Chapter Eight (Part One)
AN: This takes place some time after Chapter Eight of Spectrum: Ninniach's Tale by Myth Queen.
I opened my eyes slowly, feeling as though I had slept for a millenia. I was lying in a bed, in a room only dimly lit by candlelight. What had happened? The last thing I remembered was... Ninniach bending over me, saying something I had not understood. I had thought I was dying...was this, then, the Hall of Mandos? I tried to sit up, to examine my surroundings more easily, only then noticing that the injury on my chest, where the Enemy's fingers had crushed my heart, had been tended and bandaged. Not Mandos, then, for I doubted that my fea would have injuries, even partially healed ones. I was not in pain, so clearly someone had treated me, but who and why? Just where in blazes was I, and what had become of Ninniach and young Julia? I began to feel panicked. I had no idea what had become of them, and for all I knew, they were still in the Enemy's grasp!
The door opened quietly, but I still jumped in surprise. My eyes remained on the doorway as a familiar figure entered. My eyes widened, my mind refusing to believe what it was seeing.
"Elrond?!" My voice was a barely audible rasp, and I realised I was thirsty, but it could wait. I needed answers. If my eyes were not deceiving me, and the peredhel who was once my foster-son stood before me, that might mean I was in Valinor...
"Good to see you are awake at last, Maglor." Elrond's voice was warm and reassuring. "You had everyone worried, the condition you were in when you arrived. Your injuries are well on the way to healing now though." He smiled gently.
My mind whirled in confusion. 'Awake at last?' How long had Elrond been healing me? And 'You had us all worried'? Who, besides Ninniach, (and apparently Elrond) would be concerned for my welfare? I could not make sense of this, so I asked a more pressing question.
"Ninniach...where is she?" My voice was still hoarse, and this time Elrond noticed. He poured some water from a nearby jug into a glass, and helped me to sit up fully so I could swallow some of it, moistening my throat. Once I had finished, I repeated my question.
Elrond shook his head slightly, another soft smile crossing his features. "Still more concerned for others than for yourself, I see. Ninniach is fine, she has been badgering me and the other healers every day, asking if you have woken yet. Thankfully, she gained a slight distraction when we introduced her to-"
I blinked several times- stopping mid sentence was not like Elrond!
"Introduced her to who?" My eyes narrowed- I did not want my sister meeting anyone I did not already know! Who knew what they might want from her? I put that thought aside for the time being, deciding to try and find out how I had gotten here.
"I am in Lord Irmo's gardens, I assume?"
Elrond nodded affirmatively, but did not speak.
"How did I come to be here? The last thing I recall is passing out after... He injured me. I cannot fathom how Ninniach and our mortal ally might have escaped him, let alone procured a vessel and brought us here." I stared at Elrond intently, determined to get an explanation.
He hesitated before answering. "I could tell you what I know of the story, but I thought you might wish to hear it from Ninniach, as she was there during these events, and no doubt you are desperate to see for yourself that she is unharmed?" A telling little smirk crept onto Elrond's face, and I half smiled back. He knew me so well...
"Yes, I would like to see her. Has she been staying with you and Lady Celebrian, or..."
Elrond's face immediately went utterly blank. "I will let her tell you that. I will send someone to find her as soon as possible, but I think you should rest until morning. You are not yet fully recovered from your ordeal."
"Such a healer..." I grumbled as I relaxed back onto the soft pillows. I looked at him, suddenly feeling uneasy. "Has there been any word from the Valar concerning my presence here?"
"Olorin alerted us that you were on your way as soon as you found the ship, in Middle-Earth. The Valar already seem to be aware of what caused your injuries, as are many of the rulers of Aman, but we have been reassured that there is no immediate cause for worry. Ninniach made certain of that. The Valar do wish to have an audience with you, but they have agreed to wait until you have recovered."
Part of me was relieved that Elrond had not spelled out the cause for my injuries, but the rest of my mind was utterly confused again. There was to be no penalty for my return to Valinor? I had been meant to find that ship? And how had Ninniach manged to deal with the Enemy? None of this made sense, and I suddenly felt exhausted. I yawned.
"Sleep, Maglor." Elrond urged. "There will be time to answer all your questions in the morning."
I nodded slightly, finding myself unwilling to fight the drowsiness. There was one more thing I wanted to know first though...
"Ninniach...her new form...does anyone know why...?"
Elrond shook his head. "The Valar may know what caused the change, but they have not told us of it. No doubt they keep silent on this matter for a reason."
With that, I could no longer keep my eyes open. I continued gazing at my foster son as I drifted back to sleep, praying that I would not awake to find this had all been a dream...
The next time I awoke, sunlight was streaming into the room, and Ninniach was seated beside the bed. A dazzling smile spread over her face when she saw I was awake, and she leaned forward to embrace me. I returned the hug as firmly as I could.
"I was so worried when you did not wake for days." Ninniach's voice was muffled as her face was pressed against my shoulder, but I could still hear every word.
"I am fine, Ninniach," I soothed her. "I will recover fully in a matter of weeks." I eyed her curiously. She was wearing a blue-green tunic that shimmered slightly in the sunlight, and white trousers made of some kind of hide. Her feet were bare, as always, and white roses had been braided into her long pale hair. "Apparently I have you to thank for my survival...?"
The room was silent for a moment as I waited for her to answer me.
She spoke slowly, hesitantly. "When He was hurting you...when you fell to the ground and did not move, I just...lost control. I was so angry...light blazed from me, brighter than anything I have managed so far...and Peter North's form was destroyed." She hung her head, looking away from me. "I took his life. After that, Julia and I stole the ship from the mortal museum, and I brought you here. We were expected, and Elrond insisted upon treating you himself. He's very fond of you. I feel so guilty for having commited murder..."
I shook my head vehemently, desperate to reassure my sister despite my shock and relief.
"Morgoth took North's life, Ninniach, long before you encountered him. Do not blame yourself for defending yourself, and your family. I, for one, am exceedingly grateful for what you did. You have significantly delayed His return to this world."
Ninniach met my gaze again, nodding as if to convince herself. "Giltiri says the same, that North was already lost, and I saved the mortal world from Morgoth. I suppose it will take me a while to believe it."
I blinked. "Giltiri?"
"Oh, did Elrond not tell you?" Ninniach actually giggled, and I felt mild surprise- I had never seen her so cheerful! She stood quickly. "I will be back in a moment, Brother. I would like you to meet him." She left the room quickly, leaving me slightly concerned. Who was this Giltiri, and why had he had such an effect on Ninniach already? She could not have known him that long...
I waited anxiously for my sister and the unknown Giltiri to enter my room. I heard Ninniach's voice before she actually came in, so I was prepared with my best brotherly frown- not quite disapproving, but not happy either.
I eyed Giltiri closely as Ninniach led him towards me by the hand. He was dressed in similar fashion to her, unshod, wearing a simple tunic and leggings. His garments were a dark shade of blue, however, dark enough to be called black. His pure white hair looked as though it would fall to his shoulders, but it was tied back. His eyes were a startling bright shade of liquid silver. I guessed he was somewhat older than Ninniach, as he seemed very solemn, less carefree.
"Maglor Feanorian." His voice betrayed no emotion. "I am glad to see you have recovered. Ninniach was very concerned about you. My name is Giltiri."
'Nice to meet you too.' I thought, feeling taken aback at the ellon's abrupt manner.
Ninniach shoved him in the arm playfully, smiling. "I told you to be friendly, Giltiri! Our brother has only just woken up, and I do not want him to feel miserable."
My jaw fell open. It could not be...
Giltiri managed a slight smile. "My apologies, Maglor. I am, as I said, truly glad that you recover, and will always be grateful to you for protecting our younger sister as you did."
"You- you saw what happened?" I felt absolutely thunderstruck- two of the three silmarils now had elven form?!
Giltiri nodded. "I continued journeying through the skies with Lord Earendil when my transformation was complete. He and I saw all that transpired in Middle-Earth."
I sat back, stunned, trying to assimilate this new knowledge. Now I had a sister AND another brother? This would take a while to get used to...
There was a soft knock at the door, and Elrond stepped into the room quietly.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but I need to check on Maglor's injuries." He glanced at Ninniach and Giltiri. "Perhaps you two could go and fetch your brother some breakfast?" His tone left no room for argument. They left the room obediently. I sighed heavily.
"Feeling somewhat overwhelmed?" Elrond asked knowingly.
"Yes. I had barely got used to the idea of a sister. Now I find I have another sibling to deal with?" I shook my head. "At least that means there are two people in Valinor who do not utterly despise me, I suppose..."
Elrond raised an eyebrow. "If you truly believe that, I am afraid you will have quite a shock when you recover enough to have frequent visitors."
"What do you mean?" I frowned, not understanding his words.
Elrond only smiled enigmatically and continued redressing my injury.
To be continued...