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Chapter Text

Maedhros approached to Barad Eithiel, his banners high so the watchers on the entrance knew exactly who was approaching. He hoped that there weren´t any idiots (his father would call them bigots, but since his brothers and him found out, they started calling them that because that was what they were) on watch. Not that they would dare to, not after the punishment that the High King had given the last guards stupid enough to do that to his husband, but they still found small petty things to bother him with. As he walked through the streets and then the palace, he noticed how his son besides him was looking at him.

“Don´t do that”

“What?” Ereinion asked, still pouting.

“Be all angry at me like that” Maedhros sighed, looking back at the child. Ereinion had definitely gotten his height from him, already taller than most of the children of his age. “What did I do now to earn your ire then?”

“Why should I tell you? You aren´t going to listen to me anyway”

“Ereinion…”

“It´s not like you are going to let me fight just because I told you how angry it makes me not to be able to help during a battle like that” the prince continued. “I´m Crown Prince of the Noldor, I should be able to fight a few bandits, especially when my own family is on the line. Instead, I was forced to hide inside a…”

“My boy, you are still a child. There is no need for you to rush into…”

“If you don´t trust me to watch your back, then how am I supposed to protect my people in the future? How are they supposed to trust me to do that?” he answered, clearly meaning it. “I need to show them I could!!”

“You have barely begun training in weapons, give it some time before…”

“I have been training for years!! And both Glorfindel and Runawë said that I´m good!! Why can´t you understand that I´m ready to fight by you and atto´s side when you need? I might be too fresh to command, but how am I going to learn if you don´t teach me too?” his eyes now had tears. “I… I have to be ready for the battlefield… I´m going to be King, so…”

“Give it time, Ereinion, this is not something you want to rush.”

His son responded by storming off. Maitimo sighed, wondering if he had already reached THAT age. No, he was still too young. It must be the lessons on politics and duties of the High King Yárion insisted in giving him. Also the weaponry training… he wasn´t going to lie, his elfling was good, but he was still only that, an elfling. He had no place in the battlefield, not yet, definitely not for a few decades still. Maedhros sighed, hoping that he would understand that his parents were only protecting him… he will also have to talk with Yárion about what he was teaching him and Findékanno about that attitude of his.

"Where did my cute little boy go?" he asked himself, remembering a time not too long ago where his son would play with wooden blocks and sneak into his bed in the middle of the night. He guessed they all had to grow up, but must it be that quick? “I hope he doesn´t get as bad as his uncles when he reaches THAT age.”

Thinking about it, all his brothers had been cute until they did. Well, Celegorm had turned into a nightmare even before, but that was because he kept escaping their home to go run in the wilds. He certainly hoped that Ereinion was not that kind, as Beleriand was definitely not Valinor. There, his parents at least had the certainty that their wayward elfling was going to be alright. Here, he would be with his heart on his throat, thinking that he had been waylaid by a pack of orcs or a troll…

“Uncle” he looked up to see Caranthir´s youngest in front of him. “The guards have taken care of the prisoners you brought. They all speak a strange language, so we have called for Lord Gwayne to Brethil. He must be receiving the summon any day and coming here. In the meantime, Silma is conducting the interrogation.”

Gwayne, eh? It´s been a long time since he even thought about him. Since the refugee crisis in which three of his brothers had a hand, he and his people had integrated into the edain houses and not caused any troubles. Of course, some families still taught their children their own language and custom, including the siblings, but the others were tolerant towards that. After all, they were allowed to keep their own traditions in Noldor and Sinda lands. As he walked through the corridors, he wondered if there could be a new danger coming from their lands. It seemed so… but he guessed they were not the only ones in the world. Eventually, news from distant lands would reach their corner of this Eä.

“Any other news?”

“Lord Húrin has passed, the news arrived when you were still travelling” he informed, lowering his head a bit. “I´m sorry, I know he was a valuable ally and friend to you. We will all mourn his passing. We were also invited to the funeral, but before the High King could travel to see his last farewell, news of the attack arrived and he remained here to see you and Ereinion safe.”

“May his soul rest in peace beyond the corners of the world” he let grief be felt for a moment, then concentrated on other matters. Húrin was already old and since Morwen´s passing, they already knew he would follow her any day. Because if he had passed, then the lordship of the House of Hador was… “We could only be thankful he lasted this long.”

“Yes” Cenda seemed equally drained by the idea. “Now Túrin is the Lord.”

They both felt a shiver running down their backs. Túrin was a good warrior and commander and could be a good companion and friend… when he was not trying to seduce some poor elf into his bed… he still didn´t know how the brat managed to do so even after getting married, he felt for poor Rowena… but he wasn´t that great of an administrator. In fact, most of the non-martial duties of the Lord fell on his wife, who most people agreed was the one keeping the House of Hador together while the Lord spent most of his time protecting the borders from random packs of orcs that got out of Nan Dungortheb or Ered Gorgoroth. If only they could have cleared those…

“We all knew that eventually Thingol´s stupidity was going to affect us all, uncle” Cenda said as they both advanced towards Fingon´s study. “It was too much to ask for the creatures of darkness to stay in their holes forever. Our kin in Brethil is worried too. They have seen signs of increased ability at the borders, but until now they hadn´t found more than that. Or been attacked by them”

“Have you seen more activity from them lately?”

“According to Brandir, Avranc disappeared a few weeks ago in the middle of the night. He left behind something about following some clues… Hisleth isn´t worried though, so everything should be alright… I hope.”

Maedhros hoped too. Avranc wasn´t the favorite relative of many, mainly by no fault of the boy himself but because of what he had done in the future, but he had a way to become endeared to those that were closest to him. Or at least among the Feanorions. He reminded the older ones of a young Moryo more than any of his offspring, certainly had the same edges as him, and the younger ones threated him like a nephew. Caranthir, knowing what happened to him, had taken it upon himself to personally train him. Until now, it ended up well, forging a strong bond between them… hopefully one that extended to their other relatives and prevented the awful events of the Rebellion. Anyway, that was up to them. The Feanorions were doing their part, it was up to Turgon and his followers to do theirs and handle the bigots under them. As for Thingol… he also hoped that ended up well without having to restore to kinslaying. He truly didn´t want to walk that path again.

“Send search parties to find the boy if they could, also to track the orc packs. If they are preparing to attack Nargothrond or Barad Eithiel…”

“I truly doubt that is their ultimate goal, not with the paths they are taken.” Cenda crossed his arms. “We think they are trying to reconquer Angband.”

“Angband?” it was true that they hadn´t placed a permanent guard there or occupied that foul place, but they had reasons. Also, they hadn´t merely left that up to fate. They had closed and put as many traps as they could around it. The orcs would have activated one by then and alert the regular patrols they had as close as it was safe. “No, that wouldn´t have gone unnoticed.”

“Then what could it be?”

“I don´t know… but I´m planning to find out” his eyes sharpened. “In the meantime, try to find out what those brigands want. They seemed awfully prepared to ambush a heavily guarded caravan, I want to know why. Do you speak their language?”
“I have learned a bit of it during my visits to Brethil.”

“Good, make them talk”

Maedhros moved ahead towards his husband´s office. At this hour, the High King must be up to his neck in paperwork, but he was sure that Finno wouldn´t mind the interruption. In fact, he would probably enjoy it. Also, by now, he must have heard about the attack on his husband and son and would be eager to see them and make sure with his own eyes that they were both alright… if only Ereinion would come with him instead of walking off with a pout. He sighed, then stood in front of the door and knocked on it.

“Enter” he did. Findékanno was immediately on his face, tearing up even when he noticed he was alright. “Oh, Russo, you are fine. And Ereinion…”

“Calm down, my love, he is alright. He is just… not happy that I forced him to hide instead of letting him fight alongside the adults” Fingon looked at him in askance and worry. “He is growing up, thinks that he could do more things… it´s difficult to think of him as more than that baby I held in my arms or that child that used to sneak into bed at night, but…”

“He is still not ready.”

“I know” Maedhros grabbed his hand. “I think we must have a chat with Yárion about the kind of things he is teaching him. The boy… believes he is being a bad heir for not engaging in military duties yet. It could only be that he forgets that he is still a child, but…”

“We will talk with him” the High King let him go, the offered him the seat in front of the desk before taking his place himself. “But what worries me right now is that someone, be it an unknown party or some bandits, attacked your caravan while on the move. I was planning to attend the funeral of Húrin myself to pay respect, but I doubt we can do that now. Not with danger on the road.”

“And let´s not talk about what this could encourage”

“Yes, that too” Findékanno rubbed his temples as if he had a nightmare. “Outlaws and the kind could believe that they could try their luck at Noldor travelers. And Thingol… we all know that he still hates your family.”

“Not only my family” Maedhros crossed his arms. “You think…”

“Thingol doesn´t trust any man that is not named Túrin to do things competently. If he wanted to make an attempt on your life, he would ask for his help. And Túrin would never dare, he respects and fears us too much.”

“If not King Greymantle, then who? A member of his court? Or your court?”

“Most of them have the same problem” Fingon bit his lip. “Most of the heads and important members of the Houses of the Edain must be at Húrin´s funeral right this moment, so they will soon find out. And if one of their own was at fault for this, they will deliver the culprit by themselves. None of them want to cross the High King of the Noldor or the House of Fëanor… and many are related to us either by blood or marriage. We have their loyalty, can trust them in this.”

“And if they can´t? If there is… an unknown part on the move?”

“Then we deal with them. If we could with Morgoth, then we definitely could with a few edain foreigners. YOU can with a few edain foreigners.”

“You have too much trust in me.”

“I just know what my General is capable of” Findekanno grabbed his hand. “Let´s give it some time, then we will confront whoever was behind this.”

The two of them spend a few hours more chatting about what was happening. With Túrin as the head of the House of Hador and still in good terms with Thingol, that could encourage the sindar to do something stupid too. Brethil could be in danger, even if the lord didn´t want that. He could be manipulated into doing something for the doriathrim. Moryo had the Corps and several of his descendants patrolling the frontiers, but that would only give them the slightest of advantages. Until then, there hadn´t been troubles with Doriath… Maedhros hoped that it stayed the same.

There was also the issue of Gondolin. Turgon had given them a general location of the city and a way to communicate, which was mostly comprised of Glorfindel and some of Tuor´s northern sinda contacts, but he still refused to completely open the city to the outside world. He said that it was to protect it… and Maedhros could see why, specially with what happened to Nargothrond… but they also knew that the White City was almost a copy of Tirion in many ways. Including the levels of bigotry running rampant amongst their people. Glorfindel and Rog did what they can in their own way, but the blond was mostly at Barad Eithiel acting as an ambassador and Rog still believed in keeping his head low to survive, so they haven´t made a big change. The one that did most of it through sheer effort was Tuor, and with his and Idril´s departure for Aman getting closer, that precious little seed was in danger. Turgon might not be a bigot, but he would put his people first. And so long as there was no violence among the gondolindrim, he wouldn´t put all in jeopardy.

“I almost thought that he would get out of there to pay his respect to Húrin” Findékanno said later into the night, as they laid in bed together. Their hands were together, a testament of how scared he had been of losing his family when the news arrived.
“He almost didn´t allow Tuor and Idril to travel to pay their own to Huor and Rían when they died and he still retained Eärendil by his side… I don´t see why he would deign to attend the funeral just because he and Húrin used to be friends.”

“That stupid little brother of mine…”

“He is going to wake up some day and realize that isolation is not the answer to all of his problems. And once he does, you will be there by his side to tell him that you told him so” Maedhros smiled at him. “He is also no more stupid than the average little brother. Just see mine.”

“Your brothers are utter bastards, not idiots”

“Tyelko believed that he could fly with some wings he made by gathering feathers and wax”

“Except for that one” Fingon laughed for the first time since the news on the attack arrived. “I feel bad for not going to the funeral, Russo. And not only because it was an opportunity to see my only remaining younger sibling in the flesh. I mean… Húrin was a dear friend to both me and Turgon and a loyal ally. A great lord too” He sighed. “Remember when he cuffed Túrin in the head and yelled at him after he spied on you in the bath?”

“I too would have wished to pay my respects to him” the redhead answered. “I respected Húrin too.”

“I can´t believe he is gone yet… it was almost as if he would always be there…”

“Edain have a limited time, Finno, you know that. And he was old by their standards” he sighed. “He lived well and died surrounded by family this time, never having experienced the horrors that Morgoth had in mind for him. It was the way he would have wanted to go… and I´m inclined to believe he died happy.”

“I hope so, I owe him so much… specially after he saved Turgon and his host last time.”

“We all owe him a lot” Maedhros said. “It was my fault he ended up in that horrible place, forced to see the suffering and deaths of his children.”

“Turgon should be there, know how much he owes him…”

“I only wish he found happiness on the other side. That he was able to reunite with his Morwen and brother” his grip got tighter around his fingers. “Don´t worry about the past, my dear, I´m here now. And I´m not going to leave you alone. You are not going to leave me either, no?”

“Never” Findékanno answered, then changed the theme. “Do you know that Glorfindel and Erestor went back to Gondolin shortly after you departed for Himring? They asked permission for a more permanent leave, as they wanted to make some changes in the city now that Tuor is going to leave.”

“Talking about messing with Turgon” Maitimo smirked. “Perhaps that´s the reason he didn´t show up, they are being too much to handle there and making the more radical pro former thralls rights side, if it exists there, riot.”

“Perhaps, especially because Tyelpe and Maeglin went with them.”

“What? I thought they were at Himlad”

“They arrived like the day before Glorfindel left, saying that they left their lands in Curufin´s hands… please, don´t make that face, they also left Elenammë there with him so he had someone overseeing him” Nelyo certainly think it was responsible. “They said there was something they wanted to talk with Turgon.”

“What could it be?”

“I don´t know, but I think there is something more going on. And I don´t think we will like it.”

“Could it be connected to the attack on my caravan?”

“If it is, then we are going to find out soon… and yes, we are definitely not going to like it.”

Suddenly, the elven attendance to Húrin´s funeral and his afterlife were not in their minds anymore. What was there was the possible danger in the horizon and whatever could be causing it. They had relaxed quite a bit since Nargothrond, almost forgotten about all the other things that happened during the First Age. They hadn´t lost Himring, reconquered the Marches, defeated Morgoth… surely what happened to that hidden realm had been an anomaly. The Fall of Gondolin didn´t have to happen… no?

-In Dór-lomin-

Gwayne stood by the funeral pyre of the old lord with a solemn expression on his face. Frankly, he was there only because of his sister, who surely needed the support in that moment. Her husband hadn´t been particularly faithful to her, and while he was not outright cruel or violent towards her, their marriage had practically ended the moment their fifth child had been done. Duty done, their relationship was more akin to business partners, who did their respective part in keeping their lordship stable for their children to inherit. Rowena also confessed to him that she had a better relationship with her father-in-law, who was always good to her, than with her husband. And he could see why. It noticed in the way Túrin completely ignored his still beautiful wife to drool over Beleg Cuthalion.

“I thought he was going to behave this time” his wife whispered to him, clearly disapproving of her distant cousin´s behavior. “It´s his father´s funeral.”

“Why is the elf here anyway?”

“Húrin insisted to have some relationship with his half-elven grandchildren, at least those that were at hand to him. And Beleg remained a good friend to Túrin, so he and his children were frequent guests in his halls” now he knew why Rowena´s marriage had developed into that. “Great grandfather thinks he should have remained in Doriath.”

“And he was right”

Gwayne stopped talking and then looked around. Lord Brandir and Lady Nienor were also there, just as he expected. Dressed in black and surrounded by their children, including their eldest daughter Hildigunnr, they stood by the pyre, the very image of respectable and noble mourning. Unlike Túrin. Rowena also kept her own children in check, definitely decided not to allow them to end up as their father. His eyes landed on young Úrin, the new heir to the House of Hador. His sister´s eldest. He knew his wife wanted a marriage between him and Brandir´s and Nienor´s daughter, or even with their Hunthor´s daughter with one of Rowena´s former ladies in waiting Ashildr, but he had other ideas. It was the custom of the Three Houses to intermarry if possible, if they weren´t related too closely. After all, he had once been a king and still hadn´t lost hope to be again. If only he could convince High King Findékanno or the other lords...

They heard the horse in that moment. Lord Túrin turned to see who was interrupting the funeral ceremony of his father only to see a female elf in noldor armor, bearing the High King´s heraldry. A messenger, clearly.

“Is Lord Gwayne here?” he was surprised to hear his name being uttered. He took a step to the front. The elf gave him a letter with the seal of her master. “You have been summoned by his Majesty regarding the attack on his Consort.”

“Attack?”

“What had happened?” Mórewen asked in clear quenya, stepping up from besides her husband. Despite all the time he spent in those lands, he still had to get a handle of the fairy languages, so he left the conversation to her. He was sure his wife was also worried for her kin, with whom she was as close as they could be. “Is my uncle alright? Was he hurt in any way?”

“There were no casualties on our part” she answered. Gwayne already thought so. He had seen the King Consort train and he had to admit a better warrior would be hard to find. That didn´t answer his question though. “We wanted Lord Gwayne to come because the attackers spoke in a strange language that Lord Cendafinwë identified as the one spoke in his homeland.”

Now that was strange. They had been more than ten years in this land, enough for a new generation to be born and grow between the fairies. Some of the children of the people that came with him took more to the culture of the Three Edain Houses than their own, even if they knew them… even his own children. Why were news of his homeland arriving now? Could it be that King Fingon was finally ready to support his reclaiming of his throne? He looked at his first son, Valian. He was meant to be a prince, yet he was born in Brethil, not even in line for the chieftainship of the House of Haleth. Not that he resented that, but he always thought his children deserved more. His wife also deserved more…

“You have been summoned to attend to the interrogation. All details are in the letter” the messenger continued. “We will depart as soon as the funeral is over.”

“Thank you”

Later in the night, Gwayne opened the letter and shared the contents with Mórewen. Then called for his sister and Ellys so they could give their opinion on it. Rowena was calm, she already knew that she would remain in Dor-lomin, no matter if her brother regained his title as king or not, but she had married for something more than giving stability to her people. If there was even a chance to recover what was stolen from them… as for his wife, she didn´t seem to be all in favor of that. Moréwen´s home was Brethil, but she also wasn´t entirely against that, especially when leaving the issue unattended could become dangerous to her homeland. Or her family. If Gwayne knew something of those of Feanorian blood, it was that their family meant a lot to them. As for Ellys…

“I have something to confess” his former spymaster said. “Some time ago, I found a familiar face from our homeland. My cousin Ellyan, who had the same trade as the rest of the family before…”

“I guess he is the spymaster for Egburt now, tasked with finding and assassinate me and my sister… and any children we might have had in the meantime.”

“He didn´t seem particularly loyal to his new master, neither he seems of the opinion that he should continue in power” the man continued. “In fact, he told me he was in contact with someone you might be familiar with: Lord Penlon.”

“Penlon is still alive?” he was surprised by that. He thought that the old bear might have fallen in battle, holding his castle to the end. But to know that he was still there, loyal to his family as he ever was, gave him hope his long dream was close to be made reality. “What else did he say?”

“That they were ready to fight for you if you were to return. And they were not the only ones. Several vassals of fallen royal houses that lost their lands thanks to the expansion of Egburt´s new empire have joined them. Even if… no, especially because…”

“Because of what?”

“It´s a disgusting issue, truly” he continued, looking away from a moment. “Apparently, the late usurper married his son to the princesses from the kingdoms he conquered, as to gain legitimacy over their thrones. As soon as he conquered a new one or on some cases when she birthed a child, she would die and make space for a new wife. In some cases, the boys also died with their mothers.”

“I doubt the old bastard would think more than one child was needed to succeed his boy” Gwayne sighed. “And his son? He was the one who used to be betrothed to my sister, no? Is he any better?”

“He is even more despicable. The man is not subtle at all when replacing his wives for new ones.” Ellys made a face. “From what I last heard, he didn´t even wait until his wives give birth and there is a rumor that some of the princesses he captured died in mysterious circumstances or not so mysterious, to be frank.”

“Then he is even worse scum than his father”

“It´s fair to say”

“I doubt there was any princess willing to marry him then” Rowena said. “Not that many of his wives were willing to become that in the first place.”

“You must feel relieved to have been spared such destiny” Moréwen talked, her eyes taking a very sharp edge. “We thought it impossible for him to turn his eyes towards Noldor territory, as we are too far away from each other, but if he did… he might drag us into an unnecessary war.” She sighed. “Ellys, you seem to have some idea of him. What do you think he might do if he hears about us?”

“He might be tempted to take your lands, but what would truly cement his decision might be the beautiful women of your people have. If there is a thing a lecherous man like he is rumored to be can´t say no to, it´s beautiful women” he turned towards her. “And Ellyan is a master manipulator too. With enough bits of truthful information, he might spun a tale to ensnare him into his plan and led him to a doomed fight. Your uncle has been called a beauty many times over, no?”

“You believe he might have painted my uncle as a beautiful queen?” Moréwen smiled, a little amused by that. She wanted to see her uncle´s reaction to that… it was surely going to be even funnier than Findékanno´s.

“That, or he might have tell him about the princesses of the Noldor. You DO have some very beautiful cousins.”

“Considering the amount of attention that has been paid to Nargothrond since Glaurung´s attack, Finduilas might not be the one at the center of his deception if that´s the case. Besides, she is too far removed from the line of succession to spark the interest of a bastard like that. No, he must be using Idril in that case… but then again, she is in Gondolin right now. And no one knows where Gondolin is.”

“Are you sure of that?”

“Pretty, as Glorfindel and the others that might know have gone there” his future Queen continue. “Then again, that doesn´t mean that they are incapable to find it. To think it was impossible to find with enough determination is the one flaw in Turgon´s plan to remain hidden forever.” She smirked. “Unfortunately for them, the Gondolindrim would see them first and have the advantage of home.”

“You think Turgon can defeat him then?”

“Unless something else happens”

-In the Encircling Mountains-

Avranc didn´t know what he had done this. Frankly, he should have gone home as soon as he realized that the orcs weren´t going to attack any Feanorian holdings. It wasn´t as if he owed something to Turgon or the like. It was only that… he didn´t like what was happening there. Also, while he hadn´t participated in the war against Morgoth or the fall of Angband, he had listened to the tales just as any child of the Haladin. Or the House of Fëanor. On another note, this was bad for all the Noldor. Not only that there was an army practically besieging Gondolin, but that it was composed by both orcs and men. Very greedy men that certainly didn´t know that they were being used by a much darker force. Because he was sure that…

“I think I could smell something weird here” the mysterious person that was the focus of his investigation appeared in that moment. Lugorthin, who had positioned himself as advisor to the invading king by giving him an orc army and who knows what else. “And it´s just a brat this time. Tell me, aren´t you too far away from your mother´s icy teat, little cub?”

“Shit” he said as he dodged and pulled out his daggers. They were a new set given to him by his great grandfather and he wanted to do his best with them. Show Caranthir his best...

“Too bad she is never going to see you again” the man suddenly erupted into flames, turning into a horrible monster with a whip and demonic form. A Balrog? What was a Balrog doing allying himself with some edain? This was almost unbelievable. “Now I´m going to rip your limbs apart and tear out your heart!! As I should have done with your ancestors!!”

“If you were capable of it…”

“This is your end!!!”

Avranc jumped away from his reach. Dammit, he wasn´t ready to fight with a Balrog one on one, much less to defeat one. He only had his speed, which was an advantage to survive, but once he was found out… he could fight pretty well, but he knew that he had still a long path ahead of him if he wanted to become a Balrog slayer. But that didn´t matter now!! He was trusted into a fight that he wasn´t ready for, armed only with a sword, some knives and a pair of daggers that were more ancient than his own great grandfather. Fuck, he wished he had prepared this better. That didn´t mean anyway. He dodged as best as he could, attacking him when he wasn´t visible. He trusted his speed to damage him… too bad that the damage he caused was too little to take down the monster. he understood truly how outnumbered he was when was struck by Lugorthin´s whip on the side. It was a wonder he had not died instantly after receiving that. Even so…

“You are nothing compared to what she was!!!”

What she was? He didn´t understand at all. That didn´t surprise him at all, even so, because Catanthir kept many secrets. Secrets he wanted to know… too bad that he was too busy trying to survive now!! Avranc didn´t know why, but he instantly crossed his daggers as Lugorthin tried to strike him again and… everything was frozen in place. This was… very strange, but it was not time to look at a gifted horse in the mouth. He escaped as soon as he could, before the Balrog could get him again. He also found a narrow passage in the mountains in his rush to get away, with elven soldiers on it. Perhaps… he might see the other end of the tunnel… this time…

-Far away-

Hisleth opened her eyes knowing full well that her little boy had found himself safe in the middle of that war. At least for now. And with the Balrog Lugorthin revealing his presence amongst the edain invaders before time, Turgon was fully aware of what had arrived. He would be ready this time. And his Lords with him.

But she also knew that he was not the only one that needed to be ready. She reached for the book she always kept besides her bed and opened it on the page with a drawing of her grandfather´s Valarindi nephews and nieces rushing towards battle, ignoring completely the reunion between two lovers some time before. And the consequences. She began to draw another thing, a throne room with a ceiling full of jewels, with a proud king in the throne, who was staring down at the chained images of two of who he thought were his worst enemies. From one war to another… she was pitying her elven relatives already. Specially because the clock was going to be ticking for the second one… much more than they could believe.

Chapter Text

If there was a moment in history that Celebrimbor didn´t want to be involved in, the Fall of Gondolin would be the one. Well, at least be high on the list, as nothing would beat the Fall of Eregion and his torture at the hands of Sauron… for which his father and uncles had made thousands of countermeasures already… would always be number one on it. He cursed himself for thinking that a short stay in Gondolin with Maeglin´s relatives, to change environments, would help them with their… little problem. Instead, they had only gotten sneer remarks from Idril, who flaunted Eärendil like a trophy in front of them… the child was still adorable and eager and knew almost as much as Círdan about boats, but he only needed to accept Pengolodh´s suggestion that he took care of his lessons for one day to know why Elrond always made comments about the only bright thing about him being his star… Tuor apologizing as he finished packing, invitation to Turgon´s terrible banquets where he had to endure Salgant the Bigot and the tasteless things that passed as food in that place. He was ready to leave nearly as soon as they arrived, but then Maeglin accidentally accepted them staying for Tarnin Austa… or perhaps got tricked by Turgon to accept… and now they were trapped in the worst Tarnin Austa in the history of the First Age. As if they hadn´t had enough of this the first few iterations as they tried to learn to blew dragons up. And if that wasn´t enough, now Lómion was having a breakdown because of the resurfaces of his own First Age trauma. When he caught Turgon…

“There there, melmenya, nothing is going to happen” he said as he rubbed his husband´s back trying to make him breath normally. “You did nothing this time, there is no reason for anyone to throw you from a mountain or… I mean that everything is going to be alright. See? We are awfully close to the escapeway and you can stay here so you can be calmer now.” Maeglin nodded, recovering a bit. “It´s okay.”

“Here, make him drink this” Eärendil passed him a cup of something cold.

“Yes, my love, drink it” the Lord of the Mole tried, but the only thing that achieved was to make him vomit on Celebrimbor. What the actual….

“I thought that some lemonade with berry jam and raspberry juice might cheer him up. They taste good to me!!” Tyelpe reminded himself that the peredhel was a child… a nearly adolescent child, but a child… so he didn´t start screaming. Idril entered in that moment, covering her smirk with a hand.

“Aww, yonya, you shouldn´t try any combinations when a person is already feeling bad. Go back and bring him actual lemonade, okay?” she patted her cousin´s back. Since Lómion´s marriage to Telperinquar, their relationship had gotten better. And in the last few days, it had been… actually much better. “Are you feeling better?”

“I… I´m fine… I…” Maeglin tried to get on his feet again, but he made the mistake of looking through the window through where the flames had been visible before, so he went into a panic attack again. “This shouldn´t be affecting me this much, I have gone through this, many times before…”

“Well, join the club” Tuor entered the room, fully dressed in armor. He then turned to his wife. “Your father has declared emergency state and started the evacuation process. He is organizing the defense of the city right now” he looked at her. “He ordered you and Eärendil to evacuate first. Maeglin could be called sick, so…”

“No, I… I have to stay… I… I have to…”

“You can´t even with your soul, don´t push yourself. Last time we were full of adrenaline and with a mind focused on learning to take down dragons, this time we weren´t even thinking about it or getting trapped inside this mess” Tyelpe continued rubbing his back. “By the way, who was the idiot who got captured this time. I haven´t heard of recent disappearances among the population lately.”

“That´s the thing, I don´t… really think that they know where it is, only the general location” the Lord answered, passing his wife a sword. “And Turgon has been nearly paranoid with security, he would know if someone had disappeared recently. Then again, for that they would need to find the general location beyond somewhere in the mountains…” Celebrimbor rolled his eyes at that. “Do you have something to say, Tyelpe?”

“Yes… because it´s a miracle that Gondolin remained a secret long enough for Lómion to be the cause of it´s Fall the first time. Not if the secret depended of the kind of geniuses I found here” he glared at him, already knowing where Eärendil got his brain from. “You should thank my uncles for keeping Morgoth busy fighting them and not searching around here, because the mountains are full of…”

“It´s not so bad!!”

“Please, you found this place with only the aid of Voronwë, who had suffered a trauma!! And not only that. There were orcs disappearing the whole time in this mountain practically delimitating the general zone where the city is to anyone with eyes. Tuor, Annael brought you to the exchange post like he did it every day. Even if that´s new, it still could be way to know the general position of the…”

“Fine, fine” the edain hero sighed. He knew that those exchange posts had been a bad idea, even if they made life in that city better and his Ada´s life too. “Alright, I get it. Gondolin was an easy target without the Feanorians keeping Morgoth occupied somewhere else. But Morgoth is not here anymore, Tyelkormo confirmed that he is in Utumno. And Oromë said he put some of his own maiar on the watch.”

“That if Manwë, in all his wisdom, allows it.”

“You lost your faith in the Valar rather quickly after reconnecting with your family, no?”

“I was just made to see things in another light” Celebrimbor sighed. “I think we committed a small mistake by omission, though. We centered all of our efforts on Morgoth because he is the biggest threat, but forget that there are others that might be as big as him given time to be nurtured. And with their own tricks.”

“What do you mean?” Tuor asked.

“Think about it” the smith continued. “How could Angband gather an army so big as to take Gondolin after losing their home? Besides, I don´t think there are only orcs and fell creatures there, even if they are there. In fact, I think that this army might be composed by men. And who you know that can deceive anyone into attacking an ally… or a newly discovered land? I can only think of one person” his own lips trembled as he told the name. “Anna… Thauron.”

“Sauron” Idril cursed while Maeglin trembled more and more. Celebrimbor lowered to the floor with him, focusing on his husband to stop his own panic attack. He had done before, but that had… he needed his father there. He couldn´t face his torturer like that. He needed his father. “Brimbor!! Celebrimbor!!”

“What?”

“Are you fine?” the eyes on both him and his husband were worried. “You can evacuate with the others if you want. Voronwë and I can take you to Barad Eithiel, where you can be with Maedhros and your father.”

“I won´t leave you to fight this alone, but Lómion has to leave…”

“I won´t leave you alone” his husband´s fingers clenched around his wrist.

“Look at you, love, you can barely stand on your feet. It´s better for you to evacuate with the rest and recover if it´s affecting you this much” Maeglin shook his head. “Hey, you can pay me back when I´m like this at Eregion. It´s going to be as hard as it is for you to be here just around this time and without much to do except for waiting.”

“You need help with the…”

“Nope, it´s going to work perfectly and with just one person. How do I know? Because not only one but two genius smiths build it” he smiled. “It´s alright, you can sit this one out. And while you are at it, you can return to Himlad at top speed and gather our army to make a pincer movement on that fucker.”

“I can´t leave you to face that monster alone”

“It´s okay, my love, I can with this”

“And Sauron didn´t take an active role on the Fall of Gondolin, Maeglin, he is probably not even going to be here” Tuor assured him. Between him and Idril, the edain was the one that forgave Maeglin easier for his evil deeds. Not that Celebrimbor, who knew the full history, cared about their forgiveness. “He is going to have me and my men to watch his back.”

“Joy”

“Do you have a problem with the House of the Wing, Feanorian?” Itarillë asked, raising an eyebrow. Indeed, he had many, beginning with their lousy fighting formations and training. But he had that problem with most of the Houses, except for the Golden Flower. It showed how much experience under Elrond and Gil Galad was helping Glorfindel… that and Erestor´s modifications. He was not going to say that, though.

“Woow, it´s madness out there” Voronwë said as he entered, also armored. “Everybody is gathering everything they could carry and running for the evacuation exit. The Lords are preparing their armies too…”

“I know” Tuor sighed. “Voronwë, we were going to call for you. You have another passenger for the first evacuation group.” He signaled Maeglin. “Celebrimbor is going to take command of the House of the Mole for the time being, as Maeglin isn´t feeling alright. Can you take him to…”

“I will accompany you to the entrance” Celebrimbor grabbed Voronwë from the arm. “If something happens to him, I´m doing something that might put me in the same level as the most insane member of my family, but that I´m not going to regret. I´m going to…” Voronwë´s face turned paler and paler as Tyelpe described EXACTLY what Avranc had done to Díor during his Rebellion. “So you better take them to Barad Eithiel directly and don´t take any detours that aren´t planned or to escape the orcs.”

“Barad Eithiel? I thought that I was supposed to take them to Si…” Celebrimbor´s expression must have told him what he thought about that plan. “Of course, directly to Barad Eithiel. Another thing I have to have in mind?”

“Yes, take him directly to someone of my family. Father is the best choice, but uncle Nelyo or uncle Kanno work just as fine, they are great with distressed children. Avoid uncle Moryo, he might be a father but as soon as the waterworks began, he pushed the kids towards Aunt Haleth or uncle Ne… what?”

“You are a very protective spouse, you know?” he seemed amazed of that.

“Have you seen him? He is hyperventilating. Besides, he would do the same for me” and probably will when his time arrived to face his own Fall. “Why are you seeing me like that? Aren´t your parents united or something like that?”

“No, they are not even married” he shrugged. “Perhaps that´s why I…”

“My parents are not married either” Tyelpe did the same. “And it´s better that way, but I wanted my marriage to be different. So if you want to…”

“I´m not the type to get married” he sighed. “Alright, I will take him to Barad Eithiel. Better for me, I wouldn´t want to go to Sirion right now. Dareada certainly hasn´t forgiven my for my disappearing stunt with Tuor and Falas is too close to Sirion for him not to come to yell at me for that.”

“Your grandfather lives in Falas?”

“Yes, it´s Círdan. Where else would he be?” that was a surprise. He never thought that Círdan had children, let alone grandchildren. He wasn´t even aware that he was married. “My mother, Círamë, is his only child.”

“I´m sure she is a darling” his expression turned dark again. “But have in mind that not even the Shipwright will be able to save you if Lómion comes to any harm. And have in mind that I am a Feanorian.”

“Yes, sir”

Celebrimbor nodded and helped his husband to his feet again. As he helped moving him towards the nearest evacuation route, Maeglin seemed to calm down a bit. Or at least was breathing easier. He even started to chat with the animated Eärendil, who was chattering around about boats and seeing the ocean for the first time. Celebrimbor thought that he was finally going to be alright… or at least he did until he started to shake again, hyperventilating for some reason or another. Tyelpe tried to make him tell him what was wrong, but the mole only hugged him closer, sobbing. Idril finally located it for him.

“Here, take care of him for a second” he passed his husband to his cousin, who, despite not being his favorite caretaker for his vulnerable love, he trusted more with him than the person he was approaching now. “Lord Salgant!! I thought that all the Lords were supposed to go to the King´s Tower.”

“I… well… Lord Celebrimbor, that´s… I was only helping the evacuation, nothing more worth of mention” the teleri said. As if the Feanorian didn´t know how much he despised him and his family… or others he regarded as Gnomes. But he valued his skin enough not to say anything in front of the princess. “I was going to go when I finished here.”

“Then you won´t mind me accompanying you there. After all, I am going to take temporarily over the House of the Mole for my husband, as he isn´t feeling that well, so I am also going to Turgon´s council room.”

“Of course, of course” the elf nodded. “See you later he…”

“How about we make each other company until we go?” the smith continued with a smile, still not swallowing Salgant´s bullshit. He was trying to flee like the coward he was, it was obvious by how his servants were carrying around his things.

Celebrimbor nodded to Lómion, trying to cover the fat lord from his view. His spouse nodded back, then Idril did the same before holding her cousin´s arm and walking away, Eärendil by their side. He kept himself near Salgant all the time, preventing the bastard from leaving. The idiot, that still thought of himself as a minstrel by how he kept his harp close, used nearly all the tricks there were to get rid of him, but he kept with his eyes firmly on him. In the end, the Lord of the Harp and him ended up entering to Turgon´s war meeting together. The King gave him an interrogative look, as if asking him why he wasn´t accompanied with Lómion, but he didn´t ask anything.

“Celebrimbor, wait” Turgon called for him when he was about to leave and do the recognition mission he was supposed. Someone needed to confirm which tunnels were compromised, after all, and the moles were miners. “Why did you take command of the Mole? I know that Lómion has been absent since your marriage, but still…”

“I considered it a better option, and Tuor seconded my decision, as he is in quite the vulnerable…”

“Are you expecting a child?” what?!! He looked at Turgon as if he had grown a second head or something like that. “Sorry, it´s just that… Idril told me that you were trying and, after everything, I would be very happy if he gets what he wants, a family of his own.”

“Because that would mean he had truly finally forgotten Idril?” as if that hasn´t happened already. And no, that wasn´t the reason they wanted a child. Or why they finally decided they could postpone it after several unfruitful attempts to… perform.

“No, because he would be happy… and perhaps considering finally forgiving me for everything that happened?”

“Why haven´t you talked about it if you want forgiveness then?” he sighed. “He is just suffering a panic episode that might get worse if he stays. What happened during the Fall and after that is… particularly traumatic for him. I understand it, I´m pretty sure I would be the one reacting like that if it was Eregion.”

“Alright”

Turgon seemed disappointed, but Celebrimbor wasn´t about to feel sad about that. He went to the tunnels along with the moles, who started to search around. He had barely been at it for a few hours when one of his miners returned with what seemed like a corpse at first. Until it groaned. The face of the intruder was cleaned, revealing that it was Avranc. What was happening there? First, the orcs arrived with an invading army, something that shouldn´t have happened as Angband had fallen and Mordor hasn´t yet been founded for them to have another base, and now the most Rebellious member of the House of Fëanor arrived in one of the most conservative places in Beleriand? By principle, Avranc should avoid that place like the plague… then again, he had shown that he was capable of holding things in or working with people he didn´t agree with in pro of the greater good. Or at least of the greater good that he recognized as that. The adult one at least, this one was a brat. A brat that had showed dangerous in the future, but not right now.

But that was not the important part. This one was that his uncle Moryo will kill him if he left his great grandson die on the cold stone in that tunnel. And, with those injuries, the boy would die when they got infected. Burn marks of that kind did most of the time. He quickly transported Avranc to the healers, who did an assessment of the injuries. They seemed almost as if a whip had… Balrog whip. The lights outside the city in Tarnin Austa must have been Avranc fighting with one of those things. Eru, he would kill the brat if he didn´t think that his uncle Moryo would want to do it himself once he heard what happened.

“He is going to be alright” the healer informed once he finished applying some poultices and bandages on his cousin. “Normally the injuries made by whips of Balrogs are worse, but they barely touched him. He must have been really fast…”

“Being fast and invisible are his specialty”

“It worked to keep him alive”

Celebrimbor bit his lip. He doubted it was only speed that had kept Avranc alive in his fight against the Balrog, just as it wasn´t only that that had gained him the upper hand against the sindar in his Rebellion. Even so, this was going to have to be threated carefully. The stupid boy would want to participate in the upcoming battle and Tyelpe didn´t want his little cousin anywhere close to it. As soon as the boy was fit to move, he was sending him to Barad Eithiel. He hoped that there wasn´t any battle before that. His eyes then wandered to the dagger he was found with. The same he had during the Rebellion. The same that he saw in a box a few years back. It was…

-In Barad Eithiel-

“I´m going to talk with him” Fingon said as he and his husband laid in bed, the light of the sun barely entering through the window. It was the morning, but they had been awake since very early… talking about their son. “I thought that it was never going to come to that. He was such a cute elfling…”

“All of them go through that phase eventually.”

“Oh, THAT phase. What is going to be of us?” the High King bemoaned jokingly. Then again, he remembered being quite the terrible teenager. Not as much as Aredhel, but if they were mortal he would be guilty of more than one grey hair on his father´s head. Probably also of his half-uncle´s. “Are you sure it´s going to be that terrible?”

“Teen years are not easy for anyone” Maedhros answered, smiling softly. “Elrond and Elros were such a cute pair of elflings, always sneaking on my bed at night or demanding lullabies from Kanno… then they started to grow up and everything turned… terrible.” He was sure that they were terrible before, but he won´t tell that to Russo. “Then again, at least he is not a girl. Girls need to… have a special kind of talk that I have never heard before.”

“I had forgotten that” Fingon shuddered. “I dread already having to give him the Talk, I couldn´t imagine giving it to a girl” then something crossed his mind. “Wait, have you given the Talk to a girl?”

“Elenammë” he answered, giggling. “Moryo was too much of a coward to do it, he locked himself up in his room with a bottle of my strongest wine and utterly refused to get out when he saw she was having… the female kind of growth that comes with maturity. Then again, he actually fainted when he saw blood in her training breeches for the first time.”

“Big bad Feanorion fainting at the sight of blood?”

“You would too if you had a daughter.” The redhead sighed. “We are in for a rollercoaster the next few years, no?”

“Yes… Eru, I wish there was a way to keep him as a child, to protect him forever…”

“I´m sure that my parents thought the same when each of their children were growing up” Maedhros yawned. “Even so, each of the ages of a child have it´s marvels and are as precious for their parents. Though teenagers are still a pain.”

“I wish that wasn´t true…” there was a knock on the door in that moment. “What is it?”

“Gwayne and Silma arrived in the middle of the night. And I have to give it to my brother, he knows how to make people talk” Cenda said as he entered the room as it was his. At least they were wearing their sleeping ware that night. “Also, as soon as he saw Gwayne, one of the soldiers took an interest on him. We separated him from the rest with an excuse and left them together. They seemed to know one another… perhaps from long ago?”

“Can you determine if they are telling the truth?”

“I think he would like to avoid getting through what his friends went through at the hands of my brother… but I´m inclined to believe him. I can tell when someone is telling the truth most of the times.”

“Let´s hope that it is like that” Maedhros answered, finally getting out of bed. “Has Silma gotten something useful out of those bastards?”

“Perhaps more since I left, but enough before to confirm their goal. They are out to take Gondolin.”

“Turno…” Fingon whispered, his hands twisting.

Maedhros could understand his husband. Turgon was the last sibling he had this side of the ocean, one of the few close relatives apart from a bunch of cousins, his husband and son. It was obvious that he didn´t want to lose him. Then again, their relationship had suffered after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Fingon and Turgon had fought over the way he had treated Maeglin after Aredhel died, then fought again when he heard from Glorfindel how had he treated Russandol while in his custody. They hadn´t parted in the best of terms… but they had re-build their relationship after Ereinion was born. The situation, though, was still complicated. Again, Fingon was not simply going to let Turgon die.

“Let´s go talk to those idiots first.”

“Yes, I know”

Cenda went outside of the room, leaving them privacy to change clothes. After that, they went directly to the dungeons, where Silmafinwë greeted them. He was smiling despite apparently having spent the entire night interrogating those men with Ellys as a translator. Apparently, he had confirmed that the king Gwayne and his people were escaping long ago was the culprit of the attack on Maedhros and had now moved his army to take Gondolin. The dark creatures were only a reinforcement. When asked why they staged that ill-fated attack on the Lord of Himring, they had answered that King Egburt had heard from their spy that the High King of the Noldor had a beautiful wife with copper red hair. That they were ordered to bring the woman to the king so he could see if the rumors were true. Also to… taste the charms of the foreign queen. But that was not all. Apparently, the Queen was not the only royal female (supposed in his case) that the king lusted after. Maedhros merely raised an eyebrow. Fingon was fuming.

“How dare he…”

“Makes sense for him to attack Gondolin then, if he wants Idril” the redhead said, putting a hand around his husband. “But how is he so informed about our lands? From what I gathered, we have never encounter each other before… and the refugees never contacted their homeland, they didn´t have a reason to.”

“That… might have been my fault” Ellys confessed. “Some time ago, I was found by someone that I never thought I would see again: my cousin Ellyan. He told me that he had been sent by King Egburt to gather information about Lady Rowena and Lord Gwayne. To confirm their deaths or tell him where they were.”

“And you never shared that detail?”

“I never thought he would find any information. Of course, he has the same training as me, but your language and writing is so different from the one we employ that I thought he was never going to…” he stopped at that. “I´m willing to face whatever punishment you deem needed to atone for my carelessness.”

“We might talk about it after the war is over” Fingon said. “First, I have to squash this snake that dares to desire my husband and niece.”

“I doubt he might actually desire me if he sees me” Maedhros answered. His husband protectiveness was endearing, but completely unneeded. He knew how to protect himself really well. He wasn´t about to be taken prisoner to somewhere anymore.
“A beautiful copper haired Queen… who told that spy that stupidity?”

“What are you talking about, Russo, you have ever been beautiful.”

“Finno…”

“He is right, uncle” Silma joined, his smile playful now. “Even your name says it. Doesn´t Maitimo mean Pretty?”

“It means well-formed and I doubt my amil meant it in that way.” He passed his hand through his hair. “Besides, with all the scarring…”

“You are still beautiful, Russandol, don´t begin with that” Findékanno took his stump to his mouth to kiss it. His expression then turned serious again. “But this situation is still worrying in more than one way. Those edain invaders… they are clearly being used by something they might not control. If there are orcs, then there must be someone keeping them in control, maybe a Balrog… or someone worse.”

“Thauron” Maedhros cursed. “He might be back”

“Russandol…”

“It´s of no importance for now” Maedhros eyes landed on the people that had attacked him. They weren´t that good warriors, but he wouldn´t underestimate an army. Never again. He and the others moved from that room and into the library, where he opened a map of the Encircling Mountain and White City. “We have to march to Gondolin immediately. Turgon might have the edain in hand, but his city ended up falling to Balrogs and drakes in the iterations. And considering the worst scenario…”

From then on, the General was completely focused on the war strategies they could possibly apply. Battles in a mountain terrain were hard, specially when the army they were fighting again had taken the upper territory. Guerilla attacks and ambushes that he needed to plan countermeasures for. Fingon watched him with amazement. Last time they marched together, they managed to change a key moment of time. They would now too. Pengolodh better search himself another tragedy to write about, because they weren´t going to allow his brother´s city to fall.

“Your Majesty?” Gwayne entered in that moment, a handcuffed man by his side. They seemed to have almost the same age. “Might I present you Peren, youngest son of lord Penlon. He is asking for an audience.”

“And why should I grant one to someone that attacked my husband and son?” Fingon asked, glaring at the man.

“He has talked to me about it. His job was making sure that the attack on the Queen… your lord husband failed” the other looked apologetically at Maedhros. “Ultimately, in case those soldiers were successful in their attempt, he was supposed to free your family and escort them to the safety of Barad Eithiel and negotiate a deal with the Noldor.”

“A deal?”

“Lord Penlon´s goal is not only to take down Egburt, but to reinstate me as king of the land. Unfortunately, he lacks the resources. But the Noldor have them, so, for the first time, he has a true opportunity to achieve it.” Gwayne continued explaining that. “He offers his own resources, the full resources of the Rebellion.”

“I thought you said he lacked the men.”

“He does, but he has people infiltrated in Egburt´s inner circle. He is offering that information, fresh information about the plans, the measured… everything you need to accommodate your strategies and respond to their own in the best way.”

Information was valuable, Fingon knew that. Maedhros too. It was the information that had allowed them to turn the tables at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, it might allow them to do the same with the Fall of Gondolin. They wouldn´t have many opportunities to win the last one, so this was probably the closes thing they were going to get to that. But those edain infiltrators didn´t know anything about Sauron or the plans he might have. Or the dark creatures. It was still going to be incomplete information. But incomplete information was still valuable.

“I will have to think about it”

-In Gondolin-

Salgant kicked open the door of his house, growling because he was forced to stay. All thanks to that little Gnome and his equally wretched husband. Once upon a time he had taken a liking to Maeglin, perhaps in a moment of weakness, and thought he was not as bad because he had his mother´s blood. Besides, Eöl was a distant relative of Elu Thingol, which means his son was also of sinda blood despite his father being an avari by birth. But he was shown again that once a Gnome, even at birth, always a Gnome. When was he going to learn? He should have thrown the little wretch from the Caragdûr along with his father.

“Are you well, my lord?” his steward, Ballindir, asked as he helped his master take off his armor. He was dragged back into the city along with him when Celebrimbor involved the guards of the Wing that came with Idril. When they should be guarding the princess and her son!! “Did something happen at the council?”

“Nothing worth of mention, but we are trapped in this condemned city” he said as he extended a hand for a goblet of wine. “How is Turgon planning to combat Balrogs? I mean, without the meat shields that were the Gnomes.”

“Perhaps we should consider retiring in secret, while the battle is raging around and no one is putting attention on us.”

“Yes…” he frowned. There was something bothering him ever since the tunnel. And it was because… “By the way, do you know why Maeglin is not participating? Celebrimbor said he was sick and that was why he was taking command of the mole for him. He really seemed sick when I saw him, about to vomit if you ask me… but elves don´t get sick that way. I haven´t heard of someone poisoning him either, despite it being well-overdue. Have you?”

“No” Ballindir answered. “But I know of something that could cause those symptoms, especially in the early stages” Salgant asked him with his eyes. “It´s… going to be problematic if it´s true” his master seemed to not having caught the meaning of his words yet. “Pregnancy.”

“You think…”

“Feanorians breed like rabbits when they are not carrying the children themselves… some despite doing that” he smirked at the reference. “But it makes sense for Maeglin to be the one carrying the child in that relationship. That family tends to… be fragile when it comes to pregnancy. And Avari open their legs easily.”

“Eru have mercy” he actually seemed desperate. “The regal House of Fingolfin, getting polluted by that filth more and more” he looked horrified as he continued. “Do you think that whore Maedhros might convince the High King to put his nephew and the spawn before Turgon and his regal line in the succession?”

“It´s a possibility”

“We have to prevent it someway, send a message…”

“I have already done so, with one of the servants” Ballindir smirked. “I trust he is going to make sure they reach the correct hands.”

“Good.”

Chapter Text

Curufin was angry. What was Tyelkormo thinking? He had just up, taking his still not fully grown son (Hyar was a teenager, even if it was years before he should be one. Then again, his uncle was sure that the boy wasn´t going to grow more in size, something weird amongst the noldor) and ran off to continue his hunt for Morgoth. And what were the Ambarussar and Huan thinking when they didn´t stop him? The twins were never known for their common sense, but the dog…

“My Lord, there are news from your brother” his steward said, extending him a letter with Nelyo´s seal.

“Finally!!” he said, taking it immediately. “So much for not letting me alone for so long here without a babysitter… what is he doing in Fingon´s city anyway? He should already be in Himring, even if he is travelling with his brat. If he was there, then Tyelko would have thought it twice before…” he stopped himself as he read the first few words. “This can´t be.”

“What is it, my lord?”

“Someone tried to kidnap Nelyo” the other elf looked at him as if he was crazy. They meant… kidnap the General? The only one that was capable of doing that was Morgoth himself and he was a Vala. And the amount of bodies from orcs they found at the place of the reunion showed that Maedhros didn´t go down without a fight. “Was it orcs?”

“No, it was edain”

“Edain? Who could be so mad as to try to do something like that when they know what he could do?” his servant crossed his arms, frowning in deep concentration. “Certainly not the Easterlings. There are still tales about Ulfang and his sons´ fates after they tried to betray the Noldor to Morgoth… and the three edain houses are loyal…”

“Sure, but they are not the only edains that existed in this whole world” the smith continued, putting a hand over the map. “Nelyo said that they are interrogating the attackers. With luck, my nephew´s talents will make them talk and they will turn out to be just outlaws that decided to attack the wrong carriage. Without it… we might have to go to war with an unknown force that has entered the game.”

“Why are you so worried about that, My Lord? Certainly they couldn´t be as bad as Morgoth Bauglir.”

“Underestimating an enemy will lead you to your demise” Curufin recited, having learned that from his father… though Fëanor had been teaching him how to play a boardgame when he said those words, not teaching him the art of war. Back then, they could get really competitive in their household when playing, especially strategy games. “Besides, times like this are the best opportunity for old enemies to resurface… or stab you on the back.”

“Are you saying that because of the orc forces and spider still dominating Nan Dungortheb and Ered Gorgoroth?”

“Between others.”

Curufin bit his finger, cursing himself for his stupidity. When he had messed up in Nargothrond, he only wanted to save some lives and give Nelyo more soldiers. That ditz Finrod would have gotten them all killed if he had continued with his own plan, including the innocent people from his hidden city. And, while that hadn´t been his main concern, he was still proud for having saved a few lives when he prevented his cousin to take more people on his doomed quest with Beren. And when he kidnapped Luthien and tried to force the marriage with Tyelko, he only… well, it would have been a solution for the Luhte crisis they were going through in that moment. His nephew would get a teacher, as she couldn´t say no to train him any longer, and they would be able to force Thingol to aid the Noldor in their quest. The fucker deserved it for demanding a Silmaril as a bride price… though Luthien didn´t. the thing was that, now that they had kidnapped and attacked his daughter, apart from winning the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Thingol didn´t bother to hide his bigotry. He could attack any moment… and that´s why Curufin was worried about this third party. Greycloak could attack them at any moment. And what better moment than when they had their backs to him because a new enemy showed up?

The next few days he was brimming with anxiety, waiting for news from Barad Eithiel and Nelyo. Another letter arrived from Maedhros, telling him to gather his armies and prepare for the fight. He continued reading, feeling the annoyance growing inside of him. Of course this had something to do with Tyelko, it would have been too much to ask that this wasn´t somehow started by him. His annoyance disappeared, replaced nearly completely by fear when he read about Gondolin being the target for those foreigners. Gondolin… Turgon´s little hidden jewel… and the place Tyelpe and Maeglin were in right at the moment. Both boys he considered his sons… he nearly grabbed his weapons and go by himself to save his little ones, no matter that it was unrealistic.

“Send word to every fortress on the Marches, we are marching to war. I want the army assembled and ready in less than a day, my brother´s joining us before the week is over, have you understood me?”

“My Lord, the General…”

“He will join us on the way to Gondolin” he said, going for another map. “The forces of Barad Eithiel are also preparing to march to help the White City, which apparently has been besieged by a foreign edain force or something like that. And sending troops to a city we only know the general location of will be a pain” He sighed. “We told Turgon that eventually he was going to need our help and reinforcements would arrive too late. I told him so.”

“We can use the elf Annael as a guide…”

“But he only knows the way to the trading post… and from there only the gondolindrim knew where in the world that place is” he rubbed his forehead. “though some traces must remain. Send for Celegorm and the Ambarussa. They will know how to track their movements towards Turgon´s hidden city.”

“Yes, my Lord” the steward bowed. “And before I forget, there is something more. Lady Hisleth sent you this letter.”

“Hisleth? Isn´t that Moryo´s granddaughter? What could she want now?”

The letter that has been sent through a bird had only one phrase: Don´t let your hunter brothers or the little mole out of your sight. By hunting brothers he knew that it meant Tyelkormo and the Ambarussar, but little mole… could she mean Maeglin? Was something going to happen to Maeglin now that Gondolin was about to experience troubles? He knew that he had once been known as the Traitor of Gondolin, also how much of a bastard Turgon could be when things were going wrong, but he didn´t think it could be used against him now. After all, he had Tyelpe and they could clear his name if Turgon tried to put the blame on him. Or was something bad going to happen to him during the invasion? Maeglin had died a lot of times in that city, the history could still go that way… it made his stomach turn and him nearly run to the nearest stable to take off after grabbing the fastest horse… No, he had to focus on organizing the army if he wanted to truly be of help. Not only them, but Nelyo was counting on him to do this, he couldn´t fail.

But something was still bothering him on the back of his mind for the rest of the day. Hisleth… between all of Moryo´s peredhil descendant, why was that name bothering him the most? He knew little about her, her being Avranc´s mother being the closest that came to his mind. Which was weird, because Moryo liked to brag about his children. Maybe she was good at embroidery? No, he was sure that it was drawing… had he made a tapestry out of something she had drawn recently or when younger? Well, it didn´t matter. He had an army to prepare and siblings to receive. The first one who arrived, luckily perhaps, was Caranthir. He was at the head of his soldiers, with his personal assassins surrounding him, dressed in black, like crows. The grimmest personal bodyguards, in Curufin´s opinion, but nonetheless loyal. And very useful during fights.

“I´m glad to see you, brother” he saluted the Dark as he entered Himring´s strategy room. Nelyo had truly overdid himself, including a table that depicted Beleriand with details to move his armies more efficiently. “Tell me, has the news arrived to Amon Ereb too?”

“About the attack on Nelyo? Yes, I´m aware” he said, frowning. “And I can tell that neither the Three Houses of the Edain nor the Easterlings did it. I keep contact with them periodically and trust their leaders to…”

“I´m not contradicting you” the smith quickly calmed his brother down. “News from your boys in Barad Eithiel already arrived here. Apparently, some people from the homeland of the refugees Tyelko brought to our territory found out they were alive and are… interested in our own lands. Or so I think.”

“Why are you so doubtful? It´s not unlike some edain to be lead to ruin by their own greed. Ulfang is a good example of that, as are his sons.” He smiled. “We all already know how their bid for power ended, for a reason they were made a cautellary tale.”

“Yes, but I doubt those edain have heard of them. Besides… something is bothering me about this all. If it was just a bunch of edain running around his mountains, Turgon would have been able to handle them, he wouldn´t have gotten besieged or something like that. It´s possible that the coward is being overly cautious, but I like to think that I taught both Maeglin and Tyelpe better” his eyes sharpened. “No, something else is happening here.”

“You mean that those edain are not the only threat that we might find in our way to Gondolin?”

“More than that, think about it” he raised a finger. “While the general location of Gondolin and some information about our people or even the extended royal family they could have found through spies, there are some details that they couldn´t have learned without a more extensive knowledge about the Noldor. There is also the involvement of the creatures of Morgoth, who moved from their caves as if they had been told what to do… told by someone they would obey.”

“Are you saying that this edain are in alliance with an orc captain?”

“Worse” Curufin finally voiced his concerns. “Thauron”

“Thauron?! But that´s impossible, Curvo!! We destroyed his body!!”

“Though that didn´t kill him. It´s impossible for us to kill those of the Ainur race. And even as houseless spirits, they could leave a mark on our world, whisper in the dreams of those in power or show them miracles” he bit his lips. “I think we have been too complacent with that monster since destroying his fána.”

“Oh, brother” Moryo was never the most comforting of his brother, but he knew how to offer support despite his reclusive personality. “There was no way we could have avoided this if it really was him, nor a way to cage his spirit. We could only hope that it would take him centuries to come back and that our knowledge of the future protects us from his influence this time.”

“I still don´t like it, Moryo” he continued to rant. “What he did to my son… to both of my sons… I will never forgive him for that. Killing him the first time was too merciful, especially when he could return and…”

“Curvo, we don´t even know if he is truly behind this or it is another agent of our old Enemy. For all we know it can be another unmaia or Balrog gathering his own forces and pressing their luck” he frowned. “Or it could only be greedy edain…”

“But what if it´s truly him?”

“Then we will have the opportunity to kill him again, all of us.” Caranthir reminded him. “Don´t count Tyelpe out so easily just because he was deceived once. He is not the elf who Thauron tricked into making Rings of Power, he no longer is going to make the mistake of trusting someone so easily.”

“Sometimes I wonder how you could give me advices on parenthood” Curufin looked at his brother, a little bit better. “I became a father way before you.”

“I´m still your older brother”

“I have like four of those, all of them fathers by now… or fathers at one point” he shrugged. “And I don´t see myself asking advice from Kanno or Turko.”

“Who would ask Turko? His spawns are all kinds of crazy.”

“And talking about spawns of our family, how are yours?” the smith asked. “I received a bird from one of yours a bit after Nelyo´s message arrive. Silma´s girl, I think. Isn´t she Avranc´s mother?”

“Was she asking about Avranc?” he suddenly was very interested. “Damn brat run off to follow the orcs to wherever they were going and probably got himself killed. Hisleth isn´t worried, though, so I guess the worst didn´t happen, but he is definitely going to listen to me when I got my hands on him.”

“Shouldn´t she be worried if her child is missing?”

“Didn´t you heard what I said about her last time we talked?”

“I usually turn your voice off when you are bragging about your children… probably the same you do every time I brag about my own son.”

“And when you do something more, like asking advice on how to improve his private life” Caranthir confessed, crossing his arms. “Though I don´t see why you would have toned down anything I said about Hisleth, her talents are quite useful.”

“Useful how?”

“She was born with foresight” the other Feanorion´s eyes widened. The cryptic warning suddenly made sense. If the girl was born with the ability to see what was going to happen, perhaps via prophetic dreams, then she would be able to warn her own family if something was wrong. Did that mean that there was danger in Tyelko´s, Ambarussa´s and Maeglin´s path? “And it´s quite talented with it. She showed me her book of prophecy, where she draws her dreams, a few months ago. She knew this was going to happen.”

“Then… shouldn´t we bring her here?” Atarinkë asked. “Perhaps she could use her foresight to see who is behind all of this. If she needs some help getting to sleep, the healers have valerian root ready to be made tea…”

“It doesn´t work that way, not all her dreams are prophetic. And some that are could be a little bit… disturbing. At least that´s how she describes them.” he shuddered. “Why the interest anyway?”

“As I told you before, she sent a letter to me telling me to keep my eyes on our hunter brothers and Maeglin. That probably means that danger is coming their way, somehow connected to what is happening now…”

“Or what will happen as a consequence of that” Caranthir took a paper from his pack. “She sent me this paper, it arrived this morning. It´s a copy of one of the paintings in her prophecy book, I recognize her style.” He unfolded it and put it on the table. It showed two people kneeling in front of the throne of Menegroth, elves wearing the eight-pointed star. “Mablung and Beleg shouldn´t have saved the old madman.”

“Thingol” he said like a curse. “Do you think that he is going to take the chance to attack us from behind? Even if that would put him at risk of Rebellion, even amongst those faithful to him, or of suffering himself an attack by dark creatures” Curufin looked at the page again. “For the moment, we should do as Hisleth says and keep an eye on Tyelko and the twins. Once in Gondolin, I will check on Maeglin too, but considering how unsafe the roads must be, even for a bird…”

“Let´s just hope that it isn´t already too late.” His brother said, suddenly worried. “The last few iterations, Turgon evacuated Gondolin when the fires of the Balrogs was seen in the horizon, to Sirion. The evacuation was massive, leaving only fighting people inside.”

“Then Maeglin must be there”

“I don´t know what to think, Hisleth´s foresight rarely is mistaken. And even if there is, her dreams showed her what the change we have made is going to cause.”

“Then has she been able to tell you where in this Eä her son had disappeared to?”

“No, but… if I know that boy as well as I think I do” Caranthir made a face that clearly stood how displeased he was with Avranc in that moment. “Then I don´t need a prophetic dream to tell me where he has gone to.”

“Where then?”

“Exactly where we are headed to.”

-In Gondolin-

“… and what was I supposed to do? Sit down to embroider like great grandfather and the rest of the family?”

Celebrimbor did everything he could not to hit the brat over the head. Since he woke up, he had been behaving like that, getting on his older cousin´s nerves and annoying him beyond believe. That added with the far memory of his annoyingness during the Rebellion, both in his provocative missives and his even worse words, made it a huge achievement. Eru fucking Illúvatar, little Hisleth and that asshole Dorlas she should have never married, along with Caranthir, had failed spectacularly in raising that child. He just hoped that, now that everyone was alive and would remain that way with a bit of luck, it would be a problem for the whole Feanorian clan and not only his. Well, his and the others´… on a second thought, he believed that Elrond hadn´t taken care of him until the end because he wanted their cousin to be a punishment for them all. Mission fucking accomplished then.

“How about doing exactly that and wait for the Feanorian army to come instead of following a veritable army of orcs by yourself? Or fighting a Balrog? What in this Eä is wrong with your head, Avranc?” he asked, feeling a vein pulsing in his forehead. “You are lucky, that´s what you are. Lucky that you got out of there alive.”

“Or maybe I´m just that good”

“Lucky, that´s what you are” he sighed as he tried to calm down. “Or not, as you have gotten yourself into a city that is practically besieged and not only by said army of orcs, but by edain, a Balrog and even a fucking dragon!!”

“Nothing I can´t handle”

“Nothing you…” Celebrimbor again tried to breath. And he believed that the Avranc he knew was bad. Adult Avranc didn´t even hold a candle to teenage Avranc in being a menace and headache inducing nightmare. “As soon as he arrives, I´m handing you over to uncle Moryo…”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Oh, didn´t I make myself clear? Of course I am!! And not just threatening you, I´m going to do it!! And he is going to kill you for giving him a heart attack!!!”

“He wouldn´t have heart…”

“Even elves can get scared…”

“Oh, I´m not saying it because of that” the youngster continued, completely unworried. “Don´t you remember that my mother has foresight abilities? I´m pretty sure that she already told him that I´m fine and where I am, or at least implied it.” As if that was going to make anything better, Celebrimbor thought as he felt his vein pulsing again. “Talking about that” he opened a pocket hidden in his trousers. “She said that when I see you I hand you that.”

“Why didn´t she stop your stupid ass if she knew that you were going to risk yourself like that? You are her son” he shook his head as he wondered if madness really ran in the family as he received Hisleth´s note. “I should talk to her about parenthood… or maybe make uncle Nelyo or uncle Moryo do it, they would held some moral ground… surprisingly.”

The first thing he saw over the paper was the letters, in the beautiful calligraphy of his cousin, telling her dear son to hand over this paper to cousin Tyelpe. Ah, so that´s how she pass her message to her child, she hid it into his clothes, so when he took off and got lost for months, ending up in Gondolin, he could hand it over to the correct person. He shook his head, definitely that talk about parenthood was needed… perhaps it was needed since Hisleth actually became a mother (forget Dorlas, he was useless in many ways including that). As he unfolded the paper he wondered what she wanted to tell him. All of his concerns about Avranc and the way he was raised completely vanished from his mind when he saw what was drawn on the paper.

“Avranc, what is this?” he asked, his hand trembling as he analyzed the picture. This… this couldn´t be, no?

“What? I didn´t unfold the note, my mother´s drawings are only for their destinataries and… where are you going?!!”

Celebrimbor wasn´t listening anymore. He barely paid attention to the attempts of his cousin to get up, yelling at him to stay in bed and at someone to stop him. He didn´t stop before he reached the King´s Tower to demand an audience with Turgon. Because this couldn´t be, no? They had sent the non-fighters and vulnerable ones to Barad Eithiel, not Sirion, to keep them safe. Specially considering the bigotry problem that run rampant between the doriathrim. So there was no way that…

“Tyelpe, my boy, what happened?” Turgon asked when he barged in. He was definitely in the middle of a meeting between Rog, Ecthelion and Glorfindel, with Erestor also in attendance, so it was unlike anyone, much less the smith, to interrupt him. “Something happened? Did Avranc get worse or…”

Celebrimbor didn´t answer, only putting the paper in the table between the Lords and the King of Gondolin. Turgon at first didn´t understand what was happening there, but then he turned the thing around and saw what was drawn on it. The image showed Lómion on his knees, being held down by several armored figures, as another one held a cup to his mouth, practically forcing him to drink something out of it. Only that… those strangers weren´t orcs. Their armors suggested that they were elves, doriathrim if he took a guess. That belief was reinforced when he saw the emblem on the hem of the tunic of the only unarmored one, the elf who held the cup. It was the one of Elu Thingol, King Greycloak.

“What is this?” Turgon asked.

“It´s a missive from Hisleth, uncle Moryo´s youngest grandchild. She is known between the family members for her foresight” the eyes around them sharpened. “She sent this to me through Avranc, her own son, who she didn´t stop from going on a mad quest that ultimately brought him here. Something she would only have done if…”

“If there was hurry” Erestor answered, frowning deeply. “But this doesn´t make sense. Voronwë is the guide for Lómion, Eärendil and Idril. He has strict orders from you to deliver them to Barad Eithiel, also to avoid any sinda territories, especially the ones that could put them in danger of being dragged to Doriath.”

“Apparently, it was not enough”

There was silence around, a gloomy kind of it. Since understanding him better, the Lords had started to like Lómion. They started to understand what he had gone through and why he had given up the location of the hidden city to the Enemy, also accepted their own role in that. And apologized for it, something that surprised both the Mole and his husband in a good way. He had slowly begun to heal, even at the distance, and tolerate them more during his short stays at Gondolin when they visited or stayed. So this was disturbing for them, to think that the sindar had captured him… or Idril and Eärendil…

“Let´s calm down first” Turgon instructed, joining his hands. “Voronwë had instructions to separate the bigger caravan, which was headed for Sirion, and take Idril and the boys to Barad Eithiel...”

“So we do nothing because most of your people are safe? What are you…”

“I said calm down, Celebrimbor” the King looked at the paper again. “I don´t see Idril and Eärendil anywhere in this drawing, nor Voronwë. Then again, I doubt Thingol would have threated them badly if he actually captured them…”

“Eärendil is not yet married to his great granddaughter, Elwing is merely a babe in swaddling clothes by now…”

“I know, but that isn´t why I´m pretty sure that Idril and Eärendil, perhaps even Voronwë, would have been spared by Elu Thingol, even if they were captured. Thingol might not like the Noldor, but we all know that he doesn´t exactly despise us enough to… what I mean is that the ones that truly hold his enmity are…”

“My family” Tyelpe crossed his arms, frowning deeply. “To which, by now, I´m pretty sure he knows Lómion married into. Through me. And I´m pretty sure that he doesn´t like one bit that someone who is kin to them, even a distant and avari one, married into a family of… of Gnomes.”

“Tyelpe…”

“Don´t act as if not saying the word will change the way people like that sorry excuse for a king thinks about people like us, Erestor.” The smith glared at them all. “To his eyes, that is all what we are all going to be. Lómion, by extension too” he started to breath harshly. “What are we going to do now? They left a few days ago, they must be in the middle of the way to Barad Eithiel if they hadn´t been taken already…”

“They? Or only Lómion?” Glorfindel asked. “I think that the target is merely the Prince right now. Thingol might not have a problem with the Princess choice of a partner and father of her son… we all know how much he cared about Túrin of all people… so he might have sent for his forces to merely kidnap Lómion, to leave the Princess alone.”

“Which idiot would leave a witness from a kidnapping? Specially one that had credibility and authority over the Noldor and would warn them about him kidnapping a member of the Royal Family…” Glorfindel asked.

“No one ever claimed that Thingol was a genius strategy or even a good one. Even when sane or not cursed, his best asset was something that he wouldn´t show to the world.” He shook his head. “Never mind that. Something like that would lead to a political and diplomatic disaster, even outright war if his stupidity kills my husband. And we all know how that ends.”

“Yes, we know”

“Then what are we doing here?! We must run, get out of this place and search for Lómion!! Impede his capture by the doriathrim!!”

“I told you to calm down, Tyelpe”

“You are only saying that because it´s not your daughter or grandson who are in danger…”

“Of course they are!! They all are!! Or do you think a doriathrim soldier would care if he hurts a noldorin elleth a bit if they reached their target, a member of the House of Fëanor?!! Itarillë could get injured or killed just as much as Lómion!! Eärendil too!! I´m terrified of something like that happening, I wouldn´t be able to survive burying my daughter like I did Elenwë, but I can´t do much from here. And the city is surrounded, we like it or not, even the tunnels are being collapsed to avoid them being discovered now that the invading army is approaching… if you get out right now, you will be captured and then what?!”

“I still have to try…”

“The eagles can´t send messages since this morning, not without risking arrows from the enemy” the King continued. “All we can do is resist here and wait for the Noldorin army, crush the invaders as fast as we can and then go rescue Lómion.”

“You want to crush them as fast as possible? Dragons and Balrogs included?” Celebrimbor crossed his arms. “Fine”

“Tyelpe… Celebrimbor, where are you going?!”

“To prepare!!”

Curufinwë Telperinquar walked directly to the House of the Mole, where he looked around his forge for a box he always brought with him, but had never opened until then. Before Nargothrond (the first time) he had admired it; then hated it for a time, but still snatched it from his father and locked it into a box. He hadn´t looked at it again until Eregion, when someone convinced him that much good could be done with it… then betrayed his trust and hurt him in the worst way. He had been unable to see it since then, even when Elrond told him that he had somehow recovered the thing. And since waking up with his memories, in every timeline, that had been a recurrent thing. Though… it seemed like the time has arrived to break the pattern.

“Here we are again… grandfather” he said as he opened the box. “Please, just… help me to do the right thing this time.”

He clenched his teeth and pushed away the silks covering the objects inside. One was a small dagger, a mornedhel it was called. He didn´t know the entire history of the piece, only that it had been something his grandfather had since he was very young, something he had inherited from Varilëedur, who in turn received it from his mother, a few of the things he had been able to keep from his destroyed past. Celebrimbor had lost his, but his grandfather kept it on him all the time… when he died it was one of the few things they could recover from his charred remains, surprisingly intact. He put the dagger on his boot.

The second object was harder to grab. Like he said, he had admired, then hated, then admired and then been unable to see it. The instrument that forged thousands of wonders, including the Silmarils that had caused all those troubles. The thing his grandfather had devised to make everything his wondrous mind could think a reality. Fëanor´s hammer, marked with his eight-pointed star. When younger, he had always wondered what it was made of. He couldn´t pinpoint the exact material, only that it was sturdier than anything he had seen and at the same time so delicate that it could help make the most intricate of designs reality. A custom-made instrument to match his grandfather´s genius that only he could use… one no one knew how or from what was made. At least until he had in his arms the weapons crafted by Helcacilínthir for his siblings in the distant past…

And now, he was going to march to battle with it.

-In the way to Sirion-

Nûr was a servant of the House of the Harp, in Gondolin, a simple washerwoman that normally did her duty and kept quiet. The only thing notorious about her was that she, being from Fallas, had family in Doriath and could pass messages to them. Now, being from Falas too, she felt uncomfortable with what she was ordered to do, but… she felt like she didn´t have any other choice. Her husband was left behind to fight with the Lord and his steward, they could have his life in their hands… she felt a bit for what she was about to do. She didn´t share the beliefs of the Doriathrim, of the House of the Harp, neither she nor her husband ever did, but… she couldn´t lose him. So she wandered off from the line of refugees and searched for a nightingale. She tied a message to it´s feet and then whispered her cousin´s name and released the bird. Her only hope was that it sensed her dark intentions and never reached it´s destiny or reached Queen Melian instead…

Unfortunately for her, the bird dutifully reached her cousin, the marchwarden Mael, and informed him of the Prince of Gondolin´s whereabouts and circumstances. This one, as a staunch supporter of Thingol, quickly gave the message to him. King Greycloak remained in silence for a moment after hearing him, deep in thoughts apparently. Then rage appeared, only to be replaced by a cruel grin. The King was pleased that the Noldor lovers were away, watching the movements from Nan Dungortheb, and that his Queen was busy settling the newly arrived Díor and his family in Menegroth. Melian was a darling, his true love, but she had way too much forgiveness in her heart, even for those wretches polluting their beautiful Eä with their corruption.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“The source of the information is reliable, your majesty” answered the marchwarden with his head bowed down. “Besides, the information was sent as a goodwill gesture from Lord Salgant of the Harp, a teleri Lord who you have met before and could attest to his character. He shares your believes, my king, and only wanted to purge the Noldorin royal family before it is more polluted than it was.”

“Hummm, how could it be more polluted though? With all those Gnomes” he asked, waiving the letter around. Though he indeed had met this Salgant, he was a greasy little creature that always crawled before those with more power, looking for it or acceptance. Though he indeed shared their believes. “But I´m magnanimous, so I will concede his wish. Bring me Eöl´s son, we should get rid of the wretch growing inside of him.”

He will finally strike a blow to his enemies, once and for all. And who knows, perhaps he could get more. Yes, they should pay… for everything.

Chapter Text

Celebrimbor was worried about his husband, more than he could express… but at the same time, thinking it with a clear head, he could tell that there was no way to get out that blasted city of Turgon´s without getting caught by those Men besieging the city or something worse. And he definitely didn´t want to experience a littlest bit of what his uncle Maedhros had experienced in the hands of the Enemy. He wouldn´t be of any help to Lómion if some stupid Balrog caught him now, much less if he was delivered to his ex in a silver platter. Not that Anna… he meant Thauron knew that he was Celebrimbor´s ex. Could they even be considered exes? He meant, they supposedly had something, but Thauron was married and… wait, could he even be considered married when Morgoth was thrown out of the Doors of the Night? Was he considered a widower then? And was Celebrimbor his Indis? No, definitely not. And he should stop wasting mental power on that and thinking about the map in front of him. His family was naturally battle inclined, no? He should be able to think something… if only he had a mind for this rather than to build magical objects… ugh, the only thing he could get from this was that he was not a Maedhros despite the obvious similarities between them.

“The enemy has collapsed most of the escapeways and those that haven´t been collapsed have men surrounding them here and here” Glorfindel said as he moved marks on a table. “The most worrisome one it´s the one that leads to Idril´s house. We have already collapsed it, but we could tell that what was coming through that way was orcs.”

“Orcs? How many? And how many did you manage to crush during the collapse?” Turgon asked. He was worried by the sudden involvement of the dark creatures in this war again. It could only point to involvement from one of the Dark Lords to some level.

“We aren´t sure, but they aren´t nearly as many as the men” Erestor, who had taken to scouting the possible ways in to the city himself, answered. “Despite Nan-Dungortheb and Ered Gorogoroth still being intact, the hit they have taken by losing Angband was big.”

“My Lord, perhaps we should follow the refugees towards one of the undiscovered exit. Our people has evacuated and the treasures have been moved to the vault, which they are not going to be able to move” Salgant suggested. “Our soldiers might be better spent in another place. Perhaps a reconquest.”

“Your brother, Lord Maedhros and King Orodreth are already on the way” Rog said, moving the signal from Barad Eithiel to the fastest way to signal the advance of the Army of the Noldor. “Considering when we think they have departed, they must be less than a week away from travel. Perhaps we should go and reunite with him instead of staying under siege.”

“That is no longer an option, not with those dark creatures in our pathways.”

“But we can fight the men” Salgant pressed. “And there is more than one pathways that it´s being taken by men exclusively. We can use it.”

“And how many lives will we lose in that endeavor?”

“It´s war, we are not going to get out of this with everyone alive. You should already have an idea that it is impossible” everyone around him was feeling uncomfortable. For once that the damn washed up bard had reason, it had to be in the middle of this. “I consider the lose worth it, considering that it will allow us to have a better position and…”

“Not anymore” Avranc suddenly appearing, bringing something in his hands. It was a sack of something that resembled black sand. They all stood straighter when they realized what it was. “Explosive powder kegs have been put in every pathway that is being manned by Men. The dark creatures or the Balrog himself must have provided them with it.”

“Eru dammit…”

“Apparently, we are without an escape, so I´m going back to work” Celebrimbor said, already tired with all of this planning.
Seriously, how could his grandfather stand all this politics? He had never known. Though Fëanáro was famous for exploding in the middle of council meetings, so no one could say that he got the handle of them either. Uncle Nelyo did… guess he was the politician of the family. “There are many weapons that need to get ready.”

“And why would we need those weapons?” Salgant asked, crossing his arms and sneering at him. As if he had done something of help in that meeting or any other. In fact, what had he done besides, hiding in his house and taking long, warm baths while letting the rest do the entire work? “From what everyone could gather, they don´t have dragons with them.”

“But they could still have some and I refuse to let Gondolin end up like Nargothrond” Turgon asked, nearly losing his calm. Specially because that scenario would put him on the same level as ORODRETH, whose diapers he had seen changed on more than one occasion. It would be devastating for him. “For the moment, let Celebrimbor and his smiths continue working on the anti-dragon weaponry and catapults, focusing on the anti-siege engines. The rest of you, train your men well and have them ready to enter battle at any moment, even before reinforcements arrive from my brother. Erestor, Avranc… I know that I don´t have any right to order you, but…”

“I will help you in this, everything so my husband´s men don´t lose their home” the assassin said as he stood by the side of Glorfindel, whose hair was cut short for the occasion. According to what they had seen, they only had one Balrog and it was not the one he had fallen to his death with, but they weren´t taking any chances.

“I might find a way to escape anyway… though if I manage to off one or two of the enemy soldiers, then I´m all for it” they all looked at him rather disturbed. “What? I´m a Feanorian, from the actual House of Fëanor. We don´t flinch when it´s time to do the bloody work.”

“You worry me, a lot” Turgon expressed sincerely. “I´m going to have a few words with Caranthir over you.”

“Hummm, alright” Avranc looked at the map again. “By the way, some of these pathways… which of them do you think you might not use anymore after this?”

“What are you planning?”

“I´m going to bring some fireworks to their party.”

It turned out that Avranc wasn´t only an amazing assassin, but a more than competent archer. The bloody brat managed to not only stall the enemy, but to lure many of the enemy soldiers, Men all of them, into the selected tunnels and use the explosive power put on it to crush them to death. Well, all except one. A young man that managed to crawl out of the wreckage. Avranc sized him and dragged him all the way towards Elenmakil, who, while Turgon and Celebrimbor were screaming at the little menace for being so reckless and risking himself in such a stupid way, took him to the dungeons. Though everyone had to admit it, it was a clever way to use their enemies and their own resources, at the same time as they dissuade the others from…

A roar from the skies made Celebrimbor go still. His eyes darted up to see a dragon on the wall of the city. His body trembled as the creature darted towards the city, breathing fire in it´s way. That was it, the time for preparation had ended. This was the first wave of attacks and they won´t stop now that they had located the city. Balrogs, dragons… they would send whatever they had in their way. As their forced scrambled to get in position, Tyelpe run towards the weapon he had ready in the yard, getting it to point in the direction of the beast. It was already charged with explosive powder and he and Lómion had worked about it´s accuracy before he left, but there was still a problem… they needed to hit the beast in the mouth to do enough damage to turn it away!! And that was a problem without Luhte, because they didn´t have anyone who could hold his mouth open without…

“Make way!!” a known voice to him screamed as something felt from the sky. A something that was shinning and…

The dragon fell, it´s neck sliced and it´s head completely severed from the rest of the body. Everyone moved away, trying not to get sprayed with it´s poisonous blood. Celebrimbor got down from the weapon and walked around the giant carcass, jumping over the pools of red that were forming around it. He only knew one person who would dare and somehow succeed in slaying a dragon in such a way. Just as he though, his cousin Hyar was there, looking at the holes that the drops of blood had formed in his cloak.

“Damn, my atya made this for me.”

“Uncle Tyelko made you a cloak?” Tyelpe asked in disbelieve. The very thought of Celegorm staying seated in one place, embroidering something… no, that was not possible. That nér had way too much energy for something like that.

“He tried, at least, but couldn´t continue after the first few stitches. He left uncle Moryo to finish it… but intention is what counts, no?” the Valarindi said in an amused tone. Great, now he had two brats to babysit in this doomed city. “Like me rushing here despite the risk… uncle Nelyo and his husband are still a few days of ride from here, so reinforcements won´t arrive as fast as you need… and there are troubles coming your way fast.”

“Don’t lie, you came all the way here to fight” Hyar smirked as he positioned his too-big scythe over his shoulder. His armor wasn´t as complete as the one used by the other Feanorian soldiers, except for the Caranthir corpse, but he was a natural al producing his own armor with ice, so he could allow himself that. And his also natural battle-instincts made him one of the most dangerous fighters out there. “What did you see?”

“There are reinforcements for the Enemy coming this way. And not precisely for the Mannish enemy” he smirked. “At least three Balrogs and two dozen dragons that came directly from Ered Gorogoroth, along with squads of orcs from Nan Dungortheb. They are going to arrive sooner than our own because they set off sooner.”

“And no one saw them?”

“Between the Balrogs there was one that was very good at concealment songs” he answered. “Not a good thing, they could come from anywhere and we won´t be able to know until those things are onto us. And more, there is a whole squad of men and another of orcs in place to ambush your own reinforcements.”

“Shouldn´t you be there then?”

“They had all the help they could use, I´m more needed here. Besides…” he smirked. “This way I´m going to be able to slaughter as much as I want.” He extended his arms. “It´s going to be the thrill of battle and a feast of blood!!”

“Hummmm” Celebrimbor sweat dropped. Why had his family to be so full of insane people? “So long as no one else gets hurt…”

“Oh, people are going to get hurt!! Or did you think I could be in many places at the same time? I can be fast, but there is a limit to what I can do” he extended a finger. “I need someone to stall the orcs and Balrogs until I have dealt with the dragons. Because, considering how your weaponry works, you need more help with the armored creatures than you need with the other kinds of beings.”

“Balrogs are also hard to deal with for people like us.”

“You will have to find a way, even I can´t deal immediately with so many of those fire worms” he sighed, then turned to the arriving Turgon and his lords, who came behind them. “If you wanted to avoid this, you should have followed uncle Nelyo´s advise and clear Nan Dungortheb and Ered Gorgoroth after what happened to Nargothrond. Too bad the old ones thought it was too much of a political catastrophe in the making to even attempt them.”

“It was too close to Doriath to even be considered” Turgon explained, not for the first time. After all, he was one of the strongest voices that cautioned them against Doriath, specially after the troubles that were sparked by Celegorm and Curufin´s actions against Luthien and Beren. “Thingol would have used it as an excuse for…”

“And we would have responded” he smirked in a way that didn´t augur anything good for the King of Doriath. “But right now, our problem is in this city. So you better prepare, the battering ram is almost at your doors.”

“Which ones?”

“All of them”

-In a road-

Maeglin knew from the first second that they were being followed and so did Voronwë and Idril. And they were not precisely followed by orcs or any other dark beings. No, they were followed by elves. But that didn´t mean they weren´t dangerous, especially if his suppositions were true and they were from Doriath. It was strange, they had departed from the principal caravan of refugees from Sirion as to travel lighter, secretly, attracting less attention, with direction to Barad Eithiel, and they had avoided as much as they could the places frequented by the sindar in general and the doriathrim in particular… why were they following them? As they stopped by a river so Eärendil could take a small rest, Maeglin stepped a bit away from his cousin. Immediately, he could tell the eyes of their hunters were on him.

“Lómion” Voronwë said in quenya when he returned to their side. “Don´t do anything stupid.”

“It´s not stupid” using as much force as he could without hurting them, he pushed his companions into the river. He knew Voronwë could take care of Idril and Eärendil underwater… besides, Thingol´s minions didn´t have any reasons to follow them. Immediately, he started running towards the woods, hoping to lose them in the vegetation. He meant, sindar were good, but Avari were better when it came to hiding.

“Fuck, the little Gnome saw us!! And you said that it was going to be enough, captain, that he didn’t have the brains to see us with the concealment!!” one of them yelled as they rushed behind him. “Someone shot him!! And go after the ones that escape!!”

“No!! those are Círdan´s grandson and the Princess of Gondolin, her brat with one of Túrin´s cousins too!! The King will have our heads if we damage any family of Túrin!! Let them go for now!!” the one that was called captain yelled at his elves. “Focus on the one that is running, remember the reward the King promised for who brings him to him!!”

“Aye!!”

Thingol… was searching for him? But why? It could be due his marriage with Tyelpe and the close kinship his father (the bastard, he could already see the resemblance between Eöl and the blasted King) had with that elf… but he had never cared before. For him, Eöl and by default Maeglin were part of an unwanted branch of the family tree he barely respected and never wanted to talk about. In fact, he never spoke to Eöl as if he was his cousin by blood, a Lord in his own right even if it was of the Avari, thus he never bared him entry to Doriath, but someone he had to stand. Maeglin too… what had changed now?

His thoughts were interrupted by two arrows making their ways through his knees. He screamed as he felt to the ground, earth getting into his mouth. He raised his head a bit, seeing the hunters gathering around him. They were smiling and laughing, darker than any elf he had ever seen barring his wretched father, before they grabbed him by the arms and lifted him by force. They tied his hands and dragged him to a horse before taking off somewhere… no!! If he entered that place, Tyelpe wasn´t going to be able to help him and they might never reunite!! Not if he was locked inside that place instead of killed or something like that!!

“Look, he already knows where we are going… and what´s going to happen to him” one of them said, he looked like a noble despite the mud on his clothes. “Don´t worry, little Gnome, we are only here to… rid you of your little problem.”

“What problem? What are you talking about?” he asked.

“Ahh, hiding it is not going to protect it, we know full well what is happening inside that little body of yours” the elf answered, puzzling Maeglin more. What the fuck were they talking about? And how did they know whatever they thought they knew?
“Besides, it´s not so bad. At least for you, as you will get to live once it´s gone… not that you have much of a choice in that, the King wants it gone.”

“I´m understanding even less the more you blabber, what the fuck are you talking about?” he asked, but he didn´t receive an answer.

As they advanced, he felt the sensation of dread that normally he linked to Nan Elmoth descend over him. The pit on his stomach grew as Doriath came into view a few days later. He prayed that he ever emerged from that place alive as they crossed the Girdle. It was a strange sensation, almost unnatural. Once inside, he could feel the smell of flowers, the singing of birds and everything that one related to Spring… he felt a bit nauseated. A sensation that grew more and more as they reached Menegroth and he was thrown in front of his King and Queen, as if he was a hunting trophy. Melian looked worried and more than a bit upset, as for Thingol… the bastard seen victorious. What was there to be victorious about?

“Well done, my subjects” he said as he got up from his throne. “And finally, he is here. My dear kinsman Maeglin” he wanted to say fuck you, but he couldn´t in such a situation. “What happened to his legs?”

“We had to… stop him from escaping.”

“I guess you didn´t have any other option” he sighed. “My dear Queen can heal his injuries. Melian, please be a dear and see to our kinsman. Please?” the maia didn´t seem to agree with what was happening, but she walked to him and used a song to ease his pain and then to heal him. He tried to get into his feet, but was stopped and forced to remain on his knees in front of the King and Queen. “I have heard you have interesting and happy news after so many years of marriage, cousin.”

“I don´t know what you are talking about or who told you I had whatever news I had, but they were mistaken or misleading you.”

“Don´t try to deceive me, little one, I know full well that you are with child.”

With child?! What child?! How can he be expecting when he and Tyelpe hadn´t gotten over what happened to each of them and haven´t… Thingol might have gotten the wrong idea because of the years that had passed since they married. And a white marriage was something unheard of before. Maybe… maybe he can still get out of here alive and reunite with his husband and friends outside. If only Thingol could hear him.

“I´m not with child, my lord, my husband and I are not ready for that.”

“Gnomes reproduce like beasts, don´t you dare…”

“I don´t lie, your majesty, my belly is as empty as it was the day I married.” He tried again, hoping that the bastard in front of him would hear him out. And looked around for some support, but Beleg and Mablung were not present. Perhaps they had been sent away as a precaution, so they didn´t help the prisoner. Thingol could be insane, but he wasn´t stupid. At least not to that level.

“The news we received from Gondolin said otherwise”

“Whoever told you that I´m expecting is deceiving you, your Majesty. They want to cause troubles between you and King Turgon, as they also put Princess Idril and her son in danger because they were close” the king´s mad eyes landed on the ones that brought him there. “Only because I lead them away they were able to escape unharmed.”

“Husband, perhaps we should listen to him” Melian said, getting to her feet besides her spouse. “I didn´t sense any life inside of him that wasn´t his own when I healed him, which means that there isn´t any baby…”

“Or perhaps it´s too young to be felt, even by you”

“Do you doubt me and my power, husband?”

“Of course not, my dear” he gave a sweet smile to his Queen, before he made a signal for someone between the people gathered around them. “But some could deceive you and… it´s better to be sure, don´t you think?”

“What…” his arms were held and another person grabbed his head. “What are you doing?!!”

“Hold his mouth open, don´t let him spat it out.” Thingol instructed as he grabbed a goblet with some liquid inside. “I would hate to do this a second time.”

Maeglin was there forced to drink that foul thing. At first he thought that it was something akin to the tansy tea that his uncle Celegorm used to stop paying the consequences of his couplings with his many partners (and failed three times already to do when coupling with his usual one), but soon he realized that it was something much worse. His stomach started to hurt so much that he had to hold his belly and his breath started to hitch. If there had been any baby inside of him, he was sure that he would have lost it by now. He was glad it wasn´t the case, but… it hurt more and more. And his eyes lost focus of what was around him. What was he forced to drink? Even his heart was…

“Take him to the dungeons”

As he was dragged, he saw someone between the people. It was Tyelpe. What was he doing there? Did he want to die? This wasn´t a place for him, this wasn´t a place to…

“Forgive me, Tyelpe… forgive me”

For her part, Idril had gotten out with his son and Voronwë from the river easily, but, in their effort to dodge their hunters, they had been routed from their direct way to Barad Eithiel and closer to the Taeglin that their guide would have wanted. At least they now knew how Voronwë had survived his shipwreck. The nér, if he could be called that way, could manipulate water and breath under it as well. Círdan was going to have to answer many questions when she had him again, beginning with what was he thinking when he had an affair with Ulmo. She thought there was only one elf crazy enough to have an illicit relationship with a Power of the World. As they walked, Voronwë started to look around them. Idril held Eärendil against her body with dread.

“More hunters?”

“Yes, and these are not as friendly as the ones we found before”

“Those were friendly?”

“Considering the intentions of these ones, who had already gotten their weapons out and are prepared to strike us down, they were” he got his sword out. “When I give you the signal, you ran as fast as you can towards…” there was screaming near them. What was happening? The mariner got ready to battle whatever that would came for them too. If it had attacked their would be attackers, it could be an ally, but in case it wasn´t… “Princess…”

“Oh, so it was you” a figure in robes the colors of the wood appeared between the trees. The silver tresses and his almost feline eyes, apart from his unnatural aura, gave away who he was almost at the moment of his appearance. “I thought you were going to Barad Eithiel.”

“Luhte” Idril answered, recognizing her cousin. Or not so much, as he was much less shy than she remembered. “What are you doing here?”

“I was tasked with the protection of Brethil while most of the Feanorian forces are away” he answered, putting a hand on his mouth. “A most prudent action, as the sindar have been trying to use this lack of guards to attack this place. As Thingol wants them death since we helped the refugees from Nargothrond…”

“Elmo told him?”

“There was no need, he had people spying on this place since he learned that the Haladin traded with Gnomes. Mainly merchants that come here to pursue metalwork, fabrics and other artisanal products from noldor origin” he shook his head. “For someone as insane as him, he can be quite smart.”

“Unfortunately” Idril said as she tried to cover the shivering Eärendil with her wet cloak. She wouldn´t want her son to get sick. “Is there some place where we can rest and recover? And perhaps getting some dry clothes for our trip to Barad Eithiel.”

“Follow me”

Luhte took them to Obel Halad, the city of the elusive Haladin. They were received by the few inhabitants of the place with suspicious looks… weren´t they used to elven presence after so many years of being visited by Caranthir and his folk? Though… she didn´t look much like that side of the family and they had never seen her before. The Valarindi then signaled a house, saying that they could rest and eat there. It turned out to be of her niece… or was it grandniece?... Hisleth. Avranc´s mother, who she had never met before. The woman had a dreamy air on her, along with a youthful face, but rougher than many other peredhil, proof of the mortality her son didn´t share. Anyway, Hisleth gave each of them clothing that fit them rather awkwardly, but at least was dry, and food. As Idril ate, she watched the woman pass the pages of a book.

“It´s not the only one, I have filled several with my drawings… but they are the most important ones” Hisleth said, passing the pages. “Do you want to look?”

She knew what they said about that particular relative of hers. And she knew that knowing too much about the future wasn´t good. She herself had some foresight ability… at least the first time she did. She knew that Gondolin was going to fall, coupled with the warning issued by her beloved, she and Tuor could prepare, but… Hisleth was a completely different case. She saw since she was very young and saw a lot. To the end of the history, much after she was dead and laid to rest. Perturbing things, according Caranthir. Then again…

“It´s about me?”

“No, I haven´t seen you in my visions, but I have seen him” she pointed to Eärendil, who was now sleeping against her after having finished a full meal. Her boy… he was not going to remain like that for much longer, so she wanted to enjoy this. “If he goes the same way as before, the only light that will remain to him is going to be the one of the Silmaril.”

“I know about the curse”

“And you know how to avoid it without changing what is going to happen for everybody´s sake?” she shook her head. “Some things need to happen.”

“Not at the price of my son”

“But they need to happen. Though that is not what´s more pressing” she turned around her book, showing her an image… she had seen it before, in a book Finrod lend to her in Aman. It was the Throne Room of Doriath. And there were two figures with eight pointed stars on their knees in front of the seat of the King. “This is.”

“Has it already happened?”

“No… but it will. And they are not the only ones” she passed the page, showing Maeglin on the ground of what seemed a cell. “If not them, then him, the Noldor will march onto Doriath, much more united than at the beginning in their rage.”

“What do we need to do?”

“I don´t know, I just… see what is going to happen…”

“Princess, I think we should head to Barad Eithiel as it was planned. As soon as possible” he suggested. “When we arrive, we send the message to Yárion, who remains there. He has a Palantir, he will be able to deliver the message to High King Findékanno… look, it´s obvious that Thingol is going to ambush the Feanorian forces as they moved. We need to reach the city before it happens.”

“Yes, but…” he looked down. Her little one was so tired, he needed to rest or his little body might suffer the consequences. She then looked up at Hisleth, who was also a mother. “Can you take care of him for the moment? I will return as soon as I can to pick him up.”

“It will be my pleasure.”

-In another part-

Nella was grateful that she had followed the Feanorian army in their way to the battle. It gave her the opportunity to protect her family again. Don´t misunderstand her, she wasn’t her younger brother, but all these peace was getting to her. Specially because she knew that Thingol was prepared to kill them all, when everyone in court were merely trying to keep him calm and follow his game. She and her kin should have taken care of him a long time ago… though that was not the problem.

“Ambush in nine, three and ten. Men, Men, Orcs” she said as her mirror detected the threat through the many reflections it controlled. This weapon was amazing, probably the most complete one that was ever created… and it didn´t even seem like a weapon at all. Whoever made it and controlled it was a genius. “Better get going.”

She started singing, creating ice spikes from every shard of the Runace. The would-be ambushers didn´t even have the opportunity to scream. A figure emerged from the darkness, her uncle Maedhros. Several other people were probably behind him. Of course she knew that he already located the ambushers and had patrols stage their own ambush before they could do something to the main host, but she couldn´t let him have all the fun. Or wear all the manpower before they could reach battle.

“We had this handled, Nella”

“I´m sure, but I wanted to have my own fun” she crossed her arms as the Runace reunited in one of her hands. “Hyar has rushed to the Encircling Mountains, hopefully managing to arrive before the dragons that were directed there. You were right, by the way, we should have said screw you to Thingol and cleared Nan Dungortheb and Ered Gorgoroth.”

“I knew that those places would bring us troubles.”

“Indeed, but nothing that we can´t handle now. After this small fight, they are going to be too depleted to do anything but cower in fear” she promised. She then followed her uncle to the camp, where she reunited with most of her uncles. “Where are my father and the twins? I thought they would be here.”

“They were ranging the North, searching for clues about where Morgoth could have gone before returning to the hunt when it happened” Maglor explained as he threw more sticks into the fire. “But they received the message and are coming with a contingent of the Northern sindar. They should be arriving in time for battle, unless something happens” he shuddered. “I hope not, I don´t want to deal with a disgruntled Tyelko, he gets really frisky when he is like that.”

“Yes, I know” for some reason, she felt uneasy. And she could tell that Caranthir was too. But the three of them were together, so they should be fine…. No? “For now, we should get going. We don´t have a moment to lose.”

Nellasilef couldn´t shake the uneasiness that plagued her since that very moment. It was as if her very nature could tell something else, something that was going to happen while their eyes were on the city under siege in front of them. Unfortunately, Gondolin was still a priority for most and she couldn´t leave her uncles alone against dragons. Not until she sees that all the lizards were neutralized by Hyar. That same sensation returned, something was going to happen as their eyes were on the Fall… what could be happening on their backs?

-In another place-

Ambarussa were worriedly watching each other every time their brother made the slightest movement. Celegorm was trying his best to hide the early symptoms. They weren´t as bad as the ones that would develop with time, but have already detected them. The question about how he could let this happen to him again, specially when they were about to restart the hunt, was in their minds, but for the moment…

Perhaps they were too worried about their brother, because they couldn´t, even with their hunters sense and skill, detect the ambush that was on the front. As arrows showered over them and their people, they did their best to cover their brother to no avail. Then Amras fell near an injured Huan, an arrow in the chest and shoulder. His twin screamed, but he was captured before he could offer help by their attackers. Attackers that looked too much like marchwardens from Doriath.

“We have won the big prize today, guys, it´s two of the Gnome King´s children… and one of those that hurt the Princess” one announced, earning cheers from the others. “The King is going to reward us handsomely for taking them to him.”

“You can´t do this, Doriath and Barad Eithiel are at peace right now” Amrod said, shaking off the ellon that was holding him. “And we are in Noldor territory!! You have already caused a diplomatic incident, probably even a war!! If you hurt us, our brother…”

“Silence, trash!!” he punched him on the face, sending him to the ground. Celegorm tried to fight and go to his brother, but he had at least four marchwardens on him. “Tie them up, boys, we are going back.”

Amrod tried to get himself up again, go to his older brother or his twin, who might still be alive, but he was tied and forced to walk behind the horse. Towards Doriath. As they were taken, the injured dog let out a whine. They haven´t hurt him that much, he could walk, but… Celegorm ordered him to stay, he didn´t know why… at least until a hand sunk in his fur. Amras moaned, breaking the arrows shafts before they could do worse damage by moving the tips inside his body. The arrows hadn´t touched anything vital by miracle, but he could still be in danger. And his brothers were in even more danger…

“Come on, Huan… we need… we need to go to the closest place with a Palantir… to Barad Eithiel” he said with a groan. “We need to warn them… that Thingol is moving… and that Telvo and Tyelko had been captured by him…” he managed to get into the dog, thanking he wasn´t as tall as Nelyo, who would be very hard to carry by Huan. “Let´s go”