PASS: Cleft of Light

SUMMARY: Even in the bliss of Aman, not all is well with the Eldar.

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"There is something amiss with the Children," Irmo said, addressing his fellow Valar as they met in Manwë and Varda’s mansion in Valmar.

"Amiss?" Varda asked in disbelief. "In what way? Do they not thrive under the Light of the Trees? We have given them fair dwellings amidst the radiant gardens of Valinor. How can there be anything amiss?"

"And yet there is," Irmo replied. "Estë and I have begun to detect a listlessness among them and a sense of pining, though for what, we are not sure."

"Perhaps we should ask the Children themselves if there is aught amiss with them," Námo suggested and they all nodded.

"Let us summon Ingwë and Finwë, then," Manwë said and with a word to Eonwë the two kings were called before the Valar.

Ingwë and Finwë were a study in contrast. Whereas Ingwë was bright and golden with his fair hair and deep blue eyes, Finwë was dark, his locks a shade that was almost black but his eyes were a brilliant grey-blue. Both were tall, though not as tall as any of the Maiar, yet they were lordly in bearing and the Valar treated them with respect, more as equals than as vassals.

"I thank ye both for coming," Manwë said to them as the two Elves gave him their obeisance. "Lord Irmo and Lady Estë have brought to our attention that all may not be well with ye and your people."

The two kings exchanged glances before Ingwë answered. "Is it that obvious, lord? We did not wish for thee to think us ungrateful...."

Manwë raised his hand to still the Elf’s words. "If there is aught amiss, Ingwë, it behooves thee to speak of it. We want only your happiness."

"We miss the stars," Finwë whispered, almost as if he feared the Valar’s reaction to his words.

"Excuse me?" Manwë asked, though he was well aware of what the Noldóran had said.

Finwë cast a concerned look at Ingwë who nodded encouragingly. The ellon swallowed nervously before replying. "The stars, lord. We miss...."

"Dost thou wish to return to the lands whence thou hast come?" Manwë interrupted, frowning slightly. He truly loved these bright and inquisitive Children and it would have grieved him — grieved all of them — if they were to leave Aman.

Both Elves looked stricken. "Nay, lord," Ingwë protested, going to one knee. Finwë followed suit. "Aman is our home and we rejoice that ye have consented to allow us to live amongst ye, but....."

"But ye miss the stars," Varda completed the thought for him. Both kings nodded, their expressions one of dismay.

"Then the stars ye shall have," Aulë declared as he stood.

"What do you propose, brother?" Ulmo asked.

Aulë answered, "The pass by which the Children entered Aman winds along a region of the Pelóri that is lower than the mountains on either side of it. It would be easy enough to open the pass completely, carve out a cleft that will permit the light of Varda’s stars to be seen here in Aman."

"Easy enough to do, perhaps," Námo commented, stroking his chin in contemplation, "but still a lot of work. It will take time to accomplish even if we employ every available Maia to the project."

"And what do we do with all the rubble?" Oromë asked.

"Some of it can be used in my smithy," Aulë ventured, "but certainly not all."

"Perhaps we can use it to create some islands so that Tol Eressëa will no longer be the only one," suggested Yavanna.

Námo, however, shook his head, his expression going dark. "Nay. The time for building islands is not yet, though it may come sooner than we might wish."

Ingwë and Finwë stared at the Lord of Mandos with much awe and trepidation, not sure how to react to Námo’s words. The other Valar appeared to take them in stride, for no one disputed them.

"So islands are out," Manwë said contemplatively. "Well, we will work out the logistics later. In the meantime, are we agreed that this cleft should be created so as to give back to the Children the stars?"

"And at the same time allow easier access between the three kindreds," Varda added, casting a brilliant smile upon the two Elves, both of whom nodded eagerly, for they regretted that Olwë and his people had elected to remain on Tol Eressëa.

Manwë nodded in agreement, well aware of how Finwë especially missed his friend Olwë. He turned to the Lord of Waters. "What sayest thou, my brother Ulmo?" he asked formally.

Ulmo stood and gave Manwë a brief nod. "I say thee yea," he answered before retaking his seat.

"And thou, Nienna?" Manwë asked next.

Nienna stood and gave Manwë a brief nod as well. "I also say thee yea," she said before sitting again.

One by one, each of the other Valar stood and cast their vote. Námo was the last to stand and he did not speak immediately but regarded the two Elves with grave eyes. Neither could meet his gaze.

"Morimando?" the Elder King asked.

Námo raised his eyes to Manwë. "Túna," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"Some of the rubble from the excavation can be used to create an artificial hill upon which the Children might build their own city. The hill will be called Túna." Námo cast a glance at the two Elves and smiled, which actually alarmed them. "What the city might be called we can leave to the Children to decide."

"Ah, I see," Manwë said with a slight smile at the disconcerted expressions on the two kings’ faces. "Then it is unanimous. We will open up the pass in the Pelóri so the Children may once again walk under the stars."

The two elves bowed deeply to Manwë. "We thank thee, lord," Ingwë said, speaking for both of them. "Thy forbearance to our whim...."

"It is neither a forbearance on our part nor a whim on yours, Ingwë," Manwë interrupted with a benign smile. "We do this because we love thee and thy people and we always will."

The two Elves nodded, though the Valar still detected a sense of uncertainty as to their sincerity but they knew that deeds speak louder than words and in time the Children would see that the Valar truly had only their best interests in mind.

"So what are we to call this cleft once it is formed?" Oromë asked musingly.

"Ingwë’s Folly?" Námo replied, giving the Elves a wink. They both started at the levity while the Valar all laughed.

"We’ll figure that out later as well," Manwë said as he stood, the other Valar following him. "Come. Let us summon the Maiar and begin."

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Noldóran: (Quenya) King of the Noldor.

Ellon: (Eldarin) Male Elf.

Morimando: (Quenya) Dark Mandos. Námo’s title when he sits in Judgment.