To Findekano, worried as he was about what they'd find when they got to Formenos, it felt like the others were taking forever to get the weapons and supplies. Judging by Feanaro's taut face and clipped words, he felt likewise. It was highly nerve-racking sitting a horse beside him, trying to keep him from riding off prematurely, while the others went into Tirion. Feanaro kept drumming his fingers on things, until his horse started shying at waving grass-stalks.
Finally they were off. Findekano gave a sigh of relief as they left Tirion behind, moving to ride next to his father. Nolofinwe did not speak, only handed Findekano a pack of supplies and his sword. Then he turned to stare ahead into the dark.
They soon settled into the rhythm of the ride: canter, walk, canter. For all their urgency, a journey of this distance could not be taken at a gallop. Findekano hoped the Valar would get there in a more timely fashion, because Arafinwe was likely right: they were not going to get there in time to make any difference.
An unknown time later, Feanaro jerked in his saddle, leaning forwards and staring intently into the night. Findekano did likewise, but he could see nothing at first. Then he made out riders coming towards them at an impossibly fast pace. Maiar probably. They should have news of Formenos. There were three of them. Two of the three seemed to be sharing a horse, and the front figure was slumped as if completely exhausted or injured. Findekano shared a glance with Turukano. This wasn't good.
Feanaro picked up the pace to a gallop, and the others followed. It was then that Findekano recognized Tyelkormo's silver hair. And the slumped figure looked like Maitimo.
As they came nearer, Maitimo pulled himself more upright. At least that meant he couldn't be too terribly hurt. Finally, the groups met. "My sons, what news of Formenos? My father, is he…" said Feanaro, his voice trailing off.
Just like Feanaro not to ask about his children, thought Findekano, never mind that that one of them is obviously hurt – no, make that two, there's bloody smears and a black eye on Tyelko. And why were they on Orome's horses? But all thoughts of that fled at the expression on his cousin's faces.
"No!" cried Feanaro. "He can't be dead. He can't!" Feanaro swayed on his horse.
Curufinwe the younger vaulted off his own horse, and ran to his side. "I am so sorry, Father," he said, voice cracking. "That – that Moringotto killed him."
Feanaro fainted into Curufinwe's arms, and Tyelkormo jumped down from his horse to help get him off the horse safely. Maitimo stayed where he was, clutching the horn of the saddle with white-knuckled hands.
Findekano looked to his own father. He sat still as a statue astride his horse. "Father?" Findekano asked, getting down from his own horse, and moving to his father's side. Nolofinwe didn't answer, just bowed his head so his face was hidden in the shadow of his hair.
Irisse pulled her horse up to Maitimo. "What happened?" she demanded. "Are your brothers all right?"
Maitimo visibly pulled himself together, turning to look at them. "All of us live, and none are badly hurt," he said in a toneless voice. "Five of our people are dead, mostly by falls from the walls or trampling."
"Trampling?" Nolofinwe asked, his head coming up and frowning.
"Where were the Valar?" demanded Findekano. "I gave your message to the Maia Olorin, and he said he was going to get them!" Findekano swallowed. "Did they not come?"
"Nay, Orome came," said Tyelkormo. "But too late. Melkor had slain Finwe, and stolen all our treasures. The Silmarils are taken."
Feanaro raised his head, a wild flame in his eyes. "Melkor what?" he said quietly.
"He stole the Silmarils."
Feanaro stood, shaking off his son's hands. "Curse him!" he shrieked. "That vile, monstrous fiend of a Vala has slain my father and taken the Silmarils. Curse the day that Manwe summoned me to that vapid excuse for a festival."
Feanaro's horse backed away from him, ears laid back. So did his elven listeners, save Atarinke alone.
"And curse the day that Manwe let that conniving fraud of a Vala out of Mandos! And curse Orome's incompetence." His face worked, and he whirled to flee into the night. Atarinke tackled him to the ground as he took the first step. Feanaro snarled and thrashed like a wounded animal. Findekano thought he saw father bite son, though he couldn't be sure.
"Father, no, calm down. Don't leave us, please," pleaded Atarinke as Feanaro tried to shake him off. "Tyelko help me, he's not rational right now!"
Tyelkormo assisted by grabbing Feanaro's arms and twisting them behind him. Feanaro snarled at them, spitting vile insults in his fury.
"They need space. Move back." said Maitimo. His horse, and the two now-riderless ones, moved to stand in between Feanaro and the Fingolfinions, blocking their view. A puzzled expression appeared on Maitimo's face. "How come you here on the north road, armed for war?" he asked.
"We heard Formenos was under attack, so we were coming to help. But there was no time, and we are too late," said Findekano. "Do you need healers? Arafinwe was organizing them, and they should be just behind us."
Maitimo hesitated, swaying a little. "Orome left one of his maiar with us to help, and we've some healers already there. But we accept your aid with thanks."
"You're hurt. What happened?" asked Findekano, taking a step towards his friend.
"I hit my head when I had a vision cascade yesterday." He frowned. "What day is it?"
"It's evening the day after the Darkening," said Findarato. "You can use the stars to tell time. The Teleri do that in Alqualonde. You have visions?"
"Oh. I forgot." Maitimo blew at a strand of hair that had escaped his braid and was trying to get into his mouth. His chin was covered in dried blood, but he didn't seem to care. He didn't notice Findarato's question, either.
"I'm going to Formenos to bury Finwe." said Feanaro. His voice was ragged, but Tyelkormo and Curufinwe had let him up, and his face was drawn but resolute.
"Are you coming, Nolofinwe?" asked Feanaro.
Nolofinwe blinked, visibly torn. "I want to, but I am Regent and can hardly abandon those in my trust in Tirion in a time such as this."
Feanaro's face closed.
Findekano's eye fell on Maitimo. "Maitimo and I can stay, father," said Findekano. "The people trust me, and there's no way he's fit to ride so far. It isn't as if you'll be away for more than four weeks at the very most."
Councillor Valandil objected. "My lord, your son and your nephew are too inexperienced to rule in such a dark time."
Maitimo's mouth twitched as if he found this amusing, though Findekano had not the faintest idea why.
"They'll be fine," said Feanaro. "It isn't as if Melkor has any interest in attacking Tirion." Feanaro's lip curled in a sneer.
"He won't, will he?" asked Curufinwe. "Maitimo? Melkor and that spider-thing aren't going to attack Tirion, are they?"
"Oh no," said Maitimo. "They're headed north, with Orome chasing them."
"How can you be sure of that?" demanded Valandil. "Unless Melkor tells you what he's planning now?"
Maitimo's eyes flashed, and he drew himself up to his full height, looking down his nose at Valandil.
Valandil and his horse shied away.
Maitimo spoke: "It was Orome's maiar who loaned us these horses that got us here so swiftly, and Orome who told us he and Tulkas were going after Melkor. That spider leaves a trail an infant could follow, and my vision showed me them in the far North of Middle-earth."
"How would you recognise Middle-earth?" asked someone from behind Findekano.
"There were icebergs, and it wasn't Araman!" snapped Maitimo.
"And Nelyafinwe has seen Araman," interjected Feanaro. "You forget, Valandil, that unlike you who are content to remain placidly in Tirion, my family has travelled over all of Aman. Are you coming or not, Nolofinwe?"
"I will come," said Nolofinwe. "But I want you two to send a messenger if there is anything you cannot handle, is that understood?"
"Yes, father," said Findekano.
"Yes, uncle," said Maitimo.
"In order to rule the Noldor even for such a short time, you must take Oath," said Nolofinwe.
Maitimo froze visibly, his eyes widening, then he seemed to relax a little. "I'm going to need help getting down," he said.
Findekano and Irisse ended up helping him, since Maitimo's brothers were busy keeping an eye on their father. Maitimo leaned heavily on Findekano, as his legs didn't seem to want to cooperate. At least oaths were taken kneeling.
"I swear to rule the Noldor of Tirion in Feanaro and Nolofinwe's stead, until Nolofinwe or Feanaro returns, at which time I will give up my charge. I will guard and guide my people, returning that which is given, fealty with love, valor with honor, oath-breaking with vengeance. So say I, Findekano son of Nolofinwe."
Maitimo swore likewise.
"I hear you, and appoint you Findekano my son, and you Maitimo my brother's son, my regents in Tirion in my absence. Rule well and justly. I will return ere long." said Nolofinwe.