Maeglin

Maeglin drummed his fingers against his chair as he sat in his uncle's study. It was an early meeting and he wanted nothing more than to go home and work. However, his uncle was relentless and called upon him first thing in the morning.

As his uncle ate his morning meal, Maeglin didn't spare him a glance. They had done this many times before and he never offered information unless the king asked.

"So, my son," the king finally started. "What news from the party?"

And so the dance began. Maeglin picked at his fingernails as he said, "nothing of importance."

Turgon looked at him with hooded eyes as he smiled predatorily. "Really," he drawled. "I believe this party was very exciting. Tuor mentioned he went and I was informed that Ecthelion joined as well. So I am asking if anything of interest happened last evening."

Maeglin shrugged, "nothing of importance to me."

The king gave him a pointed look, "are you sure? I heard the rumors that Tuor spent the evening dancing with many elleths and Ecthelion spent the night dancing with the mortal."

"Kiera," he replied before he could stop himself.

Unfortunately for him, his uncle gave him a curious look, which he scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Call her by her name. I tire of labels. It is no significance to me that she danced with Ecthelion."

The two stared at one another, neither blinking nor backing down. Finally, Turgon gave in first, "fine. The mortal, Kiera. What of her movements last night? Have you brought her back to your bed yet?"

"No uncle," he replied tirelessly.

"Well, keep trying. We need to know if she is a spy."

Maeglin snorted as they had come back to the same issue that they spoke of in every meeting. "She is not a spy. Kiera is a horrible liar and I would have caught onto her by now. Give it a rest uncle, she is no more danger to the city than Tuor."

Just as expected, his uncle narrowed his eyes at him. "Tuor is from a great house. He has my full backing and support."

"And Kiera has mine," he replied simply.

They were at a standstill again as neither one of them would back down. In part, Kiera was growing on him, but Tuor was a thorn in his side and anything to irritate his uncle and cause him grief over it was well worth it.

"In any case," Maeglin added. "The party was a boring one with nothing of value happening. I spotted all the couples leaving from the backrooms, but none of them are of any use to you."

Turgon didn't believe him and said, "what of Glorfindel? Rog? Ecthelion?"

He sighed and tipped his head to the ceiling to stare up as he drawled out, "Glorfindel and Rog were the same as previous. Ladies of the court that they had bedded before. Ecthelion spent the evening with Kiera and he walked her home and left her. There is nothing of value for you uncle."

Thankfully, with his eyes staring straight up, it was easier for him to lie. Plenty had happened last night, but Maeglin held information close to his chest and only told his uncle very little. Some very critical information came to him as he watched people leaving from the shadows. Lords and ladies of the court, he could blackmail for more secrets or to do his dirty work. Rog's parties were always beneficial to him, even if most did not realize he was there.

"Fine," the king huffed. "Fine. I will speak to Ecthelion. Although I know I will not get the truth from him."

Maeglin snorted as that was the first true thing his uncle had said all morning. Ecthelion would answer the king's questions politely, but he would give nothing away. Maeglin felt the need to comment, "he will tell you nothing because there is nothing to tell. He danced with Kiera the entire evening and walked her home. If she was a spy, she would have thrown herself at any of the lords who offered their beds. Including mine and Rog's. She is not a spy, but I will humor you uncle." He paused and chuckled softly. "She is the worst spy I have ever encountered."

The pounding sound surprised him and he glanced down to see that his uncle had smashed his fist against his desk. "This is not a joke," he snarled at him. "We are the last city of elves and Morgoth seeks to destroy us. The city is under my command and I will not condemn thousands to suffer. You will do well to remember that, my son."

He glared at his uncle and spit venom. "You believe I would let this city fall? I, who slinks around the city in the shadows for you. I, who let rumors run rampant about me over the years so I may gain more information. I, who created an intricate spy network throughout the city that spans all houses. I, who run the outposts and mines around the valley. I, who forge weapons and armor for the soldiers of the city to defend us in case of an attack. You will do to remember that I am not my mother and you will not control me."

Without a glance back, Maeglin fled the room. The anger burned across his body at his uncle's words. Just because he did not believe that Kiera was a spy, did not mean that he did not care about the city. Or the people in it. He was fuming by the time he walked across the palace and ended up by the front doors. Unfortunately, his day got even worse as Idril and Tithessel were waiting for him at the front door.

Scowling, he glared at Tithessel as he approached. "What are you doing here?"

To her credit, Tithessel stood firm and straightened her shoulders as she spoke to him. "We came to hear if anything interesting happened last night at Rog's party."

"Not nearly as interesting as last time when I caught you in the back rooms being unfaithful to your beloved. Leave. I am in no mood to speak with you today."

Tithessel froze at his words and he snarled at her, "get out of my sight."

The elleth fled from the palace as he turned his anger to Idril. She looked at him with an unreadable expression but said stiffly, "that was unkind cousin. Tithessel is going through a difficult time right now."

"By difficult, you must mean in someone else bed."

Idril huffed at him and blushed at his words. The sight made his anger dissipate and he asked softly, "what do you want Idril?"

She bite her lip and looked at him hesitantly. The sight caused a fluttering feeling deep inside, but he pushed it down. Idril said, "I wished to hear what happened with Kiera and Ecthelion last night."

"Oh," he grinned. "And what will you give me in return?"

His question was met with silence as he knew it would. He leaned in closer to her and whispered, "you know what I seek. Give me what I need and I will give you your hearts desires. I will destroy Kiera for you and any other. Everything could be yours if only you give me what I want."

"No," Idril replied firmly.

Maeglin leaned back and shrugged nonchalantly. "Then I cannot help you. Have a good day, cousin."

As he walked out of the palace and down the main road to his home, Maeglin was hit again with the feeling of heartache. There was nothing more in life than he wanted than Idril. The fire burned within him for her and it never diminished. She would never be his, but that did not mean he would never get what he wanted. Of course, he would never beg. That was one thing he would never do. Manipulate, lie, threaten, blackmail, steal. Those were all things he was comfortable with, but never begging.

He hoped that someday, his hard work would pay off. That some secret would be enough for Idril to lay with him in order to keep it quiet. He was patient though and could wait, even if it took hundreds of years.

When he finally made it home, it was close to midday meal and Sírhel was waiting for him. She took one look at him and turned on her heel to the dining hall. Maeglin trailed behind her until he reached his table. Sírhel set up his plate and went to inform the cooks that the meal could be served. A few moments later, the house bell rang overhead and his house trickled in.

Sírhel brought him the wine as servants followed her with the food. As she poured him a glass she asked, "if there anything you need my prince."

"Not today, Sírhel. My meeting with the king was exhausting and accomplished nothing."

His handmaiden nodded at him and stepped away to join her beloved at the table. Maeglin ate his meal in peace and sipped his wine as he relaxed in his chair. It was exhausting speaking to his uncle most days and he was starting to dread the visits. Towards the end of the meal, he got a pleasant surprise.

Kiera stood at the entrance of the dining hall and glanced around for him. Their eyes met and he wondered what she was doing here. Curious, he smiled and went over to her.

"Lady Kiera, what a wonderful surprise. What can I help you with today?"

She gulped and looked nervously at him as she asked, "can we speak privately?"

Very interesting, he mused. "Of course. This way."

Maeglin strode out of the hall with Kiera following after. Perhaps his day would turn around as his curiosity was spiked by her presence. After leading her through his house, they ended up at his study and he led her in. He closed the door behind her with a snap and gave her a heated look. "What can I do for you today?"

"I need a favor or help whichever is easier."

Now his day did get interesting. Those were words no one spoke in his presence unless they were desperate. Whatever Kiera needed, it was only something he could offer. The perfect opportunity. He grinned at her, "what kind of favor and what is in it for me."

"I need some help threatening someone to keep quiet. I figured with your presence and your experience that it would work. I am not having sex with you in exchange so I don't have much to offer."

So naive, he mused to himself. That made him smile as he purred, "such a poor negotiator. I will help you and in exchange, you will spend one evening with me a week for the next few months. I enjoy long walks and conversations and I am interested in knowing more about your world."

Kiera blanched at his words and looked at him skeptically. "That's it? You want me to spend time with you and talk to you about my world?"

He nodded as it was something he had wanted since she arrived. To learn more about her world and the knowledge that she possesses. Kiera did not understand just how valuable that information was, but Maeglin did.

"You are one of a kind," he told her. "It is not every day someone from another world shows up. I am curious about the things in your world. It is a fair trade and I will provide dinner on those evenings and there will be no expectations for anything more than conversations."

He could tell by her expression that she was not expecting that. He raised an eyebrow at her and drawled, "does the thought of having conversations with me, surprise you? I am very intelligent and curious by nature. I wish to know more about the machinery and things in your world. My spies tell me you have a few things from your world with you as well. I would very much like to see them."

That shook her out of her daze as she exclaimed, "deal. Yes, you did surprise me but I don't mind sharing. I won't tell you some things because I am not sure how they work. I will bring my phone with me during the dinners and I will show you. I will tell you now that there is no way to recreate my phone here. I don't want to disappoint you if that is what you are hoping for."

He had no idea what she said, but the message was understood. "I just wish to know more. Perhaps you can think of things that I can make here. That is the purpose of the dinners and conversations."

"That's fair. How many months?"

That made him laugh as he grinned, "very poor negotiator. Three months and now who are we threatening to keep quiet and what about?"

"Maewnis from Rog's house. I need her to keep quiet about what happened between her and Voronwë."

Now that made more sense. He had a few run-ins with the elleth in the past. She was a nasty piece of work and he was surprised Voronwë got caught in her web. "I won't ask for details but come along. We shall find her at his house and request to speak with her. It is best to get these things stopped early before the rumor mill takes over. How did he end up with her? She is a dreadful woman."

Kiera choked on air behind him and he looked back to offer his arm. As they walked, Maeglin told her, "Maewnis plays the innocent and kind act but is quite cruel. I thought everyone knew about her but I suppose not."

They left his study and walked down the halls in silence until they left his house. When they were out on the road, Maeglin said, "I saw you last night by the way. You looked very beautiful but you were spending all your time with Ecthelion. I saw you two together in the back room but you were just dancing. Is that all you did last night?"

Kiera huffed and glared at him. He smirked and purred, "I hear you spend Sundays with him. Is there something more going on between you two or do I still have a chance for a night of fun?"

She scoffed at him, "we are just friends. We danced together the whole night. It was wonderful and I enjoyed myself."

He frowned but did not comment on the kiss he saw at the table, or the lingering hug at Tuor's front courtyard. The city was so dreadfully dull sometimes that he enjoyed watching as events unfolded. This was one of those times, so he lied.

"Pity. I was hoping to hear something more thrilling. He is a bit boring though so I am not surprised."

Kiera didn't say anything to him, but he did catch the glare she threw his way out of the corner of his eye. Oh, there was something between her and Ecthelion, even if she did not see it herself.

They remained silent as they approached Rog's house and he pulled her to the main doors. Maeglin walked slowly so Kiera could look around, but then he pulled her up the flight of stairs and into the dining hall. Rog was sitting at his main table with his friends and saw them as they entered. Maeglin just waited for him as the redhead lord approached him with a tired look in his eye.

"Let's have this conversation in private," Rog sighed.

Maeglin shook his head, "we are not here to complain about the party. Lady Kiera and I need to speak with Maewnis privately."

Rog looked at them dumbfounded. Maeglin snorted as he wondered if the lord of the house knew what kind of people resided there. To be fair to Rog, his house was quite huge and housed many people and families. Unlike Maeglin, Rog ruled his house similar to the city. His high lords and ladies oversaw a group in his house and only informed him of important matters. Maeglin thought he was just lazy.

Rog found Maewnis and the beautiful elleth walked behind her lord over to them. Maeglin could see how people were entranced with her, for she had pale skin, deep black hair, and startling blue eyes. Her mouth, though had formed a thin, tight line as she approached.

"Prince Maeglin, how lovely to see you this morning. What can I do for you?"

He tilted his head at Rog and he left them. Maeglin said, "we would like a private word. This way."

Maeglin led them out of the hall and Maewnis sneered at Kiera as she passed her. He was eager to see how this conversation would go, so he led them quickly down the hall and into a vacant room. When the three of them were inside, he closed the door and said, "you will keep quiet about your encounter with Voronwë. If anyone asks you will say you had a wonderful time dancing with him and that was the end of it. Do I make myself clear?"

Maewnis snarled, "why do you care about him? He is a blushing maiden and I barely touched him before he exploded in my hand. Why shouldn't I warn the other elleth to avoid him? He can't offer them any pleasure unless they want to teach him. How awful to spend the entire evening with a handsome ellon and then be left utterly disappointed."

Then she turned to Kiera and snarled, "can't do your own dirty work? Need to get the prince to help you threaten someone. Last I heard, you and Voronwë were finished. Did you leave him because he can't pleasure you or did you find someone better? Is that how you got the prince to help you? By joining him in his bed."

"I would do anything to protect my friends," Kiera replied passionately. "You will not speak about your encounter with anyone. You will pretend it didn't happen and if you see Voronwë around the city you will avoid him or ignore him. Unlike you, I don't need to spread my legs for a man to listen to me. A good conversation and friendship go much further than a one-night fling. I doubt you would know anything about that."

Maewnis's eyes glowed over with rage and she flung herself onto Kiera. She tried slapping her, but Kiera blocked the attack with her forearm. In a surprise motion, Kiera used her other hand to smash her fist into Maewnis's face. Maeglin stepped in then, and separated them.

"How dare you hit me, you filthy little mortal," Maewnis spat. "I will have your head for this. I am a lady of the court and you are nothing. I don't care who you sleep with. You won't be able to get away with this."

That was what he was waiting for as he stood between them and leaned down closer to her face. In a calm, but firm voice, Maeglin said, "I am the prince of this city. You will cease this at once. How dare you raise your hand to hit a guest of the king. I should have you punished instead. I couldn't care less that you are a woman of the court. You will do as I say and not repeat a word of your encounter with anyone. Do not try my patience and you will never raise a hand to Lady Kiera again. If I hear even a whisper about the encounter or retaliation against Lady Kiera, I will make you regret it."

He leaned down closer to her and said softly, "I will take away your title in the court and will take you into my house. I will make you work from sunup till sundown every day in the mines. You will be living with the rest of my house members who dare to defy me. You will live in a group housing near the mines with three changes of clothes, a cot, and two meals a day. You won't be allowed back into the city until I see fit to release you from your punishment. Perhaps not until Lady Kiera is gone from this earth and I will make sure she lives a long and full life. Do I make myself clear?"

Maewnis's eyes flashed with fire and anger, but she nodded in understanding. Maeglin leaned back enough for her to squeeze out past him. She kept her head down and didn't even glance at Kiera once. Once the door was closed, Maeglin stalked closer to Kiera and pushed her, until her back was against the door. He boxed her in and held onto her waist as he leaned down closer to her ear.

"The things I must do to get what I want. You ruined my plans. If she hit you, I could have punished her right away and I need more workers in the mines."

He paused and purred in my ear wondering if he would get to have a very enjoyable afternoon. "It was a very nice punch by the way. It sent a shiver of desire straight to my core. If we were not here right now, I would pleasure you with my mouth until I had you begging my name…..again."

Kiera tensed up at his words, but he knew that it was in a good way. She was very easy to read, but he pulled back and gave her a seductive look. Kiera bolted then and he chuckled softly to himself as he enjoyed their cat-and-mouse game. Maeglin followed hot on her heels until he linked her arm with his and slowed her down to a walk next to him.

"Why the rush? I will walk you home but first I would enjoy an afternoon walk through the folkwell. It is a nice spring morning and I enjoy spending time with you. We can count it for your meeting this week."

She glanced up at him, but he just smiled at her and she relaxed. He knew there would be no pleasure for him with her today, but that did not mean they could not enjoy the day together.

They walked out of the house and across the road to the gardens. It was a beautiful time in the city and Maeglin always liked seeing the flowers in first bloom. The smells are what he really came for as he found himself swept away in the fresh scents of spring. They were the only ones in the folkwell and they passed by the entrance and stepped onto the dirt path.

Maeglin said, "I take many walks in the folkwell. It is the only place in the city that reminds me of home. It is funny that when I lived in Nan Elmoth I wanted nothing more than to come here. Now that I am here, I sometimes miss the trees and nature. This is the only thing close to it in the city but during the spring and summer, I like to take long walks in the plains."

He knew she would be shocked at his words and sure enough, the look on her face was priceless. While most people would be offended, Maeglin was more assumed that people thought they knew everything there was to know about him. Surprising people was a pastime for him.

"I like it when you stare at me," he mused loudly. "Or, perhaps I just like shocking you and seeing your reaction. Or maybe I just like the attention."

Surprisingly, Kiera blurted out, "do you miss them? Your parents?"

That was a bold question from her. Most in the city did not dare speak of his parents to him. Most days, he thought that was for the best, but every so often, he wished people would tell him more about his mother and her adventures.

"Sometimes," he replied honestly. "My father not so much, but I do miss my mother. I wish things could have turned out differently for her. She deserved so much more but the years with my father were not good for her. Her once adventurous and free spirit was left broken. He was not the best father but he still treated me better than he treated my mother."

Assuming that would be the end of her questioning, she surprised him again by asking, "would you tell me about her?"

That made him pause in the pathway and he could not stop the surprised look from forming on his face. "Hardly anyone asks about her to me or talks about her in my presence."

Kiera hesitated and bit her bottom lip, "I'm sorry. I didn't know but you don't have to talk about her if it is painful for you."

Maeglin started walking again, but he found that the words came easy. "It's not. I often wish for people to talk to me about her. I spent my first few years here grieving and asking people all about her life before. My uncle did not take her passing well and did not want anyone to speak about her. This became worse after the passing of my grandfather Fingolfin and my uncle Fingon. I never met either but I did see Fingon during the battle. It was too much for the king and he ran away from any conversations about them and never spoke about any of our family."

He paused, but Kiera looked up at him with surprise. "I forgot you are related to them. I think their heroic deeds need to be talked about and remembered. They accomplished great things even though the battle was lost."

"Yes, I agree," Maeglin replied. "The people will talk about them through the ages. I suppose they will talk about my mother and father as well but for a different reason. I miss her deeply. She was my whole world when I was younger. My father didn't care for me when I was little. He didn't even give me a name until I was 12. He used to just call me boy or son. My mother gave me the name Lómion in secret. I have loved the name ever since but when I was old enough, my father started to train me."

There was a bench just a little ways away and he stopped talking as he walked over to it. He took a seat and patted the space next to him for her. Kiera joined him without comment and they both spent some time gazing around at the scenery.

Finally, he admitted, "I used to despise my father. I still do but not as much as I once did. I could never understand what I did wrong when I was younger. I used to beg for his attention and he would ignore me. I would cry to my mother for years and she would just tell me she loved me. She would tell me stories about Valinor and this city. I longed to leave my home and see the city and meet my family. When my father found out he was worse than before. He would take me away from her and we would take long trips to see the dwarves. I spent less and less time with her and more with him. I see now that it was all a manipulation and I do not think he ever truly loved me."

Kiera was quiet and just let him talk, which he was grateful for. For some reason, he felt content at the moment and all the previous thoughts of his parents came spilling out. "She wished to leave him many times. I could see in her eyes the longing for her home and family. She was scared of my father though. He was very controlling and never let her leave the forest. She had no way out and the adventurous and brave women would disappear the moment he would walk in. By the Valar, I hated what he did to her. He was abusive, controlling, and manipulative and he married her with enchantments in place. I begged her to leave him. I knew the way out of the forest and then she could lead us here. It took years and years for her to finally find the courage to leave. I left my father enough clues to think we were seeking refuge with the sons of Feanor. I thought it would buy us time to get to the city, for surely he wouldn't be able to find it."

Maeglin hung his head low as he said the rest, "I am sure you know the rest of the tale. While my mother lay dying she told me that she loved me and that she was happy I was free of him. She told me she longed to see Valinor again and should she ever be re-embodied, she is going to beg the Valar to dissolve her marriage."

Kiera sniffed and choked up next to him and he could see she had tears in her eyes. Maeglin sniffed and then blinked away his tears. It felt good to talk about them as it had been years.

"I am very sorry," Kiera finally said to him. To his surprise, her words were sincere and did not come with pity. She continued, "you had a very rough childhood but I am glad you are free of him as well. I am sorry about your mother, she deserved better. I hope that she does get her wish. I don't know much about the Valar or the customs of Elvish marriages though."

He looked up at her and nodded his head in agreement. Then he sighed loudly and said, "I hope she gets her wish. If I never see my father again, I wouldn't be upset. I have asked my uncle about the Valar and marriages but we are unsure if it can be dissolved. I hope my mother finds happiness in Valinor and gets to marry someone she loves. I want that for her more than I want that for myself."

They were quiet again for some time and the more he sat there, the more his mind wondered why he shared all of this with her. Confusion crossed his face as he looked questioningly at her. "I do not know why I shared all of that with you. Your presence is soothing and I feel comfortable talking with you. Are you sure you have no magic?"

Kiera laughed a hearty laugh which made him glare at her. Maeglin thought it was a valid question as he had never opened up to someone before. Well, outside of a select few.

"No magic, sorry," she chuckled. "Honestly, people have always felt comfortable around me. My grandmother said I am one of those people who draw people in like a moth to a flame. I don't mind as I am a good listener. My grandmother was the same and she became a psychologist which is like a mind healer. She helped people work through their problems and helped them overcome past traumas. She taught me a lot as well and I miss her terribly as we were very close."

Maeglin did not think that was the cause and he looked at her strangely. "Perhaps," he muttered, "but I do not think that is it. Maybe it has something to do with you being from another world. I will think about it later. Come, I will walk you home."

Maeglin thought about all of their previous conversations as he walked her across the city. He couldn't quite put a finger on what it was, but he said goodbye to her and headed back towards his home. Lost in deep thought.