Prince of a Life of Darkness by Lira_of_Imladris

Neithan ran to where his brothers lay on the grass of the gardens of Menegroth. Neithan was an elf who’d just passed his majority. He had been taken in by Dior and Nimloth, the parents of Elwing, Eluréd and Elurín when they’d found him in the gardens, abandoned. Neithan’s hair was black and his eyes were grey. Many times, Nimloth had said that he reminded her of someone she knew but who it was, no one knew.

Aside from Eluréd and Elurín, Neithan’s best friend was an elf a few years older than him, Maeglin. He didn’t know why, but the elf had always seemed very familiar, as if Neithan had met him the day he was born but never seen him again. Maeglin had gotten Neithan into trouble several times but Neithan didn’t mind, he enjoyed it to some extent. Neithan had always loved spending time with his friend but now they seemed to be drifting apart as Maeglin began to prepare to leave Menegroth to live somewhere else. Maeglin had recently lost his mother and he and his father were now leaving before Eöl – Maeglin’s father – was executed for murder.

Neithan ran to his brothers before they stood and caught him. Eluréd smiled before he and Neithan tackled Elurín to the ground. The brothers collapsed on the ground and fought playfully before their sister interrupted.

“Do you three have no pride?” Elwing asked.

“We gain our pride other ways muinthel; we do not need to be formal to gain it.” Elurín answered. Elwing shook her head before she walked off to find her friends.

“Does that ever annoy you how she does that?” Neithan asked, looking to each of his brothers in turn. They nodded in perfect unison, Neithan laughed; he never got sick of his twin brothers making fools of themselves like that.

“What?” Eluréd asked as his youngest brother began to roll around on the ground laughing like a maniac.

“You two did it again!” Neithan exclaimed as his laughter subsided. The twins groaned before Dior came up.

“Do you not have something else to do? Eluréd, Elurín?” Dior asked suggestively. The three brothers looked up at their fathers and shook their heads.

“I do not believe so.” Eluréd answered. Dior smiled before he placed a hand on Eluréd’s shoulder.

“Do you not have exams next week?” Dior asked as he leaned closer to his sons. Elurín and Eluréd froze before they ran off. Neithan laughed before he looked up at his father. “How have you been Neithan?”

“I have been fine Adar, what about you?” Neithan asked in response.

“I have had a lot on my mind ion nîn and I fear something bad is to happen in the next few months.” Dior answered as he and Neithan began to walk through the gardens of Menegroth.

“What do you think is going to happen?” Neithan asked.

“I take it you have heard of Fëanor; well . . . his sons are headed this way.” Dior answered. “I think they are coming for the Silmaril.”

“But that means . . . no, we cannot leave!” Neithan cried, anguish flooding his voice.

“We are not leaving ion nîn, not yet anyway.” Dior replied. “Although, I think I shall send you and your siblings away until the sons of Fëanor have passed.”

“NO! I’m staying with you!” Neithan protested. Dior placed a hand on his son’s shoulder before he looked deep into Neithan’s dark eyes.

“You cannot stay here Neithan, not if there is a battle to be had.” Dior said calmly. “I cannot lose my son.”

“But I am not your son!” Neithan exclaimed. “I overheard the twins talking the other day; they were talking about how you have been trying to track down my parents.”

“Oh Neithan,” Dior sighed as he embraced his son but Neithan pushed him away with a ferocity Dior had never witnessed in the boy.

“KEEP AWAY FROM ME! Just . . . leave me alone.” Neithan exclaimed angrily before he ran off. Dior sighed again before he returned to his study; he needed time to think about what he would do with Neithan now that the boy wouldn’t listen to him.

* * *

“If only I knew who my parents were,” Neithan said to himself as he wandered alongside the Esgalduin, pondering about his life and how much of it could’ve been misled. Neithan eventually sat down when he came to one of his favourite trees, a rowan tree.

“Neithan, is that you?” someone called. Neithan looked around to find his other best friends, Ranyaneth and Belaithlen. Neithan smiled as his friends sat down on either side of him.

“Your father told us what happened,” Ranyaneth whispered.

“He’s not my father! Someone else is,” Neithan replied, correcting her.

“Would you like some company?” Belaithlen asked.

“Maybe, I do not know anymore. I suddenly feel . . . hollow, like something big is missing.” Neithan answered, trying to explain the feeling he’d acquired from the argument with his father.

“Well, you do not know who your family is, maybe that is why.” Belaithlen suggested. “Maybe we should go and find them, if we can manage to leave.”

“Could we leave with Maeglin?” Neithan suggested. “He is leaving with his father soon; we could leave with them and just go our own way when we figure out where we are going.”

“That is not a bad idea actually.” Ranyaneth replied. At that moment, a shower of arrows flew towards the three friends. Belaithlen threw himself in front of his friends before three arrows pierced his flesh, causing the eldest friend to scream in agony. Belaithlen fell onto Ranyaneth’s lap and began to groan as agony washed over him. Neithan glanced at his friend for a split second before he unsheathed Belaithlen’s dagger and ran towards the bushes where the arrows had come.

“NEITHAN! DON’T!” Ranyaneth called but the elf paid no attention to her. As Neithan walked into the bushes, he heard the sound of several bows being strung and pulled back before they were all aimed at him. Neithan looked around to see six elves standing around him, their arrows pointed at him.

“Do you think to fight us boy?!” one of them asked, the one who seemed to be the leader. “We are the sons of Fëanor and unless you are a resident of Menegroth, we have no business with you.”

“I do not reside in Menegroth any longer, people there have betrayed me.” Neithan replied.

“What is your name elf?” the first elf asked.

“Neithan, I do not know my heritage for I have been lied to by Dior for the past hundred years.” Neithan answered. “Would you care to tell me your own names?”

“I am Maglor, the second eldest and these are my younger brothers, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod and Amras. We have come for the Silmaril that the king here holds from us. It is an oath we made alongside our other brother, Maedhros and our father who was killed by Gothmog, a minion of Morgoth.” Maglor answered.

“Would you consider allowing me to join you?” Neithan asked as dark thoughts arousing in his young mind.

“Can you fight?” one of the others, Caranthir asked.

“I can but not with a mere dagger.” Neithan answered.

“What if I were to lend you my bow? Can I trust you with it?” Maglor asked.

“I will guard it with my life Maglor, son of Fëanor.” Neithan promised before the elf handed him his bow and quiver.

“Neithan? Are you there?” Ranyaneth called as she clambered through the bushes. Neithan turned and yelled for Ranyaneth to run in the other direction and take Belaithlen back to Menegroth but he was too late. An arrow whistled through the air before it seemed to lodge itself in Ranyaneth’s back. She fell to the ground and Neithan saw an arrow protruding from her back, an arrow of the warriors of Menegroth.

As Ranyaneth fell to the ground, Neithan suddenly felt a darkness overtake his mind, grief, pain and anger at the same time. As he watched Ranyaneth’s blood pour onto the grass, Neithan felt his legs give way to his weight before he fell but never hit the ground. He didn’t know it but it was beginning and he hadn’t done a thing.

End chapter 1

Chapter End Notes

The reason Maedhros isn't there is beause he's somewhere else and i'll introduce him later in the story. Thanks for reading - Li

Neithan felt the darkness close in around him, constricting him until he could barely breathe. He could hear vague voices, too far away for him to hear them properly and comprehend what they were saying. He felt something warm placed over his body and the darkness seemed to slowly, ever so slowly, melt away until he was almost freezing cold, as if ice had replaced the darkness.

When Neithan felt someone move his right shoulder and then place something cold over it, he stirred before he began to moan from the pain. He opened his eyes and blinked several times to clear the blur of unconsciousness before he noted Maglor and his twin brothers smearing something across his shoulder.

“Neithan, can you hear me?” someone whispered. Neithan turned to the source of the voice to see Maglor looking down at him.

“Aye, what . . . happened?” Neithan asked as he tried to roll his shoulder but Amrod and Amras held it fast.

“Well, after you the girl was shot, you seemed to fall unconscious. We tried to get you away when the warriors of Menegroth came but a stray arrow managed to hit you.” Maglor explained as he took some thread and a needle from a table beside wherever Neithan lay. As Maglor leaned over Neithan’s shoulder, the young prince began to whimper slightly. Maglor looked to Neithan and handed the needle that he had threaded before he moved to Neithan’s other side and grasped his hand.

“Are you alright?” Maglor asked softly.

“Ye- . . . no.” Neithan admitted as he felt tears well in his eyes but he quickly wiped them away.

“You are afraid.” Maglor whispered observantly.

“How do you know?” Neithan asked, trying to pull away from the son of Fëanor.

“I am very perceptive apparently.” Maglor answered. “Are you going to let us help you?”

“Will it hurt?” Neithan asked. Maglor shook his head before Neithan closed his eyes.

“Do not close your eyes Neithan, doing that makes it worse.” Amras advised. Neithan looked at the elf’s brothers before he nodded. He looked over to Maglor before he looked up at the ceiling. As he felt the faint piercing of his skin, Neithan clenched at the blanket beneath him until he could barely feel the pain it caused him.

When Amras had finished, he bandaged Neithan’s shoulder before they let the elf sit up, leaning against the wall behind him.

“You said I had only been shot by an arrow, why did I need stitches?” Neithan asked as he gently moved his injured shoulder.

“We were in a hurry when we took it out; we removed it when we were still fighting in case it had been poisoned.” Amrod answered.

“Celegorm pulled it out, that is why the wound needed stitches. Our brother was never known for being gentle to be honest.” Amras added.

“Where are they anyway? Celegorm, Caranthir and Curufin I mean.” Neithan asked, the question suddenly flaring in his mind. Amrod and Amras left at the question but Maglor merely looked down at the floor.

“They all died, they were killed by the warriors Dior sent.” Maglor answered, not looking back up at Neithan.

“I am truly sorry Maglor,” Neithan whispered in apology for both the elf’s loss and for bringing up the subject.

“Do not be, ‘tis not your fault Neithan, we have known this day would come ever since we made our oaths with our father in Valinor.” Maglor replied quickly before a dark haired elf, Noldorin by the looks of him, came in.

“Gil-galad, this is Neithan. Neithan, this is the High King of the Noldor, Gil-galad.” Maglor introduced them.

“So this is the young elf you found in Doriath. Well met Neithan,” Gil-galad said, turning to the young elf that looked at him blankly before Gil-galad turned back to Maglor.

“I just heard Maedhros; I believe he will be requiring assistance soon Maglor, you and your brothers would do well to go to him. He cannot do this alone.” Gil-galad said casually. Maglor looked suggestively towards Neithan before Gil-galad nodded.

“I’ll take him for a walk.” Gil-galad whispered.

“Make sure he does not hurt his shoulder, we just put the stitches in the wound.” Maglor warned before he stood and left. Neithan looked up at Gil-galad who smiled kindly before he sat down next to him.

“What do you like doing Neithan?” Gil-galad asked casually.

“I am afraid I do not know. I usually play with my broth- my friends.” Neithan answered.

“Why did you leave Doriath?” Gil-galad asked. Apparently Maglor had told a few people.

“Because people there were lying to me, they had deceived to me for a whole century.” Neithan answered becoming exasperated.

“What did they lie to you about?” Gil-galad asked.

“Apparently, Dior found me when I was a baby and took me in as his own. I do not know who my parents are, where I am from.” Neithan answered as his emotions began to overrun the rest of him. “My entire life has been a lie and now I do not know what to do.” Neithan leaned back against the wall as tears began to stream down his face. Gil-galad shifted uneasily before he put his arm around Neithan’s shoulder – being careful of the stitches – and drew the elf into a friendly embrace. Gil-galad handed Neithan a cloth for him to dry his eyes.

Neithan gently dabbed at his eyes before he looked up at Gil-galad and smiled crookedly. Gil-galad chuckled before Maglor stormed into the room.

“What is wrong Maglor?” Gil-galad asked worriedly as he went to comfort Maglor.

“Amrod and Amras refuse to go!” Maglor answered angrily. Gil-galad seemed slightly stunned by his cousin’s sudden outburst.

“Maglor, please calm down, I am quite sure that someone else can go with you to help Maedhros. You are not alone in this war Maglor, remember that.” Gil-galad replied calmly. Maglor had calmed down gradually through his cousin’s speech.

“Please forgive me Gil-galad, I did not mean to be so angry and I should not hold it against you either, if it is fault of anyone, it is Morgoth.” Maglor replied as he sat down by the window.

“Are you alright though Maglor?” Gil-galad asked as he and Neithan approached the other elf who was trying so desperately to avoid them.

“I am fine,” Maglor answered agitatedly, not turning from the view outside. Gil-galad sighed before he led Neithan outside.

“You two are cousins?” Neithan queried as Gil-galad led him into the gardens.

“Aye, my father was his cousin; his father was Maglor’s father’s half brother.” Gil-galad answered as he led Neithan through the gardens. Neithan looked down at the ground as he began to think about what he would do now he’d left Doriath before he noticed Gil-galad’s sword. Gil-galad noticed and chuckled before he looked at Neithan.

“You look as if you’ve never seen a Noldorin sword before.” Gil-galad commented. Neithan looked up at the elf.

“I have not actually, it is beautiful.” Neithan replied.

“Can you fight with a sword Neithan?” Gil-galad asked.

“Nay, Dior never saw it useful to me, he always said I was too young or would not like it. Otherwise, he would come up with another excuse.” Neithan answered as he became lost in daydreams about being able to handle a sword.

“What about archery?” Gil-galad asked.

“I have always been good at that, my friends and I used to have competitions with each other and I won most of the time.” Neithan answered.

“Would you like to try swordplay?” Gil-galad asked.

“That probably is not the best idea milord, I could hurt you. Besides, what about my shoulder?” Neithan reminded him.

“Do not worry about it. My defence is good enough to protect me from any elf who has never handled a sword, I will not get hurt. Come on, you will enjoy it.” Gil-galad replied, trying to coax the young elf into doing what he so desperately desired. Neithan nodded vigorously before Gil-galad led him to the training field. Luckily there was nobody there; Neithan would not be ashamed to make himself look like an absolute fool.

Gil-galad found a spare sword and handed it to Neithan before leading the elf into the center of the field. Neithan handled the weapon gingerly before he slowly unsheathed it, casting the scabbard aside.

“Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?” Neithan asked uncertainly.

“Do not worry, Neithan, nothing bad will happen, I swear.” Gil-galad reassured the young elf before he advanced on him, sword raised. Out of pure fear, Neithan blocked the blow Gil-galad made before throwing him to the left. Gil-galad struggled to keep himself on his feet before he leapt at Neithan again only to receive the same reply.

“Try and disarm me Neithan, think about what your doing.” Gil-galad advised before he leapt at the elf again. Neithan ducked to the side before he prepared himself for Gil-galad’s next move. Gil-galad caught him by surprise this time and Neithan only just copped the blow to his head. Neithan fell to the ground, exhausted. Gil-galad knelt down the young elf, worried that he’d hurt him but sighed in relief when he saw the expression on Neithan’s face.

Gil-galad stood up again before he looked down at Neithan and held his hand out. Neithan smiled before he took the elf’s hand and stood again.

“I told you you would enjoy it.” Gil-galad said somewhat. “You have a natural talent by the look of it Neithan Hirvegil.”

“Hirvegil?” Neithan queried.

“Sword master Neithan, you deserve it. Not many have done that so easily and definitely not at their first attempt at swordplay. You mightn’t have beaten me but no amateur would.” Gil-galad answered. “You would make a good warrior, trust me on that.”

Neithan then went to retrieve the scabbard before he sheathed the blade and went to hand it back to Gil-galad who refused it.

“Keep it; you will need to practice Neithan, with talent like that you should not waste it.” Fingon replied before he led Neithan back to where Maglor waited patiently.

“When will you leave Maglor?” Fingon asked.

“After Neithan has healed, he’s become a sort of younger brother if you understand what I mean.” Maglor replied before Gil-galad nodded and left.

“Are you serious Maglor? Do you really think that?” Neithan queried. Maglor nodded silently before he turned away. “I think I might go to bed,” Neithan whispered before he placed his sword against the wall near his bed before he laid his head on the pillow and slowly drifted to sleep.

End chapter 2

Chapter End Notes

Hirvegil - Swordmaster (hopefully, my memory's not good in the mornings)

Don't have much to say but thanks for reading - Li

As Neithan slept, he dreamed of many eccentric things, including his demise. He’d been dreaming about his parents when suddenly, everything had gone pitch black before he’d found himself running through an eerie black forest.

Neithan had been in this dream for many hours now and he was growing unbelievably tired. His legs ached with a need to stop running but something continued to propel him forward. Suddenly, the terrain he ran across changed from a never ending forest to wide open desert in a blink of an eye. This caused Neithan great surprise and not watching where he was going; Neithan tripped on a rock and fell flat on his face. Everything became dark and Neithan felt the darkness once again take hold of him and for another few hours he lay in the dust as the wind tangled his hair.

When Neithan awoke once again, he slowly pushed himself onto his hands and knees before he flopped onto his back. The movement caused the dust to flare up and Neithan hastily covered his eyes before he rolled onto his side as he heard the wind roar around him, it was getting stronger with every second.

When the wind finally died down, Neithan looked up to find a band of orcs and a few elves sitting around a fire nearby him. Neithan stood and tried to sneak away but something – rather someone – caught his eye. Sitting amongst the group was an elf. He was tall, had dark hair, dark eyes and a sword identical to the one Neithan had been given by Gil-galad. When Neithan really focused he realized something absolutely horrible: it was him.

Neithan stepped back before he suddenly walked into a tree trunk. Neithan turned around to see the towering trees of Taur-en-Faroth, a forest south west of Doriath. As he looked at his surroundings, Neithan’s confusion grew greater than what it had already been. He was completely surrounded by trees now. Where was he?

“You know where you are penneth,” someone called. Neithan spun around, trying to find the source of the dark yet soothing voice. A tall dark creature then emerged from the trees and approached Neithan.

“Who are you?” Neithan asked, his voice breaking mid-sentence.

“I am Morgoth you stupid elf.” The creature spat before he unsheathed his sword. Neithan stepped back, trying not to trip on anything but to no avail. Neithan fell when he tripped on a tree root before Morgoth advanced upon him, sword ready. Neithan tried desperately to scramble backwards out of harms way but Morgoth stopped him.

The foul being unsheathed a whip and with one stroke, he wrapped it around Neithan’s waist and pulled the elf to his feet before dragging Neithan towards him. Morgoth pressed his sword to Neithan’s throat and wordlessly slashed it before he let Neithan fall to the ground as he bled to his death.

Neithan sat bolt upright in bed, letting out a gasp of surprise. He felt around his throat to find it uncut. It had only been a dream yet it had been so surreal, when Morgoth had killed him, Neithan had actually felt it. He’d felt it when Morgoth pressed the blade to his throat, he’d felt it as his veins had been ripped open. Neithan shivered as he thought about the dream.

He looked around to find Amrod, Amras and Maglor all sleeping around the room. His sword still rested against the wall and Neithan felt a sudden urge to grab it and hold it to his chest, as if it were a child he didn’t want to lose as his home was invaded by orcs or other minions of Morgoth. Neithan shook the thought before he stood, grabbed his sword and ran down to the gardens where he was stopped by Gil-galad.

“Where do you think you are headed off to Neithan?” Gil-galad asked as he stood and folded his arms across his chest.

“I apologize for this milord, I cannot stay here.” Neithan whispered.

“Why can you not stay here? Where will you go?” Gil-galad asked as he approached Neithan, worry flooding his voice for the young boy.

“I do not know where I shall go but why that is I would prefer to keep to myself.” Neithan answered his voice guarded and secretive.

“Is there any chance of me stopping you?” Gil-galad asked hopefully.

“Nay, I am afraid there is not Gil-galad.” Neithan answered before he walked away. He turned on his heel and looked back at Gil-galad. “Tell Maglor I am sorry.” Gil-galad nodded silently before he watched as Neithan disappeared into the dark of night.

As Neithan ran through the trees, he was reminded of his nightmare and gradually slowed to a stop again. He looked around to make sure he was alone before he slumped down against a tree. Neithan heard a low whimper from somewhere before a black figure emerged from the shrubs covering the ground. Neithan scrambled away from the creature before the moonlight revealed it to be a young, black wolf.

“You are not going to hurt me are you?” Neithan asked the animal warily. The wolf slowly came forward before he laid down his head on Neithan’s knee, his eyes wide with fear.

“Are you lost?” Neithan asked as the wolf came closer, it’s confidence building. The wolf looked down and snuggled his head into Neithan’s side. Neithan scratched behind the creature’s ears before he remembered something.

“You need a name,” Neithan said to the wolf before he began to ponder. “What about Dae?”

The wolf seemed to nod before Neithan stood. The wolf copied before he looked up at his new master. Neithan smiled before he realized how big the wolf actually was. It was muscular and came halfway up Neithan’s arm, to the crease of his elbow. Dae wagged his tail happily before he barked playfully.

Neithan smiled down at his new friend before he looked into the trees surrounding him. He had no idea where he was and he had no idea where he wanted to go, all he knew was that he had to get away from Angband, not that he was close to it now. Neithan looked down at Dae and smiled.

“Do you know how to get out of this forest?” Neithan asked feeling like a complete idiot for asking a wolf something like that. Dae barked again before he ran off. Neithan chuckled before he grabbed his sword and ran after Dae.

End chapter 3

Chapter End Notes

Antcrist - Gift Sword
Dae - shadow

What about this chapter, this one required the least work in my opinion but i'll let you decide the final verdict. I'm gonna see if i can finish the fourth chapter now but i'm not quite sure what'll happen so it mightn't be up for a while. Thanks for reading - Li

For what seemed like hours, Neithan followed Dae through the forest. The moon had disappeared and Neithan was beginning to tire as the nightmare had left him running on adrenaline. When Dae finally led him out of the forest, Neithan fell to his knees and flopped onto the grass. Dae came to his side and nudged his arm and Neithan snorted in amusement.

“We should keep going Dae but where to I do not know.” Neithan whispered before he sat up, propped up on his hands behind him. “I must get away from Angband but there is only one place in the South I would like to go and I still fear who will be there.”

“If you want to get away from Morgoth . . . come with me.” Someone said from their cover in the darkness. Neithan stood and felt Dae rub against his legs before the dark wolf growl.

“Who are you? Who is there?” Neithan asked demandingly. A pale figure, blonde haired and dark eyed with a strange mark on the side of his face going across his right eye. The elf smiled before he sheathed a dagger he had held warily when he had approached Neithan.

“I am of the Sindar. My name is Nirorn; I dwelled with Círdan for many years but have recently strayed from him. If you wish to find your way in the south, you shall need a guide and I am willing to help you.” Nirorn proposed formally but Neithan was still wary.

“Why do you wish to go south?” Neithan asked as his muscles allowed him to relax the tiniest bit.

“I am searching for my brother, he left me many years ago and I believe I shall find him at the Mouths of Sirion.” Nirorn answered before he leaned forward slightly. “I’m the only one you will meet for many miles elf, I suggest you take up my offer or you may be stuck out here until orcs or worse find you.”

“Where would you lead me were I to ask for your assistance?” Neithan asked.

“Into the west, we are the western shore of the Sirion and there are few obstacles if we head directly south. The greatest obstacle we would encounter is The Long Wall, Andram but I know of a pass that would lead us straight through in about three or four days. After that we would merely need to find a way to cross either the Sirion or the River Narog.” Nirorn answered.

“What else would you request of me?” Neithan asked.

“Naught unless you wished for me to do something for you that would lead me away from you.” Nirorn answered.

“You are willing to bind yourself to me?” Neithan queried, glancing down at Dae before he looked back into Nirorn’s dark eyes.

“If you will let me,” Nirorn replied. “I am yours to do what you wish. I only wish to find my brother, naught else matters to me.”

“Is there any chance whatsoever of you betraying me?” Neithan asked.

“Not unless Morgoth were to bewitch me,” Nirorn answered with a chuckle. “I would not go anywhere near Angband anyway.”

“You do not need to be near Angband for him to find you, trust me on that.” Neithan replied darkly before he sat down and brought his knees up to his chest. Nirorn knelt down in front of Neithan and brought his hand up to the side of Neithan’s head before he gently brushed his fingertips across a bruise that had formed where Gil-galad’s sword had hit Neithan the previous day. Neithan jumped back letting out a yelp as pain shot through him.

“Did that hurt?” Nirorn asked as Neithan slowly moved forward again, nodding silently as he did so. “What happened?”

“Hit by a sword.” Neithan whispered as he gently brought his own hand up to brush the bruise.

“Interesting . . . Will you let me put something on that? To help the tenderness, it’ll make it easier for you to sleep.” Nirorn noted. Neithan narrowed his eyes, something about Nirorn’s voice made it sound suspicious.

“You will learn to trust me, I know I look hard to believe but trust me, I am only trying to help.” Nirorn continued, as if reading Neithan’s thoughts. “What is your name?”

“Neithan, Neithan Hirvegil according to Gil-galad, High King of the Noldor.” Neithan answered.

“You have met with the High King of the Noldor?!” Nirorn asked somewhat excitedly.

“Aye, I sparred with him yesterday and he accidentally hit me.” Neithan answered.

“Are you going to let me put a salve on the bruise or are you willing to stay awake all night from the pain?” Nirorn asked, more relaxed now but Neithan could not for the Valar figure out why.

“If you are willing to, I would not mind. I barely slept last night for I was in the forest for most of the time but I believe I should like to get some rest. Do you know where I could rest for a few hours?” Neithan asked.

“There is a cave not far from here, ‘tis where I have spent the past few nights.” Nirorn answered. “It is safe and any orcs that may pass by will not notice it and even if they do they will not be able to get to it.”

“That sounds good enough, lead the way.” Neithan said before he and Nirorn stood and the blonde haired elf led them towards the north.

“So, how did you get that scar on your face if you don’t mind me asking?” Neithan asked quietly as they walked at a reasonable pace.

“It was thirty four years ago, alongside my brother I fought in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad in the Northern marches of Beleriand.” Nirorn began. “I saw that Fingon was in need of help and Gothmog’s whip struck my face. It took almost three years to fully heal. I haven’t seen my brother since that day.”

“I am sorry,” Neithan apologized sadly.

“Do not be, I shall find my brother eventually.” Nirorn replied before they continued in almost perfect silence.

End chapter 4

Chapter End Notes

Nirorn - tear tree (that might be wrong so don't think it's right)

Poor Nirorn, that's sad sn't it. If anyone whose read the rewritten chapters thinks this doesn't meet up to the hopefully established standard, please let me know, i want this to be one of the best fics i've written and i'm hoping i'll find a way to make a sequel out of it. Maybe i should make an attempt at writing Fingon's death and how Nirorn got the scar, that could be interesting. I think i'll work on that tomorrow at school. Thanks for reading - Li

Neithan’s dreams were once again nightmares of him running through endless and various terrains until Morgoth found him. He dreamed this several times before everything changed and Neithan found himself wounded, crawling through the gardens of a haven he did not know. He tried to support himself on his arms but when he moved his left arm, a burning pain webbed around the muscle and Neithan let himself fall onto the cold stone.

“ARBRETHIL!” someone cried in anguish before Neithan felt someone kneel down beside him. They turned him onto his back and Neithan groaned as the light of Arien shone down on him, blinding him.

“Ion nîn, speak to me, saes.” Someone asked pleadingly. Neithan tried to open his eyes to see who called him ‘son’. When Neithan’s eyes finally fluttered open, he saw a golden haired elf and another, dark haired elf sitting beside him. Neithan gazed at them in confusion before he tried to sit up only to be pulled back down by someone who sat behind him.

“Do not move, you will cause yourself further injury milord.” The elf behind him whispered.

“Where am I?” Neithan asked, his voice hoarse and crackly.

“In Gondolin ion nîn, you are home.” The blonde elf whispered.

“Gondolin?” Neithan queried as his confusion grew to a height where it became unbearable. “What is going on? What happened to me? Who are you? Who . . . who am I?”

It was then that Neithan was pulled out of his dream that he could make no sense of. He felt someone shaking him rather hard and Neithan tried to wake himself up but to no avail.

“NEITHAN! WAKE UP!” Nirorn yelled before Neithan finally woke and fell to the ground.

“What is it?” Neithan asked groggily.

“You were screaming in your sleep, something about your mother and father and possibly a brother if I heard correctly.” Nirorn answered.

“My mother and father?” Neithan queried as he slowly sat up.

“Aye, calling for them to help you, to save you from . . . him.” Nirorn answered. ‘Him’ being Morgoth.

“How long was I doing that for?” Neithan asked.

“A few hours, it was occasional for a while then you began thrashing in your sleep and I have been trying to wake you up since then mellon nîn.” Nirorn answered.

“Did I say anything else?” Neithan asked as he rested his head against the cave wall he leaned against. They’d arrived late the previous day and Neithan had been more tired than an elf that had recently returned from a month long patrol.

“Something about Gondolin,” Nirorn mumbled, not looking towards his friend.

“Are you alright?” Neithan asked when he noticed how suddenly downcast Nirorn had become.

“Nothing, I am alright.” Nirorn answered before he stood and retrieved his bow. “We should leave if we wish to get to the Havens of Sirion before Morgoth has a chance to find you.”

“How do you know about those dreams?” Neithan asked.

“The dreams I know nothing of except that you were calling for your adar and naneth to save you from him. You were screaming about that a lot.” Nirorn answered before the duo along with Dae departed the cave and began to head south alongside the Sirion.

* * *

It took them five days to get through what was left of Doriath, the sons of Fëanor had left very little. When Neithan and Nirorn reached the Fens of Sirion they decided to rest for a few days before the continued the trek.

“We shall have to be on guard throughout the rest of the journey until we near the Havens of Sirion for I do not know what we shall encounter.” Nirorn said as he kindled a fire as the stars slowly appeared overhead.

“Why did my mentioning of Gondolin upset you the other day?” Neithan asked. Nirorn sighed before he looked up from the fire, his face illuminated by the flames.

“I used to live in Gondolin, my brother and I escaped about five years before the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. We are both sought after by King Turgon, if he were to find me or my brother, we would be killed.” Nirorn answered.

“Why would he kill you? What could you have done to deserve the death penalty?” Neithan asked.

“I left, my brother and I left, that is all we did.” Nirorn answered. “Gondolin is a secret city, hidden in a circle of mountains. Because Turgon wishes for it to be kept secret from the outside world, anyone who ever goes there is not allowed to leave under any circumstances except for some reason, Hurin and his brother Huor. Because my brother and I left, we must pay the price which neither of us wish to pay, that is why Neithan.”

“Why did you want to leave though?” Neithan asked as Dae came and rested his head on Neithan’s outstretched leg.

“Because my brother and I had been trained as warriors and we had heard of the battles raging around Beleriand and we wished to be part of them, to help, so we left, risking our own lives to try and risk them again for a good cause.” Nirorn answered. “Why did you leave your home?”

“People had lied to me, told me they were my parents until I overheard the sons of Dior speaking about whoever my real parents are. When Dior found out that I knew, I left before I came to the sons of Fëanor and I went with them to Gil-galad and I stayed there for a day or two before I ran off and found you by the Ford of Brithiach.” Neithan answered. It was then that they heard a stick break under someone’s weight. Nirorn hastily grabbed one of the sticks from the fire before dousing it and he led Neithan into the trees, Dae scurrying along behind them, his head down as he searched for an unfamiliar scent, possibly orc.

“Neithan,” Nirorn whispered suddenly, skidding to a halt. “I think I found the twins.”

“What do you mean?” Neithan asked confusedly before he knelt down and moved the torch to illuminate two pale, still faces. Neithan backed away and fell as he tripped over a branch before he continued to scramble backwards. Nirorn stopped him and dragged him closer to the twins.

“It is alright Neithan, they can’t harm you.” Nirorn whispered softly but Neithan struggled.

“No, I will not. I cannot!” Neithan exclaimed as he tried desperately to get away but to no avail. Nirorn placed a hand on Neithan’s shoulder and looked him in the eye.

“Neithan, it is alright. Nothing will happen, I swear.” Nirorn promised. Neithan still tried to get away but Nirorn steered him to where the bodies of Eluréd and Elurín lay. Nirorn pushed Neithan to his knees before he placed his hand firmly on Neithan’s shoulder. Neithan did not realize but he began to cry from both pain and grief. His shoulder had not yet healed from the arrow wound and seeing Eluréd and Elurín dead made him feel even worse. Neithan shook off Nirorn’s hand before he threw himself across Eluréd’s torso and wept into his brother’s blood-stained tunic.

Nirorn smiled sadly as Neithan cried, letting his emotions out. Neither Nirorn nor Neithan knew how long they were there but it was almost daybreak when Neithan finally stepped away from the sons of Dior. When Neithan turned to face him, Nirorn stepped back, horrified by what he saw. Neithan’s eyes had turned black and a strange darkness was mirrored in his eyes.

“Neithan? Are you alright?” Nirorn asked scared. Nirorn looked down at Dae whose eyes had suddenly become dark with bloodlust and a growl escaped the creature’s mouth. Nirorn backed away and Neithan smirked.

“Smart choice, get out of here Nirorn or Turgon will not be the one to punish you.” Neithan said darkly.

“What do you mean Neithan?” Nirorn asked, confused and scared out of his wits at the same time.

“‘He’ is coming.” Neithan whispered before he unsheathed his sword.

End chapter 5

Chapter End Notes

Arbrethil - Noble birch... Goodness, what was I thinking when I came up with that ... It's been a while *laughs nervously* Please don't hate me but I've been very busy doing ... other stuff... Anyway, I'll post the rest of this story over the next week. Thanks for reading - Breia (Got a new name :D)