Chapter Five
…..
The drizzle of rain fell gently upon the valley giving the once vibrant valley a sense of darkish green signifying the slowly coming of Fall. At the middle of the meadow stands a teenage looking elf, eyes closed and his head raised to the heavens. Like all the inhabitants of the valley, he wears a white robe over his form with golden threads sewed unto it by his mother. Atop his red crown of hair rests a circlet of moonlight silver, mithril that the Noldorin Elves of their community made.
As he stands there in silence listening to the gentle patter of the rain, he can't help the small smile that graces his face. Around him, he can hear the song of the plants and the trees singing joyful tunes with the waters falling around. It is times like these that remind him of the beauty of life, hope and the beginning of a new dawn. Elves normally doesn't give much thought to seasons with their long life spans, Maedhros however is not normal even in Elven standards. Even more so now that two souls became one.
As Harry Potter, he has always been envious of the rain when he's under Durzkaban; as Maedhros it is times to treasure, snippets of peace before the next battle, the next fight against the roaming bands of Morgoth. In a way it is both therapeutic for the two previous lives with the rain reminding again and again the lay message of freedom and rest.
As the dew falls unto another morning
Awake oh lady mine to another sunrise
The rain falls like curtains from the heavens
The songs of life and a new dawn.
Sighing to himself, Maedhros lets his hand roam his mane of red hair taking great care not to dislodge the circlet on his brow. His mother had made sure to remind him not to keep dropping the gift of the Noldor at the mud. Apparently despite abundant in their valley, Mithril is not something you can just drop in the mud no matter how accidental.
"Maedhros! Maedhros!" the familiar voice of his best friend brings Maedhros out of his stupor as he turns at the rather wet form of Beleg running towards him. His eyebrows raised though at the younger elf as he takes in his bedraggled looking friend with splotches of mud attached to his robe.
The younger elf however ignores his look as he skids in front of him making Maedhros turn sidewards to avoid the incoming mud projectiles.
"Aww, I missed," the younger elf crows making Maedhros sigh at the rather ridiculous attempt of fun.
"What are you here doing here by the rain Beleg? Your mother will tan your hide, if she finds out, no scratch that. When she finds out that you've ruined your robes again" chides Maedhros though Beleg simply gives him a toothy grin.
"I've come to bring news to you Maedhros, your father has returned from his hunt with the rest of the warriors," he explains as Maedhros takes the pebbled pathwalk back careful not to brush his attire with mud. "It looks like they have found that nest of goblins that the scouts managed to notice last week,"
"That is good, that is one less issue that we should not have to deal with anymore,"
"Hey Maedhros, do you think that once I could be of age, I could be a warrior like your father also?" asks Beleg excitedly almost bouncing on the soles of his feet.
"That would be telling. You're not exactly tall for your age my friend," Maedhros replies earning him a raspberry from the younger elf.
Deep inside though Maedhros tries not to burst out in laughter at the antic of the former Marchwarden of Doriath.
In another time, in another life, Beleg is known as Beleg, the Strongbow, the greatest warrior of the kingdom of Doriath under King Thingol. Great prowess he made during the War against Morgoth and under his watch, the defense of Doriath held firm. He participated in the skirmishes during the Leaguer that fenced Morgoth, the original Dark Lord before Sauron and he was there at the Battle of Unnumbered Tears when the might of the Eldar and their allies were totally vanquished. Despite the losses none stood against him and won. Ironically it was love that led to Beleg's demise. Killed by his own student in a fit of madness in the dark. Now here he is, a reborn soul though not yet having recovered his memories.
Maedhros smirks inwardly as he recalls old memories. He and Beleg before never truly get along. The great archer after all does not like the Feanorians like the rest of his kin due to the slaughter of their kin at Valinor. Plus they never truly interacted with one another with Beleg mostly taking the sigil of Fingon, his former best friend when fighting off during the wars.
He wonders in anticipation though of what the future might lie as he listens to the reborn warrior ramble about the food he cooked today with his mother in this life. The Valar has not seen it fit to explain as to why the elf is reborn.
His father almost had an aneurysm when he first recognized the former warrior also. Apparently one reborn elf is a rare thing to happen. Two reborn elves of great renown and not even two decades apart on the same place is simply not a coincidence. There is a reason as to why Beleg is here and Maedhros will find out why. He has nothing after all but time.
It does not take long for the two of them to arrive at the familiar white walls of Ondolinde, or in short…..
"Gondolin, it is always so beautiful every time I come here Maedhros," Beleg chimes in awe as the bright sunlight of the morning sun shines on the city making it glow under its gleam.
Fifty years, it took fifty years of labor for the different bands of Elves that united on this valley down below to make his vision come into fruition. Teleri, Noldor, Vanyar, all three kindreds, dark elves all left behind at Middle-Earth by the valar united under one banner and under one purpose. Now their work proudly displays itself as it stands gleaming on the morning light, the ringing of seven trumpets greeting the dawn.
White walls of stone shine like marble encircling the city, blue banners with the sigil of Maedhros, four white gems surrounding a silver star being clutched on the talons of an owl, flaps on the wind, tall towers like giants stand, pinnacles of strength, gates of silver and steel, seven all with a trumpet on each gate. Inside the walls, the Outer City, the largest part inside the first walls are found the homes of the commoners and the majority of the Elves that call Gondolin their home. Here stands the diversity of the three kindreds.
No house is literally the same. The Vanyar built their homes like ivory towers jutting out to the sky; for some reason they have a fascination of heights, crystals and the color white. Some of the houses are actually even taller than the walls. Several families tend to live in such houses as the Vanyar is probably the kindred who keep their families close with each other. The Noldor on the other hand is probably the most diverse when it comes to creation and craft. Like their namesakes at Valinor, they built their homes, sturdy, strong and flexible, able to adapt to their interests whatever they may be and provide the most comfort at the same time. No Noldor house is the same and many are crafted to perfection. The Noldor are obsessive in that way, when it comes to the work of their hands more or less.
The Vanyar and the Noldor probably have the most number of denizens inside the city seeing that they are at home among the smooth roads paved with gems and pearls lighted with lanterns that do not die. North of the city is where the kindred of the Teleri can most be found. In contrast to their cousin kindreds, the water loving Elves lived in harmony with nature they so loved. Many talans, tree houses can be found here as the road disappeared on this part of the city replaced with sand and earth. A small forest blooms here whose leaves turn to blue and red with flowers of gold. Here many of the animals and plants thrive as the very air seems alive with the presence of the Elves. A large lake stands beside the city where a harbor sits that connects to an underground river that goes through the mountains to the bay. It is once a goblin home but after the rangers managed to drive off the small goblin burrows there, they have excavated the caves that lead outside to the bay of Forlindon.
A second inner but smaller wall can be found inside Gondolin. Here majority of the work can be found: The city council, the barracks, temples, the stables, the marketplace, the different smithies and crafts, the different guilds, the training areas, and the discussion halls where matters are settled. Of course there are also the hundred and one halls of every kind catering every event, party and celebration. The Elves here, the Avari after all are not as somber as their Westward kin and need little push for an excuse to throw themselves in jubilation. Elves are immortal but the Avari treat every day as something to be celebrated. It is unusual to find them not celebrating.
The center of the city is where the most monumental achievement of their builders however. Standing ramrod straight that reaches to the heavens can be found the Tower of the King, his family's tower. To be more precise, it is where the ruler of Gondolin resides, his throne which remains empty. His father temporarily holds the city as regent due to him not yet reaching his majority. Suffice it to say that the decision on him becoming the ruler of Gondolin is unanimous for the gathered elves. Apparently magic as strong as his is more than enough for the rest of the Elves to be persuaded to put him in charge.
"Come, I'm pretty sure that my father will be waiting for me, and your nana will also young one," a small smirk appears at his face at that. "She will probably be mad at you for not attending school again,"
His chuckle turns to a full blow guffaw that sent nearby birds flying at the expression of dread that mars the former archer legend's face.
"But school is so boring. I want to go out and watch the rangers train," pouts the reborn elf. Maedhros just pats the young elf's head endearingly.
There are some things that he managed to incorporate to the daily lives of the elves that live in Gondolin like the plow, fertilizer, the usefulness of oil, cement, the printing press and some more tidbits that he is familiar of as Harry Potter before. However incorporating the school system in the city is probably one of his more successful suggestions. The culture of the Elves normally when raising their kids is homeschooling them with different elders and scholars that are masters of their fields.
It took a lot of discussions with the Elders and even his father about his plan on the schools. He cannot blame them. It is an alien concept after all for them of elflings, or even children on that matter interacting and grouping with each other with the sole purpose of learning. Of course the "wise" that are in charge of teaching the youngsters are all aboard in the idea. Not only does it save them repeating their lessons again and again on different households, but it also intrigued them how such a learning process can affect the elflings in the long run. Most houses after all incorporates only the "specialty" topics of their kindreds and barely touch, "if even touch" the rest of many subjects. Thus schooling for elflings becomes a norm in Gondolin, the former scholars and "wise men" now called teachers.
"And you will young one, in time," says Maedhros patting his young friend's shoulder. "Now come, we both don't want to be late,"
The rest of the walk back to the Tower of the King is fairly the same as any day would be for Maedhros as they follow the white paved roads of the outer city. A lot of Elves are already milling around due to the fact that it is becoming late in the morning. Many wave a hand of greeting to him with reverence and respect much to the delight of his small companion. Normally the part that is Harry would want nothing more than to escape the attention but the Elven Lord part of him fully disagrees. How the people view you as a being is a great factor on any leader. Ironically both aspects of him resigned in weary acceptance of being once more pushed to be the head of a society. Fate apparently would forever disagree on him trying to avoid the spotlight. Its better to just roll with it and do the best he can.
Part of him is glad though about Gondolin. He always had after all "a saving people thing" and what better way to rest his heart than be assured that the people under his care are behind stone walls and towers with the vigilance of the Mighty Eagles of Manwe not far behind.
As for the Elves living in Gondolin, suffice it to say that their way of life is as close as the Elves of Valinor during the time of the Two Trees of the First Age. Money has literally no value here at Gondolin. Most Elves have duties assigned to them by kindred and by house to keep the city running and provide for its needs. In return the City Council distribute to each family whatever that they may require. There is also so much surplus on the city that many of the citizens of Gondolin are calling it the Golden Age already. Elflings are in abundance and more wandering kindreds join everyday under the protection of the valley. In fact there are so many of them that the tasks are simply not enough to occupy the time of many. As such, most Elves that live here in Gondolin tend to focus on the things that interest them. With Elven immortality they have the time after all to spare. It is not uncommon to see a Vanyar trying to paint a portrait painstakingly for weeks to achieve perfection, or Noldor craftsmen in debate for days about a certain topic. Even some of the Teleri tend to stand in silece beside the shorelines they love so much that they would stand rigid for hour simply listening to it, trying to find meaning on the songs that it bring to their hearts.
All in all life in Gondolin is good and Maedhros waves at the Elves that greet him as they walk past the second gate towards the last inner wall of the city. The four guards at the gate salutes at his presence. Like the Gondolin of old, they incorporated the silver armor of the Eldar before with blue capes instead of the usual gold and yellow that the present Middle-Earth Elves incorporates. Their helms are also winged in design in respect to the mighty Eagles of Manwe that call their borders, their homes.
"My lord," bows one of the guards at his presence.
Maedhros can't help but mentally eye roll at that. The Elves ever since his "show of magic" had began calling him Chosen One making the Harry Potter part of him wail in absolute horror. He had been then treated as royalty ever since. Of course part of him understands the logic of his current status.
For starters his father is deeply respected if not for his lineage, then for his bravery and leadership skills. Maglor after all is one of the few original settlers of Valinor before the Fall and commands great skill and experience in leadership in handling a society. Not many of the residents of Gondolin can attest renown such as that. As Maglor's son and being known as a reborn Feanorian of renown with powerful magic, it is simply too many absolutes that makes him the logical choice for the throne.
"Go on to your classes Beleg, and I don't want you sneaking off to the shooting range once more till classes are done," chides Maedhros with a small push at the young elf.
"Awww but that's so boring. I want to-," the elfling starts to protest only to be silenced by a glare from Maedhros.
"Beleg, class now," he states firmly making the jaw of the elfling clap shut immediately before running off to his class. A simple nod to one of the guards is enough to send one as a watch for the hyperactive reborn elf. This is not the first time Beleg skipped classes after all.
It does not take long for Maedhros to follow the familiar halls of the Tower of the King. The Tower simply put to say is a masterpiece of Noldor architecture to the limits at least of those who had not gone to Valinor. Still they are Elves and their work is a masterpiece of itself.
Drapes, paintings, architectures all filled the entrance of the halls, each depicting a story of its own. Of course much to Maedhros' annoyance, the largest and latest painting occupying the area is that of him when he's an elfling with his hands up high in the rain and summoning the "Eternal Guardians" as the Elves call the giant statues of the warriors that surround the valley's borders.
If not for the fact that the Elleth who sewed the tapestry looked so hopeful as she presented her life's work to him, he would had brought down the tapestry in a heartbeat. As it is he was forced to accept it if only to see that radiant smile that dawned on her face.
Thus the annoying tapestry.
"Maedhros, you're late," the familiar voice of his father and former brother brings Maedhros out of his thoughts as he realized that he has managed to climb the Tower of the King with his head in the clouds. There in front of him inside the meeting chamber already sits the new lords and ladies, former Elders of their clans that now call Gondolin their home.
"I'm sorry my lords. A rather errant elfling had once more managed to get out of Gondolin's walls and wandered to my place of meditation. I had to escort him back to his class," says Maedhros taking his seat beside his father.
"Is by any chance that this errant elfling named Beleg again?" asks one of the elf lords in amusement.
"I am afraid so my lord," Maedhros lets his lip curl into a small smirk. "He's more erratic and hyperactive than the entirety of his class combined,"
That earns another round of small laughter among the gathered elf lords. It is always after all good to start meetings like this on a lightened note.
…..
Maglor observes his son and brother in silent approval as he naturally takes over the meeting. He wonders if Maedhros does even know that he is now the center of attention and everyone is listening to him. Of course in the old days Maedhros always had been a natural born leader. Right now however, it seems that talent of his is doubled. It takes little to no effort for him to make the Elf lords, millennia his senior to listen to him in rapt attention. It is practically unheard of, to see an elf barely out of his tweens (the phase between a maturing elfling and an adult) joining adult elves in decision making. Maglor isn't sure if it either fills him with pride or worry. Pride at the fact that his son (and brother) commands such respect effortlessly on everyone; and worry on the other hand about the immense weight of responsibility that comes with such a position being the "Chosen One" and future king of Gondolin.
Speaking of which…..
"We need to open our borders to the outside world," says Maedhros earning himself many different sighs among the gathered beings in the room.
Even Maglor in fact rubs the bridge of his nose in no small amount of weariness. Suffice it to say that the topic they are about to discuss is probably one of the longest topics to be postponed ever since Gondolin became self-sustaining as a city. Maedhros literally pushes that they open their borders to the outside world. Of course this does not sit well with many of the members of the Council and for good reason too.
The original Gondolin's greatest strength was its secrecy and it was destroyed the moment that it was found out by outside world. Despite being Avari and not part of the original three kindred that went to the West, the Elves of Middle-Earth were deeply aware of the dying throes of the original Hidden City in the hands of Morgoth, the Original Dark Lord.
That is why the Elf Lords of the New Gondolin are being reluctant at Maedhros' suggestion. They are simply afraid of a repeat history. They are already crediting the prosperity of Gondolin to the blessing of the Valar to their future king and its secrecy. For many, it is simply not a good idea to tempt fate by opening their borders again.
"There is a greater world out there than the walls of this valley my lords!" the clear strong voice of Maedhros declares standing up from his seat at the table. "Before all this, before the city and the secrecy of our nation, you have all seen it as wandering kindreds. Yes, there is danger, yes, there is sorrow and worry but there is also beauty, hope and a thousand wonders to see. Such is life as we all know it. We cannot remain here forever, we need to branch out and connect with the rest of the Elven nations of Middle-Earth,"
"It's not as if we need them my lord," answers one of the Elf Lords. "We are fully self-sufficient here. Why should we risk danger when there is no need for it?" his words earn a lot of nods from everyone as he sits down.
"You are right my lord. There is no reason to reveal ourselves and risk danger," says Maedhros. "However one way or another, this secrecy of ours will be discovered whether we like it or not. Nothing lasts forever and I would rather that we introduce ourselves on our terms rather than we are forced to introduce ourselves. Besides, it's not as if the world around us is not aware of our presence. Rumors are already spinning around about the Hidden City, it is only a matter of time before said rumors becomes a topic for conversations such as this among the different powers of Middle-Earth. We have a choice here my lords. Either we make ourselves known and show them the image that we want of them about us, or we let them simply assume what they want to think about us without our control,"
"It's still to risky though my lord. We don't have a standing army as it is right now though we have many volunteers," points out another Elf Lord. "What if one of said nations of Middle-Earth prove unwelcoming, or worse, the self-proclaimed Dark Lord, Sauron finds out about us,"
"For the Dark Lord, he is literally at the exact opposite end of Middle-Earth my lord. I'm pretty sure that if he ever wants to get us, he would need to conquer everything south of us before even hoping to reach our borders. As for the other nations,…," Maedhros smirks at this. "I never planned to visit them in force. There are more ways to make an impression my lords, and I plan to make a good one, and it is in my terms,"
"You're not telling us about it are you?" Marlon, the head of the Vanyarin Elves asks with a resigned sigh.
Maglor has to stop the urge to massage his forehead. This is not the first time that Maedhros has gone off to do things without the Council's permission or even idea sometimes. Take into account the idea of the Aqueduct. Color the Council surprised when one day their issues of finding fresh water was solved, there is also the plow, the granaries, the usage of ice and spice as preservatives, the hundred and one culinary wonders, and of course, the military tactics that he shared to the trainers that seems out of this world. If not for the fact that Maglor can literally sense with his fea the fiery soul of his own brother, he might have doubted that this is his brother at all.
As it is none of the Council however has a problem going on his own way(Nothing short of murder, Maglor doubted would make them change their minds). Most of his "inventions" after all improved the way of life of many at Gondolin and the people love him for it. Other than the blessed of the Valar, almost all are looking at him as some sort of Messiah, and knowing the history of Maedhros, Maglor would be remiss not to bet that there might be some grain of truth on it.
Never let it be said that the life of Maedhros is dull.
"If that is all then this meeting is adjourned till next week," sighs Maedhros. "Have a good day my lords," he nods as everyone bows to Maglor leaving one by one till only him and his son remain.
"So," Maglor begins as he aids Maedhros pushing the chairs back into place. "You're going to tell me about this unsaid plan of yours of exposing us to the outside world?"
"The underground river father," Maedhros simply replies. "It leads to a beach not far from the mountains where an extra harbor might be constructed other than the current one that the Teleri lives. I plan to make use of it before it is formally introduced to the Council,"
"You're planning to sneak out aren't you my son?" Maglor asks raising a questioning eyebrow at Maedhros who merely gives him a silent smirk in affirmation.
An exasperated sigh leaves Maglor's throat as he massages his forehead feeling the headache coming already. "You're going to give me and your mother grey hair Maedhros and you haven't fully even come into maturity yet,"
"But you still love me father," Maedhros quips back.
Maglor laughs loudly at that as he pats his son's shoulder. "Yes, I do my son. Yes I do,"
….
The cold waters of the underground river ripple with the movement of the paddle that Maedhros is using. As the end of the tunnel opens, it opens to a large open bay overlooking the sea. Like all Elves, he can hear the song of the sea calling to him and for a few minutes, he lets the beautiful orchestra fill his soul before gently tuning it away lest he be overwhelmed by the desire to sail into the Undying Lands.
As he looks at the open bay with the beautiful sunrise, the stern and formal face that adorns his face gently melts away showing a wearied look as he lets the gentle flow of the river guide the boat. Sure Maedhros loves Gondolin, its people and he would never exchange them for another. However it is like wearing a mask, a mask of a strong and proud leader that they can entrust their future to.
Harry had done it many times before during the training of the DA or Dumbledoor's Association. He did it during the final battle against Voldemort in Hogwarts. Maedhros did it also, countless times than he can count. The leading of his people when the Oath of his father was spoken, the assembling of the large army that eventually fell against the might of Morgoth during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.
Both personas of his previous life has given him the wisdom of how much a mask of a leader can affect the people around him. Thus he wears it when he's at the city, the Chosen One, the Future leader of Gondolin, the one that they can put their hopes and dreams on without worry or fail. He has no plans to fail them, for he does not want to fail them. Still, it can get tiring at times and times like this one today is rare.
A piercing shriek on the sky brings Maedhros out of his thoughts. Standing on the boat, he lets off a whistle that echoes on the empty waters. For a minute everything is quiet before the piercing shriek once more echoes on the sky. A gust of wind sends his long black hair billowing behind him as a laugh leaves his lips.
For from the sky a dark shadow blocks the sun, growing larger as its owner descend on the sand beside the boat. Feathers, white as snow with tinges of black on its plumage. The familiar yellow eyes that shine with bright intensity. It is all the same despite of the simple fact that it is no longer an owl but a white eagle gleaming like a gem in the light of the midday sun.
Disembarking from the boat, Maedhros steps towards his companion and friend through both worlds. A friend that followed him in this new life to keep watch over him and guard him.
"Hello Hedwig," Maedhros greets stroking the plumage of the Giant Eagle lovingly who purrs under his touch. "Are you ready to go for an adventure?"s
