Rescued From Shadows

Chapter Twenty-One

"You're giving up your crown!" Curufin practically shouted. The others just stood in silence and looked at Maedhros who was sitting upright in bed. "How could you?"

"I have to," Maedhros said. "I can't be king...I couldn't hold this title,"

"But you are giving to Fingolfin?! Why?!" Curufin said.

"Since he'll be the best leader for our people," Maedhros said. "I am sorry but none of us can...or should have the title of Highking. Our will put the people we have to lead into harm's way,"

"But this is our family's title!" Curufin argued.

Maedhros stood up and gave Curufin a hard look and said, "Yes. They are family too. Curufinwe, I have made my decision and based on everything I went through over these last long years...I feel it is the right one. So, if you feel that you can lead the kingdom, reclaim the silmarils, and protect the people without getting them killed over this cursed Oath...then go ahead. Take the crown."

Curufin stared at him in shock since over these past few months Maedhros hadn't spoken with such seriousness or power. Curufin just stared at him and then turned away and stormed out. Once he left Maedhros swayed on his feet and was caught by Maglor.

"Maedhros?" Maglor asked with concern.

Maedhros shook his head and stood up and moved back to the bed and held his head. It took a lot to get that confidence and power to get Curufin to settle down. He looked at the others and Celegorm sighed and said, "Don't worry. I can talk to him,"

"You aren't upset?" He asked.

Celegorm shrugged and rubbed Huan's head and said, "A bit but I figure that you did think this out. Besides, can you really see me being a king. I am a hunter, I go stir crazy just from staying indoors for a few hours."

"He's right," added the twins together. Maedhros chuckled and nodded his thanks at Celegorm who just smiled and walked out of the room. He was soon followed by the twins and once they left Caranthir came over and gave Maedhros a quick hug. When he let go he said, "You did what you think is right. I trust your decision."

When he left Maedhros looked at Maglor and said, "What about you?"

"I trust you Nelyo," Maglor said. "I don't care about our kingship...I just want to make sure that you and the others will stay safe."

"Thank you. Now, I just need to pass it over to Uncle Fingolfin." Maedhros said standing up.

"You mean HALF-Uncle Fingolfin," Maglor corrected lightly giving Maedhros a slight nudge causing the red-haired elf to laugh and shake his head. That was still a joke among him and his brothers. Since their father always corrected them to say 'half-uncle' since they were not fully related so he made a big point about correcting them.

"Do you need any help there?" Maglor asked.

"No. I am good," Maedhros said and walked towards Fingonfil's room. Maedhros was breathing steadily as he walked there since he still felt nervous and hesitant. He knew his uncle would most likely accept it but he didn't know what he was going to say.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door when he got there. After a few moments he heard, "Come in."

Maedhros stepped into his uncle's room and Fingolfin stood up instantly from his desk and smiled. "Nelyo? What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk to you Uncle," He said the worried voice he had from when he first came back from Angband started to resurface slowly. He blinked and looked at his shaking hands. Fingolfin came over and closed the door leading him into the room and sitting him down on a comfortable chair.

"Easy. Give yourself a few moments," Fingolfin said. Maedhros nodded, unable to speak for several minutes. After a few long moments of Maedhros looking at the floor and breathing deeply he looked at his uncle with tearing eyes.

"Uncle Fingolfin?" He asked. His voice sounded very soft, "I have a request...please...please take over the title of Highking. I can't...with everything that happened. I just can't...please...I can't bear that weight. I...am not as strong as my father was. Please..."

Fingolfin looked moved to the floor and looked at Maedhros as he hung his head sitting there. Guilt was concoming his face. "I will but are you-"

"I am sure! I just can't..." Maedhros said, shaking his head.

"Alright. I will take the crown from you." Fingolfin said. Maedhros nodded and thanked him. Yet, when he stood up his legs gave out on him and fell in the chair.

"Why don't you rest here for a while Nelyo." Fingolfin said as he grabbed a blanket and offered it to him. Maedhros nodded and took and settled back.

"Do you want me to find Fingon?" He asked. Maedhros nodded as he looked at the fire that was going in the fireplace. Fingolfin patted his shoulder and left the room. Once he was alone, Maedhros let out a

huge sigh and closed his eyes. When he did his mind drifted back to a memory of when he was in Angband.