Chapter XVIII

The weather broke after the storm and the following days were rainy and moist. The temperature did not drop significantly, it was still quite warm, but in the mornings fog laid over the lake surface. Those unexpected downpours quickly proved to be burdensome, as there was still much work to do outside.

Maedhros liked rain. He was not discouraged from going outside by the drizzle Celegorm complained it was wetting the leather he worked with. On the contrary, Maedhros eagerly went for a walk with Amras of Caranthir, or simply sat on the bench and got wet. Maglor watched him with surprise, but he did not oppose, as long as his brother informed him when he was going somewhere. Even if the rest of their brothers saw the looks the singer cast on Maedhros, they did not spare it a second thought.

They gathered together in the evening; the fire was burning in the dining room. Celegorm didn't even try to sit by the table, he took his plate and sat by the fire to get dry. Curufin joined him soon and they engaged themselves in a quiet conversation. Amras and Caranthir accompanied Maedhros by the table, but Maglor did not touch his meal at all. He sat aside with his silver harp on his lap, occasionally plucking the strings, lost in thoughts. He watched Maedhros as he asked Caranthir about the results of his latest trade with the SIndar. Curufin added something from time to time, Amras and Celegorm joined in with information about their food supplies for winter. Maglor did not join them, just watched Maedhros, sensing his focus and increasing tension. He waited.

"Good, so these are our plans for the coming winter," Maedhros summed up with approval, just as Curufin went to the table to refill his goblet. "And what did you intend to do next?"

"What do you mean?" asked Celegorm, glancing away from the fire. "The same we did earlier. Send patrols, keep us safe, crop the fields in Spring," he shrugged.

"And Nolofinwe?"

"What about him?" The hunter quirked his eyebrows. "He asked for help the first winter, we shared our supplies. Now they are doing fine."

"It was us who offered help." Maglor corrected hm.

Maedhros took no notice of that. He declined when Curufin wanted to refill his cup as well. He nodded thoughtfully and asked.

"And what about the Enemy. What plans have you had so far?"

"None, recently," snorted Curufin. "We were occupied with other matters. More important."

"We watch out not to be surprised," opposed Celegorm. "Amras and Moryo make maps of the farther territories, you've seen them. Our settlement is armed and safe."

"And we will spend the coming winter in here, I've heard," Maedhros interrupted him. "And then we will make sure the enemy doesn't come too close. And we will live in here one on the other. I don't even want to ask how it looks like in uncle's settlement."

"Even more crowded," muttered Maglor; he put his harp aside by the wall.

"Where are you getting to?" asked Curufin anxiously.

"What I intend to learn is what were you planning to do about the Enemy before I came back," replied Maedhros. "Do not interrupt me, Curufinwe, for I am not finished. I guess your plans were short-sighted. That was good, as it allowed you to strengthen your position by the lake and gather supplies. For now we are safe in here, but if we want to start an open war, we don't stand a chance," he claimed powerfully. "Our army is too small to attack the Enemy's fortress," he reminded.

"Then here is your answer as to why we are sitting here by the lake" snorted Caranthir. "None of us want to repeat father's mistakes," he claimed, ignoring the reproaching look Curufin sent him.

"And have you thought about getting allies?" retorted Maedhros. "To cooperate with Nolofinwe?"

"He will not work with us," growled Caranthir. "Neither he nor his subjects. Or Turukano," he spat with disgust.

"So it is high time to change it," stated Maedhros.

No one pretended any longer they were not interested. Five pair of eyes rested expectantly on the eldest son of Feanor, who looked at them and explained.

"We cannot let the reluctance of our fellow Noldor stand in our way to fulfilling the Oath. We need to make peace with our family." Maedhros stopped, but none of his brothers interrupted him. "Especially when it was Findekano making first step by risking his life to rescue me. You did well, Moryo, offering him trading contacts. That is a sign we are willing to cooperate. That's a start."

"I didn't do it for any of them," objected Caranthir with offense.

"I care not whether you did it for Fin or for me," Maedhros pointed out coolly. "You offered help, you gave our cousins an opportunity to gain promising trading partners. And you did not ruin Findarato in the meantime," he mocked, but his eyes were serious. "So our folk on the other side of the lake will get measurable profits," he underlined. "Nolofinwe personally is not as hesitant as he may seem in front of his host, or else he would not have allowed Findekano to come here. That's good. Now it is time for his elves not to be so cross with us. Nolofinwe is sensible, he should agree. He knows as well as we do that we need to unite if we want to succeed against Moringotto."

"And how do you intend to do that?" asked Celegorm, staring at his eldest brother with disbelief. "Nolofinwe's Noldor will not follow you."

"I know. And this is why I intend to give up the crown in favour of our uncle."

Maglor expected explosion, but a thick silence fell in the room. Amras froze by Maedhros's armchair, staring at his brother wide-eyed. Caranthir forcefully put down his goblet, trying to process what he had just heard and Celegorm jumped from his armchair by the fire.

"Explain, because I do not comprehend," hissed Curufin coldly, staring into his eldest brother's eyes without hesitation. He came closer to Maedhros, his arms crossed on his chest. "You intend to deny us our heritage, Nelyafinwe. Our father's heritage for which we had left you then in captivity," he said boldly. "Don't say a word, Makalaure, it was our decision, not just yours," he growled at Maglor, who went as white as a sheet. "We made unforgivable and now you want to give up power just like that? Are you going to leave the Silmarils in the hands of the Enemy as well?!

"Mind your words, Curufinwe!" Maglor warned him sharply; his fingers were clenched on the armrests, as if he was ready to push himself up.

The rest of the brothers stared in shock at Curufin and Maedhros. The eldest son of Feanor didn't move an inch, only narrowed his eyes.

"On the contrary, brother," he answered calmly. "The Oath drove me when I took this decision."

"That's profanity!"

"Do not think I have forgotten about the Oath!" Maedhros's grey eyes shone. "Do you have the resources to reclaim our father's jewels?" he asked more calmly. "Do you have an army capable of crushing the walls of Angband? If so, then prey show me, for I do not see our army increase in numbers for the last years."

"This is a sick idea, Maitimo," Celegorm joined in, only marginally calmer than his brother. He started pacing restlessly around the room, as usually when he was agitated. "To give up power? And to whom! No." He shook his head.

"I see no other option."

"Is it your disability that makes you give up your title?" asked Caranthir suddenly. He rose so abruptly his chair fell with loud noise.

Maedhros didn't even blink, just looked at him with his grey eyes. He made Maglor stay seated with a subtle gesture.

"Do you really think that bothers anyone? Any of us?" Caranthir looked at the others challengingly, leaned forwards and rested his hands on the table.

"Sit down, Morifinwe." There was steel in Maglor's voice, his eyes showing anger and disgust with his younger brothers' words. Anger, but not surprise.

"You have already decided that." Curufin narrowed his eyes furiously, staring at his two eldest brothers. "Why are we even discussing that matter? You have already decided," he hissed. "And here I thought we have something to say in that, Makalaure."

"Perhaps you have," commented Amras indifferently. He said it so calmly Maedhros turned to him in surprise. "Do not look at me like that, Nelyo, I don't expect it to change," he shrugged. "If you want to give up your title as the king, do it. You are our leader."

"Thank you." Maedhros nodded and turned to the rest. "I want to hear your opinion."

"No."

"No."

"No. Absolutely not." Celegorm stopped pacing for a moment. "Kanafinwe?" he turned to the silent singer.

"Maitimo is right," claimed Maglor. "If by giving up the crown he will win Nolofinwe's elves back, it is worth to try."

"Are you so sick of ruling?" Curufin attacked him. "Did you hate ruling in Maitimo's stead so much that you will grab every opportunity not to ever face it again? Do you not want to see your brother as the High King of Noldor?!"

"I do," retorted Maglor. "I want it with all my heart, but if Maitimo sees a chance for reconciliation, we cannot waste it."

"No." Curufin tightly crossed his arms on his chest. "I do not agree."

"Let me rephrase it in a simpler way," hissed Maedhros and the fire in his eyes made his younger brother look away, even if he glanced back a moment later. "We. Are. Too. Few."

"We will manage without them," snorted Caranthir. "We will find another allies if necessary."

Maedhros rose, his thin silhouette towering over his brothers. Amras at his side jumped on his feet as well, but he remained half a step behind.

"Had you not needed allies, you would not have left me in captivity," said the eldest son of Feanor forcefully. "I know you would have freed me if you had the means to do so. But the truth is, we are outnumbered, so let me push the matters forward."

"No. Not this way."

"You have just suggested that you accept my leadership, Morifinwe," Maedhros pointed out coolly. "Or am I wrong? Perhaps you will not obey the cripple's orders?"

"How dare you...!"

"You did promise me obedience once in a difficult moment," recalled Maglor suddenly. He rose, as the last of the brothers. and came to Caranthir in a few long steps. "Will you deny it the eldest among us? The one that is still our king?"

Caranthir paled as if Maglor had just hit him, then red spots appeared on his cheeks. He cast a guilty glance at Maedhros and shook his head. He exhaled deeply.

"No," he admitted quietly. "I will not go against you, Nelyafinwe," he said. "You are our king," he repeated after Maglor.

"Do not call me that!" growled Maedhros unexpectedly. "Do not mock me like they did. The highest of the Noldor, the King watching from afar, the ruler on the cliff," he spat with disgust. "Too many times I have heard the title of our grandfather and father from the Enemy to bear it now spoken by you. I will not be the king Moringotto mocked, the ruler within only one encampment. The Highest King of Noldor must hold the power over all folk. I will not have such power. Under Nolofinwe's lead it is more probable, and then we will be able to strike the Enemy and fulfil our Oath. So what is your answer?"

"I will follow you," replied Maglor quietly, without looking at his eldest brother.

"I accept your lead, just like I accepted Makalaure's," said Celegorm. "I do not like your decision, but it is yours to take as the eldest. And I do not want to hear any more nonsense about being crippled," he stated firmly.

Maedhros nodded in thanks and looked at Curufin. They stared at each other for a moment before the smith replied.

"I will not go against you, Nelyo," he said indifferently. "Whatever you may think, I am not foolish enough to attack the gates of Angband with just a few."

"I am glad." Maedhros stepped back and sat down at the chair. "You will write a letter, Makalaure," he stated and his brothers moved, relaxed a bit. "Let's not make our uncle decipher my scribbles," he mocked humourlessly.

"Now?" asked Curufin sceptically. "So soon?"

"Yes, now. Bring some paper, Amras."

Amras looked as if Maedhros was punishing him for something by sending him away, but he went obediently. He came back quickly and placed paper and ink in front of Maglor before returning to his seat by his eldest brother's side.

"Write, Kano." Maedhros's hand rested for a moment on Maglor's fingers fiddling with the quill and the singer froze in surprise. Then he recovered and looked at his brother expectantly, keeping the quill over the paper.

None of the sons of Feanor said a word when Maedhros dictated the letter, forming his motives in plain, rational arguments. Curufin and Caranthir stood closely behind Maglor's back, reading every sentence over his shoulder, Celegorm paced around the dining room. Amras stayed by Maedhros's side with his fingers clenched on the armrest.

Maglor finished and gave his brother the letter to sign. Maedhros's letters were unsure and shaking, but the hand that wrote them did not hesitate for a moment. The singer folded and sealed the letter and that was what broke the stupor of the rest.

"Done?" asked Celegorm." Are you done with all the flattery?"

"We are," nodded Maedhros, letting the mockery go by. "I do not keep you if you wish to go."

"Wonderful." Curufin pushed himself off the wall and left without looking at any of them. He slammed the doors behind him.

Celegorm followed him and Caranthir poured himself a glass of wine. He watched grimly as Maglor turned the letter in his hands.

"You need to send it," he snorted. "The letter won't take itself at the other side," he mocked.

"Right..." Maglor nodded, lost in thoughts, then made decision and rose energetically. "I will go."

"It's enough if you have someone do it," remarked Maedhros softly; he was an elder brother again, the one they missed so. "You don't need to go personally and explain anything."

"I will go myself," insisted the singer. He went to the window, opened it and looked outside. "It's no longer raining."He tried to be light, but his voice sounded strangled.

"Not alone," objected Caranthir. He drank a few sips and left the unfinished wine on the table. "Are you coming or not?" he urged Maglor.

Te redheads were left alone. Amras did not move, but Maedhros relaxed visibly and sat more comfortably. He drank his wine and sighed in relief. He looked weary when he draw something at one of the sheets of paper on the table.

"Are you going to send me away too?" asked Amras finally, watching the shaken letters and uneven lined sketched by his brother.

"No, why would I?" Maedhros sounded surprised. "I do not wish to be alone, Ambarussa."

Amras made no comment about being called by his mother name, smiled uncertainly and squeezed his brother's hand. Then he glanced at the window Maglor had left open and smiled merrily.

"Shall we go out?"

Please let me know what you think, it was an important scene and I'm dying to know what you think.