XXXVII.

It was a relief to depart from Mithrim – this place that had been the scene of much anguish and so many painful dilemmas – at last.

It was a relief to finally set forth; and was that not why they had left for Endórë? To strive for greatness and glory in free realms uncontrolled by the Valar?

And yet it felt strange, almost wrong, to leave Mithrim, the place that had been the scene of soul-wrenching guilt and so many difficult decisions.

Somehow, it almost felt like desertion; as if too much of them had to be left behind in Mithrim.

XXXVIII.

Envoys returned from a hidden kingdom, bearing a message warmly welcoming kin and coldly asserting dominion, requesting it recognized.

Fingolfin listened with an unreadable expression, then glanced over at the other children of Finarfin, who stood calm and proud, the sons of Feanor, who variously appeared indignant or kept a carefully neutral face, and his own children, pensively expectant.

Caranthir began to speak angrily, but fell back to sullen silence at Maglor's quiet reprimand.

'There are lands enough in Endórë for this king who is kin to our kin to retain his realms and for us to establish our own.'

XXXIX.

'You are content with the position you have brought us down to, I presume.'

'Do not start again.'

'I am not,' Caranthir snarled. 'You have not answered to my, or should I say our, satisfaction even once. You prefer to invoke seniority and act indignant that we would question your perceived authority.'

'I am forced to agree,' Curufin spoke up. Celegorm nodded his agreement. 'However, at this point I do not believe you have substantial reasons at all, not beyond generalized guilt and deference to circumstances.'

'Is that so?' Maglor demanded, icily.

'Yes. If you believe otherwise, you are deluded.'

XL.

'And now that we can finally leave this thrice-damned camp, you intentionally place yourself at a strategic disadvantage. I could assume it is out of responsibility to our people,' it was clear that Celegorm meant the Noldor, 'but I know you too well.'

'Perhaps you do not, after all. Note, at least, that I do not demand any of you reside with me.'

The younger brother snorted.

'As if. I look forward to being relieved of your eagerness to quench any signs of ambition for our House we might exhibit.'

With that, he left, Curufin following, Caranthir not far behind.

XLI.

Suppresing a sigh, Maglor turned to Amrod. The youngest brother seemed to have barely paid attention; yet feeling Maglor's eyes on him, raised his head.

'What do you expect from me?' he asked at length. 'Must I side with you or Tyelkormo? You are within your rights; however, I cannot entirely disregard his words either.'

'What do you intend?'

'I do not know.'

The lost note in his voice touched a chord in Maglor's mind.

He was not the youngest, as I was not the eldest. We are alike.

Lost.

'Come with me.' Not an order. An offer.

'I shall.'

XLII.

The Noldorin princes swarmed over the land, reveling in their naïve sense of safety.

Foolish, he thought grimly, to ever feel safe.

A temporary withdrawal, to ease the Noldor into incaution; to led them to believe they were strong before crushing them; to let them know hope before eradicating it.

He should know; had the same not been done to him?

Foolish, to think there is an escape while Melkor dwells in Arda, Melkor, who sees into the minds of lesser beings and laughs at their impotence.

Utterly foolish; and yet, even this blind respite of self-delusion he envied them.