The Book of Short Tales by Lyra

Random - Authority

Melkor discovers the power of a mother's voice. (AU, somewhat cracky)

“Put that back.”

Melkor stared at the elf-woman - more broad-shouldered than most, but still far slighter than his own intimidating form - who stood in his way. Confusion got the better of him. “Pardon me?”

“Put. That. Back.”

So he had heard right after all. He broke into laughter. “How about no?”

“Then, young man, someone will be going to bed extra early.” She was blocking the doorway out of the treasury, giving him a look that was entirely unflattering - and, worse, entirely unimpressed.

Melkor wondered whether she somehow didn’t understand how much damage his mace could do. Then again, he wasn’t holding it anymore. He had propped it against the wall after smashing the doors of the treasury so he could grab the jewels with both hands. That was a little awkward. Still, he was more powerful by far --

“Extra early,” Nerdanel reiterated. “No supper and no bedtime story.”

This was not going at all as expected! Melkor knew how to frighten people, and he knew how to feign friendship, even submission when it was necessary. But he did not know how to deal with this resolute woman, refusing to acknowledge his power or her own helplessness. Baffled, he heard someone ask, “What kind of supper?” He recognised the voice as his own.

For the first time, the fierce set of Nerdanel’s jaw relaxed a little, although she was by no means smiling. "Put the jewels back and I’ll tell you.”

Melkor had never had a mother, but he nonetheless recognised a tone that brooked no argument. “Fine,” he grumbled. “Whatever. I’ve got no use for your shoddy pebbles anyway.” He dumped the gems from his right hand on the nearest presentation table.

“All of them,” Nerdanel’s voice rang out behind him, echoing in the cavernous room.

Scowling, Melkor dropped the crystal casket that contained the Silmarils on top of the heap.

“Back where you found them, dear,” Nerdanel said. “Each in its proper place.”

Melkor turned to give her an incredulous stare. “The showcases are broken!”

“Yes, someone’s made quite a mess. We’ll discuss how you can repair the damage later on. For now, just clean the shards away and put the jewels back where they belong. Be careful not to cut yourself.”

“I am Melkor, He Who Arises In Might, and I am far too powerful to be cut by mere Elven glass!” To emphasize his words, Melkor swept at the nearest broken casket. Part of it broke with a satisfying clang, its fragments tinkling onto the floor. The other part lodged itself firmly in his hand, adding a fierce stinging ache to the burning sensation left by the Silmarils. Blinking rapidly, Melkor gripped the shard and jerked it out of his hand. Suddenly, there was blood. Melkor did not mind the sight of blood, provided that it was not his own. His own, he minded very much. He minded so much that he felt rather dizzy, overcome by a sudden need to steady himself.

“Oh dear,” Nerdanel sighed as she walked up to him. “You don’t really know your hroä well, do you. We’ll have to take care of that cut. You’ll probably need stitches. You can tidy up tomorrow.” A firm hand gripped Melkor’s wrist. Before he even realised what was going on, Nerdanel had begun to lead him out of the treasury. Weakly, Melkor protested, “You don’t understand. There will be no tomorrow. I didn’t come alone. I brought Ungoliant, weaver of gloom, and she will not be stopped!”

Nerdanel stopped by the door. Without breaking her grip on the wrist of his injured hand, she picked up his mace with her other arm, carrying it across one shoulder as easily as if it were a common sledgehammer.

“Don’t you worry,” she said blithely. “I know perfectly well how to deal with pesky spiders.”

Chapter End Notes

Prompted by a commentary by Tumblr user spacehobbitses:

"Nerdanel is a f*cking legend I mean 7 kids and married to Fëanor. Forget Fingolfin fighting Melkor, Nerdanel could just fight Melkor in an ally way and walk back into the street without a scratch and with the silmarils she doesn’t want to make Fëanor feel bad."

Then... this happened.