In Darkness Bound by Fiondil

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Chapter 80: Debate and Decisions

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80: Debate and Decisions

"That was ill done, I fear," Námo said contemplatively to Manwë after the doors closed behind Ingwion. It was not an accusation as much as it was an observation.

Before Manwë could respond they were all startled by the sound of Ingwion screaming. The despair that they heard in it sorrowed them all and they exchanged troubled looks. The Elder King sighed. "Olórin," he said softly and immediately the Maia was before him, giving him his obeisance.

"My lord?" he said, giving Manwë an enquiring look.

"Ingwion," Manwë said.

"Clad or unclad?" Olórin asked.

"Unclad."

The Maia nodded. "Watch only or guard?"

Manwë hesitated slightly and Olórin raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Both," the Elder King finally answered. "However, do not directly interfere with whatever they do, but see to it that they do not leave here in despair."

"You offered them sanctuary," Aulë said, stroking his golden-red beard. "Do you think they will spurn it?"

"Some will remain," Varda answered. "Indis certainly will do so and possibly Findis will to keep her company. The ellyn...." She shrugged. "I suspect they will leave and search for Ingwë."

"Which reminds me," Manwë said. "Fionwë," he called and that worthy Maia was suddenly there. Manwë gave him a brief wintry smile. "I trust Ingwë is well?"

"As well as can be expected of one who has been denied his liberty," Fionwë answered with a grin. "He chafes at his imprisonment and seeks ever for ways of escaping but his gaolers have not offered him any violence... so far."

There were many raised eyebrows at that. "You think they will seek to harm him?" Yavanna asked worriedly.

Fionwë gave her an elegant shrug. "I do not know, lady. Those who guard the High King are careful to remain polite and respectful. Ingwë is no fool. He returns the favor, perhaps in the hope of gaining their trust. I am afraid he was rather shocked to think that some of his own people would turn against him, but Ingoldo has trained them well and he has their loyalty, at least for now."

"You think Ingwë will be able to turn them, then?" Oromë asked.

"I do not know, lord," the Maia answered, frowning slightly. "Ingwë has a very powerful personality, and his gaolers are somewhat in awe of him, but whether that is enough to bring them to his side is anyone’s guess. It really depends on what threats Ingoldo has over them."

"Threats?" Varda asked. "What do you mean by threats?"

Fionwë grimaced. "I do not know for sure, but from overhearing some of the guards speaking, I think Ingoldo may be holding their families hostage or at least he has intimated that he has. They have no real proof either way but they do not want to take a chance on that. Better to go along than to have their loved ones threatened even further."

There was much shaking of heads among them. "It seems that even the Vanyar are infected by Melkor’s taint."

"Certainly some of them," Námo replied grimly.

Manwë nodded, looking sorrowful. "Which brings us to Ingwë’s wife and other children who are still in Vanyamar."

"Ingalaurë is the key," Námo said and the others gave him surprised looks.

"Would you care to explain?" Manwë asked mildly.

"I can only tell you that everything hinges on what Ingalaurë does or does not do. Elindis and Indil are mere pawns to keep Ingalaurë in line. What Ingoldo’s plans are I cannot say for sure, though obviously he means to take control of the Vanyar in some manner, but he needs Ingalaurë to effect it. Elindis and Indil are not important to Ingoldo’s plans except as surety for Ingalaurë’s continuing compliance."

"Then it seems that Ingalaurë will need help," Oromë ventured. "He is not as strong-willed as either Ingwë or Ingwion."

"He is stronger than he seems, stronger than he knows," Námo said with a shake of his head. "But even the strongest can break under the right circumstances." His eyes grew dark for a moment as memories of an earlier time flitted across his mind, and Vairë leaned over and squeezed his arm in sympathy. He gave her a shy smile.

Manwë nodded. "I will send someone to keep an eye on things in Vanyamar and on Ingalaurë especially," he said, then turned to Olórin standing there patiently. "In the meantime, stay with Ingwion," the Elder King ordered, "and keep us informed of his movements."

Olórin bowed and faded from view. Manwë turned to Fionwë. "Return to your own post," he said. "If any of Ingwë’s captors offer him harm, you have our permission to interfere, but only if it is physical harm that is threatened, and only if Ingwë does nothing to warrant it."

Fionwë frowned. "I do not understand, lord."

Manwë sighed. "If Ingwë attempts to escape and is caught, his captors may very well lesson him to teach him the error of his ways. Short of them actually attempting to kill or maim him, you are not to interfere. If, on the other hand, his captors simply decide to do him physical harm when he has done nothing to incite them towards violence, then you may interfere."

Fionwë gave him a troubled look. "To just stand by and do nothing...."

"Is the hardest thing any of us can do," Manwë said, "but some things must take their course. That is why I have forbidden any of the Maiar to come to the aid of Ingwë’s family, even though both Elindis and Indis shouted themselves hoarse calling for us when they found themselves prisoners. We did not interfere with events in Alqualondë; we cannot do so here, for then it smacks of favoritism." He gave the Maia a kindly look. "It is a difficult assignment, my son, but I have every confidence in your ability to perform your tasks with your usual consummate skill."

It was apparently the right thing to say, for Fionwë straightened, a look of pride and determination not to disappoint his lord on his face. "It will be as you command, my lord," he said. Then he gave Manwë a bow and thought himself away.

For a moment or two there was silence between the Valar and then Námo stirred. "What do we do about Fëanáro?"

"You said he will be coming to you soon," Oromë said.

Námo nodded. "Soon enough, though I suspect he’ll cause further mischief before he does." He gave them a sardonic look and many nodded grimly at his words.

"You will, of course, pronounce the Doom," Manwë said. "Against Fëanáro only," he amended. "All others, even his sons, are welcome to return, if they are truly repentant and willing to make amends."

"I doubt those who participated in the Kinslaying will take you up on your offer, Manwë," Námo said and the darkness of his tone told them that he was not being flippant.

Manwë sighed, a world of grief in his eyes. "No. I doubt they will," he replied, "but the offer will be given." He gave Námo a significant look and the Lord of Mandos nodded.

"In the meantime, what do we do about the Vanyar?" Tulkas asked. "Námo is correct. Refusing Ingwion as we did may prove an ill thing for many."

"Yet, what else could we have done?" Nessa demanded. "We’ve seen the results of our interference already. To interfere even more will just make matters worse."

"Perhaps," Tulkas averred with a frown, "but it goes against my nature to stand by and do nothing when it is obvious these Children are hurting."

"We are not doing nothing, Tulkas," Manwë said. "We will do what we can, but much of it must remain hidden from the eyes of the Children."

"What plans should we be making, then?" Ulmo asked. "We’ve been rather inept lately in terms of knowing how the Children would react. None of us actually believed Fëanáro would convince the Noldor to follow him to the Outer Lands and yet he was able to persuade even someone like young Arafinwë to join him in rebellion. How then can we safely make any plans with regards to the Children if we cannot predict what any of them will do next?"

"We will have to make a number of contingency plans," Varda answered, "basing them on what we know of the Children and what we think they may or may not do. As events unfold some plans will necessarily be dropped or altered and other plans formulated."

"We can begin with the Noldor," Manwë said with a nod. "I have no doubt that when Námo pronounces our Doom, some will come to their senses and return to Aman. We must decide what to do with them. Those who continue on with Fëanáro will no longer be our concern. They will have made their choice and will have to abide by it."

"The ones who return will no doubt be expecting to be punished in some manner," Nienna offered. There were nods all around.

"And they will be," Manwë stated, "though perhaps not in a manner they expect."

"What do you mean by that?" Irmo asked.

"Who among the House of Finwë do you think will return to us?" Manwë asked them and several shrugged, not willing to voice an opinion.

"Arafinwë," Námo said and by the tone of his voice they knew he was speaking from knowledge and none gainsaid him.

"No others?" Vairë asked him and when Námo shook his head, many sighed, their expressions sorrowful.

"He will be the Noldóran then," Tulkas said with a nod. "What do we know of him?"

"Beyond the fact that he married Olwë’s daughter and has a secret desire to take up fishing, not much," Ulmo replied with a glint of humor in his eyes and many chuckled.

"He is soft-spoken and deliberate," Aulë said. "Of Finwë’s sons, I deem him the most wise, but he has the same stubborn streak that plagues all of that House and that may make things difficult."

"Difficult in what way?" Irmo asked.

"He will insist that any punishment we intend to exact should be his and his alone," Aulë answered. "I suspect that he will even welcome it, believing that by giving himself over to our chastisement, he will be protecting his people from our supposed wrath."

"But if we forgive them...." Yavanna started to say but her husband shook his head.

"Arafinwë will not accept our unconditional forgiveness. None of them will."

"They will expect us to punish them," Manwë added, "and as Aulë said, some will even welcome it as their due. Therefore, we will punish them by not punishing them. They will have to work out their redemption on their own."

"And Arafinwë?" Nienna asked. "How much training does he have? Will he be able to lead his people effectively?"

"Perhaps not at first," Manwë averred. "Eärwen has more training in the art of ruling than he does. Olwë has been more open to the idea of teaching his daughters than Finwë ever was, or even Ingwë. Arafinwë, as the youngest son, had no hope of ruling anything but his own household. His education in that respect is somewhat deficient. I may have to take him under my tutelage for a time, but I will withhold my decision on that until I deem it necessary. We will see what he does in the meantime. He may well surprise us."

"Let us just hope it’s a pleasant surprise," Námo offered, giving Manwë a significant look and the others nodded in agreement.

"And now we must address the situation at Alqualondë," Manwë said with a sigh, turning to Ulmo. "How many of the alqualunti were taken by Fëanáro and how many destroyed?"

"Nearly half of them are lost, either by fire or by storm," Ulmo replied.

"Where did the storm come from?" Varda asked. "I thought we would not interfere with what was happening."

"Nor did I call it up," Ulmo said, shaking his head. "Unfortunately, Uinen was so distressed at what was happening I fear she inadvertently caused the storm with her tears."

"Olwë will not love us for not heeding his plea," Varda opined.

Ulmo gave her a hard look. "You mean, he will not love me. It was to me and my People he called for aid. Ossë was practically screaming at me. Salmar and Lirillo had to actually grab him, prevent him from attacking me. I told them to keep him out of my sight until he was more composed."

"Where have they taken him?" Nessa asked, giving Ulmo a curious look.

"Ullubozphelun," the Lord of Waters answered with a mirthless grin. "The methane oceans there should cool him off nicely." There was much chuckling among them.

"Well, getting back to the matter at hand," Manwë said once they calmed down, "Olwë will no doubt feel justified in hating us for our refusal to help him in his people’s hour of need. We need to find a way to win back his friendship."

"You mean, I need to find a way," Ulmo retorted, though his tone was neither belligerent nor sad, merely stating fact.

"What of the victims?" Nienna asked, turning to her brother. "And the Noldor who died? How are they being handled?"

Námo grimaced, his amaranthine eyes filled with pain. "The Teleri who have come to me are already sleeping," he answered. "My people and I were as gentle with them as we could be and their Judgments were, let us say, cursory." He gave them a significant look and many nodded. "As for the Noldor who have died, I have herded them into a single hall where they are under the watchful eyes of Aicatirno and Hurinórenámo." He gave them a grim smile, which many returned with looks of approval. "It is my thought that they should suffer Judgment before us all, for their offenses were as much against us as against their Telerin kin."

Manwë nodded. "It is well. I think it will be appropriate for us to bring them to the Máhanaxar when we are ready to judge them." Everyone agreed to this and Manwë continued. "Then we will begin judging them once we have settled other matters." He looked at Yavanna and Nienna. "Has there been any sign of recovery by the Trees?"

Yavanna and Nienna looked at one another, then Yavanna spoke. "In truth, we have not checked lately," she said with some chagrin. "I fear all that has happened with the Noldor has taken our attention away from other things."

"Understandable," Manwë said. "Go and check the Trees. See if anything of them can be salvaged. If Varda is to create a star for this system, I would like to have something of their Light included in its making, that it be a last remembrance of an earlier, brighter age in Arda’s history."

Yavanna and Nienna both nodded and thought themselves away. Manwë then turned grave eyes to Námo. "You know what must be done," he said.

Námo nodded. "And afterwards when Arafinwë returns, what then?"

"We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it," Manwë answered with a sigh, casting his eyes down so that he did not see Námo giving him a sour grin even as he shed his fana. For a moment there was silence among the remaining Valar, and then Manwë raised his head, his expression determined. "In the meantime, let us move on to other matters. Oromë, suppose we start with your report on the condition of the wildlife...."

****

Ingwion knelt in the hallway, drained of emotion. His scream had been visceral, a primal cry of despair and hopelessness in the face of what he perceived as an insurmountable problem. He could not understand Lord Manwë’s coldness toward him and his people’s plight. Did his atar’s loyalty and love for the Valar count for nothing? He shook his head and slowly climbed back to his feet and looked around, wondering vaguely how he was going to find the others, for he appeared to be alone and no Maia was there to lead him away. He sighed, angrily wiping the tears from his eyes and headed away from the throne room, unaware that he was being subtly guided by an invisible Olórin so that he eventually reached an area of the mansion that he recognized and soon he was with the others. As he walked he came to certain decisions, so that by the time he found the others, he knew what he was going to do.

He entered the suite to see everyone waiting, their expressions expectant. He had schooled his own expression before entering. For a moment he stood on the threshold, his eyes finding Valandur’s first and gave a small shake of his head.

"They will not help us," he said baldly as he entered the room completely, closing the door behind him.

"What do you mean?" Indis demanded. "Of course they will help us. They...."

"They will not help us," Ingwion repeated angrily. "We are on our own."

There was shocked silence among them and many troubled looks. "Why won’t they help us?" Findis asked, looking stricken.

Ingwion shook his head. "Lord Manwë made it clear that the Valar have other, seemingly more pressing concerns. He told me that I must find Atar on my own and do what I can to succor our people."

"Did they give you no clue as to where to start looking?" Valandur asked, frowning in thought.

Ingwion shook his head again. "No. They said nothing. Any who wish to remain in Ilmarin may do so, but that is the extent of their aid to us. I will not stay here. I will not abandon Atar even if they have."

Indis sighed. "I will remain," she said, "at least for a little while. I have no desire to go traipsing through Eldamar in search of my brother."

"I will remain with you, Ammë," Findis said. "I, too, have no desire to wander about."

"I think all the ellith should remain here where they will be safe," Arminas suggested. "I will not stay, for I wish to join my family in Eldamas."

"Well, I am not staying either," Marilla retorted with a huff.

"Our road will be fraught with much danger, Marilla," Tulcafindil said to her. "And an elleth alone among the ellyn without a proper chaperone? What will people think?"

"Who cares what others think?" Marilla shot back angrily. "Is my loyalty to the High King any less than yours? Are you ellyn so ill-mannered that I must fear for my virtue, chaperone or no chaperone? How dare you think that I am any less capable than you just because I am an elleth."

In spite of himself, Ingwion found himself grinning at the elleth’s tongue-lashing. Before Tulcafindil could offer a retort, he held up a hand to get their attention. "Marilla, neither your loyalty nor your abilities are in question. My primary concern is that when I leave here I do not know where I will go. I have no idea even where to start looking for the High King. Those who come with me may well find themselves in straitened conditions. Also, we may well be forced to fight against Ingoldo’s men. None of us have any training in the use of weapons, except possibly Valandur and Eccaldamos."

"I wielded a spear during the Great March," Eccaldamos said with a nod, "though admittedly it was against wild animals and I have not held a spear in my hand since coming to Valinor."

"But you know how to use one," Ingwion stated and Eccaldamos nodded.

"Well, I am fairly good with the bow," Marilla said stoutly. "I think I can protect myself at need."

"But to have an elleth with us!" Tulcafindil protested.

"And what makes you think, youngster, that you are included in our group?" Eccaldamos asked pointedly. "You are as inexperienced as Marilla in the ways of defense."

"And he isn’t?" Tulcafindil demanded, pointing at Ingwion.

"You forget yourself, hina," Eccaldamos hissed, his expression becoming wrathful. "Prince Ingwion is our leader and you had better remember that."

Tulcafindil gave them a chagrined look and muttered an apology. Ingwion decided he had better take control of the situation before it got out of hand. "I have not agreed to allow anyone to come with me," he said.

"You do not mean to go alone, surely?" Valandur enquired. "That would be not only foolish but dangerous."

"Nor would I be so foolish," Ingwion averred, "but the fact remains that I have no idea where I am to go or what I am to do. I fear that I will be going from exile to exile and I do not wish for any to share it if they do not have to. At least here you will all be safe and perhaps you may have the opportunity to speak with the Valar and convince them where I could not to give us aid."

"Certainly, I can do that," Indis announced, "but I do not think it necessary for all of us to remain here. You should at least take Valandur and Eccaldamos and Arminas could accompany you at least to Eldamas."

Ingwion gave his aunt a puzzled look. "You think I should go to Eldamas? Why?"

"It was the last place any of us saw my brother," Indis explained. "Start there. Perhaps someone saw something or overheard something that might tell you where to go from there."

"Eldamas is fairly large," Ingwion said with a frown.

"But not as large as Vanyamar or Tirion," Valandur pointed out. "It’s a more close-knit community and everyone seems to know everyone else and their business. At least it’s a place to start."

Ingwion nodded. "Your words are wise, Valandur, and yours, too, Aunt. Very well, I will go to Eldamas and Valandur and Eccaldamos will accompany me." He saw the despondent looks on the two younger Elves and smiled. "I have another task for you two." Tulcafindil and Marilla looked up in surprise. "I want you two to make your way back into the city and quietly ascertain what has become of my ammë and the others who were captured. Do nothing to bring attention to yourselves," he admonished them, "but learn all you can and then come find me in Eldamas."

"Are you sure they can enter and leave the city safely?" Findis asked.

It was Eccaldamos who answered. "If they take every precaution and do not draw attention to themselves, as Prince Ingwion said." He gave the two youngsters a stern look which dampened their own delight somewhat. "Remember all that I have taught you," he admonished them. "Go to Lord Nolondur and tell him what has happened. He will aid you."

"I will give you a letter that you will take to Nolondur from his daughter," Ingwion said. "I did not have an opportunity to deliver it myself. That will be your excuse if anyone questions you. I will give you my own letter as well to give to Nolondur."

"Is that wise, Ingwion?" Valandur asked. "If it should fall into the wrong hands...."

"This letter will be verbal," Ingwion replied. "Marilla will deliver it. She is very good at remembering anything told to her once."

Marilla beamed at the compliment. Ingwion saw Tulcafindil looking rebellious, for obviously the ellon wanted to go with him instead of going with Marilla. "And Tulcafindil is very good at remaining calm in the face of danger. He will make sure Marilla doesn’t get into any trouble with her impulsiveness."

Now Tulcafindil beamed, or rather smirked, while Marilla looked a bit embarrassed. Ingwion noticed the looks of approval from Valandur and Eccaldamos and was warmed by the nod Indis gave him. Satisfied that those two were taken care of, Ingwion turned to other matters. "I think we should rest for a time before setting out. We have to figure out how to leave the mountain without having to go past the city. There’s too much of a chance of being found out."

"What about Marilla and me, though?" Tulcafindil asked.

"We’ll work that out," Ingwion assured him. "Right now, though, I really must rest. It’s been a very eventful day and I cannot think of anything other than the need to sleep."

"Then you should rest," Indis said solicitously. "While you do, perhaps we can work out the logistics of getting you to Eldamas without getting caught and figuring out how Tulcafindil and Marilla can get inside the city."

Ingwion nodded, looking grateful, and took his leave, making his way to one of the bedrooms.

No one saw Olórin standing there, nodding in satisfaction.

****

Alqualunti: Plural of alqualuntë: Swanship. This is an attested word. In earlier redactions of the Silmarillion, Alqualondë was also called Kópas Alqaluntë , translated by Tolkien as ‘the Haven of the Swanships’ [see Book of Lost Tales I, HoME I, ‘VII: The Flight of the Noldoli’]. In LOTR-style Quenya this would become Hópa Alqualunti.

Ullubozphelun: (Valarin) ‘Ulmo’s Dwelling’, i.e. the planet Neptune, Called Nénar by the Eldar. Nénar is an attested word, evidently derived from nén ‘water’.