42: An Appointment in Valmar

The rest of that day and all the next was something of a trial for Glorfindel, not to mention everyone else, but they took it in good humor, understanding why. Valmar was a half day’s journey away, so the small party of elves left Vanyamar shortly after breakfast. Winter was approaching and the days were growing shorter. Sunset would be early and Ingwion wanted to reach the city in time for a meal, though he suspected Glorfindel would be too wound up to eat; he had barely eaten anything since receiving the Elder King’s summons.

Glorfindel, for his part, became more and more quiet as the day progressed and the journey to Valmar commenced. The others in the party did not try to press him to join in any merriment they might be engaged in, respecting his need for quiet, but neither did they exclude him. Thus, it was a lighthearted group that wended its way across the plain separating the two cities.

When Ingwion informed Ingwë of Manwë’s plan and his role in it, Ingwë gave his son a piercing look. "Be sure to take a suitable escort for the ellith," he said, then he almost smiled, the first time since the Incident. "I will leave it to you and the other ellyn to protect the denizens of Valmar from Glorfindel."

Ingwion actually laughed and promised to do his best. Thus it was that the party was augmented by an escort of guards as well as Findis and Indil to act as chaperones.

Valmar was a completely different city than any that the Eldar had built. For one thing there were only eight buildings, mansions actually, each surrounded by gardens and a large courtyard fronting a wide avenue, called the Landamallë Valion. The avenue ran northeast to southwest, between two mansions, with three mansions on either side of the wide street. Four other roads entered the city along the cardinal points, each with its own gate at the entrance of the city. At the northeast end of the Landamallë Valion, closest to Taniquetil, stood the mansion of Manwë and Varda. It was easily the largest building there, its porticos and colonnades reaching skyward. The mansion of Námo and Vairë stood at the other end of the avenue standing closest to the Máhanaxar and the more distant Halls of Mandos.

As one faced the mansion of the Elder King, Aulë and Yavanna’s mansion stood to the left of Manwë’s mansion with the North road, the Formenya Tëa, between them. Ulmo’s mansion stood opposite, the East road, the Rómenya Tëa, between his mansion and Manwë’s. Nienna’s mansion stood to the right of her brother Námo’s mansion as one faced it, with the West road, the Númenya Tëa, between them. Opposite was the mansion of Irmo and Estë with the South road, the Hyarmenya Tëa, between that mansion and Námo’s. Tulkas and Nessa’s mansion stood between Aulë’s and Nienna’s, while Oromë and Vána’s mansion faced it on the other side of the malinorni-lined avenue.

The town of Eldamas, where lived the Eldar who served in the city, lay on the outskirts of Valmar along the Formenya Tëa. This was the road that led directly to Vanyamar and Taniquetil. Halfway along this road as it curved towards the northeast, another road joined it leading north-northwest towards Formenos. This was the Mall’ Etelerroron, in memory of Fëanáro and Finwë. The Númenya Tëa led to Lórien and beyond to the House of Nienna by the shores of the Ekkaia. Several leagues along this road, before one reached Lórien, another road veered to the southwest leading to Mandos. It was known as the Mallë Mandëo. The Rómenya Tëa led directly to Tirion. The Hyarmenya Tëa wended its way through the farming communities that lay in the Southern Fiefdoms of the Eldar where the soil was the richest and the climate the mildest. There were dwellings of the Eldar along each of the roads, inns and shops mostly, catering to any of the Eldar traveling between various places in Aman, but the main town lay along the North road.

It was to this town that Ingwion led his party, planning to stop at a favorite inn of his, the Laughing Vala. They were expected, for Ingwion had sent messages ahead. Because the meeting with Manwë was to take place in the evening it was decided that they would remain overnight. Indeed, Ingwion planned to spend several days in Valmar with Glorfindel and the others. Námo had practically made it an order and Manwë had nodded his agreement.

"It will do Glorfindel and the others good to be away from Vanyamar for awhile," the Lord of Mandos had said, and Ingwion was wise enough not to question a Vala, especially this Vala, when being given a directive.

Eldamas straggled along both sides of the North road, with side streets leading away from the main avenue. The town was quite large actually and Glorfindel was a bit lost as Ingwion led them through a winding way across courtyards and squares towards the inn. He had no memory from his previous life of ever having been here before. Soon they reached their destination, horses seen to and rooms assigned. Glorfindel found himself being given a room of his own, much to his surprise and consternation.

"You’re not the only one with a message from the Valar," Ingwion said when Glorfindel asked him about the room. "I was given my own orders concerning you."

"But why?"

Ingwion shook his head. "I do not know, meldonya. I only know what I was told: you were to be given a room for yourself, this room to be precise."

Glorfindel looked disturbed and not a little wary. "Sometimes I wish they would just leave me alone," he whispered in anguish and Ingwion’s heart went out to the young ellon and he hugged him, offering him comfort.

"But is the alternative not worse, child?" he asked. Glorfindel had no answer, though he spent some time pondering the prince’s words. Finally, he sighed and nodded his head. Ingwion released him with a smile. "Rest now. I will have Elessairon come to you and help you ready yourself for your meeting. I will also have something light brought up for you as well. It would be well if you tried to eat. It will only leave the Elder King with a bad impression if you faint on him, you know."

Glorfindel couldn’t help but chuckle at that and nodded his agreement. Rest, of course, did not come easily or swiftly but Glorfindel found himself starting awake at the sound of a soft knock on the door. He called out, struggling to rise from his bed and saw Elessairon and Lómion entering, both already dressed in formal robes. Lómion carried a covered tray from which enticing smells emanated. Both ellyn were grinning.

"I’m glad you were able to rest, Glorfindel," Elessairon said. "We’ve brought you something to eat. Ingwion says you are to eat everything on this tray even if we have to hold you down and force you to eat it."

Glorfindel merely nodded. "Thank you," he said meekly and the two ellyn exchanged looks as Glorfindel took the tray and began to sip on the light meat broth that he found under the warming cover. There was also some fresh bread and a plate of fruit and cheese. There was no wine or beer, but there was a pot of flower tea — ninquë ariendë, his favorite. It was more than he had eaten in the last two days, but he suddenly felt stronger for it.

The other ellyn remained silent while Glorfindel ate. Elessairon went through Glorfindel’s bags and pulled out the clothes Glorfindel would wear to his meeting with Manwë. Lómion, meanwhile arranged for a tub to be brought to the room and hot water for a bath prepared. Once Glorfindel finished eating he stripped and climbed into the tub while the other two ellyn sat on the bed, idly talking, though Glorfindel said little, if anything, the entire time.

Once he was dried off, the ellyn helped him to dress. There was a knee-length midnight blue velvet tunic with a high collar trimmed with silver filigree embroidery set in a serpentine pattern. Green-blue tourmaline and yellow topaz were alternately set between the loops of the embroidery. The sleeves of the tunic were slashed and tight at the wrist. The spring-green watered silk lining showing through the slashes matched the color of the silk shirt that was worn underneath. There were also leather breeches, dyed a darker green. Glorfindel’s formal robe of blue-green brocade trimmed with yellow ribbon embroidery completed the ensemble.

As Elessairon helped Glorfindel with his braids, following the ellon’s instructions carefully, a knock on the door found Ingwion standing there, also formally dressed, and carrying a small round box. He grinned as he entered and nodded approval at seeing Elessairon helping Glorfindel. "I brought something for you," he said, laying the box on a table and opening it. All three ellyn gasped in wonder when they saw what lay within. It was a chaplet of gold in the shape of malinorë leaves intertwined with representations of elanor and niphredil in white gold and mithril, respectively. It was beautifully crafted, the leaves and the flowers seemingly real for all that they were made of metal.

"Wh-what does this mean?" Glorfindel asked with some trepidation. He was sure that there was some mistake.

"It means that no member of the Noldorin royal family goes before the Elder King without being properly attired," Ingwion stated, perhaps more firmly than needed, but recognizing the signs of rebellion in Glorfindel’s eyes. His tone was meant to forestall any further protest from the younger ellon.

Glorfindel started at Ingwion’s words. "I’m not..."

"Tell that to Arafinwë and Eärwen," Ingwion smiled gently and then he found himself hugging the Noldo who was suddenly crying. "There, there," he said soothingly, patting Glorfindel on the back to comfort him. "Is that any way for a Balrog-slayer to act? Now dry those tears. It’s almost time to leave."

With that he released Glorfindel from his embrace and brought the chaplet from the box, placing it on the Noldo’s head. Glorfindel sniffled a bit, wiping the tears with a handkerchief that Lómion conveniently produced. "My ammë never lets me leave the house without one," he said wryly and everyone laughed.

Ingwion nodded in approval at Glorfindel. "A proper prince. Come, let us go." He motioned Glorfindel to lead the way and soon the ellyn were standing in the common room of the inn along with the ellith and their escort. All were in formal dress. Even the guards wore their best uniforms. The other patrons of the inn, a mix of Vanyar and Noldor, stared open-mouthed at the sight. When two Maiar suddenly appeared in their midst, everyone scrambled to their feet and bowed, as did Ingwion’s party.

"Hail, Lord Glorfindel, Balrog-slayer," one of the Maiar said. He was wearing a white robe underneath a sky-blue surcoat with an eagle embroidered upon it. "I am Fionwë of the People of Manwë. This is Maranwë of the People of Námo. We have been sent by our lords to escort you and your party."

Maranwë gave them a short bow. He was attired similarly to Fionwë, save that his surcoat was black and was embroidered with Námo’s emblem of the Sun-in-Eclipse.

"Th-thank you," Glorfindel said nervously, looking a bit pale. He had been hoping for a meeting with the Elder King for so long but now that the moment had arrived he was suddenly unsure. The two Maiar gave him sympathetic smiles and Maranwë put his hands on either side of the ellon’s face, gazing intently into Glorfindel’s eyes. Glorfindel found himself falling into the Maia’s gaze, the depth of love that he felt coming from Maranwë was incredibly intimate, almost overwhelming, yet it did not excite or trouble him. Instead he felt himself becoming calm, calmer than he had ever felt in his life... in either life.

Then Maranwë released him from his gaze and Glorfindel took a shuddering breath. "Are you ready now, child?" the Maia asked gently and Glorfindel nodded shyly. With a nod, the two Maiar went to the door of the inn followed by Glorfindel and the others.

They walked as a group, the guards on the outside, feeling somewhat superfluous with the two Maiar there, and everyone else in the center with Glorfindel and Ingwion in the lead. Fionwë led them and Maranwë followed behind everyone else. The townspeople stood in open-mouthed wonder at the sight as the party walked through the town towards the northern gate leading into the city of the Powers. In the gathering gloom of night there was little to see of the city, but every mansion was lit up and lanterns glowed from the lower branches of the malinorni lining the avenue.

Fionwë led them through the gates leading to the mansion of the Elder King and then through the main courtyard where fountains merrily sang. A wide portico with three broad steps fronted the mansion, an incredible edifice made mostly from cut crystals of different hues. Sapphires seemed to make up its foundation with towers of amethyst and colonnades of amber. Walls made of blue quartz there were and floors made from beryl and meneluissar. Even at night the crystalline structure shimmered under the stars; in the brightness of day, it would positively shine. Lights from inside the structure made it glow in a rainbow of colors, though blue seemed to dominate.

Glorfindel found himself faltering in his steps, awe and fear mingling within him. The other elves were equally impressed by what they saw. All stopped and stared up at the residence of the Elder King and his beloved Varda in wonder. Fionwë looked back from the top step of the portico and smiled at them.

"Take your time, my children," he said quietly. "Have no fear. It is merely a building after all. The one who awaits you within is the one you have always known and love."

Glorfindel, however, was beginning to have second thoughts, feeling faint and suddenly overheated in his formal robes. Ingwion, by his side, noticed his distress and took him by the shoulders and made him sit down on the lowest step.

"Head between the knees, meldonya," he said softly as he sat on Glorfindel’s left. "Try to breathe normally."

Glorfindel did as he was told and the blackness eating away at the edges of his consciousness began to recede. He felt rather than saw someone sit beside him on his right and place a cool hand on the back of his neck. Then a goblet was being pressed to his lips and he drank the water gratefully. When he recovered his equilibrium he saw that Alassiel was sitting next to him, a worried smile on her face. It was her hand on his neck. Ingwion gave him a squeeze on his arm.

Glorfindel grimaced. "Sorry. I don’t know what came over me," he said in apology.

"Well, at least you were quiet about it," Ingwion said with a snort. "The first time I was brought here I started screaming."

Glorfindel stared at the Vanyarin prince in surprise. Ingwion nodded, smiling wryly.

"How old were you?" Glorfndel asked.

"About ten I think, maybe twelve," Ingwion replied. "I was being presented to the Powers you see, as Atar’s heir. All the Valar were gathered here in this mansion to meet me."

"Why here and not on the mountain?" Glorfindel asked.

Ingwion shrugged. "I do not know. I only know that I took one look at this place and started screaming. Atar was beside himself with embarrassment and Ammë was about ready to deny she ever gave birth to me." The prince started laughing and Glorfindel smiled in spite of himself. Alassiel and the others smirked.

"So what happened?" Glorfindel asked.

"He spent the better part of his stay here sitting on my lap and playing with one of my stars."

The elves found themselves scrambling to their feet and bowing as Varda stepped down from the entrance, the wreath of living stars shining brightly above her. Her expression was one of mild amusement.

"St-star?" Glorfindel stuttered as he stole a look at Ingwion.

Ingwion gave him a weak smile and whispered. "It was a very small star."

Varda laughed at that. "Small indeed, but it was the only thing that distracted him enough to shut him up so the rest of us could have a decent conversation."

Now Ingwion started blushing as the ellyn and ellith around him sniggered.

"I don’t think your parents allowed you to return here until you were well past your majority, did they?" Varda looked at Ingwion, and the amusement in her eyes was not at all condescending.

"Something like that," Ingwion laughed ruefully.

Varda nodded then turned her attention to Glorfindel, who was still feeling shaky. She held out her hand and after a moment’s hesitation Glorfindel took it. "My beloved awaits thee, child. Wilt thou not come?"

"Wh-what of my friends?" he stammered.

She smiled warmly. "They will be here when thou art ready to leave, but it is for thee to meet with the Elder King alone."

Glorfindel blanched slightly at that. He knew that practically speaking not everyone could accompany him to his audience with Manwë but he figured that Ingwion at least would be able to. Now he wondered if he really wanted to do this after all.

As if divining his thoughts, the Valië said, "It is not for thee to decide if thou wilt or no, child. The Elder King of Arda hath summoned thee this night. Come." And with that, she led him gently up the steps and Glorfindel could not deny her. Just as he was stepping across the threshold the ellon stopped and looked back to see his friends being led away by the two Maiar attendants towards a side gate that led into a garden. As Varda gently pulled him away the mithril doors silently closed, leaving him alone with the Queen of Stars.

****

Landamallë Valion: The Avenue of the Valar. Landamallë literally means "wide street" [landa "wide" + mallë "street]. Vali is an alternative plural of Vala.

Eldamas: Elftown. This name was most likely a designation used by the Valar and Maiar to indicate that part of Valmar where the Vanyar serving the city dwelt and later adopted by the elves for themselves.

Mall’ Etelerroron: Road of the Exiled Ones; reconstructed from Sindarin edledhron > Old Sindarin etledro(ndo) [ET, LED]

Mallë Mandëo: Road of Doom.

Formenya Tëa: Northern Road.

Númenya Tëa: Western Road.

Rómenya Tëa: Eastern Road.

Hyarmenya Tëa: Southern Road.

Malinorni: Plural of malinornë: the mallorn tree.

Ekkaia: The Outer Ocean west of Valinor that circles Arda.

Ninquë Ariendë: White Daisy. For the etymology of ariendë, see the Sindarin eirien. White daisy tea is a mild tea that is yellow-green in color.

Ammë: Hypocoristic form of amillë: Mother. 

Note on geography: In reading the Silmarillion and checking various sources, I could not seem to pin down an exact geography of Valinor except vague sentences, such as "Mandos lay to the west of Valmar (Silm)". There is even some confusion as to where, in relation to Tirion, Taniquetil lies. Some maps show it to the south-southwest of Tirion, others to the north-northeast. For purposes of this story, I have placed Taniquetil north-northeast of Tirion. Tirion lies directly east of Valmar and Lórien lies directly west, with Mandos south of Lórien. All other locations are based on this orientation.

The description of Valmar is, of course, from my own imagination, coupled with whatever descriptions I could find from Tolkien. I have based its layout on the ceremonial centers of the Aztecs and Mayans, especially the ancient city of Teohituacan in Mexico.

Note on the use of gemstones: The choice of gemstones making up the structure of the mansions of the Valar is deliberate, based on the spiritual and healing properties attributed to these stones throughout history and by different cultures. I have, of course, been highly selective of the meanings and powers of each gemstone to fit the parameters of my story and they may not always agree with the perceived wisdom of those who believe in crystal powers. To make it easier for readers to remember, I will repeat the meanings of any gemstones I use in future chapters so you do not have to keep referring back to previous chapters.

Blue-Green Tourmaline: Brings a joy for life. It promotes an appreciation for the many wonders that life has to offer. It encourages patience and openness and promotes peace, balance, and emotional purification.

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

Sapphire: Symbolic of wisdom and purity.

Amethyst: A purple stone symbolic of spirituality and piety.

Amber: Symbolic of courage and the presence of Eru Ilúvatar.

Blue Quartz: Symbolic of peace and tranquility.

Beryl: The proper name for the Emerald: Symbolic of love, fidelity, faith and hope.

Meneluissar: Sky-blue stone; what we would call lapis lazuli, with the same meaning [meneluin "sky-blue" + sar "stone", with assimilation]. Symbolic of truth.