Chapter 10: The Coming of Fingolfin

[dustinrstrong]

As the Companions recovered from their rescue mission, Telemire began to regain some of his strength.  His progress was slow, but steady.  And on the day that he regained consciousness, he was greeted by a glorious sight that brought a glimmer of hope to his face—the first rising of the Sun.

The first brightly lit day, and the first rising of the moon earlier, had brought that same feeling of hope to all who witnessed it, save for Morgoth.  Optimism began spread throughout the Mithrim Encampment.  And there were other wonders to behold as well.

Curucam soon became the center of attention among the Noldor.  His skill with hammer and iron impressed the Noldor smiths and they learned much from him.  And he learned from them as well.  His own weapons proved to be of equal quality to any the Noldor could produce.  And his armor was superior to all but those of the sons of Feanor and their Household Guards.

But this revelry soon came to an end as word came of an unknown army approaching from the West.  Maglor, second son of Feanor, began to assemble what warriors he could muster from the depleted ranks of his host and they soon marched out to meet this new threat.

Drawn up in battle order, the Noldor anxiously awaited combat.  As they did so, they could see the banners of the enemy approaching and the sun glinting off of their armor.  To their surprise, however, the enemy did not rush into battle, as had been their custom thus far.  Instead, they halted and drew up into their own battle formation.  It was now that their banners could be clearly seen and it struck fear into the hearts of the Noldor. 

Almost at once, the ranks of the Noldor broke and fled in panic.  As the terrified warriors fled through the encampment, word spread rapidly about the approaching enemy.  Many grabbed what they could before fleeing, but most simply ran.  But to the amazement of those with the courage to witness it, most of the enemy army simply passed by, continuing their march to the east.  Only a small detachment broke off from the main host and made their way to the Mithrim Encampment. 

Shaelina, Taurensil, and Curucam watched in astonishment as the panic spread throughout the Noldor host.  And they felt ashamed and embarrassed, not for themselves, but for the once mighty Noldor. 

The Companions had no intention of running.  They had no choice.  Though the thought had crossed their minds, and it would be the sensible thing to do, they could not.  Telemire, despite recuperating, was not yet well enough to be moved.  His wounds still had not healed fully and his friends were not going to leave him to the mercy of an orc army without a fight.  As they readied for their impending doom, the first ranks of the enemy appeared before them.  And the Companions were suddenly struck dumb.

They were Eldar.  This was not another orc army coming to finish off what remained of Feanor's ravaged army, but it was another army of Noldor.  Shaelina and Taurensil knew instantly who they were—those who had been abandoned by Feanor in his folly.

A small squad of these Noldor approached the Companions' makeshift hovel, anger burning in their eyes.  Not sure of their intentions, the Companions readied for a fight.  They were soon confused, however, when the squad suddenly halted and relaxed their guard. 

The Noldor stepped aside as a single Eldar walked among them.  He, too, was heading for the Companions, but he was not holding a weapon in his hand, but rather a stern look of fatherly disapproval on his face.   

A sense of great power came over Shaelina as this Eldar approached her and her friends.  As he walked toward them, other Noldor, both betrayed and betrayer, gave him latitude, taking great care not to impede his path.  He was obviously a person of great importance, though his by his appearance it could be thought otherwise.  This Eldar was not dressed for battle, but rather for a leisurely walk through the country.  The only hint of any martial prowess was the elegant longsword that hung at his hip and the quiver of arrows slung across his shoulder.  He did not look to be a warrior, but rather a simple huntsman.  And yet, none dared to show the slightest disrespect.
A weak voice soon whispered behind the three Companions.  None had noticed that Telemire had struggled to his feet and was standing feebly in the doorway.  A smile came across his face as he uttered a single word, "e'Narmire," and collapsed.

In the days that followed, e'Narmire tended to Telemire's wounds.  The Companions learned that he had once been the tutor of Telemire and Turenanga in Aman, before they became apprentices of Feanor's house, and had always regarded them as his own sons.  Under e'Narmire's expert care, Telemire seemed to recover at an astonishing rate, the fire rekindled in his heart.

It was during this time, too, that the main host of the new arrivals returned to the Mithrim Encampment.  They had sortied to the gates of Angband and challenged the armies of Morgoth to battle, but the Enemy instead cowered within his fortress walls and would not comply.  But this was much to the relief of the new host's leader, Fingolfin.  He looked upon Angband's defenses and knew that he could never breach them on his own.  Instead, he chose to return to the Encampment to gather his strength.

The Noldor who had followed Feanor had made a new encampment on the south side of Lake Mithrim, fearing retribution for their betrayal.  Many of Feanor's people had indeed regretted abandoning their kin, but had begun to admire the valor that had brought them across the grinding ice of the Helcaraxe.  However, out of shame and guilt, none dared an attempt to ask for forgiveness.  Thus, the full power of the Noldor was disunited.

Throughout this disunion, e'Narmire became painfully aware that the Enemy was readying to strike.  Vast smoke and vapors came forth from Angband, staining the morning skies.  Then an east wind began to carry the poison over the Ered Wethrin to settle along the banks of Lake Mithrim.  Morgoth had ordered his forges stoked, for he was rebuilding his army.

When he was not tending to Telemire's wounds, e'Narmire was offering council to Fingolfin, warning him of the coming danger.  Understanding the danger, Fingolfin heeded e'Narmire's advice.  He ordered the construction of as many forges as possible to begin to rearm and reequip his own host, as well as Feanor's followers.  But he still did not know of a way to heal the rift between the two peoples.  Only an act of great sacrifice would serve to bring the people together, and e'Narmire knew as much.  But such an act was yet unknown to him.  It would be revealed in time.

As the Noldor set about their work, the Companions learned much about Fingolfin and his people, especially about e'Narmire.

As Telemire told them, "He is one of the Ancient Ones, the first to awaken at Cuivenien, and as such, is regarded as one of the great nobles of the Vanyar. 

"The Vanyar are considered the wisest among all Eldar, and e'Narmire is among the wisest of the Vanyar.  His council is valued and rarely ignored by any who know him.

"During the Great Journey, he earned a reputation as a stalwart warrior, lethal hunter, and a savior.  The Enemy had sent shadows and evil spirits to spy upon the Great Host and to waylay any Eldar that strayed too far, most never to be heard from again.  Many of the survivors owe their lives to e'Narmire.  Some say even Feanor's own father was saved by the cunning of e'Narmire and the sting of his blade, Shadow-cleaver.  He is one of the few that Melkor truly feared during the Ancient Days and in Aman.  It was Melkor who named him Shadowbane."

The Companions were intrigued by Telemire's tale.  Shaelina's own father had once told her about a powerful warrior that had once saved his father from a shadow demon during the Great Journey.  Surely he had not been speaking of e'Narmire.  But through Telemire's account, however, she was now beginning to understand what had been stalking them in the mountains when they had brought Telemire back to the Encampment.

"Fingolfin," Telemire continued, "will no doubt heed what e'Narmire has to say, for he is a sister-son to e'Narmire."  Telemire paused for a moment then wondered aloud, "That must be why he is here."

As the days wore on, the Noldor prepared, and Fingon, son of Fingolfin, learned of Maedhros' fate and resolved to heal the feud that divided the Noldor.  Long before, in Valinor, Fingon and Maedhros had been close in friendship.  Fingon had not forgotten and the memory of that friendship weighed heavy on his soul.  He could not bear letting that friendship perish without trying to save it.  Without council, he decided that he would venture alone into Angband and rescue Maedhros.

But e'Narmire knew of this friendship as well and he read Fingon's heart.  Upholding his oath to his sister, he would not let his grand-nephew make this journey alone.  e'Narmire had heard of the valor displayed by Shaelina and her companions.  Telemire had spoken of it often.  Therefore, when Fingon slipped quietly out of camp on his desperate mission, e'Narmire and the Companions followed him.