AN: This takes place immediately after Chapter Seven of Spectrum: The Harpist's Tale by Marvel-Tolkien Fangirl.

#

I was halfway out of the car before Julia noticed and slammed on the brakes. The sudden loss of momentum threw me onto the road, and I rolled over several times before managing to push myself back up. Morgoth stood over Maglor, kicking him in the face and chest several times before he stopped. My gaze travelled from Maglor's bleeding and gasping form to the triumphant snarl on Morgoth's face. The hot light of the sun suddenly felt very cold as I gazed back at him. Hate burned sudden and hot in me and I launched myself forward, only to have Julia catch me and hold me back.

"Nin!" she shouted, but everything else was lost in the blaze of hate.

Morgoth laughed at me, and swooped down to seize Maglor's throat. Blood poured down my brother's face, and he weakly grappled with Morgoth's hand. Julia's fingers were digging into me as she attempted to drag me back into the car. Morgoth lifted Maglor off the ground.

"So you thought you would keep the silmaril from me, did you, Feanorian?" Morgoth laughed, his voice getting louder and more insane with triumph with every word. "Planned to escape back to Valinor, and deliver her into my siblings' hands? I will be sure to send them your regrets when I find my way back there, don't worry. I think it is high time you were reunited with your father and brothers. Enjoy Mandos, fool !"

He plunged his hand right into Maglor's chest. I saw a look of pain and surprise cross my brother's face, and the hate burned hotter. I pushed Julia off me. Maglor's gaze turned from his killer's face, searching out mine, and I saw regret, fear, and sorrow in his eyes.

The hate overcame me. It was too hot. I was burning from the inside. With a cry that was not quite in pain, not quite in triumph, I released my light as I had done in the research building. It shot from me, engulfing everything. I heard a sharp gasp from Julia, but I only had eyes for Morgoth, that enemy which had held me captive for too long, with iron and with fear. His head turned towards me, his eyes widening.

"You will not have me! You will not have this world!" I shouted, striding forward. Maglor slipped through Morgoth's fingers. He stared at me, as though in awe, as though unable to move. "You will never harm my kin again!"

With that, my light increased tenfold. It seemed for a moment that I eclipsed even the sun. Morgoth flinched away, but it was too late. As my light washed over him, his stolen mortal body disintegrated into ash. The hate still burned in me as I gazed down at his remains, but then I heard a slight gasping wheeze. I looked up to see Maglor crumpled on the road, blood pooling out of his chest.

My hate vanished instantly, the light around me fading. I ran to my brother's side. His eyelids were flickering, and I leaned over him, watching as the color faded quickly from his face. His lips moved, and then his eyes rolled up into the back of his head and he went limp.

"Maglor?" my voice came out choked, hoarse. "Maglor!"

I heard a sound behind me and my heart leapt to my throat, envisioning in that instant Morgoth's ashes reforming, but then Julia knelt beside me. Her face white, her hands shaking, she nonetheless gazed down at Maglor and put her fingers against his neck.

"I've got a pulse, but it's weak," she muttered.

"He's alive?"

"Just barely. We have to stop the bleeding."

Julia shrugged off her jacket and waded it up to Maglor's chest. I saw that her mind and body were slipping into the medical routine that she was accustomed to, in order to shield her from the shock of having seen a man burned to ash in an instant.

"Hospital," she said.

"We're not human."

"Right. Right, I-" Julia closed her eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply. "I've got a first aid kit in the car."

I looked at Maglor's bleeding face and everything that had just happened seemed to wash over me in a black wave. "He's going to die, isn't he?"

"Get the first aid kit. It's in the trunk-"

"Will it be enough?"

Julia thought for a moment and then shook her head. "Put your hands here and here, and push as hard as you can."

I hesitated only a moment before obeying the order, holding the jacket against Maglor's chest. Blood was beginning to seep through the fabric and it stained by fingers. My quivering spirit hardened and I gritted my teeth. I would not let my brother die. Could not.

"Talk to him," Julia told me, and then dashed off the road, bending over, searching for something. I didn't know what.

"Maglor," I started, and my voice shook. I cleared my throat. "Maglor, he's gone. We stopped him."

I couldn't think of anything else to say. Maglor's face was growing greyer, and his breathing was shallow.

"Julia!" I called over my shoulder.

I heard a car door slam shut and soon she was kneeling beside me again. She had a small white case with her, that when she opened contained bandages and medicines, and also she carried a bunch of sweet-smelling plants. I looked at her quizzically.

"It's an herb that my grandfather used to use," Julia explained, crushing the leaves into the bandages. "My sister's much better at this than me, but I can do this."

She worked quickly, adding a little water to turn the herbs into a paste, and then pulled the bandages around it to make a poultice. Then she gently peeled the jacket back from the wound on Maglor's chest, cut open his shirt, and placed the poultice on the spot where Morgoth had been digging into Maglor's chest. Maglor gasped shallowly, his back arcing, and then his breathing started to even out. Julia hurriedly pressed more bandages around the wound, taping them on.

"This should help, but I still don't know, Nin. We have to keep him warm, and I don't know what I'm going to do with his face-"

"We have to go to Valinor," I interrupted. "He needs the healing that is there. He will die if we remain here."

"He can't travel like this."

I pressed my hand against my brother's face, a frown furrowing my brow and tears burning my eyes. "It is his only hope, Julia. I know it is. Help me get him to the car."

Maglor was heavier than either one of us anticipated, but we tried to be gentle as we carried him back to Julia's car, laying him in the back seat. I climbed in after, kneeling on the floor to watch over him. Julia slid into the driver's seat.

"Where do we go? How are you going to get back?" she asked.

"Maglor spoke of an elven vessel in a museum in the town. We'll have to use that."

"You mean steal it."

"Unfortunately, I see no other way."

Julia looked back at me and then nodded. "Of course."

#

"A ship won't fit into my car."

Julia and I had spoken seldom as we drove back to the town, finding a shelter close to the beach where we could safely put Maglor. We had carried him to a small cove, far enough from the road that he wouldn't be noticed, but not so close to the ocean that he would get chilled. We wrapped him in a blanket from Julia's car. He seemed to be breathing easier since Julia had applied the poultice to his chest, but his face remained grey.

"Nin?"

I nodded to acknowledge that I had heard her speak.

"Look, I know that you think that you have to return to Valinor, but I just don't see any way of getting that ship to the ocean. I suppose we could rent a truck or something but… Nin, I'm going to be honest. Once you're gone, it will be fine for you. You'll be safe. But if we steal the ship from the museum, they'll trace it back to me. Nobody will believe that I was helping characters from a book."

I sighed. "I'm sorry, Julia. I didn't realize how selfish I was being. You've been more than helpful. Thank you. I can find some way to do this on my own."

"Don't be ridiculous," Julia muttered, sitting beside me and checking Maglor's pulse again. "You need help and you know it. We'll rent a truck. I'm just scared is all."

It was true. I did need her help. I smiled my thanks. She returned the smile, and then looked worriedly at Maglor.

"We need to move quickly. You don't know how long it will take to get to Valinor, and-" she cut herself off. "Let's go. I know where we can rent a truck."

She stood and left the little cove. I was hesitant about leaving Maglor alone, but I realized that I had no other choice.

"I will return soon, and we shall set sail for Valinor and all will be well," I promised my unconscious brother before following Julia out. I tried not to think that he could be dead before we returned.

Julia was quick to get the truck that we needed, and to find the red-brick museum. It looked strangely out of place among the other buildings, although I couldn't say for certain why. We inquired inside as to where to find the ship, and were directed to a courtyard area behind the museum.

Julia drove as close as she could to the courtyard, and then we inspected the situation.

The ship was exactly where we had been told it would be, sitting in a wooden framework to keep it off the ground. I gazed at the smooth ash wood, resisting the urge to reach out and touch it. There were other Mortals around, and Julia and I couldn't be seen as suspicious. I circled the ship, my awe of the design tempered by my anxiety of how to get out to the shore without being seen. I looked up at the sail and recognized instantly Manwe's golden eagle.

What do I need to do? I prayed silently. Please, you cannot allow my brother to die, not after everything that he has done to save me.

Julia's expression was awed as she gazed at the ship. "It's just how Tolkien described the ships from Valinor," she whispered. "I never would have thought… It's real, isn't it? It's all real." I nodded, and she turned to me, tears bright in her eyes. "My grandfather used to tell us stories while he taught my sister and I to play the cello. He told us that he was furious when the Lord of the Rings first came out, he said that Tolkien stole our family history… it wasn't really the same, but there were too many similarities to avoid. Grandfather said that we were descended from ancient kings, from the time when elves still wandered the land. It's a story that his grandfather told him. An elvish maid gave up her immortality for love of a human king… Nin, I think I'm descended from Aragorn and Arwen!"

I furrowed my brow. The names were not familiar. "I cannot say if you are or aren't, but we have to find a way to-" I cut off as a Man walked behind me, but Julia understood, nodding.

I turned my gaze back to the ship, my frown deepening. How to clear the area and get the ship away? An idea came to my mind. Perhaps… it would be risky, in more ways than one, but I had to try something. Maglor was dying where we had left him. I had to take the chance.

"Stay here," I told Julia, "and be ready."

I slipped through the crowd until I reached the brick building. I knelt by some bushes and held my hand among them. Concentrating, I let a little light seep out of my skin. Soon, the bushes were smoking and a few flames flickered. Quickly, I returned to Julia and waited. It wasn't long before shouts of fire started, and all the mortals were running in one direction, to put out the flames.

I seized the bow of the ship and pulled. It was far lighter than I had expected, and slid off its supports easily. Julia went round to the stern, and began pushing. The keel of the ship cut through the dirt as easily as though it was going through water, and I sent a prayer of thanks to the Valar. Lifting it into the truck was a little trickier, as it was too large to fit smoothly, but we managed to get it in before the woman from within the museum spotted us.

"Hey!" she shouted. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Drive, I'll stay back here to ensure it doesn't fall!" I called to Julia, and she quickly started the vehicle.

The engine roared as we shot from the parking lot. The mortal was still shouting after us, but she dashed back into the museum. Julia drove recklessly, ignoring the traffic laws she had explained on the way here. Many other vehicles on the road made loud noises and swerved to avoid us. I clung with one hand to the ship, the other to the side of the truck, hoping that the momentum would not cause me to fall.

We reached the beach soon, and as Julia and I got the ship onto the sand, she paused to listen to a high-pitched wail in the distance.

"That'll be the cops," she muttered, and then focused herself back on the task.

Together we dragged and pushed the ship to the cove where Maglor lay, still breathing, but his face greyer than before.

"We've got the ship, brother, we're going home," I said as I looped my arms under his shoulders and Julia grabbed his legs. His groan was the only reply. The ship seemed even lighter, this close to the ocean, but Julia and I were both panting by the time I splashed into the water.

The wailing of the cops was louder, and Julia glanced back with an expression of dread.

"You can come with us," I told her.

"No. I've got a life here, Nin. I've got a family, and a job where I'm helping people. I can figure this out. Besides, I'm human. Only one mortal has ever seen Valinor. You go."

Tears blurred my vision, and I embraced Julia. "The Valar bless you, my friend."

Together, Julia and I pushed the ship into the ocean, until it began floating easily, and then I clambered in and Julia kept pushing until she was waist-deep and the ship was moving by its own momentum. A strong wind filled the sails, and the ship moved faster and faster away from shore. I stood up and waved to Julia as she became smaller and smaller.

"Fare well, Ninniach Silmaril!" she cried, her voice so small I could barely hear her.

Cars with flashing lights slid onto the beach, and she turned resolutely back to the shore. The wind whipped my hair around my face and with a lurch I felt the ship increase speed. When I dragged my hair from my eyes, I could no longer see the shore.

I turned then to Maglor. His breathing was shallow again, and kneeling beside him I saw that blood had soaked through his bandages. I cradled his head in my lap, knowing there was nothing else I could do, wishing that there was, hoping that we would reach Valinor in time.

I don't know how long I knelt there, praying aloud and in my heart, before exhaustion overtook me. I laid my head against the side of the boat. As I closed my eyes, I felt a softer, warmer breeze drift across my face.

"Do not fear for your friend," I heard a voice whisper, and suddenly I could very clearly see Julia, sitting in a small room, twisting her hands nervously. The door opened to emit a middle-aged mortal with light brown hair, wearing a business suit, and carrying a briefcase. He smiled reassuringly at Julia and sat down across the table from her.

"Hello. My name is Agent- I'm Phil," he said, and his relaxed pose and warm smile had an effect on Julia. Her shoulders loosened a little. "I've heard a lot of things about you, Miss-"

"Julia," she interrupted. "You can call me Julia."

"Julia. You've caused quite a stir in this sleepy town. I've been looking over your employment record-"

"I'm sorry, I thought this was about the ship from the museum," Julia interrupted again, frowning.

"It is. Now, as to your record of employment. You're a very gifted woman, Julia. Graduated at the top of your program, you've been involved in several research projects on natural healing techniques… I've talked to some of your colleagues and they've told me that you're not just a nurse. You're a true healer."

"I trust in some of the remedies that have been in my family for generations."

Phil leaned forward. "Stealing a ship from a museum could put a damper on your career here. How would you like a different job? One where you could be working with doctors from around the globe to develop more efficient ways of dealing with injury and illness?"

Julia looked shocked. "I don't have that kind of schooling!" she protested.

"No. But I think you have that kind of knowledge. We've got a base in Portland that we would like you to work with. It may mean moving to the United States, but-"

"I'll do it," Julia said, sounding stunned but pleased.

Phil's smile widened. "Excellent. I look forward to working with you."

My mind sank into sleep then, dreamless and peaceful. I woke suddenly as the dawn was growing from the east, a swift sunrise. The water was like silver glass. The Evening Star was bright in the sky, and I gazed at my brother in the sky for some time before turning to check how Maglor was. He was still breathing, but only barely. His skin was going cold, and the bandages on his chest were red and scabby with dried blood. I shifted him into my arms more, concentrating to let a little of my light out, hoping to warm him.

"Please, don't leave me alone again," I whispered, tears splashing from my face to his.

I heard a sound; a clear, long note as blown from a horn. I looked up and then I saw it; white shores. And beyond, a far green country.

#
Spectrum will be completed with chapter 8 of The Harpist's Tale.

My description of Valinor here is taken directly from what Gandalf says to Pippin in Return of the King (movie) and I believe that it's also a description from the book, from Frodo's journey as well.