Rescued From Shadows

Chapter Nineteen

Maedhros was deep in thought gazing blankly out his window when he gave a startled jump when he felt a hand lay down on his shoulder. He turned quickly staring wide-eyed at who was behind him, but his shoulders relaxed slightly when he saw it was only his uncle.

"Oh...it's only you," Maedhros said.

"Yes. I am sorry I startled you but I just came to see how you were doing," Fingolfin replied as he pulled a chair over and sat across from Maedhros who went back into the position he was in before. He looked out the window before he looked at Fingolfin and asked, "Do you...do you hate me?"

"What? Of course not," Fingolfin said. Maedhros gave a small nod and looked back out the window and sighed softly.

"Maedhros?" Fingolfin asked. The red-haired elf took a few moments before he looked back at Fingolfin and said, "It's nothing. Just forget it."

"I would like to try to help if I can. What's wrong?" He asked.

Maedhros sighed and said, "I do know that Fingon and a few others aren't mad at me but everyone else? My father and brothers caused so much hardship on you, your family, and all the other elves who followed you. I told them we should send the ships back but my father...he didn't listen to me. I tried but-" Maedhros's voice fell as he looked at his hand with a horrified expression. His hand shook as he sat there and in a shaky voice, he said, "I killed them...everyone who died crossing the Helcaraxe...it's my fault. They were innocent...I don't-"

Yet, Maedhros just dropped his head into his hand. His arm wrapped around his trembling body as he sat there. Fingolfin looked at his nephew for a few moments before he moved next to him and hugged him. "Maedhros." He said softly after Maedhros's shaking calmed down. The hurt elf looked up slowly and Fingolfin then continued, "I do not blame you for the burning of the ships. Fingon did convince me that you were not apart of that. Also, you are not responsible for the deaths that happened at the Helcaraxe. You were not the one that caused any of the deaths and-and neither were your brothers. So, please stop blaming yourself for this."

Maedhros swallowed hard and nodded as he sat back and rubbed some tears away. "I'll try," He replied softly.

"Good," Fingolfin said. "Also, I may have had many disagreements with your father but despite that. He still shares part of my blood and as hard as it is to forgive. I do forgive him and hold nothing against him,"

"You do?" Maedhros asked.

"Yes. In truth, I learned this from you," He replied. Maedhros just replied with a very puzzled expression. Fingolfin then continued on and said, "I watched how you struggled and still are struggling to get back some sense of normality. As I saw this I realized that you did not deserve this as well as if you can keep standing up and trying to get your life back. Then I have no right to stay in the past and hold grudges against my half-brother."

"Thank you, Uncle," Maedhros replied.

"Of course," Fingolfin replied.

Maedhros nodded and took a few deep breaths still calming himself down from his small episode. After he was done he looked at the chess game that was set up and then looked at his Uncle. "Care for a game?" He asked.

"Alright," Fingolfin said as he stood up and brought the game over for Maedhros to make things easier for him. He sat down and the two started playing.

~~~

After a few games, Fingolfin sat back shaking his head in wonder. "You are still very good at this," He said. They played a few games over a few hours and Maedhros won almost all of them, where Fingolfin only won a few, but there were about two which ended in a stalemate.

"Well, my father did invent this game and did ask me for some advice here and there about a few things," Maedhros said.

"Of course," Fingolfin said with a light chuckle. "Even though I was not the closest to your father I do think he would be proud of how strong you have become."

Maedhros stopped at that and smiled, "Thank you...Uncle, I know my brothers have been dealing with most of the issues in the kingdom but do you think I am ready to take back my position?"

"I think that'll be a better decision left to you," Fingolfin said. "Yet, if you are concerned to go right back into it. You can start with Maglor just bringing you small problems or simple things that need to be signed."

Maedhros thought about that for a few moments before he nodded and said, "I think that can work. Thank you...again."

"It's not a problem," Fingolfin said waving his hand. "Now, I should be going. Also, it looks about time for your sparing session with Fingon."

Maedhros turned his head and looked outside at the sun. "Right. It is," Maedhros said as he stood up quickly and grabbed his clothes and moved into the bathroom to change into better-suited clothes for training. When he left the game was put away and Fingolfin left the room and Maedhros took a few deep breaths before he stepped out to meeting Fingon outside.

As he walked he started to feel convinced again that he hadn't felt in a long time. Like he knew that he was going to be able to get past this. He will survive this. It was very good to have this feeling once more.