Category: Tolkien-Universe
Rating: M
Couples: -
Warnings: AU, blood, mentions of torture, character death
Chapter: 35
Copyright: Characters & places © By Tolkien Estate, Plot & OC´s © by me
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Her cousin and uncle would have terrible nights, but Altariel had a terrible day before either of them. Gorthaur had threatened to knock her out and strap her to the wolf, so she had gotten on obediently, clutching the box her father had given her.
Though he and his escort of two more wolves - probably to make sure she didn't jump off and try to return - did not move quickly enough to get her out of hearing-range. She turned around when hearing her brother wail, and one wolf promptly fell back a bit to prevent her from returning.
"What...?" She was not really asking anyone, but got an answer regardless. The voice of which made her skin crawl and her ears try to fold in on themselves.
"Suppose your sire told him he was staying." The wolf she was on briefly looked over his shoulder at her.
"What!?" One, he could talk, two, what!? She had looked at him when he spoke, but now turned around again to look at the rapidly disappearing forest. Her heart clenched at the thought that her father would stay as the last line.
He growled softly, but did not answer in words again. In fact, the only thing she heard until they reached the Girdle was the panting of her transports.
Perhaps wisely, they did not actually try to cross it, prowling outside it as she did. She supposed they were making sure she wasn't just entering long enough for them to leave and return to Tol Sirion.
"Altariel." They didn't need to worry, because Melian was waiting for her just a short distance into Doriath. The Queen of the great forest considered the three beasts outside her borders. It was when she looked at Finarfin's only daughter that she startled. "Oh... Oh, I see..." She narrowed her eyes, spreading her arm. "Come child, let's get you to Menegroth."
"My lady..." Altariel had briefly wondered if the Maia could help her get back to her father, but clearly she had other opinions.
"Ssh... not here." The dark-haired female ushered her into the forest, the landscape bending around them. "Something is afoot, my dear... I felt Morgoth's wrath all the way in Menegroth. What is in this box?"
"Letters... letters from my father... in case... in case he can't explain in person." She had to force the words out, as she was starting to realize exactly how small her father considered the chance he could explain in person if he had written enough to fill a whole box.
"I see." With Melian bending the lands beneath them, they soon arrived in Menegroth's private audience-chamber, where a small gathering was awaiting her. Luthien rushed forward at once, cooing over her disheveled cousin and guiding her to one of the plush chairs.
"Altariel." Thingol was also there, face drawn. "What has happened?"
Taking a deep breath - and the cup of drink Celeborn offered her - she told what she knew; her father had been feinting his obedience to Angband, and he and Gorthaur had revealed the charade today when an embassy came to demand the pass through the mountains.
"This was something long underfoot." Melian murmured, her eyes turned to Tol Sirion. "I see it now... Oh Mairon... you were trying to solicit my aid, were you not?" No one was sure if that last question had been rhetorical or if she was actually in contact with the other Maia.
"My father..." One hand clung to the box, pressing it against her body so hard the corners hurt, she trembled now that she was safe in Doriath.
Elmo, also there, rested his hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "It was an act of love, to send you here. And to send your brother from his side." Rationally, she knew it. Emotionally, she was too focused on the large chance of losing her father.
Thingol remained in his seat, tilting his head some.
"I can't leave him!" The golden-haired elf cried out, too caught in her emotions to notice. She had left him once, and look where that had ended them.
"He send you to keep this box safe, you did not leave him. Keep the box with you, child, in accordance to his wishes." Melian seemed to return to herself, joining the small cluster. "Luthien, perhaps it would be best if you two share a room. Altariel could use your support." There was something telling in her voice, though probably only her daughter could tell what it was.
"As for Finarfin..." The King of Doriath spoke up before she could argue. "Celeborn, tell Beleg and Mablung to gather the Marchwardens. We go to the aid of Tol Sirion with all haste."
"Brother?" It was not outright contradictory, but it certainly was a questioning tone.
"Do you want to explain to Olfu we did not even try to go to his law-son's aid?" The oldest of the three siblings smiled faintly.
In answer, the youngest of the three's face went through a story worth of emotions, before he chuckled softly. "No indeed, I would not." He beckoned his grandson with a sharp move from his head, which the younger male obeyed after one last brush of his hands over Altariel's.
Elu Thingol licked his lips, before reaching for his own drink. "Elmo..."
"Yes?" Her future grandfather-in-law looked over to his sibling.
"Ride to the East with haste... We will need the Fëanorian swords, much as I disdain them still. Offer them passage through Doriath, just this once."