The Wars of the Valar by Fiondil

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Chapter 51: Tulwi Ainuron Etelelyar

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51: Tulwi Ainuron Etelelyar

Preparations for the war continued apace. A call went forth for the Máyar who were already present in the Outer Lands to ascertain the exact location of Melkor’s fortresses and the strength of his army. Only then did the Ayanumuz realize how Atar had purposed this when he inspired some of the Máyar to abandon Amanaphelun when they did: that when the need arose, there would already be Máyar spies in place. Strategies were offered and abandoned or modified as more information was gathered. Ilmarin’s throne room became a War room with a model of Ambarhíni floating in midair, serenely spinning in real-time. Where Amanaphelun was located a single white light, indicating the Ayanumuz, pulsated gently, while two other lights, both red, shone where Utumno and Angamando were located in the Outer Lands. Far to the east was a single blue light marking the location of Cuiviénen and the Children. Various other hues of light spread from Amanaphelun across the Sea indicating possible routes for the army of the Ayanumuz to take.

"The fastest way is across this land bridge to the north," Ulmo said, pointing to the globe. His finger traced a green line of light along the suggested route. "It’s the narrowest point between Amanaphelun and the Outer Lands. We can approach both of Melkor’s main fortresses from the northwest."

Manwë nodded. "However, we need to bring some of our forces from this direction," he said, moving another line of light, this one blue, from the southeast upward. "I don’t want any of Melkor’s People to escape in this direction. They could very well make their way to Cuiviénen and attempt to take hostages from among the Children."

There were looks of dismay at that thought. Finally Aulë nodded. "We would have to coordinate this very carefully. These forces in the south and east need to be in place before we reach the northern shore. They must also be in hiding. Melkor must not suspect that they are there."

"That might be hard to accomplish," Tulkas said with a frown. "The Úmáyar are as capable of detecting us when we are unclad as we are capable of detecting them."

"True," Manwë replied, staring at the slowly spinning globe pensively. "We will have to create a diversion, I think; keep Melkor’s attention fixed in one direction and one direction only."

"Then we should make our faring forth a spectacle," Námo said and all eyes turned to him. He had remained silent throughout the discussion until now, deciding to let others take the lead in making plans. He nodded at the quizzical looks on his fellow Ayanumuz’s faces. "We must give Melkor what he desires most: a chance to show off even more than we."

For a moment the others merely exchanged looks and then Manwë nodded. "I think that will work. Very well. The larger part of our forces will follow us along this northern route. We will make of ourselves a spectacle though there will be none to see."

"Save Atar," Varda added quietly and the others nodded.

"A smaller, more elite group will make their way along the south and east," Manwë continued, pointing to the globe. "We want to contain Melkor here in the Northwest. This mountain range in the east should help hem him in."

"I will have Melyanna and the other Máyar already there keep an eye on Melkor’s forces," Irmo stated. "They will alert us of any attempt to flee to the south or east."

"That is well," Manwë said. "At all costs we must keep Melkor and his People from Cuiviénen. The Children are to be protected, both from knowledge of this war and from its devastation as far as it is possible."

"There will be great upheavals of land and seas," Námo pointed out. "That cannot be avoided."

"True," Manwë replied. "But I do not think to the total destruction of the world. If we refrain from attacking unclad, approaching Melkor as Incarnates, then Melkor and his People will do the same, if only to show that they are stronger than we are even in physical form. As long as we keep this war limited to the physical plane, Atháraphelun should not suffer unduly."

"We can only hope," Yavanna muttered gravely and they all nodded, silently adding their own prayers to hers.

****

Námo agreed to lead the elite forces along the southern route. Maranwë, when he heard it, was not pleased, nor were many of Námo’s other Máyar. "I wished for us to be at the vanguard of the army," Maranwë complained. "We want to avenge the Children who have suffered so grievously at Melkor’s hands."

"None of them should even be here," Calimo protested hotly, his eyes burning with rage. "These Halls are supposed to be for the Secondborn."

"And now they serve another purpose, perhaps the purpose that was meant all along," Námo countered.

This stopped the Máyar cold at the implications of their lord’s words. "All the more reason that we who know the truth of Melkor’s crimes against the Children should lead the vanguard against him," Maranwë replied at the last. There were many nods among his fellows.

Námo sighed, not sure how to respond. Vairë saved him the trouble. "Manwë himself asked us to do this," she told them. "We only agreed to it because this way we lie in the direct path of any who may attempt to flee towards Cuiviénen. We will be the bastion that offers the Children their best protection."

"As for vengeance," Námo stated, his mien somewhat cold and forbidding. "That is not for any of you to attempt. These Little Ones suffered greatly, it is true, but now they are safe and sleep peacefully. When they awaken they will have no memory of their lives or deaths. A time will come when they will have to face the memory of both, but that is for the future. Today, our only task is to see that no other Children are destroyed in like manner. That is what this war is about. It is not about taking revenge; it’s about seeking justice."

At these words, all the Máyar gave the two Ayanumuz their deepest obeisance and plans were then put forth as to the logistics of the march.

****

At the last minute, Oromë stated he would join Námo and Vairë, adding his own Máyar to theirs. "We will hold the eastern front," he told them, "otherwise your People will be too spread out to be effective."

So it was agreed and at a particular moment Námo and Vairë began sending their Máyar in small groups to begin the infiltration of the Outer Lands. Oromë did the same and over the next year the two groups made their way secretly through the land, creating a defensive line spreading from the western shore to the eastern mountains. At its closest point to Angamando, Melkor’s southern-most fortress, the line was two hundred leagues away.

"This should be close enough to keep the line tight," Oromë told Námo and Vairë as they stood in the midst of the mountains surveying their troops, "but far enough away to avoid detection."

"Remaining corporeal should help," Námo said. "It’s easier to hide our electro-magnetic signatures in hrávë." The other two nodded.

"This will be as far as the enemy will come," Oromë said with some satisfaction. "None will get past us."

Námo stared up at the star-strewn sky and made some calculations. "Manwë will be setting out by now," he said.

"Let us hope Melkor is impressed by the spectacle the others will make," Vairë added.

Oromë smiled at her. "I have no doubt that Manwë will make a great show of it and that Melkor will be unable to resist the challenge."

"Most likely he will cower in his fortress," Námo replied dismissively, "which will serve our purposes just as well."

The other two nodded. "The great unknown will be Aulendil," Oromë then said. "We do not know to what extent he has told Melkor about us, both our weaknesses and our strengths."

"I hope for all our sakes Aulë does not encounter his former Máya," Vairë said. "If we are to win this war we must all remain focused on Melkor."

"Easier said than done, I’m afraid," Oromë commented with a frown.

"Aulë knows what is at stake here," Námo said. "He will not let himself be sidetracked from our purpose."

"Yavanna will not let him, anyway," Vairë added and the other two smiled knowingly at that.

For some time silence stretched between the three of them. With their minds’ eyes they could see the host of the Ayanumuz setting forth from Amanaphelun, passing swiftly over the land bridge that separated it from the Outer Lands. It was indeed a spectacle.

In the forefront strode Eönwë as Manwë’s herald, holding aloft a large dark blue banner with the sigil of the Ayanumuz upon it: a representation of the Flame Imperishable ringed by fourteen diamonds that glittered coldly under the stars. The red and gold flames seemingly flickered in reality, though they burned cold rather than hot. Behind Eönwë were Manwë and Varda and their Máyar. Ilmarë carried the banner of Varda with her single eight-pointed star while Olórin carried Manwë’s personal standard of an eagle with wings spread. The other Ayanumuz were ranged behind them, each of their Chief Máyar holding aloft their lord or lady’s personal standard. Even Námo’s, Vairë’s and Oromë’s standards were there. Námo’s standard was carried by Maranwë’s brother in Atar’s Thought, Tiutalion, while Vairë’s was carried by Ingil of the People of Irmo. Oromë’s standard was held by his own Máya, Tilion, who volunteered to remain with Lady Vána’s company so as not to be parted from Arien. All knew that he was somewhat besotted of her, though she had eyes only for another. Oromë decided that it would be better to allow Tilion to be close to Arien rather than moping in the mountains.

The host of the Ayanumuz made their way into the Outer Lands, with several companies under the leadership of Tulkas and Irmo splitting off from the main host and heading southward towards Angamando, while the rest continued eastward towards Utumno. However, before the two groups were completely separated, Melkor came forth, meeting them on a plain some leagues from the gates of Utumno. The banners of the enemy were black with no sigils, a telling sign to the Ayanumuz.

Melkor’s fire-demons led by Cosmoco attacked first, their fire whips leaving trails of flame behind them as they struck. The counterattack was swift and brutal. Eönwë handed the banner of the Ayanumuz over to Nornoros and led the onslaught into Melkor’s front line. Swords of light and flame clashed and the earth trembled and groaned under the weight of the Powers at war. Even though all remained incarnate and their weapons were primarily of the physical kind, the earth was still rent with upheavals that changed the landscape forever. Fissures opened up and quakes spread across the continent. The Great Sea that sundered Aman from the Outer Lands widened and tidal waves carved many bays along the western seacoast. Plains were raised into mountains and mountains were leveled into plains.

Melkor’s forces initially had the upper hand and it seemed that the Ayanumuz’s forces would be routed before they were properly employed for battle, but Námo had already planned for that. He turned to Maranwë who stood behind him and nodded. "Raise the standard, Maranwë," he commanded and the Máya unfurled the standard, black with a sigil of the Two Trees wrought in silver and gold. Oromë looked surprised at first but then nodded in approval.

"You never intended to just sit by and do nothing, did you?" he asked Námo, giving him a shrewd look.

Námo shook his head. "Actually, neither I nor Vairë were content to remain on the sidelines, although I suspect that was what Manwë planned, knowing that we two had the greatest grievance against Melkor."

"He wanted to protect you from yourselves," Oromë said with a nod of understanding.

Námo’s grin was feral. "He forgot one thing."

"What was that?"

It was Vairë though who answered. "He forgot that we don’t need protection. We never did. Atar was always with us even in the darkest of times."

"And so we will join in the fight," Námo added. "Melkor will not be expecting an attack from behind." He gave Oromë a measuring look. "Are you with us, brother?"

Oromë did not answer immediately, gazing northwestward to where their brethren fought against Melkor’s demons. Then a slow smile crossed his visage as he turned his attention back to Námo. "Actually, I thought you would never ask. Naehaerra!" he cried and the great horse came and Oromë leapt upon his back. "For Atar and the Children!" he called out and then raised his great horn to his lips and blew.

The sound of it echoed across the land, building in volume until it rang through the very cosmos. Far to the east at Cuiviénen, the Quendi looked up in wonder at the sound and the unclad Máyar protecting them shouted in joy and raised a paean of praise for Atar and the Children, though only Atar heard it.

"For Atar and the Children!" all the Máyar under Námo, Vairë and Oromë shouted and then with Oromë on Naehaerra leading them, they marched swiftly towards the front singing and their song was both terrible and beautiful to hear:

"Hendunya ecénier alcar tuliëo Ataro:

et vantëas i-limpë yassen i-yávi ormëo mandossen;

elencies i-atalantëa nárë aica linta macileryo.

Etelelyëammë.

Alcar, alcar, á lait’ Atar!

Alcar, alcar, á lait’ Atar!

Alcar, alcar, á lait’ Atar!

Atar etelelyëa.

Et alámies i-romba ya ú-rámuva ‘nanwen’;

satëas órimma epë mahalmarya námiëo:

Ai, na linta, fëanya, nanquentien Sé! N’ alassëa, talunya!

Etelelyëammë.

Alcar, alcar, á lait’ Atar!

Alcar, alcar, á lait’ Atar!

Alcar, alcar, á lait’ Atar!

Atar etelelyëa.

Túlas ve alcar arino falmassë,

Se Nóm Aldaronna, Se Estel Vorondannar,

Si’ Eä nauva sarassë ar fëa Lúmëo núrorya.

Etelelyëammë.

Alcar, alcar, á lait’ Atar!

Alcar, alcar, á lait’ Atar!

Alcar, alcar, á lait’ Atar!

Atar etelelyëa."

As the song swelled to a crescendo, they came upon the battle scene and Melkor’s forces looked upon them in dismay. The host of the Ayanumuz gave a great shout at the sight of the reinforcements as Oromë on Naehaerra plowed into the ranks of the enemy and swept all aside. Námo and Vairë followed behind and the fell light of doom that emanated from Námo’s eyes was too terrible to behold. Melkor, who had not led his troops but had remained in the rear, allowing Aulendil to take the vanguard, looked upon Námo and quailed before his nemesis and was the first to flee the field, rushing towards Utumno. At the sight of their master escaping, his minions followed him, for the way to Angamando was now blocked. Both Tulkas and Oromë pursued Melkor unto the very gates of Utumno while Námo and Vairë greeted Manwë and Varda in the midst of the battle that still raged, for Aulendil had not fled but rallied some of his troops, making a valiant effort to break the siege, eventually escaping towards the fastness of Angamando.

Manwë was the first to speak as Námo and Vairë saluted him. "I thought you were going to keep out of it."

"That is what you wanted, wasn’t it?" Námo enquired. "You wanted us out of the way."

Manwë had the grace to look abashed. "I did not want either of you to seek vengeance."

"For ourselves?" Námo retorted without heat.

Manwë stared at them both with grave sympathy. "No. For the Children."

Námo and Vairë both gasped at the implication of Manwë’s words. "You knew," was all Námo could say, looking at Manwë and Varda, both of whom nodded. For several minutes the four of them stood there in silence as the battle raged around them with Eönwë leading the pursuit of Aulendil and his forces.

Finally, Námo nodded. "Thank you," he said quietly for himself and Vairë, but what exactly he was thanking them for, even he could not have said.

And then the battle was over. Melkor was safely hiding behind the gates of Utumno while Aulendil just made it into Angamando before Eönwë could capture him. The host of the Ayanumuz was now camped outside the gates of both fortresses and the Siege of the North had begun.

****

Tulwi Ainuron Etelelyar: ‘The Standards of the Ayanumuz Go Forth’.

Hrávë: Flesh.

Historical Note: The Third Council of Manwë occurred in VY4586. The Ayanumuz spent approximately 38 solar years in preparation for their faring forth in VY4590. The Siege of Utumno began in VY4592.

Semi-literal translation of the Marching Song of the Máyar:

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of Atar:

He is trampling out the wine where the fruits of wrath are in safe-keeping;

He has loosed the ruinous fire of his terrible swift sword.

We are going forth.

Glory, glory, praise Atar!

Glory, glory, praise Atar!

Glory, glory, praise Atar!

Atar is going forth.

He has sounded out the trumpet which will not sound ‘return’;

He is setting aside [for a special purpose] our hearts before His throne of Judgment:

Oh be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be joyous, my [two] feet!

We are going forth!

Glory, glory, praise Atar!

Glory, glory, praise Atar!

Glory, glory, praise Atar!

Atar is going forth.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,

He is Wisdom to the Lord of Trees [i.e. Oromë], He is Hope unto the Steadfast in Allegiance [i.e. Námo and Vairë],

Thus Eä will be His footstool and the soul of Time His servant.

We are going forth!

Glory, glory, praise Atar!

Glory, glory, praise Atar!

Glory, glory, praise Atar!

Atar is going forth.

These are adaptations of the first, fourth, and sixth stanzas of ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’ though obviously the tune is not the same.