6. Oaths Sworn
The following three drabbles were written in answer to the "Ask a Character a Question" challenge for the Silmarillion Writers' Guild. The question, proposed by Jillian, asks Maglor: "Why did you not rescue your brother from Angband? Why did you leave the task to your cousin?"
Oaths Sworn
I.
The firelight touches my brother's face as he speaks to us. The parchment in his fingers does not tremble. It would tremble in mine. "Moringotto will treat with us," he says.
Our voices rise and collide in the silence. Our words tangle in senseless cacophony: argument and agreement, pale hands flashing like moths to the flame, but Maitimo says nothing. He nods, raises his palm to us.
Silence.
I watched my father flare into brilliance—a star in the night—and end as dust. The firelight blazes on Maitimo's hair. I can believe that he will share the same fate.
II.
My brother assembles his guard. Tyelkormo and the twins want to ride with him; I see them arguing. I know by the ways their eyes flash and their faces twist that they are losing.
"If you fall, we would be closer to failure. The Oath would be broken."
He strides to me, and I hold his sword for him while he mounts. We do not speak; words long since unnecessary between us. I hand him his blade, and his eyes meet mine.
"If I do not return, follow me not."
I have no time for protest before he rides away.
III.
The slow fall of hoofbeats in the street startles me from the surface of restless sleep. It is morning, although morning brings only darkness here.
I push the drape aside and stare into the street. I see horses. The horses of Maitimo's guard have returned to their homes, but their riders have not. Their legs are speckled by dark splatters.
Feeling not the cold floor on my bare feet, I throw open the door. Maitimo's horse stares me in the eye, dragging behind him by brother's trampled banner.
I sob into my hand. Two oaths I should not have sworn.
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
