Paradise Lost by Cirdan

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Chapter 13: The Lament for the King of the Noldor

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Without the Two Trees, it seemed impossible to tell the passage of time, but Maedhros knew that seven days passed before all was in readiness in Formenos. The Mindon Elenath, the Tower of the Stars, was personally completed by Feanor, and he refused the aid of any, for he had purposed to name it also the Finwemindon, the Tower of Finwe, and so the final work on the tower was a matter close to his heart. The Tower of Finwe, previously clear as crystal and shimmering silver or gold from the Light of the Two Trees, was now as black as the perpetual night that had fallen. Atop the Mindon Elenath was a golden lamp that shone a clear yellow light that seemed pale in the darkness, but that light did not illuminate the black obelisk.

Before the Tower of Finwe, Feanor erected in that short time a high cairn for the keeping of his father's body. After it had been completed, all the Eldar and Maiar assembled there for the Ceremony of Rest, a ceremony that Maedhros had not even known existed. Feanor had also wrought for his father a sarcophagus of solid stone such that no hint of Finwe's decaying body could be detected. The carven image of Finwe in sleep upon that sarcophagus bore an eerie resemblance to the King of the Noldor as he had been in life.

At the start of the Ceremony of Rest, Feanor lit a large stick of incense and then knelt down. His half-brothers, half-sisters, and stepmother then came forth and knelt beside him. Six of the oldest Elves came forward then to the side of the sarcophagus and chanted in ancient Quenya while those assembled sat in silence and recalled their memories of the King of the Noldor. At last, when the incense burned out, Feanor rose, bowed thrice, and took a seat in the empty chair in front of Maedhros. Fingolfin, Finarfin, Findis, Irime, and Indis then did the same, each in turn.

When they were all seated, Ingwe, High King of all the Eldar, rose and spoke before the Eldar and Maiar of his dearest friend. Maedhros knew that he should pay closer attention to Ingwe's speech, but the entire ceremony felt so unreal that Maedhros found it difficult to focus. When it was over, Ingwe bade the immediate family of Finwe to rise and pay their final respects to the dead. Maedhros started. No one had told him that he would be participating in this ceremony. Ingwe caught his eye and nodded.

Feanor stepped up first, and Ingwe handed to him a small cup of water. Feanor bowed thrice with the cup in hand and then poured the water over the sarcophagus. He handed the empty cup to Ingwe then returned to his seat. Though he should have been thinking about his grandfather, Maedhros couldn't help but to wonder if his father had received instructions earlier detailing what was expected of him or if he had already known what was to be done after his years of research on the history of the Quendi.

After the children and wife of Finwe had similarly paid their final respects, the sons of Feanor did the same, followed by the children of Findis, Fingolfin, and Finarfin. Last of all were the great grandchildren of Finwe. Idril was not even a year old yet, and she had not stopped crying since the beginning of the ceremony. Maedhros thought at first that Celebrimbor would be the same, but the boy dried his tears with the back of his hands and slid off his seat.

Rather than go directly to the sarcophagus, Celebrimbor went to Idril and took her hand. He looked to Turgon, who nodded in silent approval. Idril quieted then, for there was a shared language between children that was beyond even the greatest loremasters. As Celebrimbor led Idril to Finwe, Maedhros was reminded of the Reunion of the House of Finwe, when he'd similarly led Maglor by hand to meet Finwe for the first time. Indeed, it occurred to Maedhros then that Finwe might never have met Idril before his untimely death, for she was but recently born and had dwelt in Tirion rather than Formenos.

After Celebrimbor and Idril had paid their final respects to Finwe, Ingwe bade the sons of Finwe and their eldest sons to come forth. It quickly became apparent what was expected of them. Elemmire of the Vanyar began to sing his newest song, the Lament for the Two Trees, as the six of them bore the sarcophagus to its resting place in the cairn. The sarcophagus was lowered into the hole that had been prepared for it, and then the three sons and three grandsons of Finwe took up shovels and buried their King with the dirt set aside for this very task. As they did this, the voices of the Eldar and the Maiar wailed in lament for the first blood spilt in Aman.

"The ceremony is completed. Finwe Noldoran will rest in peace now," said Ingwe. "There is, however, one more matter that must be addressed. Curufinwe Feanaro, come forth once more." Feanor went before the King of all the Eldar and knelt before him. "Not only are you the first begotten son of Finwe but you are the eldest of the second generation of the Eldar in Aman. Though I know you loathe to do so, you must now take up the Kingship of the Noldor." Ingwe drew forth the Silver Circlet and placed it atop Feanor's head. "I name you now Curufinwe Feanaro Noldoran, King of the Noldor."

"Thank you, King Ingwe Ingweron," Feanor said, "but I beg for your permission to surrender for a time the crown to my half-brother, Nolofinwe Arakano. The majority of the Noldor dwell still in Tirion, and I was banned from that city for twelve years for my past transgressions. Seven years remain before I may take up the Kingship in Tirion."

"Finwe is dead, and you are King of the Noldor now. Should your eldest son not be the one to be Steward of Tirion in your absence?" said Ingwe. Maedhros froze. He had never considered that this might happen, that he might be put in such a position of power so soon.

"In the future, this may be so," Feanor agreed. "However, before his passing, my father left Nolofinwe to rule the Noldor in Tirion, and I would honor the command of my father to the end of the twelve years."

"Let it be so then."

Fingolfin came forth and received a white rod from Feanor that he had apparently prepared for the occasion. Feanor then removed the Silver Circlet from his head, placed it in a casket, and surrendered it to Fingolfin for keeping.

Just as Ingwe appointed Fingolfin as Steward of Tirion, Celebrimbor cried softly to his father, "Look!" His whisper was heard by many sitting closest to him, including Ingwe. "There's snow at the top of the Tower of Finwe."

The golden lamp had not been extinguished, but frost now capped the top of the tower. At first, Maedhros thought that the Tower of Finwe must've been taller than even the Tower of Ingwe if it caught frost from the higher airs of Manwe. Then he remembered that Feanor had been careful to build the Tower of Finwe the same height as the Tower of Ingwe so as to not offend the King of all the Eldar. He realized that frost formed quicker in Formenos than Tirion, for Formenos was closer to the ice in the north. Maedhros shuddered. It seemed to him an ill omen that frost should come just as the Kingship of the Noldor was settled.

Feanor did not share his foreboding. "It is a sign from Iluvatar. Is it not said in the Ainulindale that, though Melkor made war upon the province of Ulmo, Water became fairer than his heart imagined? 'Neither had my secret thought conceived the snowflake, nor in all my music was contained the falling of the rain.' No theme may be played that has not its uttermost source in Eru. Finwe's death, then, must also be but Iluvatar's instrument in the devising of things more wonderful."

But Feanor's words to Celebrimbor went unheard by many save those gathered closest to them, for the voices of the Noldor had been raised in cheer at the coronation of Fingolfin as Steward.

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In the following weeks, the sons of Feanor were kept busy by the large number of Noldor who wished to return to Tirion. After all who wished to depart had done so, very few were left dwelling in Formenos. In these matters, Feanor did little to stop the flight of his followers. Indeed, even Maedhros saw little of Feanor, and it was rumored among his brothers that their father sought day and night to make jewels like the Silmarils.

When Maedhros did see Feanor for the first time since the Ceremony of Rest, it was under the worst possible circumstances. A crystal vase shattered next to Maglor, and all the brothers turned to see their father at the top of the staircase.

"How long must I listen to that infernal song?" Feanor demanded. Maglor had been playing the Lament for the Two Trees again. "One would think that you had no talent of your own. I should never have made that damned harp for you." Maglor flinched visibly. The small golden harp was his favorite, prized above even the silver one gifted to him by Indis in his youth. Feanor had wrought the golden harp for Maglor as a wedding gift, and though he might at times be parted from his spouse, Maglor was never parted from his harp.

Maedhros was about to defend his brother when another spoke: "Feanaro! Do not vent your frustrations out on your son." Feanor and his sons turned to find Nerdanel at the door. The twins sprinted to their mother and embraced her.

"Nerdanel." Feanor's anger had evaporated faster than steam from a doused campfire. "What brings you to Formenos? I should think that Tirion would be in great need of you."

"Tirion is in need of you, Feanaro Noldoran," Nerdanel said bluntly. "Nolofinwe asked me to come here to beg you to return to Tirion. Most of the Noldor of Formenos have left. What use is there in your staying here? Your people need you!"

"My term of punishment is not yet over."

"Then ask the Valar to rescind your ban," Nerdanel said. "I do not think they will refuse your request."

"Perhaps your right." Feanor descended the stairs to meet his wife. "Perhaps I need to speak to the Valar."

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Maedhros did not know what else was spoken between Feanor and Nerdanel in privacy, but the next morning, Feanor asked his eldest son to travel with him to see Lord Aule. When Maedhros protested, saying that he should at least stay to watch over Formenos, Feanor said, "Your mother will see to the safety of Formenos. I want you to hear what is said, for if I should leave for the Halls of Mandos, you will need all the wisdom you can muster to lead the Noldor."

They rode of swift horses to the Halls of Aule, and they were greeted by none other than Mahtan, Nerdanel's father. They dismounted and left their horses to the care of the servants.

"Aulendil," Feanor said with a bow. Maedhros did likewise.

Mahtan nodded and said, "We have been expecting you." He led them to a room where they might speak in private.

"I need to speak with Lord Aule," Feanor said.

"He is here," Mahtan said simply. "Speak your mind."

"I wish to lead the Noldor forth from Valinor," Feanor said. "I wish to lead them back to Endor, the birthland of the Elves. Can the Valar aid me in this?"

Maedhros gasped. His mind reeled. How could his father suggest such a thing? Was this related to the Noldor that fled Formenos for Tirion. And why would anyone leave Tirion for dark lands threatened by Morgoth?

"As you came here freely, freely shall you depart," said Aule through the mouth of Mahtan. "But no aid can the Valar lend you, for all our strength is needed now to mend the hurts inflicted by Melkor unto the world."

"The Maiar are not involved in the designs of those who sit in the Ring of Doom. Can you not ask Osse to lend us an isle as he did years ago to ferry us across the Great Sea?"

"The isles cannot be so easily moved," answered Aule. "The Ferry Isle that is now Tol Eressea was not simply rent from its place in order to transport the Eldar to Valinor. Its stone base was loosened by the Battle of the Powers that was waged against Melkor after Orome first discovered the Quendi. Not unless there is again such tumult in the world can the lands be so drastically changed."

"I see." Feanor nodded thoughtfully. "Then I will find another way to Endor."

"The Lord of the Smith advises you against such folly," said Mahtan. "This path can only lead to sorrow."

Feanor shook his head. "I thank you for the advice, Lord Aule, but though in the coming days of this darkness I will seem to oppose the will of the Lords of the West, that is my part among them, to which I was appointed ere the making of the World."

"So be it. I know little of this part of the music from the visions that I saw before I entered this world."

"One more thing I must ask of the Valar."

"Say on."

"I am still banned from Tirion," Feanor said. "I beg that you ask Lord Manwe to lessen my sentence of twelve years."

There was not even a pause before Mahtan gave his answer. "It is done. I have spoken to Manwe, and he gives you leave to return to Tirion to do what must be done."

"Thank you, Lord Aule," Feanor said reverently. "Thank you and all the Valar for all that you have done for the Quendi. I do not think we will meet again until the end of Arda. Farewell!"

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Maedhros was surprised that Maglor rode out to meet them on the road, and Feanor seemed no less surprised, for he greeted his second son awkwardly. "Macalaure, about earlier, I meant no offense to your playing of the Aldudenie. We each grieve in our own way, and I'm afraid my way can be temperamental in nature." Maglor wordlessly handed his father a scroll. Feanor unrolled it then held it up. "What is this?" Feanor asked. Maedhros reined his horse in next to Feanor's. Feanor handed the scroll to Maedhros. The scroll was nothing more than a series of lines and circles with flags.

"The Lament for the Two Trees." Maglor then drew out a second scroll and handed it to his father. Maedhros leaned over and saw that he second scroll was similar to the first, but the placement of the circles with flags differed.

"And what is this?" Feanor asked.

"The Lament for the King of the Noldor."

Feanor was quicker than Maedhros to understand. "You've made your own musical alphabet."

Maglor nodded. "A simple alphabet of only seven notes, but it is sufficient for my purposes. Do you like it?"

Feanor took the scroll of the Lament for the Two Trees and in his mind matched the notes to the song. He then looked back to the second scroll. Maedhros knew that Feanor must've already learned to read the notes, for he hummed aloud the tune for the Lament for the King of the Noldor. It was masterful and very poignant, and though Feanor was not trying, Maedhros saw glimpses of visions of Finwe before his eyes.

"It's magnificent. I like it very much," Feanor said, and there was a bright light in his eyes. Maglor smiled slightly, almost shyly. "I think, though, that many will not be able to easily understand your alphabet. Perhaps you should create a scroll that demonstrates the notes as they would be represented in a scale exercise."

Maglor nodded. "A good idea. I'd been trying to figure out a way to explain my notes to other musicians."

Feanor began humming again the Lament for the King of the Noldor and was obviously pleased beyond what he could say in words. Maedhros wondered if it was an ancient way of the Quendi that they should be able to express themselves more clearly and with more depth in song than in speech. When Feanor had finished the first stanza, he said, "Excellent. In this way, the songs of the Noldor will be preserved after our departure."

"Departure?" Maglor echoed.

Feanor nodded. "We will be leaving Formenos and departing to Tirion."

"Why?"

"As your mother said, the Noldor need me, and I, for my part, have need to speak with them as well." Feanor laughed and shook his head. "Fair shall the end be, though long and hard shall the road be. But the deeds that we shall do shall be the matter of song until the last days of Arda."

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Chapter End Notes

The Mindon Elenath, the Tower of the Stars, is meant to match the Mindon Eldalieva, the Tower of the Eldalie. Here, the Mindon Eldalieva is also known as the Tower of Ingwe (X. 176), so Feanor thought it would be fitting if the Mindon Elenath was also named the Tower of Finwe, obviously in honor of his father.

There's a silver lamp atop the Mindon Eldalieva (S. 62). It's only natural, then, to give the Mindon Elenath a gold lamp. These mirror the Two Lamps of Aule except that Illuin the Silver Lamp was in the north, and Ormal the Gold Lamp was in the south. In this case, Formenos, in the north, has the gold lamp and Tirion, in the south, has the silver lamp. It should come as no surprise to people who have read the Silmarillion that everything is about to be turned upside down.

Somewhere in the HoMEs, it's said that Ingwe wears a golden circlet and Finwe a silver circlet as crowns. Noldoran was Finwe's title and means King of the Noldor.

The white rod of the Steward is, of course, an echo of the white rod that Faramir tries to surrender to Aragorn (RotK 302).

Oiolosse is an alternate name for Taniquetil, but it is also cited as being the uttermost tower of Taniquetil (S. 19).

The effect of Melkor's bitter cold and fire without restraint upon the Waters of Ulmo are snow and clouds. "Then Ulmo answered: 'Truly, Water is become now faierer than my heart imagined, neither had my secret thought conceived the snowflake, nor in all my music was contained the falling of the rain.'" (S. 9) How would Feanor know this? I am working with the assumption that this is part of the Ainulindale, the account of Creation said to have been composed by Rumil (S. 390).

Feanor's attempt to make jewels like the Silmarils is from the Book of Lost Tales I (I. 149).

When Feanor says that Maedhros will need all the wisdom he can muster to lead the Noldor, he uses the word "wisdom," he actually means "knowledge" to some degree. "Nolo was the stem of words referring to wisdom" (XII. 344). "Wisdom-but not in the sense 'sagacity, sound judgement (founded on experience and sufficient knowledge)'; 'Knowledge' would be nearer, or 'Philosophy' in its older applications which included Science." (XII. 359- 360)

"As ye came hither freely, freely shall ye depart" (S. 95).

In talking about the Ferry Isle, Aule inadvertently foreshadows Andor, the land that Osse raises out of the depths of the Great Water after the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age. (S. 321)

Feanor echoes Ulmo, who says to Tuor: "Therefore, though in the days of this darkness I seem to oppose the will of my brethren, the Lords of the West, that is my part among them, to which I was appointed ere the making of the World." (UT 16).

"Fair shall the end be, though long and hard shall the road be." (S. 92)

"The deeds that we shall do shall be the matter of song until the last days of Arda." (S. 99)