"It's A Kind Of Magic"

[elvenpiratelady.livejournal.com]

Title: It's A Kind Of Magic
Author: elvenpiratelady 
Rating: Teens.
Warnings: Some angst and mild references to the Kinslayings.
Summary: 'They followed my song...' Maglor reflects on his part in the rebellion of the Noldor. (Slight AU, and kinda fits the 'dark secrets' aspect of the September Challenge.)

AN: ‘One dream, one soul. One prize, one goal. One golden glance of what should be – it’s a kind of magic.’ Yes, I was inspired by Queen, so sue me, but it fits the idea of music as magic, doesn’t it? Because Eru and the Ainur created (a vision of) the world through song, magic and music are very closely intertwined in Middle-earth. Melian would have used song, Finrod disguised his soldiers by magic and later fought with Sauron through song, and Galadriel (who learned a few things from Melian) would probably have used it with her Ring of Power.

All this got me wondering – if magic is performed by singing, then couldn’t Maglor, whose musical skill is bested only by Daeron, be a magician as well? And knowing the Fëanorian tendency for dark secrets, this was the result...

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It may surprise you to learn that I, one of the greatest singers in Arda, am not also one of its greatest magicians. I had a passing interest in it as a boy, but soon the theories and careful exercises bored me, and further study would have involved me spending most of my time among the Vanyar, which was not at all to my father’s liking. I ceased my studies of it, and returned to those of us who see music as a thing of beauty in itself, rather than a means to an end.

 

Time passed, and some of my half-cousins began to study the music of the world. Perhaps the Vanyarin blood in their veins gave them a natural predilection for it. I knew that Findárato had mastered it, and that Artanis was showing great promise, but I never gave it another thought until the last time we set foot in Tirion.

 

We stood on the platform, rage and grief burning through our veins, watching the assembled Noldor. Father had spoken before them, but so too had my uncles, and though some had shown us support, they were a minority. Most, although they had murmured and nodded as we spoke, were now silent. If we left Valinor as soon as we hoped, our following would be small, and Father was clearly furious.

 

I do not know what it was that made me begin to sing in the hush that fell after my uncles had finished their speeches. I was angry that they would follow Nolofinwë rather than my father, their king’s first-born son, or the memory of my grandfather, and disgusted at their fear of retribution from the gods. But I was also angry at myself for recognising, deep in my heart, that these things were reasonable, and that we were going too far.

 

I have never sung a song like the one I sang in that moment, and I doubt that I will ever do so again. Reflecting on it later, I was surprised that it was so easy. I sent my song into their hearts, and though I could not banish their fears, doubts or reasoning, I diminished them, and set a fire there akin to my own. One by one, I persuaded them, and like fish drawn through the water by a line, they followed us.

 

And as my song finished, I remember with horror and pride the look on my father’s face that said: well done.

 

It is because of me that they defied the gods.

 

It is because of me that they slaughtered their friends, not once, but thrice.

 

It is because of me that they stole and burnt the ships at Losgar, betraying their own kind.

 

And it is because of me that they struggled and died in a hopeless war against a dark god for more than a thousand years, and that the name of Fëanor and all his sons is cursed.

 

Ilúvatar forgive me, my song cursed them all.

 

 

Findárato – Finrod

Artanis – Galadriel

Nolofinwë – Fingolfin

Comments

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

This is very strongly written and I don't see it as AU, but a great exploration of Maglor's motives and the regret that he pours into his laments later on. Well done!

[elvenpiratelady.livejournal.com]

Thankyou! I've got a mental image of Maglor making songs as the years go by, trying to find the music that will lead the Noldor home... very tragic. There's quite a strong Pied Piper influence as well, but I couldn't work it into the fic.

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

That would make sense to me, since the Music is a theme in Tolkien's works, if not the most important.

[hrymfaxe.livejournal.com]

I really like this - his horror mixed with the elated feeling of having succeeded in his father's eyes. And I love the idea of the magic powers of music being a secret knowledge, that must be learned. Great job, thanks for sharing.

[elvenpiratelady.livejournal.com]

Yes, I guess that it would be very hard for any of Feanor's sons to please him - either it's not absolutely perfect, or it's something that he doesn't think worthwhile... I think the ability to create pictures of the song is fairly well-known, since it's mentioned in 'The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen', but the more powerful stuff would be hidden, and with good reason.

[dracoena.livejournal.com]

Brrrr - dark and powerful. I think it *is* an AU, since Tolkien said that it was the power of Fëanor´s words what swayed the people. But who cares? I have rarely seen a more poignant fic on Maglor and his regrets, and so justified.

I guess that this song was the true Noldolantë - the song that *brought* the fall of the Noldor. Nice irony, if one stops to think about it.

[elvenpiratelady.livejournal.com]

(Yes, that was why I had it as an AU.)

Ooh, I didn't think about the Noldolante that way! Very ironic, and makes the whole story even sadder.