111: An Audience with the Valar 

When Sador, Glóremmir and Faramir woke the next day they were relieved to find out that they would not have to leave Lord Námo’s mansion by way of another spiral maze.

"I don’t think I want to be sick again," Faramir said, "especially after having eaten such a fine breakfast."

The other two chuckled, completely in agreement.

Vanimeldë had greeted them when they awoke and showed them where they could freshen up and then brought them back to the library where breakfast was waiting for them in the garden. There was no sign of Lord Námo and the elves were too shy to ask about him.

"King Arafinwë and the delegation from Tol Eressëa are meeting with Lord Manwë in an hour," Vanimeldë told them as they dug into their eggs and porridge. "I will lead you there myself when you are finished. No need to rush. There’s plenty of time."

So they took their time with eating with Faramir asking the Maia some questions about what had happened the night before, questions that he seemed to have thought out with some care during the night. Vanimeldë answered them as simply as possible, though it was obvious to Sador and Glóremmir that Faramir was not understanding even half of what the Maia was saying. He gave a dispirited sigh as he idly slathered some blackberry jam onto his toast. Vanimeldë gave him a sympathetic smile.

"Do not be disheartened," she said. "The study of genetics is very deep and there must be much groundwork covered before you can truly delve into it. That you are already asking such questions is a good sign that this is something that you are meant to study. I deem that soon enough you will become a loremaster in your own right."

Faramir looked embarrassed. "Me, a loremaster?" He shook his head. "If my naneth were here she would be laughing her head off at the thought. I was not very interested in my studies as an elfling and then, of course, I spent my life in the service of my lord, too busy slaying orcs to worry about my letters."

"Well, now here’s your chance to show your naneth that you’re not the complete orc-brained ninny she thought you were," Glóremmir said with a sly smile and Faramir stuck his tongue out at him and then all three ellyn were laughing.

When they were finished eating, Vanimeldë led them down a corridor to a door that opened out onto a garden on the south side of the mansion. It was an herb garden as far as they could tell, the air redolent with the smells of lemon thyme and rosemary and peppermint, as well as other herbs they could not identify. They wended their way toward the front and out the gates, making their way up the Landamallë to the mansion of the Elder King, where they were greeted by one of Manwë’s Maiar.

Vanimeldë gave the three ellyn a bow and a smile. "Here is where we part company," she said. "Sáyandilmë will escort you the rest of the way." With that, she simply faded away.

Sáyandilmë smiled at their bemused expressions and wordlessly gestured for them to follow her into the mansion. Soon they were being ushered into a small audience chamber where they found Arafinwë and the others. Of the Lord Manwë or the other Valar there was no sign.

Arafinwë’s eyes brightened at the sight of the three Reborn. "Are you three all right?" he asked.

"Yes, Atar," Sador answered for them all. "We’re fine. We had a very pleasant visit with Lord Námo. I’m sorry we did not return when promised, but...."

Arafinwë waved a hand in dismissal. "Do not concern yourselves. I understand that you are not to blame." He gave them a measuring look. "No harm came to you?"

The three Reborn had identical looks of surprise on their faces and they shook their heads. "No, Atar," Sador answered. "We were not harmed in any way. Why would you think so? Lord Námo wanted to examine us. Something to do with comparing us with Glorfindel. I’m not really sure why. Faramir seemed to understand better."

"But not by much," Faramir replied with a snort. "I think it has to do with why we Reborn seem different from the Once-born in some respects. I got the feeling that the Valar are somewhat puzzled by us, as if they were not expecting us to be the way we are, or something like that." He gave them a half-apologetic shrug. "At any rate, Lord Manwë has said that if I wish to learn more about it Lord Ulmo will send one of his Maiar to teach me."

Arafinwë nodded. "I hope you take them up on the offer," he said. "The Valar have been more chary of teaching us what they know ever since we Noldor abused their trust, creating weapons of war here in Aman when there was no need for them. That Lord Ulmo is willing to apprentice you to one of his Maiar is a hopeful sign."

"I am looking forward to it," Faramir said with a nod. "I have some little knowledge about the passing on of traits from one generation to another but I want to learn more."

"And you will."

The elves turned at the sound of the Elder King’s voice as he and the other Valar entered the chamber through a different door. Manwë smiled benignly on them all as they gave him their obeisance.

"Let us be comfortable," he said and gestured to where there were many chairs set before a dais where the Elder King and Varda sat on thrones while the other Valar stood in a semi-circle on either side of the dais facing the elves. "Thank you for coming," Manwë continued. "Perhaps some introductions should be made, for I know that most of you are unfamiliar with us." He then proceeded to introduce the other Valar. Arafinwë watched with amusement at the expressions on the faces of the Tol Eressëans as they were given faces to names they had only heard about. When Lord Námo was introduced, many of the elves went pale though the Vala did and said nothing threatening or even frightening. Námo, in fact, merely gave them a slight knowing smile. Then, Thorongorn was asked to introduce the rest of the delegation. Once all the introductions were made Manwë came down to business.

"I will reiterate for the rest of you what I told your companions last night," he stated solemnly. "This council is to be open to all, whether they are from Tol Eressëa or from Aman, whether they are Noldor, Sindar, Nandor, or Teleri, whether they are Reborn, or former slaves. In short, no one is to be excluded from this council... including us."

There were several uneasy looks among some in the delegation. Thorongorn spoke then. "And Councillor Dúlinn and I and Lady Celebriel have agreed to those terms."

"Without consulting us?" one of the delegates demanded.

"There was nothing to consult, Gil-galen," Dúlinn answered. "The Valar are hosting the council and they have the right to lay down terms."

"We could simply hold the council on Tol Eressëa then," Gil-galen stated.

"You know it would not work," Celebriel retorted with a huff. "That’s why we’re here. I don’t know why you are even a part of this delegation when you seem so set against it."

"I never said I was against it," Gil-galen replied with some heat, "but it seems to me that by agreeing to these terms we lose control over our own council."

"A council suggested by the Amaneldi," Thorongorn pointed out in a reasonable tone. "They came up with the idea, not us. And Lord Manwë is correct. We cannot exclude anyone from the council or it’s pointless to hold it, but hold it we must or I fear we only doom ourselves."

"There is one question I have," said another of the delegates, an elleth from Kortirion named Gelloneth. She represented the weavers’ guild. "How do we assure that certain interest groups do not dominate the council? I mean, should we limit the number of delegates so no one group has more votes than others?"

"There are a number of ways to approach the problem," Varda said. "Putting aside the question of whether individual farming communities should be counted separately or not, we see the following distinct groups: the three cities on Tol Eressëa, the Nandorin communities, the miners of Angobel, the guilds, and of course each guild needs to be counted separately, the Reborn, and the three kingdoms of Eldamar, as well as the Valar. Did I miss anyone?" This last was directed at Manwë, who shook his head.

"I believe that accounts for everyone," he answered with a faint smile.

Varda nodded, turning back to the delegation. "We Valar will attend as a group, and will voice our opinions as individuals, but only the Elder King will vote on any issue that arises. Therefore, it matters not how many people attend, only how many people will be permitted to cast a vote. The people of Angobel, for instance, are unlikely to have more than one or two people attend, but they will represent the will of all the miners, or at least the vast majority. We think that each recognized group should have only one vote, but any number of people may attend and offer their opinions, recognizing that in the end their representative will cast the final vote."

"It seems odd that you number the Reborn as a distinct and separate group, though," Dúlinn said. "They’re scattered all through the island and here in Aman. I hardly think they could constitute a voting interest."

"You would be surprised," Manwë answered with a glint of humor in his eyes and Arafinwë was not the only one who wondered why Sador, Glóremmir and Faramir were grinning. "The Reborn on Tol Eressëa are more organized than you realize. At any rate, does that answer your question, my dear?" The Elder King looked at Gelloneth, who nodded.

"Then, when you return to Tol Eressëa you may inform them that any can attend but you must choose who will act as your representatives. Tavrobel, Kortirion and Avallónë will be permitted only one vote and that goes for everyone else, so you must choose wisely and well."

"It seems impossible, though, that we could ever arrive at a consensus," Thorongorn said with a shake of his head. "There are too many conflicting interests even among the members of the city council in Kortirion, never mind among the populace as a whole."

"That is certainly something that needs to be addressed." It was Námo who spoke. Everyone gave the Vala their attention. Arafinwë noted with amusement that most of the Tol Eressëans were having difficulty looking at him directly. Only the Reborn had no trouble doing so. If Lord Námo was upset, he did not show it. "Perhaps what you need to do is return home and speak to the people there. Let them know what has been decided. You have a few months before the council begins. In that time, talk among yourselves about what you hope to achieve in this council and decide who will represent the various groups Varda mentioned."

There was much nodding of heads as the delegates listened to Námo’s suggestions.

"You must understand that this council is but the first step," Manwë then said. "Whatever consensus is arrived at by those attending, you must then present the proposal to the island as a whole and it must be ratified by all, or certainly by a majority of the populace."

"I don’t understand though why the Amaneldi or the Valar should be allowed to vote," Faramir ventured. "This council is for the benefit of the Tol Eressëans, is it not?"

"Yes, it is," the Elder King answered, "but what is decided at the council will affect the relations between all of us. The people of Tol Eressëa need to understand that they are now citizens of Aman no less than their kin in Eldamar. Indeed, Tol Eressëa is and always has been considered by us as part of Eldamar, though it remained uninhabited for millennia after Olwë led his people to Alqualondë."

There was a brief silence among the elves as they digested the Vala’s words. Then Celebriel spoke. "One thing I am confused about is who will preside over the council."

"I think Ingwë will be willing to do so, for it is his right," Manwë answered her. "Whatever form of government you choose for yourselves, you are still of Eldamar and Ingwë is High King of you all and you of Tol Eressëa need to acknowledge that fact."

Some of the delegates did not look too pleased by this but they did not voice any complaints. Arafinwë decided to speak. "You must understand how very unique your situation is," he said, addressing the Tol Eressëans. "Here, in Aman, it has been very easy to keep the three clans separate to a large extent. Oh, there are intermarriages and in Eldamas you will find a good mixture of people from the different clans, but by and large the Vanyar, Noldor and Teleri have kept pretty much to themselves. That is not the case with you. Your shared history has forced you together. In some ways you cannot really claim to be separate clans anymore. The Exiled Noldor are closer in spirit and thought to the Sindar than they are to their kin on Aman. And the Sindar and Nando are completely different from the Teleri in too many ways to count. For all that the Teleri, the Sindar and the Nandor began as a single clan, your separation has made you almost different clans altogether. Beyond that, I think there has been a greater blending of the various tribes among you, more so than what has happened in Aman, so that it is difficult to say to which clan a person might belong. Ultimately, I believe that you are the future of our race and it behooves us all to see an end to the conflicts that have arisen among you over how you will govern yourselves."

"Well said, my son," Manwë exclaimed with a broad smile and Arafinwë blushed at the praise. "This is what we Valar have also seen, that what happens on Tol Eressëa will ultimately affect us all, either for good or for ill. You are indeed the future of Elvenkind. It has long been our hope that the three kindreds would someday become so intertwined by blood that it can no longer be said that there are three separate clans but only one. You will lead the way to that ultimate dream."

Now the Tol Eressëans looked thoughtful and one or two even nodded.

"Then all that really remains is for us to return to Tol Eressëa and sell the idea of the council to the rest of the island," Dúlinn said with a wry look, "though I doubt I’ll have any trouble there with the people of Tavrobel. From the very first they have welcomed the idea and are looking forward to it."

"I am sure the rest of your delegation will be convincing enough," Varda replied with a warm smile. "That you are here is a good sign."

"Then we are settled," Manwë said. "The council will be held here in Valmar with the opening session beginning on the day after the winter solstice. It has been customary among the three kings to hold Mid-winter balls at their respective courts. Perhaps this year, we Valar will host one of our own."

"I would certainly come," Arafinwë said with a mischievous grin. "It’ll get me out of having to put up with Axantur and his penchant for making the most joyous event an occasion for tedium."

The Valar all smiled and there were knowing grins among the elves. Manwë stood and the elves followed.

"Then there is nothing more to discuss," the Elder King announced. "Go with our peace. We look forward to seeing you again in a few months’ time."

The elves gave him their obeisance and filed out of the room with Arafinwë remarking that he would need to let both Ingwë and Olwë know what had been decided. Dúlinn and Thorongorn offered to take any message Arafinwë might have for Olwë with them when they left for Tol Eressëa and see that it was delivered. Arafinwë thanked them but said that he would use the royal courier service instead, for he had other kingdom matters to relay to his fellow rulers.

Once the elves were gone, Manwë resumed his seat, becoming remote and contemplative. The others remained respectfully silent, waiting for him to speak first. Finally, his expression cleared and became more present. He smiled slightly, not looking at anyone in particular. "It should prove very interesting, indeed," he said. The others had the distinct feeling that their king was not necessarily speaking to them and more than one of them suppressed a shiver of awe at the thought.