Chapter Eight (Part Two)

AN: This chapter was written by me and Myth Queen, and it is the final chapter of Spectrum. Thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed. We're glad you enjoyed Maglor and Ninniach's tale!

It had been a few days since I had awoken in Valinor, and now my injury was almost fully healed. I was to depart for Elrond's home that day. I dreaded leaving Lord Irmo's gardens though, as I had no idea what I might face. Ninniach, Giltiri and Elrond had been my only visitors during my recovery, and I had been unable to pry any information from them about the 'others' Elrond had hinted wished to see me. Sighing, I sat down to watch the sunset, awaiting my escort.

A knock at my door some time later made me jump to my feet, bracing myself for the eyes of whatever curious ellon or elleth had wanted to set eyes on the last living kinslayer. The door slid open silently, and I almost fainted at the sight of my 'escort'.

"Finrod?!"

Arafinwe's eldest son, whom I had never expected to set eyes upon again, smiled warmly at me.

"Maglor. It is good to see you again, cousin."

I could scarcely form a coherent thought. How could he be glad to see me? My brothers Celegorm and Curufin had all but sent him to his death, aeons ago. He should hate any member of my house!

Finrod apparently read some of my thoughts in my expression, as his expression became sympathetic.

"All that was done has long been forgiven on my part. We all acted with madness during that dark time, all doing things that we should not have. Passing through Mandos helped me to understand that. As far as I am concerned, your return to Valinor is a new beginning, and what is in the past can stay in the past."

He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Are you ready to see your new home?"

I nodded, unable to speak for feeling so overwhelmed. He led me swiftly out of my room and through the gardens, eventually reaching a large meadow where two horses awaited. I mounted cautiously- it had been quite some time since I had ridden a horse!- and followed Finrod without much thought, though I did tense when I realised he was leading me to his father's city of Tirion. I had not seen this place since the day the accursed Oath was sworn, and to go back now...

Finrod glanced back at me when I slowed down, and spoke gently.

"Father is anxious to see you again, Maglor, as are many others. As long as you are under his protection, you have nothing to fear from any of his subjects."

I nodded, accepting his words, and inhaling sharply, spurred my mount onwards again.

As we passed through Tirion, I felt many gazes on me, and began to worry again. How many elves had been wronged by my family, and how many of them might not welcome me here? I stifled a sigh, resigning myself to staying within the grounds of Elrond's dwelling if necessary. At least there (I hoped) none who wished me ill would find me. At length, we reached a large walled estate. As we entered, I glimpsed large, beautiful gardens, and several majestic stone buildings. Both contributed to the wonder of this place, and I saw traces of influence from Noldor, Sindar and Edain. I smiled. Trust Elrond to build a place that celebrated all his ancestry!

"It is an amazing place." Finrod stated, somehow divining my thoughts again. "But come along! There will be time aplenty to look around later. You have people anxious to see you waiting inside."

I followed his example of dismounting and speaking softly to my horse, thanking him for bearing me. We left the animals to graze as we ventured inside, with my mind puzzling over who, besides Elrond's wife and sons, could possibly be an a hurry to meet me.

As I walked into the entrance hall, my first sights were Ninniach, rushing to embrace me again, Giltiri, who stood some distance away, smiling indulgently at her, his white hair turning the colour of polished silver in the starlight shining into the room, and Elrond, smiling warmly at me, with his arm around Celebrian. She beamed when I met her eyes, and I marvelled over her resemblance to her father. Their sons Elladan and Elrohir were also present, both bearing grins so reminiscent of Elrond in his younger days. I smiled, returning my sister's warm embrace. Perhaps I would be welcome here after all...

Greetings and introductions were dealt with quickly, with Elrond assuring me that I could stay here as long as need be.

"Though you have been summoned to stand before the Valar in Mahanhaxar, in a week's time," Elrond's expression was apologetic. "You are permitted to have someone accompany you, if you wish."

I fought my rising nervousness, looking at him anxiously. "Would you..."

"I would be honoured to travel to Mahanahaxar with you." He assured me, and I relaxed slightly.

"Enough of these weighty matters!" Finrod exclaimed. "Tonight is a night for joyful reunions. I told you that many awaited your return, Maglor. Follow me."

He strode away without looking back. I glanced around- everyone else's expression was almost smug...My curiousity piqued, I went after my cousin. The others trailed after me slowly.

Finrod walked into a larger hall, one I assumed was used for entertaining guests. I looked around in shock at the twenty or so people staring eagerly in my direction. my knees almost buckled- I was not used to this much attention! Arafinwe approached first. I made to bow before him, as was his due as King of the Noldor, but he stopped me with a wave of his hand. He clasped my forearm in a warrior's greeting, and seemed genuinely happy to see me. I ignored Finrod's 'I told you so' look, and greeted my uncle as politely as I could, despite my discomfort. Others followed Arafinwe's example, all expressing pleasure at seeing me again, and no trace of anger or even of dislike was present in the atmosphere of the room. Casual chatter filled the room eventually, and Ninniach found her way to my side.

"Are you not glad to see your old friends and family again? You look so sad..." Her innocent face wore a concerned frown, and I felt guilty for worrying her.

"I suppose I am just overwhelmed. I did not think I would be welcomed here, and now... it is as if my past has been completely forgotten. I hardly know what to make of it."

"Perhaps you should just accept that, for tonight at least, everyone here is celebrating the return of a long lost kinsman."

The voice that had just spoken from behind me caused me to freeze. Ninniach quickly excused herself before I regained my wits. I had never thought to hear this voice again, and tears were stinging my eyes. I turned slowly, unsure how I would be received.

Mother threw her arms around me the moment I met her eyes. She clung to me desperately, as though she feared I would vanish again. I returned her hold warmly, revelling in the sight of the red hair that I had not seen for millenia.

Her voice was thick as she spoke. "Macalaure...I never thought I would see you again." She touched my face gently. "One of my sons...home at last." Tears began to fall down her face despite her smile, and I quickly followed suit.

"Mother...I am so sorry..."

"Ssh...you are not to be blamed for the madness of your father and brothers, or for your loyalty to them. You're home now." She hugged me tightly again, and I relaxed, craving the affection I had not felt for so long. I was just so pleased that she had forgiven me...

Mother stayed by my side through that whole evening, only returning to her home when I retired, after I promised to visit her as soon as I could. That night, I slept more peacefully than I had for years.

Of course, my earliest days in Valinor were not all joyful. My judgement in the Mahanahaxar was a gruelling experience, and I left that place exhausted and in shock, yet at the same time I felt relief, as the damned Oath had finally been released. Elrond had to practically hold me upright on the horse as we made our way home, and I swore never to reveal to anyone what I had discussed with the Valar. The memory was too bleak.

I remained in Elrond's house, but found myself desiring a dwelling of my own. I communicated this to Elrond, and he promised to look into procuring me a home. Thus, a few months later, I was settled into my new home which overlooked the sea. I still saw Elrond and his family often, and Mother was a frequent visitor. Ninniach was there almost every day. I began writing and playing music once again, and felt almost whole for the first time since coming back to Valinor.

I stood at the window of the little four-roomed house one evening, thinking over all that happened in the past few months. I was so lost in thought that I almost did not hear the soft knock on the door. I frowned, wondering who it could be. Ninniach would just walk in, as would Mother, and Elrond. Perhaps Giltiri? He did not visit me as often as Ninniach, and remained somewhat more formal. I answered the door to find an ellon and an elleth standing there, looking uncertain. My brow furrowed. I did not recognise either of them. And then I saw the shape of Elrond's face in the ellon, and Elros's dark hair in the elleth. Elwing and Earendil. My eyes widened and I stood there, dumbstruck, unable to make my mouth work. I had never really seen either of them. The closest glimpse I had of Elwing was when my brothers and I pursued her to the edge of a cliff while she carried the Silmaril from us. She had thrown herself into the ocean then.

"I know our appearance here is unexpected," Earendil said, and I noticed that he gripped his wife's hand tightly. "We would very much like to speak with you, Maglor."
I nodded numbly. I gestured to the two benches that sat snug against my house in the white sand. The three of us sat, and though I longed to beg their forgiveness for all the hurts I had caused them, my tongue remained cleaved to the roof of my mouth.
Earendil studied me through light blue eyes."You and your brothers caused much grief to my family."
I could not hold his gaze, so I looked at the white sands, and silently nodded.
"It is because of you that I never was able to meet my son Elros," Earendil continued, and the soft pain of his voice was worse than if he had shouted.

"Because of you I was forced to separate from my beloved wife for so long, separated from the land I love forever."
"I thought that this would be easier," Elwing murmured, and a quick glance at her showed bright tears in her eyes. "But tell me this, Maglor, how long after I fled did my children cry for me?"
"Years," I answered truthfully. "I know that nothing I can say-"
I couldn't continue. The guilt was crushing me. I almost wished that Ulmo would send his waves crashing upon the beach and wash me away to Mandos. How could one such as I ever have peace in the beauty of Valinor?

Earendil moved to sit beside me, and gripped my shoulder. "It has taken me many years, but Elrond has begged me to forgive you. And I have, Maglor. You cared for my sons, and raised them to be true to themselves, even though it has caused heartache at times. For that, I must thank you."
I looked up, hardly daring to believe my ears. Earendil's blue eyes were filled with compassion, even though mixed with sorrow. He gripped my shoulder tighter and I nodded in thanks.
"I have not," Elwing said softly. "Elrond has told me of growing up and the love that you showed him and his brother, but you deprived me of my children."
"I have never expected forgiveness. I know what I did was evil," I said softly, gazing back into Elwing's silver-grey eyes. "I know that there is nothing that I can say or do that will ever atone for taking your children from you."

Elwing stood, and Earendil and I did as well. Elwing's eyes shimmered with tears, and she suddenly and unexpectedly embraced me. "No. I bear blame as well, and I know that my inability to forgive you stems from my inability to forgive myself. I chose the Silmaril over my sons, and for that... My grief is eternal."
She released me then, and stepped back with a watery smile. "Know, Maglor son of Feanor, that Valinor is not merely a place for the whole and pure. It is a place of healing and cleansing as well. Someday, I know, the yoke of guilt will not longer crush the two of us. Someday, forgiveness will come."
"Thank you, Lady," I replied softly, humbly, touched by the truth of her words. She took Earendil's hand and together they walked away up the white beach, and I watched them go. I sat down on the bench again, staring out into the ocean, pondering over Elwing's words. Lost in my thoughts, I did not notice Ninniach and Giltiri until they sat on either side of me.
"Are you all right, little brother?" Giltiri asked as Ninniach draped her arm across my shoulders.
I smiled at the two of them. "Yes. I am quite all right."
At that moment, I meant it. I was home, with my family, and for the time being, all troubles were over. I smiled, content in my lot at last.

The End...

~In Middle-Earth~

Words came to me slowly as I opened my eyes, eyes I knew I had not had before. I was lying on the blackened earth, struggling to breathe in noxious air. I struggled to rise, my new formed limbs feeling clumsy and awkward. I was at the base of a mountain...no, a volcano. Lava still spilled down its sheer edges. How had I come to be there? My memories were vague, confused. I remembered a dark haired dark eyed elf...my creator. I remembered my siblings, a dark hand stealing us, centuries of imprisonment, my brother's liberation, long before my sister's and mine...freed at last by a bright being...a Maia, the word just leapt into my mind, then stolen again, by a red haired being. His screams of pain were still audible in my ears...he had flung himself, and me, into a fiery crevice. I had rested there for eons, safe at last. Slowly, I had been caried upwards...inside the volcano? I remembered my change, the heat gradually becoming painful. It had been at its worst just before an enormous rumble shook the volcano, and I had been flung miles into the air, caught in a cloud of ash, before tumbling to the ground. Naurmire...my name came to me suddenly, but I had no idea where I was. I only knew that somehow, I had to find my siblings. They had to be out there somewhere...

AN: There are no immediate plans for a sequel, we just didn't want to leave the third silmaril unaccounted for!