16: Beleg and Butterflies

Finrod and Glorfindel stared at the fëa standing uncertainly beside them, unsure what had happened. Beleg, himself, was gazing about, a puzzled look on his face.

"B-beleg?" Finrod finally whispered.

The fëa turned his attention back to Finrod and smiled. *I found you,* he said, bespeaking them in ósanwë.

"How...." Glorfindel asked.

Beleg pointed to the pendant still glowing in Glorfindel’s hands. *I followed that and... and then the butterflies....* Now the fëa appeared uncertain again.

Finrod and Glorfindel both nodded. "We saw the butterflies," Finrod said, "just before you arrived."

Beleg smiled, his eyes glowing with delight. *Were they not beautiful?*

Both Finrod and Glorfindel smiled at the unalloyed joy in their gwador’s eyes. "Yes, they were very beautiful," Glorfindel answered. "Beleg... why are you here only in fëa?"

Beleg gave them a startled look and glanced down at himself before raising his eyes again and they could see him struggling to remember what happened. *I... we were at the royal hunting lodge... Sador, Laurendil and Prince Ingwion... and I... and... Lord Oromë. He declared a Hunt and told us how to... find you. The others were right behind me but somehow we got separated.*

Finrod and Glorfindel exchange confused looks, not sure what their gwador was saying, but that hardly mattered, because just then they received several more visitors. The air about them shimmered with blinding lights that hurt the eyes of the two ellyn who were in hröa and then Lords Námo, Oromë and Manwë were there, all looking concerned.

Before any of the Valar could speak, Beleg started whimpering, his eyes on Oromë. *I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to disobey you, lord, but the butterflies... they were so beautiful and they told me to follow them, and....*

"They told you!?" Glorfindel exclaimed.

Beleg nodded, looking suddenly bereft. It was Námo who spoke then, gesturing to the fëa. "Come to me, child," he said not unkindly and long ingrained habit of obedience to the Lord of Mandos took over and Beleg — floated was the only word to describe it — to stand next to Námo, who smiled gently down at the ellon. "You cannot stay here, Beleg," he said, "you must return to your hröa."

*How?*

"I will help you there," Námo replied.

"First, though," Manwë interjected, "we need to discover how he came to be here and what it might portend."

"I brought them to the royal hunting lodge and had Ingwion link them mind-to-mind," Oromë explained aloud for the benefit of Finrod and Glorfindel. "I intended for them to use their bonds of love for Finrod and Glorfindel to find them. I think the fact that these two," he nodded towards the two incarnates, "are Reborn is the key to solving this problem."

"And you decided to send other Reborn to help," Manwë stated.

Oromë nodded. "Something Námo has been saying all along about the fëar of the Reborn existing on a slightly different plane of reality from the Once-born has been nagging at me and then I finally put the pieces together. It will take other Reborn to bring them back."

"Yes, but how?" Námo asked, looking more intrigued than confused. "If you think I’m going to re-embody these two again, you’re sorely mistaken."

"What do you mean, ‘re-embody again’?" demanded Glorfindel, looking nonplused. "You mean we have to die to get back home?" His expression was one of horror at the thought and Finrod’s expression was an exact mirror. Both ellyn, in fact, unconsciously began backing away from Námo and the other Valar, taking a side-by-side stance as if confronting enemies, though neither one had a weapon in their hands.

Námo, however, ignored Glorfindel’s questions, his attention still on Oromë. "What did you hope to accomplish with this Hunt of yours, brother?"

"The purpose was to use Sador and Beleg as a bridge for Finrod and Glorfindel to cross over," Oromë answered. "I never intended for Beleg and the others to actually leave their hröar the way they did."

"Beleg," Manwë asked, "what did you sense? What led you here?"

Beleg stared at Manwë, somewhat in awe of the Elder King, and did not answer immediately. *I am not sure, Lord,* he finally answered hesitantly. *I... I could somehow sense Glorfindel but not Finrod and yet....*

"Go on, child," Námo said encouragingly. "What else?"

Beleg looked up at the Lord of Mandos. *I think it was the pendant,* he answered, pointing at the now quiescent jewels that Glorfindel still held. *I think that’s what drew me here... wherever here is.*

Oromë nodded and gave Námo a wry smile. "You’ve been saying all along that Aulë’s pendant was the key. Perhaps we should bring him into this discussion as well."

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, there was another shimmering of lights and then the Smith of Arda stood before them. "What’s this about the pendant?"

Námo merely pointed to where Glorfindel was standing and Aulë gave the ellon an amused glance. "Hmph... never thought it would work."

"Never thought what would work?" Manwë asked. His tone was mild but the other Valar all recognized that this was their Elder King speaking, not their Elder Brother in Atar’s Thought, and the elves were surprised to see them straighten.

"When Ingwë commissioned the piece," Aulë explained, "something told me it would be wise to imbue it with certain properties other than its usual ones."

"Something or Someone?" Manwë asked knowingly and Aulë nodded.

"I guess," he gave them a wry grin, "though in truth at the time I merely followed the prompting of my heart and really didn’t question whence it came."

"Atar often works that way," Námo said with a smile of his own.

"What properties though?" Oromë asked.

Aulë spread his hands and looked apologetic. "That’s just it. I have no idea. I simply imbued it with part of my power but nothing specific, yet I knew, even as I was doing so, the pendant was being charged for a certain purpose."

"This gets us nowhere," Oromë complained, a scowl marring his fair features.

"On the contrary," Manwë objected. "It gets us that much closer to a solution."

Námo nodded. "Until Finrod and Glorfindel actually examined the pendant together, nothing happened. Only when they did so, coinciding with the other ellyn searching for them through their fëar, did we see any kind of result."

*And don’t forget the butterflies,* Beleg added, his tone one of awe and delight at the memory of them.

Námo smiled down at the fëa and nodded. "The butterflies are also part of the key." He looked up at his fellow Valar. "Remember the nermir?"

"That is how we found you when you were lost," Manwë said with a smile and the other Valar nodded in agreement, while the three elves, who seemed to have been forgotten, just stared at Námo in surprise and confusion. Manwë turned to Oromë. "What’s happening back at the lodge?"

"Roimendil is maintaining Beleg’s hröa while my other Maiar are trying to calm the Children down," Oromë replied. "Sador, especially, is upset."

"And we need him to be calm if we’re to do this," Námo said. "I’ll go speak to him. Oromë, keep an eye on Beleg. If he shows any sign of distress, alert me."

*Am I going to die again, lord?* Beleg asked Námo with some concern. Námo gave him a gentle smile.

"No, child, but it is too dangerous for you to be outside your hröa for very long. You and Sador are the bridge that will allow your gwedyr to return to you, but we can do nothing until he is calm. Stay close to Oromë until I return."

"Tell Sador from me to stop making a scene and listen to what you have to say," Finrod spoke up just then giving the Lord of Mandos a knowing look. Námo raised an eyebrow at that but made no comment as he faded from view.

For a long moment no one else said anything, then Glorfindel sighed, staring ruefully down at his pendant. "I think I should have just stayed in Mandos," he uttered with a slight scowl.

Finrod put an arm around his shoulders and kissed him on the brow. "But just think of all the fun you would’ve missed otherwise," he said with a grin. Glorfindel gave him a jaundiced look, while Beleg snickered and the Valar smiled indulgently.

****

Námo emerged into a scene of complete chaos. Roimendil was still seated with Beleg’s motionless body in his arms, though the Lord of Mandos could see that the elf continued to breathe, albeit very slowly, an indication that there was still a connection between hröa and fëa. Laurendil, Ingwion and Sador were all shouting angrily at three other Maiar who were attempting to calm them down without success.

"SILENCE!"

The noise level dropped immediately and the three elves stared at Námo in shock and not a little fear, for the Lord of Mandos was frowning and that was never a good sign. The four Maiar actually looked relieved and gave Námo their obeisance, although Roimendil was only able to give an abbreviated bow, still encumbered with Beleg’s hröa. Námo acknowledged the Maiar’s bows with a nod of his head and then pointedly stared at the three ellyn, who belatedly gave him their own obeisance.

"That’s better," Námo said in a voice as cold as any sepulchre. "Aldarondur, make us some tea," he ordered the Maia, who bowed and made his way to the kitchen. "Laurendil, Ingwion, take a walk and clear your heads. Don’t come back until you are calmer. Ulcuroitar, Tirnotaurion, go with them."

The two Maiar bowed and herded the two ellyn out the door. By now the rain had lessened so it was not as wet as it had been earlier. Neither Laurendil nor Ingwion bothered with cloaks as they left. Sador could not take his eyes off Námo, however much he wanted to. Námo, for his part, ignored the ellon for the moment, bending down to check on Beleg’s condition and to speak softly to the Maia. Roimendil nodded and rose, carrying his charge up the stairs to the loft, presumably to put him to bed. Now Sador was alone with the Lord of Mandos, who gave the ellon his full attention.

"I know you are upset," Námo said somewhat coldly, "and understandably so, but your hysterics will not help Beleg or your gwedyr."

Sador felt himself redden in embarrassment and he cringed slightly at the Vala’s tone. "I’m sorry," he whispered. "Please, where’s Beleg? Is... is he dead?"

Námo sighed and placed his hands on Sador’s shoulders. "No, child, he is not dead, but he soon will be if we do not hurry."

"Wh-what happened?"

Námo shook his head. "Not important at the moment. What is important is that you and Laurendil and Ingwion need to remain calm if we are to help Beleg as well as Finrod and Glorfindel. Ah... here’s Aldarondur with the tea."

The Maia entered with a tray covered with the usual paraphernalia used to make tea along with a plate of sweet biscuits. Námo nodded as Aldarondur placed the tray on the table and began pouring the tea, handing a cup to a bemused Sador. A few moments later, Laurendil and Ingwion came back inside, looking both wet and sheepish. Námo pointed upstairs. "Go dry yourselves off, then come down and have some tea. We do not have much time, but I want you all completely calm before we continue."

Laurendil and Ingwion did as they were ordered and a few minutes later they were back downstairs looking drier though no less sheepish. They accepted the tea and biscuits with quiet thanks and for a while there was silence, save for the sounds of the elves sipping their tea or munching on a biscuit. Finally, when Námo gauged that they were as calm as they were ever likely to be under the circumstances, he spoke.

"Beleg is safe and unharmed," he began without preamble, "and he is with Finrod and Glorfindel." He raised his hand to stem the onslaught of questions that threatened to pour from the mouths of the three elves. "Explanations later. Right now, Beleg’s life hangs in the balance and we need to get your gwedyr back home now or I fear they may never return."

That silenced all questions and protests. "What do we do, Master?" Ingwion asked humbly.

"Sador is the key, at least at this end," Námo replied, ignoring the look of surprise and dismay on the ellon’s face. "Beleg is the key at the other end. Together they will form the bridge that will open the way for Finrod and Glorfindel to return. You, Ingwion, and Laurendil must be the anchors to keep Sador from following where Beleg has gone."

"So what is it we’re supposed to do exactly?" Laurendil asked, his frustration plain.

"Oromë will tell you," Námo said. "Remember, calm is the watchword of the day." The three elves nodded their understanding and then Námo faded from view almost at the same time as Oromë appeared looking grim.

"This is what you are to do, my children," he said softly and the three ellyn gave him their full attention.

****

"Everything settled at the other end?" Manwë asked Námo as the Vala reappeared before him. Námo nodded.

"Oromë is giving them their instructions even now. It just remains for us to set things up at this end." He turned to Beleg, whose features were more indistinct than they had been, a sign that the link between fëa and hröa was beginning to fade. "Beleg, I want you to see if you can sense Sador the way you could sense Glorfindel. Concentrate on the bond you and he have begun to forge between you. Can you feel him, child?"

For a moment, Beleg did not answer, his expression one of deep concentration, and then his eyes cleared somewhat and he nodded as he looked directly at Námo. *Aye, lord, I can. Now what?*

Námo sighed, glancing at Manwë and Aulë, both of whom nodded their support. "Finrod, Glorfindel, listen very carefully," the Lord of Mandos said. "I cannot tell you exactly what will happen, but you must not resist us, whatever we do." The two ellyn nodded, looking troubled. "Come stand here in front of Beleg," Námo ordered and the two elves moved to stand about three feet from their gwador as the Vala directed. "Glorfindel, put your pendant around your neck," he continued. "Both of you put your arms around each other, yes, like that, and now hold the pendant in your other hands."

Aulë and Manwë stood behind Finrod and Glorfindel while Námo turned back to Beleg, sending a silent word to Oromë to alert him that all was in readiness at their end. "Beleg," Námo then said, "I want you to imagine a door before you. It matters not what kind it is. Can you see it, child?"

Beleg nodded, his features strained with concentration. "Good, now, concentrate on Sador. Feel the bond between you," Námo continued with his instructions. "When you feel the bond is as strong as it can be, open the door. You will see a hallway. It matters not how long or short, only that at the other end is another door that is also opening."

Finrod and Glorfindel saw Beleg’s fëa fade slightly as he continued to follow Námo’s instructions. Then it seemed to come more into focus and his features lightened with success. *Yes, I see the other door and it’s opening,* he exclaimed.

"This will be the tricky part," Námo said to the other two Valar who nodded. Námo gave the two elves a brief smile. "Whatever happens, my children, do not let go of each other or the pendant." Finrod and Glorfindel exchanged concerned looks, standing there uncertainly, waiting for they knew not what, but nodded their understanding of the Vala’s instructions. They noticed though that Beleg’s fëa was beginning to glow, as was the pendant, and then the air between them began to shimmer. Without warning a host of butterflies appeared directly between Beleg and the other two elves. "Now!" Námo shouted. Before Finrod and Glorfindel could react, they felt Aulë and Manwë grab them from behind and shove them forward.

They both yelled in surprise as they found themselves in the midst of the butterflies. Then the winged creatures simply were not there, but neither were Finrod nor Glorfindel.

****

Oromë had made the three ellyn sit side-by-side on the settee, holding hands. Sador was in the middle with the Maiar standing behind their assigned charges. Even as Námo was instructing Beleg, Oromë was doing the same with Sador. Laurendil and Ingwion were lending the younger ellon their support, keeping him grounded within his hröa.

"Open the door, Sador," Oromë instructed, "and see another door opening at the other end of a hallway. It matters not how long or short it is."

Sador nodded, his eyes closed in concentration. "I see it, lord," he whispered.

"Good," Oromë said encouragingly. "You’re doing well, best beloved. Keep your door open until I tell you otherwise." Sador nodded, unaware that Aldarondur now had his hands on the elf’s shoulders, for this would be the most dangerous part of what they were attempting.

Suddenly, the space in front of Sador went incandescent and there was a silent explosion as butterflies of every shape and hue burst out of nothingness only to disappear again in another flash, leaving behind two bodies lying unconscious at Sador’s feet.

"Now, Sador!" Oromë cried. "Close the door!"

At the same time, the other two Maiar acted, gently but insistently breaking the handholds that Laurendil and Ingwion had with Sador, severing the link between them. All three elves gave great shuddering cries and slumped into unconsciousness.

For a moment there was silence as Oromë and the Maiar gazed upon the five unconscious ellyn, breathing sighs of relief that they had succeeded in bringing the lost home. Then, from up in the loft, Beleg began screaming.