The chapter 2: The Heir of Númenor
Coast of Númenór, S.A. 3317
Thalion stood on the board of Azrugimil as his fleet approached the greatest of Númenórean Harbours Rómenna. Before he left Umbar he spent a lot of time figuring out loyalties in his army and in the end, he just confirmed, to his surprise, that his army is loyal to him and to the last man.
It gave him certain hope that maybe he can stage an overthrow of his father, with the help of Elendil and perhaps others who don't want to provoke the wrath of Valar. Still a shadow of doubt lingered in him, especially when he considered Sauron, he had no idea how to kill him. "We are your men until the end, no matter the orders!. " These words spoken by his soldiers in unison resonated in his mind.
"I just hope you will be my men even after I gave the order to fight against my father, if I even give such an order." He thought to himself while grasping the hilt of his sword.
"You don't seem very happy to be at home again, my prince." Minlubên spoke as he approached.
"Well each time I see it again, it seems to have fallen further into shadow than the last time."
"I see, hmm, given the fact who is standing next to your father's throne It's not so surprising. Speaking of which, have you figured out how to get rid of him?"
Thalion let out sight of frustration. "I don't know, how does one kill a fallen Maya? Even if we somehow kill him I have a feeling he would just return to existence later. Maybe if I managed to beg Valar for help…maybe that is the way, we can deal with Sauron."
"The men are banned from sailing to the West." Minlubên said with a dreamy tone. "Perhaps Elendil has some sort of plan."
"We'll see. But before I can meet him I need to go to my father, report to him what happened and give him the captured Bellakar rebellious lords."
"It would be more merciful to kill them in colonies, you know what will happen to them if Ar-Pharazôn and Sauron get them right? Why not give them the same mercy as you gave the Haradrim Chieftain?"
Thalion gave his right hand man a disbelieving look then he gave him an answer. "Because he fought for his people and was prepared to die rather than to be captured, I mean yes he also caused a lot of death and pain upon Númenóreans of Umbar but his attack was provoked. On the other hand those Bellakar rebels fought for greed and more power. What's more, when it was clear they would lose, they turned tail and ran. Besides, my father specifically asked me to bring them alive, so there is that."
"If you say so, my prince….."
"You don't agree, do you?" Aerion said with a slightly annoyed tone.
Look, all I am saying is that you maybe should give them the mercy of quick death, no one deserves to be sacrificed to Morgoth of all things."
ׅ"Well, you are probably right but as I said father ordered me something and I can't afford to disobey him, at least not yet. Trust me, I have enough quarrels with him as it is and maybe I am about to start the final and the biggest one yet. But until then the things between me and him must remain calm." Minlubên wanted to continue their conversation but Thalion stopped him with the raised hand. "We are almost there, go and prepare to disembark." Minlubên bowed and walked away.
XXX
Míriel sat next to her husband on the throne of consort to the Ruler of Númenór, she heard whispers from around nobles gathered in the room, she patiently watched the entrance to the throne room then a deep voice startled her. "You seem unsettled, Zimraphel, our son returned home safe and sound, so there is no need to be uneasy.
Míriel looked at Pharazôn and faked a smile. "Of course he did, but I am a mother. I will always be worried when he leaves for a military campaign and anxious when he returns home."
Pharazôn just waved his hand at that. "You are worrying needlessly, our son has never failed to destroy our enemies on the battlefield. I was certain he would not fail in this last campaign either."
"Your husband speaks the truth, my queen. Some of the people of Númenór began to call him Thalion the Great, the reputation of his skill and valour on the battlefield has begun to be legendary." Sly and subservient voice added to the king's comments.
"As you say, Lord Sauron." Míriel answered while trying not to sound too disgusted.
Then doors finally opened and herald began to shout aloud across the room. "Prince Thalion, General of Númenór, Lord of Eldalondë, and the heir to the throne of Númenór!"
Thalion entered and moved slowly forwards along gathered nobles who were bowing as he walked towards the throne, behind him his personal royal guards and further behind the rebellious rebel lords in chains and other people of his entourage carrying various chests.
When he was close enough, he and people behind him bent the knee to his father and mother. Pharazôn just gestured to his son. "Raise my son, it seems you have returned victorious once again and brought honour to Númenór and to your king." A cheer erupted amongst gathered nobles while Thalion got back up and it was stopped when their king raised his hand. "Now tell me what is the situation in Bellakar."
"The rebellion has been put down, the high lord of Bellakar is again firmly in power and the rebel armies are scattered, routed and destroyed, here," he gestured and twelve rebellious lords were dragged before the throne by his guards, "are lords responsible for that rebellion."
"I see, well, we will make sure they pay for their misdeeds. Guards, take them to the dungeon. Sauron, make sure that altar is ready for sacrifices." Several guards took lords in chains away. "I received the letter from you that you turned your armies north to Umbar. What was that about?"
"Haradrim tribes decided to end Númenórean supremacy in the region and invaded Umbar in hopes of driving our people back to the sea and Lord Arnuzîr was caught off guard by them, in fact I would say he was completely ignorant and unprepared, which he shouldn't be." Thalion said it in a tone that perfectly reflected his opinion of the man in charge of Umbar, upon which his father caught up.
"Arnuzîr is my good friend and a very capable man." The hint of warning was rather clear.
Thalion just shrugged at that remark. "Suit yourself father, I am just telling the facts of what happened, anyway." With another gesture of his hand the men carrying several chests came forward and laid them before the king. "Here is the loot of war, both from Bellakar and from the Battle with Haradrim tribes."
Pharazôn gave the chests a brief look and nodded. "What happened to the leader of those Haradrim?"
"I killed him in battle and his army is dead to the last man. The Umbar is safe at least for now."
"Good, very good." Ar-Pharazôn rose from the throne and walked to Thalion while having a satisfied expression on his face. "There are certain matters I want to discuss with you, shall you walk with me back to my solar?"
Thalion just nodded and they walked out of the throne room with just two royal guards behind them.
XXX
When they arrived Thalion leaned against the wall and asked his father who sat at his desk. "So father, will you tell me what this is about?"
Pharazôn gave his son a dark look. "Tell me, do you think of me as blind or even foolish?" Thalion narrowed his eyes and instinctively gripped the handle of his sword, ready to use it in the case something violent is about to happen. His father noticed it and chuckled. "Do you really think I would harm you, my own son? Relax, it was just a simple question."
Thalion let out of sight of relief and let go of his grip on the sword handle. "Well, to be perfectly honest, only a fool would let his prisoner and the fallen maya to be his chief advisor. As for your blindness, I would say your sight is perfectly fine, yet again you can't see the error of your way when it comes to Sauron."
"This hostility does you no credit, Thalion. Though you are not the only one who thinks that making Sauron an advisor wasn't the best idea, yet he proved himself to be a capable advisor and I will stand by my decision to keep him as such. Anyway, I asked you that question for a different reason." Pharazôn poured himself a glass of wine and offered one glass to his son, who refused with the gesture of a hand. "No? Suit yourself then. I asked because I heard certain rumours about you."
"Did you? Hmm the rumours come and go. Since when did you begin to pay any attention to baseless rumours anyhow?"
"I usually don't but this one caught my attention. It involves you and one of the children of the Lord Elendil of Andúnië. To be more precise, his youngest child, a beautiful daughter, Eleniel." Despite his father's expectation Thalion remained calm and his facial expression didn't give anything away, so Pharazôn continued. "It's said that you two spent a lot of time together, is it true?"
Thalion shrugged "What can I say? Yes, we enjoy each other's company from time to time, do you think it's wrong?"
"That depends…. What are your intentions regarding that girl? I must admit that the marriage with the daughter of lord of Andúnië would not be a bad match when nobility is concerned. Their faith and beliefs are what pesters me."
"Marriage?" Thalion shook his head. "For now that is still a distant prospect. Eleniel and I are both forty-seven years of age, still too young for a marriage but in the future who knows?"
"I see, well the future is also something I wish to talk about with you." Pharazôn gestured to the chair at the table opposite him, Thalion decided not to complicate matters and sat down. "As you know I was gathering forces to attack Valinor for a few years already, but now I am finally getting to my goal."
"So you are really going with it? I really hoped you would let that go."
The King of Númenór leaned forward. "As long as the treacherous Valar withhold immortality from our people I will never stop trying to get it."
Thalion gritted his teeth as he considered how he could convince his father about the folly of his way. "Father, listen to me carefully, if the books about the ancient past are anything to go by, the Valar do not have power or authority to grand you or to anyone else immortality, the only man, and I repeat the only, who was able to gain immortality was, or more like still is our ancestor Tuor, who was counted amongst the elves by Eru himself. He didn't take it but earned it by his selfless actions."
"Hmm, I wonder in which books you found this so-called wisdom, or is it your mother's faithful teachings? It makes no difference, Sauron told me the truth and I will claim what is mine by right."
Thalion began to have enough and abruptly rose from his chair."We already live much longer than lesser men of Middle-Earth, isn't that enough to you? What do you think will happen if you attack Valinor, hmm? Do you really expect you can win against the most powerful beings of this world? Or do you think that Eru will let that attack happen? They gave our people this Island for fighting against Melkor who you now worship, but do you even comprehend that they can also take it away?!"
Pharazon looked taken back a little by his son, he didn't expect it and rose up in anger himself. "How dare you talk back to me?! You are my son and heir and you will follow me no matter the orders or cause and when I sail out to Valinor you will be one of my commanding generals, whether you like it or not!" He sat back down. "You will not speak against me again or I will forget you are my son."
Thalion gave his father a look of contempt. "I suppose I will have to obey you, father." He turned around and as he was leaving he said to Ar-Pharazôn one more thing. "Know this, the more you are afraid of something, the more you drive it closer to you, just a little old saying. If you need me I will be in Eldalondë." And with that he left the room.
XXX
"You tried to persuade him? Don't you think I did that already?" Míriel asked her son as she hugged him.
Thalion withdraws from the hug. "I had to try it, one last effort to make him see the reason, mother. But I am now certain that there is no way he would stop his attack, willingly that is."
"So, will you challenge him by the strength of arms?"
"I am still not sure. I will go speak with Lord Elendil about it. Even so, I must be very careful about my choice here. If I choose to fight, if I choose war it's a path a few can turn from once the first steps are taken. It carries with it a terrible price and in the end I may find there is nothing left to fight for."
Míriel reached out and touched Thalion's cheek. "I know you don't want this but if you do nothing there will certainly be nothing left. You are our last hope. The last hope of House of Elros."
Thalion nodded and looked onto the pedestal in his mother's chamber upon which a round object covered in silk laid. "Mother, may I use your palantír?"
XXX
Three days later, City of Andúnië, S.A. 3317
Thalion walked slowly and alone wearing the black cloak with the hood covering his identity towards the palace of Lords of Andúnië, also under the cover of the night.
He chose to go in secret to lessen the risk of any rumours which could find their ways to his father's ears. In times such as these he was grateful for the times he spent in the lands around Gwathir river where he campaigned against the Clans of Enedwaith to prevent their attacks on the colonial cities of Lond Daer and more important one, Tharbad. It was during this time he received training from Númenórean Gwathir rangers. One of their skills passed to him was the art of moving unseen, even in the plain sight.
In fact, Thalion was so impressed by their art and skill that he conscripted some of them to his own forces to scout and perform other covert actions.
Though let himself be visible to the guards who stopped him at the back gate leading to the garden. "Hold there! What brings you here stranger."
"Lord Elendil is expecting me." Thalion whispered while uncovering his hood and showed them the ring with the royal insignia.
Guards imminently relaxed and bowed. "My Prince. Please move quickly." They opened the gate and let Thalion slip inside the garden.
While walking on the stone pavement he heard a singing and it was singing in the voice he knew well.
As Beren looked into her eyes
Within the shadows of her hair,
The trembling starlight of the skies
He saw there mirrored shimmering.
He smiled and despite his previous intention to meet Elendil he began to follow the beautiful voice instead.
He reached the fountain and the bench and there she was, the woman playing on her harp and singing. There were many who claimed her to be a spitting image of Princess Silmariën herself, first lady of Andúnië.
"Tinúviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering."
Eleniel didn't notice Thalion so he decided to join her singing.
"Long was the way that fate them bore,
O'er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of iron and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless."
As soon as Eleniel heard Thalion's voice she quickly looked at him like she woke from a dream and with the smile on her lips, she seemed tempted to just let go of her harp and go to him. However Thalion stopped him with the gesture of his hand and bid her to finish the song. So she returned her hands on the harp and the last of the song lines were sung in unison.
"The Sundering Seas between them lay,
And yet at last they met once more,
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless."
"Thalion!" Eleniel swiftly got on her feet and before long they both found themselves in each other's arms. After a while they both withdrew from their embrace though neither of them made any effort to get any further from each other or to stop holding their hands. "You are finally back. It has been so long."
"Come now, little over two years is not that long of a time in the life of a Númenórean, besides it's not the first time I had to leave on the military campaign."
"I know but I feel like each time it takes you longer to return." Eleniel said with a hint of reproachful tone.
Thalion gave her a sad smile. "As I told you some time ago, Eleniel. Military campaigns had a tendency to get prolonged, sometimes on the whim." Then he brushed his hand on her cheek. "Well, at least I do have a reason to return, don't I?"
Eleniel laughed light-heartedly upon that remark "I suppose you have. But tell me what brings you here at this hour? Or did you really come here just to see me?"
"Sadly no, I am here to see your father, however I hoped I would meet you too. Here, I brought you something." Thalion reached into his pocket and showed Eleniel a beautiful necklace of masterful craftsmanship.
She studied it and looked fascinated by it. It was a mithril chain and at its end was a gem of unusual colouration which Eleniel had never seen before. It had a perfect star shape and consisted of three different colour tones, randomly present in the stone, emerald green, sapphire blue and pureness of the diamond. And a weak light of these colours also radiated from it. "Thalion this is… I am at a loss for words. I have never ever seen this kind of precious gem, Where?"
"Where does it come from?" Thalion finished the sentence for her and she could only nod as she stared at the stone. "Well, from what I was told by the jewel-smith who forged this necklace in Bellakar, this gem is extremely rare. It comes only from the mountains of Bellakar, in fact it is so rare that even the mithril could be seen as plentiful in comparison.
"Really it must have cost a fortune to buy this, no?"
Thalion shook his head. "Not at all, at least when you consider the actual price I would have to pay if I actually bought this gem. I only paid for the mithril and forging of the necklace itself. The gem I found myself when I camped with the army in the mountains. I can't explain how or why, I just walked and caught the glimpse of its light in the ground and when I moved the dust and gravel aside there it was in the shape of a star as you see it now."
"It almost sounds like fate, Thalion."
"Maybe it was, anyway Bellakarani called this gem a Grace of Elbereth. I don't know how it is connected to the queen of the Valar, however it's entirely possible that Varda created these stones and placed some of her grace and beauty in them, who knows? According to some Ballakarian legends, whoever owns this gem will gain Varda's blessing."
"Blessing of the Queen of Valar? Hmm I wonder what that could be."
Thalion smiled. "There is only one way to find out. Turn around."
Upon hearing this, Eleniel seemed to hesitate. "Thalion, you can't just give me such a rare and extraordinary gift."
"I found the gem and I let it be forged into the necklace and so it is mine to give it to whom I will." Then Thalion leaned forward to her ear and whispered. "Like my heart, so go on, turn around." Eleniel, still a little bit hesitant but also a bit excited, turned around and moved her dark hair out of the way as Thalion gently placed the necklace around her neck.
When she turned back, Thalion nodded with a satisfied smile. "Beautiful, simply beautiful."
Elenien smiled back, however her expression turned into a longing one as she leaned forward. Thalion did the same. When their lips connected, every one of their worries were temporality pushed aside as in that moment nothing else mattered under the stars.
XXX
Some time later, Thalion finally managed to arrive, to meet Elendil, yet the Lord of Andúnië wasn't the only one present. "My prince, it's good you are finally here, I started to get worried you will never show up."
"I requested this meeting, did I not? Of course I will come to meet you." Thalion sat at the table and nodded at both of Elendil's sons. "Isildur, Anárion it's good to see both of you again."
"Likewise Prince Thalion." Isildur answered while Anárion just bowed with his head slightly.
As soon as Elendil sat down, he began speaking. "So, I presume your mother informed you about your father's intentions in the near future, yes?"
"Indeed, though I also learned about them from my father himself after I returned from Umbar to Armenelos. In fact he wants me to be one of his generals during the attack on Valinor, which is something I am not willing to do. I didn't tell him that directly, of course."
"So, you do understand the necessity of stopping your father, don't you?" Elendil asked urgently.
"I do, Lord Elendil. It is sad really, but my father does not understand or does not want to understand the folly of his actions. I tried to reason with him when I arrived in the capital. I wanted to explain to him that immortality is simply something of his or any other man's reach, however he doesn't listen to me, he only listens to the advice of that snake Sauron, now more than ever as he is terrified of death."
"It would certainly seem so, are you going to join forces with me in an effort to depose him and put you on the throne of Númenór then?"
"That is something, Lord Elendil I am not certain we can actually successfully pull off, even if we did it's all rather risky endeavour with unclear outcome." Elendil wanted to argue but was held by Thalion's raised hand. "Before you put forward your objection, let me explain my full point of view on this matter, please."
Elendil seemed displeased but he bid Thalion to continue. "Thank you, now it's important to point out that even if we combine our armies, the forces loyal to my father will still outnumber us and will have an advantage in terms of control of territory. I dare say that I am a very experienced and proven general and every war I fought so far I never had doubt that I could win, but when in this situation, I have my doubts."
"Another negative aspect of your proposition is of course the fact we will be fighting civil war on the Númenór soil, many Númenórean lives, whether soldiers or commoners, will be lost and in the case we should win there is every chance that the destruction will be so great that Númenór might never recover from it."
"And lastly there is the fact of my ascension to the throne by the means of war, never before succession in Númenór were realised by violent way, well except that one time when Anducal usurped the throne for twenty years but it was without war and when he died things returned to normal. I will be known to history as a usurper or a kinslayer because we all know that as long as my father lived my rule would never be secure."
"Look, I am very much aware that if we don't stop Ar-Pharazôn then every man, woman and child on Númenór may be killed by Valar retaliation which will come after his attack on Valinor but….. I have never thought I would see the day I will have to fight my own people."
Elendil let out the heavy sight. "I understand your hesitancy in this matter, my prince. Truly I do, but the way I see the many Númenóreans will die regardless of the choice, we can only affect how many."
"Father is right, trust me I know what it is like to choose to fight other Númenóreans for greater good." Isildur added to his father pressure on Thalion. "I did it when I chose to save fruit from Nimloth before it was felled and I had to fight my way to achieve it."
"Wait, you did what? I never heard this from any of you." Thalion never saw the white tree of Númenór, as he was born eight years after it was felled.
Isildur looked to his father, brother and then finally to Thalion. "We kept it a secret from everyone except us three, it was for our and mainly for the fruit's safety, but now you too know that there is still hope for Númenór."
"If we manage to remove your father from the throne we will give you the sapling of Nimloth, so the tree of the king may one day bloom again."
Thalion was silent, he thought. After a while he finally spoke. "Very well, I shall join your forces to see my father gone, however, we should also consider some other things."
"What do you have in mind?" Elendil asked with the hint of curiosity in his voice.
"We can't do it alone, as I said King's men have more soldiers and there is of course Sauron the fallen Maya, still a very powerful being. We need allies outside of Númenór to better our chances of success. Powerful allies to rival Sauron preferably."
"If you are hinting to the elves then you will be disappointed, father already asked high king Gil-galad and Lord Elrond if they would help us by the means of arms, they refused. When we sent a call for help to Lady Galadriel, the only one powerful enough to rival Sauron we were also refused. Sadly, we are alone in this fight, my prince" Anárion spoke in a mournful voice.
"Why is it that the Elves typically never do anything against evil until it knocks on their door…" Thalion said with half angrily, half sarcastically.
"What about calling for some reinforcements from the colonies, you have some lords there who owe you a favour or two no?" Elendil asked hopefully.
"True but those who have forces to do so are currently busy with their own problems or they are run by my father's loyalists. For instance, Bellakar is recovering from the war I just fought there. Umbar is relatively alright but their Lord is a fanatical follower of the King's men ways plus I may have insulted him. Colonies at the Gwathir river, Tharbad and Lond Daer are in constant war with the indigenous people there, because no King of Númenór ever allowed someone to finally destroy those wild men. The only colony that could help is Pelargir which population is consisted primary from the faithful Númenóreans, however I don't think they can do a lot of difference."
Isildur shrugged at that. "Better than nothing."
Suddenly Thalion came to a decision. "Or I asked someone even more powerful than Sauron for help and advice."
Elendil frowned. "Who do you have in mind?"
"The Valar. The Manwe, judging by those storm clouds of the shape of eagles that sometimes are above Númenór, is watching what is going on our island, so I am going to make my plea to him and the other Valar and if he is merciful he might do something about it."
Anárion shook his head in disbelief. "I don't think the Valar will do anything, if they could they would do something already. And what makes you think the Lord of Valar would listen, speak or even show himself to you? They didn't bother to react or answer to your grandfather Tar-Palantír when he tried to pray to them."
"I don't know, I am just a mortal man who wants to save his people and I know I might not be successful begging the Valar to help, but I have to try. And to ensure they hear me, I am going to go to the one place, where they will definitely hear my plea."
Two days later, Meneltarma the sacred mountain of Númenór, S.A. 3317
Thalion walked steadily the spiral path up the mountain through the night air, with one single goal. To reach the top of the most sacred place on Númenór and try his luck in speaking to the most powerful beings in Arda. Luckily for him there was a calm night and stars and moon were bright enough for him to see on the path.
He didn't know whether the Valar will even talk or answer to the mere man, afterall the only man who was ever granted to not only speak but see and meet with the Valar was legendary Tuor, who was now counted amongst the elves, yet Thalion was desperate and out of good options.
He will either go to civil war or go into exile and let the island of Númenór sink. Thalion swore to himself that he will not leave the sacred mountain until he tries to get some sort of answer from the Valar or if not get it from them then from Eru himself. Thalion knew the bitter truth that if he is to defeat Sauron the help of beings of higher power will be needed and only he can turn to the Valar.
As he walked the stone way up a shriek pierced his ears as the great brown Eagle landed on the path ahead of him. Two others were circling above him in the air. From the size and majesty which were resonating from the eagle before him, Thalion guessed it was a Lord of the Eagles, Arathorn.
Before Thalion could say or do anything the eagle spoke to him. "Not a step further, Númenórean. You have no right to enter Meneltarma or even speak here."
Thalion was considering his next move, not for a second he had no doubt the great eagle could stop him or in the worst case kill him but he was determined to get to the top. "I am Prince Thalion of House of Elros, the heir of Númenór and as such I have every right to go here and speak my prayers! I invoke those rights, so you, the great Lord of the Eagles, shall let me pass!"
Eagle studied him for a few moments. "Are you faithful to the Valar and Eru-Iluvatar?"
"I am. Let the Eru strike me down, where I stand, if I lie." Eagle seemed to have narrowed his eyes.
"He will, if you lie. Very well Prince Thalion, you may pass. But let me warn you, you might not find exactly what you seek."
"What do you mean?"
Eagle was silent for a few moments. Then he took to the sky without further explanation.
Thalion resisted the temptation to curse under his breath and moved on. When he finally reached the top there was nothing there. He had never visited this the most holy place in Númenór. No member of the royal family has done so since the rule of Ar-Adûnakhôr, the twentieth King of Númenor, when all visits and religious ceremonies were banned with other customs.
Nevertheless Thalion were familiar with the religious processes and knew under which conditions they could be performed, conditions which were currently not met.
Despite the chance of calling forth anger of the Valar. Thalion walked to the centre of the summit while singular thought was running in his mind. "I will return with some form of advice or help." Immediately as he got the centre spot all three eagles who he met on the path showed up, landed on the summit borders and they werejust watching him without a word.
Trying to ignore the eagles, Thalion was preparing himself to say his piece, he took a deep breath, knelt, closed his eyes and started talking in Quenya.
"The mighty and wise Valar and Eru creator of the world, I come here as mere supplicant. I am Thalion, the Prince of Númenór and the heir to the throne, though I am sure you know that already."
"Now, I am aware that you are very disappointed with the Númenóreans, eversince Tar-Atanamir started openly speaking against you and the elves, and due to the long hostility that followed. The fact you slowly withdraw your blessings from my bloodline speaks for itself about your displeasure."
"You didn't even react to the prayers of my grandfather Tar-Palantír, the king who wanted to return the old ways of Númenór. And I wish to do the same thing when I ascend the Númenorean throne, but before I can do that I must fight a war with my father."
"Ar-Pharazôn made a final decision to attack your lands in the West and I want to stop him. I failed to do it by my words, hence I must resolve it by the means of war, but I can't be certain by the outcome and cost of lives which will take me to succeed."
"There is of course someone who represents the greatest obstacle in the way of my potential victory with whom I need your help. The fallen maya Sauron, the servant of Morgoth. As long as he is on Númenór, I can't win over the forces of the King's men. And no one who is powerful enough to challenge him won't aid me. Only you can."
"The great Manwe, the Lord of the West. I know you stopped intervening in the matters of the mortal world a long time ago, you only sent warnings to Númenór. I won't complain about it but now I must urge you, no beg you in the name of all those who are still remaining on Númenór and are faithful to you or repentant. Help me and take Sauron to judgement in Valinor. Do it and I swear I will return the Númenór to the ways of the Valar and Eru-Iluvatar even if it is the last thing I will do."
After he finished talking, nothing happened and after a long quiet pause, Thalion rose up with the sigh. "Why am I not surprised? Well, you have forsaken Númenór a long time ago. Why care now, right? If you did your duty and captured Sauron when you defeated his master, I wouldn't be in this sort of situation!" The last word he shouted to the sky in hopes of waking some reaction, yet nothing happened still.
"My Lord will not answer if he doesn't want, Prince Thalion. And Eru doesn't speak to anyone other than his servants, Valar. I can feel your words were sincere but if Valar doesn't choose to answer, they simply stand by it." The lord of Eagles spoke with a deep yet understanding tone.
Thalion shrugged. "What can I say, it was worth a try. Situations like these are precisely the reason why the King's men emerged. The belief and faith is hard to keep when it's only one sided. Anyway, I think this is a waste of my time. I will have to find a different way. Goodbye, Arathorn, Lord of eagles."
As soon as Thalion turned to the path away from the mountain top. The divine and sort of authoritative voice called to him. "I never took you for someone who would give up that easily, Thalion, son of Númenór…"
Thalion froze in surprise and began to regret his boldness when spilling his last word into the sky as he slowly turned back to the direction of the mysterious voice. Then he saw him in all his majesty, a silver light crown on his head. Subconsciously he recognized who it was. "Manwë, King of the Valar." Thalion fell to his knees and bowed his head expecting something bad, but nothing like that happened.
"No need for that, young prince, raise."
As you wish, my Lord. "Thalion, very wearily rose back up again."
"No need to be worried, we are forbidden to cause any harm to children of Ilúvatar." A woman with the silver crown with a star on her head appeared right to Manwë, her beauty and grace couldn't be described by words.
Thalion had no doubts about who she was and he again bowed his head. "Queen of the Valar and Stars, you honour me by your presence."
Varda smiled and tilted her head in what could be described as a light amusement. "Do I? Hmm, you know we have met before, young Prince."
Thalion frowned, confused. "With all due respect, I think I would remember if I met you my lady."
"Oh? Do you remember that Bellakary farm girl who told you about that secret plain in the mountains where you camped with your army and where you found the gem which carries my name?"
With the sudden realisation Thalion recalled the girl. She seemed a little bit strange, afterall which girl would wander in the middle of the war, alone at night. "That girl, it was you?"
"Well I can't blame you for not recognizing me in a different form." The Queen of the Valar paused and gave her husband a questioning look. Who just nodded without a word like giving her permission. "I have been watching your path for some time, Prince Thalion. I can see many things from the stars and there is a hint of a great destiny about you. So, even though we Valar generally do not interfere in the matters of the mortal world, I decided to test you a little by myself."
"Test me? How?"
"You have found the gem blessed by me, no? And yes it's true, whoever wears gets a little of my blessing. Any selfish man would have kept it for himself or sold it, yet you gave it to the woman you love and as such I am satisfied." Thalion was honestly not sure what to think about that, but he didn't get a chance to ask for further elaboration as Manwë spoke again.
"Truth is that your destiny is still unclear and it will be determined by your choice. A choice which now you will have to make." He looked behind Thalion from which direction another Valar walked to Manwë's left side. Another beautiful woman dressed in green and white with a crown of flowers on her head.
When she was next to her king she spoke with her melodic voice. "Eru himself heard your plea and in his wisdom has an offer for you, whether you choose to accept it or not will determine the fate of your people, heir of Númenór."
Thalion bowed again to whom he presumed was Yavanna, the Queen of the Earth. "And what fate can I expect?"
Yavanna was quiet before she looked for affirmation from Manwë, who again just nodded. "You could regain the pride, dignity and the blessings to your people long forgotten. You yourself may rise above the glory and greatness of all your fathers since the days of Elros." Yavanna paused, letting Thalion comprehend her words. "Or you and your people can preserve what you still have while proving the remaining greatness and power of Númenór, after which both will slowly fade into nothingness with all that will be left of your kin. But I am warning you, Prince Thalion, of both those paths, neither will be easy to walk."
Thalion was forced to complanate the words heard from the present Valar so far. "I am not sure if I understand those fates. Anyway, I would like to know what Eru-Illvatar's answer to my plea is. What does this offer from him entail?"
This time Manwë took a word. "Eru-Iluvatar offers you this: You and the Númenóreans who would choose or be convinced to follow you as their leader would regain the blessings bestowed upon their ancestors which were now for some time withdrawn from those unfaithful and The Valar would take upon themselves to capture Sauron and bring him to judgement in Valinor after which he would be forbidden to ever interfere with the Middle-Earth again. In exchange, you would be compelled to leave Númenór with your loyalists to the place where Eru-Iluvatar isn't known and where he and Valar have no influence, yet. There you and your people will dwell and build a new Realm in exile, abiding to honour Eru and the Valar and as long as you preserve those ways, the blessings bestowed upon Númenóreans will never dwindle."
"And where would such a place be, south of Bellakar or even on the other side of Arda?"
Manwë shook his head. "No, your exile wouldn't be in Arda, Prince Thalion. You would leave to a different world without an option of returning."
Thalion was stunned and silent after this revelation, as the all Númenóreans he inherited a certain desire to explore and see the new and distant places after sailing to them over the seas, but to leave Arda, that was something very difficult to comprehend.
"You may of course forgo this offer and sail to Middle-Earth, where you could found a new realm in exile and fight Sauron without our help and bear the second fate, the one that Yavanna told you about. The choice is yours to make."
"Indeed?" Thalion folded his arms. "And can't I just take the throne of Númenór and return it to the ways of Eru and yours? And you would take Sauron to Valinor? Wouldn't that be the easiest and best option?"
Now it was the Valar to be silent before Manwë gestured to Yavanna. "The land on Númenór itself is being corrupted by Sauron's influence, sadly it is corruption that will fester over time and it may seem like most of Númenór is untouched for now, but in twenty or less years it would become apparent. Trust me Prince Thalion that as much as I would like to heal it, I can't. If you oust your father from the throne, the cost of which would be great, the white three sapling the Isildur possess would never grow or bloom on Númenór again, worse it would wither. I also believe that corruption would only grow from the civil war bloodshed."
ׅ"Before Sauron was brought to Númenór it was still hope for the island but when Sauron began his corruption and persuaded many of your race to worship his former master Melkor, even his corrupting influence began seep through the void to Númenór. I am sorry but what is done is done. Our Lord Eru offers you to start anew knowing it wasn't you who is responsible for it." Manwë said with a solemn but firm voice.
Thalion realised that no matter what he will do, his island home will be lost, it frustrated him to no end, but he kept his composure as he asked. "How is it even possible to leave for a different world and why would Eru want me to go there with my people?"
Manwë and the other Valar look amused at the question. "Our Lord Eru has his reasons, beyond even our understanding. As to how you can get to a different world? Well you see, even if Eru-Iluvatar didn't create that world where you would go, should you accept his offer, he is creator of the universe and as such has a power to create the bridges between worlds so to speak."
"Would the Númenórean people be abandoned there? Or would you still be with us, answering our prayers and watching over us?"
"Our presence will be there with the Númenóreans as long as you honour and keep us and Eru in your hearts. Of course, I don't need to tell you what happens should you abandon our and Eru's worship again." Thalion nodded after which Manwë asked a fateful question. "So, do you choose to accept Eru's offer or not, Heir of Númenór?"
Thalion was just standing there and seemed lost in thoughts. The present Valar, knowing of the difficulty of his choice, were patiently waiting for his answer. After a long moment Thalion looked directly at Manwë and said only. "I accept, I swear on my life that I will abide by the terms of Eru and go with my people to a different world and honour you, all other Valar and Eru and never falter in our faith." A sudden feeling like something he lost returned to him and he felt better like the countless years of his life were multiplied and his strength were amplified.
"Good, because there will be no coming back from this. I hereby swear to you, young Prince, that we, Valar, will take Sauron to Valinor to be judged and people of Middle-Earth will be safe from his influence. You and whoever Númenórean will choose to follow you, and it doesn't matter whether he kept his faith in us or will repent, is going to receive back the blessings of the Valar to its fullest." After saying this Manwë turned to Yavanna who started to walk towards Thalion, while holding something in her hands.
"Eärendil has been watching Númenor with great sadness, yet he also has been watching your path, also with great interest I might add. It was his idea that we should give you this. The proof that we are not abandoning your people, even in a different world." Lady of the earth stopped and handed something to Thalion, he took it and reluctantly and imminently began to investigate what he received.
It was a masterfully crafted silver brooch in the shape of an eagle whose wings were clutching the green gem. The jewel seemed like it resonated with light. "I don't know what to say, it's magnificent."
Yavanna smiled reassuringly. "It belongs to you now, Prince Thalion, know that it once belonged to Idril, Princess of Gondolin and wife of Tuor.
Thalion gasped, as he uttered the name of the jewel "Elessar. Thank you, the words can't express how grateful I am to you for it.
"Indeed, keep it well." Yavanna turned around and walked back to Manwë's side.
"When time comes, sail in the direction of the star of Eärendil as ancestors once did, it will lead you to the new world. And do not worry, it will be visible even in the place you will go." Varda said while pointing to the night sky.
"I see….ehm how much time do I have to prepare and gather everyone willing to follow me?"
Manwë folded his arms. "You have time until your father sets up his attack, by that time it would be best for you and your followers to be on the way." The King of the Valar paused and glanced at the Lord of eagles. "And one more thing before you go, my great eagles at least some of them will go with you and their assistance will be bound to your bloodline."
Thalion blinked in surprise he didn't expect and from the reaction of the three eagles around, they did neither. "My Lord Manwë, I don't want to meddle in your decision but if the great eagles don't want to follow they don't need to."
"They are my servants and heralds and they will obey my will in this. Besides, I have a certain feeling that you might need their help where you are going. However, make no mistake they will not be your servants out of obligation. As long as you will honour them and treat them with respect they will do the same with you." Manwë said with the hint of warning in his voice.
Thalion once again bowed. "Thank you for everything, mighty and wise Valar but I think I should go, time is precious."
Before his eyes Yavanna and Varda both nodded and disappeared. Only Manwë remained. "There is much you have yet to do, go with our blessing." Form of Manwë began to fade away. "We shall not meet again, Tar-Thalion, farewell." With that the King of the Valar disappeared.
Confusion of what just happened was all over Thalion's mind, nevertheless he turned to the passage of the mountain top. As soon as he began to walk all three eagles took off and flew away without a word. "I guess there is no way to go back now. I indeed didn't find exactly what I sought."
Translation and meaning of the Names:
Arathorn: royal eagle, (Sindarin)
Eleniel: daughter of the stars (Quenya)
So there we have it. I tried to figure out some way how to actually make it possible for the Númenórens to come to the world of Game of Thrones and well I think this is probably the best way to do it, divine intervention so to speak. We also saw Isildur and Anárion plus their sister, which is character I put into this story as a love interest of Thalion, yes it would be interesting to pair him with some Valyrian lady (Targaryen probably), once he is in the world of Game of Thrones as their children would be dragonriders with the Númenorean and Valyrian blood but hey I think the Númenoreans were not really keen on mixing with other whom they considered to be a lesser men, though it happened eventually. However, mainly in the realms in Exile and in the Colonies ruled by black Númenorens, however it was after the sinking of Númenór when population of those with Númenorean blood was drastically reduced. And let us not forget about the kinstrife, the Gondorian civil war, sparked mainly by the fact the king Eldacar was of mixed origin as his mother was woman of Rhovanion, well the fact the Castamir was ambitious and power-hungry cunt was bigger reason behind it but still his opinion that the Throne of Gondor should be held by those of Pure Númenoren descent got him a large support nonetheless. In summary the númenorens in this story will be against diluting the Númenorean blood with the blood of other people (exceptions could arise).
Now I am sure you might be curious as to when we finally got to Westeros and I must say it will be the fourth chapter as in the next the things will be concluded in Númenor and it's already in the process of correction so I will upload it soon. Have a good day.
