Chapter 22: The days of the rising sun

Maglor was not ready for this, not by far. He was still grieving Ayjun and yet the world did continue around him, as if nothing really had happened. The preparations for the wedding had all been done by others, he didn't have to even lift a finger and when the big day did come he was feeling as if this was some sort of bizarre dream. He was being dressed and prepared like some mannequin doll and he was glad that the customs of this "foreign" prince did dictate that his face was covered by a completely ridiculous veil. He didn't even have to get up and walk since he was transported on a sort of chair the whole time, Ayjun had ordered that since his height would have been too visible otherwise. It was all a charade and he would have enjoyed it if the situation hadn't been as it was. Once this was over he would have to help Yanjem with his work and it would be a tough job. Ayjun had been a good emperor who did keep an eye on everything but even he left some things which had to be taken care off.

The wedding was to be held in the grand hall and Maglor was glad Aodh was there, camouflaged as a life guard, he felt like bolting from the room and he had an idea of what a trapped animal would feel now. He was wearing some robes which were absolutely horrible and so heavy it made his back creak. The amount of jewels and such was ridiculous too and he had even been forced to wear make up, under the veil. Nobody would be able to recognize him, that was for darn sure. The wedding ceremony was to be witnessed by the entire court and everybody was there, Maglor hadn't seen so many people gathered in one room for centuries. The bride was just as ridiculously dressed as Maglor, the robes she wore were so huge and extensive they made it almost impossible to move and she wore a sort of hair decoration or hat which was obscenely heavy and intricate and forced her to keep her head completely still the entire time. It was perhaps extravagant and impressive but he was sure it had to hurt like hell.

She wouldn't walk on her own, just like Maglor. She was carried up to the altar and in her case this was done out of superstition, the bride could become the target of evils spirits on this her great day so to make sure that they didn't find her it was custom that her feet never touched the ground that day. Maglor had been told about the ceremony, he knew what to say and what to do and he did perform perfectly, nobody would find anything worthy of complaints when it came to his behaviour this day. Mei Lan was also doing things correctly, which was very important for mistakes would attract bad fortune. One servant did break an old ceramic bowl just to let one error occur, that too had to be done to please the spirits and the high priest did say his blessings and that was it. They were married. Maglor would have laughed if this hadn't been so serious. Yanjem did walk over and welcomed him into the family and by doing this he did show everybody that his new law brother was a person of importance, somebody he would listen to. Many found this odd since the foreign prince was such an oddball but if the emperor wanted it that way then be it. They wouldn't protest.

The feast afterwards was awkward, because of the obscenely long sleeves on the robes and the sheer weight of them Maglor couldn't eat on his own so a servant did sit there next to him and fed him every piece of food he wanted. He hadn't been handfed by anybody since he was a toddler. But the feast was joyful, it seemed as if everybody had a good time and the dancers did provide the entertainment. Maglor felt a bang of sorrow, from now on he couldn't do this, he could of course train with the others when he had the time but there wasn't much chance of it. He would miss it, the thought was strange but he had to admit to himself that the group was like family to him and he would miss the time spent with them.

The evening did fly by, and then finally the couple could retreat to their new quarters. Normally there would be a whole squad of courtiers following them, and even staying within the bedroom to witness the "consummation" of the marriage but thankfully Ayjun had managed to stop that nonsense, since this "foreign" prince had other customs he had claimed that the couple had to be alone or else the spirits could become jealous and cause problems. The court did swallow that little lie, foreigners had such odd beliefs but who cared really. Maglor was left alone with just Aodh there to help him get rid of everything and it did take quite a while, just the strange headdress he had worn required almost twenty minutes of work before it could be removed from his head, and then it was the make up and the clothes. It did take almost an hour to free him from it all and Aodh did sigh and took a step back after having combed out his hair. "You look amazing Maglor, she is one lucky woman indeed"

Maglor just scoffed. "I am not so sure about that Aodh, this was arranged, remember that. She is just doing her duty"

Aodh did shrug. "Still, she could have been worse off. I do prefer to hope that this will give you both some happiness after all"

Maglor did lean over and kissed Aodh gently. "You are a better friend than I deserve, I wish things were different"

Aodh chuckled. "Oh, they wouldn't have accepted it of the "foreign prince" did marry his own lifeguard, there is a limit to everything, even to the odd quirks they are capable of accepting from a stranger. "

Maglor had to smile. "Yes, you are right."

Aodh sighed and patted him on the back. "I will return to our quarters, our two girls are waiting for me. I guess they will be mine from now on!"

Maglor nodded. "Mostly yes, go, have a good time"

Aodh did smirk. "Oh, I will, and I hope you will too"

Maglor managed to grin, he felt rather uncertain about this. "We will see, have a good night"

Aodh just nodded and left and Maglor walked over to the giant bed which was the centre of the room and sighed. If he had been a human being and truly some human prince he may have looked forwards to this but he was glad Ayjun had managed to convince everybody that this foreigner had very different customs. He would be able to control his days and nights in a way a native person wasn't. Since his bride was royalty she would have been exposed to the idea of following the stars, all the time. The astronomers would have decided almost every one of her daily tasks. They would even have decided when she was to bed her husband, to ensure that she did conceive a son. It was ridiculous but Maglor had to accept that this was the common believes of this people.

Mei Lan did appear after a while, her maids had undressed her and she was wearing just a thin robe which was almost transparent. With the ridiculous white makeup gone and the horribly intricate clothes removed too she did look a lot better, like a real woman and not some wax doll. She smiled and curtsied and Maglor had to smile back, she was very sweet and beautiful and he knew that she was one of the people her father had trusted the most. That in itself spoke volumes of her personality. She cocked her head. "My maids were aghast, that I am to spend the night alone with you is apparently shocking!"

Maglor did snort. "What do they expect really? That I will harm you somehow?"

She giggled. "Oh, they worry more about "weird foreign things" and odd practices."

He did grin with her. "Odd practices, I wonder what those are?"

She reached out, grasped his hand. "To them the idea of not having anything to gossip about tomorrow is heart shattering, so I bet that I will be asked a million and one questions tomorrow and then they will twist the answers to their own fancy!"

Maglor nodded and did draw a deep breath. "Mei Lan, there is one thing…"

She did cock her head. "Yes?"

He did not really know how to speak of this so he did just let it all burst forth. "There will be no children born to us, there has never been a child born by a human mother and an elven father"

Mei Lan did sigh. "I sort of guessed so, I accept that. It will put extra pressure on us both but…we may do the next best thing and use our time and effort on other good things?"

Maglor nodded. "Yes, and I know. Everybody will assume that you are infertile"

Mei Lan did nod and her eyes were sad for a moment. "I have seen what happens to many who fail to do "their duty" and create an heir for their master, at least I am safe with you right?"

Maglor nodded. "Rest assure that I never will trade you for another woman Mei Lan, I will always protect you"

She smiled. "Good, now, so shall we?"

She turned her head towards the bed and Maglor made a grimace. "Do we have to?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes, unless you don't want me of course?"

Maglor took a deep breath. "It isn't that Mei Lan, it is just…I prefer to have an emotional connection to the ones I bed."

She giggled. "That is all good and well my dear, but I am afraid that we have to at least be in bed together, they will find out otherwise. And believe me, you don't want rumours spreading, claiming that you are impotent. Nobody will listen to you if that happens"

Maglor rolled his eyes. "I know, the tongues are loose within the court"

Mei Lan did take him by the hand and lead him over to the bed. "Don't worry Maglor, I have been thoroughly trained. I may be a maiden but I have learned all that is to know"

Maglor had to smile. "Alright then, but if you want this to end just say so and I will back off"

She giggled. "You are a true gentleman then my dear, most of the ladies of the court have been introduced to this in a way less pleasant manner, I can assure you of that"

Maglor shook his head in a show of disgust. "I can only imagine!"

He did remember the days of the harem and the way the Sha'al had used his slaves and it made his stomach churn. Mei Lan did reach up, caressed his cheek. "Your eyes get dark, bad memories?"

Maglor nodded. "Yes, you truly don't want to know. The things I saw before the Sha'al was defeated…"

Mei Lan did cock her head. "I know Maglor, but that is the past, it will never happen again. Kiss me now and let us see if my handmaidens will have something to gossip over come the morrow"

Maglor did obey, she had soft lips and she did smell heavenly and before long he realized that this would be no disappointment after all, she was in fact eager and curious and not at all afraid of him and he did forget the world around them for a few short hours.

The next day Mei Lan did move into her quarters there and the hickeys and bruises which were visible on her body did make the maids chatter and gossip like mad for days. Maglor started his job as Yanjem's advisor right away, not openly but rather hidden. Yanjem did as his father had, meeting Maglor in hiding and they spent some weeks getting things in order. The old emperor had been laid to rest now in an underground tomb which was extremely hard to find and Maglor had placed the ring from the wraith within the dead man's robes when he said his last goodbye. Nobody would dare to disturb the rest of the former emperor and Maglor was rather sure that this ring was one which never would be found, ever.

The demands of the court life became apparent rather fast, Yanjem was married since he was a man in his early thirties and he had one daughter and a son who unfortunately was sickly and bound to a chair. Some servants did move him around and Yanjem was not sure of what to do. His wife was the light of his life and Maglor had met her, a very sweet and warm and real person whom he did like right away. The birth of their son had damaged her and the doctors had said that she never would bear another child. As the emperor Yanjem had to produce a strong heir and the decision was made, he had to get a second wife and several concubines.

Normally the choice of wife and concubines would be a task the royal astrologists would take care of, they would find suitable women based upon their birth date and also their social rank. Yanjem didn't want any of that, he wanted to find women he could live with, without fearing for the life of his first wife and son and Maglor did help him. Since Maglor had better hearing than a human being he was able to eavesdrop on the conversations being held between the candidates and their entourage and he did swiftly remove some of the women from the list. In the end Yanjem was left with one possible queen and several women who very well could become good concubines. Neither were too ambitious and they were all mature and not too vain. The woman who was to become his second queen was in fact twenty eight years of age and thus way too old to normally be considered as a suitable bride. She was learned and wise and very calm, a person with little ambition other than being a good person and do her chores in the best possible manner. Evil tongues did claim that Ish Rey did look like a horse but Maglor found her both charming and endearing. The wedding was grand and the ten concubines Maglor had helped Yanjem pick out from more than two hundred candidates were chosen based on their personalities, not their looks.

Maglor and Mei Lan did get used to each other and he was glad that she was such an affectionate person. She loved to be around him and she loved sex too. But she wasn't some sleazy nymphomaniac like the sister who had been married off to the Sha'al. Mei Lan was completely dedicated to Maglor and she became his best confidant. To her he could tell of his experiences and his inner thoughts and she did never judge him.

Yanjem became a very popular emperor and he did know how to keep the crowds on his side. The first thing he did was to lower the taxes for the common man and then he did start some huge building projects which would ensure that many who had been unemployed now got jobs. He did also open schools and hospitals and Maglor knew that it was wise, very wise.

The contacts of Ayjun had become Maglor's now and he did expand the network of spies and informants. He did even make sure that there was somebody sent with every caravan who would report back if there was any sign of the enemy and his servants. Maglor was very busy but he did have time to visit his friends every so often and he did miss the freedom of the dance. Aodh did visit him when Mei Lan was occupied elsewhere and they were still lovers but Maglor did notice that Aodh wasn't as fond of physical contact as before. He wasn't as vigorous nor as eager and he realized that the years had passed by since he came to this place too. Aodh wasn't young anymore, in fact none of them were youths anymore, and the thought did upset him quite a lot.

The emperor's new queen did give him a son just a year after the wedding and the empire was decorated to celebrate this. Maglor had become a good friend with his first son and the lad didn't really feel set aside or anything. He did know that he was unable to rule and his new half brother would be raised to be a decent person, one who wanted to serve the people instead of the other way around. Maglor had managed to get the lad who had helped them with the assassination attempts into the group of people taking care of Hoyan and he and the crippled lad became very close friends after a while. Maglor was very glad, they needed someone who didn't judge them based upon their physical challenges. The new son was named Khailen and Maglor sensed that this was a person who would become a very strong man one day.

But the fact that Mei Lan hadn't produced a child yet started to become a problem, she was facing the ladies of the court every day and she did report to Maglor whenever she heard something which could indicate that there was any sorts of trouble brewing. But most of the things she did hear did revolve around herself and her inability to give her husband an heir and Maglor did hear the sorrow in her voice whenever she did tell him of the different subtle and not so subtle methods of scolding and ridiculing her. He wished that there was something he could have done and Mei Lan did in fact suggest that they could find some other man to get her pregnant but Maglor didn't want to put her through that. If somebody did find out she would be accused of adultery and then not even he would be able to save her.

Yanjem had several children over the next few years, both sons and daughters born to the concubines and Maglor did see how this did sadden his first wife, Yanjem did treat her with all due respect still and there was no doubt that she was the one he did love but the life within the court did wear her down and in the end she did retire to one of the huge palaces the emperor did own outside of the capital. There she had her own court and was spared from all the vicious rumours and gossip.

The empire was gaining strength yet again, Yanjem was very strategic and he did open the borders to traders and merchants but he did also place some restrictions on the businesses which made it impossible for foreigners to gain any real power within the empire. Thus he prevented alien forces from gaining a foothold there and it was smart. The money did flow back and forth but the power of the emperor couldn't get undermined.

Maglor did chose teachers for Yanjem's by now numerous offspring, and he did keep an eye on their development too. They were all growing into very decent people and Yanjem was proud of them. Maglor had started a stud farm where he did breed from the foal he had gotten from that odd old man and he did own a lot of horses now, all way better than the breed they had used there before. It was his great pride and joy and he made sure that the breed was protected and didn't get watered out by too much cross breeding. Mei Lan was often by his side when he did visit the breeding farm and they loved it.

Maglor did enjoy his work and his life, it gave him challenges and yet he was worried, the whole time. The dark would try again for sure, if Sauron was to gain much power he would need the east at his back and his informants and spies did tell of the power of Mordor and how the dark lord was spreading his influence yet again. There were rumours of a war which seemed to be inevitable.

Maglor was kept busy all the time and he didn't visit the others from the group for months at a time. One day he did go back to the training facility to discover that none of the other members of the collection were dancing anymore. They had all become teachers and he did see how they had aged and his heart felt heavy within his chest. Mei Lan was no longer being teased for not having born any children, now she was regarded as too old and the others did treat her with more of a sort of mock pity than anything else. It often made her cry in his arms at night but there was nothing they could do about it, except try to raise above it. Aodh didn't try to be intimate with Maglor anymore, he would spend his time with the two concubines but he didn't bed them that often, they too felt age creeping up on them and Maglor had to start making plans for the future. He couldn't continue the way he did, somebody would become suspicious. So he sent Mei Lan off for a couple of years, she did live on one of his properties incognito and he sent forth a rumour claiming that she finally was with child and that the heir of the emperor's law brother would be raised outside of the court since it was the custom of the father's people.

It was of course a lie but Mei Lan agreed, she was tired of the constant gossip and the attempts at social climbing and it did help her regain her spirit and strength a lot. She was more optimistic as she returned to the palace and even if she had to pretend to having given birth and missing a child it was a small price to pay.

Then Yanjem's first wife did die due to heart failure and the customs did demand that Yanjem did find a new wife, he had to have at least two queens, preferably three. Maglor had been sent off to organize the construction of a new trading outpost to the northeast and he wasn't there when Yanjem did pick his new wives. When he did return he did immediately realize that Yanjem had made a monumental mistake, one which could prove to be fatal. The oldest of the two women he had chosen wasn't too bad, she was just very stupid and cared naught about anything except her own looks and fancy dresses and pretty jewellery. She was very beautiful and from a middle class family so she wouldn't try to climb any further since she wasn't regarded as "noble" enough to give birth to an official heir. The other one on the other hand…Maglor knew it the moment he did lay eyes on that woman, she was like a snake hidden in the dry leaves of the forest floor, a danger camouflaged as beauty and grace and her ambitions were off the scale.

Yanjem had been offered her hand in marriage by her uncle who happened to be a distant relative of Ayjun's first wife and thus Yanjem did trust the man. Too bad he didn't have Maglor there to investigate the nature of the woman. Chan Ay was probably one of the most lovely women Maglor had ever seen, perfection in oh so many ways but her soul was darker than the pits of Utumno and Maglor did hate the idea of Yanjem spending time with her. She was the type to murder a child to get her own offspring on the throne and she had already managed to disturb the peace and quiet of the court. There had been a sort of balance there for the last years, everybody had known their place and their tasks but now she had entered like a tornado and the balance was replaced by absolute chaos. People were clawing for higher ground and more influence and she was at the heart of it.

She did give birth to a daughter first, which was a monumental disappointment to her and she did place the child with a wet nurse and refused to have anything to do with the girl at all. Yanjem was aghast and he did refuse to bed her again but she did manage to sneak her way into his bed yet again and this time the result was the boy she had hoped for. Maglor just knew it, that lad wasn't going to be a good person at all. He had too much of his mother in him and he did start watching over the boy. Gioy han was being spoiled by his mother and the nannies were afraid of the child, he was terribly temperamental and had no patience and he refused to listen to anybody at all. The emperor had many children now, at least twenty in all and he did make sure that neither Chan Ay or her son had access to the others, he too realized what he had let into their midst.

But Maglor had been noticed by the little vixen, she had realized that her husband did listen more to his law brother than to her and she wasn't the type to shy away from murder. Maglor learned that the hard way one dark night when he and Aodh had been sitting in his quarters enjoying a game of chess. Aodh was an elderly man now, he wasn't capable of being a warrior and he did carry the title of personal assistant. He did wear robes and carried scrolls and most probably believed him to be some foreign wise man, a scholar or mage. The two had been discussing the latest rumours regarding the west when Maglor did sense that the air had shifted, ever so little. His instincts were still razor sharp and he let himself fall backwards with chair and everything. A dagger did hit the wall where he had been sitting with a thwack and Aodh jumped into action.

They saw a cloaked figure which was turning around to flee and Aodh was already moving, he did throw himself over the figure and knocked it over and Maglor did grasp the dagger and pulled it out of the wall, shouting for the guards placed outside of the doors. He did wear a face veil even now and thus his identity was well protected. Aodh let out a growl and then a sharp cry and the figure tried to wriggle free but Aodh did press it down. The guards did burst through the door and grasped the figure which was screaming and wriggling to get out of their grasps. Aodh staggered back, gasping for air and Maglor let out a shocked wail, the man was wounded and blood was seeping through the robes. The guards did tear the cape off the attacker and Maglor did cuss, in elvish. He knew that nobody there knew the ancient quenya he was using.

It was Chan ay, she hadn't even bothered with getting somebody else to do her dirty work for her and Maglor did straighten himself up to his full height, watching her eyes widen in shock and disbelief. She had never seen her husband's law brother in the flesh, he had always been sitting behind a silk screen and they had only heard a slightly garbled voice. Maglor nodded at the guards. "Take her to the dungeon and alert the emperor. "

He did grasp onto Aodh who was swaying, there was blood on his lips and Maglor felt a horrible chill running through him. He was about to lose somebody yet again, it seemed as if loss was the theme of his very life. He did yell for a doctor but knew it was too late. The woman had hidden a stiletto under her robes and the blade had pierced Aodh's chest, just missing the heart. Aodh tried to smile. "Damn it, I didn't…I didn't expect to go out like this…"

Maglor felt tears burning his eyes. "Don't speak, Aodh, stay with me, do you hear? You will be alright"

Aodh smiled at him, the old playful grin which had been one of the things he had adored about the man. "Sure, remember I have loved you like none other, say farewell to the others, and for heaven's sake elf, let that bitch pay"

Maglor choked a thin wail. "I swear Aodh!"

Aodh grasped his hand. "Good, I can go in peace then. It was a wild ride Maglor, but I don't regret anything, nah, truly no regrets. That is good isn't it?"

Maglor sniffled. "Yes, nobody can ask for more"

Aodh chuckled. "I survived the Sha'al, an impressive feat in itself, don't mourn me Maglor, look ahead. The world needs you"

Maglor did kiss his hand, he heard that Yanjem was arriving at the scene, the guards were explaining it all to him and the emperor did let out a roar of anger. He had always been a gentle and calm person but now his temper did show itself. He did kneel down next to Maglor and Aodh did smile at the elf once more, the eyes were dark and distant and suddenly the grip on Maglor's hand did loosen and Aodh became limp. Maglor let out a shriek of sorrow, a wild piercing wail which did make every human there want to shield their ears. Yanjem did grasp Maglor, a firm hug which made him fall back against the man's firm body as if he was a child which was hurt, seeking the comfort of a loving parent. "I am so sorry Maglor, so so sorry. This should never have happened"

Maglor gasped for air, the sorrow was burning in him and he let the guards help him up. Someone did cover Aodh's body with a blanket and Yanjem did stare at the elf, his eyes were dark and filled with grief and rage. "She will die for this Maglor, rest assure that her punishment will be terrible."

Maglor just nodded, he felt adrift, as if he wasn't anchored to this world anymore. Yanjem gestured for the servants to bring Maglor to his bed and they sent for Mei Lan, she was crying as she entered the room and they laid there, holding each other. Maglor couldn't believe it, he hadn't expected to lose Aodh, it was almost too much. Mei Lan did hold him until he did fall asleep, completely exhausted.

The next day was very sombre, Maglor felt horrible, and the rest of the group did come to bid their last farewells. The royal doctors had managed to wash Aodh's body and dressed him in a lovely dark set of robes and Yanjem had offered to give the warrior one of the royal tombs. It was a great honour and one Maglor did accept immediately. Everybody were crying and Maglor stared at them all and knew that he would lose them all, sooner or later they would all give in to mortality and perish and he would have to stay there, remembering them forever.

Aodh was buried with lots of pomp and circumstance and Yanjem did make sure that everybody knew that the man had died protecting one of royal blood. That would make him a real hero in the eyes of the people.

Then Yanjem did deal with his wife and Maglor was there, since she was royal her blood shouldn't be shed so instead she was hung, in a small shed behind the stables. It was all very unceremoniously and rather brutal too. The woman had been shaved and she was wearing just a shift, not even shoes and her arms were tied behind her back. She was gagged until she was brought into the shed, there the gag was removed so she could confess her sins but all she did was cuss and swear. There was a rough rope attached to the rafters and a noose was prepared and two soldiers did simply lift her up as a third placed the noose around her neck. Then they just unceremoniously dropped her and Yanjem watched with a stone face as the woman kicked and squirmed and choked to death. Maglor watched too, and he felt no pity nor compassion, she was almost like an orc in human form and he did hate her.

The son she had given Yanjem was sent off, Maglor did advice Yanjem not to do this but for once Yanjem didn't listen. He didn't want the boy there and he was sent to a school in the far south of the country, and the people there was told the truth and instructed to keep a keen eye on the lad. He did carry the blood of a cold blooded murderer and shouldn't be trusted at all. Maglor felt that it was safer to keep one's enemies close but Yanjem was so ashamed of what had happened that he didn't want to be reminded of his mistake at all.

The death of Chan Ay had shifted the power balance within the court yet again and for the next years the court was rather peaceful. People did come and go but Yanjem did rule the court with an iron fist now, no scheming power hungry traitors were allowed into the inner circle of power again and Maglor could use his time keeping an eye on the world outside of the empire. These golden peaceful years were known as the years of the rising sun for the empire did seem to flourish and the people were happy and content.

Then Mei Lan fell ill, at first she was just tired and would sleep a lot but slowly it became clear that it was more than just fatigue. The doctors couldn't do anything, they were sorry but this sort of malady wasn't one they could do anything about, it had come too far. Maglor could feel it when touching her abdomen, a sort of hard mass which was expanding with each week and she was confined to her bed most of the time. The poppy milk they did feed her to keep the pain at a bearable level made her doozy and confused and Maglor could only sit there and stroke her now grey hair and whisper endearments, trying to keep her comfortable. She was an elderly woman now, and Maglor was prepared for this loss. It did take almost five months for her to die, and in the end the doctors did give her a dose of poppy milk so large it did stop her heart in her sleep. It was merciful and Maglor did mourn her for a long time.

As the empire did burst into full bloom his losses did grow, the twins were found dead in their bed one morning, the doctors said that Rial had died in his sleep and when Kenar woke up and found out his heart had given out too, by sheer grief. The two couldn't exist without each other. A year later Aerhan died surrounded by his family, he was the oldest of the humans of the collection and had become a frail old man with white hair and wrinkled skin. Maglor did weep over him for days, just like many others. The two concubines Maglor and Aodh had gotten had left the city years ago now, Maglor did receive a letter from Yanhe explaining that her sister had passed away and that she would spend her last years in a monastery as a nun. Maglor felt numb, shocked to the core.

Harbal had left them some years ago with Thasul, the two men had shared a small property but now a servant did bring Maglor an amulet which had belonged to Harbal, the man had wanted Maglor to have it. Thasul had died two years earlier due to pneumonia and Harbal had passed away after having had high fever for a few days. Maglor did miss them both, and he did think of the short time which had passed by since he was captured and yet how many years it really had been. A short moment to him, but several decades to a human being.

Yanjem was grooming his heir to becoming emperor and military training was essential so Maglor spent time training the boy and he was growing into a very impressive and likeable man Maglor did trust completely. He had to think forwards now, the past was slowly slipping away, few did remember the Sha'al now for his city was now a part of the empire and things had changed a lot.

Adanais was the next of the collection to die, not of old age since he still was strong but from an accident. He and his servants had been out shopping when he was struck by a runaway cart and broke his thigh bone, the injury got infected and he died just two days later. Yanjem did pay for his funeral, as he had for all the members of the collection. Maglor remembered the times they had shared and mourned for weeks, it was good that such a horror as the collection never would happen again but he did miss the camaraderie and the love he had felt from the others.

In the end Noolar was the last one there, except from Maglor. Kherfem died in his sleep and Demetry did drink himself to death at a bar, both had become rather old men and Maglor had been waiting for it and yet it was terrible. Noolar was thin and frail by now and he did look more feminine than ever before, like an old woman with long thin white hair and wrinkly skin. The voice was hoarse and the movements slow and Maglor did yet again feel a slight sensation of horror watching what age did to humans. The dancing group had new members, none Maglor knew and the leaders too were new. The old art was dying out, now they did dance the way people of this realm did and the sensual moves Maglor had to learn were forgotten. Noolar and he would often sit there watching the practises and remember the days of old and it felt good. Then Noolar too passed away, Yanjem was an old man now and he was preparing for his son to take over soon. Noolar was buried as a warrior and Yanjem did make sure that the things placed within the tomb were those of a woman. Maglor did feel as if he truly was alone yet again, as he was before the day when he was captured. Khailen was ready to become an emperor and Yanjem was proud of him and rightly so. He had become a man worthy of respect and Maglor did move out of the palace for a couple of years and returned as his own son.

Yanjem did abdicate in spring, and Khailen soon proved himself to be a very good leader, he was strengthening the army a lot, he did also make sure that the people was prepared for war and famine and he found good jobs for all his half siblings. The royal family was strong, and the empire seemed like it was made with foundations of diamond. Nothing could challenge its might. Maglor did keep an eye on the lands to the north west, and news did reach him of the dark enemy being defeated in a long war fought by both humans and dwarves and elves. He hoped that it was true but his heart told him that he shouldn't believe everything he did hear. The dark maia was not that easy to kill, no, he wouldn't relax yet.

He did often dream of Artemar and Aodh and he did miss them both, there were many there who could have become his lover but he didn't allow anybody near him now. He didn't want the heartache again, and he made himself cold and uncaring. Khailen was a good emperor but he had something his father and grandfather didn't have, a certain streak of ruthlessness. It was needed but his rather straight forward manners did beget enemies from within the realm. Some noblemen didn't like it when their sons were drafted for military duty, others refused to pay their taxes. Maglor was constantly busy protecting the emperors back. There were assassination attempts and Maglor did discover them all and thus they were thwarted but that in turn made people aware of the emperor having a protector. Maglor did try to keep a low profile but sometimes he was seen in public and there was a rumour spreading that the emperor had an immortal demon in his service, keeping him strong.

Maglor had often been dreaming of his brothers of late, the empire had been bothered with some tribes to the far south which were primitive and not very powerful and yet a nuisance since they couldn't understand how powerful the empire really was. They would attack the caravans transporting goods for the merchants and Maglor was kept busy for a while, coming up with plans to how they were to stop this with as little loss of life as possible. When he did dream his brothers were by his side, giving him advice and this night he was sleeping in a tent among a huge troop of soldiers, heading south to show the tribes that they couldn't hope to win against the emperor's armies. He had been dreaming of Tyelko, why he didn't know. His silvery haired brother had never been his favourite, he had been so wild and reckless and so very different from the others. Celegorm had been fey, no other way could describe him and Maglor had never truly seen eye to eye with him, they were simply too different and Maglor had been confused by his brother's feral nature more than once. Celegorm had never done anything half ways, he would always go all inn or not at all.

The dream was pleasant at first, a dream of the woods to the south of Tirion where they had gone hunting so often, then it did shift, Maglor did recognize the dark forest known as Nan Elmoth and he felt a chill running down his spine. Celegorm did run next to him, then he was suddenly gone and Maglor did see a dark silhouette up ahead, a tall dark figure who wielded what could possibly be a war hammer. "One is not enough, there is a second. Follow the eagle and beware of the son of sand."

Maglor did wake up with a start, feeling utterly confused and he did rub his eyes and blinked, the words had been spoken by Celegorm, but the figure was unknown to him. But the elf, for it had been an elf, had been very tall and very powerfully built and what had it all meant. One is not enough? One of what? Maglor did get up and got some wine, the dream stayed with him for many days until he sort of forgot about it. They did strike at the tribes with a swift and very brutal attack which didn't leave any doubt that the emperor's power was greater than any mere tribe. Maglor was glad as they returned to the capital after a campaign which had lasted for months, he was tired of sand and dust and he was tired of fighting. He did his fair share of that now and mounted on a tall horse his size wasn't that easy to see. He did wear a helmet which did protect him and also shield his face from the eyes of others and everybody knew him just as the emperors most powerful general.

The capital was bathed in the warmth of summer now and the rain had been generous, they did expect good crops this year and Maglor did feel joy seeing Khailen again. He had naturally enough married and had three sons already and several daughters and he was a very loving father and cared a lot about his family. The lads were too young yet to show their true potential but Maglor was sure that his second one, Abh Hay was the one who should follow his father. The lad was smart and eager to please and didn't seem to have any flaws at all. Maglor was teaching the stable masters how to train a colt without breaking its spirit when one of the stable workers did enter the courtyard, looking worried. The man did walk over and his eyes were a bit dark and his skin pale. "My lords, there are rumours being heard, of a terrible plague to the north"

The stable masters did just shrug but Maglor suddenly felt nervous. "A plague?"

The man bowed his head. "Yes, they swear it is true, coming from the mountains"

One of the stable masters did make a grimace. "Probably nothing to worry about, it could be the brown one again"

Maglor knew that "the brown one" was a very contagious disease which gave people diarrhea and terrible stomach cramps but the doctors knew how to deal with it, and the sewers and water of the capital was top notch. Outside of the capital it could be a terrible scourge though since it spread with contaminated water and the empire was huge so disease could spread far and wide without being stopped. Maglor stared at the city, heard the racket of people and animals and his throat did go dry. Something did tell him that the days of the rising sun was over, he prayed he was wrong but the plague could very well be real. He would be immune but he had already seen too much death, could he bare to watch even more? He was sure that the months to come would show him the answer to that question.