Chapter 11: A Beacon of Hope Part 2.

"Before entering, I advise you to be careful, some things are still dangerous."

The huge doors of the vault opened from both sides as the Headmaster and The Prince entered. It was in complete darkness, with only the light from the entrance as a source of illumination, although that wasn't exactly a problem for both extraordinary individuals. Still, Ozpin couldn't help but turn on the lights for the sheer spectacle. From the ceiling a golden chandelier adorned with crystals unleashed the lights that made the shadows that consume the room retreat. White light illuminated the enormous hall filled with relics of ages lost as well as remembered.

Some were familiar to the elf's mind, others were only glimpses of superficial similarities to things he had seen in the towns of Beleriand, and in the end there were many that were completely unrecognizable to him, probably from more modern times where wonders were more than everyday life for this new world.

"In my long life I have dedicated a tiny part to this hobby." The gray-haired man said as he walked without concern through that museum. Maedhros followed him, fascinated by the images and figures that hung on the walls, on shelves, boxes and so on.

Elven Crafts, Dwarven Masonry, Maps, Armor, Garments…

"How long has it been? The Second Age should not have advanced so far." The air was too heavy, the trees young, the land silent and the only thing that remained the same were the stars. Not even the Moon had been spared from the change.

"You are right about that, Son of Feanor. The second age was not enough; We are in what would be the Seventh Age of the Sun." They both shared a look before continuing forward until they were in front of a meticulously organized desk where a red book rested.

"Approximately sixteen thousand years" The director ran his fingers over the leather cover of that book, he almost seemed to revere the object as something sacred. But Maedhros was still processing such information, although he woke up in that forest his perception had not changed in the slightest, it had only been a week at most, that infiltration into the camp was still fresh in his memory like his hand burning from the touch of the gem.

"Where is my brother?" Kano had escaped, of that he was sure, of the two he had always been the fastest, the one who always arrived first to lunch, who always won his races in the forests and who could be quieter than the darkness itself beyond the sky but chose to raise his voice with grace for the enjoyment of others.

"Don't know. Your brother's whereabouts are a mystery even to me. When I and the other three arrived in the Third Age, he had not yet returned to the Halls of Mandos."

"So he still lives." A tear slid down his cheek. There was still hope, he could still find–

"Is that relief of yours caused by your brother's well-being? Or is it the desire for the gem that still drives your heart?" Ozpin did not bother to look at it, still focused on that book, he turned on a lamp and opened the first page.

"How dare you! What are you implying, Servant of the Valar!? That I would put my father's gems before the safety of my own blood!?" The copper-haired prince exclaimed indignantly.

"Yes, I do that. It didn't stop you before, why now?"

Murderers! Murderers! You had no right!
There are no gems here, there are no gems... there were only children here...
You are not a prince! You are not my Lord! You are a butcher!
"Careful Son of Feanor. You could lose another hand." The elf had not realized that he closed the distance between them and extended his arm with the intention of strangling the Headmaster. It was an unconscious but instinctive act, and ultimately no less malicious. The Wizard's words had been clear and direct in their intention to warn, but there was no need to raise his voice.

"Because now I can end my oath." The redhead stated with complete confidence, staring into the eyes of the Veteran Hunstmen.

"Are you sure? Thousands of years have passed, your brother could very well have died and with him the last Silmaril would be lost and you are alone."

"Am I?" The elf asked curiously.

"Your kinsmen left Middle Earth in the Third Age, returning to Aman, by the time the Fourth Age passed there were no elves left in these lands. You are the Last Eldar, Son of Feanor."

"Then why am I here!? Why did the Valar send me back if not to fulfill my oath!?".

"And what makes you believe that the Valar took your oath? You called out the name of the One in those cursed words, but did he answer you?".

An abyssal silence enveloped the crystal-lit room as the gazes of both extraordinary beings collided in a fierce battle of wills. Thousands of years of experience between them forged wills of pure iron that did not break easily. But it was not Ozpin's strength that triumphed, but the weakness in Maedhros, a weakness born of truth.

"Why did you bring me here?" What was the point of this meeting, the prince did not know.

"Why? I just wanted to thank you for helping a girl in time of need." He got up from his seat, turning off the small lamp.

"I owed her that."

"Did you take an oath to protect her?"

"No".

"Then perhaps there is still hope for you." And he handed him that red book.


"What are you doing?". The Autumn Maiden rolled a little to be in front of the redhead. Now they were both outside, in the Academy courtyard. She had taken a moment to herself after calling home, the conversation hadn't gone well for either party.

And as she wheeled through the gardens, she visualized her new friend sitting, more melancholy than usual, caressing the leather cover of a red book. Where did he get it? The library was the most obvious option, but he doubted Ozpin would have taken him there for a private talk, it had to be a gift from the headmaster.

"Did the old man give it to you?" she said pointing her finger.

"It was lent to me, I have to return it after finishing it, if I feel like reading it." He said still without looking at her. That irritated the young woman a little. Why couldn't she be the melancholic one for once? But then she remembered that she was too beautiful to be sad and the world was a better place when she blessed it with her smile.

"Be a good gentleman with fine manners and help this lady sit next to you." The redhead only raised one of his copper eyebrows and then picked up the maiden in a bridal style, which she could get used to, and placed her delicately on the stone bench.

"You are Prince Charming!"

"I know". Then Amber applauded herself, took a deep breath, stretched her back, arms, and neck before adopting a posture worthy of a Maiden, with her legs joined, her face forward, and her back straight.

"Well, lie down and tell me what ails you," the young woman exclaimed as she gently patted her thighs. And her surprise was great when she felt the weight of a head rest on them while Nelyafinwe lay his entire body on the bench, although given his monumental height, his legs were left out.

His body was hot, even through the fabric of her pants the heat was predictable. But he didn't look distressed in any visible way, his face was as pale as ever, as immaculate as that night she found him, with those silver eyes hidden behind his eyelids and a stone-carved expression. With the hands of an artist, his face was an ethereal manifestation of beauty, but since all artists were mortal, the imperfection was still perceived in the scars that run through his ivory skin.

With her hand, the Maiden brushed some of the copper locks from his face and then let her palm rest on her friend's forehead. Amber closed her eyes, inhaled and sighed, concentrating the flow of her aura towards her hands, transmitting the autumnal coldness of her soul to the redhead's hot iron.

"Thank you," he murmured, still with his eyes closed.

"Control of the aura is acquired with practice, you have barely awakened it, there will be some side effects but I can teach you a few things."

"Are you an expert on souls, my friend?" He asked in a strangely amused tone.

"No one is an expert on souls, each one is unique like a flame that springs from within us." Those were the last words that were given until the sun began to set and the broken moon appeared in the sky accompanied by the stars. When the cold of the night arrived with a light breeze, neither of them flinched, because the bond they both shared would not be interrupted by such minor natural forces.

"So. Will you tell me what has you thinking so much?" In the end it was she who broke the silence.

"Only if you share your anxieties with me first." He murmured still with his eyes closed.

Amber thought about it for a while, she really didn't expect him to be so perceptive. She wasn't ready to talk about her own problems, really, she couldn't remember the last time she did. Her aunt was always working until she broke her back, Oscar was too small then and needed guidance that only she could give him.

"I… I lied to them, to my family."

"You had your reasons, good reasons."

"I know… but I'm a terrible liar. Oscar says he understands, but he's as bad as me and it's clear he doesn't believe it... and my aunt... well, she was worried, and she's not one of those who settle for lies and half-truths."

"She's just worried, you're not to blame for this, it's not something you had a choice about. You shouldn't blame yourself for wanting to protect them. You love them and they know it, you are a warrior who serves the kingdom of Men, they will make peace with it." He was right about that, Amber was a Hunstmen, one like no other. She had signed up for Beacon knowing that when she entered her life would be full of danger whether it be grimm creatures, criminals or even the forces of nature itself. It was an occupational risk that she accepted.

"You know how to cheer up a lady."

"I had a good mother."

"No sisters?"

"No, just six younger brothers, the biggest headache one could ask for." Amber whistled in amazement at such a revelation, she imagined herself taking care of six Oscars and could not conceive such an image without fearing that she would gain weight just by the mere idea.

"Okay, now it's your turn."

Then Nelyiafinwe opened his eyes after a long time, this time they were not looking at nothing as was his custom, but his sight was focused on the stars, particularly, The Star of Earendil.

"I can leave everything that ties me to this earth behind, forget everything and return home to receive a sentence and never see the light of day or the stars again… Or I can stay here, to fulfill a task that I will never be able to finish" .

"Sometimes I feel like you like to make things more complicated than they already are." The maiden scratched the back of her head at the riddle.

"It's hard to talk about this, believe me when I say I try to make it as simple as possible."

"Okay then. What exactly is stopping you? Is there anything that still has value to you here? apart from me of course."

"A promise and… a brother…"

"I think you already have the answer."

Her friend sighed, it was a strange sigh that mixed relief, exhaustion and defeat, all at the same time. Amber debated for a moment whether it was good advice, but that thought was left behind when the Redhead picked up the book with his one hand and showed it right in front of her face.
Nelyo shook it a little for the Maiden to take it, which she did with her characteristic good humor, and opened the first page.

"There and Back Again."
"Translations from the Elvish."
"The Downfall of the Lord of the Rings and the Return of the King".
"Wow, that last title sure attracts interest." The young woman said as she quickly flipped through the pages in search of images.

"I can't read it, not yet."

"Well, you are in an Academy, there is no better place to learn. Plus, I don't think I'll be leaving anytime soon. Not for myself at least" And as a sign the maid patted her thighs to the sides. Nelyo sighed before getting up again and sitting in a position more suitable for the small space. Amber took the opportunity and leaned against the redhead's shoulder.

"You would make an excellent Huntsmen, that is clear."

"The Director said the same thing."

"What!?".


"I have considered your offer." Ozpin looked up from his desk to see the prince now standing firm in front of him.

"Well?" The director asked expectantly.

"I accept; I will stay." They both understood everything that entailed, although from different perspectives. Ozpin didn't say a word as he crouched under the table to open a compartment from which he took out a medium-sized box. It was made of wood, but covered in black leather with two locks that only opened from the sides.

It was something new, a gift.

Ozpin pressed both bolts and with a click the lid lifted slightly. He pushed the box onto the desk towards the Elf, expectantly. He was cautious, and slowly raised himself until the platinum light from within, which reflected the sky's own broken moon, hit his face.

He was clearly in awe, unable to believe his eyes. It took him a moment to process what was in front of him, what it meant, and what would change about him from now on.

Still with his hand on the box, he looked at the director.

"Why are you doing this for me? Why help me?".

"Because I can."

Maedhros lifted the stump of his arm and placed the prosthesis on it. The silver fist closed and forcefully descended on the glass table that broke upon impact. The entire tip of the Tower shook but Ozpin remained inimitable, in fact, he was somewhat amused by the elf's theatrics.

"I have a condition." Of course the Son of Feanor had a condition.

"You will help me find my Brother…"

"...and my Silmarils."


Mae Govannen Eruhini~✨
Salutations!~✨

Well, this concludes the first part, don't worry, there will be more content, this is just to guide myself. After this more characters will begin to arrive, but for now I will only say that the next chapters will be somewhat more "Independent".

Any criticism or review is welcome.

Namárië!~✨