Chapter 3
*Lindaliel's POV*
"I was not that old when it happened. I and my atar was going to our usual place where I was tought how to play on the harp. That same day he gave his own to me. It's the one that I carry with me everywhere. My amil was in the forges, where she almost always are. She is our kingdoms greatest smith, it would be hard to find someone with greater skills than hers." At this lord Maedhros chuckled. "Sorry I did not mean to interrupt but my atar is…was a very skilled smith. He was in our kingdom the greatest smith we had seen." I had to laugh at that. "Well then you know how busy someone who loves their work and forge are. Well as I said. We had played for some hours when suddenly my atar stopped. He heard something and then it all happened so fast. Orcs flew out from between the trees and started attacking us. I was so scared since I had never seen an orc nor wielded any weapon. My atar blew in his horn, calling for aid. He fought bravely but he was cut down from behind. I saw as he struggled to stay alive but then finally guards came to our rescue. Sadly in the battle, I was dragged away by orcs and when the others had realised this, it was too late. I spent three years in their clutches until finally my amil and amiltoron came and saved me. But during the tortures they had poisoned me with something and it almost claimed my life. When they had managed to save me from it they discovered something. The poison has ruined my body and I would never be able to live a normal life. I sometimes get seizures that starts with coughing blood and then my body starts shaking and I can't control it. Luckily they found a something that would take the seizures away for the moment, but I would never be rid of them. It has made me very weak. I used to love helping my amil in the forges and hoped to become a great smith like her but that future was ruined by this incident. My amil died during my rescue when she tried to protect me, she was cut down from behind." I smiled at him sadly and wiped away a tear but then lightened up. "Well now I have told my story, you have to tell yours now!" He smiled nervously and after some silence he launched into his tale.
*Maedhros' POV*
"After I had recovered from this I gave the throne to my uncle and after some battles I and my brother came upon these two children that we decided to take in and then it came to this." I finished slowly. It actually felt good to talk about it and Lindaliel was a good listener. She looked at me with those beautiful clear eyes an…I just thought she was beautiful? No don't tell me I am falling for her. She can't love me, a monster, a kinslayer and a murderer. Hopefully she would not found out who we were but I guess I had spoken to soon. "You are a Feanorian, the oldest one Nelyofinwe Feanorion aren't you?" That question cut deeper than any blade I have ever felt. She found my secret. "Y-yes, that's me." I looked away full of shame, awaiting the hatred I knew would come. "Do not be ashamed for who you are. The mortals kill eachother without a thought why should that be any different just because we are immortal. We just die for some time before we are reborn again." I looked at her. "I know of all your deeds for they have not gone unnoticed in our kingdom. But do not fret for we are shunned by everyone in Arda and yet we have done nothing to earn it." I looked at her confused. "How can you be shunned for doing nothing?" She smiled at me sadly. "I am a Laerquendi, as are my people around us. We are on our way back to Lindalenor. We have been looking for people we could help. Sadly if we do not hide who we are, we are more likely to be killed than thanked." At first my hand gripped my sword but then I loosened my grip. She did not look like a servant of Morgoth, but then who was I to judge. I was in the same situation as her people. "All of you have been so kind, it's hard to believe that you are on Morgoth's side." It must have hit a sore spot and I immediately regreted it. "We are not servants of Morgoth! We were found and saved by the vala Melkor that took care of us and made sure that we survived. Then when he could no longer keep the darkness that had taken over and chained him away, he made sure that the other valar found us. When it then was found out that Melkor had taken care of us we were thrown out of Valinor since everyone thought that we were besotted with darkness and evil. Morgoth and Melkor is two different beings. It's just not many who know it. Melkor was taken captive by the dark being that is known as Morgoth and is now used by this monster. So don't ever say a bad thing about Melkor, About Morgoth you can say anything you want but never use the name Melkor in a bad way. He is the reason the Laerquendi is alive at all." After the angry outburst she sank down into the bed exhausted. "I am sorry Lindaliel I did not mean to upset you. If I had known all this I would never have said anything." She waved her hand at me. "You could not possibly have known this, only my people know it but before we could ask for help we were banished." I took her hand. "I will never hold any ill feeling towards your people, you saved Elrond and for that we are so thankfull." She smiled at me. Then suddenly someone rushed into the tent. It was lord Tulcaner. "Ah amiltoron what is the matter?" He stopped in the opening. "Lord Maedhros disappeared so we had been looking for him for quite some time." I smiled sheepishly at the ellon. "I am sorry for causing you trouble, I just wanted to make sure Lindaliel was fine." He then smiled. "I understand, but maybe you should tell your brother that." Then he turned to Lindaliel. "Fwir are you alright now?" "Yes amiltoron, I feel at the moment famished so why don't we head out and get some dinner Maedhros?" I smiled. "I would be delighted, and I just had to ask. I have never heard a Laerquendi sing or play and I have heard that they are talented in the ways of music, would you play some for me?" She laughed and I could feel my heart melt at the beautiful sound. "D-do y-you know what we are, h-how?" We both looked at Tulcaner who stood shocked at the opening with his hand on his sword as if in case I would…attack? "I told him amiltoron, all of it. He knows everything and he has told me of his incidents to." I decided to show him that I meant no harm. "I bear no ill feelings towards your people after hearing your version of the story, I believe what she has told me lord Tulcaner so you can rest easy." He relaxed at this and we soon made our way towards where dinner was served. I got scolded by my brother for running away but then we got to hear Lindaliel sing and play on her father's harp. It was so beautiful, much greater than Maglor's and I could see in his eyes that he thought the same.
*No one's POV*
As she sat down and started playing she soon opened her mouth and started singing.
"The Parting Glass"
Of all the money that ere I had, I spent it in good company.
And of all the harm that ere I've done, alas was done to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I cannot recall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.
Of all the comrades that ere I had, they're sorry for my going away,
And of all the sweethearts that ere I had, they wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise while you should not,
I will gently rise and I'll softly call, "Goodnight and joy be with you all!"
Oh, if I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town that sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips, she alone has my heart in thrall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.
When she had finished the song she looked up and saw everyone looking at her in awe. Maedhros, Maglor, Elros and Elrond had tears in their eyes after hearing this enchanting music. Maedhros for some reason felt the urge to start singing with her even if he had never heard that song before. In the end, he refrained himself from do that. "That….was beautiful. I have never heard something so beautiful in my whole life." Maglor managed to say. Lindaliel smiled gently. "Thank you lord Maglor that was very kind of you to say. If you want to I can play another song." He nodded awestruck. She soon started to play on another song which Elrond recognized as the first song he had heard her sing when she found him in the forest.
"Sleepsong"
Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love for the road that you go
May you sail fair to the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet
And may you need never to banish misfortune
May you find kindness in all that you meet
May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
May you bring love and may you bring happiness
Be loved in return to the end of your days
Now fall off to sleep, I'm not meaning to keep you
I'll just sit for a while and sing loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay...
When the last tunes flew around in the air and the young boys had fallen asleep. Maglor and Maedhros took one twin each and was then shown a tent where they could stay for the night. After that they said goodnight to Lindaliel and retired.