135: The Valar on Trial

Finrod scowled at the amused smirks on the faces of the Valar, and had to force himself to remain calm. "What do you mean by ‘it’s about time’?" he asked Manwë, not in the mood to be polite about it.

Others were beginning to come out of their shock and were murmuring among themselves. Manwë raised a slender eyebrow at Finrod and sighed slightly, setting off a light breeze that ruffled everyone’s hair, then rose and walked down to the dais to stand beside the chair recently vacated by Selmacas.

"I assume this is where the accused sits?" he asked.

"Now you make fun of us," Finrod said coldly. "You are not taking this seriously."

There were sharp intakes of breath from more than one throat. Manwë looked sadly at Finrod and shook his head. "On the contrary, Findaráto, I and my fellow Valar are taking this very seriously. Your accusations, while unfounded, need to be addressed."

"Unfounded?" Ingwë asked, raising an eyebrow and scowling. "Perhaps they are to you, lord, but it does not follow that they are to us. We believe we have just cause to bring the Valar to an accounting."

"I realize that, Ingwë," Manwë acknowledged, "which is why I am standing here, allowing myself, who am vice-gerent to Eru Ilúvatar over all of Arda and the Elder King above all other kings, to be put on trial."

An uncomfortable silence followed and several elves eyed Ingwë nervously, as if they were wondering if perhaps things had gone too far. For a moment Ingwë stared at the calm visage of the Elder King and then nodded once before turning to Arafinwë.

"If I may take over?" he asked politely and Arafinwë gave him a surprised look at the unexpected question.

"You need not have asked," he said. "You are the Ingaran, High King over us all."

"And yet, of your courtesy, I do," Ingwë responded gravely, "for this is still your court."

"Then you have my leave, my liege," Arafinwë answered with a bow of his head.

Ingwë thanked him and turned back to Manwë. "You may sit if you wish, Lord Manwë, or stand if that makes you more comfortable." He gave Manwë a slightly sardonic smile and Manwë inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment.

"I will stand then," he said and the chair and the table disappeared.

"Prince Findaráto, if you would read the charges so all know what they are," Ingwë commanded.

Finrod bowed to him and then straightened. "We charge the Valar, through the person of Lord Manwë, with contempt and with wilful manipulation of people and events surrounding this Council for their own benefit and not for ours. We are prepared to offer evidence to this court."

"Very well, Prince Findaráto," Ingwë said, nodding for him to resume his seat, then turning his attention to Manwë. "My lord, how do you plead?"

"Not guilty, of course," Manwë said with a slight, almost provocative, smile as if daring them to do their worst.

Ingwë ignored the smile, his expression neutral as befitted one who sat in judgment and turned to Finrod. "You may call your first witness."

"I call Lord Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower," Finrod said.

Glorfindel, who had been sitting with the others from Aewellond, stood and made his way down to the dais. Rather than making his way through the space separating the kings’ table from one of the side tables to stand in the center, he deliberately worked his way through the tiers so as to approach from the open part of the ‘U’ where Manwë stood, blithely waving the Elder King out of his way as he went into the center, giving the kings a respectful bow and Finrod a cheeky grin and a wink.

Finrod kept his expression bland but he had to grip the edge of the table tightly in an effort not to shout at his gwador for his flippancy. He found himself silently counting to twelve in an attempt to remain calm. Glorfindel saw this. His only response was a raised eyebrow, as if to say ‘What do you expect from a recently released Reborn?’ Finrod closed his eyes briefly, ignoring the amused looks from some of the others, before speaking. "Lord Glorfindel, would you explain to this court what you learned recently when you and I were... elsewhere."

Glorfindel nodded, his expression now sober. "It appears that when the time came for me to be re-embodied, a decision was made among the Valar to suppress certain of my memories related to Lord Eärendil...."

As he spoke, the other elves sat spell-bound by his tale and many who did not know him well saw him in a new light. Gone was the flippant Reborn. Glorfindel comported himself as befitted an Elf-lord, a scion of a House of Princes. His narrative was terse and to the point with no snide side comments. He explained what had been done and why and how he began to remember.

"Though to this day, I still cannot see Tancol," he said at the end. "I thought when I found Lord Eärendil I would be able to see the star but so far I haven’t and I suspect I never will."

"Thank you, Lord Glorfindel," Finrod said formally.

Glorfindel bowed and turned to face Lord Manwë, who had stood there unblinking during the narrative. He could have been a statue for all the movement he made.

"Do you have any questions for this witness?" Ingwë asked Manwë.

The Elder King shook his head. "Not at this time," he said, "but we reserve the right to recall this or any other witness once Prince Findaráto has presented his case."

"Very well," Ingwë replied. "Lord Glorfindel, we thank you for your courtesy." Glorfindel turned, gave the kings a bow and made his way between the tables, passing Finrod and giving him another wink. "Call your next witness," Ingwë ordered Finrod.

"I call Lord Falmaron," Finrod said and the Teler rose from where he’d been seated with his family and made his way to the center of the dais. Unlike Glorfindel, he first bowed to Lord Manwë who gave him a gracious nod of recognition before turning to bow to the kings.

"Lord Falmaron...."

"I prefer the title ‘Captain’," Falmaron interjected politely.

Finrod nodded. "Then, Captain, please describe the events which led you here," Finrod requested.

Falmaron sighed and gave his atar sitting before him a weary smile which Olwë returned with a smile of his own. "I am the Captain of a trading vessel named the Elerína," Falmaron began. "I ply my ship between Avallónë and Aewellond. I usually come to Aewellond in the summer months, wintering over in Avallónë. Over the years, my crew and I have undertaken a mapping expedition through the islands before heading back to Avallónë for the winter, laden with trade goods from Aewellond."

"Who authorized the mapping expeditions?" Ingwë asked when Falmaron paused for a moment.

"No one," Falmaron replied. "It is something I decided to do on my own, for I enjoy exploring and chafe at having to stay in one place for long. Actually, I have thought to start sailing south of Tol Eressëa and begin mapping the unknown regions of Valinor. The southern seas are warmer during the winter months so I would not have to remain in Avallónë all winter. My crew, I find, get as restless as I after only a month or so of inactivity."

"Are you sure then that the idea to undertake these mapping expeditions came from your own desires and not from some outside source?" Finrod asked.

Falmaron stared at him in surprise, blinking rapidly, as if trying to grasp what the ellon was implying. "To the best of my knowledge," he said, turning to face Lord Manwë, "the idea of mapping the islands was my own and no other."

Manwë nodded. "We have, of course, been watching you and applaud your initiative in mapping the islands. If you wish also to begin mapping the coastline south of Tol Eressëa, there is no reason why you cannot do so. Your expeditions will prove helpful in the future, as we mean to open up the southern parts of the continent to the Eldar in the near future and maps will be necessary. Others will be exploring and mapping the interior but you will need good maps of the coastline as well."

There were murmurs of surprise among the listeners which settled down when Ingwë raised his hand for quiet. Falmaron turned to face him. "Please continue with your testimony," Ingwë said and Falmaron complied, explaining how he had set sail for Avallónë and how he was almost overcome with feelings of distress and a need to turn back towards Aewellond.

"My crew thought me insane to order the ship about in the middle of a storm," he concluded, "though they obeyed me. And when we finally reached Aewellond it was to find that all was peaceful and none were in danger. The reason for my unease had naught to do with Aewellond at all. It was merely a ploy to get me to turn back so that I would meet Lord Glorfindel."

"And what was the reason for this meeting?" Finrod asked.

"Apparently it was so I would learn from him that my family has had a change of heart concerning the Reborn and that it was time for me to return home." He scowled and shook his head. "I was informed that we needed to meet then and there or we would never have met at all and I would never have learned about my family, which I really find hard to believe. I am sure that if the Valar wanted the two of us to meet, a way would have been found. So, why the need for it now? Would it really have made that much difference if we did not meet until the following summer when I would have returned to Aewellond, assuming Glorfindel was still there?"

"Who told you that you and Lord Glorfindel needed to meet now rather than later?" Olwë asked.

"Mánatamir, a Maia in the service of Lord Manwë," Falmaron answered. "He was also the one who came and told us that Lord Glorfindel, Lord Eärendil, Lady Elwing and I were all needed here in Valmar."

"Any further questions for this witness?" Ingwë asked Finrod and the ellon shook his head, thanking Falmaron for his testimony. Falmaron bowed to the kings, turned and bowed to Lord Manwë and then went back to his seat.

Before Ingwë could instruct Finrod to call his next witness, Lord Morcocáno raised a hand to be recognized. Ingwë frowned but nodded anyway. Morcocáno stood. "While I deplore the fact that Lord Glorfindel and Captain Falmaron have been possible victims of the Valar’s manipulations, I do not see where anything we have heard has any bearing on the charges of contempt against this Council. Nor do I believe that I am the only one here who is wondering where Prince Findaráto is going with this."

"I can understand your concern, Lord Morcocáno," Finrod said, standing to address the Tol Eressëan. "I assure you that it will all become clear in due time if you will just be patient."

Morcocáno nodded. "I am patience personified, my lord," he said somewhat sardonically as he resumed his seat.

Finrod refused to be baited, but called his next witness, which turned out to be Eärendil. There were murmurs of surprise from many and even the Mariner seemed taken aback at the summons, but he made his way to the center readily enough. Manwë never moved or gave any indication that he was even paying any attention to the proceedings. In fact, his eyes appeared somewhat unfocused and some wondered if he and the other Valar were silently plotting a defense or simply laughing at them behind bland façades.

"Lord Eärendil," Finrod said, "when the Maia Mánatamir appeared as Lord Glorfindel was getting ready to sail with Captain Falmaron, what was your reaction to his announcement that you and Lady Elwing had been summoned to come to Valmar?"

"Surprise," Eärendil said, "and consternation."

"Why is that?"

"Glorfindel and Falmaron were already on their way south," the Mariner explained. "My lady wife and I and their other friends were seeing them off. Indeed, had Mánatamir come ten minutes later he would have found the ship gone. So when he appeared and announced that Lord Manwë required Glorfindel to come to Valmar immediately, we were all rather taken aback at the summons and wondered what was really going on."

"What do you mean?" Finrod asked.

"Falmaron appeared unlooked for," Eärendil said. "He only just made it to harbor before we were hit with a snowstorm that kept us indoors for two days."

"I wonder if that’s the same storm that hit us?" Brethorn said out of turn and then put a hand to his mouth, looking chagrined.

No one censured him though, for others were having the same thought and many were mentally tallying up the days to see if the two storms coincided.

"The one had nothing to do with the other," Manwë said, and the sound of his voice startled more than one person.

Finrod nodded. "At any rate, Lord Eärendil, how did it come about that Vingilot was used to transport everyone here?"

"Mánatamir did not tell us all at once that Lord Manwë had summoned not only Lord Glorfindel, but Captain Falmaron, Lady Elwing and myself. He was rather sly about it and when we questioned him as to why we four were being summoned, he insisted he had no idea but was merely following his lord’s orders."

"Did you at any time express any interest in attending this Council?" Finrod asked.

Eärendil shook his head. "We knew about it, of course, because Lord Glorfindel told us about the Royal Progress and what was planned. Also, Mánatamir kept us informed as to what was happening. In fact, it was the news that Lord Morcocáno had walked out on the Council that inspired Lord Glorfindel to leave with Captain Falmaron. He was feeling restless anyway and was upset not to be in the thick of things." He smiled at Glorfindel as he said this and there were knowing smiles among some of the others who knew the Reborn well.

"But you yourself were not inclined to go," Finrod insisted.

Eärendil shook his head. "Both Elwing and I were shocked when Mánatamir told us that we, too, had been summoned. Summoned, mind you. If Mánatamir had merely said that because the sea route would take too long, Lord Manwë had authorized me to bring Glorfindel and Falmaron to Valmar on Vingilot, I would not have thought twice about it. It was an elegant solution, after all. But the fact that Mánatamir insisted that Elwing also accompany us made me suspicious, wondering what need was there for either of us to be here. I would have brought Glorfindel and Falmaron here and then I would have returned to Aewellond without a second thought."

"Who decided that you form your own delegation to this Council, if you had no intention of staying?" Arafinwë asked.

"Galdor asked if it would be all right for him and others to accompany us," Eärendil said with a chuckle. "Then Glorfindel suggested that we should form our own delegation and since each delegation consisted of fourteen members, we chose the others by lot. You should have seen Mánatamir’s expression. Poor Maia had no idea what hit him, for he wasn’t sure if the others should go, but we pointed out that since Lord Manwë did not specifically forbid it then there was no reason for them not to come."

"I’ll have to remember to make my orders more precise from now on," Manwë said mildly.

"My lord, may I respectfully remind you that you are the accused and your comments are in contempt of this court," Ingwë said firmly.

There was a sudden intake of breath among the spectators. Even Finrod, who was going to ignore the Elder King’s words, gave Ingwë a concerned look. There was no reason to antagonize the Valar any more than they already had, after all. Manwë gave Ingwë a serene look and nodded. "I stand corrected," he said. "Pray excuse my rudeness."

Silence hung uneasily in the chamber for a moment or two before Finrod pulled himself together and thanked Eärendil, dismissing him. When Eärendil was seated, Finrod stood to address the Council.

"Before I call my last witness, I wish to recap what we have learned so far. Lord Glorfindel’s testimony points to a longstanding practice of manipulation on the part of the Valar and we see this with Captain Falmaron as well. Also, keep in mind the blizzard that struck here without warning after Lord Morcocáno walked out on the Council."

"Are you implying that that was my fault?" Morcocáno demanded brusquely.

Finrod shook his head. "No, I do not, at least not directly. Certainly, that incident was a major reason for the Valar to bring down that blizzard upon us, but I suspect that it was just a matter of time, given the volatility of personalities, that some other incident would have given the Valar an excuse to act."

"The end result though was not a bad thing," Gilvagor said. "Forcing us to work together to clear the snow did break down many of the artificial barriers we’d put up between us."

"That is true," Finrod averred, "but it is an example of the Valar’s contempt for this Council and its members that they felt it necessary to intervene in this manner instead of allowing us to work it all out on our own. Granted, the manipulation was subtle and it’s possible that what they intended would not have materialized. Some of you may have simply ended up murdering one another while you were trapped inside the mansions." He smiled to let them know he was only jesting and there were a few embarrassed chuckles.

"Just one more game of hide-and-find and I certainly would have cheerfully strangled every last Reborn within reach," Gwîrendur said with a smile, giving Brethorn a wink.

The Reborn just made a face and stuck his tongue out and the mood lightened throughout the room.

"At any rate, I wish to call one more witness and then give Lord Manwë the opportunity to present his defense," Finrod said and when Ingwë nodded, he called Vondo’s name. The ellon gave a start and then cringed into his chair. Both Herendil and Laurendil leaned over to speak to him in low whispers, Herendil stroking the ellon’s hair to comfort him. After a moment, Vondo nodded and slowly stood, his face white as he stared at Lord Manwë.

Finrod, divining Vondo’s dilemma, walked over to the ellon and put an arm around him. "You have nothing to fear," he said softly, though all could hear him. "This is not the same as when you were judged after your death. Were you judged by Lord Námo alone?"

Vondo nodded. "I was so scared," he said in a whisper.

"I know you were," Finrod said sympathetically. "But it’s over with and you have gone beyond it. Would it help if you stay here with your atar and answer the questions from your seat?"

Vondo gave him a grateful look and nodded enthusiastically. Finrod smiled and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead and told him to retake his seat, returning to his own place. Herendil patted his son on the thigh and gave him an encouraging smile. Vondo still seemed upset and Laurendil turned to speak to Lord Irmo, but the Vala anticipated his request and a flagon of water appeared at the table along with a crystal goblet and Laurendil poured some water into it and gave it to Vondo who drank it avidly. Finrod waited until he had drained the goblet before asking his first question.

"Vondo, would you tell us why you decided to come to Valmar when you knew you were not allowed to leave Lórien?" he enquired, speaking calmly, as if to a child, and certainly the ellon was that, at least on an emotional level.

"I was mad at Laurendil and I missed my family," Vondo answered simply.

"Tell us why you were mad at Laurendil," Finrod instructed patiently. The past year dealing with the five elflings and Vorondil had taught him how to deal with the literal-mindedness of the young and the emotionally young.

Vondo told them about the tracking game, becoming more enthusiastic as he spoke. Finrod had to gently interrupt him, saying that they didn’t need to know all the details of the game and Vondo blushed. He spoke about how, when he saw Laurendil smirking at him after he had failed to find the former Ranger, he had stalked off to sulk.

"I hated Laurendil then and I wanted to see my atto and ammë," he said. "And that’s when I got the idea to come find them. I saw no reason why I had to stay in Lórien when my family was here. So I left."

"And what did you do?" Finrod asked. "What steps did you take to leave and to avoid detection?"

Vondo began to explain but now Ingwë started asking for clarification, expressing surprise that the gates of Lórien were open and unguarded. Vondo was also questioned closely about how he managed to elude Laurendil and then his encounter with the Maia who had led him to the Council.

"And you never wondered how it is that you were able to leave Lórien so easily?" Finrod asked.

"Oh sure," Vondo replied breezily, "but I decided I wasn’t going to worry about it. I’ve eluded my minders before and this was just one more such time. I was having an adventure and didn’t care about anything other than to reach Valmar and find Atto before Laurendil caught up with me." He gave Herendil a shy smile and the absolute innocence of it caused more than one person to smile indulgently.

Finrod thanked Vondo and paused for a moment, staring, not at Lord Manwë, but at Lord Irmo, sitting in the tiers with the other Valar. "If I may ask, my Lord Irmo, simply so we have a complete picture of the circumstances, when were you aware that Vondo had left Lórien and was heading for Valmar?"

"My People were aware of Vondo’s plans as soon as he made his way to the stables and acquired a horse. They asked me for instructions and I told them to let the ellon go. I had one of them follow Vondo to make sure no harm came to him while he was on his adventure. The other Maiar were also instructed not to join with Laurendil in pursuing Vondo."

"Would you have made sure that Vondo made it to Valmar without interference?" Finrod asked.

"There was no need," Irmo replied. "Vondo was clever enough on his own to cover his tracks. By the time Laurendil or anyone else even knew that he was missing, Vondo was sufficiently ahead that none could have caught up with him."

"Except the Maiar," Finrod said and Irmo nodded. "Why, then, did you not allow the Maiar to bring Vondo back? What reason was there for Vondo to even be in Valmar?"

But Irmo shook his head. "That question properly should be addressed to Lord Manwë," he said. "It was his decision, after I told him about Vondo leaving Lórien, not to involve the Maiar in this."

Finrod turned his gaze upon the Elder King. "Then, by all means, let us hear what you have to say about this, my lord. It is in my mind that what happened with Vondo was a deliberate manipulation on your part, aimed at this Council for reasons none of us yet understand. I contend that you deliberately allowed Vondo to come here with the intention of having him interrupt the Council. Whether you anticipated Lord Selmacas’ reaction or not, you allowed a recent Reborn to come to harm in a most grievous manner and while he is physically healed, I doubt the emotional scars will disappear any time soon. So, my lord, let us hear your defense." He sat back in his chair, his expression calm.

Everyone else in the room held their breaths, staring at Lord Manwë, waiting for him to speak, wondering what defense the Elder King would put forth. Not a few wondered how they could ever hope to pass judgment upon the Valar and what the Valar would do about it.