Chapter 24 - LOTJ
Jul. 29th, 2005 10:33 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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silwritersguildHere is Chapter 24:
Chapter Twenty-Four
THE REUNION
From The Silmarillion: P. 74: "Of the Flight of the Noldor: "--- but Galadriel --- was eager to be gone. No oaths she swore, but the words of Feanor concerning Middle-earth had kindled in her heart, for she yearned to see the wide unguarded lands and to rule there as a realm at her own will."
The carriage bearing Este, Irmo, Galadriel, Lindaril and Frodo arrived at the Halls of Mandos after traveling along the long, lonely road that wound along the southwestern part of the coast. Irmo conveyed the news to Mandos when they would be arriving, and he was awaiting them in his front garden at the main door to the Halls. As he climbed out of the carriage, Frodo remarked again how dark and unnerving the Halls of Mandos were. He was not looking forward to going inside the Halls, but the others had insisted that he accompany them, because he was the one who had the idea of breaking the Silmaril, and Lindaril wished for his company.
Mandos's garden was mainly a grouping of obelisk-shaped rocks. Large rocks and dark stones of granite had been carefully placed around the front garden in such a way as to suggest that stern, imposing sentinels were guarding the doors of the mansion. They were very effective. Frodo could not imagine anyone wanting to walk past these rocks. Some of them were highly polished obelisks, and some were carved into craggy, abstract shapes of eagles, sitting alert, with wings folded at their sides, and keen eyes ever watchful. They seemed to issue a warning:
"Do not enter here, unless you can go without guilt and fear".
In between some of the rocks were flowering vines that wound up around them. These vines bore strange flowers of a deep purple, almost black color, and had eyes of bright white. The eyes followed you as you walked up the pathway to the front doors. They possessed an unearthly aura that was unnerving. They seemed as if they did not belong on Valinor.
Mandos welcomed them in his booming voice.
"Please come in, my guests", he said, and led them inside. Frodo followed the others with some trepidation. He really wished not to be there, but to back home on the Isle of Este, where he would feel safe.
"You will be shown immediately to your rooms", said Mandos. "Some refreshment will be brought for those of you who need to eat, and pallets will be laid out for those who need to sleep". He then led them all down a long corridor to their separate rooms.
Lindaril put a sympathetic arm around Frodo. "Never mind, Frodo", she said. "I know that you are not comfortable here, but after you have some food and rest, I am sure you will feel better. I will stay with you so that you do not feel quite so alone".
Frodo squeezed her hand with gratitude. He was feeling quite apprehensive as they walked down the majestic corridor of the Halls, which had such a forbidding presence. He would never feel comfortable here. It was a place not for the living.
Frodo's room was pleasant enough, however. Mandos had a tray of food brought for him, on which was ale, bread, cheese, and even some pipeweed. Frodo knew that if he ate and drank everything on the tray, and then smoked some pipeweed, he should be able to sleep without too much effort. Lindaril stayed with him, as she had promised, and soon he felt the drowsiness of impending sleep overtake him.
The room was very simple, with white draperies on the windows. They softened the starkness of the grey stone walls. The floor was covered in a soft grey carpet, and the pallet that Frodo was to sleep on was very comfortable. There were chairs and loungers all around the perimeter of the room, and it even had shelves stacked with books. A fireplace was opposite the pallet, which had been set upon a metal frame, and in it, a warm fire crackled in the grate. Many candle sconces adorned the walls, and a small table set with a white cloth held the tray with Frodo's food and drink. He slept well that night while Lindaril kept watch over him.
During the night, Galadriel, alone, sought out Mandos to talk to him about Feanor.
"I do believe", she told him, "that the welfare of Valinor should take precedence over the issue of whether or not Feanor has changed his ways. Despite my feelings in the past, I believe that if he is willing to help us, then he must be permitted to do so. A close watch can be set on him lest he be tempted to exact evenge upon you or me".
They talked at length, and then Mandos told her that he had already decided to resurrect Feanor after the last time they had spoken. While he originally was reluctant and did not fully trust him yet, Mandos felt that Feanor would now be on their side against Morgoth.
Frodo awoke and Lindaril sat with him while he ate some breakfast. She was uncharacteristically quiet, and Frodo was showing more signs of nervousness than he had been the night before.
"I wonder where all of the spirits in this place actually abide?" he asked. Lindaril was silent. He put down his head and walked over to the window to look outside.
Before he could get a good look at anything, the door to Frodo's room opened. Mandos stood in the doorway.
"If you are ready now, please join the rest of us. We will be going down to the Resurrection Chamber".
Frodo and Lindaril joined them, and Mandos then led the group down many dark corridors, which wound around in a downward direction until they arrived at a door, which was marked with strange runes in a script that Frodo did not recognize.
"We have arrived", he added, and he opened the door with a very large key that hung around his neck on an iron chain.
Inside, the room was as dark as a dungeon. Mandos touched the sconces on the wall with a stick of some kind, and the torches held there burst into flame. When the room was lit with an eerie light, Frodo saw that it was ringed with benches. In the middle of the chamber stood a structure that looked somewhat like a birdcage, except that this one was open in the front and had no door or gate. It looked to be made of silver, but quite sturdy.
"Please be seated", Mandos told them. "I will be calling the spirit of Feanor into this room, where he will appear as he was in his old elvish form. You will be able to converse with him, but please give him a few moments of quiet to adjust once he appears. You will not be able to hear me say anything to him, but he and I will be communicating for a few moments before his form takes shape, and then you will be able to see him".
Mandos then shut his eyes and bowed his head. "I will now remove my curse of old, in which I stated that the Noldor's inventions and all of their art and artifacts must be destroyed. We have need now for Feanor's Silmarils, to be used as a bait and trap for Morgoth, the enemy. Though it be a harsh thing for me to rescind the laws the Valar have set in place, this is what I must do".
Frodo gripped Lindaril's hand tightly. Without realizing it, his nails dug into her flesh, and caused her to flinch. He cast her a frightened glance; terror was in his eyes. He did not know what he was about to see, nor did he know what to expect from Feanor, who was an elf of legendary fierceness, and had, in the past, committed terrible acts of sabotage and murder. Frodo looked toward Galadriel for some sign of reassurance, but her face was inscrutable as she stared at the silver cage.
After several minutes had passed, the guests noticed that a fine, black, smoke-like substance had begun to rise from the floor of the cage. It slowly filled the cage before it took shape. Everyone sat in anticipation of what they were going to see next. Gradually, the form in the cage increased in clarity until there stood before them a tall, dark elf.
Feanor was taller than any of the elves that were familiar to Frodo. He was slim, but muscular, and looked very strong. His hair was dark and sleek, long past his shoulders. His countenance was grim and unsmiling. His eyebrows were very dark and almost met in the middle. His eyes were dark and piercing, but in them still shone the light of the stars. He had no facial hair, and his nose was long, his lips thin and set in a firm, straight line. He wore clothing of the military style of long ago, in black and red. His tunic bore many straps and strange buttons, and he wore knee-high black boots of a braided material, molded to fit his feet and legs like gloves.
"Let me introduce to everyone, Feanor of the Noldor, son of Finwe", said Mandos. He walked over to the cage, and supported Feanor as he stepped out into the room. Feanor then bowed low to everyone seated, and they nodded to him. Mandos led him to a seat so that he could rest and better adjust himself to his new surroundings. Feanor sat and leaned his back against the wall, and sighed, his eyes closed. He did not speak.
Everyone stared at him. He had an ancient aura about him, and an imposing, mesmerizing presence. Frodo looked anxiously at Lindaril for her reaction fo seeing one of her own close kin suddenly appearing and sitting before her. Her chest was heaving as if she could not catch her breath. Frodo took her hand and held it firmly. She was trembling, and she glanced at Frodo and breathed deeply. Then she jumped to her feet.
"Feanor!" she cried out. Feanor's eyes flew open and his dark gaze shot directly toward her. She took a few halting steps forward.
"My name is Lindaril. I am your great-granddaughter".
Feanor stood up swiftly, and he and Lindaril stared at each other. Despite his imposing presence, Feanor seemed to soften as Lindaril's gaze met his, with compassion and an earnestness that he had never before seen directed toward him. It was a shock for him to see her in person, even though Mandos had made him aware of her existence.
Lindaril saw the softening in him and tentatively approached him. She was of very tiny size next to Feanor. The top of her head reached only to the middle of his chest, but she embraced him and set her cheek against his bosom. Feanor then raised his arms and embraced her in return. Despite his size, his touch for her was tender.
"You are my only kin", said Lindaril. "My parents and the others, of whom there were only a few, have all passed on. Whether they died in battle, or they wandered into unknown regions of Middle-earth, I have no knowledge. I have lost track of them. some of them may have taken the ship to Valinor, but I have not met any relations here, except now for you".
Feanor said to her in return, "The only thing that was ever most important to me, in my heart, was my family. When my father was murdered by that black, evil devil Morgoth, then revenge took over my thoughts. Revenge for his death and for the theft of my jewels".
"I know that your sone, Maedhros, was my grandfather", said Lindaril. "He tried to live a good life for the most part, but he died a fiery death with one of the Silmarils burnt into his hand. He, and it, were lost to the bowels of the earth, when it opened into a fiery chasm, and all of the lands west of the Ered Luin went down into flames".
Mandos them stepped forward. "Let us leave any more history for a later time. We, of the Valar, feel deep sorrow for the necessary evil that we wrought upon the lands. We had to do so in order to capture Morgoth and rid the world of him".
Chapter Twenty-Four
THE REUNION
From The Silmarillion: P. 74: "Of the Flight of the Noldor: "--- but Galadriel --- was eager to be gone. No oaths she swore, but the words of Feanor concerning Middle-earth had kindled in her heart, for she yearned to see the wide unguarded lands and to rule there as a realm at her own will."
The carriage bearing Este, Irmo, Galadriel, Lindaril and Frodo arrived at the Halls of Mandos after traveling along the long, lonely road that wound along the southwestern part of the coast. Irmo conveyed the news to Mandos when they would be arriving, and he was awaiting them in his front garden at the main door to the Halls. As he climbed out of the carriage, Frodo remarked again how dark and unnerving the Halls of Mandos were. He was not looking forward to going inside the Halls, but the others had insisted that he accompany them, because he was the one who had the idea of breaking the Silmaril, and Lindaril wished for his company.
Mandos's garden was mainly a grouping of obelisk-shaped rocks. Large rocks and dark stones of granite had been carefully placed around the front garden in such a way as to suggest that stern, imposing sentinels were guarding the doors of the mansion. They were very effective. Frodo could not imagine anyone wanting to walk past these rocks. Some of them were highly polished obelisks, and some were carved into craggy, abstract shapes of eagles, sitting alert, with wings folded at their sides, and keen eyes ever watchful. They seemed to issue a warning:
"Do not enter here, unless you can go without guilt and fear".
In between some of the rocks were flowering vines that wound up around them. These vines bore strange flowers of a deep purple, almost black color, and had eyes of bright white. The eyes followed you as you walked up the pathway to the front doors. They possessed an unearthly aura that was unnerving. They seemed as if they did not belong on Valinor.
Mandos welcomed them in his booming voice.
"Please come in, my guests", he said, and led them inside. Frodo followed the others with some trepidation. He really wished not to be there, but to back home on the Isle of Este, where he would feel safe.
"You will be shown immediately to your rooms", said Mandos. "Some refreshment will be brought for those of you who need to eat, and pallets will be laid out for those who need to sleep". He then led them all down a long corridor to their separate rooms.
Lindaril put a sympathetic arm around Frodo. "Never mind, Frodo", she said. "I know that you are not comfortable here, but after you have some food and rest, I am sure you will feel better. I will stay with you so that you do not feel quite so alone".
Frodo squeezed her hand with gratitude. He was feeling quite apprehensive as they walked down the majestic corridor of the Halls, which had such a forbidding presence. He would never feel comfortable here. It was a place not for the living.
Frodo's room was pleasant enough, however. Mandos had a tray of food brought for him, on which was ale, bread, cheese, and even some pipeweed. Frodo knew that if he ate and drank everything on the tray, and then smoked some pipeweed, he should be able to sleep without too much effort. Lindaril stayed with him, as she had promised, and soon he felt the drowsiness of impending sleep overtake him.
The room was very simple, with white draperies on the windows. They softened the starkness of the grey stone walls. The floor was covered in a soft grey carpet, and the pallet that Frodo was to sleep on was very comfortable. There were chairs and loungers all around the perimeter of the room, and it even had shelves stacked with books. A fireplace was opposite the pallet, which had been set upon a metal frame, and in it, a warm fire crackled in the grate. Many candle sconces adorned the walls, and a small table set with a white cloth held the tray with Frodo's food and drink. He slept well that night while Lindaril kept watch over him.
During the night, Galadriel, alone, sought out Mandos to talk to him about Feanor.
"I do believe", she told him, "that the welfare of Valinor should take precedence over the issue of whether or not Feanor has changed his ways. Despite my feelings in the past, I believe that if he is willing to help us, then he must be permitted to do so. A close watch can be set on him lest he be tempted to exact evenge upon you or me".
They talked at length, and then Mandos told her that he had already decided to resurrect Feanor after the last time they had spoken. While he originally was reluctant and did not fully trust him yet, Mandos felt that Feanor would now be on their side against Morgoth.
Frodo awoke and Lindaril sat with him while he ate some breakfast. She was uncharacteristically quiet, and Frodo was showing more signs of nervousness than he had been the night before.
"I wonder where all of the spirits in this place actually abide?" he asked. Lindaril was silent. He put down his head and walked over to the window to look outside.
Before he could get a good look at anything, the door to Frodo's room opened. Mandos stood in the doorway.
"If you are ready now, please join the rest of us. We will be going down to the Resurrection Chamber".
Frodo and Lindaril joined them, and Mandos then led the group down many dark corridors, which wound around in a downward direction until they arrived at a door, which was marked with strange runes in a script that Frodo did not recognize.
"We have arrived", he added, and he opened the door with a very large key that hung around his neck on an iron chain.
Inside, the room was as dark as a dungeon. Mandos touched the sconces on the wall with a stick of some kind, and the torches held there burst into flame. When the room was lit with an eerie light, Frodo saw that it was ringed with benches. In the middle of the chamber stood a structure that looked somewhat like a birdcage, except that this one was open in the front and had no door or gate. It looked to be made of silver, but quite sturdy.
"Please be seated", Mandos told them. "I will be calling the spirit of Feanor into this room, where he will appear as he was in his old elvish form. You will be able to converse with him, but please give him a few moments of quiet to adjust once he appears. You will not be able to hear me say anything to him, but he and I will be communicating for a few moments before his form takes shape, and then you will be able to see him".
Mandos then shut his eyes and bowed his head. "I will now remove my curse of old, in which I stated that the Noldor's inventions and all of their art and artifacts must be destroyed. We have need now for Feanor's Silmarils, to be used as a bait and trap for Morgoth, the enemy. Though it be a harsh thing for me to rescind the laws the Valar have set in place, this is what I must do".
Frodo gripped Lindaril's hand tightly. Without realizing it, his nails dug into her flesh, and caused her to flinch. He cast her a frightened glance; terror was in his eyes. He did not know what he was about to see, nor did he know what to expect from Feanor, who was an elf of legendary fierceness, and had, in the past, committed terrible acts of sabotage and murder. Frodo looked toward Galadriel for some sign of reassurance, but her face was inscrutable as she stared at the silver cage.
After several minutes had passed, the guests noticed that a fine, black, smoke-like substance had begun to rise from the floor of the cage. It slowly filled the cage before it took shape. Everyone sat in anticipation of what they were going to see next. Gradually, the form in the cage increased in clarity until there stood before them a tall, dark elf.
Feanor was taller than any of the elves that were familiar to Frodo. He was slim, but muscular, and looked very strong. His hair was dark and sleek, long past his shoulders. His countenance was grim and unsmiling. His eyebrows were very dark and almost met in the middle. His eyes were dark and piercing, but in them still shone the light of the stars. He had no facial hair, and his nose was long, his lips thin and set in a firm, straight line. He wore clothing of the military style of long ago, in black and red. His tunic bore many straps and strange buttons, and he wore knee-high black boots of a braided material, molded to fit his feet and legs like gloves.
"Let me introduce to everyone, Feanor of the Noldor, son of Finwe", said Mandos. He walked over to the cage, and supported Feanor as he stepped out into the room. Feanor then bowed low to everyone seated, and they nodded to him. Mandos led him to a seat so that he could rest and better adjust himself to his new surroundings. Feanor sat and leaned his back against the wall, and sighed, his eyes closed. He did not speak.
Everyone stared at him. He had an ancient aura about him, and an imposing, mesmerizing presence. Frodo looked anxiously at Lindaril for her reaction fo seeing one of her own close kin suddenly appearing and sitting before her. Her chest was heaving as if she could not catch her breath. Frodo took her hand and held it firmly. She was trembling, and she glanced at Frodo and breathed deeply. Then she jumped to her feet.
"Feanor!" she cried out. Feanor's eyes flew open and his dark gaze shot directly toward her. She took a few halting steps forward.
"My name is Lindaril. I am your great-granddaughter".
Feanor stood up swiftly, and he and Lindaril stared at each other. Despite his imposing presence, Feanor seemed to soften as Lindaril's gaze met his, with compassion and an earnestness that he had never before seen directed toward him. It was a shock for him to see her in person, even though Mandos had made him aware of her existence.
Lindaril saw the softening in him and tentatively approached him. She was of very tiny size next to Feanor. The top of her head reached only to the middle of his chest, but she embraced him and set her cheek against his bosom. Feanor then raised his arms and embraced her in return. Despite his size, his touch for her was tender.
"You are my only kin", said Lindaril. "My parents and the others, of whom there were only a few, have all passed on. Whether they died in battle, or they wandered into unknown regions of Middle-earth, I have no knowledge. I have lost track of them. some of them may have taken the ship to Valinor, but I have not met any relations here, except now for you".
Feanor said to her in return, "The only thing that was ever most important to me, in my heart, was my family. When my father was murdered by that black, evil devil Morgoth, then revenge took over my thoughts. Revenge for his death and for the theft of my jewels".
"I know that your sone, Maedhros, was my grandfather", said Lindaril. "He tried to live a good life for the most part, but he died a fiery death with one of the Silmarils burnt into his hand. He, and it, were lost to the bowels of the earth, when it opened into a fiery chasm, and all of the lands west of the Ered Luin went down into flames".
Mandos them stepped forward. "Let us leave any more history for a later time. We, of the Valar, feel deep sorrow for the necessary evil that we wrought upon the lands. We had to do so in order to capture Morgoth and rid the world of him".
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Re: Breaking a Silmaril
Date: 2005-07-29 03:53 pm (UTC)What exactly happened when you tried to copy and paste from Word to LJ? I do it all the time; it usually requires some fiddling to get it formatted perfectly, but I did Scene 4 for my play last night in like a half-hour.
I don't want you up all night typing if we can help it :(
If you want, you can click the Edit Entry button for the entry and copy all of what you wrote. If you email it to me, I'll try to figure out why the LJ cut isn't working.
The bad thing about computer code is that it must be *perfect* or the computer spits it right back out at you. When you Preview, does it give you any errors?
Don't worry, we'll figure this out :)