Silence reigned in the Máhanaxar. Suppressed energy radiated from all fourteen of the Valar as they waited, but the atmosphere was not grim, as it had been so often in the past. Some expressions seemed to indicate that they could not quite believe what was going to happen.
Manwë nodded to Námo, and two Maiar and three fëar appeared. Istamírë, Mairon, and Maedhros all moved to stand between Námo and Vairë. Amrod and Amras, finding themselves alone, under the scrutiny of all the Valar, huddled together, apprehension creeping into their expressions. Manwë, seeing this, smiled compassionately at them and held out his hands.
"Come here, my little ones," he said gently. They came, and knelt at Manwë's feet, as he laid his hands reassuringly on their shoulders.
"So you would be released from your Oath, Amrod, Amras?" Manwë asked them gently. The twins looked up, meeting his gaze, and nodded together.
"We kept it for our family, more than for our own sakes," Amras explained shyly. "But Maedhros wants us to be free of it, and we have no reason to wish to be held to it any longer." Manwë smiled at them.
"I am glad you feel so," he said quietly. "I must ask you, though, do you believe that I can speak for Ilúvatar? Truly believe it, in your hearts as well as your heads?" The twins exchanged looks.
"I…I believe we do, my lord," Amrod replied. "Certainly we do with our heads. Why…why does it matter if we believe it with our hearts?" he finished uncertainly.
"Because for you to truly believe you are released from the Oath, you must believe that I can speak on Ilúvatar's behalf that he releases you full willing, indeed, has never held you to that Oath at all. And Amrod?" Manwë gently stroked the Elf's hair. "You need never feel frightened or uncertain about asking questions, not with an open heart seeking an honest answer." Amrod looked up and smiled at the Vala. Amras had only been vaguely been following this last interaction, chewing on his lip as he thought.
"I can believe that Ilúvatar has never held us to the Oath, my lord," he said in a clear voice, straightening to a more formal position as he meet the Vala's gaze fully. "For did we not declare that He should doom us to Everlasting Darkness should we fail? Yet we did fail. And here we sit, in safety and light, with every care and concern taken for us and our welfare." Manwë nodded, proud approval clear on his face, while Amrod looked at his brother in surprise, but then nodded himself.
"You are right, my brother," Amrod said. "I can believe that too." Manwë smiled in approbation, with an almost tangible quality that the two Elves in his arms could feel.
"Then, Amrod, Amras, as one you named in witness, I release your from the Oath you swore in Tirion's square and on the shores of Middle-earth. May you find happiness and joy from it," Manwë said solemnly. Varda rose from her throne and walked over, placing a hand on each of the twins' heads.
"And I, as one you named in witness to the Oath you swore in Tirion's square and on the shores of Middle-earth, release you from it full willing," she said in a sweet, melodic voice. "May you find healing and renewal from it."
"And I," Manwë spoke again, his voice becoming somehow even more resonant, "as the vice-gerant of Ilúvatar here in Eä, declare that you were never held to the Oath you swore in Tirion's square and on the shores of Middle-earth by the One who created us all. You are released from it, by all you named in witness, and may you find in that release freedom, and the love that surrounds and sustains us all."
"May it be so," came a quietly rumbled, but paradoxically powerful chorus from the other Valar. Manwë kissed both twins on the brow, then looked across the circle, and couldn't help but smile at what he saw. Mairon was curled at his lord's feet, head resting on Námo's knee as the Vala gently stroked his hair. Manwë offered his hands to the twins to help them up, and ushered them across the circle, where they were immediately enfolded into Maedhros's arms. Manwë watched with a smile, as he reached down to ruffle Mairon's hair, which earned him a grin, though the Maia immediately started trying to fix his hair. Námo chuckled, and ran his hand through Mairon's hair, smoothing it back down for him, and then helped the Maia up.
"You are free now, little brothers," Maedhros murmured to the twins as he held them. "You are free."
"Well…" Amrod said.
"Not quite," Amras finished with a sigh.
"What do you mean?" Maedhros asked, as Námo and Manwë turned questioning looks on the twins as well.
"Oh, we know we are no longer bound to the Oath," Amras assured them all. "But…"
"We need to ask Atar to release us, as well," Amrod finished this time, with a sigh of his own. "But not tonight. That will be…"
"Unpleasant," Maedhros finished for them, looking at them in concern. "Are you truly sure you wish to do that? He is unlikely to take it well. I would not blame you if you did not wish to see him again."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that we want to," Amrod said with a spark of humor. "But it is necessary." Amras nodded in agreement.
"Well, if you truly feel it is important, I will not stop you," Námo said to the twins. "But I do ask that you inform me when you are planning to do so. I will wish to have Maiar on hand, unclad if you wish it, but just in case something goes poorly." The twins nodded.
"We will, my lord," Amras assured him.
"Thank you," Námo said with a smile for both of them, then glanced down as Mairon leaned into him, stifling a yawn.
"Let us go home," he said. "For the environment of my halls is far more conducive for your healing and protection than here, and it is time for some to be asleep." Mairon shot him a lopsided grin, knowing full well the last part of Námo's sentence had been directed at him. Maedhros chuckled, and the twins, Istamírë, and Manwë all smiled. Istamírë carefully shepherded the three fëar into her mental grasp, Námo took Mairon in his arms, and then they were gone. Manwë stood where he was for a moment, head bowed, as he gave thanks to Eru for the healing that had finally begun.
Mairon slipped into Vairë's workroom, looking around. The Valië herself was there, starting a new tapestry on one of the massive looms. Mairon had the sneaking suspicion that it would detail the events of last night. Mairon smiled as he thought about it. He'd not spoken with the twins at all, actually, but everyone was convinced that it was his conversations with Maedhros that had led Maedhros to encourage them to renounce their Oath and finally seek healing. He'd actually just come from standing on a balcony with Námo, watching as Amrod and Amras had been reunited with their grandfather Finwë. Now that they had renounced the Oath, they were in the right state of mind to start to reunite with those of their family who were not antagonistic towards them. Námo was also mildly optimistic that Maedhros would soon be in a similar position, even if getting him to renounce his Oath would take longer.
Mairon's smile grew a bit as he spotted the person he was looking for. She had her back to him, working on one of the tapestry looms, and he noted with amusement that this was actually the first time he'd seen her engaged in the work most ubiquitous of Vairë's Maiar. Silently, he slipped behind her, watching her work. This tapestry was nearly complete, and while most of it was rolled, he realized it had to do with the building of Andor.
"You're nearly done," he commented when she paused in her quick, efficient work to pull down the beater bar.
"Mairon!" Qunetalë said in shock, spinning around on the bench. "You walk too quietly!" Mairon grinned impishly at her.
"Or maybe you just don't pay attention to your surroundings," he countered, then laughed as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"I was working," she sniffed, then returned his impish grin. "Want to try?" Mairon took a step back at that, looking nervously at the large loom.
"While I cannot say I would be adverse to learning how to create a tapestry, I do not think your lady's projects would be the best thing to start on!" Mairon returned. Qunetalë's grin shaded towards wicked.
"Oh, I'd tell you where to put which color," she said blithely, "It's really not difficult at all!" Mairon gave her a dry look.
"That's what you said about embroidery, too," he said ironically. Qunetalë gave him an innocent look that made him laugh.
"Maybe something smaller, but not this," he said firmly, but still with a hint of laughter in his tone. Qunetalë pouted for a moment, but then smiled again.
"Well, at least come sit with me, and we can talk while I work," she said, and Mairon moved forward with a smile as she turned back around. He slipped gracefully onto the bench to sit beside her, watching as her deft fingers began their work again.
"So am I right that the tapestry Lady Vairë is beginning over there is about the events of last night?" Mairon asked lightly. Sitting here, he was even more sure of it, as the clear notes of the Song resonated with it, louder than anything else at the moment.
"Of course it is," Qunetalë laughed. "Congratulations on that, by the way."
"I never spoke with the twins. It was all Maedhros," Mairon demurred. Qunetalë shot him an annoyed look.
"You're too self-effacing sometimes, you know that?" She broke off her weaving to poke him in the side. Mairon gave an exaggerated jump at that, and an oh-poor-me look, but all she did was level a long look at him. He sighed exaggeratedly.
"Oh, alright, I will admit that it was my conversations with Maedhros that probably brought all of it about. Will that satisfy you?" he asked her with a teasing grin.
"For now," she answered, addressing her next words in a mutter towards her tapestry. "When you actually believe that your contributions matter, and admit it without prompting, I'll be more satisfied."
Mairon's smile turned both wistful and tender, as he gave a small sigh. Qunetalë met his eyes, and they shared a look that spoke more than words ever could.
"You're in a good mood today, though," she went on after a moment.
"I am indeed," Mairon said, his grin returning.
"Well, I'm glad," Qunetalë said, her own smile warm. She laid a hand on his arm. "You deserve to be." She gave him a searching look, which he caught.
"I'm not faking, I promise," he said. "I know things have haven't been the best lately, but I really am in a good mood." Qunetalë gave a rueful shrug.
"Well, I serve Lady Vairë, not Lord Námo, so I cannot say how you should be handling all that is happening. But you seem—more settled, more…like you understand what's going on, than you have the whole time I've known you." She gave a self-conscious shrug. "It just seems somewhat odd to me, is all." Mairon surprised her by giving an odd little laugh.
"You've hit it perfectly, actually," he said with a half-smile. "Qunetalë—having someone plotting against me in the background, not knowing exactly what they were going to try next—that was my life. For so long. I honestly think I know how to deal with that better than I do everyone being kind to me." He shook his head, that same wry smile on his face. "Maybe it's not the healthiest thing, but if it gives me the strength to face it, I'm not going to question it too much."
"Well, I'm glad you're doing better," was all Qunetalë could think to say. She wasn't certain if it was healthy either, but she was sure Námo would be keeping an eye on things, as well as all of Mairon's friends who did actually serve one of the healers. All would be well.
Amrod and Amras, riding high on the emotion of reuniting with their grandfather, decided that this was probably the best emotional state to face their father in, and informed Námo they wished to speak with him now. All Námo said to them was that they could, but silently he directed Istamírë, Almaron, and Failien to all be in attendance, and several more Maiar to be available if needed.
The twins walked together, hand in hand for support, with Maedhros protectively hovering behind them. He was planning to stay out of it if he could, but Maedhros wasn't going to let them face their father alone with the news they had. They found him, along with their other three brothers, in the common room they were allowed to frequent when they weren't in their cells.
"Father," Amrod said bravely, when they had gotten close enough to do so. Fëanor looked up with a bemused frown, that became something unreadable when he saw the expressions on his oldest and youngest's faces.
"Yes? What is it?" he asked somewhat brusquely.
"We want you to know that last night we asked for and received release from our Oath to regain the Silmarils," Amras managed to say, only the slightest tremor in his voice betraying his nervousness. "We would also ask that you release us from that Oath that only brought destruction and misery, and never regained us what we lost." Fëanor's face registered honest surprise for a moment, before it twisted in anger.
"So you also will be corrupted by the honeyed lies of the Valar? They sent a deceiver to your brother, and they caught you, it seems. You will trade your freedom for comfort, your ties of family for complacency! You are fools, blind and treacherous, just like your mother, and—"
"Don't you dare," Maedhros growled, coming forward now. He was willing to let the twins do this, but he was not going to let them be attacked.
"You have no right to say anything about freedom, Father. You damned us twice in life, you will not do so again in death. There is no way to fulfill that Oath now—not that there ever truly was. Let them go."
For a moment, Fëanor looked as if he would fight back, either in word or action, and Námo and the Maiar prepared themselves to intervene. Then his face twisted with an emotion none could quite name for certain.
"Fine, I release you!" Fëanor snarled. "I release you all! If my own sons wish to betray me, so be it."
Maedhros stood still and glared as his father turned and stalked off. Curufin followed, as did Celegorm, though he had the grace to look somewhat uncomfortable. Caranthir stood for a moment longer, looking torn, before he finally turned to follow his father and brothers. Maedhros closed his eyes, trying desperately to reign in his temper, so he could turn to his younger brothers. He hadn't managed it when he heard soft footsteps, and Failien's soft voice speaking gently to the twins.
"Maedhros?" she then addressed him. He did not trust his voice, but he did open his eyes and look at her.
"Come with me," she said compassionately, beckoning to the twins as well. Maedhros followed along, trailing behind the twins. He was still too upset to really notice where Failien was shepherding them, and only started to pay attention to his surroundings, when Amrod cheerfully greeted the figure waiting for them in the open area Failien led them to.
"Grandfather!" Maedhros looked up sharply at his younger brother's words, and caught Finwë's gaze. It was the first time he'd seen his Grandfather since before the Darkening.
"Grandfather…"he murmured an echo, taking a few hesitant steps forward before pausing uncertainly. After all that had happened, after all that he had done, how could he greet his grandfather? But Finwë had no such reservations, and moved forward purposefully, catching Maedhros in his firm embrace. Maedhros hugged him back, dropping his head until it almost reached Finwë's shoulder. He could not quite reach, as he was taller than his grandfather. But this was how it had been since Maedhros had reached his full height, and the familiarity of it soothed him more than actually being able to rest his head would have.
"I'm sorry," Maedhros whispered softly. Finwë squeezed tighter, than let go and pushed him back a bit to be able to look him in the face.
"I know," Finwë replied simply. "And I forgive you. And I am proud of you, my grandson." Maedhros could only look at him in confusion, his emotions somewhat raw from everything that had already happened that day, not understanding what Finwë meant. Finwë understood his look, though, and smiled gently.
"You chose to put our people before your pride, and the pride of your house," he explained softly. "You may have been king for only a short time, but your actions showed that you understood what it was to be king, and that you were worthy of your crown, no matter how brief a time you wore it."
Maedhros's only answer to this was to embrace his grandfather again. The reaffirming words did much to soothe the angry sting of his father's harsh condemnation. He may have been the shortest reigning king of the Noldor, but to know that the king whose reign had been the longest thought him worthy of the honor was an affirmation that the younger Elf desperately needed.
"I am glad you are healing, Nelyo," Finwë murmured. "For we have waited long for the day you would be able to join us again."
"Us?" Maedhros answered. Finwë gently pushed him back again, and with a smile, gently turned him so he was facing perpendicular to how he had been standing. Another Elf was standing there, a patient and welcoming smile on his face. But Maedhros could only stare, and take a single step forward.
"Fingon," he breathed.
"Hello cousin," Fingon replied. "It's about time you got here."
Less than a year on this chapter, I'm doing good, right? Lol. As always, this chapter is infinitely better for the help Crackers gave on it. I will try to be a bit faster on the next chapter, but I make no promises...especially as all the inspiration I'm getting for it seems to be at the end. So I might writing the rest of this story backwards...but hey, better writing it backwards than not at all, right?
As always, reviews feed the muse! Sauron!muse is a very vain creature that loves people talking about him.