As Tulkas rushed from the wide hall of Máhanaxar, the elves broke into small discourse. But Varda called them all back together sometime later. She gestured for her husband to speak.

Manwë stood. "It is clear now that the elves were tricked into these actions. We shall find Melkor, and he shall be restrained. But we cannot ignore Fëanáro's actions."

At his king's command, Mandos stood and spoke to Fëanáro. "Thou speakest of thraldom. If thraldom it be, thou canst not escape it: for Manwë is King of Arda, and not of Aman only. Therefore this doom is now made: for twelve years thou shalt leave Tirion where this threat was uttered." He paused for emphasis. "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."

Even as the room stood silent, shocked by the pronouncement of the Doomsman of the Valar, Nolofinwë spoke up. "I will release my brother."

Fëanáro made no answer, staring down Mandos with all his willpower. At last he turned, not giving anyone another glance, and stalked out of Máhanaxar. Finwë turned immediately to the Valar, but Mandos shook his head. He would not release the doom.

"If that be your decision, my lords, then hear this." Finwë looked around at the Valar, and then the gathered elves. "I will not rule in a city where my eldest son is unwelcome. I relinquish my crown, and go into exile alongside Fëanáro."

Manwë frowned, grief in his face. "Finwë, he committed grave wrongs. You understand why we must punish it."

"What I do not understand is how you bring punishment upon him, who was tricked by Melkor." But Finwë shook his head. "I will not ask you to pardon him. But I must do as I said. The crown will pass to Nolofinwë. Upon that time when Fëanáro is welcomed back, then I shall retake my place as king." Finwë turned and left the ring of doom.

The Valar made no response, watching as he left the hall. Eve saw Nienna's eyes watering with tears at the decision of the high king, but then she also noticed the blank face of Mandos, her brother. Clearly he did not share her sorrow.

The elves started to trickle out. Eve saw that Tyelko looked ready to kill someone, so angry was he. Káno restrained him, but only just, as he looked almost as furious. Seeing their fury ignited a spark in her own anger.

She turned to Nerdanel as they walked outside and felt her skin crawling. "How can they punish him like that? You heard what happened! It was Melkor!"

"The Valar must do what they think best," was all she would say. Then she turned back to Eve. "I am going to speak with my sons."

Eve tagged along with her. They found all seven of them in a circle, Moryo and Tyelko feeding off each other's anger. They saw that Curvo looked remarkably poised, as if he had decided on some course of action and would not change from it. When the sons saw Nerdanel and Eve approaching, they tried to calm down.

"We intend to depart for Formenos as soon as we are able," Káno told them. "Nixiel has returned to Tirion to gather supplies and tell those loyal to us to head north."

Telvo nodded. "There are many supporters both in Tirion and in Formenos already. We will lack for nothing once out of that Valar-forsaken city."

"What would you like us to have Nixiel bring north for you?" asked Tyelko quickly. "There are ample supplies for both of you in Formenos already. Whatever you do want north, Curvo brought a palantir to tell Nixiel."

But Nerdanel shook her head. "I will not go."

The seven brothers stared at her in shock. Betrayal, anger, agitation crossed their faces.

Finally, Tyelko replied, "What?"

"I am not going into exile. Your father and I do not see eye to eye any longer. I set my council against his actions, and his fate is no longer in my hands," Nerdanel explained. "Call me a coward, or a traitor, but I will take no part in actions that will bring about shame to this family."

"The only thing shameful is your decision," Curvo chided her immediately.

Eve glared at him. "Watch it, Curvo. Nerdanel has done nothing but try to keep this family together."

"And yet her decision now is to break it apart," replied Moryo angrily.

But Eve drew herself up and faced them all. "I will not be going either."

Moryo scoffed. "I knew your marriage to Findekáno would cause trouble. You would rather stay with him than your own family?"

"Yes." Eve spoke forcefully. "I love you all, but Finno is my husband. And beyond that, little Itaril needs her family, including me. She's so young. You seven can take care of yourselves."

It was Nelyo who spoke next, who thus far had been content to brood silently behind the rest, and watch Eve and his mother. "I do not agree with your choice, but I do understand it." Then he turned to his mother. "I do not understand your choice, however, but it is clear we will not change your mind. Will you stay here, alone, brooding?"

"No," Nerdanel replied, standing tall across from her tallest son. "I am going to ask to stay with Indis."

Tyelko stared at her, fiery anger in his gaze. "You want to stay with her? The Vanya pretender? The woman who is the reason for all the usurpation?"

"Yes. Her husband is leaving her just as mine is leaving me." Nerdanel stared each of them down. "This family could do with more unity and less division. I intend to play my part."

"We don't unify with our enemies," seethed Curvo.

But Pityo, who had been quiet, spoke up. "Perhaps some good will come of this punishment. And then we will need unity."

Nerdanel shot him a tiny smile. "Exactly."

The brothers said their goodbyes to Eve and Nerdanel. They intended to ride straight to Formenos, relying on Nixiel and her family in Tirion to gather the others to head north. When they had left, Eve realized that the sons of Nolofinwë remained behind, waiting for her apprehensively. She joined them.

"They're joining Feanaro," Eve told them of her brothers. "I don't blame them."

Aro scoffed. "Of course they are. They're part of the problem."

Eve rounded on Aro and the other two immediately. "What did you say?" When he refused to answer, she stalked up to him. "As we saw here, the problem was Melkor. Not Fëanáro, not Nolofinwë, not you, and not my brothers. Melkor."

Turvo frowned. "And yet Fëanáro drew the first sword."

"But you all had them!" Eve turned to Turvo. "I thought you three would be more level headed than my brothers. Clearly I was wrong."

Finno took her hand. "I believe you, and I agree, Eve. While I bear no love for Fëanáro, the punishment was harsh for a crime committed on lies and rumors from Melkor, whom the Valar themselves freed and left unchecked."

"Exactly!" Eve grinned at her husband. She gave him a quick hug. "See, Finno understands."

Elenwë, standing with Amarië some ways away, joined them. "It is hopeful that Fëanáro will learn something from this exile."

"Unlikely," Eve replied quietly. "What everyone needs is to sit down and talk, not punish someone for something that wasn't entirely their fault."

"Not entirely, but certainly partly," Aro argued.

Eve fell silent. With a shake of her head, she mounted her horse. Looking back once more, she saw Nerdanel speaking with Indis. She hoped that the queen would welcome Nerdanel. Together with her friends and husband, they set off towards Tirion.

When they reached the city on the sixth day, the town bustled about in an uproar. About a fifth of the city decided to head north to the completed settlement of Formenos. They pointed out immediately that Nolofinwë had taken the crown, just as they all had suspected he wanted. None of those loyal to Fëanáro would abide by his rule.

With her head held high, Eve, atop her great white mare, walked towards her home. She passed by the road to Fëanáro's and Nerdanel's house and frowned, but kept going. Her eagerness to heal the hurts of the House of Finwë had taken a hit, but had not been shattered. She could still try to convince the house of Nolofinwë of her brothers' innocence in the rumors. But then the tears started, realizing how big a job that would be.

As they stopped behind their house and left their horses in the yard, Finno grabbed Eve in a comforting hug. He whispered words of encouragement to her, clearly recognizing how depressed she felt. With his soothing voice, she calmed down.

Eve remained inside for the rest of that day. She tried to work on her paintings, hoping to make one to send north to her family. A nice landscape of the Two Trees might make them feel better, or so she hoped.

It took her hours. Finno brought her dinner, which she ate, but other than that she remained alone with her artwork. For his part, Finno spent the hours thinking. He didn't think about any one specific thing, rather, he just... thought.

Turvo visited their house with Elenwë and Itarillë when the next morning dawned. Eve couldn't help but smile when Itaril wandered in, stumbling forward. The girl's grey eyes sparkled happily at the sight of Eve and Finno. Her stubby legs carried her quickly across the front yard and into her uncle's outstretched arms.

"Hello, Itaril," said Finno with a smile, hugging her. "How are you doing?"

"Well," mumbled Itarillë.

Eve joined him, sitting on the grass in her flowing white dress. Itarillë squealed and jumped over to her. They hugged quickly. "Hey, girl," she added quickly. "You look lovely today. Who made your dress?" Eve glanced up at Elenwë.

Elenwë smiled, looking at the pink and orange dress the girl wore. "Amarië and her mother."

"It's cute." Eve played with Itarillë's dress between her fingers.

The girl giggled and ran back towards her mother. With her laughter, they all smiled, and Eve found it the most pleasant experience she'd had in several weeks. Trust Itaril to help, thought Eve quickly.

"How are you feeling this morning," Elenwë asked Eve, settling down next to her and placing an hand on her shoulder.

Eve shrugged. "I'm alright. Nixiel stopped by last night and left me a Palantír so I can communicate with my brothers in Formenos."

"Oh? Who left one for you?" asked Turvo.

"Nelyo," she told them with a smile. "Káno left his for Nerdanel."

Turvo spoke, his tone unimpressed. "How polite."

Eve shot him a glare from where she sat on the ground. With a quick shake of her head, Eve turned back to Elenwë. "What are your plans for the day?"

"We thought to take Itaril to the fountains in the lower city," said the woman with a smile.

"Fountains!" squealed Itaril, running barefoot around the yard.

Finno laughed at her. "If she goes to play near the fountains at least she has an excuse not to wear shoes."

"You know Itaril," snorted Turvo, folding his arms. "She won't ever wear them. She'll scream and cry until we take them off. No matter the circumstance."

They all stood. They invited both Eve and Finno to join them. Finno accepted immediately, and after some prodding, Eve did as well. The walk into the lowest area of the town, where the great fountains danced, took some time. But once they arrived they watched the water spray all around in designed patterns. To their surprise and excitement, a maia of Ulmo stood there as well.

She was tall, slender, with blue skin and white hair. Eve had come to realize over the many years that of all the Maiar, Ulmo's followers tended towards the most alien forms. They didn't care at all whether the elves related to them or not.

"Lady Alastien," Turvo said with a bow. "What brings you to Tirion?"

The maia smiled. "I am to tend to the fountains today." She walked over to Elenwë who held Itarillë and laid a hand on her head. "She is so beautiful. Takes after both her parents."

"Fountains!" squealed Itaril, begging to be put down, squirming in her mother's arms. "Want to play in fountains!"

"You can't play inside them," Eve chuckled. "Just look at them."

Alastien giggled and raised her hands, facing the nearest fountain. It had been shaped like a massive tree, with water flowing from all it's branches like willow leaves falling from a great height. With her great power over water, she pulled some of the streams towards her and made patterns for Itaril.

For that brief moment, watching her niece dance in the plumes of water, Eve forgot the hardships of the House of Fëanáro, and the House of Finwë as a whole. But a deep pit in her stomach began to form that night, and remained for all nights after, when news came that the Valar could not find Melkor. She knew then that the devil had come to Aman, and she felt powerless in the face of his shadow.