A Second Choice 2

A Second Choice

Part 2 - Mando's Halls Part I

Posted: January 20, 2006

*****

Estë turned to Manwë and Namo asking, "Elrond has endured much and has a lot of pain to overcome; are you sure thirty days will give him the time he needs?"

"He did not use his ring to the same extent as the others," Manwë responded, "so his weariness, while carrying Meklor's taint of Arda, is not the same as what the others carry. After his first choice, I had Eönwë train him to use enough of his Maiarin heritage to draw what power he needed from Arda itself. Most of his wounds are personal and are the consequences of having no family to protect and guide him. These wounds will be healed as he contemplates his life and finds family here in Valinor."

Namo spoke, reminding her that time was relative in his Halls, and ensured her that Elrond would be given whatever time he needed before being released to her garden.

It was then that Varda spoke up. "He is a beautiful one, both in spirit and physically. The maidens will pursue him relentlessly. You should have warned him. With his past, he won't know how to handle the attention."

Again, Namo spoke up, "I have let it be known that my Halls are not open to them while Elrond is healing, and Vairë has spoken to her maidens about leaving him be until he is ready. They will not intrude on his healing time. When I feel he is ready, I will have him told. He will need the time to come to terms with the idea and possibly seek advice on what to do."

It was Oromë who spoke next. "Perhaps it would be better if we imposed limits on approaching him until his training is done. The maidens will be a distraction he does not need."

"That may be wise, but we will still have to deal with the disruption." Estë informed them. "Already they are trying to ingratiate themselves to Melian so that she can introduce and recommend them."

"The problem will become bigger than you now have." Manwë told the others with a twinkle in his eyes. "You forget that Glorfindel has also returned. When we sent him back to Arda he was much changed by Eru. He is more Maia than Elda now, and therefore an acceptable mate for the maidens. Soon they will realize they have two unattached males, not one, to peruse. This could be fun to watch if we don't let it cause too much trouble. May I remind you, they are both princes of the royal Elda houses. There will be many an elf mother seeking to match their daughters with them. The competition could become rather vicious."

"Estë, you will have to deal with this problem first." Namo told her. "Glorfindel will not need to come back into my Halls; his memories of being there after his death might even be detrimental. Elrond was able to heal him in many ways while he was still in Imladris. A soothing rest before he begins his confrontations should be all he needs. I agree with Oromë's idea, though. Let us train the two of them together while keeping the maidens of both kindreds away. Glorfindel is not as hesitant around females and can help Elrond in that respect."

"Is everyone in agreement then as to how we will handle this?" Manwë asked. After seeing that the other Vala agreed, he called for the Eldar waiting outside to come in and be judged.

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Elrond followed Eönwë out of the circle of doom and up the hill until they came to the edge of a mound.

"We will wait here for the time being," said Eönwë.

Elrond sat on the edge of the mound and looked out at the beauty around him. This was his first real look at the land of Valinor; he had been unconscious on the trip to the circle. He marveled at what he saw, but at the same time found himself comparing it to the land he had called home. While the beauty was comparable, you could feel the peace of the land. He longed for his home but felt the pull to become one with the land here. He realized he was feeling the struggle of his fëa to accept the changes of his surroundings.

"Do not fight what you feel," Eönwë said as he came to sit beside him. "It is the same for all who come from Middle Earth. Your fëa has spent its whole life struggling to survive in a harsh environment. It feels unnatural to your fea not to have to be wary. Most fëar adjust to the feeling of peace within a few weeks. Your stay in Mandos will make your adjustment a little different."

"What is this mound?" Elrond asked.

"You are in the heart of Valinor." Eönwë said. " This is where the two trees stood. From here, their light could reach all of Valinor and across the Bay."

"What happens now?" Elrond asked. "I know I am to go the Namos, but what will happen?"

As Eönwë contemplated what to say, he looked at Elrond. He saw glimpses of the scared, wary youth who had stood before him after the fall of Morgoth. He smiled as he compared the one before him with that youth. He could see the exhaustion in his face, as well as the results of worry, frustration, and fear. If he looked closely enough, he could see the results of years of rejection and defeat. Elrond's life had not been an easy one, but the years of toil had produced a purity of the fëa that shined though. The gangly youth had matured into a beauty to rival his famed ancestor Luthien. His unique mixture of bloodlines had managed to combine in a way that brought out the best features from all of them. He was going to enjoy the chaos Elrond would cause when he was healed and became open for pursuit.

Elrond began to feel uncomfortable and self-conscious under the scrutiny. "What?" he asked.

Smiling as he answered, Eönwë told him, "Don't worry; your problems won't begin until later. First, Namo will take you with him when he returns to his halls. There you will be given the time you need to heal from the many hurts you hold. When you are deemed ready, you will awaken in Estë's garden. There you will be taught some basics of being a Maia. You have a healing talent gifted from Eru. Namo may keep you a while and teach you to help with the fëar in his halls."

"Problems...what problems?" Elrond inquired worriedly.

Eönwë would only smile at him as they waited.

Soon, Namo came from the Ring, and Mithrandir came with him. Three great eagles landed near them and patiently waited.

"Come, Elrond,* Mithrandir said. *We will take the scenic route to Mandos. I know you have always wanted to fly on the back of an eagle, and I have asked some friends to accommodate us." He showed Elrond how to mount and hold on so he wouldn't fall off. He gave a little half bow to Eönwë and then mounted himself.

Elrond was still a little shocked by the turn of events, and did not know what to make of this. As the eagles lifted off, he resolved to take in as much of the beautiful land as he could see. He realized that his pain was slowly receding as they flew west. After about two hours of trave, he began to become drowsy. He adjusted his seating and clung on as best as he could but realized sleep was overtaking him.

"Thorondor will not let you fall," Elrond heard Mithrandir say as the blackness of sleep overcame him." He knows what is occurring and considers it an honor to be carrying you. Rest now and let yourself sleep. It was decided that this way would make your transition into Namo's home easier. When you awaken, you will be in the Halls."

Elrond came to in a shaded room. He felt different, and knew that he had left his hröa behind. The exhaustion and weariness were also gone, as if he had slept a long time without a care. He felt Namo's presence as he came into the room.

*Are there any personal effects upon your hröa that you would like to keep?* He heard as a thought in his fëa. *I have already taken the liberty of removing Vilya for you,* Namo told him.

*I was wearing a necklace that my children gifted me with when I left Middle-Earth. I would like to keep it if it is allowed,* Elrond thought, wondering if he would keep this ability to converse between minds when he was rehoused.

*Vairë said you would want that; is that all?* Namo asked. *I will hold these items for you until you are ready for them.*

*Yes,* was Elrond's simple reply. He was being distracted by the murmur he could hear coming from the hallway. *Who is that in the hallway?* he asked.

*You hear the murmur of other fëar,* Namo told him. *Those who will be rehoused spend much of their time alone, atoning for their actions in life and preparing for rebirth. As they near the time of rebirth, the fëar are moved into a communal hall to associate with others and resolve any lingering differences needed. Those whose fate is to never leave these Halls reside, alone, in a different section. When you are healed and ready, I will take you on a tour and explain how we work here. You can also spend some time with Vairë and her handmaidens before you leave.* Namo told him. *You have started to heal already. I let you sleep for a time. Rest and time is all that is needed to heal some hurts, for others there is reflection and penance. For now, I will escort you to a section reserved for the Maiar. As you heal and find peace, your fëa's strength will grow. We have found that a Maia's fëa overwhelms those of the firstborn, so I have a separate section for them. Also, the firstborns' fëa seem drawn to the Maiar's, and would prevent their healing if not separated. As you come near the time to leave, I will let you be among others.*

Elrond followed as he was led to along a corridor. They came to a section that seemed far away from everywhere else.

*This is the section reserved for the Maiar,* Namo told him. *You may move about on the right side of the hallway freely. Do not enter the left side. It houses the condemned spirits of the fallen Maiar. They will not take kindly to one such as you.*

*Is Sauron here in the halls then?* he asked while looking at the door.

*No.* Namo said. *Sauron's spirit was so caught up and meshed with the One Ring that when it was destroyed, Eru let his spirit be captured and taken into the void by Tulkas. You need not fear facing him again. You will not come into contact with any of the fallen Maiar here. They are not your concern.*

Namo let Elrond into the room behind the golden door. What he found was a long corridor with windows down both sides. As he looked, he saw his life played out before him. Every smile, every feeling of doubt, every feeling of jealousy was laid out before him. Elrond realized that maybe he had more to reflect on than he realized. He had always known how to forgive and heal others, but never did he try to use his abilities on himself. Now as he gazed at his past, he realized that maybe his initial sentence of thirty days would not be enough. He had much with which to come to terms.

*Stay and heal. I will return when the time is right,* Namo said as he left.

Elrond turned toward the windows.

*Nana, please come play with us. We will stay within sight of the sea.*

*Nana, don't leave us. Take us with you. Nana!*

*Ignore them Elros, they only laugh because they are jealous. They aren't worth playing with.*

*Hush brother, don't let them know that their looks bother you.*

*Why? Why are you leaving me?*

*Don't send me out again. Please let me stay for a while. I will stay out of sight. I won't make trouble for the King.*

*She won't notice me; my mixed blood makes me not good enough for her.*

*Why couldn't I save them? We were too late. Will they ever forgive me?*

*Why don't Celeborn and Galedrial leave? I built this place, it is my home, not theirs.*

*Why here? They will destroy everything. Why my beautiful home?*

*I know that I can't claim the kingship even though I am his heir. You don't have to remind me that you won't accept someone with mixed blood.*

*Yes, I will marry her, Celeborn. Even though she loves me not, I have always loved her. We need the alliance and I will treat her well.*

*She has left again for Lothlorien, Erestor. I know not how long she will be gone: years probably.*

*I am sorry. I could only heal your body.*

*Don't leave me; I love you.*

*Stay for a while, your ceaseless rage will only get you killed.*

*I may not have sired you, but I will always consider you my son.*

*The Ring can not stay here Mithrandir. We are not strong enough to fight this.*

*Are you sure of your choice, my daughter?*

*I have always known what choice the two of you would make, my son.*

*This is my home. I don't want to leave.*

*****

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