It has been a long while( more than a year). I do not know if anyone is still reading this, but I am ready to continue and yikes to poor Airawende in the following chapter.
Her hands were ordinary. With a grimace Haldamire continued to look at her fingers and palm in an odd mood. Airawende just did not understand anything. In fact, she never had, even back when they were in their old lives. She would judge her for showing Tar-Mairon what she did, but forget the price for waking up. She hadn't paid it, but again, she would. She flexed her fingers with mute curiosity and watched them move almost like they weren't even a part of her. She had fallen into these fey moods ever since granting Tar-Mairon access to her mind. He didn't look very often. Sometimes he explained that some knowledge is too dangerous even for him and he must take it later to utilize it successfully. She didn't understand his thoughts. Surely, knowing everything would be the best, but maybe it was because he didn't want others to have this knowledge and that was a risk here in Angband.
Her knuckles turned white as she suddenly clenched them, thoughts turning back to Airawende. She had only wanted to save her from such agony. Or was it Tar-Mairon whispering to her that she wanted to save Airawende from such agony. She frowned hesitating and trying to remember. Everything was such a blur sometimes. Could he plant thoughts directly in her mind? Probably, but why would he when he knew she would listen to everything he said?
"Haldamire" Tar-Mairon's silky voice wrapped around her bringing her to the present with a jolt. She stood and began to kneel in obedience the way she had been taught. It felt like forever ago when she and Airawende had appeared, but it probably wasn't as long as it felt.
"Rise, little one. I must have words with you" He said with his glowing like magma. He always felt dangerous, but he must have been holding in some of the fire today.
"Tar-Mairon" Haldamire said softly clenching her fingers tightly into her robes feeling very strange.
"Come and sit" he said sweeping towards where she usually slept "fear not little one, I only wish to discuss your symptoms".
"My symptoms" Haldamire whispered sitting down on her bed and keeping her eyes lowered respectfully.
"little Haldamire" Tar-Mairon began slipping a finger under her chin and pulling her eyes up to his burning golden ones "You are facing mental strain from my sifting through your memories and knowledge selectively. The maia blood you are infused with increases your physical reaction to it. Such is a novelty experiment to us all because infusing something like an Edain with Maia blood should never be done. I must monitor you more carefully and I question what reactions may have occurred without such a mental incursion."
Haldamire trembled a little full of questions. She still didn't understand the words Tar-Mairon used sometimes. What was a maia? What was the blood doing to her? What should her reaction have been normally. His eyes burned into hers and she trembled even more. You seem to forget much his voice whispered into her mind. Had she learned this before?
"Your song is much stronger than it was, but it has changed in tune." He continued out loud and paused for a moment "You cannot comprehend such things as the Music nor are you likely too, but other things you should know. I have made many allowances due to your youth and Edain-like frailty. I would prefer your understanding heightened to some degree and you must learn Haldamire. I have ordered another teacher for you."
"I won't disappoint you, Tar-Mairon" Haldamire said softly
"I know you won't little one" fire filled his voice "because the results of my disappointment would be very unpleasant, and you've tasted it before". Haldamire cringed remembering the snapping sound of Airawende's leg and other torments inflicted upon them in the early days.
"Tar-Mairon?" Haldamira whispered, eyes starting well up.
"Speak, little one" He ordered voice softening as he released her chin.
"Will there be other effects?" She whimpered, flexing her fingers almost absently.
"I am sure, but it could take centuries to fully come to light. Now let me see your back" Tar-Mairon's eyes glowed hotter and Haldamire felt rage whispering in her mind. With shaking fingers, she found the edge of her robe and began the process of slipping it off as she turned to face the wall. His, almost too warm, fingers slid over her shoulders and pulled down her clothing a lot faster then moved to lightly touch the brand. Haldamire felt sick with disgust that Tar-Mairon would see someone else's mark permanently etched into her skin and anger at Airawende. This had only happened because she refused the inevitable. Then she gave in so quickly it made it feel like a joke. Tar-Mairon said nothing just slowly traced the brand. Haldamire was too afraid to move or speak.
"It is a pity you and Airawende have such poor healing. I do wonder if I should flaunt the mark to warn him to be careful with his toys, so Airawende doesn't break irrecoverably under him" He finally said musingly. The fury had subsided. "This is not over. I may yet have a method of repair" His fingers stroked the brand softly. Haldamire almost turned in shock, but kept herself still. Tar-Mairon valued obedience and self-control not silly reactions.
"Thuringwethil" Tar-Mairon called pulling his hand back and turning "bring Haldamire's pup and the slave." Haldamire began tugging up her robes and trying to fasten them with shaking fingers as the heat of Tar-Mairon's presence vanished.