In Darkness Bound by Fiondil

---

Chapter 2: A Discussion Among the Valar

---

2: A Discussion Among the Valar

In spite of the lateness of the hour, the Landamallë Valion was not empty. As the silvery light of Telperion continued to wax, the Eldar who had come from Tirion and Vanyamar still milled about in groups of three or five, avidly discussing Prince Fëanáro’s trial. Many of them lingered at the Mindon Nyellion or strolled along, heading towards Eldamas and its many inns and taverns. It was doubtful, though, that any of them would be sleeping. The mansions of the Valar were all lit up while Maiar stood before their gates, keeping a wary eye on the Children.

Thirteen of the Valar were gathered in one of the smaller audience chambers in Manwë and Varda’s mansion. Of the Maiar, only Eönwë was present. Manwë and Varda sat on their thrones but the others took their ease in more comfortable chairs, forming a semi-circle before the throne dais. Like the Eldar milling about outside, the Valar were discussing the events just past.

"How many of the Noldor do you think will follow Fëanáro into exile?" Yavanna asked her husband, for Aulë had great love for the Noldor and was closer to them than the other Valar.

"Probably more than we would like," was his answer, "for Finwë has decided to join his son in exile. Indeed, Fëanáro’s own sons will also go with him, though neither Lady Indis nor Lady Nerdanel will accompany their husbands."

"If Finwë as Noldóran removes himself from Tirion," Manwë added, "then many of his people will follow him, leaving Ñolofinwë as regent for those who remain behind."

"And so Fëanáro’s fears concerning his half-brother are justified, if not for the reasons he stated," Aulë said sadly.

"A self-fulfilling prophecy if there ever was one," replied Námo with an ironic smile.

"I do not like this growing unrest among the Noldor," Manwë said with a frown. "It disturbs me that we Valar were caught unawares, that our Peace was broken in this manner."

Námo exchanged a glance with Ulmo that did not go unnoticed by any of them. Manwë gave them both a considering look. "Something I should know?"

Námo shook his head, unwilling to speak, but Ulmo had no such qualms. "Melkor is at the root of all of this. Fëanáro did not come to his thoughts on his own. Our brother had a hand in it."

"Why are you so sure?" Manwë asked, genuinely puzzled.

Ulmo sighed, shaking his head. "I do not think he ever meant to reform his ways," he replied. "I think he looked upon the glory and bliss of the Children and envy filled him. I do not think he ever truly meant to aid us in healing Arda of his poison."

Manwë scowled. "He gave us his oath...."

"He lied."

All eyes turned to Eönwë, who had stood silently between the thrones of Manwë and Varda, ready to serve the Elder King or any of the Valar in whatever capacity was required. He paled under the cool regard of his lord but stood firm.

"Would you care to elaborate on that, Eönwë?" Manwë asked, his tone deceptively mild.

The Maia paled even more and looked pleadingly at Námo who sighed, appearing decidedly unhappy. "Do not press him, Manwë," he said. "There is more than one Book of Oaths and not even we Valar have the right to see them."

"Yet you know of them while the rest of us do not," Varda stated, her eyes narrowing.

Námo did not flinch under her regard. "I am the Doomsman of the Valar. As such, it is given to me to know many things, about some of which I am not permitted to speak, for to do so is to alter what must be."

"When I pleaded for Melkor’s parole," Nienna said, giving her brother a dark look, "you remained silent. Did you...."

"Only the possibility that Melkor would renege on his oaths to us. Beyond that I cannot say."

Manwë turned to Eönwë. "You knew that he lied even as you recorded his oath."

The Maia nodded, looking miserable.

"Yet you said nothing," Manwë pressed.

"Only because I was not permitted to, lord," Eönwë replied. "It is a... function of my office as Oathkeeper."

"I have never understood why Atar assigned such a task to one of the Maiar," Nessa stated. "It seems too grave a responsibility."

Eönwë schooled his features, the look of dismay barely registering, but it was Námo who came to his rescue. "The Maiar are not as powerful as we Valar, it is true, but that is not to say they do not have their own strengths. We should honor them for the gifts that they are."

Manwë gave Námo a shrewd look. "You seem to know more about this than you let on."

"That is because I was there when Atar invested Eönwë with his office. You may recall that there was a time when Eönwë was counted among my own People."

Manwë nodded. "As were Fionwë and Olórin, yet I do not recall either of them returning to me with new offices."

"That you know of," countered Námo and there were looks of surprise on the faces of more than one of the Valar.

"Well that is neither here nor there at the moment," Oromë said. "I think we have gotten off-track. We were...."

At that moment, Tulkas appeared before them, standing in the midst of the semi-circle, muttering imprecations to himself.

"I take it you did not find him," Manwë said drolly.

"I tracked him as far as the Southern Fiefdoms. Some of the Eldar there told me of a strange cloud that was traveling against the wind, seemingly hiding from hill to hill until it was lost far to the south."

"You think he is heading towards Avathar?" Ulmo asked.

Tulkas grimaced. "Perhaps. I would feel more comfortable if I knew where he was at all times, preferably back in Mandos."

Námo almost smiled but stopped himself in time. "Regardless, he has fled. What that may portend for us, I cannot say."

For a time there was silence among them. Tulkas took a seat next to Nessa, willing to let others make the great decisions. Finally Manwë, his demeanor grave, spoke. "I fear I have misjudged greatly in this matter."

Námo shook his head. "You are the Elder King, Manwë, and Atar’s vice-gerent in Arda. You could do no less than what you did, though some of us were doubtful that any good would come of it."

Manwë stared at Námo for a moment before casting an eye on Ulmo and Tulkas. "Yet none of you challenged my decision."

It was Ulmo who answered. "Those who will defend authority against rebellion must not themselves rebel."

"Thank you for that, at least," Manwë replied with a sigh. "We will double the watch to the south and hope Melkor troubles us no more."

No one said anything, but more than one Vala wondered just how vain that hope truly might be.

****

Landamallë Valion: The Avenue of the Valar. Landamallë literally means ‘wide street’ [landa ‘wide’ + mallë ‘street’]. Vali is an alternative plural of Vala.

Mindon Nyellion: The Tower of Bells in Valmar. They went silent at the Mingling of the Lights of the Two Trees.

Eldamas: Elf-town. This name was most likely a designation used by the Valar and Maiar to indicate that part of Valmar where the Eldar serving the city dwelt and later adopted by the Elves for themselves.

Note: Ulmo’s words at the end are taken from the Silmarillion, chapter 6, ‘Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor’, though they are not attributed to him directly. The description Tulkas gives of Melkor’s flight is also taken from the same chapter.