PART ONE: PRELUDE TO DARKNESS

‘Shall they walk in darkness while we have light?

Shall they call Melkor lord while Manwë sits upon Taniquetil?’

— Quenta Silmarillion III

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1: Seeds of Darkness Sown

Year of the Trees 1490:

"Ingwion! Wait up!"

Ingwion, Haryon of the Vanyar and Prince of Eldamar, turned at the sound of his name and smiled. Running towards him was his twin brother, Ingalaurë, better known as Ingil to family and friends.

"What’s the matter, Little Brother?" Ingwion asked with a smile, knowing how irked Ingalaurë would be at being called that.

True to form, Ingalaurë scowled. "You’re never going to let me forget that I am only five minutes younger than you."

Ingwion laughed and gave his twin a hug. "Not when it’s so much fun watching you fume."

"Hah!" was Ingalaurë’s only reply, though he smiled and gave his brother a playful punch on the shoulder. Although they were twins they were not identical. Ingwion had inherited his atar’s features while Ingalaurë favored Elindis. Both had inherited Ingwë’s famous temper and Elindis’ love of poetry. The twins were, in fact, inseparable.

"What is it, Ingil?" Ingwion asked.

"Have you not heard?"

Ingwion shook his head.

"Fëanáro of the House of Finwë has been summoned by the Valar to the Máhanaxar to answer for his attack on his brother Ñolofinwë."

"Half-brother," Ingwion corrected absently, "and when did this happen?" He had just returned to Vanyamar after spending a couple of weeks in Lórien visiting some friends who were apprentice healers and had not had time to learn all that had occurred while he was away.

"Yes, half-brother." Ingalaurë accepted the correction with equanimity then gave his twin a smug look. "See what happens when you go away?"

Ingwion merely shook his head and gestured for Ingalaurë to join him. "I was on my way to pay my respects to Atto and Ammë. Why don’t you tell me on the way."

Ingalaurë nodded. "It happened only four or five days ago," the younger son of Ingwë and Elindis of the Vanyar said. "I don’t know all the details and it seems that rumor is running rampant and far ahead of the truth." Ingwion nodded, knowing full well that what Ingalaurë said was true. "Apparently Fëanáro suffered a fit or something and actually drew steel on Ñolofinwë and threatened him." Ingalaurë continued.

Ingwion shook his head. "Madness," was his only comment.

Ingalaurë nodded in agreement. "Ñolofinwë suffered no injury but the Valar would not tolerate the disturbance of their Peace so Fëanáro has been summoned to appear before Lord Manwë at the Máhanaxar on next Valanya."

Ingwion whistled. He never cared for the hot-headed eldest son of Finwë of the Noldor so was not surprised to hear he had landed himself in trouble. "Do you think he will obey the summons?"

Ingalaurë looked shocked at the inference. "Why would he disobey a summons from the Valar? Do you think he can hide anywhere in Aman, indeed anywhere in Arda, and the Valar cannot find him?"

Ingwion just shook his head as they continued down the corridor towards their parents’ private sitting room. The brothers walked in silence as Ingwion digested the news. The Noldor were ever restless, more so than any of the other Elven clans. That restlessness, his atar had said, would cause trouble in the future. It was one reason, though not necessarily the main one, why Ingwë had moved his people closer to Taniquetil. The High King of the Vanyar feared that the Noldor’s restlessness would affect his own people. The Vanyar, for the most part, were content to sit at the feet of the Valar and learn from them.

They reached the royal apartments and entered together, both giving their parents their obeisance as liegemen to their lord and lady. Their younger sister, Indil, was also there and gave Ingwion her own greeting. Ingwë smiled and opened his arms to greet his first-born more informally. "Welcome home, yonya. Did you enjoy your visit?"

"Very much, Atto. Lord Irmo and Lady Estë send their greetings."

Ingwë nodded and Elindis patted the space next to her on the settee. "Come and tell us all about it, dear."

Ingwion complied while Ingwë resumed his own seat and Ingalaurë found a chair next to their atar. "Ingil says that Fëanáro attacked Ñolofinwë and has been summoned to appear before the Valar next Valanya," Ingwion said, more interested in learning the details of what had happened in Tirion while he was away. Lórien was a lovely place and he always enjoyed his visits there, but its one drawback was that little news from the outside impinged upon the peace and quiet enjoyed by its residents. Lórien was a place of repose and there was little concern about the affairs of the outer world. I suspect only in Mandos do they care even less, Ingwion thought to himself as he listened to Ingwë relate the events in Tirion.

"I surmise that the trouble can be laid on Melkor’s doorstep, though I have no real proof," Ingwë said without preamble. "My sources say that Fëanáro actually accused Ñolofinwë of trying to supplant him as their atar’s heir."

Ingwion gave his parents a disbelieving look. "Ñolofinwë may be many things but a supplanter of another’s rights is not one of them. I think Fëanáro is rather full of himself anyway. He never accepted Aunt Indis’ children even though his own position as haryon of the Noldóran is secured."

Ingwë nodded. "Fëanáro is a bit hot-headed, to be sure, but not all the blame can be placed on him. However, only when we hear his testimony will we know for sure what has happened."

"Will you go?" Ingwion asked.

Ingwë nodded. "As High King over all the Elves of Aman, it is my duty to attend. I would like you two and Indil to come as well. Never have we had such an affair before, that the Valar would summon one of us for judgment. This is a momentous occasion, the ramifications of which are incalculable."

The expressions on the twins’ and Indil’s faces were thoughtful as they digested Ingwë’s words. "It should be interesting, to say the least," Ingalaurë stated.

"The understatement of the yén to be sure," Ingwion retorted with a smile and they both laughed while Indil giggled into her hand.

"Well, enough of Fëanáro and the fractious House of Finwë," Elindis said with a definitive air. "Tell us of your visit to Lórien. I want to hear every detail."

Ingwion smiled at his ammë as he told them about his trip and for a time all thought of the Noldor and their problems was shunted aside as the family enjoyed each other’s company.

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The Máhanaxar sat west of the Ezellohar and was no less an awe-inspiring place than the Mound of the Trees, though for entirely different reasons. Ingwion, standing between his atar and his twin, looked about him with interest, barely suppressing a shiver. The Ring of Doom was a wide grassy plain surrounded by fourteen gemstone thrones. These thrones were in fact somewhat larger than would be considered comfortable for any of the Firstborn, but then, Ingwion realized, they had not been made for the comfort of the Eldar, nor had any Eldar a hand in their making, and he suppressed another shiver.

Each throne was carved from a single gemstone: Manwë’s was a sapphire and Varda’s was a diamond, while Aulë’s was ruby and Yavanna’s was emerald. Ulmo’s was made of marilla and Nienna’s was a grey-silver stone called nyéresar, while Irmo’s was the deep green of arnasar and Estë had a throne of purple amethyst. Tulkas’ throne was made of amber in which a strange looking creature was embedded while Nessa’s was made of yellow topaz. Oromë had a throne of henfion and Vána’s was laurelaiquamírë. Vairë’s throne was made of black opal. It was Námo’s throne that was the most intriguing, however, for it was not an expected color. In spite of the fact that the Lord of Mandos often appeared before the Eldar in shades of black, his throne was carved of red-orange carnelian.

On the backs of the thrones were carved the personal emblems of the Valar. Manwë’s was that of an eagle and Varda’s was a star. All the others had emblems that symbolized some aspect of the particular Vala and the Eldar understood their meanings, but Námo’s made no sense and none had ever dared ask the Lord of Mandos to explain it. Ingwion wondered if there was any significance to the fact that Námo’s throne was directly opposite that of Manwë and suppressed yet another shiver.

He and his family were standing in the space between Manwë’s and Varda’s thrones as was proper, for Ingwë was ever the servant of the Elder King. Further along on Ingwion’s right he could see his cousins Ñolofinwë and Arafinwë with their families standing between the thrones of Aulë and Yavanna, indicative of the fact that the Noldorin royal family had the favor of Lord Aulë, their mentor. To his left he could see Finwë and Fëanáro with Fëanáro’s seven sons, standing between the thrones of Ulmo and Oromë. Indis was conspicuously absent as was Nerdanel, Fëanáro’s wife. Between the other thrones were many Noldor and not a few Vanyar who had come to witness Fëanáro’s judgment. Ingwion noted with wry amusement that very few of the Eldar stood near Námo’s throne.

It was at the First Mingling of the Lights of Telperion and Laurelin in which the Valar had decreed the time of judgment and as that hour came there was a sudden shimmering of lights so bright that none of the Firstborn could look upon them. The lights with their many hues coalesced into the fanar of the Valar and all gave them their obeisance. The only Maia present was Eönwë, standing to the left of Manwë’s throne as the Elder King’s herald.

Manwë nodded towards Ingwë in acknowledgment of the Eldar’s obeisance and then as one the Valar sat upon their thrones. Manwë did not look towards where Fëanáro stood, but gazed gravely at Námo. "Read the charges, Morimando."

The Lord of Mandos stood. Ingwion stared at the Doomsman of Arda and swallowed nervously, glad he was not the object of the Vala’s regard. Námo stared at Fëanáro with cold indifference and gestured. "Stand before me, Curufinwë."

Fëanáro hesitated for only a moment and then, holding his head high, strode across the Ring to stand before Námo, who continued to gaze upon the ellon with an expression that was unreadable to any of the Eldar.

"Thou, Curufinwë Finwion, known as Fëanáro, standest accused of drawing steel against thy brother, Ñolofinwë, in the presence of the Elves of Tirion and threatening him. How pleadest thou?"

Fëanáro gazed defiantly at the Doomsman and answered in a loud voice. "I do not deny these charges, for I was wroth with my half-brother who seeketh to supplant me in our atar’s love, wishing we remain as thralls to the Valar."

There was an audible gasp from the Eldar though none of the Valar even moved. Námo cast his amaranthine eyes towards Manwë then back to Fëanáro. "Thralls of the Valar are ye? And who hath spoken such words to thee, son of Finwë?"

"It matters not, for they are true," Fëanáro exclaimed.

"In what way are they true?" Manwë asked.

Fëanáro turned to face the Elder King, his expression set in an arrogant sneer. "Why hast thou withheld knowledge of the Secondborn from us, O Elder King? Ye Valar brought us to Aman in an attempt to deny us our true heritage as lords of the Outer Lands. Ye would give them over to those unworthy of it, for who are they, but the afterthought of Ilúvatar’s making?"

For a long moment there was silence and Ingwion noticed the grieved look in Manwë’s eyes and wanted to weep. Then the Elder King and vice-gerent of Eru upon Arda spoke: "We brought you to our land freely, for love of you, to dwell or to depart. And though we might judge departure to be folly, we might not restrain you from it. Ye are free to go or remain as ye will." He paused and closed his eyes for a moment, then opening them again, he continued. "Yet, if ye depart, wither will ye go that is not already in the hands of your kin, for Elwë was found in the end and he hath carved for himself a mighty kingdom in Heceldamar. Would ye take from him what was never yours to begin with?"

Before anyone could respond to Manwë’s words, Námo spoke: "Never have we withheld knowledge from you, my children, save that which we deemed harmful to you in your innocence. If we spoke not of the Second Children of Eru it is because we have no knowledge of them, save that they will appear when Eru deems the time meet. Yet, if ye think that these other Children have been sent to supplant you then ye are mistaken. What their purpose is we do not yet know."

"Yet they come and we are kept here in thralldom," answered Fëanáro, his expression still defiant.

"Kept here in thralldom, thou sayest?" Námo exclaimed. "Heard thee not the words of Manwë? We keep no one here against their will. Who hath spoken such lies to thee, Curufinwë? Who hath so darkened thy bright spirit with such falsehoods?"

Fëanáro hesitated, his eyes downcast, then he shook his head, refusing to look up. "It matters not...."

"Nay, it matters much," Námo interjected coldly. "Look at me, son of Finwë." Fëanáro raised his eyes reluctantly to face the Lord of Mandos. "Tell us where thou first heard these words of malice."

"Me-melkor," Fëanáro finally whispered, unable to take his eyes off Námo. "Melkor was the one who told us of the Aftercomers."

Before anyone could respond, Tulkas stood with a scowl. "Excuse me, while I go find our errant brother." Without another word he simply disappeared.

Námo gazed intently into Fëanáro’s eyes for another moment before lifting them towards Manwë. "Art thou satisfied, Calimando, with the testimony of Curufinwë?"

Manwë nodded. "Yea, I am. Speak thou thy judgment to which we will agree."

Námo gave Manwë a brief bow, then looked again at Fëanáro. "Though thou wast deceived in thy beliefs, thou canst not be held entirely guiltless, for thou didst knowingly and with forethought draw a weapon upon thy brother, thereby breaking the Sérë Valaron, which should never have happened." He paused then and when he spoke again his tone was absolutely glacial. More than one Elf paled visibly at it. "Thou speakest of thralldom, son of Finwë. If thralldom it be, thou canst not escape it; for Manwë is king of Arda, and not of Aman only. And this deed was unlawful, whether in Aman or not in Aman. Therefore this doom is now made: for twelve years thou shalt leave Tirion where this threat was uttered. In that time take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art. But after that time this matter shall be set in peace and held redressed, if others will release thee."

Then Ñolofinwë stepped out into the Ring. "I will release my brother," he said.

Fëanáro spoke no word, either yea or nay, to any of it. Instead, he gave Námo a brief bow that bordered on the insolent, then he turned and left the Ring, looking at no one as he went. With him went his sons and Finwë. Ingwion noticed the hurt expressions on the faces of Ñolofinwë and Arafinwë when their atar left. Silence reigned and none other dared to move or speak.

Finally, Manwë nodded to Eönwë who stepped forward. "The judgment of the Valar hath been rendered. Let all go in peace." At that, the Valar faded from view, leaving the Eldar to stand in wonderment and confusion at what they had witnessed. Eventually, Ingwë stepped out into the Ring to address them.

"The Valar have spoken," he proclaimed. "Let all depart in peace, each to his own place." With that he turned and, taking Elindis’ arm, led his family from the Máhanaxar.

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Haryon: Prince, heir to a throne.

Noldóran: King of the Noldor [Noldo + aran].

Atto: Hypocoristic form of Atar: Father.

Ammë: Hypocoristic form of Amillë: Mother.

Valanya: Powers-day, i.e., the day dedicated to the Valar and the last day of the Valarin/Eldarin week. The Elves of Aman, prior to the creation of the Sun and Moon, adopted the five-day week of the Valar but gave them different names. For purposes of this story the names of the days of the week are: Elenya (Star-day), Eärenya (Sea-day), Aldúya (Two Trees-day), Menelya (Heavens-day), and Valanya (Powers-day). With the creation of the Sun and Moon, the Elves would expand the days of the week to six, dropping Eärenya and substituting Anarya (Sun-day) and Isilya (Moon-day). Later, the Númenóreans would reintroduce Eärenya, placing it between Menelya and Valanya, thus creating the seven-day week [See Appendix D].

Yén: Elvish century equivalent to 144 solar years.

Morimando: ‘Dark Mando’, Námo’s title when sitting in judgment.

Heceldamar: Beleriand, literally, ‘Home of Forsaken Elves’.

Calimando: ‘Light Mando’, Manwë’s title when sitting in judgment.

Sérë Valaron: Peace of the Valar.

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Author’s Notes:

1. Keep in mind that the Valian year is 9.58 solar years long. This story begins in the Year of the Trees 1490 and ends in 1500, thus it covers approximately 105 solar years. Fëanáro’s exile was meant to last approximately 115 solar years.

2. The thrones of the Valar and their associative meanings:

Sapphire: Symbolic of wisdom and purity.

Diamond: A symbol of innocence and constancy.

Ruby: Considered the most powerful gem in the universe, it is a symbol of friendship and love. It gives the wearer the ability to see things in a true and correct manner.

Emerald: Used to ward off demons and evil spirits.

Marilla: What we call Pearl and a symbol of purity and innocence.

Nyéresar: Sorrow stone; what we would call Galena. Grey is the color of sorrow and galena is a stone of transformation and used while embarking on a spiritual journey.

Arnasar: What we would call Imperial Jade and used to protect against nightmares and psychic attacks.

Amethyst: A healing stone symbolic of spirituality and piety.

Amber: A symbol of courage and the presence of Eru.

Yellow Topaz: Symbolic of friendship, strengthening one's capacity to give and receive love.

Henfion: Hawk’s Eye. Promotes clear thinking and insight. Usually known by us as Tiger’s eye.

Laurelaiquamírë: Golden-green Jewel, what we call Chrysoprase. It helps to make conscious what was unconscious. It strengthens the workings of insight and the higher consciousness.

Black Opal: A symbol of faithfulness, confidence and hope.

Carnelian: A chalcedony that has the power to ease fears about rebirth (for the Eldar) and death (for Mortals).