And Maedhros Wept

[engarian.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Prompt and Path:Lost trust or betrayal, Red
Format:Short story
Genre:Tragedy
Rating:PG
Warnings:Mention of death
Characters:Maedhros, Feanor, Maglor, Fingon
Pairings:None
Creator’s Notes:Tolkien provided the sandbox, I merely play with the bucket and shovel he left behind. No profit of any kind is made from my fanworks.
Summary:



And Maedhros Wept

“We shall return for you!” Maedhros said, clutching Fingon’s shoulders firmly. “I promise you, the ships will be sent back. We will not abandon you. But I must leave now. Father calls.” He kissed Fingon once on each cheek and turned away, running toward the ship. The gangplank was being pulled into the ship as Maedhros jumped from the dock. Outstretched hands caught him as he jumped, and pulled him aboard over the side rail. He turned for a last glimpse of Fingon, but saw that Fingolfin, who appeared to be upset about Fëanor leaving him behind, had pulled his son away from the dock and was marching him back to the mass of elves on the shore.

“No loss there,” Fëanor said as he glanced toward the crowded shore. He turned away from the view behind them and looked to each side at the fleet of ships holding his own household – guards, craftspeople, servants, smiths of all types, even farmers and herders. These were the elves who looked to him, the ones who worked for him and whose labor supported his endeavors. Even though the host left on the shore was great, easily twice the number of his own household, they would be in Valinor while he and his sons were heading East with all speed to reclaim his Silmarils.

Fëanor climbed atop the rail at the boat’s prow, clinging to a rope, his face in the spray. Maedhros couldn’t swear to it, but thought he saw tears falling down his father’s face, not just drops from the ocean spray. Events had moved so quickly that there hadn’t been time to grieve for his grandfather, Finwë. Maedhros suspected his father was taking this first quiet opportunity to weep and help his heart heal from its grievous loss.

Turing away and leaving his father to his own thoughts, Maedhros turned and walked to the other end of the ship, his fists clenched in anger. Maglor came and stood next to him, gazing back towards Valinor and those they had left behind. “What have we done, brother?” whispered Maedhros. A shiver consumed him as he reviewed the events of the previous few days. “Death hath beget more death, and this oath that we have sworn may well destroy us all.”

“We have a great host assembled on these ships, brother, replied Maglor, attempting to calm his older sibling. "If we can catch Morgoth before he enters his stronghold, we have a chance".

Maedhros turned to face the minstrel, anguish painting his fair features. “Morgoth is Vala, Maglor. A Vala! What possible chance do we, mere elves, have against a being with his power? Yet, because we love our father and have sworn his oath, we must stand against the terror and attempt to defeat the undefeatable because we now have no choice. We have doomed ourselves and all who follow us.”

He turned back to look West once more, the seas dark and the land long faded in the distance. “In a way I hope our Uncle and the others stay in Valinor, returning to their homes. I hope that we do not send the ships back for them. Yes, it would be a betrayal of our word, but this betrayal would let them survive. I'm not so sure we'll have the same grace.”

Maglor shook his head. “They are elves of honor, brother. Our Uncle has his own reasons for wanting to follow our Father, and I can’t fathom them. But I can assure you of this – if they are given any means whatsoever, they will follow us into the East.”

After a swift crossing, the swan ships finally arrived on the shores of Middle Earth and the elves disembarked. “Burn the ships,” Fëanor called out. “Throw torches into them, burn them to ashen spars and let the skeletons sink. Those who follow my half-brother are no friends to us. We need them not!”

“Atar! You promised to send the ships back for them,” Maedhros shouted. “You cannot break your word!”

Fëanor pushed his oldest son aside, thrusting a brand into the fire that had been started on the beachhead. “If you will not aid me, then step aside, Maedhros. I decree that no ship will return for those waiting on the far shore. We will burn the ships in statement to all watching, that they may see our resolve and trust in our oath. It also abandons us here, leaving us with no choice but to succeed in our goal and not return to Valinor until the Silmarils are back in our hands.” He threw his brand into the nearest ship, all of his sons following his example, except one.

Maedhros stood aside, watching the destruction of ships the like of which would never again be seen on the seas of the world. In their destruction lay his promise to Fingon, also a victim of the flames of hatred and mistrust. Standing aside, he watched the ships burn, and Maedhros wept.

Comments

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

*weeps, too* This part of the Silmarillion always makes me feel sad for both Maedhros and Fingon. I've never "shipped" them as so many do (er, that's a horrible pun considering the content of this story, but unintended!) but seen them as dearest friends and heart-brothers. Even that would cause Maedhros to weep as his otorno was lost to him, for a time.

Do you believe one of Feanor's twins was burned with the ships? (I always forget whether it's meant to be Amrod or Amras). That would give Maedhros double cause for grief.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Usually it is Amras who is given that grisly death, although it is one of those points that is always under debate and is excellent fodder for those of us writing fan fiction. Many years ago I did an art piece entitled "And Maedhros Stood Aside" I think it is in my archive at MPTT. I've always found it rather amazing that the son who defied him on the banks of the Western Sea was the one who seemed to follow his doom so closely and for so long.

Whether Fingon and Maedhros were lovers is always up for debate. I think I've written them both ways over the years and they work equally well. The only thing that is undeniable is that the ships were burned and Fingolfin and his followers had to make the harrowing journey across the ice.

Thanks for your comments, my dear. One of the good things about B2MeM is that it gives us a chance to exchange commentary back and forth more often.

- Erulisse (one L)

[periantari.livejournal.com]

Amazing ficlet. yOU had me captivated since you're using Maedros point of view in all this. The anguish you painted at this moment is very vivid. Great job.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It was one of the darkest moments in elvish history, and the beginning of the public visibility of Feanor's madness. I couldn't make light of such an event, but the sons of Feanor were caught between their public oath and duty to their father, and the knowledge that they were performing heinous acts on his behest. It was a nasty time.

- Erullisse (one L)

[periantari.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it was a tough time for all of Feanor's sons to have such a high expectation and promise to live to do. I think that really affected some of them never really settling down to have offspring too and a life other than to keep wanting to battle a Valar that they cannot win against.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It was a really tragic point - and this most thoughtful of sons must have realised more than most just how awful that oath must turn out to be for them all.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

- Erulisse (one L)

[dreamflower]

This is one of the darkest and most heart wrenching episodes in the Silm, and one of the things that makes it hard for me to see Feanor in any sort of good light. He actively sought madness and doom, and dragged his whole family along for the ride.

Maedhros is one of those characters, though, who has his redeeming qualities, and this shows us one of them.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

I think there were lots of doubts there - in many of the sons of Feanor. Yes, they stood by him and took the Oath, and yes, they followed him to Alqualonde and murdered many to gain the ships, but I don't think their hearts were really in it - at least not the older sons. No matter what, though, it was a horrible time and they were, without doubt, following an elf who was borderline insane.

- Erulisse (one L)

[starbrow.livejournal.com]

I really like this! It comes off a lot more even-handed than many of the stories I've read about the burning of the ships, indeed, I would say, more even-handed than canon portrays these events, and thus, a lot more realistic. I like that Maedhros is conflicted -- he almost wants to burn the ships, but at the same time, he gave his word that the ships would be sent back.

And Feanor crying over Finwe at the prow of the ship, face in the spray so his tears won't be noticed, augh, my heart.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Many people place the Feanorians on the "bad" side of the elvish leger, but I don't. I think they are tragic figures who made some really poor decisions in the heat of anger and anguish and then had no choice but to follow through and keep their vows. I think in the end it was pride that led to the fall of their house, and pride is a hard thing to admit or resolve.

Thank you for your words and for reading and commenting. It is very appreciated!

- Erulisse (one L)

[nialoke]

Oh dear *sniffles* Poor Maedhros, poor fingon, poor everyone. They've got themselves in such a mess.
I like how conflicted Maedhros is here, not even sure if he wants the ships to be burned in the hopes the rest of the host will be forced to go back to Valinor. And part of Feanor's motive being to take away the temptation to give up and return - that's a really interesting idea and one I hadn't considered before.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

The events that Melkor and Feanor set into motion were the Great Tragedy of Arda and the burning of the ships was a stamp upon their decisions. I appreciate your thinking that burning the boats to keep from returning was an idea you hadn't considered in the past. I love putting new ideas out there for other authors to consider. *hugs*

- Erulisse (one L)