It was strange to be back in Alqualonde again, especially a fully-dark Alqualonde that lacked even the dim Treelight outlines of the mountains. It was misty again, and the stars were veiled. Maedhros had been here often enough in nightmares over the centuries that he couldn't help feeling he was riding into a nightmare with no way out. This was despite the fact there was no Oath of Feanor this time, and that he was determined his mission would not end in kinslaying.
He hoped. Whether they would get the ships they needed was another matter, though. He really did not want to lead everyone into the teeth of the Helcaraxe. Of those who had taken that route last time, too few had lived to tell the tale.
They were ushered into Olwe's presence with little delay. They met in a small private study with a mosaic of dolphins on the wall, and just the three of them. Olwe welcomed them warmly, and they settled into chairs. "I have heard of the loss of my friend Finwe," said Olwe. He shook his head, sorrow shining in his eyes. "I am sorry for your loss, and grieve myself. How fare the Noldor now? Have you news from the Valar? Have they caught Melkor?"
"We thank you for your kind wishes, Grandfather," said Findarato. "We have heard nothing from the Valar since Orome and Tulkas left Formenos in persuit of him some hours after the death of the Trees. He was heading for Middle-earth."
Olwe sighed. "I fear he may escape punishment. It may take the Valar some time to track him down, if he has escaped to Middle-earth."
"I fear so also, Grandfather. And the Noldor are planning to do something about it."
"What do you have in mind?" asked Olwe. "If you intend to petition the Valar to speed up the chase and to tell us their plans, I will back you. Who rules Tirion now?"
"My father, King Feanaro," said Maedhros. "Given how little the Valar seem willing or able to do about their fallen brother, we intend to follow him to Middle-earth and bring him to bay ourselves. We do not dare wait for the Valar because there are folk in Middle-earth already who are at risk, some of whom are terribly ill-equipped to fight Moringotto and his armies. Your brother has founded a kingdom there, but he has not the strength to protect all those who need it. I do not believe his kingdom can stand for long without our aid. The North Sindar, the Havens and the Nandor certainly cannot."
"Valar protect us! Elwe? My brother was lost before we ever entered Aman. I searched for him for many years, and we found no sign. How do you know any of this?" He looked Maedhros up and down, and his gaze was neither friendly nor impressed.
"I know because I was given visions by Eru of the the future we were facing. I know that your brother lives, and that those of your people who are in that land are in terrible danger."
"Grandfather, Nelyafinwe foresaw the Death of the Trees before they happened, and Moringotto's assault on Formenos." said Findarato. "You can believe his visions. They are true."
"If you forsaw this, why did you not tell anyone?" demanded Olwe.
"He did," said Findarato. "There was no time to act. The Unlight had fallen before we received the Feanorian birds. By the time Orome reached Formenos, King Finwe was dead and the Silmarils were gone. Although he tells me Nolofinwe did not go to Formenos in his vision," he turned to Maedhros, who nodded. Findarato continued "He tells me Feanaro in the vision swore an oath to take back the Silmarils and take vengeance on Moringotto. In the name of Eru Illuvatar and all of the Valar."
"Feanaro didn't do that this time," Maedhros interjected hastily.
"Have the Noldor all gone mad?" demanded Olwe, taking a step back. "I know that your father has spoken of travelling back to Middle-earth, but to do so now? Suicidal madness! What else has happened that you have not told me of yet?"
They then explained events in more detail, and their aim in being here.
"We would all be delighted if some of your people would join us in our quest to stop Moringotto, retrieve the Silmarils and rescue our Umanyar relatives, but what we really need is transportation. If you would loan us ships and mariners with which to reach Middle-earth, that would be a great help all by itself." said Maedhros.
"No," said Olwe, shaking his head. He stopped, frowning. "What say the Valar of all this?"
"Nothing," said Findarato. "They have not said a single word to us since Orome left Formenos. I have to believe they are working to deal with all this," he gestured to the darkness outside the window, "but meanwhile, our King is dead, our kin are in danger, and Moringotto is getting away with everything. I cannot sit here and do nothing. None of us can!"
"But this hasn't a hope of working," said Olwe. "I cannot ask my mariners to risk themselves on such suicidal madness. It would be different if the Valar had sanctioned it, and it had their help and protection. But to rebel against the Valar, under a leader still banished from Tirion..."
"We came here freely," says Maedhros, "and the Valar have never said we are not allowed to leave. If we aren't allowed to leave, then we are prisoners in all but name. We're willing to take the risk of their displeasure with our actions."
"And every day we spend asking permission is a day that our relatives are alone against Moringotto," said Findarato. "I would like the Valar's help, and yours as well, but if we must do without it, then we will. I have faith the Valar will come to help eventually, but you have to admit they have not moved as swiftly as events demand. And when the great will not or cannot act, then smaller hands must do so."
"That's a very fine sentiment, Grandson, but you have no understanding of what you do. You are a child who knows nothing but Valinor. I have walked under the stars of the wide lands of the East, where dark things hide in the shadows."
"And you would leave your own brother there, with Moringotto loose?" demanded Findarato.
"How dare you!" snapped Olwe. "You know nothing of what you speak. The danger and darkness is why Teleri, Noldor, and Vanyar all fled to Valinor. Elwe is older than I am, and capable of making his own decisions. Let him and his people come here, if they are threatened beyond what they can bear." He glared at Findarato, clenching and unclenching his hands, then visibly forced himself to calm. "You cannot reach Middle-earth without my help, and you will not have it without the Valar's approval."
"Actually, we can," said Maedhros. "By walking across the Helcaraxe. It can be done, but not without death and terrible hardship. And we will go, with or without your approval and your ships."
Findarato looked at Maedhros in startlement, a look almost of fear on his face.
Maedhros pressed on, his eyes on Olwe. "The only question is how many lives will be lost, and how much time we might have been aiding your kin against Moringotto. If you would but lend us your ships so that we may help your kin against the murderer of our grandfather and your friend, they will all live."
"The Noldor have gone mad! All of you!" said Olwe.
"I know your ships are to you as the Noldor's stolen jewels are to us, and I give you my and my father and King's word that they will be returned to you as soon as possible." Maedhros had exacted this promise from Feanaro before he had left Tirion.
"I cannot order my people into such despairing folly. We came to Valinor seeking safety, and found it." He sounded almost pleading. "Middle-earth may be beautiful, but it is deadly even without Melkor there. With him loose..."
"Surely some would be willing to volunteer, if they knew the danger their relatives are in. There's hardly a family in Alqualonde that did not leave someone in Endore over the course of the Great Journey," said Findarato softly. "The journey would take longer with fewer ships, but it could be done."
Olwe sighed. "I fear I am letting you go to your deaths," he confessed.
"Not your fault, Grandfather," said Findarato, moving to lay his hand on his grandfather's arm. "You are merely making the journey less difficult and dangerous. As Nelyafinwe said, we will go, one way or another."
"I would speak to Feanaro," said Olwe.
"He should be here with the host within the next two to three weeks," said Maedhros.
"If I cannot dissuade the Noldor, I will allow him to speak to my people, and any who are willing may carry you across the sea in their ships. I will not lend you ships with no experienced mariners, for the Belegaer is no place for the novice seaman, and I want you to get there alive, and to return our ships afterwards." He held up a hand. "I do not guarantee that any will be willing."
"Thank you, King Olwe," said Maedhros, bowing deeply. "We will not forget this act of trust and friendship."
Meanwhile, in Tirion...
Findekano walked swiftly towards the main gate of Tirion with a message from his father to Feanaro. Ahead of them, Feanaro's followers marched towards the main gates. The vanguard were almost there. Findekano couldn't help but be impressed by the view. The army of the Noldor stretched as far as his eye could see, and further. Some of it was simple hunting bows and spears, but a surprising number of people had turned out to have swords and armor, and all were now borne openly.
As Feanaro arrived at Tirion's main gate, a mighty form appeared, standing atop the gate tower. "It's Eonwe, the Herald of Manwe" someone nearer the front cried. The host stopped its forward motion, milling about a little and straining for a look at Manwe's herald. Finally the Valar had answered. What would they have to say?
Eonwe cried out in a clear and powerful voice that was heard even by the most distant among the crowd: "Against the folly of Feanor shall be set my counsel only. Go not forth! For the hour is evil, and your road leads to sorrow that ye do not forsee. No aid will the Valar lend ye in this quest; but neither will they hinder ye; for this ye shall know: as ye came hither freely, freely shall ye depart. And Feanaro, to thee especially I say: The lies of Melkor thou shalt unlearn in bitterness. Vala he is, thou saist. Then your quest be vain, for none of the Valar canst thou overcome now or ever within the halls of Ea, not though Eru had made thee thrice greater than thou art."
But Feanor laughed, and spoke, not to Manwe's herald, but to the Noldor: "So we are warned that danger and sorrow lie ahead. But in Aman we have seen it. In Aman we have come through bliss to woe. The other now we will try: through sorrow to find joy; or freedom, at the least."
Then turning to the herald he cried: "Say this to Manwe Sulimo, High King of Arda: If Feanor cannot overthrow Moringotto, at least he delays not to assail him, and sits not idle in grief. And it may be that Eru has set in me and my people a fire greater than thou knowest. Such hurt at the least will I do to the Foe of the Valar that even the mighty in the Ring of Doom shall wonder to hear it. Yea, in the end, they shall follow me. Farewell!"
And Eonwe the Herald of Manwe bowed before him and departed.
Findekano watched in silence, and an anger grew in him. No sorrow for the death of Finwe. No attempt to tell the Eldar what the Valar had been doing for the past weeks. A bleak warning not to leave, and refusal of any and all help. Maitimo had told him of the peoples of Middle-earth that lay in danger from Moringotto. Did the Valar care nothing for them? He expected nothing better of Feanaro, but he had always trusted Manwe to have the best interests of the elves at heart. Now he wondered.
A/N: Feanor and Eonwe's exchange is directly from the Silmarillion, with a few tweaks such as the removal of all references to the Oath of Feanor that was never taken in this timeline.
For anyone wondering, the reason I have been missing in action from the past couple of years is that I developed painful eye issues that made writing impractical. It is a lot better now, but may yet slow me down a bit. I have every intention of continuing to write this story, and hope to actually finish it one day.
Replies to reviews from people not logged in:
guest: yes, I'm back! Finrod wasn't originally supposed to play a huge part in this story, but once he showed up I realized he was perfect for a lot of roles that need filling – and he's one of my favorite characters. So you're going to see plenty more of him.
Etta D: I'm delighted that you are enjoying this story so much. "The family that slays together stays together" LOL. Olorin is doing quite a lot of important stuff in the background, but I'm not sure how much of it will actually make it into the published story.
Dream Plane: I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and thank you for letting me know.