23: The First Council of Manwë

Námo woke to find himself still in Manwë’s embrace with Varda and Oromë on either side of them. The other Ayanumuz were ranged in a circle around them with a second outer ring of Máyar keeping watch. Manwë gave Námo a smile.

"Feeling better?" Manwë asked.

"Yes," Námo answered, though his tone was devoid of emotion. He pulled himself out of Manwë’s embrace, taking in the scene. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

"We came as soon as we heard your screams," Varda said. Námo’s aura went green with embarrassment, but Varda merely smiled. "Do not be ashamed, Námo," she told him. "You did the right thing, calling upon Atar. Your doing so allowed us to act."

Námo looked at Varda and Manwë with confusion. "I don’t understand," he said. "You would have let Melkor take me if I hadn’t...."

"Nay, child," Manwë said soothingly. "What my beloved means is that your calling upon Atar opened the way for us to act and to take the war to Melkor. Our Fallen Brother means to disrupt the creation of Atháraphelun for all that he also craves to rule it. You know this." Námo’s aura brightened slightly, indicating assent. "Melkor’s ambush was an attempt to forestall us, but it failed, because you refused him purchase. By calling upon Atar as you did, you have taken ownership of your own healing without the shadow of our Fallen Brother hovering over you."

"At the same time," Varda added, "now that we know you will not allow yourself to fall prey to Melkor’s seductions, we can concentrate our energies towards more useful endeavors besides guarding you."

"Is that what you’ve all been doing, guarding me?" Námo asked, looking at Oromë as he spoke.

"Say rather, we have made sure you were never out of our sight," Oromë replied smoothly. "We love you too much, my brother, to allow Melkor his way with you, but ultimately you had to take the first step in refusing him."

"We were never sure what hold Melkor might have over you, Námo," Manwë continued. "We needed to be sure that he had not suborned you."

"B-but would I not know?" Námo asked in confusion.

"My brother is great in the arts of Mind and Will, Námo," Manwë explained. "He could easily have overwhelmed your own will in such a way that you would not remember, but at a critical time, you would have turned on us, for you would have been his slave, even unknowingly."

Námo’s aura deepened in distress. "That time when I attacked Irmo... you thought I was... was acting for Melkor. You thought I was... already his?"

Manwë nodded. "The thought crossed our minds, but your own horror and remorse at what you had done convinced us that in that instance, at least, you were merely suffering from a flashback, nothing more. It did not, however, negate the possibility that in a future time you would betray us, however unwittingly."

"I’m never going to be free of him, am I?" Námo asked dejectedly, his aura dimming further.

Manwë took him in his embrace. "You don’t understand, child. The moment you called upon Atar you were forever free of him. He no longer has a hold on you. You’re free, Námo, though I suspect it will take a while for it to sink in."

"Free?" Námo asked. "I’m free?"

"Yes, my son," Manwë said with a sigh. "You’re free."

For a long moment Námo did not speak, merely allowing Manwë to hold him and comfort him. "Why don’t I feel as if I’m free?" he finally asked, his tone emotionless.

"As I said, it may take time for that reality to sink in, but believe it to be true, child." Manwë pulled out of the embrace to give the younger Ayanuz a loving look. "Welcome back, Námo," he said with all sincerity, giving him a kiss.

Then Varda took him in her embrace and gave him her own kiss, echoing Manwë’s words of welcome. After that the other Ayanumuz came and embraced Námo, each one welcoming back their brother, knowing that he was truly with them again. Oromë was the last to embrace him and the two held one another for some time, for by now Námo was overcome with emotion at the love and care that he felt from his brothers and sisters. It did not escape the notice of any of the Ayanumuz that the aurae of Námo’s People, helping to guard their Masters along with the other Máyar, went incandescent with pride and joy.

****

"I am calling a Council," Manwë stated to them before they disbanded to go about their usual tasks. The ring of Máyar had already been dismissed, leaving only the Ayanumuz. "The construction of Atháraphelun is going well, however, I am concerned about security. I believe Melkor is feeling desperate, else he would not have risked such a blatant ambush as he did."

"What do you hope to accomplish in this Council, that has not been decided already?" Oromë asked in curiosity. "We have all the Máyar on high alert. They are as prepared for an attack as they can be."

"Perhaps," Manwë conceded, "but there are other considerations that must needs be addressed. Therefore, you may all bring one of your People to Máhanumazphelun when I call for you. Choose wisely who you will have with you for we know that some of our People may be secretly in sympathy with Melkor."

"When choosing who among your Máyar will accompany you," Varda warned them, "consider their wisdom rather than their position. Your Chief Máya may well be suitable for this Council, but others there may be in your train who are perhaps wiser and... less haughty."

"We are aware of the hierarchical nature of our People in their dealings with one another," Manwë added. "I think that is also a topic we must discuss, for we cannot allow those who came forth from Atar’s Thoughts earlier than others to lord it over them. There may be a need for a chain of command but that chain should not be so strict as to bind us into a state of incapacity. I fear we must be more flexible in order that we may succeed in the mission that Atar has given us."

The others indicated their understanding of the Eldest’s instructions and then they were gone, except for Manwë, Varda, Námo and Oromë. For a time none of them spoke, then Manwë gave Námo a considering look. "What do you remember of the changing of the variable?"

"Everything," Námo exclaimed. "It was, oddly enough, one of the first memories that resurfaced while I was still hiding in the tenth dimension, though I did not understand its meaning. I only knew it was something not to be spoken of to anyone."

"You understand its significance now, though," Manwë stated. Námo indicated agreement. "Good, that’s good. At the Council we will determine the exact moment when the variable is to change. This is going to take massive coordination and cooperation amongst all of us." He paused and his aura, always a steady blue, deepened towards indigo, indicating deep thought, and possibly communion with Atar. The others remained respectfully quiet. Finally, Manwë’s aura returned to its normal hue. "I do not know if our ruse will work. Melkor must know we are planning something, but we must continue to act as if building the flat Atháraphelun is as Atar desires. To that end, Námo, I’m going to leave you to your own devices. When the time comes for the changing of the variable, you will be on your own with only your Máyar by your side. You will, in fact, be the only one of us not guarding the false Atháraphelun. Do you understand what I am asking of you, my son?"

Námo’s aura shifted slightly towards blue, indicating mild distress. "You want Melkor wondering why I’m not with you and perhaps dividing his forces between attacking the flat Atháraphelun and searching for me."

Manwë gave him a sympathetic look. "It is not an easy thing I ask of you, Námo, I know, but it is a necessary thing. Melkor’s forces are an unknown. I do not know how many of us he suborned before ever leaving the Timeless Halls. Not all who came with us stayed by us but fled into the vast reaches of the wastelands that we found when we first entered Eä. I want Melkor’s forces to be divided, either fruitlessly searching for you or attacking the false Atháraphelun. I want Melkor occupied, either with you or with our diversion, so he is unaware of what we are truly planning."

"Where should I hide?"

"You mistake me, child," Manwë said gently. "I want Melkor’s People to find you, but only at the very end when it’s too late. Your People will have to do their best to protect you."

"I don’t want them protecting me!" Námo said with some heat, his aura shifting towards the red spectrum. "I should be protecting them."

"Peace, Námo," Oromë said, taking the younger Ayanuz into his embrace. "You and I both know that alone you have the power to protect your People without half trying, but Manwë wants Melkor to believe you are still weak and unsure of yourself. Let your People play their part in the ruse."

"Melkor was able to keep you and me in one place by the force of his will," Námo retorted. "My People have no hope of stopping him from taking me if he so desires."

"I do not believe it will come to that, Námo," Manwë then said. "Melkor’s attention is going to be on our diversion. I have every intention of making it a spectacle and one thing I know about my brother is that he loves spectacles. He will want to be there so he may gloat when he supposedly has the victory over me. You should have no problem handling whichever of his People he sends after you."

Námo scowled. "I like it not," he declared, "but I appear not to have a choice in the matter."

"I regret this, Námo," Manwë said sorrowfully, "but I see no other way for us to succeed in establishing Atháraphelun without Melkor’s interference. Keeping his attention on two separate events means he’s not watching out for a third and we need his attention divided. In spite of what happened here, I do not think our Fallen Brother will give up his plans for you all too quickly. He will want to wreak his revenge upon you if nothing else."

Námo shuddered, knowing all too well just what kind of revenge Melkor would most likely take, but he finally agreed to Manwë’s plans. At that, the other three Ayanumuz went their separate ways while Námo remained behind, deep in thought.

****

The stars of the Children’s galaxy barely shifted a degree before Manwë called for his Council. When Námo arrived at the planet of meeting with his Chief Máya, Maranwë, he was intrigued to see whom the other Ayanumuz had brought. He was unsurprised to see that Therindë was with Vairë, or that Ulmo had brought Salmar. Nessa brought her own Chief Máya, Talmavar, while Irmo and Estë, even though not officially espoused, had pooled their People together and brought with them Melyanna and a young Máya named Ingil. Námo was not familiar with Ingil but Maranwë assured him that the Máya was very capable and, more importantly, loyal to both Irmo and Estë. Námo was amused to see that Oromë and Vána arrived together with Roimendil and Arien with them. He was surprised to see his sister Nienna with Tiutalion, for he just assumed that she would bring her own Chief Máya, Pallando, but he figured she had her reasons and dismissed it from his mind. The biggest surprise was Aulë and Yavanna’s choice. Cemendillë, Yavanna’s Chief Máya, was unsurprising, but that the other Máya was Aiwendil was. Námo liked Aiwendil, for he was an unassuming Máya, yet there was a deep inner core of profound wisdom coupled with a deprecating sense of humor that Námo found endearing. Contrary to expectations, though, Manwë and Varda appeared with three Máyar, rather than two: Eönwë, Olórin and Manveru.

"Eönwë is here as our official recorder of this Council," Manwë explained. "As such, he will remain completely impartial to the proceedings and will have no input."

Námo accepted that and fastened his attention on the other two Máyar. Manveru he knew, for he and Erunáro, his brother in the Thought of Atar, had often guarded his sleep when he first returned to Eä from the tenth dimension. Olórin he knew less well, but liked what he saw. The Máya seemed insatiable for new experiences, yet he was quite humble in his demeanor, listening more than speaking, and when offering his opinion, taking care with his thoughts and being as precise as possible so there was no mistaking his meaning. Námo had thought the Máya might even have taken oath to him once, but instead Olórin had cleaved to Manwë. He appeared happy in his choice.

Manwë greeted everyone by name, including the other Máyar, welcoming them to the Council. "The time draws near when Atháraphelun will be ready," he said without preamble. "Even now, the Máyar are putting in the finishing touches. I am well pleased with our progress. What we need to do now is coordinate our movements and those of our People, for I doubt me not that Melkor means to disrupt us in some fashion, whether to destroy Atháraphelun altogether or to take it for himself. So, let us devise our strategies and contingencies."

The debate was long and at one time it even became heated when Talmavar made disparaging remarks towards the words spoken by Ingil, who, as the youngest amongst them, was accused of speaking out of turn. Manwë addressed that situation immediately.

"I do not know who devised this hierarchy amongst the Máyar," the Eldest said coldly, "but I tell you plainly that we Ayanumuz are not best pleased with it. All are equal before us and before Atar. Even we Ayanumuz do not lord it over one another but treat one another as peers. The Máyar need to do the same."

"How then are we to know our place, Lord?" Talmavar asked querulously. "Those of us who are the Chief Máyar...."

"Are not always the oldest amongst you, are they?" Irmo interrupted mildly. "If we choose one amongst you to lead our People it is out of convenience rather than necessity. None of us who are Ayanumuz are so feeble of will that we cannot control you all with a single negligent thought." The aurae of every Máya there darkened in distress at that revelation. "We have usually chosen those who act as our Chief Máya for any number of reasons which need not be stated here."

"Look around you, Talmavar," his mistress ordered, as Nessa pointed out the other Máyar. "Not everyone here is the Chief Máya of their masters and mistresses. Does that not tell you something?"

Talmavar made his obeisance to his mistress, begging forgiveness for his presumption, which Nessa graciously gave. Most of the other Máyar, even Ingil, appeared uncomfortable seeing one of their fellows being reprimanded for something they had not thought to be a problem. Námo noticed that only Eönwë and Maranwë seemed unaffected by what had occurred. Eönwë’s aura never shifted from its pearlescent white and Námo marveled at the Máya’s ability to remain completely neutral. Maranwë’s normally sedate indigo aura, on the other hand, brightened, indicating satisfaction. Námo decided that later he would have to speak to his Chief Máya about it. He had the feeling that Maranwë was not happy with the power struggles of his fellows. He, himself, was not even the oldest among Námo’s own People, yet Námo had never detected any animosity between his Máyar because of it.

Manwë then spoke. "This matter will be discussed at a later time," he intoned. "At the moment, we have more pressing concerns. Ulmo and I have devised a strategy that should offer us the optimum leverage against Melkor." He paused and with a single thought brought to light the original model of the flat Atháraphelun and it’s surroundings. "So, as to the deployment of the Máyar, we have decided that Aulë and Yavanna’s People will be situated thirty degrees from galactic north along this line of defense...."

In the end, all was agreed upon and the Máyar were given their instructions. "We will make it clear to your fellows that you who have been brought to this Council have our full confidence," Manwë concluded, "and we expect them to obey whatever orders you issue. The Chief Máyar who were not brought to the Council will be given other tasks worthy of their stations. We do not wish for them to feel slighted, but your Masters chose you to attend for qualities they felt were most needed. It does not make you superior to your brethren, for you are not. Each of you is gifted by Atar with different talents and we Ayanumuz will exploit them as we see fit for the betterment of all and in fulfillment of Atar’s designs for Eä."

With these words he dismissed the Máyar, except for Eönwë. Then, in an unprecedented move Manwë ordered them all to incarnate. That was the first time since the Council began that Eönwë evinced any emotion, his aura darkening towards yellow in confusion. Námo noticed in amusement that the Máya was the last to comply with Manwë’s orders while the Ayanumuz followed the Eldest in clothing themselves readily enough. Manwë smiled upon the Máya, gesturing for him to stand before his Lord and Lady.

"We are well pleased with the way thou hast carried out our directives, my child," Manwë said with a smile. "Thou hast comported thyself with great discretion and humility in all that we have commanded of thee and so, we wish to reward thee for thy service to us."

"I need no reward, my lord," Eönwë said, "save the joy of continuing to serve thee to the best of my ability."

"Nevertheless, my son," Manwë said, his eyes glowing with amusement, "it is our desire to... um... promote thee."

Eönwë went completely still, not sure what Manwë meant, for was he not his lord’s Chief Máya? In what way could he be promoted? He knew that he was not as powerful as even the least of the Ayanumuz, so he did not think that they would elevate him to that status. Manwë’s smile deepened as he saw the confusion on the Máya’s face.

"You have been our Chief Máya and will remain so for all time," the Eldest intoned gravely, though there was a substratum of joy in his words, "but we have decided to also make thee our Herald and the Captain of our Host whene’er we must needs go to war. On thee will be the burden of command. So thou seest, my child, it is not truly a reward I give to thee, but an additional obligation, though it is one we feel thou canst easily bear."

For a moment the Máya merely stood staring at Manwë, trying to grasp his lord’s words, then slowly he fell to his knees. "But who will record my oath, lord, that I give to thee? I cannot record my own oath."

"I will," Námo said, stepping forward, "for I am the Doomsayer and I speak the fate of Eä as Atar directs, so it is meet that I hold thine oath at this time."

"And ultimately, thine oath will be kept by Atar, himself, as well thou knowest," Manwë added.

Eönwë nodded, then raised his hands in an attitude of allegiance, while Manwë held them between his own hands. "As Atar is my witness, here do I, Eönwë, Chief Máya of the People of Manwë, renew my allegiance unto my Lord as I accept this additional burden and joy as Herald and Captain of the Host of the Ayanumuz. I pledge to thee, my Lord, my love and obedience in all things as thou dost direct that I may continue to serve thee faithfully and with felicity."

"And I will reward such faithfulness with love and any failings with forgiveness," Manwë said, "for thou’rt my child given to me in trust by Atar for all time and beyond." He stooped down and lifted the Máya to his feet, embracing him and kissing him with the tenderness of a father towards his son.

No one was surprised to see Eönwë’s cheeks wet with tears as each of the other Ayanumuz took their turn in embracing the Máya and offering him their own blessings.