1490

Years of the Trees

As Eve entered the great hall of the palace at Tirion, striding quickly alongside Elenwe, she saw both their husbands looking cross. Finno's brow furrowed angrily and he spoke with Aro, his hand motions animated. Aro, for his part, stood still, arms folded, watching Turvo speaking with their grandfather. The women decided not to join them.

"Clearly something is wrong," Elenwë said with a frown. "Have you heard anything?"

But Eve shook her head. "Nothing more than the usual rumors. Though they are becoming more frequent on the streets."

"And everyone displays their colors openly," Elenwë reminded her, gesturing to the capes bearing the heraldry of Nolofinwë's house.

Findo and his brothers entered next. They passed Eve and Elenwë without turning. The women stood at the wall and watched. The sons of Arafinwë made their way quickly to Indis and Finwë, and their present father. They wore capes of light blue, with their own house sigil.

"That's nearly everyone," Elenwë murmured. "Except-"

"Except for my brothers and Fëanáro," Eve added with a nod.

Nelyo, Kano, and Tyelko came in moments later. They were dressed in the finest clothes they owned. Thick crimson cloaks billowed behind them. The room quieted upon their entrance, but they kept their heads high and went directly to the king. They stopped about halfway to him and hung to the side.

Finno, Aro, and Turvo spoke quietly together, backs to the sons of Fëanáro. All the councilors and royals had been called to this meeting, which included the sons of Fëanáro, but the others certainly didn't have to like it. All three felt thankful that their other half cousins were abroad and could not come.

"Things have gotten so much worse," Eve murmured. "They won't even look at each other."

Elenwë frowned. "I know. Turvo will not believe me when I tell him that the rumors are untrue, and that the others did not start them."

With a sigh, Eve agreed with her. "I tell Finno and my brothers the same thing. But I worry, Elenwë. Nerdanel tells me that Fëanáro has grown increasingly hostile, extremely volatile. He's always been overly arrogant. But these lies... they're twisting him."

"I know."

"He speaks of rebelling against the Valar," Eve added in frustration. "Of returning to the other lands. I'll admit, it sounds nice. Exploring wide lands, making new cities." She shook her head. "But rebellion?"

The doors opened and everyone turned towards them. Nolofinwë strided up to his father. He began speaking immediately, anger and worry evident on his face. His words echoed through the chamber.

"King, and father. Restrain the pride of our brother, Curufinwë, who is called the Fëanáro all too truly? By what right does he speak for all our people, as if he were King?" His eyes flashed angrily. "You it was who long ago spoke before all the Quendi, bidding them accept the summons of the Valar to Aman." He turned to the others and gestured to his father.

Eve could see her brothers fuming. Kano had his arm on Tyelko's own, restraining him. The glare that Nelyo sent towards Nolofinwë only increased as the lord continued speaking.

"You it was that led the Noldor upon the long road through the perils of the other lands to the light of Eldamar." Nolofinwë paused, glancing towards the sons of Fëanáro before looking back at Finwë. "If you do not now repent of those deeds, two sons at least you have to honor your words."

As he spoke those words, the doors flew open again. Eve, and everyone else, took a step back. A great light shined from the open doors, a light of Varda's creation. Fëanáro, the Silmarils draped upon his chest, entered. He wore a great helm of golden-bronze with a red plume, and armor to match. But most frightening of all he bore his tindalta sword strapped to his hip decorated with dozens of rubies and diamonds.

When he spoke, everyone listened. His skill with words surpassed all. "So it is, even as I guessed. My half brother would be before me with my father, in this as in all other matters." Without pausing, he strode to the place before Finwë and beside Nolofinwë. He drew his sword, and the sound of the metal unsheathing rang throughout the hall. "Be gone, and take your due place."

The hall stood so silent, Eve could hear her own heartbeat. She watched as Nolofinwë bowed to his father, leaving without another word. The tiny smiles on her brothers' faces contradicted the deep set glares of her husband and his brothers. Her heart broke.

Fëanáro followed Nolofinwë out, head held high. The others joined him more slowly, until at last they came out into the square. Before Nolofinwë could leave, Fëanáro addressed him again. But this time, his sword made the point more than his words.

"See, half-brother!" scoffed Fëanáro, "This is sharped than you tongue. Try but once more to usurp my place and the love of my father, and maybe it will rid the Noldor of one who speaks to be master of thralls." He lay his sword tip on Nolofinwë's chest, and he smiled.

Many people heard those words, both of the royal house and of the Noldor in general. For that spring day had seen a small festival in the Great Square, so all gathered saw the deeds of Fëanáro.

Standing still, Eve watched from inside the hall of Tirion. She felt sick. Her stomach knotted itself. Elenwë beside her left to find Turvo. Making up her mind after staring into the crowd, Eve pushed through past her husband, past her brothers, until she walked towards Nerdanel's workshop. For a good while she could still hear the shouting and debate of the three houses upon Tirion. She tried to block them out.

Whispers and shouts began to spread as she hurried away from the crowd down back roads. What Fëanáro had done... it had shaken Tirion, and it hadn't even been a half an hour. Nerdanel hadn't been at her workshop when Eve arrived, so she decided to try Mahtan's forge. When she got there, she heard angry shouts inside.

As she walked into the outdoor forge she heard a crash, and a shattering. Eve stopped. Nerdanel's face had been stained wet with tears and her father sat at a table, hand to his forehead. When they noticed Eve, Nerdanel sent her a sad, forced smile.

"It is done, then?" Nerdanel pulled herself up out of her slump. Her eyes briefly darted to the broken sculpture on the floor near her feet. Then she turned back to Eve. "He has done it."

"Yes," confirmed Eve quietly. "He threatened Nolofinwë quite publically."

Mahtan shook his head. "I regret the day I ever taught the boy how to use a forge."

"Let's be real," Eve muttered. "He's too smart. He'd have figured it out on his own."

Nerdanel agreed with her immediately. She sat down at the table where Mahtan sat. "I told Fëanáro that this was it. If he went through with his plan to draw a weapon on his half-brother, he would deal with the fallout himself. I will not be responsible for him any longer." She put her head in her hands, her crimson hair cascading around her, mixing with her tears. "Yet he would not listen."

"Surely your sons did," Mahtan muttered in concern.

With a scoff, she shrugged. "I think perhaps Nelyo and Káno did. But the others... Moryo, Curvo, and Tyelko were openly against my declaration, and the Ambarussa did not understand my choice."

Eve glared down at her shoes. "I'll talk to them."

But Nerdanel shook her head, protesting, "Do not do anything to get in their way. I fear Fëanáro is not against using his weapons."

"He wouldn't hurt me!"

"I do not know what he is planning to do," sighed Nerdanel. "But I wish for you to be safe. I want you to stay as far away from this as possible. It is unlikely that the Valar will ignore this act of open aggression."

Even as Nerdanel spoke, a Maia of Mandos materialized near them. "Listen to my words, Lady Nerdanel and Lady Elmendë. Thou hast been summoned to speak with the Valar in Valmar, alongside the House of Finwe and the Hunters of Orome. Thou must ride there immediately."

As the maia disappeared back into thin air, all three elves stayed silent. Eve's heart beat quickly as she stared at the spot the herald had been. Then she turned to Nerdanel. "We should go."

Nerdanel nodded. "Will you travel with Findekáno?"

"I'll travel with you, if that's alright?"

The woman smiled. "Of course."

Eve borrowed one of Nerdanel's riding outfits. It hung slightly too long over her boots, but she decide it was a better alternative to running into the house of Nolofinwë, or Arafinwë or Fëanáro for that matter. No, she would stay with Nerdanel.

On their first night on the road to Valmar, the stars seemed to shine a little less clearly to Eve. She figured it was only her imagination, her sadness at the state of the house of Finwe. She knew Nerdanel felt it as much if not more than her.

"Nerdanel," Eve asked as they rested beneath the stars on the fourth night, "what is happening to our family?"

The woman remained quiet. Her breath came slow and steady. Eve couldn't see her as they both layed in the grass staring up at the stars. Just when she gave up hope that Nerdanel would answer, she spoke carefully.

"I do not know. But I do hope that the Valar can figure out what has happened. It seems to me that this is more than arrogance, or greed. There is fault on both sides. We know that both families, most Noldor in fact, have crafted weapons." Nerdanel paused. "Something else is going on. Who decided weapons should even be crafted?"

"They did summon the Hunters, did they not?" With a frown, Eve tried to put the pieces together. "Tyelko was the first person I knew of to talk about swords."

They continued on in silence. When morning came around and they readied to set off, Eve frowned up at the clouds hovering darkly. Before too long, a gentle rain began. Nerdanel acted like it didn't bother her. But for Eve it just made the journey that much more terrible. The realization irritated her; rain had never been an annoyance in Valinor. Perhaps this world was becoming more and more like her previous life every day.

That scared her.

After riding for six or seven hours in the rain, the two maidens reached Valmar to the tinkling of bells. They were instructed by a herald to proceed to Máhanaxar. It didn't take long. They rounded the city on the outskirts to avoid angry stares until they came at last to the ring of doom.

They found horses belonging to most members of the House of Finwë, and dozens for others they didn't recognize. Currently at her horse was Hrávien, and beside her Irissë. Finno and Turvo stood chatting with them.

"Eve," said Finno in relief. He left the others and hurried to her. "You left so suddenly at Tirion."

"Sorry," she apologized. Dismounting, she nodded to Nerdanel. "I had to see Nerdanel."

Finno stiffened when he met her gaze. But neither said anything. It was Eve who finally broke the silence in irritation. "I will not pick sides in this conflict. Something is causing this insanity."

"Yes, and his name is Fëanáro," Finno muttered fiercely.

Nerdanel drew herself up. "Do not think I condone my husband's actions, Findekáno, but do not be so hasty to assume he alone is at fault. You were raised better than that."

Finno paused, eyes blazing in anger. "Perhaps. But do not pretend to blame us, either."

"Stop it, Finno," Eve snapped. She let go of his hand. "I know you better than this. This isn't you talking, it's anger and bitterness from years of resentment. We don't know who in all is at fault. Maybe it is partially your family. Maybe it isn't." She gestured to Nerdanel. "Blaming a woman who has never condoned the actions of the man you hate isn't going to solve anything. So stop."

After a long pause, he bowed his head. "She speaks truly. "Lady Nerdanel please accept my apology."

Nerdanel smiled sadly. "Of course, Findekáno. You know that I hold no grudge against your family. I never have."

A large bell rang. It shook the air around them. The trio turned towards the doors to Máhanaxar and saw a herald beckoning to them. They went.

As Eve walked inside, she realized immediately where she stood. The circle of massive stone seats gave it away. This was where she had awoken the first time. Eve stood, dumbfounded. It took a nudge from Finno for her to file inside further.

They found dozens of people inside. All the sons of Fëanáro stood in a circle. Nolofinwë and his children stood with Anairë, Indis, and the entire house of Arafinwë. Finwe himself stood by Fëanáro. The two daughters of Finwë and Indis gathered together with a couple prominent noble families. But most striking of all stood the Hunters. Dressed in matching greens, browns, and greys, they huddled together away from the rest. Eve spotted Hrávien, and Rusco in the bunch at least.

She turned to Nerdanel. "I will stay with you. Are we going over to our house?"

But Nerdanel hesitated and shook her head. "No. I think not."

"Then I will stay next to you here."

Finno objected immediately. "Please, join us. You are both welcome."

Both Nerdanel and Eve shook their heads. The former answered him. "You may welcome me, Finno, and even that I am not sure you are all too comfortable. But do not think I don't know how your house has come to see me and mine. I will not put that discomfort on any of you."

"And I'm staying with her," Eve told him. Her small smile put him at ease, as did the kiss she planted on his lips. "Don't worry, okay?"

Finno frowned but agreed. He rejoined his family, leaving the women to themselves by a column. Before long, the Valar entered, and everyone fell quiet.

"Fëanáro, son of Finwë, we are here to determine what punishment you shall be given for your actions against your brother." Manwë stood solemnly and gestured to Varda. "However, we have decide first to determine how exactly the elves came to be so displeased with us and with Aman to condone such actions."

Fëanáro stood, shaking from anger. He said nothing.

Manwë frowned. "Let us start with the obvious. Who showed you the swords?"

"My son, Curufinwë, came into possession of the designs," he said coldly. "A masterful piece and made, too. One I think even Eönwë would be jealous of."

Manwë gave no response to his insults. Instead, he turned to Curvo. "Curufinwë, son of Fëanáro. What say you? Did you create them on your own?"

"No," Curvo admitted angrily. "I received the designs from my brother, Tyelko."

He shrugged, stepping forward. "I did improve upon the designs, however."

All attention turned to Tyelko. Curvo soon fell quiet as his brother stepped forward, Huan beside him. The blonde son of Fëanáro held his head high.

Manwë spoke to him immediately. "And who gave you the designs, Tyelkormo?"

"We all learned them, as Hunters. Rusco, Hrávien, and I were some of the first. I do not know who else learned from the swords. Our family kept them quiet," he added, glaring at Hrávien and Rusco. "We saw no need to engage the entire Noldorin populace."

"Rusco, Hrávien," Varda began, gesturing them forward. "Who did you teach."

Hrávien bowed and spoke first. "My lady, first I taught my family, and from there, Irissë of the House of Nolofinwë."

All eyes turned to Iri. She stood tall, her white dress flowing as he moved forward. Manwë then spoke to her.

"Irissë, daughter of Nolofinwë, what have you to say?"

Iri nodded. "It is true that I received word of the weapons from Hrávien. My next course of action was to tell my family, of course. I had several swords commissioned for my brothers, and then my father and mother." She shook her head. "I also taught Artanis."

At this, the other woman was called forward. She began immediately. "I learned from Irissë, and taught my family. That is all."

"Then how did the rest of the Noldor learn of these," Tulkas asked in frustration.

"Peace, Tulkas," Aulë warned.

Rusco stepped forward. "We all knew of the swords, my lords. All the hunters."

Each hunter was quizzed individually. By the end it became clear that hundreds of Noldor had been taught the crafting and wielding of the weapons. But who had first come up with the knowledge remained a mystery. They moved on to the next bit of business, hoping to flush out the answer.

Many rumors and lies were addressed over the hours they stood in the ring of doom. Various names were cleared of slander, but still no one quite narrowed down the cause. Not until Oromë spoke.

"Rusco, many trails lead back to you," he said carefully. "I have listened closely to what has been spoken. So I ask now, why did you spread the lies?"

"I did not think they were lies, my lord," Rusco admitted. He felt a reluctance to go on, but at last he continued. "Lord Melkor spoke to me of them."

The hall fell silent. Tulkas stood, shaking in fury, and looked to his king. The lord of the airs nodded instantly. "Bring him back. What has happened is finally made clear to me."

Author's Note:

Oh.

Dear.

This is bad.

So bad.

Who's she going to stick with?