Manwë gave a subdued nod.

*Go ahead.*

Irmo glanced at his brother, before addressing them all.

*Going on Urunírë's punishment, I think Roimewen needs to be removed from Oromë's people for a while. Not because you aren't capable* Irmo added, seeing the Hunters expression *but because that is what happened to Urunírë as punishment when he betrayed our trust and indirectly rebelled against us. To keep being fair and impartial, I think that is the best thing to do. The issue is who to send her too.*

*Nienna is going to have her hands full enough with Nehtartúra, it would not be fair to anyone in Mandos to send her there, and neither I nor Estë have the time nor expertise to work with something like this…*

Irmo trailed off, not knowing what else to say. Everyone sat there in silence for a while, mulling over his words.

*What about we send her to Varda?*

Everyone stared in shock at Nessa, whom rapidly looked highly uncomfortable under their gazes. Varda found her voice first.

*What?*

Nessa just shrugged and looked away, beginning to regret she had said anything. However, Vairë spoke before anything else could happen.

*It is actually a good plan. She needs to go somewhere for some time out, and as the usual avenues are currently not viable, Varda is the perfect solution. You treat your Maiar right, and she will be with Ilmarë, which can only be a good thing. That girl doesn't miss much, and is not someone you want to cross. I know it will mean a lot more work for you both, but I can't see any other way this could work. Námo. Is the future currently telling you anything about what happens?*

The Doomsman's answer was short.

*No. There is too much indecision right now to see anything clearly.*

Vairë nodded, not the least surprised by that answer.

*Okay. What do you others think of Nessa's suggestion?*

The Weaver of Arda looked around at the other Valar, gouging their different responses to this idea. Ulmo, Aulë, Yavanna, Nienna and Irmo looked thoughtful. Námo was still blank. Estë looked concerned, as did Vána. Tulkas looked bored. Oromë's expression was unreadable, as was Manwë's and Varda's. Also looking around at the circle, Nessa squared her shoulders before speaking again.

*It was just a suggestion. You don't have to do anything about it. You can forget I said anything if you would like. In fact –*

Everyone was shocked when Námo suddenly spoke, his voice and gaze distant.

*That – will work. But what about the others?*

The Doomsman paused, listening intently to something no one else could hear, before sighing.

*Very well.*

Námo's gaze then refocused as he zeroed in on Manwë sitting directly opposite him.

*Manwë. Atar wants to speak with you.*

The Elder King blinked, somewhat taken back.

*Why?*

A ghost of a smile flickered across Námo's expression.

*I don't know. Ask him yourself. He's waiting for you.*

Manwë's expression was unreadable, even as his eyes unfocussed. It wasn't long before his gaze cleared, and he gave an audible sigh.

*Varda, my love. What are your thoughts on accepted responsibly for Roimewen for a while?*

The Valië pursed her lips as frown lines appeared on her forehead.

*I am not thrilled with the idea. This will add even more work to an already full workload and put a lot of strain on me. However –*

Varda sighed, looking straight at Manwë.

*It would be doable, with a lot of re-arranging. Ilmarë can take on some of my other responsibilities, if Ingamírë takes on some of hers, which would free me up with work with Roimewen. She is going to need near constant supervision, at least at first, and I do not want to involve Ilmarë yet. She has enough on her plate right now. What did Atar say about it?*

Manwë looked around at them all with a resolute expression.

*It's ultimately up to us, the final decision. Atar will not interfere with whatever we do. He – had other reasons for wanting to speak to me.*

Manwë looked embarrassed when he said that, and quickly looked away. An awkward silence descended over them, broken eventually by Tulkas. The Wrestler had had enough of sitting still and talking. He preferred actions to words, and thought this conversation had gone on for way too long already.

*Well, can we do something, please? I am going to explode if I have to sit here much longer. I am missing a perfectly good wrestling session with my Maiar, so could we please wrap this up soon? Manwë? Please?*

The Elder King sighed.

*That would be a good idea. Varda, my love. Can you do this, or do we need to come up with something else?*

The Valië frown did not lessen.

*I can do it, on one condition.* At Manwë's encouraging look, she went on. *That, once she is settled in, you help me with her. I think spending some quality time together will be the perfect therapy for you both.*

Varda looked very pleased with that idea, even as Manwë's eyes went big. Ulmo bit his lip, and everyone else, even Námo, looked rather taken back. Manwë eventually found his tongue.

*Is that such a good idea, my love? I'm not sure I should be around anyone like that right now.*

Varda gave him a look.

*It will work. It won't happen right away; you both need to work through a few issues before I would think of keeping you together. However, once you start acting like the Leader and King you are supposed to be, I don't see there will be a problem with it.* Varda's set expression let everyone know she was liking this idea more and more. *So, do we have an agreement?*

Manwë swallowed, before nodding.

*Yes. I will try and act my age. Even Atar is running out of patience with me and my whining. His words.* The Elder King blushed bright red with embarrassment; even his ears were red. *I really have been a prized fool and asshole, haven't I?*

Ulmo grinned.

*Just a little bit. I am glad you are getting over all that now, though. We need you, Manwë. No matter what you may think, you are the eldest among us and our leader. I can't see any of the rest of us being able to do what you can. We need you now more than ever, what with this unrest among our own people. Uinen has reported she has noticed an alarming amount of discontent among her friends and acquaintances. It is time we take control and show them we are worthy of their trust, before something really bad happens.*

Manwë frowned at the Lord of Waters.

*I need to know more about this discontent, but that can wait until later. Right now, we need to finish dealing with Roimewen. So we are all in agreement sending her to Varda is the best thing to do?*

At everyone's affirmation, Manwë nodded.

*So be it.*

Without warning, the King of the Valar rose majestically from his throne; everyone else followed suite. Their expression and postures were grave, giving nothing away, and Manwë's voice was as authoritative as it had ever been as he addressed the Maia on trial in front of them.

"Roimewen, Maia of Oromë. We have reached a decision about your fate. Lord Námo. Wouldst thou declare to the accused our judgement?"

*Plot Bunny and I eye each other off…*