Chapter Two: They are not Lost Forever

I spent the next two weeks in Valmar, having discussions about the coming war with Ingwe and the Valar. We were making good progress, but it did not seem quite real to me somehow. Getting up every morning knowing that almost all of my family were in Middle-earth under doom of the Valar had been bad enough, but knowing they actually were dead was worse. I couldn't imagine them as being happy anymore. Earwen was miserable, but seemed to be holding together better than I, and I leaned heavily on her strength to get me through the days.

At the end of the last meeting before returning to Tirion, lord Namo called me aside. I followed him out of the Ring of Doom, wondering what this could be about. I had already asked him about Artanis, and he had told me that he did not have her in his halls. Hopefully that had not changed. Some half dozen paces beyond the Ring he stopped. "As you know, most of the exiled Noldor currently dwell in my halls. With the change in policy towards Middle-earth, it has been decided to start releasing those of the Noldor who are ready to return, and who are willing to help heal the damage that their rebellion has caused. Those first to return will also be training the warriors in fighting skills and teaching them about Middle-earth."

"That is excellent!" I said. "Will there be many returning soon, or just a few? How should we prepare to receive them?"

"At first, only a very few. Most of the Noldor are not ready to return, and will not be for many years yet. Some will never be. There are two who will be ready to meet their families in the gardens of Lorien a week from today. One of them is Glorfindel, the youngest son of Naro and Aiwen. I would appreciate it if you would inform his mother of his return."

"I will do so gladly," I said. It would be nice to have joyful news to give for once. I know the pain she must be in right now.

"The other is your eldest son Findarato."

I froze. Findarato alive again? Oh praise Eru! Please tell me I heard correctly...

"Both your son and Glorfindel died to save others, didn't do anything too evil while exiled, and didn't truly want to go in the first place. They also have extremely useful skills and have volunteered to return early into a situation unlikely to be comfortable for exiled Noldor. You should be proud of them."

I nodded. "I am proud, but I shall be even more glad to get them back."

Namo nodded. "I am glad to get them out of my halls." His eyes widened as he realized how what he had just said sounded. "Not that I want to get rid of them," he said quickly, "but the place is getting rather crowded and I look forward to it being emptier. I miss the quiet."

"I imagine that halls fall of disembodied noldorin Fea would not be very peaceful, especially when one of them is my half brother."

"That is so. Speaking of which, I should really return to my halls."

I bowed. "Thank you lord Namo, for letting me know the state of things." And for returning my child to me.

"You're very welcome, king of the Noldor." With that, lord Namo vanished, and I was alone among the rocks. Alone yes, but happier than I had been in many years. My family are not lost to me forever!

I looked down the mountain. Despite the temptation, I would not try and run to the bottom. Being king of the Noldor included an unfortunate requirement that one remain dignified. Still, I looked forward to telling Earwen! I began to walk down the long path towards Valmar.