Iron Stars

Chapter 24: The Dispossessed

On the House of Fëanor
The wrath of the Valar lieth
From the West unto the uttermost East
Their Oath shall drive them
And yet betray them
And ever snatch away
The very treasures that they have sworn to pursue
The Dispossessed shall they be forever

FA 8

Nyx tapped her foot against the stone, sharp eyes flitting from person to person. Next to her stood Maedhros, a grim expression on his face that mirrored her own. Around them stood the other members of Finwë's house as well as some of the other elves of Middle-Earth notably King Thingol.

Since the duo had returned from Angband, small hope had bloomed in their hearts. Though they bore scars would never fade from flesh and soul, the world had not halted and the future lay open. Nyx shivered slightly however upon recalling her desperate race to Mithrim.

For years following her first introduction to Morgoth's Arena, she had silently gathered information. She knew the layout of the vast fortress and her deadly blades had been completed. One day, with the aid of Varno, she had broken her chain, inadvertently injuring herself, and fled. Across the burning plains she had raced atop the back of Varno, distantly hearing pursuit.

She'd arrived in one piece though still horribly injured from her time in the prison. Nyx had immediately gone to find one of her brothers. However it was Fingon she had bumped into first. He had been stunned to see her and even more so when she asked what he knew of her brother.

The elf had told her she needed to see a healer but she had simply repeated her demand. She remembered him sighing and telling her Maedhros was healing and that he was safe. Nyx still wished to see for herself. She needed to know her brother was okay. She still remembered him being taken from her, her only ally in that dark hell.

And she remembered finding him again, pulling him into a hug and desperately holding on. He had held her as she finally wept, telling her he was okay, that they were safe now. That they would never be in chains again.

She was brought back to the present by the voice of King Thingol. "However I do not wish for any of the Ñoldor to settle Doriath. The other lands are empty and for you to use."

Caranthir turned his attention to Angrod of the House of Finarfin, his anger evidently sparked. "Clearly you were not the messenger to send unto the king," he spat, anger seeping into his every word.

Angrod prepared a response but Maedhros interrupted. "It is the wise king who chooses where to place his allies and his enemies. We shall be content in lands which you wield no control over," he said to Thingol.

The king's eyes darkened slightly but Nyx did not feel afraid. She had endured 30 years in the Iron Prison, a king of elves did not scare her. Not even when she was still technically a child in the years of elves for she did not appear to be one. Nyx seemed far older than even her brethren because she had to be.

FA 20

     The stars shone bright that night, glowing softly over the heads of the elven lords. For that night even the Children of Fëanor had come to celebrate and speak with others. Since their discussion with Thingol, the Children had remained in the East, rarely speaking with their kin.

     Nyx wove between the people, her silver eyes silently watching. She wore a decorative red tunic with silver stitching and a pair of dark pants. Her copper hair had been braided back in intricate patterns, small beads decorating it. As such, she seemed odd. Unlike her female cousins, she had chosen not to wear a dress and had rather strapped a sword to her belt. She appeared much more like her brothers than a lady.