Kiera
A dark shadow loomed over her, but she wasn't worried. The massive eagle landed in front of her with his wings spread. Thorondor, the lord of the eagles, was as massive as an airplane with a long wingspan. His entire being was unworldly as she looked at him with awe.
Kiera nearly stumbled as she bowed low. "Thank you for rescuing me. I can never repay the you. The other eagle said you wanted to speak with me?"
Standing up straight she met his gaze which seemed to hold wisdom and depth in them. The brown eyes pulled her in as he tipped his head slightly to her. He said, "yes child. I am Thorondor, the lord of the eagles. I serve Manwë, lord of the Valar. Tell me, child, why were you leaving? The city is the safest place for you, and it is where you are meant to be."
She choked up and shook her head, "I don't know. I panicked because I was scared. Some of the lords were coming to the village and wanted to speak with me. I thought they were coming to take me back to the city to the king. He believes that I am a servant of the enemy and wants to kill me."
The eagle clucked softly at her, but it reminded her of a human sigh. "King Turgon is a good king, but he is just an elf. I wish to hear your tale from the beginning. I have heard the whispers in the world about you, and I have some information to pass on, but I would like to know more first. Would you confide in me, my child? I promise your words will be kept secret, but I know more about the past, present, and future of this world than anyone else, save the Valar."
Desperate for someone wise with some answers, she choked out a sob and nodded. Taking a deep breath, she began her tale. It took a while, as some parts of it made her made her cry as she spoke about her family. She divulged everything that had happened in the city since her arrival, although she glossed over some of the more private moments. Finally, she ended with the events of the last few days and then asked, "I am just not sure what I am supposed to do. I am just one person and I don't know all the details."
Throughout her narrative, he watched her intently. Never interrupting her or stopping to ask questions, for which she was grateful. His eyes held wisdom, and she felt safe and content in his presence. She must have been on the cliffside for hours, as the sun started to fade under the mountains, casting a shadow across the city.
"A heavy burden you carry, but one that was meant for you," he finally told her. "I see now how the whispers in the wind and the water are all connected. Tell me, child, do you know much about free will?"
It was a strange question to ask, so she shrugged, "sort of. Don't we all have free will to do what we want? We all were created by the one, but we choose our own path in our lives."
Thorondor nodded at her and said, "yes and no. The Valar, the Maiar, and all the creatures before the children are bound to the will of the one. We are his servants and may intervene when necessary, but we cannot override the free will of the children. The elves, humans, and dwarves all have free will. Some more than others. The elves have limited free will and are bound by their destinies. Dwarves and humans are not bound to this world and may act of their own free will. There is no destiny before them, but a few have carved out their own by their actions and choices. It is a gift, and they do not realize just how important it is for this world. They have the power to help or hinder this world and then leave to the beyond. Do you understand, child?"
"Kind of," she shrugged, not really understanding where he was going with it. "I don't understand how you can have free will and yet have a destiny," she remarked.
He clucked softly, and she almost thought he was laughing. He said, "yes, that is a tricky question. Many of the elves believe they have free will, and they do for the most part. Take the prince of this city for example. His destiny is to betray the city. There is nothing you can do to stop it. You may try, and you may think you have succeeded, but you will just have prolonged the inevitable. His destiny is to give up the location of the city. It has been predetermined since his birth. The Valar can see the paths of the elves and can try to help, but they may not directly interfere with their destiny, nor may they interfere when the children make their own decisions. Lord Ulmo has seen the downfall of this city. He sent Tuor as a messenger to warn the elves and to give them the choice to leave. Had they chosen to leave, perhaps certain fates could have been altered, but that is for others to see beyond me."
"The fate of Gondolin has been sealed. King Turgon ignored the warning and chose to stay in the city. The enemy will find the location of the city and I cannot interfere. However, you and Tuor can change things."
She looked at him, gobsmacked. "How? You just said that the city will fall, and you said Maeglin is destined to give up the location."
He ruffled his feathers and clucked loudly. "His destiny is to give up the location, but his choices before and after are his own. You and Tuor are mortal. You are not bound by destiny, and you may alter the story, so to speak. The prince will give up the location, but you have the power to make sure the people survive. Perhaps, you can convince the prince to change his ways for the better. Maybe you can convince the king to prepare for the fall, or you can help dig the tunnel for the people to escape. You have many options available to you. You may carry the burden of the future, but you also carry hope."
She thought long and hard about his words and then said, "I am just one person. I don't have the power in the city to sway the king. I could help build the tunnel and that was my plan from the beginning, but I am stuck on the other options. I can't do it all by myself."
He blinked at her and dropped his head low to hers. "You are just one human, and I am just one eagle, but even I cannot do things alone. You have friends in the city who would help you bear this burden. I do not believe they would turn away from you, and I think you will be surprised to find that they might also want to make a difference. Perhaps, this isn't solely about you. From your tale, the survivors number just a small amount. Think of what would happen if everyone in this city were saved. They will continue to make decisions and changes to this world. It will take all the free peoples of this world and the help of the Valar to defeat Melkor. Every person has a part to play, and only then do we stand a chance. Whether for good or bad, only time will tell."
She nodded and he pulled back. He tilted his head, "now onto business. I have messages to carry from Manwë and now that you have shared your story it makes more sense to me. Your secrets are safe, but I must tell you a few things. First, I cannot help during the fall. King Turgon disregarded the warning of Ulmo and made his choice. I am bound to respect his choices. I cannot tell you when they are coming, nor will I alert you when they get close. I am sorry, child, but you must understand this."
She nodded solemnly. It would have been nice to have a warning, but she understood the limitations that he was under.
He continued, "however, should you build a tunnel and the survivors leave the city, I will protect them on the mountain pass. Glorfindel's destiny is to protect the survivors, and you cannot change that. His purpose is too great in the future, and I believe you will not even be given the opportunity to change it. I will watch over the survivors and pick off any remaining servants of Melkor to give them the time to make it to the havens. I think it would be best to not tell people their fates, no matter how much they ask. It would do them no good with that looming over their heads for years."
A small tear leaked out, but she understood. Glorfindel was too important for the future, but it was still heartbreaking to hear. Kiera had grown fond of him, regardless of the harsh words he said to her. Underneath all the outbursts, he was a good person. "I understand."
"Good. Now onto a happier subject. One message from Manwë is that he gives you, his blessing. I will take you back to the city and I will tell the king myself. That will protect you from the king. You will have to still serve some punishment for leaving the city, but perhaps time in the mines. You spoke of your plan to learn more about building tunnels, and it is a good plan. I will suggest punishment in the mines to the king, but please do not try to leave again. The mountain pass is difficult, and there will be no rescue from me again until the fall."
"Thank you. I understand and agree it would be best."
He bowed and then said, "I admit I do not know everything. I am told it is a long tale, but your grandmother is waiting for you in Valinor. She is a Maia from Nienna's halls."
She spluttered, "WHAT?"
"Your grandmother Eloise is waiting for you in Valinor. Manwë has allowed me to pass the message. You were bound to find out eventually. You are part Maia, but I am unsure how. Your grandmother belongs to this world. She left Arda some time ago for your world and is now back in Valinor. I am not informed how or why, but she is aware you are here in Middle Earth. She is forbidden from leaving Valinor, but Manwë has let me pass the information."
"I don't understand," Kiera spluttered. "Is the rest of my family here? How can I be a Maia, I don't have any special powers."
He shook his head. "You are the only one from your family to be brought here so far. It was a fixed price before you were born. I am not sure if you will be the only one. Only time will tell."
He clucked, "your fëa is mostly human, but you do have some light in you. I saw it as you climbed the mountain. A small bright light against the dark. Nienna is the Valar of grief, sorrow, and pity. She and her maiar help people and offer them mercy and forgiveness. Your powers lie within spoken words, compassion, and understanding. Perhaps, if you practice and focus you might be able to reach more, but I am unsure. However, the elves of this city are in dire need of compassion and empathy. Think back to all you have told me. People feel comfortable in your presence, and they share their feelings and fears with you. That is your power. You help them grow and learn to better understand themselves and the world around them. You also forgive and believe people deserve forgiveness. Think about the prince and the sons of Feanor. Do you think they deserve forgiveness?"
She stared at him, as he waited patiently for her answer. "I mean, I understand them. I know why they did the horrible things they did. I understand why Maeglin is going to give up the location of the city. I don't believe I have the power to forgive them because they need to forgive themselves. I do believe they should be given the chance though to make changes and better choices."
He nodded deeply, "yes, that is correct. The prince of the city might make a change, only time will tell. You could continue to be his friend and offer support when he needs it. Perhaps, this will be enough for him to make better choices. You will see in time that the elves do not understand this. It is a fault in many of the firstborn. They are slow to change and hold onto the past for thousands of years."
He paused for a moment and then continued, "this is the final message from Manwë."
'Brought into this world yet not wholly bound to it. The price has been fixed before your birth, yet no destiny lies before you. A chance to make a difference, you have been given. A heavy task lies before you, but overcome it you shall. Should you find love and bear children from the union of man and elf, you and your kin will be granted passage to Valinor. You may not share your secret with your love until after a bond has been formed and blessed before Eru Ilúvatar. Your future children may be told the knowledge, but no others. You will have my blessing, go forth and bring changes to this world.'
She needed a minute to dissect the message, reeling in shock. She needed to ask some clarifying questions. "So what does that truly mean? I can't tell anyone what I am unless we are married. Then, if we have children, I can?"
"Yes. A union between a human and elf is a sacred bond. Every union brings forth drastic changes to this world, and the offspring of the unions accomplish great things for Middle Earth. An elf must love you freely as a mortal and marry you before you may tell him. This is the word of the Valar and you will be bound to it by law. You may not tell anyone what you are or that you have been given safe passage to Valinor. The king would use this to beg the Valar for help, but the time is not right. He does so for selfish reasons and not for the people of this world. The elves wish to go home, but they are still under the Doom of Mandos. Why should the elves be given safe haven against Melkor while the rest of Middle Earth burns? They fought against the Valar to leave, and they will stay until their task is done. It may seem cruel, but this is the fate tied to all the exiles, and they willingly accepted."
"Nor may you tell any what you are. It was bound to be brought forth eventually. Should you ever get sick or injured, the healers will be able to tell that you have a light in you. If any of the healers trained in Valinor, they will know. They will also be bound to the word of Valar and may not speak of it. Perhaps, you should only get healed by the same healer."
She understood his words, but she was still curious about one thing. "So what happens after I sail? I spend my remaining years in Valinor and my children die and leave my future husband alone?"
He clucked, "I do not have answers for you, but perhaps the future stories you know give you some clues. I could not guess what will happen, but at least you have been given a chance. Many others would risk it all just for the chance."
She thought back to the stories. Idril and Tuor's son did get a choice. She had no idea if that would be given to her and her future children, but it was an incredible gift to even be given the chance. She bowed low to him and then said, "thank you. Please thank Manwë for his blessing, the information, and the chance. I do not know if it was all the Valar, but if it was, could you thank them as well? It is a remarkable gift and I am grateful. Even the chance to see my grandmother again means more to me than words can describe. I know what I must do now, and I will give everything I have to save the people in this city."
He bowed low to her and leaned down close to her face. "Nienna may be the Valar of grief, sorrow, and pity, but she is also the Valar of courage. You have an abundance of courage, and you will need that before the end. Do not despair or give up hope. Continue to move forward, and I think now you will have an easier time doing so."
Kiera brushed away some tears and nodded. "Thank you for speaking with me. You are very kind and wise. I was starting to lose my way and get lost in my grief. You have sparked hope in me, and I promise to save as many people in the city as I can. I will do this regardless of who stands in my way."
She noticed a single tear shed, and Thorondor tilted his head for it to drop. "I will take you back to the city and speak to the king. I do not believe we will speak again for many years, but I will watch over you."
Kiera smiled warmly at him and his kind words. Then, he pulled back, and reached out with his talons to grab her. She waved goodbye to the other eagles as he took off. To her surprise, he began flying around the tops of the mountains surrounding the city. She got a good look at the surrounding areas, spotting a large forest in the distance, which must have been Doriath. As they flew closer to the north, she saw black clouds circling high mountains. She shuddered at the sight and looked away. He continued to fly around the high peaks, and as they approached the cliffside again, he started to descend.
She yelled out in excitement as they dropped at an angle down the mountainside. The sun had just begun to set and the valley was dark. It was a magnificent sight as they dropped into the plains. He flew over the fountain and made a high lap around the city before circling the square of the king. She noticed a crowd of people running into the square as the lords and the king exited the palace. Thorondor set her down gently before landing next to her in front of everyone.
She saw the king pale, his face draining of color. The rest of the lords stared between her and Thorondor. Ignoring their glances, she looked to Thorondor and waited.
The king bowed, and the rest of the lords and the people in the square followed suit. She bowed with them. Thorondor spoke to the king. "King Turgon, son of Fingolfin. I bring Kiera back to your city. She has shared her tale with me, and she thought her life was in danger. I understand she was scared and sought to flee the city through the mountains rather than face execution under your hand. Hear me now Turgon, Kiera has the blessing of Lord Ulmo and Lord Manwë. She will not be harmed while she lives in this city, or you will suffer the wrath of the Valar. They are aware of her presence, and she does indeed come from another world. The workings of Eru Ilúvatar are not for the children to understand. She is aware of why she has been brought to this world, but she is bound by the laws of the Valar not to say."
"Yet," he clucked at the king. "She understands she has broken your law and will submit to your punishment. She will be treated as any other citizen. I suggest a period of time in the mines, like you have others do. She will not run away again, and keep her confined to the village if you must. Afterward, she should be allowed back into the city without restrictions."
Turgon's face drained of his remaining color, and he looked at Thorondor in shock. He moved to speak, but Thorondor cut him off. "Yes, I have been aware that you wished to speak to me. You have been given a warning from Lord Ulmo that you have disregarded, and now you have sealed your fate. There is nothing I can offer you, and Valinor is still sealed off against you. Do not send any others out to sea, or they will perish. My kin and I will continue to watch the mountainsides, and we will bring news to you, but I can offer you nothing else."
He clucked at the king and ruffled his feathers. The king bowed, and Thorondor gave her a one last head tilt before he took off into the sky. He flew away out of the square as all the people in the city turned to look at her. Celebrimbor pushed his way through the crowd until he broke free of the people. Kiera couldn't look at him, so she turned towards the lords and the king.
Turgon was frozen in shock as he stared at her with a grimace on his face. Maeglin seemed to recover from the shock first as he said, "perhaps this is a conversation best had in the palace."
The king didn't speak as he turned towards the palace with the other lords in tow. Maeglin waved for her to follow, just as Celebrimbor came rushing up to them.
"Please, it is my fault she ran. I am sorry, and I need to tell the king."
Maeglin arched his brow and swept his hand to the door. Celebrimbor passed by her without a glance, but she noticed the tenseness in his shoulders. Waking behind all the lords, the door closed behind her with a snap as everyone took their seats. Celebrimbor stood beside her in the center of the room as the king and Tuor took their seats with Idril standing between them.
Kiera didn't know where to look, but she opted to find the one friendly face and glanced over at Ecthelion. His starling blue eyes gripped hers, but she spotted the tinge of red around them. He looked relived to see her, but there was concern and sadness in his face. Glancing over at Glorfindel, he looked completed devastated and refused to meet her eyes. She looked away then just as Maeglin cleared his throat.
"Celebrimbor, why don't you tell us what you wish to say."
Celebrimbor stepped forward, shielding his face from her view. In a flat voice, he confessed, "it is my fault she ran. I joined Kiera in the mines, and we had a spare evening before our first shift. I wished to speak to her about something private. We ended up fighting, and my words got the better of me. I threatened her that I would return to the city and tell the king she was a servant of the enemy. She told me I was just like my father, and she was right. I left in a rage back to the city, and I know now that I shouldn't have left. The following day, Prince Maeglin, Lord Ecthelion, Lord Glorfindel, Lord Rog, and Lord Egalmoth all made their way to the mines. I am sure, to her, it seemed like they were coming to collect her to bring her back to the city to be killed. I see now why she ran, and I am sorry for the problems I have caused."
Turgon looked at him with rage. "You would have brought the wrath of the Valar down upon us. I would have killed her on your words, and you would have driven this city to ruin. I should have never let you into this city. All you Fearnorians bring death and destruction everywhere you go."
Celebrimbor clenched his fists tightly and retorted. "Don't act so innocent. You have been planning to have her killed since the day she came. You did not believe her words and thought she was a spy. You have been trying to find an excuse to kill her for the past year. Do not put the blame on me for the ruin of this city. Thorondor said the fate of this city has been sealed with your disregard to Lord Ulmo's warning. She came to this city with the blessing, along with Tuor, and you happily accepted him. It is only now that you have heard the words from Manwë's own messenger and the blessing of Manwë do you accept her words."
The king paled and then shook his head as he pounded his fists against his throne. "I should kill you instead. I should have never permitted you to enter this city. You will be punished along with Kiera. Leave my sight."
Celebrimbor bowed and then turned to leave. His eyes locked with hers, and then he looked away with sadness. She heard the door open and close behind her, and the room waited in silence. The king looked at her and then asked bluntly, "what did you speak to Thorondor about this afternoon?"
Puzzled and slightly annoyed, she replied, "I told him my story about my life and everything that has happened since I arrived."
The king leaned off his throne, his eyes glinting with a strange expression. Kiera felt the shiver crawl up her spine as he stared at her.
"Why have you been brought to this world?" The king asked. "Why have you been sent to this city?"
"I cannot say. I am bound to the laws of the Valar, and I will not go against them."
The king glared, "but you know why? This city was chosen for a reason, and you cannot share?"
All the lords sat on the edge and waited for her answer. "I know why, but I cannot say. It has to do with my family, nothing more."
The king scoffed, "I do not believe you. Your family is mortal and in another world. Tell me, are you going to be the reason this city falls?"
She stared at him in shock and horror, "what, no."
The king glared at her, "yet, you clearly have gained some information from your conversation with Thorondor. So, the Valar have confirmed your story of being from another world. Lord Ulmo sends a warning that this city will fall, and you come with it. I find that suspicious, more so than before. Tell me why you ended up in this city. Why has Eru Ilúvatar plucked you from your world and brought you here, and specifically this city? Why here and why now?"
"I don't know," Kiera cried helplessly. "I was told things that pertain to my family and nothing more. I was given the blessing from Manwë, and Thorondor gave me some advice. I cannot say anymore."
Idril spoke up, "father, you need to let this go. I sense no darkness or malice from Kiera. You cannot go against the Valar. You disregarded the warning, and now you are growing worried and scared. You are blaming others without reason, and I won't stand for it. I trust in the Valar, and I trust in my friend. Let this hatred towards her go. She will not be the reason this city falls."
The king looked over at Idril, and she shot him a pointed look. They stared at each other, but then the king turned to her. "You and Celebrimbor will serve two years in the mine for your actions. Afterward, you will be welcomed back into the city. You may not leave the village without an escort. Once you return, your restrictions will be lifted. Do you accept this punishment?"
A few of the lords started to speak out against him, but she interrupted, "I accept."
He nodded, "Maeglin will show you back to the mines tomorrow." With that, he got up and left the room, slamming the door behind him. Maeglin sighed and started to follow him. He said to her, "I will collect you in the morning." Then he left the room as the other lords looked at her.
Most of them got up immediately and left the hall. Rog, Duilin, and Penlod patted her shoulder softly as they left. Each of them giving her small smiles. It was just Tuor, Idril, Glorfindel, and Ecthelion left.
Ecthelion cleared his throat, "perhaps we should move to one of our houses. I would like to talk to Kiera, and I know Glorfindel does as well."
They all agreed as they left the palace together as a group. Outside, Celebrimbor was waiting along with Voronwë. The minute Voronwë saw her, he rushed to her and scooped her up into his arms. He crushed her in a tight hug as he said, "by the Valar, Kiera, do not ever do that again. I was so worried and scared for you. I am so thankful that the Valar are watching over you. My heart broke when I heard you ran, and I wished I begged you to tell me what was wrong before you left for the city. You should not have to suffer alone." He pulled away and cupped her face. "Promise me you won't do that again. I cannot bear it if something happens to you."
The sheer look of devastation on Voronwë's face made her choke up. She knew running away would hurt them, but seeing their faces was more painful than she imagined. "I promise," she told him softly.
They hugged again, gripping each other tightly as she buried her face into his chest. Kiera didn't want to let go, but there were others she needed to speak with as well. When they broke apart, Kiera looked for him instantly.
Celebrimbor stood off to the side, looking at her hesitantly. Everyone else glanced between them, waiting for one of them to speak.
"Come back to the house with us," Kiera told him softly. "I need to speak with everyone and we can talk."
Celebrimbor choked on air as he nodded. Tuor then took the lead and started to make his way back to his house. Their progression was silent the entire way there are each of them had things to say to the other. The next conversations were going to be difficult and Kiera knew she needed to tell her friends the truth. There wasn't time to explain everything, but she was struggling to find the words to say to them all.