79: Return to the Ring of Doom

After careful consultation with his engineers and the Maiar who had helped with the cleaning of Formenos, Ingwë decided that it would be best to wait until the spring before sending the prisoners into exile. In the meantime, Arafinwë sent for his prisoners to come to Vanyamar, thinking it would be prudent to have all of them under one roof. The problem was, no one knew where they could be housed that would be isolated enough that they could not cause trouble in the city until Glorfindel remembered the caves where Manwë had kept him.

"They’re not overly large but they are large enough," Glorfindel explained to Ingwë. "There are three main caverns plus the bathing cavern and privy. I do not know how food can be gotten to them, for now I suspect that Lord Manwë simply made my meals appear when needed. The front entrance is the only one. There are no other exits so you won’t have to block anything up."

Ingwë nodded. "I will have my people take a look. Do you think you can remember where they are located?"

Glorfindel shook his head. "No, sorry. I’m afraid I have no idea where on the mountain I was. Olórin led me back to Vanyamar but not along any recognizable route. We didn’t even reach the road until the city was in sight."

"I will ask Lord Manwë then and get his permission to use the caves," the High King said. "Valanya will come before we leave for Valmar and I will go up to Ilmarin as is my custom on that day to pay my respects to the Elder King and his Spouse."

So it was decided. When Ingwë returned from Ilmarin it was with Manwë’s permission and directions and even a few suggestions on how to fortify the caves for the purpose they were to be used. Ingwë stated that he regretted that he even had to consider such a thing, and Manwë commiserated with him.

When the day came to travel to Valmar it was decided to leave directly after breakfast. It would be a large group that was traveling, for many of the Vanyarin nobles and not a few of Arafinwë’s people wished to witness the doomsaying against Ingoldo and Tinwetariel, and progress between the two cities would be slow. The older elves remembered the last time with Fëanáro, but for the younger elves this was a first.

Finrod traveled with his own party consisting of Glorfindel, Laurendil, Sador and Ingwion, with the addition of Aldundil and his family, as well as Elessairon, Lómion, Ercassë, Elemmirë and Alassiel. Lirulin had elected to remain in Vanyamar with Indil and Findis, for none of them desired to see Ingoldo or Tinwetariel again.

It was a somewhat strange group riding with Finrod, and the Vanyar who rode with the High King looked upon them with a combination of sincere interest and gratuitous curiosity. Many were surprised to see Lord Aldundil wearing those ridiculous front braids that the Noldorin prince and his otornor insisted on wearing. Even more shocking was the sight of Vorondil with his locks shorn and many wondered, erroneously of course, if Finrod had ordered them cut as a means of shaming the younger ellon who was now his thrall.

The problem with this theory, several others pointed out, including Lord Valandur, was that Findaráto was seen treating Vorondil with great gentleness and respect and the younger ellon did not seem unduly frightened of him. At one point, during a brief rest period, Findaráto was seen putting an arm around Vorondil and speaking to him quietly. No one heard what was said, but they saw Vorondil nod his head and actually smile at whatever was being told him, and many wondered at that.

They were even more amazed when, upon reaching the Ring of Doom, both Findaráto and Glorfindel took Vorondil into the center of the Ring and began pointing out various features to him, as if explaining something. The ellon, they saw, looked about in wonder, but not fear, and even appeared to be asking a question or two which one or the other of the Noldorin Reborn took pains to answer as completely as possible and with apparently great patience and even good humor. No one could figure it out and those who understood the truth were not about to enlighten them.

Ingoldo and Tinwetariel were brought into the center of the Ring of Doom, neither looking at all well. Glorfindel, as the injured party was there as well, along with those who had participated in the Hunt. Finrod insisted that Vorondil and Aldundil stand by him.

"This concerns you both as well," he told them. "While Vorondil’s doom was not uttered within the Ring, nevertheless it behooves us to ratify it here where all judgments are made." Both son and father paled at Finrod’s words and Vorondil began to tremble. Finrod put a comforting arm around the younger ellon and kissed his forehead. "There’s nothing to fear, hinya. Judgment has already been rendered. This is just a mere formality, nothing more."

Vorondil nodded somewhat reluctantly but did not look too convinced. Glorfindel clapped him on the shoulder and bent down and whispered something in his ear that seemed to calm him and he even gave the Balrog-slayer a shy smile, which Glorfindel returned with a grin of his own.

Then, just as the sun touched the western horizon, setting all ablaze in a glory of red and gold, purple and rose, the air around them shimmered and the Valar appeared sitting on their thrones in all their terrible majesty. Every elf there bent their knee to the Elder King who bade them to rise, his words solemn with the weight of glory that surrounded him.

"Not since Fëanáro has any Elda stood here to receive the doom of exile," Manwë said softly, though all heard his words. "It grieves me that we must do so again today. Yet, testimony has been heard and crimes have been confessed to. I have listened to the sentences passed upon all who transgressed the Sérë Valaron and I hereby ratify all judgments." He paused and looked straight at Vorondil, his expression becoming less stern, though no less solemn. He gestured to the ellon.

"Come here, Vorondil."

Vorondil swallowed visibly and blanched. Finrod took him by the hand and led him before the Elder King’s throne. Manwë stared at him for several moments. Vorondil wanted to look away, but found that he couldn’t and he grew even more pale. Finally the Elder King spoke.

"Findaráto hath claimed thee for himself and I accept his claim. Therefore, as agreed, thou wilt go to Lórien as Findaráto’s bondsman to perform whatsoever service he requireth of thee. For thirty years of the Sun thou wilt remain there and attend to the needs of the Reborn who pass through Lord Irmo’s domain. At the end of that time, and if Findaráto releaseth thee, thou wilt be free to leave Lórien and take up whatever life thou desirest. All judgments will be considered rendered and all debts paid. Dost thou understand the terms of thy thralldom, child?"

Vorondil could only nod, reeling slightly under Manwë’s regard. Finrod held him up and gave him an encouraging smile. Manwë nodded. "Then there is nothing more to say. Use the time in Lórien wisely, child, and listen to thy Master. He hath much to teach thee that will be to thy benefit." He reached down and gently took Vorondil into his embrace and planted a kiss on the ellon’s forehead, then gave Finrod a nod. "Go now." The two ellyn bowed to the Elder King and returned to their friends and family.

Manwë looked about and his expression darkened. "Let us proceed to hear the doom upon Ingoldo and Tinwetariel."

At that Námo stood up and his expression was such that none of the elves could look upon him. Ingoldo and Tinwetariel found themselves falling to their knees before the terrifying visage of the Doomsman of Arda.

"Thou, Ingoldo, and thou, Tinwetariel, did conspire against the Sérë Valaron in that ye did deliberately entice one who has yet to reach his majority into committing a heinous act upon another. And this deed was unlawful, whether of Aman or not of Aman. Therefore this doom is now made: For the remainder of this Age, as the Valar shall determine, ye shall leave Vanyamar where this crime was committed and abide at Formenos. Ye shall not be permitted to go more than one league from there in any direction, though within those bounds ye are free to wander. In that time take counsel with yourselves, and remember who and what you are. But after that time this matter shall be set in peace and held redressed, if others will release you."

"As to that, we will see," Ingwë stated and Manwë nodded.

Orders were given and the two prisoners were escorted away from the Máhanaxar. They would be returned to Vanyamar that very night while the High King and his party remained in Valmar. Finrod would leave in the morning with Laurendil, and Aldundil and his family, as well as with Ingwion who would continue on to Nienna’s house under a suitable Maiar escort, while Sador and Arafinwë would return to Tirion. Glorfindel and the four other Noldor who had gone to Vanyamar with him would remain there until the New Year as originally planned.

"I know you would rather come home, Glorfindel," Arafinwë said, "or even go with Findaráto, but I think you should continue your fostering under Ingwë for a time. It will not be for very long and then you will be together with your brothers once again."

Glorfindel nodded. "Yes, Atar, I know, and truly I do not mind."

So the next day there were many farewells among the various parties and soon small groups were seen heading west or east, but the largest group went north. With them rode one golden-haired Balrog-slayer.

****

Valanya: Valar-day; what would be our Friday and in the Shire was called Highday. See Appendix D.

Note: Again, some of the wording of the doom against Ingoldo and Tinwetariel are taken from The Silmarilion, "Of the Silmarils".