A Different Kind Of Peace by Tyelca

Enterprise in Hadhodrond - Part II

Annatar thinks the design on the Western Doors of Hadhodrond could be improved.

Celebrimbor let himself fall on his bed and closed his eyes; it was late already and he had only just said goodbye to Narvi, and he felt the pain of his departure in his heart. A soft knock on his door roused him from the pleasant slumber that had sneaked up on him. With a groan he rose and called for Annatar to enter; for who else would disturb him at this hour? It was indeed Annatar who came in, still fully clothed and carrying a pile of paperwork in his arms, which he dumped unceremoniously on Celebrimbor’s nightstand. Sometimes Celebrimbor envied the Maia’s seeming tirelessness; at other times, he wished to just turn his back to his friend and sleep on. However, when Annatar had the look on his face he wore now, Celebrimbor just knew it was going to be another all-nighter. He grumbled in protest, but they both knew Annatar would get his way.

The Maia in question didn’t even bother acknowledging Celebrimbor’s less-than-enthusiastic response. Celebrimbor sighed. As much as he cared for his friend, there were instances he wished to throw him out and lock the door. With another groan he sat upright, legs crossed, and Annatar assumed the same position on the other side of the bed, the papers lying between them. Celebrimbor glanced down and saw they were the plans for Hadhodrond’s Western Gate; what Annatar wanted with them that could not wait for the morning, Celebrimbor didn’t even begin to guess.

At first Annatar was babbling on about small things and Celebrimbor found himself yawning. He knew Annatar was skirting around the topic he really wanted to discuss; whenever he needed time to gather his thoughts the Maia turned to inane babble. Finally Annatar flattened a large sheet on the sheets and Celebrimbor recognized the design of the Doors.

“So,” Annatar said, and when the Sindarin words became slightly accented, the vowels longer and the consonants sharper, Celebrimbor knew that Annatar was nervous and this, more than anything, held his attention. “So,” Celebrimbor repeated, waiting for the Maia to continue. When he didn’t, he sighed inwardly and said, “I take it there’s a reason you woke me at this hour to study a design I made myself?”

Annatar chuckled uncomfortably. “Yes,” he answered. “That’s actually what I wanted to speak to you about,” he added and looked Celebrimbor in the eye. “I think you should put the Star of your House on the Door.”

At first Celebrimbor blinked, wondering if he had heard correctly. When it appeared he had, he said, “Excuse me?”

Annatar’s eyes flitted away. “I knew you’d react like this,” he muttered under his breath. He explained. “I know you don’t wish to be associated with your father, uncles and grandfather anymore, and that you have finally made the people forget you are Doomed and Dispossessed.” Celebrimbor’s face had taken on a cold look, and he saw Annatar’s eyes soften. “I am sorry for my harsh words, Telpërinquar,” he continued gently, “but you need to hear them. It is forgotten that your are Dispossessed; nobody alive blames you for your actions in Alqualondë, but the Star remains a symbol of madness and bloodshed. You can change that, Tyelpë,” Annatar stated enthusiastically, and Celebrimbor flinched at the nickname only his parents ever used. Annatar didn’t seem to notice as he spoke on. “Show that the Star of Fëanor can be cleansed from the blood and fire that tarnish it!” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I have seen the Silmarils, but even they were not as brilliant as the emblem of your House during its zenith.”

“Why are you saying this?” Celebrimbor asked and his voice was flat. He did not want to hear it, but knew there was truth in Annatar’s words.

“I have seen the Stars of Fëanor, Tyelpë, a long time ago; and they were brilliant in their design and execution. But I think I am one of the few who recognized that that is what they really were: brilliant pieces of craftsmanship. They would have been nothing without the mind and skill of Fëanor. The same is true for you: play to your strengths, and people shall forget the eight-pointed star ever stood for something else than beauty and innovation.”

“Get out, Annatar.”

For once Annatar stood without objection, gathered the papers in his arms and walked out of the room, but not without throwing a last, concerned glance over his shoulder at Celebrimbor. When he did not move, Annatar quietly closed the door behind him.

Celebrimbor still sat motionless on his bed, his mind far away. He remembered the Silmarils, he remembered the pain they brought, but he also remembered that awful night without an end in Alqualondë. To think at the time he’d looked up to grandfather Fëanáro for daring to go against the Valar! A dry chuckle disturbed the silence, and Celebrimbor belatedly realized he had made the sound himself. He was not going to do this, he told himself. He was not going to break down in the middle of the night. He uncrossed his legs and stretched them out as he laid down again. He knew why Annatar had made the suggestion; for Middle-Earth to heal, its inhabitants had to come to terms with the past and that was Annatar’s purpose here. But the past was personal, and if Celebrimbor himself could not accept it, how could he ever expect others to do so?

He moved and his feet brushed something dry and thin and Celebrimbor raised himself on his elbows to see what it was. On the edge of the bed was a single sheet, probably forgotten by Annatar when he left.

Celebrimbor pulled the paper close with the intention to fold it return it in the morning, when he saw what it contained. Drawn in exquisite detail were the Doors of Hadhodrond, but with a single addition: an eight-pointed star was drawn in the middle.

Celebrimbor stared at it, denying all thoughts that swirled through his mind, knowing he would not be able to fall asleep that night.

Chapter End Notes

I normally don't do endnotes, but this time I'm curious: what do you think Annatar's goal is here? His motives are vague and they can be interpreted multiple ways and Celebrimbor only sees what he wants to see.