Rescued From Shadows

Chapter One

Fingon pulled his cloak closer to his shoulders. These mountains were hot, but there was a chill in the air that made it even worse. Fingon could not tell if he wanted to melt or freeze. He took a long breath as he continued walking. He had stopped singing a while ago since his voice began to hurt, he shook his head as he walked. He had to find him! He had to find Maedhros!

After another long set of walking, he began singing again. He quieted his song as he heard a reply. It was quiet and in a broken voice. It was hoarse and Fingon froze as he heard the voice. “Maedhros,” He whispered and hurried to where he heard it. He turned the corner and gasped as he stopped short. He froze in place as he looked up bound to the high cliffs was Maedhros. He was broken and bloodied, Fingon put a hand to his mouth and walked forward.

He could clearly see some wounds from down here. One of his feet were angled in a strange direction. He saw how the ankle was swelled up and bruised. He saw the discoloration on his right shoulder as he hung by it. It looked badly bruised and he clearly saw Maedhros shivering horribly. His brain didn't or rather couldn’t process anymore as called out again.

Maedhros’s head shifted slightly and he looked down at Fingon. “Finno? You…please if you’re real...please...kill me. It hurts. Please…” He begged his eyes looking at Fingon. His eyes were dark and held no light.

Fingon took an arrow from his bow and looked over Maedhros. He shook his head and said, “I can’t! I can’t kill you!”

“Finno. Please.” Maedhros begged. He hung his head and moved it slowly from side to side. “It hurts...I just want it to stop.”

Fingon swallowed and looked at Maedhros as he notched an arrow. He raised it up and his hands shook slightly as he looked at Maedhros. He shut his eyes tightly and felt tears sting them as he looked back up at him. “O King to whom all birds are dear, speed now this feathered shaft, and recall some pity for the Noldor in their need!" He said in a low whisper as he tried to steady his hand. Yet, his hand faltered and his bow fell to the ground. He couldn't...He couldn't hurt or kill Maedhros. His closest friend since before he could remember.

Fingon clenched his fist and he whispered one last, “please...don't abandoned us completely...help him...that's all I ask.”

He then gasped and said up as a great Eagle swooped down from the sky. He jumped back quickly realized that Manwe did not forget all his pity towards them. He quickly climbed onto the eagle’s back and it swooped into the sky and flew to be right in front of Maedhros. Fingon swallowed hard as he saw the full extent of his friend’s torture or at least more, a lot was covered in dried blood and dirt. His body was thin...too thin. He wore just a think pair of pants that were tatted and stained with blood. His hair was tattered, matted, and cut at odd angles. As if someone too a knife to it. It was darker than he remembered it no longer had a fiery light. Also, a few strands in the front were a silvery white. His blue eyes were clouded with pain and darkness. His left air was torn slightly and he had a horrible wound on the left side of his face. Fingon covered his mouth slightly at the horror that was inflicted upon his friend. Even though he saw more of the torture he still couldn’t prosses it all. He quickly moved to the bound around his wrist and he looked at it.

It was just a thin thing of metal that cut deep into Maedhros’s wrist. There was no keyhole or anything that may unlock it. He drew his dagger and tried to cut at the chain that grasped the cuff around his arm. Yet, it did nothing, it barely cut it. He stopped as he felt a slight tug on the edge of his cloak. He looked down at Maedhros’s weak expression.

“It’s...no...use.” He said slowly trying too hard to speak clearly. “Please. Just kill me. There is no hope...I did-what they did. Please. Just end it.”

“No! Nelyo! You are my best friend! Inyë mel-ldë,” He said. “Please. Just stay with me, ninya málo,”

Maedhros looked at him with a hopeless expression and just closed his eyes. Fingon looked back at his wrist bound cruelly to the metal. He couldn’t cut into the metal. That would do nothing and he had to get Maedhros to a healer. He was practically at the doors of Mando’s Halls. The idea struck Fingon as he realized what he had to do. He looked at Maedhros and slid off his cloak and wrapped it around his friend’s weak frame. “Nelyo.” He said speaking softly. “I am sorry. This will hurt, a lot.”

He then wrapped one arm around Maedhros and with his free hand, he positioned his dagger over Maedhros’s arm. He felt Maedhros tense and grip onto him as tightly as he could as he realized what Fingon had to do. Fingon looked down at Maedhros who nodded slightly and shut his eyes. Fingon looked to his arm and slid the dagger forward.

Maedhros let out a slight scream of pain as the dagger dug into his skin. He gripped Fingon tightly and buried his face into his chest breathing harshly. Fingon held him close as he continued to cut into his wrist. Within a few seconds though Maedhros fell forward and Fingon caught him. Maedhros was half caught in a scream of pain and shaking. Fingon moved Maedhros to lay down and ripped part of his cloak and wrapped it tightly around the bleeding stump.

He looked at this great eagle and it began flying off towards where the others where. Fingon then looked back to Maedhros who had fallen unconscious. He was shaking and Fingon moved him close as he wrapped his cloak around him tighter.

“Shhh. Sa níra horya-mai, sina mala-mendë sinta-oa,” Fingon said softly to him. He continued to speak softly to him in Quenya as they flew. Hoping he heard him and hoping he’ll be alright.

He looked up as the eagle landed. He got off and carefully guided Maedros off who was still unconscious. He rushed forward holding Maedhors. “A HEALER!” He shouted. “I need a healer!”

Glossary:
Quenya-
Inyë mel-ldë - I  love (as friend) you

ninya málo - my friend

Sa níra  metta mai, sina mala-mendë sinta-oa - it will end well, this hurt/pain will fade away