Maedhros, followed closely by Findekano, hurried along the hall and down the stairs. They came out at the top of the stairs leading down to the great square. The mindon lit the place with a fragile light akin to the moonlight of Middle-earth, aided by lamps on the walls. The square was almost empty.
"My Lords, it is Feanaro!" cried a servant. "And a host out of Formenos."
"He's breaking the ban of the Valar," said Anaire hotly, appearing behind them. "What madness grips him now? And where is my husband?"
"Maybe the Valar have granted him entrance under the circumstances?" suggested Findarato, arriving from the other door. "We know nothing for certain as of yet. My Lord Regents Findekano, Maitimo, what would you have us do? Shall they enter?"
Findekano and Maitimo exchanged glances. "Yes," said Maedhros heavily. "I, for one, have no intention of shutting the gates in the faces of our King my father, for whom we are only regents. We have not that right."
"What if Feanaro does not have the Valar's permission? His followers are armed!" cried Artanis.
"Artanis, you saw them?" asked Maedhros.
She nodded.
"Did you see Nolofinwe or Irisse amongst them?" asked Maedhros.
She hesitated, then shook her head. "I came as quickly as I could. It is hard to say precisely who is with Feanaro, but I did not see Nolofinwe or his banners."
"If that vile brother-in-law of mine has harmed my husband or daughter, I will stab him with his own sword," snarled Anaire.
"Get in line," snapped Lalwende.
"Calm down everyone!" snapped Maedhros. "I will go to the gate, and ASK Feanaro what he is doing and where Nolofinwe is."
"I answer to no son of Feanaro!" returned Lalwende.
"You can still listen to me." said Findekano. "Calm down. Maitimo is by far the best-placed here to find out what Feanaro is about, and where my father is." He turned to Maedhros and jerked his head in the direction of the gate, his eyes saying I'm counting on you now.
Maedhros nodded, and ran down the stairs and across the square towards the city gates. People stared to see him running, but he ignored them. He reached the gates some ten minutes or so later.
The guards at the gate were confused, demanding orders. He told them to keep the gates open, and headed out at a fast walk to meet his father.
His father's banners were obvious in the torch and lantern light as the host marched down the main road through the outskirts of Tirion, along with those of Maedhros' brothers. But no Nolofinwe or Irisse. What the hell was his father playing at? Please tell me he hasn't started kinslaying early…
Finally he neared them. Feanaro held up his hand, and the host halted. It wasn't the most together halt he'd ever seen, but most of these were not soldiers.
"Nelyafinwe, my son, how fares Tirion?"
"As well as can be expected, save for some who are panicking because they cannot see your brother's banners. Where is Nolofinwe?"
"He and his people are some few miles back. His horse threw a shoe when it spooked at something in the grass, and they stopped to fix it."
"Of all the confounded… and you did not think to wait?" Even as he spoke, Maedhros wondered if the horse had perhaps been 'helped' to lose the shoe. It would be a little too convenient if Nolofinwe was late to the great debate Feanaro was probably planning.
"Why should I? They'll be fine." Feanaro smirked.
Maedhros' eyes narrowed. "Because some of our kin back in Tirion fear you have harmed him."
"They what?" demanded Makalaure. "We would never harm our kin," he said, gesturing gracefully. "Even in a rage Feanaro never hurt Nolofinwe. He only drew sword on him to warn him. You know that!"
"The darkness gets into people's heads, and any horror seems plausible," said Maedhros. "But it would do us no harm to reassure them."
"Makalaure, go ahead and reassure your uncle and cousins. Nelyo, you stay here and tell me what is happening in Tirion."
"Findekano and the others are expecting me back," said Maedhros. "It's better if I go."
"No, I want you here," said Feanaro.
"Lalwende and Anaire are already convinced you've harmed Nolofinwe, and they mistrust me less than they do Makalaure. Send us both."
"No. If they mistrust Makalaure, they will mistrust your lack of knowledge. Makalaure, go."
Makalaure threw his eldest brother an apologetic look and left.
Maedhros capitulated. At least this way he could attempt to talk to his brothers and figure out if his father was up to exactly the same thing as he was last time. "They'll want to know what Feanaro intends as well. Tell them – and tell Findekano that we have NOT reached Alqualonde." He called after his brother's retreating figure.
"I will," Makalaure called back, sounding a bit puzzled as he urged his horse into a canter.
"What is the mood like in Tirion?" Feanor proceeded to question Maedhros intensely, and he had no time to speak to his brothers. Feanaro did not answer Maedhros' questions beyond saying he intended to speak to the people of Tirion. At least Maedhros managed to catch a glimpse of Nolofinwe's banner behind them, and confirm Feanaro's account. He hated having to be so suspicious of his own father, but he could not forget what Feanaro was capable of.
The doors of the city were still open, and Feanaro and his host entered without opposition, although many hands strayed to weapons as the people of Tirion watched the Exiles' return. Feanaro made straight for the Great Square.