VIII
Melkor couldn't bellieve. The birth had already passed...! It was no possible that Mairon's life was still in danger!
Seeing the maia really didn't answer him and was in some kind of delirium, the vala ordered the midwife to be called. She was rested, although the dark circles was still under her eyes.
- In what can I serve you, my lord?
- My wife is in a delirium state. She calls my name, but when I answer she doesn't notice my presence.
The woman saw what was happening. She noticed the maia was with something very similar to fever.
- Milk-fever¹ - declared her, with a worried look.
- How?
- It's a fever that uses to undertake parturients and newly born children. She has to be bathed and cared, but only her own body will determine if or when she will overcome the illness.
- But of course she will! After thsat horrible childbirth, it won't be a fever that will take her away! Let's go, do whhat you need to be done for Mairon to come back to herself!
Being like this, they gave her herbal baths, put in her patches for the fever to go away... but as she was ainu, none of the recipes or medicines used in Edain worked on her.
Melkor passed the day in worry, with the son in his arms, while the midwife and their assistants took care of Mairon. The baby remained in silence, observing his father's face. He didn't seem to know the danger his mother was in.
In the end of the day, Melkor liberated the women and stood alone with Mairon and the baby. She was still in the same situation, feverish, calling for himself without noticing Melkor was there all the time.
- What does she have...? - deliberarted the vala with himself.
At night, he didn't sleep. He hold the baby in his arms and he slept in his lap. The vala still heared Mairon's voice calling him and could do nothing. He even took a nap a little in the morning but he woke up woth the women's presence, who came to the room to try reanimating Mairon once again.
Besides this, they tried to take a little milk out Mairon's breasts and put it in a baby bottle². One of the women gave it to the baby, and he sucked tastefully. The vala observed that and said:
- Will it not weaken the mother to take off her milk?
- Ah, no. Her body will produce it anyway, and if it will not be taken off, it can curdle in her breast.
Melkor nothing answered, and remained only to observe the treatment given to Mairon. One more day has passed and no progress. He started being really worried with this, remembering the case of Míriel, in which she simply laid to die after the birth and never returned. The maidens took care of her body, but her soul never returned.
He breathed deeply, remembering the promise he made to her. "I won't let you die", said him. But how not let? What could he do to not let her go? He simply didn't know. He was good to kill, but not to conservate life. Sometimes, he put the baby by the mother's side. He fed in her breasts, smiled to her, as if he didn't know what was happening.
With the time, the fever ceased and the deliria too. But Mairon didn't come back to consciousness. Little by little, it was like his soul was releasing from that place, from his body, from Angband, from Melkor. If the vala was exasperated when the maia called him in dellirium, now he was exasperated because he didn't call anymore.
Such suffering lasted fifteen days. In the end of this period, the women, who still took care of Mairon's body, put the baby to breastfeed and gave milk in a baby bottle for him when they took off the milk from the mom's body, they already started looking at Melkor with fear of being punished in the case the maia would not return from that strange state of unconsciousness. But at the same time they looked at him with pity, for gaining a son but losing the wife in a so short period of time.
The gossips were spread again. Some didn't like Mairon, they thought she had too much attention and preference from Melkor's part, but others would miss him. Thuringwethil was starting to along well with her, as if Mairon was a "godmother" of her, even now she was starting seeing Gothmog³ and took with her some tips of how to please the men. They exchanged confidences, including about sex, laughed... but now everything was going to an end. Suddenly, all the fortress fell very empty, without the orders of Mairon looking for organization every time, without her sorcery which used to impregnate the walls of the place.
Suddenly, everyone noticed that if died that who directed and ordered the power of Melkor, this same power could be disordenated now. Chaotic, as if it was in the beginning of times. Other generals and servants could direct it again, but...
...no one was for him so trustful as Mairon. Both had a very strong partnership, very consolidated in all those years, literal ages, and then it would delay very much for the fortress to be stablished once again.
Such thought took Melkor in despair. He would lose not only the spouse, but also that who gave him a sense of direction. He would lose everything. And the worts part was that if Mairon would go to Mandos, the vala of death would never give Mairon back if him, Melkor, would go there to beg it.
Two tears ran through his face. No... this won't happen!
Going in a sinister way to the maia, with a dark and decided look, he kneeled beside her, in front of the women, and declared finally:
- If this would not succeed, nothing else will.
He took his spouse's hands and, looking at her closed eyes, directed to her part of his own essence, the so called "clack fire", like he did with Arda. Mairon trembles for a while, and then opened her eyes.
- Melkor...! Finally you attended my calling!
- Mairon... don't leave me here!
The vala hugged his wife and both the ainur cried. The women also cried, not imagining the commanders of Angband could have a so great love for each other.
- I won't leave you... I came back.
- Where did you come back, my love?
- After the birth of our child, in the first night in which we slept, my spirit went non voluntarily to the doors of Mandos and his servants wanted to hold me there. They spoke I spent too much of my own energy in my child's birth, and now it was the time for me to leave the service of Melkor and to purify myself; that who knows I would be forgiven.
Her eyes closed in pain. Melkor continued to listed, and then she said:
- I denied. I said my place was by Melkor's side, for I had sworn allegiance for him in the beggining of the times and left Aule to serve who I loved since I saw in the Ainulindale, rising in courage and might of creating his own music. They then grasped me and wanted me to take bt force. I fought during all this time, calling for you... but you didn't listen to me...!
- I listened, but I didn't know what to do!
- And there was not much to do, once you are totally incarnated and neither could direct your spirit to go there to see or save me. Well. For much time I fought like this, until they started to overcome me. I almost succumbed, until a little time ago I felt... a very great strenght came from you. I thank you so much for had given me part of your vital energy. With it, I launched bonds of energy to my "fána" which still was here and I came back. Now they cannot catch me anymore.
- Oh, Mairon...! Even they giving you a chance of redeem yourself, you preferred to stay with me?
- I will stay by his side until I exist.
Emotioned, The vala kissed his consort's mouth and the women smiled. The baby also smiled, happy.
- I will give a party today. For your survivance. For my family. For our love, Mairon. And the midwives edain are also invited, and everyone is invited, and I don't want to know anything else, because tonight no one will sleep in this fortress!
The midwives smiled. Soon many messengers were sent to communicate everyone about the party. This evening, the throne room stayed full of people. Mairon was feeling stronger and rested. She stood with the baby in her lap for almost all the time. Most the present ones were greatly surprisedf with the silence the baby made; most babies cried very much, regardless the race. But a baby ainu was something really exceptional.
Thuringwethil was seen with Gothmog, and Melkor said if they continued like that, soon it would be born a little balrog-bat.
- I don't even know if I want to marry so soon, even having a child...! - said the bat-woman, who demonstrated only to "have fun" with the other - at least for a while.
- I also didn't think in marrying, not after everything that passed in my past - said the Dark Lord - but Mairon made me think differently.
Thuringwethil wanted to know from Mairon if the birth was so difficult - in the case she would think about having one. The maia's face turned to be dark in the same time.
- It was the most difficult thing for I had to pass by. But don't worry. You are maia. If you don't have the son of a vala, it would not be difficult. If you have a son with Gothmog, who is maia like you, you are in equality. What difficulted for me was having the son of a vala, but... here I am.
- Anyway, the child is beautiful. "Beautiful" is in truth so little to describe him.
- He is son of Melkor. Melkor was created to be the most magnificent being of Ea. It could not be different.
- He is your son too, that's why he is so beautiful! - said Melkor, enchanted with the magnificence of the child; he could barely take his eyes off her - You gave him what you have the best, my darling.
Mairon smiled, but he knew many of the qualities he had because of the father. He would be so strong... so powerful... and that's why he needed to be disciplined and directed, for he wouldn't have difficulties like Melkor with the Silmarils or other like this. Mairon certainly would be a disciplined mother.
The next day after the party, Mairon woke up and decided to talk to Melkor what left her preoccupied during almost all the pregnancy.
- I postponed this moment the most, but now I need to know if I have a "fána" which can still change shape. If I couldn't change, it is because I acquired an inmutable "hroa". And so I will need to be conformed with this...!
- Well, let's see. The sooner you try, the sooner you see.
Mairon breathed deep. It was difficult, but she needed to know. She concentrated to change into a bat. And for her surprise... she got it. Then into a wolf. She got it too. And after, finally... into a man. After almost eleven months only in the human feminine form. And got it too. He smiled in happiness.
- I got it...! I still have a "fana"! I can change forms!
- It's true, my dear. I know... I was missing you as a man...
Said that, Melkor kissed the neck of the maia and after his lips, but before the things could be further, Mairon interrupted him.
- Hun... please, not now.
Melkor looked at him with a strange glance. It was the second time he denied himself for the vala... but what would be the matter now?
Soon the maia answered.
- I want to pass a time flying the Thangorodrim as a bat to feel a little liberty. I stood so much time stuck in that woman form... never before I stood so much time under the same form.
- Ah, yes. Go there. But after this...
- Oh yes, after... it will be everything you want.
Being like that, Mairon gave him a "bye" kiss, left the baby in his arms and flied away, glad in his bat form. The vala observed him flying, finally free from the pregnancy limitations.
- It was very difficult for him... - he said to himself. Then, he took the baby and went indoors with him.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Some days had passed without Mairon coming back. Melkor already foresaw this, once the maia stood much time in only one form. He was himself stuck in a same form for so many centuries, but he didn't have any other option. But Mairon, who had it, deserved to enjoy that liberty, mainly after what succeeded in that complicated birth.
One day, he came back. Completely satisfied in his man form. He cheered his lord happily, as someone announcing the return home.
- Finally everything is back to normal. But, of course, there is the baby, what changes a little our routine from now on. Talking in him, where is the baby?
Melkor made a gesture in disdain and then declared, as someone who says something very trivial:
- Ah, I killed him. Too much crying, too many cares, too many boring things. He missed you and didn't leave me alone for a second, so I discarded him. You were right, Mairon. Ainur should not be born, only created. That kid was an anomaly.
The happy and light look that took the maia's face became a frown of terror that neither him nor Melkor could foresee.
- You are not... talking seriously, are you?
- Yes, I am. Wasn't you who didn't want to be a mother in the beginning? So. You have there your desire in real.
What came after destabilized Melkor completely; He didn't imagine it could be like this. Mairon started yelling in despair and grasped his temples, throwing himself to the ground - he, who was so rational and usually was not inclined to those demonstrations of despair.
- You... killed my son! Killed my son, after the horrible effort I had to make him to be born...! Oh, I will never forgive you for this!
Suddenly, Mairon stood up from the ground and slapped the other's face. He was really injured, and his yelling certainly could be listened by other servants.
- Mairon...!
- I should have been in Mandos...! I should not be back! I shouldn't!
Melkor looked at that and thought if he didn't go too far. Mairon had almost died recently - perhaps he could even die because of that shock.
- Mairon, I...
Before he could continue, however, a baby cry was heard from a room near there. Mairon looked up immediatly and looked at Melkor - still wrathful, but now more relieved; but the anger didn't leave him.
- Your... your, I already told you I hate bad jokes!
The maia this time grasped the vala by his arms and continued offending him, but this time Melkor smiled. He finally got his intent done.
- You love the child, Mairon...! I knew, I knew you would love him sooner or later!
- Was only for that you made this joke?! For knowing if I loved him?! It was only to ask me! During the pregnancy I told you, I told you in case you loved the child I would say! It was only to ask! You didn't need to test me, for I always told the truth!
Melkor continued smiling. Mairon left him and was in a hurry toward the child. He took his son in his arms and cuddled him carefully.
- Poor child... what a crazy father you have! Can anyone make a joke like this?! Oh, my baby...
Melkor smiled.
- So do you love him? Since when?
- Since I came back from Mandos. I said I needed a reason to love... and he gave me. He surviced after my coma, he was strong. I like strong people. It was what attracted me to you, and it is what attracts me to my son. He is resistent... I like perseverant people. But I won't be easy with him! He will be ordered and correct! A son of mine won't be a lazybones!
- Oh... don't be so hard to him!
- If we don't be, they grow up as looses... but let it be!
The baby was wanting to breastfeed, but "she" was as a man... with no breast then.
- Hun, he wants to feed... I think I need to transform into woman again. Take him here.
Melkor took him in his arms while Mairon took again his woman form. Soon, the baby was already sucking.
- What was he fed with while by absence?
- With milk of female warg.
- Ah, very good...! He will grow up strong.
The vala was happy. He kissed the maia's face and caressed his hair. But when he got closer, the baby pulled his hair.
- OUCH! Isn't it true he had inherited my strenght?
Mairou laughed.
- Yes...! He wants to feed in peace.
- Feed in peace?! And I cannot even be near you?
- Ah, you can. But it seems he doesn't want... you see? I was jealous of you with the baby, and now who is jealous of me with him is you!
Melkor remained a little time with a frown in his face. But then he felt something very kind inside himself. Finally he had a family. For so long Mairon was his lover, but only now he felt such sense of union and love.
Being taken by this feeling, he kissed Mairon in the mouth, and was corresponded with good will. But then the vala felt his hair beig pulled tightly again.
- OUCH! Every time I am going to kiss you will this kid do this?!
Mairon laughed loudly.
- Be patient. He needs me now. Soon he will be used to you too.
- Yes... this is true. A son will be an exercise of patience for me...!
Being like this, Mairon and Melkor smiled and noticed the way they had in front of themselves, to create that baby who would be, in the future, even they didn't know, the key to bring the dark vala again from the Void to the Dagor Dagorath.
THE END
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
¹Milk-fever is an illness that in ancient times killed many mothers and newly born ones, but couldn't be the same that affected Mairon because he was an ainu - and this fever is occasionated by baccilum, which I imagine didn't affect anur. Anyway the midwife used the term she was used to.
What occured id that Mairon became exhausted by the energy spent with the birt - and as Míriel, almost departed from Arda. But Míriel wanted to go away - Mairon didn't want, and this was decisive for her to come back to Angband - Of course, besides the little help of Melkor.
²I don't kno what kind of baby bottle could be on Middle Earth... there was no plastic, rs. But some recipient to take the milk they should use.
³Smartie Thury, took the chief of balrogs. In the beginning Mairon suggested her to be with Draugluin,but he was dead by Huan... so she had to search for another.
And the midwives shipped Sauron and Melkor! xDD
I didn't speak the name of the child in the fic, because they hadn't decided what name to give, but he will be called Moriel.
One more fic finished. I am writing a continuation to this fic in Portuguese - named "O filho da escuridão", the son of darkness - but I won't translate it into English, this is not my first language, I have a tough work, I don't express as well as in Portuguese -and no one comments. Too many views, this is the second fic with most views I have - but almost no comments. Sorry, I am having no return and I am only going to write in Portuguese now.
Even so, kisses to all that read this till the end.