Category: Tolkien-Universe

Rating: M

Couples: -

Warnings: AU, blood, mentions of torture, character death, Loss of bodily autonomy (no Non-con)

Chapter: 44

Copyright: Characters & places © By Tolkien Estate, Plot & OC´s © by me

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Arafinwë saw the dread in his older brother's eyes at that declaration. "You don't have to." He breathed, hands clenching around the short chain keeping him connected to the floor. He had seen what happened to elves that were forced beyond their means, back when he'd been in Angband. He could not be the reason his brother faltered. "Don't..."

He flinched a bit at the nails in his hair, tugging on some gold tresses, but Mairon remained silent for now.

"Ara..."

"I am not worth breaking yourself." Least and last of Finwë's sons, he was utterly expendable with both of them back - and wasn't that a thought, that Fëanáro was back! - and should very much not cost one of them. "To send yourself to the Halls over."

His elder brother made an indescribable sound at that. "Nolo, it's fine... I... I will be fine here. He won't damage me too badly." He ducked instinctively when the Maia behind him swept past to return to the office-area. If there was one thing that was a constant, he'd learned, it was that Mairon had standards for his tools. He wouldn't intentionally break one if some small use could still be found. "I'll live."

"You..."

"You have the boys." And wasn't that a relief, that at least they were safe again. He looked over to his eldest brother, clutching Curufinwë close. Why he hadn't left yet, when the boy was bleeding, was a mystery. "That's all you need."

Nolofinwë cried out at that, lurching forward and pulling him tightly against him. "Ara!"

"It's all you need." He found himself trembling in the strong arms of his kin. "Nolo, take them and go. I'll manage."

"I need you, little brother." Indis' eldest son whispered into his hair. "I can't leave you."

"You can. You must." He allowed himself the luxury of comfort, tucking himself close to the larger, stronger frame for however long it'd last. "I am not worth the price he asks. I know I am not. You can't pay it for me."

The grip on him tightened. "You are... you are, little brother."

"I'm not. I am not worth your loss..." He managed to get a hand against his brother's leg. "I am not needed by anyone, you are." His throat tightened. "Even if you and Náro don't split Beleriand and Valinor between you... I have three sons who can take Valinor... Eärwen hasn't truly spoken to me in centuries..." He buried his face in the shoulder before it. "I... I cannot be what you sacrifice your own well-being for, Nolo..."

He could take a few hours of torture, he'd taken it dozens of times over in Angband before he encountered the event he could use to 'break'. He knew that Nolofinwë could manage to torture him the few hours, caring brother that he was. But he also knew he'd die of grief before the first hour after their arrival to safety was over. He couldn't let that happen.

"And how am I supposed to explain that to anyone!?" Fëanáro's greatest rival demanded, half hysterical.

"Just... just take the boys... go home... It's fine... Tell them I told you to go." He bit his lip to keep from hiccuping, tears building in his eyes. "I'll be fine." At least the boys would be safe. He could endure this. He had agreed to it, after all.

"Are you out of your mind!?" Both of them flinched at the loud voice of their eldest brother coming from the stairs. He hadn't left, clutching his son desperately. "Bloody Hell, Ara! What makes you think leaving you is an option!?"

"Mostly because his return is hinging on yours." The Maia to the side chuckled. "We can't expect poor Fëanáro to remain an exile forever, can we?"

Finwë's eldest outright snarled at that. "A deal."

"Pardon?" Mairon tilted his head questioningly. "I do believe you've traded for all your sons already, unless I missed something between you and Indis."

"I'll be Nolo's torture-target." Fëanáro raised his voice to be heard over his brothers' surprised outcries. Though it passed him by, Arafinwë could feel the ósanwë slam into Nolofinwë's mind at their brother's withering glare. "He'll torture me at your pleasure... after I briefly delivered my son to the inn and his brothers."

"And why would I want to make it easier on him?"

"If either of us fails before the seven hour mark, you keep all three of us. All three sons of Finwë. If either of us fails before the fourteen hour-mark, you keep me and Nolofinwë. If either of us fails before the twenty hour mark, you may keep your choice of me or Nolofinwë."

"No!" He did not want either brother to sacrifice themselves, certainly not in the manner of simply taking his place! A large hand muffled him, Nolo forcing him quiet. Between his wounds and his bonds, he couldn't free himself enough to object.

"Tempting, all three sons of Finwë as mine." Angband's former Lieutenant purred, showing teeth. "And within a few months, I have a fleet of Falmari in front of my harbor, bearing the full wrath of the Noldor upon me, no doubt?"

"We'll swear ourselves to you, and send word that we are not to be rescued in any manner." Whatever had been said between the minds of his elder brothers, clearly it had rendered Nolofinwë fully on board with the idea. Arafinwë trembled in his brother's hold.