105: Consultation with Manwë

Arafinwë and Ingwion reached Vanyamar in the early afternoon on the day they left Valmar. Ingwion smiled at the sight of the city rising along a crest of Taniquetil with the royal residence perched on a high promontory overlooking the plains below. Banners and pennants flapped in the breeze and somewhere the silver note of a trumpet was rung announcing their arrival.

"It’s good to be home," the Vanyarin prince said, and Alassiel agreed.

They were met at the gates by an honor guard who escorted them to the palace where Ingwë, Elindis, Indil, Lirulin, Findis and Valandur were waiting for them in the forecourt. There were glad cries and warm hugs all around and once the travelers were divested of the dust of the road they all gathered together in the family sitting room, sipping a yellow wine.

"So, tell us all about it," Ingwë said once everyone was settled.

"Where do we begin?" Arafinwë said with a sigh.

"It’s always best to start at the beginning, yonya," Ingwë said with a smile.

Arafinwë gave him a wicked grin. "Well, let’s see… I was born in the year of the Trees…."

"Not that far back!" Ingwë exclaimed while everyone else laughed.

Arafinwë stuck his tongue out at the High King and then nodded, his expression more sober. "It’s a mess, Ingwë," he said with a shake of his head. "We have been very negligent in our duty towards these people who are our kin."

"Your kin and Olwë’s," Ingwë said. "None of the Vanyar…."

"Perhaps not," Arafinwë retorted with no little anger. "But they are elves, whatever their clan or history. We’ve been negligent and I fear that we will pay for it, all of us."

An uneasy silence hung over them for several long minutes before Ingwë turned to Ingwion. "Do you agree with Arafinwë?"

Ingwion nodded. "Yes, I do. I can see why the Valar want me to act as their emissary to Tol Eressëa."

"I am not sure why they need you, though," Indil said. "Can they not speak directly to the islanders?"

"Lord Námo told me that they prefer to work through me," Ingwion explained. "Even when three of the Valar visibly intervened in an incident that occurred in Avallónë, some people still did not accept what they said and we were ambushed…."

"Whoa!" Ingwë protested, raising a hand in surprise. "Ambushed? I think you had better tell us everything, from the beginning."

Both Arafinwë and Ingwion sighed. Then Arafinwë started speaking. "We arrived in Tavrobel where we were greeted by Gilvagor and Haldir who took us…."

****

It took a long time to tell the entire story. Ingwion interjected with the occasional comment but otherwise left it for Arafinwë to tell the tale. At one point, Elindis excused herself long enough to summon servants and order a light repast to be brought to them. Arafinwë was just getting to the part about the kidnapping by the miners of Angobel when Elindis insisted that they call a halt and take some refreshment. Arafinwë looked grateful, for the telling was tiring. By mutual consent, nothing was discussed while they ate, but soon the plates were pushed aside and goblets were refilled and with a nod from Ingwë, the narrative was resumed. When he began describing the ambush and how he and Alassiel were wounded, there were gasps of shock from everyone and Lirulin held her daughter close.

"I am fine, Ammë," the elleth protested. "Lord Eönwë healed me."

"That you were even attacked…." Lirulin exclaimed in distress.

"Morcocáno was always a hot-head," Arafinwë said. "Do you not remember that he was exiled to Formenos when he drew steel on Lord Herencáno when my brother ruled in Tirion?"

"A sorry affair," Ingwë said with a nod.

Ingwion gave Arafinwë a strange look. "You knew who he was all along," he said almost accusingly. "I remembered him but was surprised when you acted as if you did not, nor did Findaráto, so I kept silent."

"Of course, I remembered him, Ingwion," Arafinwë said with a grim smile, "but I decided to pretend that I did not just to see what would happen, and you recall that Morcocáno pretended that he did not know me from before as well. He was a member of a minor noble family who disowned him when he attacked Herencáno. As for Findaráto," here he shrugged, "I do not know if he remembers Morcocáno or not and I did not bother to ask. I suspect he does not, for he had little to do with the ellon save in that one instance."

Ingwion nodded and Ingwë spoke. "Pray continue. I trust that this was the worst that happened to any of you?"

Arafinwë nodded. "What followed was almost anticlimactic, though it was exciting in its own way. We visited Angobel and…."

****

"… Then Olwë and I walked out on the council meeting and we made plans to return to Aman as quickly as we could." Arafinwë finished his narrative and took a long sip of his wine, waiting to see what Ingwë and the others would say.

"A very troubling report," Ingwë finally said, frowning. "I see what you mean about our being negligent. You are correct, yonya, and I apologize if I sounded callous earlier. These people, whatever their kinship and history, are indeed elves and deserving of our aid, if they are willing to accept it."

"That’s the key," Valandur said, speaking for the first time. "They must want our aid else any overtures on our part are worse than useless."  Everyone nodded.

"Do you think this council will help?" Elindis asked.

"I think so," Arafinwë said. "Certainly it’s a start."

"And you want to have it here in Vanyamar?" Ingwë asked.

"It was my idea, Atar," Ingwion replied. "Tirion and Alqualondë won’t be suitable because Arafinwë and Olwë will be seen as biased. It is hoped that the Tol Eressëans will see you as neutral, especially if you appear to them as High King."

"They will not recognize my authority," Ingwë said.

"Most do not, being Sindar," Arafinwë stated, "but one thing we stressed throughout our progress was the fact that Tol Eressëa is as much a part of Aman as Eldamar proper and we all look to you as High King."

Ingwë nodded, furrowing his brow in thought. "The question is where to hold it. We don’t know how many will attend, assuming any will attend at all."

"I know," Arafinwë averred, "but if we can find a large enough hall where they can meet, accommodations can be found in the inns and taverns and estates of the nobles."

"If it weren’t winter we could have set up a tent city as we did for the tournament," Elindis said. "Well, obviously that will not work here, so we will see what we can come up with. Everything seems to depend on whether the council is held at all. It’s early yet. Mid-winter is still four months away."

"I am sure we will know definitely before long," Arafinwë said. "There are factions on the island who want the council to be held and they will pressure the others."

"In the meantime, what are your plans?" Ingwë asked.

"I want to consult with Lord Manwë about all this," Arafinwë answered. "I need to get a different perspective on what is going on. I know Findaráto is planning to speak with Lord Irmo."

"Let’s see… today is Elenya," Ingwë said. "I will be making my weekly visit to the Valar in four days. You should plan to accompany me and speak with Lord Manwë then."

Arafinwë nodded. "That sounds good. Perhaps before we go you, Ingwion, Valandur and I can sit down and hash all this out, come to some firm decisions to present to the Valar."

"That’s what we will do, then," Ingwë said and then they decided to go their separate ways to ready themselves for the evening meal.

****

Four days later, on Valanya, Arafinwë accompanied Ingwë and Ingwion up the mountain to meet with the Valar. When they were admitted into the audience chamber, it was to find only Lord Manwë there to greet them. He was standing on the balcony overlooking the mountains, apparently communing with one of his Eagles. He turned as Eönwë announced them, giving them a warm smile.

"Ah, the travelers return," he said, stepping into the room and gesturing towards a group of chairs around a low table. "Come. Let us sit and we will speak."

"Will not the other Valar be joining us, lord?" Ingwë asked, clearly puzzled, for it was rare not to have at least most of the Valar there when he came each Valanya to offer his respect.

"Some may join us later," Manwë said as he poured some wine into goblets and handed them out, "but for now, I thought it best that it just be us. I know you have much to speak to me about, Arafinwë and you, Ingwion, also."

"I’m sure you know as much if not more than any of us do about what has been happening of late, my lord," Arafinwë said with a slightly sardonic twist of his lips.

"Undoubtedly," Manwë replied with a small smile, his eyes brightening with humor, "but that is not to say we know everything, nor do we know your own thoughts on the subject, though we have made some shrewd guesses of our own based on what we do know. So, tell me what you wish. I know you are troubled by what you found and experienced on Tol Eressëa."

Both Arafinwë and Ingwion nodded. "Except in Tavrobel," Ingwion said, "the leadership on the island is noticeably anti-Aman, perhaps even anti-Valar."

Manwë nodded. "There are some few who have reason not to trust us," he said with equanimity. "Yet, I think the majority of the people there are less concerned about us and more concerned about themselves. They want to be left alone to live their lives, but at the same time, many, I suspect, feel that there is a true lack of leadership."

"It is a pity that none of the Noldorin royal family in Beleriand survived to lead these people," Ingwë said.

"Oh, there are survivors," Arafinwë retorted, "my daughter, for one, and my great-great grandson, for another. Unfortunately, my daughter was not permitted to return and Ereinion had no wish to, having been born in Beleriand, so he now rules over those who have chosen to remain in the Outer Lands."

"Your daughter would not have come even if we did not forbid her," Manwë said gently.

"And I do not understand why she should be so punished," Arafinwë retorted, "but that is a subject for another time. She is not here, nor is my great-great grandson. My son will not rule either, and none of the others who were kings in Beleriand are yet released from Mandos. We certainly cannot wait for one of them to be released, for there is no telling how long that might be. We need to find a solution now, or rather, we need to help the Tol Eressëans find a solution. Sador was correct when he said that Tol Eressëa is an explosion waiting to happen. It’s a miracle that it hasn’t exploded already."

"I thought the kidnapping and then Morcocáno’s ambush was the start of it, myself," Ingwion interjected, "but luckily the situation was defused in time. It still left some bad feelings all around, though."

"Kortirion did not help, either," Arafinwë admitted with a rueful look. "I wonder if Olwë and I were correct in doing what we did?"

"Second guessing yourself is a futile exercise, Pityahuan," Manwë said with a shake of his head. "I thought I taught you that lesson a long time ago."

Arafinwë nodded, looking a little sheepish. "You did, but it’s not a lesson I have ever been comfortable with."

"None of us are," Manwë averred. "We are all tempted to fall into that particular trap."

"Even you?" Ingwion asked without thinking and then started muttering an apology, looking suitably chagrined while Ingwë and Arafinwë exchanged amused glances.

Manwë just laughed, not at all insulted. "Even I, young Ingwion, even your atar, even you, if I remember correctly." The Elder King gave him a shrewd look and Ingwion nodded. "It goes with the territory," Manwë continued. "But as I said, it is an exercise in futility for it gets you nowhere. What is done is done and wondering what should have been done or not done does nothing to correct the situation, if it needs correcting. Deal with the consequences as they are, not as you would wish them to be."

"And the consequences may be that the council is not held and nothing changes on Tol Eressëa," Ingwion said morosely.

"No," Arafinwë retorted. "We will not let that happen. There will be a council, I assure you."

"Do you mean to force one on them?" Manwë asked in a neutral tone, thus giving nothing away as to how he felt.

"No, but there are those who want this council to be held and it will be for them that we will hold it."

"But if they have no authority…." Ingwion started to say but Arafinwë shook his head.

"They will have the authority because it will be given to them by the Valar."

"Is that why you have come then, Pityahuan?" Manwë asked in a mild tone.

Arafinwë nodded. "I am asking you to grant authority to those who are willing to work on a solution."

"What about those who presently hold authority but do not attend?" Ingwë demanded. "How do you think they will feel about it?"

"They will not be happy," Arafinwë replied with a wry grin.

Ingwë and Ingwion both snorted at that. "An understatement if I ever heard one," Ingwë muttered. "I think you’re playing a dangerous game, yonya," he said with a shake of his head. "It seems to me that you want to force…."

"No, Ingwë, we do not want to force anything on anyone, but we need to make it very clear to those who are resistant to all this that if they are not willing to be a part of the solution then they will simply be considered a part of the problem and will lose out."

"Still, it’s a risky ploy," Manwë said, "yet, it does have its merits. My brethren and I have been having similar discussions along those same lines, though we have come to no firm conclusions, preferring to wait and see how you Children are handling it." He paused for a moment and the three elves had the distinct feeling that the Elder King was bespeaking to others, for he nodded as if in agreement to something unheard by them and smiled. "Very well, Arafinwë, you will have our support and our endorsement. We will grant authority to any who come to the council to speak for the rest of the island."

"Thank you, my lord," Arafinwë said.

"And since we Valar will necessarily be a part of this, I think it will be a good idea to hold the council either in Valmar or here in Ilmarin," Manwë added.

All three elves gave him looks of surprise. "Valmar!?" Ingwë exclaimed.

"Or Ilmarin," Manwë said with a faint smile. "Which place do you think will impress them the most?"

For a moment the three elves just stared at one another, not really sure if the Elder King was being serious. Then, Ingwion shrugged. "If they come to Valmar and see the different clans working and living side-by-side as they serve the Valar, it might help them to see how they can live in harmony with one another and with us, but Ilmarin is definitely more impressive to my mind."

Both Ingwë and Arafinwë nodded. "Both sites are equally impressive, though for different reasons," Ingwë said. "I like the idea of the Tol Eressëans seeing the elves living in Eldamas working together along side the Maiar. I think that will impress them even more than any building will however grand it might be."

"Then we will consider that," Manwë said. "In the meantime, continue as you have. Wait until the month’s end. If no one from Tol Eressëa approaches you, then seek out those whom you think are willing to work towards change and invite them here for the council. I think we Valar might send some personal invitations of our own." He gave them a brilliant smile and all three ellyn smiled back, the image the Elder King’s words evoked amusing them. "Good. Then, I will bid you a good day, my children. You have done well, all of you. We Valar have high hopes for your success and will endeavor to aid you in whatever way we can."

It was clearly a dismissal and the three elves rose and gave Manwë their obeisance before exiting the chamber with Eönwë escorting them out. When they were gone, the other Valar appeared. Námo gave the Elder King a sardonic look. "Which do you think will impress them the most?" he asked and Manwë shrugged, gracing them with a slight smile.

"So you are intent on hosting this council?" Varda demanded.

"You can see the advantage of our doing so, can you not, meldanya," Manwë said, giving his spouse a kiss. "If we are hosting the council, it gives us a legitimate reason to be involved and perhaps to influence events to the benefit of us all. This situation in Tol Eressëa needs to be resolved now before any true healing can begin. You know this."

Varda nodded, though her expression was still unhappy. "I do, but it does not mean I like it."

"Actually, none of us do," Irmo said. "Yet, it makes sense that we have a hand in all this. If the council is held elsewhere, unless the Children specifically invite us, we would not be able to participate. This way, we can insist on having the right to observe the proceedings if nothing else."

"I would think that we would want to do more than observe," Ulmo opined. "After all, we could do that easily enough without them even knowing it."

"True, but this way we show them that we are willing to abide by their rules and customs of conduct," Manwë replied. "That will be important to the islanders. Most have had no real experience in dealing with us face-to-face."

"Well, that is true for most of the Children of Eldamar," Námo said with an amused snort.

"But they do have the experience of encountering the odd Maia or two," Nienna pointed out and the others all nodded.

Then Manwë turned to Irmo. "You spoke with Arafinwion," he stated and the Lord of Lórien nodded.

"He was in a great deal of psychic pain," Irmo said, "but I think he will recover quickly enough now that he is back where he belongs. He has agreed to wait until he hears from his atar about the council before he makes any plans of his own. I have encouraged him to continue cultivating the friends he made among the islanders and to strengthen his ties to the Reborn living there. I am hoping that it will be enough to encourage some of them to insist on a council."

"So, if we are agreed to host the council at the winter solstice here in Valmar, the next question is: which of us is willing to give over their mansion for the event?" Námo said with a sly smile.

"Are you volunteering?" Nienna asked her brother.

"I doubt if the Children will appreciate having to walk your maze every time they wish to enter the council chamber, Námo, especially if they know that when they have done so they will either faint or throw up each time," Varda said and everyone laughed, including Námo.

"Still, the idea has its appeal," Tulkas retorted once they calmed down. "I bet it would be an incentive not to linger too long in Valmar and get the council over with as soon as possible. Then Varda can get on with sweeping the place out." He gave her a wink and she rewarded him with a scowl, though none of the others were fooled. Varda loved the Children as fiercely as any of them, but she did have this thing about clean floors.

"Perhaps we should consider taking turns hosting the council at a different mansion each day that the council lasts," suggested Nessa and the others all liked that idea and agreed to it.

"Then Varda and I will host them on the first day," Manwë said. "We will decide later the order in which the rest of you will host them."

"And how long do you anticipate this council will last?" Yavanna asked.

The Elder King shrugged. "It will take as long as it will take and no longer," he replied.

There was a sigh that came from everywhere and nowhere at that and silence fell on Ilmarin as the Valar contemplated many things.