Standard disclaimer: All the characters, locations, some quotes, and the initial conception of this world belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, whether it be from Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, or The History of Middle-earth Volumes I-XII. I do indeed mix Tolkien's material into my own without citing it in footnotes because I imagine much of his material to be myth or legend in ME. As for the trend of including LotR lines in Silmarillion fics, I imagine it to be like "rats!"-an exclamatory phrase invented by Charles Schultz (author of Peanuts/Snoopy). Some of the phrases in LotR must've been common sayings even in the First Age, so I do this so that readers can enjoy catching the phrases and also to try to better establish a world that survived Three Ages. This disclaimer applies to all subsequent chapters of this fic.
Paradise Lost
by Cirdan
Chapter 1: The Reunion of the House of Finwe
Maedhros put on the ceremonial shirt without the help of his mother, who was
dressing Maglor. He looked down at the bright emblem of the House of Finwe. The
embroidery of the emblem was so finely stitched that the light seemed to leap
off of the shirt. The colors were of surpassing brilliance, and the shirt was
woven in strands of soft, white silk so fine that Maedhros could not see the
seams. Golden patterns graced the shirt and led the eye ever back to the yellow
and red "winged sun." Though no such thing existed, Maedhros believed
that someday his father would created a rayed gem to be the symbol of the House
of Finwe. Then, there would truly be a winged sun in the world. Maedhros counted
each of the sixteen rays of the burst of light that touched the edges of the
square and dreamt of the things that were to come.
Maedhros's father poked at the points on the emblem of his shirt and said,
"Imin, Tata, and Enel." Maedhros giggled and swatted his father's hand
away. He had long grown old enough to count without aid.
"Feanaro, stop playing with Maitimo and get ready." Nerdanel squeezed
shoes onto a wriggling Maglor. Feanor winked at Maedhros. Maedhros knew that the
games were not over yet. They were never over. His father was always playing,
either with him or with his mother, and lately, Maglor had joined the games.
"I am always ready, most beloved." Feanor touched Nerdanel's hip and
slid his hand towards her stomach. He kissed her quickly and then drew back
before she could chide him. She tried to glare at him but her eyes brightened
like stars when she saw that Feanor was, indeed, ready. He was dressed in his
finery with every strand of raven black hair either neatly tucked into a small,
tight braid or flowing loosely down his back. He'd chosen to wear a copper
circlet, honoring the gift that Nerdanel's father had given him a year ago.
Around his neck, he wore a clear gem on a thin cord of silver.
Feanor turned his attention back to Maedhros and presented to him a smooth
wooden box with the images of the Two Trees engraved upon its top. The necklace
within was formed of three chains, each link alternating between gold and
copper. The links were so finely wrought and so skillful twisted that they
reflected the light in the sky perfectly. The chains came together in the form
of a sleeping fox, gilded all in copper, and hanging from the bottom of the
fox's tail was a large ruby set in gold and copper. Maedhros looked at the ruby
pendant in awe and immediately thought about the winged sun. "Would you
like to wear this to the high feast, Nelyo?"
Maedhros nodded in wonder. "Did you make it for me?"
"Of course." Lately, he had been learning the craft of forging metals
from Mahtan. In metalsmithing, as with all things, Feanor excelled. His works
were now equal to any of the long-time students of Aule. Feanor carefully set
the necklace about Maedhros's shoulder. Though the ruby was large and its
setting just as grand, the entire piece felt no heavier than a leaf.
Maedhros squealed in delight and ran to the large mirror in the center of the
room. He drew himself up tall and looked at himself in his finery. He began to
wonder if perhaps he was not "well-formed" but rather
"well-dressed." The raiment was such that anyone would look beautiful.
His father had told him before that Miriel had woven the shirt for Feanor before
he had even been born, but Feanor had quickly outgrown it. He treasured it as
one of the rare, personal gifts from his mother. Now, Feanor had passed it on to
his oldest son and heir. The likes of it was never to be seen again in Aman, for
none rivaled Miriel's needlecraft. Likewise, none could cut gems like Feanor,
and his work was so precise that every facet of the ruby seemed to hold a life
of its own. The copper circlet atop his head was forged by Mahtan under the
tutelage of Aule himself and complimented Maedhros's red hair and matched
Feanor's. Maedhros was Prince of the Noldor, and he felt the part.
Maglor was normally not a fussy child, but he was entranced by the beauty of
Maedhros's raiment and necklace, and when at last the spell of the deep red ruby
left him, he began to cry. Maedhros had taken pride in his brother's envious
stares, but now that his brother had begun to wail, he felt moved to pity rather
than pride. Maedhros came to where his brother was sitting on a table. He
tiptoed and kissed his brother's hand.
"Be at ease, Cano, for our father is generous, and for such an occasion, he
has undoubtedly fashioned something for you too. But if, by chance, he has not,
I would share this gift with you," Maedhros said. Though Maglor was still
young, he understood words beyond his years and was often able to discern
meaning of words from tone when knowledge failed him. Maedhros held up the
pendant for his brother to see and continued with all the courteous speech that
he had been taught. "Behold, this necklace is set as two. Though the
necklace is too long for your neck, the pendant can be detached, and if you so
desire it, I will bid our father to do so and place it on a smaller, golden
chain. Then shall half of my gift be yours as well, and for this I would grudge
you not, for I delight in sharing all things with you who are a wonderous new
joy and addition unto our family."
Feanor and Nerdanel had been watching his speech with amusement, and this had
only further goaded Maedhros to elaborate upon his pronouncement to his younger
brother. He saw clearly the pride in their bright eyes, for though he was still
young, he was taller than other elves of his age, and he'd learned much of his
father's oratory skills. Though his voice was that of a child, the strength of
his words was that of a high and mighty prince. Feanor had often told Maedhros
that it was not necessary to be as accomplished or skilled as his father, for
Feanor had no deceptions about the fire that burned within him and that its
strength was unlike any other in all the Eldar. However, Maedhros was still able
to please his father and exceed his parents' expectations.
Maglor stretched his hand out at the ruby pendant and cooed. Although he was too
young to speak fluently, he never hesitated to make his mind known to those
around him. In such circumstances, Maglor often turned to noises rather than the
few words he knew to convey his sentiments.
"That's enough, Nelyo," said Feanor, though he did not sound stern.
"Your brother does, indeed, have a gift ready for this high feast. Your
necklace is made to match you, not him."
Feanor drew out a second box no less ornate than the first. This one was
engraved with the image of a swan, the beloved bird of the Telerin elves of
Alqualonde. Maedhros leaned forward eagerly. He had traveled to the Haven of the
Swans only once, when Feanor had gone to help with the detailing of the coves.
Maedhros had delighted in the many lamps that the Teleri set to supplement the
faint light of the Two Trees. Though the Teleri and Noldor had long finished
building Alqualonde, the Noldor often visited the Teleri and enhanced the
buildings and coves of Alqualonde with new carvings or gems. Maglor's pendant
was a nightingale with dark reddish- orange gold plumage and clear crystal eyes.
It sat atop a round, creamy pearl. The necklace was composed of three braided
golden cords.
"I do not yet understand why your mother has named you 'forging gold,' but
perhaps it is a metaphor for the your sweet voice. Even when you cry, your voice
is melodious, heart-wrenchingly alluring. You will wear this, Macalaure, to my
father's house." Feanor locked the small necklace around Maglor, who looked
down at the shining plumage of his nightingale. He smiled and started to hum to
himself, apparently forgetting all about the high feast that was the reason for
their new presents.
"Did you make that one too?" Maedhros asked.
"I crafted the songbird, but not the pearl. No, the pearl is one of many
that the Teleri gave us, but the softer luminescence of pearl seems to suit your
brother well," Feanor said.
Maedhros looked to his mother to see if she had also received a necklace. She
was, indeed, wearing a new piece of jewelry. Hers was composed of ten small
chains of gold and copper similar to Maedhros's, except that hers contained a
gold-set diamond every few links like a field of stars. Each chain linked to a
golden oval decorated with large rubies and smaller garnets and diamonds. It did
not have an animal like Maedhros's and Maglor's, and because of that, Maedhros
thought that his was more beautiful than even his mother's. Maedhros wondered if
he too would someday be expected to craft such fine jewelry.
"If you're quite done with your trinkets, let's be on our way. We should
not keep your father waiting," Nerdanel said.
"Of course." Feanor picked Maglor up from the tabletop and settled him
in his right arm. He offered his left hand to Maedhros, but Maedhros shook his
head. He was old enough now to follow without being led. Feanor shrugged and put
his left hand loosely on Maglor to help balance the child. Feanor led the way to
the great square beneath the Mindon Eldalieva.
---
Maedhros remembered visiting the Finwe's house only once before, just after his
father had created the Luinsinda Mire, a blue-grey jewel of surpassing beauty.
The jewel was brilliant and shone in hues that were reminiscent of Finwe's eyes.
Feanor apparently crafted the jewel with Finwe's eyes in mind, and so he was
exceedingly pleased with the jewel. He presented the Luinsinda Mire to King
Finwe at a grand feast before most of Tirion. Maedhros was very young at the
time, so he was later unable to remember details of the visit or the feast. But
neither could he forget the moment when Feanor knelt and opened the finely
wrought platinum box before his father and when Finwe held the Jewel of Finwe up
for all to see. It was not the brilliant light of the jewel as it caught the
silver light of Telperion that Maedhros remembered most vividly. Rather, it was
the light in Feanor's face and the unbridled love for his father that had
forever been imprinted in Maedhros's memories.
Time passed and Feanor did not visit his father again. In fact, in the days
immediately following the Feast of the Jewel of Finwe, as it came to later be
known, Feanor became moody and quick to anger. Maedhros was scared and tried to
stay quiet and unnoticed when Feanor was not at work forging metals or cutting
gems. When Feanor did snap at him, his wife was quick to intervene and become
the subject of his displeasure. He never hit them, nor did he raise his voice
when he spoke, but the dangerous glint in Feanor's eyes was enough.
"Do not fear your father." Nerdanel spoke softly to Maedhros and
stroked his hair to calm him after one of Feanor's outbursts. "He will not
hurt you, nor is he truly angry at you. The Mirefinwe, the Jewel of Finwe, which
had brought him such happiness, has now become a reminder of his grief. The
feast we attended is now known as the Feast of the Jewel of Finwe, and before
her departure, Feanor's mother was also known as the Jewel of Finwe. Miriel
means 'jewel-woman,' and in those days, she had the chief share of Finwe's
heart. The new name of the jewel and its feast is a reminder of Miriel and of
the fact that Finwe has taken a new wife, Indis the Fair, and this second
marriage has never been pleasing to your father. Your father is saddened beyond
words. Can you forgive him for his quick- temper when you know what is ailing
him?"
Maedhros remembered the light in Feanor's face when he had presented the jewel
to King Finwe. His eyes met Nerdanel's, and he was comforted. "Do you think
Father loves me like that?"
Nerdanel smiled softly and hugged Maedhros lightly about the shoulders.
"The love of a son for his father is different from that of a father to his
son. Feanaro loves you in the manner of a father to his son, and that love is no
less strong than that of a son's love for his father. Do you love your father as
he does his father?"
Perhaps Nerdanel was only teasing and thought little of her question to her
young son, but Maedhros thought about the question with all the seriousness of
his few years and said, "I am afraid of him sometimes, Mother. Father's
spirit burns very hot. Perhaps because of this, I cannot love him as he does
King Finwe. But I will try to be braver so that I may come to understand and
love him more." Maedhros's mother apparently had not expected an answer,
except perhaps a simple 'yes' since Maedhros was still so young, but at his
response, she smiled wide with pride.
"Yes, Maitimo," his mother said, "Try to understand minds, not
master them. Even your own."
After that, Maedhros had looked at his father with new eyes. When Feanor became
irritable, Maedhros recalled that moment between father and son at the Feast of
the Jewel of Finwe and did not flinch from Feanor's sharp looks. Perhaps Feanor
was able to read the thoughts of his son, for in that moment, the frustration
and anger would drain from him, and he would again be himself. He would smile at
Maedhros and suggest that they race in the fields or see who was stronger in a
game of tug-of-war. Maedhros understood that these were like apologies, and he
accepted them without hesitation. Thus, Maedhros's memory of their visit to the
House of Finwe and the Feast of the Jewel of Finwe was a pleasant one, for he
had learned something of his father's love and temperament and that had brought
them closer together as father and son. Though Feanor had not visited Finwe's
house for what seemed like long years to a young child, Maedhros never doubted
that Feanor loved Finwe and thought about him regularly.
---
Feanor was announced first at the high feast, and he approached the King of the
Noldor but then waited some distance from the king. Nerdanel was announced next,
and she came to stand beside Feanor. Then Maedhros and Maglor were announced
together, as Maedhros had requested. Normally, Nerdanel would have been the one
to escort Maglor. Maglor did not seem to be afraid of the many eyes on them. He
gripped Maedhros hand firmly, and together, they slowly walked to their parents.
When the House of Feanor was complete, they closed the few steps to stand before
the Throne and bowed as one.
Finwe smiled at the young children, and Maedhros was reminded of the last time
that he'd seen his grandfather. Though Finwe was King of the Noldor, he was also
Maedhros's grandfather. There was a closeness of kinship that was instantly
felt.
Finwe turned to Feanor and said, "Curufinwe, I see now that the additions
to your family have been growing beautifully."
"They possess your grace, my father." It was not mere rhetoric or
polite compliments. Maedhros heard again that passion and unbridled love that he
had remembered in vague memories from before.
"Though I have also had two children added unto me and Indis, I delight in
your children as well, for they are of different temperament, and they are the
children of my own beloved child." Finwe looked at Findis and Fingolfin and
sighed. "The lives of the Eldalie are long, but the childhood of our young
ones seems always too short."
"Nay, Father, sigh not!" Feanor cried. He knelt before the king.
"The fault of your sadness is mine. I have been away from your House for
too long and deprived you of your grandchildren. But in that time, I have
learned the craft of Aule from Mahtan. Indeed, see now the skill of
metalsmithing that I have gained. No longer will I smith gems alone."
At that, eight strong servants of the House of Feanor brought forth a large
statue of an eagle. The eagle's head was of platinum, and its plumage was forged
from gold. Its wings were extended, and the eagle seemed about to take flight
from its copper mountain. Each feather was visible and detailed. The eagle shone
brilliantly in the mixed light of Telperion and Laurelin, for the Grand Feast
that Finwe had called was held in that hour when the soft glow of both trees
mingled. The two simple, clear gems of its eyes flared to life as the gems
caught the starlight. Because the mixed light of the Two Trees was soft, the
golden fire of the eagle's eyes seemed all the brighter. It would later be known
as the Laurethoron, the Golden Eagle, for the golden light of its eyes.
At that moment, the clear gem that Feanor wore on a simple silver cord about his
neck also came to life, and it caught the light of the stars and gave forth rays
of blue and filled all the air with color as radiant as the raiment of Manwe
Sulimo. All the Noldor assembled at the Court of the King stood breathless as
they viewed for the first time gems more brilliant than those of the earth. The
blue of Feanor's gem seemed to be as the sky for the great eagle wrought of
metal, and its eyes pierced the air like the unborn sun. It seemed to Maedhros
that he was in a dream, but he knew that this was no dream, for never in all his
thoughts could he imagine a thing of such majesty.
"Witness now, Father, the arts which I have learned while absent from your
House." Feanor's voice was sharp and clear, but it seemed to come to the
Noldor through the haze of light like the voice of a Vala. "This Eagle of
Manwe shall protect the House of Finwe and be as a token of my love and devotion
to you, Noldoran. For such knowledge of skill as can be seen in this gift, I
have been away for too long. Those of my House and I will abide hereafter with
my father in the House of Finwe as one under the Mindon Eldalieva. And the Eagle
of Manwe shall sit atop the Mindon, looking down at all of Tirion as the symbol
of the unity of the Noldor and rekindling weakened hearts, should there be any,
with its strength and noble bearing."
Then Maedhros knew that the gentle counsels of Nerdanel the Wise had at last
come to fruition. Feanor had no great love for Indis and her children, but
Nerdanel knew that his love for his father could overcome his bitterness over
his father's second marriage, and so she had long reminded Feanor of his loss at
living apart from the House of Finwe. Now, with his words, Feanor had mended the
breach in the House of Finwe. Maedhros looked over at Fingolfin, who sat beside
his mother. Like Maedhros, Fingolfin was taller than Noldor of his age, and he
was strong and fair. It seemed to Maedhros a pleasant thing to have a playmate
of the same age.
"You bring me good tidings, Curufinwe," King Finwe said to Feanor.
"Long have I desired to see you dwell under my roof, but I knew that your
spirit could not be stayed and that there was much that you desired to
accomplish elsewhere. I see now the fruits of your labor." Finwe nodded at
the magnificent eagle. "You and your House are welcomed here, as you have
always been, and you have my gratitude for the Golden Eagle."
Feanor, still kneeling, brought his head to the floor and kissed it. "It is
I who am grateful to you, o Lord and King, for allowing me and my family to live
in your blessed presence." Feanor's voice trembled with eagerness, for his
desire to live with his father again was now so great that all assembled saw
Feanor's love for his father as a great light, brighter than even that of the
gem about his neck or the gems of the eagle's eyes. He stood at last and seemed
to grow taller than those around him. Listening to Feanor was almost more
pleasant than listening to the minstrels, and it was several moments before the
strength of his voice and the light of his love faded in the air.
Maedhros felt inspired by his father. He stepped forth, with Maglor in hand, and
said to Finwe, "Grandfather, I too am pleased beyond words to hear that we
will be dwelling together hereafter. Although I cannot craft such gifts as that
of my father's, please accept this instead as a token of my love to you and to
your House."
Maedhros squeezed Maglor's hand. He began to sing a song in honor of the stars
and the love of the Valar for the Children of Iluvatar. Maglor was still too
young to know all of the words to the song, but he had heard the tune before and
now he hummed along with his older brother as if he were a harp. The melody in
their pure and young voices seemed perfect in its innocence. When they finished
the song, Maedhros bowed before King Finwe, and Maglor followed his example.
Finwe looked with great liking at both of his grandsons, and Feanor was no less
proud, for he prized the boldness of his sons before so many strangers.
It was Indis the Fair, sitting beside Finwe, who finally spoke. "The two of
you will be welcomed indeed, for the I am very fond of song and dance. The music
of the House of Finwe will be richer and sweeter now that it is joined again in
harmony with the House of Feanor."
---
The House of Feanor dwelt again in the House of Finwe, and there was much
rejoicing among the Noldor at the healing of the rift in the House of Finwe.
After the Day of Reunion of the House of Finwe, Maedhros's parents no longer
called him Nelyafinwe or Nelyo. He did not ask why and simply accepted it, for
he was happy enough with his mother name "Maitimo" and his epesse
"Russandol." When he was older, Maedhros finally understood why they
stopped called him him Nelyo. Though Fingolfin had been born to Indis before
Maedhros, Maedhros had been conceived before Fingolfin. At the time, Feanor had
not known about the birth of Indis' first son, and so he had named Maedhros
"Nelyafinwe," or "third Finwe." This name was still true,
Maedhros perceived through his father, for he would be the third Finwe to rule
the Noldor. Out of respect for Indis and her oldest son though, Feanor withheld
the time of Maedhros's conception and spoke only of his time of birth. By
referring to Maedhros as Maitimo or Russandol, Feanor showed his dedication to
the unity of the House of Finwe. Maedhros followed the example of his father,
and when asked, he always referred to Fingolfin as the older of the two.
Maedhros had thought that he would play with Fingolfin now that their families
were one since they were so similar in age, but this did not happen. Fingolfin
was a steady child and, in his youth, did not delight in adventure like
Maedhros. Fingolfin preferred to stay at home and sing and learn the runes of
Rumil from his mother at a desk. Maedhros, on the other hand, often accompanied
Feanor when he journeyed far throughout Valinor. Maedhros learned his runes and
lore around the campfire, with dinner cooking slowly over the open fire. Feanor
would carve the runes into the dirt with a stick instead of writing on a piece
of paper, and this seemed more fun to Maedhros than book-learning alone.
Sometimes when Feanor was teaching him Rumil's runes, Feanor would pause,
dissatisfied with the runes, and take notes of his own in a small journal. Thus,
Maedhros was the first to learn the runes of Feanor, the Tengwar runes, and was
in later days second only to Maglor in his mastery of the Feanorian script.
Sometimes Nerdanel and Maglor also accompanied Feanor and Maedhros on their
travels. However, Maglor was still young and preferred to sing with the children
and servants of Indis and Nerdanel stayed behind with him. Though Feanor no
longer begrudged the happiness of Indis and her children, still he did not love
them as he did his father and his wife and children. When he was not pursuing
his crafts and lore, he played primarily with his children and rarely with his
half-siblings. Even when Fingolfin was older and more eager for adventure,
Feanor did not invite him to travel with him and his sons. In later days, when
Maglor was more willing to travel, he and Nerdanel also accompanied Feanor and
Maedhros in their wanderings, and he brought with him his harp so that they had
song at their campfire.
In time, Nerdanel was with child again, and thereafter, she traveled less with
Feanor and his sons. After Celegorm grew old enough to travel, he too joined his
father and brothers on adventures. Nerdanel did not join them, for then there
was a fourth child. And then a fifth. Thus it was that the adventures of Feanor
and his sons became known throughout Eldamar.